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Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Universal Periodic Review 49: UK Statement on Lesotho

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Universal Periodic Review 49: UK Statement on Lesotho

    Statement by the UK’s Ambassador for Human Rights to the UN, Eleanor Sanders, at Lesotho’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    Thank you, Mr Vice-President,

    We thank Lesotho for explaining their efforts to protect human rights.

    We particularly welcome the implementation of existing legislation to address gender-based violence. We urge the government to tackle structural drivers of gender-based violence and extend support services for survivors, particularly in rural areas. 

    We call on the government to protect the rights of those living and working in the vicinity of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. Providing adequate compensation, employment benefits and educational opportunities, and safeguarding women from sexual exploitation are vital.

    Lastly, we encourage Lesotho to address inequities in early years education by supporting children from the ebaPhuti and Xhosa peoples to access educational resources in their indigenous languages.

    We recommend that Lesotho:

    1. Provides communities affected by the Lesotho Highlands Water Project with adequate compensation, and access to related electricity, employment and educational opportunities.

    2. Extends support services for women and girls in both rural and urban areas across Lesotho, including for survivors of sexual violence.

    3. Implements a strategy to support children from the ebaPhuti and Xhosa peoples to access educational resources in their indigenous languages.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to US-Ukraine Minerals Deal

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on the US-Ukraine resources deal. 

    Dr Gavin Mudd, Director of the Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre at the British Geological Survey, said:

    “Ukraine has important deposits of titanium, rare earths, lithium and graphite – and has also produced gallium and scandium in the recent past. Rare earths are particularly sought after for use in digital technologies, renewable energy, aerospace and the automotive sectors, but also have various applications in military technologies too – such as in laser guidance systems. Titanium metal is often used in aerospace given that it is stronger and lighter than steel.

    “If this agreement paves the way for new supplies of rare earths, that should have a notable impact on the diversification of global mining activities for rare earths – and reduce the dominance of China in the supply of these sought after materials. That would have a positive impact for all countries seeking rare earths, including the UK.

    “While the details of this agreement will still need to be considered closely, it is likely that some developments in terms of mineral production could be achieved quickly – assuming peace and security in the regions of focus. This could apply to titanium, lithium and graphite, while Ukraine may have an increased ability to rebuild some of their former capacity for scandium and gallium under the terms enshrined the deal.

    “However, in the case of rare earths, it will take years to ramp up capacity – studies will need to be completed to assess and determine how best to mine the deposits and process the ores and produce rich concentrate, and a new refinery will be needed to produce high purity metals and oxides for use in numerous technologies. All of this sits alongside the need to actually mine the minerals. We are looking at about a decade or longer for this to come online.

    “I see this deal as the continuation of a recent trend of critical minerals having a central impact on geopolitics and international affairs, and I expect this impact to continue to grow, given the fundamental importance of critical minerals to the energy transition and net zero, national security and the ongoing rise of digitalisation – including AI and the coming rise of quantum computing.

    “Although rare earths currently appear to take centre stage in such negotiations, there are many other critical minerals where China enjoys a dominant position in terms of supply – including gallium, germanium, tungsten. With recent export controls placed on them by China, it is a solid bet that geopolitical interest in securing a reliable supply of these materials will grow over the coming years.

     

     

    Declared interests

    No reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Deputy Mayor of London hears about impact of free school lunches in Westminster school | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    • Deputy London Mayor for Children and Families, Joanne McCartney visits St Joseph’s School in Maida Vale 

    • She hears from teachers, parents and students about positive impact of free school lunches  

    • Combined with the Mayor’s funding, Westminster funds free school lunches for all Westminster children aged 3-14  

    • The council also funds extra provision for children during the school holidays and school uniforms for families most in need 

    This week, parents, students and staff at St Joseph’s Primary School in Maida Vale discussed free school lunches with top London leader, Joanne McCartney. 

    The Deputy London Mayor for Children and Families heard from the school population about the positive impact of universal free school lunches on attendance, learning, wellbeing and equity.  

    In January 2023, Westminster City Council was one of the first local authorities in the UK to launch its free lunch offer in primary schools to help families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. 

    Following this, the Mayor of London funded a free lunch offer for all primary aged students across London.  

    This allowed the council to extend its own funding to provide free school lunches to nursery aged children and Westminster secondary school children in years 7, 8 and 9 – which is still in place now.  

    Cllr Aicha Less, Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection who joined the Deputy Mayor at St Joseph’s Primary School said: 

    Free school lunches have offered a lifeline to struggling families during a time of soaring food and energy prices. We want all children in Westminster to have the best start in life, and it was great to see the children at St. Joseph’s enjoying their time at school today. Over the past two years, by combining our funding with the Mayor of London’s, we’ve enabled every Westminster child aged between 3 and 14 to receive a free, nutritious lunch supporting families who need it, and meaning children can focus on their learning at school so they can thrive and improve their overall health and wellbeing.

    Despite the introduction of universal free school lunches during term time, it is still incredibly important for eligible families to sign up for benefits-related Free School Meals (FSM) as this enables families to access further support during the school holidays. 

    The council provides supermarket vouchers for all FSM families during the holidays. 

     During the Summer, Winter and Easter holidays, FSM families can access free activities and a meal offer through the HAF (Holiday Activity and Food) programme funded by the Department of Education.

    The council then funds an equivalent of the HAF programme during all half term holidays to ensure families have continuous access to enriching activities and healthy meals. 

    For the last two years, the council also provides funding for school uniforms for FSM eligible families. A parent can get £150 towards the cost of a secondary school uniform for a child starting Year 7 and £31 for a child due to start in Reception from September. 

    Westminster parents can find more information on: 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council online Major Energy Related Planning map goes live

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    The Highland Council has today published its Renewable Energy Mapping Tool. 

    This tool will enable those with an interest in understanding the location and type of renewable energy projects within Highland to discover not only what already exists on the ground but also the stage that any projects may be at within the planning process. The tool provides key information for each development in a single click with an easy link into the planning case file where further detailed information is required.  The information can be easily filtered in many different ways to ease a particular search.

    Cllr Ken Gowans, Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said “This is an incredible piece of work that will assist our communities greatly with finding a significant amount of information related to energy related development within Highland in one map.”

    The mapping tool enables users to search for a variety of energy planning projects including: pump storage, wind, energy storage, transmission grid, transmission switching substations and convertor infrastructure, hydro and other relevant applications.

    Currently, 1,305 records of applications are included in the mapping database and detailed information about each can be viewed individually or collectively. The records include applications recorded in Highland Council’s development management system.

    The Council aims to provide an online training video on how to use this powerful mapping resource so that users can get the most out the information available to them.

