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Cyprus's National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play EN

18-03-2024 PE 698.885
Briefing
Povzetek : In absolute figures, Cyprus's amended national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) has increased by €20 million to a total of €1.22 billion. Cyprus decided to use its allocation under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) predominantly in grants (€1 005 million), with €200.3 million in loans. In September 2023, Cyprus submitted a request to amend its NRRP, to which it added a new REPowerEU chapter, with an additional REPowerEU grant allocation of €52.5 million. It also requested to transfer a portion of its share of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to its plan (€52 million). With these funds, and cutting some measures (as a result of the 2022 decrease in the allocation), the overall EU financial contribution to the amended plan amounts to €1 024 billion in grants (loans remain the same).These resources represent around 0.2 % of the entire RRF, and are equal to 5.15 % of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019. They underpin reforms and investments that aim to promote the recovery of the Cypriot economy, while addressing structural weaknesses and pursuing major objectives such as the green transition and the digital transformation. The revised plan has a stronger focus on the digital (24.6 % of the funds vs 23 % before) and green (45 %, vs 41 % before) transitions. Measures under Cyprus's plan are to be completed in 2026. Cyprus has so far received 19.8 % of the resources in the form of pre-financing and one payment for grants and loans (below the EU average). The remaining amounts will be paid depending on the implementation of the remaining 68 milestones and 121 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. Third edition. The 'NGEU delivery' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans.
Avtorji : Angelos DELIVORIAS

Latvia's National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play EN

18-03-2024 PE 698.887
Briefing
Povzetek : Under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), Latvia's national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) had an initial value of €1 826 million. In June 2022, Latvia's grant allocation was revised slightly upwards to €1 835 million. In September 2023, Latvia submitted a request to amend its NRRP, to which it added a REPowerEU chapter endowed with an additional grant allocation of €124 million. It also requested to transfer a portion of its share of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to its plan (€11 million). The other modifications submitted by Latvia affect 35 measures of the initial plan. In December 2023, the Council adopted an amending implementing decision by which it gave the green light to Latvia's modified plan. It confirmed that Latvia is now set to receive non-repayable financial support amounting to €1 969 million, including for the new REPowerEU chapter. These resources represent 0.3 % of the entire RRF, equal to 6.4 % of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019. Latvia has not requested RRF loans. The new plan contains 25 reforms and 63 investment measures. Measures under the current plan are to be completed by 2026. Latvia has so far received 24 % of the resources (in the form of pre-financing and one payment of grants). A further five payments for grants will depend on progress made in implementing the plan. Latvia's plan is consistent with the challenges and priorities identified in the European Semester, the annual cycle of coordination and monitoring of each EU country's economic policies. The European Parliament participates in interinstitutional forums for cooperation and discussion on the implementation of the RRF and continues to scrutinise 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.
Avtorji : JEROME LEON SAULNIER

France's National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play EN

18-03-2024 PE 698.929
Briefing
Povzetek : France's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) is a subpart of 'France Relance', a larger recovery strategy France adopted in 2020 at national level, worth €100 billion in total (4.1 % of France's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019). The NRRP had an initial value of €40.9 billion (total costs), while the plan as amended in 2023 is worth €41.9 billion. Under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), at the core of the Next Generation EU (NGEU) instrument, France's RRF grant allocation decreased from €39.4 billion to €37.4 billion, following the June 2022 update. In April 2023, France submitted a request to amend its NRRP – partly in order to take into account the decrease in the EU's financial contribution, but also to add a new REPowerEU chapter, which comes with an additional grant allocation of €2.3 billion. France also requested to transfer a portion of its share of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to its plan (€504 million). With these funds, the overall EU financial contribution to the French amended plan amounts to €40.2 billion in grants, with the rest to be covered by national means. France has not requested loans. The RRF resources allocated to France represent 5.3 % of the entire RRF resources for the EU, and 1.6 % of the country's GDP in 2019 (the RRF representing 5.2 % of EU-27 GDP in 2019). Measures under the plan are to be completed by 2026. So far, France has received €23.4 billion. The next payments will depend on progress in implementing the plan. The European Parliament, which was a major advocate of the creation of a common EU recovery instrument, participates in interinstitutional forums for cooperation and discussion on its implementation and scrutinises the European Commission's work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Fourth edition. The 'NGEU delivery' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans.
Avtorji : Guillaume RAGONNAUD

Belgium's National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play EN

18-03-2024 PE 698.931
Briefing
Povzetek : The EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is the core component of Next Generation EU, a temporary recovery instrument that allows the European Commission to raise funds to help the economic and social recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. By promoting the sustainable and inclusive recovery that ensures the green and digital transitions make progress, the RRF is consistent with the Commission's priorities. Belgium's initial maximum contribution to finance its national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) was set to €5 924 million in grants. However, the maximum financial contribution was updated in June 2022 and reduced to €4 523 million. In addition, the non-repayable allocation for the REPowerEU chapter to reinforce the NRRP's energy dimension is set at €281 million. Belgium also submitted a reasoned request to transfer part of its provisional allocation from the resources of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to the RRF (€228 million). Finally, Belgium requested a loan support of €264 million. The overall EU financial contribution to the amended Belgian NRRP stands thus at €5 298 million; it represents 0.7 % of the entire RRF, and 1.1 % of Belgium's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019. The Council approved Belgium's amended NRRP on 8 December 2023. In total, Belgium received €915.1 million in pre-financing: 13 % of the initial NRRP (€770 million, all grants) in 2021, and 20 % of the REPowerEU chapter (€102.1 million in grants, €43 million in loans) in January 2024. The European Parliament, which was a major advocate of creating a common EU recovery instrument, 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 of the plans.
Avtorji : ISSAM HALLAK

Lithuania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play EN

18-03-2024 PE 729.283
Briefing
Povzetek : Under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), Lithuania's national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) had an initial value of €2 224 million. In June 2022, Lithuania's grant allocation was revised downwards to €2 100 million (- 5.6 %). In October 2023, however, Lithuania submitted a request to amend its NRRP, which includes an additional grant allocation of €193.7 million for a new REPowerEU chapter and a loan request worth €1 551.7 million. Lithuania also requested to transfer a portion of its share of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to its plan (€4.7 million). Together, these additional resources have brought the overall EU contribution to Lithuania's amended NRRP to €3 849 million. These resources represent 0.5 % of the entire RRF, equal to 7.9 % of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019. In November 2023, the Council adopted an amending implementing decision by which it gave the green light to Lithuania's modified plan. The new plan contains 31 reforms and 10 investments including the REPowerEU chapter with one reform and three investments. Apart from the added chapter, the other modifications submitted by Lithuania affect 46 measures of the initial plan. Moreover, Lithuania proposed to add six new measures (three investments and three reforms), to be funded by additional loan support. Measures under the current NRRP are to be completed by 2026. Lithuania has so far received 25.5 % of the resources (in the form of pre-financing and one grant payment). Further payments will depend on progress made in implementing the plan. Lithuania's NRRP is consistent with the challenges and priorities identified in the European Semester, the annual cycle for coordinating and monitoring each EU country's economic policies. The European Parliament participates in interinstitutional forums for cooperation and discussion on the implementation of the RRF and continues to scrutinise the European Commission's work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Third edition. The 'National Recovery and Resilience Plans in the EU' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans.
Avtorji : JEROME LEON SAULNIER

Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play EN

18-03-2024 PE 733.641
Briefing
Povzetek : Romania's national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) represents an ambitious agenda of reforms and investment aimed at mitigating the socio-economic effects of the COVID-19, energy and cost-of-living crises. The amended plan – approved by the Council on 8 December 2023 – amounts to €28.5 billion or 12.8 % of the country's 2019 gross domestic product (GDP). This includes the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) grants of €12.1 billion (cut by 14.9 % following the June 2022 revision of the allocation), REPowerEU grants worth €1.4 billion, the transfer of Romania's share (€43.2 million) from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to its NRRP, and the RRF loan allocation already fully committed under the initial version of the plan (€14.9 billion). The measures in the plan, to be implemented by 2026, also seek to facilitate the country's green and digital transition. The new REPowerEU chapter comes with seven investment and two reform measures, which –together with the remaining NRRP measures – devote €12.6 billion (44.1 % of the plan) to the green transition. Digital projects have been endowed with 21.9 % of the NRRP resources (excluding the REPowerEU chapter). Romania has so far received €9.5 billion of RRF resources, including two payments and the pre-financing. On 15 December 2023, the country submitted its third payment request of €2 billion (net of pre-financing); the European Commission is currently assessing it. According to the Commission's evaluation in the 2023 European Semester, implementation of the NRRP is under way, albeit with a rising risk of delays. The European Parliament continues to guarantee transparency and provide accountability for EU citizens by engaging in interinstitutional dialogues on the implementation of the RRF and scrutinising the Commission's work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Fourth edition. The 'NGEU delivery' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans. The author would like to thank Lucia Sanchez Cabanillas, trainee in the Next Generation EU Monitoring Service, for her research assistance
Avtorji : MARIN MILEUSNIC

