NewzIntel.com

Category: CTF

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Turkish military ‘Sea Wolf’ exercise threatens peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean – E-001912/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001912/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Geadis Geadi (ECR)

    As part of the Turkish military ‘Sea Wolf’ exercise, operational movements with live fire are being carried out in maritime areas that fall within the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus. According to what has been publicly released by both the newspaper ‘Simerini’ and many official Turkish websites, based on the coordinates of the exercise, this activity extends from Thrace to the maritime zones near the coasts of the Republic of Cyprus, at a distance of under 20 nautical miles.

    Given the European Union’s commitment to promoting peace, security and respect for international law:

    • 1.What is the Commission’s official position on the legal basis of Turkish military actions taking place in areas where the Republic of Cyprus has declared an EEZ?
    • 2.How does the Commission intend to ensure respect for international law and the protection of the sovereign rights of Member States against such military challenges?
    • 3.Does the Commission condemn these actions, which may threaten peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean?

    Submitted: 13.5.2025

    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Public health risk from the presence of asbestos in public buildings in Greece – E-001913/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001913/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Galato Alexandraki (ECR)

    Despite the extraction and use of asbestos having been banned in the EU for almost 25 years, thousands of public buildings containing this dangerous material are still in use in Greece, as confirmed by recent incidents. Recently, asbestos was found in the Faculty of Philosophy of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, while shortly afterwards chrysotile (‘white’ asbestos) was found in a primary school in Rhodes. According to claims from students and teachers, the existence of asbestos is discovered by chance, without prior systematic checks, while removal is carried out piecemeal, putting the health of pupils, students and employees at ongoing risk.

    At the same time, there are still reports of hundreds of public buildings with asbestos in ceilings, insulation or tiles, while removal procedures seem to be delayed due to lack of funding and planning, and this constitutes a serious shortcoming in prevention in public health matters.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.How and by when should asbestos be completely removed from public buildings in Greece in accordance with EU directives? Has this been checked by the Commission?
    • 2.Are there financial tools and technical support from the EU that can be used to accelerate the control and replacement procedures?

    Submitted: 13.5.2025

    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – The EU and the Pacific countries: Between climate change and geopolitical rivalries – 20-05-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    The Pacific Islands region occupies almost 15 % of the Earth’s surface. The European Union (EU) recognises 15 Pacific Island Countries (PICs), mostly small developing states formed by archipelagos consisting of a large number of inhabited islands. The region includes three French Pacific Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) associated with the EU. Population dispersion and economic dependency on a narrow range of industries – particularly tourism and fishing – are common characteristics of these countries. Climate change poses an existential threat to the survival of these countries, whose progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals has been quite slow. The region has been largely neglected by the major powers, but it has recently emerged as one of the areas where the geopolitical rivalry between the United States (US) and China is playing out. Beijing’s outreach and influence in the region has been increasing, not least to exert pressure on some countries to abandon their diplomatic recognition of Taiwan. In 2022, the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) – the main political and economic policy organisation of the region – launched the ‘2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent’. Traditional players in the Pacific – Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) and the US – welcomed the initiative and consequently launched the ‘Partners in the Blue Pacific’ initiative. The EU is the third largest donor of development assistance to the Pacific countries. EU relations with the PICs are based on the much wider framework of the Samoa Agreement, which covers relations with 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. The EU has negotiated an EU-Pacific States Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which entered into force with some PICs.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Importance of regional airport infrastructure – E-001864/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001864/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Markus Ferber (PPE), David McAllister (PPE), Stefan Köhler (PPE), Christian Doleschal (PPE)

    Europe’s many regional airports enable international exchange and connect citizens, companies and SMEs from all over Europe with the world.

    Despite this key role for economic activity, in recent years the financial situation for regional airports has worsened mainly due to extrinsic shocks, such as the COVID-19 crisis, global turbulence in the aviation sector and Russia’s war against Ukraine. The financial situation of many regional airports is bleak, threatening their core existence and endangering their important role for societies and regional prosperity.