    The map can be found at highland.gov.uk/energymap

    30 Apr 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Carrbridge Struan Court affordable housing ready for new social rent  

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    The Highland Council has built ten new affordable one and two bed flats for social rent on the site of the former Struan Hotel, Carrbridge which will bring much needed homes to an area with demand for this size of property.  

    The build awarded to Inverness based Compass Building and Construction Services has eight – one bed flats, and two- two bed flats built for rent and was supported by £1,467,884.53 from the Scottish Government’s More Homes Division. 

    Convener, of the Council Cllr Bill Lobban said: “Badenoch and Strathspey has been crying out for this type of one/two bed properties, and I would like to say how delighted I am that these new homes will soon be filled by new tenants. 

    “The Scottish Government’s More Homes Division funding has helped the Council to commit to the delivery of new affordable homes for rent or low-cost home ownership/mid-market rent.  Building new houses not only fills an important gap in the market but also boosts the construction industry and creates wider circular economic benefits over the longer term. 

    “Struan Court is an example of the importance of regenerating derelict areas and for many long years top of the Carrbridge wish list has been redevelopment of the derelict Struan Hotel whom the development is named after. Whilst this new development is a great example of cooperation between the Scottish Government and The Highland Council it would not have happened without the wholehearted support of the community and especially Carrbridge & Vicinity Community Council.” 

    Housing and Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair said: “As part of the Highland Housing Challenge, The Highland Council is committed to improving the housing stock across the Highlands and this development not only provides much needed new homes, but it has also regenerated a derelict site.

    “The completion of Struan Court development marks the continued regeneration of the area and adds to the social housing stock at the nearby, Carr Road -Tulloch Homes Pinefield development.  I wish the new tenants every happiness in their new home and thank all involved in making this development come to fruition.” 

    The Highland’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP), which set out proposals for the affordable housing investment during 2023-2028, reaffirming the commitment to deliver an average of 500 new affordable homes per annum of which approximately 70% would be for affordable rent and 30% for intermediate affordable housing (e.g. low cost home ownership or midmarket rent), in line with the overall Scottish Government Targets.  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Security Council Agenda for May – Press Conference | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Press Conference by Evangelos C. Sekeris, Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN and President of the Security Council in May 2025 on the programme of work of the Council for the month of May.

    Thumbnail Credit: UN Photo/Evan Schneider

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzNG5W_4bwg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Commission’s response to the recent DANA in Spain – E-001087/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. In January 2025 , the Spanish authorities submitted an application for financial assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund[1]. The Commission’s assessment confirmed that the application is eligible and an advance of EUR 100 million to help kick-start recovery operations has been paid[2]. Next, it will determine the amount of the assistance, within the limits of the available financial resources, and submit a proposal to the European Parliament and the Council for approval which takes at least 6 weeks.

    2. In December 2024, the Commission-proposed amendment to the European Regional Development Fund/Cohesion Fund Regulation and the European Social Fund+ Regulation (Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction (RESTORE))[3] was adopted, which allows national, regional and local authorities to quickly mobilise Cohesion Policy funds to respond to disasters. RESTORE funds disaster reconstruction, prevention and the mitigation of socioeconomic impacts[4]. The Commission is yet to receive a request from Spain to redirect funds.

    3. The European Climate Law[5] mandates Member States to ensure progress in enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change. Member States are required to adopt and implement national adaptation strategies and plans and consider the particular vulnerability of relevant sectors.

    The Commission also announced[6] a European Climate Adaptation Plan to further support Member States in preparedness and resilience planning. The Commission will also ensure that all relevant EU programmes contribute to climate resilience[7]. For instance, Member States are encouraged to reprogram their Cohesion Policy programmes towards climate adaptation, particularly in high-risk regions.

    • [1] Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3) as amended by Regulation (EU) No 661/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 May 2014 (OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p. 143) and by Regulation (EU) 2020/461 of the European Parliament and the Council of 30 March 2020 (OJ L 99, 31.3.2020, p. 9).
    • [2] The EU Solidarity Fund may cover part of the costs for emergency and recovery operations incurred by public authorities. This includes, for example, the recovery of essential infrastructure, provision of temporary accommodation to the population, cleaning-up operations, and protection of cultural heritage.
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202403236
    • [4] Measures under the RESTORE priorities will benefit from an increased maximum co-financing rate of 95%, along with an additional pre-financing rate of 25%.
    • [5] Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (′European Climate Law′) (OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, pp. 1-17).
    • [6] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683-f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf
    • [7] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52024DC0091
    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Oral question – Corruption in Spain regarding the allocation of EU funds on the basis of a guarantee of stable employment – O-000013/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for oral answer  O-000013/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 142
    Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal
    on behalf of the PfE Group

    On 23 December 2024, the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, convened an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers to modify the conditions for the second allocation of NextGenerationEU funds (Reform 6, component 23). The meeting approved the modification of paragraph 10 of the 44th additional provision of the recast General Social Security Law on urgent measures for labour reform, the guarantee of stability in employment and the transformation of the labour market. The aforementioned allocation of funds had been conditional on companies being granted an exemption from paying social security contributions if they provided employees who had previously been affected by temporary collective dismissals with a minimum guarantee of six months’ employment. The new version of paragraph 10 eliminates this guarantee, which had been agreed upon with the Commission, and instead makes exemptions from social security contributions conditional upon companies’ compliance with a longer period, that is, a period of between six months and two years after a temporary collective dismissal.

    In the light of the above:

    • 1.Can the Commission confirm whether it was aware of the new version of paragraph 10 of the 44th additional provision of the recast General Social Security Law?
    • 2.Can the Commission evaluate this modification in the light of the principle of legal security?
    • 3.Can the Commission assess whether this modification might entail a deviation of EU funds?
    • 4.Can the Commission assess whether this modification might entail a deterioration of Spanish companies, of the situation of Spanish workers and, ultimately, of Spain’s productive sectors?
    • 5.Finally, if the Commission is not in a position to answers questions two to four, what measures has it taken (if it answered ‘yes’ to question one) or does it intend to take (if it answered ‘no’ to question one) to investigate and address any possible irregularity, in order to ensure maximum transparency and soundness in the allocation of EU funds?

    Submitted: 28.4.2025

    Lapses: 29.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Status of permanent seasonal workers in Spain – E-001493/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001493/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Fernando Navarrete Rojas (PPE), Dolors Montserrat (PPE)

    • 1.The Spanish National Employment Service, which reports to the Ministry of Work and Social Economy, does not provide specific, separate figures for the total number of permanent seasonal workers (PSWs), while the status has been used considerably more since the labour reform. In light of that, does Eurostat believe it would be positive, for transparency purposes, to publish PSW figures?
    • 2.Given that Eurostat has already revised unemployment figures upwards to include permanent seasonal workers who are not working and are actively seeking work, and in view of the sharp upsurge in that type of contract, what control and monitoring mechanisms will Eurostat introduce to ensure those unemployed people are properly reflected in unemployment statistics, and in view of the revisions resulting from that type of contract, which is particularly common in Spain, does Eurostat not believe that enhanced, controlled monitoring of unemployment figures is needed?
    • 3.Considering the economic circumstances of out-of-work PSWs who are not actively seeking work and the extensive use thereof in a number of Member States, does Eurostat plan to revise its methodology to include them in unemployment figures in the future?

    Submitted: 10.4.2025

    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Austria suspending family reunification – E-001617/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001617/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Thomas Waitz (Verts/ALE), Lena Schilling (Verts/ALE), Erik Marquardt (Verts/ALE)

    Austria plans to introduce a blanket suspension on family reunification for third-country nationals, in violation of Directive 2003/86/EC on the right to family reunification. In a letter of 4 March 2025 to the Commission, the Austrian Minister of the Interior says that the reunification procedures jeopardise the functioning of the Austrian state’s institutions and its most important public services in particular. Austria thus plans to apply Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

    • 1.Does the Commission consider the Austrian announcement to be in line with EU law and, if so, how?
    • 2.If the Austrian announcement is not in conformity with EU law, how not?
    • 3.How did the Commission respond to the letter from the Austrian Minister of the Interior and what steps will it take next?

    Submitted: 23.4.2025

    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Aviation safety and implementation of EU rules – E-001606/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001606/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Nikolaos Anadiotis (NI)

    Critical issues for flight safety in Greece are being raised due to serious malfunctions in the ‘non-operational’ aircraft collision control and warning system, especially in the terminal area of​ Athens airport, which are being denounced by the Greek Association of Air Traffic Controllers (AATC).[1]

    The AATC is sounding the alarm due to outdated surveillance and communications equipment, inadequate staffing and other dangerous – mainly during periods of increased air traffic – operational and working conditions. The above conditions potentially jeopardise the country’s compliance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1139,[2] Regulation (EU) 139/2014[3] and Regulation (EU) 965/2012,[4] which require high safety standards in civil aviation and the proper functioning of air traffic systems.

    In light of the above:

    • 1.How does the Commission assess the complaints regarding the operational status of the air collision avoidance system in Greece?
    • 2.Has it carried out (or does it intend to carry out), through the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and other competent bodies, an updated review of the status of the National Air Traffic Systems in Member States with identified gaps, such as, for example, Greece?
    • 3.What measures does it intend to put in place to ensure Greece’s full compliance with the EU aviation safety framework and the modernisation/functionality of air traffic systems?

    Submitted: 22.4.2025

    • [1] https://www.flash.gr/epistoli-vomva-ton-elegkton-enaerias-kykloforias-tyflo-to-systima-proeidopoiisis-sygkroysis-982188?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:32018R1139
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/139/oj/eng
    • [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/965/oj/eng
    Last updated: 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • 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 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: 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: 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: 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 – 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 –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Threat to health from PFAS in food – E-001626/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001626/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Günther Sidl (S&D)

    According to the news website Euractiv, the Dutch health agency (the Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheiden Milieu or ‘RIVM’) issued a warning just before Easter advising people against eating eggs from their own garden, after studies reportedly found a high concentration of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), the harmful ‘forever chemicals’. The Euractiv article claims that similar warnings are in place for regions in France, Belgium and Italy.

    • 1.Does the Commission have a procedure for monitoring the PFAS contamination of food in the Member States and individual regions?
    • 2.What does the Commission make of the threat to health posed by PFAS in food, particularly in privately produced eggs?
    • 3.Does it have current plans to reduce the health risks associated with PFAS in food?

    Submitted: 23.4.2025

    Last updated: 29 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Making airbags mandatory for motorcyclists – E-001560/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001560/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Cristina Guarda (Verts/ALE)

    The many EU citizens who use mopeds and motorcycles for the purposes of mobility and recreation are particularly vulnerable because of the inherent risks of using these powered two-wheeled motor vehicles (PTWs).

    The share of PTW rider fatalities keeps increasing, the 3 361 motorcyclists and 539 moped users who died on EU roads in 2023 accounting for 19 % of all EU road traffic deaths that year[1].

    Given that:

    Inflatable airbags could, according to recent studies, improve motorcyclist safety by reducing serious spinal injuries by 60 %[2] and affording better lower-body protection[3].

    The Commission was stressing the need for specific airbag rules to address safety issues for motorcyclists as far back as 2010[4].

    Parliament highlighted the urgency of further safety measures for PTWs in its resolution of 6 October 2021[5].

    We therefore ask the Commission:

    What is it doing to improve road safety for motorcyclists? Is it considering making airbags compulsory for PTWs?

    Submitted: 16.4.2025

    • [1] https://transport.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/2023-figures-show-stalling-progress-reducing-road-fatalities-too-many-countries-2024-03-08_en?prefLang=it.
    • [2] Giustini, M., Cedri,S., Tallon, M., Roazzi, P., Formisano, R., Pitidis, A., ‘Use of back protector device on motorcycles and mopeds in Italy’, International Journal of Epidemiology, Vol. 43, Issue 6, December 2014, pp. 1921–1928, https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyu209.
    • [3] Pallacci, T., Baldanzini, N., Barbani, D., Pierini, M., ‘Preliminary effectiveness assessment of an airbag-based device for riders’ leg protection in side impacts’, Procedia Structural Integrity, Vol. 24, 2019, pp. 240–250, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prostr.2020.02.021.
    • [4] European Commission, ‘Towards a European road safety area 2011-2020’, COM(2010) 389 final.
    • [5] European Parliament resolution of 6 October 2021 on the EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 – Recommendations on next steps towards ‘Vision Zero’ (2021/2014(INI))
    Last updated: 29 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Lack of reliability in olive oil taste classification systems experienced by Spanish producers – E-001575/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001575/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Mireia Borrás Pabón (PfE)

    The olive oil sector in Spain and the EU faces legal uncertainty, as it is the only food product for which the quality control and classification system is based on a sensory analysis by tasting panels which can be carried out after the product is put on the market. Although Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2104 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2015 regulate that procedure, results vary significantly between panels and laboratories. This affects how products are categorised as extra virgin and virgin and leads to penalty proceedings with penalties of up to EUR 100 000. This disparity negatively affects producers, complicates exports and harms the competitiveness of the European sector vis-à-vis international markets.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.Could the Commission assess the feasibility of having approved, comparable tasting panels before products are bottled that are able to provide uniform, legally certain results?
    • 2.What steps is the Commission considering to improve the reliability of classification systems, avoid barriers to trade and lessen the legal uncertainty experienced by Spanish producers as a result of varying results produced by organoleptic analysis panels when classifying olive oil as virgin or extra virgin?

