Category: Europe

MIL-OSI Europe: Study – Generative AI and Copyright – Training, Creation, Regulation – 09-07-2025

Source: European Parliament

This study examines how generative AI challenges core principles of EU copyright law. It highlights the legal mismatch between AI training practices and current text and data mining exceptions, and the uncertain status of AI-generated content. These developments pose structural risks for the future of creativity in Europe, where a rich and diverse cultural heritage depends on the continued protection and fair remuneration of authors. The report calls for clear rules on input/output distinctions, harmonised opt-out mechanisms, transparency obligations, and equitable licensing models. To balance innovation and authors’ rights, the European Parliament is expected to lead reforms that reflect the evolving realities of creativity, authorship, and machine-generated expression. This study was commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Justice, Civil Liberties and Institutional Affairs at the request of the Committee on Legal Affairs.

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Parliament deplores the democratic backsliding and repression in Georgia

Source: European Parliament

After decades of democratic progress, MEPs now believe Georgia is a victim of state capture and repeat their calls for new parliamentary elections in the country.

In a report adopted on Wednesday by 490 votes in favour, 147 against with 49 abstentions, Parliament says the rigged October 2024 parliamentary elections in Georgia marked a clear turning point towards an authoritarian government in the EU candidate country. This flawed election paved the way, they say, for the ruling Georgian Dream party to illicitly capture state institutions and remove democratic safeguards, push ahead with repressive legislation while also cracking down on political opponents, journalists, and peaceful protesters.

With the Georgian government jeopardising the country’s EU accession path, the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.

Georgia must return to the course of democratic reforms

While calling on Georgian Dream to return to a democratic path and Euro-Atlantic integration, MEPs reiterate their solidarity with the Georgian people and their legitimate pro-European aspirations. MEPs emphasise that upcoming municipal elections do not present an opportunity to reflect the democratic choice of the Georgian people unless imprisoned and detained political opposition leaders are released and the elections are held in an improved electoral environment. They also express deep concern over Georgia’s current restrictive media environment and attacks on the political opposition, including declarations by leaders of Georgian Dream indicating their intention to declare opposition parties unconstitutional.

Quote

“Sadly, we could not assess any progress by Georgia because, from having once been an inspiring leader among Eastern Partnership countries, Georgia has become a brutal dictatorship. Since the adoption of this report in committee, the situation has deteriorated: almost all leaders of the opposition have been detained and are in jail. Independent media are on the verge of collapse. The largest civil society organisations face threats and severe legal restrictions. Georgia is an example of how a country can be captured by Russian interests from within without a shot being fired. But the Georgian people are not giving up, they continue protesting every day, for more than 200 days, despite violent repression. The EU and its member states must take action before it is too late. We owe it to the brave Georgians fighting for a free and pro-European future,” rapporteur Rasa Juknevičienė (EPP, Lithuania) said.

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – The space of human rights in the Future EU Pact for the Mediterranean – Subcommittee on Human Rights

Source: European Parliament

Mediterranean © Image used under licence from Adobe Stock

As the European Commission prepares a new Pact for the Mediterranean, the DROI session on 16 July at 10:00 provides an opportunity to reflect on the human rights dimension of the initiative. Representatives from the Arab Reform Initiative and Amnesty International will share their assessments and recommendations, alongside an update from the Commission on the Pact’s advancement.

The focus will be on how to ensure that civil society can operate freely and that fundamental freedoms are the cornerstone of our cooperation, in accordance with the Treaties.

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Managing the influx of substandard goods from non-EU web shops

Source: European Parliament

On Wednesday, Parliament adopted proposals to manage the growing influx into the EU of substandard and potentially dangerous cheap goods from non-EU web shops.

The report adopted with 619 votes in favour, 26 against and 46 abstentions identifies ways to alleviate the pressure on customs and market surveillance authorities struggling to check and ensure the safety of the 12 million small e-commerce packages arriving in the EU every day.

Warehousing and removal of customs tax exemptions

So-called “warehousing might be one helpful solution to check and ensure the safety of packages, MEPs say. This would involve convincing non-EU traders to set up warehouses inside the EU to process client deliveries. Checking their bulk shipments of similar goods into these EU-based warehouses would be considerably easier than checking individual packages coming to the EU from third countries.

MEPs also support the removal of the current customs duty exemption for goods worth less than €150 in the framework of the wider Customs Code reform, as approximately 65% of parcels entering the EU are deliberately undervalued.

Handling fee for small e-commerce parcels

The report cautiously supports the Commission’s proposal to impose a €2 handling fee for individual e-commerce packages from outside the EU, as announced in its communication on e-commerce. MEPs want the Commission to verify that this amount is proportionate, compliant with WTO rules, and would not be passed on to EU consumers.

Digitalisation and better rules enforcement

The report also suggests that digitalisation and especially the use of new AI tools and block chain technology might ease the customs overload and make checks more efficient. MEPs urge EU member states to allocate more money to customs authorities for the uptake of these new tools. They call on the EU to focus on implementing existing rules and make sure platforms fulfil their obligations.

MEPs also want member states to restrict high-risk vendors from operating in their critical infrastructure and border security systems, such as for the procurement of security screening and cargo scanning equipment used at airports and ports.

Next steps

Some of the proposals adopted today will be discussed during the negotiations between Parliament and Council on a major reform of Union’s Customs Code that started yesterday on 8 July 2025.

Quote

Lead MEP Salvatore De Meo (EPP, IT), said after the vote: „“Behind every online purchase, there may be hidden risks to health, safety, and consumer rights – and too often, these risks come from non-EU operators who bypass the rules. Our businesses cannot be expected to compete on such unfair terms. That is why we are strengthening customs controls, demanding the full traceability of sellers, and tackling manipulative practices. We are sending a clear message: we want a fairer, safer, and more transparent digital market.”

Background

E-commerce provides consumers with unparalleled convenience, but comes with significant challenges. Many items that end up in the EU do not comply with EU safety norms. EU businesses suffer from unfair competition. Consumers fall victim to manipulative practices. EU taxpayers have to foot the ever-growing bill of dealing with the non-recyclable waste. Meanwhile, customs and market surveillance authorities are no longer able to keep up with having to process 12 million small e-commerce packages per day.

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – MEPs support EU aid worth €280 million for flood-stricken countries
Source: European Parliament

Parliament adopted a proposal to unlock €280 million of EU Solidarity Fund money to assist countries affected by devastating floods in 2024.
On Wednesday, MEPs with 643 votes in favour, 13 against, and 35 abstentions endorsed a Commission proposal to provide financial help to Austria, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina to deal with the consequences of severe flooding in September and October 2024.

The € 280,740,903 in aid from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) will be distributed as follows:

Austria: €42.8 million

Czechia: €114 million

Poland: €76 million

Slovakia: €2.1 million

Bosnia and Herzegovina: €45.7 million

Moldova: €195,200

The funds will support a wide range of recovery measures, including infrastructure repair, temporary accommodation, improvements to preventive infrastructure, protecting cultural heritage sites, and clean-up operations.

MEPs expressed their deepest solidarity with the victims, their families, and all the individuals affected by the destructive floods. They also said the Commission should substantially expand the EUSF budget or its equivalent in its upcoming proposal on the new EU long-term budget (MFF). MEPs also added that the EU should continue to address climate change adaptation and mitigation by supporting European and national policies to prevent natural disasters.

Quote

“Parliament takes another positive step in supporting citizens in need. Following today’s vote, extra funds will aid the victims of last year’s tragic floods in Austria, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Moldova, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. This was made possible by last year’s decision to give more money to the European Solidarity Fund. Now it can help repair infrastructure, provide shelter, and improve preventive actions. As natural disasters grow more frequent and severe, the EU must be able to provide swift and effective financial aid,” Andrzej Halicki (EPP, PL), Parliament’s rapporteur, said.

Background

The European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF), the EU’s main post-disaster relief instrument, since its launch in 2002, has provided over €9.6 billion to help respond to 136 major crises – including 116 natural disasters and 20 health emergencies – across 24 EU countries (as well as the UK) and four candidate countries.
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Balance crisis response with predictability in next EU budget, MEPs demand

Source: European Parliament

On Wednesday, MEPs stressed that cohesion and agriculture policies must remain strong and distinct in the EU’s long-term budget (MFF), ahead of next week’s Commission proposal.

Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration Piotr Serafin told MEPs “we are united in belief that EU budget has to be modernised, the world around us is changing rapidly, and new challenges require smarter responses.” This means, he said, a more flexible and simple multiannual financial framework (MFF). In the search for flexibility, predictability must be preserved as well, he added, noting that the national and regional partnership plans could help achieve that. The EU must also face the debate on new revenue sources, as from 2028 onwards, around €25 billion will be committed annually to repaying loans from the NextGenerationEU instrument. He advocated new revenues that neither overburden national budgets, nor create extensive financial obligations

Siegfried Mureșan (EPP, RO), co-rapporteur for the MFF file, said that, while the budget needs to be open to unexpected developments, it must also offer certainty to those who invest and keep the economy going, and to farmers, students, researchers and small and medium-sized enterprises. Mureșan said the “Parliament’s utmost priority is that the identity and strength of the common agriculture and cohesion policies be preserved.” This entails a distinct budget for farmers, separate legal bases for cohesion and agriculture, and a clear role for regions in cohesion policy. “You cannot have security without food security and you cannot have a competitive economy without an investment policy. This is why our traditional policies, the common agriculture policy and the cohesion policy are today more relevant than ever,” he said. Mureșan added that the EU also needs to improve its security and defence, for which only 1.2% of the previous MFF was allocated. “Our new priorities have to be security, defence, and competitiveness, and these are interlinked,” Mureșan said.

Article 162 of the EU Treaty underscores that it is a key instrument to strengthen the social dimension of the EU. “Nor do we want to fragment cohesion policy, which must continue to be the EU’s main investment tool“, she said, noting that only if the current financing level is maintained can the EU stay competitive and resilient.

During the debate, MEPs also asked the Commission to focus on modernisation and reform, ensure simplification and transparency, cut bureaucracy and insist on efficiency and better spending of available resources. They insisted the new EU budget should be able to tackle current challenges in agriculture, deal with migration, protect cohesion and enhance growth without hurting employment and social standards. Some speakers insisted on involving regional and local authorities and non-profit sector institutions in budget decision-making to ensure a balanced and inclusive outcome for the benefit of EU citizens.

Others called for new own resources for the EU and increased investment, including private investment in defence, green and social objectives and infrastructure. The Commission should, in their view, take citizens’ concerns seriously and enhance the fight against poverty and climate change, support education, health and research, and boost innovation, energy and digital security.

Background

Parliament adopted its priorities on the post-2027 long-term budget during the May plenary session. The co-rapporteurs will hold a press conference on Tuesday 15 July at 09:30 in the Parliament’s press conference room in Brussels, on Parliament’s key points ahead of the Commission’s proposal expected the next day. To be adopted, the next long-term budget will need the approval of the Parliament, granted by a majority of its component members.

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government action to speed up compensation for LGBT veterans
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Press release

Government action to speed up compensation for LGBT veterans

LGBT military personnel who faced dismissal, discharge or mistreatment due to their sexuality while serving between 1967 and 2000 will receive financial support faster following improvements to the Government’s financial recognition scheme.
Increase in dedicated staff will accelerate applications and process payments faster

New automated payment system is being built to eliminate processing delays and administrative bottlenecks

Financial recognition scheme will provide support for LGBT military personnel who faced dismissal, discharge or mistreatment while serving between 1967 – 2000.

LGBT military personnel who faced dismissal, discharge or mistreatment due to their sexuality while serving between 1967 and 2000 will receive financial support faster following improvements to the Government’s financial recognition scheme.

The UK Government has increased dedicated staff by adding a further five workers, almost doubling the size of the existing team, to accelerate application reviews and process payments more quickly. The expanded team will focus on expediting the creation of applicant case files and processing of applications.

To address processing concerns, the Government is also introducing two other key measures as part of its efforts to ensure veterans receive timely recognition for past injustices:

An automated payments system is being built to streamline the process, significantly reducing administrative bottlenecks and minimising errors. This system will ensure payments are made accurately and promptly once approved.

Independent Panel sittings will double to two per week to accelerate the review of cases requiring assessment, particularly for those seeking recognition payments of up to £20,000 for harm experienced beyond dismissal or discharge.
The Government remains driven to ensure every recommendation of Lord Etherton’s review is fully implemented. As of July 2025, Defence has completed 42 of the 49 recommendations and two other remaining recommendations will be completed by the end of the year.

This action demonstrates the Government’s Plan for Change in practice – delivering on the commitment to strengthen national security by ensuring we maintain the trust and confidence of all those who serve our country.

Minister for Veterans and People, Al Carns MP, said

We deeply regret the treatment of LGBT serving personnel between 1967 and 2000 which was wholly unacceptable.

We have been prioritising payments to the elderly and those with serious health conditions to ensure they receive support as quickly as possible.

We’re taking decisive action to ensure LGBT veterans receive the recognition they deserve by increasing staff resources, implementing an automated payment system, and doubling panel reviews.

This scheme acknowledges the sacrifices of those who faced discrimination while serving. I urge all affected veterans to apply through the GOV.UK portal as we remain fully committed to implementing Lord Etherton’s recommendations, and righting these historic wrongs, as part of our Government’s commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who have served.

The further support for LGBT Veterans comes off the back of the government’s historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to renew the nation’s contract with those who have served.

The scheme, launched by the Government in December, goes beyond financial recognition – it also acknowledges the sacrifices and injustices faced by LGBT veterans and ensures their experiences are recognised and valued. This can include, but not limited to, having a restoration of rank, letters of apologies, among other forms of recognition.

All veterans affected by the ban while serving between 1967 and 2000 are urged to read the guidance and apply via the Veterans of the LGBT Ban: Financial Recognition Scheme page on GOV.UK.

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)

Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

Updates to this page

Published 9 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Sets a Global Trend in Urban Transport.

At a press conference held on July 7, Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry, gave comprehensive answers to key questions about the development of urban transport.

Major Metro Upgrades:

– The share of upgraded rolling stock in the Moscow Metro has reached 77%.

– So far this year, 144 Moskva-2024 cars have been delivered, with another 128 expected by the end of the year.

– In 2026–2027, the fleet will be expanded with more than 700 new Moskva-2026 cars.

– By 2030, the share of new trains will exceed 90%.

Industrial Growth and Innovation:

– Moscow is the largest industrial and scientific center in Russia, home to over 4,500 enterprises.

– Over the past five years, clothing production has increased 58.3 times, machinery and equipment production 7.5 times, and electronics and optics production 5.4 times.

– The industrial production index for January–May 2025 rose by 6% compared to last year.

Autonomous Technologies and Safety:

– In 2025, Russia’s first passenger-carrying autonomous tram will start operating; by 2035, the entire tram fleet will be autonomous.

– The metro is implementing the “Sfera” video analytics system, which has already helped locate 17,000 criminals and 2,000 missing people, including children.

Regular River Transport:

– In just two years of operation, Moscow’s regular river routes have made the city a global leader: no other metropolis has a comparable electric water transport system.

– More than 2 million passengers have used river transport, far exceeding the city’s expectations.

– The capital already operates three routes and 29 electric vessels; by 2030, the fleet will grow to 60 vessels and four new routes will be added.

– The recently launched “Novospasskiy — ZIL” route has already completed about 15,000 trips.

A New Future for the Monorail — Park in the Sky:

– Over 71% of Muscovites supported the creation of Russia’s first year-round park on the former monorail line.

– The new 40,000 sq. m park will connect five districts and become a new city landmark with running tracks, alleys, cafes, and relaxation zones.

– Some monorail cars will be preserved as historical monuments, and staff will receive new jobs in the metro.

Major Infrastructure Projects:

– In 2026, reconstruction of Yaroslavsky Railway Station will begin, lasting 2.5 years, expanding passenger areas and integrating the station into the city’s transport system.

– In New Moscow, the country’s first cluster for the production of battery cells for electric transport is being built, which will cover almost all the needs of the Central Federal District.

Micromobility Development:

– Around 350 slow zones for e-scooters are in operation in Moscow, where speed is limited to 5–15 km/h.

– In just 3.5 months, users made over 32 million e-scooter trips; the number of serious accidents fell by 25% thanks to comprehensive safety measures.

– Mandatory verification through Mos ID was introduced, allowing the blocking of 32,000 underage accounts.

– During the season, 39,000 fines were issued and 46,000 violators’ accounts were blocked.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Financial News: Five principles for artificial intelligence: regulator’s recommendations on the use of AI

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Central Bank of Russia –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

For example, customers should be informed when they are interacting with AI and provided with the opportunity to opt out of such interactions.

The Bank of Russia also suggests that organizations regularly check the quality of AI, pay attention to maintaining the confidentiality of personal data, and organize AI risk management.

“We have studied global trends in AI regulation, discussed with market participants and came to the conclusion that for the Russian financial market at this stage, soft regulation of the use of such technology will be relevant. We hope that the guidelines laid down in the Code of Ethics will be able to make financial services, in which artificial intelligence is integrated, even more high-quality, safe and convenient,” said Stanislav Korop, Head of the Department of Financial Technologies.

In addition, according to the Bank of Russia, the exchange of experience and best practices in compliance with ethical recommendations can play a special role in the trusted and responsible use of AI in the financial market. The regulator is ready to facilitate this.

Preview photo: Anggalih Prasetya / Shutterstock / Fotodom

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Alexander Novak held a working meeting with the Chairman of the Government of the Chechen Republic Magomed Daudov

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Alexander Novak held a working meeting with the Chairman of the Government of the Chechen Republic Magomed Daudov.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak held a working meeting with the Chairman of the Government of the Chechen Republic Magomed Daudov.

The parties discussed the socio-economic situation in the region and plans for the construction of new power facilities in the Chechen Republic as part of the program for the development of Russian electric power systems for 2025–2030. This concerns the construction of the 330 kV Sunzha substation as part of the investment program of PJSC Rosseti, as well as the implementation of the first stage of energy infrastructure construction and technical connection of facilities in the Grozny special economic zone.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Vitaly Savelyev held a meeting with the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The meeting discussed issues of restoring damaged transport infrastructure facilities in the DPR and further development of the entire transport complex of the republic.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Volunteers will teach how to check information and will identify unfair practices of financial organizations

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Central Bank of Russia –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Volunteers will teach people how to navigate the information space in order to distinguish fraudsters’ tricks from current offers in the financial sector. They will also help financial institutions better understand the problems of clients with different types of disabilities and identify unfair practices in the market. Such priorities were identified by participants of the XI All-Russian Congress of Financial Education Volunteers.

The Congress traditionally brings together volunteers from all over the country and serves as a platform for exchanging experiences, developing and scaling initiatives, identifying modern trends and promising areas for promoting financial literacy.

Most of the initiatives presented at the congress are designed for adults. The emphasis is on a targeted approach, the ability to adapt an idea to the needs of the target audience. For example, volunteers conduct classes on family budget management with newlyweds, where they teach how to find a compromise in delicate financial matters. Financial activists also help organize training and employment for young people with disabilities, tell military personnel how to resist fraudsters, and explain the peculiarities of Russian financial legislation to residents of new regions.

“Teaching adults is not easy: everyone has their own life experience, education, priorities. Not everyone is ready to learn just because someone said it is important and necessary. But people are happy to learn when they are given knowledge at the right time and in a convenient form. Therefore, flexibility and a variety of formats are very important, and this is exactly what we are learning from you, from financial education volunteers,” said Elvira Nabiullina, Chairman of the Bank of Russia.

Today, the register of financial education volunteers already includes 19 thousand activists: students, professional financiers, employees of educational institutions, public organizations, and commercial companies.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: US President Sends Tariff Notices to 6 More Countries

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

NEW YORK, July 9 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump sent letters to leaders of six more countries on Wednesday morning, notifying them that new tariffs will be imposed on goods imported into the United States from those countries starting Aug. 1.

D. Trump published the corresponding notices on his own social network Truth Social. The letters are addressed to the leaders of the Philippines, Brunei, Moldova, Algeria, Iraq and Libya.

According to the letters, duties will be 30 percent for Libya, Iraq and Algeria, 25 percent for Brunei and Moldova, and 20 percent for the Philippines.

On Tuesday, D. Trump sent the first letters of new import duties to 14 countries, notifying them of new tariffs ranging from 25 percent to 40 percent. The American leader said he would send several more similar notices this week. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Georgia was visited by 2.27 million foreign tourists in the first half of the year

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Tbilisi, July 9 (Xinhua) — Georgia recorded a record growth in international tourist visits in the first half of 2025. In the first six months, 2.27 million foreign tourists visited the country, up 6.9 percent compared to the same period in 2024. The total number of international visits, including short-term trips, amounted to 3.2 million, the Georgian National Tourism Administration reported on Wednesday.

In the second quarter of this year, the number of international tourist visits amounted to 1.31 million, an increase of 10.7 percent year-on-year. The total number of international visits during this period reached 1.83 million, an increase of 6.9 percent year-on-year.

In January-June, there was an increase in the number of international visits from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Azerbaijan, India and China. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Lightning: Seoul court issues arrest warrant for former South Korean President Yoon Seok-yel — Renhap News Agency

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Xinhua | 10. 07. 2025

Keywords: lightning

Source: Xinhua

Flash: Seoul Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Former South Korean President Yoon Seok-yel — Renhap News Agency Flash: Seoul Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Former South Korean President Yoon Seok-yel — Renhap News Agency

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow sets the global trend in urban transport.

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

During a press conference held on July 7, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry Maxim Liksutov gave detailed answers to key questions regarding the development of urban transport.

Large-scale metro update:

The share of updated rolling stock in the Moscow metro has reached 77% This year, 144 Moskva-2024 cars were delivered, and another 128 are expected by the end of the year In 2026–2027, the fleet will be replenished with more than 700 new Moskva-2026 cars By 2030, the share of new trains will exceed 90%

Industrial growth and innovation:

Moscow is the largest industrial and scientific center of Russia, where more than 4.5 thousand enterprises operate. Over five years, clothing production has grown by 58.3 times, machinery and equipment – by 7.5 times, electronics and optics – by 5.4 times. The industrial production index for January-May 2025 increased by 6% compared to last year.

Unmanned technologies and safety:

In 2025, the first driverless tram with passengers in Russia will start operating; by 2035, the entire tram fleet will be driverless. The Sfera video analytics system is being introduced in the metro, which has already helped find 17,000 criminals and 2,000 missing people, including children.

Regular river transport:

In two years of regular river routes, Moscow has become a world leader: no other megacity has an analog of such an electric transport system. During its operation, more than 2 million passengers have used river transport, which has significantly exceeded the city’s expectations. Three routes and 29 electric vessels are already operating in the capital, and by 2030 the fleet will increase to 60 vessels and four more new routes will appear. The recently opened Novospassky-ZIL route has already made about 15 thousand trips.

The new future of the monorail – a park at altitude:

More than 71% of Muscovites supported the creation of the first year-round park in Russia on the site of a monorail. The new park with an area of 40 thousand square meters will connect five districts and will become a new city landmark with running tracks, alleys, cafes and recreation areas. Some of the monorail cars will be preserved as a historical monument, and employees will receive new jobs in the metro.

Major infrastructure projects:

In 2026, the reconstruction of Yaroslavsky Station will begin, designed for 2.5 years, with an increase in passenger space and integration into the city’s transport system. The first cluster in Russia for the production of batteries for electric transport is being built in New Moscow, which will cover almost all the needs of the Central Federal District.

Development of micromobility:

There are about 350 “slow zones” for electric scooters in Moscow, where the speed is limited to 5-15 km/h. In 3.5 months, users have made more than 32 million trips on electric scooters, while the number of serious accidents has decreased by 25% due to comprehensive safety measures. Mandatory verification via Mos ID has been introduced, which has allowed 32 thousand accounts of minors to be blocked. During the season, 39 thousand fines were issued and 46 thousand accounts of violators were blocked.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Pandemics to pollution: WHO Assembly delivers landmark health decisions

Source: United Nations MIL OSI

The 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia has had an indelible effect on the civilian population, displacing millions, straining the economy and inflicting physical and mental trauma. During these dark years, the UN has stayed alongside the Ukrainian people, providing aid, necessities and healthcare, and restoring energy supplies.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Flavoured nicotine products driving youth addiction, WHO warns

Source: United Nations MIL OSI

The 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia has had an indelible effect on the civilian population, displacing millions, straining the economy and inflicting physical and mental trauma. During these dark years, the UN has stayed alongside the Ukrainian people, providing aid, necessities and healthcare, and restoring energy supplies.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: World News in Brief: Education suffers amid DR Congo violence, WHO greenlights RSV vaccines, more hurricanes ahead for Haiti

Source: United Nations MIL OSI

The 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia has had an indelible effect on the civilian population, displacing millions, straining the economy and inflicting physical and mental trauma. During these dark years, the UN has stayed alongside the Ukrainian people, providing aid, necessities and healthcare, and restoring energy supplies.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Failure of private hospitals in Bulgaria to apply EU public procurement rules, to the detriment of Bulgarian taxpayers: procedure INFR(2018)2268 – P-002749/2025
Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-002749/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Radan Kanev (PPE)

Member States had to transpose Directive 2014/24/EU into their national legislation by 18 April 2016, with each facility over 50 % publicly-funded having to comply with the rules on transparency, equal treatment and efficiency in public procurement. However, Bulgarian legislation allows for the injustice of private hospitals purchasing medicines through direct negotiations, without public tenders, despite the fact they receive significant funding from the Bulgarian National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

This practice is creating significant differences in medicines prices between public and private hospitals, with private hospitals paying tens times more for the same medicines and the cost being covered by Bulgarian taxpayers through the NHIF.

These breaches led to infringement procedure INFR(2018)2268 being initiated and, under the Commission’s reasoned opinion issued on 24 April 2024, Bulgaria has two months to remedy them before the case is brought to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

So far, there is nothing to indicate that Bulgaria has taken any action in response.

1.What developments have there been in INFR(2018)2268 against Bulgaria, and has the Commission acted on the two-month deadline set in April 2024?

2.What is the Commission’s assessment in respect of the compliance of Bulgarian legislation with the requirements of Directive 2014/24/EU?

3.What follow-up action will the Commission take in the event that Bulgaria fails to put in place effective mechanisms for the implementation and monitoring of public procurement by private hospitals?

Submitted: 5.7.2025
Last updated: 9 July 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The unchecked invasion of the Belice area by renewable energy plants: a threat to the local fabric, its agriculture and CAP investments – E-002709/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002709/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Giuseppe Milazzo (ECR)

The unchecked proliferation of wind and solar photovoltaic plants is radically altering the landscapes and economic fabric of the Belice area – a rural region in western Sicily that relies heavily on agriculture – while also harming its producers.

Meeting in Castelvetrano, local mayors criticised what they view as an energy transition model which has been imposed from on high and which benefits large industrial groups at the expense of the Belice area’s communities and identity.

While the number of requests to connect installations to the electricity grid is already four times higher than planned, the areas deemed unsuitable for renewable energy plants have yet to be mapped out, even though such a measure was provided for by the Legislative Decree (No 199/2021) that transposed Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (known as RED II). This state of affairs could also jeopardise the investments made to protect and develop rural areas under both the Common Agricultural Policy and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

In the light of the above:

1.Could the Commission clarify whether this state of affairs is in line with CAP and territorial cohesion objectives?

2.Is this state of affairs compatible with the principles of the EU Green Deal, and does it respect territorial specificities?

3.Which instruments will the Commission use to ensure that the environmental transition is not used as a pretext to cause further environmental and economic disruption in the EU’s rural and inland areas?

Submitted: 2.7.2025
Last updated: 9 July 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Dubious EU funding of NGOs such as the ‘Club of Ossiach’ – P-002754/2025
Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-002754/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Elisabeth Dieringer (PfE)

The European Court of Auditors’ special report 11/2025 on the transparency of EU funding granted to NGOs demonstrates that between 2021 and 2023, around EUR 7.4 billion was disbursed to NGOs from various EU funds. Nonetheless, there is still no reliable overall overview of the beneficiaries, projects and how the funds were used. One particularly astounding example is the EUR 128 751 in funding granted to the largely unknown association ‘Club of Ossiach’. Upon further research, it seems that locals are unfamiliar with the association, which also fails to make any form of meaningful activity clear from the outside. Its online presence is unprofessional, somewhat misleading and even includes links to escort websites. There is no publicly available information on the actual work of the association and the website lacks a legal notice. The chairman refuses to provide any information.

1.On what basis and using what quality criteria was EU funding totalling EUR 128 751 approved for the Club of Ossiach?

2.As regards the award of EU funds to NGOs, what control mechanisms has the Commission put in place to make sure that beneficiary organisations genuinely are charitable, have operational capacity and are relevant in terms of their subject matter, and how does it assess their effectiveness in a specific case?

3.What steps is the Commission taking in order to verify the Club of Ossiach’s use of funds and, if necessary, to initiate recoveries or legal consequences in the event of inappropriate use or misuse of EU funds?

Submitted: 7.7.2025
Last updated: 9 July 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Dubious EU funding of NGOs such as the ‘Club of Ossiach’ – P-002754/2025
Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-002754/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Elisabeth Dieringer (PfE)

The European Court of Auditors’ special report 11/2025 on the transparency of EU funding granted to NGOs demonstrates that between 2021 and 2023, around EUR 7.4 billion was disbursed to NGOs from various EU funds. Nonetheless, there is still no reliable overall overview of the beneficiaries, projects and how the funds were used. One particularly astounding example is the EUR 128 751 in funding granted to the largely unknown association ‘Club of Ossiach’. Upon further research, it seems that locals are unfamiliar with the association, which also fails to make any form of meaningful activity clear from the outside. Its online presence is unprofessional, somewhat misleading and even includes links to escort websites. There is no publicly available information on the actual work of the association and the website lacks a legal notice. The chairman refuses to provide any information.

1.On what basis and using what quality criteria was EU funding totalling EUR 128 751 approved for the Club of Ossiach?

2.As regards the award of EU funds to NGOs, what control mechanisms has the Commission put in place to make sure that beneficiary organisations genuinely are charitable, have operational capacity and are relevant in terms of their subject matter, and how does it assess their effectiveness in a specific case?

3.What steps is the Commission taking in order to verify the Club of Ossiach’s use of funds and, if necessary, to initiate recoveries or legal consequences in the event of inappropriate use or misuse of EU funds?

Submitted: 7.7.2025
Last updated: 9 July 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Use of the Digital Services Act to suppress political opinions ahead of the European elections – E-002633/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002633/2025/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
Markus Buchheit (ESN)

In the run-up to the 2024 European elections, the Commission intensified the enforcement of the Digital Services Act[1] (DSA), calling on online platforms to combat so-called ‘disinformation’. However, several reports and testimonies indicate that this framework is being used disproportionately to target conservative, right-wing or Eurosceptic voices. In this context, the line between moderating harmful content and censoring political opposition becomes dangerously thin.

Has the Commission monitored or evaluated the ideological bias in the application of the DSA on major platforms such as X or Facebook?

Submitted: 30.6.2025

[1] Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services, OJ L 277, 27.10.2022, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2065/oj.
Last updated: 9 July 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on tackling China’s critical raw materials export restrictions – RC-B10-0324/2025/REV1

Source: European Parliament

Hildegard Bentele
on behalf of the PPE Group
Kathleen Van Brempt
on behalf of the S&D Group
Beata Szydło, Mariusz Kamiński
on behalf of the ECR Group
Bart Groothuis, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Engin Eroglu, Christophe Grudler, Svenja Hahn, Ľubica Karvašová, Michał Kobosko, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Marie‑Agnes Strack‑Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Marie‑Pierre Vedrenne, Lucia Yar
on behalf of the Renew Group
Ville Niinistö
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
Mariusz Kamiński

European Parliament resolution on tackling China’s critical raw materials export restrictions

(2025/2800(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on China,

– having regard to the upcoming EU-China summit planned for 24 and 25 July 2025,

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials and amending Regulations (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1724 and (EU) 2019/1020 [1], also known as the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA),

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology manufacturing ecosystem and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 [2](Net-Zero Industry Act),

– having regard to the G7 Leaders’ statement on the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan,

– having regard to the Commission communication of 26 February 2025 entitled ‘The Clean Industrial Deal: A joint roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation’ (COM(2025)0085),

– having regard to the clean trade and investment partnerships being negotiated by the EU, and to the EU’s critical raw material partnerships,

– having regard to the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 20 June 2023 on ‘European Economic Security Strategy’ (JOIN(2023)0020), and to the speeches about de-risking given by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the European Policy Centre on 30 March 2023 and in Parliament on 18 April 2023,

– having regard to the 13th EU-China Strategic Dialogue, held between the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, in Brussels on 2 July 2025,

– having regard to the statements made by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the G7 summit held in Kananaskis, Canada from 16 to 17 June 2025,

– having regard to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, in particular the principles of non-discrimination and of transparency regarding export restrictions,

– having regard to WTO dispute settlement rulings DS431, DS432 and DS433 on China’s rare earth export restrictions,

– having regard to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,

– having regard to Rule 136(2) and (4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas on 4 April 2025, China started to enact export restrictions on 7 of the 17 rare earth elements (REEs) and on permanent magnets produced from these, introducing a system for non-automatic licences, and cited dual-use and security considerations as justification; whereas the list of items covered by the restrictions includes medium and heavy REEs (samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium);

B. whereas critical raw materials are essential inputs for a wide array of industrial products and processes, including in critical sectors such as clean technologies, digital technologies, healthcare and defence; whereas a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials is fundamental to achieving the Union’s climate, digital, competitiveness and defence objectives;

C. whereas export volumes have reportedly decreased by as much as 80 %, having a heavy impact on a wide range of sectors, including electronics and consumer tech, green energy and renewables, the automotive industry, aerospace and healthcare;

D. whereas the EU’s dependence on China for critical raw materials has continued to grow or, at best, remains stubbornly high; whereas the global REE supply chain is heavily concentrated in China, which has control of around 75 % of mining output and of 85 % of processing capacity, reaching more than 95 % in the case of some REEs such as terbium, yttrium and dysprosium; whereas the EU remains overly reliant on non-EU countries for the supply of critical raw materials (CRMs) and is almost entirely dependent on China for the supply of heavy REEs; whereas the EU covers 98% of its demand for permanent magnets, and 92 % of its demand for NdFeB magnets, with imports from China;

E. whereas China has significantly expanded its dominance in the global mining, processing and refining of CRMs and intermediate products, creating strategic dependences along key value chains, , which have, at times, been deliberately leveraged through restrictive trade measures; whereas China first restricted the export of REEs in 2010 over a territorial dispute with Japan, and this restriction was declared incompatible with WTO rules by the Appellate Body; whereas China has also applied extensive restrictions on the export of raw minerals classified as strategic and/or critical by the EU, including gallium and germanium since 1 August 2023, graphite since December 2023, antimony products since 15 September 2024, tungsten and bismuth since 4 February 2025, and scandium since 17 April 2025;

F. whereas the implementation of these export restrictions has already started to cause severe disruptions to industry in the EU, including the automotive industry, with as many as 17 assembly lines experiencing temporary shutdowns in May 2025; whereas a wide array of sectors could face disruption, such as healthcare, space and defence – including fighter jets, frigates, drones and precision-guided weapons systems – wind turbines and batteries, as could the green and digital transitions more generally;

G. whereas China’s licensing procedure requires applicants to disclose sensitive information to the Chinese authorities, which breaches economic secrecy; whereas China’s updated export control framework of December 2024 gives greater discretionary powers to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, the State Council and the Central Military Commission to subject items not formally listed as dual-use goods to export controls; whereas these new regulations include measures with extraterritorial applications;

H. whereas the EU applies export controls to certain types of critical and advanced materials, but these controls are clearly focused on material types, with precise technical parameters relating to their use in specific military applications, do not affect trade in commercial non-sensitive products and account for only a small share of total exports of the materials in question;

I. whereas China has deliberately pursued a strategy of undercutting global market prices while keeping its domestic market closed, generally to the benefit of state-owned enterprises, and couples this with huge subsidy schemes, leading to significant distortions in global competition and jeopardising recent efforts by the EU and the Member States to keep the EU’s remaining mining sectors afloat;

J. whereas the EU adopted the CRMA in April 2024 as the starting point of efforts towards improving the resilience and autonomy of the EU’s supply of CRMs and strategic raw materials (SRMs); whereas the CRMA addresses both the supply side and the demand side, including through production targets, through resource efficiency aimed at moderating consumption, and through the substitution of SRMs; whereas circularity is at the core of the CRMA, which aims to cover 25 % of the Union’s SRM needs through recycling by 2030 and has the objective of recycling substantially larger amounts of each SRM from waste, including for permanent magnets;

K. whereas the upcoming EU-China summit is an opportunity to engage in dialogue while continuing to stand strong against coercion;

L. whereas China still has sanctions in place against a former MEP, members of Member State parliaments and European think tanks;

1. Strongly condemns China’s decision to enact REE export restrictions, which has halted exports and significantly disrupted supply chains vital for the automotive industry, defence manufacturers, semiconductor companies, green technologies, healthcare applications and many other sectors in the EU and across the world; considers that China’s action is unjustified and has a coercive intent, building on the enormous leverage its quasi-monopolistic position on the global market provides;

2. Believes that China is using these export restrictions to strengthen its negotiating position; stresses that the EU must firmly reject any attempts by China to use these restrictions to force concessions on other ongoing trade irritants, and believes that any concessions to China in this respect would harm the EU’s ability to protect itself from current and future coercion;

3. Underlines the importance of expressing concern regarding China’s export restrictions on REEs and the broader implications of these restrictions for global supply chains at the upcoming EU-China summit; is convinced that export controls should be part of a multilateral approach designed to protect international security and ensure a global level playing field, insists that unilateral controls must be limited to those made strictly necessary by national security considerations, with transparent and clearly defined rules, and therefore stresses that making China’s actions run counter to multilateral rules and practices, and calls on the Commission and the Member States to take a firm and unified stance, engage with China to find a structural solution and continue dialogue with China in this regard;

4. Urges the Chinese authorities to follow up tangibly on their proposal and fully lift the export restrictions; takes note, in the meantime, of the recent proposal by the Chinese authorities to establish so-called ‘green lanes’ aimed at simplifying procedures for European companies;

5. Stresses the urgent need for the EU to enhance its strategic leverage and indispensability by identifying, operationalising and strengthening areas in which it holds critical advantages over China in essential goods and technologies, with the objective of strengthening the EU’s strategic autonomy, or by limiting access to the EU internal market for high-risk Chinese vendors in accordance with EU and international trade law;

6. Considers China’s measures to be an unjustified weaponisation of its CRM supply lines, rendering it an untrustworthy source of input for critical sectors and a threat to the Union’s economic and essential security interests;

7. Expresses deep concern over the requirements, imposed by Chinese authorities, that applicants must disclose sensitive data when applying for export permits, and over the considerable risk of technology leaks associated with this as regards the defence industrial base value chain and national security secrets, stressing that this may be used for future coercion; considers it essential for the Commission and the Member States to assess and mitigate the security implications of such data transfers, in line with the European economic security strategy;

8. Urges the Commission and the Member States to accelerate the implementation of the CRMA; stresses the important role of the European Raw Materials Board and its sub-groups for the rapid and efficient implementation of the CRMA; recalls the clear and ambitious targets set to reinforce EU capacities to extract, process and recycle SRMs domestically by 2030; highlights the selection of the first 60 strategic projects under the CRMA;

9. Regrets the fact that the CRMA was not accompanied by a dedicated EU budget, despite the lack of funding being the main bottleneck; stresses the urgent need to secure investments in the strategic projects approved under the CRMA and in other projects to boost extraction, refining, processing and recycling that contribute to de-risking from China and to achieving the CRMA benchmarks; urges the Commission to dedicate further EU-level support to the diversification of the REE and CRM supply, and to guarantee that the forthcoming multiannual financial framework will include a budget line to foster investment in extraction, processing, circularity, research and innovation, including for the substitution of CRMs;

10. Underlines the need for the EU to mine domestically and re-establish processing capacity; underlines that increasing the efficiency of resource use through technological innovation is one of the objectives of the CRMA; emphasises the potential of recycling and urban mining to alleviate supply constraints in the short term and asks the Commission to take immediate measures to improve the collection and retention of REEs in the internal market;

11. Underlines the need to ensure the long-term business case for and the viability of investments in CRM value chains, including through financial support such as price floors, offtake support and strategic stockpiling; calls on the Member States to request that large companies producing technologies in strategic sectors duly and regularly carry out risk-preparedness activities and measures to mitigate supply shortages, including via stockpiling;

12. Calls on the Commission, together with the Member States, to assess the minimum level for the EU of strategic stocks of REEs listed as SRMs (neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, dysprosium, gadolinium, samarium and cerium) and the corresponding end-use applications, including those linked to the defence industry;

13. Calls, furthermore, for stronger engagement to conclude clean trade and investment partnerships (CTIPs) and bilateral strategic partnerships on raw materials that are based on true win-win partnerships and meet high sustainability and human rights standards; insists on the need to move towards binding agreements on CRMs to ensure the long-term security of the EU’s supplies, guarantee more transparency and ensure that Parliament has scrutiny powers; underlines the importance of free trade agreements and the Global Gateway initiative in enhancing access to CRMs;

14. Encourages the use of preference clauses for sourcing REEs from EU suppliers and trusted partners in relevant procurement legislation; calls for greater coordination with like-minded international partners, particularly within the G7 and NATO frameworks and with the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, in order to improve knowledge transfer, align supply chain security, joint investments and stockpiling strategies, and develop trusted-source standards for strategic sectors and projects;

15. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Government and Parliament of the People’s Republic of China.

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Missions – EUDS mission to Moldova in Chișinău on 26-28 May 2025 – 26-05-2025 – Special committee on the European Democracy Shield

Source: European Parliament

The European Democracy Shield Committee’s mission to Moldova (26-28 May 2025) examined the current challenges of hybrid warfare and Moldova’s institutional response to foreign interference.

With Russian interference operations estimated at over 1% of the country’s GDP, this timely mission, in the wake of the parliamentary elections in October looked into the topics of electoral corruption, disinformation, instrumentalisation of regional divisions and energy-related pressures, amongst other hybrid threats and realities. Through meetings with the parliamentary leadership, government officials, security services and civil society organizations, amongst a wide variety of interlocutors, the delegation assessed how Moldova is strengthening its democratic resilience through legislative reforms, specialized institutions, including the National Cybersecurity Agency and the Centre for Strategic Communication, and the experience of countering FIMI activities in real time during the constitutional referendum and presidential elections of 2024. The mission’s findings offered relevant insights for the work of the EUDS committee.

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – Meeting of the DEVE Committee 15 July – Committee on Development
Source: European Parliament

The Committee on Development will meet on 15 July to discuss the following files:
- Presentation and exchange of views with Mr Louis Marechal, Senior Advisor Minerals & Extractives at OECD and Mr Alex Kopp, Senior Campaigner at Global Witness on Traceability of Critical Raw Materials with a focus on Africa;
- Exchange of views on the General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2026;
- Debriefing from delegation to the 4th Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla, June 2025;
- Public Hearing on Interlinkage between Migration and Development Cooperation;
- Presentation of the Danish Presidency Priorities;
- Vote: EU political strategy on Latin America (Rapporteur for the opinion: Leire Pajín);
The next Committee meeting will take place on 1 September 2025 15.00-18.30
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 10, 2025

MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Amending Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 on certain measures for the purpose of the conservation of fish stocks in relation to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing – P10_TA(2025)0150 – Wednesday, 9 July 2025 – Strasbourg

Source: European Parliament

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43(2) and Article 207 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee(1),

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure(2),

Whereas:

(1) In line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982(3) (‘UNCLOS’) and the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks of 4 August 1995(4) ▌ (‘UNFSA’), the management of certain straddling and highly migratory fish stocks requires the cooperation of all the countries whose fleets exploit that stock. Such cooperation could be established within the framework of regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) or by means of ad hoc arrangements among the countries having an interest in the fishery concerned.

(2) Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council(5) establishes a framework to allow for the identification and the adoption of measures with regard to third countries which fail to cooperate and allow non-sustainable fishing of a stock of common interest for the Union.

(3) In accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012, it is possible for a country to be identified as allowing non-sustainable fishing if, inter alia, it fails to cooperate in the management of a stock of common interest in full compliance with the provisions of the UNCLOS and the UNFSA, or any other international agreement or rule of international law, and if it fails to adopt necessary fishery management measures.

(4) A definition of ‘failure to cooperate’ should be introduced in order to better define, for the purposes of Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012, the scope and meaning of the requirement to cooperate pursuant to UNCLOS and UNFSA.

(5) The ‘best available scientific advice’ should be understood to refer to publicly available scientific advice that is supported by the most up-to-date scientific data and methods and that has been either issued or reviewed by an independent scientific body that is recognised at Union or international level.

(6) It is also necessary to clarify that it should be possible for a country to be considered as allowing non-sustainable fishing if it does not implement or enforce the necessary fishery management measures, and that such measures include control measures, including within the framework of RFMOs.

(7) It is also appropriate to reinforce the procedures prior and subsequent to the adoption of measures in respect of countries allowing non-sustainable fishing, including within the framework of RFMOs.

(8) In order to assess the appropriate measures to be taken with regard to a country allowing non-sustainable fishing, it is necessary to provide for an accurate understanding of the trade relations of the Union with the country under evaluation, including by assessing historical data for imported products that reflect the real import patterns in relation to that country.

(9) Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 is amended as follows:

(1) Article 2 is amended as follows:

(a) point (b) is replaced by the following:“

‘(b) “associated species” means any fish that belongs to the same ecosystem as the stock of common interest and that preys upon that stock, is preyed on by it, competes with it for food and living space or co-occurs with it in the same fishing area, and that is exploited or accidentally taken, including as by-catch, in the same fishery or fisheries;’;

”

(b) point (f) is replaced by the following:“

‘(f) “unsustainable state” means the condition where the stock is not continuously maintained at or above the levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield or, if those levels cannot be estimated, where the stock is not continuously maintained within safe biological limits in line with the precautionary approach to fisheries management as referred to in Article 6 of UNFSA; the stock levels determining whether the stock is in an unsustainable state are to be determined on the basis of best available scientific advice;’;

”

‘(i) “failure to cooperate” means the failure by countries to engage in good faith and have meaningful consultations, including within the framework of RFMOs, in which substantial effort is made with a view to reaching an agreement on the adoption of necessary fishery management measures, and examples of failure to cooperate include, but are not limited to:
	(1)	refusing to consult or to involve in consultations all the relevant coastal States and fishing States;

▌
	(2)	unjustified unilateral breaking-off of consultations;
	(3)	undue delays, including in replying to requests or engaging in consultations;
	(4)	withholding information relevant for consultations;
	(5)	making unreasonable information requests;
	(6)	disregarding agreed procedures;
	(7)	systematically refusing to take into consideration counter-proposals or other parties’ interests;
	(8)	systematically insisting upon own positions for an extended period, irrespective of flexibility offered by other parties in the consultations;
	(9)	refusing to take into account the best available scientific advice or historic fishing activities regarding the relevant stock or stocks;
	(10)	while consultations for comprehensive sharing arrangements are ▌ on-going, pursuing consultations with a view to concluding partial sharing arrangements, or subsequently concluding such partial sharing arrangements, excluding some relevant coastal States or fishing States for stocks of common interest.’;

”

(2) in Article 3, point (b), points (i) and (ii) are replaced by the following:”

‘(i) it fails to adopt, implement or enforce necessary fishery management measures, including control measures, ensuring the effective conservation and management of stocks of common interest, including within the framework of an RFMO or where agreed bilaterally or multilaterally; or
	(ii)	it adopts fishery management measures, such as quotas or discriminatory measures, without due regard to the rights, interests and duties of other countries and the Union, and those fishery management measures, when considered in conjunction with measures taken by other countries and the Union, lead to fishing activities which could result in the stock being in an unsustainable state; this condition is considered to be complied with also where the fishery management measures adopted by that country did not lead to the stock being in an unsustainable state solely due to measures adopted by others.’;

”

(3) Article 6 is amended as follows:

(a) the title is replaced by the following:“

‘Procedures prior and subsequent to the adoption of measures in respect of countries allowing non-sustainable fishing’;

”

(b) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:“

‘1. Where the Commission considers that it is necessary to adopt measures referred to in Article 4, it shall notify the country concerned of the intention to identify it as a country allowing non-sustainable fishing. In such cases, the European Parliament and the Council shall be immediately informed and regularly updated on developments and the actions taken.’;

”

‘2a. Where the stock of common interest falls under the scope of an RFMO, the Commission shall raise the matter of a country allowing non-sustainable fishing with the compliance body of that RFMO prior to the notification under paragraph 1, as applicable, with a view to remedying the situation.’;

”

(d) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:”

‘3. Prior to the adoption of measures pursuant to Article 4, the Commission shall provide the country concerned with a reasonable opportunity to respond to the notification referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article in writing and to provide any relevant information.’;

”

(e) the following paragraphs are added:”

‘4. The Commission shall give the country concerned a maximum of 90 days to reply to the notification referred to in paragraph 1 and a reasonable time to remedy the situation.

5. Following the adoption of measures pursuant to Article 4, the Commission shall continue to engage and maintain an open dialogue with the country concerned and shall promote cooperation bilaterally and multilaterally, with a view to that country ▌ ceasing to allow non-sustainable fishing.

6. Where the country concerned enters into consultations with the Union in good faith, the Commission shall engage in such consultations without delay.’;

”

(4) in Article 7, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:“

‘1. The measures referred to in Article 4 shall cease to apply when the country allowing non-sustainable fishing adopts appropriate corrective measures necessary for the conservation and management of the stock of common interest and those corrective measures:
	(a)	have either been adopted autonomously or have been agreed in the context of consultations with the Union and, where applicable, other countries concerned or within the framework of RFMOs; and
	(b)	do not undermine the effect of measures taken by the Union, whether autonomously, in cooperation with other countries or within the framework of RFMOs, for the purpose of the conservation of the fish stocks concerned.’.

”

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at … ▌ ,

For the European Parliament For the Council

The President The President

(1)	OJ C, C/2025/1191, 21.3.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2025/1191/oj.
(2)	Position of the European Parliament of 9 July 2025.
(3)	United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (OJ L 179, 23.6.1998, p. 3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/convention/1998/392/oj).
(4)	Agreement for the implementing of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the conservation and management of straddling stocks and highly migratory fish stocks (OJ L 189, 3.7.1998, p. 17, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/1998/414/oj).
(5)	Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on certain measures for the purpose of the conservation of fish stocks in relation to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing (OJ L 316, 14.11.2012, p. 34, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/1026/oj).

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 10, 2025

MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Reviving the securitisation framework – 09-07-2025

Source: European Parliament

‘Securitisation’ consists of banks ‘pooling’ granted loans (e.g. mortgages and consumption loans) into a single tradable security, which is sold to other investors under specific conditions. Securitisation allows banks to ‘off-load’ part of their granted loans, thereby augmenting their lending capacities as well as swiftly modifying their portfolio risk exposure. Securitisation markets boomed in the 2000s and were identified as the main cause of the 2007-2008 financial crisis. The post-crisis regulation is now perceived as a major determinant of the significant shrinkage of securitisation markets since then, and an issue for the financial system. The Commission has made a proposal to ‘revive’ the securitisation market with the aim of removing obstacles that hinder the growth and development of the EU securitisation market, but without introducing risks to financial stability, market integrity or investor protection. The co-legislators have indicated (in their pre-legislative work) that they would support a revival of the European securitisation market while taking into account any risks to financial stability.

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union – 09-07-2025

Source: European Parliament

The EU has faced challenges in recent years due to the ‘instrumentalisation’ of migration by the Belarusian government, leading to irregular border crossings into the EU. In response, some EU Member States have adopted national emergency measures that allow for derogations from EU law. The European Commission considers that EU countries could invoke Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) to address the issue of ‘hybrid threats’, including the instrumentalisation of migration. Article 72 TFEU allows Member States to derogate from EU secondary law in exceptional cases to maintain law and order and internal security. However, the interpretation of this article is debated. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has dealt with Article 72 in several judgments, but all attempts by Member States to invoke an emergency have failed so far. Even if a government successfully invokes Article 72, it would need to respect certain principles, such as the principle of proportionality, the fundamental rights protected by EU law, as outlined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and the principle of sincere cooperation and mutual trust and solidarity. To invoke Article 72 TFEU, a Member State must also demonstrate that a derogation is necessary to maintain ‘law and order’ or protect ‘internal security’. The concepts of public order and internal security are likely based on the public policy clauses of the fundamental freedoms, as established by CJEU case law.

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 10, 2025

Category: Europe

Government action to speed up compensation for LGBT veterans

Minister for Veterans and People, Al Carns MP, said

Share this page

Updates to this page