    In this light I would like to ask:

    • 1.Will the Commission, in its evaluation of the aviation State aid guidelines, consider the need for maintaining and modernising Europe’s regional airport network, which is not only about mobility, but also about safeguarding jobs and innovation in its industrial sectors?
    • 2.Could the Commission support a framework where State aid rules take into account the long-term industrial and technological strategies of Germany, particularly in relation to decarbonised aviation?
    • 3.How will the Commission assess the need for German regional airports to remain ready to support the rollout of electric aircraft and other innovations that are critical to the competitiveness of Germany’s industry?

    Submitted: 8.5.2025

    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Emission limits for the Acciaierie d’Italia steelworks in Taranto – E-001891/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001891/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Cristina Guarda (Verts/ALE), Benedetta Scuderi (Verts/ALE), Leoluca Orlando (Verts/ALE), Ignazio Roberto Marino (Verts/ALE)

    Amended and converted into Law No 31 of 20 March 2025 and issued in order to ensure that the Acciaierie d’Italia (formerly ILVA) steelworks could continue production, Decree-Law No 3 of 24 January 2025[1] also establishes in Article 1b(2) that the Taranto facility’s health impact assessment (HIA) should use the limit values laid down by Legislative Decree No 155 of 13 August 2010.

    In its ruling on Case C‑626/22 of 25 June 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union stated that the emission limit values set by the Air Quality Directives ‘must be considered “environmental quality standards” within the meaning of Article 3(6) and Article 18 of Directive 2010/75’ (paragraph 20) and that ‘if compliance with those standards makes it necessary to impose stricter emission limit values on the installation concerned … additional measures must then be included in the permit’ (paragraph 21).

    The European Union has also set stricter emissions limits by means of the new Industrial Emissions Directive[2].

    In the light of the above:

    • 1.How does the Commission view the Italian Government’s decision to use the limit values laid down by Legislative Decree No 155/2010 for the aforementioned HIA? Does it not agree that this decision is an attempt at circumventing the CJEU’s ruling in Case C‑626/22, which clarified that Italy should comply with the stricter limits laid down by the Air Quality Directives[3]?
    • 2.Given that it has recently sent an additional letter of formal notice to Italy over its handling of this case, will the Commission follow up its infringement case against Italy (INFR(2013)2177)?

    Submitted: 13.5.2025

    • [1] https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2025/03/24/25A01874/sg.
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401785.
    • [3] Which include Directive (EU) 2024/2881 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2024 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe.
    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Takata and illegal charges in Cyprus – P-001974/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-001974/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Giorgos Georgiou (The Left)

    According to Regulation (EU) 2018/858 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles, national authorities must implement adequate corrective measures and the cost of repairs must not be passed on to vehicle owners.

    In Cyprus, two representatives of manufacturing companies, whose vehicles constitute the majority of the recalled vehicles, are indirectly passing on the cost of repairs by charging for mandatory diagnostic tests prior to replacement. The competent national authority was informed by the manufacturers themselves that the vehicles in question had defective airbags and, in turn, informed the vehicle owners.

    Despite 57 warnings from the EU and the Commission’s recommendations to Member States, the Government in Cyprus refuses to comply with the relevant regulation and put in place corrective or restrictive measures. Today, around 56 000 vehicles are on the road at risk of having faulty airbags, which can be activated even without the vehicle being involved in an accident. Cyprus already has two confirmed deaths from faulty airbags.

    What measures does the Commission intend to put in place to ensure that the Government in Cyprus takes all corrective measures and ends illegal charging, as required by Regulation (EU) 2018/858?

    Submitted: 16.5.2025

    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Awareness campaign on ‘investment’ scams using Artificial Intelligence (AI) – E-001920/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001920/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Costas Mavrides (S&D)

    Based on complaints from Cypriot citizens and the Cyprus Consumers Association, there has been an alarming increase in cases of fraud through misleading videos and other content created using Artificial Intelligence (AI). The material in question includes fake interviews, advertisements and videos, in which prominent and trustworthy individuals appear – without their knowledge or consent – presenting purported ‘investment opportunities’. These are essentially organised digital scams aimed at extorting money from unsuspecting citizens.

