European Parliamentary Research Service Blog

Written by Katrien Luyten.

Every 26 June, the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking seeks to raise awareness of the problems, challenges and nefarious effects of illicit drugs (hereinafter referred to as drugs) on individuals and on society as whole. Drugs are an increasingly complex security, social and health problem that affects millions of people in the European Union (EU) and globally. The drug market generates huge profits for organised crime, and is estimated to be the source of approximately one fifth of global crime proceeds. The EU is considered an important market for drugs, in terms of both consumption and production. Over a third of the organised crime groups (OCGs) active in the EU are involved in the drugs trade. The fight against drugs is therefore a priority for the EU and its Member States.

Background

The illicit drug market in the EU is characterised by the relatively widespread availability of a broad range of drugs, which are often available at high potency or purity. This has led to increasing risks to public health. According to the 2023 European Drug Report, issued by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), cannabis is the most-used drug in the EU (used by an estimated 8 % of European adults (22.6 million persons aged 15 to 64) in the 12 months preceding the survey), followed by cocaine (1.3 % or 3.7 million). The latter is the most commonly used stimulant drug and amphetamine the most commonly used synthetic stimulant. The EMCDDA is increasingly concerned about the rise in synthetic drugs and the potential health risks of polydrug consumption and of novel substances, which are often mislabelled or sold in mixtures, leaving customers unaware of what they are using. According to estimates provided in the report, at least 6 166 people died of an overdose involving drugs in the EU in 2021; mostly because of opioids, usually in combination with other substances.

Drugs are the preferred market for OCGs, eager to accumulate wealth by whatever means necessary. They are not only trafficked from abroad to the EU but also produced locally, in particular cannabis and synthetic drugs. According to the 2023 European Drug Report, there is evidence of closer involvement of European drug producers and traffickers with international criminal networks. The EU is both a transit point and trafficking destination from other countries around the world. South America, West and South Asia, and North Africa are major drug-trafficking corridors into Europe, whereas China and India are important source countries for new psychoactive substances. Criminal networks rely mostly on maritime routes for high-volume drug smuggling. Large seizures of drugs in intermodal shipping containers have been detected in the last few years, though OCGs also increasingly target smaller ports in other EU Member States and in countries bordering the EU. Criminal groups adapt their supply to society’s demand and are also flexible in adapting and capitalising on changes in the environment in which they operate, creating additional challenges for law enforcement. Innovation in drug production, trafficking methods, and the related use of anonymised services for secure communications are a fertile breeding ground for the establishment of new trafficking routes and the growth of online markets, on both the surface web and the darknet. The use of violence by OCGs has intensified in recent years, as they seek to intimidate other drug suppliers identified as rivals. The EMCDDA has also observed greater levels of corruption and other criminal practices driven by the drug market in some countries. At international level, drug problems are growing in many low- and middle-income countries, undermining governance and development, in addition to the health and security challenges that they already face.

The drug market can be influenced by significant international developments. Geopolitical tensions, determining the attractiveness of a specific border region or sector for criminals, are considered an opportunity for OCGs. The ban on opium poppy cultivation announced by the Taliban in Afghanistan in April 2022 and the war in Ukraine may also have an impact on the kinds of drug problems facing the EU in the medium and long term.

EU action against drug abuse and illicit trafficking

The drug market not only inflicts substantial harm on millions of people, it also infiltrates and undermines public institutions, health and safety, the environment and labour productivity. For all these reasons and many others, the EU has been active in pursuing strategic and operational measures since the 1985 Schengen Agreement and 1990 Schengen Convention, which gradually removed controls at the signatories’ internal borders and made the need for regulation more pressing.

Even though drugs are a domain essentially reserved for national policies in the EU, the Union has made use of its competences – albeit narrowly defined – and has actively fostered law enforcement and health cooperation among the Member States in this domain. However, EU involvement has only been possible within the boundaries set by the United Nations and the Member States. Relatively few EU legislative acts have therefore been adopted in this area. Along with the Council implementing decisions to ban new psychoactive substances, legislation lays down minimum provisions on the constituent elements of criminal acts and penalties in the field of drug trafficking (Council Framework Decision 2004/757/JHA); on information exchange on, and an early warning system and risk assessment procedure for, new psychoactive substances (Regulation (EU) 2017/2101 amending Regulation (EC) No 1920/2006) and on the EMCDDA (Regulation (EC) No 1920/2006), for example. This latter is in the process of being revised, with the European Parliament and the Council having provisionally agreed to strengthen the mandate of the EMCDDA. Under the revised regulation, the EU Drugs Agency will be able to react more effectively to new challenges, provide better support for Member States and contribute to developments at international level. An important aspect will be the setting up of a European network of forensic and toxicological laboratories, planned for 2024, to help improve understanding of developments in the drug market and the health implications of changing patterns of drug consumption.

The most recent EU drugs strategy (for 2021 to 2025) is the principal EU policy document guiding the EU’s activities on drugs. The EU 2021‑2025 drugs action plan translates the strategy into specific action, with the objective to reduce drug supply and demand; address drug-related harm; increase international cooperation; and foster research innovation, foresight, coordination, governance and implementation.

Member States are increasingly reliant on cross-border and EU cooperation to support their law enforcement authorities on the ground and to counter transnational drug operations. Justice and home affairs EU agencies, such as the EMCDDA, Europol and Eurojust, play a central role in the drugs field, in the EU and internationally. Law enforcement action against drug trafficking is coordinated through EMPACT (the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats). This is a security initiative, driven by EU Member States, to identify, prioritise and address threats posed by organised and serious international crime and has become a permanent instrument – EMPACT 2022+.

European Parliament

The European Parliament has been very active in helping to address the problem of illicit drug control in the EU. As early as 1986, Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the Council to address the drug problem at ‘all levels from production and supply to demand and consumption’. In its 2020 resolution on the EU security union strategy, Parliament called for increased focus on rehabilitation and prevention in the EU action plan and stressed that attention should be paid to both drug production and consumption. Parliament is also currently working on a broader range of measures that affect criminals in general – including OCGs involved in the drug trade. These include legislative proposals to tackle corruption and money laundering; to freeze and confiscate the proceeds of crime; to give access to competent authorities to centralised bank account registries through a single access point; to facilitate access to electronic evidence in criminal matters; to facilitate the tracing of transfers of crypto-assets; and to automate data exchange for police cooperation.

This is an update of a June 2022 ‘at a glance’ note written by Katrien Luyten and Alessia Rossi.

Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: EU action against illicit drugs‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Issam Hallak (1st edition).

On 18 April 2023, the European Commission tabled a package of proposals to amend the bank crisis management and deposit insurance (CMDI) framework. The objective of the reform is to calibrate the latter so as to further deepen harmonisation and reduce the use of taxpayer funding. More specifically, the proposal for a CMDI reform would amend the early intervention procedure and the decision to resolve a failing bank in the public interest. It would also encourage the use of funding from national deposit guarantee schemes in resolution.

The package of proposals is being discussed by the European Parliament and the Council.

Versions

• June 2023: Road safety: Rules on EU-wide driving disqualifications for major traffic offences (1st edition)

(A) Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 806/2014 as regards early intervention measures, conditions for resolution and funding of resolution action.
Proposals for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending:
(B) Directive 2014/59/EU as regards early intervention measures, conditions for resolution and financing of resolution action;
(C) Directive 2014/49/EU as regards the scope of deposit protection, use of deposit guarantee schemes funds, cross-border cooperation, and transparency;
(D) Directive 2014/59/EU and Regulation (EU) No 806/2014 as regards certain aspects of the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities. Committee responsible:Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON)A) COM(2023) 226, (B) COM(2023) 227, (C) COM(2023) 228, (D) COM(2023) 229
18.4.2023Rapporteurs:(A) to be appointed
(B) Luděk Niedermayer (EPP, Czechia)
(C) to be appointed
(D) Jonás Fernández (S&D, Spain)(A) 2023/0111(COD), (B) 2023/0112(COD), (C) 2023/0115(COD), (D) 2023/0113(COD)Shadow rapporteurs:Gilles Boyer (Renew, France)
Marco Zanni (ID, Italy)
Martin Schirdewan (The Left, Germany)Ordinary legislative
procedure (COD)

Next steps expected: Publication of draft reports

Written by Monika Kiss (1st edition).