Slovakia's National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play EN

18-03-2024 PE 733.642
Briefing
Povzetek : On 11 July 2023, the Council approved Slovakia's amended national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP, Plán obnovy) and allocated €6 408.5 million in grants for its implementation (Slovakia did not request loans). The allocation is €79.4 million higher than that initially approved (6 July 2021). The difference results from a 2022 update of the maximum financial contribution from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), which reflects changes in real gross domestic product (GDP) over time, and the inclusion of a REPowerEU chapter to reinforce the plan's energy dimension. While the allocation represents only 0.9 % of the total RRF, it stood at 6.8 % of the country's GDP in 2019 (the RRF being 5.2 % of EU-27 GDP in 2019). Slovakia's allocation per capita amounts to €1 179. So far, Slovakia has received €2 673.1 million in pre-financing, and three payments for grants based on milestones and targets achieved. This represents 41.7 % of the total allocation including REPowerEU and is the third best result in the payment ranking, after France and Italy. The request for the fourth instalment (worth €799 million, net of pre-financing), submitted to the Commission on 18 December 2023, is currently under examination. According to the indicative calendar of payment requests under the plan, there should be nine requests in total, and the fifth should be submitted in the third quarter of 2024. Slovakia's modified NRRP includes 64 reforms and 64 investments, designed to tackle both the pandemic's socio-economic consequences and the long-term challenges identified by the Slovak national integrated reform plan, Modern and successful Slovakia. NRRP measures are organised around six strategic priorities: green economy; education; science, research and innovation; health; efficient public administration and digitalisation; and energy (REPowerEU). The plan is strongly focused on the green transition and digital transformation, to which 45.7 % and 20.5 % of the resources are allocated respectively. The European Parliament participates in interinstitutional forums for cooperation and discussion on RRF implementation, and scrutinises the Commission's work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Third edition. The 'Monitoring EU recovery' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans.
Avtorji : Magdalena SAPALA, BRANISLAV STANICEK

Bulgaria's National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play EN

18-03-2024 PE 733.662
Briefing
Povzetek : Under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the EU response to the crisis triggered by the pandemic, Bulgaria was initially allocated €6 267.3 million in grants. In line with the RRF Regulation, on 30 June 2022, the European Commission recalculated the maximum grant amounts for all Member States; this resulted in a just over 9 % cut for Bulgaria, lowering the total to €5 688.8 million. To take this into account, as well as factor in the impact of inflation, Bulgaria submitted a modified national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP), removing and downscaling several measures. The updated plan has an estimated cost of €6 185.3 million; the financing above the maximum RRF financial contribution is expected to be supplemented with national (and private) co-financing. Bulgaria has not yet submitted a REPowerEU chapter, for which another €480.1 million in grants are available. Bulgaria's NRRP ranks eighth as a share of grants relative to gross domestic product (GDP) – 9.3 % of its 2019 GDP from 10.2 % originally (the RRF amounting to 5.2 % of EU-27 2019 GDP). RRF funds have to be paid out by end-2026. Bulgaria has so far received one payment worth €1 369 million, which the Commission disbursed on 16 December 2022. The Bulgarian NRRP aims to address the main challenges and systemic weaknesses of Bulgaria's economy. It builds on the national development programme BULGARIA 2030, which proposes solutions for medium-term growth by setting strategic objectives, such as accelerated economic development, demographic upswing and reduced inequalities. The NRRP extends the scope of reforms and investment while ensuring coherence with measures planned under EU cohesion policy. Bulgaria is one of the main beneficiaries of EU funds (measured as a share of GDP) over the 2021 2027 financing period, and complementarity with RRF resources is relevant in several fields. 57.5 % of the NRRP support is for climate objectives, making Bulgaria's plan one of the greenest; 23.1 % supports digital objectives. Both green and digital spending targets laid down in the RRF Regulation have thus been exceeded. The European Parliament participates in interinstitutional forums for cooperation and discussion on the implementation of the RRF, 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.
Avtorji : Velina LILYANOVA, Alina DOBREVA

HOT – A head office tax system for small companies EN

18-03-2024 PE 754.608
Briefing
Povzetek : When businesses start operating across borders, they are faced with a new and unfamiliar corporate tax system in each EU Member State. As a result, businesses with cross-border activities have to spend time and resources on understanding and complying with complex local corporate tax rules. This represents a significant administrative burden, in particular for small companies. To lower tax compliance costs, the European Commission tabled on 12 September 2023 a proposal for a Council directive to establish a head office tax system (HOT) for small businesses. Under HOT, micro-enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises operating exclusively through permanent establishments would be able to continue to apply their national corporate tax rules – i.e. the rules they are already most familiar with – when they expand across borders. They would also be able to file a single tax return in the Member State of their head office, rather than separate tax returns in the different Member States. This would cut compliance costs and remove an important barrier to the cross-border expansion of small companies in the single market. The proposal is subject to a special legislative procedure, requiring unanimous support in Council, following consultation of the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee. The European Parliament is due to vote its (non-binding) report during the April I plenary session. Second edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.
Avtorji : Pieter BAERT

Outlook for the meetings of EU leaders, 21-22 March 2024 EN

18-03-2024 PE 757.814
Briefing
Povzetek : At the 21-22 March European Council meeting, discussions will focus on Ukraine, security and defence, the Middle East and enlargement. Concerning security and defence, EU leaders will consider the new European defence industrial strategy presented by the European Commission. On Ukraine, they are expected to reiterate their commitment to supporting the country, and welcome the establishment of a Ukraine Assistance Fund regarding military aid as well as the 13th package of sanctions against Russia. The leaders may also discuss anew the use of revenues from frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine. As the Middle East remains a delicate topic, with differing positions, concrete conclusions with clear positions are unlikely. On enlargement, EU leaders will probably welcome the Commission's recommendation to open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. As is usual in the spring, EU leaders will endorse the policy priorities of the annual sustainable growth survey, and meet in an inclusive Euro Summit format.
Avtorji : Ralf DRACHENBERG

Proposal on welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability EN

18-03-2024 PE 760.371
Briefing
Povzetek : In the framework of the 'farm to fork' strategy, the Commission committed to a complete overhaul of the animal welfare rules. Accordingly, on 7 December 2023 it published a proposal on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats, together with a proposal for a new regulation on animal welfare in transport. At present, the rules on the protection of dog and cat welfare across the EU are not harmonised. The proposal therefore aims to establish EU standards for the breeding, housing and handling of pets in breeding establishments, pet shops and shelters. To combat the illegal trade in dogs and cats – a ruthless practice that is flourishing through online sales – the Commission seeks to reinforce the traceability of dogs and cats by introducing mandatory identification and registration in national databases. In the European Parliament, the file has been assigned to the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI), with Veronika Vrecionová (ECR, Czechia) as rapporteur.
Avtorji : CLAUDIA VINCI

Key Issues in the European Council - State of play in March 2024 EN

18-03-2024 PE 757.805
Študija
Povzetek : This EPRS publication, 'Key issues in the European Council', which is updated every quarter to coincide with European Council meetings, seeks to provide an overview of the institution's activities on major EU issues. It analyses 12 broad policy areas, explaining the legal and political background, the main priorities and orientations defined by the European Council and the results of its involvement to date, as well as some of the future challenges in each policy field.
Avtorji : Annastiina PAPUNEN, Ralf DRACHENBERG, REBECCA MARY TORPEY

Public hearing with Claudia Buch, Chair of the ECB / SSM Supervisory Board - 21 March 2024 EN

18-03-2024 PE 755.731
Briefing
Povzetek : This briefing has been prepared for the public hearing with the Chair of the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM), Claudia Buch, scheduled for 21 March 2024. This briefing addresses: • SSM priorities in the transition between chairpersons • Overly reliant on central bank funding? • SREP results 2023 • Latest supervisory banking statistics • Stress-testing banks’ ability to recover from a cyberattack • Updated guide to internal models • Significant banks’ exposures to Commercial Real Estate.
Avtorji : Marcel MAGNUS, Kai Gereon SPITZER

Public hearing with Dominique Laboureix, Chair of the Single Resolution Board - 21 March 2024 EN

18-03-2024 PE 755.732 ECON
Briefing
Povzetek : This briefing has been prepared for the public hearing with the Chair of the Single Resolution Board (SRB), Dominique Laboureix, scheduled for 21 March 2024. This briefing addresses: • New SRM strategy: Vision 2028 • Single Resolution Fund at target level • Liquidity and liquidity in resolution • MREL dashboard Q3/2023 • List of consultations and requests to the industry.
Avtorji : Marcel MAGNUS, Kai Gereon SPITZER

