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Resumen : The digital transformation is making the EU institutions and administration more vulnerable to cyber-threats and incidents. Their number has surged dramatically in recent years: there were as many incidents during the first half of 2021 as in the whole of 2020, for instance. Yet an analysis of 20 Union institutions, bodies and agencies showed that their governance, preparedness, cybersecurity capability and maturity vary substantially, weakening the system. This proposal for a regulation would establish a common framework to ensure that similar cybersecurity rules and measures are applied within all Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, to improve their resilience and incident-response capacities and rapidly improve the existing situation. In the European Parliament, the file has been assigned to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). The report was adopted unanimously in the ITRE meeting on 9 March 2023. The committee's decision to enter into interinstitutional negotiations was confirmed by the plenary on 15 March 2023. A first trilogue meeting took place on 27 April 2023. Second edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autores : Maria Del Mar NEGREIRO ACHIAGA

Resumen : As the civil war in Syria enters its 13th year, and amidst ongoing political instability and armed clashes, the humanitarian and economic situation in the country continues to deteriorate. Half of the country's 22.1 million population is internally or externally displaced and 15.3 million people – nearly 70 % of Syrians – are in need of humanitarian assistance. Following the deadly earthquake in early February 2023, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated further. Since the beginning of the conflict there in 2011, Syria has been under one of the most extensive sets of sanctions in the world. Since the early days of the conflict, the European Union (EU) imposed sanctions on members and supporters of the regime of Bashar al-Assad as well as sectors of the economy benefiting the regime; since then, the scope of the measures has been expanded further. EU sanctions are designed to have minimal impact on the civilian population, and contain exceptions (exemptions and derogations) to the prohibitions, to avoid impeding the delivery of humanitarian assistance to and inside the country. Nevertheless, humanitarian operators report that unintended 'side-effects' of the sanctions have complicated their activities. To mitigate this, the EU has been engaging with all stakeholders to find solutions. The EU has been at the forefront of providing humanitarian, development, economic and stabilisation assistance, channelled through humanitarian operators to the Syrian population. Together with its Member States, the EU is the biggest donor to the Syrian people. However, in line with its strategy on Syria, the EU does not provide reconstruction assistance to the Syrian regime, pending implementation of concrete steps outlined in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015). The European Parliament has been vocal in expressing its concerns over the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in Syria, condemning the violence and attacks, including on humanitarian aid workers, mostly by the Syrian regime, but also by other parties. Parliament supports the EU's approach to sanctions, and advocates the scaling-up of humanitarian assistance.

Autores : GABIJA LECLERC

Resumen : Following recent episodes of stress in the banking sector in the US and Switzerland, the ECB’s role in safeguarding financial stability is under scrutiny. The ECB has claimed that no trade-off exists between its primary mandate on maintaining price stability and safeguarding financial stability. Furthermore, the 2021 monetary policy strategy review confirmed that financial stability is a pre-condition for financial stability, and vice-versa. Yet, further interest rate hikes may still give lead to headwinds for the financial sector. Four papers were prepared by the ECON Committee’s Monetary Expert Panel, analysing the implications of financial stability on the ECB’s conduct of its monetary policy. This document was provided by the Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit at the request of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) ahead of the Monetary Dialogue with the ECB President on 5 June 2023.

Autores : Christophe BLOT, Jérôme CREEL, François GEEROLF, Luigi BONATTI, Andrea FRACASSO, Roberto TAMBORINI, Christian GLOCKER, Stefan SCHIMAN-VUKAN, Thomas URL

Resumen : Access to safe and nutritious food is key to sustaining life and promoting good health. The fifth World Food Safety Day will be celebrated on 7 June 2023, to draw attention to the need to prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, and to inspire action in this regard. The globalisation of the food trade, a growing world population, climate change and rapidly changing food systems all have an impact on food safety. World Health Organization (WHO) data reveal that unsafe food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances can cause more than 200 different diseases, ranging from diarrhoea to cancer. Around the world, an estimated 600 million people fall ill after eating contaminated food each year. This leads to 420 000 deaths and the loss of 33 million healthy life years (the number of years that a person is expected to continue to live in a healthy condition). To prevent foodborne diseases and empower consumers worldwide to make healthier choices, the WHO has issued a set of key recommendations on safer food, formulated by a group of international scientists. In the EU, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is tasked with providing impartial scientific advice and communicating on risks associated with the food chain. Together with national food safety agencies, EFSA has been building a growing food-safety knowledge ecosystem, ensuring that safe food remains the basis for healthy diets and sustainable food systems.

Autores : Ivana KATSAROVA

Resumen : Among the key moments of the May II plenary session were debates on breaches of the rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds, and on the threat to democracy and the rule of law in Poland, in particular through the creation of an investigative committee. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, made a statement on the 10-year anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh. Another debate addressed the social and economic costs of climate change in light of the floods in Emilia Romagna, Marche and Tuscany and the urgent need for European solidarity. Members also considered an own-initiative report on sexual harassment in the EU. Finally, in a formal sitting, Parliament heard an address by Salome Zourabichvili, President of Georgia.

Autores : CLARE FERGUSON, KATARZYNA SOCHACKA

Resumen : Ever since the end of the Cold War, Armenia and Azerbaijan have been in conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, in the longest-running conflict in the post-Soviet space. Two bloody war episodes, in 1992 and in 2020, have alternated with periods of frozen conflict over three decades, amidst the inability of the international community to find a political settlement. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has further altered the power balance in the region, creating a dangerous security vacuum and intensifying the need for renewed international mediation towards a comprehensive political settlement. Violent clashes in September 2022, including an incursion by Azerbaijan into Armenian territory, prompted the EU to step up its presence in the region significantly. A new fully fledged civilian mission in Armenia (EUMA Armenia) was deployed in February 2023. The EU has meanwhile taken on a prominent mediation role in the negotiations. Mediation talks, in various formats, have continued during 2022 and 2023, against a background of regular and increasingly violent clashes, with both sides attempting to improve their negotiating positions at the table. The blockade since December 2022 of the Lachin corridor by pro-Azerbaijani activists, followed by the establishment of a checkpoint by Azerbaijan in April 2023, have put additional pressure on Yerevan (and Stepanakert) to agree on a peace deal on Baku's terms. Under EU mediation, complemented by US talks, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed on 14 May 2023 to a longer-term negotiation plan for a comprehensive peace agreement. The final statement included their unequivocal commitment to the 1991 Almaty Declaration and their 'respective territorial integrity'. Some experts see the details of the statement as a potential breakthrough in the peace talks, while others warn of the heavy price-tag for the population of Nagorno-Karabakh and the potential political costs for Armenia itself.

Autores : ANNA CAPRILE, Jakub PRZETACZNIK

Resumen : The 49th G7 Summit, bringing together the leaders of the United States (US), Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU), took place on 19 21 May 2023 under the Japanese Presidency in Hiroshima, a city with worldwide symbolic importance for war, nuclear devastation and peace. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine dominated the leaders' summit once again, with Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, attending in person. The other main issue was the need to increase economic resilience and build a unified G7 approach towards China. This year's summit took place at a time where the multilateral rules-based global order is being challenged, in particular by Russia and China, and strategic relations around the world are being redefined. Key states from the Global South are becoming increasingly important for the West, in order to isolate Russia and address global challenges. For this reason, in addition to Zelenskyy, the Japanese Presidency invited a series of leaders, including those of the G20 troika – Indonesia, India and Brazil (India assumed the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2022 from Indonesia, and will hand it over to Brazil in December this year). The G7 leaders made strong commitments to global partners, in particular those in the Global South, in their various communiqués and statements. Some side meetings drew media attention, notably that between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The resulting leaders' communiqué focused on support for Ukraine, disarmament and non-proliferation, economic security, clean tech economy, food security and the convergence of policy towards China. Many commentators drew an important parallel between the reiterated strong support for Ukraine and an underlying message that the international community would provide equal support were Taiwan to be in peril. In this regard, it is also interesting to note the timing of President Biden's announcement at the G7 that the US would support a joint international effort to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.