On 1 March 2023, as part of the road safety package, the European Commission published a legislative proposal to help ensure EU-wide application of driving disqualifications. It calls for increased cooperation, harmonisation of legislation, simplification of information exchange, capacity-building, and improved public awareness efforts.

In order to prevent impunity due to a lack of legislation, the proposal sets out rules to allow better EU-wide enforcement of driver disqualification decisions when drivers commit major traffic offences outside their own country.

In the European Parliament, the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) is responsible for the file. Petar Vitanov (S&D, Bulgaria) has been appointed as rapporteur.

Versions

• June 2023: Road safety: Rules on EU-wide driving disqualifications for major traffic offences (1st edition)

Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Union-wide effect of certain driving disqualifications Committee responsible:Transport and Tourism (TRAN)COM(2023) 128
1.3.2023Rapporteurs:Petar Vitanov (S&D, Bulgaria)2020/0186(COD)Shadow rapporteurs:Markus Ferber (EPP, Germany)
Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew, Spain)
Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA, Luxembourg)
Angel Dzhambazki (ECR, Bulgaria)
Roman Haider (ID, Austria)
Elena Kountoura (The Left, Greece)Ordinary legislative
procedure (COD)
(Parliament and Council
on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)

Next steps expected: Publication of draft report

Written by Issam Hallak (1st edition).

On 24 May 2023, the European Commission put forward a package of two proposals to amend existing directives and a regulation with a view to fostering retail investor information transparency and ensuring that investment decisions are best for investors. The objective is to enhance trust and confidence, thereby increasing retail investor participation in financing the economy. The package is mostly concerned with clarity in communication and the prevention of misleading marketing. It also intends to mitigate potential conflicts of interest for advisers and increase retail investments’ value for money.

In the European Parliament, the file has been referred to the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON). The Council has also started its discussions.

Versions

• June 2023: Retail investor package (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as regards the modernisation of the key information document and proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directives (EU) 2009/65/EC, 2009/138/EC, 2011/61/EU, 2014/65/EU and (EU) 2016/97 as regards the Union retail investor protection rules Committee responsible:Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON)COM(2023) 278
COM(2023) 279
24.5.2023Rapporteurs:Stéphanie Yon-Courtin (Renew, France)2023/0166(COD)
2023/0167(COD)Shadow rapporteurs:Ralf Seekatz (EPP, Germany), Denis Nesci (ECR, Italy)Ordinary legislative
procedure (COD)
(Parliament and Council
on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)

Next steps expected: National parliaments’ opinions

Written by Marketa Pape and Stefano Spinaci.

Platform work is on the rise, with hundreds of digital platforms active in the EU and millions of workers earning some income by working for them. A proposed EU directive seeks to set criteria to determine whether platform workers are self-employed or employees, which is key for improving their working conditions and social rights. In addition, it would set the first EU rules on the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace. With their positions agreed, the European Parliament and the Council can now start interinstitutional negotiations.

New job opportunities

The digital revolution is redefining the world at unprecedented speed, transforming our personal and working lives. Digital technologies are changing the way businesses operate and interact with customers. Digitalisation is breaking new ground for innovative work arrangements, where people can provide services via online platforms. New business and organisational models such as the platform economy are disrupting existing industries and creating new digital labour markets. Online platform work (or crowd work) allows workers to carry out tasks (such as data entry, writing and editing, creative and multimedia work) on their electronic devices from any suitable location. On-location platform work involves workers carrying out tasks in a specific physical location (for instance delivery and transportation services and cleaning), although they are matched with their customers online. Uber, Takeway and Deliveroo are some well-known examples of on-location platforms. The sharp increase in the number of jobs offered through online platforms has drawn attention to platform workers’ working conditions and rights.

A 2021 European Commission analysis found more than 500 digital labour platforms active in the EU, from international companies to small national or local start-ups. Accelerated by the pandemic, the switch to digital has made their revenue grow spectacularly, by around 500 % over the past 5 years. In the EU, digital platforms employ more than 28 million people, a figure expected to reach 43 million by 2025. While most platform workers are formally self-employed, about 5.5 million people, providing mostly on-location services, may be misclassified. The situation varies across the EU. More than 100 court judgments in EU countries have already dealt with platform workers’ employment status, mostly reclassifying independent contractors as workers and ‘gig’ platforms as employers, with ensuing legal responsibility for their workers. New risks for workers’ rights

As platform work is a non-standard form of employment, there are no rules on the working conditions and social rights of platform workers in standard EU labour law. Most workers performing platform work, particularly the higher skilled, are correctly classified as self-employed. However, some risk being classified as self-employed, despite working mostly or exclusively for one employer and being obliged to follow the same rules and restrictions as employed workers. Many platform workers face precarious working conditions and inadequate access to social protection (for instance with zero-hour contracts and unpaid waiting time). They often receive inadequate information about their working conditions. Social security systems do not necessarily cover them for sickness, accident, unemployment, protection at work and pension benefits. At the same time, businesses that save on social contribution costs by employing platform workers are competing unfairly, damaging the social safety net for everyone. Moreover, the digital control of workers exercised by platforms (and other employers) involves the use of algorithms – not only to assign tasks but also to monitor, supervise, evaluate, impose sanctions and terminate contracts. Often, employers control every aspect of the work, without giving employees the right to employment benefits such as paid sick leave, annual leave or retirement. Furthermore, workers can be disadvantaged if they cannot develop their skills through training. Ensuring that the competences they achieve are transferable and that the certificates are recognised is important for getting a new job or advancing in their career.

European Commission proposal

In 2021, the European Commission proposed a new directive to improve platform workers’ working conditions. The proposal sets rules to facilitate the correct determination of platform workers’ employment status and improve transparency, fairness and accountability in algorithmic management. The Commission proposed five ‘criteria of control’: level of remuneration; rules for appearance and conduct; supervision by electronic means; limited choice of working hours or possibility to refuse tasks; and restricted possibility to work for a third party. If two of the five were fulfilled, the relationship between a platform and a worker would be presumed to be employment, and the worker would gain access to the applicable labour and social protection rights. This classification could be contested by either side on the basis of national criteria (under the principle of a ‘rebuttable presumption’). However, legal and administrative proceedings initiated by the digital platforms to rebut the legal presumption would not have a suspensive effect on the application of the presumption. The proposal also introduces a requirement for human monitoring of algorithms, where the people performing the monitoring have the right to contest automated decisions.

European Parliament mandate

On 12 December 2022, Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) adopted a report by rapporteur Elisabetta Gualmini (Italy, S&D). The report specifies that a person doing platform work may be either a ‘platform worker’ or a genuinely ‘self-employed person’. It seeks to facilitate application of the rebuttable legal presumption of the employment relationship and amends the proposal in several ways: it moves the criteria for triggering the presumption of employment outside the legal body of the text and instead introduces an indicative list of non-mandatory criteria based on national rules to determine that a person is a platform worker. It also introduces two criteria for determining that a person is genuinely self-employed. Applying the legal presumption in this way would not mean an automatic reclassification of all those performing platform work as platform workers. The non-suspensive effect of legal proceedings on the legal presumption of employment is maintained. Moreover, the report strengthens the provisions on data protection and human oversight of all decisions affecting working conditions, extends the rules protecting platform workers from abusive algorithmic management practices to all EU workers, and promotes collective bargaining. The EMPL committee decision to enter into interinstitutional negotiations based on the report was confirmed by Parliament’s plenary on 2 February 2023.

