NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Are EU funds being used to promote a progressive ideological agenda? – E-002791/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002791/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Markus Buchheit (ESN)

    Numerous EU funding programmes, including Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and the Cohesion Fund, now systematically include ideological criteria related to ‘diversity,’ ‘gender equality,’ ‘LGBTIQ+ inclusion’, or ‘climate justice.’

    These conditions often appear in grant application guidelines, project evaluations, and reporting obligations. While the stated aim is to promote equality and sustainability, in practice they risk discriminating against institutions and applicants who do not adhere to a specific ideological worldview.

    Public funds should serve the general interest of all EU citizens, not act as instruments for social re-engineering.

    • 1.Can the Commission explain why political and ideological concepts such as ‘gender mainstreaming,’ ‘intersectionality,’ or ‘climate justice’ are increasingly used as evaluation criteria in EU-funded programmes?
    • 2.What safeguards exist to ensure that EU citizens, institutions, or associations that do not endorse progressive ideologies are not excluded from funding opportunities?
    • 3.How does the Commission justify the use of taxpayers’ money to promote specific ideological agendas instead of maintaining strict political and ideological neutrality in public funding?

    Submitted: 9.7.2025

    Last updated: 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Illegal trafficking of pesticides – E-001736/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU Agri-Food Fraud Network (FFN)[1] works with law enforcement through the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT), guided by the EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment Report.

    EMPACT connects Member States, EU bodies, and international partners to combat serious organised crime. For illegal pesticides, the FFN co-leads with Europol the Operational Action Plan ‘Environmental Crime’ and supports Europol’s Operation SILVER AXE, targeting intellectual property rights protected non-compliant products.

    Participants share related information via the Secure Information Exchange Network Application (SIENA), for secure exchange. The FFN contributes by data sharing, statistical analysis, and trend evaluation.

    The Commission audits Member States to assess controls on marketing and use of plant protection products, including detecting fraud.

    The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) actively detects dangerous goods, as pesticides, and works closely with customs authorities to support cross- border investigations. OLAF has coordinated a joint customs operation on dangerous substances, including pesticides, in the context of the Asia-Europe Meeting[2].

    Moreover, OLAF provided support and specialised intelligence for operations leading to the interception of a significant consignments of illegal pesticides in Bulgaria and Romania[3][4].

    The Commission works with partner countries at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development fighting illegal trade in pesticides and remains committed mitigating negative impacts of illegal pesticides on environment, thus ensuring the protection of European consumers .

    • [1] https://food.ec.europa.eu/safety/agri-food-fraud/eu-food-fraud-network_en.
    • [2] https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu/media-corner/news/operation-noxia-olaf-leads-operation-against-dangerous-substances-2023-10-16_en.
    • [3] https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu/media-corner/news/11-tonnes-pesticides-seized-thanks-olaf-and-bulgarian-authorities-2023-03-31_en.
    • [4] https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu/media-corner/news/romanian-authorities-seize-1000-litres-counterfeit-pesticides-valued-over-eu600-000-thanks-olafs-2024-10-03_en.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Resumption of Frontex–Europol data-sharing in the interests of security and combating crime and irregular immigration – P-001768/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Under Article 68(5) of Regulation 2019/1896[1], the transfer of personal data between the two EU Agencies requires a working arrangement.

    The negotiations of the working arrangement are ongoing and taking place directly between the two Agencies. The Commission has no competence established in the legislation to take any steps to resume data transfers.

    The Commission does not take part in the negotiation of the working arrangement. However, under Art. 68(2) of Regulation 2019/1896, Frontex is required to submit the agreed text to the Commission to receive a prior approval decision, once the negotiations have been finalised between the two Agencies.

    The Commission regularly encourages the Agencies to swiftly conclude the negotiations.

    • [1] Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 November 2019 on the European Border and Coast Guard and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1052/2013 and (EU) 2016/1624, OJ L 295, 14/11/2019, p. 1.
    Last updated: 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Need for immediate EU response to the humiliating end of the diplomatic mission to Libya on 8 July 2025 – E-002804/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002804/2025
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left), Nikolas Farantouris (The Left), Elena Kountoura (The Left), Nikos Pappas (The Left)

    Yesterday’s humiliating end to the diplomatic mission to Libya led by Commissioner Brunner and involving ministers from three EU Member States constitutes diplomatic humiliation and an international downgrading of the EU’s prestige, with potentially serious implications for EU foreign policy. The focus is on the extremely sensitive area of ​​refugees/migration, in which EU-Libya relations remain tense and troubled due to the operations of actors such as the so-called ‘Libyan Coast Guard’. In addition, the European mission was characterised by Benghazi as ‘unwanted’, while its presence was considered a ‘blatant violation’,[1] in an extremely provocative move to instrumentalise the refugee/migration issue.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.To what does the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy attribute the disastrous failure of the mission?
    • 2.Is the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy considering readjusting the EU’s stance and the subsequent measures it will put in place, such as changing the funding and aid regime for Libya?
    • 3.What specific actions has the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy taken to protect against the possibility that first country Member States will be further burdened by the refugee/migration issue, as a result of the diplomatic actions of the EU leadership, as well as the humanitarian crisis that may arise from the entrapment of refugees and migrants in these Member States as a result of the new Migration Pact?

    Submitted: 9.7.2025

    • [1] https://www.ertnews.gr/eidiseis/ellada/politiki/emploki-me-xaftar-sti-veggazi-anepithymiti-i-eyropaiki-antiprosopeia/
    Last updated: 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Limited impact of Global Gateway on the African continent – E-001679/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Global Gateway strategy[1] is delivering with impact in Africa based on the shared objective of sustainable prosperity for both continents.

    The report to the EU-African Union Ministerial of 21 May 2025[2] shows tangible and consequential progress in all the 11 priority areas of the Africa-Europe Investment Package announced at the 2022 Summit[3] and aligned with African Union’s Agenda 2063[4]. The very high participation on both sides at the Ministerial meeting testifies of the vitality and importance of the partnership.

    With the Global Gateway, the EU has shifted to a partnership-based model, moving beyond donor-recipient ties to foster economic and social development and creating sustainable job in the partner countries.

    While other international actors might promote different development models, Global Gateway aims to create links, not dependency but rather contribute to the development of the partner countries.

    It is the EU’s value-based offer for financially sustainable and quality projects implemented in a Team Europe approach[5]. In a challenging international context, the EU stands out as a reliable and trusted partner.

    In 2022, the EU’s Foreign Direct Investment stock in Africa was EUR 309 billion (compared to EUR 41 billion for China). Scaling up Global Gateway is a clear mandate of the Commissioner for International Partnerships.

    • [1] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/global-gateway_en.
    • [2] https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/publications-library/preliminary-monitoring-report-considered-au-eu-ministerial-follow-committee_en.
    • [3] https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/global-gateway/initiatives-sub-saharan-africa/eu-africa-global-gateway-investment-package_en.
    • [4] https://au.int/en/agenda2063/overview.
    • [5] Including Member States, European Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Financial Institutions, Member States’ agencies and the private sector.
    Last updated: 14 July 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Mandatory identity verification online and protection of users’ privacy and personal data – E-002732/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002732/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Kosma Złotowski (ECR)

    Mandatory user identity and age verification online is a matter of legitimate public interest given how universally accessible the internet is and the dangers that come with this widespread availability. Actions that the Commission is taking on this issue are being reported on in the media, especially in relation to the implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the use of the European Digital Identity Wallet for age and identity verification.

    There is a growing need for effective yet sustainable solutions that align with the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity that would limit minors’ access to adult-only material and content while also guaranteeing user privacy.

    • 1.Going beyond declaratory assurances, what legal and technical mechanisms ensure that personal data obtained for the purposes of identity or age verification is processed for this purpose only and is then immediately deleted, with further tracking of a user’s activity after verification being effectively impossible?
    • 2.To what extent do the provisions of the DSA and the General Data Protection Regulation address current challenges related to protecting minors online and how would they potentially impact mandatory identity and age verification?

    Submitted: 3.7.2025

    Last updated: 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Authorisation of givinostat for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy – E-002800/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002800/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Michael McNamara (Renew)

    Givinostat, sold under the brand name Duvyzat, is a medication used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients aged six and older. It is not currently authorised in the EU.

    On 25 April 2025, the European Medicine Agency’s Committee for Human Medicinal Products (CHMP) recommended granting a conditional marketing authorisation in the EU for Duvyzat (givinostat) as a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients from the age of six who are able to walk.

    As per that statement, the CHMP opinion has been sent to the Commission for consideration.

    However, the EMA has so far not granted marketing authorisation for the use of givinostat in any cases.

    • 1.What steps have been taken in relation to authorisation of this drug so that families across the EU can avail of it?
    • 2.Will the Commission grant marketing authorisation for givinostat?

