European Union

Two positions in Europe's refugee policy appear to be growing increasingly irreconcilable - and the EU summit at the end of June is regarded by many observers as a decisive meeting at which either the advocates of humanitarian principles or those who favour a closed-door policy will win the day. The polarised and emotionally charged debate is reflected in the commentary sections.

The Romanian parliament on Monday evening passed a controversial amendment to the code of criminal procedure. Critics fear that it will favour the head of the governing social-democratic PSD, Liviu Dragnea, who is being investigated on corruption charges. The Romanian media are highly critical.

The European Commission opened on Thursday an investigation into whether Qatar Petroleum is breaching EU antitrust rules by imposing territorial restrictions in its contracts with European companies. The state-owned company is the largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe, with around 40 percent of the EU's imports. The commission says that contract clauses restrict European importers' rights to diverting Qatari LNG to other destinations.

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EU relations with Armenia are governed by the EU -Armenia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed in 1996 and entered into force in 1999. On 12 October 2015 the Foreign Affairs Council authorised the European Commission and the High Representative to open negotiations on a new, legally binding and overarching agreement with Armenia, and adopted the corresponding negotiating mandate. The new agreement will replace the current EU-Armenia Partnership and Cooperation agreement.

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EU countries definitively adopted on Thursday the revised directive on posted workers, after two years of discussions. Under the new rules, EU workers will be able to work up to 12 months in another country - with possibility of a six-month extension in some cases - with the same salary as local workers for the same job. Member states have two years to implement it.

Most people agree that artificial intelligence will have a huge impact on the way Europeans will produce and consume in the future. However, there are differing views on what the European Union can do to tap the full potential of AI in manufacturing and while coping with possible challenges.

EU leaders will ask for an EU-wide plan to develop artificial intelligence (AI), according to a leaked draft of the conclusions of next week's EU summit. "[The leaders invite] the [European] Commission to work with member states on a coordinated plan on artificial intelligence, building on its recent communication," the text said. It follows a commission strategy paper (the "communication") on AI published last April.

Finland’s Ville Itälä will be the new director-general of OLAF, the EU’s anti-fraud office. He comes from the Finnish Kokoomus party, affiliated with the centre-right European Peoples’ Party (EPP) and will move to Olaf from his current post with the European Court of Auditors.

Commission v Malta
Environment and consumers
By adopting a certain derogation regime allowing the capture of seven species of wild birds, Malta has failed to fulfil its obligations under EU law

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Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
According to Advocate General Wathelet, the provisions of the Qualification Directive allowing a Member State to refuse or to revoke refugee status are compatible with EU law

German domestic politics has taken over the EU migration agenda, as select leaders meet for a special mini-summit on Sunday.

The EU should not overuse the financial system in order to achieve environmental goals, or it risks the emergence of a green bond bubble which would be detrimental to the financial sector and hinder the achievement of climate targets.

Creditors are expected to agree Thursday on a final loan and debt relief measures for Greece. After eight years on an international lifeline, the country will remain under close surveillance - but will have to find a new economic model.

UK premier Theresa May passed a last Brexit hurdle when a 319 to 303 majority in parliament on Wednesday rejected a proposal from the House of Lords that MPs would be able to block a 'no deal' on Brexit. It came after assurances that MPs would have a meaningful say on UK future-EU relations. May could now attend an EU summit next week "with full strength," said MP Jacob Rees-Mogg.

Committee meetings, Brussels

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP