First direct support to private company in Latvia under the Juncker Plan through EFSI financing to manufacturer HansaMatrix The European Investment Bank signed a €10 million financing agreement with Latvian electronic system development and manufacturing company HansaMatrix. This agreement was made possible by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the heart of the Juncker Plan. The financing will support HansaMatrix's growth strategy based on the expansion of its manufacturing capacities and the ongoing shift from manufacturing to offering a full range of services. The financing will also help the company boost its research and development activities. This is the first direct EFSI financing to a private company in the country, and comes on top of over 7,300 SMEs already financed in Latvia through intermediary banks and funds. All investments will be located in Latvia, at the company's existing sites near Riga, Pārogre and Ventspils. Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said: "I'm pleased to see that financing under the Juncker Plan is also now going to the private companies of the manufacturing sector. I hope that more Latvian companies follow the same example soon, as the Juncker Plan represents an opportunity for businesses to get access to much needed finance, launch new products and expand beyond their local markets." By November 2018, the Investment Plan had already mobilised €360 billion of investment across Europe, including almost €960 million in Latvia, and supported 850,000 small and medium businesses. A press release is available here. (For more information: Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229-56153; Sophie Dupin de Saint-Cyr - Tel.: +32 229 56169)   Le très haut débit s'étend à La Réunion grâce à la politique de Cohésion Plus de 50 millionsd'euros du Fonds Européen de Développement Régional (FEDER) sont investis pour continuer à déployer l'internet très haut débit sur l'île de La Réunion. Devant l'obsolescence croissante des infrastructures numériques actuellement en place dans cette région ultrapériphérique française, une transition vers le très haut débit, soutenue par l'UE, permettra à La Réunion de réduire la fracture numérique avec le reste de l'Europe, maintenir son avance dans la zone océan indien, soutenir la croissance de la filière des technologies de l'information et de la communication et développer les usages numériques. Ce projet contribuera également à réduire la facture internet des 850 000 habitants de l'île, avec des coûts d'accès moins élevés qu'avec les structures actuelles. La commissaire à la politique régionale Corina Crețu a commenté: "Ce projet financé par l'UE contribuera à améliorer concrètement la qualité de vie des Réunionnais et à apporter de nouvelles opportunités économiques pour tous. Je sais à quel point le développement économique de La Réunion est une question centrale aujourd'hui. Cet investissement de l'UE est une preuve concrète de l'engagement de l'UE pour la compétitivité et l'emploi à La Réunion sur le long terme".Ce projet fait partie du Schéma Directeur Territorial d'Aménagement Numérique de La Réunion dont l'objectif consiste à atteindre une couverture totale du territoire en très haut débit d'ici 2026. Plus d'informations sur la nouvelle stratégie de l'UE pour les régions ultrapériphériques sont disponibles ici. (Pour plus d'informations: Christian Spahr – Tél.: +32 2 295 00 55; Sophie Dupin de Saint-Cyr – Tél.: +32 229 56169)   Commission welcomes progress made in adopting next EU research and innovation budget The Commission welcomes the partial general approach reached by the Council on the next EU funding programme for research and innovation Horizon Europe, which will run from 2021 to 2027. In June this year, the Commission proposed the most ambitious research and innovation programme ever, with a budget of €100 billion. Horizon Europe will build on the achievements and success of the previous research and innovation programme (Horizon 2020) and keep the EU at the forefront of global research and innovation. Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, said: "Horizon 2020 is one of the EU's biggest success stories. The new Horizon Europe programme aims even higher. So I am pleased to see progress on our proposal, which will push Europe's scientific leadership and capacity for ground-breaking innovation even further. I invite the co-legislators to start discussions in order to reach a common position without delay.” The agreement does not cover the budgetary aspects yet, given that the final amounts will depend on the agreement reached on the total EU budget for 2021 to 2027. A number of other issues of a horizontal nature have also been set aside pending progress in related files such as InvestEU or Structural Funds. (For more information: Lucía Caudet - Tel .: +32 229 56182; Victoria Von Hammerstein – Tel.: +32 229 55040) Eurogroup and ECOFIN meetings, 3 and 4 December 2018 Vice-President Dombrovskis and Commissioner Moscovici will represent the Commission at today's Eurogroup meeting. Ministers will discuss the Opinions adopted by the Commission on the Draft Budgetary Plans of euro area Member States. The Commission will present the first report for Greece under the enhanced surveillance framework