NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Failure of the European Commission to visit the Valencian districts affected by the DANA – E-000106/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The President of the Commission has repeatedly expressed, since the first day of the disaster, her full solidarity with the citizens of the Valencia Region, and reaffirmed the Commission’s permanent availability to support the Spanish authorities at all levels to provide relief and assistance for reconstruction, in the form deemed most appropriate.

    Up on request from Spain, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism[1] was activated on 8 November 2024. Several Member States offered support, and two liaison officers from the Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre were deployed to help coordinate the assistance on the ground.

    The joint work is focused on ensuring EU support is most effective and beneficial for the affected communities and conveyed as soon as possible. This includes support from the RESTORE[2] initiative and from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF)[3].

    In a recent meeting, the Mayor of Valencia invited the Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms to visit Valencia.

    Therefore, the Executive Vice-President, member of the Commission responsible for cohesion policy and the EUSF, during his first mission to Spain planned for March 2025, will also visit the Valencian districts affected by the catastrophe.

    The Executive Vice-President would like to engage with the affected communities, demonstrate European solidarity and make sure EU support meets their needs and helps to prepare a more resilient future.

    • [1] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protection-mechanism_en
    • [2] Regulation (EU) 2024/3236 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1057 and (EU) 2021/1058 as regards Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction (RESTORE). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/3236/oj/eng
    • [3] Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3) as amended by Regulation (EU) No 661/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 May 2014 (OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p. 143) and by Regulation (EU) 2020/461 of the European Parliament and the Council of 30 March 2020 (OJ L 99, 31.3.2020, p. 9). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:32002R2012
    Last updated: 3 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – 36th Working Group meeting on the Scrutiny of the Recovery and Resilience Facility – Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

    Source: European Parliament

    On 4 March 2025, the Working Group on the Scrutiny of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) will hold its first meeting of the 10th parliamentary term.

    Discussions will focus on the ‘State of play of the RRF: economic and social impact and RRF budgetary execution’. The following speakers have been invited to contribute to the debate: Céline Gauer (Director General and Head of the Reform and Investment Task Force, European Commission), Ettore Dorrucci (Head of Division for Fiscal Policies, ECB), Zsolt Darvas (Senior Fellow, Bruegel) and Marco Cilento (Head of Institutional Policy, European Trade Union Confederation).

    The meeting will be web streamed.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Difficulties in opening basic payment accounts – E-002851/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is aware that applications to open basic payment accounts are sometimes refused, for example due to a lack of specific documents, the need to demonstrate a genuine interest or ‘de-risking’ practices[1]. The situation differs between the different Member States.

    Whereas Article 16 of the Payment Accounts Directive (PAD)[2] obliges Member States to ensure that consumers legally resident in the EU have the right to have a basic payment account, irrespective of their place of residence, it also includes some derogations[3].

    In addition, Article 15 of the PAD prohibits discrimination as regards the conditions to holding a payment account with basic features. However, a different treatment by credit institutions may still be possible in case there is an objective justification.

    Member States have a primary responsibility to monitor the application of the relevant legal provisions and to take the necessary steps for enforcement.

    In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission monitors the situation and may decide to take appropriate action. It has opened a number of pre-infringement processes with Member States and follows up on citizens’ complaints.

    Recognising the importance of the issue of access to payment accounts and aiming to enhance its application, the Commission services also discuss issues related to the directive, including the right to a basic payment account with Member States in different expert groups, including the Single Market Enforcement Taskforce[4].

    The Commission has also issued a report on the application of the Payment Accounts Directive[5] and is reviewing the directive to assess whether legislative changes are needed.

    • [1] See the report on specific payment account related data from Member States as required by Article 27, COM/2023/248 final (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52023DC0248&qid=1736174762840 ) and the report on the application of Directive 2014/92/EU, COM/2023/249 final, (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52023DC0249).
    • [2] Directive 2014/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on the comparability of fees related to payment accounts, payment account switching and access to payment accounts with basic features Text with EEA relevance, OJ L 257, 28.8.2014, p. 214-246.
    • [3] For instance, Member States may require that consumers show a genuine interest to open a basic payment account. Also, anti-money-laundering rules may prevent the opening of a basic payment account.
    • [4] Examples of expert groups include: Government Expert Group on Retail Financial Services: https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/expert-groups/consult?lang=en&groupID=2021; Financial Services User Group: https://finance.ec.europa.eu/regulation-and-supervision/expert-groups-comitology-and-other-committees/financial-services-user-group-fsug_en; The Single Market Enforcement Taskforce: https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/single-market-enforcement-taskforce_en
    • [5] The report is based on external studies on the EU payment accounts market and tools to facilitate account switching and cross-border opening of payment accounts (see the Study on EU payment accounts market: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/0854f727-6117-11eb-8146-01aa75ed71a1/language-en and the Study on tools designed to facilitate switching and cross-border opening of payment accounts on the EU payment accounts market: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/70d1fcb7-f338-11eb-aeb9-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
    Last updated: 3 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Request for information on funding for the ‘PEBA’ project in Emilia Romagna – E-002824/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is not aware of any EU funding allocated to Emilia Romagna’s Plan for the Elimination of Architectural Barriers (PEBA ) project.

    The Managing Authority of the Emilia Romagna European Social Fund+ and European Regional Development Fund Regional Programmes has indicated that the project was fully financed with national resources. Hence, the Commission has no knowledge of any possible implementation challenges related to Emilia Romagna’s PEBA project.

    In terms of funding, the European structural and investment funds (ESIF) are the EU’s main financial instruments to strengthen economic and social cohesion. They help ensure social inclusion of the most vulnerable citizens, including those with disabilities.

    Furthermore, the EU, under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme, provides financial support through an annual grant to a number of EU-level organisations of persons with disabilities and Non-Governmental Organisations to build their capacity and make their participation in EU-level processes easier.

