Najnovšie dokumenty

Zhrnutie : The COVID-19 pandemic shone a light on the growing importance of digital health technologies, both to enable remote medical care and to facilitate the health response from international, national and local authorities. The European Commission's May 2022 proposal for a regulation on a European health data space aims to improve individuals' access to and control over their electronic personal data (primary use), while facilitating data re-use for the good of society across the EU (secondary use). The proposal establishes a set of rules, infrastructure and governance mechanisms to promote the primary and secondary use of electronic health data, while ensuring data protection and strengthening cybersecurity. The Commission expects the initiative to have a broad socio-economic impact. Its success is thought to depend not only on the capacity to implement the legal base effectively, but also on broader conditions such as EU-wide connectivity, social trust and digital skills. The European Parliament's Committees on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) adopted their joint report on 28 November 2023. The Council adopted its general approach on 6 December 2023. Parliament voted the report in plenary on 13 December. ENVI and LIBE endorsed the agreement resulting from interinstitutional negotiations on 9 April 2024. It is due to be put to the vote during the April II 2024 plenary session. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autori : CLEMENT THIERRY EVROUX

Zhrnutie : The supplementary protection certificate (SPC) is a specific intellectual property right that extends the basic patent's market exclusivity for plant protection products. The unitary patent became operational in the EU on 1 June 2023, unifying patent protection in all participating Member States. Despite this significant change, SPCs, which are inseparable from patent protection, remain regulated at national level. This fragmented regulatory approach has proven ineffective, leading to excessive administrative costs for SPC applicants, who have to navigate the national laws of each Member State where they seek SPC protection. To address this issue, on 27 April 2023 the Commission submitted a proposal for a regulation introducing a unitary SPC for plant protection products as a complement to the protection offered by the unitary patent. This proposal, coupled with a parallel proposal for an SPC for plant protection products of the same date, seeks to harmonise the process of granting SPCs for plant protection products in the single market. In Parliament, the proposal was assigned to the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI), with Tiemo Wölken (S&D, Germany) as rapporteur. Following the approval of the reports on the two proposals by the Parliament plenary at first reading, Parliament adopted its position for the interinstitutional negotiations. The Council has yet to agree on its negotiating mandate. First edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autori : Kamil BARANÍK

Zhrnutie : Climate change, a global phenomenon, affects every aspect of our lives, including cultural heritage in both its forms – tangible and intangible. Extreme weather conditions expose these important elements of our cultural identity to serious threats. These threats must be addressed to protect valuable sites and preserve them for future generations. Research on climate change is not a novelty, but climate change as it relates to cultural heritage is a relatively new area of exploration and policy. The impact of climate change on cultural heritage made its way to the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change in Madrid in 2019 (COP25) and has become increasingly visible at subsequent COPs. In 2003, the European Commission became the first European Union institution to launch a research project addressing the intersection of climate change and cultural heritage. Since then, the EU has expanded the scope and scale of its projects in this policy area. The EU's competence in cultural policy is limited to providing funds, which it does in the areas of cooperation, networking, exchange of best practices, research and education. Despite this limitation, EU level policies offer a broad perspective, much needed given the interdisciplinary and global nature of this issue. The dual challenge of climate change and protection of cultural heritage does not often feature clearly in European Parliament resolutions or European Commission policy documents. However, policy instruments are indeed available, and an integrated approach including not only economic, but also social, environmental, sustainability and identity dimensions of this complex issue is well underway.

Autori : Magdalena PASIKOWSKA-SCHNASS

Zhrnutie : A key function of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is to serve for its members as a forum for the negotiation of global trade rules. However, since the WTO's foundation in 1995, WTO members have largely failed to meet their self-defined negotiating objectives as set out in the comprehensive 2001 Doha Development Agenda (DDA). By the time of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Ministerial Conference, WTO members had settled on merely two multilateral agreements in almost 30 years: a 2013 agreement on trade facilitation and a partial agreement on fisheries subsidies, concluded in 2022. As some of the DDA's trade liberalisation items were dropped and negotiations on other items have stalled, sub-sets of WTO members have found other ways to craft new trade rules outside the WTO: either through bilateral or regional preferential trade agreements or through plurilateral trade negotiations, leading to the fragmentation of rules and questioning of the WTO's legitimacy. Modelled on the successful conclusion in 1997 of the first WTO plurilateral agreement eliminating tariffs on information technology, groups of WTO members led by developed countries set up two separate tracks of plurilateral talks on liberalising trade in services and in environmental goods in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Both stalled in 2016 and virtually ended market access-enhancing efforts within the WTO. In 2017, a group of members launched three initiatives – on domestic services regulation, investment facilitation and e-commerce – to re-invigorate the WTO's negotiating function. The initiatives marked a shift from a new market access-seeking approach to an approach prioritising trade and investment facilitation with a strong development dimension. Albeit more successful, their incorporation into the WTO legal architecture has been challenging given opposition from some members. If opposition were overcome, plurilaterals could be a means of multilateralising new trade rules, as was the case for the 'codes of conduct' under the pre-WTO GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) regime by 1995. To retain legitimacy and relevance, experts suggest that the WTO could do more to leverage its role as a forum for deliberating emerging issues, such as plastics pollution, trade and gender, green and fossil fuel subsidies, trade and industrial policies, carbon border mechanisms and regulatory action, for sustainable trade towards concrete negotiated outcomes.

Autori : Gisela GRIEGER

Zhrnutie : From 19 April to 1 June 2024, 968 million Indian voters are eligible to elect the members of the Lok Sabha (lower house). Voting is to take more than six weeks in seven phases across states and territories, concluding with a final round on 1 June; the votes are set to be counted on 4 June. Since 1999, elections to the Lok Sabha have coincided with those for the European Parliament. In 2023, India overtook China as the world's most populous country. The government has been able to lower India's poverty rate substantially through efficient delivery of welfare schemes, while other layers of Indian society have steadily improved their situation since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014. Inequality has not improved significantly, however, and job creation is lagging. India is one of the world's fastest growing economies, and the Modi government has set the goal of becoming a developed country by 2047, the centenary of Indian independence. However, analysts argue that India's economic growth has failed to create the necessary stock of employment, especially for young people. In recent years, India has undergone a major digital transformation. With the landing on the moon in August 2023, India also consolidated its status as a space power. Analysts have expressed concern about the situation of India's democracy and human rights. This includes the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's autonomy, violence and discrimination against Muslims and members of other religious minorities, the rise of Hindu nationalism and abandonment of the country's traditional secularist posture, and the legislation on telecommunications. The year 2023 was an important moment for India's foreign policy and its pursuit of global recognition and growing international stature. India hosted the G-20 Summit, championing the cause of the 'Global South' while projecting India's global leadership. Modi also proposed to host the COP33 Summit in 2028, highlighting New Delhi's commitment to fighting climate change. The EU is India's second largest trading partner and their cooperation is increasing; recently, an EU-India Connectivity Partnership and an EU-India Trade and Technology Council were added. They are currently negotiating three agreements, on free trade, investment protection and geographical indications.

