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EU Sanctions Helpdesk New service to support European SMEs in complying with sanctions EU restrictive measures, also known as sanctions, are an essential tool in the EU’s common foreign and security policy. The EU now has over 40 sanctions regimes globally containing a wide range of restrictive measures, from targeted individual measures (e.g. asset freezes) to more comprehensive sectoral approaches (targeting finance, trade, energy, etc.). With increasing worldwide tensions, EU restrictive measures are continuously expanding at a more rapid pace. This complexity can generate risk aversion, which in some instances may lead to de-risking practices. As a result, compliance needs are soaring.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Finance news hub

 

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Commission launches targeted consultation on the reduced content and the standardised format and sequence of the EU follow-on prospectus and the EU growth issuance prospectus The European Commission has launched a consultation addressed to all potential issuers and users (investors or others) of the EU follow on prospectus and EU growth issuance prospectus in the EU, irrespective of the domicile of these market participants or users. The outcome of this consultation should enable the Commission to incorporate stakeholders' feedback on how to effectively define the reduced content and the standardised format and sequence of the EU follow on prospectus and the EU growth issuance prospectus. This process should ensure efficiency and effectiveness, while allowing flexibility where necessary. Read more and have your say »

This is an email sent by the European Commission's Finance news hub. It is hosted by the Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union.

European Stability Mechanism:Statement by Pierre Gramegna following meeting with Greek Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis

 

Statement by Pierre Gramegna following meeting with Greek Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis 14 March 2025 ESM Press Release no. 5/2025   We discussed many topics. One topic that was usually on the agenda took less space this time: that is the macroeconomic situation in Greece, which is very reassuring. Greece has been growing more than 2% in the last three years, which is double the average of the euro area. Debt is decreasing in a convincing manner. It has been halved in the last ten years. There is no major concern about that at the moment.

data.europa.eu:Newsletter - March 2025

 

Newsletter - March 2025

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Events

Don’t miss the EU Open Data Days 2025!

Join us online on 19-20 March for the EU Open Data Days! This event will bring together data enthusiasts, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore the power of open data. Over two days, take this unique opportunity to learn from experts through success stories and best practices. No registration is required – the live stream starts on 19 March at 13.30 CET. Date 19 - 20/03/2025 Watch online

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NEU - Newsletter for the European Union

 

ISSUE n. 222 1 MARCH 2025

GDPR: Please find at this link our updated Privacy Policy

Peace talks on Ukraine – is the EU omitted? Ukraine peace deal and its potential impact on European energy Trump’s Role in Ukraine Peace Talks: Exclusion, Diplomacy, and Global Impact Peace in Ukraine: the view from European societies Peace in Ukraine: the view from European societies Peace talks on Ukraine: a new challenge ahead for the European Union Introduction to the Current Peace Talks in Ukraine

EDITORIAL  Peace talks on Ukraine – is the EU omitted? As the US engages in direct negotiations with Moscow, the EU remains on the sidelines, relegated to a secondary role—or, for the first time in decades, to a position distinct and distant from that of the American superpower. Click here to read the article

ENERGY Ukraine peace deal and its potential impact on European energy

MARIO DRAGHI:O ΜΟΝΟΣ ΠΟΥ Μ Π Ο Ρ Ε Ι να σώσει την Ευρώπη...

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Draghi

ESM raises €2 billion with sale of 10-year bond

 

ESM raises €2 billion with sale of 10-year bond 17 February 2025 ESM Press Release no. 4/2025 Here is a link to the ESM's latest press release: ESM raises €2 billion with sale of 10-year bond

Media Enquiries       Cédric Crelo Head of Communications and Chief Spokesperson Phone: +352 260 962 205 c.crelo@esm.europa.eu Anabela Reis Deputy Head of Communications and Deputy Chief Spokesperson Phone: +352 260 962 551 a.reis@esm.europa.eu     Juliana Dahl Principal Speechwriter and Principal Spokesperson Phone: +352 260 962 654 j.dahl@esm.europa.eu

Η ΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΚΗ ΒΙΑ στον τομέα των Τροφίμων.Την προσοχή σας εδώ!!

