European Union

Despite numerous attempts to reunite Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974, little progress has been made on the issue. In late September UN Secretary-General António Guterres invited the leaders of the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of Northern Cyprus (which is only recognised by Turkey) to lunch in an attempt to revive reunification talks. Commentators examine the reasons for the stalemate.

The EU plans to make life easier for consumers and reduce waste by making USB-C the common charger for smartphones and other mobile devices.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

The EU plans to make life easier for consumers and reduce waste by making USB-C the common charger for smartphones and other mobile devices.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

Written by Clare Ferguson.

Following on swiftly from the October I plenary session, Members will meet in Strasbourg for the October II session, again in hybrid format, with a number of important files on the agenda.

Despite the extreme weather conditions experienced during the last two years, the Covid‑19 pandemic appears to have diverted governments’ attention somewhat from the robust and urgent action needed to follow up on their Paris Agreement commitments. Developed nations have not yet honoured their promises to deliver funding by 2020. With COP26 fast approaching, Members will vote on a motion for resolution, tabled by Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), on Wednesday evening. The draft resolution calls for stricter rules on voluntary cooperation to reach mitigation goals under Article 6 of the Agreement. It also urges that Europe show greater climate leadership to ensure a green global recovery and climate policies that align with the just transition principle. While underlining the need to end fossil fuel subsidies, the resolution also notes the urgency of tackling transport, agriculture and methane emissions.

One initiative aimed at pushing the switch to sustainability in EU food systems, the ‘farm to fork’ strategy, is likely to see continued lively debate on Monday evening. Parliament’s ENVI and Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) Committees have tabled a joint own-initiative report that welcomes the strategy, but urges greater action on balancing economic needs against sustainability criteria. The committees call for action across the spectrum of the food system, to support farmers and food producers alike in reducing their environmental impact. The report notes that EU countries’ strategic post-2022 common agricultural policy plans will be key to a successful transition to a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system.

However, the main theme for this second session of October is the EU budget. Parliament’s reading of the 2022 EU budget is scheduled to take place on Tuesday afternoon, with Members deciding on amendments to the Council’s position on this second budget under the 2021‑2027 multiannual financial framework. The amendments proposed by the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) reverse the cuts proposed by the Council, and instead propose a considerable increase in contributions to the Covid‑19 recovery. The BUDG committee wishes to see greater allocation to boosting investment, tackling unemployment, and laying the foundations for a more resilient and sustainable Union. Once Parliament agrees its position, the file will go to a meeting of the Conciliation Committee, bringing together Parliament and Council delegations, for consideration. Members will also vote on a BUDG committee report recommending that Parliament endorse the Council position on Draft amending budget No 4/2021, on Tuesday lunchtime. This amending budget updates the revenue side of the EU budget, now that the new system of own resources is in place, including a revised revenue forecast for the 2021 budget. The amendments also cover adjustments to the United Kingdom’s post-withdrawal contributions to the EU budget and certain EU countries’ reductions in annual contributions.

Parliament has exclusive competence to grant or refuse discharge for the execution of the EU budget and returns to the remaining discharge decisions for the 2019 financial year, with a vote scheduled for Tuesday lunchtime on discharge for the 2019 budget of the European Council and Council (postponed since April 2021). Parliament has refused to grant discharge to the Council every financial year since 2009, and a Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) report recommends the same outcome in respect of the 2019 budget. The CONT committee regrets that the Council’s refusal to cooperate demonstrates a lack of respect for Parliament’s role as guarantor of the democratic accountability of EU institutions’ spending. The other file, scheduled for debate on Thursday morning, concerns the 2019 budget discharge for the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. Here, the CONT committee now recommends granting the discharge postponed in April 2021. The committee nevertheless makes a number of recommendations concerning the Agency’s operations: on the effectiveness of its primary operations at the external EU borders, including the respect of fundamental rights; and on its human resources and financial management in particular. For these reasons, the committee recommends freezing part of the Agency’s budget until 2022, pending improvement.

