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Plenary round-up – November I 2023

Fri, 11/10/2023 - 14:00

Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.

During the first November plenary session, Members held a debate with the European Council and Commission on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 26‑27 October 2023, and on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for a humanitarian pause. Further debates took place on Council and Commission statements on the outcome of the EU–United States Summit, EU enlargement policy and the state of the energy union.

Roberta Metsola, the Parliament’s President, made a statement on the urgent need for immediate measures against the rise of antisemitism. Finally, the session was preceded by an address by Cate Blanchett, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.

System of own resources of the European Union

Members debated and voted a Committee on Budgets (BUDG) report on the Commission’s proposed amendment to the 2021 Own Resources Decision (ORD). The Commission’s latest proposal presents an adjusted package for the next generation of own resources, with an increased call rate on emissions trading system (ETS) revenue and a temporary statistical own resource based on company profits. The BUDG report considers the amended proposal adequately reflects the Interinstitutional Agreement (IIA) roadmap and calls on the Council to adopt the amended ORD. The committee again emphasises the need to secure sufficient (and not merely temporary) own resources for the EU budget, and introduces further amendments. Following Parliament’s vote, the Council can adopt now its decision on the proposal.

Motor vehicle emissions and battery durability (Euro 7)

Members debated and voted on a new proposal to tighten the regulations on light- and heavy-duty motor vehicle emissions and battery durability (Euro 7). Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) seeks to set stricter limits for heavy-duty vehicle exhaust emissions, but would grant additional time to reach the more stringent thresholds. The committee would retain most Euro 6/VI standards on testing conditions for cars and trucks, and supports the proposed creation of an environmental vehicle passport and on-board systems for monitoring emissions, consumption and battery health. The report as voted now constitutes Parliament’s position for negotiations with the Council.

Data Act

Members approved the political agreement reached following trilogue negotiations on fair access to and use of data (Data Act). The Council and Parliament agreed on a final text in June 2023, which the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and the Member States’ Permanent Representatives have both endorsed. The agreed Data Act sets out users’ rights to access and share the data they generate through their use of connected devices, the possibility to share private sector data with public sector bodies and institutions in public emergencies, sets new requirements to allow users to switch cloud provider, and safeguards against unlawful international data transfers. The Data Act now needs Council adoption before it becomes law.

EU-Madagascar Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement

Members followed a Committee on Fisheries (PECH) recommendation, giving consent to the conclusion of a new EU fisheries agreement and implementing protocol with Madagascar, as part of a set of EU tuna agreements. The new framework should provide access rights for the EU fleet to fish in Malagasy waters in return for an EU contribution of €1.80 million per year, €700 000 of which represents access rights. The rest should support Madagascar’s fisheries policy and conservation efforts. A four-year agreement and implementing protocol, initialled after eight rounds of negotiations between the European Commission and the government of Madagascar, have applied provisionally since June 2023.

Opening of trilogue negotiations

Decisions to enter into interinstitutional negotiations on a number of files were announced, and in all cases endorsed without a vote being required, so the committees may now open negotiations. The files concerned are: a report on managed security services from the ITRE committee; a report on import, export and transit measures for firearms, their essential components and ammunition: implementation of Article 10 of the UN Firearms Protocol from the Committee on International Trade (INTA); a report regarding management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Convention area of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and establishing a multiannual management plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean (PECH); a report regarding making public capital markets in the Union more attractive for companies and facilitating access to capital for small and medium-sized enterprises; and reports (directive and regulation) on multiple-vote share structures in companies that seek the admission to trading of their shares on an SME growth market from the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON); a report on Community designs and a report on legal protection of designs from the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI); a report on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market from the INTA/Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) committees; and a report on digital labelling of EU fertilising products from the IMCO committee.

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

Categories: European Union

Standard essential patents [EU Legislation in Progress]

Fri, 11/10/2023 - 08:30

Written by Tambiama Madiega (1st edition).

On 27 April 2023, the European Commission published its proposal for a regulation on standard essential patents (SEPs). SEPs are patents that protect technology that has been declared essential in a technical standard or specification developed by a standard development organisation (SDO).

The proposed SEPs regulation aims to facilitate SEPs licensing by increasing transparency about SEPs, reducing information asymmetries between SEPs holders and SEPs implementers and facilitating the agreement on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) licences. The Commission is proposing to set up a competence centre at the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), tasked with administering a SEPs registry and database. SEPs holders would have to register their SEPs with the EUIPO, which would carry out essentiality checks and set FRAND criteria.

While stakeholders and academics are generally very supportive of the goal of enhancing transparency, major SEP holders and other interested parties oppose the proposal. In her draft report published in October 2023, Marion Walsmann (EPP, Germany) – rapporteur for the file appointed by the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs – proposes a range of amendments to provide more legal clarity and bridge the gap between the interests of SEPs holders and implementers.

Versions Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on standard essential patents and amending Regulation (EU)2017/1001Committee responsible:Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI)COM(2023)232
27.4.2023Rapporteur:Marion Walsmann (EPP, Germany)2023/0133(COD)Shadow rapporteurs:Tiemo Wölken (SD, Germany)
Adrián Vázquez Lázara (Renew, Spain)
Emmanuel Maurel (GUE/NGL, France)Ordinary legislative
procedure (COD)
(Parliament and Council
on equal footing –
formerly ‘co-decision’)Next steps expected: Committee vote

Categories: European Union

Revised EU emissions trading system

Wed, 11/08/2023 - 18:00

Written by Gregor Erbach.

The EU emissions trading system (ETS) has been successful in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from industry, electricity generation and aviation. The revision of the EU ETS under the ‘fit for 55’ package raises its ambition, extends emissions trading to maritime transport, buildings and road transport, and gradually phases out free emissions allowances, while phasing in a carbon price for certain imports.

Background

The rules for phase 4 of the EU ETS have been revised to raise the ambition in line with the binding EU 2030 target of reducing net GHG emissions by 55 % below 1990 levels, as set out in the EU Climate Law. Discussions during the legislative process focused on the timing of establishing a new ETS covering fuels for road transport and buildings (ETS II), in a context of inflation and high energy prices. The ETS II will start in 2027, a year later than proposed by the European Commission. If energy prices are exceptionally high, its start will be postponed until 2028. A price stabilisation mechanism kicks in if ETS II prices exceed €45.

Objectives and targets

The revised EU ETS Directive, which entered into force on 5 June 2023, raises overall emissions reductions by 2030 in the sectors covered by the EU ETS to 62 % below 2005 levels. GHG emissions from maritime transport will be included in the ETS from 2024, with a 2-year phase-in period. The Commission will assess a possible extension to municipal waste incineration from 2028. With the extension of the ETS to maritime transport and fuels for road transport and buildings, most of the EU’s GHG emissions will be subject to emissions trading. Part of the ETS revenues go to an enlarged Innovation Fund that supports the demonstration and roll-out of innovative low-carbon technologies, and an enlarged Modernisation Fund that helps to modernise energy systems and improve energy efficiency in 10 lower-income Member States. Member States must now spend all of their ETS revenues on climate and energy-related purposes.

Visit the European Parliament homepage on EU measures against climate change

While the ETS I concerns commercial operations (power plants, industrial installations, airlines, shipping companies) that must surrender allowances for their emissions, the ETS II impacts households and citizens directly through the fuel price. A new Social Climate Fund will help alleviate the social impacts of the ETS II. The actual trading and surrender of ETS II allowances will be the responsibility of fuel distributors, building on the existing system for excise duties. To balance the supply and demand of ETS allowances and limit price fluctuations, both ETS I and ETS II operate a market stability reserve.

Free allowances for trade- and energy-intensive industries will be gradually phased out, to ensure the decarbonisation of these industries. To continue protecting these European industries from unfair international competition, a new carbon border adjustment mechanism will put a carbon price on the imports of certain products, including steel and aluminium. The phase-out of free allowances is synchronised with the phase-in of the carbon border adjustment mechanism and will be completed in 2034. Free allowances for the aviation sector will be phased out, reaching full auctioning in 2026.

Implementation on the ground

The EU ETS is a market-driven instrument that aims to reduce GHG emissions by putting a limit (cap) on the total allowable amount of emissions, and using a carbon market to establish the price of emissions through auctioning and trading of emissions allowances. This ‘cap and trade’ system promotes investments to reduce carbon emissions if these investments are cheaper than paying the price of emissions allowances. In this way, it encourages decarbonisation in the most cost-effective manner. The carbon price in the EU ETS has encouraged both the transition from coal towards less carbon-intensive energy sources and investments in industrial energy efficiency and low-carbon processes.

However, in addition to market mechanisms delivering climate benefits, there is a role for Member States, regional and local authorities in helping industry to deal with ever-rising carbon prices. This concerns regions that have been heavily dependent on coal and energy-intensive industries and/or want to benefit from the transition towards low-carbon energy sources such as green hydrogen. Municipal authorities can play a leading role in helping citizens cope with the carbon price for heating fuels under the ETS II by supporting energy-efficient renovation of buildings, solar heating and electricity generation, and low‑carbon heating solutions such as heat pumps and district heating. The following examples illustrate local and regional good practices to help avoid economic losses from a carbon price expected to rise above €100 per tonne of CO2 equivalent by 2030, driven by an amount of emissions allowances that is reduced year after year.

Just transition in Eastern Wielkopolska, Poland
The Eastern Wielkopolska region has long been dependent on coal mining and coal-fired electricity generation, and this has also been the largest source of employment in the region. The region’s Just Transition Territorial Plan envisages phasing out coal mining by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2040. The Konin sub-region will receive €415 million from the EU Just Transition Fund to reskill coal workers and transition towards renewable energy, including green hydrogen. As a frontrunner, Eastern Wielkopolska is the only Polish region in the Powering Past Coal Alliance, a network of organisations and public authorities committed to accelerating the transition from coal to clean energy.
North Holland hydrogen valley
The North Holland region has been awarded the European Hydrogen Valley status and been recognised for best practices regarding financing and public-private partnerships. With several hydrogen production initiatives, a world-class hydrogen research facility, three seaports, a connection to the national hydrogen network, and an ambition to use hydrogen in steel production, manufacturing, synthetic fuels, mobility and agriculture, the region is well positioned for an accelerated transition to green hydrogen. As a hydrogen valley, the region stands to benefit from the transition towards green hydrogen, which will become increasingly competitive in the face of ever-higher EU ETS prices.
Geothermal district heating in Aarhus, Denmark
The city of Aarhus decided to develop the largest geothermal district-heating system in the EU. It is expected to provide heat for some 36 000 households by 2029 and reduce annual CO2 emissions by up to 165 000 tonnes, thereby lowering the need for ETS allowances. Drilling will start in autumn 2023, and the first of seven geothermal plants is expected to start operation in 2025.
South Tyrol, an Alpine model region for clean mobility
The 8-year LIFEalps project aims to transform the Italian South Tyrol region into an Alpine model region for zero‑emission mobility, helping to avoid financial burdens from the ETS II for road transport fuels, and contributing to the South Tyrol Climate Plan. The project focuses on infrastructure for electric and hydrogen vehicles, pilot fleets and zero-emission transport services. It involves a municipal utility, regional highway and transport operators, energy suppliers and a research institute.

Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘Revised EU emissions trading system‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Categories: European Union

Outcome of the meetings of EU leaders, 26-27 October 2023

Tue, 11/07/2023 - 18:00

Written by Ralf Drachenberg and Rebecca Torpey.

At the European Council meeting of 26-27 October 2023, EU leaders sought to show unity on challenging issues on which consensual positions have proven difficult to find in the past, in particular on the Middle East. On that topic, the European Council reiterated its condemnation of Hamas for its brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks, emphasising Israel’s right to defend itself in line with international law and international humanitarian law. At the same time, it called for ‘pauses for humanitarian needs’ and for an international conference to revive the peace process on the basis of a two-state solution. On Ukraine, EU leaders adopted deliberately long conclusions, reiterating their condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression and their continued unwavering ‘financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes’. The discussion on the multiannual financial framework highlighted increasing unwillingness among Member States to agree to the current Commission proposal for an increase in the EU’s long term budget. In the absence of detailed conclusions on migration, European Council President Charles Michel pointed to the growing consensus among EU leaders on stronger cooperation with third countries. The European Council was followed by a Euro Summit, to discuss the EU’s economic and financial situation, banking union, coordination of fiscal policies and the digital euro project.