Autori : Enrico D'AMBROGIO

Zhrnutie : Alternative proteins are of increasing interest in terms of their potential to improve food security and reduce the environmental impacts of food and feed production. This study assesses the current state and future prospects of protein production globally and in the EU to 2050, with a focus on conventional and alternative protein sources for food and feed. While projections show increased conventional protein needs up to 2050, climate change necessitates exploring non-linear scenarios and the potential of alternative proteins in the global and EU protein balance. In this context, four sources of alternative proteins – algae, insects, microbial fermentation and cultured meat – are assessed by comparing them to the conventional sources they may replace, in terms of their relative energy needs, environmental impacts, nutritional content, and their potential for being used as substitutes to conventional proteins in food and feed in the EU. The current level of R&D activity, technological and commercial readiness, and industrial capacity of the said alternatives in the EU is also examined. Finally, the study explores regulatory and technical obstacles to and opportunities for development of alternative proteins in Europe, before proposing a set of policy options that may be considered by EU policymakers for targeted support to the growth of the alternative proteins sector.

Autori : DG, EPRS

Autori : KINGA OSTANSKA, ANDRZEJ SANDERSKI

Zhrnutie : Committee of Inquiry to investigate the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware (PEGA) was set up on 10 March 2022. Chaired by MEP Jeroen LENAERS, PEGA Committee investigated infringements and maladministration in application of EU law in relation to the use of Pegasus and equivalent spyware surveillance software. Spyware and other hacking techniques are critical threats to privacy, data protection and democracy in the EU. They serve oppressive agendas against journalists, political activists and human rights defenders. On 8 May 2023, PEGA Committee adopted its final report (Rapporteur: MEP Sophia IN 'T VELD), after 14 months of hearings, studies and fact-finding missions. Following the PEGA Committee’s report, on 15 June 2023, the European Parliament adopted its recommendation calling on the European Commission, the Council, European Ombudsman, the Europol and a number of Member States for a number of actions.

Autori : Mariusz MACIEJEWSKI, PABLO ABRIL MARTI

Zhrnutie : This paper presents findings from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) midterm evaluation, with a particular focus on assessments from various stakeholders regarding its setup and initial implementation. It also builds on the latest activities and assessments by previously published papers summarizing the stakeholders views at the EU, national, regional, and local levels in connection with the national Recovery and Resilience Plans. Additionally, it offers a collection of the most recent opinions and assessments from EU stakeholders, as well as other pertinent institutions and bodies, on the execution of these plans.

Autori : WOLFGANG LEHOFER, KATERYNA HANINA

Zhrnutie : Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis and Commissioner Gentiloni are invited to the 15th Recovery and Resilience Dialogue (RRD) under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) Regulation. The previous RRD took place on 5 February 2024. This briefing comments on the Commission’s RRF midterm review in section 1, focuses on some of the Commission’s recent preliminary assessments related to payment requests submitted by Czechia, Denmark, and Malta in section 2, summarises the state of play of the implementation of the RRF in section 3, touches on the EPPO annual report and recent cases of RRF fraud in section 4, sets out an analysis of the 100 largest recipients of RRF funds per Member State in section 5, and comments on the impact of NGEU related interest payments in section 6.

Autori : András SCHWARCZ, FRANCISCO JAVIE PADILLA OLIVARES, Marcel MAGNUS, GIACOMO LOI

Zhrnutie : This study presents an overview of how the issue of obstetric and gynaecological violence is currently being apprehended in the EU. Based on research carried out across the EU 27 Member States, it identifies issues and challenges; looks at the legal framework currently applicable to this form of violence; examines ongoing political and legal developments; and gathers initiatives carried out at the national level to improve understanding and prevention of this form of gender-based violence by healthcare professionals and society in general. Finally, it provides recommendations for different stakeholders.

Autori : BRUNELLO Silvia, GAY-BERTHOMIEU Magali, SMILES Beth, BARDHO Eneidia, SCHANTZ Clémence & ROZEE Virginie

Zhrnutie : During its April II session, Parliament is expected to adopt its first-reading position on a proposal aimed at preventing plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution. The Council has yet to agree its position.

Autori : Vivienne HALLEUX

Zhrnutie : During its April II plenary session, Parliament is expected to vote on the extension for an additional year of the autonomous trade measures (ATM) that liberalised Ukrainian exports to the EU, to support Ukraine's economy. The proposal includes reinforced safeguards to protect EU farmers in case of market disruption.

Zhrnutie : In November 2022, the European Commission presented a proposal for a revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD – Directive 94/62/EC). During its April II 2024 plenary session, Parliament is due to vote on the political agreement reached by Council and Parliament negotiators on 4 March 2024.

Autori : Guillaume RAGONNAUD

Zhrnutie : The Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans has been designed to support internal reforms in the Western Balkan countries, by providing certain benefits of EU membership even before EU accession. The Facility will provide up to €6 billion over the 2024-2027 period. Parliament is scheduled to vote on the agreed text, resulting from interinstitutional negotiations, during its April II 2024 plenary session.

Autori : BRANISLAV STANICEK

Zhrnutie : The Parliament is due tol vote on the agreement reached with the Council on a new directive that sets minimum standards to improve working conditions for people who work through digital labour platforms. It introduces the first-ever EU rules regulating algorithmic management in the workplace. The directive is the outcome of difficult negotiations and sends a signal to taxi and food delivery drivers and domestic workers that the EU is determined to set straight platforms' use of gig work, albeit with less ambition than in the initial proposal.

Autori : Marketa PAPE

Zhrnutie : Over time, the European Union has come to pay increasing attention to the issue of free movement for persons with disabilities, which amount to one in four people in the EU. On 6 September 2023, the European Commission launched a legislative initiative to create a European disability card and European parking card, to be recognised in all Member States. The final text agreed in trilogue is to be voted during the April II plenary session.

