European Union

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (18 November) that the West was taking Russia's warnings not to cross its "red lines" too lightly and that Moscow needed serious security guarantees from the West.

Slovenia's Foreign Minister Anže Logar met his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis in Ljubljana on Thursday (18 November), with the pair calling for trust between the EU and Switzerland to be further enhanced. The breakdown of the talks on the EU-Switzerland cooperation agreement and other possible options for strengthening cooperation topped the agenda.

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/1792 of 11 October 2021 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

Press briefing ahead of the Competitiveness Council (Internal market, industry, research and space issues) will take place on 22 November at 11:15.

Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council added Indonesia to the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted

Council adopts European partnership on metrology

EU Competition chief, Margrethe Vestager argued on Thursday (18 November) that strong businesses would not emerge by shielding them from competition, but by exposing them to it, as she presented the bloc's competition policy review.

Written by Tambiama Madiega (1st edition).

The European Commission unveiled a new proposal for an EU regulatory framework on artificial intelligence (AI) in April 2021. The draft AI act is the first ever attempt to enact a horizontal regulation of AI. The proposed legal framework focuses on the specific utilisation of AI systems and associated risks. The Commission proposes to establish a technology-neutral definition of AI systems in EU law and to lay down a classification for AI systems with different requirements and obligations tailored on a ‘risk-based approach’. Some AI systems presenting ‘unacceptable’ risks would be prohibited. A wide range of ‘high-risk’ AI systems would be authorised, but subject to a set of requirements and obligations to gain access to the EU market. Those AI systems presenting only ‘low or minimal risk’ would be subject to very light transparency obligations. While generally supporting the Commission’s proposal, stakeholders and experts call for a number of amendments, including revising the definition of AI systems, broadening the list of prohibited AI systems, strengthening enforcement and redress mechanisms and ensuring proper democratic oversight of the design and implementation of EU AI regulation.

Versions

• November 2021: Artificial intelligence act (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the council laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (artificial intelligence act) and amending certain Union legislative acts Committee responsible:Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) (provisional)COM(2021)206
21.04.2021Rapporteur:Brando Benifei (S&D, Italy)2021/0106(COD)Shadow rapporteurs:Deirdre Clune (EPP, Ireland)
Svenja Hahn, (Renew, Germany)
Kim Van Sparrentak (Greens/EFA, the Netherlands)
Kosma Zlotowski, (ECR, Poland)
Kateřina Konecna (The Left, Czechia)Ordinary legislative procedure (COD)
(Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Publication of draft report

• Pyramid of risks

The Conference on the Future of Europe is underway but there is a great risk that it will turn out to be a lost opportunity. This is due mainly to the inaction of “pro-European” governments and parties and the European institutions, writes Roberto Castaldi.

Presented in October 2020, the EU chemicals strategy for sustainability is intended as a first step towards a zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment as a key part of the European Green Deal. While its unveiling was widely welcomed...

MEPs have reached a compromise on the most controversial aspects of the EU regulation that will introduce strict obligations for internet giants.

Requirements in the EU’s chemical strategy for sustainability would see an additional 2 million animals used for testing unless a concerted effort is made to invest in alternatives to animal testing, stakeholders have warned.

The European Commission has been caught by surprise. In its efforts to fight disinformation, it developed instruments to monitor Russia. However, new research shows that the anti-vaxxer disinformation campaign to which many EU citizens have fallen victim actually originates in the United States.

The UK and the European Union appear to be edging closer to a compromise on the Northern Ireland protocol, after a week of softening rhetoric from both sides.

As predicted, recovery money planning has maxed out administrative capacity in many member states at the expense of the EU's long-standing structural investment program, which now faces delays.

Spokespersons for Parliament and for political groups will hold a briefing on the 22-25 November plenary session this Friday at 11.00, in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press room.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

Spokespersons for Parliament and for political groups will hold a briefing on the 22-25 November plenary session this Friday at 11.00, in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press room.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

This week our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on the launch of a political dialogue between the EU and Switzerland, in an attempt by the two parties to resolve continuous misunderstandings regarding the single market.

The third European Citizens’ Panel, focusing on climate change, environment / health, will continue its work online on 19-21 November.
Committee on Constitutional Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

The third European Citizens’ Panel, focusing on climate change, environment / health, will continue its work online on 19-21 November.
Committee on Constitutional Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP