Main news from Brussels this week
date: 18/10/2019
EU nationals living outside the EU can register for a .eu top-level domain
From 19 October 2019, the updated regulation on .eu top-level domain will extend the right to register a .eu domain name to citizens of the European Union, no matter where they are residing in the world. Previously limited to residents of EU and EEA countries, the .eu space currently ranks as the seventh largest country code extension on the internet. Around 12 million Europeans live in the United States, Canada and Australia and the new rules will facilitate their access to the EU’s digital single market.
European Commission approves €380 million German rescue aid to Condor
On 14 October, the European Commission approved, under EU State aid rules, Germany's plans to grant a temporary €380 million loan to charter airline Condor. The measure will contribute to ensuring the orderly continuation of air transport services and avoid disruptions for passengers, without unduly distorting competition in the single market. On 25 September 2019, Germany notified the Commission of its intention to grant, via the German public development bank KfW, a €380 million rescue loan to Condor. The airline faces an acute liquidity shortage following the entry into liquidation of its parent company, the Thomas Cook Group. Furthermore, Condor had to write off significant claims against other Thomas Cook Group companies which Condor will no longer be able to collect.