    Submitted: 17.4.2025

    Last updated: 29 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a temporary derogation from certain provisions of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 and Regulation (EU) 2016/399 as regards a progressive start of operations of the Entry/Exit System – A10-0082/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

    on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a temporary derogation from certain provisions of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 and Regulation (EU) 2016/399 as regards a progressive start of operations of the Entry/Exit System

    (COM(2024)0567 – C10‑0207/2024 – 2024/0315(COD))

    (Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2024)0567),

    – having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 77(2) points (b) and (d) and Article 87(2) point (a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C10-0207/2024),

    – having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

    – having regard to Rule 60 of its Rules of Procedure,

    – having regard to the report of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A10-0082/2025),

    1. Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

    2. Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;

    3. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

    Amendment  1

    AMENDMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT[*]

    to the Commission proposal

    ———————————————————

    REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

    on a temporary derogation from certain provisions of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 and Regulation (EU) 2016/399 as regards a progressive start of operations of the Entry/Exit System
     

    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 77(2) points (b) and (d) and Article 87(2) point (a), thereof,

     

    Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

     

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

     

    Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure[1],

     

    Whereas:

    (1) Article 66(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 of the European Parliament and of the Council[2], establishing the Entry/Exit System (‘EES’), provides that the Commission is to decide the date from which the EES is to start operations, provided that certain conditions are met.

    (2) However, the Commission has not received all notifications pursuant to Article 66(1), point (c), of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226, which is one of the conditions for deciding on the start of operations of the EES.

    (3) Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 only allows for a full start of operations, requiring all Member States to start using the EES fully for all third-country nationals subject to registration in the EES and to use the EES simultaneously at all their border crossing points. However, a full start of operations of all EES functionalities at all border crossing points simultaneously constitutes a risk for the resilience of the EES as a whole and for passenger flows at the external borders.

    (4) In order to ensure a smooth launch of the EES and facilitate its timely roll-out in all Member States, to provide Member States with the necessary flexibility to start using the EES within a clearly defined period of time and to facilitate technical and operational adjustments when starting to operate the EES, it is necessary to lay down rules for a progressive start of operations of the EES during which Member States should be able to opt for a phased roll-out of the EES. To ensure these adjustments take account of potential travel flows and seasonal peaks, such a progressive start should have a duration of 180 calendar days.

    (5) To enable a progressive start of operations of the EES it is ▌necessary to derogate from certain provisions of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 and Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council[3] (‘Schengen Borders Code’). Other rules set out in Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 that are not affected by this Regulation apply as provided for in that Regulation. In particular, the data recorded in the EES throughout the progressive start of operations follow the rules set out in Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 and are considered reliable and accurate. This Regulation does not affect the validity of the notifications already provided to the Commission by Member States under Article 66(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226.

    (6) Member States that do not intend to use the EES simultaneously at all their border crossing points from the start of operations, should progressively start operating the EES to record, on entry and exit, the data of third-country nationals subject to registration in the EES at one or more border crossing points, or at one or more lanes of such border crossing points. If possible and applicable, Member States should include a combination of air, land and sea border crossing points. To ensure a controlled launch of the EES and to better manage and avoid potential long waiting times at the borders, where relevant, and if necessary, Member States should deploy all the functionalities of the EES progressively and register the data of all third-country nationals subject to registration in the EES gradually. To ensure the full use of the EES at all border crossing points in the Union, where Member States choose a progressive start of operations it should be implemented in phases, which should set the minimum requirements to be reached by Member States. Member States will retain the possibility to accelerate implementation at national level or start operating the EES fully from the start of operations. The gradual processing of data in the EES should be carried out in full respect of the rights of data subjects as set out in Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council1a and should not lead, directly or indirectly, to any form of discrimination or profiling. The Commission, in consultation with the European Data Protection Supervisor, should issue guidelines on the processing of personal data in the EES during the progressive start of operations.

    (7) To facilitate a smooth deployment of the EES, the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) should develop a high-level roll-out plan to support the effective and continuous operation of the EES Central System, include fall-back procedures for the functioning of the EES Central System and provide guidance to the end-users, including the Member States and Union agencies on planning and executing the EES deployment during its progressive start of operations and should submit it to the European Parliament, the Commission, Member States and Union agencies. ▌

    (8) To facilitate a smooth deployment of the EES, Member States should develop national roll-out plans in consultation with the Commission and eu-LISA and present those plans to the Commission. For each of the phases of the progressive start of the EES operations, the national roll-out plans should include the information on the set thresholds and requirements, in particular: (i) the date from which the EES will operate at each border crossing point; (ii) the percentage of the estimated number of border crossings to be registered in the EES out of the total number of third-country nationals subject to registration in the EES; and (iii) where applicable, the biometric functionalities to be operated at each selected border crossing point. When preparing their respective national roll-out plans, Member States should appropriately coordinate with the operators of infrastructure where border crossing points are located. and inform relevant stakeholders of the border crossing points where they plan to start operating the EES and of their planned use of the biometric functionalities of the EES. To monitor compliance with the progressive start of operations, Member States should provide the Commission and eu-LISA monthly reports on the implementation of their roll-out plans unless and until the EES is used fully for all third-country nationals subject to registration in the EES and is used simultaneously at all border crossing points in the Member State. Such monthly reports should include corrective measures, where necessary, to ensure compliance with the progressive start of operations. The Commission should issue guidelines to facilitate the adoption of national roll-out plans and monthly reports by the Member States that are concise and proportionate.

    (8a)  To facilitate a smooth deployment of the EES, it is important that neither the start nor the end of the progressive start of operations of the EES coincide with the peak travel seasons in summer, June to August, or winter, December to February.

    (9) Due to the progressive start of operations of the EES and resulting incompleteness of the data recorded in the EES, travel documents of third-country nationals should be systematically stamped on entry and exit during the progressive start of operations of the EES. National authorities should take into account the possible incompleteness of entry/exit records or of refusal of entry records and should consider stamps as prevailing over the information registered in the EES. In addition, when providing information to third-country nationals about the maximum remaining duration of their authorised stay, national authorities should base their assessment on the stamps affixed in the travel documents. The data recorded in the EES should be used in the calculation of maximum remaining duration only in case a stamp is missing.

    (10) Considering that the data registered in the EES during the progressive start of operations of the EES might be incomplete, national authorities should not take into account the results provided by the automated calculator on the maximum remaining duration of the authorised stay of third-country nationals registered in the EES. Similarly, when carrying out their tasks, national authorities should not take into account the automated mechanism to identify or flag the lack of exit records following the date of expiry of an authorised stay or the records for which the maximum duration of authorised stay was exceeded, as well as the generated lists of persons identified as overstayers.

    (11) To provide Member States with the necessary time to adjust to the start of the EES, for the first 60 calendar days of the progressive start of operations, the use of biometric functionalities at border crossing points should not be mandatory. However, Member States are encouraged to make use of those functionalities during that period in order to support a smooth operational transition and to enable the timely detection and resolution of any potential implementation issues. No later than the 90th calendar day of the progressive start of operations, Member States should operate the EES with biometric functionalities at least at half of their border crossing points. Providing biometric data should not be an entry condition for third-country nationals subject to registration in the EES at the border crossing points where the EES is operated without biometric functionalities.

    (12) To accommodate the need to progressively deploy the EES with biometric functionalities at some border crossing points, the biometric verification of third-country nationals subject to registration in the EES should only be carried out at the border crossing points at which the EES is operated with biometric functionalities.

    (13) To ensure coherence of the operations of the interoperability between the Visa Information System (VIS) established by Regulation (EC) No 767/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council[4] and the EES, the VIS should only be accessed directly at those border crossing points at which the EES is not operated. At the border crossing points at which the EES is operated, border authorities should make use of the interoperability between the EES and the VIS.

    (14) Third-country nationals whose data are to be recorded in the EES should be informed about their rights and obligations regarding the processing of their data in the form of a template as provided in Article 50(5) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226. The information to be provided to third-country nationals subject to the EES registration should refer to the progressive start of operations of the EES. Third-country nationals should be informed in the template of their obligation to provide biometric data at border crossing points where it constitutes an entry condition. They should be made aware in the template of the consequences of not providing biometric data. They should be informed in the template that it will not be possible for them to verify the remaining duration of the authorised stay by automated means. National authorities should make all reasonable efforts to provide those third-country nationals with details of the duration of their authorised stay based on the stamps in their travel documents.

    (15) To reflect the progressive start of operations of the EES, the Commission should, at least every month, introduce relevant updates on the EES website.

    (16) The aim of raising awareness among third-country nationals on their specific rights and obligations would be best achieved if Member States customise the implementation of the campaign based on how the EES will operate at their borders at which the EES is operated in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226. The information materials developed by the Commission, in cooperation with the supervisory authorities and the European Data Protection Supervisor, and with the support of Member States in the context of Article 51 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 should therefore be adapted to carry out the information campaign accompanying the progressive start of operations.

    (17) During the progressive start of operations of the EES, the web service will not enable third-country nationals to electronically verify the exact duration of their authorised stay.

    (18) This Regulation does not affect the obligations of air carriers, sea carriers and international carriers transporting groups overland by coach as set out in Article 26(1) of the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement[5] and Council Directive 2001/51/EC.[6] In this respect, carriers should verify the stamps affixed in travel documents. To ensure effective communication with carriers about the distinct application of the EES at the border crossing points, ultimately benefiting travellers, it is crucial that Member States are transparent about the deployment of the EES at their border crossing points.

    (19) Article 22 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 and Article 12a of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 provide for a transitional period and transitional measures referring to the start of operations of the EES. It is necessary to derogate from those Articles to ensure that the transitional period and the transitional measures apply only as of the end of the progressive start of operations. That derogation should cease to apply 5 years and 180 calendar days after the date decided by the Commission in accordance with Article 66(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226.

    (20) To ensure that national authorities and EU agencies, in the performance of their tasks, avoid taking decisions exclusively based on data registered in the EES, they should take into account that individual files registered in the EES may contain incomplete data sets and should in any case not take decisions adversely affecting individuals exclusively on the basis that a registration of an alleged entry or exit is absent in the EES. That derogation should cease to apply 5 years after the date decided by the Commission in accordance with Article 66(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 to reflect the 5-year retention period for data sets for which the exit record is missing as set out in Article 34(3) of that Regulation.

    (21) When ensuring compliance with the provisions in Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 on the amendment of data and advance data erasure, Member States should complete the incomplete data to the extent permitted by the limited availability of the sets of data registered in the EES during the progressive start of operations.

    (22) The European Border and Coast Guard Agency should refrain from using data registered in the EES during the progressive start of operations for carrying out risk analyses and vulnerability assessments due to the incompleteness of the data that could lead to misleading risk and vulnerability assessments.

    (23) To ensure effective management of the external borders during the progressive start of operations of the EES, at the border crossing points at which the EES is not operated, border checks should be carried out in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/399 as applicable [the day before the date from which the EES is to start operations as decided by the Commission in accordance with Article 66(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226]. At the border crossing points at which the EES is operated, border checks should be carried out in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 and the Schengen Borders Code. However, specific derogations from these Regulations should apply with regards to the verification at the border crossing points at which the EES is operated without biometric functionalities to enable the progressive start of operations. This should happen without prejudice to verifications of visa holders by using fingerprints, in accordance with Regulation (EC) 767/2008.

    (24) To enable an effective adjustment of technical and organisational arrangements ▌and to address potential exceptional circumstances of failure of the EES Central System, national systems or communication infrastructure, or excessive waiting times at their borders, during the period of the progressive start of operations of the EES, Member States should have the possibility to suspend the operations of the EES at certain border crossing points, fully or partially. In case of partial suspension, the registration of biometric data in the EES should be suspended. In case of full suspension, no data should be registered in the EES. In both cases, Member States should promptly inform the operators of infrastructure hosting border crossing points and carriers. No later than 6 hours after the start of the suspension, Member States should notify to the Commission and eu-LISA the reason for the full or partial suspension and its expected duration.

    (24a)  To mitigate additional risks related to the deployment of the EES with biometric functionalities, Member States should have the possibility, in exceptional circumstances leading to traffic of such intensity that the waiting times at borders become excessive, to suspend the registration of biometric data in the EES after the end of the progressive start of operations. Such a suspension should be possible for a limited period of 60 days after the end of the progressive start of operations of the EES.

    (25) eu-LISA should publish reports on the statistics on the use of the system, which should serve to evaluate the system’s performance, assess Member States compliance with the eu-LISA high-level roll-out plan and the national roll-out plans, identify areas for improvement, monitor compliance with the progressive start of operations of the EES, and support decision-making relating to the system’s further development and optimisation. Furthermore, eu-LISA should continue its regular reporting to its Management Board, which will in turn oversee the gradual roll-out of EES operations.