that was put in place following the conclusion of the European Stability Mechanism stability support programme. The Commission and the European Central Bank will present the main findings of the tenth post-programme surveillance mission to Spain and the fifth post-programme surveillance mission to Cyprus. The International Monetary Fund will present the main findings from its euro area Article IV interim mission. The Eurogroup will then continue in an inclusive format to discuss the state of play of the ongoing work on the deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), including the completion of the Banking Union, ahead of the Euro Summit on 14 December. Commissioner Moscovici will participate in the press conference following the meeting. At tomorrow's ECOFIN meeting, the Commission will again be represented by Vice-President Dombrovskis and Commissioner Moscovici. Ministers will debate the final compromise text of the digital services tax the Commission proposed this March as part of a wider effort to address gaps in the taxation of the digital economy. Following the discussion on the deepening of the European Monetary Union at the Eurogroup the day before, ministers will take note of progress in completing the Banking Union, in particular concerning the European Deposit Insurance Scheme. In this context, Ministers are expected to endorse the result of the informal trilogue negotiation on key risk reduction measures of the banking package. The Commission will then present the latest, encouraging data on the reduction of non-performing loans (NPLs) in the EU banking sector and will report on its successful delivery of all the initiatives mandated by the Council's July 2017 action plan on tackling NPLs. Following the publication of itsCommunicationlast week, the Commission will also renew its calls for more intensive political engagement on the key building blocks of theCapital Markets Union (CMU)ahead of the European elections next May. The Council is due to adopt conclusions setting out an action plan on anti-money laundering, which will present a number of short-term actions. Finally, ministers will be called on to formally adopt without discussion new rules to improve the day-to-day running of the EU's VAT system. A press conference with Vice-President Dombrovskis will follow the meeting. (For more information: Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229-56153; Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Letizia Lupini – Tel.: +32 229 51958; Enda McNamara – Tel.: +32 229 64976; Patrick McCullough – Tel.: +32 229 87183) UN climate conference in Katowice: EU aims for adoption of rules for implementing Paris Agreement This year's UN climate conference will be a key moment for implementation of the Paris Agreement, with Parties aiming to finalise detailed rules that will enable the landmark accord to be put into practice across the world. The 24th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change– ‘COP24' – is taking place from 3-14 December in Katowice, Poland, presided over by the Polish government. It will bring together ministers and government officials, as well as a wide range of stakeholder representatives. The Vice-President for Energy Union, Maroš Šefčovič will be representing the Commission today at the high level opening ceremony. Just last week, the Commission presented a strategic vision on how the EU could achieve climate neutrality by 2050. This stands us in a good stead to enter the negotiations, which start at political level next week. The EU will be represented at the negotiations by the chief climate negotiator Miguel Arias Cañete and Elisabeth Köstinger, Minister for Sustainability and Tourism of Austria, which currently holds the EU Council Presidency. The Questions and Answers are available online in EN, FR, DE. (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen - Tel.: +32 229 56186; Lynn Rietdorf – Tel.: +32 229 74959) A Europe that Protects: Stronger rules criminalising money laundering enter into force Today, the new measures to counter money laundering by criminal law enter into force across the EU. The new rules will ensure that dangerous criminals and terrorists face equally severe penalties for money laundering wherever they are in the EU, with a minimum term of imprisonment of 4 years. Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos said: "If we want to catch criminals and terrorists, we have to follow the money. Today, we are beefing up the EU's response to money laundering, making sure that criminals and terrorists no longer get away with illegally gained money and face deserved justice. A Europe that protects is a Europe that effectively prevents and prosecutes criminals.” Commissioner for the Security Union Julian King said: “Money laundering is a key tool used by terrorists and serious criminals to obtain funding – by harmonising the crime and the punishment across the EU, we can further close down the space in which they operate. Member States now need to implement the new rules without delay.” The Commission proposed to harmonise offences and sanctions for money laundering across the EU in December 2017. While all Member States currently criminalise money laundering the definitions of this crime as well as the penalties related to