COMPETITION

• Judgment of the General Court of 18 October 2023 in Case T‑74/21,Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Cephalon Inc., Vs. European Commission
  Re: Competition - Agreements, decisions and concerted practices - Modafinil market - Decision finding an infringement of Article 101 TFEU - Patent dispute settlement agreement - Restriction of competition by object - Characterisation - Restriction of competition by effect - Conditions for exemption under Article 101(3) TFEU - Fines
• Judgment of the General Court of 18 October 2023 in Case T‑590/20, Clariant AG, Clariant International AG Vs. European Commission
  Re: Competition - Agreements, decisions and concerted practices - Ethylene market - Decision finding an infringement of Article 101 TFEU - Coordination on a purchase price element - Settlement procedure - Fine - Adjustment of the basic amount of the fine - Point 37 of the Guidelines on the method of setting fines - Repeat infringement - Point 28 of the Guidelines on the method of setting fines - Unlimited jurisdiction - Counterclaim for increase of the amount of the fine
  
• Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.11167 - Alimentation Couche-Tard (Belgium - Luxembourg - Germany))
• Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.11277 - TPG / KKR / A-Gas)
• Commission carries out unannounced antitrust inspections in the construction chemicals sector - IP/23/5061
• Commission clears acquisition of Westinghouse by Brookfield and Cameco (M.10988) - Midday Express
• Commission clears acquisition of PangeaCo by KKR and Telefónica (M.11243) - Midday Express
• Belgium - Hospital concentrations: the Competition Authority confirms its merger control competence and adapts its analytical framework to the specificities of the sector
• 22nd ICN Annual Conference – Record participation expected in Barcelona

STATE AID

• Judgment of the General Court of 18 October 2023 in Case T‑737/20, Ryanair DAC, Vs. European Commission supported by Republic of Latvia, and byAir Baltic Corporation AS
  Re: State aid - Latvian air transport market - Aid granted by Latvia to airBaltic in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic - Recapitalisation - Decision not to raise any objections - Action for annulment - Locus standi - Admissibility - Temporary Framework for State aid measures - Measure intended to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State - Failure to weigh the beneficial effects of the aid against its adverse effects on trading conditions and the maintenance of undistorted competition - Identification of the relevant market - Significant market power - Equal treatment - Freedom of establishment - Freedom to provide services - Obligation to state reasons
• Judgment of the General Court of 18 October 2023 in Case T‑333/21, Ryanair DAC Vs. European Commission supported by Italian Republic
  Re: State aid - Italian air transport market - Aid granted by Italy to an airline in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic - Direct grant - Decision not to raise any objections - Aid intended to make good the damage caused by an exceptional occurrence - Article 107(2)(b) TFEU - Consideration of earlier aid measures in favour of the same beneficiary which are the subject of pending formal investigations - Assessment of damages - Causal link - Principle of non-discrimination - Free provision of services - Freedom of establishment - Obligation to state reasons
• Judgment of the General Court of 18 October 2023 in Case T‑332/21, Wizz Air Hungary Légiközlekedési Zrt. (Wizz Air Hungary Zrt.), Vs. European Commission
  Re: State aid - Romanian air transport market - Aid granted by Romania to TAROM in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic - State guarantee on loans - Decision not to raise any objections - Action for annulment - Locus standi - Substantial adverse effect on the applicant’s position on the market in question - Admissibility - Aid intended to make good the damage caused by an exceptional occurrence - Assessment of the damage - Causal link - Beneficiary’s pre-existing difficulties - Principle of non-discrimination - Freedom to provide services - Freedom of establishment - Obligation to state reasons
• Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU - Cases where the Commission raises no objections - SA.104336 & SA.101109
• Commission notice on current State aid recovery interest rates and reference/discount rates applicable as from 1 November 2023
• Commission approves €25.6 million Irish State aid scheme to support the fishery sector in the context of Brexit (SA.108080) - Midday Express
• Commission approves €16 million Belgian State aid scheme to support the fishery sector in the context of Brexit (SA.109114) - Midday Express
• Commission approves €7 million Irish State aid scheme to compensate fish processing sector in the context of Brexit (SA.108134) - Midday Express
• Commission approves €100 million Austrian State aid scheme to support companies facing increased energy costs in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine (SA.108877) - Midday Express

TRADE & CUSTOMS

• Agenda for: Meeting of the Export Credits Group - 19 October 2023
• The General Court annuls the additional customs duties on certain lighters from the United States (see CPR Nº 157/2023 - Judgment of the General Court in Case T-402/20, Zippo Manufacturing and Others Vs. Commission)
  
• Council Decision (EU) 2023/2216 of 16 October 2023 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Argentine Republic amending the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Argentine Republic pursuant to Article XXVIII of the GATT 1994 relating to the modification of concessions on all the tariff-rate quotas included in the EU Schedule CLXXV as a consequence of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2158 of 17 October 2023 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1478 extending the definitive countervailing duty imposed by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/776, on imports of certain woven and/or stitched glass fibre fabrics originating in the People’s Republic of China and Egypt to imports of certain woven and/or stitched glass fibre fabrics consigned from Turkey, whether declared as originating in Turkey or not
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2159 of 17 October 2023 accepting a request for new exporting producer treatment with regard to the definitive anti-dumping measures imposed on imports of certain iron or steel fasteners originating in the People’s Republic of China and amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/191
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2169 of 17 October 2023 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1477 extending the definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/492, as amended by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/776, on imports of certain woven and/or stitched glass fibre fabrics originating in the People’s Republic of China and Egypt to imports of certain woven and/or stitched glass fibre fabrics consigned from Turkey, whether declared as originating in Turkey or not
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2217 of 16 October 2023 repealing Regulation (EC) No 901/2007 concerning the classification of certain goods in the Combined Nomenclature
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2218 of 16 October 2023 concerning the classification of certain goods in the Combined Nomenclature (CN: 3913 90 00)
• Council Decision (EU) 2023/2208 of 28 September 2023 establishing the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Joint Committee established by the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community as regards the adoption of a decision adding two newly adopted Union acts to Annex 2 to the Windsor Framework
• Highlights of the agenda of the informal ministerial meeting on Trade - 19-20 October 2023

INTERNAL MARKET & INDUSTRY

• Agenda for: Working Party on Competitiveness & Growth (Industry) - 23 October 
• Agenda for: Working Party on Technical Harmonisation (Safety of Toys) - 20 October 2023
• October infringement package: key decisions
• Deadline extension for Horizon Europe calls following Hamas' terrorist attacks across Israel - Midday Express
• A STEP towards supporting EU competitiveness and resilience in strategic sectors - See the EP Statement & Resolution

AUTOMOTIVE

• Agenda for: Working Party on Technical Harmonisation (Motor Vehicles) - 23 October 2023
• Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 as regards strengthening the CO₂ emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles and integrating reporting obligations, and repealing Regulation (EU) 2018/956 - General approach
• Answer given by Mr Breton to a MEP written question - Draft regulation of the Minister for Infrastructure on approving the installation of an additional gas supply system for vehicles

CHEMICALS

• Agenda for Working Party on Technical Harmonisation (Dangerous Substances - Chemicals) - 31 October 2023
• Commissioner Thierry Breton visits France to discuss the decarbonisation of the European chemicals industry - Midday Express

TAXATION

• Agenda for: VAT Expert Group - 26 October 2023
• New tax transparency rules will help Member States shed light on the crypto-asset sector - Midday Express
• Taxation: Antigua and Barbuda, Belize and Seychelles added to EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes  - Midday Express

AGRICULTURE & FISHERIES

• Agriculture and Fisheries" Council on 23-24 October 2023
  - Prospects of organic farming - Information from the Lithuanian delegation, supported by the Bulgarian, Croatian, Cyprus, Czech, Danish, Finnish, Hungarian, Latvian, Maltese, Romanian and Swedish delegations
  - A new Deal for Farmers – how to tackle the current challenges for the EU farming sector - Information from the Austrian delegation
• European Commissions approves three new Geographical Indications for German and Portuguese wines - see ‘Großräschener'; 'Terras de Cister' & 'Terras do Dão'.
• Parliament approves new EU fisheries control rules - See the EP Resolution
• EP resolution of 17 October 2023 on the implications of Chinese fishing operations on EU fisheries and the way forward

ENERGY

• Agenda for: Meeting of the Electricity cross-border committee - 23 October 2023
• Main results of the Council of the European Union (TTE-Energy) - 17 October 2023
  - Reform of electricity market design: Council reaches agreement - see Remarks by Commissioner Simson
• EU energy ministers break deadlock on power market reform - Talks had stalled for months due to Franco-German dispute - Politico.eu
• Germany caves in to French demands over EU electricity market reform - Berlin has lifted its objections to state subsidies for nuclear power - Financial Times
• Answer given by Ms Simson to a MEP written question - Denmark’s implementation of the Renewable Energies (RE) II Directive (2018/2001/EU) in Draft Act L 81 amending the Act on the promotion of renewable energy