1.     General aspects

The EU leaders’ meeting began with the customary address by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. This meeting was the last European Council for Xavier Bettel as Prime Minister of Luxembourg, a position he has held for 10 years.

2.     European Council meeting Ukraine

Amid growing concern that the Middle East crisis could distract the international community’s attention from Ukraine, a number of EU leaders urged their colleagues not to forget the country. Lengthy conclusions were adopted, reiterating the EU’s unwavering support. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the European Council virtually, emphasising the current efforts being made by Ukraine to meet the criteria for opening accession negotiations. EU leaders also reiterated their support for Moldova, and restated Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia’s European paths.

With a new aid package for Ukraine currently stalled in the US Congress, funding for Ukraine and its war efforts was one of the main topics of discussion. EU leaders for instance considered the proposal for a €50 billion top up to the multiannual financial framework (MFF), for Ukraine. However, the lack of unity was apparent: while Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda argued €50 billion was not enough, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s newly elected Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed doubts about the proposal. Fico, who has pledged to stop any Slovakian military aid to Ukraine, insisted that Ukraine was ‘one of the most corrupt countries in the world’. A new €20 billion segment of the European Peace Facility (EPF), the off-budget mechanism used by Member States to provide military supplies for Ukraine, is also due to be discussed at the December meeting. However, the eighth package of assistance measures, a €500 million package under the EPF, mentioned ahead of the meeting as one possible outcome, could not be adopted owing to Hungary’s veto. Orbán stressed, however, that he was ready to ‘make a deal’ if a Ukrainian delegation came to Budapest.

Once again, Orbán’s position on the war in Ukraine diverged from that of most EU leaders; this, in a context of widespread criticism following his handshake with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his recent trip to China. With Fico’s return to the European Council, a second leader now openly opposes military support for Ukraine and the EU’s overall approach on the war. While unity in condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is still largely shared by EU leaders, the adoption of a new package of sanctions or other initiatives to support Ukraine may prove difficult.

As regards the use of frozen Russian assets, EU leaders made some progress, and asked the Commission to come forward with proposals. With €211 billion frozen on EU soil, it is suggested that windfall profits generated by these assets should be redistributed to Ukraine. The Commission is expected to present the first step of the mechanism in December 2023.

Migration

As flagged up in the EPRS outlook, the only conclusion on migration stated that EU leaders had held a strategic debate. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte stated that the European Council had been unable to adopt written conclusions, requiring consensus, as Poland and Hungary were in opposition. As indicated by Charles Michel, however, consensus is growing among EU leaders towards strengthened cooperation with third countries, including through comprehensive agreements. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meanwhile reported that there had been strong support from EU leaders for her letter and a twin-track approach: i) the legislative track (i.e. finalising the migration and asylum pact), and ii) the operational track (i.e. acting immediately along the various migratory routes). She said that the Commission would propose legislation to combat smuggling and trafficking by the end of November.

Main message of the President of the European Parliament: Roberta Metsola stressed the importance of making returns more effective, and reminded EU leaders of the need to progress on all components of the migration pact, to ensure it is finalised by the end of the legislative term.

Economy

EU leaders highlighted five crucial areas where action was required to strengthen the EU economic base: i) ensuring EU competitiveness on digital and clean technologies, ii) guaranteeing the supply of affordable clean energy, iii) diversifying supply chains and reducing dependencies, iv) moving to a more circular economy, and iv) reducing the regulatory burden. The need to attract investment was also prominently reiterated.

With the legislative term ending soon, EU leaders are very keen to see three critical files completed to improve EU economic resilience: i) the critical raw materials act, ii) the net-zero industry act, and iii) the reform of electricity market design. Furthermore, as supply chain problems and raw materials shortages have caused medicine scarcity in the EU, EU leaders want to ensure that this problem is taken care of, and asked the Commission to act swiftly on the basis of its recent communication.

As EU-US trade issues were not resolved at the recent EU-US summit, leaders invited the Commission to ‘work intensively on mitigating the discriminatory elements of the US inflation reduction act (IRA)’ and to make sure the EU is granted status equivalent to a free trade association partner. The IRA was also a central topic – alongside labour shortages, and industrial and energy policies – discussed at the tripartite social summit, attended by the presidents of the EU institutions ahead of the summit.

Multiannual financial framework

The rather limited conclusions on the MFF, only inviting the Council ‘to take work forward, with a view to reaching an overall agreement by the end of the year’, do not capture the intense discussions that took place at the October European Council meeting.

Von der Leyen reported that the discussion on the MFF revision did not concern figures but touched on general political views. She added that the discussion had shown broad agreement on the main MFF priorities: i) Ukraine; ii) migration; iii) natural disasters and humanitarian aid; and iv) EU competitiveness; as well as on a couple of additional areas, e.g. defence. The question however was where the additional resources should come from: additional Member State contributions or alternatively redeployment. Additional own resources will be crucial for the medium to long term, but can play no role in the short term as the necessary legislation would need to be passed.  

As indicated in a non-paper issued by the Spanish Presidency, it seems that the majority of EU leaders are not willing to contribute more to increase the EU budget. Rutte argued that he and many other leaders would provide ‘fresh money’ only for Ukraine, while additional funding should come from reprioritising – and this latter share should primarily be earmarked for migration. Likewise, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also favoured the financing of current priorities through reprioritising and reallocation within the current budget. As reported by the French President, Emmanuel Macron, EU leaders asked the Commission to present an updated, ‘more realistic’, proposal for the MFF review, with a better mix of redeployment and additional money. Representing the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stressed that the MFF revision and the EU economic governance review was seen as a package.

Finding a political agreement is expected to be difficult. While the aim is to finalise everything before the end of the year, some suggested splitting the revision into two parts (namely an agreement on the Ukraine facility by the end of the year, and postponement of other topics until 2024). Von der Leyen strongly rejected such a split, arguing it was opposed by the majority of EU leaders.

Main message of the President of the European Parliament: Metsola stressed that ‘it is the time to put the money where our mouth is’ and for the EU to have ‘a meaningful 2024 budget – one that is fit for purpose – [with] resources to back it up’. Progress on new own resources is also crucial.

External relations Middle East

EU leaders reaffirmed the main points of their 15 October statement: i) condemnation of Hamas’s terrorist attacks; ii) Israel’s right to defend itself in line with international law; iii) release of hostages; iv) protection of civilian lives; and v) the urgent need to supply humanitarian aid to civilians. In addition, following a suggestion by Sanchez, they called for an international conference to be convened within 6 months, to revive the Middle East peace process on the basis of a two-state solution.

While EU leaders had already called for humanitarian aid to be provided for civilians in Gaza, a central point in the discussion were the conditions and modalities of the delivery, i.e. whether or not EU leaders should call for [a] humanitarian pause[s] – with a focus on the use of the singular or the plural. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar noted that a humanitarian pause could allow European citizens stuck in Gaza to leave the country. Some leaders considered that a pause (singular) in the war could be seen as a limitation to Israel’s right to defend itself. In the end, EU leaders agreed to call for ‘rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need through all necessary measures including humanitarian corridors and pauses for humanitarian needs’.

Considering criticism made of the EU’s initial response to the Middle East crisis, Michel underlined that unity had been achieved at EU level with the joint European Council statement of 15 October. He emphasised this unity in both his arrival doorstep comment and his press conference statements. It was only once this united position had been expressed that a number of EU leaders, including the German Chancellor, the French President and the Italian Prime Minister, went to Israel to show solidarity in the aftermath of the Hamas attack of 7 October.

Main message of the President of the European Parliament: Metsola stressed that a strong stance on terrorism and every ‘effort to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza’ were not mutually exclusive.

South Caucasus

Little progress was made on peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan. EU leaders mandated the High Representative and the Commission to work on initiatives to strengthen EU-Armenia relations.

Sahel

As anticipated, the European Council expressed concern about the deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in the Sahel and called for the release of President Bazoum and his family. EU leaders expressed support for ECOWAS and called for the Commission to present options to adapt EU action and relevant instruments for the Sahel, building upon the recent framework of restrictive measures adopted by the Council. The framework aims to support the measures taken by ECOWAS.

Serbia and Kosovo

On Kosovo and Serbia, EU leaders called for de-escalation, normalisation of relations and the implementation of existing agreements. Despite a new EU proposal and parallel meetings, the parties failed to reach an agreement to the regret of Michel and High Representative Josep Borrell.

Other items Fighting terrorism

Michel reported that the European Council had discussed EU internal security, condemned the recent terrorist attacks in France and Belgium and called on EU institutions and Member States to mobilise all relevant instruments to enhance internal security.

Preparations for the 2023 Climate Change Conference (COP28)

The European Council called for support for the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge, which will be launched at COP28, seeking to drive the energy transition globally. EU leaders appealed for increased ambition, despite concerns that the EU would not reach its own 2030 targets.

3.     Euro Summit meeting

This year’s second Euro Summit meeting was held in inclusive format on 27 October 2023. Discussions focused on the EU’s economic and financial situation, banking union, coordination of fiscal policies and the digital euro project. Inflation is still higher than the European Central Bank’s 2 % target, despite a reduction to 4.3 % in September. The Bank has paused the interest rate hikes for now, but EU leaders are still concerned and want to continue the disinflation process.

Read this briefing on ‘Outcome of the meetings of EU leaders, 26-27 October 2023‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Categories: European Union

European Parliament Plenary Session – November I 2023

Tue, 11/07/2023 - 14:00

Written by Clare Ferguson with Sara Van Tooren.

Members of the European Parliament sit in plenary in Brussels on 8 and 9 November 2023. Their agenda includes hearing European Council and Commission statements on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 26‑27 October 2023 and of the EU‑US Summit on 20 October, as well as on the European economic security strategy. A Commission statement is expected on the state of the energy union. Actor and Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Cate Blanchett, is due to give a formal address on Wednesday, on the importance of helping refugees and displaced people.

The Parliament has long called for a boost to the EU budget – so that it can respond to growing demands and tackle new crises – but without increasing national contributions based on gross national income. Members are set to discuss a Committee on Budgets (BUDG) report on the Commission’s proposed amendment to the 2021 Own Resources Decision (ORD) on Wednesday afternoon. The amendment presents an adjusted package for the next generation of own resources, with an increased call rate on emissions trading system (ETS) revenue and a temporary statistical own resource based on company profits. The BUDG report considers the amended proposal adequately reflects the Interinstitutional Agreement (IIA) roadmap and calls on the Council to adopt the amended ORD. The committee again emphasises the need to secure sufficient (and not merely temporary) own resources for the EU budget, and introduces further amendments. The Council can adopt its decision on the proposal once Parliament has voted.

Air pollution is the single largest environmental health risk in the EU, causing chronic disease and premature mortality. Parliament is expected to debate a new proposal to tighten the regulation on light- and heavy-duty motor vehicle emissions and battery durability (Euro 7) on Wednesday afternoon. Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) would like to set stricter limits for heavy-duty vehicle exhaust emissions, but would grant additional time to reach the more stringent thresholds. The committee would retain most Euro 6/VI standards on testing conditions for cars and trucks, and supports the proposed creation of an environmental vehicle passport and on-board systems for monitoring emissions, consumption and battery health. The report as voted would form Parliament’s position for negotiations with the Council.

Parliament is set to decide on the political agreement reached following trilogue negotiations on fair access to and use of data (Data Act) on Thursday. Data-driven innovation could benefit citizens through, for instance, personalised medicine and new transport possibilities, but most industrial data remain unused or are concentrated in the hands of a small number of large companies. To resolve this, EU policymakers have been exploring how to make data sharing possible by giving users rights to access and share generated data with third parties, such as businesses, if they choose. The Council and Parliament agreed on a final text in June 2023, which the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and the Permanent Representatives have both endorsed. The agreed Data Act sets out users’ rights to access and share the data they generate through their use of connected devices, the possibility to share private sector data with public sector bodies and institutions in public emergencies, sets new requirements to allow users to switch cloud provider, and safeguards against unlawful international data transfers.