Autores : LEON PEIJNENBURG, Marc JUTTEN

Resumen : The fishing sector is facing major challenges in the accelerating energy crisis, owing to its high dependency on the stable supply of fossil fuels at low prices. This report reviews the literature on drivers of energy use, identifies potential reduction measures and provides an overview of opportunities for using alternative fuels in the fishing sector. Each measure is evaluated in terms of greenhouse gas emission reduction potential and costs, and challenges and policy options that could facilitate implementation. A timeline lists measures that could be implemented in the shorter and longer term, on the basis of scientific and grey literature, projects and expert interviews. A considerable reduction in fuel use could be achieved by utilising existing EU regulations to the full (for instance, by rebuilding stocks and allocating fishing rights in accordance with Article 17 of the Basic Regulation on the common fisheries policy). It is crucial to use economic policy instruments, such as taxes, fees and emission quotas widely, to incentivise the transition. A ban on fossil fuel use in fisheries by 2050 would give clear long-term incentives and create the conditions needed for the transition. Such a policy must be accompanied by well-designed funding opportunities for green investments and compensatory measures to avoid increasing short-term costs. Overall, a systems perspective is needed to achieve an energy-efficient, decarbonised fishing sector, without causing other environmental impacts.

Autores : This study has been written by Friederike Ziegler and Sara Hornborg of RISE Research Institutes of Sweden at the request of the Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) and managed by the Scientific Foresight Unit, within the Directorate-General for Parliamentary Research Services (EPRS) of the Secretariat of the European Parliament.

Resumen : Although the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) pursues a range of aims, the two main ones are the lowering of inflation by removing purchasing power from the US economy, and to provide the United State's contribution to fighting climate change. Unlike similar EU measures, most of its climate support is done via tax subsidies. Although hailed in the EU for heralding a new era in US climate policy, the IRA is being criticised for its outright 'Buy American' provisions. Amongst others, it is feared that EU exports to the US will be hampered, and that EU firms might be enticed to relocate to the US. So far, the EU has reacted by adapting its State aid rules and the legislative proposals of the Green Deal Industrial Plan, but it also relies upon the Recovery and Resilience Facility's dedicated climate subsidies to offset the IRA's effects on the EU economy. Further possible EU responses are currently discussed.

Autores : CHRISTIAN SCHEINERT

Resumen : This briefing paper was prepared ahead of the Monetary Dialogue between the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) and the European Central Bank (ECB) President on Monday, 5 June. It provides a summary of key monetary policy developments and decisions taken by the ECB’s Governing Council.

Autores : Drazen RAKIC, GIACOMO LOI

Resumen : In line with the EU-India Strategic Partnership of 2004 and the EU approach to global health, the EU and India have long-standing cooperation on health. The focus is on health research and innovation, public health and health security, as well as regulatory convergence. Often called the 'world's pharmacy', India significantly shapes global health outcomes due to its health diplomacy and its large share of the global population. While interests converge in numerous health-related areas, intellectual property rights (IPRs) have been a point of tension between the EU and India, with global implications.

Autores : GABIJA LECLERC

Resumen : Road safety has improved significantly in the EU, with the number of road fatalities falling by more than 60 % in the last 20 years. However, improvements in road safety have fallen short of the EU goals of decreasing the number of road deaths by 50 % between 2001 and 2010, and by an additional 50 % between 2011 and 2020. Directive (EU) 2015/413 facilitating cross-border exchange of information on road safety-related traffic offences – the Cross-border Enforcement (CBE) Directive – is one of the pillars of the policy framework to improve road safety in the EU. It aims to help improve road safety by tackling the relative impunity of non-resident drivers. The revision, announced in the European Commission's sustainable and smart mobility strategy in 2020, seeks to address key shortcomings in existing rules. According to Commission estimates, 40 % of cross-border offences were committed with impunity, either because the offender was not identified or because the payment was not enforced. The Commission tabled its proposal to revise the CBE Directive as part of the road safety package on 1 March 2023. In the European Parliament, the file was assigned to the Committee on Transport and Tourism, with Kosma Złotowski (ECR, Poland) as rapporteur. First edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autores : Jaan SOONE

Resumen : Energy is a major cost item in EU fisheries and aquaculture. The recent energy crisis has hit the seafood sector hard, notably because of increased marine diesel prices, exposing one of the sector's major vulnerabilities: its high dependency on fossil fuels. A move towards alternative energy sources would not only address this vulnerability but also contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU's ambition to become climate neutral. On 21 February 2023, the European Commission published a 'fisheries and oceans' package, which includes an action plan on decarbonising EU fisheries and aquaculture. The plan outlines two directions of change: it aims to increase energy efficiency in the short to medium term, while making a gradual switch from fossil fuels to renewable and low-carbon energy sources. An indicative target has been set for fisheries, namely to reduce fossil fuel intensity (in litres per kilogram of landed product) by at least 15 % in the years from 2019 to 2030. The final goal is to achieve a CO2-neutral footprint by 2050. To accelerate this energy transition, the action plan includes initiatives to stimulate research and innovation, develop the required labour skills, and improve the business environment, including funding opportunities. The Commission will launch an 'energy transition partnership for EU fisheries and aquaculture' on 16 June 2023 to steer the process, involving all stakeholders. The Commission presented the action plan to the European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries (PECH) on 1 March 2023, and the EU Commissioner responsible provided additional clarifications at the PECH meeting of 26 April 2023. A recurring point of discussion is the capacity definition in the common fisheries policy, in particular fleet capacity ceilings. New technologies typically require more weight than conventional diesel engines, which would increase a vessel's capacity and could lead to a ceiling being exceeded. As a solution, the Commission refers to the possibility of redistributing available (inactive) capacity in the Member States' fleets. This issue would be discussed with Member States and stakeholders in the context of the energy transition partnership.

Autores : FREDERIK SCHOLAERT

Resumen : On 21 February 2023, the European Commission published a 'fisheries and oceans' package, including an action plan for reconciling marine protection and fisheries. With this plan, the Commission is hoping to achieve more consistent implementation of EU environmental and fisheries policies. The main aim is to make fishing practices more sustainable by improving gear selectivity and reducing impacts on sensitive species (such as dolphins) and the seabed. On seabeds, the Commission is calling for a ban on mobile bottom fishing in marine protected areas (MPAs) by 2030. To address the negative socio-economic impacts of this, it is proposing measures to ensure a 'just transition' (by making better use of EU funding instruments, in particular for innovation – for instance, to develop new techniques – and for diversification of economic activities). The Commission presented the action plan to the European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries (PECH) on 1 March 2023 and the EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries provided additional clarifications at the PECH meeting on 26 April 2023. Key to the debate is the legal framework for the proposed actions. Environmental policy is a shared competence of the Member States and the Union, and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) introduced an integrated approach to the marine ecosystem. To achieve the MSFD objectives, Member States need to adopt national measures, such as better protection and conservation of seabed habitats and reduction of bycatch from fisheries. According to the Commission, the proposed measures are intended to implement existing environmental legislation. They are non-binding recommendations for national plans – roadmaps to be drawn up by Member States – to explore ways to reduce the environmental impact of fishing. When it comes to the common fisheries policy, regionalisation would be the appropriate instrument. This means taking regional differences and different levels of government into account when making decisions. The PECH committee is currently preparing an own-initiative report on the action plan.

Autores : FREDERIK SCHOLAERT

Resumen : Restrictive monetary policy dampens inflation effectively, but it also raises stress in financial markets. This happens through revaluations of financial assets on banks’ balance sheets and through dampened economic activity. Moreover, apart from the positive effect of exiting negative interest rates, banks’ net interest margin is generally negatively affected by interest rate hikes. With most of the disinflationary impact of higher interest rates yet to materialise, monetary policy should allow the financial sector to digest the rapid rate hikes of last year by reducing the pace of tightening.

Autores : Christian GLOCKER , Stefan SCHIMAN-VUKAN , Thomas URL

Resumen : This infographic provides an insight into the economic performance of Mexico compared to the EU, and looks at the trade dynamics between them. Mexico’s GDP per capita, unemployment rate, female labour force participation, and FDI have remained relatively stable since 2006, with slight increases, whereas remittances have increased more markedly. EU trade with Mexico has increased significantly since 2006, most notably trade in goods. This is dominated by trade in mechanical appliances and electrical equipment, both in terms of imports and exports. ‘Various business services’ constitute the largest proportion of EU service imports and exports from and to Mexico (32.5% and 23.8% respectively in 2021).

