On 17 October, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine, the Middle East, ensuring a rules-based international order, competitiveness, migration, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia, external relations and other items.
“A thriving ocean holds immense benefits for all life, and President Biden has made clear that preserving this natural resource is key to protecting our livelihoods” – US White House.
The European Parliament and its Committee on Budgetary Control have consistently called for transparency in the allocation and use of EU funds. The ultimate goal is to enable the tracing of funds, and ensure targeted and effective EU spending.
The European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA and ESMA – ESAs) today published their final Reports on Greenwashing in the financial sector.
On 17 October, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine, the Middle East, ensuring a rules-based international order, competitiveness, migration, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia, external relations and other items.
The overhaul of the EU Customs Code reform would change the way customs authorities operate, cooperate with traders and manage goods that people order online. The EU Customs Code needs a thorough revamp due to the exponential growth of e-commerce and many new product standards, bans, obligations and sanctions the EU has put in place in recent years. The reform introduces new tools and puts in place simpler processes to help customs authorities to work more efficiently and focus on checking the riskiest goods, shipments and traders.
They propose higher binding waste reduction targets to be met at national level by 31 December 2030 – at least 20% in food processing and manufacturing (instead of 10% proposed by the Commission) and 40% per capita in retail, restaurants, food services and households (instead of 30%). Parliament also wants the Commission to evaluate if higher targets for 2035 (at least 30% and 50% respectively) should be introduced, and if so, asks them to come up with a legislative proposal.
Since they were established in 2013, EU’s rules on out-of-court consumer redress (the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) directive and the Online Dispute Resolution (ORD) have not been updated. The ODR platform was created to help settle disputes over online purchases, however it has proved to be ineffective. In October 2023, the Commission proposed to discontinue the platform and to adapt the ADR directive to the evolving digital market landscape.
With 484 votes for, 121 against and 20 abstentions, MEPs adopted their position on compulsory licensing making the EU ready for future crises by ensuring availability of relevant products, such as vaccines or chips, in emergency situations. The EU should now be able to issue a special permission with specified scope, territorial coverage and duration for the use of patent without authorisation of the rights-holder in cross-border emergencies. Its aim would be to ensure the EU receives the necessary supply of crisis-relevant products protected by patents and certificates and the national and EU levels.
In his “This is Europe” address to the European Parliament, Prime of Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo focussed on three key factors for the coming years. First, strategic competitiveness, which is important as Europe’s productivity is falling behind that of key competitors. To thrive in a global landscape, Europe needs a fully functioning internal market, investments in innovation and skills, and a more effective use of its budget, said Mr Orpo. The EU also needs to conclude new trade deals, he argued.
MEPs support creation of the European legal status for associations to facilitate their cross-border mobility, activities and access to funding.
With 490 votes for, 69 against and 64 abstentions, MEPs approved draft rules on the new legal form of the European cross-border association (ECBA) to be recognized across the EU. The aim of the draft law is to overcome diverging national rules and save 770 million euro annually on administrative costs related to setting up a national branch. The status of the European cross-border association should improve its mobility and facilitate its cross-border activities without hampering iits potential.
The European Parliament backed today more effective EU rules for combined work and residence permits for third-country nationals. The update of the Single permit directive, adopted in 2011, which established a single administrative procedure for delivering a permit to third-country nationals wishing to live and work in an EU country, and a common set of rights for third-country workers, was adopted today with 465 votes in favour, 122 against and 27x abstentions.
The new legislation on seizing criminal assets would ensure fast and efficient freezing and confiscation everywhere in the EU and improve the rights of victims in these processes. The European Parliament has voted to approve the result from inter-institutional negotiations on new legislation to boost the freezing and confiscation of criminal assets. The agreement was adopted with 598 votes in favour, 19 against, and 7 abstentions.
The draft rules aim to decrease the number of unsafe toys sold in the EU single market and better protect children from toy-related risks.
On Wednesday, Parliament approved its position on revamped EU rules on toy safety with 603 votes in favour, 5 against and 15 abstentions. The text responds to a number of new challenges, mainly stemming from digital toys and online shopping, and converts the existing directive into a directly applicable regulation.
