European Parliamentary Research Service Blog

Written by Ralf Drachenberg and Suzana Anghel,

© niroworld / Fotolia

As has become the norm with European Council meetings, EU Heads of State or Government will convene on 17 and 18 October 2018 in different formats with varying compositions and levels of formality: a regular meeting of the European Council, and an enlarged Euro Summit of 27 Member States on 18 October, preceded by a European Council (Article 50) meeting on the 17 October over dinner. The agenda of the European Council meeting focuses on migration and internal security. Specific foreign policy issues might also be addressed at this meeting. The Euro Summit will discuss the state of play of negotiations on the deepening of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), with a view to the next Euro Summit in December. However, the priority issue for Heads of State or Government will be Brexit. At the European Council (Article 50) meeting, EU-27 leaders are expected to discuss the progress that has been achieved in the negotiations so far, and possibly call for an extraordinary summit in November 2018.

1. Implementation: Follow-up on previous European Council commitments

The Leaders’ Agenda identifies both migration and internal security as topics for the October 2018 European Council meeting. This is reflected in the annotated draft agenda. Heads of State or Government will follow up on the discussions held at their informal meeting in Salzburg in September, and in accordance with commitments made in previous conclusions, return more specifically to the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS, Table 1). However, the issue of international trade, which was planned to be discussed in a Leaders’ Agenda session at this European Council meeting, will most likely not be addressed. This could be due to the change of length of this meeting – originally it should have taken place over two days, from 18 to 19 October – and/or because of recent developments regarding trade between the EU and the US.

Policy area Previous commitment Occasion on which commitment was made Migration Report on progress regarding the reform for a new Common European Asylum System European Council June 2018 Migration Issue conclusions on Migration Leaders’ Agenda October 2017 Internal security Issue conclusions on Internal security Leaders’ Agenda October 2017 Trade Hold a Leaders’ meeting on future trade policy and the role of the EU in the multilateral trade system Leaders’ Agenda October 2017 2. European Council meeting Migration

As so often over the past three years, migration will again be one of the main priorities for discussion at the European Council meeting of 18 October 2018. As set out in the conclusions of 28 June 2018, Heads of State or Government will return to the sensitive issue of the reform of the CEAS, and be updated by the current Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union on progress on this matter.

The European Council will follow up on Heads of State or Governments’ discussions on migration in the margins of the 20 September 2018 informal European Council meeting in Salzburg. Following that meeting, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, indicated that EU leaders had agreed to organise a summit with the League of Arab States in February next year. The October European Council might provide further details of this planned summit. President Tusk also reported that the recently-launched dialogue with the Egyptian President, as well as similar initiatives, received backing from the European Council. It can be expected that the European Council will be briefed on the follow-up to the dialogue with Egypt and other countries, and express its views on the process. In this context, the foreign minister of Morocco, Nasser Bourita, recently categorically rejected the possibility of his country hosting EU asylum centres. The idea of ‘regional disembarkation platforms’ was one of the main migration-related conclusions of the 28 June 2018 European Council meeting. Also originating then was the agreement that, on a voluntary basis, Member States would share the effort to take care of rescued people on EU territory, according to international law. ‘Controlled centres’ would be set up in the Member States, to distinguish irregular migrants, who will be returned, from those in need of international protection.

A continuous call of the European Council has been to work more closely with North African partners. A further item discussed in Salzburg, which might be further detailed at this European Council meeting, is the High-Level Forum Africa-Europe on 18 December 2018.

The recent Commission proposal for a strengthened European Border and Coast Guard is also expected to feature high on the European Council agenda. According to President Tusk, Heads of State or Government agreed in Salzburg to prioritise this proposal, even if further discussions are needed on issues regarding sovereignty and the size of Frontex. Until now, the European Council had always considered the European Border and Coast Guard in relation to migration, but in Salzburg, Heads of State or Government discussed this issue in the context of the internal security debate. This change of categorisation illustrates a recent trend in the European Council towards more blurred lines between migration and internal security. (See EPRS Briefing, The role of the European Council in internal security policy).

Internal security

The October European Council meeting will be following up on the results of the previous discussions of Heads of State or Government at the Leaders’ Agenda meeting on internal security in Salzburg in September, and issue conclusions. Those discussions on internal security were based on a Leaders’ Agenda note by President Tusk, and concentrated on police and judicial cooperation, border security, cybersecurity and crisis-response capabilities.

Prior to the meeting in Salzburg, the European Commission had already adopted its proposal on ‘preventing the dissemination of terrorist content online’. Heads of State or Government are expected to welcome this proposal in their conclusions. Other points agreed on in Salzburg are expected to be further detailed in the European Council’s conclusions, notably those aiming to step up the fight against all forms of cyber-crime, manipulation and disinformation, and to speed up work on the Civil Protection Mechanism.

The European Council will also call for greater protection of the Union’s democratic systems and the combating of disinformation, including in the context of next May’s European Parliament elections. This issue was also an important element in the State of the Union speech by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, in September, which was accompanied by concrete proposals. EU leaders are also expected to call to speed up legislation to better combat money laundering, and consider extending the competences of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office to include cross-border terrorist crimes.

Following a cyber-attack against the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague, which is assumed to have been carried out by the Russian military intelligence service (GRU), EU Heads of State or Government will consider cybersecurity as part of their deliberations, as Donald Tusk has announced. They are expected to deplore the incident and discuss means to strengthen cooperation on cybersecurity. In this context, the Heads of State or Government are also expected to ‘call for progress on the listing of relevant individuals and entities on the new EU chemical weapons sanction regime and to speed up cybersecurity legislation’. On 15 October 2018, the EU Foreign Affairs Council adopted a new sanctions-regime targetting the use of chemical weapons, as requested by the June European Council meeting.

The European Council will also reaffirm its previous conclusions regarding fighting terrorism and preventing radicalisation; inter-agency cooperation and improved information exchange; and improving the interoperability of information systems and databases

External relations

The European Council may address certain foreign policy issues. EU leaders might refer to the outcome of the consultative referendum held on 30 September 2018 in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and reaffirm the EU’s open-door policy. In a joint statement, the European Council President, Donald Tusk, and the NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, stressed that the ‘overwhelming majority of those voting’ favoured a European path for their country and invited the political elite ‘to seize this historic opportunity’.

Other issues

The European Council could reaffirm its commitment to the full implementation of the Paris Agreement in the run-up to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP24) to be held in Katowice in December 2018. The special report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, issued for COP24, also highlights the need to strengthen climate policies around the world to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. In the framework of the ‘Future of Europe’ debate in the European Parliament, several members of the European Council have stressed that the EU should set itself more ambitious goals in the fight against climate change.

3. Euro summit

On 18 October, EU leaders will meet for a Euro Summit in an inclusive format of 27 EU Member States (19 euro-area members, those Member States which have ratified the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the EMU, TSCG, plus the Czech Republic). They will discuss the state of play of negotiations on the deepening of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), with a view to the next Euro Summit in December.

Although President Tusk, in his letter to EU leaders of 21 September 2017, called for a first set of concrete decisions on EMU reform to be taken in June 2018, this did not happen. Instead, the June Euro Summit invited the Eurogroup and co-legislators to continue their work in the area of the Banking Union, so that the leaders could come back to these issues in December. Thus, the question of risk-sharing in financing the restructuring and resolution of failing banks will presumably be high on the agenda of the 18 October Euro Summit. It was agreed on 29 June 2018 that the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), which is owned by the 19 euro-area members, could be called upon to provide loans and guarantees as a last resort, but only if sufficient progress has been achieved on reducing the risks of bank failure in Member States beforehand. At that time, leaders also noted that the Economic and Financial Affairs Council on 25 May 2018 adopted its position on a package of measures aimed at reducing risk in the banking industry. As the President of the Eurogroup, Mário Centeno, has pointed out, these efforts should pave the way to setting up the ESM as a backstop to the Single Resolution Fund (SRF); furthermore, work on the European Deposit Insurance Scheme (EDIS) could also begin.

The Euro Summit on 18 October could also take up a number of issues regarding reform of the ESM, especially its future role in crisis prevention and in the design and monitoring of programmes involving Member States in trouble. These topics were discussed in the Eurogroup on 1 October.

4. European Council (Article 50) meeting

On 17 October, the Heads of State or Government of the EU-27 will review the state of play in the Brexit process. According to Donald Tusk, this will be the ‘moment of truth’ for these negotiations, as the European Council (Article 50) is expected to decide ‘whether conditions are there to call an extraordinary summit in November to finalise and formalise the deal’.

In July 2018, the UK government published its negotiating position, in the white paper on ‘The Future Relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union’, otherwise known as the ‘Chequers Plan’. Following the Salzburg summit, at which EU-27 leaders also addressed Brexit, Donald Tusk reported the European Council’s united view ‘that while there are positive elements in the Chequers proposal, the suggested framework for economic cooperation will not work. Not least because it risks undermining the Single Market.’ Donald Tusk also indicated that the Chequers proposals needed ‘to be reworked and further negotiated’ regarding the Northern Ireland border question. Finding an agreement for the latter issue remains one of the main stumbling-blocks in the negotiations for the withdrawal agreement. Following a meeting with the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, on 4 October 2018, President Tusk also recalled that the ‘EU is united behind Ireland and the need to preserve the Northern Ireland peace process’.

Besides the withdrawal agreement, the Article 50 negotiations should also produce a political declaration outlining how the future UK-EU relationship should look. President Tusk reiterated the EU’s willingness to conclude a ‘Canada plus, plus, plus deal’ with the UK, which would be far-reaching on trade, internal security and foreign-policy cooperation. Analysts report that there is a consensus among the EU-27 on a brief and relatively general declaration about the future relationship.

If EU-27 leaders agree to hold an special summit on Brexit, this could take place in mid-November 2018, as indicated by Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker.

Read this briefing on ‘Outlook for the meetings of EU Heads of State or Government, 17-18 October 2018‘ on the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Monika Kiss (1st edition),

© ALDECAstudio / Fotolia

An employer’s obligation to inform their employees on the conditions applicable to their contracts is regulated by Directive 91/533/EEC. Major shifts in the labour market due to demographic trends and digitalisation, spawning a growing number of non-standard employment relationships (such as part-time, temporary and on-demand work), have made it necessary to revise the directive.

The European Commission has responded to the need for a change with a proposal aimed at updating and extending the information on employment-related obligations and working conditions, and at creating new minimum standards for all employed workers, including those on atypical contracts.

In the European Parliament, the Committee for Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) has published a draft report focused on the scope of the directive, on employees’ working hours and the conditions for making information available to them, and on employers’ responsibilities.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘Ensuring more transparent and predictable working conditions‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and the Council on transparent and predictable working conditions in the European Union Committee responsible: Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) COM(2017) 797
21.12.2017 Rapporteur: Enrique Calvet Chambon (ALDE, Spain) 2017/0355(COD) Shadow rapporteurs:

 

 

  Dennis Radtke (EPP, Germany)
Javi López (S&D, Spain)
Anthea McIntyre (ECR, United Kingdom)
Paloma López Bermejo (GUE/NGL, Spain)
Tamás Meszerics (Greens/EFA, Hungary)
Laura Agea (EFDD, Italy)
Joëlle Mélin (ENF, France) Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Vote in committee

Written by Costica Dumbrava, Katrien Luyten and Sofija Voronovna (1st edition),

© Nmedia / Fotolia

To strengthen EU external border management and enhance internal security, the European Commission has made several proposals to upgrade and expand European border and security information systems. As part of a broader process to maximise their use, the Commission presented legislative proposals for two regulations in December 2017 (amended in June 2018), establishing an interoperability framework between EU information systems on borders and visas, and on police and judicial cooperation, asylum and migration. The proposals seek effective and efficient information exchange and data sharing between EU information systems, by providing fast, seamless, efficient, systematic and controlled access to all the data authorities need to accomplish their tasks.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘Interoperability between EU border and security information systems‘ (1st edition)

A: Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing a framework for interoperability between EU information systems (borders and visa) and amending Council Decision 2004/512/EC, Regulation (EC) No 767/2008, Council Decision 2008/633/JHA, Regulation (EU) 2016/399 and Regulation (EU) 2017/2226, Regulation (EU) 2018/1240, Regulation (EU) 2018/XX [the Regulation on SIS in the field of border checks] and Regulation (EU) 2018/XX [the eu-LISA Regulation]
B: Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing a framework for interoperability between EU information systems (police and judicial cooperation, asylum and migration) and amending [Regulation (EU) 2018/XX [the Eurodac Regulation], Regulation (EU) 2018/XX [the Regulation on SIS in the field of law enforcement], Regulation (EU) 2018/XX [the ECRIS-TCN Regulation] and Regulation (EU) 2018/XX [the eu-LISA Regulation] Committee responsible: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) A: COM(2017) 793, 12.12.2017 amended by
COM(2018) 478, 13.6.2018 Rapporteur: A: Jeroen Lenaers (EPP, the Netherlands)
B: Nuno Melo (EPP, Portugal) B: COM(2017) 794, 12.12.2017 amended by COM(2018) 480, 13.6.2018
2017/0352 (COD) Next steps expected: Committee votes Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)

Written by Gregor Erbach (1st edition),

© malp / Fotolia

In May 2018, the Commission proposed a regulation setting the first-ever CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles in the EU, as part of the third mobility package. It would require the average CO2 emissions from new trucks in 2025 to be 15 % lower than in 2019. For 2030, the proposal sets an indicative reduction target of at least 30 % compared to 2019. Special incentives are provided for zero- and low-emission vehicles. The proposed regulation applies to four categories of large trucks, which together account for 65 %-70 % of CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. The Commission proposes to review the legislation in 2022 in order to set a binding target for 2030, and to extend its application to smaller trucks, buses, coaches and trailers.

Heavy-duty vehicles are responsible for around a quarter of CO2 emissions from road transport in the EU. Without further action, their emissions are expected to grow due to increasing road transport volumes.

In the European Parliament, the proposal was referred to the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, where the rapporteur presented his draft report in July 2018.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council setting CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles Committee responsible: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) COM(2018) 284
17.5.2018 Rapporteur: Bas Eickhout (Greens/EFA, the Netherlands) 2018/0143(COD) Shadow rapporteurs:

 

  Christofer Fjellner (EPP, Sweden)
Damiano Zoffoli (S&D, Italy)
Nils Torvalds (ALDE, Finland)
Stefan Eck (GUE/NGL, Germany)
Joëlle Mélin (ENF, France) Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Vote in ENVI committee

Written by Marcin Grajewski,

© denisismagilov / Fotolia

The heads of state or government of 51 countries will gather in Brussels on 18 and 19 October for the 12th Europe-Asia summit (ASEM) to discuss closer relations and global challenges. The meeting will focus in particular on trade and investment, connectivity, sustainable development, and climate and security challenges. The EU attaches growing importance to relations with Asian countries as the region’s economic and political weight increases and as US trade policy is increasingly unpredictable.

This note offers links to selected recent commentaries, studies and reports from major international think-tanks on EU-Asian relations, the situation in the region and some of its countries. The publication does not cover issues related to China, which were the topic of one of the previous editions in the series.

EU-Asia

How Asia and Europe should really be working together
Friends of Europe, October 2018

To counter extremism, Asia and Europe can empower women and increase their participation
Friends of Europe, October 2018

ASEM has a role to play in improved Asia-Europe cooperation on security
Friends of Europe, September 2018

Japan-EU EPA moving towards ratification: Its significance and prospects
Japan Institute of International Affairs, July 2018

European Union-Asia multilateral cooperation in financial services
Centre for European Policy Studies, June 2018

Prevention better than cure: The EU’s quiet diplomacy in Asia
European Union Institute for Security Studies, June 2018

Digital trade in Europe and Central Asia
Asian Development Bank Institute, June 2018

Reinvigorating market momentum and inclusive economies in Europe and Eurasia
German Marshall Fund, June 2018

The new EU strategy for Central Asia: A case for cultural diplomacy
Institute for European Studies, May 2018

Europe’s pivot to Central Asia
Royal United Services Institute, May 2018

Health diplomacy of the European Union and its member states in Central Asia
Institute for European Studies, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, April 2018

Europe and South-East Asia: An Exercise in diplomatic patience
European Centre for International Political Economy, April 2018

Budding ties? The impact of Brexit on Europe-Japan relations
Japan Institute of International Affairs, April 2018

Macron’s passage to India: A missed opportunity for Europe
European Council on Foreign Relations, March 2018

Assessing the effectiveness of the EU’s and Russia’s cultural diplomacy towards Central Asia
Institute for European Studies, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, February 2018

Reimagining Europe’s partnerships with India and Japan: A new trilateral?
Clingendael, Febraury 2018

Security and foreign relations

The future of the Quad is in Southeast Asia
International Institute for Strategic Studies, September 2018

Conflict zone Asia-Pacific
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, June 2018

France and Central Asia: Time for a new vision?
Centre international de formation européenne, June 2018

Reinvigorating market momentum and inclusive economies in Europe and Eurasia
German Marshall Fund, June 2018

Twenty years into nuclear South Asia: Pathways to stability
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, June 2018

The sun rises in the East: Asia’s increasing influence in Africa
Observer Research Foundation, May 2018

Uzbekistan: A new model for reform in the Muslim world?
Central Asia-Caucasus Institute and Silk Road Studies Program, May 2018

2018 en Asie: La démocratie à l’épreuve
Institut des relations internationales et stratégiques, May 2018

Turkey: Towards a Eurasian shift?
Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale, April 2018

Cooperation in Eurasia: Linking identity, security, and development
Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale, April 2018

Ce que nous dit le Boao Forum sur les plans de la Chine pour l’Asie
Institut Thomas More, April 2018

Russian-Chinese relations in Eurasia: Harmonization or subordination?
Finnish Institute of International Affairs, April 2018

Getting out from “in-between”: Perspectives on the regional order in post-Soviet Europe and Eurasia
Rand Europe, March 2018

Regionalism à la ASEAN: Past achievements and current challenges
Finnish Institute of International Affairs, March 2018

Southeast Asia seeks new partners in the era of “America First”
Council on Foreign Relations, March 2018

Regards sur l’Eurasie : L’année politique 2017
Centre d’études et de recherches internationales, February 2018

Cooperation and competition: Russia and China in Central Asia, the Russian Far East, and the Arctic
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, February 2018 

Is Southeast Asia really in an arms race?
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, East Asia Forum, February 2018

Taiwan’s role in East Asian security: Overlooked actor in a pivotal position
Finnish Institute of International Affairs, February 2018

Taiwan als Demokratievorbild in Asien
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, February 2018 

India: The Modi factor
Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale, February 2018 

