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  • MIL-OSI: Donegal Group Inc. Announces Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MARIETTA, Pa., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Donegal Group Inc. (NASDAQ: DGICA) and (NASDAQ: DGICB) today reported its financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024.

    Significant Items for third quarter of 2024 (all comparisons to third quarter of 2023):

    • Net income of $16.8 million, or 51 cents per diluted Class A share, compared to net loss of $0.8 million, or 2 cents per Class A share
    • Net premiums earned increased 6.0% to $238.0 million
    • Net premiums written1 increased 5.9% to $232.2 million
    • Combined ratio of 96.4%, compared to 104.5%
    • Net income included after-tax net investment gains of $1.5 million, or 5 cents per diluted Class A share, compared to after-tax net investment losses of $1.0 million, or 3 cents per Class A share
    • Book value per share of $15.22 at September 30, 2024, compared to $14.26

    Financial Summary

      Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2024       2023     % Change     2024       2023     % Change
      (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                           
    Income Statement Data                      
    Net premiums earned $ 237,957     $ 224,393     6.0 %   $ 700,017     $ 655,886     6.7 %
    Investment income, net   10,827       10,536     2.8       32,868       30,143     9.0  
    Net investment gains (losses)   1,876       (1,243 )   NM2     4,725       930     408.1  
    Total revenues   251,738       233,928     7.6       739,651       687,870     7.5  
    Net income (loss)   16,752       (805 )   NM      26,860       6,396     319.9  
    Non-GAAP operating income1   15,270       176     NM      23,127       5,661     308.5  
    Annualized return on average equity   13.4 %     -0.7 %   14.1 pts     7.2 %     1.8 %   5.4 pts
                           
    Per Share Data                      
    Net income (loss) – Class A (diluted) $ 0.51     $ (0.02 )   NM    $ 0.81     $ 0.20     305.0 %
    Net income (loss) – Class B   0.46       (0.02 )   NM      0.74       0.17     335.3  
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class A (diluted)   0.46       0.01     NM      0.70       0.17     311.8  
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class B   0.42       –     NM      0.63       0.15     320.0  
    Book value   15.22       14.26     6.7 %     15.22       14.26     6.7  
                           

    1The “Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this release defines and reconciles data that we prepare on an accounting basis other than U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

    2Not meaningful.


    Management Commentary

    “We are pleased that many of the strategic initiatives we implemented in recent years contributed to significant improvement in our financial results for the third quarter of 2024,” said Kevin G. Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer of Donegal Group Inc.

    “With the exit from commercial lines markets in Georgia and Alabama essentially completed at the end of the second quarter of 2024, solid new business writings, rate achievement and retention levels led to a 6.4% increase in commercial lines net premiums written for the third quarter of 2024. Our personal lines net premiums written growth rate for the third quarter was 5.4%, primarily attributable to strong rate increases and policy retention that were partially offset by intentional strategic actions to slow growth and further improve profitability.

    “Despite higher-than-average weather-related losses during the quarter, primarily attributable to Hurricane Helene in late September, our combined ratio improved significantly to 96.4%, compared to 104.5% for the prior-year quarter. Our core loss ratios improved across all of our major lines of business. We attribute that improvement to the favorable impact of numerous ongoing underwriting initiatives and higher net premiums earned from renewal rate increases that we implemented over the past two years.”

    Mr, Burke concluded, “We have growing confidence that the continuing execution of our strategies will deliver sustained excellent financial performance.”

    Insurance Operations

    Donegal Group is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries and affiliates offer property and casualty lines of insurance in three Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania), five Southern states (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia), eight Midwestern states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin) and five Southwestern states (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Utah). Donegal Mutual Insurance Company and the insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Group conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group.

      Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2024     2023   % Change     2024     2023   % Change
      (dollars in thousands)
                           
    Net Premiums Earned                      
    Commercial lines $ 136,401   $ 135,432   0.7 %   $ 402,982   $ 399,427   0.9 %
    Personal lines   101,556     88,961   14.2       297,035     256,460   15.8  
    Total net premiums earned $ 237,957   $ 224,393   6.0 %   $ 700,017   $ 655,887   6.7 %
                           
    Net Premiums Written                      
    Commercial lines:                      
    Automobile $ 41,464   $ 37,535   10.5 %   $ 142,067   $ 134,853   5.3 %
    Workers’ compensation   23,934     24,371   -1.8       82,599     85,315   -3.2  
    Commercial multi-peril   50,155     44,949   11.6       163,528     147,622   10.8  
    Other   10,548     11,639   -9.4       35,649     39,913   -10.7  
    Total commercial lines   126,101     118,494   6.4       423,843     407,703   4.0  
    Personal lines:                      
    Automobile   65,150     58,038   12.3       188,958     161,348   17.1  
    Homeowners   38,288     39,633   -3.4       109,655     105,035   4.4  
    Other   2,669     3,021   -11.7       8,383     8,917   -6.0  
    Total personal lines   106,107     100,692   5.4       306,996     275,300   11.5  
    Total net premiums written $ 232,208   $ 219,186   5.9 %   $ 730,839   $ 683,003   7.0 %
                           
                           

    Net Premiums Written

    The 5.9% increase in net premiums written for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023, as shown in the table above, represents the combination of 6.4% growth in commercial lines net premiums written and 5.4% growth in personal lines net premiums written. The $13.0 million increase in net premiums written for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 included:

    • Commercial Lines: $7.6 million increase that we attribute primarily to new business writings, strong premium retention, and a continuation of renewal premium increases in lines other than workers’ compensation, offset partially by planned attrition in states in which we are executing ongoing profit improvement initiatives as part of our state-specific strategies.
    • Personal Lines: $5.4 million increase that we attribute primarily to a continuation of renewal premium rate increases and strong policy retention, offset partially by planned attrition due to non-renewal actions.