Autores : GYORGYI MACSAI

Resumen : On 14 July 2021, the European Commission adopted the 'fit for 55' package with a view to adapting existing EU climate and energy legislation to meet the EU objective of a minimum 55 % reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, as required under the European Climate Law. The 'fit for 55' package includes a recast of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), aligning its provisions to the -55 % GHG target. The current EED is designed to meet the existing goal of 32.5 % energy efficiency improvements by 2030. The recast EED as proposed by the Commission required Member States to almost double their annual energy savings obligations, make exemplary efforts in the public sector, address energy poverty, and take other measures to deliver 9 % more energy savings than anticipated under existing EU legislation. As part of the REPowerEU plan (May 2022) to address the ongoing energy crisis, the Commission proposed a targeted EED amendment requiring 13 % more energy savings by 2030. In the Parliament, the file was referred to the ITRE committee. The trilogue negotiations concluded on 10 March 2023 with a provisional agreement, setting a reduction of primary and final energy consumption of 11.7% at EU level by 2030 compared with energy consumption forecasts made in 2020. The text needs now to be formally adopted by each of the co-legislators. Third edition of a briefing, the first two editions of which were drafted by Alex Wilson. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autores : Monika DULIAN

Resumen : The EU's effort-sharing legislation covers greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in sectors not included in the EU emissions trading system. A wide range of sources – such as fuels used for road transport, energy used for heating and cooling in buildings, animal digestion and fertilisers used in agriculture, waste treatment, and small industries – account for these emissions. To cut the emissions in these sectors, the EU Effort-sharing Regulation (ESR) establishes collective and national binding targets and sets up annual emissions allocations for each Member State for the 2021-2030 period. On 14 July 2021, the European Commission submitted a proposal to amend the binding annual emissions reductions by Member States from 2021 to 2030. The proposal is part of the 'fit for 55' package, which aims to adapt EU climate and energy legislation to the new EU objective of a minimum 55 % reduction in net GHG emissions by 2030 compared to 1990, in accordance with the recent European Climate Law. To contribute to the new climate ambition, sectors covered by the ESR have to achieve a collective reduction of 40 % in their emissions by 2030 compared to 2005. The European Parliament and the Council adopted their positions on 8 and 29 June 2022, respectively. The interinstitutional negotiations concluded on 8 November 2022 with a provisional agreement, which was adopted by the Parliament on 14 March 2023. The regulation was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 26 April 2023 and entered into force on 16 May 2023. Fifth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autores : Dessislava YOUGOVA

Resumen : As part of the 'Fit for 55' package, the European Commission presented a legislative proposal to review the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). The aim of the review is to align the EU ETS Directive with the EU targets set out in the European Climate Law. To this end, the amount of emission allowances would be reduced, fewer allowances would be allocated for free, and the ETS would be extended to maritime transport. A separate new emissions trading system would be established for fuel distribution for road transport and buildings. In the European Parliament, the proposal was referred to the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), with Peter Liese (EPP, Germany) as rapporteur. The Parliament and the Council adopted their respective positions in June 2022 and reached a provisional trilogue agreement in December 2022. The file was subsequently split into two parts, with the monitoring, reporting and verification of maritime GHG emissions treated separately. The legal acts were published in the Official Journal on 16 May 2023 and enter into force on 5 June 2023. Fifth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autores : Gregor ERBACH

Resumen : Companies can play a key role in building a sustainable economy and society. At the same time, their global value chains can pose risks to human rights and the environment. A growing number of EU companies have taken initiatives to deploy due diligence processes, often using existing voluntary international standards on responsible business conduct. Some Member States have meanwhile started developing their own legal frameworks on corporate due diligence. To avoid fragmentation, and give businesses and citizens legal certainty, Parliament called on the Commission in a legislative-initiative resolution to introduce mandatory due diligence legislation. In February 2022, the Commission proposed a directive laying down rules on corporate due diligence obligations, directors' duties, civil liability and protection of persons reporting breaches. The legislative file follows the ordinary legislative procedure. The Council reached political agreement on a general approach in December 2022. In Parliament, eight committees sent opinions to the Committee on Legal Affairs (responsible for the dossier), which adopted its report on the Commission proposal in April 2023. Once Members have voted on the report in plenary, the co legislators can start interinstitutional negotiations on the final text. Second edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autores : STEFANO SPINACI

Resumen : The crypto-asset sector, while still relatively new, has already changed the world of payments and investment forever. The fast-changing, mobile nature of the sector and its growing market prominence poses challenges, however, for tax authorities, which are not always able to track the capital gains made from trading crypto-assets. On 8 December 2022, the European Commission proposed to set up a reporting framework which would require crypto-asset service providers to report transactions made by EU clients. This would help tax authorities to track the trade of crypto-assets and the proceeds gained, thereby reducing the risk of tax fraud and evasion. The reporting framework would be set-up by amending the Directive on Administrative Cooperation (DAC), which is the main framework for other data exchanges between tax authorities. The proposal also puts forward a series of (smaller) changes to improve the existing exchange of tax-related information. The proposed directive is subject to a special legislative procedure, requiring unanimous support in the Council, following consultation of the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee. The Council reached a general approach on the proposal during the meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council on 16 May 2023. Second edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autores : Pieter BAERT

Resumen : This briefing focuses on policy measures benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have been enshrined in the national recovery and resilience plans (NRRPs). Member States drew up their recovery plans in order to take advantage of the Next Generation EU (NGEU) recovery instrument and its Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), designed to support recovery from the pandemic while fostering the green and digital transitions. The RRF is structured around six pillars representing key EU policy areas that will help Member States emerge from the crisis stronger and future-proof. The pillars also define investment priorities and the scope of financing under the RRF. On account of its particular relevance for SMEs, this briefing addresses the RRF's 'Smart, sustainable and inclusive growth' pillar, but other pillars can also include SME-related measures. The SME sector, including micro-enterprises, constitutes over 99 % of all businesses in the EU and was severely affected by the pandemic. Since SMEs represent the bedrock of the economy, it was essential to support them, and Member States have put forward extensive measures in their NRRPs targeting the SME sector both directly and indirectly. SME-related measures range from learning opportunities for SME employees to advance their digital skills to business decarbonisation, the setting up of new financing instruments aimed at developing new technologies in SMEs, and the removal of administrative and regulatory obstacles to boost the productivity of smaller businesses. SME-related measures under the 'Smart, sustainable and inclusive growth' pillar may also address other RRF objectives, including the specific digital and climate targets. While the type and scope of the investments and reforms vary between Member States, all the measures feed into at least one of the three axes of the SME strategy developed and presented by the European Commission in 2020. These axes refer to capacity building and support for transition to sustainability and digitalisation, reducing the regulatory burden and improving market access, and boosting access to financing. These dimensions are also reflected in the country-specific recommendations (CSRs), presented in the context of the European Semester. To obtain RRF funding, the NRRP measures must address at least a significant subset of the 2019 and 2020 CSRs.

Autores : MARIN MILEUSNIC

Resumen : The IA is underpinned by solid internal and external expertise and based on integrated modelling coherent with the interlinked European Green Deal and the REPowerEU initiatives. It is transparent on methods, builds on specifically updated assumptions and addresses potential uncertainties with two sensitivity analyses. Despite slight weaknesses in the definition of the problems and objectives, the intervention logic of the initiative is clear. The IA's annexes contain a lot of relevant information and form part of the analysis, notably as regards the policy options' details and their assessment. The IA's accessibility and transparency would have benefitted from a more coherent presentation of the options' features, their interlinkages and the effect on the selection of the preferred options, particularly for non-expert readers. For the level of emission targets, the IA leaves the choice of a 'preferred' option to the policymakers, while indicating that the highest targets would lead to the fastest deployment of ZEV and to a strengthening of EU innovation and competitiveness. It considers the impact on SMEs in a proportionate manner, also based on their targeted consultation.

Autores : Esther KRAMER

Resumen : More than 3 years after the entry into application of the Geo-blocking Regulation (GBR) and more than 2 years after the publication of the Commission report on the first short-term review of the GBR, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) decided to draft a report to establish the extent to which implementation of the GBR had contributed to the integration of the internal market and thereby to better deals for consumers and more opportunities for businesses. The present EIA seeks to assist the IMCO committee in its drafting process, by synthesising the available information on the implementation and enforcement of the GBR. It therefore presents relevant material such as reports and opinions of EU institutions, EU bodies and stakeholders.

Autores : ECKHARD BINDER

Resumen : Ce document s’intègre dans une série d’études qui, avec une perspective de droit comparé, visent à faire une présentation du concept d’État de droit dans différents États et organisations internationales. Après avoir expliqué le droit positif et la jurisprudence, le contenu, les limites et la possible évolution de ce concept sont examinés. La présente étude a pour objet le cas du Canada. Hérité du droit public anglais, le principe de primauté du droit au Canada adopte les éléments généralement associés à une conception formelle, alors que sa dimension substantielle demeure moins bien définie. De façon générale, le principal enjeu contemporain concernant la primauté du droit est sa relation avec la loi. Est proposée une conception substantielle « étroite » constituée des éléments essentiels de la primauté du droit, lesquels possèdent une capacité de contrôler l’action étatique, incluant la loi, qui y contreviendrait.