    Submitted: 9.7.2025

    Last updated: 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Arrest of pro-life advocates in Brussels during peaceful demonstration – E-002428/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002428/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Paolo Inselvini (ECR), Carlo Fidanza (ECR), Nicola Procaccini (ECR), Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR), Miriam Lexmann (PPE), Ruggero Razza (ECR), Giovanni Crosetto (ECR), Sergio Berlato (ECR), Margarita de la Pisa Carrión (PfE), Mariateresa Vivaldini (ECR), Daniele Polato (ECR), Michele Picaro (ECR), Marion Maréchal (ECR), Marco Squarta (ECR), Nicolas Bay (ECR), Laurence Trochu (ECR), Chiara Gemma (ECR), Stephen Nikola Bartulica (ECR), Francesco Ventola (ECR), Mariusz Kamiński (ECR)

    On 4 June 2025, two pro-life advocates – Lois McLatchie Miller and Chris Elston – were arrested by Belgian police while peacefully demonstrating their convictions on the use of puberty blockers for children and raising awareness about the dangers of these. They were holding signs with messages saying ‘Children are never born in the wrong body’ and ‘Children cannot consent to puberty blockers’, without using offensive language or engaging in violent conduct.

    When surrounded by an aggressive crowd, they called the police. They were taken to the police station, searched and released after several hours without any formal charges. They were also informed that their signs had been destroyed.

    This incident, incompatible with Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and occurring in the heart of the EU, raises serious concerns about freedom of thought and expression, especially regarding opinions on ethically sensitive issues.

    • 1.Is the Commission aware of the events described above?
    • 2.Does it consider the arrest of individuals peacefully expressing non-violent opinions to be compatible with Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU?
    • 3.Does it intend to request clarification from the Belgian authorities in order to safeguard the freedom of expression guaranteed by the aforementioned international instruments?

    Submitted: 17.6.2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU support for students’ mental health and living conditions – E-002783/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002783/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Victor Negrescu (S&D)

    According to the study ‘Living Situations of Higher Ed Students’ (2023), conducted on 1 670 students from 22 university cities in Romania, students’ mental health and housing problems have increased alarmingly.

    78.4 % of students reported an increase in stress and anxiety, while 9.8 % said they had contemplated suicide in the past year. Around one third had difficulties paying their rent and for utility services, while 37.3 % lived in heavily built-up areas. Around a half had been mentally affected by rising energy costs and many had to cope with verbal abuse, online bullying and harassment.

    These problems directly affect the the quality of life, access to education and chances of social integration of young Europeans. These concerns need to be urgently reflected in EU policies and in the dialogue with Member States.

    Given these circumstances:

    • 1.What measures does the Commission have for supporting the creation of integrated programmes combining affordable housing and mental health services that can meet students’ needs?
    • 2.How will these priorities be reflected in future EU recommendations and funding programmes dedicated to youth and higher education?

    Submitted: 9.7.2025

    Last updated: 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU support for students’ mental health and living conditions – E-002783/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002783/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Victor Negrescu (S&D)

    According to the study ‘Living Situations of Higher Ed Students’ (2023), conducted on 1 670 students from 22 university cities in Romania, students’ mental health and housing problems have increased alarmingly.

    78.4 % of students reported an increase in stress and anxiety, while 9.8 % said they had contemplated suicide in the past year. Around one third had difficulties paying their rent and for utility services, while 37.3 % lived in heavily built-up areas. Around a half had been mentally affected by rising energy costs and many had to cope with verbal abuse, online bullying and harassment.

    These problems directly affect the the quality of life, access to education and chances of social integration of young Europeans. These concerns need to be urgently reflected in EU policies and in the dialogue with Member States.

    Given these circumstances:

    • 1.What measures does the Commission have for supporting the creation of integrated programmes combining affordable housing and mental health services that can meet students’ needs?
    • 2.How will these priorities be reflected in future EU recommendations and funding programmes dedicated to youth and higher education?

    Submitted: 9.7.2025

    Last updated: 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Greece’s compliance with the horizontal enabling condition on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU – E-002785/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002785/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Erik Marquardt (Verts/ALE)

    In the light of the Commission’s reply to Written Question E-772/2025[1], namely that ‘Greece, as all Member States, must demonstrate HEC compliance’, how does the Commission currently evaluate the effectiveness of the specific Greek mechanisms and their compliance with the horizontal enabling condition (HEC) on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, regarding:

    • 1.prosecution services, given the serious doubts recently expressed by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) as to the effectiveness of criminal investigations into the ‘systematic practice’ of pushbacks?
    • 2.the National Transparency Authority’s independence and methodology, in the light of recent concerns voiced by the ECtHR, and the Ombudsman, in the light of government interference regarding the Pylos shipwreck, including ministerial statements questioning its competence?
    • 3.whether the Commission has put in place guidelines for assessing Charter HEC compliance and criteria to determine circumstances in which it will withhold or suspend EU funds in the event of non-compliance?

    Submitted: 9.7.2025

    • [1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2025-000772-ASW_EN.html.
    Last updated: 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Boosting EU humanitarian diplomacy to safeguard international humanitarian law and humanitarian space – E-002782/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002782/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Leire Pajín (S&D)

    The mission letter of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Commissioner Hadja Lahbib spoke of the need to ‘boost humanitarian diplomacy efforts’. Given the rising attacks on international humanitarian law (IHL) and the widespread challenges in securing humanitarian access in conflict-affected settings, which often remain overlooked, there is a clear need to strengthen EU humanitarian diplomacy.

    Given the foregoing:

    • 1.What new, concrete steps is the Commission taking or planning to take to enhance efforts in humanitarian diplomacy along with the EU Member States and international partners?
    • 2.Will humanitarian diplomacy be integrated into its actions aimed at mainstreaming the principle of ‘preparedness by design’ within the work of the EU delegations, common security and defence policy missions and operations, and EU Special Representatives? If so, how?
    • 3.What initiatives is the EU pursuing to address gaps in monitoring IHL violations, including through improved data collection and evidence-based advocacy, and does the Commission plan to establish a dedicated mechanism to systematically monitor and report on humanitarian access challenges in conflict-affected settings that would inform the humanitarian diplomacy efforts of the EU, its Member States and its international partners?

    Submitted: 9.7.2025

    Last updated: 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Lack of sound calculations of the costs and risks of introducing the digital euro – E-002443/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002443/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Auke Zijlstra (PfE)

    At the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee meeting on 27 March 2025, Claudia Buch, Chair of the ECB’s Supervisory Board, argued that banks could make profits as a result of the introduction of the digital euro. This contradicts the industry’s own calculations[1].

    When I asked Claudia Buch in writing to back up her claims with a calculation of expected profits, she replied that ‘it is not possible to exactly assess the impact of the digital euro in quantitative terms’ and that profits depend, among other things, on ‘business model, size, and existing IT architecture’[2]. I conclude from this that Ms Buch’s claims are devoid of facts and unsubstantiated.

    Does the Commission agree that:

    • 1.it is worrying that the ECB, unlike the banking sector, has not calculated the costs and risks of introducing the digital euro for European banks?
    • 2.Ms Buch’s letter implies that the introduction of the digital euro is a greater risk for smaller banks, as it is significantly more expensive for these banks to adapt their IT architecture than for the big banks?

    Submitted: 17.6.2025

    • [1] Questions for written answer Z-000008/2025 and Z-000009/2025 to the Chair of the ECB Supervisory Board.
    • [2] Answer by the Chair of the ECB Supervisory Board to questions QZ-008 and QZ-009 of 19 May 2025.
    Last updated: 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Protection of fundamental rights and linguistic minorities in Latvia – the case of Rosļikovs – E-002726/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002726/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Danilo Della Valle (The Left), Michael von der Schulenburg (NI), Thomas Geisel (NI), Branislav Ondruš (NI), Friedrich Pürner (NI), Ruth Firmenich (NI), Ľuboš Blaha (NI)

    On 5 June 2025, Mr Aleksejs Rosļikovs, a former member of the Latvian Parliament and current Riga city councillor, was expelled from a parliamentary session for speaking in Russian and for criticising a legislative proposal aimed at the ‘linguistic de-Russification’ of Latvia. On 9 June 2025, criminal proceedings were initiated against him for alleged incitement to national hatred and support for the aggressor state.

    These actions raise serious concerns as to their compatibility with Article 11 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (CFR) concerning freedom of expression; with Article 21 of the CFR prohibiting discrimination, including on the grounds of language; and with Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, which enshrines respect for the rule of law and for the rights of minorities.

    In the light of the above, can the Commission clarify:

    • 1.whether it considers these measures to be in line with the fundamental values of the European Union?
    • 2.whether it intends to promote independent monitoring of minority rights in Latvia?
    • 3.what instruments it intends to activate to ensure the protection of the linguistic rights of minorities in the Member States?

    Submitted: 3.7.2025

    Last updated: 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Protection of fundamental rights and linguistic minorities in Latvia – the case of Rosļikovs – E-002726/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002726/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Danilo Della Valle (The Left), Michael von der Schulenburg (NI), Thomas Geisel (NI), Branislav Ondruš (NI), Friedrich Pürner (NI), Ruth Firmenich (NI), Ľuboš Blaha (NI)

    On 5 June 2025, Mr Aleksejs Rosļikovs, a former member of the Latvian Parliament and current Riga city councillor, was expelled from a parliamentary session for speaking in Russian and for criticising a legislative proposal aimed at the ‘linguistic de-Russification’ of Latvia. On 9 June 2025, criminal proceedings were initiated against him for alleged incitement to national hatred and support for the aggressor state.

    These actions raise serious concerns as to their compatibility with Article 11 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (CFR) concerning freedom of expression; with Article 21 of the CFR prohibiting discrimination, including on the grounds of language; and with Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, which enshrines respect for the rule of law and for the rights of minorities.

    In the light of the above, can the Commission clarify:

    • 1.whether it considers these measures to be in line with the fundamental values of the European Union?
    • 2.whether it intends to promote independent monitoring of minority rights in Latvia?
    • 3.what instruments it intends to activate to ensure the protection of the linguistic rights of minorities in the Member States?

    Submitted: 3.7.2025

    Last updated: 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: In-Depth Analysis – Simplification of registration of companies in the 28th Regime – 14-07-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    This in-depth analysis, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Justice, Civil Liberties and Institutional Affairs at the request of the Committee on Legal Affairs, explores the proposed 28th company law regime. It highlights the need for a unified, digital-native EU-level company registration system to reduce fragmentation, enhance legal certainty, and support innovation, entrepreneurship, and cross-border growth across the Single Market.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Potential harmonised classification of sodium fluoride and its impact on oral health in the EU – E-002751/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002751/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Dimitris Tsiodras (PPE)

    The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises that ensuring access to affordable fluoride toothpaste is a key public health measure for reducing tooth decay across the population.

    The French health and safety agency has recently proposed a harmonised classification of sodium fluoride as a category 1 material for its reproductive toxicity and endocrine-disrupting properties.

    If confirmed, this classification would automatically prohibit the use of sodium fluoride in cosmetic products such as toothpastes and mouthwashes, unless an exemption is granted under Article 15 of the Cosmetic Products Regulation[1].

    This would significantly restrict EU consumers’ access to essential oral-care products that are widely recognised by scientists, healthcare professionals and public health authorities worldwide as both safe and effective.

    • 1.In the event that fluoride toothpastes cease to be available in the EU, what public health measures is the Commission considering to prevent the potential increase in dental caries among the EU population?
    • 2.How does the Commission assess the potential loss of competitiveness and jobs in the EU’s oral care industry, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises, in comparison to global competitors, and what support measures are being planned for companies and workers affected by this proposed classification?

    Submitted: 7.7.2025

    • [1] Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products (OJ L 342, 22.12.2009, p. 59, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/1223/oj).
    Last updated: 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Service degradation on the Spanish rail network – P-002790/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-002790/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Borja Giménez Larraz (PPE)

    The Spanish rail network is deteriorating alarmingly, as evidenced by repeated technical failures. On 30 June 2025, a serious failure of the catenary between Yeles and La Sagra (Toledo) halted all high-speed rail traffic between Madrid and Andalusia. At least 27 trains remained at a standstill for over 12 hours, with hundreds of passengers on board without food or water – or another way of reaching their destination. On 5 May 2025, a similar failure occurred on the same Madrid-Seville line, affecting more than 10 000 people.

    These failures seriously infringe on the passenger rights established in Regulation (EU) 2021/782 and could call into question whether the rail infrastructure, which the EU co-funds, is being properly managed.

    In view of this:

    • 1.Does the Commission consider that these events could constitute an infringement of rail passengers’ rights and obligations, and does it intend to call for specific corrective action, including technical or contractual responsibilities?
    • 2.What instruments does the Commission intend to activate to ensure that passengers are properly compensated and protected against such repeated failures?

    Submitted: 9.7.2025

    Last updated: 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Watering-down of anti-corruption reforms laid down in Bulgaria’s NRRP – E-002775/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002775/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Nikola Minchev (Renew), Radan Kanev (PPE)

    Upholding the primacy of law by establishing guarantees on the political independence of the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (CPC) is one of the basic reforms under the NRRP. The NRRP provides that the members of the CPC be elected by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Bulgarian National Assembly, with a nomination committee consisting of representatives of the institutions, so as to guarantee maximum independence of the process from political influence.

    The Constitutional Court has ruled that the requirement of a two-thirds qualified majority in the National Assembly is contrary to the Bulgarian Constitution, which lays down a different approach to ensuring the independence of the CPC.

    In the meantime, the majority in the Bulgarian National Assembly has adopted at first reading a draft law significantly watering down the role of the nomination committee by providing that it can also meet in a select committee format. This change will result in even the greater party-political dependence of the CPC on the ruling parties and the parliamentary majority, and is liable to jeopardise the NRRP as an instrument for reform.

    We would like to put the following questions:

    • 1.What mechanisms is the Commission considering to compensate for the fact that election of the members of the CPC by qualified majority is no longer a requirement?
    • 2.What view does the Commission take of the scaled-down role of the nomination committee in selecting the CPC and the possibility of it sitting and adopting decisions in a select committee format?
    • 3.Is there a risk that Bulgaria will forfeit funding under the NRRP owing to the desire of those in power to exercise party control over the CPC?

    Submitted: 8.7.2025

    Last updated: 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Commission statement on the LIFE programme – E-001407/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) activities financed under the EU programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE)[1] did not breach any legal framework, as also the recent audit of the European Court of Auditors ‘Transparency of EU funding granted to NGOs’[2] confirmed. NGOs are free to implement their activities, including advocacy activities.

    The Commission has issued ‘Guidance on funding for activities related to the development, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of Union legislation and policy’[3].

    The guidance clarifies the activities which should not be accepted by Commission departments as a requirement for EU financing — for instance lobbying activities towards Members of the EU institutions for a specific political purpose.

    The Commission’s statement referred to by the Honourable Members was made in the context of concerns expressed by certain groups in the European Parliament about the operating grant agreements with NGOs under the LIFE programme, as a reassurance of its commitment to implement the guidance in the frame of the LIFE programme.

    The Commission has stated that it does not require NGOs benefiting from the LIFE programme to implement specific activities involving advocacy activities towards the EU institutions, that NGOs independently propose their work programme of activities, and that this description is then annexed to the grant agreement[4].

    In this context, ‘undue lobbying activities’ refers to activities which may entail a reputational risk for the EU.

    • [1] https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life_en.
    • [2] https://www.eca.europa.eu/en/publications?ref=SR-2025-11.
    • [3] https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/guidance/guidance-funding-dev-impl-monit-enforce-of-eu-law_en.pdf.
    • [4] As stated in previous replies to written questions E-000296/25, P-000595/25 and E-000838/25.
    Last updated: 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Linking the EU and UK emissions trading systems – 14-07-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Since the origin of the EU emissions trading system (EU ETS), the EU has embraced the concept of international carbon markets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. The EU-Swiss ETS linkage set a precedent for potential expansion. As the world’s first carbon market, the EU has long led the development of carbon pricing, and the EU’s and UK’s decision to link their systems is a significant endorsement of this approach. This briefing presents an overview of the potential linkage between the EU ETS and the UK’s emissions trading system (UK ETS), following the recent political announcements. The EU and UK have long been committed to addressing the pressing issue of climate change, and the linkage of their ETSs is a crucial step towards achieving this goal. Linking the EU and UK ETSs could generate benefits in terms of sustainable economic growth and improved energy security, and protect the climate. The linkage can also provide a strong political message. The EU ETS and UK ETS share many similarities, including their cap-and-trade design and coverage of key sectors such as energy, industry, and aviation. However, there are also some notable differences between the two systems, such as sectoral scope, market instruments, and price levels. For example, the EU ETS could include the GHG emissions from road transport and heating of buildings (ETS2) in the future, while the UK ETS does not include a similar system. Despite these differences, the UK ETS should fulfil the obligations for linkage with the EU ETS, and analysis suggests that the benefits of linking the two systems could be significant. These benefits include increased market access, reduced carbon leakage, and improved climate action. By linking their ETSs, the EU and UK can create a larger, more liquid market for carbon allowances, which can help to drive down costs and increase investment in low-carbon technologies.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Denmark’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play – 14-07-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Denmark’s national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) corresponds to 0.2 % of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), or 0.5 % of Denmark’s 2019 gross domestic product (GDP). The third and latest revision of the Danish NRRP was approved by Council on 8 July 2025. The EU financial contribution totals €1 625.9 million, including RRF grants (€1 429 million), a REPowerEU grant (€130.7 million) and a transfer of part of the Danish allocation under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to the plan (€66.0 million). Denmark has so far received 67.2 % of the NRRP resources in the form of pre-financing and three payments; this is well above the current EU average (48.8 %). A further two payments will depend on progress made in implementing the plan. The amended plan reinforces green initiatives and seeks to enhance the resilience of the Danish economy and society, devoting 69 % of the plan to the green transition (up from 59 % in the original plan). In its 2025 country report, the Commission assessed the implementation of the Danish plan as ‘well under way’. The European Parliament participates in interinstitutional forums for cooperation and discussion on NRRP implementation and scrutinises the Commission’s work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Fourth edition. The ‘NGEU delivery’ briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans.

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Climate change impacts on food security in the European Union – 14-07-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    In a geopolitical context which temporarily affects food security, climate change remains the most common driver of food insecurity. It will continue to disrupt the entire food supply chain in the long term – from production (upstream) to storage, processing and distribution (downstream). On the supply side, rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events harm key crops like wheat and grain maize, and challenge livestock and seafood. Southern Europe is particularly vulnerable, raising climate justice issues within the EU, while some northern regions could experience more favourable conditions for specific crops. Impacts on pollinators, pests, diseases and labour productivity further reduce yields. The resulting economic losses threaten producers’ livelihoods and affordability for consumers, worsening food insecurity. Along the supply chain, climate change affects both the quality and quantity of food, raising concerns about sufficient access to nutritious food. Moreover, the EU’s reliance on imports from trade partners, themselves vulnerable to climate change, especially for animal feed, raises concerns about the future of EU food sovereignty and dietary traditions key to food security. The EU’s responses span several policy areas, including food production (agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture), climate adaptation, water, soil and biodiversity. However, challenges remain in coordination and implementation. The EU’s strategic focus has recently shifted from building a sustainable food system towards a competitive and resilient agricultural sector. While ex-post measures, such as improved insurance schemes, are paramount, they should not overshadow ex-ante adaptation efforts that promote a sustainable food system, integrating new technologies, sustainable farming and evolving dietary trends. This briefing focuses solely on how climate change affects food security in the EU, while acknowledging global interdependencies. A 2023 EPRS paper explores the climate impact of the EU agrifood system.

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: In-Depth Analysis – Public hearing with Claudia Buch, Chair of the ECB / SSM Supervisory Board – 15 July 2025 – 14-07-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    This briefing has been prepared for the public hearing with the Chair of the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM), Claudia Buch, scheduled for 15 July 2025 in the ECON Committee. Content: 1. Annual Report on Supervisory Activities for 2024 2. Annual Report on Sanctioning Activities in the SSM in 2024 3. ECB sanctions against SEB Baltics 4. The SSM’s simplification efforts 5. ECB’s feedback on Parliament’s Banking Union Annual Report 6. Between prudence and politics: EBA default framework fails to reflect legislative intent 7. National security or economic intervention? The stretching boundaries of golden power 8. New external expertise on (1) competitiveness of European banks and (2) real estate risks 9. Latest Supervisory Banking Statistics (Q4 2024)

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Study – A comprehensive analysis of the updated trade part of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement – 14-07-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    After more than two decades of negotiations, the EU and Mercosur reached an initial agreement text (EUMETA) in 2019. Since then, however, several political developments – most notably the increase in deforestation rates in Brazil under President Bolsonaro – have called for further negotiations. Concerns over sustainability led the EU to demand additional commitments and to adopt unilateral instruments, such as the Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), which Mercosur perceived as undermining the benefits of the EUMETA 2019. At the same time, escalating geopolitical and economic tensions underscored the strategic importance for trade agreements. The revised EUMETA 2024 presents a balanced compromise: the EU secures strengthened sustainability provisions and protection against potential export duties, while Mercosur gains some linkages to EU unilateral measures on sustainability. These include the possibility of benefiting from risk classification for the EUDR, amendments to the tariff elimination schedule for vehicles, specific safeguards, and options for export duties for selected minerals. Agricultural market access remains largely consistent with EUMETA 2019, with only modest additional quotas for Paraguay. By incorporating multiple protection mechanisms and aligning with complementary EU sustainability policies, EUMETA 2024 aims to address European concerns related to deforestation and competition risks.

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – New Houthi attack on Greek-owned ship in the Red Sea – E-002777/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002777/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi (PPE)

    Houthi rebels launched a fierce attack on a Greek-owned merchant ship bound for Jeddah, which was sailing in the Red Sea, approximately 50 nautical miles west of the Yemeni capital, which is under Houthi control. The attack resulted in the death of one crew member and the serious injury of two others, while causing serious damage. This is the second attack in 24 hours in the Red Sea, as it was preceded – on Sunday 6 July – by a Houthi attack on a Greek-owned merchant ship, which the rebels later announced had sunk. The attack put an end to six months of calm in the Red Sea, one of the busiest shipping lanes, where Houthi attacks had disrupted shipping between Europe and Asia.

    Given the worrying international geopolitical situation in the Middle East, as well as the urgent need to ensure safe navigation for European ships:

    • 1.What measures does the Commission intend to put in place for the immediate protection of European and Greek-owned merchant ships sailing in the Red Sea, following the recent attacks by Houthi rebels, and to prevent similar attacks in the future?
    • 2.Will the Commission encourage action at international level, in particular under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation, to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against maritime piracy?

    Submitted: 8.7.2025

    Last updated: 14 July 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Clarification on the alleged financing of the NGO ClientEarth by the Commission, part 2 – E-002487/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002487/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Anna Bryłka (PfE)

    In the light of a recent media report published in the Brussels Signal on 10 June 2025 citing

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Reciprocity of health and environmental standards on the EU horticulture market – E-001338/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is aware that cut flowers may contain residues of pesticides, whether these flowers are produced domestically or imported.

    The use of pesticides for the production of flowers in the EU falls within the scope of Regulation (EC) 1107/2009 on the placing on the market of plant protection products[1].

    Potential exposure of workers to pesticides is always assessed prior to their authorisation on the basis of worst-case scenarios to ensure a high level of protection of human health.

    As stated in the Vision on agriculture and food[2], considering EU’s concerns about environmental protections and moral values in response to societal demands, the Commission will pursue, in line with international rules, a stronger alignment of production standards applied to imported products, including on pesticides.

    There is no EU legislation regulating the levels of residues of pesticides in cut flowers as Regulation (EC) 396/2005 setting maximum residue levels (MRLs) of pesticides[3] applies only to food and feed intended for human or animal consumption.

    Since 2017, the Commission has held discussions with Member States on residues on cut flowers on several occasions in the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed[4].

    As the control of the levels of residues of pesticides in imported cut-flowers is not currently covered by any EU legislations, Member States have the possibility to introduce specific national provision to protect the workers in this sector as it is already the case in one Member State.

    • [1] Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market. http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/1107/oj.
    • [2] COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS A Vision for Agriculture and Food Shaping together an attractive farming and agri-food sector for future generations, COM/2025/75 final.
    • [3] 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. http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2005/396/oj.
    • [4] Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed in March 2017, May
      2017, July 2017, October 2017, October 2020, March 2022 and May 2022. https://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/standing_committees/sc_phytopharmaceuticals_en.
    Last updated: 14 July 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Bridgestone’s restructuring plan for its plants in the Basque Country and Cantabria – E-001853/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is monitoring collective redundancies and restructuring events in the EU, including through Eurofound’s European Restructuring Monitor[1].

    The Commission will establish a European Fair Transition Observatory, to strengthen the evidence base on fairness of the green transition, develop standardised indicators, facilitate data sharing and ensure a transparent dialogue with social partners and stakeholders .

    The Clean Industrial Deal provides over 70 measures to support industrial competitiveness and decarbonisation in Europe. These measures concern access to energy, lead markets, investment, materials and resources, global markets and skills.

    The main financial instruments to support workers affected by restructuring are the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), which helps in a more anticipative way by supporting upskilling and reskilling, and the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF), which helps in case of major restructuring events.

    The EGF intervenes by co-financing active labour market policy measures to bring dismissed workers back into sustainable employment.

    ESF+ in Spain plays a crucial role to promote employment in a changing labour market, to enhance the skills and competencies of the Spanish workforce.

    The Commission has recently proposed an amendment to the regulation on the EGF, broadening the support to workers at the risk of imminent job loss due to restructuring.

    The amendment also proposes to shorten the mobilisation procedure so that workers get EGF support in a swifter manner . The Commission has also issued an Industrial Action Plan for the European automotive sector to support the sector in the current transition.

    • [1] https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/en/resources/european-restructuring-monitor.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Acquisition of X by Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence start-up xAI – E-001615/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    This transaction has not been formally notified to the Commission. It is up to the companies to notify transactions for merger control clearance, if they constitute a concentration with an EU dimension under the Merger Regulation[1].

    The processing of personal data requires a legal basis under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)[2]. The acquisition of the shares in a company that is a controller of personal data does not provide a legal basis for the processing of personal data by the acquiring company.

    The transmission of personal data by X to xAI and any further processing of individuals’ personal data by xAI would therefore require a legal basis in the GDPR.

    Without prejudice to the competences of the Commission as guardian of the Treaties, the enforcement of the GDPR in individual cases lies primarily with the competent national supervisory authorities and courts.

    For instance, in April 2025, the Irish Data Protection Commission announced the commencement of an investigation into the processing of personal data comprised in posts on the X social media platform for the purposes of training generative artificial intelligence models, in particular the Grok Large Language Models (LLMs), developed by xAI.

    In 2024, the EU adopted the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act)[3]. The AI Act in Article 53 sets out specific transparency requirements regarding training data for general-purpose AI (GPAI) models.

    In addition, Article 55 imposes an obligation on providers of GPAI models with systemic risks to identify and mitigate those risks arising from the development and use of such models.

    The AI Act’s enforcement mechanism is key to ensuring that AI models placed in the EU market are not threatening consumers’ rights and the democratic values of the EU.

    • [1] Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 of 20 January 2004 on the control of concentrations between undertakings, OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.
    • [2] 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, 4.5.2016, p. 1.
    • [3] Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence, OJ L, 12.7.2024, 2024/1689.
    Last updated: 14 July 2025

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