    Underwriting Performance

    We evaluate the performance of our commercial lines and personal lines segments primarily based upon the underwriting results of our insurance subsidiaries as determined under statutory accounting practices. The following table presents comparative details with respect to the GAAP and statutory combined ratios1 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

      Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
      September 30,   September 30,
      2024     2023     2024     2023  
                   
    GAAP Combined Ratios (Total Lines)              
    Loss ratio – core losses 50.1 %   56.7 %   54.5 %   56.0 %
    Loss ratio – weather-related losses 10.3     11.5     8.6     9.1  
    Loss ratio – large fire losses 3.7     4.9     5.2     5.3  
    Loss ratio – net prior-year reserve development -2.6     -3.3     -2.2     -2.4  
    Loss ratio 61.5     69.8     66.1     68.0  
    Expense ratio 34.5     34.1     34.0     34.9  
    Dividend ratio 0.4     0.6     0.5     0.6  
    Combined ratio 96.4 %   104.5 %   100.6 %   103.5 %
                   
    Statutory Combined Ratios              
    Commercial lines:              
    Automobile 101.5 %   86.5 %   98.2 %   94.8 %
    Workers’ compensation 84.7     97.7     104.1     93.1  
    Commercial multi-peril 88.4     114.8     100.4     113.8  
    Other 59.4     76.2     78.4     82.7  
    Total commercial lines 89.8     97.5     98.6     100.2  
    Personal lines:              
    Automobile 97.8     109.8     97.8     106.1  
    Homeowners 116.8     128.9     107.5     111.2  
    Other 102.2     46.4     97.2     81.3  
    Total personal lines 104.7     119.4     101.2     107.2  
    Total lines 96.0 %   105.2 %   99.7 %   102.9 %
                   
                   

    Loss Ratio

    For the third quarter of 2024, the loss ratio decreased to 61.5%, compared to 69.8% for the third quarter of 2023. For the commercial lines segment, the core loss ratio of 48.5% for the third quarter of 2024 decreased from 53.7% for the third quarter of 2023, due largely to lower severity of large casualty losses. For the personal lines segment, the core loss ratio of 52.5% for the third quarter of 2024 decreased from 61.8% for the third quarter of 2023, due largely to the favorable impact of premium rate increases on net premiums earned for that segment. Core loss ratios in both segments improved compared to the respective ratios for the first half of 2024.

    Weather-related losses were $24.4 million, or 10.3 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $25.7 million, or 11.5 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2023. Weather-related loss activity for the third quarter of 2024 was higher than our previous five-year average of $18.8 million, or 9.4 percentage points of the loss ratio, for third-quarter weather-related losses. Our insurance subsidiaries incurred $6.0 million in net losses from Hurricane Helene in September 2024.

    Large fire losses, which we define as individual fire losses in excess of $50,000, for the third quarter of 2024 were $8.8 million, or 3.7 percentage points of the loss ratio. That amount was lower than large fire losses of $11.0 million, or 4.9 percentage points of the loss ratio, for the third quarter of 2023. We experienced a decrease in commercial property fire losses compared to the prior-year quarter.

    Net favorable development of reserves for losses incurred in prior accident years of $6.2 million decreased the loss ratio for the third quarter of 2024 by 2.6 percentage points, compared to $7.3 million that decreased the loss ratio for the third quarter of 2023 by 3.3 percentage points. Our insurance subsidiaries experienced favorable development primarily in the commercial multi-peril and other commercial lines of business.

    Expense Ratio

    The expense ratio was 34.5% for the third quarter of 2024, compared to 34.1% for the third quarter of 2023. The modest increase in the expense ratio primarily reflected an increase in underwriting-based incentive costs as well as higher technology systems-related expenses that were primarily due to increased costs related to our ongoing systems modernization project, a portion of which Donegal Mutual Insurance Company allocates to our insurance subsidiaries. This increase was offset partially by impacts of various expense reduction initiatives, including agency incentive program revisions, commission schedule adjustments, targeted staffing reductions, and hiring restrictions for open employment positions, among others. We expect the impact from allocated costs from Donegal Mutual Insurance Company to our insurance subsidiaries related to the ongoing systems modernization project will peak at approximately 1.3 percentage points of the expense ratio for the full year of 2024 before beginning to subside gradually in subsequent years.

    Investment Operations

    Donegal Group’s investment strategy is to generate an appropriate amount of after-tax income on its invested assets while minimizing credit risk through investment in high-quality securities. As a result, we had invested 96.2% of our consolidated investment portfolio in diversified, highly rated and marketable fixed-maturity securities at September 30, 2024.

      September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023
      Amount   %   Amount   %
      (dollars in thousands)
    Fixed maturities, at carrying value:              
    U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies $ 173,663     12.7 %   $ 176,991     13.3 %
    Obligations of states and political subdivisions   413,040     30.1       415,280     31.3  
    Corporate securities   427,372     31.2       399,640     30.1  
    Mortgage-backed securities   304,911     22.3       278,260     21.0  
    Allowance for expected credit losses   (1,483 )   -0.1       (1,326 )   -0.1  
    Total fixed maturities   1,317,503     96.2       1,268,845     95.6  
    Equity securities, at fair value   35,957     2.6       25,903     2.0  
    Short-term investments, at cost   15,805     1.2       32,306     2.4  
    Total investments $ 1,369,265     100.0 %   $ 1,327,054     100.0 %
                   
    Average investment yield   3.3 %         3.1 %    
    Average tax-equivalent investment yield   3.3 %         3.2 %    
    Average fixed-maturity duration (years)   5.1           4.3      
                   
                   

    Net investment income of $10.8 million for the third quarter of 2024 increased modestly compared to $10.5 million for the third quarter of 2023. The increase in net investment income primarily reflected an increase in average investment yield relative to the prior-year third quarter.