Capital Markets Union: Ten Years Later EN

18-03-2024 PE 747.839 ECON
Poglobljena analiza
Povzetek : The European Union’s project of capital markets union (CMU) has disappointed in its first decade. The best way to revitalise it is to focus on supervisory integration through in-depth reform and further empowerment of the European Securities and Markets Authority. If, conversely, more integrated supervision cannot be achieved, then it may be time to discard the CMU slogan altogether. This document was provided by the Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit at the request of the ECON Committee.
Avtorji : Nicolas VÉRON

Overly reliant on central bank funding? Consequences of exiting TLTRO EN

18-03-2024 PE 755.739 ECON
Poglobljena analiza
Povzetek : This study analyses potential consequences of exiting the Targeted Long-Term Refinancing Operations (TLTRO) of the European Central Bank (ECB). Thanks to its asset purchase programs, the Eurosystem still holds plenty of reserves even with a full exit from the TLTROs. This explains why voluntary and mandatory repayments of TLTRO III borrowing went smoothly. Nevertheless, the more liquidity is drained from the banking system, the more important becomes interbank market borrowing and lending, ideally between euro area member states. Right now, the usual fault lines of the euro area show up. The German banking system has plenty of reserves while there are first signs of aggregate scarcity in the Italian banking system. This does not need to be a source of concern if the interbank market can be sufficiently reactivated. Moreover, the ECB has several tools to address possible future liquidity shortages. This document was provided/prepared by the Economic Governance and EMU scrutiny Unit at the request of the ECON Committee.
Avtorji : Florian HEIDER & Jonas SCHLEGEL

Count Emissions EU: Measuring emissions from transport services EN

15-03-2024 PE 757.562
Briefing
Povzetek : In July 2023, the European Commission tabled a package of three proposals for the greening of freight transport. Among them is a proposal for a single methodology for calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport services, referred to as CountEmissionsEU. The initiative covers both freight and passenger transport. It aims to ensure that the GHG emissions data provided regarding transport services are reliable and accurate, to allow fair comparison between transport services. It establishes a methodological framework but does not govern where it has to be used. Nonetheless, if an organisation decides to calculate and disclose information on GHG emissions from transport services it needs to use the methodology provided. To avoid extra red tape for small and medium-sized enterprises, the proposal exempts these companies from mandatory verification of adherence to the rules. In the European Parliament, the file is being dealt with through the joint committee procedure, involving the Committees on Transport and Tourism and on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. The committees adopted their joint report on 4 March 2024. Parliament is expected to vote on its first-reading position during a forthcoming plenary session.
Avtorji : Jaan SOONE

Plenary round-up – March 2024 EN

15-03-2024 PE 760.370
Na kratko
Povzetek : Among the highlights of the March 2024 plenary session were the debates on preparation of the European Council meeting on 21 and 22 March 2024; the need to address urgent concerns regarding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia, and the need to ensure the stability of EU agricultural production and impose sanctions on imports of Russian and Belarussian food and agricultural products to the EU. Members also debated the return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia. Other important debates took place, inter alia, on: deteriorating living conditions in the EU; a healthy lifestyle and active ageing; the inclusion of the right to abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, rising anti-LGBTIQ rhetoric and violence; and EU climate risk assessment. Members also discussed the annual designation of European capitals for children, and the Commission's treatment of requests for public access to documents. Representatives of the world cup-winning Spanish women's national football team participated in Parliament's official celebration to mark International Women's Day. The last 'This is Europe' debate for this term followed a speech by Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland.
Avtorji : CLARE FERGUSON, KATARZYNA SOCHACKA

Expansion of BRICS: A quest for greater global influence? EN

15-03-2024 PE 760.368
Briefing
Povzetek : On 1 January 2024, BRICS – the intergovernmental organisation comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – admitted four new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. The group's decision to open the door to new members was taken at its Johannesburg summit in August 2023, sparking a debate about its growing international influence. According to estimates, BRICS+, as the organisation has been informally called since its expansion, now accounts for 37.3 % of world GDP, or more than half as much as the EU (14.5 %). However, besides an increase in economic power the new members could bring potential conflicts (Saudi Arabia/Iran or Egypt/Ethiopia) into the group, making the reaching of consensus on common political positions more difficult. Since the new members would only contribute roughly 4 % to the group's cumulative GDP, the significance of the expansion should be seen beyond the purely economic effect, in the form of greater influence for the group and for developing countries as a whole within international organisations such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and the Bretton Woods institutions. The EU engages with BRICS+ countries individually. For instance, it has strategic partnerships with Brazil, India and South Africa, and is negotiating a free trade agreement with India. On the other hand, current conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza show the divergent approaches to security taken by the EU and BRICS+. The European Parliament has stressed that further political dialogue with the BRICS countries is needed, including on an individual basis. In an exchange of views with European Commission representatives in October 2023, Members of the Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) underlined the need to keep an eye on the group's expansion, especially considering the effect of a potential BRICS+ currency and the consequences for EU trade policy.
Avtorji : Marc JUTTEN

Main activities of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs 2019-2024 EN

15-03-2024 PE 760.369
Briefing
Povzetek : The European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission proclaimed the European Pillar of Social Rights in 2017. Spelled out in 20 principles, the social pillar has since served as a compass towards building a stronger social Europe. In the related action plan, the Commission set out concrete initiatives and, after the Porto Social Summit of May 2021, EU lawmakers committed to headline targets for 2030 regarding employment, training, and poverty. Consequently, this legislative term has seen concrete steps towards implementing the pillar, with the Commission tabling a number of proposals for recommendations and several directives that were subsequently negotiated by EU lawmakers and where Parliament sought to assert its positions. The preparatory work for these negotiations was done by Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Rights (EMPL), alone or together with other parliamentary committees. Without attempting a thorough end-of-term overview or an in-depth analysis of achievements, this briefing sketches out Parliament's main activities in this legislative term that bear the signature of the EMPL committee. After a glimpse at successfully concluded legislative files relating to the world of work, equality between men and women, health and safety at work, skills and EU funding, it looks at legislative own-initiative resolutions and demands put forward by the EMPL committee. With the European elections approaching and several files still ongoing, the time has also come to look forward to some EMPL-related issues that are likely to fill the agenda of the next legislative term. Owing to space constraints, this text cannot do justice to the broad variety of challenges to which the EMPL committee has devoted its energy and expertise, leaving aside, for instance, the work done in relation to the integration of third-country nationals into the labour market and the equal treatment of persons with disabilities. Nor does it examine in detail the dynamics of Parliament's resolutions that help to push social issues into the EU political spotlight.
Avtorji : Marketa PAPE

Research for PECH Committee - Policy options for strengthening the competitiveness of the EU fisheries and aquaculture sector EN

15-03-2024 PE 747.293 PECH
Na kratko
Povzetek : The EU fisheries and aquaculture products (FAPs) market is largely dependent on external producers. Some of the imports entering the EU market come from countries with lenient regulations. This study gives an overview on existing competitiveness indicators. It shows main trends in the EU’s FAPs supply through extra-EU imports and identifies the main internal and external factors affecting the sector’s competitiveness. The research presents four case studies and an assessment of options for adaptations to the internal and external policy framework. Finally, it provides a series of recommendations for strengthening the competitiveness of the EU fisheries and aquaculture sector in the future.
Avtorji : Martin ARANDA, Leire ARANTZAMENDI, Margarita ANDRES, Ane IRIONDO, Gorka GABIÑA, Gabriela OANTA, José Manuel SOBRINO-HEREDIA & Bertrand LE GALLIC
Povezani dokumenti

Študija

'This is Europe' debate in the European Parliament: Speech by Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland, 13 March 2024 EN

14-03-2024 PE 757.812
Na kratko
Povzetek : 'This is Europe' – an initiative proposed by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola – consists of a series of debates with EU leaders to discuss their visions for the future of the European Union. The trilogy of resilience, competitiveness and security was at the centre of the vision of Europe that the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo, shared with the European Parliament on 13 March 2024. Regarding competitiveness, he mentioned the single market, State aid, trade and economic governance. On security, he argued that the concept not only included security and defence, but also border protection and preparedness to make the EU more resilient. Orpo also emphasised that, for Finland, 'the EU is the most important political and economic frame of reference and community of values', and stressed that EU leaders had to 'fight against any pessimism and show an example and leadership'.
Avtorji : Ralf DRACHENBERG

EU defence industry programme and strategy EN

14-03-2024 PE 760.362
Na kratko
Povzetek : On 5 March 2024, the Commission adopted the first-ever European defence industrial strategy (EDIS), which sets a long-term goal of achieving EU defence industrial readiness, and proposed a defence industry programme (EDIP) regulation. Experts laud its ambition, noting that its success will require political and financial buy-in.
Avtorji : SEBASTIAN CLAPP