it differ across the EU, allowing criminals to effectively "window shop" and exploit the differences between national legislation. With the new rules in force that will be no longer possible. Member States now have 24 months to implement the new rules into national law and notify the Commission accordingly. (For more information: Natasha Bertaud – Tel.: +32 229 67456 ; Katarzyna Kolanko – Tel.: +32 299 63444)   REACH: New criteria helps companies better assess safety and impact of nanomaterials Today, the European Commission adopted the revision of several Annexes of the EU Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), clarifying the registration requirements with regard to nanomaterials. Nanomaterials are chemical substances in a particular form ("nanoform") with special features at the "nanoscale" between 1 nm and 100 nm. Due in part to these special features, nanomaterials can be used in many different and innovative ways, for example in catalysts, electronics, solar panels, batteries, in materials science and biomedical applications. REACH has always applied to nanomaterials, but did not contain specific provisions for them, which is why companies often did not know how to register these "substances in nanoform". Scientific evidence has shown that the toxicity of nanoforms as well as their effect on the environment often differs from the conventional substance. The new registration requirements for nanomaterials will apply as of 1 January 2020. They will help close the knowledge gap about which nanomaterials are placed on the market and in which quantities. They will also provide information on their basic characteristics and use, how to handle them safely, what risks they potentially pose to health and the environment and how these risks can be adequately controlled. More detailed information on the presence and perspectives of products containing nanomaterials can be found at the European Observatory for Nanomaterials. More information on the revision of the Annexes is available online. (For more information: Daniel Rosario – Tel.: + 32 229 56185; Daniela Stoycheva - Tel.: +32 229 53664) Publication of latest agri-food trade figures: EU trade surplus still strong The latest monthly agri-food trade report published today shows that the EU maintained a monthly agri-food trade surplus of €2.2 billion in September 2018 in spite of a modest decline in export values of 6% compared with September 2017. The highest increases in monthly export values (September 2018 compared to September 2017) were recorded for Egypt (an increase €61 million), Algeria (up €34 million) and South Korea (a gain of €26 million). In contrast, exports to China dropped significantly (by €131 million). There were also drops in exports to both Hong Kong and Turkey. While there was an increase in exports for feed and feed ingredients and for preparations of vegetables, fruit and nuts, exports of raw hides, fur skins, wheat and other cereals experienced decreases. Imports from Brazil, the USA, Russia and Ukraine performed particularly well. Looking at the last 12 months from October 2017 to September 2017, agri-food export surplus remains at €21 billion. Wine, sugar, spirits and liqueurs are sectors that keep exporting significant quantities and values. The monthly report provides a table presenting the trade balance and its development by product category from October 2016 to September 2018. (For more information: Daniel Rosario – Tel: +32 2 29 56185; Clémence Robin – Tel: +32 229 52 509) La Commission approuve une nouvelle indication géographique protégée de Roumanie La Commission européenne a approuvé la demande d'inscription du «Scrumbie de Dunăre afumată» dans le registre des indications géographiques protégées (AOP).  Le «Scrumbie de Dunăre afumată» est un poisson fumé du delta du Danube fait à partir de l'alose de la mer Noire. Le fumage à froid est traditionnellement employé afin de retenir une grande quantité des matières grasses de ce poisson, qui est  pour sa taille, le plus gras du monde. Pour les populations locales du delta du Danube, la pêche est l'activité la plus ancienne et la plus importante, et le «Scrumbie de Dunăre afumată» en est emblématique. Cette nouvelle appellation va rejoindre plus de 1440 produits (hors vins et spiritueux) déjà protégés dont la liste est disponible dans la base de données DOOR. Pour plus d'informations, voir aussi les pages sur la politique de qualité. (Pour plus d'informations: Daniel Rosario – Tél: +32 2 29 56185; Clémence Robin – Tél: +32 229 52 509) State aid: Commission approves Cypriot “ESTIA” scheme to support households at risk of losing their home due to difficulties in mortgage repayments The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules the Cypriot “ESTIA” scheme to support private households and micro-companies that have encountered difficulties in repaying mortgage loans and risk losing their primary residence. The scheme, which has an annual budget of around € 33 million, sets strict eligibility criteria in terms of the value of the primary residence and income of the borrower to ensure it is targeted at those in need. Eligible borrowers will receive a grant equivalent to one third of their monthly loan payment, provided that (i) their loans are secured against their