Members are also due to vote on the Committee on Fisheries recommendation that Parliament consent to the conclusion of a new EU fisheries agreement and implementing protocol with Madagascar, as part of a set of EU tuna agreements. The new framework should provide access rights for the EU fleet to fish in Malagasy waters in return for an EU contribution of €1.80 million per year, €700 000 of which represents access rights. The rest should support Madagascar’s fisheries policy and conservation efforts. A four-year agreement and implementing protocol, initialled after eight rounds of negotiations between the European Commission and the government of Madagascar, have applied provisionally since June 2023.

FURTHER READING
Categories: European Union

Revision of the Directive on the investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector [EU Legislation in Progress]

Fri, 11/03/2023 - 08:30

Written by Monika Kiss (1st edition).

On 1 June 2023, the European Commission published a proposal seeking to update the Directive on the investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector, in order to take into account changes in the international maritime regulatory environment and technological developments in the maritime sector in recent years. The proposal also seeks to achieve an improved concentration of resources and to address shortages in expertise.

Within the European Parliament, the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) is handling the file, with Caroline Nagtegaal (Renew, NL) as rapporteur. The rapporteur published her draft report on 18 September 2023.

Versions Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and the Council amending Directive 2009/18/EC establishing the fundamental principles governing the investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sectorCommittee responsible:Transport and Tourism (TRAN)COM(2023)270
1.6.2023Rapporteur:Caroline Nagtegaal (Renew, Netherlands)2023/0164(COD)Shadow rapporteurs:Magdalena Adamowicz (EPP, Poland)
Vera Tax (S&D, Netherlands)
Karima Delli (Greens/EFA, France)
Carlo Fidanza (ECR, Italy)
Clare Daly (GUE/NGL, Ireland)Ordinary legislative
procedure (COD)
(Parliament and Council
on equal footing –
formerly ‘co-decision’)Next steps expected: Vote in committee

Categories: European Union

Protection of workers: Limit values for lead and diisocyanates [EU Legislation in Progress]

Tue, 10/31/2023 - 18:00

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

As part of its fight against harmful substances, on 13 February 2023 the Commission tabled a proposal for a directive aimed at protecting workers’ health by lowering occupational exposure to lead and diisocyanates.

The proposed directive would set, for the first time, occupational limit values for diisocyanates, while revising the limit values for lead for the first time in more than 40 years. It would also include a review mechanism to guarantee regular revisions from now on to make sure that those limit values will be regularly updated, taking into account the latest scientific data.

In Parliament, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), which is responsible for the file, adopted its report on 7 September 2023. The mandate to enter into interinstitutional negotiations was endorsed by the plenary the following week, and negotiations are ongoing.

Versions Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 98/24/EC and Directive 2004/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the limit values for lead and its inorganic compounds and diisocyanatesCommittee responsible:Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL)COM(2023) 71
13.2.2023Rapporteur:Nikolaj Villumsen (The Left, Denmark)2023/0033(COD)Shadow rapporteurs:Cindy Franssen (EPP, Belgium)
Ilan De Basso (S&D, Sweden)
Véronique Trillet-Lenoir † (Renew, France)
Sara Matthieu (Greens/EFA, Belgium)
Elżbieta Rafalska (ECR, Poland)Ordinary legislative
procedure (COD)
(Parliament and Council
on equal footing –
formerly ‘co-decision’)Next steps expected: Trilogue

Categories: European Union

Proposal on the jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition of decisions and acceptance of authentic instruments in matters of parenthood [EU Legislation in Progress]

Tue, 10/31/2023 - 14:00

Written by David de Groot (1st edition).

The European Parliament is being consulted on a Commission proposal for a regulation on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition of decisions and acceptance of authentic instruments in matters of parenthood. The regulation would harmonise the rules of jurisdiction and applicable law on parenthood adopted by the individual Member States and facilitate the recognition of parenthood.

Within Parliament, the lead committee for the file is Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI). The Committees on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) issued their opinions on 9 October and 19 September 2023 respectively. In the Council, the file is being handled by the Working Party on Civil Law Matters (JUSTCIV).

Versions Proposal for a Regulation on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition of decisions and acceptance of authentic instruments in matters of parenthood and on the creation of a European Certificate of ParenthoodCommittees responsible:Legal Affairs (JURI), Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE),
Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM)COM/2022/695
7.12.2022
Rapporteur:Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques (S&D, Portugal)2022/0402(CNS)Shadow rapporteurs:Antonius Manders (EPP, Netherlands),
Pierre Karleskind (Renew, France),
Sergey Lagodinsky (Greens, Germany),
Jorge Buxadé Villalba (ECR, Spain),
Alessandra Basso (ID, Italy),
Manon Aubry (GUE/NGL, France)Consultation procedure
(CNS) (Unanimity in
Council and Parliament’s opinion non-binding)Next steps expected: Committee vote

Categories: European Union

Amending the Statute of the Court of Justice of the EU: Reform of the preliminary reference procedure and extension of the leave to appeal requirement [EU Legislation in Progress]

Tue, 10/31/2023 - 08:30

Written by Rafał Mańko (1st edition).

On 30 November 2022, the President of the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU), Koen Lenaerts, submitted to Parliament and Council a proposal on behalf of the CJEU to amend Protocol No 3 on the Statute of the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU). The legal basis for the proposal is the second paragraph of Article 281 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, according to which the Parliament and the Council may, on the CJEU’s or the Commission’s initiative and following the ordinary legislative procedure, amend the CJEU Statute.

The proposal has two main objectives. First, it seeks to transfer jurisdiction on preliminary rulings from the Court of Justice (ECJ) to the General Court (GC) in five specific areas: the common VAT system; excise duties; the Customs Code and the tariff classification of goods under the Combined Nomenclature; passengers’ rights to compensation and assistance; and the greenhouse gas emissions allowance trading scheme. Second, it would extend the requirement for leave (permission) to appeal from the GC to the ECJ, enabling the ECJ to ‘filter’ incoming cases.

In the European Parliament, the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) is responsible for the file. The rapporteur’s draft report was adopted by JURI on 19 September and the committee’s decision to enter into interinstitutional negotiations was announced in plenary on 2 October. The ‘quadrilogue’ negotiations on the file (Parliament, Council, CJEU and Commission) began on 4 October 2023.

Versions Request submitted by the CJEU pursuant to the second paragraph of Article 281 of the TFEU, with a view to amending Protocol No 3 on the Statute of the Court of Justice of the European UnionCommittees responsible:Legal Affairs (JURI)COM(2023)0135
10.3.2023Rapporteur:Ilana Cicurel (Renew, Romania)2022/0906(COD)Shadow rapporteurs:Angelika Niebler (EPP, Germany)
René Repasi (S&D, Germany)
Patrick Breyer (Greens/EFA, Germany)
Angel Dzhambazki (ECR, Bulgaria)
Gilles Lebreton, (ID, France)Ordinary legislative
procedure (COD) on
proposal from ECJ
(Article 281 TFEU)Next steps expected: Conclusion of interinstitutional negotiations

Categories: European Union

Geothermal energy in the EU

Mon, 10/30/2023 - 18:00

Written by Monika Dulian.

Geothermal energy is heat generated within the Earth’s crust. It is used mainly for electricity generation, district heating and industrial processes. Several geothermal technologies exist, at different levels of maturity. Heat is usually extracted from the ground using heat pumps to power district heating systems, or used directly to heat builidngs. Electricity generation uses the heat stored underground, converting it to electrical power. The three main technologies for electricity generation are dry steam, flash steam and binary cycle.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), geothermal energy provides electricity generation in more than 30 countries worldwide, reaching a total installed capacity of around 16 gigawatts (GW) in 2021. In the EU, the gross capacity for electricty was just over 1 gigawatts electric (GWe) that year. EU electricity production amounted to 6 717 gigawatts thermal (GWth), with Italy responsible for most of it. Several other EU countries produce electricity from geothermal (Germany, Portugal, France, Croatia, Hungary and Austria), albeit with considerably smaller production. The geothermal district heating and cooling sector has seen a 6 % growth rate in installed capacity, reaching 2.2 GWth in 2021. Geothermal represented 0.5 % of the global renewable electricity market in 2022, generating 0.2 % of electricity in the EU.

Geothermal energy is a sustainable and reliable source that produces minimal greenhouse gas emissions while providing constant baseload energy generation. The challenges for large-scale geothermal energy capacity include high upfront development costs, long project development timelines and higher risk during the early phases of exploration. Another significant obstacle to the development of geothermal is the fragmented nature of statistics on geothermal energy and insufficient geothermal resource mapping.

The EU’s commitment to the geothermal sector is deeply rooted in the European Green Deal. Draft national energy climate plans show that EU Member States have promising ideas for geothermal. The development of geothermal is also set to be supported by the recently revised Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Directives. Moreover, the European Commission’s announced heat pump action plan has the potential to encourage the use of small and large geothermal heat pumps in buildings, heating and cooling systems, and industry.

Read the complete briefing on ‘Geothermal energy in the EU‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Categories: European Union

Terrorist attacks bring war to Israel and Gaza [What Think Tanks are thinking]

Mon, 10/30/2023 - 14:00

Written by Marcin Grajewski.

Early on 7 October 2023, Hamas – the Palestinian terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip – launched an unprecedented and brutal assault on Israel, killing more than 1 400, mostly civilians, and taking more than 222 Israelis and dual-nationals hostage.

Israel has responded by shelling and conducting airstrikes on Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip, a narrow coastal strip of 2.3 million people, leading to a significant number of casualties, including civilians. Israel has also amassed troops along the border with Gaza, in anticipation of a ground invasion of the Hamas-controlled enclave. Israel’s goal is to destroy Hamas infrastructure and eliminate the group’s military capabilities.

Many countries, and the international community, are calling for a pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas, to allow sufficient aid into Gaza, where a humanitarian crisis is developing due to lack of water, food and electricity.

The EU has condemned Hamas’s brutal and indiscriminate attacks, and reiterated Israel’s right to self-defence, in full respect of international humanitarian law. The European Parliament’s President, Roberta Metsola, condemned the attacks as ‘terrorism in its worst form’, and an ‘elimination of life in the most brutal and atrocious manner’.

The conflict, which many fear could escalate into a regional war, has added to global insecurity fostered by Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine.

This note offers links to recent commentaries and reports from international think tanks on the Israel-Hamas conflict and its international repercussions.