    Net investment gains of $1.9 million for the third quarter of 2024 were primarily related to unrealized gains in the fair value of equity securities held at September 30, 2024. Net investment losses of $1.2 million for the third quarter of 2023 were primarily related to unrealized losses in the fair value of equity securities held at September 30, 2023.

    Our book value per share was $15.22 at September 30, 2024, compared to $14.39 at December 31, 2023, with the increase related to net income as well as $11.9 million of after-tax unrealized gains within our available-for-sale fixed-maturity portfolio during 2024 that increased our book value by $0.37 per share, offset partially by cash dividends declared.

    Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    We prepare our consolidated financial statements on the basis of GAAP. Our insurance subsidiaries also prepare financial statements based on statutory accounting principles state insurance regulators prescribe or permit (“SAP”). In addition to using GAAP-based performance measurements, we also utilize certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe provide value in managing our business and for comparison to the financial results of our peers. These non-GAAP measures are net premiums written, operating income or loss and statutory combined ratio.

    Net premiums written and operating income or loss are non-GAAP financial measures investors in insurance companies commonly use. We define net premiums written as the amount of full-term premiums our insurance subsidiaries record for policies effective within a given period less premiums our insurance subsidiaries cede to reinsurers. We define operating income or loss as net income or loss excluding after-tax net investment gains or losses, after-tax restructuring charges and other significant non-recurring items. Because our calculation of operating income or loss may differ from similar measures other companies use, investors should exercise caution when comparing our measure of operating income or loss to the measure of other companies.

    The following table provides a reconciliation of net premiums earned to net premiums written for the periods indicated:

                           
      Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2024       2023     % Change     2024     2023   % Change
      (dollars in thousands)
                           
    Reconciliation of Net Premiums                      
    Earned to Net Premiums Written                      
    Net premiums earned $ 237,957     $ 224,393     6.0 %   $ 700,017   $ 655,886   6.7 %
    Change in net unearned premiums   (5,749 )     (5,207 )   10.4       30,822     27,117   13.7  
    Net premiums written $ 232,208     $ 219,186     5.9 %   $ 730,839   $ 683,003   7.0 %
                           
                           

    The following table provides a reconciliation of net income (loss) to operating income for the periods indicated:

      Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
        2024       2023     % Change     2024       2023     % Change
      (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                           
    Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss)                      
    to Non-GAAP Operating Income                      
    Net income (loss) $ 16,752     $ (805 )   NM   $ 26,860     $ 6,396     319.9 %
    Investment (gains) losses (after tax)   (1,482 )     981     NM     (3,733 )     (735 )   407.9  
    Non-GAAP operating income $ 15,270     $ 176     NM   $ 23,127     $ 5,661     308.5 %
                           
    Per Share Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss)                      
    to Non-GAAP Operating Income                      
    Net income (loss) – Class A (diluted) $ 0.51     $ (0.02 )   NM   $ 0.81     $ 0.20     305.0 %
    Investment (gains) losses (after tax)   (0.05 )     0.03     NM     (0.11 )     (0.03 )   266.7  
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class A $ 0.46     $ 0.01     NM   $ 0.70     $ 0.17     311.8 %
                           
    Net income (loss) – Class B $ 0.46     $ (0.02 )   NM   $ 0.74     $ 0.17     335.3 %
    Investment (gains) losses (after tax)   (0.04 )     0.02     NM     (0.11 )     (0.02 )   450.0  
    Non-GAAP operating income – Class B $ 0.42     $ –     NM   $ 0.63     $ 0.15     320.0 %
                           
                           

    The statutory combined ratio is a non-GAAP standard measurement of underwriting profitability that is based upon amounts determined under SAP. The statutory combined ratio is the sum of:

    • the statutory loss ratio, which is the ratio of calendar-year incurred losses and loss expenses, excluding anticipated salvage and subrogation recoveries, to premiums earned;
    • the statutory expense ratio, which is the ratio of expenses incurred for net commissions, premium taxes and underwriting expenses to premiums written; and
    • the statutory dividend ratio, which is the ratio of dividends to holders of workers’ compensation policies to premiums earned.

    The statutory combined ratio does not reflect investment income, federal income taxes or other non-operating income or expense. A statutory combined ratio of less than 100% generally indicates underwriting profitability.

    Dividend Information

    On October 17, 2024, we declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.1725 per share for our Class A common stock and $0.155 per share for our Class B common stock, which are payable on November 15, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 1, 2024.

    Pre-Recorded Webcast

    At approximately 8:30 am ET on Thursday, October 24, 2024, we will make available in the Investors section of our website a pre-recorded audio webcast featuring management commentary on our quarterly results and general business updates. You may listen to the pre-recorded webcast by accessing the link on our website at http://investors.donegalgroup.com. A supplemental investor presentation is also available via our website.

    About the Company

    Donegal Group Inc. is an insurance holding company whose insurance subsidiaries and affiliates offer property and casualty lines of insurance in certain Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, Southern and Southwestern states. Donegal Mutual Insurance Company and the insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Group Inc. conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group. The Donegal Insurance Group has an A.M. Best rating of A (Excellent).