 https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/sante/items/712990/el

Μικρά έντομα — Μεγάλα οφέλη! Εγκρίνονται τα έντομα ως τρόφιμα στην ΕΕ


Σύμφωνα με την πρόσφατη απόφαση της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής, οι αλευροσκώληκες έγιναν το πρώτο έντομο που θα μπορούν να καταναλώνουν ως τρόφιμο οι Ευρωπαίοι. Ο Rafael Pérez, επικεφαλής της ομάδας για τα νέα τρόφιμα στη ΓΔ SANTE, σχολιάζει την απόφαση αυτή που διευρύνει τις διατροφικές επιλογές των καταναλωτών στην ΕΕ, τον ολοένα και μεγαλύτερο ρόλο των εντόμων για μια πιο υγιή και βιώσιμη διατροφή, καθώς και τα οφέλη που συνεπάγεται η κατανάλωσή τους για το περιβάλλον τα προσεχή έτη.



Ημερομηνία: 02/06/2021


Γιατί εγκρίθηκε η κατανάλωση εντόμων ως τρόφιμα;

Ύστερα από την πρόσφατη έγκρισή τους οι αλευροσκώληκες θεωρούνται πλέον νέο τρόφιμο, δηλαδή τρόφιμο που δεν κατανάλωναν ευρέως οι πολίτες της ΕΕ πριν από τις 15 Μαΐου 1997, όταν τέθηκε σε ισχύ ο πρώτος κανονισμός για τα νέα τρόφιμα.

Με βάση τα πορίσματα αυστηρής επιστημονικής αξιολόγησης που διενέργησε η Ευρωπαϊκή Αρχή για την Ασφάλεια των Τροφίμων (EFSA), τα κράτη μέλη συμφώνησαν με την έγκριση της αίτησης που είχε υποβάλει υπεύθυνος επιχείρησης τροφίμων στην Επιτροπή για τη διάθεση του συγκεκριμένου προϊόντος στην αγορά της ΕΕ.

Στη συνέχεια, η Επιτροπή εξέδωσε τη σχετική νομική πράξη την 1η Ιουνίου 2021.

Απομένει να δούμε βεβαίως αν θα αποφασίσουν και οι καταναλωτές να εντάξουν το έδεσμα αυτό στη διατροφή τους ή όχι, αν και η κατανάλωση εντόμων δεν είναι κάτι καινούριο, καθώς αυτά ήδη αποτελούν μέρος της ανθρώπινης διατροφής σε πολλά μέρη του κόσμου.



Είναι τα έντομα ασφαλή για κατανάλωση ως τρόφιμα;

Ναι. Τα νέα τρόφιμα μπορούν να εγκριθούν μόνο εάν δεν παρουσιάζουν κανένα κίνδυνο για την ανθρώπινη υγεία. Ύστερα από αίτηση που κατέθεσε η εταιρεία SAS EAP Group, το προϊόν υποβλήθηκε σε αυστηρή επιστημονική αξιολόγηση από την EFSA, η οποία κατέληξε στο συμπέρασμα ότι οι αλευροσκώληκες είναι ασφαλείς.

Θα ήθελα να τονίσω ότι τα νεοεγκριθέντα τρόφιμα υπόκεινται στους κανόνες της ΕΕ που διέπουν την επισήμανση των αλλεργιογόνων. Σύμφωνα με τους κανόνες αυτούς 14 αλλεργιογόνα, όπως αυγά, γάλα, ψάρια, καρκινοειδή και τώρα τα έντομα, πρέπει να δηλώνονται στην επισήμανση. Έτσι, τα άτομα με τροφικές αλλεργίες μπορούν να λαμβάνουν τεκμηριωμένες αποφάσεις και να αποφεύγουν προϊόντα με συστατικά στα οποία είναι ευαίσθητα.

Για γενικά θέματα υγείας, όπως είναι οι τροφικές αλλεργίες, η EFSA κατέληξε στο συμπέρασμα ότι η κατανάλωση αλευροσκωλήκων μπορεί ενδεχομένως να προκαλέσει αλλεργικές αντιδράσεις, ιδίως στα άτομα με προϋπάρχουσες αλλεργίες στα καρκινοειδή και τα ακάρεα. Οι περιπτώσεις όμως αυτές παραμένουν πολύ περιορισμένες.