Abe’s diplomacy at a crucial moment
Japan Institute of International Affairs, February 2018

Global security challenges and Japan’s national security thinking: Room to cooperate with the EU?
Istituto Affari Internazionali, February 2018 

Indiens Antwort auf die chinesische Seidenstraßeninitiative
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, January 2018

Economy and trade

Strengthening maritime cooperation and security in the Indian Ocean
International Institute for Strategic Studies, September 2018

ASEAN as the architect for regional development cooperation
The Asia Foundation, September 2018

ASEM open and fair trade area: From vision to reality
Friends of Europe, September 2018

An Asia super grid would be a boon for clean energy, if it gets built
Council on Foreign Relations, September 2018

China-India-Japan in the Indo-Pacific: Ideas, interests and infrastructure
Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, September 2018

Financing and implementing the quality infrastructure agenda
Centre for Strategic and International Studies, September 2018

The roles of Japan and ASEAN in concluding RCEP negotiations
Japan Institute of International Affairs, August 2018

Asia leads the world’s response to protectionism
Peterson Institute for International Economics, July 2018

Could India become an economic superpower?
Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade, April 2018

The Asia–Africa growth corridor: Bringing together old partnerships and new initiatives
Observer Research Foundation, April 2018

Of streams of data, thought, and other things: Digitalisation, energy policy, and innovation capacity from an Asian perspective
Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, April 2018

Along the road: Sri Lanka’s tale of two ports
European Union Institute for Security Studies, April 2018

Regulating for a digital economy: Understanding the importance of cross-border data flows in Asia
Brookings Institution, March 2018

Fostering green finance for sustainable development in Asia
Asian Development Bank Institute, March 2018

Introducing greening strategies in emerging economies
The Asia Foundation, February 2018

Connecting the dots: Eurasian transport in 2030
Friends of Europe, February 2018

The geopolitics of online taxation in Asia-Pacific: Digitalisation, corporate tax Base and the role of governments
European Centre for International Political Economy, January 2018

Written by Maria Niestadt (2nd edition),

© am / Fotolia

The European Union aims to ensure that road transport rules are applied effectively and without discrimination. The current rules governing the access to the international market for coach and bus services appear to have been only partly effective in promoting this mode of transport. There are still differences in rules on access to national markets, differences in openness of national markets, diverse national access arrangements and discrimination in access to terminals in some EU countries.

In an attempt to address the issue, the European Commission adopted a legislative proposal on 8 November 2017 to amend the EU rules for access to the international market for coach and bus services. The proposal is part of its ‘Europe on the Move’ package, which aims to modernise European mobility and transport. The rapporteur published his draft report on 15 June 2018, and the Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism is expected to vote on it in the coming months.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘Access to the international market for coach and bus services‘ (2nd edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1073/2009 on common rules for access to the international market for coach and bus services Committee responsible: Transport and Tourism (TRAN) COM(2017) 647
8.11.2017 Rapporteur: Roberts Zīle (ECR, Latvia) 2017/0288 (COD) Shadow rapporteurs:

 

  Luis de Grandes Pascual (EPP, Spain)
Peter Kouroumbashev (S&D, Bulgaria)
Dominique Riquet (ALDE, France)
João Pimenta Lopes (GUE/NGL, Portugal)
Michael Cramer (Greens/EFA, Germany)
Georg Mayer (ENF, Austria) Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Vote in committee

Written by Marcin Grajewski,

EPRS Policy roundtable – The impact of automation:Identifying jobs at risk

Technological and digital revolutions are reshaping labour markets across the world, with many jobs likely to disappear or to be significantly transformed over the next 15 years, as robots and computers learn to perform an increasing number of tasks, according to analysts speaking at a conference in the European Parliament. In response, governments need to foster policies to master automation, rather than reject it, and create jobs in the technologically transformed environment, as well as alleviate the associated negative impacts with social protection measures. The analysts present also remarked that the European Union should step up efforts to catch up with the United States and China in new technologies. The event, entitled ‘The impact of automation: identifying jobs at risk’ was organised by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), at the European Parliament Library Reading Room on 25 September 2018.

WEBER, Renate

‘This topic of the impact of automation has been absent from the agenda until recently… Some paint a catastrophic future. It is true that many jobs will be lost, but they will also be transformed into something else and a new one created, with the right policies’, said Renate Weber (ALDE, Romania), Vice-Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, opening the debate.

The conference focused on the recent OECD report, Putting faces to the jobs at risk of automation, which examines professions and skills that will sooner or later no longer be needed thanks to automation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI). The paper says that about 14 % of jobs in the OECD’s 36 mostly industrialised countries are highly likely to be automatable (17 % in the EU), while another 32 % could face substantial change in how they are carried out.

QUINTINI, Glenda

‘Some countries are more prone to automation than others as they have a different industrial structure. Germany, for example, has a relatively high risk of automation as manufacturing is still very important there. It depends what economic sectors are in the economy, but also what people do in those sectors’, noted Glenda Quintini, Senior Economist of the Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs at the OECD.

Among the OECD countries, Slovakia is the most susceptible to automation. This may be because of its large automotive sector, where vehicles are often assembled from parts produced elsewhere. Norway is the least vulnerable to the process.

In general, the highest risk of automation is concentrated in routine jobs with low skill requirements. The manufacturing and agricultural sectors, as well as some service jobs, are most likely to be affected. But there are also examples of white collar professions that are being automated, such as investment bank traders or paralegals. Sharing economy firms are reshaping transport and tourism. The development of autonomous vehicles puts many drivers’ jobs at risk.

The lowest risk of automation is for cognitive, non-routine jobs and those where human contact is valued, such as managerial professions, fine arts, negotiators or social care workers. ‘The qualities needed are creative intelligence and social intelligence’, said Quintini. However, physical tasks related to perception and manipulation in an unstructured, complex environment will also be difficult to automate.

In the past, new technologies often eliminated many jobs, yet new ones were soon created, as was the case during the industrial revolution. However, whereas in the past changes took decades, allowing for gradual adjustment, they now take place in years, posing a challenge to people’s job security and way of life.

Reinhilde Veugelers

‘There will be destruction, but there will also be creation, and a challenge from the policy perspective is to ensure that there is enough new activities, jobs created and … enough social protection’, said Reinhilde Veugelers, professor at KU Leuven and senior fellow at the Bruegel think tank.