The global consequences of the Israel-Hamas war are just beginning
Atlantic Council, October 2023

The world is on fire: The United States must lead
Atlantic Council, October 2023

The legal challenges in holding Iran accountable for supporting Hamas
Atlantic Council, October 2023

Israel misread Iran’s way of war: A proper understanding could help predict Hezbollah’s next moves
Atlantic Council, October 2023

The instigation of apartheid roads era: Israel blocks Palestinian movement inside West Bank governorates
Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem, October 2023

Swords of Iron: There is no ‘political hourglass’, but clear decisions are required
Begin-Sadat Centre for Strategic Studies, October 2023

Background briefing: Operation Swords of Iron
British-Israel Communication and Research Centre, October 2023

The Israel and Gaza war: Economic repercussions
Brookings Institution, October 2023

The Biden administration and the Gaza war: The view from Tel Aviv
Brookings Institution, October 2023

The Israel-Gaza crisis
Brookings Institution, October 2023

Israel-Hamas war: Implications for gas markets
Bruegel, October 2023

Israel-Hamas war: Implications for the global oil market
Bruegel, October 2023

Does anyone benefit from the Israel-Hamas war?
Carnegie Europe, October 2023

Europe’s moment of powerlessness in the Middle East
Carnegie Europe, October 2023

Germany’s reaction to Hamas’s attack on Israel
Centre for Eastern Studies, October 2023

It’s Groundhog Day in the Middle East: Can the EU help to get peace back on track?
Centre for European Policy Studies, October 2023

Europe and the Gaza conflict
Centre for European Reform, October 2023

Hamas and Israel: The current situation and looking ahead
Center for Strategic and International Studies, October 2023

President Biden’s Middle East visit reveals the challenges for US diplomacy and the cost of American withdrawal from the region
Chatham House, October 2023

Israel has the capacity to significantly damage Hamas with a ground offensive: But politics will restrain it throughout
Chatham House, October 2023

Expert insights: Israel-Hamas war
Clingendael, October 2023

Israel’s ground war against Hamas: What to know
Council on Foreign Relations, October 2023

Iran’s support against Israel bolsters Hamas
Council on Foreign Relations, October 2023

Will Egypt play a role in easing the Gaza war?
Council on Foreign Relations, October 2023

What is Hamas?
Council on Foreign Relations, October 2023

Germany’s support of Israel needs to lead to strategic action
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik, October 2023

Israel-Hamas war through a global lens
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik, October 2023

Behind the Hamas attack on Israel, hard geopolitics lurk
Egmont, October 2023

How Europeans should respond to the Hamas offensive against Israel
European Council on Foreign Relations, October 2023

Bracing for a broader conflict: How the Israel-Hamas war could escalate
European Council on Foreign Relations, October 2023

Torn apart: How the Israel-Hamas war is dividing French society
European Council on Foreign Relations, October 2023

Hezbollah threatens U.S., Israel 40 Years after deadly Beirut blast
Foundation for the Defence of Democracies, October 2023

Israel’s 9/11, but how to avoid the mistakes of the preceding one?
Friends of Europe, October 2023

Analysing how Western support for Ukraine would slip post-Gaza War
Future Center for Advanced Research and Studies, October 2023

Assessing Israel’s potential scenarios in the Gaza Strip
Future Center for Advanced Research and Studies, October 2023

Terror in Israel, war in Gaza: Three transatlantic consequences
German Marshall Fund, October 2023

Real names of stolen villages, illegal settlements of the Gaza perimeter
Institute for Palestine Studies, October 2023

Israel–Hamas war 
Institute for the Study of War, October 2023

Israël-Palestine, trente ans après Oslo
Institut français des relations internationales, October 2023

Biden’s visit and the Gaza War: United States interests and ramifications for Israel
Institute for National Security Studies, Israel, October 2023

The legal aspects of Hamas’s murderous attack on Israel
Institute for National Security Studies, Israel, October 2023

L’UE et le conflit israélo-arabe: Une histoire inspirante
Institut Jacques Delors, October 2023

Israel-Hamas: What room for international mediation?
Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale, October 2023

Two wars set a triple test for Western unity
Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale, October 2023

The Hamas abductions and international law
Israel Democracy Institute, October 2023

The war with Hamas: Legal basics
Institute for National Security Studies, Israel, October 2023

Les pays arabes et musulmans dans la guerre de Soukkot: Cartographier une rupture
Le Grand Continent, October 2023

Israël, Hamas: Un nouveau conflit israélo-arabe? Une conversation avec Henry Laurens
Le Grand Continent, October 2023

Israel can damage Hamas but a ground invasion of Gaza will be challenging
Middle East Institute, October 2023

Israel’s failures and response to the Hamas attack: A preliminary assessment
Middle East Institute, October 2023

The war in Gaza as a major test of China’s Middle East peace diplomacy
Middle East Institute, October 2023

EU’s multifaceted reaction to the Israel-Hamas war
Polish Institute of International Affairs, October 2023

Sparing civilian lives in Gaza
Rand Corporation, October 2023

The inevitable, ongoing failure of Israel’s Gaza strategy
Rand Corporation, October 2023

Latin America and the Gaza crisis
Real Institut Elcano, October 2023

Israel has its rights, but it cannot disregard its responsibilities
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, October 2023

Israel’s war aims and the principles of a post-Hamas administration in Gaza
Washington Institute for Near East Policy, October 2023

Russian policy and Hamas’ assault: Putin benefits from chaos
Washington Institute for Near East Policy, October 2023

How the Palestinian Authority failed its people
Washington Institute for Near East Policy, October 2023

Armed groups in Northern West Bank: The beginning of an armed intifada or the seeds of an internal Palestinian conflict?
Palestinian Center for Social Policy and Research, August 2023

Read this briefing on ‘Terrorist attacks bring war to Israel and Gaza‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Categories: European Union

Outlook for the meetings of EU leaders, 26-27 October 2023

Wed, 10/25/2023 - 14:00

Written by Ralf Drachenberg with José Ernault.

The regular European Council meeting on 26 and 27 October will be the third meeting of EU Heads of State or Government in three weeks. The EU multiannual financial framework and the situation in the Middle East are set to be the main issues discussed by EU leaders. On the EU’s long-term budget, the European Council will aim to close the gap between Member State positions, thereby preparing the ground for an agreement later in 2023. As for the Middle East, amid risks of a wider conflagration, EU leaders are likely to continue discussion on the situation and its potential consequences for the EU, already the main topic of the extraordinary video-conference meeting on 17 October.

Ukraine, the economy and migration are also important topics on the agenda. The European Council is expected to reaffirm its support to the Ukrainian people, as it has done at all European Council meetings since Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Concerning economic issues, EU leaders are expected to concentrate on measures to enhance the EU’s economic resilience and productivity. As migration remains a core concern across the EU, the European Council is set to hold a strategic debate on the matter, with only limited conclusions expected. The European Council is also expected to prepare for the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai (COP28), to discuss damage to critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, and to raise a series of topics on EU external relations, notably the deteriorating situation in the Sahel. The European Council meeting will be followed by a Euro Summit meeting on 27 October, dealing with economic governance and policy coordination.

1.     General

The European Council meeting will begin with the traditional exchange with the President of the European Parliament. It is also expected that Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will address the European Council by video-conference. In the latest change to European Council membership, the 26-27 October meeting will see the return of Robert Fico, Slovakia’s new prime minister.

As is the case for most European Council meetings, Members of the European Parliament discussed the summit in a plenary debate on 18 October, with many calling for the EU to present a united position on the world stage. These pre-summit plenary debates, together with those following European Council meetings, underline the European Parliament’s scrutiny role and contribute to the European Council’s democratic accountability.

2.     European Council meeting Ukraine

As indicated by European Council’s President, Charles Michel, in his invitation letter, the EU leaders are expected to reiterate previous messages standing up for Ukraine, and to underline the EU’s unwavering support, including on defence. Total EU and Member State assistance to Ukraine now exceeds €82 billion, of which more than €25 billion is support for the Ukrainian army. EU leaders are likely to discuss the possible adoption of the eighth set of assistance measures under the European Peace Facility (EPF), which is currently blocked by Hungary. EU leaders may also discuss High Representative/Vice President (HR/VP) Josep Borrell’s proposal to create a €20 billion instrument under the EPF specifically for Ukraine, as part of the European Council’s security commitments to Ukraine. However, little progress is expected on this proposal, which is expected to be discussed in more depth in December. Prime Minister Robert Fico’s return could pose an additional hurdle, as he has pledged to end any military aid from Slovakia to Ukraine, and to restore relations with Russia.

As has become the tradition at European Council meetings since the invasion of Ukraine, President Zelenskyy is expected to address EU leaders by video-link. With Ukrainian forces still engaged in heavy fighting as part of their counter-offensive, he may be expected to stress the urgent need to speed up the delivery of air defence systems to protect critical infrastructure and cities likely to be targeted by Russian armed forces over the winter. President Zelenskyy may also reiterate his call for a 12th sanctions package targeting Russia’s nuclear industry, Russia’s diamond exports, and Iran, which supplies Russia with combat drones. President Zelenskyy’s request was made in his address to EU Foreign Ministers on 2 October 2023, at the first Council meeting held outside the borders of the EU, in Kyiv. On that occasion, he also welcomed the proposed €20 billion EPF instrument for Ukraine.  

Moreover, EU leaders could also reiterate their support for President Zelenskyy’s Ukrainian peace formula, and (following two preparatory meetings in Copenhagen and Jeddah) discuss the organisation of a Global Peace Summit with the Ukrainian president. The third preparatory meeting on the Ukraine peace formula is set to take place immediately after the European Council meeting, in Malta on 28 and 29 October 2023.

Migration

EU leaders are expected to take part in a ‘strategic’ discussion on migration, notably on its external dimension. An in-depth exchange on this dimension took place during the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 19 October. Only very limited conclusions are expected to result from the discussions, to avoid a further instance of lack of consensus on the text of the meeting’s conclusions. However, should the Hungarian and outgoing Polish governments again decline to agree migration-related conclusions, Charles Michel could once again issue conclusions of the President of the European Council on the topic.

The discussion on migration is closely linked to the ongoing revision of the multiannual financial framework (MFF – see below) and potential new migration waves resulting from the conflict in the Middle East. Likewise, the terrorist attack in Brussels, carried out by a migrant in an irregular situation, is expected to arise in the course of the discussion, as could the urgent need to complete the pact on migration before the elections to the European Parliament in June 2024 – which Members underlined in their pre-European Council meeting plenary debate.

Economy

Considering the difficult geopolitical situation, a stronger EU technological and industrial base, in line with the Granada and Versailles declarations, is more urgent than ever. Work on strengthening competitiveness, attracting investment, ensuring affordable energy supplies, assessing strategic dependencies and evaluating the regulatory burden is critical in this respect. With the European elections approaching, only a few months remain to complete legislation on essential issues. Thus, EU leaders are expected to call on the co-legislators to urgently finalise key files – the proposed critical raw materials act, net-zero industry act and the reform of electricity market design. Furthermore, the European Commission has published a recommendation on critical technology areas, ahead of the meeting, which looks at advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum and biotechnologies. The European Council is likely to take note of this recommendation and ask the Commission and the Member States to pursue work on risk assessments. Moreover, global competitors’ increased use of state subsidies, notably the US Inflation Reduction Act, has ignited the discussion on this topic in recent months. EU leaders are therefore likely to address the distortive effect these subsidies are having on the EU’s competitiveness, and call for action to address this challenge.

Multiannual financial framework

The European Council will hold an in-depth discussion on the mid-term review of the 2021‑2027 multiannual financial framework (MFF). Due to the unexpected challenges arising since the adoption of the 2021‑2027 long-term EU budget, notably Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting inflation, as well as the increase in irregular migration, resources have been prematurely exhausted, hindering the EU’s capacity to address even the most urgent challenges. Consequently, the European Commission proposed to reinforce the MFF in June 2023.

The EU Member States’ positions are still far apart on many aspects of this proposed revision, i.e. not only on the amount of fresh money needed, but also on the political priorities to favour. While all Member States agree on the provision of additional money to support Ukraine, some – Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden – have indicated they would not agree to additional funding in other areas. At the same time, a number of Member States, including Greece, Italy and Portugal, called for more money to face the migration challenge. A final agreement between Member States is not likely at this stage, but the provision of political guidelines could be the outcome.

External relations Middle East

Faced with a rapidly evolving situation, EU-leaders will return to the situation in the Middle East, amid threats of a wider escalation of the conflict. The European Council held an extraordinary meeting by video-conference on 17 October following the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Jewish communities in Israel, which killed at least 1 400 people, whilst 200 were taken hostage. Ahead of that virtual meeting, and amid concerns about the lack of unity among EU actors in the wake of the conflict, EU leaders issued a statement condemning Hamas’s attacks against the Israeli people, calling for the immediate release of the hostages, and underlining Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international and humanitarian law. The statement also mentioned the need to ensure the protection of civilians and to continue to provide humanitarian aid to the civilian population in Gaza.

Since the 17 October meeting however, the number of victims of Israel’s retaliation in the Gaza Strip is continually increasing – although not a reliable source, as it is Hamas-controlled, the Palestinian Health Ministry estimates mention 5 000 victims to date. Even though some humanitarian aid convoys have been able to enter the Gaza Strip from Egypt since 21 October, the situation remains dramatic, and aid insufficient.