    Lastly, it is important to recall that the European Semester provides a framework for the coordination of economic and social policies across the EU and provides information on the situation of persons with disabilities in the Member States.

    It is too early to prejudge the outcome of the discussions on the next financial programming cycle and ensuing programme discussions and, therefore, at this stage, it is not possible to anticipate the EU funding allocations that might be available for this kind of project in the post -2027 period .

    Last updated: 3 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Controversial activities by the Commission seeking to moderate content on social media platforms – E-000283/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Digital Services Act[1] (DSA) aims to enable a safe, predictable and trusted online environment that facilitates innovation and in which fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, such as freedom of expression, are effectively respected and protected.

    The DSA does not define ‘hate speech’ nor regulate what content is illegal. Illegal content remains defined by applicable EU and national laws. Instead, the DSA regulates the responsibility of intermediary services for the systems they have in place.

    It sets a series of due diligence obligations on hosting services, requiring them, for instance, to set up notice and action mechanisms to report illegal content and act effectively once they are notified that illegal content is accessible on their platform in the EU.

    On 20 January 2025, the Commission adopted the Code of Conduct on Countering Illegal Hate Speech Online +[2]. The integrated Code of conduct will facilitate compliance with and the effective enforcement of the DSA.

    The 2008 Framework Decision requires Member States to consider as a criminal offence hate speech, defined as publicly inciting violence or hatred against individuals or groups based on race, colour, religion, descent, or national/ethnic origin.

    Several Member States have extended the scope of hate speech as an offence with additional grounds, which is a possibility provided in the framework Decision.

    The Commission’s powers in relation to accessing technical interfaces under the DSA are strictly limited to data access requests and monitoring actions, under Articles 40 and 72 thereof, and they do not imply intervention in content moderation.

    • [1] Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market for Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act).
    • [2] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/code-conduct-countering-illegal-hate-speech-online

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – ETS: Measures to protect the maritime transport sector and Europe’s islands – E-002754/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    All sectors, including maritime transport, need to contribute to the EU’s climate neutrality goal by 2050. The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) is a key policy to achieve this objective.

    The economic and social impacts due to the ETS extension to maritime transport were looked at in the impact assessment[1] that accompanied the legislative proposal in 2021.

    Regarding costs, the analysis showed that the estimated impact on commodity prices relevant to European trade was expected to be relatively small (less than one percent price increase by 2030), with a very low effect on demand.

    The Commission acknowledges the specific challenges faced by islands. The EU ETS contains derogations allowing Member States to exempt from ETS surrendering obligations until end-2030, voyages by passenger vessels between islands with fewer than 200 000 residents and other ports in the same Member State.

    Furthermore, in case of transnational public service contracts established by two Member States, one having no land border with another Member State and the other being the closest, shipping companies do not need to surrender allowances if the Member States decide to exempt such a line.

    The Commission will monitor and report biennially on the implementation of the ETS extension to shipping. These reports will analyse possible transport cost increases and impacts on shipping services that constitute essential services of territorial continuity.

    The first report will be published in March 2025. If appropriate, the Commission will propose measures to ensure the effective implementation of the system.

    Member States can also decide to use their ETS revenues to further encourage the decarbonisation of the maritime sector and may benefit projects connecting islands.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2021:0601:FIN
    Last updated: 3 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – ‘Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action’ – support for rural areas – E-000217/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission adopted on 27 March 2024 its report on the long-term vision for EU’s rural areas. Key achievements to date include: the rural revitalisation platform[1], the rural energy community advisory hub[2], the EU Rural Observatory[3], the Startup Village Forum platform[4] and the Rural toolkit[5], in addition to a number of concrete projects[6].

    In June 2024, the Commission designated 146 regions as Regional Innovation Valleys under the New European Innovation Agenda as a recognition to their commitment.

    The EU backed this initiative with EUR 116 million through the European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) part of Horizon Europe and the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument of the European Regional Development Fund.

    The I3 project implementation usually takes two to three years and cover a variety of technological and economic sectors relevant for the twin transition[7]. The EIE project implementation takes three to five years.

    Approximately 30 calls were launched under the Horizon Europe programme[8] between 2021 and 2024 for proposals with a direct impact on rural areas in three clusters (cluster 2 ‘Culture, creativity and inclusive society’, cluster 5 ‘Climate, energy and mobility’, cluster 6 ‘Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment’).

    The 60 projects selected under the calls have a budget of EUR 253 million available for rural areas.

    • [1] https://ruralpact.rural-vision.europa.eu/rural-revitalisation_en
    • [2] https://rural-energy-community-hub.ec.europa.eu/index_en
    • [3] https://observatory.rural-vision.europa.eu/
    • [4] https://startup-forum.rural-vision.europa.eu/?lng=en
    • [5] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_656
    • [6] E.g. 2025 Commission report on policy implications of demographic trends in the EU’s rural regions: https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC140514
    • [7] EU Funded projects: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/projects-results;programCode=I3?order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=title&isExactMatch=true&frameworkProgramme=44416173
    • [8] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en
    Last updated: 3 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Impact of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement on agriculture, the economy and European consumers – E-002629/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The potential agreement with the Mercosur represents a key geostrategic and economic interest for the EU. This is all the more true under the current global context, in which geopolitical tensions among the different world powers risk to undermine EU exports, and hence the EU economy.

    As regards the agri-food sector, it should be recalled that the EU is the largest global exporter, with EUR 229 billion exports and a trade surplus of EUR 70 billion in 2023.

    The agreement will create new opportunities for the products of EU farmers in the highly protected Mercosur markets, by eliminating duties on key EU products, such as wine and other beverages, dairy products, olive oil and high-value processed products. Moreover, the agreement protects some 350 European geographical indications.

    Furthermore, trade concessions for sensitive agricultural products are granted under the form of carefully calibrated tariff rate quotas, limited to a very small share of EU consumption. Economic studies carried out by the Commission confirm that the market impact of the Mercosur agreement for EU sensitive products would be very limited[1].