Firstly, automation and digitalisation need to be mastered. The USA and China have outpaced the EU in this area. ‘The EU has not really shown in the past the strong capacity to lead in that digital and innovation here’, said Professor Veugelers, calling for more and smarter investment in new technologies, and highlighting the importance of research in artificial intelligence, which is ‘a general purpose technology, helping to innovative activities in other sectors’. Here, Renate Weber expressed concern about the transparency of the Chinese AI programme, saying ‘Do we know what is happening in China? I have my doubts’.

Secondly, education systems need to be adapted to teach children and youth the right skills, that is develop cognitive and social intelligence and learn to work in the digital context. Reinhilde Veugelers argues that AI could be useful in training for digital skills. Another crucial policy instrument is adult learning, as few people will have a job that is ‘guaranteed for life’. This needs to be accompanied by efforts to combat the currently growing wealth inequalities, as the poorest in society are the least likely to get proper education or retraining, propelling the vicious circle.

Lieve Van Woensel, the Head of EPRS’ Scientific Foresight Service and the event’s moderator, pointed to a recent EPRS study, The impact of new technologies on the labour market and the social economy, which additionally suggests limiting the impact of automation on unemployment by reducing working time as productivity increases.

Click to view slideshow.

Written by Laura Puccio (1st edition),

© AnastasiiaUsoltceva / Fotolia

The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) was created in 2006 to finance active labour market policies targeting workers who have lost their jobs because of trade adjustment. The fund was subsequently modified in 2009 to cover major structural changes triggered by the economic and financial crisis. The rules of the EGF are laid down in EU Regulation (EU) No 1309/2013, which stipulates that the fund will continue to be financed until 31 December 2020. In May 2018, the European Commission submitted a proposal to reform the EGF and maintain it as a special instrument outside the MFF ceiling. The proposal introduces modifications to the eligibility criteria, the co-financing rules and the mobilisation procedure.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘Reform of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) Committee responsible: Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) COM(2018) 380 final
30.5.2018 Rapporteur: Maria Arena (S&D, Belgium) 2018/0202(COD) Shadow rapporteurs:

 

  Tom Vandenkenlaere (EPP, Belgium)
Arne Gericke (ECR, Germany)
João Pimenta Lopes (GUE/NGL, Portugal)
Monika Vana (Greens/EFA, Austria)
Laura Agea (EFDD, Italy)
Mara Bizzotto (ENF, Italy) Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Vote in committee

Written by Marcin Szczepanski (1st edition),

© vectorfusionart / Fotolia

In the framework of the next long-term EU budget for 2021-2027, the Commission is proposing a new, €9.2 billion programme to build up digital capacity and infrastructure and support a digital single market. It will operate mainly through coordinated and strategic co-investments with the Member States in the areas of advanced computing and data, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, their uptake and optimal use in the private and public sectors and boosting advanced digital skills. According to the Commission, the programme will help European societies and businesses to make the most of the ongoing digital transformation. The Commission sees the potential for efficiency gains in exploring complementarities and synergies with other planned programmes such as Horizon Europe, the Connecting Europe Facility and the European Regional Development and Cohesion Funds.

In the European Parliament, the file has been allocated to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). The draft report was published on 13 July 2018 and the vote in committee is expected in December.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘Digital Europe programme: Funding digital transformation beyond 2020‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Digital Europe programme for the period 2021-2027 Committee responsible: Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) COM(2018) 434
6.6.2018 Rapporteur: Angelika Mlinar (ALDE, Austria) 2018/0227 (COD) Shadow rapporteurs:

 

 

  Pilar del Castillo Vera (EPP, Spain)
Carlos Zorrinho (S&D, Portugal)
Ashley Fox (ECR, United Kingdom)
Paloma López Bermejo (GUE/NGL, Spain)
Reinhard Bütikofer (Greens/EFA, Germany)
Dario Tamburrano (EFDD, Italy)
Barbara Kappel (ENF, Austria) Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Vote in committee

Estimated breakdown of Digital Europe funding in current prices

Written by Krisztina Binder, graphics: Giulio Sabbati,

© boule1301 / Fotolia

On 18 April 2018, the European Commission proposed to the Council of the EU to sign and conclude two agreements with Singapore. These agreements were created by dividing the free trade agreement reached between the EU and Singapore (EUSFTA) in 2014, but not ratified, into separate trade and investment protection agreements. When presenting the agreements, the Commission underlined that they demonstrate the commitment of Singapore and the EU to fair trade and open markets. The Council of the EU is expected to authorise the signature of the agreements in October 2018. The Commission aims to have the trade agreement come into effect before the end of its mandate in 2019, after its approval by the Council and the European Parliament.

Singapore will be the first member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to sign bilateral trade and investment agreements with the EU. The EU views bilateral agreements with ASEAN members as steps towards achieving the final objective of a region-to-region trade and investment agreement with ASEAN. Therefore, the EU‑Singapore agreements are considered a reference as regards the EU’s ambition to conclude trade and investment agreements with other ASEAN members.

Trade Agreement and Investment Protection Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Singapore, of the other part Committee responsible: International Trade (INTA) Rapporteur:

2018/0093(NLE),
2018/0095 (NLE) David Martin (S&D, United Kingdom)

Read the complete briefing on ‘EU-Singapore trade and investment agreements close in on conclusion‘ on the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

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

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

Written by Beatrix Immenkamp (1st edition),

© wetzkaz / Fotolia

In the context of the Commission’s proposal for a multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the 2021-2027 period, the Commission published a proposal for a regulation establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) on 14 June 2018. It is part of Heading 6 ‘Neighbourhood and the World’ of the proposed MFF, which sets out the main priorities and overall budgetary framework for the EU’s external action. The Commission proposes to allocate €89.2 billion (in current prices) to the NDICI for the 2021-2027 period. This represents an increase of 11 % compared to the resources allocated to the instruments and funds under the current MFF that the NDICI would replace. These include the European Development Fund (EDF), which is currently outside the MFF. Parliament has expressed concern about the proposed governance structure of the new instrument.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘A new neighbourhood, development and international cooperation instrument: Proposal for a new regulation‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument Committees responsible: Foreign Affairs (AFET)
Development (DEVE)
(joint committee procedure, Rule 55) COM(2018) 460
14.6.2018 Rapporteurs: Frank Engel (EPP, Luxembourg)
Cristian Dan Preda (EPP, Romania)
Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D, Italy)
Charles Goerens (ALDE, Luxembourg) 2018/0243(COD) Next steps expected Joint committee hearing Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)

Written by Marketa Pape (1st edition),

© madpixblue / Fotolia

Strong, modern, and reliable infrastructure is essential to secure jobs, growth and competitiveness in the European Union. Given this need, the EU supports the development of high-performing, sustainable and interconnected trans-European networks in three areas: transport, energy and digital infrastructure.