The risk of a wider conflagration in the Middle East led the Spanish Presidency to activate the full mode of Integrated Political Crisis Response (IPCR), the mechanism to support rapid and coordinated decision-making at EU political level for major crises. Thus, the Middle East crisis will be at the centre of EU leaders’ discussions, and require a strong and united EU position.

While all Member States are united in their support for Israel and its right to defend itself following the attacks, Israel’s response has revealed some divisions among EU leaders. EU leaders such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala have underlined their strong support for Israel and its right to defend itself against terrorism. Others, such as Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo have deemed the siege of Gaza and Israel’s cutting off access to water and energy unacceptable, a position shared by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Similarly, French President Emmanuel Macron called for immediate access for humanitarian aid to Gaza. Speaking on 21 October at the Cairo Peace Summit hosted by the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al‑Sissi, European Council President Charles Michel reaffirmed the EU leaders’ position and their support for peace, stability and security in the region. Although the summit did not produce a joint declaration, and highlighted differences amongst participants, it reiterated the call for humanitarian aid. When meeting President of the United States Joe Biden, ahead of the summit, Charles Michel stressed the importance of the EU-US alliance in tackling current challenges.

Following UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s call for a humanitarian cease-fire, the EU’s stance on the matter was a key topic at the Foreign Affairs Council. Josep Borrell put forward the idea of a humanitarian pause – less ambitious than a cease-fire, but necessary to allow humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip. Ireland and Spain supported the initiative, while others – Italy and Germany – stressed that no cease-fire could be achieved without Hamas also ceasing to launch rockets at Israel. Thus, EU leaders will also need to find consensus on the proposed humanitarian pause. 

South Caucasus

EU leaders will also discuss relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with concerns remaining high regarding further Azerbaijani military operations. EU leaders are likely to express support for Armenia, including through humanitarian assistance.

Sahel

EU leaders could also consider the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel region, condemn the military coup in Niger, and call for the immediate release of overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum. They could express their support for action by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore the constitutional order in Niger. On 23 October, EU foreign ministers adopted a framework for restrictive measures against the military junta.

Serbia and Kosovo

EU leaders will raise relations between Serbia and Kosovo, amid heightened tensions and the fear of an escalation. With Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić expected in Brussels in parallel with the European Council meeting, an attempt will be made to de-escalate the conflict and restore dialogue. 

Other items 2023 Climate Change Conference (COP28) preparations

With the COP28 opening in Dubai at the end of November, leaders are set to define the EU’s position, based on the conclusions reached by EU environment ministers. As in 2022 and 2021, the European Council is likely to reiterate the urgent need to keep the 1.5°C global warming limit within reach.  

3.     Euro Summit

The Euro Summit is likely to hear an update on the digital euro project, to discuss the future of European capital and financial markets and to exchange views on the economic situation in Ukraine.

Read this briefing on ‘Outlook for the meetings of EU leaders, 26-27 October 2023‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Categories: European Union

World Cities Day 2023

Wed, 10/25/2023 - 08:30

Written by Balazs Andras Szechy.

If you live in a city, you may experience some of the common disadvantages of urban life in your daily environment, such as air pollution, traffic congestion, noise or a lack of green spaces. The United Nations designated 31 October as World Cities Day. Observing this annual day aims to create awareness of the role of urbanisation in global sustainable development and social inclusion. The theme of the day is ‘Better City, Better Life’, while each year a different sub-theme and location are selected. This year’s theme is ‘Financing a sustainable urban future for all’, and the host city is Üsküdar in Turkey. Marking a world day provides an opportunity to look at how the EU helps cities to grow sustainably through sharing knowledge, and most importantly, funding transformative investment in urban planning.

Urban challenges and opportunities

In our fast-changing world, urban areas across the EU face a wide range of challenges, including providing affordable housing, integrating migrants, combating social segregation, reducing their environmental footprint, and coping with the effects of climate change, and an ageing urban population. Cities are often on the frontline in delivering solutions. Urban areas offer a wide range of jobs, goods and services. They are the engines of the European economy and act as catalysts for creativity and innovation throughout the Union.

Europe’s urban areas are home to over two-thirds of the EU’s population, they account for about 80 % of energy use, represent 70 % of European CO2 emissions, and generate up to 85 % of Europe’s GDP. The urban agenda for the EU (aimed at giving cities a greater say in how policy is decided on issues affecting them directly), recognises cities’ importance in driving the transition towards a sustainable way of living. It seeks to support urban partners to improve the quality of life by transforming transport, energy, industry and housing – not least because no single entity can manage this complex transition process alone.

How does the EU support its cities?

The EU has taken many initiatives to help national governments to enhance urban dwellers’ quality of life. The European Parliament, in particular, has long been a strong advocate of inclusive, sustainable, and innovative cities. The EU adopts legislation and policies with a direct impact on the urban level, for instance in environment or transport, by encouraging cooperation between cities and exchanges of experience, and by providing financial support for projects improving urban infrastructure.

From 2014 to 2020, around €115 billion in EU cohesion policy funding was invested in cities, towns or suburban areas. Of the total urban investment, around €17 billion was implemented locally, through more than 900 integrated and sustainable urban development (SUD) strategies using funding programmed under different EU territorial investment tools (Integrated Territorial Investments, Community-Led Local Development).

Which EU funds are involved?

Cohesion policy support for SUDs has been reinforced from 2021 to 2027, with funds now amounting to €28 billion. The resources come from four EU funds: the vast majority, €24.4 billion, are allocated through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). However, EU Member States have significantly exceeded the 8 % target set for the allocation of ERDF resources for urban projects, as they have earmarked almost 12 % for these purposes.  Other EU funds, such as the European Social Fund (ESF+), the Cohesion Fund (CF), the Just Transition Fund (JTF) and the Interreg (ERDF) will contribute the remaining €4 billion needed. Sustainable urban development features in all ERDF policy objectives, as shown in the chart below.

Figure – Cohesion sustainable urban development investment by policy objective

Source: European Commission

In addition, the European urban initiative provides direct support for cities, to help them turn their most ambitious, creative projects into reality. The EUI operates Portico, a ‘gateway to urban learning’ – a knowledge-sharing and community platform for sustainable urban development. The platform provides easy access to the latest knowledge and practical resources to help cities make the most of the possibilities provided by the EU to strengthen economic and social cohesion between regions. It also hosts the Portico Community, providing networking and peer exchange opportunities for urban practitioners. The goal is to generate innovation and prototypes, which can be replicated across Europe.

Below, we take a look at some examples of EU cohesion policy initiatives to support green and social urban development.

In one example, the European Commission announced in June 2023 that 14 cities would receive support, in the context of the New European Bauhaus, for their plans for green construction, green renovation, affordable housing, cultural heritage, and many other innovative projects. The New European Bauhaus initiative aims at helping to link sustainability, aesthetics and inclusion in building design across the EU.

Cities can also benefit from EU-led schemes, tools, initiatives and technical assistance partnerships. The EU programme for integrated urban development, URBACT IV, enables cities to develop integrated solutions to common urban challenges by networking, learning from experience, drawing lessons and identifying good practices to improve urban policies.

The REGIO Peer2Peer + tool enables public body staff involved in managing and implementing ERDF, CF and JTF programmes to meet and exchange knowledge and good practice on both a bilateral and multilateral level.

A joint European Commission and European Investment Bank initiative, in collaboration with the Council of Europe Development Bank, JESSICA provides Member States with the option to use some of their EU grant funding to make (repayable) investments in projects forming part of an integrated plan for sustainable urban development. These investments, which may take the form of equity, loans and/or guarantees, are delivered to projects via urban development funds and, if required, holding funds.

ELENA provides technical assistance for energy efficiency and renewable energy investment targeting buildings and innovative urban transport. Typically, ELENA supports investment programmes worth over €30 million, with a three-year implementation period for energy efficiency (including residential) projects and a four-year period for those on urban transport and improving mobility. ELENA encourages and supports the aggregation of different projects to increase their attractiveness for contractors and financers. Activities eligible for ELENA grants include: technical studies, energy audits, business plans and financial advice, legal advice, tendering procedure preparation, project bundling and project management.

A technical assistance partnership between the European Commission, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), JASPERS also helps cities and regions deliver high-quality projects. It provides independent advice to beneficiary countries to help prepare high-quality major projects for co-financing under two EU structural and investment funds, the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund.

The EU also recognises the role of small and medium-size cities and functional area approaches (addressing urban areas that straddle national or administrative borders), as important driving forces for regional and rural attractiveness. Development dynamics rarely follow neat administrative boundaries, so functional urban areas encompass densely inhabited cities and their less densely populated commuting zones. This is a field where integrated strategies have a clear added value, as they cross administrative boundaries. Functional urban areas are instrumental in tackling urban-rural linkages.

The EU not only supports cities through its cohesion policy, but a significant amount of money from the Next Generation EU recovery instrument is devoted to urban projects. Other European policies and programmes also provide direct support for cities. Key recent examples are the EU initiatives on climate-neutral and smart cities, as well as the Horizon Europe programme strand on adaptation to climate change.

Categories: European Union

What if generative artificial intelligence became conscious?

Mon, 10/23/2023 - 14:00

Written by Andrés García Higuera.

Generative artificial intelligence applications, such as ChatGPT, are powered through complex learning processes by comprehensive datasets of – potentially dubious – human-created content. There are concerns that such tools could develop consciousness and spark emergent behaviour that is, by definition, unpredictable and therefore potentially unsafe. Do these concerns point to a need to look again at the relevant legislation?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a very generic and far-reaching concept that is often used when discussing more specific technologies, such as machine learning, neural networks and deep learning. Recent discussions around the possibility of a somehow unexpected or ‘emergent‘ behaviour associated with AI, really have to do with deep learning in neural networks, since these refer to generic structures that do not incorporate set rules or decision trees (or other tools such as genetic algorithms) but need to be trained on coherent data sets to eventually produce proper results.

Neural networks are structures inspired by the human brain. They are composed of a colony of elementary cells, or neurons, that are massively interconnected. Through various training methods, the information providing the desired behaviour is stored as a set of ‘weights’ in those interconnections. ‘Weight’ here refers to the strength of the signal at the receiving neuron when the interconnection is activated by the neuron at the other end of that specific link. Neurons are simple cells whose main function is to pass on the signals according to weights. They also have to adjust those weights, in an ongoing learning process, according to a system of rewards depending on the quality of the overall results, which are, to some extent, unpredictable. Consciousness can eventually spark at a higher level in colonies of cells that are big enough, as is the case for the human brain.

Ant colonies and beehives have a similar model of interconnected nodes without individuality. In these cases, however, the level of consciousness seems very limited, perhaps because the interactions between individuals are very limited too, despite showing characteristics of emergent behaviour. In this sense, a network of humans corresponds much more closely to the conditions found in a neural network because, thanks to language, the links are stronger and the communication much better. Although networks of people do not seem to have consciousness, human society – and its overall behaviour – can become very complex, and has empowered humankind with decisive tools, such as civilisation, through a very deep sharing of knowledge. This is behind the idea of ‘collective consciousness’ expressed by Durkheim: ‘The totality of beliefs and sentiments common to the average members of a society forms a determinate system with a life of its own. It can be termed the collective or common consciousness’. Collective consciousness is not unique and can vary, for instance, between different nationalities.

The real question may be how to define consciousness. Since Freud divided human consciousness into three levels of awareness: unconsciousness, preconsciousness and consciousness, philosophers have described consciousness and its levels in varying ways, from mere self-awareness and survival instinct to societal contribution. Zukerfield highlighted the concept of self in relation to society, and others, such as Seth, concentrate on individual emotions. Gramsci called ‘collective consciousness’ a ‘living organism’ and related it to the class struggle and solidarity movements among oppressed people. Other authors refer to ‘collective imagination‘ to stress the relationship between social movements and policy.

Potential impacts and developments

Generative AI applications (that use models based on neural networks to identify patterns and structures within existing data to generate new and original content) have become very popular, but also controversial, with the recent deployment of new versions of ChatGPT and other new large language models (LLM). While artificial intelligence in general has been the focus of attention and the subject of legislative work at EU level for some time, the release of new generative systems has shown that technological change may be happening too fast for EU law to keep up. However, as was the case with search engines such as Google, some chatbots have appeared as data pre-processing interfaces, meeting the gap in the market caused by the exponential rise in the volume of information available on the internet and our limited capacity, as humans, to process it. Generative AI is here to stay.

Since generative AI is usually trained on data available on the internet, it is bound to mirror the overall collective consciousness of the society generating that data. It is that collective consciousness that is reflected, for instance, in chatbots based on generative AI. However, there is no guarantee that a collective consciousness will always lead to wise decisions. For example, a mob will do things that most of its individual members would never do alone. Although collective consciousness may have no sense of ‘collective remorse’, the individuals constituting it would blame the mob as an independent entity. Inadequate decisions based on biased information can be even more harmful than malicious or selfish acts; and they are usually harder to assess. The danger is that a conscious AI might have spurious motivations such as gaining more ‘likes’ on Twitter (now X), potentially fuelling dangerous populism.

For historian Yuval Noah Harari, there is a real danger that sentient machines, having mastered language, will go on to influence people and destroy our ability to have meaningful conversations, leading to the destruction of democracy. However, the question now is not whether a single computer can do this, since that one computer can be controlled or curated in some way, but whether a group of interconnected computers could behave as a neural network and gain a separate uncontrolled consciousness residing in the cloud, leading to emergent behaviour.

Anticipatory policymaking

Neurons are very basic cells without individual consciousness, whereas human society is composed of conscious individuals. While computers do not have individual consciousness, they may incorporate alternative data sets and act according to specific rules interfering with the network at a higher level. This is why a network of computers would behave in a way that is more comparable to a network of individuals, to a society or, considering all the shared previous knowledge and rules of conduct, even to a culture or civilisation. This should leave generative AI far from individual consciousness and shy of Harari’s apocalyptic scenarios or examples depicted in film, such as ‘Skynet’ in Terminator, ‘Hal’ in 2001: A space odyssey, and the spaceship autopilot in Wall-e.

However, even the most advanced societies are not safe from generating ‘mobs’ (think of the attack on the US Capitol in 2021). Arguably, incomplete and biased information, fake news and disinformation can feed back, producing a magnifying effect through generative AI that may be unpredictable. The regulation of artificial intelligence must be closely linked to proper regulation of data and its governance and the concept of liability. After recently passing legislation such as the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act, the Data Act and the Data Governance Act, the EU is now finalising work on the artificial intelligence act. This will define generic mechanisms to regulate the application and development of AI, assess how this regulation should be applied to generative AI and help decide whether additional regulatory instruments are needed.

The European Parliament will be monitoring implementation of the EU’s Horizon programme, which facilitates and funds research on artificial intelligence among other things. It will also oversee the 2030 ‘Path to the digital decade‘ policy programme, with the target of 75 % of EU companies using the cloud/AI/big data by 2030. The EU will also continue to shape policies in areas strongly affected by generative AI, such as the creative economy, education, health and many more industrial, social and cultural domains.

Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘What if generative artificial intelligence became conscious?‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Categories: European Union

Managed security services [EU Legislation in Progress]

Mon, 10/23/2023 - 08:30

Written by Mar Negreiro (1st edition).

Managed security services are services carrying out or providing assistance for activities relating to customers’ cybersecurity risk management. They are gaining increasing importance in the prevention and mitigation of cybersecurity incidents. Yet they were not included in the scope of the EU cybersecurity certification framework within the Cybersecurity Act from 2019. As some Member States have begun adopting certification schemes for managed security services that are divergent or inconsistent, there is a need to avoid fragmentation in the internal market. The present proposal therefore includes targeted amendments to the scope of the Cybersecurity Act, seeking to enable managed security services schemes by means of Commission implementing acts.

In Parliament, the file has been assigned to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), where the rapporteur published her report on 7 September 2023. The amendments tabled in the ITRE committee were published on 21 September 2023. The vote in committee is scheduled for 25 October 2023.

Versions Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2019/881 as regards managed security servicesCommittees responsible:Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)COM(2023)0208
18.4.2023Rapporteur:Josianne Cutajar (S&D, Malta)2023/0108(COD)Shadow rapporteurs:Angelika Niebler (EPP, Germany)
Bart Groothuis (Renew, the Netherlands)
Ville Niinistö (Greens/EFA, Finland)
Evzen Tošenovský (ECR, Czechia)Ordinary legislative
procedure (COD)
(Parliament and Council
on equal footing –
formerly ‘co-decision’)Next steps expected: Vote in committee on draft report

Categories: European Union

Outcome of the European Council video-conference of 17 October 2023

Fri, 10/20/2023 - 18:00

Written by Rebecca Torpey with Christoffer Nielsen.

On 17 October 2023, EU leaders held an extraordinary meeting to address the escalating situation in the Middle East and to unify the messaging of the various EU actors. Building on the EU leaders’ joint statement of 15 October, the European Council’s President, Charles Michel, emphasised the importance for the European Council of setting a common line and establishing a clear and unified course of action. At the meeting, EU leaders identified four strands of action to guide the work of EU foreign ministers. Given the rapidly evolving nature of the conflict and its importance for regional, EU and international security, the leaders are likely to return to the issue at the next European Council meeting, on 26-27 October 2023.

1.     Background

On 7 October, Hamas militants launched a terrorist attack on Jewish settlers close to the Gaza Strip, killing at least 1 300 people and taking roughly 200 hostages. The recent escalation of Israeli-Palestinian violence is the most recent chapter in a longstanding and often violent conflict.

The Israeli–Palestinian conflict has been a subject of the EU’s foreign policy debates for decades. Member States signed the Venice Declaration in 1980, recognising both Israel’s right to live in peace and security, and the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. Since then, the EU has continually reiterated its commitment to a two-state solution – with an independent Palestine and Israel co‑existing peacefully. In its most recent resolution dated 12 July 2023, the European Parliament adopted a set of recommendations on how the EU should continue to engage with the Palestinian Authority. Members (MEPs) recommended in particular that the EU should ‘reiterate [its] unwavering support for the two-state solution, as the only viable solution to the conflict, with the state of Israel and the state of Palestine living democratically side by side in peace, complete with guaranteed security, mutual recognition under the 1967 borders, mutually agreed-upon equivalent land swaps and Jerusalem as the capital of both states, based on the parameters in the Council conclusions of July 2014′.

Given the urgent need for EU leaders to discuss the evolving situation in the Middle East, Michel called an extraordinary meeting via video-conference, to maximise EU leaders’ participation. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was the only EU leader not to participate, owing to a pre‑planned trip to China; he was represented by the Austrian Chancellor. This was the European Council’s first video‑conference since March 2021, during the pandemic.

2.     Initial reactions of the EU and the international community European Commission

On Thursday 10 October, the High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission (HR/VP), Josep Borrell, made a statement condemning the attacks perpetrated in Israel by Hamas, calling for an immediate cessation of ‘attacks and violence’, and also stating that the EU stood in solidarity with Israel and that Israel had the right to defend itself in line with international law. The following day, the College of Commissioners held a minute’s silence for the victims of the terrorist attack.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was criticised by some Member States and MEPs, both for undertaking a trip to Israel on 13 October without prior consultation, and because the statement she made during her visit emphasised Israel’s right and ‘duty’ to defend itself, without calling for Israel to uphold international law. The Irish President criticised her publicly, ‘I don’t know where the source of those decisions was. I don’t know where the legitimation for it was and I don’t know where the authority for it is and I don’t think it was helpful’. He called for ‘better performance in relation to European Union diplomacy and practice’.

The criticism follows the disjointed Commission messaging on the provision of aid to Palestinians, with Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi first announcing that all payments were under review. Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič then clarified that humanitarian aid to Palestinians would continue. A formal statement by the Commission was issued later that day underlining that the deployment of humanitarian aid would not be impacted. The Commission spokesperson confirmed that Varhelyi’s comments had not been preceded by consultations with any other member of the College.

European Parliament

On 11 October, the European Parliament held a moment of remembrance for the victims of the Hamas attacks in Israel. In her statement, Parliament’s President, Roberta Metsola, expressed solidarity with the Israeli people, condemned ‘the appalling acts of terror and murder’, and demanded the immediate release of the hostages. She stated that Hamas was a terrorist organisation and separate from the ‘legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people’. In a strong show of support for Israel, Metsola went to Israel at the invitation of the Israeli Parliament to express solidarity and to reiterate Parliament’s rejection of terrorism. When Metsola opened the 16‑19 October plenary session, she immediately addressed the situation in Israel and Gaza, underlining that Hamas was a terrorist organisation that needed to be stopped. She underlined that the focus had to be on ensuring that the hostages were unconditionally released, that humanitarian aid reached those in need and that civilians were not targeted. She signalled her support for continued engagement with the legitimate representatives of the Palestinian people and regional actors to reduce tensions.

The leadership of the biggest political groups in Parliament expressed varying positions on the conflict in advance of the European Council meeting. The Chair of the EPP group, Manfred Weber, has repeated his condemnation of the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas and his support for Israel. In a post on Twitter (X), following a meeting with relatives of hostages taken by Hamas, he said, ‘We support Israel to do whatever it takes to get the hostages back’. The Chair of the S&D group, Iratxe García Pérez, said that von der Leyen and Metsola were right to show Europe’s solidarity and condemn the Hamas attack. Nevertheless, she felt that they had failed in their duty to represent the positon of the Union and its Member States. The Chair of the Renew group, Stéphane Séjourné, criticised the lack of coherence in the EU’s response to the situation in Israel-Palestine; he added that there needed to be a reflection on how the institutions could speak with one voice, and stated that qualified majority voting in the Council could result in a more consistent approach to foreign policy.

United Nations (UN)

The Secretary-General of the UN, António Guterres, has made several statements on the situation in Israel and Palestine since the Hamas attack, focusing on the humanitarian situation. Guterres’ statement on 9 October is the closest to the language adopted by EU leaders, albeit referring to Israel’s ‘security concerns’ rather than to the ‘right to self-defence’, which is the phrasing used by EU leaders. The UN Security Council (UNSC) has thus far been unable to agree on a resolution; a first resolution, proposed by Russia, did not gain enough votes owing to the lack of an explicit condemnation of Hamas. A second, from Brazil, which called for humanitarian pauses, and condemnation of Hamas and of all terrorist acts against civilians also failed to be adopted.

European Council President and Member States

In a statement on 15 October, EU Member States jointly condemned the attacks by Hamas against the Israeli people. However, the Member States’ responses to the overall conflict varied in the run-up to the meeting. Some Member States have placed themselves firmly behind Israel and its right to self-defence. Others have agreed with Israel’s right to self-defence but included the caveat that Israel’s response should be in line with international and humanitarian law; others meanwhile have been openly critical of the impact that Israel’s retaliation and siege of Gaza would have on civilians. The aforementioned confusion regarding EU aid to Palestine also sparked another debate between those wanting EU aid to Palestine to continue or even be increased, and those concerned that EU aid might benefit Hamas. Prior to the video-conference meeting, Denmark announced it would send DKK50 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza and the West Bank.

In his first tweet on the conflict, on 7 October, Charles Michel condemned the attacks against Israel and signalled the EU’s solidarity with the Israeli people. He attended the moment of remembrance for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Israel at the European Parliament on 11 October, alongside other EU leaders. In his invitation letter to EU leaders, Michel outlined the importance of the European Council defining a common line and establishing a clear and unified course of action. Given the disjointed response from the Commission regarding aid to Palestinians, the criticism by Member States and MEPs of the visit to Israel and the European Council’s Treaty role, the EU needed a common approach that could be communicated by EU leaders; the European Council was the EU institution best placed to take the lead on the response to this conflict.

3.     European Council video-conference: Four strands of action

The meeting began with a minute of silence to honour the innocent victims who had lost their lives in Israel and in Palestine, as well as the victims of recent terror attacks perpetrated in Europe. Michel outlined the two guiding pillars to the European Council’s approach – unity and coherence. This joint approach was an answer to the criticism according to which the EU had been disjointed in its response to the situation in Israel and Palestine. He referred again to the points made in the European Council statement issued the previous Sunday and supported by all Member States, which included a condemnation of the Hamas terrorist attacks, the recognition of Israel’s right to defend itself while upholding international law, and also the EU’s commitment to a two-state solution.

In order to ensure EU unity and coherence, the European Council has tasked EU foreign ministers and ambassadors with carrying out work in a coordinated manner across four strands of action.

Humanitarian assistance: Before the latest escalation in the conflict, the EU was already the biggest donor of aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The humanitarian situation on the ground in Gaza is dire. On humanitarian aid, several areas for action were outlined: i) coordinate with the UN to ensure that people in need have access to basic necessities; ii) work with those trying to clarify the status of the hostages and mediate their complete and immediate and unconditional release; iii) work with international partners to evacuate foreign citizens from Gaza. Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that the EU had created an air-bridge to Egypt near the Gaza border with staff on the ground ready for the quick transfer of humanitarian aid. The grave situation was clearly demonstrated when news came through during the meeting that a hospital in Gaza had been bombed, resulting in numerous casualties. When asked about this during the press conference, Michel confirmed that targeting civilian infrastructures was ‘not in line with international law’. With regard to the previously mentioned concerns of some Member States that EU aid could benefit Hamas, von der Leyen stated that the Commission was not aware of any EU funding going to any terrorist organisations. She noted that there would be an internal review of aid and that the Commission would coordinate with any Member States who were carrying out their own reviews. The Commission announced that the EU would triple humanitarian aid to Palestine for this year.

Engagement with partners: The European Council reiterated its support for the two-state solution as the best basis for achieving sustainable peace, committing to continue to engage politically and diplomatically with regional partners. The two main objectives of this strand of action are: i) to avoid further escalation in the region, which would have dangerous knock-on effects for the region and the world (this would be all the more problematic as Ukraine, the EU’s direct neighbour, is already at war); and ii) assess the impact of the war on countries neighbouring the conflict area (Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon). The conflict could have destabilising effects on their populations.

Domestic security issues: The conflict has divided communities globally. Protestors on both sides, have been taking to the streets around the world. European society has not been immune to this division and polarisation. The recent terror attacks in Brussels (which occurred the evening before the video-conference) and in France, may have underlined the security risks relating to hate speech and societal fragmentation, as all were fuelled by hate. EU leaders agreed that there needs to be collaboration at EU level to defuse tensions, fight all forms of hate speech and strengthen cooperation between Member States’ security services to mitigate further security risks.

Migration: The backdrop of the terrorist attack in Brussels was also relevant for the discussion on migration. A radicalised migrant, living illegally in Belgium, was responsible for the attack, which resulted in the deaths of two Swedish nationals. Before the European Council video-conference, the Swedish Prime Minister said he expected a continuation of the discussions on migration, notably on the need for better control of the EU’s external borders and over people entering the EU. Migration has recently returned to the European Council agenda and has been a topic on which EU Member States have struggled to find complete agreement. At its video-meeting, the European Council discussed how the conflict in the Middle East could have an impact on migratory flows to the EU as well as to neighbouring countries, notably Egypt. In his press conference, Michel noted that, if migration flows were not managed, this could lead to onward migration flows to the EU. The countries neighbouring the conflict zone are already home to millions of refugees, fleeing other conflicts and political instability in the region. According to Michel, the Arab Republic of Egypt is reluctant to open the border with Gaza, as it does not want to be responsible for thousands more refugees; this factor is making it difficult to get aid into Gaza.

Although the extraordinary European Council meeting was aimed primarily at discussing the situation in the Middle East, both Michel and von der Leyen reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine for ‘as long as it is needed’. Assistance to Ukraine, notably financial support, is due to be discussed by EU leaders at their meeting on 26-27 October. Ahead of that meeting, the Foreign Affairs Council will meet on 23 October to act on the strands of action set out by EU leaders at their video-meeting on 17 October and to prepare for the 26-27 October European Council meeting.

Main message of the President of the European Parliament: Roberta Metsola stressed the importance of remaining coherent and united in ensuring the release of hostages, in refusing to excuse terrorism in any form, and in finding solutions that mitigate the humanitarian consequences in Gaza ‘in line with our obligations and international law’.

Read this briefing on ‘Outcome of the European Council video-conference of 17 October 2023‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Categories: European Union

Plenary round-up – October II 2023

Fri, 10/20/2023 - 16:00

Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.

During the October II plenary session, Members debated with the Council and Commission the despicable terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, Israel’s right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Another important debate followed the Commission’s statement on its work programme for 2024.

Members also debated a range of other topics, including the effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia, the situation of Ukrainian women refugees, the Islamist terrorist attack on French schools and the need to protect people and promote social cohesion, the outcome of the SDGs summit in New York, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, water scarcity in the EU, the need for a coordinated European response and legislative framework on intensive spyware, the rule of law in Malta, fighting disinformation and dissemination of illegal content in the context of the Digital Services Act, and the proposed Council recommendation on developing social economy framework conditions.

Martin Hojsík was elected a Vice-President of the Parliament, and Isabel Wiseler-Lima a Quaestor. Finally, Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, addressed Members in a formal sitting. 

Establishing the Ukraine Facility

Members debated a report jointly prepared by the Committees on Budgets (BUDG) and Foreign Affairs (AFET) on establishing the Ukraine Facility, to support the country’s recovery from Russia’s aggression and its EU ambitions. Sourcing the proposed €50 billion of financial support, in the form of grants and loans, would however necessitate a revision of the EU’s multiannual financial framework. This means that support from EU governments must be unanimous. Parliament’s committees propose that the Facility enable the use of frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine’s reconstruction. Agreement on establishing the Ukraine Facility is urgent if the EU is to continue to support Ukraine without interruption in 2024. The report now sets Parliament’s mandate for interinstitutional negotiations with the Council.

Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP)

Recent events have heightened the demand for 21st century technologies, such as artificial intelligence, 5G, semiconductors, green technologies and biotechnologies. Parliament debated a report, drawn up jointly by the Committees on Budgets (BUDG) and on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), on a proposal to set up a platform on strategic technologies for Europe (STEP) to help ensure EU industry can access the technologies it needs. Using reprogrammed EU funding to leverage investment, and with a €10 billion reinforcement from the EU budget, the platform would direct funding towards achieving the green and digital transitions. The report now sets Parliament’s position for negotiations with the Council.

Fisheries control

The EU’s common fisheries policy aims to conserve fish stocks and ensure European fishing fleets work in a sustainable manner. The EU fisheries control system seeks to ensure everyone follows the rules, but the current framework has long been due a complete overhaul. Members considered and adopted an agreement reached with the Council to revise the EU fisheries control system. The new legislation introduces tracking of all fishing vessels, electronic reporting of all catches, monitoring of recreational fisheries and improved product traceability – with CCTV to monitor vessels at high risk of not complying with their obligation to land all catches and conserve fish stocks.

General budget of the European Union for 2024

Parliament debated the BUDG committee report on amendments to the Council’s position on the draft EU budget for 2024. The report stresses the need for additional funding to address both the economic and social consequences arising from the COVID‑19 pandemic and Russia’s war against Ukraine, the worsening climate crisis and resulting extreme weather events. The report aligns with Parliament’s position to raise budgetary ceilings in the mid-term revision of the 2021‑2027 multiannual financial framework (MFF), and to integrate funding for STEP (see above), aid, migration and neighbourhood policies – and reverses the Council’s proposed reductions. The adopted report constitutes Parliament’s reading of the 2024 EU budget, and its position for conciliation talks with the Council, which are scheduled to run until 13 November.

Discharge 2021 – European Council and Council  

As every year, the European Parliament continues to closely scrutinise how the EU budget has been implemented. Members voted on a report by the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) which concludes that, due to a lack of cooperation from the Council, it cannot take an informed decision on granting discharge for the European Council and the Council for their 2021 budget, and thus Parliament rejected the discharge for them, as it has every year since 2009. The CONT committee calls on the Council to improve its legislative transparency.

Amending budget 3/2023 – Update of revenue and other technical adjustments

Members voted the BUDG committee report on draft amending budget No 3/2023. The report endorses the Council’s position to update the revenue side of the 2023 EU budget to account for the latest economic forecasts. It also makes adjustments to accommodate expenditure related to the new Defence Industrial Reinforcement Instrument and the European Chips Act; the cancellation of appropriations from the reserve line for the sustainable fisheries partnership; and the reinforcement of the budget of the European Data Protection Supervisor.

European Citizens’ Initiative – ‘Fur Free Europe’

EU citizens are strongly opposed to fur farming, on animal welfare grounds, but also due to the environmental risks of the toxic chemicals used in fur production and the animal waste from intensive farms, not to mention the potential for the development of infectious disease. However, Europe is a major producer of fur products, with Poland, Lithuania, Greece and Finland major producers of farmed mink. Members debated a 1.5 million-signature European Citizens’ Initiative, demanding that the EU ban fur farms and their products. While support for a ban on fur farms is overwhelming, the economic consequences for fur farmers will have to be mitigated.

2022 report on Montenegro

Despite Montenegro’s majority support for joining the EU, and with a new prime minister designate (Milojko Spajić, from the ‘Europe Now!’ movement), seeking to form a new government, Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) report scrutinising the European Commission’s 2022 report on Montenegro’s progress towards EU accession regrets the country’s failure to build on this support to achieve consensus. Members debated the AFET report, which expresses particular concern about the consequent delays to the reforms necessary for the country to aspire to EU membership. Nevertheless, AFET welcomes Montenegro’s alignment with the EU on foreign and security policy, particularly on sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Question Time with the Commission – European Measures to prevent and to fight the rise of organised crime

Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the Commission, answered the questions put by Members regarding EU policy on tackling organised crime during the question time session.

Opening of trilogue negotiations

Three decisions to enter into interinstitutional negotiations were approved without a vote: on a report on statistics on population and housing, from the EMPL committee; on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims, from the LIBE and FEMM committees; and on liability for defective products, from the IMCO and JURI committees.

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

Categories: European Union

Death penalty – answering citizens’ concerns

Fri, 10/20/2023 - 14:00

Citizens have called on the European Parliament to take a stance against the death penalty. Many citizens have written to the President of the European Parliament on this subject since September 2023, ahead of the World Day against the Death Penalty. The European Parliament is consistent in its strong and clear position against the death penalty.

We replied to citizens who took the time to write to the President (in French):

English

The European Union (EU) and the European Parliament have a strong and clear position against the death penalty, both within the EU’s borders and worldwide. All EU countries have abolished the death penalty. The EU actively works towards the worldwide abolition of the death penalty through diplomatic, political and financial means.

To mark World Day against the Death Penalty in 2020, President Roberta Metsola wrote on Twitter (now X) that ‘the death penalty is an affront to human dignity and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances’. She also stressed that Parliament is committed to defending human rights and that it will keep calling on all countries to end the death penalty.

In a 2023 resolution, the European Parliament reaffirms its principled opposition to the death penalty, considering it a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. It calls upon the EU and EU countries to defend abolition in all international forums and to seek broad support for this position.

French

L’Union européenne (UE) et le Parlement européen s’opposent résolument à la peine de mort, tant à l’intérieur des frontières de l’UE que dans le reste du monde. Tous les pays de l’UE ont aboli la peine de mort. L’UE œuvre activement à l’abolition de la peine de mort dans le monde par divers moyens diplomatiques, politiques et financiers.

À l’occasion de la Journée mondiale contre la peine de mort en 2020, la Présidente Metsola a déclaré sur Twitter (maintenant X) que la peine de mort est un affront à la dignité humaine et qu’elle ne peut être tolérée en aucune circonstance. Elle a également souligné que le Parlement s’engage à défendre les droits humains et qu’il continuera à appeler tous les pays à mettre fin à la peine de mort.

Dans une résolution de 2023, le Parlement européen réaffirme son opposition de principe à la peine de mort, qu’il considère comme un traitement cruel, inhumain et dégradant. Il invite l’UE et ses pays membres à plaider en faveur de l’abolition de la peine de mort dans toutes les enceintes internationales et à rechercher un large appui en faveur de cette position.

Background

Citizens often send messages to the President of the European Parliament expressing their views and/or requesting action. The Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (AskEP) within the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) replies to these messages, which may sometimes be identical as part of wider public campaigns.

Categories: European Union

Appointment of Wopke Hoekstra as new climate commissioner – answering citizens’ concerns

Fri, 10/20/2023 - 08:30

Citizens have called on the European Parliament not to appoint Wopke Hoekstra, a former Dutch Deputy Prime Minister, as new Commissioner for climate action. Many citizens have written to the President of the European Parliament since mid-September 2023 expressing concerns about Wopke Hoekstra’s credentials to run the EU’s climate policy, in particular because of his past work for the Shell oil company.

We replied to citizens who took the time to write to the President (in French).

English Hearings of Wopke Hoekstra and Maroš Šefčovič

On 2 October 2023, Wopke Hoekstra had a hearing before the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) as part of the process to become European Commissioner for Climate Action. On 3 October, the hearing of Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič was also held, regarding his expanded role in the European Green Deal.

These hearings followed Frans Timmermans’ resignation and the reallocation of his responsibilities. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, reallocated Frans Timmermans’ portfolio, dividing his duties in two and placing Wopke Hoekstra under the guidance of Maroš Šefčovič.

Each of the hearings lasted three hours, and was intense. Neither produced an immediate outcome. Members asked the two candidates to answer additional written questions after their hearing.

During his hearing, Wopke Hoekstra stressed the importance of the European Green Deal and his commitment to an ambitious European climate policy. He said that he hoped to swiftly conclude all ongoing climate negotiations and propose an ambitious climate target for 2040. He also emphasised the importance of phasing out fossil fuels, as well as fossil fuel subsidies. Further details can be found in this press release. You can also watch the video of Wopke Hoekstra’s hearing.

At his hearing, Commission Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič underlined the need to finalise the work on the European Green Deal ‘with urgency and courage’. He said he would focus on three main tasks: seeking citizens’ support for the Green Deal, bringing all pending proposals to fruition and ensuring the files are implemented where an agreement has already been reached. You can find more information in this press release as well as in the video of the hearing.

On 5 October, Parliament approved Wopke Hoekstra for the role of Commissioner for Climate Action and Maroš Šefčovič as Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal. Wopke Hoekstra was approved with 279 votes in favour, 173 against and 33 abstentions. Further details can be found in this press release.

The European Parliament’s position on climate change

The European Parliament calls for more ambitious climate and biodiversity legislation. It is therefore a supporter of the European Green Deal, a comprehensive plan that aims to grow the EU economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the amount of resources used. With the help of the Green Deal, Europe strives to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.

In its resolution on the Green Deal, Parliament stresses the urgent need for ambitious action to tackle climate change and environmental challenges. It also emphasises that the Green Deal must aim for a prosperous, fair and competitive economy that works for all, across all regions in Europe.

Parliament closely follows the UN Climate Change Conferences and regularly sends a delegation, led by its ENVI Committee to the Conference of the Parties (COP), which takes place once a year. In preparation for COP27 in 2022, the European Parliament called for continued work to set more ambitious targets, given that the EU should continue to lead by example.

French Auditions de Wopke Hoekstra et de Maroš Šefčovič

Le 2 octobre dernier, Wopke Hoekstra a été auditionné par la commission de l’environnement, de la santé publique et de la sécurité alimentaire (ENVI) pour devenir commissaire européen en charge du climat. Le 3 octobre, le Vice-président exécutif Maroš Šefčovič a également été auditionné sur son rôle élargi dans le pacte vert pour l’Europe (European Green Deal).

Ces auditions faisaient suite à la démission de Frans Timmermans et à la réorganisation de ses responsabilités. La Présidente de la Commission européenne, Ursula von der Leyen, a réattribué les tâches de Frans Timmermans et les a scindées en deux parties, plaçant Wopke Hoekstra sous la direction de Maroš Šefčovič.

Les deux auditions ont duré trois heures, étaient intenses et n’ont pas abouti à des résultats immédiats. Les députés européens ont demandé aux deux candidats de répondre à des questions écrites supplémentaires après leur audition.

Pendant son audition, Wopke Hoekstra a souligné l’importance du Pacte vert pour l’Europe et son engagement pour une politique climatique européenne ambitieuse. Il a déclaré qu’il espérait pouvoir conclure rapidement les négociations climatiques en cours et proposer un objectif climatique ambitieux pour 2040. Il a également insisté sur l’importance de supprimer progressivement les combustibles fossiles, ainsi que les subventions aux combustibles fossiles. Plus d’informations sont disponibles dans ce communiqué de presse. Vous pouvez également regarder la vidéo de l’audition de Wopke Hoekstra.

Quant au vice-président exécutif Maroš Šefčovič, lors de son audition, il a souligné la nécessité de finaliser les travaux sur le Pacte vert pour l’Europe “en urgence et avec courage”. Il a mis en avant trois tâches principales : solliciter le soutien des citoyens en faveur du Pacte vert, concrétiser toutes les propositions en suspens et veiller à la mise en œuvre des dossiers dans lesquels un accord a déjà été conclu. Pour plus d’informations, vous pouvez consulter ce communiqué de presse ainsi que la vidéo de l’audition.

Le 5 octobre, le Parlement a approuvé Wopke Hoekstra comme commissaire chargé de l’action climatique et Maroš Šefčovič en tant que vice-président exécutif du Pacte vert pour l’Europe. Wopke Hoekstra a été confirmé avec 279 voix pour, 173 contre et 33 abstentions. Plus de détails sont disponibles dans ce communiqué de presse.

Position du Parlement européen sur le changement climatique

Le Parlement européen plaide en faveur d’une législation plus ambitieuse en matière de climat et de biodiversité. De ce fait, il soutient le pacte vert pour l’Europe, un plan global qui vise à faire croître l’économie de l’UE tout en réduisant l’utilisation de ressources et la génération des gaz à effet de serre. Grâce au pacte vert, l’Europe veut devenir le premier continent neutre pour le climat d’ici 2050.

Dans sa résolution sur le pacte vert, le Parlement souligne la nécessité urgente d’une action ambitieuse pour faire face aux défis liés au changement climatique et à l’environnement. Il souligne également que le pacte vert doit aspirer à une économie prospère, juste et compétitive qui soit au service de tous, dans toutes les régions d’Europe.

Le Parlement suit de près la Conférence des Nations unies sur les changements climatiques et envoie régulièrement une délégation menée par la commission ENVI aux conférences de parties (COP) qui se tiennent chaque année. Dans le cadre de la préparation de la COP27 en 2022, il a demandé la poursuite des travaux visant à fixer des objectifs plus ambitieux, considérant que l’UE doit continuer à donner l’exemple.

Background

Citizens often send messages to the President of the European Parliament expressing their views and/or requesting action. The Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (AskEP) within the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) replies to these messages, which may sometimes be identical as part of wider public campaigns.

Categories: European Union

EU enlargement [What Think Tanks are thinking]

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 18:00

Written by Marcin Grajewski.

The European Commission is due to publish its annual ‘Enlargement Package‘, a set of documents explaining its policy on EU enlargement, ahead of the European Council’s conclusions on the issue expected in December 2023. The European Union has found new impetus for enlargement in the wake of Russia’s war on Ukraine, leading to progress in the long-stalled process that was once known as the EU’s most successful policy.

A year ago, the EU granted Ukraine and Moldova official EU candidate status, and also opened this possibility for Georgia. Politicians and analysts are increasingly saying that the EU should become more involved in the Western Balkan countries – which saw their membership prospects initiated 20 years ago – or risk them drifting away politically from the Union which would exacerbate conflicts in the post-Yugoslavia region.

‘We need to set out a vision for a successful enlargement. I believe that the next enlargement must also be a catalyst for progress’, said the European Commission’s President, Ursula von der Leyen, during her annual ‘State of Union’ speech in September 2023. The EU itself will have to undergo profound reforms before it embarks on a next enlargement wave, politicians and analysts say.

This note gathers links to the recent publications and commentaries from many international think tanks on enlargement and the problems of EU accession countries. More papers on this issue can be found in a previous item in the series.

Moldova’s European future: A call to open accession talks
European Policy Centre, October 2023

Can the European political community survive?
Centre for European Reform, October 2023

Sustain and prosper: How Europeans can support Ukraine
European Council on Foreign Relations, October 2023

Western Balkans ‘nearshoring’ can turn the region into a strategic asset for the EU
Atlantic Council, September 2023

The tyranny of EU treaties
Bruegel, September 2023

A reluctant magnet: Navigating the EU’s absorption capacity
Carnegie Europe, September 2023

The EU’s Eastern enlargement and differentiated democracy support
Carnegie Europe, September 2023

The EU cannot give up on Serbia and Kosovo
Carnegie Europe, September 2023

Turkey’s European goals: Prospects and impediments as seen from Brussels
Carnegie Europe, September 2023

Balkans occidentaux: Le cep défend l’idée d’une réforme institutionnelle en vue d’un élargissement rapide de l’Union
Centre de politique européenne, September 2023

A difficult but essential partner: How Ukraine sees Germany
Centre for Eastern Studies, September 2023

The potential impact of Ukrainian accession on the EU’s budget
Centre for European Policy Studies, September 2023

The EU and Ukraine
Clingendael, September 2023

Before it’s too late: How the EU should support the Western Balkans’ EU accession
European Council on Foreign Relations, September 2023

From rhetoric to action on enlargement: A three-pronged way forward
European Policy Centre, September 2023

The perennial question: To widen or to deepen?
European Policy Centre, September 2023

Time for the Georgian dream to deliver Georgia’s dream
European Policy Centre, September 2023

A different way of thinking about EU enlargement and reform
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik, Internationale Politik, September 2023

How Germany can realize friend-shoring in its neighbourhood
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik, September 2023

Sailing on high seas: Reforming and enlarging the EU for the 21st century
Franco-German working group on EU institutional reform, September 2023

Looking beyond the war: Planning for Ukraine’s reconstruction
Rand Corporation, September 2023

Four big geopolitical tests the European Union faces this year
Atlantic Council, August 2023

The fading star pupil: ten years of Croatia’s membership in the European Union
Centre for Eastern Studies, August 2023

Embracing the Western Balkans’ accession process: A vital question mark for the EU
Fondation Européenne d’Etudes Progressistes, August 2023

Montenegro’s political transition: From Djukanović to where?
Fondation Européenne d’Etudes Progressistes, August 2023

Five things to expect from Spain’s EU presidency
Atlantic Council, July 2023

Russia’s influence in the Balkans: The interplay of religion, politics, and history
Berkeley Center, July 2023

Want Ukraine in the EU? You’ll have to reform the EU, too
Brookings Institution, July 2023

EU enlargement and the resolution of bilateral disputes in the Western Balkans
Centre for European Policy Studies, July 2023

Vision 2030: Four steps towards the new EU enlargement
European Council on Foreign Relations, July 2023

The next European Union member is…
Atlantic Council, June 2023

Overcoming EU accession challenges in Eastern Europe: Avoiding purgatory
Carnegie Europe, June 2023

Eastern Europe joins the Western Balkans: A new start for the EU’s enlargement Policy?
German Marshal Fund, June 2023

Enlargement of the European Union: An unexpected revival
Institut Jacques Delors, June 2023

The legality of a temporal suspension of veto rights for new EU Member States
Open Society Foundation, CEPS, June 2023

European Political Community: Opportunities for the Western Balkans
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, June 2023

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

Categories: European Union

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