    The agreement also provides for safeguards in case of any adverse market effects, covering all products, even those not fully liberalised.

    Finally, the agreement will have no impact on health standards or consumers’ rights of EU citizens. Imported products, from Mercosur or from anywhere else , will always have to comply with the high EU health and sanitary standards , including with EU requirements concerning consumer information and traceability.

    Such requirements are not negotiable, under any trade agreement.

    • [1] Sustainability Impact Assessment in support of the Association Agreement negotiations between the EU and Mercosur: https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/analysis-and-assessment/sustainability-impact-assessments_en; Cumulative economic impact of upcoming trade agreements on EU agriculture: https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC135540; Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment for Ireland of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/1c8a6-economic-and-sustainability-impact-assessment-for-ireland-of-the-eu-mercosur-trade-agreement/

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Effects of the Mercosur trade agreement on European agriculture – E-002295/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    On 6 December 2024, in the margin of the Mercosur Summit in Montevideo, the EU and Mercosur countries reached a political agreement concluding the negotiations of the EU-Mercosur agreement.

    The Commission conducted the negotiations based on an authorisation from the Council. The EU focus in the negotiations has been to ensure that the agreement delivers on the EU’s sustainability goals, while respecting the EU’s sensitivities in the agricultural sector.

    Throughout the negotiations, the Commission has also been regularly meeting representatives of farmers’ organisations to discuss both opportunities and challenges of the agreement for EU producers.

    The EU is the world’s largest exporter of agricultural and food products, and EU farmers largely benefit from trade agreements, with an increasing trade surplus (about EUR 70 billion in 2023).

    Mercosur is a highly protected market with real economic potential for increased exports of EU agri-food such as olive oil, malt, some fruit and vegetables, wines, spirits, non-alcoholic beverages and processed foods such as chocolates or biscuits.

    Regarding sensitive EU agricultural products, the EU has negotiated limited concessions in the form of tariff rate quotas that represent a small fraction of EU consumption.

    These partial openings will be introduced in gradual stages to allow for a smooth transition. They will be coupled with safeguard clauses to protect the EU market in case of serious injury caused by Mercosur imports.

    The Commission believes that those mechanisms will safeguard and protect the interests of EU farmers. Still, in case the implementation of the deal would result in market disturbances, the Commission stands ready to support farmers.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Mercosur – E-002035/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU is the world’s largest exporter of agri-food products, with an increasing trade surplus in such products (EUR 70 billion in 2023).

    This is also thanks to its network of trade agreements. Mercosur is a large and highly protected market with great potential for high quality European agri-food exports such as dairy products, processed foods, olive oil, malt, fruit, wines, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages.

    With respect to agri-food trade, imported products must always comply with the EU’s stringent food safety requirements. In addition, the EU has established autonomous legislation[1] requiring that imports into the EU adhere to certain production standards aimed at global environmental objectives and ethical concerns.

    As to deforestation commitments, the 2019 agreement already included an ambitious chapter dedicated to promoting sustainable development.

    The provisions under this chapter are binding and enforceable through a dedicated dispute resolution mechanism. Moreover, they commit each party to effectively implement the Paris Agreement.

    On 6 December, the EU and Mercosur reached a political agreement finalising the negotiations. As part of the negotiated outcome, the Parties agreed to make the Paris Agreement an essential element of the EU-Mercosur agreement and the concrete commitment to halt deforestation.

    The negotiated texts as well an explanatory document explaining the negotiated outcome achieved in 2024 are published on the Commission’s website[2].

    Finally, the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)[3] will ensure that trade in relevant products such as beef, soy or wood from Mercosur partners will be subject to the same requirements under EUDR — guaranteeing a high standard of environmental protection.

    • [1] See notably the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism Regulation, the regulation lowering maximum residue levels for two substances which are globally harmful to bees, the regulation on veterinary products prohibiting the use of antibiotic as growth promoter for imported products, the directive on corporate sustainability due diligence, the proposal for a regulation on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market, etc.
    • [2] https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/mercosur/eu-mercosur-agreement/text-agreement_en
    • [3] Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023R1115

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Road safety in Sicily and the failure to complete Highway 117 (Santo Stefano di Camastra to Gela) – E-002982/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. Under the Regional Programme Sicily 2021-2027[1], EUR 90 million are indicatively allocated for upgrading or extraordinary maintenance of secondary and local roads benefitting inner areas, to increase their safety standards and their functionality.

    Under the Regional Programme Sicily European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014-2020, around EUR 201 million were allocated to strengthen secondary and local connections of inner areas and those in agricultural and agro-industrial production districts with the main roads and railways of the trans-European transport network.

    2. In its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy[2], the Commission committed to ‘explore options to further support safe, smart and sustainable road transport operations under an existing agency or another body’. In line with this commitment, the Commission launched a feasibility study, which identifies shortcomings in the current policy implementation and governance set-up and explores options to enable swifter deployment of innovation and new technologies for competitive, safe, smart and sustainable road transport and keep EU technical regulation fit for purpose. While the feasibility study on the possible support to this development has been completed, the Commission’s assessment of the needs has not been finalised yet. F urther steps on this issue will be decided by the Commission following the outcome of this assessment.

    3. The construction of Highway 117 (Santo Stefano di Camastra to Gela) is not financed under the ERDF. According to the available information, support is provided by national funding; therefore, the matter falls under the responsibility of Italian authorities only.

    • [1] Supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/funding/erdf_en
    • [2] https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/mobility-strategy_en
    Last updated: 3 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – E-002709/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is committed to ensuing effective implementation of the transparency obligations in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act[1].

    According to Article 53(1)(d) AI Act, providers of general-purpose AI models must make publicly available a sufficiently detailed summary about the content used to train their models, according to a template provided by the EU AI Office.

    The Commission has started working on this template based on the objectives and the requirements defined in the AI Act. Recital 107 AI Act requires the template to be simple, effective, and allow the providers to provide the required summary in a narrative form.

    It also emphasises the need for the summary to be generally comprehensive in its scope rather than technically detailed. The summary should facilitate parties with legitimate interests, including rightholders, to exercise and enforce their rights under EU law, while taking into due account the need to protect trade secrets and confidential business information.

    Trade secrets are critical determinants for the competitiveness of EU providers of general-purpose AI models and should be considered when determining the granularity of the information. At the same time, the summary should provide sufficient details and meaningful public transparency to achieve its objectives.

    To further inform the work on the template, the Commission has launched a consultation[2] and collected contributions from a diverse range of stakeholders.

    Based on this input, the EU AI Office is now preparing a proposal for the template with first ideas presented to the participants in the Code of Practice process[3].

    This inclusive process will allow the AI Office to finalise the template and take into account stakeholders’ input before its adoption.

    • [1] Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence and amending Regulations (EC) No 300/2008, (EU) No 167/2013, (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1139 and (EU) 2019/2144 and Directives 2014/90/EU, (EU) 2016/797 and (EU) 2020/1828 (Artificial Intelligence Act) (Text with EEA relevance), PE/24/2024/REV/1, OJ L, 2024/1689, 12.7.2024.
    • [2] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-launches-consultation-code-practice-general-purpose-artificial-intelligence
    • [3] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/ai-code-practice

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Breach of legislation in building the wastewater treatment plant in northern Málaga and its impact – E-003020/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Based on public information, the plant would be expected to serve, among others, the agglomeration of Alhaurín el Grande. This is one of the agglomerations which were subject to an infringement case[1] under the Urban Wastewater Treatment (UWWT) Directive[2].

    1. Large[3] wastewater treatment plants must be subject to an assessment[4] of their significant effects, including on biodiversity, water, landscape and their vulnerability to risks of major accidents and/or disasters. Normal local climatic conditions as well as seasonal variations of the load must be considered when designing and constructing treatment plants[5]. Their vulnerability to extreme events also needs to be assessed[6]. Flood risk management plans[7] should consider relevant aspects such as spatial planning and land use.

    2. The Common Agricultural Policy Strategic plan and Rural Development Programmes[8] provide the general framework and EU funding for the implementation of measures, including in the field of organic farming. The Commission notes positively that Andalusia reached 27.4% of organic area in 2022.

    3. Under the Nature Restoration Regulation[9], Member States must determine how to achieve the targets and where they will put in place measures, considering obligations for habitats, the need to enhance urban green space, tree canopy cover and biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems. Only additional trees[10] count towards the objective of 3 billion trees.

    While the Commission attaches high importance to ensuring the effective application of EU law, it lacks enough information to determine the project’s compliance. National courts play a key role in enforcing EU law in individual cases[11]. The Commission welcomes more information on the project and legal proceedings.

    • [1] INFR (2004) 2031. More information available on the public register:
      https://ec.europa.eu/atwork/applying-eu-law/infringements-proceedings/infringement_decisions/?lang_code=en&langCode=EN&version=v1&typeOfSearch=byCase&page=14&size=10&order=ascending&sortColumns=memberState&infringementType=BAD&activeCase=true; J udgment of 14.04.2011 of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU Case) C-343/10: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX:62010CJ0343 and j udgment of 25.07.2018 of the CJEU- Case C-205/17: https://curia.europa.eu/juris/liste.jsf?language=en&num=C-205/17&td=ALL
    • [2] Council Directive 91/271/EEC of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste-water treatment, OJ L 135, 30.5.1991, p. 40-52.
    • [3] With a capacity exceeding 150 000 population equivalent.
    • [4] Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, p. 1-21, as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014, OJ L 124, 25.4.2014, p. 1-18.
    • [5] Article 10 of the UWWT Directive.
    • [6] Article 13 of the revised UWWT Directive: Directive (EU) 2024/3019 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2024 concerning urban wastewater treatment (recast), OJ L, 2024/3019, 12.12.2024.
    • [7] Articles 4, 8, 11 of Directive 2007/60/EC of 23 October 2007 on the assessment and management of flood risks, OJ L 288, 6.11.2007.
    • [8] https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/common-agricultural-policy/rural-development_en
    • [9] Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2024 on nature restoration and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/869, OJ L, 2024/1991, 29.7.2024.
    • [10] Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of 24 June 2024 on nature restoration and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/869, OJ L, 2024/1991, 29.7.2024; ‘The 3 Billion Tree Planting Pledge For 2030’, SWD (2021) 651 final.
    • [11] Communication from the Commission ‘EU law: Better Results through Better Application’- C (2016) 8600 final.
    Last updated: 3 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Impact on financial data traffic of hybrid attacks on Baltic Sea fibre-optic cables – E-002849/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Undersea communication cables operated by public telecommunication service providers, as the ones in question transporting financial sector data would be subject to cybersecurity measures under the directive on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union (NIS2 Directive)[1], which includes also their protection from physical threats.

    The Commission is closely following the recent incidents affecting submarine cables. It is reflecting on possible measures to improve security and resilience of this critical infrastructure, in cooperation with Member States, in addition to the recent Recommendation (EU) 2024/779[2] on the topic.

    The Commission is not aware of disruptions of a systemic nature in the provision of financial services as a result of the recent incidents affecting the submarine cables.

    In addition to the NIS2 Directive, the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)[3], referred to by the Honourable Member, is also relevant for enhancing the financial sector’s resilience against such kind of incidents.

    Under DORA, EU regulated financial entities are required to put in place contingency measures and plans (e.g. business continuity, etc.) to counter such incidents affecting their systems and networks, as well as to perform third-party risk assessments on the providers of information and communication technology (ICT)-services, including of communication and data transmission solutions.

    • [1]  OJ L 333, 27.12.2022, p. 80-152, http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/2555/oj
    • [2] C/2024/1181, OJ L, 2024/779, 8.3.2024.
    • [3] Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on digital operational resilience for the financial sector and amending Regulations (EC) No 1060/2009, (EU) No 648/2012, (EU) No 600/2014, (EU) No 909/2014 and (EU) 2016/1011, OJ L 333, 27.12.2022, p. 1-79.
    Last updated: 3 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Outcome of the EUR 318 million investment in better migration management – E-002911/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    In 2023, the EU provided EUR 318 million to address migration challenges in North Africa, building on actions funded under the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa[1] (EUTF) and the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument — Global Europe (NDICI-GE)[2].

    By December 2024, the entire budget was fully contracted, supporting assistance and protection to forcibly displaced persons, strengthening asylum and migration governance and management, fostering return, readmission and sustainable reintegration, and promoting legal migration and mobility.

    In 2024, EU efforts yielded positive results, including a significant decrease in arrivals to the EU (minus 60% on the Central Mediterranean route) and an increase in assisted voluntary returns to countries of origin (nearly 4 600 returns from January to November 2024, representing a 229% increase compared to the same period in 2023).

    EU assistance also contributed to bolster protection capacities in North African countries, enhancing access to basic services (such as education and health) for people in need.

    Additionally, the EU has developed programmes to improve labour migration governance and established mobility schemes from Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt to Europe under the Talent Partnerships framework[3].

    The new phase of the regional programme ‘Towards a Holistic Approach to Labour Migration Governance and Labour Mobility in North Africa’[4] (funded under NDICI-GE ), aims to increase the number of new mobilities in 2025-2028.

    • [1]  https://trust-fund-for-africa.europa.eu/index_en
    • [2]  https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/funding-and-technical-assistance/neighbourhood-development-and-international-cooperation-instrument-global-europe-ndici-global-europe_en
    • [3]  https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/legal-migration-resettlement-and-integration/talent-partnerships_en#:~:text=The%20Talent%20Partnerships%20aim%20to%20provide%20a%20comprehensive,and%20skills%20between%20the%20EU%20and%20partner%20countries
    • [4]  https://trust-fund-for-africa.europa.eu/our-programmes/towards-holistic-approach-labour-migration-governance-and-labour-mobility-north-africa_en

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – EU-Mercosur agreement – E-002829/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    One of EU’s key priorities is the health of its citizens, including food safety. To this end, EU citizens are protected by some of the strictest food safety rules in the world.

    Therefore, all agriculture products imported from the Mercosur countries — and from any other third country, with or without trade agreements — must comply with EU’s sanitary and phytosanitary standards including the ban on the use of hormones as growth promoters for beef intended to export to the EU and the compliance with EU pesticides maximum residue levels[1]. The high level of consumer protection will continue to apply in the EU.

    The 2019 EU-Mercosur agreement already included an ambitious chapter dedicated to promoting sustainable development, including the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement.

    In addition, the parties agreed on 6 December 2024 to make the Paris Agreement an essential element of the EU-Mercosur agreement and include a binding commitment to halt deforestation.

    Furthermore, EU Green Deal legislation such as the EU Deforestation Regulation[2] will apply to products imported under the agreement, ensuring that no commodities associated with deforestation are placed on the EU market.

    Now that a final political agreement has been reached between the EU and Mercosur, and after completion of the legal verification and translation into all official languages, the Commission will transmit a proposal to the Council and the European Parliament for signature and conclusion of the agreement.

    In that context, the Commission will present its proposal for the legal basis and architecture of the deal after an assessment of the outcome of the negotiations.

    • [1] Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 February 2005 on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin and amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC.
    • [2] Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023R1115
    Last updated: 3 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – DLAT in the LIBE Committee meeting on 6 March 2025 – Delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly

    Source: European Parliament

    The LIBE Committee with the participation of the DLAT Delegation at their next meeting on 6 March 2025, room SPAAK 1A002 will be hold an exchange of views with representatives of CLASI, led by its current pro tempore presidency (Ecuador) and incoming presidency (Chile).Following this, a meeting will be held between representatives of CLASI member countries and the chairs of the EP’s Latin America-focused delegations, as well as the VP of the EP responsible for relations with Latin America. The ‘Latin American Committee on Internal Security’ (CLASI) was established in March 2022. CLASI is a high-level regional political dialogue platform aimed at coordinating the definition and implementation of public security policies in Latin America (political, strategic, operational levels). Countries of CLASI: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Training AI: will the EU allow major US platforms to draw on our personal data? – E-002743/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The use of personal data, including in the context of Artificial Intelligence (AI) training, by online platforms established in the EU is regulated by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)[1]. This includes the possible transfer of personal data to a third country outside of the European Economic Area.

    Without prejudice to its powers as guardian of the Treaties, the monitoring and enforcement of the GDPR falls primarily under the competence of national data protection authorities (DPAs) and courts.

    DPAs have launched several investigations into platforms’ uses of personal data to train AI models[2] and the European Data Protection Board has recently issued an opinion on the use of personal data for the development and deployment of AI models in line with the GDPR[3].

    General purpose AI (GPAI) models generate content based on the input data it has been trained on. Article 4 of Directive (EU) 2019/790[4] introduced an exception for text and data mining (TDM), which provides a relevant framework for the use of protected content for AI training.

    Article 4(3) allows rightsholders to reserve their rights, thereby preventing their works or subject matter from being used under the exception.

    In such cases, GPAI models’ providers wishing to use such content to train their models must obtain authorisation from rightsholders to carry out TDM.

    Moreover, according to Article 53(1)(c) of the AI Act[5], GPAI models’ providers placed in the EU market must put in place a policy to comply with EU copyright law, in particular with the rights reservation expressed under Article 4(3) of Directive (EU) 2019/790, irrespective of where the training of such models occurs.

    This measure will facilitate the enforcement of copyright and related rights in the EU.

    • [1] Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation); OJ L 119, 04/05/2016, p. 1-88.
    • [2] https://www.dataprotection.ie/en/news-media/press-releases/data-protection-commission-launches-inquiry-google-ai-model and https://www.edpb.europa.eu/system/files/2024-05/edpb_20240523_report_chatgpt_taskforce_en.pdf
    • [3] https://www.edpb.europa.eu/news/news/2024/edpb-opinion-ai-models-gdpr-principles-support-responsible-ai_en
    • [4] Directive (EU) 2019/790 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market and amending Directives 96/9/EC and 2001/29/EC, OJ L 130, 17.5.2019, p. 92-125.
    • [5] Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence and amending Regulations (EC) No 300/2008, (EU) No 167/2013, (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1139 and (EU) 2019/2144 and Directives 2014/90/EU, (EU) 2016/797 and (EU) 2020/1828, OJ L, 2024/1689, 12.7.2024.
    Last updated: 3 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – BUDG-ECON – 36th Working Group on scrutinizing the Recovery and Resilience Facility – Committee on Budgets

    Source: European Parliament

    © Image used under the license from Adobe Stock

    On 4 March 2025, the Working Group on the Scrutiny of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) will hold its first meeting of the 10th parliamentary term. Discussions will focus on the ‘State of play of the RRF: economic and social impact and RRF budgetary execution’.

    The following speakers have been invited to contribute to the debate: Céline Gauer (Director General and Head of the Reform and Investment Task Force, European Commission), Ettore Dorrucci (Head of Division for Fiscal Policies, ECB), Zsolt Darvas (Senior Fellow, Bruegel) and Marco Cilento, (Head of Institutional Policy, European Trade Union Confederation).
    The meeting will be webstreamed.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Use of lethal autonomous weapons systems – E-002645/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The regulations on the European Defence Fund (EDF)[1], in support of ammunition production (ASAP)[2] and on establishing an instrument for the reinforcement of the European defence industry through common procurement (EDIRPA)[3] explicitly provide that actions related to the development, production or procurement of lethal autonomous weapons, without the possibility of meaningful human control over selection and engagement decisions when carrying out strikes against humans, shall not be eligible for EU financial support.

    EU military assistance for Ukraine falls under the responsibility of the Council of the European Union. Under the programmes implemented by the Commission to strengthen the EU’s defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB), the eligibility conditions as established in the EDF, ASAP and EDIRPA imply the exclusion of Ukrainian entities from the possibility of receiving EU funding.

    The Commission proposal for the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) Regulation[4] envisages that entities established in Ukraine may be recipients of EU funding, but actions related to lethal autonomous weapons without the possibility of meaningful human control would not be eligible for funding.

    Within the limits of the powers conferred on it by the Treaties, the Commission is to oversee the application of EU law. The application of and compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law arises from the respective treaties under international law to which Ukraine is a contracting party, e.g. the European Convention on Human Rights and the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their additional protocols.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/697/oj/eng
    • [2]  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1525/oj/eng
    • [3]  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2418/oj/eng
    • [4]  https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/edip-proposal-regulation_en
    Last updated: 3 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – E-002619/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    While Member States are responsible for the organisation of health services and medical care, the Commission has taken several steps to facilitate access for rare disease patients to effective diagnostics and therapies.

    The Commission supports the European Reference Networks (ERN)[1]; cross-border networks that bring together European hospital centres of expertise and reference to tackle rare diseases. ERN EYE[2] focuses on rare eye diseases.

    The Healthier Together initiative[3] supports Member States in addressing NCDs such as geographic atrophy. The Commission supports collaborative action and the sharing of best practices[4] with EU4Health funding[5]. The Expert Group on Public Health[6] provides a forum for exchange with the Member States on NCDs.

    Following an application, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommends whether a medicine can be authorised based on the assessment of its benefit risk balance.

    The EU pharmaceutical legislation reform[7] will make the EU system more attractive, increase competitiveness, and reduce red tape contributing to savings of EUR 300 million annually for industry and Member States. Simpler procedures and faster authorisation times will be introduced. Better use of real-world evidence and expedited pathways will accelerate access to new treatments.

    Regulatory sandboxes and adapted frameworks will enable early testing of innovative therapies, positioning the EU as a global innovation leader.

    The EU supports research on advanced therapies through the EU Research and Innovation Framework Programmes. It has funded 34 collaborative projects with EUR 220 million in Horizon Europe[8]. Remaining calls in Horizon Europe under Work programmes 2025 and 2026/2027 will also target advanced therapy approaches.

    • [1] Rare diseases and European Reference Networks https://health.ec.europa.eu/rare-diseases-and-european-reference-networks_en
    • [2] ERN-EYE, a European Reference Network dedicated to rare eye diseases https://www.ern-eye.eu/
    • [3] https://health.ec.europa.eu/non-communicable-diseases/healthier-together-eu-non-communicable-diseases-initiative_en
    • [4] https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/dyna/bp-portal/
    • [5] https://health.ec.europa.eu/funding/eu4health-programme-2021-2027-vision-healthier-european-union_en
    • [6] https://health.ec.europa.eu/non-communicable-diseases/expert-group-public-health_en
    • [7] https://health.ec.europa.eu/medicinal-products/pharmaceutical-strategy-europe/reform-eu-pharmaceutical-legislation_en
    • [8] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en
    Last updated: 3 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Impact of the new sanctions on Russia – E-000807/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000807/2025
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Nadine Morano (PPE)

    On 24 February 2025, the 16th package of sanctions against Russia entered into force. These new restrictions target EU imports of Russian aluminium. However, Russian aluminium is already covered by a number of sanctions and accounts for just 6 % of Europe’s aluminium imports.

    The new sanctions also focus on the Kremlin’s ‘shadow fleet’ and its actions in the EU. Yet just 73 vessels out of an estimated 600 are affected by the measures[1]. It would thus seem that these new sanctions will have little impact on Russia.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.To what extent does the VP/HR believe that these new sanctions will affect the Russian economy?
    • 2.What is her view of the impact of the previous 15 packages of sanctions?

    Submitted: 21.2.2025

    • [1] Euronews, ‘EU agrees new sanctions on Russia’, 19 February 2025, https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/02/19/eu-slaps-new-sanctions-on-russia-amid-donald-trumps-push-for-negotiations
    Last updated: 3 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Tackling cardiovascular diseases linked to eating too much salt – E-000806/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000806/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Nadine Morano (PPE)

    According to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2024[1], cardiovascular diseases account for 42.5 % of deaths in Europe. The majority of these are the result of high blood pressure brought about by the overconsumption of salt.

    In 52 of the 53 countries in the WHO European region, salt consumption is above the WHO’s recommended limit of 5 grams per person per day. These data show the problems associated with the regular consumption of overly salty products in the EU.

    With the above in mind:

    What is the Commission planning to do to improve food safety for Europeans and limit the risk of cardiovascular disease?

    Submitted: 21.2.2025

    • [1] World Health Organization, ‘Cardiovascular diseases kill 10 000 people in the WHO European Region every day, with men dying more frequently than women’, 15 May 2024, https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/15-05-2024-cardiovascular-diseases-kill-10-000-people-in-the-who-european-region-every-day–with-men-dying-more-frequently-than-women
    Last updated: 3 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Management of Natura 2000 sites: the Habitats Directive and the case of the Bagnoli-Coroglio site of national interest – E-000198/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission has no specific information about the alleged impacts of the project mentioned by the Honourable Members (‘Upgrading the Arena San Antonio (ASA) wastewater collector’) on any Natura 2000 site.

    Under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive[1], any project likely to have a significant effect on a Natura 2000 site shall be subject to an appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site’s conservation objectives.

    Italy has transposed the above provisions into its national legislation[2] and has adopted appropriate national guidelines[3] to improve their implementation. The Campania region has also transposed the national guidelines into its legal order[4].

    According to publicly available information[5], on 30 January 2025 Italian authorities suspended, for 365 days, the authorisation of the project mentioned by the Honourable Members, pending the conclusion of the compliance verification procedure for the environmental conditions that need to be respected and checked so as to prevent or minimise possible impacts on the environment, and which are set by decree of the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security n. 421 of 29 November 2024[6].

    Such environmental conditions were established following an appropriate assessment of possible implications of the project on the Special Area of Conservation ‘Fondali marini di Gaiola e Nisida’ (IT8030041).

    Regarding projects funded under the Recovery and Resilience Plan[7], Member States are required to ensure compliance of specific projects with EU and national law, including the Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) principle.

    • [1]  Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7-50.
    • [2]  https://www.mase.gov.it/pagina/la-valutazione-di-incidenza-vinca#:~:text=Si%20tratta%20del%20processo%20d,di%20significativit%C3%A0%20di%20tali%20incidenze
    • [3]  https://www.mase.gov.it/pagina/linee-guida-nazionali-la-valutazione-di-incidenza-vinca-direttiva-92-43-cee-habitat-articolo
    • [4]  D.G.R. n. 280 del 30 giugno 2021, Recepimento delle Linee guida nazionali per la valutazione di incidenza (vinca) — direttiva 92/43/CEE habitat art. 6, paragrafi 3 e 4. Aggiornamento delle “Linee guida e criteri di indirizzo per l’effettuazione della valutazione di incidenza in Regione Campania”.
    • [5]  https://commissari.gov.it/bagnoli/comunicazione/notizie/ad_dec_1_25/ —
      https://commissari.gov.it/media/xtxphh3t/decreto-n1-del-30012025-signed.pdf
    • [6]  https://va.mite.gov.it/File/Documento/1178172
    • [7]  https://reform-support.ec.europa.eu/what-we-do/recovery-and-resilience-plans_en
    Last updated: 3 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: At a Glance – Gender gap in health and healthcare: Implications for women – 03-03-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Recent findings suggesting that women in the EU outlive men yet often spend more years in poor health point to a significant gender gap in healthcare. Women face multiple challenges that negatively affect their well-being, including delayed diagnoses, pain bias, research disparities and limited access to essential services.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Strengthening the Women, Peace and Security Agenda – 03-03-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    This briefing was commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens, Equality, and Culture at the request of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality ahead of the Interparliamentary Committee Meeting on the occasion of the International Women’s Day. The briefing gives an overview of the Women and Peace and Security Agenda and the current situation at global and European Union level. It examines women’s participation as active agents in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response, and post-conflict reconstruction. It also offers a brief outline of the role of international humanitarian and human rights law in the protection of women and their rights.

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: EIB Group Forum: Investing in a more sustainable and secure Europe

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • The third edition of the EIB Group Forum will be held in Luxembourg from 5-7 March, focusing on action to boost Europe’s prosperity, security, and fostering global cooperation.  
    • EIB Group President Nadia Calviño will open the Forum on 5 March, with EIB Chief Economist Debora Revoltella launching the EIB Investment Report, which analyses investment trends of more than 12,000 European companies.
    • President Nadia Calviño and European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jorgensen, will outline latest joint efforts to support access to affordable housing in Europe. 
    • President Calviño will also participate in sessions alongside European Commissioners, national ministers, international partners and European business leaders.

    The European Investment Bank Group (EIB) President Nadia Calviño will open the EIB Group Forum on Wednesday, 5 March, in Luxembourg. The three-day event, held at the European Convention Centre, will bring together leaders and experts to discuss and put forward concrete solutions to the challenges and the opportunities facing Europe and the world today across the economy, society and global politics. 

    “Now is the time to act. The global order which has provided peace and prosperity for the last 80 years is changing. In these turbulent times it is more important than ever that Europe provides stability and certainty – founded on our strengths, with unity and determination”, said EIB President Nadia Calviño. “Europe is a superpower when it comes to trade, research and innovation. The EIB Group Forum offers a timely opportunity for European leaders and innovators to come together with companies and international partners to put concrete solutions on the table in key areas like green tech, health, security and defense, building a more secure, competitive, and prosperous future for all of us.”

    The Forum will feature a diverse lineup of speeches and panels over its three days. Highlights include:

    5 March:

    • A session on decarbonising Europe’s industry, with a keynote by Luca De Meo, CEO of Renault Group, one of the world’s largest carmakers.
    • Launch of the EIB Group Investment report, presenting insights on EU investment trends based the EIB Group’s annual survey of more than 12,000 companies.
    • Panels covering Europe’s increased need for security investments; the connection between digitalisation and growth; and the role of capital markets in advancing gender equality.

    6 March:

    • Keynote address by Antonio Costa, President of the European Council (by video).
    • Keynote by Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, in charge of Clean, Just and Competitive Transition.
    • Keynote address by World Health Organisation Head Dr Ghebreyesus Tedros
    • A session on affordable and sustainable housing in Europe, featuring EIB President Nadia Calviño and European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, laying the foundations for a new pan-European affordable housing initiative

    6-7 March:

    • EIB Global Days: Sessions on Europe’s role in the world, including discussions on expanding the EU, support for Ukraine, energy transition beyond EU borders, critical raw materials, and health.
    • On the eve of International Women’s Day (8 March), discussions will focus on scaling up solutions for diversity, inclusion and economic growth with the second meeting of the Women Climate Leaders’ Network on the Forum margins.  

    For the full agenda and speakers please visit the EIB website. The Forum will be entirely livestreamed on the EIB YouTube channel, while the opening speech of the President and other key moments will be available on EBS.

    Journalists interested in interviews with Forum participants are invited to contact us. We will facilitate connections with their respective spokespersons where possible.

    Background information

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union, and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world. 

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.   

    High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Private financing of innovation in the EU – 03-03-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    For its new mandate, the European Commission has put innovation and its commercial development at the heart of enhancing European Union competitiveness. The priority builds on the Draghi and Letta recommendations emphasising the need to boost the EU’s competitiveness to ensure its long-term sustainability and prosperity. For this purpose, the Commission also aims to revisit the EU’s innovation funding programmes to improve their effectiveness and attract additional private investment in innovation and development, which lags behind global partners such as the US, Japan and South Korea. Private financing of young innovation companies is different to traditional businesses and relies typically on ‘business angels’ (who tend to be wealthy and successful entrepreneurs) and venture capital firms (closed-end funds specialised in high-risk business endeavours). Both types of financier constitute a major component of the ‘ecosystem’ surrounding innovation – a network connecting companies, research organisations, government bodies and individuals. Innovation ecosystems in the EU are perceived as relatively under-developed and segmented. Young innovation companies typically grow their business fast – known as ‘scaling-up’ – thanks to business angels and venture capitalist firms, who in turn need ‘exit options’ – i.e. ways of selling a company to other investors once it is well established. The lack of exit options is an issue, which the EU has been addressing with measures aimed at completing the capital markets union. The EU has also adopted a policy supporting private financing in innovation, either by providing grants to create new knowledge or by co-financing innovation firms through equity. Grants include the funding of state-of-the-art scientific and technological infrastructure to test and develop new technologies, while equity co-financing lowers the risk borne by private financiers (‘de-risking’).

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Thailand – E-000104/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The Commission is closely monitoring the current revision of the 2015 fisheries legislation. On several occasions, Thailand has been made aware that any substantive relaxation of the current rules in place to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing would not be acceptable and that the EU is reserving its right to consider adopting measures as foreseen by EU Council Regulation No 1005/2008[1] (IUU Regulation), if necessary. On social conditions, the Forced Labour Regulation[2] will empower the EU to prohibit and remove a product from the single market if it is demonstrated to involve forced labour. The directive on corporate sustainability due diligence[3] will also ensure that businesses address in their value chains, inside and outside Europe, any adverse impacts of their actions as regards human rights, labour rights and environmental considerations.

    2. In the negotiating rounds held so far on a Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Thailand, the treatment of individual products has not yet been discussed. Discussions will start in the coming months and will include consultations with relevant stakeholders. Economically sensitive sectors are subject to specific modalities for market access which aim at preventing any market disturbances. As the negotiations enter a more advanced stage, a Sustainability Impact Assessment will be carried out in order to provide an in-depth analysis of their potential economic, social, human rights, and environmental impacts.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2008/1005/oj/eng
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/3015/oj/eng
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1760/oj
    Last updated: 3 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Monitoring effectiveness and addressing circumvention under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism – E-002869/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is committed to carry out a review and to assess the effectiveness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in addressing the risk of carbon leakage.

    For this purpose, the Commission will present a report to the co-legislators in 2025 which will cover the possible extension to other goods and downstream products.

    This report will already look into the question of export carbon leakage, building on the Commission’s 2024 Carbon Market Report. The Commission is also strongly committed to simplifying CBAM, building on the lessons learnt in the transitional period.

    As regards the risk of circumvention, the CBAM Regulation, as agreed by the co-legislators, empowers the Commission to tackle practices of circumvention, including by cross-checking customs and other available data with the information provided by CBAM declarants.

    Where the evidence confirms the existence of circumvention, the Commission is empowered to add relevant slightly modified products to the scope of the regulation.

    The Commission may also initiate investigations into claims of circumvention notified by either a Member State, or by an affected, benefited, or other interested party.

    In carrying out such investigations, the Commission will work closely with the competent authorities as well as the customs authorities.

    Last updated: 3 March 2025

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