Highlights

These briefings discuss how free trade agreements (FTAs) can help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) discussing the main challenges, concerns and benefits for SMEs doing business in third countries. Different barriers that can affect SMEs without international operations and SMEs that are already internationalized are described and initiatives at the EU and national level to support SMEs are highlighted. The briefings conclude with a set of support recommendations.

Against the background of supply shortages with respect to medical products during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the shift in the international order towards geopolitical rivalry between the US and China, reshoring of production has become a topical issue in the recent EU policy debate. The study for INTA committee discusses economic and political justifications for reshoring with respect to security of supply concerns and the debate on the EU’s strategic autonomy.

Rainbow families still face difficulties when exercising their right to free movement. This study looks into the obstacles faced by rainbow families (same-sex couples, with/without children) when exercising their free movement rights in the EU. It examines how Member States treat same-sex married couples, (un)registered partners and their children in cross-border situations, and suggests solutions.

On 23 February Policy Department on Budgetary Affairs organized a workshop on the use of big data and Artificial Intelligence in fighting corruption and misuse of public funds. The workshop aimed to investigate how the new technologies are already being used in the field of fraud, corruption and malpractice detection, as well as prevention, what are the AI’s limitations, and how its use could be improved.

COVID-19 has also impacted EU security and defence issues. This paper explores how, and presents the lessons to be learnt and recommendations for the future. This analysis for SEDE committee shows the challenges of the pandemic on security and defence - how the pandemic reveals vulnerabilities, while multiplying and accelerating trends and threats. It looks at which lessons the EU should learn in order to better manage and prepare for such crises, and makes strategic recommendations.

COVID-19 is spread through person-to-person contact but the incidence and severity of the disease are potentially influenced by many factors, including air pollution. The study requested by ENVI committee discusses the potential effects of air pollution on COVID-19, given what is known about health effects of air pollution in general. It concludes that current studies on correlations between air pollution and the spread of COVID-19 are not robust enough to establish a causal connection.