Πώς θα γνωρίζουν οι καταναλωτές αν τα τρόφιμά τους περιέχουν έντομα;

Το σχέδιο νομικής πράξης καθορίζει τις απαιτήσεις επισήμανσης για τα προϊόντα τρόφιμα που θα περιέχουν το νέο τρόφιμο. Η απαίτηση αυτή έρχεται να προστεθεί στις απαιτήσεις του κανονισμού για θέματα επισήμανσης.

Με λίγα λόγια, οι καταναλωτές μπορούν να είναι ήσυχοι ότι, όταν τα προϊόντα αυτά εμφανιστούν στα ράφια των καταστημάτων, θα φέρουν σαφή επισήμανση που θα ενημερώνει επακριβώς τους καταναλωτές για το ακριβές περιεχόμενο των αγορών τους. Η ΕΕ είναι απόλυτα προσηλωμένη στην αρχή της διαφάνειας.



Με ποιον τρόπο τα έντομα στα τρόφιμα και τις ζωοτροφές συμβάλλουν στη βιωσιμότητα του επισιτιστικού συστήματος;

Σύμφωνα με τον Οργανισμό Τροφίμων και Γεωργίας (FAO), τα έντομα θα συμβάλουν σημαντικά στην επίλυση πολυάριθμων θεμάτων που αντιμετωπίζουμε και θα συνεχίσουμε να αντιμετωπίζουμε τον 21ο αιώνα. Στα ζητήματα αυτά περιλαμβάνονται το αυξανόμενο κόστος των ζωικών πρωτεϊνών, η επισιτιστική ανασφάλεια, οι περιβαλλοντικές πιέσεις, η αύξηση του πληθυσμού και η αυξανόμενη ζήτηση πρωτεϊνών μεταξύ των μεσαίων τάξεων.

Τα έντομα είναι σε αφθονία στον πλανήτη μας, διαθέτουν υψηλές πρωτεϊνικές και θρεπτικές ιδιότητες και ευθύνονται για λιγότερο από το 1% του αποτυπώματος άνθρακα του ζωικού κεφαλαίου. Αποτελούν λοιπόν την ιδανική εναλλακτική διατροφική επιλογή για μια υγιεινή και βιώσιμη δίαιτα. Συμβάλλουν έτσι όχι μόνο στην υγεία μας αλλά και στην υγεία του περιβάλλοντος και, επομένως, στο ίδιο μας το μέλλον.



Ποια είναι τα επόμενα βήματα στον τομέα αυτό;

Σύμφωνα με τα στοιχεία του FAO, πάνω από 1.900 είδη εντόμων έχουν χρησιμοποιηθεί ως τροφή παγκοσμίως. Όπως και για τους αλευροσκώληκες, στο πλαίσιο του κανονισμού για τα νέα τρόφιμα η Επιτροπή έχει λάβει αρκετές αιτήσεις για την έγκριση άλλων ειδών εντόμων, όπως οι προνύμφες Alphitobius diaperinus (μικρό σκαθάρι των αλεύρων), Gryllodes sigillatus (τροπικός οικοδίαιτος γρύλος), Acheta domesticus (οικοδίαιτος γρύλος ή τριζόνι), Locusta migratoria (αποδημητική ακρίδα) και προνύμφες Hermetia illucens (μαύρη μύγα των απορριμμάτων).

Μέχρι στιγμής η Επιτροπή έχει κρίνει έγκυρες 11 αιτήσεις και διενεργείται αξιολόγηση ασφάλειας για καθεμία από αυτές. Μόλις εκδοθεί θετική γνώμη από την EFSA, η Επιτροπή θα προχωρήσει στη διαδικασία έγκρισης.

Τα προσεχή έτη τα είδη εντόμων που θα εγκριθούν βάσει του κανονισμού για τα νέα τρόφιμα θα αποτελούν μια ολοένα και σημαντικότερη εναλλακτική πηγή πρωτεϊνών, που θα συμβάλλουν στους στόχους της στρατηγικής «Από το αγρόκτημα στο πιάτο» για ένα βιώσιμο σύστημα τροφίμων στην ΕΕ και παγκοσμίως.