The trans-European networks policy was consolidated in 2013 and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) set up as a dedicated financing instrument to channel EU funding into infrastructure networks, help eliminate market failures and attract further investment from the public and private sectors.

Following a mid-term evaluation, which confirmed the CEF programme’s capacity to bring significant EU added value, the European Commission proposes to renew the programme under the next long‑term EU budget. The European Parliament and the Council are expected to discuss the changes and proposed budget to ensure that, once adopted, the programme can stimulate the necessary infrastructure development, while also helping to achieve the EU’s climate change objectives.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘Connecting Europe Facility 2021-2027: Financing key EU infrastructure networks‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Connecting Europe Facility and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 Committees responsible: Transport and Tourism (TRAN)
Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)
(joint committee procedure, Rule 55) COM(2018) 438
6.6.2018 Rapporteurs: Marian-Jean Marinescu (EPP, Romania)
Henna Virkkunen (EPP, Finland)
Pavel Telička (ALDE, Czech Republic) 2018/0228(COD) Next steps expected Vote in committee Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)

Written by Alina Dobreva,

© tai111 / Fotolia

The budget of the European Union (EU budget) provides the EU with the means to finance its policies and to respond to challenges which occur. Due to its scope, the perception of the EU budget is linked to citizens’ perception of the EU as a whole, its legitimacy and reputation, as well as the performance of the EU institutions. This briefing analyses public opinion surveys related to the EU budget, in particular citizens’ preferences for greater EU financial means and their evaluation of the EU budget as ‘good’ or ‘poor’ value for money. It sets the analysis of public opinion in the context of debate on reforming the EU budget and on setting the next multiannual financial framework.

According to recent Eurobarometer data, 37 % of Europeans support the EU having greater financial means given its political objectives, and 31 % think that the EU budget gives good value for money for EU citizens. Although the demand for greater support and the positive opinion of the EU budget both have positive trends over time, there is still much to be addressed.

A closer look at the data demonstrates significant differences between the opinions across the Member States. Although a more sceptical trend can be observed amongst net contributor Member States, the diversity in the data cannot be explained only by the positioning of a country on the net contributor-net beneficiary continuum. The opinions of citizens across Member States vary in their values as well as in their direction of change over time. In addition, the opinions on the EU budget can be linked to personal factors – younger Europeans tend to express stronger support for greater EU financial means than older ones.

Read the complete briefing on ‘Public opinion and the EU budget – Who supports the EU budget? ‘ on the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Katarzyna Sochacka and Clare Ferguson,

© European Union 2018 – Source: EP

The highlight of the October I plenary session was the debate on the preparation of the European Council meeting on 18 and 19 October 2018. The series of debates on the Future of Europe continued, this time with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Jüri Ratas. Montenegro’s President, Milo Đukanović, also addressed Parliament in a formal sitting. Parliament adopted, inter alia, legislative proposals on: audiovisual media services; VAT rules; strengthening the EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust); mutual recognition of freezing and confiscation of criminal assets; the free flow of non-personal data within the EU; health technology assessment; and emission performance standards for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Parliament also voted its public procurement package, as well as a report on an amending budget regarding changes to pre-accession aid to Turkey.

Preparation of the European Council on 18 and 19 October 2018

Members made two main demands during the debate in advance of the European Council meeting on 18 and 19 October 2018: that EU leaders take significant steps on migration policy and reform of the European asylum system; and maintain a common position towards the United Kingdom while trying to reach an agreement on its withdrawal from the EU. In the migration context, the leaders will discuss a progress report at this European Council meeting, as agreed in their conclusions of June. Conclusions will also be adopted on internal security, resuming the discussions begun during the informal meeting and Leaders’ thematic debate held in Salzburg on 20 September 2018. Finally, on the margins of the session, a European Council (Article 50) meeting will take place, during which the 27 EU leaders are expected to review the overall state of the Brexit negotiations.

Formal sitting – Milo Đukanović, President of Montenegro

Montenegro’s President, Milo Đukanović, addressed the European Parliament, noting that the referendum in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia held on 30 September, while largely supportive of the proposed change to the country’s name, had elicited a low voter turnout. President Đukanović called for a change in EU policy towards the Balkans, and stated that greater preparation for the referendum would have helped citizens to better understand the importance of this decision for their country’s future.

President Đukanović also spoke about the progress his own country has made, becoming independent in 2006, and a member of NATO since 2017. With 31 of 33 negotiation chapters open, Montenegro is currently ahead of other EU membership candidates in the accession process.

Statements on UNRWA, Yemen and the UN instrument on corporations

Members debated with Commissioners Christos Stylianides and Johannes Hahn on the issue of the EU’s input to a United Nations Binding Instrument on transnational corporations with respect to human rights, as well as the situation in Yemen, and EU support for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, following the United States’ withdrawal of financial support. With the exception of this last item, these statements were followed by a vote on EP resolutions. During the debate on UNRWA, several Members called upon the US to cancel its decision to cease contributions to UNRWA, and the Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, reiterated the EU’s political and financial support for the agency.

Audiovisual media services

Following the recommendations of the Committee on Culture and Education, Parliament voted to adopt its position on the proposals for a revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive (452 votes for, 132 against and 65 abstentions), based on an agreement reached in trilogue on 26 April. It is now up to the Council to approve the new directive so that it can become law. The new rules will then apply 21 months after the directive enters into force. It should be noted that the agreed text includes better protection for children against harmful content, restrictions on advertising, and the application of new rules to video on demand and online video sharing.

