European Union

On Thursday. MEPs heard from the European Commission and the Council on plans for a Joint European Action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

On Thursday. MEPs heard from the European Commission and the Council on plans for a Joint European Action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

Austro-Mechana
Freedom of establishment
The ‘private copying’ exception under the Copyright Directive applies to the storage in the cloud of a copy of a protected work for private purposes

Upfield Hungary
Agriculture and fisheries
The list of ingredients of a food containing a vitamin is not required to mention the specific vitamin formulation used

Written by Ralf Drachenberg.

Charles Michel’s (first) term as European Council President comes to an end on 30 May 2022. In advance of his potential re-election by EU Heads of State or Government to that function, this paper looks at his activities during the course of his 30-month mandate to date, with a special focus on the institutional and inter-institutional dimension of his role.

In practice, the coronavirus pandemic has dictated the agenda of the European Council from almost the beginning of Mr Michel’s time in office. The resulting need to concentrate on ‘crisis management’ provided him, as it had his predecessors, with the opportunity to show leadership, applying a careful balance between the role of facilitator and that of agenda-setter. Despite the challenging circumstances he has faced, Mr Michel has managed to make his mark on the European Council’s agenda, notably on external relations, championing the concept of ‘strategic autonomy’. He demonstrated strong activism both prior to and after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, playing an important role in European Union mobilisation to support the country. He has also adjusted the European Council’s working methods, in particular with the use of video-conferences of small groups of EU leaders to better prepare full European Council meetings. Cooperation between the European Council President and the European Parliament has increased in comparison to previous years, particularly regarding activities not required of the President by the Treaties. Mr Michel has also innovated in communications, notably through a newsletter aimed at EU citizens.

Read the complete briefing on ‘Charles Michel as President of the European Council‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Thursday, 24 March

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

Thursday, 24 March

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

If companies like Lukoil are banned from the European Parliament, then Brussels lobby groups should let them go, too, says Green lawmaker Daniel Freund.

If companies like Lukoil are banned from the European Parliament, then Brussels lobby groups should let them go, too, says Green lawmaker Daniel Freund.

The European Union has a responsibility to migrant refugees in Ukraine because of its pivotal role in setting up the detention facilities.

Environmentalists and energy experts have called on the EU to walk away from the Energy Charter Treaty, which they say threatens climate action.

Environmentalists and energy experts have called on the EU to walk away from the Energy Charter Treaty, which they say threatens climate action.

Negotiators led by the EU commission may be tasked to secure better gas prices and enough supplies for all member states ahead of next winter.

Addressing MEPs, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, stressed that NATO and the EU are more resolved and united than ever and that pressure on Putin must be increased.

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

Addressing MEPs, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, stressed that NATO and the EU are more resolved and united than ever and that pressure on Putin must be increased.

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

Poland, followed by Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic and Estonia, are under greatest pressure from the influx of Ukrainian refugees, according to an EU commission burden-sharing index.

One month after Russia attacked Ukraine, MEPs unanimously condemned the brutal invasion and urged the EU to further sanction Moscow and protect the European economy.

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

One month after Russia attacked Ukraine, MEPs unanimously condemned the brutal invasion and urged the EU to further sanction Moscow and protect the European economy.

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

Written by Vivienne Halleux (1st edition).

On 17 November 2021, the European Commission tabled a proposal to revise EU rules governing shipments of waste. The proposed regulation aims at easing shipments of waste for reuse and recycling in the EU, to support the transition to a circular economy; ensuring that waste exported from the EU is managed in an environmentally sound manner in the destination countries; and stepping up enforcement to counteract illegal shipments of waste. While supporting the proposed streamlining and digitalisation of procedures, stakeholders have stressed the need for significant improvements to ensure that the new regulation fulfils its objectives, in particular as regards exports of waste.

The proposal is now in the hands of the co-legislators. In the European Parliament, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), responsible for the file, plans to consider its rapporteur’s draft report in May 2022.

Versions

• March 2022: Revision of the EU’s Waste Shipment Regulation (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on shipments of waste and amending Regulations (EU) No 1257/2013 and (EU) No 2020/1056 Committee responsible:Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)COM(2021) 709
17.11.2021Rapporteur:Pernille Weiss (EPP, Denmark)2021/0367(COD)Shadow rapporteurs:Cyrus Engerer (S&D, Malta)
Linea Søgaard-Linell (Renew, Denmark)
Sara Matthieu (Greens/EFA, Belgium)
Pietro Fiocchi (ECR, Italy)
João Pimenta Lopes (The Left, Portugal)Ordinary legislative
procedure (COD)
(Parliament and Council on
equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Publication of draft report

President Metsola welcomed MEPs to a session in presence, as COVID-19 special arrangements in parliament begin to be lifted.

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP