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Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Joint efforts to prevent and combat different forms of hatred against traditional national and linguistic minorities – E-001599/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001599/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Loránt Vincze (PPE)

    A young man was recently attacked with a knife for using a minority language, Hungarian, in Bratislava, Slovakia[1]. A group of young local supporters were beaten for speaking Hungarian in Cluj-Napoca, Romania[2]. Far from being isolated incidents, hate speech is present throughout Europe and it affects different communities from various regions. Hate speech and hate crimes targeting traditional national and linguistic minorities remain a serious concern in the EU. The Intergroup on Traditional Minorities, National Communities and Languages[3] has been informed of several such cases[4].

    • 1.How can the Commission improve its actions to prevent and combat hate speech and hatred targeting, in particular, traditional national and linguistic minorities, and ensure their effective support at EU level?
    • 2.As the Commission already pays particular attention to specific forms of hate speech and hate crime experienced by certain communities, would it consider focusing its attention on traditional national and linguistic minorities, who represent 10 % of the EU population?
    • 3.Would the Commission consider including the effort to combat hate speech and hate crimes against traditional minorities in the work programme of the High-Level Group on combating hate speech and hate crime?

    Submitted: 22.4.2025

    • [1] spectator.sme.sk/politics-and-society/c/man-attacked-by-knife-in-bratislava-supposedly-for-hungarian-origin.
    • [2] www.mikoimre.ro/en/young-man-attacked-by-cluj-ultras-for-speaking-hungarian.
    • [3] www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/intergroup/details/7895/Intergroup%20on%20Traditional%20Minorities,%20National%20Communities%20and%20Languages.
    • [4] For further cases of hate crime and hate speech committed against traditional national and linguistic minorities see: https://minoritymonitor.eu/.
    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Iceland: Sidekick Health Secures €35 Million Venture Debt from EIB to Accelerate R&D and Global Expansion

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €35 million venture debt facility with Sidekick Health, a leading digital health and therapeutics company operating across Europe and the US.
    • The funding will accelerate Sidekick’s therapy development and AI-driven platform innovation across multiple chronic and specialty care areas.
    • The R&D-focused facility is backed by the European Commission’s InvestEU initiative and complemented by a €7M capital injection from existing and new investors to accelerate Sidekick’s commercial growth.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Sidekick Health — a global leader in integrated digital health and therapeutics — today announced the signing of a €35 million venture debt facility, backed by a dedicated life science venture debt window of the European Commission’s InvestEU programme. It provides Sidekick with dedicated capital to accelerate R&D activities, expand its digital therapeutics portfolio, enhance AI capabilities, and strengthen its data and platform infrastructure — delivering scalable, secure, and impactful solutions for patients, payers, and pharmaceutical partners worldwide. The agreement represents the EIB Group’s first venture debt transaction in Iceland, where Sidekick is headquartered.

    In parallel, Sidekick closed an additional €7M growth-focused financing, reflecting strong investor confidence and providing additional capital to scale its commercial footprint and strategic partnerships.

    At the signing ceremony today in Luxembourg, Tryggvi Thorgeirsson, MD, MPH, CEO and Co-Founder of Sidekick Health, commented:

    “This strategic financing from the EIB enables us to double down on our mission to improve and save lives by digitizing care. It strengthens our ability to invest in R&D, therapy development, and AI, while focusing future equity on scaling our commercial impact. Together with the strong backing of our investors, our diversified funding strategy — now including non-dilutive venture debt — positions Sidekick to accelerate innovation, deepen our partnerships, and continue transforming healthcare at scale.”

    Thomas Östros, Vice-President of the EIB, said:

    “The EIB has a solid track record in financing European med-tech companies through its venture debt instrument. The competitiveness of these companies is very important for our EU strategic autonomy. This is already the fifth InvestEU project in Iceland, building on a long tradition of EU-guaranteed funding for Icelandic projects.”

    Sidekick partners with leading pharmaceutical companies, health insurers, and healthcare providers to deliver AI-enhanced digital health and therapeutics solutions across chronic and specialty care, including oncology, cardiovascular, metabolic, women’s health, and inflammatory conditions. The company’s platform has demonstrated improved patient outcomes and supported cost reduction in collaboration with partners, helping drive the shift toward personalized, proactive care.

    EU Ambassador to Iceland Clara Ganslandt added:

    “It was only in January last year, 2024, that Iceland’s participation in InvestEU was formally launched but we now already have five InvestEU projects in Iceland. That is certainly worth celebrating. The EU is committed to fuelling research and innovation and making use of impactful investments – in a world of increased global competition, it is in our common interest for Iceland and the European Union to work together. For three decades, since 1994, Icelandic organisations have been remarkably active, valued and successful participants in EU programmes, and Sidekick Health will certainly make this financing agreement a success.”