Rules on VAT

Two reports on value added tax (VAT), where Parliament is only consulted, were debated and adopted, together with a third report on the application of the reverse charge and quick reaction mechanisms, seeking to update the VAT framework (which dates back to the 1960s), and take steps towards a definitive EU VAT system. Following several years of negotiations, the three texts in question were agreed between the Member States at the Ecofin Council on 2 October 2018. The first proposal concerns the harmonisation of VAT rates, which can distort the single market when, because of VAT charges, goods are more expensive in one country than in a neighbouring EU state. Countries would still be able to apply some VAT reductions in certain circumstances, and some goods would be exempted, but the proposed minimum would be 12 % to 15 %, with Parliament suggesting a maximum of 25 %. An EU VAT web information portal would also be set up to provide information on EU VAT rates, and Parliament expects the benefits of reduced rates to be transferred to consumers. The second proposal concerns the proposed VAT regime for cross-border trade; which aims to tackle VAT fraud, as well as simplifying the rules for e-commerce and for SMEs.

EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation

The agreed text on the proposal to reinforce and enhance the role of the EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) was debated and adopted. This EU agency has seen its activities – in fighting terrorism, cybercrime, migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings – escalate in recent years. Parliament is ready to support its increased workload through a new governance model, now that the equally necessary and connected function of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office has been decided.

Mutual recognition of freezing and confiscation orders

Parliament also voted in favour of a new regulation, also agreed with the Council in trilogue, aimed at improving the legal framework governing the freezing and confiscation of criminal assets in cross-border cases. The new regulation would improve mutual recognition in criminal matters in the EU, as well as the procedures recognising, freezing and confiscating criminal gains. Importantly, the proposals also prioritise the victims of such crime and their rights to compensation and restitution.

Free flow of non-personal data in the European Union

Members debated and adopted a text agreed in trilogue on the free flow of non-personal data within the EU, aiming at allowing businesses to stock and process non-personal data (personal data, meaning that which can identify an individual, are already covered by the General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR), anywhere in the EU without unjustified restriction (except for public security). The proposal enables data such as accounting and financial information to flow across borders in the EU, giving companies more choice in the location of their data services.

Amending budget No 5/2018: support to Turkey from IPA and reinforcement of ENI and of Humanitarian Aid

Parliament decided to cut the amount of pre-accession aid to Turkey in 2018 by €70 million. In its adoption (544 votes to 28 and 74 abstentions) of the report on draft amending budget No 5/2018, the EP expresses concern at the ongoing deterioration of fundamental rights and liberties and the rule of law in Turkey. Instead, Parliament chose to reinforce, in commitment appropriations, the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) to fund additional actions linked to the Central Mediterranean migratory route, as well as reinforcing, in payment appropriations, the funding available for humanitarian aid.

Opening of trilogue negotiations

Two Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON) decisions to enter into interinstitutional (trilogue) negotiations were confirmed. The ECON committee may therefore begin negotiations in view of preparing reports on the proposal for a directive and for a regulation on the prudential supervision of investment firms.

Read this ‘At a glance’ note on ‘Plenary round-up – Strasbourg, October I 2018‘ on the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Christiaan van Lierop,

The world’s largest annual gathering of local and regional representatives, the European Week of Regions and Cities, is undoubtedly one of the high points of the year for the EU regional policy community. Attracting some 6 000 participants to Brussels for four days packed full of learning and debate from 8 to 11 October 2018, this year’s event looks set to be bigger and better than ever before, with over 150 sessions included on the 2018 official programme. What is more, with the EWRC moving to a new central Brussels venue in 2018, Europe’s go-to event for regional policy experts just got better – and the EPRS is delighted to be part of the action once again.

Organised under the headline of ‘For a strong EU Cohesion Policy beyond 2020’, the 16th European Week of Regions and Cities will place a strong emphasis on the current negotiations on the 2021-2027 cohesion policy framework, as well as focusing on such key issues as growth and regional development, the territorial impact of globalisation and digital transformation, and the regional dimension of climate change, as well as education, culture and youth.

As in previous years, the EPRS has published a Topical Digest to tie in with the event. Specially prepared for this year’s EWRC, this publication includes a selection of briefings and studies published by the European Parliament covering some of the main issues up for discussion at the EWRC, such as the legislative proposals under the new cohesion policy package, the digital single market and regional governance, to name but a few.

We will also be present at a special information stand during the whole week where experts from the EPRS’s Structural Policies and Linking the Levels units will be on hand to provide you with more information about EPRS research activities, and to distribute some of our specialist publications on regional policy and beyond. Moreover, we will also be providing visitors with information about the 2019 elections to the European Parliament, supported by our colleagues from Parliament’s Directorate General for Communications, including Parliament’s ‘What Europe does for me‘ project, an easy and clickable guide to what the EU is doing in your local area.

Our involvement in the 2018 European Week of Regions and Cities doesn’t just stop there. For the third year running, the EPRS will also be organising a workshop on research as part of the European Week of Regions and Cities’ Master Class on EU cohesion policy for students and early career researchers. As well as examining how the EPRS supports the work of the European Parliament during the policy making process, this year’s workshop will focus on the current negotiations on cohesion and regional policy, providing participants with the opportunity to share their ideas on the legislative proposals under the MFF package with EPRS experts. In particular, we will be encouraging participants to put forward their recommendations on how to address some of the key challenges identified in the Commission’s proposals, which the EPRS will publish after the workshop. This will give participants the opportunity to make a direct contribution to the policymaking process whilst at the same time putting into practice the EPRS motto, which guides us in all of our work: ‘Empowering through knowledge’.

With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for seniors using e-health services.

Twitter Hashtag #EUandME

Did you know that 30 % of Europeans will be over 65 in 2060? Our population is ageing and the number of people with age-related impairments is expected to reach 84 million already in 2020.

To address the challenges posed by an ageing society, the EU promotes E-health solutions based on communication technologies to improve prevention, diagnosis, and patients’ treatment.

© De Visu / Fotolia

The EU funds several research projects in the field of telemedicine services for improving distant healthcare, especially for seniors living in remote or sparsely populated areas where there is a lack of specialised healthcare professionals. For instance, thanks to the CommonWell project, new solutions for a better monitoring of patients with heart failure were developed. Mobile Health services are also increasingly accessible using a mobile phone. For instance, apps can be used to remind you to take your medication or help administer insulin to a diabetic.

Service and care robots could also play a supportive role in the life of many patients and elderly people. That’s why the EU is funding research in robotics. Thanks to the Silver project, seniors can already purchase a robot to help them to walk better and stand up. The GrowMeUp Project is developing personal care assistant robots to help seniors and dependent or disabled people to live independently at home. Zacharias, a prototype robot, is being tested to assist people at home and will be able to alert your family or your doctor automatically in case of need.

