European Union

Written by Cemal Karakas (1st edition),

© EtiAmmos / Fotolia

In June 2018, the European Commission proposed a total budget allocation of €100 billion to finance science, research and innovation projects during the 2021-2027 period, of which the vast majority, €94.1 billion in current prices, would be allocated to the Horizon Europe framework programme. The main aims are to strengthen science and technology, to foster industrial competiveness, and to implement the sustainable development goals in the EU. Horizon Europe would introduce new features such as the European Innovation Council, missions to promote research results, and new forms of partnerships. Horizon Europe also aims at reducing administrative burdens and promoting the concept of open science. More operational synergies are expected through better linkage with other EU programmes, such as cohesion policy (e.g. the European Social Fund), the Digital Europe programme, and the new European Defence Fund.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘Horizon Europe: Framework programme for research and innovation 2021–2027‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing Horizon Europe – the framework programme for research and innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination Committee responsible: Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) COM(2018) 435
7.6.2018 Rapporteur: Dan Nica (S&D, Romania) 2018/0224 (COD) Shadow rapporteurs:

 

  Christian Ehler (EPP, Germany)
Evžen Tošenovský (ECR, Czech Republic)
Lieve Wierinck (ALDE, Belgium)
Neoklis Sylikiotis (GUE/NGL, Cyprus)
Jakop Dalunde (Greens/EFA, Sweden)
Rosa D’Amato (EFDD, Italy)
Barbara Kappel (ENF, Austria) Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Committee vote

Dutch European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans wants to become the Party of European Socialists' candidate to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the commission. His candidacy was reported by Dutch media on Tuesday, as well as by Politico, which published a letter from the German Social Democrats supporting Timmermans' candidacy. Timmermans is currently Juncker's right-hand man, and in charge of rule of law issues.

The president of the European Committee of the Regions warned on Tuesday (9 October) that Cohesion policy plays an important role in the European Union and should not be cut in the EU's next long-term budget.

Italy's 5 Star Movement, which has 14 MEPs, has ruled out an alliance with the far right after next year's EU elections.

EU interior ministers are meeting in Luxembourg this Friday to discuss migration. The Austrian EU presidency is hoping to reach a consensus on Dublin reforms and a concept of 'mandatory solidarity' after briefing 27 EU states bilaterally over the summer.

Economic matters matter again, as the Italian government wants to showcase its battle against the European Commission over its spending plan as a renewed European crusade against austerity. But who are the real enemies of Europe?

The success of Europe’s low carbon energy transition relies on achieving high level of investments in a well-balanced mix of technological and natural decarbonisation measures, writes Jannik Lindbæk.

Decentralised cooperation has allowed to better adapt EU’s cooperation policies to the needs of the people in the field. However, with the new negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework, the role of local authorities in cooperation policies might be at stake.

Non-governmental organisations saving migrants in the Mediterranean Sea, Oleg Sentsov, a Ukrainian film director jailed for 20 years by a Russian court following the annexation of Crimea, and Nasser Zefzafi, a jailed Moroccan political activist leading protests in the Rif were shortlisted for the European Parliament's 2018 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought on Tuesday. The parliament's president and political group leaders will select the final laureate on 25 October.

EU ambassadors will meet on Friday evening to hear from the EU Commission the latest developments in Brexit talks, as the crucial negotiation enters its final stage. The EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier will brief commissioners on Wednesday. The EU is reluctant to start laying down the future relationship with the UK until London agrees to an Irish "backstop" to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland.

With negotiations on the next EU long-term budget about to start, Commissioner Neven Mimica defended the European commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and praised the role local authorities play in international cooperation in an interview with EURACTIV.com.

The leader of the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist party, Arlene Foster, in Brussels on Tuesday restated her absolute opposition to checks between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK - ruling out any regulatory differentiation. Foster, the informal coalition ally of British prime minister Theresa May, met EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier. Brexit talks have entered their last phase with the unresolved Irish border issue blocking the withdrawal agreement.

Efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C have started poorly, while traditional human activities such as fishing and agriculture would suffer even more dramatically if average temperatures rise by 2°C. EURACTIV France’s partner Journal de l’environnnement reports.

The International Monetary Fund warned on Tuesday (9 October) of a further slowing in eurozone's economic growth, which was forecast at 2% this year, due to persistent uncertainty over Brexit and low productivity. EURACTIV’s partner efe-epa reports.

Election of the Presidents of the Chambers of five Judges of the Court of Justice

Written by Vivienne Halleux (1st edition),

© ArTo / Fotolia

On 29 May 2018, the European Commission adopted several proposals aimed at defining the architecture of EU cohesion policy for the post-2020 programming period. The package includes a proposal for the new generation of European territorial cooperation (ETC) programmes, commonly referred to as ‘Interreg’. The proposed regulation would bring significant changes to the current architecture of ETC, with the reshaping of the three traditional cooperation strands (i.e. crossborder, transnational and interregional cooperation) and the creation of two new components, one dedicated to outermost regions, the other to interregional cooperation on innovation. Another major novelty is the incorporation of cooperation with countries other than EU Member States. The proposal is being examined simultaneously by the Council and the European Parliament. In Parliament, the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) is responsible for the file. The rapporteur released his draft report on 26 July 2018. The REGI committee is expected to vote on it in December 2018.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘European territorial cooperation (Interreg) 2021-2027‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on specific provisions for the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) supported by the European Regional Development Fund and external financing instruments Committee responsible: Regional Development (REGI) COM(2018) 374
29.5.2018 Rapporteur: Pascal Arimont (EPP, Belgium) 2018/0199 (COD) Shadow rapporteurs:

 

  Kerstin Westphal (S&D, Germany)
Sławomir Kłosowski (ECR, Poland)
Martina Anderson (GUE/NGL, United Kingdom)
Bronis Ropė (Greens/EFA, Lithuania)
Rosa D’Amato (EFDD, Italy) Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Committee vote

Ms Rosario Silva de Lapuerta is elected Vice-President of the Court of Justice of the European Union

Italian and EU officials are attempting to diffuse tension between Rome and Brussels, as Italy's populist government aims to boost spending - risking breaching EU rules. On Tuesday Jean-Claude Juncker met Italy's president of the chamber of deputies, Roberto Fico. A commission spokesperson said "it was a moment to cool down the temperature." Juncker told Fico it was up to Italy to find measures that adhere to agreed budgetary targets.

A Dutch court of appeal confirmed on Tuesday a 2015 ruling by a lower court, which ordered the Dutch government to take more action to limit climate change. Climate activist Marjan Minnesma told broadcaster NOS that the government's arguments had been "swept away", and that she expected activists in other countries to be inspired by the ruling. Similar cases are underway in Belgium, Ireland and elsewhere.

The European Parliament will take down a poster depicting Muslim migrants, branded "Islamophobic" by a UK MEP. Conservative Sajjad Karim raised concerns over the giant ad recently put up in Brussels ahead of the May 2019 European elections. It showed a headscarfed woman with the words: "Because we need to work together to manage migration." In a letter, parliament president Antonio Tajani said the parliament apologised for "any offence caused".