ENVIROMNENT & CLIMATE CHANGE

• Agenda for: Working Party on International Environment Issues (Global) - 24 October 2023
• Climate finance: Council approves conclusions ahead of COP 28
• Submission to the UNFCCC on behalf of the EU and its Member States on the update of the nationally determined contribution (NDC) of the EU and its Member States - Approval

TRANSPORT & MOBILITY

• Agenda for: Working Party on Land Transport - 23 October 2023
• Rail transport: Commission decides to refer SPAIN to the Court of Justice of the EU for failing to correctly transpose and apply EU rules establishing a single European railway area - IP/23/4817

DIGITAL & INFORMATION SOCIETY

• More than €240 million to support digital connectivity infrastructures - Midday Express

DATA PRIVACY & CYBERSECURITY

• Digital euro: ensuring the highest data protection and privacy standards - see the EDPB-EDPS Joint Opinion 02/2023
  

AREA OF FREEDOM, SECURITY & JUSTICE

• Agenda for: Meeting of the on 19 and 20 October 2023
  - Overview of the current legislative proposals under the Spanish Presidency (state of play of ongoing legislative files)
• VP Schinas, Commissioners Reynders and Johansson to attend the "" Council on 19 and 20 October - Midday Express
• The Commission reports on three years of progress on the Security Union - Midday Express 
  - Communication on the Sixth Progress Report on the implementation of the EU Security Union Strategy
  - Communication from the Commission on the EU roadmap to fight drug trafficking and organised crime
• Communication from the Commission on countering potential threats posed by drones
• Press statement by President von der Leyen with Belgian Prime Minister De Croo and Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson following the memorial for the victims of the Brussels attack of 16 October 2023
• New measures to simplify the resolution of disputes out of court and boost consumer rights - IP/23/5049
• Commission and consumer authorities look into business practices of influencers - Midday Express
• Investigation into Pylos migrant shipwreck wins 2023 EP journalism prize - See the EP Statement
• Trafficking in human beings: MEPs ready to negotiate new EU rules - See the EP Statement

ECB, EURO & ECONOMY

• Main results of the Council - 17 October 2023, see Remarks by EVP Dombrovskis
  - Recovery fund: Council greenlights updated national plans for Czechia, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal and Slovenia
• Speech by Luis de Guindos: Macroprudential policy and research: learning from challenging times
• ECB - Consolidated financial statement of the Eurosystem as at 13 October 2023
• The future of DAOs in finance - in need of legal status - ECB Occasional Paper Series - No.331
• Forecasting euro area inflation with machine-learning models - ECB Research Bulletin - No.112

FUTURE OF EUROPE

• Delivering today and preparing for tomorrow: The 2024 Commission Work Programme - IP/23/4965, see the Communication & Factsheet
• President Metsola at the European Council: EU must remain coherent and united - See the EP Statement

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

• Commissioners Urpilainen and Simson travel to Nigeria to strengthen bilateral and regional partnership and launch digital, energy and connectivity programmes - Midday Express
• Armenian Prime Minister: “We must move steadily towards peace with Azerbaijan” - See the EP Statement

MIDDLE EAST

• Speech by President von der Leyen at the EP Plenary debate on the despicable terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, Israel's right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza
• Opening statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel on the occasion of the extraordinary meeting of the European Council of 17 October 2023

RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE

• Judgment of the General Court of 18 October 2023 in Case T‑532/21, OAO Minskii Avtomobilnyi Zavod – upravljajusaja kompanija holdinga Belavtomaz, Vs. Council of the European Union
  Re: CFSP - Restrictive measures adopted in view of the situation in Belarus - Freezing of funds - Lists of persons, entities and bodies subject to the freezing of funds and economic resources - Inclusion and maintenance of the applicant’s name on the lists - Concept of ‘support for the regime’ - State-owned enterprise - Error of assessment
• Judgment of the General Court of 18 October 2023 in Case T‑533/21, OAO Belaz - upravljajusaja kompanija holdinga Belaz Holding, Vs. Council of the European Union
  Re: CFSP - Restrictive measures adopted in view of the situation in Belarus - Freezing of funds - Lists of persons, entities and bodies subject to the freezing of funds and economic resources - Inclusion and maintenance of the applicant’s name on the lists - Concept of ‘support for the regime’ - State-owned enterprise - Error of assessment
• Commission welcomes Solidarity Lanes Memorandum of Understanding between Romania and Ukraine - Midday Express
• A long-term solution for Ukraine’s funding needs - See the EP Statement & Resolution