    Given that this is a rapidly evolving threat with cross-border dimensions, requiring immediate and long-term measures:

    • 1.Does the Commission intend to proceed with the design and implementation of an effective European cooperation framework, as well as the legal harmonisation of the Member States, to tackle such forms of digital fraud more effectively?
    • 2.Does the Commission intend to proceed immediately with information campaigns at EU level or otherwise, given that this concerns all European citizens, with the aim of properly informing, forewarning and protecting citizens from such misleading practices?

    Submitted: 14.5.2025

    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Subsidies for EU prejudices? – E-001730/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001730/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Virginie Joron (PfE)

    The Commission has provided EUR 230 million in grants to the Euronews channel over 10 years[1]. The European institutions have also signed a framework contract worth EUR 133 million over four years, from September 2023 to September 2027, for media and advertising strategies (COMM/DG/FWC/2023/30)[2]. Over the period 2014-2023, the Commission is reported to have paid EUR 88 million to the Havas group and EUR 37 million to Euractiv[3].

    In addition, Parliament, through its Directorate-General for Communication, has earmarked a maximum of EUR 9.1 million in media grants in 2023. For example, in 2023 the newspaper Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace received grants of EUR 150 000, while 20 minutes received EUR 175 000[4].

    It is hard to believe that the media can remain independent under these conditions and resist Brussels’ disinformation.

    • 1.In total, how many payments and grants were awarded by the Commission to the media, journalists, news agencies, ERA-NET Plus and fact-checking services in 2023 and 2024, bearing in mind that Grok artificial intelligence estimates these payments to be between EUR 78 million and EUR 88 million?
    • 2.Which media or journalists who are critical of the Commission were subsidised?
    • 3.Are European media subsidies compatible with electoral rules and the rules on free and undistorted competition?

    Submitted: 30.4.2025

    • [1] https://brusselssignal.eu/2025/02/eu-spending-who-is-getting-the-quiet-billions-from-the-european-commission/
    • [2] Framework contract COMM/DG/FWC/2023/30 for media strategy, planning and advertising from September 2023 to September 2027. Invitation to tender COMM/AWD/2022/54. The maximum total amount under this framework contract was EUR 132.82 million over four years, but this amount represented the ceiling for several European institutions, including EUR 50 million for the European Parliament.
    • [3] https://ec.europa.eu/budget/financial-transparency-system/analysis.html
    • [4] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/contracts-and-grants/fr/grants/ex-post-publication; https://www.europarl.europa.eu/contracts-and-grants/files/grants/ex-post-publication/en-list-of-grants-awarded-2023.xlsx
    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: In-Depth Analysis – Meeting expectations? Assessing the Savings and Investment Union (SIU) communication against the recommendations of Draghi, Letta and Noyer – 20-05-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Commission’s communication on the Savings and Investments Union (SIU) follows the high-profile reports by Draghi, Letta and Noyer, which together have shaped expectations for integrating financial markets to support the wider EU economy. This briefing analyses the SIU communication with the three reports in mind as reference points. The briefing is structured in accordance with the main sections of the SIU communication, with a concluding section at the end.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Study – Tax Incentives and Investments in the EU: Best Practices and Ways to Stimulate Private Investments and Prevent Harmful Tax Practices – 20-05-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    This study evaluates the effectiveness of tax incentives, with a particular focus on incentives for research and development (R&D). It analyses different design options for tax incentives and shows that input-based R&D tax incentives appear to be the most effective in stimulating additional R&D investment. Taking into account the lessons learnt from empirical evaluations and the restrictions imposed by Pillar Two, refundable, volume-based tax credits with a broad scope remain a convincing way forward for R&D tax incentives.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Extension of scope of the EU Deforestation Regulation to new products and new ecosystems – E-001898/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001898/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    César Luena (S&D)

    Article 34 of the EU Deforestation Regulations states that ‘no later than 30 June 2024, the Commission shall present an impact assessment accompanied, if appropriate, by a legislative proposal to extend the scope of this Regulation to include other wooded land’.

    It further provides that ‘no later than 30 June 2025, the Commission shall present an impact assessment accompanied, if appropriate, by a legislative proposal to extend the scope of this Regulation to other natural ecosystems, such as grasslands, peatlands and wetlands’. The assessment shall also address the need and feasibility of extending the scope to other raw materials and extending or amending the list of products in Annex I.