EU-US Trade and Technology Council EN

14-03-2024 PE 760.363
Na kratko
Povzetek : The EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) has met five times since 2021, aiming to boost transatlantic cooperation and alignment. The latest meeting on 30-31 January 2024 was a lower-key interim event paving the way for the next TTC in April. Experts see its usefulness, but call for reform of the TTC so that it can be permanent.
Avtorji : Marcin SZCZEPANSKI

Maritime security: Situation in the Red Sea and EU response EN

14-03-2024 PE 760.366
Na kratko
Povzetek : The Iran-backed Houthi militia, which controls large parts of Yemen, has attacked numerous commercial ships in the Red Sea since mid-November 2023 'in solidarity with the Palestinians'. This poses a significant threat to the global economy, and has led to an escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The United States has launched an international operation in the Red Sea to protect commercial vessels and keep this vital shipping route open. The EU launched its own 'purely defensive' mission, EUNAVFOR Operation ASPIDES, on 19 February 2024.
Avtorji : SEBASTIAN CLAPP

President Biden's 2024 State of the Union address EN

14-03-2024 PE 760.367
Na kratko
Povzetek : On 7 March 2024, the President of the United States (US), Joe Biden, used his State of the Union (SOTU) address to a joint session of the 118th US Congress (2023 2024) to start his re election campaign in earnest. Biden has been trailing Donald Trump, his only remaining Republican challenger in the presidential race, in polls in six swing states that Biden won in 2020 and where several thousand voters are expected to decide the outcome of the US elections on 5 November 2024. The SOTU was an opportunity for the President to tout his achievements and set out his vision for a second term in stark contrast to that of Trump, whom he referred to as his 'predecessor' rather than by name. With his age seen by many as a liability, Biden's performance seemed more relevant than the substance of his speech, and was widely perceived as a forceful demonstration of his readiness to fight.
Avtorji : Gisela GRIEGER

EU anti-coercion instrument EN

14-03-2024 PE 729.299
Briefing
Povzetek : It is widely held that geopolitical tensions in the world are on the rise. One of the clear indicators of this phenomenon is the increasing use of economic tools for the pursuit of strategic and geopolitical goals. This can take the form of coercion used by one country against another through restrictions on trade or investment in order to interfere with their sovereign choices. In response to the EU and its Member States becoming the target of deliberate economic coercion in recent years, on 8 December 2021 the Commission published a proposal for the adoption of an anti-coercion instrument that would allow the EU to respond more effectively to such challenges on a global scale. While the new framework is primarily designed to deter economic coercive action through dialogue and engagement, it also allows – as a last resort –retaliation, with countermeasures comprising a wide range of restrictions relating to trade, investment and funding. While there is broad support for creating a legislative tool to address the growing problem of economic coercion, expert opinions were divided as regards the severity of countermeasures and the manner of establishing when they should be imposed. The Parliament adopted its position in plenary in October 2022, and trilogue negotiations concluded successfully in June 2023. Parliament approved the agreement in plenary by a large majority on 3 October 2023 and the final act was signed on 22 November 2023. The regulation entered into force on 27 December 2023.
Avtorji : Marcin SZCZEPANSKI

Stronger role for Europol to fight migrant smuggling and human trafficking EN

14-03-2024 PE 760.364
Briefing
Povzetek : In November 2023, the European Commission presented a proposal to reinforce the role of Europol, the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, in the fight against migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings. With detections of irregular border crossings at the EU's external borders at their highest levels since 2016 and demand for migration facilitation services following suit, the Commission sees an urgent need to step up the prevention, detection and investigation of these crimes. Europol's mandate was already reinforced in 2022, allowing the agency to step up its expertise and operational capabilities. The new proposal seeks to improve inter-agency cooperation on migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings, strengthen coordination at EU level by setting out specific strategic tasks for Europol's European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling, improve information sharing with the agency, reinforce Member States' resources to prevent and combat these crimes, and reinforce Europol's support through operational task forces and deployments for operational support. In the European Parliament, the proposal was assigned to the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and Jeroen Lenaers (EPP, Netherlands) was appointed as rapporteur. His report, once adopted, will form the basis for negotiations with the Council.
Avtorji : KATRIEN LUYTEN

Coordination for EU Competitiveness EN

14-03-2024 PE 747.838 ECON
Študija
Povzetek : This paper reviews the state of EU competitiveness and introduces a strategy to improve it, based on medium-term, sector-level coordination of Member State reform policies and/or investments. The idea is illustrated with two examples: an investment and reform programme to create a single EU electricity market and an Advanced Research Projects Agency (EU-ARPA). This document was provided/prepared by the Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit at the request of the ECON Committee..
Avtorji : David PINKUS, Jean PISANI-FERRY, Simone TAGLIAPIETRA, Reinhilde VEUGELERS, Georg ZACHMANN & Jeromin ZETTELMEYER

Gender Mainstreaming in the parliamentary work of the LIBE Committee EN

14-03-2024 PE 760.751 LIBE
Študija
Povzetek : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the LIBE Committee, is aimed at assessing the state of implementation of gender mainstreaming activities in the parliamentary work of the LIBE Committee and, particularly, it analyses the adoption of a gender mainstreaming and intersectional approach in LIBE’s legislative and non-legislative work in the 2021–2022 period.
Avtorji : SAMEK LODOVICI Manuela, LOI Daniela, CRIPPA Alessandra,PESCE Flavia, CHARRY CAMARGO Maria Juliana & FERRARI Elena

EU migration and borders: Key facts and figures EN

13-03-2024 PE 760.361
Briefing
Povzetek : Is the EU facing a migration crisis? Are the EU's borders on the brink of collapse because of increased irregular migration? Would border fences help to stop or reduce irregular migration? How many of the world's refugees and asylum seekers are headed towards the EU? Are the protection claims of asylum seekers genuine, or is subterfuge used to gain access to the EU? And what happened with the Ukrainian citizens fleeing the war into the EU? These are among the most common and important questions shaping the current discussion around migration and borders in the EU. This briefing provides an overview of key trends and figures on migration, borders and asylum in the EU. The analysis critically situates these topics in the broader global and historical context, providing a synthetic, data rich and accessible presentation of major issues. The analysis leads to several interesting findings that may challenge common perceptions about migration and borders in the EU, including the following.  The majority of migrants enter the EU through legitimate legal channels.  Most irregular migrants do not cross the EU's external borders irregularly.  There are significantly more legal migrants than irregular migrants in the EU.  Building fences at the EU's external borders does not seem to reduce irregular entries.  The view of a dramatic increase in the number of migrants and refugees is contested.  The EU's share of the world's refugees and asylum seekers remains limited.  Reducing or stopping immigration would worsen the EU's demographic challenges.  The EU's temporary protection scheme showed the Union's capacity to provide protection swiftly to a significant number of people in need.
Avtorji : Costica DUMBRAVA

EU-Taiwan ties after Taiwan's 2024 elections EN

13-03-2024 PE 760.357
Na kratko
Povzetek : The EU adheres to a one-China policy that recognises the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legitimate government of China. It does not therefore maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The EU nonetheless shares with Taiwan common interests and values, including democracy, the rule of law and human rights. The general elections held in Taiwan in January 2024 once again testified to the maturity of the island's democracy. The EU engages Taiwan in a number of policy areas, notably on trade and investment. In its resolutions, the European Parliament has, among other things, called repeatedly for closer cooperation with Taiwan, notably for the negotiation of agreements on supply chain resilience and bilateral investment relations.
Avtorji : Gisela GRIEGER

Revision of the Construction Products Regulation EN

13-03-2024 PE 739.243
Briefing
Povzetek : The Construction Products Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 305/2011, CPR) has applied fully since 1 July 2013. Its objective is to achieve the proper functioning of the internal market for construction products (such as waterproofing sheets, thermal insulation foams, chimneys and wood-based panels for permanent incorporation in construction works), by means of harmonised rules for their marketing in the EU. The CPR, which provides a common technical language to assess the performance of construction products, enables Member States to define the legal requirements for construction works. On 30 March 2022, the Commission put forward a proposal to revise the CPR. The proposal is part of a package with several other sectoral proposals aimed at making sustainable products the norm in the EU and boosting circular business models. The stated aims of the proposal are to improve the functioning of the internal market for construction products, address the implementation challenges that still exist at national level (particularly regarding market surveillance), simplify the legal framework and support the green and digital transition in the sector. On 13 December 2023, the Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on the proposal. Parliament is expected to vote on the agreed text, which requires formal adoption by both institutions, during its plenary session in April 2024. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.
Avtorji : Guillaume RAGONNAUD

Insurance recovery and resolution directive EN

13-03-2024 PE 739.273
Briefing
Povzetek : In 2020, the Commission launched a review of the Solvency II Directive, the EU's legal prudential regulatory framework for (re-)insurance companies, which entered into force in 2016. As one output of the review, the Commission made a proposal in September 2021 for a new directive establishing a framework for recovery and resolution of insurance companies – the 'IRRD proposal'. The IRRD proposal would establish harmonised recovery and resolution tools and procedures, with enhanced cross-border cooperation between national authorities. The proposal adopts the 'pre emptive' approach whereby insurance companies must submit plans to the supervisory authorities, which would be given powers to implement resolutions. The proposal also sets out a range of tools for resolutions. In the European Parliament, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), in charge of the file, adopted its report in July 2023. Following trilogue negotiations, the co-legislators reached an inter-institutional provisional agreement on 14 December 2023, which the ECON committee approved on 29 January 2024. The next steps include the adoption of the text by the Parliament's plenary and by the Council. Once adopted, it will be signed by the Council and the Parliament and published in the Official Journal. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.
Avtorji : ISSAM HALLAK

CO₂ emission performance standards and reporting obligations for new heavy-duty vehicles EN

13-03-2024 PE 747.880
Briefing
Povzetek : Road transport is a major contributor to climate change. CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) have grown steadily, and account for over a quarter of road transport CO2 emissions. On 14 February 2023, the European Commission tabled a legislative proposal to revise Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 setting CO2 emission standards for new HDVs in the EU. The proposed revision would expand the scope of the regulation to include urban buses, coaches, trailers and additional types of lorries. The average CO2 emissions of trucks and coaches, compared with 2019 levels, would have to fall by 45 % from 2030, by 65 % from 2035, and by 90 % from 2040 onwards. The proposal sets a target date when all newly registered urban buses would have to be zero-emission vehicles. In the European Parliament, the proposal was referred to the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. The Parliament adopted its position during the November II 2023 session. In January 2024, the co-legislators reached a provisional agreement on the proposal. The Parliament and Council need now to formally adopt the text. Fourth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.
Avtorji : Gregor ERBACH

Classification, labelling and packaging of chemical substances and mixtures EN

13-03-2024 PE 751.425
Briefing
Povzetek : In December 2022, the European Commission proposed a revision of the Regulation on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, one of the two cornerstones of the EU's framework regulating chemicals. The revision, announced in the EU chemicals strategy for sustainability, notably seeks to identify and classify hazardous chemicals more comprehensively; improve communication on chemical hazards and the notification of relevant information to poison centres for emergency health response; and address online sales more effectively. Industry has expressed particular concern about the proposed rules for classifying multi-constituent substances, grouping substances for harmonised classification and labelling, and label formatting. Non-governmental organisations, mainly supportive of the revision, stress the need to set deadlines, cover further hazards and nanoforms of substances, and do more to limit animal testing. The European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on the file on 5 December 2023. The agreed text was endorsed by Member State representatives on 22 December 2023 and by the ENVI committee on 11 January 2024. It now awaits formal adoption by the co-legislators. The vote in plenary is scheduled for the second April 2024 session. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.
Avtorji : Vivienne HALLEUX

Improving use of rail infrastructure capacity EN

13-03-2024 PE 754.599
Briefing
Povzetek : In July 2023, the European Commission tabled a package of proposals for the greening of freight transport. Among the three proposals is one on improving the use of rail infrastructure capacity. The proposed text includes changes to the rules on the planning and allocation of railway infrastructure capacity, currently covered by Directive 2012/34/EU and Regulation (EU) No 913/2010. The aim of the changes is to allow rail infrastructure capacity and traffic to be managed more efficiently, thereby improving the quality of services and optimising the use of the railway network, accommodating larger volumes of traffic and ensuring that the transport sector contributes to decarbonisation. In the European Parliament, the file was referred to the Committee on Transport and Tourism, which appointed Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA, Luxembourg) as rapporteur. The TRAN committee adopted its report on 4 March 2024. Parliament is expected to vote on its first-reading position during its March plenary session. Second edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.
Avtorji : Jaan SOONE

Minimum breaks and rest periods in occasional road passenger transport EN

13-03-2024 PE 754.641
Briefing
Povzetek : The current Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 on minimum breaks and rest periods for road freight and passenger transport drivers does not take into account the nature of occasional bus and coach services, and their drivers' specific needs. The European Commission has therefore proposed to amend this legislation and to introduce more flexible rules on splitting up breaks and taking daily and weekly rest periods. In the European Parliament, the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) is responsible for the file. The TRAN report was adopted in committee on 16 November 2023 and voted in plenary on 12 December 2023. The Council agreed its position on 4 December 2023. Interinstitutional negotiations resulted in a provisional agreement, which was approved in committee on 14 February 2024 and is scheduled for a plenary vote during the March session. Second edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.
Avtorji : Monika KISS

Alternative dispute resolution EN

13-03-2024 PE 757.639
Briefing
Povzetek : Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is defined as a process allowing complaints to be settled out of court with the assistance of an impartial dispute resolution body. On 17 October 2023, the European Commission adopted proposals for a directive amending several directives pertaining to consumer rights and ADR, in which the notion of complaint relates to situations where a relation between a consumer and a trader gives rise to a complaint from the consumer. Through ADR, consumers are able to settle a complaint against a trader for breach of contract, outside court procedures, assisted by impartial, neutral dispute mediation, arbitration or conciliation. Since 2013, the share of e commerce in the EU economy has increased significantly, up from 2 % to 4 % of EU GDP, increasing the relevance of ADR for consumers. Each year, circa 300 000 eligible disputes between consumers and traders are examined by ADR entities, with resolution rates between 17 % and 100 % across the Member States. The Commission proposal pursues three objectives, to: adapt the ADR legislative framework to digital markets; facilitate the use of ADR in cross-border disputes; and simplify ADR procedures. In the European Parliament, the file was referred to the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection. The committee adopted its report unanimously on 22 February 2024Second edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.. On 13 March 2024, Parliament adopted the report as its first reading position with 605 votes in favour, 7 votes against and 13 abstentions.
Avtorji : CLEMENT THIERRY EVROUX

Russia's 2024 presidential election: What is at stake and what is not EN

13-03-2024 PE 760.358
Briefing
Povzetek : On 15-17 March 2024, more than two years into the unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression on Ukraine, and one month after the sudden death in custody of the opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Russia will hold its presidential election. Over 110 million Russian citizens, including more than 6 million living in Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia, are invited to take part in what is largely seen as a carefully staged legitimisation ritual for Vladimir Putin's reappointment to a fifth term in office, until 2030. Putin has been in power, as either president or prime minister, since the last day of 1999; and Russia has been at war for 19 of his 24 years at the helm. The constitutional changes of 2020 allowed Putin to stand for a fifth term, and possibly for a sixth term in 2030. He is running for re election without any meaningful opposition, after barring the two anti-war candidates who stood for election despite the restrictions, and against a backdrop of a virtually total closure of the civic space, draconian repression of public dissent and suppressed freedom of expression. The reappointment of Vladimir Putin seems inexorable. The objective of the Kremlin, however, is not just victory, but a landslide result, both in turnout and percentage of votes. This would legitimise Putin's legacy and his war of aggression, relegating the remaining opposition to an even more marginalised role, and allowing Putin to implement, unchecked, his vision for the next six years. Recent changes to Russia's electoral laws make it virtually impossible to conduct any meaningful monitoring, and have significantly restricted the role of the media. Observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe will not be present, as was previously the case with the September 2021 parliamentary elections. A number of civil society organisations and personalities have called on the international community not to recognise the results as legitimate; this demand was also made by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in October 2023.
Avtorji : ANNA CAPRILE

Review of the rules on the protection of animals during transport EN

13-03-2024 PE 760.360
Briefing
Povzetek : In December 2023, the Commission presented a proposal on the protection of animals during transport, with a view to replacing and updating Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005. This proposal, along with another on welfare and traceability of dogs and cats, is part of a legislative package to reform the current EU rules on animal welfare. The reform was announced in 2020 with the launch of the 'farm to fork' strategy, which aims to create a fairer, healthier and more environmentally friendly food system. The proposed text introduces stricter rules regarding travel times, the minimum space between animals, transport conditions for vulnerable animals, transportation in extreme temperatures, safeguarding of animals transported to third countries, the utilisation of technological systems and the protection of cats and dogs in commercial transport. In the European Parliament, the file has been assigned to the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) and to the Committee of Transport and Tourism (TRAN), with Daniel Buda (EPP, Romania) and Anna Deparnay-Grunenberg (Greens/EFA, Germany) as co-rapporteurs. First edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.
Avtorji : CLAUDIA VINCI

Future-proofing the EU's global health strategy EN

13-03-2024 PE 757.799
Poglobljena analiza
Povzetek : The new EU global health strategy, adopted by the European Commission on 30 November 2022, has been positioned as a crucial element of EU external policy, geopolitical influence and strategic autonomy. However, maintaining the long term commitment necessary for achieving global health ambitions in turbulent times remains challenging. Against this backdrop, in 2023 the Policy Foresight Unit of the European Parliamentary Research Service conducted a foresight exercise involving external experts to explore the new strategy's resilience to diverse crisis scenarios. The outcomes of this analysis emphasise the need to prioritise prevention measures, foster multilateral cooperation and build local capacity. They underscore the interdependency of sectors in addressing global health challenges, and highlight how investment in global health today could help to mitigate future crises and enhance the strategic autonomy of both the EU and its partners.
Avtorji : VIRGINIA NOELLE MAHIEU

Examples of Parliament's impact: 2019 to 2024 - Illustrating the powers of the European Parliament EN

13-03-2024 PE 760.359
Poglobljena analiza
Povzetek : As the European Union's only directly elected institution, the European Parliament stands at the heart of European representative democracy, the foundation upon which the EU is built. Since its creation, the Parliament's powers have evolved significantly, and it is now a fully fledged legislative body and forum for discussion and engagement, whose influence is felt in virtually all areas of EU activity. This paper offers an overview of the European Parliament's main powers, demonstrating how they interact, and illustrating through practical examples from the ninth parliamentary term (2019-2024) the various ways in which Parliament uses those powers in its daily work.
Avtorji : KATRIEN LUYTEN, MARIANNA PARI, ANNA CAPRILE, POLONA CAR, Jakub PRZETACZNIK, Jaan SOONE, Magdalena SAPALA, Laurence AMAND-EECKHOUT, Micaela DEL MONTE, Rafał MAŃKO, Maria Niestadt, Monika KISS, Tarja LAANINEN, Marketa PAPE, Rosamund SHREEVES, SARAH GILL, Silvia KOTANIDIS, Hendrik Alexander MILDEBRATH, LISELOTTE JENSEN, CLEMENT THIERRY EVROUX, Pieter BAERT

The role (and accountability) of the President of the Eurogroup EN

13-03-2024 PE 741.497 ECON
Briefing
Povzetek : This briefing paper provides an overview of the role and mandate of the Eurogroup and the role and accountability of its President, including the procedures for his/her appointment. This paper includes the following sections: 1) The role of the Permanent President of the Eurogroup; 2) The President of Eurogroup and the European Parliament; 3) The role and mandate of the Eurogroup; and 4) Eurogroup transparency. The paper will be regularly updated.
Avtorji : Kajus HAGELSTAM, WOLFGANG LEHOFER, GIACOMO LOI

Lessons learned from the implementation of crisis response tools at EU level - Part 1: Assessing implementation and implications EN

13-03-2024 PE 760.343 CONT BUDG
Študija
Povzetek : As the EU grapples with successive crises, there is mounting pressure to develop swift and robust crisis response mechanisms. This study, divided into two parts, aims to enrich this discourse by examining four instruments – SURE, CRII, CRII+ and REACT-EU – introduced as a response to the pandemic. This paper forms the output of the first phase of the study and aims to distil lessons learned from the design and implementation of these instruments.
Avtorji : Tamás KISS-GÁLFALVI, Cinzia ALCIDI, Alexandre OUNNAS, Eulalia RUBIO, Harry CRICHTON-MILLER & Damir GOJSIC

Understanding cybercrime EN

12-03-2024 PE 760.356
Briefing
Povzetek : Cybercrime is a major threat to society that generates billions of euros for its perpetrators. It is a form of crime that is continuing to grow, with criminals showing increasing sophistication and resourcefulness. These criminal activities occur at all levels of society and take many forms, from investment fraud to phishing and the creation of bogus entities, including fake charities. The rise in the use of digital solutions for everyday activities in business and public services is matched by the number of digital devices being used by citizens. People are now connecting to numerous digital accounts and are spending more time online than ever before. Coupled with this, cyberattacks and digital scams are on the rise. Not only is the number of incidents growing, but the complexity and the subsequent negative impact is also increasing. Cybercrime can be relatively simple in appearance, such as spurious emails and text messages, or complex, involving a number of actors spreading malicious content through entire business or public service systems in order to block access for ransom purposes or to disable critical entities for ideological reasons. The EU is active in tackling cybersecurity and cybercrime, as demonstrated by its cybersecurity strategy. It has a number of pieces of legislation in place or in the pipeline to tackle vulnerabilities, increase the resilience of essential services and address associated cybersecurity risks. Likewise, EU agencies are proactively dealing with the threat posed by cybercrime by supporting Member States and stakeholders in addressing emerging threats and strengthening resilience.
Avtorji : COLIN MICHAEL MURPHY

Monetary Dialogue in February 2024- Summary of parliamentary scrutiny activities EN

12-03-2024 PE 747.859 ECON
Briefing
Povzetek : This briefing provides a summary of all scrutiny activities of the European Parliament related to euro area monetary policy in the period between December 2023 and February 2024. For a recap of the key monetary policy developments and decisions taken by the European Central Bank in that period, please refer to our briefing published ahead of the 15 February Monetary Dialogue. We publish these documents regularly ahead and after each Monetary Dialogue with the European Central Bank.
Avtorji : MAJA SABOL, GIACOMO LOI, MILJA MIESKOLAINEN, KATERYNA HANINA

Parental Child Abductions to Third Countries EN

12-03-2024 PE 759.359 JURI
Študija
Povzetek : Cross-border parental child abductions in the EU are governed by The 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and (except for Denmark) the Brussels II-ter Regulation. Countries outside of the EU may or may not be Contracting States to ‘the Convention’, but will not be bound by Brussels II-ter. Research has found that the often negative, long-lasting impact of abduction may continue throughout the lifecycle of those who have been abducted. It may also affect future generations of society. This means that every effort to deter abduction should be made. Where that is not possible, the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention should be nurtured to support its application in contemporary society. Specialist mediation should be encouraged in relation to international child abduction generally, and specifically in relation to Third Countries which are not Contracting States to ‘the Convention’. This study was commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee.
Avtorji : Marilyn FREEMAN

Artificial intelligence act EN

11-03-2024 PE 698.792
Briefing
Povzetek : European Union lawmakers reached a political agreement on the draft artificial intelligence (AI) act in December 2023. Proposed by the European Commission in April 2021, the draft AI act, the first binding worldwide horizontal regulation on AI, sets a common framework for the use and supply of AI systems in the EU. It offers a classification for AI systems with different requirements and obligations tailored on a 'risk-based approach'. Some AI systems presenting 'unacceptable' risks are prohibited. A wide range of 'high-risk' AI systems that can have a detrimental impact on people's health, safety or on their fundamental rights are authorised, but subject to a set of requirements and obligations to gain access to the EU market. AI systems posing limited risks because of their lack of transparency will be subject to information and transparency requirements, while AI systems presenting only minimal risk for people will not be subject to further obligations. The regulation also provides specific rules for general purpose AI (GPAI) models and lays down more stringent requirements for GPAI models with 'high-impact capabilities' that could pose a systemic risk and have a significant impact on the internal market. The provisional agreement has been endorsed by the Committee of Permanent Representatives of EU Member States and by Parliament's two lead committees. Parliament's plenary vote on the final agreement is scheduled for the March plenary session. The AI act must also be endorsed by Council and published in the EU's Official Journal before entering into force. Third edition. 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages of the legislative procedure.
Avtorji : Tambiama André MADIEGA

Establishing the Ukraine Facility: Financing Ukraine's recovery and its path to EU accession EN

11-03-2024 PE 753.954
Briefing
Povzetek : The Ukraine Facility supports Ukraine, its recovery and its path to EU accession, allocating up to €50 billion for 2024 to 2027. Regulation (EU) 2024/792 establishing the Ukraine Facility was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in February 2024. The EU budget is supposed to finance the Facility's €17 billion in grants and guarantee its €33 billion in loans. Additional financing is expected to come from frozen Russian assets. In the negotiations with the Council, the European Parliament managed to secure enhanced democratic control of the Facility by strengthening the rights of the European Parliament and the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, while increasing transparency through the systematic involvement of Ukraine's civil society and through the publication of the recipients of EU funds. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.
Avtorji : TIM ULRICH PETERS

Victims of terrorism: EU response EN

08-03-2024 PE 635.546
Na kratko
Povzetek : On 11 March, Europe honours all those who have lost their lives or loved ones to terror. The European Day of Remembrance of Victims of Terrorism was inaugurated after the 2004 Madrid bombings. Protecting victims of terrorism is an essential part of the EU's efforts to address all dimensions of the terrorist threat. In response to the attacks that have hit Europe over the past two decades, the EU has strengthened its rules and sanctions relating to terrorist activities. Ongoing EU action seeks to ensure better protection and support for victims of terrorism (regardless of their nationality or where in the EU they were attacked), to promote remembrance practices as a tool for countering radicalisation, and to improve information exchange regarding cross border victims in the event of a terrorist attack.
Avtorji : KATRIEN LUYTEN

Foreign interference and EU preparedness EN

08-03-2024 PE 760.355
Na kratko
Povzetek : Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, deepening political polarisation and widespread adoption of advanced technology, the EU faces the threat of foreign interference. Elections to the European Parliament and in many Member States emphasise the need to defend against foreign interference in a critical time for our democracies.
Avtorji : Hendrik Alexander MILDEBRATH

Federalism in the European Parliament: From Ventotene to the Spinelli Group EN

08-03-2024 PE 760.354
Briefing
Povzetek : Following the conclusion of the Conference on the Future of Europe in May 2022, it remains to be seen whether the European Union will embark on substantial Treaty reform in the future. Federalists are pushing for such reform, however, and they have organised themselves for this purpose in the European Parliament ever since Altiero Spinelli created the 'Crocodile Club' in 1980. His key role in defining and advocating a constitution for a federal Europe – from his co-authored 1941 Ventotene Manifesto, through to his engagement in the Union of European Federalists and his crucial role in the drafting of the 1984 Draft Treaty on European Union – explains the choice of name of the present-day Spinelli Group. This briefing traces the organisation and networking of European federalists and their impact on European integration from outside and inside the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Parliament (as it called itself from 1962 onwards) of today's European Union. It demonstrates how federalists and their constitutional ideas embedded in draft constitutions, which were never ratified, nevertheless strongly impacted Treaty reform and the EU's constitutionalisation in the long run.
Avtorji : WOLFRAM KARL WILHELM KAISER

Research for the AGRI Committee - The dependency of the EU’s food system on inputs and their sources. EN

08-03-2024 PE 747.273 AGRI
Na kratko
Povzetek : This study analyses the vulnerabilities of the EU food system regarding inputs, describing the tools to secure those inputs and make the EU less dependent on foreign suppliers. It provides recommendations for appropriate measures to increase the EU food system’s resilience to disruptions in trade flows and price increases of imported inputs.
Avtorji : Alberico LOI, Mario GENTILE, Dylan BRADLEY, Maria CHRISTODOULOU, John BRACKEN, Marja KNUUTTILA, Jyrki NIEMI & Henrik WEJBERG
Povezani dokumenti

Študija

Implementation of the 2023 euro area recommendations EN

08-03-2024 PE 755.723 ECON
Poglobljena analiza
Povzetek : This note provides an overview of the implementation of the 2023 Recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area proposed by the Commission and agreed by the Council. It makes use of public information and proxies such as on how the Eurogroup has integrated euro area recommendations’ concerns in their “thematic discussions” and work programmes. This note will be updated in light of relevant developments.
Avtorji : GIACOMO LOI, MILJA MIESKOLAINEN

Council recommendations on the Economic Policy of the Euro Area - March 2024 EN

08-03-2024 PE 755.738 ECON
Poglobljena analiza
Povzetek : This note looks at the 2024 recommendation on the economic policies of the euro area proposed by the Commission and agreed by the Council. The note provides a review of the euro area recommendations from an institutional perspective and includes broad comparisons to earlier recommendations, in order to illustrate how policy concerns have evolved over time. This note will be updated in light of relevant developments.
Avtorji : GIACOMO LOI, MILJA MIESKOLAINEN

European Parliament work in the fields of impact assessment and European added value - Activity Report for 2023 EN

07-03-2024 PE 757.795
Študija
Povzetek : This activity report summarises and explains the work undertaken by the European Parliament in the fields of impact assessment and European added value between January and December 2023. It details the support given by the Directorate for Impact Assessment and Foresight within the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) to assist parliamentary committees in their oversight and scrutiny of the executive in the fields of ex-ante impact assessment, European added value, and ex post evaluation of EU law and policy in practice. It also outlines the wider horizontal support offered to the institution as a whole with regard to the policy cycle. During the 12 months under review, the Directorate published 120 substantive pieces of work, all of which can be accessed via hyperlinks in this report.
Avtorji : WOLFGANG HILLER

Adapting liability rules to artificial intelligence EN

07-03-2024 PE 757.810
Briefing
Povzetek : The impact assessment (IA) defines the problems, their drivers, the objectives and the options of the initiative in a robust intervention logic. It explains the initiative's coherence with ongoing legislation. However, the interplay between the initiative and, in particular, the artificial intelligence act and the revised Product Liability Directive with regard to their scope of application and the likely evolution of the problems appear to be addressed insufficiently. The IA is based on several sources, including the European Parliament's legislative own-initiative resolution on a civil liability regime for artificial intelligence, stakeholder consultations, supporting studies and desk research. The IA presents a range of cumulative policy options; it is however questionable whether they fully qualify as alternative options under the Better Regulation Guidelines. The assessment of the options' impacts (economic, social, environmental, fundamental rights) is mainly qualitative owing to considerable data limitations, which are addressed transparently throughout the IA.
Avtorji : DIETER FRIZBERG

Revision of the European Works Councils Directive EN

07-03-2024 PE 757.811
Briefing
Povzetek : The impact assessment (IA) was prepared after the evaluation, so the 'evaluation first' principle was properly followed. This IA relies on an external IA supporting study, a two-stage stakeholder consultation and independent research. The problem definition is clear and is accompanied by a problem tree, but there is a lack of solid evidence of what has worked and what has not. The IA presents 10 policy options; these are cumulative and some of the options do not seem to be relevant policy alternatives. The preferred option is discussed extensively in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, coherence and proportionality. The IA assesses the economic, social and fundamental rights impacts of all policy options. It also provides a competitiveness check, and concludes that the effect on competitiveness is negligible, but the incidence of legal actions or financial penalties is debatable. There is no SME test performed for this initiative because of the dimension of 'Community-scale undertakings'. The IA includes a sensitivity analysis and acknowledges limitations and uncertainties concerning quantification and cost data collection.
Avtorji : Josefina CAPDEVILA PENALVA

Policy Departments’ Monthly Highlights March 2024 EN

Na kratko

EU's financial rules (recast) EN

06-03-2024 PE 760.351
Na kratko
Povzetek : In May 2022, the European Commission published a proposal to adjust and align the EU's financial rules to the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework. The Parliament and Council have now reached a provisional agreement on a new version of the EU's financial rules, enhancing the EU's financial interests. The new rules will ensure that EU funding is more transparent, more digital and clearly reflects the Union's values, as defended by Parliament. Parliament is due to vote on the provisional agreement during its March plenary session.
Avtorji : MARIANNA PARI

Parliament's guidelines for the 2025 EU budget: Section III – European Commission EN

06-03-2024 PE 760.350
Na kratko
Povzetek : The 2025 EU budget will be the fifth under the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021 to 2027. It will also be the first annual procedure that will fully apply and implement the new provisions under the recently revised MFF. The European Parliament contributes to the shaping of proposals for the forthcoming year's European Union budget through the adoption of its 'guidelines'. The draft guidelines, as adopted by the Committee on Budgets on 4 March 2024, outline Parliament's goals and priorities, in particular to have a people-centred 2025 budget. Parliament is expected to adopt its guidelines during the March plenary session, before the Commission adopts its proposal with the draft 2025 budget in late spring or early summer.
Avtorji : Sidonia MAZUR

Fit for 55 package EN

06-03-2024 PE 733.513
Briefing
Povzetek : The 'fit for 55' package of July and December 2021 was designed to realise the European Climate Law objectives: climate neutrality by 2050 and a 55 % reduction of net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. It consisted of 13 interlinked proposals to revise existing EU climate and energy laws, and six new legislative proposals. All proposals, except the Energy Taxation Directive, have been adopted or agreed by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. The package seeks to accelerate emissions reductions in the sectors covered by the EU emissions trading system (ETS) and those covered by the Effort-sharing Regulation, and to increase carbon removals in the land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector. This is an update of a briefing first published in June 2022.
Avtorji : Gregor ERBACH, LISELOTTE JENSEN
Povzetek : In November 2022, the European Commission tabled a pair of proposals as part of a 'design package', as a step towards coherent rules fit for purpose in today's digital age and more efficient for applicants. The first proposal was the amendment of the Community Design Regulation and the second, the recast of the Design Directive. During its March 2024 plenary session, the European Parliament is set to vote on the political agreement on both files reached in trilogue negotiations with the Council.
Avtorji : Stefano DE LUCA

Amending the Waste Framework Directive EN

06-03-2024 PE 759.621
Na kratko
Povzetek : In March, Parliament is due to vote on the report adopted by its Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) on a proposal for a targeted revision of EU waste rules to speed up the fight against food waste and to involve textile producers in the fight against the waste of used clothes and shoes.
Avtorji : Ivana KATSAROVA

European media freedom act EN

06-03-2024 PE 759.620
Na kratko
Povzetek : On 15 December 2023, the co-legislators reached a provisional agreement on a regulation establishing a common framework for media services in the internal market (European Media Freedom Act). The Committee on Culture and Education has endorsed the text which is now due to be voted in plenary in March. The EMFA is a historic step, as it will set the first EU-level rules on media freedom, pluralism and the protection of journalists.
Avtorji : Tarja LAANINEN