    (26) The preparatory work related to the roll-out plans should be triggered by the date of the entry into force of this Regulation. Member States which have not yet submitted their declaration of readiness are urged to do so within 30 days after the entry into force of this Regulation. The progressive start of operations should apply from the date decided by the Commission in accordance with Article 66(1) of EES Regulation. As this Regulation provides for temporary derogations, it should cease to apply 180 calendar days after the date decided by the Commission in accordance with Article 66(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226.  However, the derogatory rules on the application of transitional period and transitional measures, access to EES data, verification by the carriers of stamps affixed in the travel documents and the suspension of the EES should apply for a limited period after the end of the progressive start of operations.

    (27) The objective of this Regulation, authorising derogations from Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 and Regulation (EU) 2016/399 to provide for a progressive start of operations of the EES, cannot be sufficiently achieved by Member States but can rather, by reason of the scale and impact of the action, be better achieved at Union level. Therefore, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary to achieve those objectives.

    (28) In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the TEU and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Regulation and is not bound by it or subject to its application. Given that this Regulation builds upon the Schengen acquis, Denmark should, in accordance with Article 4 of that Protocol, decide within a period of six months after the Council has decided on this Regulation whether it will implement it in its national law.

    (29) This Regulation does not constitute a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which Ireland takes part in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC. Ireland is therefore not taking part in the adoption of this Regulation and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

    (30) As regards Iceland and Norway, this Regulation constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Agreement concluded by the Council of the European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway concerning those states association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis, which fall within the area referred to in Article 1, point A of Council Decision 1999/437/EC.

    (31) As regards Switzerland, this Regulation constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis, which fall within the area referred to in Article 1, point A of Decision 1999/437/EC, read in conjunction with Article 3 of Council Decision 2008/146/EC.

    (32) As regards Liechtenstein, this Regulation constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Protocol between the European Union, the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein on the accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis which fall within the area referred to in Article 1, point A of Decision 1999/437/EC read in conjunction with Article 3 of Council Decision 2011/350/EU.

    (33) As regards Cyprus, the provisions of this Regulation relating to the VIS constitute provisions building upon, or otherwise relating to, the Schengen acquis within the meaning of Article 3(2) of the 2003 Act of Accession. The operation of the EES requires the granting of passive access to the VIS. As the EES is only to be operated by those Member States that fulfil the conditions related to VIS at the start of the operation of the EES, Cyprus will not operate the EES from the start of operations. Cyprus is to be connected to the EES as soon as the conditions of the procedure referred to in Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 are met.

    (34) The European Data Protection Supervisor was consulted in accordance with Article 42(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 and delivered its opinion on [xx].

    (35) This Regulation establishes strict rules concerning access to the EES, as well as the necessary safeguards for such access. It also sets out the individuals’ rights of access, rectification, completion, erasure and redress, in particular the right to a judicial remedy and the supervision of processing operations by public independent authorities. This Regulation therefore respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, in particular the right to human dignity, the prohibition of slavery and forced labour, the right to liberty and security, respect for private and family life, the protection of personal data, the right to non-discrimination, the rights of the child, the rights of the elderly, the integration of persons with disabilities and the right to an effective remedy and to a fair trial. 

    (36) This Regulation is without prejudice to the obligations deriving from the Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951, as supplemented by the New York Protocol of 31 January 1967.

     

    HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

    Article 1
    Subject matter

    This Regulation lays down rules on a progressive start of operations of the Entry/Exit System (EES) at the borders of the Member States at which the EES is operated in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 and temporary derogations from Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 and Regulation (EU) 2016/399.

    Article 2
    Definitions

    For the purposes of this Regulation, the definitions in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 apply. In addition, the following definitions apply:

    (a) ‘progressive start of operations of the EES’ means the period of 180 calendar days starting from the date decided by the Commission in accordance with Article 66(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226;

    (b) ‘national authorities’ means the authorities referred to in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226;

    (c) ‘estimated number of border crossings’ means a Member State’s estimate of the number of border crossings of third-country nationals referred to in Article 2(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 in each Member State based on the yearly average of the total number of border crossings of third-country nationals travelling for a short stay in that Member State calculated for the preceding two calendar years from the date of application  referred to in Article 8(1), second subparagraph, of this Regulation.

    Article 3
    Roll-out plans and monthly reports

    1. By [the 30th calendar day after the entry into force of this Regulation], the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) shall provide the European Parliament, the Commission, Member States, as well as Europol, with a high-level roll-out plan on the progressive start of operations of the EES, taking into account the phases set out in Article 4. That roll-out plan shall support the effective and continuous operation of the EES Central System, include fall-back procedures for the functioning of the EES Central System and provide guidance on the use of the EES to the end-users, including Member States and Europol ▌. 

    2. By [the 60th calendar day after the entry into force of this Regulation], in consultation with the Commission and eu-LISA, Member States shall develop  national roll-out plans on the progressive start of operations of the EES, taking into account the high-level roll-out plan referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article and present those plans to the Commission. Where a Member State does not start operating the EES fully from the beginning of the progressive start of operations of the EES, the national roll-out plan shall specify how the thresholds and requirements set out in Article 4 shall be met. EU-Lisa shall assess whether the national roll-out plans are consistent with the high-level roll-out plan and shall confirm that they do not contain any deficiencies which could further delay the entry into operation of the EES. Member States shall inform relevant stakeholders of the border crossing points where they plan to start operating the EES and of their planned use of the biometric functionalities of the EES.

    3. ▌

    4. From the 30th calendar day after the date from which the EES is to start operations as decided by the Commission in accordance with Article 66(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226, Member States shall provide monthly reports to the European Parliament, the Commission and eu-LISA on the implementation of their national roll-out plans, including corrective measures where necessary to comply with the obligations set out in Article 4.

    5. At the request of the Commission, eu-LISA shall provide the Commission with the statistics necessary for the Commission to monitor the implementation of the high-level roll-out plan and the national roll-out plans, in accordance with Article 63(6) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226.

    5a. The eu-Lisa Management Board shall adopt the high-level roll-out plan referred to in paragraph 1. The Management Board shall also monitor the stability of the EES Central System during the progressive start of operations and suggest additional actions where appropriate.

    5b. The Commission shall issue guidelines to facilitate the provision of concise national roll-out plans and monthly reports by the Member States.

    5c. The Commission, in consultation with the European Data Protection Supervisor, shall issue guidelines on the processing of personal data in the EES during the progressive start of operations.

    Article  4
    Progressive start of operations

    1. By way of derogation from Article 66(6) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 during the progressive start of operations of the EES, the Member States shall use the EES as set out in this Article.

    2. From the first day of the progressive start of operations of the EES, each Member State shall start using the EES on entry and exit at one or more border crossing points with, if possible and applicable, a combination of air, land and sea border crossing points, to record and store data of third-country nationals referred to in Article 2(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226. No later than the 30th calendar day of the progressive start of operations of the EES, Member States shall register in the EES at least 10% of the estimated number of border crossings in that Member State.

    For the first 60 calendar days of the progressive start of operations of the EES, Member States may operate the EES without biometric functionalities, and national authorities may create or update individual files without biometric data.

    3. No later than the 90th calendar day of the progressive start of operations of the EES, Member States shall operate the EES with biometric functionalities at least at half of their border crossing points. Member States shall register at least 35% of the estimated number of border crossings in that Member State. The individual files of third-country nationals referred to in Article 2(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 that are registered in the EES shall contain biometric data.

    4. No later than the 150th calendar day of the progressive start of operations of the EES, Member States shall operate the EES with biometric functionalities at all their border crossing points and shall continue registering in the EES at least 50% of the estimated number of border crossings in that Member State.

    5. No later than the 170th calendar day of the progressive start of operations of the EES, Member States shall operate the EES with biometric functionalities at all their border crossing points and shall register in the EES all third-country nationals referred to in Article 2(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226.

    6. Refusals of entry, decided at a border crossing point at which the EES is operated, shall be recorded in the EES, as set out in Article 18 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226. Where the EES is operated with biometric functionalities, refusals of entry shall be recorded with biometric data. Where the EES is operated without biometric functionalities, refusals of entry shall be recorded without biometric data.

    7. From the first day of the progressive start of operations of the EES, Europol shall use the EES as provided for in Regulation (EU) 2017/2226.

    Article 5
    Other derogations from Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 and Regulation (EU) 2016/399

    1. In addition to the rules of Article 4, the rules set out in this Article shall apply to all Member States during the progressive start of operations of the EES.

    2. Border authorities shall systematically stamp the travel documents of third-country nationals referred to in Article 2(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 on entry and exit.

    The stamping obligations referred to in Article 42a(1), second subparagraph, and Article 42a(2), (5) and (6) of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 shall apply mutatis mutandis in the Member States operating the EES.

    3. For entering, amending, erasing and consulting the data in the EES, national authorities that are competent for the purposes laid down in Articles 23 to 35 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 shall consider stamps as prevailing over the EES data, including in cases of discrepancy or in cases referred to in Article 16(4) of that Regulation. The data recorded in the EES shall prevail in case a stamp is missing.

    4. In the absence of a stamp affixed in the travel document and of an individual file created in the EES for a third-country national present in the territory of the Member States, national authorities may presume that the third-country national does not fulfil or no longer fulfils the conditions relating to entry or stay in the Member States.

    This presumption shall not apply to third-country nationals who can provide, by any means, credible evidence that they enjoy the right of free movement under Union law, ▌ or that they hold a residence permit or a long-stay visa.

    This presumption may be rebutted where the third-country nationals provide, by any means, credible evidence that they have respected the conditions relating to the duration of a short stay.

    Where the presumption is rebutted, national authorities shall perform one or more of the following tasks at the border crossing points at which the EES is operated, to the extent allowed by this Regulation:

    (a) create an individual file for that third-country national in the EES, if necessary;

    (b) update the latest entry/exit record by entering the missing data;

    (c) erase an existing file where Article 35 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 provides for such erasure.

    5. Border authorities shall make use of the interoperability between the EES and the VIS referred to in Article 8(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 only at the border crossing points at which the EES is operated. Border authorities shall continue accessing the VIS directly:

    (a) at the border crossing points at which the EES is not operated;

    (b) where the EES is suspended in accordance with Article 7 of this Regulation.

    6. National authorities and Europol shall disregard the following:

    (a) the results of the automated calculator that provides information on the maximum duration of the authorised stay referred to in Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226;

    (b) the automatically generated list of overstayers and its consequences in particular as referred to in Article 6(1), points (c) and (h), Article 12(3), Article 16(4), Article 34(3), Article 50(1), points (i) and (k), Article 63(1), point (e) of that Regulation.

    7. Processing operations by Member States that comply with this Regulation shall not be considered as unlawful or not compliant with Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 for the purposes of Articles 45 and 48 of that Regulation.

    8. Verification of the identity and previous registration of third-country nationals pursuant to Article 23 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 shall be carried out on the third-country nationals referred to in Article 2(1) and (2) of that Regulation at the border crossing points at which the EES is operated with biometric functionalities, including through self-service systems, where available.

    9. In addition to the specific information referred to in Article 50(5) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 that is to be added by the Member States in the template to provide information to third-country nationals about the processing of their personal data in the EES, Member States shall accompany the template to be handed over to third-country nationals at the time the individual file of the person concerned is being created  with the following information:

    ‘The Entry/Exit System is being progressively rolled out. During this roll-out period [from …], your personal data, including your biometric data, might not be collected for the purposes of the Entry/Exit System at all Member States’ external borders. If we need to mandatorily collect this information and you choose not to provide it, you will be refused entry. During this period of the progressive roll-out your data will not be automatically added to a list of overstayers. In addition, you will not be able to check how much longer you are authorised to stay using the website or equipment available at border crossing points. You may address any queries regarding the duration of your authorised stay to the relevant national authorities at the external borders.

    Please note that when the progressive roll-out of the EES is completed, your personal data will be processed according to the information provided in the document accompanying this form.’

    10. The information on the EES website referred to in Article 50(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 shall be adapted by the Commission to reflect the progressive start of operations.

    11. The information campaign referred to in Article 51 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 accompanying the start of operations of the EES, shall reflect the specific conditions at the border crossing points, ensuring that the relevant information is communicated to those affected, and taking into account the phases set out in Article 4 of this Regulation. The Commission, in cooperation with the European Data Protection Supervisor and national supervisory authorities, shall support Member States in preparing the adapted materials of the information campaign.

    12. The application of Article 12(1) and (2), Article 13(1) and (2), Article 20 and Article 21 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 shall be suspended.

    13. By way of derogation from Article 22 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 and Article 12a of Regulation (EU) 2016/399, the transitional period and the transitional measures set out in those Articles shall apply from the first day after the progressive start of operations of the EES has ended.

    14. At the border crossing points at which the EES is not operated, border checks shall be carried out in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/399 as applicable on the day before the date from which the EES is to start operations as decided by the Commission in accordance with Article 66(1) Regulation (EU) 2017/2226.

    At the border crossing points at which the EES is operated, border checks shall be carried out in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 and Regulation (EU) 2016/399.