Autori : Marie LECERF

Zhrnutie : Parliament is expected to vote during the April II plenary session on the draft agreement reached on creating an interinstitutional body for ethical standards, following a recommendation due to be debated in the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) on 22 April. The agreement is the result of negotiations between eight EU institutions and bodies, based on a Commission proposal responding to Parliament's request. The interinstitutional body for ethical standards would strengthen EU institutions' ethics, integrity and transparency, by ensuring their rules converge, ensuring an institutional ethics culture, and increasing ethical awareness.

Autori : Silvia KOTANIDIS

Zhrnutie : In December 2021, the European Commission proposed to revise the EU legal framework on the collection and transfer of advance passenger information (API). The current API Directive will be replaced by two regulations: one on the collection and transfer of API for border management purposes, and another on the collection and transfer of API for law enforcement purposes. Following the co-legislators reaching of provisional agreements in March 2024, the Parliament is due to vote on the proposals during its April II plenary session.

Autori : Costica DUMBRAVA

Zhrnutie : The revision of the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework (MFF) necessitates amendments to the EU's 2024 general budget. Draft amending budget No 1/2024 (DAB 1/2024) will raise the 2024 budget by €5.83 billion in commitment appropriations and €4.14 billion in payment appropriations. The MFF headings affected are Heading 5 (Security and defence – €376 million) and Heading 6 (Neighbourhood and the world – €501 million). The new Ukraine Reserve will also be mobilised, with €4.8 billion in commitment appropriations and €3.8 billion in payment appropriations. Parliament's plenary vote on the Council's position is planned for the April II session.

Autori : Sidonia MAZUR

Zhrnutie : In March 2023, the European Commission proposed a directive on promoting the repair of goods, seeking to mitigate current linear business and consumption patterns, marked by frequent and premature replacement and discarding of goods. The provisional political agreement reached in February 2024 by the Parliament and Council is scheduled for a vote during the April II plenary session.

Autori : STEFANO SPINACI

Zhrnutie : In September 2022, the Commission proposed a regulation to ban products made using forced labour from the EU internal market. Alongside national authorities, it will investigate suspicious products posing a higher and more impactful risk of forced labour. Those found to be made with forced labour will be withdrawn from the market. After reaching a provisional agreement on the text with the Council in March 2024, Parliament is due to vote on it during the April II plenary session.

Autori : STEFANO SPINACI

Zhrnutie : In April 2023, the European Commission proposed a regulation on the transfer of criminal proceedings between Member States. The European Parliament is due to vote on the agreement reached between the Parliament and Council during its April II session.

Autori : Martina PRPIC

Zhrnutie : In February 2023, the European Commission proposed a regulation aimed at reducing the cost of deploying gigabit electronic communications networks, and repealing Directive 2014/61/EU (the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive). After three rounds of trilogue meetings, the Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on the text in February 2024, and now need to formally adopt it. Parliament is scheduled to vote on the text during its second April plenary session.

Autori : Stefano DE LUCA

Zhrnutie : During the April II plenary session, Parliament is due to vote on provisional agreements resulting from interinstitutional negotiations on three related EU acts concerning money laundering and terrorist financing.

Autori : Piotr BAKOWSKI

Zhrnutie : In April 2023, the European Commission proposed a regulation to strengthen solidarity and capacities in the EU to detect, prepare for and respond to cybersecurity threats and incidents ('cyber solidarity act'). During its April II part-session, the Parliament is set to vote on the agreement reached in negotiations with the Council.

Autori : POLONA CAR

Zhrnutie : On 10 February 2024, the Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a new economic governance framework for the EU, seeking to balance national debt sustainability with sustainable and inclusive growth in all Member States. Parliament is due to vote on the final texts during the April II 2024 session.

Autori : MARTIN HOFLMAYR

Zhrnutie : In March 2023, the European Commission proposed a regulation to strengthen the EU's ecosystem for net-zero technology products manufacturing ('net-zero industry act' – NZIA). During its April II plenary session, the European Parliament is due to vote on the political agreement reached by the co-legislators on 6 February 2024.

Autori : Guillaume RAGONNAUD

Zhrnutie : Parliament is expected to vote on provisional agreements on amendments to the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD) and to the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR) during the April II plenary session. The CRD and CRR provide the prudential framework in the EU banking single rulebook. The Commission tabled a package of two interconnected proposals to amend the CRR and the CRD in 2021. The objective is two-fold: (i) implement final Basel Agreement arrangements; and (ii) enhance harmonisation of banking supervision in the EU.

Autori : ISSAM HALLAK

Zhrnutie : On 5 July 2023, the European Commission proposed regulations on the production and marketing of plant reproductive material (PRM) and of forest reproductive material (FRM). The proposals aim to ensure the availability of high quality PRM and FRM, improved sustainability of new varieties and the preservation of genetic diversity that could be vital for adapting EU agriculture and forests to future climate change. The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) adopted its reports on 19 March 2024. Parliament is expected to vote on its first-reading position during the April II plenary session.

Autori : Nikolina SAJN

Zhrnutie : In December 2022, the European Commission proposed to revised Directive 2011/36/EU, the EU's main instrument to combat trafficking in human beings. During its April II session, the European Parliament is due to vote on the agreement reached between Parliament and Council negotiators on the proposal.

Autori : Martina PRPIC

Zhrnutie : In December 2021, the European Commission proposed to revise the Schengen Borders Code, with a view to strengthening the Schengen area. The revision introduces new rules to address challenges relating to irregular migration, security and public health emergencies. Following the provisional agreement reached by the co legislators in December 2023, Parliament will vote on the proposal during its April II part-session.

Autori : Costica DUMBRAVA

Zhrnutie : In March 2022, the Commission proposed a directive to combat violence against women and domestic violence in the EU, and the co-legislators agreed on a compromise text in early 2024. Parliament is set to vote on the text during its April II part-session. The new directive would set minimum standards for criminalising severe forms of violence and for enhancing prevention, access to justice and protection of victims.

Autori : Ionel ZAMFIR

Zhrnutie : The European Council consists of the 27 Heads of State or Government of the EU Member States, who are voting members, together with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, who have no vote (Article 15(2) Treaty on European Union). The chart shows the current members, the national office they hold, their most recent European political affiliation, and the year their membership began.

Autori : Ralf DRACHENBERG

Zhrnutie : Denmark's national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) corresponds to 0.2 % of the entire Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), or 0.5 % of Denmark's 2019 gross domestic product (GDP). The financial contribution from the EU totals €1625.9 million. In June 2022, the maximum RRF grant allocation available for Denmark was revised downwards, from €1551.4 million to €1 429 million (- 7.9 %). On 7 November 2023, the Council approved the amended plan, which includes a REPowerEU chapter, adding €196.7 million to the revised amount. This includes an additional REPowerEU grant allocation worth €130.7 million and a transfer of part of the Danish allocation under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to the plan (€66.0 million). Denmark has so far received 33.4 % of the NRRP resources in the form of pre-financing and one payment; this is slightly below the EU average. A further five payments will depend on progress made in implementing the plan. Denmark requested the second payment on 21 December 2023. The amended plan reinforces green initiatives and seeks to enhance the resilience of the Danish economy and society, devoting 65 % of the RRF grant allocation to the green transition (up from 59 % in the original plan). While there is no change in digital investment, the share of the total increases to 27 % (including REPowerEU) as a result of the change of the overall Danish allocation. In the context of the European Semester, the Commission assessed the implementation of the Danish plan as 'well under way'. The European Parliament participates in interinstitutional forums for cooperation and discussion on NRRP implementation and scrutinises the Commission's work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Third edition. The 'NGEU delivery' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans.

Autori : LISELOTTE JENSEN

Zhrnutie : EU support for the implementation of Slovenia's modified national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) amounts to €2 685.3 million, and includes €1 612.9 million in grants and €1 072.4 million in loans. This amount is by €203.3 million higher than that initially approved and takes into account a June 2022 update of the maximum financial contribution form the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), additional loans requested by Slovenia, and non-repayable allocation for REPowerEU made available in 2023. While the overall allocation is only 0.4 % of the total RRF, it stood at 5.5 % of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019 (the RRF being 5.2 % of EU-27 GDP in 2019). With €1 274 per citizen (grants and loans), Slovenia is among the 10 biggest RRF beneficiaries per capita. So far, Slovenia has received €841 million (€531 million in grants and €310 million in loans) in pre-financing and three instalments based on the achievement of 58 milestones and targets (28 % of all to be achieved). The next payment request is scheduled for the second quarter of 2024 and should cover the fourth and fifth instalments (€392.7 million). 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 meets the compulsory targets, totalling 48.9 % for climate and 20 % for digital (the latter excluding the REPowerEU chapter). Investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable mobility have been further reinforced under the new REPowerEU chapter. 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. Third edition. The 'NGEU delivery' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans.

Autori : POLONA CAR, Magdalena SAPALA

Zhrnutie : Stratospheric ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun and reduces the overall amount of radiation reaching the Earth's surface. Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) are human-made chemicals that, once emitted, reach the upper atmosphere and destroy the protective ozone layer, causing what is known as the ozone hole. They have significant adverse impacts on human health and the environment and are also greenhouse gases with high global warming potential. Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 on substances that deplete the ozone layer lays down rules on the production, use, trade, recovery, recycling, reclamation and destruction of ODS and sets out requirements and measures for products and equipment containing these substances. On 5 April 2022, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a regulation on ODS repealing the current one. The aim was to increase the efficiency of the existing measures in order to achieve additional emissions reductions in line with the European Green Deal, to ensure more comprehensive monitoring of ODS, to reduce administrative costs by simplifying the rules, to modernise the licensing system and reduce costs for industry, and to improve the coherence with other pieces of legislation such as Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases – being revised in parallel. One of the main objectives of the proposal was to prevent emissions from old products and equipment still containing ODS that have to be recovered and destroyed. Parliament and Council adopted their positions on 30 March 2023 and 5 April 2023, respectively. Interinstitutional negotiations concluded on 5 October 2023 with a provisional agreement, adopted by Parliament on 16 January and by Council on 29 January 2024. The regulation was published in the Official Journal on 20 February 2024 and entered into force on 11 March 2024. Fourth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autori : Dessislava YOUGOVA

Zhrnutie : The special European Council meeting on 17-18 April will be an important step towards agreeing on the EU's political priorities for the 2024-2029 period. The three main priorities are likely to centre on 'a strong and secure Europe', 'a prosperous and competitive Europe' and 'a free and democratic Europe'. EU leaders are also expected to adopt lengthy conclusions related to competitiveness, notably addressing the single market and the capital markets union. They will also address the war in Ukraine, and hold a strategic debate on EU-Türkiye relations. They may also discuss developments in the Middle East following Iran's attack on Israel.

Autori : Annastiina PAPUNEN, Ralf DRACHENBERG

Zhrnutie : In December 2022, the European Commission presented two proposals to revise the rules on the collection and transfer of advance passenger information (API) data – data collected by air carriers at check-in and sent to competent authorities in the country of destination prior to take-off. One of the proposals is for a new regulation on the collection and transfer of API data for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime. The proposal seeks to align the rules on the collection and transfer of API data with the rules on the processing of passenger name records – data from air travellers' ticket reservations – in order to increase the effectiveness of the fight against serious crime and terrorism in the EU. The proposal provides uniform criteria for the collection and transfer of API data on extra-EU flights and selected intra-EU flights. It builds on the provisions of another proposal for a regulation on the collection and transfer of API data for enhancing and facilitating external border controls. Both proposals rely on the establishment of a centralised router to enable the transmission of API data between air carriers and the competent national authorities dealing with API data. In March 2024, the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on the proposal. Following the approval of the agreement by the Council and the responsible committee in Parliament, the agreed text has been tabled for a vote during the April II part-session. Second edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autori : Costica DUMBRAVA

Zhrnutie : On 1 March 2023, the European Commission published its legislative proposal on driving licences – a matter of EU competence – with the purpose of enabling the free movement of persons and goods throughout the EU by modernising the driving licence system. This involves making driving licence rules future-proof, improving road safety and simplifying the rules for those wanting to get a driving licence. The proposal provides for accompanied driving for young learners, zero tolerance for drink- driving, better preparation for micro-mobility, and the introduction of digital driving licences. In the European Parliament, the legislative file was assigned to the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) (rapporteur: Karima Delli, Greens/EFA, France). The TRAN committee report was adopted on 7 December 2023. On 28 February, Parliament voted in plenary on its first reading position on the file, to be followed up during the next legislative term. Third edition of a briefing, the first edition of which was drafted by Karin Smit Jacobs. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autori : Monika KISS

Zhrnutie : On 1 March 2023, as part of the road safety package, the European Commission published a legislative proposal to help ensure EU-wide application of driving disqualifications. The proposal calls for increased cooperation, harmonisation of legislation, simplification of information exchange, capacity building, and improved public awareness efforts. In order to prevent impunity due to a lack of legislation, the proposal sets out rules to allow better EU-wide enforcement of driver disqualification decisions when drivers commit major traffic offences outside their own country. In the European Parliament, the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) is responsible for the file (rapporteur: Petar Vitanov, S&D, Bulgaria). The TRAN committee adopted its report on 29 November 2023. On 6 February, the Parliament voted in plenary on its first-reading position on the file, to be followed up in the next legislative term. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autori : Monika KISS

Zhrnutie : Ukraine enjoys excellent conditions for agriculture, including around a third of the world's most fertile land. Three crops dominate the country's agricultural production: wheat, maize and sunflower, intended primarily for export. Medium-sized agricultural enterprises lead crop production, although some companies farm as much as 500 000 hectares. This is a direct consequence of Soviet collectivisation, and the agricultural policies adopted after Ukraine's independence in 1991. Only recently did Ukraine start opening up its land market. In 2013, Russia blocked Ukrainian exports to prevent Kyiv from developing closer ties with the EU. Following Moscow's illegal annexation of Crimea and its military aggression in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv signed an association agreement with the EU, which became its primary market. Unlike most of its industrial production, Ukraine's crops remained competitive in the EU market and exports surged. By 2021, agriculture represented 41 % of Ukraine's exports, up from 27 % in 2013. In addition to stealing millions of hectares of land, Russia has inflicted a terrible economic, environmental and human cost on Ukraine. By the end of 2023, the Ukrainian agricultural sector had sustained an estimated US$80 billion in damages and losses. Rebuilding Ukraine's agriculture is expected to cost US$56.1 billion, and demining will cost an additional US$32 billion. Russia also blockaded Ukrainian agricultural exports. The EU Solidarity Lanes, the Black Sea Initiative, and the more recent Ukrainian Corridor have helped to keep Ukraine's economy afloat, and avert a wider global food security crisis. Ukraine applied for EU membership shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion. In December 2023, the European Council authorised the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine. Historically, agriculture has been a contentious issue in most enlargement negotiations, and integrating Ukraine's sizeable agricultural sector poses a challenge to the EU, especially without prior reform of the common agricultural policy. Despite the early stage of Kyiv's candidacy, some studies have tried to estimate the potential cost and benefits to the EU of Ukraine's eventual membership of the bloc.

Zhrnutie : North Macedonia gained independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991. The country applied for EU membership in March 2004 and was granted EU candidate status in December 2005. As part of the June 2018 Prespa Agreement, the country changed its name to the Republic of North Macedonia, in exchange for Greece ending its veto on its EU and NATO accession. The first intergovernmental conference on 19 July 2022 marked the beginning of accession negotiations. The Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, led by Prime Minister Talat Xhaferi since January 2024, continues to deepen relations with the EU. This 'At a glance' note has been produced at the request of a member of the European Committee of the Regions, in the framework of the cooperation agreement between the Parliament and the Committee.

Autori : BRANISLAV STANICEK

Zhrnutie : Serbia, with a population of 6.9 million, has been advancing towards EU accession since 2012, when it received candidate country status. Despite some progress, Serbia still has three major hurdles to overcome: improving internal political dialogue and reforms, reaching a comprehensive normalisation agreement with Kosovo* and ensuring better alignment with EU foreign policy. Although Serbia voted for Russia's suspension from the UN Human Rights Council, it has not applied any of the EU's sanctions on Russia. In April 2022, Aleksandar Vučić was elected for a second term as President, and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) coalition, led by Vučić, won the parliamentary elections. Snap elections in December 2023 brought the SNS a larger-than-expected victory. This 'At a glance' note has been produced at the request of a member of the European Committee of the Regions, in the framework of the cooperation agreement between the Parliament and the Committee.

Autori : BRANISLAV STANICEK

Zhrnutie : Türkiye has long been a strategic European Union partner on migration, security, and trade. However, following the attempted coup in 2016, Türkiye's democratic backsliding led the Council to freeze accession negotiations in 2018. Although relations have thawed, the EU is exploring a more realistic framework for bilateral relations. This 'At a glance' note has been produced at the request of a member of the European Committee of the Regions, in the framework of the cooperation agreement between the Parliament and the Committee.

Autori : BRANISLAV STANICEK

Zhrnutie : Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a population of 3.2 million, became independent from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992, following a referendum that was boycotted by ethnic Serbs. Bosnia and Herzegovina was offered a European Union membership perspective at the EU-Western Balkans summit in Thessaloniki in 2003. Building on the European Commission's recommendation of 12 March 2024, the European Council decided on 21 March to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. This 'At a glance' note has been produced at the request of a member of the European Committee of the Regions, in the framework of the cooperation agreement between the Parliament and the Committee.

Autori : BRANISLAV STANICEK

Zhrnutie : Montenegro began EU accession negotiations in 2012. The European Commission's latest report notes tensions leading to a blocked political system. On 2 April 2023, after securing 59 % of votes in a presidential election run-off, Montenegro's former Economy Minister Jakov Milatović declared victory over the incumbent, Milo Đukanović, who had been president or prime minister for more than three decades. The current pro-European Prime Minister, Milojko Spajić, took office in October 2023. Spajić's government replaced the technical mandate of the previous government, which faced a vote of no confidence in August 2022. This 'At a glance' note has been produced at the request of a member of the European Committee of the Regions, in the framework of the cooperation agreement between the Parliament and the Committee.

Autori : BRANISLAV STANICEK

Zhrnutie : Approaching the end of the mandate, a number of debates on important legislative proposals took place during the April I 2024 plenary session: on the migration and asylum package, reform of the EU electricity market, and the pharmaceutical package. Members also debated Russia's undemocratic elections, and in particular their extension to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament, Chinese police activity in Europe, the rule of law in Hungary, and the rule of law and media freedom in Slovakia. His Majesty King Philippe, King of the Belgians, addressed the Parliament to mark his country's presidency of the Council. Finally, President Roberta Metsola made a statement for International Roma Day.

Autori : CLARE FERGUSON, KATARZYNA SOCHACKA

Zhrnutie : Sanctions have become an increasingly central element of the EU's common and foreign security policy. At present, the EU has over 50 sanctions programmes in place, concerning nearly 40 countries. Unlike the comprehensive trade embargoes used in the past, the EU has moved towards asset freezes and visa bans targeting individual persons and companies, aiming to influence foreign governments while avoiding humanitarian costs for the general population. Other measures in the sanctions 'toolkit' include arms embargoes, sectoral trade and investment restrictions, and suspensions of development aid and trade preferences. The declared purpose of EU sanctions is to uphold the international security order, while also defending human rights and democracy standards by encouraging targeted countries to change their behaviour. Measuring sanctions' effectiveness is difficult, as sanctions alone rarely achieve all their aims, and usually there are other causes to which changes can also be attributed. However, even when this primary purpose is not achieved, sanctions may have useful secondary effects, for example by deterring other actors from similar behaviour. The broader the international support for EU sanctions and the closer the relationship between the EU and the targeted country are, the stronger the prospects for success will be. On the other hand, effectiveness can be undermined by inconsistent application of sanctions standards and by the difficulty of coordinating implementation between multiple stakeholders. The unprecedented scale and scope of sanctions imposed against Russia has put the spotlight on new implementation challenges, including inside the EU's borders. In response, the Council adopted a decision to add the violation of restrictive measures to the list of particularly serious crimes ('EU crimes') under Article 83(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. This is an update of an earlier briefing.

Autori : Beatrix IMMENKAMP

Zhrnutie : Dieses Dokument ist Teil einer Reihe von Studien, mit denen die unternehmerische Freiheit in verschiedene Rechtsordnungen aus rechtsvergleichender Perspektive dargestellt werden sollen. Nach einer kurzen historischen Einleitung und der Darstellung der einschlägigen Rechtsvorschriften und Rechtsprechung, werden der Inhalt, die Grenzen und die mögliche Entwicklung dieser Freiheit analysiert. Die vorliegende Studie hat den Fall Deutschland zum Gegenstand. In Deutschland ist „unternehmerische Freiheit“ auf der Ebene der Bundesverfassung nicht durch ein einziges, sondern durch verschiedene Grundrechte geschützt. Das Grundgesetz verbürgt sowohl die Berufsfreiheit (Art. 12 Abs. 1 GG) als auch die Vereinigungsfreiheit (Art. 9 Abs. 1 GG), das Eigentum (Art. 14 GG) und die Vertragsfreiheit (Art. 2 Abs. 1 GG) auch für juristische Personen des Privatrechts (Art. 19 Abs. 3 GG). Damit genießt auch die sog. Gewerbefreiheit nicht nur den einfachrechtlichen Schutz des § 1 Gewerbeordnung, sondern weitgehenden verfassungsrechtlichen Schutz. Diese Grundrechte – und nicht eine abstrakte verfassungsrechtliche Vorgabe – sind das Rückgrat der „Wirtschaftsverfassung“ des Grundgesetzes. Neben den Grundrechten bilden das Rechtsstaats-, das Sozialstaats- und das Umweltstaatsprinzip diese Wirtschaftsverfassung. Diese unternehmerischen Freiheiten werden durch ungezählte Normen des Privatrechts (vor allem des Bürgerlichen Rechts, des Handels- und Gesellschaftsrechts, des Wettbewerbsrechts) und des Verwaltungsrechts (und hier vor allem des Gewerbe-, Steuer-, Sozial- und Umweltrechts) bis hin zu autonomem Recht – Unfallverhütungsvorschriften – ausgeformt, d.h. in dialektischer Weise ermöglicht, gestaltet und begrenzt.

Autori : EPRS, Comparative Law

Zhrnutie : Progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals has been insufficient, not least because of shocks such as the COVID 19 pandemic and recent wars. The cost of this lack of progress is borne by 'least developed countries' – low-income countries with low indicators of socio-economic development, as defined by the UN. This study reviews the European Union's role in policies that affect poverty in these contexts. It identifies 12 challenges that could be addressed to some extent by further EU action on development policy, climate action, trade and global value chains, and by the EU as an actor in multilateral forums, in line with the policy coherence for development principle.

Autori : ALEKSANDRA HEFLICH, Cecilia NAVARRA, MEENAKSHI FERNANDES

Zhrnutie : Faced with the need to provide long-term support to Ukraine and upgrade its own defence, the EU is revisiting its financing arrangements for the Common Security and Defence component.

Autori : STEFAN SCHULZ

Zhrnutie : The emergence of quantum information science and technologies marks a pivotal moment in technological progress. As the strategic importance of quantum gains global recognition, efforts are intensifying to harness its potential while also addressing security and regulatory challenges. With China, the United States and the European Union investing heavily in quantum, the race for technological dominance is well under way.

Autori : Stefano DE LUCA

Zhrnutie : In December 2021, the European Commission presented a proposal to amend the Schengen Borders Code, which lays down the rules governing controls at the EU internal and external borders. While debates on the reform of Schengen have been going on for a while, recent challenges – relating to the coronavirus pandemic on the one hand, and attempts to instrumentalise migrants as a way to put pressure on the EU's external borders, on the other – have created new momentum for reform. The Commission's proposal aims to improve the Schengen system's resilience to serious threats, and to adapt it to new challenges. It introduces a new coordination mechanism to deal with health threats at the external borders and a new Schengen safeguard mechanism to provide a common response at the internal borders in situations of threats affecting Member States, including the possibility to transfer irregular migrants apprehended at the internal borders directly back to the competent authorities in the EU country from which it is assumed they just came, without undergoing an individual assessment. Following the provisional agreement reached by the co-legislators in December 2023, Parliament is scheduled to vote on the agreed text during its April II plenary session. Second edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autori : Costica DUMBRAVA

Zhrnutie : Directive 2009/138/EC – also known as Solvency II – sets out the prudential regulatory framework for the insurance sector in the EU. The framework aims to establish the single market for insurance services further, while strengthening policyholders' protection. On 22 September 2021, the European Commission tabled a proposal for a directive that would amend Solvency II in essentially three ways: i) lowering regulatory obligations on small and low-risk profile insurance companies, ii) taking into account long-term and climate change risks, and iii) enhancing group-level and cross-border supervision. In the European Parliament, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) was assigned the file on 22 November 2021, with Markus Ferber (EPP, Germany) as rapporteur. After Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the text in December 2023, the ECON committee approved it on 29 January 2024. Parliament is set to vote on the adoption of the text at its April II plenary session, and the Council will put the text to the vote as well. Once adopted, the text will be signed by the co-legislators and published in the Official Journal. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autori : ISSAM HALLAK

Zhrnutie : On 15 March 2024, the Commission put forward a regulation that would amend two regulations concerning the common agricultural policy (CAP) – the CAP Strategic Plans Regulation and the CAP Horizontal Regulation. The proposal is part of the Commission's response to widespread protests by farmers, opposing the CAP's administrative burden and environmental requirements. It was put forward without a formal public consultation and without an impact assessment. The proposal aims to reduce several environmental requirements to which farmers must abide to receive direct payments. The requirement to devote at least 4 % of arable land, at farm level, to non-productive areas or features, including land lying fallow, would no longer be mandatory for CAP beneficiaries. However, Member States would be required to offer a top-up, in the form of eco-schemes, to farmers setting aside land for non-productive features. Member States would be able to demand crop diversification instead of the more demanding crop rotation. They would also be able to introduce exemptions from certain requirements, and temporary derogations in case of extreme weather. The proposal would also eliminate controls and penalties regarding environmental requirements for small farms, and simplify the procedure to amend the national CAP strategic plans for Member States. Organisations representing farmers welcomed the proposed administrative simplification of the CAP, but were divided on the reduction in green requirements. Environmental organisations, meanwhile, criticised the proposal as harmful and undemocratic. The Commission called on the co-legislators to adopt the proposal as fast as possible. In the Council, the Special Committee on Agriculture endorsed the proposal with only minor technical modifications, and called on the Parliament to do the same. Should Parliament decide to apply the urgent procedure, the vote on the proposal would take place during the April II plenary session.

Autori : Nikolina SAJN

Zhrnutie : In October 2022, under the European Green Deal, the European Commission tabled a proposal for a recast of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Dating back to 1991, and instrumental to the achievement of European Union water policy objectives, the directive needs to be updated and adapted to new challenges and realities. The recast proposal would introduce new obligations to do more to control pollution due to rainwater, impose stricter standards for nutrient removal and require advanced treatment for the removal of micro-pollutants. To cover treatment costs, a system of extended producer responsibility (EPR) targeting pharmaceuticals and cosmetics would be set up. To align the directive with the Green Deal's ambitions, an energy neutrality obligation would be introduced for wastewater treatment plants. Water reuse and sludge management requirements would be clarified to enhance circularity. Health parameters would be monitored in wastewater to support public health action. The European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on 29 January 2024. The text was endorsed by Member State representatives on 1 March and by Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety on 11 March 2024. It now awaits formal adoption by the co-legislators. The plenary vote is scheduled for the April I 2024 session. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages in the legislative procedure.

Autori : Vivienne HALLEUX

Zhrnutie : In July 2023, the European Commission tabled a package of proposals aimed at greening freight transport. One of these proposals focuses on improving the use of rail infrastructure capacity. The proposed text suggests changes to the rules governing the planning and allocation of railway infrastructure capacity, which are currently outlined in Directive 2012/34/EU and Regulation (EU) No 913/2010. The goal of the changes is to enhance the management of rail infrastructure capacity and traffic as a way to ensure improved service quality, optimised railway network usage, increased traffic capacity and the possibility for the transport sector to contribute to decarbonisation. In the European Parliament, the file was referred to the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), which appointed Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA, Luxembourg) as rapporteur. The TRAN committee adopted its report on 4 March 2024. Parliament adopted its first-reading position during its March 2024 plenary session. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autori : Jaan SOONE

Zhrnutie : Eurodac is a biometric database in which Member States are required to enter the fingerprint data of asylum-seekers or irregular migrants in order to identify where they entered the EU, and whether they have previously submitted asylum applications elsewhere in the EU. In 2016, the Commission proposed to review the Eurodac Regulation to enhance the practical implementation of the Dublin system, facilitate returns and use the database to tackle irregular migration. During the April I plenary session, the European Parliament is due to vote its first-reading position on the agreement resulting from interinstitutional negotiations.

Autori : Anita ORAV

Zhrnutie : The Commission's proposal to introduce screening of third-country nationals at the external borders provides for identity and security checks based on the consultation of relevant national and European information systems. To implement these checks, the legal bases of the relevant EU systems for border management and security need to be amended, and Parliament is due to vote on a trilogue agreement on this in April.

Autori : Costica DUMBRAVA

Zhrnutie : The 2015 migration crisis in Europe called into question existing EU legislation on asylum, in particular the criteria according to which asylum applicants can qualify for international protection status, as recognised in the Qualification Directive. In July 2016, the Commission put forward a proposal to replace the directive with a regulation, setting uniform standards for the recognition of people in need of protection and for the rights granted to beneficiaries of international protection. The December 2023 trilogue agreement is scheduled to be voted by Parliament at first reading during the April I plenary session.

Autori : Anja RADJENOVIC

Zhrnutie : In September 2020, as part of the EU pact on migration and asylum, the European Commission adopted a proposal on asylum and migration management. It would replace the 2013 Dublin Regulation that determines the EU Member State responsible for examining asylum applications. While the proposal 'essentially preserves' the current criteria for determining this responsibility, it would also make additions to the existing regulation, in particular on solidarity and responsibility-sharing for asylum-seekers among Member States. During the April I plenary session, the European Parliament is due to vote its first-reading position on the December 2023 agreement resulting from interinstitutional negotiations.

Autori : Anja RADJENOVIC

Zhrnutie : Sustained pressure at the EU's external borders and high numbers of asylum applications have revealed shortcomings at the borders and deficiencies in and imbalances between Member States' asylum systems. In December 2020, the Commission presented a pact on migration and asylum, including a proposal for a regulation establishing a screening procedure for third-country nationals who arrive irregularly at the EU's external borders. The aim is to streamline the EU migration and asylum processes by swiftly identifying and channelling irregular migrants and asylum-seekers into the appropriate procedures. Parliament is to vote in April on the agreement reached by the co-legislators in December.

Autori : Costica DUMBRAVA

Zhrnutie : Highly diverse, soils host more than 25 % of all biodiversity and are the second largest carbon pool on the planet. During its first April 2024 session, the European Parliament is expected to adopt its position at first reading on a European Commission proposal aimed at establishing the first-ever EU-wide common framework on soils.

Autori : Vivienne HALLEUX

Zhrnutie : In February 2023, the European Commission proposed a revision to Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 on CO2 emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles in the EU. The proposed changes would broaden the scope of the regulation to include urban buses, coaches, trailers and additional types of lorries. The goal is to reduce, by 2040, the average CO2 emissions of new heavy-duty vehicles by 90 % compared to 2019 levels. Council adopted its position in October 2023 and Parliament at its November II 2023 session. After a trilogue agreement was reached in January 2024, Parliament is set to vote on the agreed text during its April I 2024 plenary session.

Autori : Gregor ERBACH

Zhrnutie : On 14 March 2023, the European Commission proposed an electricity market reform to reduce price volatility for consumers and improve conditions for investors in low-carbon energy. The co-legislators reached a provisional agreement on the proposal to improve the EU's electricity market design in December 2023. The European Parliament will now vote on the agreed text during its April I 2024 plenary session.

Autori : Agnieszka WIDUTO

Zhrnutie : Delivering climate neutrality by 2050 will require carbon removals to cover remaining hard-to-abate emissions and to deliver, from 2050, negative emissions as per the EU Climate Law. The proposed certification framework seeks to ensure a transparent and credible governance framework for building trust in EU-certified carbon removals and to incentivise further deployment. The co-legislators reached a provisional agreement in February 2024. The European Parliament is expected to vote on the final text during its April I plenary session.

Autori : LISELOTTE JENSEN

Zhrnutie : During the April I plenary session, the European Parliament is due to vote on two proposals to strengthen national equality bodies' powers and mandate to fight discrimination on grounds of sex, race, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation.

Autori : Ionel ZAMFIR

Zhrnutie : During its April I plenary session, the European Parliament is expected to adopt its position at first reading on two Commission proposals to revise the EU's pharmaceutical legislation. The revision seeks to enhance the security of supply of medicine, making medicines more available, accessible and affordable across EU countries, while supporting the attractiveness of the EU pharmaceutical industry by fostering research and innovation.

Autori : Laurence AMAND-EECKHOUT

Zhrnutie : During the April I plenary session, the European Parliament is scheduled to vote on the discharge for the implementation of the 2022 EU budget. Its Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) recommends granting discharge for the implementation of eight administrative sections of the EU budget and for the European Public Prosecutor's Office. CONT recommends postponing the decision to grant discharge for the European Council and the Council.

Autori : TIM ULRICH PETERS

Zhrnutie : During the April I plenary session, Parliament is to decide on granting discharge for the 2022 financial year to the different institutions and bodies of the EU. As part of this procedure, it will vote on the report covering the Commission. Since 2021, the discharge procedure also applies to the grant component of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) under the recovery instrument. A chapter on the RRF is thus included in the report on the Commission. Separate discharge is granted to the Commission concerning the management of the European Development Funds (EDFs). The Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) recommends that Parliament grant discharge to the Commission, all six executive agencies and the EDFs for the implementation of the 2022 budget.

Autori : KAROLINE KOWALD

Zhrnutie : Ever since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) became applicable in 2018, the European Parliament and civil society organisations have been flagging shortcomings regarding enforcement procedures in cases of cross-border processing of personal data. The European Commission has therefore proposed new rules to address the disparate procedural approaches followed by the different national data protection authorities. Parliament is due to vote on its position during the April I plenary session.

Autori : KATRIEN LUYTEN

Zhrnutie : The 2020 European Commission proposal for a common asylum procedure regulation seeks to establish a harmonised common EU procedure for asylum, to reduce differences in recognition rates between Member States, discourage secondary movements, and ensure the same procedural guarantees across the EU. Processing asylum claims should be faster, with shorter limits for manifestly unfounded or inadmissible asylum requests made at EU borders. During the April I plenary session, the European Parliament is due to vote its first-reading position on the December 2023 agreement resulting from interinstitutional negotiations.

Autori : Anita ORAV

Zhrnutie : In 2020, the European Commission proposed a new pact on asylum and migration, which includes a proposal for a regulation dealing with crisis and force majeure in the area of migration and asylum. The aim is to establish a mechanism for dealing with mass irregular arrivals of migrants in a Member State. The December 2023 agreement is scheduled to be voted by Parliament at first reading during the April I plenary session.

Autori : Anita ORAV

Zhrnutie : The 2015 migration crisis in the EU revealed wide divergence in the level of reception conditions provided to asylum-seekers by Member States. In July 2016, the Commission put forward a proposal to replace the current Reception Conditions Directive, to ensure that asylum-seekers can benefit from harmonised and dignified reception standards throughout the EU. Parliament is due to vote its first-reading position on the text, provisionally agreed with the Council in December 2023, during its April I plenary session.

Autori : Anja RADJENOVIC

Zhrnutie : Many migrants and refugees trying to come to Europe risk their lives by embarking on perilous sea journeys to escape persecution, conflict, instability and poverty. On 13 July 2016, as part of the reform of the Common European Asylum System, the European Commission presented a proposal for a regulation establishing an EU resettlement framework, to provide safe and legal ways into the EU for displaced persons in clear need of international protection. During the April I plenary session, the European Parliament is due to vote its first-reading position on the December 2023 agreement resulting from interinstitutional negotiations.

Autori : Anja RADJENOVIC

Zhrnutie : During its April I session, Parliament is due to vote on amendments to its Rules of Procedure on the basis of the report adopted by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO). The report translates into legal rules the recommendations made by the 'Parliament 2024' working group after discussion throughout 2023.

Autori : Rafał MAŃKO

Zhrnutie : On 1 June 2023, the European Commission presented the maritime safety package, including a proposal to amend Directive 2009/18/EC establishing the fundamental principles governing the investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector. The aim of this revision is to take account of legal, environmental and technological developments since the adoption of the directive. Parliament is expected to vote on the provisional agreement reached during trilogue negotiations during its April I 2024 plenary session.

Autori : Mathias Mathieu GULLENTOPS

Zhrnutie : During the April I plenary session, as part of the discharge procedure for the 2022 financial year, the European Parliament is due to vote on discharge for 33 EU decentralised agencies and 9 joint undertakings. The Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) recommends granting discharge to all decentralised agencies, bodies and joint undertakings, and presents some observations to further improve sound financial management.

Autori : SØREN SEBASTIAN TOFT

Zhrnutie : During the April I plenary session, the European Parliament is expected to vote on two provisional agreements reached with the Council on the hydrogen and decarbonised gas markets package, which would recast the 2009 EU Gas Directive and the 2009 EU Gas Regulation. These agreements resulting from interinstitutional negotiations, endorsed by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) in January 2024, substantially amend the texts originally proposed by the European Commission.

Autori : Monika DULIAN