    Background information  

    EIB 

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

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

    All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.  

    Fostering market integration and mobilising investment, the Group supported a record of over €100 billion in new investment for Europe’s energy security in 2024 and mobilised €110 billion in growth capital for startups, scale-ups and European pioneers. Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower than the EU average.

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

    InvestEU

    The InvestEU programme provides the European Union with crucial long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of a sustainable economy. It helps generate additional investments in line with EU policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal, the digital transition and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. InvestEU brings all EU financial instruments together under one roof, making funding for investment projects in Europe simpler, more efficient and more flexible. The programme consists of three components: the InvestEU Fund, the InvestEU Advisory Hub, and the InvestEU Portal. The InvestEU Fund is implemented through financial partners who invest in projects using the EU budget guarantee of €26.2 billion. This guarantee increases their risk-bearing capacity, thus mobilising at least €372 billion in additional investment.

    Sidekick Health

    Sidekick Health is a digital health innovation company offering a uniquely broad portfolio of digital health and therapeutic programs across oncology, cardiovascular, metabolic, women’s health, and inflammatory conditions. Our solutions engage and empower people to improve health outcomes and quality of life. Sidekick works with health insurers, including leading national US health plans, pharmaceutical companies, including half of the world’s top 10 life sciences companies, and develops fully regulated prescription digital therapeutics — prescribed by over 17,000 physicians — designed to improve patient outcomes, enhance clinical efficiency, and reduce the cost of care.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Study – Human exposome research: Potential, limitations and public policy implications – 30-04-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    This report examines the emerging field of exposomics, which studies the cumulative impact of environmental exposures on human health. It highlights the limitations of established environmental health research and advocates a more comprehensive approach. The report explores exposomics’ application in various sectors, including urban planning, chemical safety, climate adaptation, child health, workplace safety, clinical practice, and citizen empowerment. It emphasises the need for improved exposure assessments, integration of data, international collaboration, and sustainable data infrastructure. The report discusses the potential of artificial intelligence in advancing exposomics, and addresses ethical considerations for the field. Finally, the study outlines options for integrating exposomics into EU policies to improve public health, regulatory decision-making, and innovation. It highlights the opportunity to create a large-scale European Human Exposome Initiative to position the EU as a global innovation leader.

    External author

    Busquet, Francois; Downward, George; Hoek, Gerard; Miller, Gary; Peters, Susanne; Safarlou, Caspar; Sanciaume, Maurice; Vermeulen, Roel; Vlaanderen, Jelle; Vrijheid, Martine

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Lowering of the reporting threshold for beneficiaries active in primary agricultural production to EUR 10 000 per calendar year – E-001598/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001598/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Christine Schneider (PPE)

    As soon as the amount of tax relief reaches EUR 10 000 for the 2024 calendar year, beneficiaries must submit a multi-page tax declaration. These declarations can be over 60 pages long. The lowering of the reporting threshold to EUR 10 000 per calendar year affects producers who are active in primary agricultural production and in fisheries and aquaculture.

    • 1.Why has the Commission lowered the reporting threshold from EUR 100 000 to EUR 10 000?
    • 2.Under what conditions can the reporting threshold be raised back to the original EUR 100 000?

    Submitted: 22.4.2025

    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Europeans celebrate 75 Years of unity and solidarity on Europe Day 2025

    Source: European Commission

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 30 Apr 2025 On 9 May, Europeans will celebrate Europe Day. 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundations for the European Union and paved the way for an unprecedented era of prosperity, peace, democracy, solidarity and cooperation in Europe.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – End of customs exemption for small packages worth less than EUR 150 – E-001548/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001548/2025
    to the Council
    Rule 144
    Pierre Jouvet (S&D)

    Over the past three years, Europe has seen a massive influx of products imported from China via e-commerce platforms that do not comply with European safety standards. Sent directly to consumers, they are exempt from customs controls and are exempt from charges, as their value is less than EUR 150.

    The volume of these products doubles each year. A US decree signed on 8 April 2025 provides for a tripling of tariffs on such parcels arriving in the US. This measure could induce China to redirect these export flows to the EU, further increasing the volume of imports.

    • 1.What does the EU plan to do to speed up the end of the customs exemption for such imports? Work on the reform of the Customs Union Code is progressing slowly. Will this reform be completed in time to be implemented in 2028, and is the EU prepared to bring this exemption to an end more swiftly?
    • 2.What certainty is there that China will honour the commitments it made during Commissioner Šefčovič’s visit to the country?