    In light of the above:

    • 1.When does the Commission intend to present the impact assessment and proposal to extend the scope to other wooded land required by Article 34, bearing in mind that the deadline for doing so was 30 June 2024?
    • 2.When does the Commission intend to present the impact assessment and proposal required by Article 34 to extend the scope to other ecosystems and raw materials, the deadline for which expires on 30 June 2025?

    Submitted: 13.5.2025

    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Slovakia’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play – 20-05-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Slovakia is set to receive €6 408.5 million, solely in grants, to implement its national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP, Plán obnovy), representing 6.8 % of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019. On 13 May 2025, the Council approved Slovakia’s amended NRRP addressing technical and procurement challenges, introducing new reforms and investments, and adjusting timelines. The updated plan reduced its green investment ambition by 4.6 percentage points (pps), but reinforced its digital ambition by 0.5 pps, maintaining strong support for the green (41.1 %) and digital (21.1 %) transitions. On 11 July 2023, the Council had approved a first revision of the NRRP. Following a 2022 update, Slovakia’s allocation decreased slightly; however, the addition of a REPowerEU chapter raised the total allocated amount to current €6 408.5 million, i.e. €79.4 million higher than the July 2021 plan. Slovakia’s NRRP comprises reforms and investment to help the Slovak economy recover while advancing the green and digital transitions and addressing structural weaknesses, with measures to be completed by August 2026. In the 2024 country report, the European Commission found that Slovakia’s NRRP is progressing but requires increased efforts for timely completion. So far, Slovakia has received €3 471.8 million (54.2 % of the total allocation), of which €903.3 million has been in pre-financing and €2 568.5 million in four grant payments based on milestones and targets. On 31 October 2024, the Commission disbursed the fourth payment of €798.7 million (net of pre-financing) to Slovakia, following a positive assessment that had led to corrective measures to address the reversal of a previously fulfilled milestone on multiannual expenditure ceilings in the government budget (see annex to this briefing). On 16 December 2024, Slovakia submitted its fifth payment request for €516.8 million (net of pre-financing). However, in its positive preliminary assessment of 1 April 2025, the Commission proposed a partial suspension due to an unmet target on property settlements in protected areas relating to a climate adaptation measure. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Fourth edition. The previous edition was drafted by Magdalena Sapała and Branislav Staníček. The ‘NGEU delivery’ briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – European Accessibility Act and the built environment – E-001934/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001934/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Lynn Boylan (The Left)

    When the European Accessibility Act[1] enters into force in June 2025, the accessibility of the built environment will be outside its scope. Given the lack of harmonisation across the Member States in the design and implementation of the public environment, does the Commission plan to regulate for accessibility in the built environment, so that people with disabilities can fully access the outdoor public environment consistently, within and across the Member States?

    Submitted: 14.5.2025

    • [1] Directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the accessibility requirements for products and services, OJ L 151, 7.6.2019, p. 70, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/882/oj.
    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Energy Taxation Directive – E-001936/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001936/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Lynn Boylan (The Left)

    The Commission tabled a proposal for a revision of the Energy Taxation Directive in July 2021. Almost four years later, no agreement has been reached, as the Council has yet to establish its general approach.

    • 1.Will the Commission provide an update on the status of its proposal to revise the Energy Taxation Directive?
    • 2.What concrete steps is the Commission taking to aid the Council to progress on its general approach?

    Submitted: 14.5.2025

    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Criminalisation of dissent in migrant pre-removal centres and compatibility of the Security Decree with EU law – E-001884/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001884/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Giuseppe Antoci (The Left)

    The Decree-Law on Security[1] that was recently enacted by the Italian Government introduced the new offence of ‘rioting’ in migrant detention centres[2], establishing heavy prison sentences of up to four years for people who commit acts of violence or resistance, even in a passive form[3].

    The government, then, views detention centres[4] as real prisons[5] and is choosing to suppress, by applying strict punitive measures, all forms of dissent. Some forms of passive resistance, such as hunger strikes, are the only tool for detained migrants to exercise their – albeit limited – freedom of expression.