Small insects – Big impact! EU authorises insects as food


Following the European Commission’s decision to approve mealworms as the first insect as food in the European Union, Rafael Perez, team leader for Novel foods at DG SANTE, discusses the move to expand the dietary choices of EU consumers, the growing role that insects will play as part of a healthier, more sustainable diet, as well as the benefits for the environment for years to come.



date: 02/06/2021


Why are insects being authorised as food?

Following recent authorisation, mealworms are now considered as a ‘novel food’, any food that has not been widely consumed by people in the EU before 15 May 1997, when the first Regulation on novel food came into force.

A stringent scientific assessment that was carried out by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) led Member States to give the Commission the go-ahead to allow a food business operator, who had applied for this authorisation, to place the product on the EU market.

The Commission then adopted the legal act on 1 June 2021.

Of course, it is up to consumers to decide whether they want to eat insects or not, but consuming insects is nothing new as they already are included in diets in many parts of the world.



Are insects as food safe?

Yes. Novel Foods can only be authorised if they pose no risk to human health. Following an application by the company SAS EAP Group, the product went through a stringent scientific assessment by EFSA, which concluded that yellow mealworm is safe.

I would like to stress that these newly authorised food are subject to EU rules governing the labelling of allergens, which identify a list of 14 allergens that need to be labelled such as eggs, milk, fish, crustaceans and now insects. Such rules grant people living with food allergies more power to make informed decisions and avoid products that contain ingredients to which they are sensitive.

For general health issues, such as food allergies, EFSA concluded that consumption of the yellow mealworm could potentially lead to allergic reactions, especially for those with pre-existing allergies to crustaceans and dust mites. However, such incidences remain very low.



How will consumers know if insects are contained in their food?

The draft legal act lays out the labelling requirements for foodstuffs that will contain the Novel Food. This requirement is in addition to the requirements of the labelling regulation.

In short, consumers can have confidence that once these products appear on our supermarket shelves, they will be clearly labelled, informing the consumer of the exact contents of their purchases. The EU is steadfast in its commitment to transparency.



How do insects in food and feed contribute to the sustainability of the food system?

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), insects as food will play a leading role in facing the many issues that we are and will continue to face in the 21st century. These include the rising cost of animal protein, food insecurity, environmental pressures, population growth and increasing demand for protein among the middle classes.

Thanks to insects’ abundance in our world, their high-protein and nutritious properties represent less than 1% of the carbon footprint of livestock and are the ideal dietary alternative, facilitating the shift towards healthy and sustainable diets, and positively contributing not only to our health but also that of our environment and therefore our future.



What are the next steps in this area?

According to FAO, over 1900 insect species have reportedly been used as food in the world. As for mealworms, the Commission has received several applications for the authorisation of other insect species such as Alphitobius diaperinus larvae (lesser mealworm), Gryllodes sigillatus (tropical house cricket), Acheta domesticus (house cricket), Locusta migratoria (migratory locust) and Hermetia illucens larvae (Black soldier fly) under the novel food regulation.

To date, the Commission has considered 11 applications as valid and a safety evaluation by EFSA is being performed for each of them. As soon as a positive opinion is delivered by EFSA, the Commission will proceed with the authorisation process.

In the coming years, insect species authorised under the novel food regulation will become an ever-more important source of alternative protein which will contribute to the Farm to Fork Strategy’s goals for a sustainable food system in the EU and in the world.

ESM appoints Jun Dumolard as Head of Funding and Investor Relations

 

ESM appoints Jun Dumolard as Head of Funding and Investor Relations 13 February 2025 ESM Press Release no. 3/2025 (Luxembourg) – The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) has appointed Jun Dumolard as Head of Funding and Investor Relations. He will assume the position on 1 May 2025. Mr Dumolard has most recently served as Chief Financial Officer at Unédic, the French unemployment insurance agency. Throughout his tenure, he played a key role in establishing Unédic as a leading French SSA debt issuer, overseeing its funding strategy through economic crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and navigating structural changes driven by public reforms. Prior to his appointment as CFO at Unédic, Mr Dumolard performed the role of Front Office Treasurer and Head of Treasury at the institution.  “I am delighted that Jun Dumolard will soon be in charge of the ESM’s funding operations. He brings a proven track record in public debt issuance and financial strategy, while also having implemented one of the world’s leading ESG social bond frameworks. Jun’s time at Unédic also afforded him valuable experience in engaging with an international investor base. I am confident that he will further strengthen the ESM’s position as a major bond issuer in global financial markets,” said ESM Managing Director Pierre Gramegna. Having grown up and lived in both France and Japan, Mr Dumolard studied Finance Management and Business Administration at EDHEC Business School. Jun Dumolard (photo credit: Cédric Hesly)