“Clearly, productivity is a strong driver of competitiveness and we note that average productivity growth has stagnated in the EU over the last decade. Social investments and reforms are a crucial means to relaunch our productivity. Therefore, we urgently need to focus more on innovation, research and development, good education, upskilling, reskilling, and active labour market policies in the EU” – Vincent Van Peteghem, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
To prevent reckless driving while abroad, the updated rules will expand the list of traffic offences committed by non-resident drivers that trigger cross-border assistance possibly resulting in a fine for dangerous drivers.
An UNCTAD solution for developing countries to digitalize and share data on natural resources gains renewed significance amid soaring demand for minerals vital for the transition to clean energy.
The Commission has adopted today the first implementing rules on cybersecurity of critical entities and networks under the Directive on measures for high common level of cybersecurity across the Union (NIS2 Directive).
Brussels, 11 March 2022 The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation to assess
Brussels, 11 March 2022 The Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) formally endorsed the Council’s negotiating mandate
Strasbourg, 10 March 2022 Two special committees set up: one on foreign interference including disinformation
Brussels, 10 March 2022 The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee will hold a hearing
EU FUNDING Final online information and matchmaking day for Digital Europe Programme calls on sectorial
Published on 9 March 2022 The informal meeting of European Ministers in charge of telecommunications and
Strasbourg, 9 March 2022 Malicious and authoritarian countries, such as Russia and China, manipulate information
6 March 2022 This content is also available in Ukrainian. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names
Published: 06 March 2022 WRITTEN BY OCCRP The Russian Ministry of Justice declared (http://minjust.gov.ru/ru/documents/7756/) Saturday that
15 March 2022 15 March 2022 to 16 March 2022 Online transmission from
On 17 October, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine, the Middle East, ensuring a rules-based international order, competitiveness, migration, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia, external relations and other items.
The current pace of executions in Iran, at least 600 since January, is appalling. The European Union reiterates its firm and principled opposition to the use of capital punishment at all times and in all circumstances. The death penalty is a cruel and inhumane punishment, which fails to act as a deterrent to crime and represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity. It is a definite punishment that makes possible miscarriages of justice irreversible.
Amid the decades-long crackdown on rights of LGBTIQ persons unleashed under President Putin, this decision aims at further persecuting the LGBTIQ community in Russia and aims to stifle civil society and those courageously defending human rights. This decision will prevent LGBTIQ persons from enjoying their human rights and dignity over fears of unjustified persecution.
“This gathering brings together more than 1,000 participants from all key stakeholders. European Union institutions – President [of the European Council, Charles] Michel and President von der Leyen attended this year’s conference, which is a clear signal of the importance of the agency and the centrality of this event on how to “Power up our European Defence” – EU High Represenative Borrell.
The Department of State issued the 2022 Country Reports on Terrorism (CRT). Each year, the CRT provides insight on important issues in the fight against terrorism and helps the United States make informed decisions about policies, programs, and resource allocations as we seek to build counterterrorism capacity and resilience around the globe.
The EU Council presidency and the European Parliament’s negotiators have reached a provisional agreement on the proposed legislation regarding cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements, which aims to ensure that products such as connected home cameras, fridges, TVs and toys are safe before they are placed on the market (cyber resilience act).
The Finnish Government submitted a proposal on Finland’s accession to NATO SOFA and the Paris Protocol to Parliament on 30 November. In addition to the acts bringing into force the treaties, the proposal contains amendments to nine related acts. The Government’s assessment is that acceptance by Parliament will require a two-thirds majority decision.
NOK 50 million will be allocated to the World Bank’s Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF). The Bank’s agricultural programme, ARISE (Ukraine Agriculture Recovery Inclusive Support Emergency), is providing access to affordable financing to farmers in Ukraine.
Between 13 and 18 November 2023, law enforcement authorities across Europe joined forces to target firearms trafficking, drug trafficking, migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings, and high-risk criminal networks during coordinated EMPACT Joint Action Days South East Europe (EMPACT JAD SEE). In total, 26 countries across Europe, supported by Europol, Eurojust, Frontex, INTERPOL and a number of international structures, took part in these large-scale coordinated operational activities.
We all you know that the strategic environment around us has fundamentally changed. This creates a new kind of responsibility for Europe. I call it strategic responsibility. It is a responsibility, first of all, to support Ukraine in this war, for as long as it takes. This will not be easy – but this is exactly when our commitment needs to be rock-solid. Russia is now reinforcing its positions. Trying to re-take the initiative. And this means that the situation on the battlefield remains very challenging. But this is not an argument against support.
The Commission updated the EU Air Safety List, the list of airlines that are subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union, because they do not meet international safety standards. Ensuring the highest level of air safety for Europeans and all other travelling passengers is at the very heart of the Commission’s aviation safety policy.
Thanks to the work of our political Group, the upcoming law will allow the participation in the proceedings of NGOs, trade unions and other parties with legitimate interest in support of defendants. It will also introduce measures regarding legal, psychological and financial assistance through a single point of contact to those that are victims of SLAPPs.
In Barcelona, the Spanish Foreign Minister Albares and the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Nasser Kamel, hosted representatives of the 43 Member States of this Union. Prince Faisal of Saudi Arabia took also part in the meeting and presented the views of the Arab/Islamic Summit. Israel was regrettably absent. It has its full place in the Union for the Mediterranean and I hope that Israel will participate in these meetings again in the future.
The two approved schemes include €84 million to support producers of grain and oilseed crops, and €84.9 million to support farmers in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
HYDROGEN: EU Commission approves €550 million Italian State aid scheme to support investments for the use of hydrogen in industrial processes to foster the transition to a net-zero economy +++ Join our Stakeholders Group – Call for Expression of Interest for new Members Open – Deadline: 15 February 2024 +++ ENERGY REGULATION: Regulators request more time to agree on the cross-zonal capacity calculation methodology for the balancing timeframe in the Hansa region +++ Ms Edit Herczog is the new Chair of the ACER Administrative Board +++ CEER Publishes its 2024 Work Programme
ECHA sets out strategic goals for next five years +++ ECHA launches new chemicals database +++ MERCURY: EU Council ready to start talks with Parliament to completely phase out mercury in the EU +++ WATER TREATMENT: EU-India Research Collaboration on Water Challenges brings innovative solutions from Lab to the Market +++ AGRICULTURE: EU Commission approves €1 billion German State aid schemes to improve animal welfare in livestock breeding +++ EU HEALTH UNION: EU Commissioner Kyriakides hosts World Cancer Day “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan: Joining Forces” Event.
ECB steps up climate work with focus on green transition, climate and nature-related risks +++ Greens/EFA: Road to net zero – bridging the green investment gap +++ CBAM: CO₂-Grenzausgleichsmechanismus: Faire Wettbewerbsbedingungen – Schutz für unsere Industrie +++ CCS: Norwegian Government statement at the CCS seminar Brussels +++ Breites Umweltbündnis warnt vor gefährlichem Irrweg +++ WMO confirms verification of new continental European temperature record.
The Recommendation is part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, a key pillar of the European Health Union. It is estimated that about 40% of cancer cases in the EU are preventable. However, according to a new report published today, only around 5% of total health spending was dedicated to prevention in the EU Member States in 2021.
“First and foremost, the agreement on the mid-term revision of our Multiannual Financial Framework. At our last meeting in December, 26 Leaders firmly supported a balanced negotiating box which took into account a clear set of main priorities – support for Ukraine, management of migration and its external dimension, support for the Western Balkans and our response to natural disasters” – European Council President Charles Michel.
The European Commission has approved a €550 million Italian scheme to support investments for the use of hydrogen in industrial processes to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023, to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies.
On the other hand, as highlighted by the latest UN Global Study on Homicide, eight of the ten countries with the highest murder rates worldwide are in Latin America or the Caribbean. Unfortunately, the trend is worsening. For instance, Costa Rica, often referred to as the ‘Switzerland of Central America,’ used to report annual murder rates in single digits; it now experiences high levels of violence. Similarly, Ecuador has seen its murder rate increase by 95% between 2021 and 2022.
The revision of the “breakfast directives” aims to help consumers make informed and healthier decisions on agri-food products such as honey, fruit juice, jam and marmalades.
While current rules already forbid the use of dental amalgam for treating teeth in children under 15 years old and pregnant or breastfeeding women, the amendments extend the prohibition to everybody in the EU.
At a stakeholder meeting on Crafting the Transatlantic Green Marketplace, which takes place on 31 January, stakeholders will present their views and proposals on how to make transatlantic supply chains stronger, more sustainable and more resilient. A series of workshops will take place to boost the transatlantic green marketplace and to promote good quality jobs for the green transition, as well as workshops on the solar supply chain, permanent magnets and investment screening.
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