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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Adverse consequences of imposing import duties on titanium dioxide – E-002612/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    On 10 July 2024, the Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1923[1] imposing a provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of titanium dioxide from China.

    On 15 November 2024, the Commission submitted for a vote the draft implementing act concluding the investigation to the Trade Defence Instruments Committee. At the same time, the draft implementing act was sent to the European Parliament.

    Under the ‘Union interest’ section of the draft implementing act, the Commission assessed the impact on companies across value chains, on the basis of all the information collected during the investigation.

    The Commission acknowledged the impact the duties might have on companies in different value chains. The definitive draft implementing act thus sets the duties as a fixed amount per kilogram instead of a percentage of the value of the imported product to soften that impact.

    The prices of titanium dioxide are expected to increase, which will result in lower share of the duty in the final price of titanium dioxide. The Commission also allowed for titanium dioxide used in production of white inks for printing to be exempted from duties.

    The draft implementing act[2] was published on 9 January 2025 and will be applicable for five years. T he downstream industry also has the possibility to request the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation.

    In fact, the Commission has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of decor paper from China following a complaint from EU producers which also use titanium-dioxide as a raw material.

    • [1] Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1923 of 10 July 2024 imposing a provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of titanium dioxide originating in the People’s Republic of China, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/1923
    • [2] Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/4 of 17 December 2024 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and definitively collecting the provisional duty imposed on imports of titanium dioxide originating in the People’s Republic of China, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202500004
    Last updated: 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Management of Natura 2000 sites: the Habitats Directive and the case of the Bagnoli-Coroglio site of national interest – E-000198/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000198/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Raffaele Topo (S&D), Irene Tinagli (S&D), Pina Picierno (S&D), Giuseppe Lupo (S&D), Annalisa Corrado (S&D), Elisabetta Gualmini (S&D), Antonio Decaro (S&D)

    Part of the environmental rehabilitation and urban regeneration programme for the Bagnoli-Coroglio Site of National Interest, ‘Upgrading the Arena San Antonio (ASA) wastewater collector and its coastal sewage outfall points’ is a project which will double the collector’s capacity and will consequently also provide for the opening of new coastal bypass outlets located within the Special Area of Conservation ‘Fondali marini di Gaiola e Nisida’ (IT8030041), which is part of the Natura 2000 Network.

    Managed by Invitalia, this project was approved by the Italian Ministry of the Environment and is being funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

    Though the Coroglio wastewater pre-treatment plant’s bypass outlet has been contaminating the local waters for years, a positive impact assessment has been annexed to the Ministry’s project. In total, 88 negative opinions – half of which authored by biologists and specialists – have been issued concerning the project. A number of citizens, associations and other bodies also oppose the plan to increase the ASA collector’s capacity for the reasons we have outlined.

    In view of the above, what steps will the Commission take to check that the project approved by the Italian Ministry of the Environment is not in breach of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC?

    Submitted: 17.1.2025

    Last updated: 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Denuclearisation of the International Gulf of Trieste – E-000197/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000197/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Cristina Guarda (Verts/ALE)

    The 1947 Peace Treaty with Italy adopted by United Nations Security Council Resolution S/RES/16, established the Free Territory of Trieste as a demilitarised and neutral state.

    However, the Gulf of Trieste currently hosts two military nuclear transit ports, the port of Trieste in Italy and the port of Koper in Slovenia, in violation of this Treaty.

    The European Parliament took note of the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and recognised its vision for a nuclear weapon-free world[1].

    The denuclearisation of the Gulf of Trieste, as put forward by the NGO Mundo sin Guerras y sin Violencia (World without Wars and Violence) at the 2nd TPNW review meeting[2], would be the first foundation of a European ‘nuclear-weapon-free zone’[3].

    In view of the above, can the Commission clarify what actions it intends to promote, within the framework of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, in support of the denuclearisation of the Gulf of Trieste and in implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 16?

    Submitted: 17.1.2025

    • [1] European Parliament resolution of 15 December 2021 on the challenges and prospects for multilateral weapons of mass destruction arms control and disarmament regimes (2020/2001(INI)), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021IP0504.
    • [2] https://docs-library.unoda.org/Treaty_on_the_Prohibition_of_Nuclear_Weapons_-SecondMeeting_of_States_Parties_(2023)/TPNW.MSP_.2023.NGO_.16.pdf.
    • [3] https://www.prif.org/fileadmin/Daten/Publikationen/Prif_Working_Papers/PRIF_WP_27.pdf.
    Last updated: 27 January 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – DCAM in the DROI Subcommittee Meeting on 27 January 2025 – Delegation for relations with the countries of Central America, including the EU-Central America Association Parliamentary Committee

    Source: European Parliament

    The Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and in association with the Delegation for relations with the countries of Central America (DCAM) held an Exchange of views on the human rights situation in Nicaragua on 27 January 2025 in its meeting.

    Source : © European Union, 2025 – EP

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Forced sterilisation of persons with disabilities in the European Union – E-000193/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000193/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Carolina Morace (The Left), Gaetano Pedulla’ (The Left), Dario Tamburrano (The Left), Valentina Palmisano (The Left)

    Forced sterilisation is a serious violation of human rights, contrary to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), ratified by the EU.

    There are at least 14 EU Member States that still allow this practice, allowing legal guardians or other authorities to decide on the sterilisation of persons with disabilities without their free and informed consent.

    This practice violates the principles of dignity, equality and individual autonomy, perpetuating discrimination against persons with disabilities and disproportionately affecting women with disabilities, in violation of the EU Gender Equality Strategy.

    Some Member States have already banned this practice, providing examples of good practices that could be replicated at European level.

    In light of the above:

    • 1.Does the Commission intend to propose binding legislation to definitively ban forced sterilisation in the European Union?
    • 2.What measures does it intend to take to monitor and prevent violations of the rights of persons with disabilities in this area?

    Submitted: 17.1.2025

    Last updated: 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – NRRP and other EU instruments supporting the construction of student halls of residence – E-000161/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000161/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    João Oliveira (The Left)

    In its answer to question E-002214/2024[1] on speculation-driven rent hikes and the need to increase the number of student halls of residence, the Commission writes that it ‘supports investment in student housing as a priority under the InvestEU Fund and provides substantial support through the NextGeneration EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, which allocates EUR 447 million in loans for the construction or rehabilitation of buildings and the modernisation and expansion of existing residences for higher education students, notably in areas where housing pressure is most acute’. It goes on to add: ‘This is complementary to the Portuguese national plan for housing in higher education adopted in 2019. From 2021 to 2026, a 78 % increase in capacity of housing for higher education students is expected in Portugal.’

    In light of this:

    • 1.Can the Commission name the specific projects which have been financed using the above-mentioned instruments to date, and state the amounts involved and the scheduled completion date in each case?
    • 2.What proportion of the planned 78 % capacity increase has been achieved? How much is still expected to be achieved in the stated period?
    • 3.Aside from the loans, are there any NRRP grants earmarked for this purpose which are at risk of going to waste due to a failure to use them in time?

    Submitted: 15.1.2025

    • [1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2024-002214-ASW_EN.html
    Last updated: 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Exploiting Mr Öcalan’s position in order to make headway on the Kurdish issue – E-000153/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000153/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Loucas Fourlas (PPE)

    It is widely known that Mr Öcalan has been repeatedly tortured by the Turkish authorities and Ankara’s secret services. He has been held in inhumane conditions for nearly three decades, kept apart from his family, friends and lawyers.

    At the moment, Mr Erdogan and Mr Bahçeli are attempting to ‘exploit’ him as, according to reports, they negotiate the conversion of his life imprisonment into house arrest. The condition for this is the announcement of the dissolution of the PKK and a request to the Kurds of Türkiye and Syria to obey Ankara. The issue is not whether the Kurdish organisation is a terrorist one or not. This move very clearly constitutes political intimidation and interference in justice.

    In view of this:

    • 1.How does the Commission view the intervention of Türkiye’s state officials in the realm of justice? To what extent does the intervention comply with European principles and the rule of law?
    • 2.What is the Commission’s reaction to the crude intimidation by the Turkish state, which is negotiating the freedom of a detainee by intimidating him and placing him in dilemmas that have nothing to do with legal process?

    Submitted: 15.1.2025

    Last updated: 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Proceedings – The ‘one in, one out’ principle – A real better lawmaking tool? – 27-01-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Professor Dr Xanthaki presented to JURI Committee a critical analysis of the “The ‘one in, one out’ principle – A real better lawmaking tool?”. She concluded that the principle may lead to less (not better) legislation, purely on a arithmetical basis, and recommended to JURI Committee to focus on genuine better law-making tools, including a modernized, citizen-centred drafting structure and style for EU legislation, which she considered not fit for purpose in its current style. This briefing was commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Presentation of the Draft Opinion on the Traineeship Directive – Committee on Culture and Education

    Source: European Parliament

    Traineeship © Image used under license from Adobe Stock

    The Committee on Culture and Education will present its draft Opinion on the proposed Traineeship Directive on 30 January. This initiative aims to enhance and enforce better working conditions for trainees across various sectors. By ensuring clear guidelines and protections, this proposal seeks to foster fairness and transparency in the treatment of trainees.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Presentation of the Polish Presidency – Committee on Culture and Education

    Source: European Parliament

    Logo of the Polish presidency of the Council of the EU © European Union (2025)

    On 30 January , Ms Barbara Nowacka (Minister of Education), Mr Marcin Kulasek (Minister of Science and Higher Education), Ms Hanna Wróblewska (Minister of Culture and National Heritage) and Mr Piotr Borys, (Secretary of State at the Ministry of Sport and Tourism), will present the priorities of the Polish Presidency in the fields of education, culture, youth and sports to the CULT Committe.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Implementation of the EU pact on migration and asylum – 27-01-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Over the past decade, the EU’s asylum and migration systems have been severely tested by several major events, including the 2015-2016 migrant crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and recent tensions at the EU’s eastern border. To address these challenges, in 2020 the European Commission proposed a pact on migration and asylum, a comprehensive legislative framework designed to streamline and harmonise the reception of asylum seekers in the EU. The pact was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in December 2023 and published in May 2024. This landmark agreement, heralding significant reforms, consists of 10 legislative acts that bring together policies on migration, asylum, integration, and border management. Its core objectives are to foster greater responsibility sharing, solidarity and effective border management among the EU Member States. To facilitate the pact’s rollout, the Commission has developed a common implementation plan categorising the various obligations stemming from the pact into 10 distinct building blocks. The plan also identifies key milestones on the way to establishing the necessary legal and operational frameworks that would allow Member States to start applying the pact by mid-2026. Despite the adoption of the 10 legislative acts, support for them is not homogeneous across the Member States. Additionally, there is pressure for further changes, and the migration debate has been increasingly politicised. Experts and stakeholders have highlighted key challenges and potential scenarios for the implementation of the pact and raised doubts as to whether the new rules will be able to tackle the complexities of migration while also protecting fundamental rights.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The Constitutional Court of Romania’s decision from the perspective of rules on the rule of law – E-000133/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000133/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Erik Kaliňák (NI)

    The results of the presidential elections in Romania have been annulled by the Constitutional Court of Romania, but constitutional lawyers have raised a number of concerns with this decision. They point, for example, to the absence of a constitutional or statutory provision allowing the Constitutional Court to initiate ex officio proceedings to review the legality of presidential elections. According to the Law on Presidential Elections, candidates, political parties, political or electoral associations and members of national minority organisations represented in the Council are entitled to lodge a complaint. Furthermore, there is no provision in Romanian law allowing for the annulment of the entire electoral process. The law only provides for the possibility of cancelling and repeating one of the two rounds of elections for very specific reasons (fraudulent acts affecting the ranking of candidates eligible to participate in the second round or the granting of the presidential mandate). Thirdly, the law provides for a three-day period for lodging a complaint against the results of the elections, starting from the close of voting. There is no legal provision to allow proceedings to be initiated later (the decision of 6 December was issued 12 days after the close of voting).

    One can sympathise with the concerns raised by Romanian lawyers. In the light of the foregoing:

    • 1.Does the Commission not view the actions taken by the Constitutional Court without an adequate legal basis as being ultra vires and therefore a violation of the rule of law?
    • 2.What measures does it intend to take to protect the rule of law in order to prevent the abuse of judicial power for political purposes?

    Submitted: 15.1.2025

    Last updated: 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – BUDG–ECON: debate with Elena Flores, InvestEU Steering Board Chair – Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

    Source: European Parliament

    Ms Flores, Chair of the InvestEU Steering Board, will attend a joint BUDG-ECON meeting for an exchange of views with Members on the performance of InvestEU, in accordance with Article 27 of the InvestEU Regulation, on Monday 3 February 2025.

    InvestEU is an important investment tool for the European Union, which is expected to mobilise EUR 372 billion in investment by 2027. The Steering Board is a key part of the governance of the programme and – amongst other tasks – oversees its implementation.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Imported fish contaminated with microplastics – E-000225/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000225/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Emmanouil Fragkos (ECR), Galato Alexandraki (ECR)

    Dangerous microplastics have now been detected in six popular species of fish – the main one being pink shrimp, as reported by scientists from the College of Agricultural Sciences in Oregon. Microplastics – pieces of plastic with a diameter of less than 5 mm and invisible to the naked eye – have been linked to severe health issues, such as cancer. Microplastics were found in 99 % of the samples taken by the Oregon scientists, who carried out a laboratory analysis of more than 1 800 individual marine creatures. The study was carried out in Pacific waters, but similar data has been collected in other seas that have been polluted with plastics. The researchers took 182 samples from six species, two of which are likely being imported into the EU, namely pink shrimp and chinook salmon.

    In view of the above, can the Commission say:

    • 1.Does it plan to ban – or at least step up checks on – imports of these two fish species into the EU?
    • 2.Does it have a list of the main fish imports to be checked for microplastics as a matter of priority, with references to the country of origin?
    • 3.Which European countries have the best practices for dealing with plastic contamination/pollution?

    Submitted: 20.1.2025

    Last updated: 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Actual or foreseeable negative effects of Elon Musk’s statements on civic discourse, electoral processes and freedom and pluralism of the media under the DSA – E-000191/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000191/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Krzysztof Śmiszek (S&D), Reinier Van Lanschot (Verts/ALE), Thomas Waitz (Verts/ALE), Robert Biedroń (S&D), Sandro Ruotolo (S&D), Marina Kaljurand (S&D), Villy Søvndal (Verts/ALE), Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus (S&D), Matjaž Nemec (S&D), Maria Walsh (PPE), Kim Van Sparrentak (Verts/ALE), Elio Di Rupo (S&D), Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (S&D), Leila Chaibi (The Left), Birgit Sippel (S&D), Heléne Fritzon (S&D), Johan Danielsson (S&D), Evin Incir (S&D), Adnan Dibrani (S&D), Sofie Eriksson (S&D), Klára Dobrev (S&D), Lena Schilling (Verts/ALE), Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D), Maria Grapini (S&D), Sebastian Everding (The Left), Rima Hassan (The Left), Alex Agius Saliba (S&D), Wouter Beke (PPE), Csaba Molnár (S&D), Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz (PPE), Pierre Jouvet (S&D), Alessandro Zan (S&D), Thomas Pellerin-Carlin (S&D), Magdalena Adamowicz (PPE), Per Clausen (The Left), Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska (PPE), Murielle Laurent (S&D), Bruno Gonçalves (S&D), Hanna Gedin (The Left), Aurore Lalucq (S&D), André Rodrigues (S&D), Elisabeth Grossmann (S&D), Marc Angel (S&D), Łukasz Kohut (PPE), René Repasi (S&D), Marta Temido (S&D), Katarina Barley (S&D), Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE)

    In recent weeks, Elon Musk has made comments that could potentially have an adverse effect on European democracies. Using X, a ‘very large online platform’ within the meaning of the Digital Services Act (DSA), he has openly supported a right-wing-extremist party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), by both making controversial statements and inviting its leader to a live interview. Elon Musk also suggested that judges ruling on certain migration cases in the Italian courts be removed from office.