Autores : EPRS, Comparative Law

Resumen : Die vorliegende Studie ist Teil eines weiter gefassten Projekts, das als Grundlage für den integrierten und korrelierten Vergleich der Regelung der Grundsätze der Gleichheit und der Nichtdiskriminierung in den unterschiedlichen Rechtsordnungen dienen soll. Es wird untersucht, wie sich diese Grundsätze in der Rechtsordnung der Europäischen Union etabliert haben. Insbesondere wird auf die Anerkennung eingegangen, die diese in den Quellen des Primärrechts (Gründungsverträge und deren Ergänzungen) und des Sekundärrechts (Verordnungen und Richtlinien) gefunden und durch die Auslegung und Rechtsfortbildung in der Rechtsprechung des Europäischen Gerichtshofs erfahren haben. Außerdem wird dargelegt, wie diese Grundsätze, ausgehend von einem sozialen und vorwiegend arbeitsrechtlichen Ansatz, im Laufe der Zeit eine immer größere Bedeutung und Tragweite erlangt haben, um sich letztendlich als Parameter für die Rechtmäßigkeit auf die Arbeit der Union in all ihren Zuständigkeitsbereichen zu erstrecken und den Stellenwert von Grundrechten zu erlangen, die ausdrücklich in die Charta der Grundrechte der Europäischen Union aufgenommen wurden und heute dort verankert sind. Schließlich sollen die Grenzen und die Ausnahmen hinsichtlich des Schutzes dieser grundlegenden Rechte aufgezeigt werden, indem auf die gleichermaßen bestehende Schutzwürdigkeit anderer grundlegender Rechte eingegangen wird, die im Falle einer Kollision eine angemessene Güterabwägung erforderlich macht. Zur Sprache kommt auch das Risiko einer möglichen überschießenden Anwendung, die zu Formen der „umgekehrten“ Diskriminierung führen kann.

Autores : Prof. Dr. Vincenzo SALVATORE

Resumen : The UK Withdrawal Negotiations raised awareness about the positive effects of European integration on regional development and cross-border cooperation in Ireland – and their vulnerability to Brexit. This At a glance note summarises the report explaining and evidencing the impact of Brexit – anticipated, actual and potential – in this unique case study. Its focus is on non-trade related matters, including administrative, environmental and cultural, particularly as managed at local and regional levels. In light of these, it makes recommendations for future territorial cohesion and regional development in Ireland.

Autores : Caroline CREAMER, Katy HAYWARD

Resumen : The study focuses on the analysis of national legislation and best practices across the EU Member States that address health and safety requirements for the protection of mental health at work. The study reveals that efforts at EU and national level are currently insufficient to protect employees from psychosocial risks. EU-level legislation on work-related psychosocial risks is therefore needed to set the minimum health and safety requirements for mental health at work. This would compel Member States to take action to protect employees and to ensure minimum standards and equality across the EU.

Autores : Alina MAKAREVIČIENĖ, Madeline NIGHTINGALE, Greta SKUBIEJŪTĖ, Emily HUTTON, Vaida GINEIKYTĖ-KANCLERĖ, Deimantė KAZLAUSKAITĖ

Resumen : In 2022, Europe has seen a sudden, huge influx of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. This At a glance note summarises study assessing the use of Cohesion Policy funds to finance actions to support those refugees in EU host countries. It pays particular attention to the Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE), and how the flexibility mechanisms it introduced have been taken up by the Managing Authorities of Cohesion Policy programmes. The study concludes with policy recommendations in view of potential future crises.

Autores : Research for REGI Committee - The use of Cohesion Policy funds to support refugees from Ukraine

Resumen : The study focuses on the analysis of national legislation and best practices across the EU Member States that address health and safety requirements for the protection of mental health at work. The study reveals that efforts at EU and national level are currently insufficient to protect employees from psychosocial risks. EU-level legislation on work-related psychosocial risks is therefore needed to set the minimum health and safety requirements for mental health at work. This would compel Member States to take action to protect employees and to ensure minimum standards and equality across the EU.

Autores : Minimum health and safety requirements for the protection of mental health in the workplace

Resumen : Since December 2022, some EU countries have been granting refugee status to all female Afghan asylum-seekers, solely on grounds of gender. This decision is based on the worsening situation in Afghanistan, in particular for women and girls, with the level of discrimination deemed sufficiently serious to amount to persecution of a social group, as defined in the 1951 Refugee Convention, and fulfilling the requirements for granting refugee status.

Autores : Anita ORAV

Resumen : On 15 December 2021, the Commission presented a proposal to regulate methane emissions reductions in the energy sector. The proposal is part of the second batch of proposals in the 'fit for 55' package, aiming to align EU climate and energy laws with the EU Climate Law's 2030 target. The proposal aims to address gaps in current legislation: those relating to methane emissions from upstream exploration and the production of oil and fossil gas, but also those from the gathering and processing of fossil gas, the transmission, distribution and underground storage of gas, and liquid gas terminals operating with fossil and/or renewable methane. In Parliament, the proposal was referred to the Committees on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). On 26 April 2023, the committees adopted a joint report, introducing several amendments to the proposal. For instance, by 31 December 2025 the Commission would have to set a binding 2030 EU methane emissions reduction target covering all relevant emitting sectors. The report would make changes to the monitoring and reporting requirements and the mitigation measures. Parliament adopted its position for the trilogue negotiations on 9 May 2023, without changes to the joint committee report. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages in the legislative procedure.

Autores : HENRIQUE ANDRE MORGADO SIMOES

Resumen : This At a Glance assesses the extent to which policy frameworks at EU and national level are equipped to tackle the social inequalities produced by climate action policies, identifies gaps and outlines recommendations for action that could be taken up by the European Parliament in future policy debates. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL).'

Autores : Mariya GANCHEVA, Berkay AKBABA, Matthew GERACI, Vanessa LUDDEN, Ralitsa DONKOVA, Silvia BEGHELLI,Thomas NEUMANN, Francesca FINELLO, Anna-Maija LAINE

Resumen : We argue that a hard stagflation scenario is still possible. This would have the potential to create a conflict between price stability and financial stability. We therefore address four questions. Why should central banks be concerned with financial stability? What financial imbalances should central banks be worried about? Are monetary policy and macroprudential regulation two tools for two goals? Is the ECB poised to face the price stability vs. financial stability trade-off?

Autores : Luigi BONATTI , Andrea FRACASSO , Roberto TAMBORINI

Resumen : The rise of policy rates in the euro area has led to a tightening of financing conditions raising concerns for financial stability. The risk of financial crisis should be neither ignored nor overstated. The euro area is not facing conditions for which there would be the highest probability of a crisis. The risk faced by banks depends on the share of adjustable-rate mortgages. At this stage, net interest margin of banks and profitability have slightly improved.

Autores : Christophe BLOT, Jérôme CREEL, François GEEROLF

Resumen : The interest rate cost of EU borrowing for non-repayable support, which lies with the EU budget, could be twice as high as what was initially estimated at the start of the EU’s 2021-2027 budget cycle. This Bruegel paper finds that the European Commission’s issuance strategy can still be improved to reduce EU borrowing costs at the margin. It should also continue to work on building market infrastructures for EU bonds. Moreover if EU countries want to reap the full benefits of EU borrowing, some political progress will have to take place. Finally, the EU should quickly review how interest costs are accounted for in the EU budget and in the MFF.

Autores : Grégory Claeys, Conor McCaffrey, Lennard Welslau

Resumen : Open strategic autonomy is about ensuring that the EU has the capacity to cope alone if necessary but without ruling out cooperation whenever possible. It goes some steps beyond smart supply chain management by taking into account geopolitics as well as economic factors. It relies on foresight to identify threats and ensures resilience by anticipating the required responses. Could the resulting preparedness also prevent crises by normalising situations that would otherwise become emergencies?

Autores : ANDRES GARCIA HIGUERA

Resumen : Russia's war on Ukraine has changed geopolitical realities on the continent. Since the war began, Moldova has been granted EU candidate country status. It will also host the second European Political Community summit on 1 June 2023. President Maia Sandu – supported by the country's government, led by Dorin Recean – has put forward a modernisation agenda for the country despite difficult economic and geopolitical circumstances.

Autores : Jakub PRZETACZNIK

Resumen : Hours before the Beijing Winter Olympics officially opened on 4 February 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping had a long meeting with Russian President Putin. In the joint statement issued after the meeting – which referred to the bilateral relationship as a 'no-limits friendship' – the Chinese leader for the first time voiced his country's outright opposition to NATO enlargement and support for Russia's 'proposals to create long-term legally binding security guarantees' in Europe. It remains, however, unclear whether Putin informed Xi of his intention to invade Ukraine. On 24 February, 4 days after the end of the Winter Olympics, Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The China-Russia relationship has seen major shifts since 1992. At the outset, China's population was greater than Russia's and the two countries had very similar level of total gross domestic product. Nowadays, thanks to China's exceptional growth performance and the impact of Russia's war on Ukraine, China's economy is estimated to be up to 10 times bigger than Russia's. Similarly, trade with Russia is not of major importance to China in terms of value. However, the high share of raw materials (including food) in Russian exports and the transfer of Russian military technology are of strategic importance to China. Since 2012 – when Xi was first made General-Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) – the relationship has evolved into an informal alliance in the face of what both countries consider a rising threat from the West to their regimes. China's response to Russia's war on Ukraine – a balancing act sometimes referred to as 'pro-Russia neutrality' – has so far been much closer to Russia than it was in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea. At the same time, developments since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 have increased Russia's dependency on China, which some now qualify as a rising 'vassalisation' of Russia. This is an update of a briefing originally published in March 2022.

Autores : Ulrich JOCHHEIM

Resumen : This annual report of the European Parliament's Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) for the year 2022 provides a comprehensive account of European Parliament activity in promoting understanding of and research in the fields of science and technology assessment. The STOA Panel comprises 27 Members of the European Parliament representing 11 parliamentary committees.

Autores : Jurgita LEKAVIČIŪTĖ-GADAL

Resumen : In the context of on-going discussions to strengthen the European Parliament's integrity, independence and accountability, this is one in a set of publications in which the European Parliamentary Research Service will analyse relevant international and European standards relating to parliamentary ethics, as well as the rules and practices put in place in selected EU Member States to promote the principles of transparency, accountability and integrity within their national parliaments. Various international organisations consider financial disclosure to be a key tool in preventing and addressing corruption and conflicts of interest among parliamentarians. This paper compares financial disclosure obligations in national parliaments around the world, including in the European Union; and then examines the various proposals that have already been put forward in the European Parliament to modify the current reporting obligations imposed on its Members.

Autores : Maria DIAZ CREGO

Resumen : This analysis explores examples of best practices from selected parliaments in the areas of transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption, and reflects on the effectiveness of the analysed approaches and their possible applicability for the European Parliament (EP). Findings confirm the need for the establishment of an independent European Union (EU) ethics body, granted investigative and enforcement powers with full transparency of enquiries, decisions and/or proposals as a pre-condition for its effectiveness and regaining citizens’ trust in the work of EU institutions. Stricter rules should be applied for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and EP staff regarding post-employment lobbying activities, along with more comprehensive and consistent disclosure of data on meetings with lobbyists, including foreign (third country) entities. In addition, mandatory training for all MEPs on integrity, transparency, accountability and anti-corruption standards should be introduced. Finally, more effective mechanisms of citizens and civil society engagement in the EP work should be introduced as a way of further strengthening the EP’s accountability and improving its responsiveness to citizens' concerns.

Autores : Igor VIDAČAK; Senada ŠELO ŠABIĆ

Resumen : This study, commissioned by the Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee, looks into the challenges and possible improvements of administrative cooperation between Member States, as regards cross-border enforcement of administrative fines and recovery claims. Legal instruments to facilitate transnational cooperation are necessary. Also the terms ‘fine’ and ‘recovery claim’ are often subject to different definitions in the Member States. Framework Decision 2005/214/JHA works for offenses regulated therein. Measures to improve cooperation are allowed by Article 82(1) TFEU but administrative authorities are regularly not judicial authorities. Amendments can be based on Article 114(1) TFEU if they serve to supplement provisions on information, service and enforcement assistance.

Autores : Prof. Dr. Marc RÖCKINGHAUSEN and Prof. Dr. Christof MUTHERS

Resumen : Presentada por la Comisión Europea el 3 de mayo de 2023 para facilitar el aumento de la capacidad de producción de munición y misiles en la UE, la propuesta de ley en apoyo de la producción de municiones (LAPM) tiene por objeto garantizar que la industria europea de defensa pueda brindar una mejor asistencia a Ucrania y a los Estados miembros de la UE. Los diputados convinieron en poner en marcha el procedimiento de urgencia durante el pleno de mayo I de 2023. Está previsto que el Parlamento proceda a una votación en el Pleno sobre su posición respecto a la propuesta, sin informe, durante el período parcial de sesiones de mayo II de 2023.

Autores : SEBASTIAN CLAPP

Resumen : Está previsto que el Parlamento Europeo vote en mayo II un informe sobre los intentos externos de influir en las elecciones y otros procesos democráticos de los países de la Unión. El informe, elaborado por la segunda Comisión Especial sobre Injerencias Extranjeras (ING2), parte de los trabajos de la Comisión Especial sobre Injerencias Extranjeras en Todos los Procesos Democráticos de la Unión Europea, en particular la Desinformación (INGE), y formula recomendaciones para subsanar las lagunas institucionales y normativas detectadas en el período previo a las elecciones europeas de 2024.

Autores : ANNA CAPRILE

Resumen : En febrero de 2022, la Comisión propuso un proyecto de Directiva sobre diligencia debida de las empresas en materia de sostenibilidad a fin de introducir una diligencia debida obligatoria en materia de derechos humanos y criterios medioambientales, así como el deber de diligencia de los administradores. Desde hace tiempo el Parlamento aboga por una legislación vinculante de la Unión al respecto, especialmente en una Resolución de 2021. En marzo de 2023, la Comisión de Asuntos Jurídicos aprobó su informe sobre la propuesta, en el que pedía una serie de modificaciones. El informe se debatirá durante el período parcial de sesiones de mayo II de 2023 con vistas a determinar la posición del Parlamento para el diálogo tripartito.

Autores : STEFANO SPINACI

Resumen : El 31 de marzo de 2022, la Comisión presentó una propuesta de Reglamento que establecería, en un único texto jurídico, normas relativas a las indicaciones geográficas de vinos, bebidas espirituosas y productos agrícolas, que actualmente están repartidas en tres Reglamentos diferentes. Está previsto que el Parlamento celebre un debate sobre el informe de la Comisión de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural (AGRI) y someta a votación el mandato de negociación con el Consejo durante el período parcial de sesiones de mayo II.

Autores : Nikolina SAJN

Resumen : EU support for the implementation of Slovenia's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) amounts to €2 482.3 million, and includes €1 776.9 million in grants and €705.4 million in loans. This amount should be committed by the end of 2023, and paid out to Slovenia by the end of 2026. While the overall allocation represents only 0.3 % of the total Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), it stood at 5.1 % of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019 (the RRF being 5.2 % of EU-27 GDP in 2019). In June 2022, Slovenia's grant allocation was revised downwards to 1.49 billion (-16 %). However, thanks to the February 2023 agreement enabling Member States to add REPowerEU chapters to their plans, Slovenia's envelope will be replenished with €116.9 million in grants to be spent on energy measures. Slovenia has already decided to use 22 % of the maximum amount of loans available, and has declared its intention to request a further amount. With €1 038 per citizen (grants and loans), Slovenia is among the 10 biggest RRF beneficiaries per capita. So far, Slovenia has received €280.6 million in grants (€231 million in pre-financing and €49.6 million for the first instalment), but no payments for loans. Remaining payments – nine instalments for grants and six for loans – will depend on progress in implementing the plan. Slovenia's NRRP tackles both the COVID-19 pandemic's socio-economic consequences and more long-standing challenges identified in the Slovenian development strategy 2030. The plan is strongly focused on the green and digital transitions. Planned spending on these areas exceeds the compulsory targets, totalling 42.4 % for climate and 21.4 % for digital. Other priority areas include smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, and health and welfare. The European Parliament participates in interinstitutional forums for cooperation and discussion on RRF implementation, and scrutinises the European Commission's work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Second edition. The 'NGEU delivery' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle

Autores : POLONA CAR, Magdalena SAPALA

Resumen : Two anti-Kremlin armed groups, made up of Russian nationals fighting for Kyiv against their compatriots, have claimed they were behind a short incursion into Russian territory, prompting threats from Moscow, as the West pondered further sanctions against Russia and more arms deliveries to Ukraine. Ukraine has denied any role in the raid, while Russia has blamed ‘Ukrainian nationalists’ for the attack, and its Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu, has vowed that Moscow will respond to any more cross-border raids swiftly and ‘extremely harshly.’ At the G7 summit of industrialised and democratic nations on 19-21 May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked for more arms supplies for his country, including F-16 fighter jets. Russia said that the transfer of such planes would raise the question of NATO's role in the 15-month-old military conflict. The US and other countries promised to start training Ukrainian pilots to use F-16s. This note gathers links to the recent publications and commentaries from many international think tanks on Russia’s war on Ukraine. Earlier analyses of the war can be found in a previous edition of the ‘What Think Tanks are Thinking’ series.

Autores : Marcin CESLUK-GRAJEWSKI

Resumen : Ce document s’intègre dans une série d’études qui, avec une perspective de droit comparé, visent à faire une présentation du concept d’État de droit dans différents ordres juridiques. Après avoir expliqué la normative et la jurisprudence d’application, le contenu, les limites et la possible évolution de ce concept sont examinés. La présente étude a pour objet le cas de la Suisse. Elle met en exergue les caractéristiques de l’État de droit en Suisse : une conception large et ouverte de ce concept, d’une part, et une prépondérance de l’élément démocratique par rapport aux principes de l’État de droit, d’autre part. Comparée à la plupart des autres États examinés dans la présente série, la préservation de l’État de droit repose davantage sur des garde-fous politiques, ancrés dans la culture politique, que sur des mécanismes institutionnels ou juridictionnels. L’absence du contrôle de constitutionnalité des lois fédérales, un contrôle très limité de la validité des initiatives populaires fédérales tendant à la révision de la Constitution, et des garanties institutionnelles relativement faibles de l’indépendance des juges fédéraux illustrent ce point.

Autores : EPRS, Comparative Law

Resumen : Monetary policy tightening has led to a sharp steepening of the yield curve and this has had a negative impact on banks that were not well-positioned to cope with this shock. This paper reviews current banking tensions and argues that they are unlikely to have a major impact on the ECB’s monetary policy decisions in the current cycle.

Autores : Karl WHELAN

Resumen : Inflation is often confused with changes in relative prices. The recent sharp increase in energy prices, which has also pushed up food prices, has hit poorer households especially hard, thus creating the impression that inflation increases inequality. However, it is the large changes in relative prices and not the average inflation rate (of now 7%) that is the real problem. We also show that rents – which are more important for low-income households – provide a significant offset for higher energy prices on average for the euro area, as they have lagged inflation, albeit with large differences across countries.

Autores : Daniel GROS, Farzaneh SHAMSFAKHR

Resumen : As it brings inflation down, the ECB faces lingering real-side disturbances inherited from the pandemic and the invasion of Ukraine. Its actions sometimes even deepen these disturbances. The paper argues that it simply cannot deal with them, and should not try to.

Autores : Charles WYPLOSZ

Resumen : After inflation in the euro area started to rise to unprecedented levels, the ECB has tightened monetary policy rapidly. We analyse the implications of high inflation and the effects of monetary policy tightening on the euro area economy. While financial conditions have already tightened significantly, the size and timing of the impact on the real economy is more difficult to assess. Distributional effects can be expected to be modest and should not be a major concern for monetary policy.

Autores : Klaus-Jürgen GERN, Nils JANNSEN, Nils SONNENBERG

Resumen : Unmanned aerial vehicles – drones – are a rapidly evolving high potential sector. They require an adequate legislative framework to ensure that the services they can provide thrive in the EU internal market while meeting security and safety standards. The European Commission's 'drone strategy 2.0' is a key milestone along this road.

Autores : Monika KISS

Resumen : On 14 July 2021, the European Commission presented the 'fit for 55' package of proposals to help reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. The package includes a proposal to revise the 2014 Directive on alternative fuels infrastructure and turn it into a regulation. In the draft regulation, the Commission proposed binding targets for electric vehicle charging points and hydrogen refuelling points, electric charging for stationary aircraft at airports and on-shore power supply for ships at ports. The Council adopted its position on the proposal in June 2022. Parliament approved its negotiating position in plenary in October 2022. Inter-institutional negotiations started in November 2022 and a provisional agreement was reached on 28 March 2023. The agreement now needs to be formally approved by both institutions. Fourth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autores : Jaan SOONE

Resumen : In July 2021, the European Commission put forward the 'fit for 55' package of legislative proposals, aimed at ensuring the success of the European Green Deal. The FuelEU Maritime regulation is one of these proposals and, together with four other proposals, it seeks to steer the EU maritime sector towards decarbonisation. To support the uptake of sustainable maritime fuels, the Commission proposes to limit the carbon intensity of the energy used on board ships. Accordingly, the proposal sets a fuel standard for ships and introduces a requirement for the most polluting ship types to use onshore electricity when at berth. It puts the responsibility for compliance on the shipping company. In the European Parliament, the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) has been leading the work on this file. Parliament adopted its position for interinstitutional negotiations in October 2022. The Council adopted its general approach in July 2022. A trilogue agreement, requiring the approval of both institutions, was reached on 23 March 2023. That agreement needs now to be formally adopted by each of the co-legislators. Fourth edition of a briefing originally drafted by Marketa Pape. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autores : Jaan SOONE

Resumen : In absolute figures, Cyprus's National Recovery and Resilience Plan amounts to €1.2 billion. Cyprus decided to use its allocation under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) predominantly in grants (€1.005 billion), with €200.3 million in loans. These resources represent around 0.2 % of the entire RRF, but are equal to 5.2 % of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019 (the RRF being 5.2 % of EU-27 GDP in 2019). They will underpin a vast programme of reforms and investments that aims to promote the recovery of the Cypriot economy (Cyprus's GDP dropped by 5.2 % in 2020), while addressing a number of structural weaknesses as well as pursuing major objectives such as the green transition and the digital transformation. In June 2022, Cyprus' grant allocation was revised downwards to 915.9 million (9.8%), based on the relevant provision in the RRF Regulation. Measures under Cyprus's plan are to be completed in 2026. Cyprus has so far received 20 % of the resources in the form of pre-financing and one payment for grants and loans. This is below the EU average. The remaining amounts in grants and loans will be paid depending on the implementation of the remaining 135 milestones and 122 targets. The European Parliament, which was a major advocate for the creation of a common EU recovery instrument, participates in interinstitutional forums for cooperation and discussion on its implementation and scrutinises the work of the European Commission. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Second edition. The 'NGEU delivery' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans.

Autores : Angelos DELIVORIAS

Resumen : For over 30 years, the EU has been pursuing the objective of developing an efficient and competitive EU-wide railway network, the single European railway area. By integrating national rail systems, rail should become more competitive, ultimately allowing transport to become more sustainable. Efficient, safe and interoperable rail services need train drivers who can work seamlessly across borders and across operational and language barriers. In the absence of an EU-wide certification scheme, however, EU train drivers seeking to work in another Member State or assigned to operations in several Member States were, for a long time, confronted with a patchwork of different national certification schemes. To smooth the way for train drivers' mobility and cross-border operations within the EU, in 2007, the EU adopted Directive 2007/59/EC on the certification of train drivers operating locomotives and trains on the railway system in the Community (the 'Train Drivers' Directive' – TDD). By setting up a scheme including a licence with EU-wide validity and complementary certificates for trains and infrastructure, the TDD increased train drivers' mobility and interoperability. However, as shown in a European Commission ex-post evaluation carried out in 2020, the directive did not solve the fragmentation issue completely. Rail is set to play a key role in further decarbonising transport in line with the 2019 European Green Deal. A growing number of mobile train drivers will be needed if EU high-speed rail and rail freight traffic is to expand significantly in the future, in line with the 2020 sustainable and smart mobility strategy. Moreover, further digitalisation and innovation will require adjustments to training and certification. For these reasons, in its 2022 work programme, the Commission announced a proposal to revise the TDD (expected in July 2023, at the time of drafting).

Autores : Nora HAHNKAMPER-VANDENBULCKE

Resumen : Migrant women play an increasingly important socio-economic role in the European Union (EU). Once mostly seen as partners joining migrant men, foreign-born women increasingly migrate alone in search of work. Globally, although around half of migrants are nowadays women, their integration in host societies is often problematic. This is partly due to obstacles resulting from the institutional framework of host countries. A migrant woman's status – i.e. whether she is legally or irregularly resident – is likely to shape her migration experience. Those who migrate for work are expected to 'fill the gaps' in the labour market. Often this means working in low-paid and unregulated sectors of the economy, where they are likely to be over-qualified. Employment and legal status are inter-related: both have an impact on the migrant woman's access to public services. Yet many migrant women, especially those with young children, face barriers to accessing the labour market. The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) confirms that migrant women are more likely to be unemployed or economically inactive than any other group in the EU labour market. While EU legal instruments prohibit discrimination based on sex or race, both the European Parliament and civil society organisations point to the lack of a gender dimension in EU policies. Most EU Member States' national integration policies do not prioritise migrant women, although some address them as a way to promote gender equality. Many countries have acknowledged the need for more gender-sensitive policies and initiated good practices focused on helping migrant women access the labour market and integrate in society.

Autores : Anita ORAV

Resumen : On 26 April 2023, the European Commission published a package of three proposals to revise the EU's economic governance framework: a regulation to replace the current preventive arm of the stability and growth pact (SGP), an amending Council regulation on the corrective arm of the SGP, and an amending Council directive to strengthen the role of independent fiscal institutions. The main proposal on the preventive arm is to be adopted through the ordinary legislative procedure with the Parliament and the Council as co-legislators. The reform proposals are shaped by the trade-off between reducing higher and more dispersed public debt levels after several years of unprecedented fiscal challenges and the need for sustained public investment in the Union's shared priorities. Stricter fiscal monitoring would ensure debt sustainability, based on a country-specific fiscal adjustment path anchored to a debt sustainability analysis framework. The Commission would negotiate a fiscal-structural plan bilaterally with Member States, with a minimum 4-year horizon; possible extension of the fiscal adjustment path to 7 years would provide an incentive to include investment and reform commitments. Greater political buy-in and better Member State ownership of the medium-term plan is also envisaged. Both reference values – the 3 % deficit-to-GDP and 60 % debt-to-GDP ratios – would remain unchanged, the proposal introduces three additional safeguards: two numerical requirements over the agreed plan's horizon and a minimum fiscal adjustment of 0.5 % of GDP per annum if a country is expected to be above the 3 % deficit ratio threshold in an excessive deficit procedure. First edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autores : MARTIN HOFLMAYR

Resumen : In 2022, Europe has seen a sudden, huge influx of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. This study assesses the use of Cohesion Policy funds to finance actions to support those refugees in EU host countries. It pays particular attention to the Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE), and how the flexibility mechanisms it introduced have been taken up by the Managing Authorities of Cohesion Policy programmes. The study concludes with policy recommendations in view of potential future crises.

Autores : The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies: Ambre MAUCORPS, Bernhard MOSHAMMER, Olga PINDYUK, Maryna TVERDOSTUP Case studies: Grzegorz GORZELAK (Lublin Voivodeship), Maria KHRAPUNENKO and Kristjan KALDUR (Estonia), Bernhard MOSHAMMER (Vienna), Zuzana ZAVARSKA (Eastern Slovakia), Chiara CASTELLI (Abruzzo), Ambre MAUCORPS (Luxembourg)

Resumen : This infographic aims to present the latest available data on migrant flows to the EU in the year 2022. It covers the detection of illegal crossings on the EU's external borders and numbers of deaths of migrants on those crossings. This Infographic updates and complements previous editions, the most recent of which was issued in June 2021 (PE 690.631).

Autores : Giulio SABBATI

Resumen : The European Union has been regulating pharmaceuticals for over 50 years. The legal regulation aims to protect public health and ensure the proper functioning of the internal market in medicinal products. In 2020, the European Commission published a pharmaceutical strategy for Europe aimed at reinforcing the EU pharmaceutical system by making it more patient-centred and resistant to crises (such as pandemics). The achievement of these objectives requires the revision of several pieces of EU legislation regulating pharmaceuticals, including the EU general pharmaceutical legislation (Directive 2001/83/EC and Regulation (EC) No 726/2004). This briefing informs parliamentary decision-making by presenting findings on the implementation of the EU legislation falling within the scope of the revision.

Autores : Ekaterina KARAMFILOVA

Resumen : The required deployment of clean energy technologies to support the achievement of Europe's 2030 and 2050 climate targets is considerable. Europe already largely imports these technologies, and many third countries have stepped up their efforts to expand their clean energy manufacturing capacity. On 16 March 2023, the Commission put forward a proposal for a 'net-zero industry act' that aims to expand the manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies in the EU and enhance the resilience of its energy system. The proposed regulation would set up enabling conditions for the manufacturing of 10 net-zero technologies (through streamlined administrative processes and access to regulatory sandboxes and European net-zero industry academies). Eight 'strategic' net-zero technologies would gain additional benefits (even shorter administrative processes, facilitated access to markets, and administrative support to access finance). The proposed regulation would aim to ensure that, by 2030, the manufacturing capacity in the EU for these strategic net-zero technologies reaches an overall benchmark of at least 40 % of the EU's annual deployment needs. It would also set an EU level target for annual CO2 injection capacity by 2030 (50 million tonnes). The proposal is now in the hands of the co-legislators. In the European Parliament, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is responsible for the file. First edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autores : Guillaume RAGONNAUD

Resumen : On 27 February 2023, the European Commission published a proposal for a regulation to allow voluntary digital labelling of EU fertilising products. This initiative follows similar EU legislative initiatives establishing the digital labelling of goods in other economic sectors, such as batteries. The rationale for digital labelling is provided by: on the one hand, the deployment of digital solutions such as QR codes, which can lower the cost of labelling while facilitating the updating of content; and on the other, the complexification of physical labelling, whose readability can prove difficult. Against this backdrop, the proposal introduces a set of voluntary digital labelling schemes for EU fertilising products, whose requirements depend on the packaging arrangements and the users of the products (economic operators or end-users). The proposal also introduces a single set of technological requirements for all established labels, to ensure that labels are accessible free of charge, including for vulnerable groups. In Parliament, the file has been assigned to the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection. First edition. 'EU legislation in progress' briefings are updated at key stages in the legislative procedure.

Autores : CLEMENT THIERRY EVROUX

Resumen : The current situation in Ukraine has led to severe supply chain disruptions, contributing to a sharp increase in food and commodity prices globally and the limitation of fossil fuel imports from Russia to the EU. Moreover, to end Europe's dependence on semiconductor suppliers from Asian countries, it is necessary to take immediate action of a structural nature, involving all EU Member States and all participants in regional supply markets. The overall aim of this study was to identify drivers of and barriers to building up open strategic autonomy at EU level, before recommending coordinated solutions and addressing supply chain resilience in four critical areas: food security, energy security, semiconductors and satellite communications. This research seeks to contribute to the European Parliament's future work by providing insights into how to protect the European agricultural sector, ensure energy security and the technological sovereignty of semiconductor production, and improve satellite communications.

Autores : DG, EPRS

Resumen : The Committee on Budgetary Control has organised a public hearing with the aim of getting a better understanding of how investigative journalism can help to uncover cases of fraud and corruption within Member States, which is of particular concern to the CONT Committee due to potential cases of fraud within EU funds. The hearing was scheduled out of concern for declining levels of press freedom in Central Europe, in this context it is important to discuss the vital role that a free media fulfils in society. This briefing will provide a background on the role of investigative journalists before moving on to discuss the role that they play in uncovering fraud and corruption in Europe. It will then discuss the decline of press freedom in Central Europe before analysing different policies that could be used to protect investigative journalists.

Autores : ADAM JAMES NUGENT

Resumen : In this in-depth analysis, we summarise and explain the directions that the ECB has in mind for the digital euro, based on the ECB’s progress reports and statements. We also highlight further questions that have so far received less explicit consideration, but may deserve the legislators’ attention when the European Commission presents a proposal for ordinary legislative procedure. The analysis has been updated following the third progress report and now also entails a summary of external expertise commissioned by the ECON Committee.

Autores : GIACOMO LOI, Kai Gereon SPITZER

Resumen : Between 2018 and 2020, over 18 000 migrant and refugee children were reported as missing in Europe. It is feared that many may have been exploited and abused for sexual or labour purposes. The European Parliament has repeatedly stressed the need to address the disappearance of migrant children in the EU. The conflict in Ukraine and the subsequent mass displacement of people have only made the situation worse, creating fertile ground for criminal networks to take advantage of vulnerable people, especially children.

Autores : Maria-Margarita MENTZELOPOULOU

Resumen : On 14 July 2021 the European Commission adopted the 'fit for 55' package, which adapts existing climate and energy legislation to meet the new EU objective of a minimum 55 % reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. The 'fit for 55' package is part of the European Green Deal, which aims to put the EU firmly on the path towards climate neutrality by 2050. A key element in the 'fit for 55' package is the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), to help the EU deliver the new 55 % GHG target. Under RED II, the EU is obliged to ensure at least 32 % of its energy consumption comes from renewable energy sources (RES) by 2030. The revised RED II strengthens these provisions and sets a new EU target of a minimum 40 % share of renewable energy sources (RES) in final energy consumption by 2030, accompanied by new sectoral targets. As part of the REPowerEU plan (May 2022), the Commission proposed to further raise this RES target to a 45 % share by 2030. In the European Parliament, the file was referred to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), with the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety as associated committee under Rule 57. The trilogue negotiations were concluded on 30 March 2023 with a provisional agreement raising the share of renewables to 42.5 % by 2030. The next step is the formal adoption of the directive by the co-legislators. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autores : Agnieszka WIDUTO, Alex Benjamin WILSON

Resumen : This overview provides a summary of the latest state of play on the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plans (RRPs). It focuses on the latest European Commissions’ preliminary assessments of payment request from Austria and Luxembourg; the Commission attested that all related milestones and targets were satisfactorily fulfilled. It also provides some information available in the public domain regarding Italy’s upcoming payment request.

Autores : Marcel MAGNUS, GIACOMO LOI

Resumen : The EU's ambition to become a climate-neutral economy by 2050, and its ability to sustain the green and digital transition and achieve strategic autonomy, all rely heavily on reliable, secure and resilient access to critical raw materials (CRMs). On 16 March 2023, the Commission put forward a proposal for a regulation on CRMs. It introduces the concept of strategic raw materials (SRMs), which are key for some strategic technologies and vulnerable to shortages. The general objective of the proposed regulation is to improve the functioning of the single market by establishing a framework to ensure the EU's access to a secure and sustainable supply of CRMs. To achieve this, the regulation would pursue four specific objectives: strengthening the whole SRM value chain; diversifying the EU's imports of SRMs (so that by 2030, no third country would provide more than 65 % of the EU's annual consumption of each SRM); improving the EU's ability to monitor and mitigate the CRM supply risk; ensuring the free movement of CRMs and products containing CRMs placed on the EU market and ensuring a high level of environmental protection, by improving their circularity and sustainability. The proposal is now in the hands of the co-legislators. In the European Parliament, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is responsible for the file. First edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autores : Guillaume RAGONNAUD

Resumen : The proposal to revise the market stability reserve (MSR) for the EU emissions trading system (ETS) consists of prolonging its current parameters. Under the current rules, the intake rate of allowances to the MSR and the minimum allowances placed in the reserve have been doubled until the end of 2023, to allow for a quick removal of surplus EU ETS allowances. The proposal is aimed at maintaining the current doubled intake rate (24 %) and minimum number of allowances placed in the reserve (200 million) until 31 December 2030, the end of Phase IV of the EU ETS. In Parliament, the file was assigned to the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), which adopted its report on 15 March 2022. On 5 April 2022, the Parliament adopted its position, with amendments to the recitals. The Council adopted its general approach on 29 June 2022. Trilogue negotiations began on 6 September 2022 and a provisional agreement was reached on 16 17 December 2022, amending the proposal's recitals but keeping the articles unchanged. On 19 April 2023, the final act was signed, and on 25 April 2023 it was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The decision entered into force on 15 May 2023. Fifth edition. 'EU legislation in progress' briefings are updated at key stages in the legislative procedure.

Autores : HENRIQUE ANDRE MORGADO SIMOES

Resumen : On 19 July 2022, the Commission put forward a proposal for a regulation establishing the European defence industry reinforcement through common procurement act (EDIRPA). The key goals are to create a short-term joint defence procurement instrument addressing the EU's most urgent and critical defence capability gaps and to incentivise the EU Member States to procure defence products jointly. The Council adopted its general approach on the proposal on 1 December 2022. The AFET and ITRE joint committee rapporteurs published their draft report on 18 January 2023. The draft report, together with the mandate to enter into interinstitutional negotiations, was adopted on 25 April 2023. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autores : SEBASTIAN CLAPP

Resumen : The IA is convincing on the need to expand sustainable carbon removals and encourage innovative solutions to capture, recycle and store CO2. It points to the transboundary nature of climate change as justifying EU action, but the proportionality of the initiative is not discussed and there is no subsidiarity grid to further clarify the proposal's subsidiarity and proportionality aspects. The IA identifies three problems hindering effective and sustainable carbon removal activities; it describes them sufficiently well, but could have given more detail as to their scale in more detail. The IA suggests two sets of policy options (POs) (quality options and governance options) with two alternatives to the baseline per set of options; this raises the question whether the four possible combinations of POs provide a sufficient range of options. The IA assesses the initiative's environmental, economic and social impacts and links them to seven SDGs. It compares the four POs packages for their effectiveness and efficiency. It describes their coherence with other policy initiatives and instruments, and concludes that the preferred option is where the Commission develops certification methodologies and ensures the correct implementation of the framework. An SME test was done and concluded that SMEs were expected to provide a 'very significant contribution to the implementation of the initiative', which 'potentially offers significant financial opportunities for economic operators in these sectors'. The IA discusses the discarded options, such as a mandatory requirement for all EU operators to certify carbon removals in line with the EU framework. The voluntary nature of the initiative could have been explained more clearly. Although the initiative is apparently supported by the majority of stakeholders and the IA consistently refers to stakeholders' opinions and is well founded on available evidence, stakeholders' views on the preferred option could have been presented more transparently. The IA refers to an extensive literature and relevant recent studies; links are provided to most of footnotes and reference documents are mentioned, increasing the transparency and accessibility of the information used.

Autores : AUSRA RAKSTELYTE

Resumen : The opportunity to be involved in political life is at the heart of what it means to live in a democracy, whether by standing for elected office, joining a political party, or following political news in the media. People with disabilities are active citizens who are keen to participate given the right opportunities. However, legal, administrative, institutional and accessibility barriers can still prevent them from taking part in elections. In order to nurture democratic societies in which all members can participate fully, the United Nations and the European Union are striving for full inclusion of people with disabilities. Through its Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the UN promotes the political participation of people with disabilities. Through its Charter of Fundamental Rights, the EU guarantees each and every citizen the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament and the right to vote and stand as a candidate in municipal elections. The European Commission's 2021 2030 strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities commits the EU and its Member States to making those rights a reality. With the 2024 European elections on the horizon, the European Parliament is renewing its commitment to ensuring the equal participation of people with disabilities in this major European political event.

Autores : Marie LECERF

Resumen : The United States, China and the European Union are making more and more funds available for the green economic transition and efforts to fight climate change. Increased government spending on green technologies also serves the goal of establishing or expanding industries that have emerged as strategic at a time of global warming, as well as providing quality jobs. This subsidy race is strongly affected by the technological rivalry between China and the US. However, the race in governments’ support to develop or strengthen sectors such as batteries, electronic vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines and many others, may not be the best solution for decarbonising the economy, some think-tank analysts say. It risks a downward race among governments, and suboptimal allocation of resources. This note offers links to recent reports and commentaries from some major international think tanks and research institutes on the green transition. Analyses on EU clean tech and industrial policies can be found a previous edition of What think tanks are thinking.

Autores : Marcin CESLUK-GRAJEWSKI

Resumen : In recent decades, China has evolved into the world's leading fishing country with the largest industrial distant-water fishing fleet (DWF). This infographic gives a brief overview of this development and makes a comparison with the EU. It complements a study commissioned by the European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries (PECH). The PECH committee is currently preparing an own-initiative report on the implications of Chinese fishing operations for EU fisheries.

Autores : FREDERIK SCHOLAERT

Resumen : The Bank Crisis Management and Deposit Insurance (CMDI) framework should be enhanced with a view to completing the Banking Union. This study recommends harmonizing some key elements of the national bank insolvency regimes, granting the ECB a role in the provision of ELA and introducing improvements to the deposit guarantee schemes framework that could pave the way for the establishment of EDIS in the near future.

Autores : Emilios AVGOULEAS, Rym AYADI, Marco BODELLINI, Giovanni FERRI, Rosa LASTRA