Further information

• EPRS publication ‘How assistive technologies could make society more inclusive of people with disabilities’, 2018,
  https://epthinktank.eu/2018/01/17/how-assistive-technologies-could-make-society-more-inclusive-of-people-with-disabilities/
• European Commission webpage on policies for ageing well with ICT,
  https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/ageing-well
• European Commission webpage ‘Silver Economy strategy’,
  https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/growing-silver-economy-europe

With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for internet users whose personal data is collected online.

Twitter Hashtag #EUandME

Are you one of the 71 % of people in the EU that use the internet every day or almost every day? The rapid development of digital technologies means we increasingly use the internet in our daily activities. As citizens and consumers, you probably use public institutions’ or companies’ services online: from filing a tax declaration to shopping online or using social media. When you access these services, personal data about you are collected and transferred. While more than 70 % of Europeans feel they have to provide personal data to obtain products or services, they are also concerned about not having complete control over what their data are used for.

© Andrey Popov / Fotolia

To promote fair use of personal data and allow you to enjoy your related rights, the EU has taken several initiatives. From May 2018, new rules, adapted to the new technologies, will strengthen these rights. These include: getting easy-to-understand information, in particular for children, on how data are used; being asked for your approval, unless there is a legitimate need to collect your data; freedom to transfer your data from one service provider to another (data portability); to have your data deleted if you no longer want them online and there is no legitimate grounds to keep them (the right to be forgotten). Data protection must also be respected when accessing free digital content (such as media platforms, online games) and when data are transferred outside the EU.

Now that you know about your rights, the EU also provides information on the remedies available in case of infringement.

Further information

• EPRS publication on Fundamental rights implications of big data, https://epthinktank.eu/2017/03/10/fundamental-rights-implications-of-big-data-plenary-podcast/
• EPRS publication on Contracts for the supply of digital content and personal data protection, https://epthinktank.eu/2017/05/16/contracts-for-the-supply-of-digital-content-and-personal-data-protection/
• EPRS publication on Transatlantic data flows, http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2016/583773/EPRS_ATA(2016)583773_EN.pdf
• European Commission’s Directorate General for Justice and Consumers, data protection website https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection_en

Written by Marcin Grajewski,

© niroworld / Fotolia

With less than six months to go before the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union, there is a palpable sense of tension surrounding the Brexit negotiations. At their most recent meeting in Salzburg, Austria, in September, EU leaders in effect rejected British Prime Minister Theresa May’s ‘Chequers’ plan’ for the UK’s future relationship with the EU. The move prompted acrimony among British politicians and jolted the financial markets, fearful of a no-deal Brexit. However, both sides are working hard to make progress in negotiations ahead of the next European Council meeting, on 18 October.

This note offers links to reports and commentaries from some major international think-tanks and research institutes on Brexit negotiations and related issues. More reports on the topic can be found in a previous edition of ‘What Think Tanks are thinking’, published in June 2018.

Brexit brief
Institute of International and European Affairs, September 2018

Digesting the Salzburg summit
Bruegel, September 2018

After Salzburg: Time for realistic UK proposals on the Irish border and future relations
Scottish Centre on European Relations, September 2018

After Salzburg: How to salvage the Brexit negotiations
Centre for European Reform, September 2018

Brexit: Who will blink first?
Carnegie Europe, September 2018

The Brexit endgame: A guide to the parliamentary process of withdrawal from the European Union
A UK in a Changing Europe, September 2018

The UK’s chronic Brexit crisis
Scottish Centre on European Relations, September 2018

Extending the transition period
European Policy Centre, September 2018

The road to nowhere? Prospects for a post-Brexit trade deal
European Policy Centre, September 2018

Le Brexit et la grande lassitude du peuple britannique
Institut Montaigne, September 2018

A guide to Brexit and data flows
Jacques Delors Institute Berlin, September 2018

Brexit: Six months to go
Institute for Government, September 2018

There’s nothing ‘super’ about Boris Johnson’s tired old Brexit ideas
Centre for European Reform, September 2018

Post-Brexit: What could a transformative, values-based EU and UK partnership in Foreign Policy look like?
Foreign Policy Centre, September 2018

Safer together: The United Kingdom and the future of European security and defence
Friends of Europe, September 2018

Brexit and the Irish question IN FOCUS: Part one: Ireland’s slow Road to peace
Wilfried Martens Centre, September 2018

Will Eurosceptics compromise to get Brexit over the line?
Chatham House, September 2018

Is a Brexit deal possible?
Carnegie Europe, September 2018

Negotiating Brexit: Policing and criminal justice
Institute for Government, September 2018

The cost of Brexit to June 2018
Centre for European Reform, September 2018

Do voters still want to leave the EU? How they view the Brexit process two years on
A UK in a Changing Europe, September 2018

Immigration after Brexit
Policy Exchange, September 2018

Cost of no deal revisited
A UK in a Changing Europe, September 2018

LSE blog: Brexit
London School of Economics, September 2018

The long arm of Whitehall post-Brexit: Evidence from the Common Assembly (1952-1956)
DCU Brexit Institute, September 2018

Brexit deadline looms for citizens’ campaign to secure permanent EU citizenship
Polish Institute of International Affairs, September 2018

Criminal justice and police cooperation between the EU and the UK after Brexit: Towards a principled and trust-based partnership
Centre for European Policy Studies, August 2018

Brexit: Beyond the transition
European Policy Centre, August 2018

Autumn surprises: Possible scenarios for the next phase of Brexit
Institute for Government, August 2018

Partnering for democracy: Protecting the democratic order in post-Brexit Europe
Real Instituto Elcano, August 2018

An orderly ‘no deal’ Brexit would still come with costs
Chatham House, August 2018

The Brexit white paper: What does it mean for higher education and research?
A UK in a Changing Europe, August 2018

Labouring toward a new Brexit vote
Carnegie Europe, August 2018

Sustaining Europe’s security trio
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, August 2018

Ten different formulas for Gibraltar post-Brexit
DCU Brexit Institute, July 2018

Brexit: Next steps in UK’s withdrawal from the EU
House of Commons Library, 2018

Read this briefing on ‘Brexit negotiations‘ on the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.