    This scenario, which may breach detainees’ human rights, appears to run counter to EU law, in particular, the Returns Directive[6], Article 15 of which requires Member States to apply to detained migrants the least coercive measure possible in the specific case, and with the criterion of proportionality of the penalty in relation to the conduct laid down in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, given that in this case the conduct may also be not violent but simply disobedient.

    In view of how serious this state of affairs is:

    • 1.What is the Commission’s assessment of this new crime of ‘rioting’ in the context of Directive 2008/115/EC?
    • 2.In the light of the provisions of EU legislation in this area, will it take action against the Italian Government?

    Submitted: 12.5.2025

    • [1] Decree-Law No 48/2025.
    • [2] https://www.internazionale.it/notizie/annalisa-camilli/2025/04/08/cosa-prevede-il-decreto-sicurezza.
    • [3] When they are committed by three or more people together.
    • [4] Migrant pre-removal centres (CPRs) are administrative detention facilities where migrants are held when their status is at odds with the entry and residency rules in a specific European state.
    • [5] Note the equivalent crime of rioting in prisons.
    • [6] Directive 2008/115/EC
    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Directly elected mayor for Dublin – E-001937/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001937/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Lynn Boylan (The Left)

    According to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Ireland is one of the most centralised countries in Europe, with one of the lowest scores in the Local Autonomy Index. One way to improve this local democratic deficit is via a directly elected mayor, which several city councils in Ireland now have. However, the possibility of a directly elected mayor for Dublin has been delayed, perhaps indefinitely.

    The Irish Government has decided to put off calling a plebiscite on whether Dublin should have an elected mayor. Without this plebiscite there can be no progress towards a mayoral election. Given the Commission’s priority focus on protecting democracy and championing civic participation, what steps has the Commission taken to engage with the Irish Government to encourage and assist progress towards the institution of direct elections for the mayor of Dublin?

    Submitted: 14.5.2025

    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The Irish Marriage Bar and Directive 2006/54/EC – E-001933/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001933/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Lynn Boylan (The Left)

    The Irish Marriage Bar required women who worked in the public sector to cease working once married. It was removed in 1973 for civil servants, and in 1974 for the wider public sector. When compelled to end employment, women received a ‘marriage gratuity’ of one month’s pay for each year worked. Consequently, the years they worked for the public sector would not be taken into account for the calculation of their pension rights. While civil servants were still entitled to a civil service pension, those who worked in the wider public service are not able to use their years worked to qualify for a Social Welfare Contributory Pension. No such disadvantage applies to male pensioners.

    Directive 2006/54/EC sets down the principle of equal treatment between men and women in relation to, inter alia, occupational social security schemes. Although the Irish Marriage Bar predates this directive, the consequences of this institutionalised gender discrimination is still restricting the access of women to occupational social security schemes.

    • 1.Has the Commission made any assessment of Ireland’s Marriage Bar and its consequences for gender equality?
    • 2.Does Directive 2006/54/EC apply to decisions that predate that directive but which still have a discriminatory effect today?

    Submitted: 14.5.2025

    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – PMSG production and Directive 2010/63/EU – E-001931/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001931/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Lynn Boylan (The Left)

    Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG) is used as a fertility enhancer on European farms. Every year, thousands of pregnant mares in Iceland are subjected to weekly five-litre blood extractions, which far exceed international guidelines. This process causes the animals stress, fear and pain, and violence is often used during the extraction. It also puts the mares at risk of infection, vein inflammation, thrombosis and anaemia.

    As a member of the European Economic Area, Iceland is subject to Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. In 2023, the EFTA Surveillance Authority started an infringement procedure against Iceland but, to this day, the Icelandic pharmaceutical company Ísteka has a valid licence to collect mares’ blood in order to produce the fertility hormone PMSG.

    In the light of this, will the Commission:

    • 1.comment on Iceland’s continued violation of Directive 2010/63/EU and provide an update on infringement proceedings?
    • 2.respond to Parliament’s call in its 2021 resolution on the farm to fork strategy to stop the import and domestic production of PMSG in the EU?