primary residence; and (ii) they resume paying the other two thirds of their monthly payment. If the borrower stops servicing its loan, it is foreseen that the bank initiates the foreclosure of the property. All participating banks will have to restructure the loans of eligible borrowers along the same requirements defined by the State. The Commission concluded that, with respect to individuals and micro companies, the measure does not involve any State aid. With respect to the banks that issued the loans, the Commission found that the scheme will provide an indirect advantage because it increases the amount of repayment the banks are likely to receive from the non-performing loans. At the same time, the Commission's assessment showed that this indirect aid would not create undue distortions of competition because the aid is limited to what is necessary to achieve its objective of ensuring that borrowers do not lose the house in which they live. Moreover, since all mortgage lenders established in Cyprus are able to participate in the scheme, it is non-discriminatory among banks. The Commission has therefore concluded that the scheme is well-targeted and limited in time and scope as required by EU rules. Finally, the scheme is expected to contribute to reduce the high burden of non-performing loans in the Cypriot banking sector. More information will be available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number SA.49554. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Giulia Astuti - Tel.: +32 229 55344)   Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Hospital Topco by Centerbridge The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Hospital Topco Limited of the UK by Centerbridge Partners, L.P. ("Centerbridge") of the US. Hospital Topco is the parent company of the healthcare group operating under the BMI Healthcare brand and the property interest holding companies. Centerbridge is an investment management firm focused on private equity and distressed investment opportunities. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns because of the limited impact it would have on the market. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.9160. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni - Tel.: +32 229 90526) Concentrations: la Commission autorise l'acquisition des activités presse du groupe Lagardère par Czech Media Invest La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, le projet d'acquisition des activités presse du groupe français Lagardère (via Hachette Filipacchi Associés, Lagardère Publicité et Lagardère Digital France), à l'exception des titres Journal du Dimanche et Paris Match et des noms de produits ou marques Elle, par le groupe Czech Media Invest ("CMI") de Tchéquie.Hachette Filipacchi Associés, Lagardère Publicité et Lagardère Digital France sont actifs dans la publication de magazines français, l'édition de sites internet associés, ainsi que la vente d'espaces publicitaires sur ces médias. CMI est actif dans la publication de titres de presse, l'édition de sites internet associés, l'édition de services de radio, ainsi que la vente d'espaces publicitaires sur ces médias dans les pays d'Europe centrale et orientale. La Commission a conclu que l'acquisition envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence compte tenu de son impact très limité sur la structure du marché. L'opération a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure simplifiée du contrôle des concentrations. De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro d'affaire M.9156. (Pour plus d'informations: Ricardo Cardoso – Tél.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni - Tél.: +32 229 90526) Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of SodaStream by PepsiCo The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of SodaStream International Ltd of Israel by PepsiCo Inc. of the US. SodaStream is active in the manufacturing of home carbonation systems, while PepsiCo is a major player in the beverage market. The Commission found that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns because there are no or only limited overlaps and links between the activities of the companies. The Commission investigated also potential conglomerate issues due to PepsiCo's activity and potential expansion in the production of dilutable concentrates, syrups and flavours that might be used with SodaStream's home carbonation systems to produce home-made soda. However, the Commission concluded that conglomerate effects are unlikely due to the specific characteristics of the products, which are designed to work with all alternatives offered by competitors. The transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.9108. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni - Tel.: +32 229 90526) Concentrations: la Commission approuve la création d'une entreprise commune par Meridiam et CDC La Commission Européenne a autorisé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l'acquisition du contrôle conjoint de l'entreprise commune nouvellement créée par les entreprises Meridiam Transition ("Meridiam") et Caisse des dépôts et consignations ("CDC"), toutes trois basées en France. L'entreprise commune construira et exploitera une usine de production de granulés destinés au secteur industriel, résidentiel et à la cogénération, ainsi qu'une centrale de cogénération produisant de l'électricité et de la chaleur. Meridiam est un fond d'investissement dédié à des projets d'infrastructures dans les domaines des énergies renouvelables, de l'efficacité énergétique, des services énergétiques locaux et des réseaux électriques et gaziers. CDC est une institution publique active dans le financement de projets d'intérêt général, la prise de participations dans des secteurs ouverts à la concurrence et la gestion de fonds. La Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulevait pas de problème de concurrence du fait que l'entreprise commune ne prévoit d'exercer qu'une activité négligeable sur le territoire de l'Espace Economique Européen. La transaction a été examinée selon la procédure simplifiée de contrôle des concentrations. De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro d'affaire M.9153. (Pour plus d'informations: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni - Tel.: +32 229 90526) ANNOUNCEMENTS European Commission hosts high-level conference on tackling discrimination and intolerance against Muslims in the EU The European Commission hosts today a high-level conference to address intolerance, hate speech and discrimination affecting Muslims in the EU. The event brings together national authorities, international organisations as well as representatives of civil society and of the religious communities. First Vice-President Timmermans said: “Recent surveys show that intolerance towards Muslims is growing in the EU and the protection of their basic fundamental rights is being challenged. In our European vision there is no place for discrimination against any minority. After all, we are all minorities in the European Union.”  Vĕra Jourová, Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, added: “Discrimination, acts of intolerance or racism against the 25 million Muslims living in the EU is a violation of their fundamental rights, but it also fuels marginalisation and self-exclusion. We need to fight this intolerance and discrimination, as these only make us weaker and more fragile." On the occasion of this event, the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) will present a new database  providing an overview of hate crime, hate speech and discrimination against Muslims in the EU from 2012 to 2017.Follow the Commission's work on combating racism and xenophobia, hate speech online and anti-Muslim hatred(For more information: Christian Wigand – Tel.: +32 229 62253; Mélanie Voin – Tel.: +32 229 5865)   Vice-President Ansip participates in Cyber Security Conference in Vienna The European Commission together with the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU are organising a Cyber Security Conference on 3 and 4 December 2018 in Vienna. Vice-President for the Digital Single Market, Andrus Ansip, will participate in the conference where he will stress the need to agree on the Cybersecurity Act in December and will urge all Member States to increase their efforts in building their national capacity against cybersecurity threats and to cooperate with each other. Securing network and information systems is essential to keep the online economy and society running and to ensure prosperity. For this purpose, the Commission proposed in September 2017 a wide-ranging set of measures to deal with cyber-attacks and to build strong cybersecurity in the EU. This included the cybersecurity package, a proposal for strengthening the EU Agency for Cybersecurity, and a new European certification scheme, ensuring that products and services in the digital world are cybersecure. It is currently being discussed by the co-legislators, the Council and the European Parliament. (For more information: Nathalie Vandystadt - Tél .: +32 229 67083; Marietta Grammenou- Tél .: +32 229 83583; Joseph Waldstein – Tel.: +32 229 56184) Commissioner Jourová hosts a high-level conference concluding the Stop violence against women campaign Today, Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Věra Jourová is hosting a high-level conference on "Ending Violence Against Women - Taking Stock and Next Steps", which concludes the campaign No.non.nein Say No! Stop violence against women, launched by the Commission in 2017. The Commissioner will also award a prize to a video raising awareness on this topic, following a competition addressed to young professionals and students to shoot an awareness-raising video targeting bystanders of violence. Commissioner Jourová said: “Violence against women doesn't belong to Europe and we all have a role to play to address it. I am glad the campaign is supporting training of police officers, social workers or lawyers amongst others. Women victims of violence can only be truly protected if all relevant actors are on board.” Throughout the campaign, the Commission provided 15 million euro of funding to support local governments, lawyers, doctors or police officers and civil society organisations to finance concrete projects and raise awareness. Today's High Level Conference brings ministers and representatives from international organisations, civil society actors and activists to look at what has been achieved, learn from the good practices at grassroots' and national level, and discuss future actions. Information about the campaign is available on the No.non.nein #SayNoStopVAW website.(For more information: Christian Wigand – Tel.: +32 229 62253; Mélanie Voin – Tel.: +32 229 5865)   Commissioners Thyssen and Navracsics hand out 2019 Access City Awards Tomorrow, 4 December, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen, and Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, Tibor Navracsics, will hand out the 2019 Access City Awards. These Awards, organised by the European Commission together with the European Disability Forum, is one of the actions of the EU Disability Strategy 2010-2020 to create a barrier-free Europe. It recognises those cities that are leading lights in overcoming obstacles across Europe today. The winners of the Awards will be made public tomorrow following the ceremony by means of a press release, published here. Furthermore, the award ceremony will conclude the conference on the European Day of Persons with Disabilities which takes place today and tomorrow, 3 and 4 December, in Brussels. This year's conference will address several topics such as the path towards a new Disability Strategy, the Multi-annual Financial Framework and, marking the European Year of Cultural Heritage, the accessibility of cultural heritage. More information on the EU's efforts to improve the lives of persons with disabilities and create a more inclusive society is available here. (For more information:Christian Wigand– Tel.: +32 229 62253; Sara Soumillion – Tel.: + 32 229 67094)   Le commissaire Mimica se rend à Cotonou, au Bénin Le commissaire en charge de la coopération internationale et du développement, Neven Mimica, est aujourd'hui à Cotonou, au Bénin, pour participer à la 36ème session de l'Assemblée parlementaire paritaire Afrique-Caraïbes-Pacifique / Union européenne. Lors de sa visite, le commissaire Mimica rencontrera également le Président du Bénin, Patrice Talon. Tous deux discuteront des moyens pour renforcer le partenariat UE-Bénin afin de stimuler les investissements privés et la création d'emplois, dans le cadre de la nouvelle "Alliance Afrique-Europe pour des investissements et des emplois durables" lancée en septembre 2018 par le président Juncker. (Pour plus d'informations: Carlos Martin Ruiz De Gordejuela – Tél.: +32 229 65322; Christina Wunder – Tél.: +32 229 92256) Commissioner Stylianides in Nicosia, Cyprus to receive the “Yannos Kranidiotis” Award  Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides is in Nicosia, Cyprus today to deliver a speech at a ceremony during which he will receive the "Yannos Kranidiotis Award" for his contribution to the European project. Tomorrow Commissioner Stylianides will meet with Mr Nikos Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus. During his visit the Commissioner will also meet with academics of the University of Nicosia Medical School and with representatives of the NGO, REACTION to present rescEU, the Commission's proposal to strengthen the European system of disaster response. (For more information: Carlos Martin Ruiz de Gordejuela – Tel.: +32 229 65322; Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32 229 69140) ICT 2018 event is about shaping the digital transformation of Europe's societies and economies From 4 – 6 December the European Commission and the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union will hold ICT 2018 Imagine Digital – Connect Europe(#ICT2018), a flagship event that will rally in Vienna more than 5000 European researchers, business people, investors, bloggers and policymakers. #ICT2018 will showcase tomorrow's robots, applications and objects and will present the latest news on EU research and innovation policies in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as well as funding opportunities. Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, Mariya Gabriel, who will be at the conference, said: “ICT2018 shows the creativity and excellence of European researchers. But our next challenge is to turn their results into successful products and companies, to give new opportunities to citizens and to benefit the whole economy. That is why we need to invest in skills and help for more companies to use the new technologies, for example artificial intelligence.” The ICT 2018 conference will discuss the key areas of the Digital Europe Programmeproposed in May 2018 by the Commission in the context of the next EU long-term budget for 2021-2027: high-performance computing, artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity and trust, advanced digital skills and eGovernment. Furthermore, during the event more than 100 networking sessions will take place, while the Innovation and Startups forum will bring together market-oriented innovators and investors, and present marketable results from EU-funded projects. Commissioner Gabriel and Austrian Minister of Transport, Innovation and Technology Norbert Hofer will also award prizes for the Innovation Radar, Digital Skills  and FIWARE challenges. For more information check the Media room. (For more information: Nathalie Vandystadt – Tel.: +32 229 67083; Marietta Grammenou- Tel.: +32 229 83583; Joseph Waldstein – Tel.: +32 229 56184)         Upcoming events of the European Commission (ex-Top News)