Council position

The Council agreed its position on 12 June 2023. The text keeps the distinction between provisions relating to platform workers’ working conditions and those relating to the protection of personal data of both workers and self-employed persons performing platform work. It maintains the principle of legal presumption of employment. Having expanded the Commission’s five criteria into seven, the Council position considers that as soon as three of the criteria are fulfilled, an employment relationship is established, with burden of proof to the contrary being on the platform. However, if the platform merely complies with a legal obligation (including one stemming from a collective agreement), this does not count as fulfilling the criteria. While the presumption would apply in administrative and judicial proceedings, Member States would be free to decide if they wished to apply it in tax, criminal and social security proceedings. A non-regression clause stipulates that the directive should not weaken more ambitious national rules. At the same time, the non-suspensive effect of legal proceedings on the presumption of employment is weakened. The agreement also increases transparency in the use of algorithms for human resources management. These systems will have to be monitored by qualified staff, who should be protected from dismissal, disciplinary measures or adverse treatment for exercising their functions. Important decisions would automatically involve human supervision.

Way forward

In several aspects, Parliament’s mandate is more ambitious than the Council’s. In Council, eight Member States regretted that the rebuttable legal presumption of employment as agreed in the general approach was weaker than that initially proposed by the Commission. Several countries expressed further reservations, while the incoming Spanish Council Presidency deemed the agreed text insufficient. While securing a Council position has been greeted as a success for the Swedish Presidency, the forthcoming interinstitutional negotiations may still prove challenging.

Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘Digital platform workers: EU rules one step closer‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Citizens often turn to the European Parliament to ask about what the European Union is doing to help ensure access to affordable energy.

The responsibility for energy policy is shared between the European Union (EU) and its member countries. While the EU is responsible for ensuring a functional energy market and a secure energy supply, the choice of energy sources and the supply structure are decided at national level. As a result, the EU is able to set general guidelines and standards, but EU countries have a lot of control over how they apply them.

Energy prices have been rising, especially since the Russian war in Ukraine. The European Union is taking short and long-term measures to stabilise energy prices, provide financial funding and to ensure energy security and access to green energy for its citizens.

Stabilising energy prices and financial funding

The EU has been working closely with EU countries to find quick solutions to stabilise energy prices. In December 2022, the Council adopted a regulation to protect citizens and the economy against high prices. The regulation aims to limit episodes of excessive gas prices in the EU, while ensuring secure energy supplies and market stability.

The European Parliament has repeatedly raised concerns over rising energy costs (October 2022, September 2022, July 2022, March 2022) and advocated for emergency measures to ease the pressure on European households and businesses. In October 2022, Parliament also suggested that EU countries combat rising energy prices

The European Parliament also highlighted that companies benefitting from windfall profits should help to mitigate the negative impacts of the crisis. Parliament called on the European Commission to examine if other measures, like temporary wholesale and price caps, are needed.

Energy security and import dependency

The EU is working on long-term measures to ensure EU energy security and reduce energy dependency on Russia.

In this context, Parliament stressed the importance of rapidly securing cleaner and more affordable energy for all EU countries. It supported the immediate and full embargo on imports of Russian oil, coal, nuclear fuel and gas, and called for the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines to be abandoned.

In June 2022, the EU adopted updated the rules aimed at safeguarding EU gas supplies. Long-term measures include requiring EU countries to fill their gas storage to at least 90 % capacity for winter 2023; diversifying gas supplies; and increasing EU production of renewable hydrogen.

The REPowerEU Regulation, which was adopted in February 2023, aims at ensuring affordable, secure and sustainable energy for EU citizens and businesses. The plan includes short- and medium-term measures, such as investing €210 billion until 2027 to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports. The aim is to focus on national recovery and resilience plans that aim for faster energy independence, to tackle energy poverty and to decarbonise the European economy.

Promoting green energy

The EU is committed to promoting sustainable energy to achieve its climate goals and to stabilise energy prices by decreasing the EU’s reliance on fossil fuel imports.

The European Green Deal aims to decarbonise EU energy systems. It is a critical part of the 2030 climate objectives and the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. By 2030, at least 32 % of all energy in the EU must be renewable.

In the transition towards renewable energy, the EU is aiming to make sure that energy remains affordable for all citizens.

To achieve the climate objectives, the EU also invests in modernising cross-border energy infrastructure. New rules adopted by the Council in May 2022 aim to modernise, decarbonise and interconnect EU countries’ cross-border energy infrastructures, to help the EU achieve its 2050 climate neutrality objectives.

Parliament also supported the inclusion of projects to help EU countries move away from solid fossil fuels. The eligible projects will receive EU financial assistance until December 2027.

Improving energy efficiency

To increase savings and drive down energy prices for consumers in the long term, the EU has also taken action to improve energy efficiency. In March 2023, the European Parliament and the Council agreed on new rules to boost energy savings, requiring EU countries to reduce energy consumption by at least 11.7 % by 2030. The target should be achieved through measures at local, regional and national levels sectors such as public administration, buildings, businesses or data centres.

The EU also funds action to improve energy efficiency through the European Regional Development Fund. The money in this fund is given to EU countries, who need to allocate at least 30 % to measures reducing greenhouse gas emissions (for instance improving energy efficiency, or building smart electrical grids).

Further reading

• Social Climate Fund, European Parliamentary Research Service, At a Glance 2023
• Review of the EU ETS: Fit for 55, At a Glance 2023.
• Question Time : How to ensure energy security in the EU in 2023, At a Glance 2023
• Revising the Energy Efficiency Directive: Fit for 55 package, European Parliamentary Research Service, Briefing 2022.
• Preparing for ‘RepowerEU’: Action for more secure, more affordable and cleaner energy, European Parliamentary Research Service, At a Glance 2022.
• Energy saving and demand reduction, European Parliamentary Research Service, Briefing 2022.
• Emergency intervention to address high energy prices in the EU, European Parliamentary Research Service, Briefing 2022.

Keep sending your questions to the Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (Ask EP)! We reply in the EU language that you use to write to us.

Written by Marc Jütten.

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and United States-China rivalry continue to dominate the global political and economic landscape in 2023. Challenges to the multilateral rules-based global order are redefining strategic relations. In its attempt to foster alliances, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President (HR/VP) and the European Commission adopted a joint communication setting out a new agenda for relations between the European Union and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) on 7 June 2023. To strengthen and modernise the strategic partnership, reinforced political engagement, boosted trade and investment, and more sustainable investment through the Global Gateway connectivity strategy are key priorities of the EU strategy towards the region – one of the most aligned in terms of interests, culture and values.

Less than a year earlier, on 27 October 2022, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and EU foreign ministers adopted the joint CELAC-EU Roadmap 2022‑2023 in Buenos Aires. This paved the way for the long-awaited EU-CELAC Summit to take place in Brussels, set for 17‑18 July 2023, under the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Expectations are high, as this will be the first fully-fledged summit in 8 years.

EU-CELAC relations are not free of challenges: the LAC countries’ stance on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine (including EU sanctions against Russia), China’s emergence as a key actor in Latin America, political and ideological divisions and economic asymmetries within the LAC region, and concerns relating to EU legislation on the green transition all need to be addressed. A litmus test for the strategic partnership will also be whether the partners manage to finalise the three key pending international agreements (Mercosur, Mexico and Chile).