    The Class A common stock and Class B common stock of Donegal Group Inc. trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbols DGICA and DGICB, respectively. We are focused on several primary strategies, including achieving sustained excellent financial performance, strategically modernizing our operations and processes to transform our business, capitalizing on opportunities to grow profitably and delivering a superior experience to our agents and customers.

    Safe Harbor

    We base all statements contained in this release that are not historic facts on our current expectations. Such statements are forward-looking in nature (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and necessarily involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements we make may be identified by our use of words such as “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate” and similar expressions. Our actual results could vary materially from our forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause our actual results to vary materially from the forward-looking statements we have previously made include, but are not limited to, adverse litigation and other trends that could increase our loss costs (including social inflation, labor shortages and escalating medical, automobile and property repair costs), adverse and catastrophic weather events (including from changing climate conditions), our ability to maintain profitable operations (including our ability to underwrite risks effectively and charge adequate premium rates), the adequacy of the loss and loss expense reserves of our insurance subsidiaries, the availability and successful operation of the information technology systems our insurance subsidiaries utilize, the successful development of new information technology systems to allow our insurance subsidiaries to compete effectively, business and economic conditions in the areas in which we and our insurance subsidiaries operate, interest rates, competition from various insurance and other financial businesses, terrorism, the availability and cost of reinsurance, legal and judicial developments (including those related to COVID-19 business interruption coverage exclusions), changes in regulatory requirements, our ability to attract and retain independent insurance agents, changes in our A.M. Best rating and the other risks that we describe from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that we may make to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

    Investor Relations Contacts

    Karin Daly, Vice President, The Equity Group Inc.

    Phone: (212) 836-9623
    E-mail: kdaly@equityny.com

    Jeffrey D. Miller, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
    Phone: (717) 426-1931
    E-mail: investors@donegalgroup.com

    Financial Supplement

    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
    (unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
               
          Quarter Ended September 30,
            2024     2023  
               
    Net premiums earned $ 237,957   $ 224,393  
    Investment income, net of expenses   10,827     10,536  
    Net investment gains (losses)   1,876     (1,243 )
    Lease income     77     86  
    Installment payment fees   1,001     156  
      Total revenues   251,738     233,928  
               
    Net losses and loss expenses   146,426     156,683  
    Amortization of deferred acquisition costs   40,200     39,332  
    Other underwriting expenses   41,827     37,155  
    Policyholder dividends   1,007     1,399  
    Interest     367     156  
    Other expenses, net     1,499     208  
      Total expenses   231,326     234,933  
               
    Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)   20,412     (1,005 )
    Income tax expense (benefit)   3,660     (200 )
               
    Net income (loss)   $ 16,752   $ (805 )
               
    Net income (loss) per common share:      
      Class A – basic and diluted $ 0.51   $ (0.02 )
      Class B – basic and diluted $ 0.46   $ (0.02 )
               
    Supplementary Financial Analysts’ Data      
               
    Weighted-average number of shares      
      outstanding:      
      Class A – basic   27,978,435     27,594,973  
      Class A – diluted   28,058,399     27,665,293  
      Class B – basic and diluted   5,576,775     5,576,775  
               
    Net premiums written $ 232,208   $ 219,186  
               
    Book value per common share      
      at end of period $ 15.22   $ 14.26  
               
    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
               
          Nine Months Ended September 30,
            2024     2023
               
    Net premiums earned $ 700,017   $ 655,886
    Investment income, net of expenses   32,868     30,143
    Net investment gains   4,725     930
    Lease income     237     262
    Installment payment fees   1,804     649
      Total revenues   739,651     687,870
               
    Net losses and loss expenses   462,683     446,024
    Amortization of deferred acquisition costs   120,458     115,065
    Other underwriting expenses   117,604     113,715
    Policyholder dividends   3,248     4,088
    Interest     677     464
    Other expenses, net     2,309     969
      Total expenses   706,979     680,325
               
    Income before income tax expense   32,672     7,545
    Income tax expense     5,812     1,149
               
    Net income   $ 26,860   $ 6,396
               
    Net income per common share:      
      Class A – basic $ 0.82   $ 0.20
      Class A – diluted $ 0.81   $ 0.20
      Class B – basic and diluted $ 0.74   $ 0.17
               
    Supplementary Financial Analysts’ Data      
               
    Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:      
      Class A – basic   27,878,552     27,390,883
      Class A – diluted   27,916,904     27,507,706
      Class B – basic and diluted   5,576,775     5,576,775
               
    Net premiums written $ 730,839   $ 683,003
               
    Book value per common share      
      at end of period $ 15.22   $ 14.26
     
    Donegal Group Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (in thousands)
               
          September 30,   December 31,
            2024       2023  
          (unaudited)    
               
    ASSETS
    Investments:      
      Fixed maturities:      
        Held to maturity, at amortized cost $ 694,663     $ 679,497  
        Available for sale, at fair value   622,840       589,348  
      Equity securities, at fair value   35,957       25,903  
      Short-term investments, at cost   15,805       32,306  
        Total investments   1,369,265       1,327,054  
    Cash   28,651       23,792  
    Premiums receivable   194,254       179,592  
    Reinsurance receivable   434,078       441,431  
    Deferred policy acquisition costs   78,484       75,043  
    Prepaid reinsurance premiums   185,364       168,724  
    Other assets   56,030       50,658  
        Total assets $ 2,346,126     $ 2,266,294  
               
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    Liabilities:      
      Losses and loss expenses $ 1,134,853     $ 1,126,157  
      Unearned premiums   646,870       599,411  
      Accrued expenses   2,987       3,947  
      Borrowings under lines of credit   35,000       35,000  
      Other liabilities   13,046       22,034  
        Total liabilities   1,832,756       1,786,549  
    Stockholders’ equity:      
      Class A common stock   312       308  
      Class B common stock   56       56  
      Additional paid-in capital   342,186       335,694  
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (20,951 )     (32,882 )
      Retained earnings   232,993       217,795  
      Treasury stock   (41,226 )     (41,226 )
        Total stockholders’ equity   513,370       479,745  
        Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 2,346,126     $ 2,266,294  
               

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Legible Announces $2.1 Million Private Placement Unit Offering and Appointment of Chief Technology Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Legible Inc. (CSE: READ) (OTCQB: LEBGF) (FSE: D0T) (“Legible or “the Company”), a leading platform and innovator in digital literature, announces an offering of units (“Units”) for gross proceeds of $2,100,000 by way of a non-brokered private placement (the “Offering”) pursuant to exemptions from applicable securities laws. Each Unit consists of one common share (“Common Share(s)”) and one whole Common Share purchase warrant (“Warrant(s)”) with each Warrant entitling the holder to acquire 1 Common Share at a price of $0.14, at any time prior to 5:00 pm (PST) on the date that is two years from the closing date. If the volume weighted average trading price of the Common shares is at least $0.40 per Common Share for a period of 5 consecutive trading days, the expiry date of the Warrants may be accelerated by the Company to a date that is not less than 14 days after the date that notice of such acceleration is provided to the Warrant holders by way of a press release.

    The Company has received subscription agreements totaling $1.7 Million. Closing may occur in tranches, with the first tranche expected to close on or about October 31, 2024.

    Legible is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Andrew Nelson to the position of Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Nelson is a Senior Software Engineer who brings nearly 20 years of experience in a wide array of technological and business development roles spanning a wide array of industries, having held a number of senior positions. Prior to Mr. Nelson’s appointment as Legible’s CTO, Mr. Nelson held the position of Director of Technology at Legible as of January 2024. Mr. Nelson’s proficiencies in software development, web design, cybersecurity, data analytics, organizational planning, and product development have helped companies create and implement scalable, customer-focused solutions to drive business growth and brand recognition. Mr. Nelson also has extensive executive and board experience.

    Andrew Nelson stated, “I’m incredibly grateful to take on this leadership role at Legible, a company with such a positive mission to revolutionize how people read and interact with digital literature. Our technology roadmap is centered around creating personalized, accessible, and intuitive experiences that seamlessly integrate into everyday life. As CTO, I’m committed to ensuring that our product innovation and leadership align fully with Legible’s mission, enriching the way audiences engage with literature across the globe.”

    Kaleeg Hainsworth, CEO of Legible, commented, “We are deeply grateful for the support of our lead investor, a U.S.-based private financial services corporation, which has committed CDN$1.61 million to this Offering. This funding will strengthen our balance sheet and empower us to ramp up marketing and sales initiatives, fueling the growth of our Legible Unbound Subscription service. At just US$9.99 per month, Legible Unbound is gaining traction by offering unlimited access to a vast and growing catalogue of eBooks and audiobooks. We are thrilled also to welcome Andrew Nelson as our new Chief Technology Officer. Andrew’s sophisticated understanding of user experience, technological trends, and eCommerce will be invaluable as we scale globally across all our verticals. He is experienced, proven, genuinely understands what Legible is achieving, resilient, a fantastic people person, and is greatly respected in his community. Andrew enhances our executive team and supports Legible’s mission to innovate and lead in the digital literary space, now more than ever.”

    Further to Legible’s Press Release dated July 18, 2024 wherein Legible announced its warrant incentive program (the “WIP”), Legible is pleased to announce the WIP resulted in: (i) a total of 3,374,936 warrants being exercised at $0.07 for proceeds of $236,246, which included $180,233 in the settlement of outstanding indebtedness; and (ii) the issuance of new warrants exercisable on or before August 16, 2025 at $0.10 for an additional 3,374,936 common shares. In the event that the volume weighted average trading price of the common shares of Legible on the Canadian Securities Exchange is at least $0.30 for a minimum of 10 consecutive trading days (whether or not trading occurs on all such days), Legible may, in its sole discretion, issue a news release announcing that the exercise period has been reduced to twenty-one (21) days following the date of the issuance of such news release (the “Accelerated Expiry Date”). If such news release is issued, all such warrants that are not exercised prior to 5:00 p.m. Vancouver time on the Accelerated Expiry Date will expire immediately after such time on the Accelerated Expiry Date.

    In addition, further to the Company’s press release dated January 24, 2024, Legible announces the conclusion of its engagement with Investor Cubed Inc. (“Investor Cubed”), which provided investor relations and shareholder communication services, effective immediately. Legible extends its gratitude to Investor Cubed for their contributions and support during the engagement.

    About Legible Inc.

    Legible is a groundbreaking, mobile-centric global company specializing in eBook and audiobook entertainment. Its extensive partnerships encompass four of the Big 5 Publishers, the world’s largest eBook distributors, and outstanding publishers of all sizes, enabling Legible to deliver millions of eBooks and audiobooks, transforming any smart device into a source of cutting-edge infotainment.

    Legible recently released My Model Kitchen – Vol. 2: Vegetables – The Garden of Earthly Delights, the second of 15 video-enriched Living Cookbooks by former supermodel, bestselling author, TV host and celebrity chef Cristina Ferrare, with an AI Sous Chef for each recipe. The Living Cookbooks and Ms. Ferrare have been featured twice on the Drew Barrymore Show and in many other major US media outlets.

    A first mover in the rapidly expanding automotive infotainment market, Legible has partnered with media providers Faurecia Aptoide, Harman Ignite, LiveOne, and Visteon. Legible has the only Android Automotive app that delivers both audiobooks and eBooks to drivers and passengers in tens of millions of vehicles around the globe, positioning Legible at the forefront of the new world of in-car infotainment experiences.

    The 2024 EdTech Breakthrough Award winner for eLearning Innovation of the Year, Legible is reshaping the digital publishing landscape, committed to gaining significant market share through its innovative 21st-century publishing solutions and enriched reading experiences. Visit Legible.com, where eBooks come to life.

    Press Contacts:

    Legible Inc.

    Ms. Deborah Harford
    EVP, Global Strategic Partnerships
    invest@legible.com
    Website: https://invest.legible.com

    Legible Media Relations

    Krupp Kommunications, Inc.
    Ms. Kathy Giaconia
    VP Media Relations
    kgiaconia@kruppagency.com
    1-213-324-5665
    http://www.KruppAgency.com

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information
    This Press Release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information (“forward-looking statements”), including statements regarding Legible’s business. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Legible’s control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, currency fluctuations, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, stock market volatility and the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. Although Legible believes that the expectations in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are based on factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate. Those factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results or events and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward- looking information. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward- looking information, as no assurance can be provided as to future results, levels of activity or achievements. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date of this document and, except as required by applicable law, Legible does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES
    OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/989cb8b1-ce9c-4e00-b6a0-53c60c30fc72

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Media Advisory: Hut 8 Announces Conference Call to Discuss Third Quarter 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hut 8 Corp. (Nasdaq | TSX: HUT) (“Hut 8” or the “Company”), a leading, vertically integrated operator of large-scale energy infrastructure and one of North America’s largest Bitcoin miners, will host a conference call and webinar on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 to review third quarter 2024 results.

    Who: Analysts, media, and investors are invited to attend.
    What: Hut 8 executives will review the Company’s financial results for the third quarter of 2024.
    When: Results will be shared via media release and on the Company’s website at https://hut8.com/investors/ on November 13, 2024. The conference call and webinar will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET.
    Where: The webcast can be viewed at: https://www.hut8.com/q3-2024/.

    Analysts can register here.


    About Hut 8

    Hut 8 Corp. is an energy infrastructure operator and Bitcoin miner with self-mining, hosting, managed services, and traditional data center operations across North America. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Hut 8 Corp. has a portfolio comprising twenty sites: eleven Bitcoin mining, hosting, and Managed Services sites in Alberta, New York, and Texas, five high performance computing data centers in British Columbia and Ontario, and four power generation assets in Ontario. For more information, visit www.hut8.com and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @Hut8Corp.

    Hut 8 Investor Relations

    Sue Ennis

    ir@hut8.com

    Hut 8 Media Relations

    media@hut8.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN attends the 6th AMCA + ROK Meeting

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn today attended the 6th AMCA + Republic of Korea (ROK) Meeting held in Melaka, Malaysia. The meeting commended the substantive progress made in advancing cooperation with the ROK in culture and the arts. The meeting was also apprised of the wide array of joint initiatives with the ROK and the ongoing policy dialogues with the Korea Heritage Service.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN attends the 6th AMCA + ROK Meeting appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Urgent action needed to reduce food waste in the EU – P-001923/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The Commission has adopted a legislative proposal[1] setting food waste reduction targets to be achieved by Member States by 2030. The Commission will continue to support Member States in reducing food waste and reaching the targets when adopted, through the sharing of best practices in the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste[2], offering financial support via Single Market Programme action grants for Member States to monitor their food waste and to implement food waste prevention programmes, as well as developing tools and guidance to reduce consumer food waste[3].

    2. The Commission welcomes all effective solutions and innovative technologies that contribute to the global Sustainable Development Goal Target 12.3 ‘Halving food waste and raising climate ambition’[4] and help curb food waste in all sectors of the food supply chain, as long as they do not compromise food safety and animal health. Best practices, including those from the dairy and agricultural sector, are shared in the above-mentioned Platform or its dedicated subgroups. Through Horizon Europe, the Commission supports, for example, the development of sustainable and smart packaging solutions to extend shelf-life of packaged products, and circular solutions to empower and engage all actors in food systems.

    • [1] Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2008/98/EC on waste (COM(2023) 420 final).
    • [2] EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste: https://food.ec.europa.eu/food-safety/food-waste/eu-actions-against-food-waste/eu-platform-food-losses-and-food-waste_en
    • [3] Toolkit to reduce consumer food waste: https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/bioeconomy/reduce-food-waste_en
    • [4] https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/halving-food-waste-and-raising-climate-ambition-sdg-123-and-paris-agreement
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Sicily – suppressed report on illegal slaughtering of animals and organised crime – E-001573/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission has not been aware of such ‘regional authority’s suppressed report on the common agricultural policy fund fraud’ and cannot thus currently comment on any related misuse of funds.

    When the Commission becomes aware of any suspected cases of fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the EU budget, it informs the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

    OLAF analyses information of potential investigative interest to determine whether there are sufficient grounds to open an investigation.

    OLAF can carry out administrative investigations when there are suspicions of fraud, corruption or other illegal activities against the financial interests of the EU.

    In addition, in case of criminal conduct in respect of which the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) could exercise its competence, the case is reported to the EPPO, who can initiate a criminal investigation.

    From a food safety perspective, the current EU legal framework is considered fit for purpose. Its implementation and enforcement remain under the responsibility of the Member States.

    Italian authorities have neither informed the Commission nor other Member States within the Alert and Cooperation Network (ACN)[1] about the illegal slaughter of animals or the sale of meat unfit for human consumption in relation with the situation described.

    This absence of communication would conform with the EU legislation if the issue remains strictly limited to the Italian territory.

    • [1] https://food.ec.europa.eu/safety/acn_en
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The ‘Rwanda plan’ as an innovative solution for tackling illegal migration – E-001440/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission welcomes constructive approaches to achieve a fair and stable legal framework on migration provided that they fully uphold the respect for fundamental rights and EU and international law, while achieving efficient asylum and return procedures in line with the adopted Pact on Migration and Asylum[1].

    The Commission will continue to support reflections on innovative strategies which contribute to acceptable and durable solutions for migrant and for partner countries as long as they are rooted in EU and international law.

    The EU pursues comprehensive, balanced and tailor-made partnerships with third countries where migration should be built in as one of the core issues, and works with reliable stakeholders with whom it shares interests.

    • [1] https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/pact-migration-and-asylum/legislative-files-nutshell_en
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – How to safeguard and strengthen the partnership with Morocco – E-002131/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    17.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002131/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Thierry Mariani (PfE)

    In response to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decision on Friday, 4 October invalidating the agreements between the European Union and Morocco, Morocco has reiterated its constant position of not subscribing to any agreement or legal instrument that does not respect its territorial integrity and national unity, stressing the solidity and importance of the strategic relations between the European Union and Morocco.

    • 1.In this context, what action does the Commission intend to take to safeguard and strengthen this historic and essential partnership, particularly in respect of the economy, energy and migration, while respecting Morocco’s sovereignty?
    • 2.How does the Commission intend to support a pragmatic approach promoting stability and cooperation in the region, while ensuring that the CJEU’s legal decisions do not get in the way of Euro-Moroccan relations?
    • 3.Lastly, what initiatives does the Commission intend to take to strengthen dialogue with Morocco and ensure that the mutual interests of the two partners, particularly in terms of security and development, are safeguarded and furthered?

    Submitted: 17.10.2024

    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Transposition of Directive (EU) 2016/343 in Italy and freedom of the press – E-002129/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    17.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002129/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Valentina Palmisano (The Left), Carolina Morace (The Left), Dario Tamburrano (The Left), Mario Furore (The Left), Pasquale Tridico (The Left), Danilo Della Valle (The Left), Gaetano Pedulla’ (The Left), Giuseppe Antoci (The Left)

    The Italian Government has recently tabled a draft legislative decree transposing Directive (EU) 2016/343 on the strengthening of certain aspects of the presumption of innocence and of the right to be present at the trial in criminal proceedings, which bans the publication of pre-trial orders until such time as the preliminary investigation or preliminary hearing has concluded.

    Recital 16 of Directive (EU) 2016/343 prohibits authorities from presenting a suspect as guilty before a verdict, but does not ban the publication of court documents; Recital 18 thereof recognises the need to disclose information about criminal proceedings for the purposes of the public interest or safety; and Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights enshrines freedom of expression and information.

    This new piece of legislation places disproportionate restrictions on press freedom by limiting the ability of journalists to inform the public about proceedings in the public interest, in breach of Article 6 of Directive (EU) 2016/343, which states that any restrictions must be proportionate and justified, and it remains to be seen whether a journalist could be punished for publishing a pre-trial order or an except or summary of one.

    Can the Commission answer the following questions:

    • 1.Does the Commission consider the ban on the publication of pre-trial orders to be compatible with the principles of proportionality set out in Directive (EU) 2016/343 and with the right to press freedom enshrined in Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights?
    • 2.What does the Commission intend to do ensure that the transposition of the directive does not give rise to unjustified restrictions on freedom of information?

    Submitted: 17.10.2024

    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Implementation of the ICJ advisory opinion as regards EU trade with illegal Israeli settlements – E-002150/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    17.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002150/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Matjaž Nemec (S&D), Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE), Barry Andrews (Renew), Catarina Vieira (Verts/ALE), Daniel Attard (S&D), Irena Joveva (Renew), Lynn Boylan (The Left), Cecilia Strada (S&D), Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew), Billy Kelleher (Renew), Thomas Bajada (S&D), Brando Benifei (S&D), Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D), Pierre Jouvet (S&D), Marco Tarquinio (S&D), Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (S&D), Marc Botenga (The Left), Hana Jalloul Muro (S&D), Ana Miranda Paz (Verts/ALE), Murielle Laurent (S&D), Thijs Reuten (S&D), Chloé Ridel (S&D), Nora Mebarek (S&D), Eric Sargiacomo (S&D), Alessandra Moretti (S&D), Alex Agius Saliba (S&D), Evin Incir (S&D), Seán Kelly (PPE), Maria Walsh (PPE), Nina Carberry (PPE)

    All Member States agree that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and are an obstacle to a two-state solution, as confirmed by the European Council conclusions of 22 March 2024[1].

    By trading with the illegal Israeli settlements, the EU is not only supporting their continuation and the abuses underpinning them, but also breaching its obligations under international law.

    On 19 July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled[2] that states are under an obligation ‘to abstain from entering into economic or trade dealings with Israel concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territory or parts thereof which may entrench its unlawful presence in the territory; … and to take steps to prevent trade or investment relations that assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation created by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory’.