    Considering Elon Musk’s ownership of X, as well as his position as an incoming advisor to president-elect Donald Trump:

    • 1.Does the Commission consider these statements a ‘systemic risk’ that could have any actual or foreseeable negative effects on the freedom and pluralism of the media, as well as on civic discourse and electoral processes, as per Article 34(1)(b) and (c) of the DSA?
    • 2.What steps does the Commission plan to take regarding the very large online platform’s failure to ‘mitigate risks’ within the meaning of Article 35 of the DSA? Will those steps be taken in this case?
    • 3.What tools is the Commission using to assess X’s algorithm for the recommender system, and what are the findings of such assessments?

    Submitted: 17.1.2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Travel routes used by the Commission – E-000189/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000189/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Martin Schirdewan (The Left)

    Since 2018, individual Members of the Commission have been expected to publish all missions they undertake, in accordance with Article 6(2) of Commission Decision C(2018)0700. However, the individual websites of the Members of the Commission do not indicate the routes taken or the cost of individual flights. In March 2023, it emerged that Henrik Hololei had taken several free business‑class flights on Qatar Airways.

    • 1.How often did President von der Leyen authorise the use of private planes in 2024 and who authorised President von der Leyen’s travel?
    • 2.On what routes were private planes used by Members of the Commission in 2024 (with a detailed list of journeys as in the answer to question P-001138/2023[1]) and what were the names of the passengers on the private aircraft?
    • 3.Which other Commission staff members (besides Henrik Hololei) and Commissioners were authorised to travel on mission in 2024 with the costs being covered by third parties, what routes were involved and, where applicable, which companies covered those costs?

    Submitted: 16.1.2025

    • [1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-9-2023-001138-ASW_EN.html
    Last updated: 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: The EU offers emergency support to tackle the energy crisis in Moldova

    Source: European Commission

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 27 Jan 2025 Today, the European Union (EU) has proposed a €30 million emergency assistance package in a first step to support the Republic of Moldova in tackling the severe energy crisis provoked by Gazprom.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Azerbaijani political prisoners and Armenian hostages still being held in Baku – E-000185/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000185/2025
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Pernando Barrena Arza (The Left)

    According to many reliable independent sources, the violent Azerbaijani regime has arrested more than 300 political prisoners, including Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, Anar Mammadli, and many others, who are still being denied medical treatment and are on the verge of death because of the unbearable conditions.

    Azerbaijan has also been illegally holding 23 Armenians hostage since 2020. The hostages are subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment on a daily basis.

    Can the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) therefore answer the following questions:

    • 1.During the VP/HR’s meeting with the Azerbaijani Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, in Malta on 4 December 2024, did the VP/HR demand the release of all political prisoners, and did the VP/HR place the issue of human rights above mere energy interests?
    • 2.Did the VP/HR firmly demand the release of the Armenian hostages who are being held illegally in Baku to this day, and did the VP/HR give the Azerbaijani regime a deadline for the repatriation of these people?
    • 3.Did the VP/HR warn about the possibility that sanctions may be imposed on Azerbaijani judges and all other relevant officials, as Parliament has demanded many times?

    Submitted: 16.1.2025

    Last updated: 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Enforcement of the Ottawa Convention in the light of ongoing hybrid warfare – E-000136/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000136/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Marcin Sypniewski (ESN)

    EU bodies have continually stressed the importance of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Convention’). At the same time, Russia has been engaged in a full-scale war with Ukraine for almost three years, and the states responsible for the EU’s external border have been facing pressure from Russia and Belarus as part of a hybrid war.

    In the context of these events and the challenges faced by Member States (especially Poland and the Baltic States), the idea of those states directly facing the aforementioned threats withdrawing from the Convention is being discussed in the public space. In this connection, I would like to ask the following questions:

    • 1.What is the Commission’s opinion on the possibility of certain Member States withdrawing from the Convention? If the Commission takes a negative view, will it allow for the possibility of a temporary derogation from the provisions of the Convention in the light of the current situation?
    • 2.Does the Commission feel that the withdrawal from the Convention or its temporary suspension for the purpose of defending the EU’s borders could form part of the EU’s defence strategy following the appointment of a Commissioner for Defence and Space?
    • 3.If the Commission feels that the suspension of or withdrawal from the Convention by certain states is not acceptable, how does it intend to ensure that border states have adequate means and mechanisms at their disposal to protect their borders in the face of escalating hybrid and military threats?

    Submitted: 15.1.2025

    Last updated: 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Digital transformation in the agriculture sector as a means of meeting the EU’s climate objectives – E-000134/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000134/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Dimitris Tsiodras (PPE)

    The digitalisation of the agriculture sector in Europe and its modernisation with cutting-edge technologies have significant potential to reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture and achieve the EU’s climate objectives, as well as to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the agriculture sector. However, the implementation of such projects is hampered by implementation costs – especially for small-scale farmers – the lack of resources and skills and imperfect interoperability between different systems.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.How does the Commission plan to help address these challenges, with a focus on small-scale farmers?
    • 2.Is it considering drawing on best practices and encouraging their adoption in order to boost productivity and make agricultural production and the agriculture sector in general more sustainable?

    Submitted: 15.1.2025

    Last updated: 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – ‘Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action’ – European Social Fund Plus – E-000215/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000215/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Idoia Mendia (S&D)

    In October 2023, the Commission adopted a communication[1] presenting a set of policy tools available to the Member States for managing demographic change and its impact on the EU’s society and economy, including its global competitiveness, named ‘Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action’.

    To reinforce data and evidence on ageing and demographic change in the EU, the Commission committed to ensuring that, in 2024, the employment and social innovation strand of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) would address key aspects of demographic developments, such as ageing and long-term care. Additionally, it pledged to publish a study by 2025 on the implications of the rising need for long-term care.

    • 1.How did the ESF+ address the rising need for long-term care as a key aspect of demographic change in 2024, including the projects developed and the budget allocated to this area?
    • 2.When will the study on the implications of the rising need for long-term care be published and presented to Parliament?

    Submitted: 20.1.2025

    • [1] Commission communication of 11 October 2023 entitled ‘Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action’ (COM(2023)0577), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52023DC0577.
    Last updated: 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Requests by former Members of the Commission to engage in professional activities – E-000207/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000207/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Fabio De Masi (NI)

    For how many and which former Members of the Commission are requests to engage in professional activities currently pending for approval by the Commission?

    Submitted: 20.1.2025

    Last updated: 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – ‘Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action’ – Ageing Group – E-000214/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000214/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Idoia Mendia (S&D)

    In October 2023, the Commission adopted a communication presenting a set of policy tools available to Member States for managing demographic change and its impacts on the EU’s society and economy, including the EU’s global competitiveness, named ‘Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action’.

    To achieve the objective of ‘empowering older generations and sustaining their welfare’, the Commission made a commitment to ‘publish the Pension Adequacy Report (jointly with the Social Protection Committee) and the Ageing Report (jointly with the Ageing Group)’.

    • 1.What are the main objectives of this Ageing Group, how is it structured and who are its members?
    • 2.How regularly does the Ageing Group meet, what are its main activities and what are the connections between this group and Parliament?

    Submitted: 20.1.2025

    Last updated: 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – ‘Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action’ – support for rural areas – E-000217/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000217/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Idoia Mendia (S&D)

    In October 2023, the Commission presented a communication on ‘Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action’[1] outlining tools for Member States to address demographic challenges and their impacts on the EU’s society, economy and competitiveness.

    To address demographic challenges, the Commission committed itself to presenting a report on the long-term vision for rural areas and supporting the creation of regional innovation valleys (RIVs) in regions with lower innovation performance.

    • 1.When will the report on the long-term vision for rural areas be presented, or, if already published, what were its main conclusions?
    • 2.Which RIVs have been created or are planned under Horizon Europe and I3 funding, and what are their timelines and expected outcomes?

    Submitted: 20.1.2025

    • [1] COM(2023)0577.
    Last updated: 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Suspension of shipping services in Spanish and European ports – E-000221/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000221/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez (PPE), Borja Giménez Larraz (PPE)

    On 13 January 2025, the Danish shipping company Maersk announced that its MECL service, which connects the Middle East and India with the United States, will stop calling at one of the main ports in southern Europe – the port of Algeciras in Spain – and will instead call at the Moroccan port of Tanger Med. Similarly, in February 2024 the German freight shipping company Hapag-Lloyd decided to suspend calls at the port of Valencia to relocate to the other side of the Mediterranean.

    These relocations are two blatant cases of carbon leakage, as the shipping companies will be exempted from EU ETS charges which, since January 2024, apply a surcharge on shipping freight.

    I would therefore like to ask the Commission:

    • 1.Given that competitiveness is one of the pillars of the new Commission, what measures will it adopt to ensure that European ports such as Algeciras and Valencia remain attractive and relevant for the main international trade routes?
    • 2.What measures will it take to stem this carbon leakage to other ports and maintain the competitiveness of the European Union?

    Submitted: 20.1.2025

    Last updated: 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Draft agenda – Monday, 10 February 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    17 European Central Bank – annual report 2024
    Anouk Van Brug (A10-0003/2025) 
        – Amendments Wednesday, 5 February 2025, 13:00
    Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 7 February 2025, 12:00
    Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 10 February 2025, 19:00
    Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 11 February 2025, 19:00
    Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Rules applied by the Commission to determine whether an impact assessment will precede a legislative proposal – E-000226/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000226/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Auke Zijlstra (PfE), Ton Diepeveen (PfE)

    The principles of good governance require the Commission to carry out an impact assessment prior to a legislative initiative, with the aim being to evaluate the potential economic, social and environmental consequences of the proposed legislation in question. Increasingly though, on the pretext of urgency or owing to ‘the nature of the proposal’, the Commission decides not to carry out an impact assessment. Recent examples of this include the European sanctions against Russia, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the State Aid Temporary Framework, certain measures on customs and border controls owing to Brexit, the European Digital Identity Regulation and the Reform and Growth Facility for the Republic of Moldova.

    In its proposal for a regulation COM/2024/0469, we are even told the following in Chapter 3, 4th indent: ‘An assessment in the form of a Commission staff working document supporting the proposal will be prepared within 3 months of the regulation’s adoption.’

    • 1.What rules does the Commission apply to determine whether an impact assessment will be carried out as part of the preparation of a legislative proposal?
    • 2.Does the Commission agree that the credibility of an impact assessment is undermined when it is stated prior to such an assessment that the outcome thereof will be positive?

    Submitted: 20.1.2025

    Last updated: 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Netherlands: Samotics secures €20 million EIB financing to accelerate the transformation of industrial efficiency and reliability with AI

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • Dutch-based leader in electrical data analytics for condition and energy efficiency monitoring signs €20 million financing with European Investment Bank.
    • Samotics will use the funds to accelerate the research and development on its technology, which can boost reliability and energy efficiency in electrical motors using AI.
    • The EIB financing is supported by the European Commission under its InvestEU initiative.

    Dutch-based electrical data analytics company Samotics has signed a €20 million financing agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to accelerate its research and development activities. The EIB’s investment will enhance the company’s solutions regarding the monitoring of machine health and energy efficiency, while accelerating work on its next-generation integrated solution, planned for launch this year. The funding aligns with Samotics’ mission to make industries more reliable, efficient, and sustainable.

    The EIB Group wants to accelerate digitalisation and innovation in Industry 4.0 related technology, such as artificial intelligence and microchips, as this kind of innovation is key to Europe’s green and digital transitions, and crucial in ensuring its technological and strategic autonomy. Reliability and energy efficiency are instrumental for Europe’s public and private efforts for decarbonisation and sustainability across different sectors. The EIB’s financing benefits from the backing of the “Future Tech” guarantee within the InvestEU initiative of the European Commission.

    “This is one those applications where the use of artificial intelligence can really make a difference.“ stated EIB Vice President Robert de Groot. “It highlights that modern challenges require modern solutions, and this intelligent way to pre-empting problems and optimising energy efficiency is an important element in our decarbonisation journey. As part of our commitment to supporting technology and innovations critical for Europe’s competitiveness, we are proud to back Samotics.”.

    “This funding from the EIB highlights the trust placed in our technology and its potential to revolutionise industrial reliability and sustainability. It’s a defining moment for Samotics as we further accelerate our growth and innovation journey,” said Jasper Hoogeweegen, CEO of Samotics.

    The electrical signature analysis (ESA) that Samotics technology applies, relies on the principle that subtle changes in the operational characteristics of an electrical motor, often occurring before a failure, impact the machine’s magnetic field. This affects the supply voltage and operating current, and by using various analytical techniques, ESA provides a comprehensive overview of the entire powertrain, from motor to transmission to load, to accurately predict faults.

    Samotics’ system specifically focuses on AI driven monitoring and analysis to predict malfunctioning, detect energy inefficiencies and provide actionable recommendations. The system can be installed directly in the electric cabinet, avoiding the need to access the often-inaccessible motors. The predictive analytics for malfunction detection are vital, as these motors typically support critical infrastructure where unplanned downtime is unacceptable, and the costs of complete failure are high. Additionally, identifying and correcting energy inefficiencies can significantly reduce operating costs.

    Background information:

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. The Netherlands owns a 5,2% share of the EIB. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals and national priorities. More than 90% of its activity is in Europe. Over the last ten years, the EIB has made available more than €27 billion in financing for Dutch projects in various sectors, including research & development, sustainable mobility, drinking water, healthcare and SMEs. The EIB will announce its 2024 annual figures on January 30th 2025.

    The InvestEU programme provides the European Union with crucial long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of a sustainable recovery. It also helps mobilise private investment for EU policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal and the digital transition. InvestEU brings together under one roof the multitude of EU financial instruments previously available to support investment in the European Union, 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 deployed through implementing partners who will invest in projects using the EU budget guarantee of €26.2 billion. The entire budget guarantee will back the investment projects of the implementing partners, increase their risk-bearing capacity and thus mobilise at least €372 billion in additional investment.

    Samotics is a leading company in electrical data analytics for condition and energy efficiency monitoring. It has developed a predictive maintenance and energy efficiency optimisation solution for industrial companies based on Electrical Signature Analysis. The company’s system specifically focuses on monitoring and analysing electric motors to detect energy inefficiencies and predict malfunctioning through Artificial Intelligence driven recommendations.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Draft agenda – Tuesday, 11 February 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    22 Adoption by the European Atomic Energy Community of the Agreement on the interpretation and application of the Energy Charter Treaty between the European Union, the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States
    Borys Budka
        – (possibly) Amendments Wednesday, 5 February 2025, 13:00
    Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 7 February 2025, 12:00
    Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 10 February 2025, 19:00
    Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 11 February 2025, 19:00
    Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Draft agenda – Thursday, 13 February 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    27 Further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia
        – Motions for resolutions Monday, 10 February 2025, 19:00
        – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions Tuesday, 11 February 2025, 19:00
        – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions Tuesday, 11 February 2025, 20:00
        – Requests for “separate”, “split” and “roll-call” votes Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 16:00
    Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 7 February 2025, 12:00
    Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 10 February 2025, 19:00
    Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 11 February 2025, 19:00
    Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150) Wednesday, 12 February 2025, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –