NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Mantri meets Netherlands Defence Minister in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Raksha Mantri meets Netherlands Defence Minister in New Delhi

    Both countries explore possibilities of defence industrial collaboration & working together in domains like AI

    Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 4:44PM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a meeting with the Defence Minister of the Netherlands Mr Ruben Brekelmans in New Delhi on March 18, 2025. They discussed elevating the bilateral cooperation in areas like defence, security, information exchanges, Indo-Pacific and new & emerging technologies.

    The two Ministers explored the possibilities of collaboration in shipbuilding, equipment and space sectors, optimising the complementariness in skills, technology & scale of the two countries. They also discussed working together in domains like Artificial Intelligence and related technologies, besides connecting the respective defence technology research institutes and organisations.

    In a post on X after the meeting, Raksha Mantri stated that India looks forward to further elevating its defence partnership with the Netherlands.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Explosive issue of housing – E-001940/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Access to social housing or housing assistance for those in need is a principle enshrined in the European Pillar of Social Rights[1]. To achieve structural improvements and to support Member States in addressing barriers for affordable housing, the Commission will launch a European Affordable Housing Plan.

    It will offer technical assistance to cities and Member States, foster investments and strengthen skills in the housing sector. A European strategy for housing construction and a pan-European investment platform for affordable and sustainable housing will be part of the Plan.

    ‘My Home II’, a public investment measure supporting individuals and families with up to a certain income to finance the purchase of an accommodation, is included in the Greek recovery and resilience plan (RRP)[2].

    It provides Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) loans (EUR 1 billion) at beneficial interest rates via the intermediation of commercial banks to private households.

    It is accompanied by the RRF-financed ‘Upgrade my home’ programme (EUR 300 million) for increasing the energy efficiency of existing accommodations. In addition, the Greek RRP contains the investment measure ‘Energy renovation on residential buildings’ or ‘Exoikonomo’ which aims to support 105 000 renovations, with primary energy savings of at least 30%.

    It also foresees actions targeting households eligible for the ‘social residential tariff’ with a higher support level, and other actions benefitting at least 50 000 vulnerable households. The Commission has no evidence suggesting that these RRF investments have an impact on house prices or prices in the construction sector.

    As to auctioning of social housing, the re-establishment of the Workers’ Housing Organisation and other national actions, the primary responsibility for housing policies and investments remains with Member States.

    • [1] https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/european-pillar-social-rights-building-fairer-and-more-inclusive-european-union_en
    • [2] https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resilience-facility/country-pages/greeces-recovery-and-resilience-plan_en
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Recycling policy for lithium-ion batteries – E-002700/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission acknowledges the importance of recycling of lithium-ion batteries. It has approved two Important Projects of Common European Interest[1] (IPCEI) on batteries, with one of the workstreams fully dedicated to repurposing, recycling and refining.

    These IPCEIs have secured EUR 6.1 billion in funding and will unlock up to EUR 14 billion of additional private investments.

    The Commission has also established the co-programmed partnership on battery research and innovation called ‘BATT4EU’ under Horizon Europe[2], which covers the full value chain and, so far, EUR 115 million[3] are going into innovative recycling and circularity projects.

    The latest Innovation Fund[4] call launched in December 2024 supports with EUR 1 billion electric vehicle battery cell manufacturing projects. Recycling activities can be integrated into projects eligible under this call.

    The Commission is committed to ensuring a skilled workforce for the recycling industry. The Battery Academy[5], established in 2022 by EIT InnoEnergy[6] with the support of the Commission, is providing training for the battery industry, and the planned EU Academies under the Net-Zero Industry Act[7] will provide reskilling and upskilling opportunities.

    The Batteries Regulation[8] provides incentives for the development of the recycling industry by introducing targets on recycling, material recovery and recycled content.

    Under the Critical Raw Materials Act[9], the Commission will identify as strategic projects those which will enhance the European raw material value chain, including recycling, and contributing to reaching the benchmark of 25% EU recycling capacity.

    The Commission with Member States and financial institutions will work on providing additional support measures.

    • [1] A two-part IPCEI has been implemented to promote battery production: the IPCEI on Batteries and the IPCEI European Battery Innovation (EuBatIn). https://www.ipcei-batteries.eu/
    • [2] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en
    • [3] This is around 19% of the presently allocated budget.
    • [4] https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/eu-funding-climate-action/innovation-fund_en
    • [5] https://www.eba250.com/eba-academy/?cn-reloaded=1
    • [6] EIT InnoEnergy is part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).
    • [7] Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology manufacturing ecosystem and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1724, OJ L, 2024/1735, 28.6.2024, p. 1.
    • [8] Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2023 concerning batteries and waste batteries, amending Directive 2008/98/EC and Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and repealing Directive 2006/66/EC, OJ L 191, 28.7.2023, p. 1.
    • [9] Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials and amending Regulations (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1724 and (EU) 2019/1020, OJ L, 2024/1252, 3.5.2024, p. 1.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Draft agenda – Thursday, 3 April 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    20 Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2026 – Section I – European Parliament
    Matjaž Nemec
        – Amendments Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 13:00
        – Requests for “separate”, “split” and “roll-call” votes Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 19:00
    Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:00
    Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 31 March 2025, 19:00
    Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 19:00
    Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Draft agenda – Tuesday, 1 April 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    26 Macro-financial assistance to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
    Céline Imart     – Amendments; rejection Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00 40 Implementation of the common foreign and security policy – annual report 2024
    David McAllister (A10-0010/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00 39 Implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2024
    Nicolás Pascual de la Parte (A10-0011/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00 38 Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2024
    Isabel Wiseler-Lima (A10-0012/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00 47 Targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – defending religious freedom and security     – Motion for a resolution Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to the motion for a resolution Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions Monday, 31 March 2025, 19:00 Separate votes – Split votes – Roll-call votes Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:00 Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 31 March 2025, 19:00 Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 19:00 Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Draft agenda – Wednesday, 2 April 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    22 Guidelines for the 2026 budget – Section III
    Andrzej Halicki     – Amendments Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00 28 Protocol on the Implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (2024-2029)
    Eric Sargiacomo     – (possibly) Amendments Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00 18 Strengthening the security of identity cards of Union citizens and of residence documents issued to Union citizens and their family members exercising their right of free movement
    Malik Azmani     – (possibly) Amendments Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00 42 Action Plan for the Automotive Industry     – Motions for resolutions Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions Monday, 31 March 2025, 19:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions Monday, 31 March 2025, 20:00     – Requests for “separate”, “split” and “roll-call” votes Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 13:00 24 Energy-intensive industries     – Motion for a resolution Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions Monday, 31 March 2025, 19:00 11 Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150)     – Motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Monday, 31 March 2025, 20:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 14:00 Separate votes – Split votes – Roll-call votes Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:00 Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 31 March 2025, 19:00 Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 19:00 Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Missions – Mission to Kyrgyzstan, 25-27 February 2025 – 25-02-2025 – Subcommittee on Human Rights

    Source: European Parliament

    A five-member strong delegation visited Kyrgyzstan from 25 to 27 February 2025 with the aim at conducting a constructive dialogue with the Kyrgyz authorities and a series of international and local stakeholders ahead of the consent procedure of the EU-Kyrgyzstan European Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, as the latter defines the respect for human rights, fundamental values, the rule of law and democratic standards as an essential element of this agreement.

    The DROI mission visited the country in a politically important year for Kyrgyzstan and the relations between the EU and Central Asian countries, given that the 1st EU-Central Asia Summit of Heads of State and government will take place in Samarkand on 4-5 April 2025.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Draft agenda – Monday, 31 March 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    22 Guidelines for the 2026 budget – Section III
    Andrzej Halicki
        – Amendments Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00
    27 Common data platform on chemicals, establishing a monitoring and outlook framework for chemicals
    Dimitris Tsiodras (A10-0018/2025) 
        – (if requested) Amendments; rejection Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00
    17 Re-attribution of scientific and technical tasks to the European Chemicals Agency
    Dimitris Tsiodras (A10-0019/2025) 
        – (if requested) Amendments; rejection Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00
    16 Re-attribution of scientific and technical tasks and improving cooperation among Union agencies in the area of chemicals
    Dimitris Tsiodras (A10-0020/2025) 
        – (if requested) Amendments; rejection Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 13:00
    Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:00
    Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 31 March 2025, 19:00
    Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 19:00
    Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150) Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Learning strategies in schools – E-000389/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission promotes ‘learning to learn’ skills through the European Education Area.

    The 2018 Council Recommendation on Key Competences[1] identifies ‘personal, social and learning to learn’ as one of the eight key areas.

    To help Member States reach a common understanding, the Commission developed ‘LifeComp’[2], a framework for curriculum development and learning activities, accompanied by ‘LifeComp into action’[3], a teacher’s guide for implementing these skills.

    The 2022 Pathways to School Success Council Recommendation[4] further emphasises the importance of cognitive, social, and emotional competences for academic and life success. It encourages Member States to develop comprehensive strategies focusing on school wellbeing. In 2024, the Commission released guidelines[5] for policy-makers and teachers on supporting wellbeing and mental health in schools.

    The Commission is not considering proposing a free online course on metacognition for EU pupils as this falls directly under the responsibility of the Member States. However, the Commission supports teacher training and development through the European School Education Platform[6].

    • [1] https://education.ec.europa.eu/focus-topics/improving-quality/key-competences
    • [2] https://school-education.ec.europa.eu/en/discover/publications/lifecomp-european-framework-personal-social-and-learning-learn-key-competence
    • [3] https://school-education.ec.europa.eu/en/discover/news/lifecomp-action-guide-teaching-life-skills-classroom-and-beyond
    • [4] https://education.ec.europa.eu/education-levels/school-education/pathways-to-school-success
    • [5] https://education.ec.europa.eu/news/supporting-wellbeing-at-school-new-guidelines-for-policymakers-and-educators
    • [6] https://school-education.ec.europa.eu/en
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Funding for Modul University Vienna – E-000458/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Council Implementing Decision 2022/2056 (CID)[1] sets out measures to protect the EU budget from breaches of the principles of the rule of law in Hungary under the mechanism established by the Conditionality Regulation[2].

    Under Article 2(2) of the CID no legal commitments shall be entered into with any public interest trust established on the basis of the Hungarian Act IX of 2021 or any entity maintained by such a public interest trust.

    The CID stipulates in its Article 2 that the Commission (and the implementing bodies that it entrusts with budget implementation in indirect management such as the Erasmus+ National Agency in Hungary) cannot enter into legal commitments with these public interest trusts or entities maintained by them, as listed in the annex to this Act.

    This list includes 25 higher education institutions where there is a risk of possible conflicts of interest in the boards of these trusts.

    As regards the Modul University Vienna, an assessment of its ownership structure, carried out by the Erasmus+ National Agency in Austria on the basis of documentation provided by the university itself, concluded that since 12 May 2023 it is to be considered an entity maintained by Mathias Corvinus Collegium, a public interest trust listed in the annex to the Hungarian Act IX of 2021. Communication on this assessment was conducted exclusively with Modul University.

    EU-funded projects, including under Erasmus+, managed by entities that are not concerned by the Hungarian Act IX of 2021, continue to be implemented.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2022/2506/oj/eng
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2020/2092/oj/eng
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Community notes and their role under the Digital Services Act – E-000853/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000853/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Christine Anderson (ESN)

    The community notes system, used on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), has been widely praised as an effective, transparent and decentralised tool for providing additional context to online content. Unlike traditional fact-checking, community notes allow a broad range of contributors to participate, reducing the risk of institutional bias in content moderation. However, given the Digital Services Act’s (DSA) provisions on platform responsibilities, there is some uncertainty about whether community notes fall under the regulation’s obligations for content moderation and systemic risk mitigation.

    In this regard, I seek clarification on the following:

    • 1.Regulatory status: Does the Commission consider community notes to be a form of content moderation subject to DSA obligations and if so, how does the regulation apply to decentralised, community-driven initiatives?
    • 2.Safeguarding decentralised fact-checking: What measures will the Commission take to ensure that effective and independent tools such as community notes are not discouraged or restricted by DSA enforcement?
    • 3.Platform responsibilities: How does the DSA differentiate between centralised fact-checking by platforms and decentralised initiatives such as community notes, and are platforms encouraged to adopt similar user-driven moderation models?

    Submitted: 26.2.2025

    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Limits and enforcement of Article 36 of the Digital Services Act – E-000852/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000852/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Christine Anderson (ESN)

    Article 36 of the Digital Services Act (DSA) grants the Commission significant powers to oversee and enforce compliance among very large online platforms and search engines. However, concerns have been raised about the scope of these enforcement powers, particularly regarding potential overreach, lack of transparency and the risk of restricting lawful speech under the pretext of combating disinformation. The discretionary nature of risk assessments and the imposition of compliance measures have led to fears of disproportionate intervention in digital content moderation.

    In this regard, I seek clarification on the following points:

    • 1.Enforcement transparency: What safeguards are in place to ensure that the Commission’s enforcement actions under Article 36 DSA do not disproportionately target platforms based on political or ideological considerations?
    • 2.Due process protections: How does the Commission guarantee that affected platforms and content creators have access to fair appeal mechanisms when facing regulatory measures under Article 36 DSA?
    • 3.Legal certainty: Given the broad interpretation of systemic risks under the DSA, how does the Commission ensure that enforcement does not lead to arbitrary or politically motivated content removal, particularly concerning controversial but lawful speech?

    Submitted: 26.2.2025

    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Strengthening age verification through app stores and operating system providers – E-001010/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001010/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Miriam Lexmann (PPE)

    The Digital Services Act (DSA) sets out clear risk-based obligations to protect minors online. However, there is currently no clarity on when and where age verification (AV) should be used. App stores and operating systems are uniquely positioned to provide a unified, privacy-preserving, secure and efficient solution by verifying users’ ages at device or app store level and sharing an assured age signal with third-party apps. Such a system would prevent repetitive age checks, restrict underage users from accessing inappropriate content and better align with the requirements of the DSA and the Digital Markets Act.

    In this context:

    • 1.Has the Commission thought about supporting app store or device level AV solutions, such as those that exist in other jurisdictions such as Singapore and the US states of South Dakota and Utah?
    • 2.Will the Commission acknowledge in the upcoming guidelines on Article 28 of the DSA that app stores, as gateways to multiple services, pose a higher level of risk compared to the potential risks posed by individual apps, and that AV at this level might be necessary to mitigate that risk?
    • 3.Will the Commission acknowledge in the upcoming guidelines on Article 28 of the DSA that app stores, as very large online platforms and gatekeepers, have a special responsibility in the value chain to protect minors online?

    Submitted: 7.3.2025

    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Plan to gradually reduce the EU’s dependence on Russian energy imports – P-000981/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-000981/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Beata Szydło (ECR)

    In the Versailles Declaration, the Member States committed to ending their dependence on Russian energy imports as soon as possible. A target has been set under the REPowerEU plan to end such imports by 2027. President von der Leyen promised to publish a plan for the phase-out of Russian energy resources within 100 days, but the publication, scheduled for February 2025, was delayed until March, and on 4 March 2025 it disappeared from the Commission’s agenda. All indications are that this decision was reached without proper inter-service consultation, and even without the participation of DG ENER management.

    • 1.What are the main reasons for the latest delay in announcing a plan to phase out Russian energy imports, and when can we expect such a plan to be published?
    • 2.Why was the management of DG ENER not consulted on the decision to remove the document from the College’s agenda, and was it made as a result of pressure from some Member States?
    • 3.Some Member States have not taken sufficient steps to diversify their supplies, gas imports from Russia have increased in the past year, and politicians in some Member States are calling for a return to energy cooperation with Russia. What safeguards does the Commission intend to put in place to ensure that the EU does not become dependent once again on energy supplies from a country that is openly pursuing a hostile and revisionist policy towards Member States?

    Submitted: 6.3.2025

    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Fertiliser predicament in the EU – E-000793/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000793/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Daniel Buda (PPE)

    At the end of January, the EU imposed tariffs on nitrogen-based fertilisers from Russia to provide impetus and support to European producers. However, in the absence of Russian fertilisers, supply has decreased and prices are continuing to rise: urea has reached the EUR 525/tonne mark, and other products are following the same trend. Farmers are having to swallow these price rises and the outlook remains bleak.

    Last year, the EU imported fertilisers to the value of EUR 2.12 billion from Russia. The Commission has promised to take stepwise action between now and 2026, but farmers need alternative solutions now.

    Moreover, following the imposition of these tariffs, it is not clear how farmers will be able to access fertilisers in sufficient quantities and at affordable prices to continue producing and ensuring food security.

    • 1.Given that the new tariffs on fertilisers from Russia are not enough to protect European farmers and producers, what measures will the Commission take to prevent a price crisis and reduce the EU’s dependence on Russian imports before 2026?
    • 2.Will the Commission reduce customs duties on imports of fertilisers from other countries so as to bring down farmers’ production costs and thus avoid a(nother) agricultural crisis?

    Submitted: 20.2.2025

    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – Common transport policy: overview – 24-07-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Transport policy has been one of the EU’s common policies for more than 30 years. Alongside the opening-up of transport markets and the creation of the Trans-European Transport Network, the ‘sustainable mobility’ model will take on even greater importance between now and 2020 – particularly in view of the constant rise in greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector, which threatens to jeopardise the European Union’s efforts to achieve its climate goals. toto

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – Employment policy – 26-07-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    The European employment strategy, dating back to 1997, established common objectives for employment policy and contributed to ‘soft coordination’ among the Member States. Creating more and better jobs was one of the main goals of the Europe 2020 strategy. Since the turn of the decade, the Commission has proposed new and more ambitious targets in employment policy. EU law is relevant in certain areas, even if the responsibility for employment policy lies primarily with national governments.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – Pacific – 20-03-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU’s relationship with the Pacific region has political, economic and development dimensions. The EU is the Pacific region’s second largest trading partner and in June 2018 negotiations were launched for comprehensive free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand. It has a partnership with the 15 Pacific Independent Island Countries that centres on development, fisheries and climate change, and partnerships with the four Overseas Countries and Territories and the Pacific Islands Forum.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – The European Union and the World Trade Organisation – 03-02-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    The World Trade Organisation (WTO) works to guarantee a rules-based international trading system. Despite the impasse in trade negotiations, ways to modernise WTO rules and address new global challenges are being explored. In February 2017, the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement brought about new developments in WTO trade rules. Under the Lisbon Treaty, Parliament legislates jointly with the Council and has an important scrutiny role on international trade policy.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Products from Chinese-flagged tuna vessels caught with North Korean labour and authorised for export to the European Union – E-000935/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000935/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    César Luena (S&D)

    The North Korean regime exports labour, often forced and unpaid, from a large part of its population to prop up the country’s economy and generate income that supposedly helps finance its nuclear programme. A key destination for this labour is China.

    The use of North Korean labour outside the country is prohibited by the United Nations Security Council. The European Union has a legal framework in place to prevent goods produced by North Koreans from entering its supply chains. However, recent investigations[1] have identified 12 Chinese-flagged tuna vessels using North Korean labour on board. Four of these vessels are authorised to export to the EU. The findings also show that North Korean crew have suffered serious abuse, with frequent transfers between vessels and stints at sea lasting for up to a decade.

    What is the Commission doing to investigate, trace and monitor products from Chinese-flagged tuna vessels caught with North Korean labour and authorised for export to the European Union?

    Submitted: 5.3.2025

    • [1] Report: ‘Trapped At Sea’, published by the Environmental Justice Foundation, https://ejfoundation.org/reports/trapped-at-sea-exposing-north-korean-forced-labour-on-chinas-indian-ocean-tuna-fleet.
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Tackling fake reviews and building trust in digital services – E-001009/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001009/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Dimitris Tsiodras (PPE)

    Consumers increasingly rely on ratings and reviews from other consumers when buying a product or service. However, around one in two consumers[1] reported that they were unable to find information on whether a company ensures that the reviews published were submitted by real customers and on how reviews were collected. Although misleading practices relating to consumer reviews are covered by the directive on unfair commercial practices and better enforcement and modernisation of Union consumer protection rules and the Digital Services Act, the problem remains significant.

    Can the Commission say:

    • 1.What steps will it take to ensure that the sale, purchase and submission of fake reviews are banned and that such reviews are removed when found online, so as to ensure that the reviews published come from consumers who have actually used or bought the service or product?
    • 2.How will existing legislation be implemented to address practices of altering consumer ratings, for example when only positive reviews are published and negative ones deleted?

    Submitted: 7.3.2025

    • [1] SWD(2024) 230, Fitness check of EU consumer law on digital fairness
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Mass killings of Christians and Alawites by the jihadist forces that have taken power in Syria – P-001088/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-001088/2025
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Giorgos Georgiou (The Left)

    According to news articles and international press reports, in recent weeks, the jihadist forces that seized control of Syria have been engaging in mass killings and acts of terrorism against civilians. The evidence points to ethnic and religious minorities – mainly Christians and Alawites – being targeted, as well as the forces defending the need for a secular democratic state.

    Can the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy answer the following:

    • 1.What immediate measures does she intend to take to prevent jihadist forces that took control of the country from continuing their killing spree, which is also prompting new waves of refugees?
    • 2.How, with concrete practical measures, will she ensure that the national dialogue launched at the end of February will fulfil the aspirations of the whole of Syrian society?

    Submitted: 13.3.2025

    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – Free movement of persons – 20-11-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Freedom of movement and residence for persons in the EU is the cornerstone of Union citizenship, established by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992. The gradual phasing-out of internal borders under the Schengen agreements was followed by the adoption of Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of EU citizens and their family members to move and reside freely within the EU. Notwithstanding the importance of this right, substantial implementation obstacles persist, 10 years after the deadline for implementation of the Directive.

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Test 1 Vanessa – 09-10-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    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 seeks to ensure that 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 has been 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 voted on its first-reading position during its April I plenary session. The new Parliament will now decide whether to enter into trilogue negotiations with the Council.

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – TEST PUMA JULY 2024 B – 01-08-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Ireland’s national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) has the fourth smallest allocation in absolute figures under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Following the European Commission’s 2022 update of national allocations, the initial €989 million allocation was adjusted to €914.4 million in grants, to be disbursed in five instalments. Ireland asked to amend its latest plan in March 2024, when it submitted a new REPowerEU chapter to accelerate the green transition, leading to the allocation of additional funding. The Council approved the new NRRP in June 2024, bringing Ireland’s new total to €1 153.8 million in grants. Ireland received its first payment of €324.8 million in July 2024.

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: At a Glance – PUMA TEST JULY 2024 – A – 31-07-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Introduce and explain the topic very succinctly (five to six lines maximum), with the aim of engaging readers and drawing them into reading the rest of the text. Within these few lines the key issues at stake should be clear. There should be no hypesfqsdfqsdfqsdfqsdfqedfrlinks in the introduction.

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – Just Transition Fund – 29-07-2024

    Source: European Parliament

    The Just Transition Fund is a new financial instrument within the Cohesion Policy which aims to provide support to territories facing serious socio-economic challenges arising from the transition towards climate neutrality. The Just Transition Fund will facilitate the implementation of the European Green Deal, which aims to make the EU climate-neutral by 2050.

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Threat of illegal interference by the Commission in the 2025 Polish presidential elections – P-000969/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-000969/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Maciej Wąsik (ECR)

    On 5 March 2025, in an interview with Deutsche Welle, Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen announced a decision to organise a ‘round table’ assessing the integrity of the Polish election process and the presidential elections[1]. This news was met with outrage among the Polish public.

    Electoral matters are directly regulated by the Polish constitution and are the exclusive responsibility of the Member State. Organising a ‘round table’ on this issue constitutes political interference that could undermine the election process or even the results themselves. The European Union has already contested the results of the democratic presidential elections that took place in Romania. Polish citizens are categorically opposed to outside interference in Polish elections.

    As a Polish MEP, I expect this interference in Polish elections to stop immediately.

    Polish election matters are for Poland and Poles alone!

    In light of the above:

    • 1.Who suggested this idea and on what legal grounds was the decision taken?
    • 2.Who requested this decision and who exactly was consulted?
    • 3.Who does the Commission want to talk to and what conclusions does it expect to draw?

    Submitted: 6.3.2025

    • [1] https://www.dw.com/pl/okr%C4%85g%C5%82y-st%C3%B3%C5%82-ws-wybor%C3%B3w-w-polsce-wiceszefowa-ke-zapowiada/a-71834431, (accessed: 6.3.2025)
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Economic forecast: below-average growth, high degree of uncertainty

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research

    The Federal Government Expert Group on Business Cycles has slightly lowered its growth forecast for the Swiss economy. In 2025, GDP adjusted for sporting events is expected to grow by 1.4%, followed by 1.6% in 2026 (December forecasts: 1.5% and 1.7% respectively). [1] This would mean the Swiss economy would continue to grow below its historical average for another two years. These forecasts presuppose that there will be no escalating global trade war. In view of the considerable uncertainty, SECO has formulated two alternative scenarios to supplement the expert group’s forecast.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Exchange of views on the future of European University Alliances – Committee on Culture and Education

    Source: European Parliament

    University © Adobe Stock

    On March 19th, the Committee on Culture and Education will hold an exchange of views on the future of European University Alliances. The discussion will focus on plans to make the European University Alliances sustainable and strengthen them to enhance Europe’s global competitiveness and innovation and touch upon the European Degree.

    The Key speakers will be Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Prof. Szeptycki for the Polish Presidency and Ms. Susanne Conze from the European Commission.

    MIL OSI Europe News –