Turning to the money in our own pockets, Members will consider adoption at first reading of the agreed text on the proposed credit servicers directive, on Tuesday lunchtime. During the financial crisis, many people were unable to repay their loans, leading to banks accumulating unsustainable levels of unpaid loans (known as non-performing loans, or NPL) on their balance sheets – and loans being bought or passed on to credit servicers for, sometimes robust, collection. With an eye to the possible economic consequences of the coronavirus crisis, this legislative proposal aims at safeguarding borrowers’ rights, while also promoting a sound secondary market in NPLs. Parliament’s Economic & Monetary Affairs (ECON) Committee has ensured that the draft text protects consumers and small businesses who experience financial difficulties during this delicate period.

We’ve been able to drive wherever we like in the European Union since 2009, thanks to EU legislation that ensures that our motor vehicle insurance covers us throughout the EU. The time has now come for a revision of the directive, in particular to better protect road traffic accident victims against those who drive without insurance. On Thursday morning, Members will debate an agreed text on the proposed revision of the Motor Insurance Directive at first reading. The agreement includes Parliament’s demands that motor insurance price comparison tools meet certain standards and that they are certified by Member States, with possible fines for misleading consumers. It also excludes light electric and off-road vehicles. The European Commission will need to evaluate implementation of the revised rules after seven years.

On Monday evening, Members will debate a Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) legislative-initiative report with recommendations to the Commission on protecting workers from asbestos. The committee calls for a ‘European strategy for the removal of all asbestos’, a substance which causes cancer, killing 30 000 to 90 000 people in the EU every year. Given the persistence of asbestos in buildings in the EU and the need to update exposure limits, the EMPL committee proposes to connect policies to remove asbestos, strengthen worker protection and support for victims. This could include updating current legislation on protecting workers, and new proposals on recognising occupational diseases and standards for compensation, as well as mandatory screening of buildings.

Looking beyond the EU’s borders, and against the background of China’s renewed and aggressive pursuit of its ‘One China’ policy, a timely debate on EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. There are many reasons for Parliament’s continued support for Taiwan, not least its position as an active democracy in the region and as an industrial nation supplying vital semiconductors, among other things. The Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) report accompanying the draft recommendation calls for an enhanced partnership, a stronger bilateral investment agreement, supports Taiwan’s efforts to gain a seat at the international table, and expresses concern regarding the Chinese position. Members are expected to vote later in the session on a draft recommendation to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President.

The Commission is also expected to make statements to Parliament during the session on its 2022 work programme, the rule of law crisis in Poland, on pushbacks at the EU’s external borders, on preparations for the European Council meeting later in the week and the outcome of the Western Balkans Summit.

Commission's First Vice President Frans Timmermans advised Bulgaria to phase out coal production and said the EU would help if it reactivates a previous nuclear power plant project. EURACTIV Bulgaria reports.

MEPs will address concerns over the rule of law in Poland and vote on a climate resolution ahead of the COP26 conference during the plenary session on 18-21 October.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

MEPs will address concerns over the rule of law in Poland and vote on a climate resolution ahead of the COP26 conference during the plenary session on 18-21 October.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned of dividing forces in the European Union and issued a plea for more unity across the continent, speaking at an award ceremony speech in Spain on Thursday (14 October).

Find out about the 2021 nominees for the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

Find out about the 2021 nominees for the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki accused European Union institutions on Thursday (14 October) of infringing on the rights of member states, as he prepared to present Warsaw’s position in a row over the rule of law next week before the...

Written by Frederik Scholaert.

Fishing is often seen as a male activity, especially when it comes to working on board fishing vessels and involving long absences at sea. However, women play an important role in thefisheries sector, especially in small-scale family businesses. Either they are involved in the fishing activity itself, on board or on foot as shellfish gatherers, or they support the business through on-shore activities such as fishing gear preparation and maintenance, transporting fish to auctions, sales, administration, logistics or even the development of tourist activities.

This work is not always recognised. According to a study for the European Commission, the share of unpaid women in fisheries (6.6 %) is almost double their share in total employment (3.8 %). However, this level of employment is an underestimate, as women who are not actively engaged on board fishing vessels are often not visible in the official statistics. A 2018 study collected data from community-led partnerships called ‘Fisheries Local Action Groups’ (FLAGs) that bring together the private sector, local authorities and civil society. Based on a sample of data, the study estimated female employment in FLAG areas at about 13 % of total employment in fisheries.

Women are also very present in other seafood sectors. They represent about a quarter of the aquaculture workforce and about half in the fish processing industry. The figures differ greatly per EU country and region. In Lithuania, the share of female workers in fish processing is 69 %. The share is even higher in specific FLAG areas, it is estimated at 75 % in Costa a Morte in Spain and 90 % in Plodovi Mora in Croatia.

In total, it is estimated that more than 100 000 women were employed in the EU’s fisheries, aquaculture or fish processing sectors in 2014.

Although women make up a significant part of the workforce, they often work in underpaid and low-value positions. In addition, they are under-represented in decision‑making bodies.

The European Parliament has long championed the important role of women in fishing communities, both in the EU and as part of ‘sustainable fisheries partnership agreements’ with non-EU countries. Following its 2014 resolution on specific actions in the common fisheries policy (CFP) to develop the role of women, Parliament adopted a resolution ‘Fishers for the future‘ on 16 September 2021. The resolution highlights the fact that women still lack sufficient economic and social recognition for their role in fisheries, and calls on the European Commission to launch initiatives to recognise their work and secure equal pay between men and women (not least in view of the 2020‑2025 gender equality strategy), support female entrepreneurship and provide EU funding.

In March 2021, in response to a letter from AKTEA, a European network of women in fisheries and aquaculture, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius acknowledged the need for greater recognition of the role of women in fisheries, including in decision-making. The Commissioner highlighted the ongoing efforts to enhance the collection of social data, including data on the role of women, for example in unpaid jobs. These social data would feed into the 2022 review of the common fisheries policy and pave the way for better assessment of the social impacts of fisheries management measures.

In addition, the recent adoption of the fund supporting the common fisheries policy – the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) for 2021‑2027 – allows EU countries to continue to finance measures that support women in the seafood sector. As part of the EMFAF programme, the Commission has also announced that it will launch a call for projects in 2022, to support women in the ‘blue economy’.

The European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries has also reaffirmed its commitment to address gender inequality issues, by organising a debate on ‘gender equality in fisheries‘ on 28 October 2021, during the European Gender Equality Week.

For more background information and analysis, see our topical digest on women in fisheries, prepared for the European Gender Equality Week (25‑28 October 2021).

French President Emmanuel Macron is building an election campaign machine stacked with former conservative insiders, because he has realised he needs to win over more centre-right voters to secure a second term next year.

In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Austria's new chancellor visiting Brussels to discuss EU policies, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša's tweet, implying MEPs are "Soros puppets", and so much more.

Prime Minister Janez Janša is facing criticism after tweeting that some MEPs are “Soros puppets”. The MEP's under attack included Sophie in ‘t Veld.

Spain’s focus on handling the COVID-19 pandemic has overshadowed other vital healthcare fields. Medical professionals warn that an increasing number of patients are now only accessing treatment when the cancer has already spread.

Norway's new centre-left government formally took over power on Thursday (14 October) after winning elections last month, though the ceremony was overshadowed by a deadly bow-and-arrow attack in the town of Kongsberg.

Auctions are an essential part of the policy toolkit for promoting cost-efficient renewable energy development, but policymakers must be prepared to tailor design to local conditions and adjust for market-specific challenges, write Geoffrey Ho, Corinna Klessmann, and Fabian Wigand.