    Submitted: 16.4.2025

    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: For every euro invested Horizon Europe generates up to €11 in economic gains

    Source: EuroStat – European Statistics

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 30 Apr 2025 Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme for 2021-2027, is proving to be a major driver of economic and societal benefits. For every euro of costs to EU society, the programme is expected to generate up to six euros in benefits for EU citizens by 2045. In terms of economic growth, every euro of EU contribution is estimated to generate up to €11 in GDP gains by 2045, according to an evaluation of the Commission released today.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Notice to improve: Havant and South Downs College

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Notice to improve: Havant and South Downs College

    A notice to improve, issued to Havant and South Downs College.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Notice to improve: Havant and South Downs College

    PDF, 296 KB, 5 pages

    Details

    This letter and its annex serve as a written notice to improve at Havant and South Downs College.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 May 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Financial health notice to improve: Mary Ward Settlement

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Financial health notice to improve: Mary Ward Settlement

    A financial health notice to improve issued to Mary Ward Settlement.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Notice to improve: Mary Ward Settlement

    PDF, 292 KB, 5 pages

    Details

    This letter and its annex serve as a notice to improve financial health at Mary Ward Settlement.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 May 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Revised notice to improve: Furness College

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Revised notice to improve: Furness College

    A notice to improve, issued to Furness College.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Revised notice to improve: Furness College

    PDF, 153 KB, 6 pages

    Closed notice to improve: Furness College

    PDF, 140 KB, 7 pages

    Details

    The revised notice and its annex serve as a written notice to improve quality at Furness College.

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: House price report for the first quarter 202501 May 2025 ​​​The house price report for the first quarter 2025 has been published today by Statistics Jersey. The Jersey House Price Index measures the combined average price of 1- and 2-bedroom flats together with… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    01 May 2025

    ​​​The house price report for the first quarter 2025 has been published today by Statistics Jersey. 

    The Jersey House Price Index measures the combined average price of 1- and 2-bedroom flats together with 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom houses. The index includes properties transacted through the Royal Court as well as share transfer properties.​

    Context

    Most sales related to phase three of the First Step Scheme were completed this quarter. These transactions are generally included in the House Price Index unless excluded for specific reasons. The scheme contributed to the quarter’s turnover, with 13 transactions in phase three. ​

    Summary

    In the first quarter of 2025:

    • on a rolling four-quarter basis, the mix-adjusted average price of dwellings sold in Jersey during the year ending Q1 2025 was 1% lower when compared with the previous quarter (year ending Q4 2024)
      • this was 14% lower than the peak in prices seen in Q3 2022
    • on a quarterly basis:
      • the seasonally adjusted mix-adjusted average price was 1% higher than in the previous quarter and 3% lower than in the corresponding quarter of 2024 (Q1 2024)
      • 4-bedroom houses saw an increase in their mean price compared to the previous quarter, driven by a larger than usual number of sales of very high value properties (greater than £3,000,000)
      • all other property types saw a decrease in price compared with the previous quarter
    • the turnover of properties was 90% higher than in Q1 2024 and 7% higher than in the previous quarter (Q4 2024) 
      • while turnover was significantly higher than a year earlier, it was still 29% below the average seen in Q1 from 2021 to 2023
    • overall housing market activity, on a rolling four-quarter basis, saw an increase of 7% compared with the previous quarter (Q4 2024) and 85% higher than in the corresponding quarter of 2024
    • on a rolling four-quarter basis, advertised private sector rental prices were essentially unchanged during the year ending Q1 2025 compared with the year ending Q4 2024​

    ​​​House Price Index First Quarter 2025​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Our Manchester 2025-35: Our future, shaped by you

    Source: City of Manchester

    Over the past 10 years Manchester City Council has had big ambitions for our city. 

    From tackling inequalities in our society, and creating a vibrant city that people want to live and work in, to growing our reputation on the global stage as a leading city. 

    In the decade since the original Our Manchester plan was brought to life Manchester has been a city on the rise. More than 100,000 new people call the city home, more than 100,000 new jobs have been created, and Manchester is now one of the most important engines of growth in the UK and Europe.  

    More children did better in school and our residents became more qualified: nearly three quarters of our residents now have a college-level qualification, and far fewer have no qualification at all. 

    Through that decade, huge strides have been made to improve the lives of ordinary people, working in collaboration with a range of partners, from education and health, to business, emergency services and community and faith groups we began to shift the dial on hard long-term challenges. 

    Just a fraction of the things we have achieved together include: 

    • More schools, colleges and early years groups judged better than ever  
    • More pounds in workers’ pockets in our Real Living Wage City  
    • Investment to make people proud and safer on their streets in neighbourhoods like Ancoats, Beswick, Collyhurst, Miles Platting, New Islington and Wythenshawe   
    • We are now building more affordable homes than at any point in the last decade 
    • Skills and better education for people to get on and do well in our City of Lifelong Learning and Child Friendly City 
    • The opening of Aviva Studios and Co-op Live (the largest indoor venue in the UK) and global cultural events such as the Chanel Métiers D’Art show, all of which showcase the fantastic place Manchester is for our partners to promote and develop art, sport and culture 

    But, there is more work to be done. 10 years is no time at all when it comes to addressing the long-term issues which still hold people back and prevent everyone from sharing in the prosperity that Manchester has to offer.  

    This is why today, we are launching the next 10-year plan for Our Manchester, bigger and bolder than before, presenting the ambitious vision for 2025-2035. 

    During this coming decade the Council will lead the charge for Manchester to become an even better city, to continue to address issues such as inequality, fostering growth that benefits everyone, tackling the housing crisis so that everyone in Manchester can enjoy affordable, low-carbon housing, continuing to push towards becoming a zero-carbon city by 2038, and creating green and clean neighbourhoods that everyone can enjoy. 

    A list of 12 priorities have been set that will guide the Council’s policies over the next 10 years. Broadly they fit into three categories on what we can do to improve the lives of the people who live here, the neighbourhoods in which we live, and the ambitions we have for our city. 

    Priorities 1 to 5. Our People will be:  

    1. Happy, healthy and active from childhood
    2. Well educated, learning new skills throughout life to get the best jobs  
    3. Proud of our diversity, feeling valued and included  
    4. Participants influencing decisions
    5. Safe – in person and online  

    Priories 6 and 7 are for all Our Neighbourhoods to have: 

    6. Enough good quality, genuinely affordable homes

    7. Attractive, well-kept areas with good facilities, public services and green spaces  

     Priorities 8 to 12 are for Our City to have:   

    8. A growing economy with jobs and fair opportunities for all 

    9. Ways to adapt to climate change and cut our carbon emissions 

    10. World-renowned things for everyone to see and do, showcasing our passion for sport and culture 

    11. Reliable transport that’s quick, cheap, safe and clean 

    12. Technology to achieve our aims, safely and ethically 

    Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “Over the last 10 years we have seen tremendous things happen in Manchester, things which have well and truly put us on the global stage as a city and put us in an incredibly strong position to keep growing over the coming decade. 

    “We are incredibly confident that the next 10 years will be our best yet. 

    “Building on strong foundations we want Manchester to the best place in the country to grow up, live well and live happy, successful lives. We will tackle inequality and health inequity, deliver our ambitious housing plan to build tens of thousands of homes, create over 100,000 new jobs, invest and improve our neighbourhoods, invest in better transport and digital connections and build a more sustainable city. 

    “Manchester has seen significant change over the last decade, and today we are setting out our deliberately ambitious strategy for our collective future, and an action plan to power us through the next 10 years. It is a plan that will improve our city as well as the everyday lives of our residents. Getting to this stage has been a long process, and we have heard to more than 10,000 Mancunian voices about their hopes and dreams for our city. 

    “Together we will create a city that is a joy to live and work in and where Mancunians, both home-grown and adopted, that is demonstrably better in 2035 and everyone feels proud of.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Commission mobilises €910 million to boost European defence and close capability gaps

    Source: EuroStat – European Statistics

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 30 Apr 2025 The Commission is investing €910 million under the 2024 edition of the European Defence Fund (EDF) to create a strong and innovative defence industry in Europe. These investments aim to close key capability gaps—like force mobility and drone defence—through innovation and collaboration across European science and industry.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Immunosenescence – E-001594/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001594/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Tomislav Sokol (PPE)

    Immunosenescence, the age-related decline in immune function, increases the vulnerability of older adults to infectious diseases, such as influenza or COVID-19, as well as non-communicable diseases, including cancer. With one third of EU citizens projected to be over 65 by 2100, addressing this challenge becomes even more urgent as immunosenescence reduces both the immune response to infection and the protection provided by influenza vaccination. Despite this, national vaccination strategies often do not fully account for these age-related changes, limiting their impact. With Europe’s ageing demographic, ensuring that vaccination strategies are optimised for older adults is critical for public health and economic sustainability.

    In this context:

    • 1.What actions will the Commission undertake to encourage the Member States to adapt their national vaccination programmes to better account for immunosenescence, ensuring older adults receive the most effective and appropriate vaccines available?
    • 2.How does the Commission plan to work with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to develop more specific guidance on age-related vaccine recommendations, ensuring that national immunisation strategies reflect the latest scientific evidence on vaccine effectiveness in older populations?

    Submitted: 22.4.2025

    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Biobased plastics: towards an EU industrial strategy to close the recycled plastics gap and reduce waste imports? – E-001592/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001592/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Sandro Gozi (Renew), Yvan Verougstraete (Renew), Ciaran Mullooly (Renew), Céline Imart (PPE), Joachim Streit (Renew), Christine Singer (Renew), Engin Eroglu (Renew)

    Europe’s chemicals industry is lacking in recycled plastics: it has the capacity for 4.6 million tonnes, and will need 12 million tonnes by 2030. Compostable, biobased plastics are an environmentally friendly solution and represent a potential production of 2.8 million tonnes by 2027. They could cut CO₂ emissions by 30-80 % and use European agricultural starch, which would create added value totalling more than EUR 500 million every year.

    Delays to the review of biobased plastics by Article 8 of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive could hold up these sustainable alternatives and cause a 35 % increase of plastic waste imports into the EU.

    Composting standards (EN 13432) need to be urgently revised. Speeding up revision could create 160 000 jobs, add EUR 37 billion to the EU’s GDP by 2030 and increase industrial investment by 45 % in three years.

    • 1.Can the Commission speed up the review of biobased plastics by 2028 established by Article 8 of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation?
    • 2.Does the Commission intend to review composting standards and develop an industrial strategy for bioplastics?

    Submitted: 22.4.2025

    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Nutritional care – E-001593/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001593/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Tomislav Sokol (PPE)

    Parliament’s Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA) report explicitly recognised the importance of nutritional care as an integral component of cancer treatment. However, Europe’s beating cancer plan from the Commission appears to have omitted specific provisions regarding nutritional care for cancer patients.

    Disease-related malnutrition is a significant comorbidity affecting patients with cancer, impacting treatment outcomes, quality of life and survival rates. Proper nutritional assessment, monitoring and personalised interventional strategies have been demonstrated to improve treatment tolerance, reduce complications and enhance overall patient outcomes.

    In the light of this:

    • 1.Does the Commission intend to incorporate comprehensive nutritional care recommendations into the next review of Europe’s beating cancer plan and its implementing activities, in alignment with Parliament’s BECA report findings?
    • 2.What specific measures does the Commission envision to ensure proper diagnosis of malnutrition risk among patients with cancer, systematic nutritional monitoring and personalised nutritional interventions for patients in need?
    • 3.How does the Commission plan to address the current gap between scientific evidence supporting nutritional care in oncology and its implementation in cancer care pathways across Member States?

    Submitted: 22.4.2025

    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Self-selection bias in the composition of citizen panels and youth dialogues – E-002913/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is committed to citizen participation and engagement as part of its policymaking process. Citizen engagement is underpinned by a robust methodology, based on established criteria.

    The participants in the European Citizens’ Panels are selected based on a fully randomised selection process with the aim to compose a group representative of EU diversity.

    The following elements are taken into account to ensure diversity: origin from one of the 27 Member States, gender, age (with one third of participants being between 16 and 25 years old), residence in an urban or rural area, level of education, professional activity, and the image held of the EU.

    The last element guarantees that the same diversity of views found in Eurobarometer surveys (negative, neutral, or positive image of the EU) is reflected in the Panel. In addition, the panels are keenly observed by a range of experts and interested parties.

    For the selection of participants in the Youth Policy Dialogues, the Commission also aims for diversity in the groups. It has made efforts to achieve balance in terms of gender, nationality and geography (including from rural areas and cities), and to mix participants from youth networks and from outside such networks.

    Both the Panels and the Dialogues are accessible for people with disabilities.

    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Did Brussels try to censor Meta? – E-000061/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Digital Services Act (DSA )[1] requires providers of very large online platforms (VLOPs), including Meta as provider of Facebook and Instagram , to have mechanisms in place to mitigate the risks posed by the dissemination of illegal content, including illegal hate speech and unlawful discriminatory content.

    The DSA does not impose general monitoring obligations, nor does it regulate online content. It defers to EU or national laws to define what is illegal content, based on which judicial or administrative authorities may issue orders to act against it.

    The DSA sets clear rules for transparency, accountability and user protection, and respects freedom of expression. It requires hosting services to set up notice and action mechanisms for users to report illegal content, including illegal hate speech.

    The DSA also requires providers of VLOPs like Meta to assess systemic risks stemming from their services and put in place effective measures to mitigate such risks related to the dissemination of illegal content, gender-based violence, fundamental rights including the right to freedom of expression and information and to non-discrimination, and civic discourse and electoral processes.

    The Commission opened formal proceedings[2] in relation to Meta’s services Facebook and Instagram to assess whether Meta may have breached the DSA.

    The current proceedings focus on deceptive advertising and disinformation, the over-suppression of political content, the non-availability of an effective real-time election monitoring tool and the notice and action mechanisms.

    The European Media Freedom Act[3] will further strengthen media pluralism and independence in the EU.

    The Commission remains fully committed to upholding freedom of expression.

    • [1] Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market for Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act) 2022 OJ L277/1.
    • [2] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_2373
    • [3] Regulation (EU) 2024/1083 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a common framework for media services in the internal market and amending Directive 2010/13/EU (European Media Freedom Act) OJ 2024 L 17.4.2024.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Finland: Helsinki to get new tramline and a depot with €400 million EIB package

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • EIB lends total of €400 million to Helsinki and its transport company to build tram connection to eastern suburbs.
    • The project also features new pathways for cyclists and pedestrians, includes the construction of a new tram and bus depot for Helsinki, and involves acquiring new trams for the city’s entire network.
    • Three major bridges to be built for new tramline.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing a €400 million financing package to help the Finnish capital Helsinki build a tramline to three suburbs, construct a new tram and bus depot, purchase new trams, and add pathways for cyclists and pedestrians. The EIB support involves loans of €150 million to the City of Helsinki and €250 million to metropolitan transport company Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd (Pääkaupunkiseudun Kaupunkiliikenne Oy) for the “Crown Bridges Light Rail” project.

    The goals are to extend Helsinki’s tram system to the eastern suburbs of Laajasalo, Korkeasaari and Kalasatama with a new line that will halve travel times to 20 minutes and to increase the city’s bike and pedestrian paths. The project is due to be completed by 2027.

    “Investing in sustainable transport is a priority for the EIB and provides a key step toward advancing climate action and enhancing connectivity in the city,” said EIB Vice-President Thomas Östros. “This project will play an important role in improving the quality of life for Helsinki’s residents.”

    Crown Bridges Light Rail reflects a commitment by Helsinki, which has a population of 685,000, to expand clean public transport. That step should in turn stimulate urban development and regeneration.
    Because Laajasalo and Korkeasaari are islands – Helsinki has around 300 of them – the project features three major bridges over which the new tramline will travel. The longest, Kruunuvuorensilta Bridge, will be 1,200 metres and have a pylon rising to 135 metres. The two other bridges – Merihaansilta and Finkensilta – will have lengths of 400 metres and 300 metres, respectively.

    All three bridges will have bike lanes that are three metres wide and pedestrian pavements with widths of between two and six metres.

    The project includes constructing Helsinki’s Ruskeasuo depot, Finland’s first combined tram and bus depot. It offers storage for about 80 trams, daily maintenance and repair facilities, and a wheel lathe track. The depot also serves regional bus traffic, with roof parking and maintenance spaces for buses.

    The EIB financing covers 40% of the project costs and will go towards building the tramline and the depot as well as buying new tram sets.

    The support aligns with EIB pledges to advance efforts in Europe to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.

    Background information

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

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

    In 2024, EIB Group investments in Finland rose to €2.3 billion from €992 million the year before, focusing on green projects and business innovation.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: At a Glance – European water resilience strategy – 30-04-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Indispensable to life and human activity, water is under multiple and severe pressures. During its May session, the Parliament is expected to adopt its recommendations on a strategy to address Europe’s most pressing water challenges, which the European Commission has pledged to table in the second quarter of the year.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: At a Glance – Discharge for 2023 budget: Other institutions – 30-04-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    During its May plenary session, the European Parliament is scheduled to vote on the discharge for the implementation of the 2023 EU budget. The Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) recommends granting discharge for eight administrative sections, alongside the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. It recommends postponing the decision on granting discharge to the European Council and the Council of the EU.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Study – European Parliament diplomacy and the end of the Cold War: The integration of central and eastern European countries – 30-04-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Parliament played a fundamental role in reshaping the political landscape of central and eastern Europe during and after the end of the Cold War, setting out an agenda for European enlargement and substantiating European integration. Amid an atmosphere that signalled the triumph of democratic state-building in Europe, Members of the European Parliament also saw an opportunity to advance their own agenda of further democratising and legitimising the governance structures of the European Community. The study examines how the European Parliament strengthened its presence throughout this period in Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia (now Czechia and Slovakia), Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and the former Yugoslavia. Based on archival research and relevant literature review, the study illustrates the European Parliament’s involvement in these states’ path to full European Union membership, the motivations behind its policies, and the points of tension that arose during this transformative period.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – “Flow” wins 2025 LUX Audience Award

    Source: European Parliament

    The film “Flow”, directed by Latvian Gints Zilbalodis, was awarded the 2025 LUX Audience Award at a ceremony on Tuesday in the European Parliament in Brussels.

    “Flow“, a Latvian, French and Belgian co-production, tells the story of Cat, a solitary animal whose home is devastated by a great flood. In his efforts to adapt to a new world, Cat finds refuge on a boat populated by other animals. The film deals with issues that are central in the European Parliament’s work: climate change, migration, displacement, and resilience.

    “The LUX Audience Award is more than just a prize. It is a testament to the European Parliament’s commitment to democracy, freedom of expression and the role of cinema in reflecting and shaping our societies. It brings European stories closer to people and brings people closer to the work of the European Parliament. This year’s five nominated films represent some of the most urgent and compelling issues of our time, issues that are at the core of the European Parliament’s agenda,” European Parliament Vice-President Sabine Verheyen (EPP, DE) said in a video message shown during the ceremony in the European Parliament hemicycle in Brussels.

    “We have had five compelling narratives and five very different LUX Audience Award nominees: they are an inspiration to filmmakers and the public, not only for celebrating the extraordinary variety of European cinema but also for demonstrating its ability to entertain and elevate at the same time. The cinematic art in Europe is a perfect example of how culture can make a significant contribution to society and advocate for compassion, empathy and change in an otherwise divided world,” Mike Downey, honorary president of the LUX Selection Committee and chair of the European Film Academy, said following the announcement of the winner.

    The four other films shortlisted for the award were: “Animal” by Greek director Sofia Exarchou, “Dahomey” by French director Mati Diop, “Intercepted” by Ukranian director Oksana Karpovych, and “Julie keeps quiet” by Belgian director Leonardo van Dijl.

    The winning film was chosen by combining a public vote and a vote by MEPs, each weighted at 50%.

    Press point

    After the ceremony, a press point with the chair of Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education, Nela Riehl (Greens, DE), representatives of the winning film, and Mike Downey, will take place in front of room SPAAK 03C050. The press point will be webstreamed via the European Parliament Multimedia Centre.


    LUX Audience Award

    Through the LUX Audience Award, a unique pan-European audience film prize, Parliament has supported the distribution of European films since 2007, by providing subtitles in 24 EU languages for shortlisted films. The LUX Audience Award has garnered a reputation for quality by selecting European co-productions that engage with topical political and social issues and encourage debate about European values.

    The European Parliament works with the European Film Academy, the European Commission, and the Europa Cinemas network to reach a wider audience and to continue to strengthen the links between people and politics.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – SEDE: Exchange of views with Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space – Committee on Security and Defence

    Source: European Parliament

    SEDE_Commissioner Kubilius_05052025.jpg © European Parliament

    On 5 May, SEDE will held an extraordinary meeting with Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space. The aim of this meeting will be to brief the SEDE Members on the implementation of the EU Defence Readiness 2030 Agenda as well as to provide a general overview on the implementation of new and planned defence initiatives following the the ReArm Europe Plan.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Commission kicks off EU Diversity Month with winners of the 2025 European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award

    Source: European Commission

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 29 Apr 2025 …and the winners of fostering diversity and inclusion are from the Netherlands, Finland, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Poland. Cities and municipalities from these countries are this year´s leading examples that promote inclusion on the grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Israeli demolitions of Palestinian homes in the Palestinian occupied West Bank – E-001332/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001332/2025/rev.1
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Luke Ming Flanagan (The Left)

    Concerning the escalating rate of Israeli demolitions of Palestinian homes in the Palestinian occupied West Bank, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) documented that Israeli occupation authorities demolished 1 787 Palestinian facilities between 7 October 2023 and 15 October 2024, including 800 inhabited homes.

    On 21 January 2025, the Israeli military launched ‘Operation Iron Wall’, which, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), forcibly displaced 40 000 Palestinians in the northern West Bank[1]. Ireland and the EU have funded infrastructure in the occupied West Bank, such as schools, playgrounds and other community facilities, which Israel has demolished. The report details the expansion of Israeli illegal settlements, the unlawful demolition of Palestinian homes and a surge in settler violence, all taking place in ‘a climate of impunity’. International humanitarian law prohibits an occupying power from demolishing homes and other property belonging to the protected population. Israel’s practice amounts to a grave violation of international humanitarian law and is a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

    Has the EU sought compensation from Israel for infrastructure subsidised by the EU and subsequently demolished by Israel?

    Submitted: 1.4.2025

    • [1] UNRWA, ‘Large-scale forced displacement in the West Bank impacts 40,000 people’ – official statement, 10 February 2025, https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/large-scale-forced-displacement-west-bank-impacts-40000-people.
    Last updated: 29 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Diverting ships to third-country ports – E-001500/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001500/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Rosa Serrano Sierra (S&D)

    In March 2025, the Commission adopted its first report on the implementation of the EU emissions trading system (ETS) extension to maritime transport. The report concludes that there is no clear evidence of ships being diverted to non-European ports or that shipping companies are relocating their ports of call to avoid ETS and FuelEU obligations. However, the report fails to calculate the CO2 emissions emitted, overlooks the fact that the Red Sea crisis is temporarily modifying traffic flows and omits the increase in announced investments in transhipment terminals in third-country ports. Nor does it take into account the fact that in 2024, European ports lost 2 % of their operational capacity, while non-European ports gained 3 %.

    In the light of the above:

    • 1.Has the Commission analysed whether emissions have been reduced and whether there has been any impact on the connectivity of European ports?
    • 2.Will it address any of the issues raised in the forthcoming European port strategy and, in particular, does it intend to include a framework for the protection of port workers in the strategy?
    • 3.Is it considering extending the list of third-country transhipment ports with carbon leakage risks this year ?

    Submitted: 11.4.2025

    Last updated: 29 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ERRATUM on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 as regards the role of gas storage for securing gas supplies ahead of the winter season (COM(2025)0099 ; C10-0041/2025 ; 2025/0051(COD)) – A10-0079/2025(ERR01)

    Source: European Parliament

    ERRATUM on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 as regards the role of gas storage for securing gas supplies ahead of the winter season (COM(2025)0099 ; C10-0041/2025 ; 2025/0051(COD))
    Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
    Borys Budka

    Source : © European Union, 2025 – EP

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Application of the rule of law conditionality mechanism – Institutional balance and respect for national competences – E-001578/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001578/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Angéline Furet (PfE), Philippe Olivier (PfE), Tobiasz Bocheński (ECR), Anna Bryłka (PfE), Pierre Pimpie (PfE), António Tânger Corrêa (PfE), Tomasz Buczek (PfE), Julie Rechagneux (PfE), Roberto Vannacci (PfE), Petra Steger (PfE), France Jamet (PfE), Gheorghe Piperea (ECR), Pascale Piera (PfE), Petar Volgin (ESN), Petr Bystron (ESN), Sarah Knafo (ESN), Rody Tolassy (PfE), Mélanie Disdier (PfE), Gerolf Annemans (PfE)

    Since 2021, the implementation of the rule of law conditionality regulation has raised concerns about a possible slide into authoritarianism by the Commission. The mechanism can be used to suspend or condition European funds on the basis of the Commission’s assessment of the internal situation in a Member State. In doing so, the Commission often exceeds its competences and appears to apply the mechanism in a biased manner, targeting governments such as those of Poland and Hungary.

    • 1.How does the Commission ensure that the application of the regulation is not instrumentalised for political purposes against certain Member States, in particular those whose governments take positions which diverge from those of the European institutions?
    • 2.How does it justify its intention to bypass national governments in the event of non-compliance with the rule of law, by distributing EU funds directly to the final beneficiaries, in flagrant disregard for the principle of subsidiarity, the competences of the Member States and the legal limits set by the Treaties?
    • 3.Does it intend to introduce a similar conditionality mechanism which would allow Member States to temporarily suspend their contributions to the EU budget in the event of serious deficiencies or scandals within the European institutions themselves?

    Supporters[1]

    Submitted: 18.4.2025

    • [1] This question is supported by Members other than the authors: Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE), Nikola Bartůšek (PfE)
    Last updated: 29 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Cyprus’s Supreme Constitutional Court avoided the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) over transparency law – P-001545/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-001545/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Fidias Panayiotou (NI)

    Cyprus’s Supreme Constitutional Court decided on 11 April 2025 that a law enhancing transparency violates Regulation (EU) No 2016/679 on the protection of personal data.

    The law, adopted in September 2024, requires the names of donors of more than EUR 5 000 to the Independent Social Support Body to be published. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides refused to sign the law and sent it to the Supreme Constitutional Court.

    Cyprus’s Parliament had adopted the transparency law as a response to increased public demand for scrutiny of the Independent Social Support Body, a fund that, in 2023, reportedly raised EUR 2.2 million in private contributions and is managed by Cypriot First Lady Philippa Karsera Christodoulides.

    Given that, according to Article 267 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), supreme national courts are obliged to refer a question to the CJEU when a case before them raises a question of interpretation of Union law:

    • 1.Does the Commission confirm that the Supreme Constitutional Court of Cyprus should have made a preliminary reference to the CJEU under Article 267 TFEU in this case?
    • 2.What are the effects of a low level of transparency regarding the rule of law and the anti-corruption mechanism, from the Commission’s perspective?
    • 3.Will the Commission include this case in its next Rule of Law report and make recommendations for Cyprus?

    Submitted: 16.4.2025

    Last updated: 29 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –