Source: European Parliament
On Thursday, 3 April 2025, the DACP delegation will hold the following meetings in Strasbourg (room: TBD):
– Bureau meeting – from 9:00 to 9:30 (in camera meeting, only for DACP Bureau members)
– Ordinary meeting – from 9:30 to 10:15 (open to all DACP members and webstreamed)
Source: European Parliament
The EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) is economically and geo-strategically important. It will strengthen strategic cooperation between like-minded partners that share similar values.
The EMPA offers export opportunities for several EU agri-food products that will benefit from reduced tariffs in Mercosur countries (e.g. wines, spirits, confectionary, dairy and olive oil), as well as the protection of EU Geographical Indications in a market of 280 million consumers. For EU sensitive agricultural sectors, trade preferences granted under the EMPA are limited through tariff quotas.
Bilateral safeguards can be triggered to protect a specific agricultural sector, including where market access has been limited by tariff quotas. This would protect farmers in case increased imports from Mercosur cause, or threaten to cause, serious injury to the relevant EU sectors.
The Commission will monitor agricultural market developments closely. For the unlikely event that — despite all precautions — the agricultural market situation in Europe were to be negatively impacted due to the agreement, the Commission announced to set-up a reserve worth at least EUR 1 billion to address possible disturbances in agricultural sectors.
After its translation and legal revision, the Commission will present a proposal for signature and conclusion of the EMPA. In that context, the Commission will present its proposal for the legal basis and architecture of the deal. Any proposed legal architecture will safeguard competences of the EU co-legislators and Member States and their national parliaments, in accordance with the Treaties.
Source: European Parliament
The Transatlantic relationship has been a cornerstone of peace, security, and economic growth. The EU follows the situation closely. The EU remains steadfast in promoting its interests, prioritising security, stability, and prosperity for its citizens.
As a matter of principle, the EU has been consistent in condemning extra-territorial application of third-country legislation (sanctions) attempting to regulate the activities of natural and legal persons under the jurisdiction of the Member States. The EU considers such application of third country’s legislation as being in violation of international law.
The mandate of the High Representative/Vice-President dictates that the incumbent can only propose measures for the Council’s consideration. Adopting measures or recommending the adoption of measures by Member States is not within the scope of her mandate.
Source: European Parliament
The Commission shares the Honourable Member’s concerns about the housing situation in Greece and in the whole EU. The Commission has thus appointed a Commissioner for Energy and Housing and established a Task Force for Housing to coordinate the different work strands
Although the responsibility for housing rests mainly with Member States, regions and local authorities, the Commission will assess how it can continue to contribute to mitigating the housing crisis at the European level, including for youth.
The Commission will consult stakeholders in 2025 to better understand all the issues on housing and put forward a European Affordable Housing Plan.
Various EU funds are already available for Member States and local authorities to support social and affordable housing[1]. In addition, the Greek Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) foresees two financial instruments[2] that aim addressing pertinent challenges in Greece’s housing market.
They constitute parts of a more comprehensive housing strategy that is also included in the Plan and will be implemented in Greece in the coming period.
Complementary actions under RRP, the cohesion policy also co-finance energy efficiency in housing in Greece.[3] In addition, the Plan contains measures that aim to renovate more than 100 000 residences to significantly save primary energy[4].
Furthermore, in respect of funding and financing, the Commission will continue working closely with international financial institutions, national promotional banks and other relevant stakeholders[5] to make sure that housing is more affordable, in particular for young people and families.
Procedures for buying a house are governed by national civil law. Hence, simplification thereof falls within the remit of Member States.
Source: European Parliament
The Commission does not comment on initiatives launched at project level.
To address the housing crisis and promote more affordable and sustainable housing, the first-ever Commissioner responsible for Energy and Housing will put forward a European Affordable Housing Plan[1].
The Plan will focus on developing new EU initiatives, as well as supporting national, regional and local authorities to address structural drivers of the housing crisis and add value at the European level.
Given that primary responsibility for housing lies with actors at national, regional and local level, the Plan will respect the subsidiarity and proportionality principles in its focus to develop policies to improve access to affordable, decent and sustainable housing and address the barriers.
Source: European Parliament
The Commission notes the new measures related to the electricity prices and the Norwegian power market announced by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
As a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), Norway is part of the single market and Union rules on electricity markets apply in all circumstances.
The EU expects, in line with their obligations under the EEA Agreement, all EEA EFTA (European Free Trade Association) States to fully incorporate into the EEA Agreement and then implement all energy-related legislation in a timely manner, subject to any agreed adaptations.
The Commission continues to work closely with the three EEA EFTA States on the full and timely incorporation and implementation of all energy-related legislation.
Norway is connected with Sweden, Finland, and Denmark in a common synchronous power grid. The Nordic grid is then connected to the rest of Continental Europe bringing mutual economic and social gains stemming from interconnected energy markets, such as enabling decarbonisation and increasing security of supply.
On 26 February 2025, the Commission adopted an Action Plan for affordable Energy[1] setting actions to lower energy costs for European consumers and businesses.
As outlined in that plan, a swift and full implementation of the Electricity Market Design reform is crucial to reduce the impact of volatility on consumer bills and reduce the cost of electricity supply.
As part of this plan, the Commission is also proposing additional actions to promote the uptake of long-term electricity supply and boost flexibility and demand response.
Source: European Parliament
The Commission adopted the action plan for Affordable Energy together with the Clean Industrial Deal on 26 February 2025[1]. This Action Plan presents measures to reduce energy costs for industry and households and help build a genuine Energy Union that delivers competitiveness, security, decarbonisation, and a just transition.
As outlined by the cross-border infrastructure, needs are often not matched by concrete projects, leading to undue price disparities between some regions, such as recently observed in southeast Europe.
Therefore, an indispensable element in this plan is investing in Europe’s grids, to accompany the progress towards an integrated and decarbonised energy system, reduce risks of curtailment for renewable energy and leverage the benefits of its Internal Energy Market for industry and households.
To enhance coordination across the Energy Union and strengthen the governance of the electricity market, the Commission will also set up an Energy Union Task Force.
Europe must invest more in modernising and expanding interconnections, its network of energy transmission and distribution infrastructure, accelerating investment in electricity, hydrogen and carbon dioxide transport networks as well as storage systems.
The Connecting Europe Facility for Energy has been instrumental in supporting key energy infrastructure projects of EU added value.
At the same time, existing infrastructure needs to be used efficiently. For example, a minimum of at least 70% capacity on interconnectors should be made available for cross-border electricity trading, but most Member States are still far off. Full achievement of this target would reduce price peak episodes.
Source: European Parliament
The REPowerEU Plan[1] suggested an aspirational target of 10 million tonnes of EU renewable hydrogen production and 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen imports by 2030 to lower the imports of Russian fossil fuels, proposing to increase the mandatory targets for renewable hydrogen consumption in industry and the transport sector.
The co-legislators decided on a lower level of binding 2030 targets under the Renewable Energy Directive[2]. In addition, the co-legislators also agreed on mandatory targets for renewable hydrogen consumption in industry in 2035 and laid out pathways in the aviation[3] and maritime[4] sector to promote the uptake of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen up to 2050.
There is no hydrogen production target for 2040 set out in the European legislation.
The Commission’s internal estimate for renewable hydrogen uptake by 2030 based on the above mandatory targets is three to six million tons.
The Commission is focusing on the work with Member States, including through an assessment of their National Energy and Climate Plans, to ensure the timely transposition of the mandatory demand volumes and other recent hydrogen legislation.
This will contribute to provide the sector with the necessary visibility to carry out its investments.
Source: European Parliament
Regulation (EU) 2024/573[1] on fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases), contains a few restrictions covering all F-gases, i.e. including hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs).
Such restrictions were only introduced for applications for which alternatives are available and the restrictions have a long transition period, allowing the industry sufficient time to adjust. The Impact Assessment covered such alternatives.
Some F-gases are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are chemicals which are very persistent and potentially have negative effects on health and the environment.
Recital (7) of the regulation includes a reference to the full F-gas prohibitions in line with the precautionary principle, to ensure that alternatives which are less harmful for health, the environment and the climate would be used.
The F-gas Regulation delivers high ambition, while respecting the EU’s international obligations. The Commission is in regular contact with third countries to clarify this, both in the World Trade Organisation and through bilateral contacts.
The Commission intends to carry out the review of the F-gas Regulation by 2030, in line with the requirements of that regulation.
As required in Article 35(5)(a) of the regulation, the Commission will in that review evaluate whether cost-effective, technically feasible, energy-efficient, sufficiently available and reliable alternatives exist, which make the replacement of fluorinated greenhouse gases possible in the products and equipment listed in Annex IV covered by prohibitions that have not yet become applicable at the time of the evaluation, especially products and equipment subject to full fluorinated greenhouse gas prohibitions, including ‘split’ air conditioners and heat pumps.
Source: European Parliament
1. The Union recognises the livestock sector’s significant challenges and is supporting farmers through various instruments. To mitigate economic impacts and increase farmers resilience, income support through direct payments is a central feature of the common agricultural policy (CAP). A specific type of income support[1] is also available, 70% of which is dedicated to livestock. Payments for Areas with Natural Constraints also help the livestock sector. Some Member States programme interventions in their CAP Strategic Plans to help livestock farmers in managing production and income risks, such as support for insurance schemes, mutual funds, preventive investments, cooperation, knowledge transfer, and advisory services.
2. The CAP Strategic Plan regulation[2] gives Member States flexibility in designing their risk management schemes to be able to quickly respond to crisis and provide swift support to affected farmers. Moreover, at the initiative of the Commission, a new measure (M23)[3] was introduced under the ongoing Rural Development Programmes, to compensate farmers severely affected by natural disasters, including animal diseases. Finally, pursuant to Art. 221 of the common market Organisation Regulation[4], the Commission has adopted exceptional measures to support farmers negatively affected by extremely adverse weather events and natural disasters[5].
As announced in the Vision for Agriculture and Food[6], the Commission is working for the EU livestock sector to have a long-term vision that respects the diversity and sustainability of livestock production across the EU and launching a work stream to develop policy pathways for an attractive, competitive, future-proof and inclusive livestock sector in the EU.
Source: European Parliament
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU has acted firmly to cut its reliance on Russian energy. REPowerEU[1], adopted in May 2022, sets out a plan to fast forward the clean transition, diversify supplies, and enhance EU energy resilience.
The EU phased out Russian coal imports. Oil is down from almost a third to 3% of total EU imports. In terms of gas, the EU reduced its Russian gas imports from over 45% in 2021, to 19% in 2024, replacing it with alternatives from trusted international partners.
However, Russian energy, particularly gas, remains in the EU energy mix. To address this, the Commission plans to swiftly adopt a Roadmap to end Russian energy imports by fully implementing REPowerEU.
Regarding infrastructure, gas will remain important for the EU’s energy mix in the coming years. The Commission is monitoring ongoing projects, especially Projects of Common Interest and selected REPowerEU projects funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility, which are vital for EU’s energy security.
Completion of these projects will enable the EU to eliminate Russian gas dependency. However, the EU must focus on rapid electrification, renewable energy integration and investing in electricity interconnections as outlined in the Grids Action Plan[2], to meet climate goals and enhance energy resilience.
Given the EU’s climate policy direction and interconnected gas markets, further EU budget support for new gas infrastructure cannot be justified anymore, once ongoing projects are completed.
The Energy and Housing Commissioner will present a Clean Energy Investment Strategy in 2025.
Source: European Parliament
Short-term rentals can influence the availability and affordability of housing, notably in tourism hotspots. At the same time, short-term rentals can also help boost investments in local housing markets and support renovation, notably of vacant houses.
Firstly, in this context, authorities can increase transparency by requiring hosts to register, and platforms to provide data on short-term rentals, notably thanks to Regulation (EU) 2024/1028[1].
Moreover, Regulation (EU) 2022/2065[2] requires online platforms to ensure, among others, the traceability of the traders providing services on their platforms and to design their interfaces so that traders can comply with all the obligations required by either national or EU law. The regulation introduces additional obligations for very large platforms, such as Booking.com.
Furthermore, Directive (EU) 2021/514[3] provides for the exchange of information between platforms and national authorities[4] for tax purposes levelling the playing field in taxation.
Given the measures above, the Commission has not envisaged, for the time being, to bring forward any legislative initiative to regulate or impose a limit on properties and overnight stays but will continue to explore what can be done to tackle systemic issues with short-term accommodation rentals.
The Commission intends to launch a policy dialogue with stakeholders to better understand the relationship between short-term rentals and the availability and affordability of housing and identify best practices that are in line Directive 2006/123/EC[5].
Finally, the Commission has set up a Task Force for Housing that started on 1st February 2025 to support Member States to tackle issues related to the housing crisis.
Source: European Parliament
The Commission acknowledges the importance of the textile sector, including the fashion industry, for the European economy, culture and creativity.
At the same time, textile production and consumption have major effects on the environment and on climate change, as underlined in the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles[1] and the European Environment Agency report[2]. The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles proposed an agenda to support the sector’s shift towards the green transition.
Reducing environmental and climate impacts from textiles is essential to achieve a sustainable transition and to meet the climate targets set under the EU ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package.
The Commission recognises the importance of mobilising investments and supporting operators in adopting circular business models and processes .
In this respect, the Commission has put forward a proposal for a co-programmed European Partnership ‘Textiles of the Future’[3] under Horizon Europe[4] under the second Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025- 2027[5].
In the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework and NextGenerationEU, EUR 658 billion is allocated to spending for climate-relevant objectives.
In most of the EU funding programmes (including Recovery and Resilience Facility[6], the InvestEU programme[7], Cohesion Funds[8], or Horizon Europe[9]) investments on decarbonisation are eligible for all sectors including fashion.
In addition, textile companies, and in particular small and medium-sized enterprises[10], can be supported through the Enterprise Europe Network[11], the Eurocluster initiative[12], the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform[13], and through the Transition Pathway for the Textiles Ecosystem[14].
Source: European Parliament
1. The Detailed Rules for the application of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001[1], annexed to the Rules of Procedure of the Commission, refer, in their Article 2, to the definition of ‘document’ given in Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001. Besides, it indicates non-exhaustive lists of documents which the Commission either makes public proactively (Article 3 of the Detailed Rules[2]) or upon request under the conditions established in Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 (Article 4 of the Detailed Rules). Consequently, the Commission does not narrow any definition of documents made accessible to the public.
2. In applying the rules on access to documents, the Commission makes a careful individual assessment of each document in view of its possible disclosure to the public with a view of giving the fullest possible effect to the right of public access to documents. This assessment is conducted also by considering the extensive case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union and established administrative practices.
3. The Commission stands for the highest standards of transparency across the board. However, the Commission must reconcile the right of access to documents with the private and public interests that require protection, as enshrined in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001, including regarding internal decision-making processes.
Source: European Parliament
Following the Russian military aggression against Ukraine as of 2022, the EU has acted firmly to cut its reliance on Russian energy.
The REPowerEU Strategy[1], adopted in May 2022, aims to accelerate the clean transition, diversify supplies, and enhance EU energy resilience. The EU adopted sanctions to phase out Russian coal imports.
Sanctions on oil have also reduced imports from almost a third to 3% of total EU imports. In terms of gas, the EU has reduced its Russian gas imports from over 45% in 2021, to 19% in 2024, replacing it with alternatives like liquefied natural gas (LNG) from trusted international partners.
However, Russian energy, particularly gas, remains in the EU energy mix. To address this, the Commission plans to adopt a Roadmap to end Russian energy imports by fully implementing REPowerEU.
With the sanctions packages currently in force[2], the Council has imposed a ban on new investments for the completion of Russian LNG projects under construction and a ban on reloading services for Russian LNG on EU territory for the purpose of transshipment operations to third countries.
Any further decisions on sanctions packages are to be taken by the Council.
Source: European Parliament
For more than a decade the EU has worked side-by-side with the United States (US) to design and implement the Paris Agreement, the crucial multilateral agreement in the fight against global warming.
The Commission therefore regrets the announcement of the President of the US to once again withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement .
The Commission will stay the course on the Green Deal as the EU’s growth strategy. The Commission will deploy its climate diplomacy to ensure that other major polluters also show ambition in reducing greenhouse gas emissions when presenting their Nationally Determined Contributions ahead of COP 30 in Brazil.
The Commission’s focus will be on supporting and creating the right conditions for reaching its common goals. This means investing and ensuring access to cheap, sustainable and secure energy supplies and raw materials, including through the Clean Industrial Deal.
The Clean Industrial Deal, announced in the Political Guidelines for 2024-2029, positions decarbonisation as a powerful driver of growth and prosperity for Europeans.
Building on the Green Deal Industrial Plan[1], the Net Zero Industrial[2] and Critical Raw Materials Acts[3], it will have a particular focus on energy-intensive industries and the net-zero sector.
Some of the measures will aim at lowering energy prices, developing lead markets for EU-made decarbonised products, and leveraging circularity for the availability of raw materials.
All of these measures will support the EU economy, foster the green transition and contribute to the prosperity of EU citizens by creating new jobs.
Source: European Parliament
1. The Commission is currently assessing the Royal Decree 933/2021 in the light of EU data protection law. The Commission will monitor the effects of the Decree on the competitiveness of the tourism sector, taking into account the goal of avoiding additional burden for companies in this sector.
2. At the EU level, the Commission aims to overall reduce administrative burden and bring simplification in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises, including tourism businesses. The Competitiveness Compass for the EU[1] sets a target of reducing burdens associated with reporting requirements by 25%, without undermining the policy objectives of the initiatives concerned.
3. The Commission will present in early 2026 its Sustainable Tourism Strategy. Consultations with stakeholders in Spain and beyond, and obviously with the European Parliament, will take place in the next months to define the priorities and the content of the said Strategy. While the Commission will continue to push for a more sustainable, digital and resilient tourism ecosystems, the new Strategy will also address a number of areas for action, including the need to ensure more and better statistical data that are needed to identify and respond to emerging challenges without creating unnecessary bureaucratic burden.
Source: European Parliament
The Commission is aware of the challenges facing the sector and is committed to help address them through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Under the CAP Strategic Plans (SP), beekeepers can benefit from apiculture support for investments/ actions to improve production and marketing, combat beehive invaders and diseases, prevent damage caused by adverse weather and for restocking of beehives, amongst others.
In addition, rural development (RD) interventions in these plans can also support farmers, including beekeepers, to restore agricultural production damaged by natural disasters and catastrophic events[1], to introduce appropriate preventive actions and participate in risk management schemes. Further exceptional emergency measures[2] to support farmers affected by natural disasters were adopted in 2024 by co-legislators.
Under the Greek SP for 2023-2027, over EUR 61 million[3] are earmarked for apiculture interventions such as for training and advisory services, to combat beehive invaders, facilitate transhumance and honey analysis to enhance quality and marketing.
Additionally, over EUR 18 million[4] are available to beekeepers to introduce and maintain organic beekeeping under an agri-environment RD measure. Other RD interventions are also available for investments to modernise beekeeping and for processing and marketing.
These measures provide timely assistance to farmers/beekeepers to restore their activity, undertake the necessary investments and put in place actions and practices to counteract the hazards and risks inherent to their work; whilst also helping to reduce production costs.
Source: European Parliament
The internal energy market is the best protection against country-specific shocks, as the recent crisis has demonstrated. Its completion will be instrumental to further strengthen energy security and achieve our decarbonisation goals while decreasing price volatility and ensuring affordability. Reducing market fragmentation requires a better use of existing grid and increasing its capacity especially across borders.
The European grid could be better used with the implementation of current market rules to maximise cross border trading capacities, and a fair bidding zone configuration reflecting structural congestions. Improved locational signals would foster investments in generation, storage, transmission and flexibility in a cost-effective way.
The Trans-European Networks for Energy Regulation[1] provides framework for cross-border infrastructure planning by identifying projects of common interest that contribute to the internal energy market, security of supply and sustainability. It has enabled the implementation of around 100 cross-border infrastructure projects.
The EU needs to further strengthen coordination and prioritisation for cross-border infrastructure projects to ensure that cross-border impacts are taken into account also at national level.
As part of the Clean Industrial Deal, the Commission adopted an Action Plan for affordable Energy[2] on 26 February 2025 with key actions to lower energy.
It outlines the importance to unlock the value of our Energy Union by taking steps towards a fully integrated energy market supported by interconnected and digitalised network.
Further integration of the European internal energy market could increase the benefits to up to EUR 40-43 billion per year by 2030.
Source: European Parliament
As indicated by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Report quoted by the Honourable Member, in 2024 irregular border crossings into the EU have significantly decreased, with a 38% reduction compared to 2023.
In the framework of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling[1], the Commission is working to fight organised criminal groups responsible for migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings to the EU.
The implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum[2] and enhanced international cooperation on migration will also contribute managing irregular migration and reducing the incentive for migrants to embark in dangerous journeys .
There is no recent assessment on the fiscal impact of irregular migration on the EU. No such study is currently planned to be carried out. Available studies assessing the fiscal balance in relation to asylum seekers and refugees are specific to the context and the country and show mixed results.
Source: European Parliament
The rules for the revocation of a refugee or subsidiary protection status are laid down in the Qualification Directive[1], in particular in Article 14 (for the revocation of a refugee status) and Article 19 (for the revocation of a subsidiary protection status).
These provisions require that the Member States that have granted international protection demonstrate on an individual basis that the person concerned has ceased to be or has never been entitled to such protection. Procedural rules are laid down in Articles 44 and 45 of the Asylum Procedure Directive[2].
The revocation of the refugee or subsidiary protection status should be based on an individual assessment pursuant to the aforementioned provisions of EU law.
Likewise, the granting of refugee or subsidiary protection status should be based on an individual assessment as set out in Article 4(3) of the Qualification Directive.
The Commission is in constant exchange with the Member States in the context of the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum[3] and provides support as needed.
Source: European Parliament
The Commission does not have any official information of an agreement and cannot comment, as a matter of principle, on a purported agreement between a Member State and a commercial satellite network operator. It is at the discretion of Member States to determine how to manage their national secure communication and their degree of reliance on non-EU solutions.
The EU strives for leadership in strategic technology and to boost its technological sovereignty. It was the EU’s governmental actors who expressed their growing strategic demand for secure, sovereign and reliable space-based satellite communication services.
The Commission’s proposal for the Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS2) Regulation[1], strongly supported by Member States and the European Parliament since its inception, encapsulates the EU’s reply to fully address these public user needs and requirements in the space domain.
The IRIS2 Regulation requires all the components of the programme to be accredited by the Security Accreditation Board established under Article 72(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2021/696[2].
The Commission will take stock of all the tools and technologies available in Europe, including the 5G security toolbox, in order to meet the requirements of the Security Accreditation Board.
Source: European Parliament
The EU’s approach to Russia is clear and has been implemented in strong unity since the beginning of Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine and its citizens.
Its main elements are: supporting Ukraine, isolating Russia internationally, imposing sanctions against Russia to further limit Russia’s ability to wage war, ensuring accountability for war crimes and the other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression , supporting EU’s neighbours and partners, defending the rules-based international order, enhancing EU’s resilience and supporting Russia’s civil society, independent media and human rights defenders.
As outlined by the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Russia, Mariana Katzarova, Russia’s external aggression and internal repression are closely linked[1].
The EU will continue to call on Russian authorities to abide by their international obligations both with respect to Russia’s international relations and human rights of all its citizens.
Russia must unconditionally cease its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, withdraw its troops from the internationally recognised territory of Ukraine as well as pay for the damage caused.
Source: European Parliament
The Memorandum of Understanding (‘MoU’) on a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials value chains with Rwanda is a key tool to address illicit trafficking and to promote a sustainable and responsible sourcing and processing of raw materials. The MoU signed with Rwanda[1] is in line with the EU’s renewed Great Lakes Strategy[2].
The MoU has provided a platform to encourage Rwandan authorities to adhere to the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative[3]. Its suspension would remove the basis for this engagement with Rwanda on improving transparency and traceability.
The EU is taking measures to ensure full application of the Due Diligence Directive[4] and compliance with the obligations under the Conflict Minerals Regulation[5].
The Conflict Minerals Regulation lays down supply chain due diligence obligations for importers into the EU of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold (3TG).
The regulation has a focus on conflict-affected and high-risk areas, but regardless of the geographic location, due diligence should be carried out.
In view of the current situation, all options are up for consideration in the reflection with Member States on how the EU should respond, including on the MoU , as discussed during the Foreign Affairs Council of 24 February 2025[6].
Any measures should be coordinated between the EU, Member States, as well as with multilateral donors.
Source: European Parliament
Regarding the activities alleged in the corresponding press reports, the Commission cannot comment on operational security matters.
However, it must be stressed that the Commission remains committed to protecting Commission information, staff and networks from illicit intelligence-gathering actions.
There is also a strong cooperation with the other EU institutions and Member States, which are equally targeted by espionage threat actors.
Under Article 24 of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union[1], the Commission is bound to assist any staff member under its authority, in particular in proceedings against any person perpetrating threats, insulting or defamatory acts or utterances, or any attack to person or property to which the staff member or a member of his family is subjected by reason of his position or duties.
In addition, the Commission’s competent services consistently reinforce the resilience of staff of all grades, functions and places of employment through extensive awareness-raising campaigns on various security and safety issues.
More specifically, with respect to human and digital espionage, the Commission systematically organises dedicated security briefings to inform staff members that they may be the targets of intelligence-gathering attempts, both in their professional and their private life, including during their travels.
Source: European Parliament
The Commission supports the principle of integrated policy making, also referred to in Article 3 of the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR)[1].
As stressed in its communication on a Common Implementation Plan for the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the Commission encourages Member States to engage and make use of local and regional authorities and other stakeholders, through regular exchanges and consultation[2].
The template for the National Implementation Plans, annexed to the Common Implementation Plan, includes a section on governance and interinstitutional cooperation also for this purpose.
For details relating to the different elements of the Pact of relevance to regional authorities, the Commission also refers the Honourable Member to its forthcoming reply to the opinion of the European Committee of the Regions on the Implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum[3].
The Commission is in regular contact with various stakeholders in relation to the implementation of the Pact. This also includes representatives of regional authorities where relevant or requested.
The Commission monitors the Common Implementation Plan and the National Implementation Plans, based on its responsibilities under the AMMR and will regularly report to the European Parliament and Council on the state of play.
Source: European Parliament
Based on the information provided in the written question, it is unclear whether Directive 2014/24/EU[1] would apply to the award of the contract referred to by the Honourable Members.
In any event, national courts and review bodies referred to in the directives on remedies in public procurement (Directive 89/665/EEC[2] and Directive 92/13/EEC[3], as amended by Directive 2007/66/EC[4] and Directive 2014/23/EU[5]) are best placed to assess in the first place, according to the facts of each case, whether contracting authorities and contracting entities respected their obligations under EU law as transposed into national law in a specific award procedure.
Source: European Parliament
Article 12(4) of Directive 2014/17/EU[1] provides that Member States may allow creditors to require the consumer to hold a relevant insurance policy related to the credit agreement. In such cases Member States shall ensure that the creditor accepts the insurance policy from a supplier different to his preferred supplier where such policy has a level of guarantee equivalent to the one the creditor has proposed.
This requirement is typically met through a credit protection insurance policy, which covers the debtor against the risk of being unable to repay credit, in particular in the form of a mortgage.
Article 11(4) of that directive provides that where the conclusion of a contract regarding an ancillary service, such as insurance, is compulsory in order to obtain the credit or to obtain it on the terms and conditions marketed, and the cost of that service cannot be determined in advance, the obligation to enter into that contract shall be stated in a clear, concise and prominent way, along with the annual percentage rate of charge.
In addition, Article 20 of Directive (EU) 2016/97[2] requires banks and insurance distributors to provide borrowers with clear information on insurance products to help them make informed decisions.
The terms of credit protection insurance policies are subject to applicable national laws. EU law does not regulate the specific content or exclusions of such policies. However, any exclusions must comply with EU rules protecting consumers against unfair commercial practices[3] and unfair and non-transparent contract terms[4].
The remedies for non-performance of a contractual obligation under an insurance contract are governed by national rules, and enforcement falls within the remit of national competent authorities and courts.
Source: European Parliament
The EU Talent Pool should be open to workers of all qualification levels and ensure fair treatments of jobseekers, the Civil Liberties Committee agreed on Wednesday.
Today, MEPs in the Civil Liberties Committee backed the creation of an EU Talent Pool, designed to make it easier to recruit non-EU nationals to jobs in sectors where there are shortages, through a dedicated digital platform that matches EU vacancies with jobseekers living abroad. Application of the new legislation would be optional for EU countries and would not affect their right to decide how many third-country workers to admit to their territory.
A fair recruitment process
MEPs adopted amendments to the proposal to ensure the application of fair recruitment standards, as set out in the International Labour Organization’s general principles, and that the platform is open to jobseekers “of all skills and qualification levels”. MEPs also want to make sure that the new tool does not lead to discriminatory practices and is free of charge for registered jobseekers.
Improved information on employers and jobseekers
Participating employers should provide details including: the person responsible for recruitment, the company registration number, and a brief description of their operations, argue MEPs. Vacancies should meanwhile include a job description, the place of work, working hours, remuneration and paid leave. MEPs also want to see more information in the profiles of jobseekers, such as their preferred EU country and when they are available, offering the possibility for them to certify their skills within the EU Talent Partnerships or via bilateral or national agreements.
Targeted communication campaigns
The Commission should promote the EU Talent Pool through awareness raising campaigns, both on and off-line, targeting SMEs in particular, recommend MEPs. They also suggest that EU delegations in third countries should to do the same for potential jobseekers.
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Rapporteur Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew, Sweden) said: “The EU is falling behind its competitors, partly because of labour shortages across our economy. Labour migration is one way to address these shortages and strengthen our competitiveness. The EU Talent Pool is a step in the right direction, by connecting the needs of our employers with workers from outside the EU. This is also a tool to create more safe and legal pathways to the EU. The result will be a Talent Pool platform that is user-friendly for all, with necessary checks on jobseekers and measures to ensure minimum safeguards against exploitation. There is also a strong link to the Talent Partnerships, reinforcing the connection between internal and external migration governance”.
Next steps
The draft rules were approved by 46 votes in favour, 25 against, and 2 abstentions. Once the report has been endorsed by Parliament as a whole during the April plenary session, talks with member states on the final shape of the bill can start.
Source: European Parliament
This paper presents the aggregated results of a survey conducted among Members of the Monetary Policy Expert Panel (MPEP) ahead of the March 2025 Monetary Dialogue with ECB President Christine Lagarde. The opinions expressed in this document are the sole responsibility of the survey respondents and do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Parliament, the Members of the ECON Committee or the EGOV Unit.