    By way of derogation from the second subparagraph, at the border crossing points where the EES is operated without biometric functionalities, Article 6(1), point (f)(i), and the provisions on the verification of third-country nationals based on biometric data, solely for the purposes of the EES, referred to in Articles 6, point (f) (ii) and Article 8 (3), points (a) and (g) of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 shall not apply.

    For the purposes of this Regulation, Article 9(3) and Article 12 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 shall be suspended.

    Article 6
    Access to the EES data

    1. When accessing the entry and exit records registered in the EES during the progressive start of operations of the EES in the performance of their tasks:

    (a) national authorities and Europol shall take into account that, due to the variable operations of the EES in each Member State during the progressive start of operations of the EES, the data could be incomplete;

    (aa)  national authorities and Europol shall not take decisions adversely affecting individuals solely on the basis that a registration of an alleged entry or exit is absent in the EES;

    (b) national authorities shall take into account that the data could be incomplete when communicating data in accordance with Articles 41 and 42 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226;

    (c) the ETIAS Central Unit shall take into account that the entry and exit records registered in the EES during the progressive start of operations of the EES could include incomplete sets of data for the purpose of verification in accordance with Article 25a(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226. 

    2. Competent authorities, the Commission and relevant Union agencies shall take into account that the data registered in the EES during the progressive start of operations of the EES may be incomplete when accessing data for reporting and statistics as referred in Article 63 of Regulation EU 2017/2226.

    3. By way of derogation from Article 13(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226, carriers may start using the web service referred to in that Article from the 90th calendar day of the progressive start of operations of the EES. Carriers shall verify the stamps affixed in the travel documents with a view to fulfilling their obligations under Article 26(1) of the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement and under Council Directive 2001/51/EC for the duration of the progressive start of operations of the EES.

    For a period of 180 calendar days after the end of the progressive start of operations of the EES, carriers shall, in addition to using the web service as referred to in Article 13(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 continue verifying the stamps affixed in travel documents with a view to fulfilling their obligations under Article 26(1) of the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement and Council Directive 2001/51/EC.

    4. When fulfilling the obligations referred in Articles 35 and 52 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 in relation to the completion of personal data recorded in the EES, Member States shall complete the relevant data only to the extent possible taking into account the limited availability of the sets of data collected during the progressive start of operations of the EES. Where applicable, the administrative decision referred to in Article 52(4) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 shall refer to the conditions set out in Article 4 of this Regulation that allow for the registration of incomplete files.

    5. By way of derogation from Article 63(1), second subparagraph, of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226, the duly authorised staff of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency shall not access the data registered in the EES during the progressive start of operations of the EES for the purpose of carrying out risk analyses and vulnerability assessments.

    Article 7
    Suspension of the EES

    1. During the progressive start of operations of the EES, Member States may fully or partially suspend operating the EES at certain border crossing points in case of failure of the EES Central System, national systems or communication infrastructure, or events leading to traffic of such intensity that the waiting time at a border crossing point becomes excessive.

    In case of partial suspension, the data referred to in Articles 16 to 20 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 shall be collected, with the exception of biometric data.

    In case of full suspension, Member States shall completely suspend the EES operations and shall not collect the data referred to in Articles 16 to 20 of that Regulation.

    In both cases, Member States shall promptly inform the operators of infrastructure hosting border crossing points and carriers. No later than 6 hours after the start of the suspension, Member States shall notify to the Commission and eu-LISA the reason for the partial or full suspension and its expected duration ▌. Once the ▌circumstances that led to the suspension cease, Member States shall end the suspension and promptly notify the Commission, eu-LISA and the operators of infrastructure hosting border crossing points and carriers thereof.

    2. For a period of 60 calendar days after the end of the progressive start of operations of the EES, Member States may partially suspend operating the EES as referred to in paragraph 1, second subparagraph, at a certain border crossing point for a limited time of maximum 4 hours within a day and only in exceptional circumstances leading to traffic of such intensity that the waiting time at a border crossing point becomes excessive. Member States shall be relieved of their obligation set out in Article 21(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 as regards biometric data. In those cases, Member States shall promptly and no later than 6 hours after the start of suspension notify the reason for the suspension and its expected duration to the Commission and eu-LISA.

    3. ▌

    4. ▌

    Article 8
    Entry into force and application

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

    It shall apply from the date from which the EES is to start operations as decided by the Commission in accordance with Article 66(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226.

    However, Article 3 of this Regulation shall apply from the entry into force of this Regulation.

    2. This Regulation shall cease to apply 180 calendar days from the date from which the EES is to start operations as decided by the Commission in accordance with Article 66(1) Regulation (EU) 2017/2226. However:

    (a) Article 5(13) shall cease to apply 5 years and 180 calendar days after the date decided by the Commission in accordance with Article 66(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226;

    (b) Article 6(1), (2), (4) and (5) shall cease to apply 5 years and 180 calendar days after the date decided by the Commission in accordance with Article 66(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226;

    (c) Article 6(3), second subparagraph, shall cease to apply 360 calendar days after the date decided by the Commission in accordance with Article 66(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226;

    (d) Article 7(2)) shall cease to apply 240 calendar days after the date decided by the Commission in accordance with Article 66(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226;

     (e) ▌.

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

    Done at Brussels,

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Violations identified by the Council of Europe anti-torture committee in detention and return centres in Italy – E-000124/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is aware of the report by the Council of Europe’s European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

    In the context of the Schengen evaluation and monitoring mechanism, the Commission with the Member States experts assesses the implementation of the return acquis, in particular the Return Directive[1], by Member States. Following the Schengen evaluation carried out in Italy in 2021, the Council issued recommendations[2], which concerned, among others, the detention conditions. The Commission is closely following up and monitoring the effective implementation of those recommendations by Italy.

    As a follow up to the Lampedusa 10-point plan[3], a dedicated working group on returns was set up with Italy on 25 September 2023. The group regularly meets to discuss return matters, including issues linked to detention conditions. The findings of the Council of Europe’s report to which the Honourable Members make reference is discussed with Italy in this context.

    As regards the initiative carried out by Italy following the signature of a protocol with Albania, the implementation of the protocol under Italian law must not undermine or be detrimental to common EU rules. Moreover, it cannot prevent the aims and objectives of EU law, and it must be without prejudice to the rights and guarantees that persons in these situations are afforded by Member States, in line with their national law and obligations under international law.

    • [1] Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third-country nationals, OJ L 348, 24.12.2008, p. 98.
    • [2] Council Implementing Decision 10415/22 setting out a recommendation on addressing the deficiencies identified in the 2021 evaluation of Italy on the application of the Schengen acquis in the field of return.
    • [3] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_4503
    Last updated: 29 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –