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The Commission put forward its proposal for a regulation establishing the European defence industry reinforcement through common procurement act (EDIRPA) on 19 July 2022. The key goals were to address the EU's most urgent and critical defence capability gaps and incentivise the EU Member States to procure defence products jointly. On 27 June, the co-legislators reached a political agreement on EDIRPA. Parliament adopted the EDIRPA Regulation on 12 September and the Council followed suit on 9 October ...

Since the adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, research and innovation investment strategies worldwide have been increasingly geared towards the twin green and digital transitions. One objective has been to reinforce the impact of public investment in science and technology by doing more to pool resources and rally various actors, including citizens, behind a specific goal (a concept also known as 'directionality'). Horizon Europe, the ninth EU framework programme ...

The problem definition appears to be well supported by evidence. The impact assessment provides a sufficient range and description of the options. However, the five options are cumulative; it is 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 qualitative and quantitative. It appears to be based on sound research and analysis, with clear acknowledgement ...

In April 2023, the European Commission adopted regulatory proposals introducing a Unitary Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC) and a centralised assessment procedure for SPCs for medicinal products. This study analyses the potential impacts of these proposals on access to medicines, the administrative burden to applicants and the cost to national health systems. This document was prepared by Policy Department for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee ...

Ukraine has made progress in recapturing its territory seized by Russia, 18 months after Moscow started its unprovoked war against its neighbour, as part of the counter-offensive launched in June. Ukrainian analysts say the drive to capture a succession of villages is paying off. Russia has dismissed the offensive as a failure, while admitting that things are not easy in parts of south-eastern Zaporizhzhia region. Russia has unleashed a barrage of drone strikes on various targets, including the port ...

EU lawmakers have drafted and negotiated a regulation on geographical indications for non-agricultural products, to enable the registration of names of craft and industrial products as geographical indications and to enhance their protection within the EU and in third-countries. The European Parliament is expected to vote on the final text resulting from the trilogue negotiations during its September plenary session.

This Briefing concerns a portfolio change in the European Commission in mid-mandate and takes the same format and approach as those Briefings published in September 2019 to give Members of the European Parliament an overview of major issues of interest in the context of the Hearings of the Commissioners-designate.

In 2022, the EU Strategic Compass included space as a strategic domain, and called for a dedicated European strategy. In the meantime, Russia's invasion of Ukraine confirmed the key role of space for defence and resilience, but also highlighted vulnerabilities related to space systems. Another 'wake-up call' came from a different direction; SpaceX's advances in reusable rocket technology leading to Starship's first orbital flight test turned the spotlight onto launch providers and access to space ...

On 28 June 2023, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed the appointment of Iliana Ivanova as the new Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. This change in Commissioner comes at a key point in taking stock of the initial results of Horizon Europe, launched in 2021. Branded the world's biggest research and innovation programme, approximately 25 % of the programme's overall budget has already been committed, allowing for early conclusions. The legal basis provides ...

As Ukraine continues its counter-offensive against the Russian invaders, the NATO summit in Vilnius vowed unwavering support for the country, and took decisions to simplify its path towards membership of the Western military alliance. NATO leaders said they would be able to invite Ukraine to join the Alliance once the country meets certain conditions. They declared continued support for Ukraine’s deterrence and defence in the short, medium, and long term, as well as for turning the Comprehensive ...