    Submitted: 14.5.2025

    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Hare coursing and the Habitats Directive – E-001932/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001932/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Lynn Boylan (The Left)

    The Habitats Directive prohibits serious disturbance to species listed under Annex V. The Irish hare, Lepus timidus, is listed under Annex V of the Habitats Directive. The practice of hare coursing, which is currently authorised in Ireland, involves capturing hares and holding them in captivity for long periods, and ultimately their injury and death. This practice could also lead to increased transmission of the RHD2 virus.

    • 1.Does the Commission consider hare coursing to be a serious disturbance to the Irish hare?
    • 2.What engagements has the Commission held with the Irish authorities over hare coursing and what has been their response to date?

    Submitted: 14.5.2025

    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Rights of air passengers with disabilities – E-001935/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001935/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Lynn Boylan (The Left)

    The Commission intends to recast Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006 concerning the rights of air passengers with disabilities. Directly engaging people with disabilities is essential to understanding access needs and identifying service improvements and other solutions for inclusive air travel.

    In the light of this:

    In its revised air passenger legislation, how will the Commission ensure that people with disabilities are actively and meaningfully consulted on aviation sector measures to support passengers with reduced mobility?

    Submitted: 14.5.2025

    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – Meeting of the DEVE Committee 20 May – Committee on Development

    Source: European Parliament

    The Committee on Development met on 20 May to discuss the following files:

    • EU political strategy on Latin America;
    • Interparliamentary committee meeting on Global Gateway and the 4th Conference on Financing for Development;
    • Exchange of views with Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director, Bertrand Bainvel, UNICEF Representative to EU Institutions and Alessandra Aresu from the International Disability and Development Consortium on Impacts of cuts in development aid on health programmes;
    • Exchange of views with Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council on How to make the case for continued needs-based humanitarian funding in line with the humanitarian principles;
    • Exchange of views with Carsten Staur, OECD-DAC Chair on the future of International Development Cooperation – role of ODA

    Votes:

    • Adoption of the draft report on Financing for development – ahead of the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville: 13 in favour, 3 against, 9 abstentions

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Finland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play – 20-05-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Finland’s national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) is part of the national sustainable growth programme and its main source of financing. Next Generation EU (NGEU) – the EU’s response to the social and economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic – initially envisaged an allocation of €2 090 million in grants to Finland under its Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). After the update of all national allocations in June 2022, Finland’s share was revised downwards to €1 822 million in grants, and the plan was revised to reflect these changes. A second revision added the REPowerEU chapter, under which Finland is to receive a maximum of €127 million in non-repayable financial support for energy-related reforms and investment. The plan underwent a third revision in mid-2024. Finland requested to amend the plan due to objective changes in circumstances while keeping the same level of ambition. Currently, the plan totals €1 949 million and is worth 0.8 % of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019, representing 0.3 % of the entire RFF. In terms of absolute numbers and per capita, it is among the lowest quarter of RRF grant allocations by Member States. On 30 April 2025, Finland requested a new targeted revision. Finland has allocated 52.3 % of its NRRP to the green transition, serving its ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, while digital expenditure accounts for 28.9 % of the overall resources. The plan thus exceeds the minimum allocations required by the RRF Regulation, which are 37 % for the green transition and 20 % for digital transformation (the latter does not apply to the REPowerEU chapter). So far, Finland has received two payments based on progress in implementing the plan. Including the pre-financing, the total amount of grants received amounts to €876.9 million, i.e. 45 % of the entire allocation. The European Parliament, which was a major advocate of creating 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. Third edition. The ‘NGEU delivery’ briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Vote on opinion to ECON report on Draghi Report and the Capital Markets Union – 04.06 – Committee on Budgets

    Source: European Parliament

    © Image used under the license from Adobe Stock

    Members will vote on the BUDG opinion to the ECON report on the Draghi Report and the Capital Markets Union. The draft opinion focuses on the role of the EU budget in helping to promote investment in the EU economy. In particular, it looked at the role of budgetary guarantees and financial instruments, bearing in mind the performance of the InvestEU Fund.

    The Draghi report was a key contribution to the debate on how to improve the productivity and competitiveness of the EU economy. It emphasised the need to deepen the single market, particularly with regard to the capital markets union, and to increase investments in areas of strategic importance for the EU, including clean tech, energy and transport infrastructure, defence and space.

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Presentation of the Commission’s Draft Budget 2026 by Commissioner Serafin – 4.6.2025 – Committee on Budgets

    Source: European Parliament

    © Image used under the license from Adobe Stock

    Piotr Serafin, Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, will present the Commission’s Draft Budget for the year 2026 to the Members of the Committee on Budgets, thereby formally launching the annual budgetary procedure in line with Article 314 TFEU.

    The next stage is for the Council to adopt its position on the Draft Budget, to which Parliament will respond, before the opening of the conciliation period, which will take place in autumn with a view to finding a compromise and adopt the final budget by the end of the year.

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Mission to Montenegro – 26-28.05.2025 – Committee on Budgets

    Source: European Parliament

    The Committee on Budgets (BUDG) is traveling to Montenegro to look into the implementation of the recently established Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, ongoing pre-accession support as well as the potential budgetary implications of Montenegro’s possible accession for the post-2027 Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF).

    The BUDG Members participating are Johan Van Overtveldt (Chair and Head of delegation, ECR), Karlo Ressler (EPP), Hélder Sousa Silva (EPP), Janusz Lewandowsk (EPP)i, Jean-Marc Germain (S&D), Carla Tavares (S&D), Angéline Furet (PfE), Tomasz Buczek (ECR), Michele Picaro (ECR), Kai Tegethoff (Greens/EFA) and Thomas Waitz (Greens/EFA).

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – Next meeting of the FEMM Committee: 20 May 2025 – Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

    Source: European Parliament

    The next meeting of the Committee on Gender Equality and Women’s Rights will take place on:

    • 20 May from 09:00 – 09:30 FEMM meeting in room ANTALL 4Q1
    • 20 May from 09:30 – 10:30 Joint FEMM-LIBE in room ANTALL 4Q1
    • 20 May from 10:30 – 18:30 FEMM meeting in room ANTALL 4Q1

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Commission welcomes European citizens’ recommendations for a stronger EU budget

    Source: European Commission

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 20 May 2025 On 16-18 May, the third and final session of the European Citizens’ Panel on the new EU long-term budget took place in Brussels. For the first time, a group of 150 randomly selected citizens from all 27 EU Member States have brought forward bringing their ideas for a sustainable and flexible long-term EU budget.

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Commission welcomes political agreement on the progressive rollout of Europe’s New Digital Border System

    Source: European Commission

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 19 May 2025 The European Commission welcomes yesterday’s provisional political agreement by the European Parliament and the Council on the Commission’s proposal for a progressive rollout of Europe’s new digital border system, the Entry/Exit System (EES).

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – CANCELLED – Gender Mainstreaming Network- EoV on the new EP Gender Action Plan – Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

    Source: European Parliament

    On 20 May 2025, the meeting of the Gender Mainstreaming Network (GMN) will take place where an exchange of views with Vice-President Ewa Kopacz, Chair of the High-Level Group on Gender Equality and Diversity, on the new Gender Action Plan of the European Parliament will be held.

    The GMN is composed of Members from each parliamentary committee and the Conference of Delegation Chairs responsible for gender mainstreaming. It is a forum for exchanging information on ongoing files of interest from a gender equality perspective and for sharing best practices.

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Transparency in the allocation of European funds intended for persons with disabilities in France – E-001925/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001925/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE)

    In France, innovative support structures for persons with disabilities, like Handi Soutien, are facing unjustified administrative obstacles. Para-public organisations, partially financed by the European Social Fund (ESF+), reportedly favour certain entities to the detriment of others, thereby depriving beneficiaries of adapted support.

    • 1.Can the Commission guarantee that use of European funds intended for inclusion adheres to the principles of transparency and fairness?
    • 2.What monitoring mechanisms is the Commission implementing to ensure that no stakeholders are pushed aside arbitrarily and that persons with disabilities fully benefit from support structures financed by the European Union?

    Submitted: 14.5.2025

    Last updated: 20 May 2025

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