Read the complete briefing on ‘Strengthening ties: A new agenda for the EU’s relations with Latin America and the Caribbean‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Laurence Amand-Eeckhout (1st edition).

On 26 Avril 2023, the European Commission put forward a ‘pharmaceutical package’ to revise the EU’s pharmaceutical legislation and make medicines more available, accessible and affordable, while supporting the competitiveness and attractiveness of the EU pharmaceutical industry, with higher environmental standards. The package includes proposals for a new directive and a new regulation, which would replace the existing pharmaceutical legislation, including the legislation on medicines for children and for rare diseases. The package is completed by a communication and a Council recommendation to step up the fight against antimicrobial resistance. The legislative proposals are now in the hands of the co-legislators.

Versions

• June 2023: Revision of EU pharmaceutical legislation (1st edition)

(A) Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down Union procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human use and establishing rules governing the European Medicines Agency, amending Regulation (EC) No 1394/2007 and Regulation (EU) No 536/2014 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 726/2004, Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 and Regulation (EC) No 1901/2006.
(B) Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Union code relating to medicinal products for human use, and repealing Directive 2001/83/EC and Directive 2009/35/EC. Committee responsible:Committee Environment, Public Health & Food Safety (ENVI)(A) COM(2023) 193
(B) COM(2023) 192
26.4.2023Rapporteurs:(A) Tiemo Wölken (S&D, Germany)
(B) Pernille Weiss (EPP, Denmark)(A) 2023/0131(COD)
(B) 2023/0132(COD)Shadow rapporteurs:(A) Tomislav Sokol (EPP, Croatia)
(B) Monika Beňová (S&D, Slovakia)
 
(A) Annalisa Tardino (ID, Italy)
(B) Elisabetta De Blasis (ID, Italy)

Renew, Greens/EFA, ECR, The Left –  to be appointedOrdinary legislative
procedure (COD)
(Parliament and Council
on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)

Next steps expected: Publication of draft reports

Written by Karin Smit Jacobs (1st edition).

On 1 March 2023, the European Commission published its legislative proposal on driving licences – a matter of EU competence – with the purpose of enabling the free movement of persons and goods throughout the EU by modernising the driving licence system. This involves making driving licence rules future-proof, improving road safety and simplifying rules for those wanting to get a driving licence. The proposal provides for accompanied driving for young learners, zero tolerance for drunk driving, better preparation for micro-mobility, and the introduction of digital driving licences.

In the European Parliament, the legislative file was assigned to the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) on 27 April 2023. The rapporteur was appointed on 3 May 2023.

Versions

• June 2023: Revision of the Driving Licence Directive (1st edition)

Revision of the Directive on Driving Licences, COM(2023) 0127, repealing Directive 2006/126 2003/0252(COD) amending Regulation 2018/1724 2017/0086(COD), amending Directive 2022/2561 2021/0018(COD) Committees responsible:Transport and Tourism (TRAN)COM(2023) 0127Rapporteur:Karima Delli (Greens/EFA, France)2023/0053(COD)Shadow rapporteurs:Elzbieta Katarzyna Lukacijewska (EPP, Poland)
Achille Variati (S&D, Italy)
Dominique Riquet (Renew, France)
Peter Lundgren (ECR, Sweden)
Marco Campomenosi (ID, Italy)
Elena Kountoura (Left, Greece)Ordinary legislative
procedure (COD)
(Parliament and Council
on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)

Next steps expected: Publication of draft report

Written by Stefano De Luca (1st edition).

The EU’s digital decade connectivity target aims at ensuring a fixed gigabit network (1 Gbps) covers all EU households, and for 5G coverage for all populated areas by 2030. A high-quality digital infrastructure based on such very high-capacity networks would underpin almost all sectors of a modern and innovative economy. The long-term success of a digital economy based on the internet of things, machine-to-machine technologies, cloud computing and big data, will crucially depend on access to the highest quality telecommunications infrastructure.  

The proposed gigabit infrastructure act, introducing a regulation that would review and replace the existing Broadband Cost Reduction Directive, aims at facilitating and stimulating the provision of very high-capacity networks by promoting the joint use of existing physical infrastructure and by enabling a more efficient deployment of new physical infrastructure, so that such networks can be rolled out faster and at lower cost.

In Parliament, the file has been allocated to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE).

Versions

• June 2023: Gigabit infrastructure act (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation laying down measures to reduce the cost of deploying gigabit electronic communications networks and repealing directive 2014/61/EU Committees responsible:Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)COM(2023) 0094
23.02.2023Rapporteur:Alin Mituța (Renew, Romania)2023/0046(COD)Shadow rapporteurs:Angelika Winzig (EPP, Austria)
Beatrice Covassi (S&D, Italy)
Niklas Nienass (Greens/EFA, Germany)
Johan Nissinen (ECR, Sweden)
Georg Mayer (ID, Austria)
Elena Kountoura (The Left, Greece)Ordinary legislative
procedure (COD)
(Parliament and Council
on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)

Next steps expected: Publication of draft report

Written by Marcin Grajewski.

On 14 June 2023, the European Parliament adopted its negotiating position on the draft Artificial Intelligence Act, strengthening some provisions to protect people better from potential violations of their fundamental rights. Following this vote, Parliament will start negotiations with the national governments and the European Commission on the final shape of the legislation, which will be a decisive step in the European Union becoming the world’s first region to regulate artificial intelligence (AI).

The recent launches of AI tools capable of generating direct textual answers to questions, notably ChatGPT, and the development of general-purpose AI technologies are expected to revolutionise the application of AI in society. The US and China are also working on AI regulation. In addition, the US and EU hope to negotiate a voluntary code of conduct for AI firms.

The Artificial Intelligence Act would regulate AI according to the level of risk: the higher the risk to individuals’ fundamental rights or safety, the greater the system’s obligations. The EU’s proposed high-risk list includes AI in critical infrastructure, education, human resources, public order and migration management. Parliament’s position on the proposal seeks to ban real-time remote biometric identification systems in publicly accessible spaces and most ‘post’ remote biometric identification systems, as well as AI predictive policy systems, based on gender, race, ethnicity, citizenship status, religion, or political orientation.

This note offers links to recent reports and commentaries from some major international think tanks and research institutes on artificial intelligence. More publications on the topic can be found in a previous edition of What think tanks are thinking.

ChatGPT and health care: implications for interoperability and fairness
Brookings Institution, June 2023

Metaverse economics part 1: Creating value in the metaverse
Brookings Institution, June 2023

Around the halls: What should the regulation of generative AI look like?
Brookings Institution, June 2023

Why the EU must now tackle the risks posed by military AI
Centre for European Policy Studies, June 2023

AI governance must balance creativity with sensitivity
Chatham House, June 2023

Future-proofing AI: regulation for innovation, human rights and societal progress
Foundation for European Progressive Studies, June 2023

Regulating AI: workers’ intellect versus Big Tech oligarchs
Foundation for European Progressive Studies, June 2023

Future-proofing AI: regulation for innovation, human rights and societal progress
Foundation for European Progressive Studies, June 2023

Artificial Intelligence in the Covid-19 Response
Rand Corporation, June 2023

The regulators are coming for your AI
Atlantic Council, May 2023

The US government should regulate AI if it wants to lead on international AI governance
Brookings Institution, May 2023

Senate hearing highlights AI harms and need for tougher regulation
Brookings Institution, May 2023

Are the FTC’s tools strong enough for digital challenges?
Brookings Institution, May 2023

Machines of mind: The case for an AI-powered productivity boom
Brookings Institution, May 2023

The politics of AI: ChatGPT and political bias
Brookings Institution, May 2023

The age of competition in generative artificial intelligence has begun
Bruegel, May 2023

The UK’s competition authority is ready to regulate big tech
Centre for European Reform, May 2023

Strict ban on china will cost us dearly in science
Clingendael, May 2023

Artificial Intelligence enters the political arena
Council on Foreign Relations, May 2023

Here’s what to expect on China, AI, green energy, and more when EU and US officials meet in Sweden
European Policy Centre, May 2023

The US-EU Trade and Technology Council: Assessing the record on data and technology issues
European Policy Centre, May 2023

ChatGPT’s work lacks transparency and that is a problem
Rand Corporation, May 2023

Why US technology multinationals are looking to Africa for AI and other emerging technologies: Scaling tropical-tolerant R&D innovations
Atlantic Council, April 2023

The EU and U.S. diverge on AI regulation: A transatlantic comparison and steps to alignment
Brookings Institution, April 2023

How artificial intelligence is transforming the world
Brookings Institution, April 2023

Artificial intelligence is another reason for a new digital agency
Brookings Institution, April 2023

Workforce ecosystems and AI
Brookings Institution, April 2023

The problems with a moratorium on training large AI systems
Brookings Institution, April 2023

With the AI Act, we need to mind the standards gap
Centre for European Policy Studies, April 2023

Recalibrating assumptions on AI towards an evidence-based and inclusive AI policy discourse
Chatham House, April 2023

AI has escaped the ‘sandbox’: Can it still be regulated?
European Policy Centre, April 2023

The world needs a time out on AI development
Friends of Europe, April 2023

Large language models: Fast proliferation and budding international competition
International Institute for Strategic Studies, April 2023

Comparing Google Bard with OpenAI’s ChatGPT on political bias, facts, and morality
Brookings institution, March 2023

How generative AI impacts democratic engagement
Brookings institution, March 2023

A high-level view of the impact of AI on the workforce
Bruegel, March 2023

Artificial intelligence adoption in the public sector: A case study
Bruegel, March 2023

Like it or not, the EU needs American cloud services
Centre for European Reform, March 2023

Access to data and algorithms: For an effective DMA and DSA implementation
Centre on Regulation in Europe, March 2023

ChatGPT has opened a new front in the fake news wars
Chatham House, March 2023

Artificial intelligence, diplomacy and democracy: from divergence to convergence
Friends of Europe, March 2023

Read this briefing on ‘Artificial intelligence‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka with Rebecca Fredrick.

The war in Ukraine was again central to the plenary session in June, with a debate on the humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam and sustainable reconstruction and the integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community. Another important debate concerned the preparation of the European Council meeting set for 29‑30 June 2023, in particular in the light of the recent steps forward on agreeing the EU migration pact.

Members held a number of debates, inter alia, on the rule of law in Poland, negotiations on the European electoral law, establishment of an EU ethics body, the water crisis in Europe, and how to make Europe the place to invest. Members also debated the situation in Lebanon, in Nicaragua and on the state of the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement.

Finally, Members held the latest ‘This is Europe’ debate, this month with Nikos Christodoulides, the President of Cyprus. And, in a formal sitting, they heard an address by Vjosa Osmani, President of the Republic of Kosovo.

Artificial intelligence act

The EU is keen to ensure a ‘human-centric’ approach to regulating artificial intelligence (AI), to ensure an optimum balance between the benefits and risks of these new technologies. Members voted overwhelmingly in favour of a joint Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Committee report which proposes to greatly amend the proposed artificial intelligence act, setting Parliament’s position for trilogue negotiations. The changes would increase the number of prohibited practices, and introduce stricter categorisation of high-risk systems, such as those that risk harming people’s health, safety, fundamental rights or the environment – and social media platforms and systems used to influence political processes. The report also proposes boosting protection of fundamental rights, health, safety, the environment, democracy and the rule of law in general-purpose AI systems like ChatGPT and increasing their transparency. National governance and enforcement should be stronger, and Parliament proposes to establish a new EU AI body to ensure the rules are applied.

Batteries and waste batteries

Members adopted the proposed new regulatory framework for batteries, agreed in interinstitutional negotiations in December 2022. The proposal seeks to address all steps of a battery’s life cycle, setting rules for sustainability (minimum recycled content, performance criteria, etc.), safety, labelling, and disposal. It also introduces due diligence obligations for businesses sourcing raw materials. With the goal of zero-emission mobility in mind, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) sought to widen the proposed scope to include batteries used in light transport (e.g. e-scooters).

Electronic evidence in criminal matters

New technology offers the opportunity to revolutionise the exchange of evidence in criminal investigations, including across borders. In a joint debate, Members considered and adopted a compromise reached between the co-legislators on cross-border access to electronic evidence. To make evidence easier for law enforcement authorities to access, two new pieces of legislation will therefore introduce a European production order and a European preservation order. The compromise text on the proposals includes a mandatory 10‑day response deadline for production orders (8 hours in emergencies) and a notification system for some categories of data, among other things.

European Union Drugs Agency

Members adopted the provisional text agreed in trilogue negotiations, following a LIBE committee report, on the proposal to strengthen the EU Drugs Agency’s mandate. It seeks to shift the focus of the Agency away from law enforcement and control-related issues and towards harm reduction and health. The illicit drugs landscape in Europe has changed greatly since the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) was set up to provide scientific analysis in 2006, with drugs such as amphetamines and ecstasy increasingly produced in the EU. Members also demand greater transparency in the EMCDDA, and more focus on the human rights, age and gender dimensions of drug use and addiction.

EU-Mauritius Fisheries Partnership Agreement

Fisheries agreements between the EU and non-EU countries generally focus on the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The EU/Mauritius Fisheries Partnership Agreement is part of a set of EU tuna agreements aimed at sustainable fishing in the western Indian Ocean. Signed in December 2022, a four-year protocol implementing the agreement currently applies provisionally. Members voted to grant Parliament’s consent to concluding the protocol, allowing fishing opportunities for up to 40 EU vessels.

Pegasus spyware

Following the discovery that government bodies from both EU and non-EU states have used Pegasus spyware and equivalents against journalists, politicians, diplomats, civil society actors and others, the European Parliament established a Committee of Inquiry to investigate the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware (PEGA) in March 2022. Members debated the committee’s findings and adopted a recommendation to the Commission and the Council. The PEGA committee recommendation condemns governments’ illegitimate use of spyware. It underlines failures to implement EU law, not just by those Member States that have used spyware, but also criticises EU support for non-EU countries to develop surveillance capacities. Parliament calls for common EU standards on use of spyware, better enforcement of related EU law (including data protection law and the Dual-use Regulation) and for new legislation placing due diligence requirements on producers and exporters of surveillance technologies.

Assessment of the communication on outermost regions

Remote, insular or small in size, with a challenging geography or climate, a lack of economic opportunity often disadvantages those living in the EU’s outermost regions. Members considered an own-initiative report from the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) on the assessment of the European Commission’s 2022 strategy to improve living conditions in the EU’s outermost regions. The committee supports greater ambition for these regions, particularly to provide more opportunities for young people. One demand is to reproduce the compensation scheme mitigating higher prices in agriculture in the fisheries, transport, energy and other sectors. The committee underlines the importance of sustainable tourism in these regions, and highlights the need for better digital infrastructure and connectivity.

Food security and the long-term resilience of EU agriculture

Members debated a Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) own-initiative report on ensuring food security and the long-term resilience of EU agriculture. Parliament has long pushed for stronger strategic autonomy in food and agricultural supplies such as fertiliser. Parliament also supports measures to shield consumers from food inflation. The AGRI report recommends taking measures to ensure food safety both at home and globally, including to reduce dependence on imports and support farmers in the search for innovative means to produce food. The AGRI report nevertheless opposes a blanket ban on the use of pesticides and fertilisers, which it states could threaten farmers’ livelihoods.

Question Time – Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan

During ‘question time’ with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, Members heard answers to questions regarding relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and in the Lachin Corridor, where the EU is playing a prominent role in trying to prevent a flare-up in the frozen conflict between the two countries.

Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘Plenary round-up – May II 2023‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Ralf Drachenberg.

‘This is Europe’ – an initiative proposed by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola – consists of a series of debates with EU leaders to discuss their visions for the future of the European Union. In his address to the European Parliament on 13 June 2023, the reunification of the island was a central theme for the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. He stressed that the EU has every interest, but also an ‘obligation to actively contribute to its final settlement’ by taking a leading role in the process. He stressed that the wider Middle East and Gulf were the EU’s neighbourhood, and that Cyprus was the ‘geopolitical gateway’ from the EU to the MENA region. He also called for further European integration, and promised to promote the deepening of the EU within the European Council.

We must regain the trust of our citizens in the great European ideal of peace, cooperation, solidarity and prosperity. To achieve this, we first need to do more to make European citizens aware of what the EU is doing to ensure their safety and improve their daily lives, and perhaps we need to communicate better what is happening and what will happen.

Nikos Christodoulides

Background

Roberta Metsola launched the ‘This is Europe’ initiative shortly after her election as president of the European Parliament in January 2022. Nikos Christodoulides is the 10th EU leader to have addressed the Parliament since its Conference of Presidents endorsed the initiative on 28 April 2022. These debates will continue during subsequent sessions. A similar Parliament initiative, ahead of the 2019 European elections, saw a number of EU leaders speak in Parliament’s plenary sessions about their views on the future of Europe. A 2019 EPRS analysis of those debates pinpointed similarities and differences in EU leaders’ views.

Figure 1 – Time devoted by Nikos Christodoulides to various topics in his speech

The ‘This is Europe’ initiative is particularly relevant in the context of the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE), a bottom-up exercise which allowed EU citizens to express their opinions on the EU’s future policies and functioning. On 30 April 2022, the CoFoE plenary adopted 49 proposals (see EPRS overview), including more than 300 measures by which they might be achieved. As a follow-up, Parliament adopted a resolution, by a large majority, calling for a convention in accordance with Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union. This call was backed by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the Union speech on 14 September 2022.

At the June 2022 European Council meeting, the Heads of State or Government ‘took note’ of the CoFoE proposals. While calling for ‘an effective follow-up’, they did not provide specific guidelines in this respect. Instead, they merely stated that each EU institution should follow up on the proposals ‘within their own sphere of competences’, rather than acting jointly. EPRS research has shown that there is significant convergence between the results of the CoFoE and the priorities of the European Council, as expressed in the latter’s 2019‑2024 strategic agenda and its conclusions over the past 3 years. The European Council, under the impulse of its President, Charles Michel, is initiating the reflection process on the priorities for the next institutional cycle, which will lead to the 2024-2029 Strategic Agenda.

Main focus of Nikos Christodoulides’ speech

Christodoulides addressed a wide range of topics in his speech to Parliament (see Figure 1). In terms of words, he devoted most attention to i) the reunification of Cyprus, ii) the eastern Mediterranean, iii) migration, and iv) Cyprus in the EU.

Cyprus settlement

With newly re-elected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan having called for international recognition of the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus, Christodoulides reiterated his ‘unwavering efforts’ to reunify Cyprus through a comprehensive settlement in line with international law, UN Security Council resolutions and EU law, values and principles. As reflected in the level of attention dedicated to this topic, the President stated that reunification was the ‘highest priority’ of his government.

Eastern Mediterranean

The Cypriot President stressed that maintaining a stable and secure environment in the eastern Mediterranean was not just to the benefit of the region and its people, but also of strategic importance for the EU. He added that challenges in this region could only be addressed collectively, and that Cyprus, together with Greece, promoted regional cooperation to create regional synergies and partnerships.

Migration

He welcomed the agreement reached in the Council the previous week on two important parts of the new pact for migration and asylum, and expressed the hope that negotiations between the co-legislators would proceed speedily. In Christodoulides’s view, for the migration pact to succeed, it is important to maintain a balance between solidarity and the principle of responsibility, and to keep working hard on the external aspects of migration, so as to reduce irregular flows.

Cyprus in the EU

Looking back over Cypriot membership of the EU, Christodoulides identified Cyprus’s accession to the EU as the ‘greatest historic achievement since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus’. Looking ahead to 2026, when Cyprus is due to hold the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, Christodoulides pledged to be ‘an honourable mediator to ensure institutional cohesion’; he plans various initiatives as part of the EU’s political cooperation with the Mediterranean and the wider Middle East.

Specific proposals and positions

The President of Cyprus used the opportunity to present his views on how the European Union should advance in specific policy areas, summarised below.

Policy issuePriority action and proposals (quotes)Energy‘Gas has a vital role to play in the energy transition, as the most environmentally friendly conventional fuel and a potential raw material to produce hydrogen’.Russia’s war on Ukraine‘We will never allow border changes stemming from violence and war. We will never accept the result of Russia’s aggression against an independent, sovereign state’.Strategic autonomy‘The EU must be strategically autonomous, in areas such as security, energy, health and elsewhere’.Table – Specific proposals made by Nikos Christodoulides, by policy area

Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘‘This is Europe’ debate in the European Parliament: Speech by Nikos Christodoulides, President of Cyprus, 13 June 2023‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Alessandro D’Alfonso.

Next Generation EU (NGEU) is the unprecedented instrument created by the European Union (EU) to help Member States recover from the socio-economic impact of the COVID‑19 crisis, while also addressing structural challenges such as the green and digital transition. Its main spending tool is the €723.8 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) that finances ambitious packages of reform and investment measures agreed in the Member States’ national recovery and resilience plans (NRRPs). Given the RRF’s strong links with the European Semester, the EU’s economic governance coordination framework regularly takes stock of progress in RRF implementation.

Combined with additional data on payments received so far by Member States (30.6 % of the approved allocation on average) and the milestones and targets linked to those payments (11 % of the overall objectives under the plans), the documents in the 2023 European Semester spring package provide an overview of the state of play in the implementation of the RRF in individual Member States. According to the European Commission, the deployment of the RRF is broadly on track. Variations appear to be emerging across the EU, however, since on the basis of the country-specific recommendations and reports, Member States can be classified into four broad groups as regards implementation of their NRRPs: 1) well under way (in 9 Member States); 2) under way (14); 3) under way with significant delays (2); and 4) significantly delayed (2).

With 89 % of the milestones and targets still to be achieved, the years to 2026, the final year for the RRF, will be crucial for successful completion of the plans. Their ongoing revision, not least for the inclusion of new REPowerEU chapters on reinforced energy measures, may trigger delays in 2023, but it is also an opportunity to address current challenges, such as unexpectedly high inflation. As of 12 June 2023, only a quarter of Member States had submitted their REPowerEU chapters, which must be agreed and operational by the end of 2023 at the latest.

Read the complete briefing on ‘Recovery and resilience plans in the 2023 European Semester: Progress and country-specific recommendations‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

National recovery and resilience plans (NRRPs) as of 12 June 2023: European Semester assessment, payments received and milestones and targets achieved

Written by Martina Prpic (1st edition).

On 19 December 2022, the European Commission put forward a proposal for the targeted revision of Directive 2011/36/EU, which is the main EU instrument to combat trafficking in human beings and protect its victims. Despite progress achieved in fighting this crime, the Commission reports that, on average, 7 000 people per year are victims of human trafficking in the EU and that this figure is most likely only the tip of the iceberg. Moreover, forms of exploitation have evolved over time and have adapted to the new environment. For instance, criminal networks are now taking advantage of the possibilities offered by new technologies to recruit victims. Most recently, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has generated a massive displacement of women and children and created new opportunities for criminal organisations. While a large majority of victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation are women and girls, men are more victims of trafficking for labour exploitation, the share of which is increasing, or are forced to commit criminal activities. Against this background, the Commission is proposing a set of amendments to strengthen the current rules, further harmonise provisions across Member States in order to reduce demand, and collect robust data and statistics.

Versions

• June 2023: Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings (1st edition)

Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims. Committees responsible:Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM)COM(2022) 732
19.12.2022Rapporteurs:Malin Björk (The Left, Sweden)
Eugenia Rodríguez Palop (The Left, Spain)2022/0426(COD)Shadow rapporteurs:Lena Düpont (EPP, Germany)
Maria Walsh (EPP, Ireland)
Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques (S&D, Portugal)
Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, Spain)
Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew, Sweden)
Yana Toom (Renew, Estonia)
Alice Kuhnke (Greens/EFA, Sweden)
Vincenzo Sofo (ECR, Italy)
Christine Anderson (ID, Germany)
Patricia Chagnon (ID, France)Ordinary legislative procedure
(COD) (Parliament and Council
on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)Appointment of rapporteur

Next steps expected: Committee vote on draft report

Written by Costica Dumbrava (1st edition).

In December 2022, the Commission presented two proposals to revise the rules on the collection and transfer of advance passenger information (API) data – data collected by air carriers at check-in and sent to competent authorities in the country of destination prior to the flight’s take-off. One of the proposals is for a new regulation on the collection and transfer of API data for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime.

The proposal seeks to align the rules on the collection and transfer of API data with the rules on the processing of passenger name records (PNR) – data from air travellers’ ticket reservations – in order to increase the effectiveness of the fight against serious crimes and terrorism in the EU. The proposal provides uniform criteria for the collection and transfer of API data on extra-EU flights and selected intra-EU flights. It builds on the provisions of another proposal for a regulation on the collection and transfer of API data for enhancing and facilitating external border controls. Both proposals rely on the establishment of a centralised router to enable the transmission of API data between air carriers and the competent national authorities dealing with API data.

The proposal falls under the ordinary legislative procedure. In the European Parliament, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) has appointed a rapporteur, Assita Kanko (ECR, Belgium), who has begun preparing a draft report.

Versions

• June 2023: Advance passenger information (API) to tackle terrorism and serious crime (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the collection and transfer of advance passenger information for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime, and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/818 Committee responsible:Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)COM(2022) 731
13.12.2022Rapporteur:Assita Kanko (ECR, Belgium)2022/0425(COD)Shadow rapporteurs:Jeroen Lenaers (EPP, the Netherlands)
Paul Tang (S&D, the Netherlands)
Jan-Christoph Oetjen (Renew, Germany)
Tinek Strik (Greens/EFA, the Netherlands)
Clare Daly (The Left, Ireland)Ordinary legislative procedure
(COD) (Parliament and Council
on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)

Next steps expected: Publication of draft report

Written by Eric Pichon.

What is at stake?

The Cotonou Agreement is the widest and most comprehensive binding partnership agreement between the EU and third countries: it connects one-fifth of the world’s population and covers trade, development and political cooperation between the EU and 78 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP). Signed in 2000, it was set to expire after twenty years. However, it has been extended several times (currently until 30 June 2023) to offer the possibility of setting up a new agreement. After a long and challenging negotiation process, which was also affected by the COVID‑19 pandemic, the chief negotiators have proposed a new and improved agreement. It reflects the changes and challenges that have emerged since 2000 and is expected to shape the future of EU-ACP relations.

What is new in the future agreement?

The ACP Group of States became an international organisation in April 2020: the Organisation of ACP States (OACPS). The new legal framework for EU relations with the current 79 OACPS members will therefore be the ‘OACPS-EU Partnership Agreement’. However, it is likely that the final name will be something more catchy, perhaps based on the location of the official signature – maybe ‘Samoa’.

There will also be a new structure for the agreement, with a ‘foundation’ that defines the ACP and EU common values and interests, such as democracy, human rights, sustainable development and climate action. On top of that, three separate regional pillars for Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific will focus on their specific needs and priorities. For example, the African pillar will deal with issues such as peace and stability, democracy and good governance, economic and human development, migration and mobility, and climate change. The Caribbean pillar will emphasise regional integration and disaster resilience. The Pacific pillar will highlight the maritime dimension of the partnership. The new agreement will also be more flexible, allowing for different levels of action (continental, regional, national) and different types of cooperation (political dialogue, development assistance, trade arrangements), depending on each context.

How does the European Parliament fit in?

The partnership is more than just a formal agreement. It is a living collaboration between the two sides. To make this happen, the partnership has a solid institutional framework that involves representatives from both sides at different levels: ministers, ambassadors, and parliamentarians.

The Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) is a key part of this framework. It brings together 78 Members of the European Parliament and 78 members of ACP countries’ parliaments.[1] They meet twice a year, once in the ACP and once in the EU, to discuss fair and sustainable development, security, climate, youth employment, gender equality, human rights, or any topic of common concern. They adopt resolutions that provide jointly agreed positions on these important issues.

What is on the agenda in June?

The next plenary session will take place in Brussels (26‑28 June 2023), where JPA members will debate on timely topics such as hybrid threats, the reform of the United Nations Security Council, the humanitarian situation in countries affected by terrorism, and the situation in Haiti.

The plenary session will also feature debates with Jutta Urpilainen, the European Commissioner for international partnerships, with Johan Forssell, Development Minister of Sweden, Alan Ganoo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius – the two countries respectively preside the EU and OACPS Councils – and with the European Economic and Social Committee.

The Joint Parliamentary Assembly organises additional events during its plenary weeks. In June 2023 a Youth Forum and a Women’s Forum will take place, where participants from both sides will exchange views and ideas, as well as a seminar on the best practices to fight disinformation.

In addition, the Development Committee of the European Parliament has invited the JPA members to join a public hearing on helping developing countries deal with their debt issues.

What is next?

The European Parliament fought hard to keep the Joint Parliamentary Assembly in the future partnership, and it succeeded. The future agreement not only preserves the Joint Parliamentary Assembly but also creates three joint assemblies for EU relations with respectively, Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. These assemblies will allow for more focused and tailored cooperation at the regional level. The European Parliament’s ACP unit has worked with JPA Bureau Members from both sides on drafting the rules of procedures for the four future assemblies. These draft rules will be presented and be put to a vote during the JPA plenary session in June 2023.

Parliament and the JPA are eagerly waiting for the future partnership to come into force. They hope that the remaining obstacles will be overcome soon, for the Council to give its green light, and that there will be no delay in this crucial step.

Want to know more?

After Cotonou: Towards a new agreement with the African, Caribbean and Pacific states, International Agreements in Progress Briefing, EPRS, April 2023

Check the Legislative train Schedule for updates on the state of play of the proposed future agreement.

Visit the Joint Parliamentary Assembly website.

[1] The OACPs has 79 members but Cuba is not party to the Cotonou Agreement. South Africa decided to leave the OACPS as of 2 September 2022 and will not participate in the future agreement. The Maldives became a full member of the OACPS on 10 December 2022.

Written by Costica Dumbrava (1st edition).

In December 2022, the Commission presented two proposals to revise the rules on the collection and transfer of advance passenger information (API) data – data collected by air carriers at check-in and sent to border control authorities in the country of destination prior to a flight’s take-off. The current directive on the collection and transfer of API data will be replaced by two regulations: one on the collection and transfer of API data for border management purposes, and another on the collection and transfer of API data for law enforcement purposes.

The proposal on the collection and transfer of API data for border management seeks to enhance and facilitate the effectiveness and efficiency of border checks at external borders and to combat irregular immigration. It provides a revised and extended list of API data and makes mandatory the collection of API data on all scheduled and non-scheduled flights into the EU. It also establishes a new technical solution (a router) to enable air carriers to transfer API data to the competent national authorities though a single, centralised system, under strict data protection and security rules.

The proposal falls under the ordinary legislative proposal where the European Parliament and the Council act as co-legislators. In the European Parliament, the rapporteur appointed in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) has started preparing a draft report.

Versions

• June 2023: Advance passenger information (API) to enhance border checks (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the collection and transfer of advance passenger information (API) for enhancing and facilitating external border controls, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/817 and Regulation (EU) 2018/1726, and repealing Council Directive 2004/82/EC. Committee responsible:Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)COM(2022) 729
13.12.2022Rapporteur:Jan-Christoph Oetjen (Renew, Germany)2022/0424(COD)Shadow rapporteurs:Jeroen Lenaers (EPP, Netherlands)
Marina Kaljurand (S&D, Estonia)
Tineke Strik (Greens/EFA, the Netherlands)
Assita Kanko (ECR, Belgium)
Nikolaus Fest (ID, Germany)
José Gusmão (The Left, Portugal)Ordinary legislative procedure
(COD) (Parliament and Council
on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)Appointment of rapporteur

Next steps expected: Publication of draft report

Written by Pieter Baert (1st edition).

The rise of e-commerce has required the system of value-added tax (VAT) to adapt and ensure that the rules allow for a smooth and fraud-proof transaction between customer and seller. The major overhaul of the VAT rules for e-commerce in 2021 introduced a series of important simplifications for businesses, such as the creation of an import one-stop shop (IOSS). The IOSS allows businesses to declare and remit VAT on all their business-to-consumer (B2C) distance sales of imported goods across the EU (i.e. goods bought online by a customer established in the EU with the goods dispatched from a third country) through one single VAT return, rather than in each country where they make a sale. However, at the moment, the IOSS operates with a threshold, whereby the distance selling of goods with a value above €150 cannot be declared in the IOSS.

Having assessed that the €150 threshold constitutes a burden to businesses, the Commission proposed on 17 May 2023 to further expand the IOSS by removing the threshold entirely. This change would open the use of the IOSS to a wider range of businesses, which would benefit from lower compliance costs. The proposal is subject to a special legislative procedure, requiring unanimous support in the Council, following consultation of the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee.

Versions

• June 2023: Proposal for a simplification of VAT rules for e-commerce (imports) (1st edition)

Proposal amending Directive 2006/112/EC as regards VAT rules relating to taxable persons who
facilitate distance sales of imported goods and the application of the special scheme for
distance sales of goods imported from third territories or third countries and special
arrangements for declaration and payment of import VAT Committee responsible:Economic and monetary affairs (ECON)COM(2022) 262
17.5.2023Rapporteur:To be appointed2023/0158(CNS)Shadow rapporteurs:Consultation procedure
(CNS) – Parliament
adopts a non-binding opinion.Appointment of rapporteur

Origin of seller: Non-EU (% of individuals who purchased online in 2022*)

Written by Marcin Grajewski.

The European Union has found new impetus for enlargement in the wake of Russia’s war on Ukraine, making progress in what was once called the EU’s most successful policy. A year ago, the EU granted Ukraine and Moldova official EU candidate status and also opened the same possibility for Georgia. Politicians and analysts more and more often say that the EU should become more involved in the Western Balkan countries, which saw their membership prospects open 20 years ago. If it does not, those countries could drift away politically from the Union and exacerbate conflicts in the post-Yugoslav area. For Turkey, EU membership is no longer a priority, while popular support for EU accession is declining in Serbia, partly due to the influence of Russia.   

‘There is a new awareness inside the EU. We finally realise that it is not enough to just wait for our friends outside the Union to move closer to us. It is not enough to say that the door is open. We must also take responsibility to bring the aspiring members of our Union much closer to us,’ European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the GLOBSEC conference in Bratislava in May.

This note gathers links to the recent publications and commentaries from many international think tanks on enlargement and issues with EU accession countries.

The future of the European Political Community
European Council on Foreign Relations, June 2023

Who is afraid of Georgian democracy?
Carnegie Europe, May 2023

Time to get serious about Moldova
Carnegie Europe, May 2023

Is the EU ready for further enlargement?
Carnegie Europe, May 2023

The European Political Community: From Prague to Chisinau and beyond
European Policy Centre, May 2023

Applying for EU membership in time of war: ‘Accession through war’ of Ukraine
Istituto Affari Internazionali, May 2023

Keeping friends closer: Why the EU should address new geoeconomic realities and deepen partnerships with its neighbours
Bertelsmann Stiftung, April 2023

How Russia’s invasion of Ukraine tested the international legal order
Brookings Institution, April 2023

Why Ukraine needs security guarantees
Carnegie Europe, April 2023

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Gas disputes along ethnic lines
Centre for Eastern Studies, April 2023

Croatia’s prime minister: There should be fewer roadblocks for EU enlargement to the Balkans, and Ukraine
Atlantic Council, March 2023

Is the EU doing enough for Eastern Europe?
Carnegie Europe, March 2023

The politics of dialogue: How the EU can change the conversation in Kosovo and Serbia
European Council on Foreign Relations, March 2023

Georgia must get its act together to become an EU candidate country 
European Policy Centre, March 2023

Ukraine’s accession talks need bold action in Kyiv and Brussels
European Policy Centre, March 2023

Europe and Russia on the Balkan front: Geopolitics and diplomacy in the EU’s backyard
Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale, March 2023

Making the EU and member states policy towards the Western Balkans socio-economically more sustainable
Österreichische Gesellschaft für Europapolitik, March 2023

Consequences of the war in Ukraine: Two areas of contention -Turkey and the Balkans
Rand Corporation, March 2023

The normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, March 2023

Can enlargement be the EU’s most successful foreign policy, again?
Carnegie Europe via Aspenia, February 2023

The EU must reconcile geopolitics and democracy
Carnegie Europe, February 2023

Closer to the West? Serbia’s foreign policy after the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Centre for Eastern Studies, February 2023

Dutch parliament demands geopolitical alignment in EU enlargement
Clingendael, February 2023

Ukraine: Conflict at the crossroads of Europe and Russia
Council on Foreign Relations, February 2023

Resolving the Kosovo-Serbia dispute: The key to limiting Russia’s influence in the Balkans
European Policy Centre, February 2023

Can the EU still wrest the Balkans from their blighted history?
Fondation Robert Schuman, February 2023

Role of regional organizations and initiatives towards acceleration of the Western Balkans’ European integration
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, February 2023

How enlargement accomplishes European unity while changing its nature
Jacques Delors Institute, February 2023

The EU should fast-track negotiations for Ukraine’s membership
Peterson Institute for International Economics, February 2023

The impressive EU-Ukraine summits: Alongside the inadequate enlargement methodology
Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies, February 2023

Western Balkan foreign and security ties with external actors
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, February 2023

Hedging its bets: Serbia between Russia and the EU
Carnegie Europe, January 2023

Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union: Enlargement as a strategic decision
EUROPEUM, January 2023          

Russia’s war in Ukraine: Rethinking the EU’s eastern enlargement and neighbourhood policy
German Council on Foreign Relations, January 2023

Read this briefing on ‘EU enlargement‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.