European cross-border associations EN

06-03-2024 PE 759.616
Na kratko
Povzetek : Responding to repeated calls from the European Parliament to propose common Union-wide rules to facilitate the cross-border activity of non-profit organisations (NPOs), the Commission has proposed a directive on European cross-border associations (ECBAs). Parliament is due to vote on the report on this proposal, submitted by its Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI), during its March plenary session.
Avtorji : Rafał MAŃKO

Freezing and confiscation of criminal money EN

06-03-2024 PE 759.610
Na kratko
Povzetek : The European Commission proposed to amend Directive 2014/42 on the freezing and confiscation of the proceeds of crime in order to strengthen the EU's asset recovery and confiscation rules. The aim is to modernise the legal framework in order to tackle the low rates of freezing and confiscation of criminal profits. After three rounds of interinstitutional negotiations, the Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on the draft directive on 12 December 2023. Parliament is due to vote in plenary in March on the provisional agreement.
Avtorji : COLIN MICHAEL MURPHY

'Green claims' directive EN

06-03-2024 PE 759.609
Na kratko
Povzetek : In March 2023, the Commission proposed a directive on green claims. During its March plenary session, the European Parliament is due to vote on the report adopted jointly on 14 February 2024 by its Committees on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO).
Avtorji : Guillaume RAGONNAUD

Compulsory licensing of patents EN

06-03-2024 PE 760.346
Na kratko
Povzetek : In 2023, the Commission submitted six patent-related legislative initiatives aimed at helping companies, in particular SMEs, make the most of their inventions and of new technologies, and contribute to the EU's competitiveness and technological sovereignty. In March, Parliament is due to adopt its first-reading position on one of these initiatives, a new regulation on the compulsory licensing of patents for crisis management.
Avtorji : Rafał MAŃKO

Establishing an EU customs data hub and an EU customs authority EN

06-03-2024 PE 760.345
Na kratko
Povzetek : In May 2023, the European Commission tabled a customs reform package. Key to the reform is the proposal to establish an EU customs authority, which would oversee a new EU customs data hub. This would entail a more centralised and digitalised approach to customs, which should lower compliance costs for traders and ensure a more efficient, fraud-proof customs union. The proposal follows the ordinary legislative procedure. Parliament is due to vote on its first-reading report during the March plenary session.
Avtorji : Pieter BAERT

Harmonisation of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of EU sanctions EN

06-03-2024 PE 759.618
Na kratko
Povzetek : In December 2022, the European Commission tabled a proposal for a directive laying out harmonised rules on criminal offences and penalties for the violation of Union (EU) restrictive measures. During its March plenary session, Parliament is due to vote on the political agreement reached in negotiations with the Council.
Avtorji : Carmen-Cristina CIRLIG, Martina PRPIC

Revised rules on the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) EN

06-03-2024 PE 759.617
Na kratko
Povzetek : On 1 June 2023, the European Commission presented the maritime safety package, which includes a proposal to revise the framework of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and repeal its founding regulation, Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002. The proposal would update EMSA's mandate to better reflect the agency's evolving role in different areas of maritime transport, and to secure adequate human and financial resources to fulfil this role. Parliament is due to vote its first-reading position on the file during its March 2024 plenary session.
Avtorji : Mathias Mathieu GULLENTOPS

Revised EU rules on industrial pollution EN

06-03-2024 PE 759.613
Na kratko
Povzetek : During its March plenary session, the European Parliament is due to vote on the provisional political agreement reached with the Council on updated EU rules to prevent and control pollution from industry. The agreement, endorsed by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) on 11 January 2024, substantially amends the text originally proposed by the European Commission.
Avtorji : Vivienne HALLEUX
Povzetek : On 28 July 2023, the European Commission adopted a proposal to revise EU toy safety legislation. It has two main objectives: achieving a higher level of child protection, and reducing the number of non-compliant and unsafe toys on the EU market. The European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) adopted its report on the proposal unanimously in February 2024. The report is scheduled for a plenary vote in March, which would set Parliament's first-reading position.
Avtorji : CLEMENT THIERRY EVROUX

Net-zero industry act EN

06-03-2024 PE 747.903
Briefing
Povzetek : The deployment of clean energy technologies required to support the achievement of Europe's 2030 and 2050 climate targets is considerable. Europe already largely imports these technologies, and like many third countries is increasing efforts to expand clean energy manufacturing capacity to reduce strategic dependencies for key products. 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). On 6 February 2024, the Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on the new regulation. This agreement must now be formally approved by both institutions. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.
Avtorji : Guillaume RAGONNAUD

Non-road mobile machinery circulating on public roads EN

06-03-2024 PE 753.925
Briefing
Povzetek : The single market celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023. Although it has generally been a success story, a number of challenges remain. For instance, there is still no EU-wide harmonisation of the technical requirements for the road circulation of non-road mobile machinery. This has a negative effect on the functioning of the single market. This sector covers a broad range of machinery fitted with the means for self-propulsion – such as combine harvesters, excavators, ride-on mowers and forklifts – and that may need to circulate on the road to go from one workplace to another. On 23 March 2023, the Commission presented a proposal for a regulation that would set out the requirements for the EU type approval and placing on the market of non-road mobile machinery intended to circulate on public roads. It would also lay down rules and procedures on market surveillance of non-road mobile machinery. Stakeholders have broadly welcomed the proposal. The Parliament and Council reached a political agreement on 21 February 2024. This agreement now needs to be endorsed, and formally adopted by both institutions. Second edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.
Avtorji : Guillaume RAGONNAUD

Women in politics in the EU: State of play in 2024 EN

06-03-2024 PE 760.348
Briefing
Povzetek : One hundred years after women won the right to vote in elections or were first elected to parliament in some EU Member States, they continue to be under-represented in politics and public life. This is true whether looking at the composition of the European Parliament or that of national parliaments, governments and local assemblies. On the other hand, gender balance in politics benefits not only women and female politicians but also political parties themselves and the rest of society. Women form half the population and deserve to be better represented in power structures. There is now solid evidence about what hinders or enables women's participation and representation, with political parties and the media serving a dual role in this respect. The EU has committed to achieving gender balance in political representation and participation as a matter of justice, equality and democracy. Practical recommendations have been made for achieving this goal, including specific actions to be taken by the EU institutions, national governments, political parties, civil society and the media. A number of pivotal elections are taking place across the world this year, leading to a renewed focus on gender equality and women's participation in politics. Gender equality is one of the issues expected to take centre stage in political debates. Mainstream parties are pushing for further progress in this area, while some populist and radical political forces are campaigning for a renewed emphasis on family and traditional social roles for women and men. Women's rights (for instance, reproductive rights), could even prove decisive in determining the outcome of certain elections. This is an update of a briefing from March 2023 by Rosamund Shreeves and Ionel Zamfir.
Avtorji : Ionel ZAMFIR

Harmonising transfer pricing rules within the EU EN

06-03-2024 PE 760.349
Briefing
Povzetek : The pricing of goods and services that are traded within a multinational group is referred to as 'transfer pricing'. The prices charged on such transactions affect the division of income between the different entities of the multinational group (and consequently, the taxable profits per country). To ensure that transactions between group entities are priced in a way that reflects their fair market value – i.e. as if the transactions were made between independent entities – countries have put in place strict transfer pricing rules. While these rules are made at national level, EU Member States generally stay close to (non-binding) OECD Guidelines. However, the number of transfer pricing tax disputes has risen over the years, with both tax authorities and companies spending significant time and resources on solving such cases. On 12 September 2023, the European Commission tabled a proposal on harmonising transfer pricing rules within the EU. The main objective is to establish a common approach at EU level towards transfer pricing and define a number of key transfer pricing principles in order to enshrine them into EU law. First edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.
Avtorji : Pieter BAERT

Jacques Delors’ legacy [What Think Tanks are thinking] EN

06-03-2024 PE 760.352
Briefing
Povzetek : Jacques Delors, a passionate advocate of European integration, is widely considered to be the father of the European single market and the economic and monetary union. Previously a trade union activist, French Finance Minister, and MEP in the first directly elected European Parliament, he served three terms as the President of the European Commission, from 1985 to 1995. Jacques Delors died on 27 December 2023, aged 98. Following his death, he leaves behind a huge legacy, with numerous commentators underlining his role as one of the architects of today's EU. It was during his term in office that the Member States signed the Single European Act in 1986 and the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, which paved the way for the transformation of the European Economic Community, and other pre-EU organisations, into the European Union. This note gathers links to the recent publications and commentaries from many international think tanks on Jacques Delors’ life and legacy.
Avtorji : Marcin CESLUK-GRAJEWSKI