ESM appoints Yana Djoneva as Chief Operating Officer and Management Board member

 

ESM appoints Yana Djoneva as Chief Operating Officer and Management Board member 13 February 2025 ESM Press Release no. 2/2025 (Luxembourg) - The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) has appointed Yana Djoneva to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Member of the Management Board. Ms Djoneva will assume her duties on 1 March 2025.   The new Chief Operating Officer will oversee the activities of the Business Strategy and Project Management division, as well as the Information Technology and Facilities Management division. The HR and Organisation division, which was previously part of the COO department, will be reporting directly to the Managing Director going forward.  Ms Djoneva joined the ESM shortly after its inception and has played a key role in building up and maturing the ESM’s internal operations in line with best practices. With over 12 years of experience at the ESM, including her role as Deputy Head of Corporate Governance and Internal Policies, and her extensive knowledge in policy, governance, risk, audit, and business continuity, Ms Djoneva has demonstrated strategic thinking while being also very effective at day-to-day execution.  Over the past two years, Ms Djoneva has been a key member of the COO management team in her role as Senior Advisor to the COO. She helped ensure excellent services by connecting people, processes, and technology, and actively contributed to ESM-wide strategic initiatives.  “With her extensive experience and excellent track record at the ESM, Yana is a great addition to the Management Board. I look forward to collaborating closely with her and the other Management Board members to achieve further success for our organisation”, said Pierre Gramegna, ESM Managing Director.  Prior to joining the ESM, Ms Djoneva worked for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Cola-Cola HBC, among others, garnering broad international experience in operational risk, audit and legal roles.  Ms Djoneva holds an MBA from London Business School, a Master’s in European law from Université de Lorraine, and a Master of Law from Sofia University. She also attended the Wharton School OECD Executive Education Programme.   https://www.esm.europa.eu/profile/yana-djoneva Yana Djoneva

Media Enquiries       Cédric Crelo Head of Communications and Chief Spokesperson Phone: +352 260 962 205 c.crelo@esm.europa.eu Anabela Reis Deputy Head of Communications and Deputy Chief Spokesperson Phone: +352 260 962 551 a.reis@esm.europa.eu     Juliana Dahl Principal Speechwriter and Principal Spokesperson Phone: +352 260 962 654 j.dahl@esm.europa.eu Phone:       About the ESM     The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) has the mandate to preserve financial stability in the euro area by providing financial assistance to Member States with severe financing problems. It is a permanent inter-governmental institution, operating since October 2012. The shareholders of the ESM are the 20 euro area Member States. All financial assistance to Member States is linked to appropriate conditionality. The ESM finances its assistance by issuing bonds and other debt instruments. It has a total subscribed capital of approximately €700 billion, which comprises €80 billion in paid-in capital and €624 billion in committed callable capital. The ESM’s maximum lending capacity is €500 billion.

NAT section newsletter

 

February 2025 ■ eesc.europa.eu/nat ■ Our current & future opinions

EDITORIAL BY PETER SCHMIDT

We need to accelerate action on the SDGs -sustainable food systems are key The latest SDSN's Europe Sustainable Development Report and the EESC study on SDG2 highlight that EU progress on the implementation of the SDGs is slowing down, while inequalities are rising. Progress on SDG 2 - zero hunger - is especially off-track. Yet, sustainable food systems are a crucial driver for the implementation of the SDGs. What we need are ambitious mechanisms to safeguard the livelihoods of farmers, effective multistakeholder engagement and concerted international action. The costs of inaction are growing. We must intensify our efforts to fight climate change and inequalities. 💬Read the editorial