    The current EU policy of differentiation[3], whereby goods made in the Israeli settlements are not covered by the EU-Israel Association Agreement but traded through a ‘technical arrangement’, does not comply with the obligations laid out by the ICJ, which require a blanket ban on trade with the settlements.

    Will the Commission comply with its obligations under international law and urgently ban all trade with the illegal Israeli settlements?

    Submitted: 17.10.2024

    • [1] Paragraph 26, https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-7-2024-INIT/en/pdf.
    • [2] Paragraph 278, https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/186/186-20240719-adv-01-00-en.pdf.
    • [3] https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/israel_en.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Proposal for a revision of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 – E-002165/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    18.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002165/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Kathleen Funchion (The Left)

    The Commission had been expected to publish its proposal for a revision of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers[1] in the second quarter of 2022, following on from its 2020 communication entitled ‘A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system’[2].

    • 1.Will the Commission publish this proposal and, if not, why not?
    • 2.Does the Commission agree that failure to publish undermines the European Green Deal and the EU’s biodiversity strategy for 2030, as the farm to fork strategy is a key element of both?

    Submitted: 18.10.2024

    • [1] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/1169/oj.
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52020DC0381.
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Compliance with sanctions against the PFLP – E-002157/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    17.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002157/2024
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Alice Teodorescu Måwe (PPE)

    In February this year, a representative of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) attended the annual meeting organised by the local branch of the Swedish Left Party in Angered in Gothenburg municipality. Under Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/332 of 16 January 2024, the PFLP is classified as a terrorist organisation by the EU. It has had that status since 2002. According to the Chair of the Angered local branch of the Left Party, Kristofer Lundberg, the PFLP expressed thanks at the meeting for ‘the Angarad Left Party’s role in showing solidarity with Palestine’.

    Accordingly:

    • 1.Is the fact that the Swedish Left Party invites representatives of the PFLP, which is classified as a terrorist organisation, to the annual meeting of its local section in Gothenburg municipality compatible with the EU’s rules on sanctions against organisations classified as terrorist organisations?
    • 2.To what extent has the EU’s objective of isolating the PFLP succeeded, in the judgement of the Vice-President / High Representative, given that the Swedish Left Party, which is represented in both the Swedish Parliament and the European Parliament, invites representatives of that terrorist organisation to its annual meetings?

    Submitted: 18.10.2024

    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU paves the way for investments in Timor-Leste’s water, waste, and forestry sectors, boosting the country’s sustainable development

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • The EU-funded programme has supported the Government of Timor-Leste in identifying and preparing potential investment projects.
    • These projects have been identified in the sectors of forestry, water supply, and waste management, and were presented today as ready for financing, with a total investment need of approximately €260 million.
    • EIB Global is ready to assess these projects for financing.

     The European Union Delegation to Timor-Leste and the European Investment Bank (EIB Global) have worked closely with the Government of Timor-Leste to prepare investment projects aimed at improving the country’s infrastructure and fostering sustainable development. The three proposals resulting from this collaboration focus on water supply, solid waste management, and forestry, and are now ready to be transformed into tangible investments.

    The three projects include a commercial forestry initiative in the municipalities of Covalima and Bobonaro, a national solid waste management project including a health waste management component, and a water supply project for selected municipalities. The forestry project aims to transform underutilised state lands, generating essential resources like firewood and timber, while creating thousands of jobs for local communities. The national waste management project introduces solutions for the safe and efficient management of waste thus reducing significantly the pollution discharged into the environment. The water supply project focuses on improving access to clean water in key municipalities, addressing both urban and rural needs for better sanitation and reliable water sources. Together these initiatives require a total investment of about €260 million.

    The preparation of the three investment projects was made possible through the Project Preparation and Implementation Programme (PPIP), which concluded today with the final Steering Committee meeting where these projects were presented. Managed by EIB Global, the PPIP was supported by a €5 million budget, including €4.75 million in technical assistance from the EU and €250,000 from the Cotonou Partnership Agreement.

    The final Steering Committee meeting was chaired by H.E. the Minister for Planning and Strategic Investments, Gastão Francisco de Sousa, and attended by representatives from the Government of Timor-Leste, EIB Global, the EU Delegation to Timor-Leste, and other stakeholders.

    The Ambassador to the European Union Delegation to Timor-Leste, Mr Marc Fiedrich said: “If converted into a loan, the Project Preparation and Implementation Programme opens a new era of cooperation. Until today, our support, although significant in terms of funds, consisted of limited instruments: grants, technical assistance, and budget support. With this programme, we add loans and guarantees, and maybe later private investments. This is the new trend of cooperation promoted by the EU, the innovative Global Gateway strategy that may become the norm in the near future.”

    The Vice-President of the European Investment Bank Ambroise Fayolle said: “Alongside our EU partners on the ground, we have been supporting the Government of Timor-Leste in identifying and preparing investment projects. By focusing on strategic sectors such as forestry, water supply, and waste management, these initiatives will not only address immediate community needs but also lay the groundwork for sustainable economic growth. We look forward to turning these project proposals into tangible investments. As the EU’s financial arm, the EIB stands ready to provide the necessary financial support to make these projects a reality, in line with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.”

    His Excellency the Minister for Planning and Strategic Investments, Gastão Francisco de Sousa said: “All three projects have the potential to make significant and long-term contributions to Timor-Leste’s development, and to improved rural and urban environments. The projects comply with and support our national development objectives for their respective sectors.” He emphasised the role of the Ministry of Planning and Strategic Investments in facilitating and coordinating efforts across the sectors.

    His Excellency the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Marcos da Cruz said: “I would like to thank the EIB, the EU Delegation and COWI for the design of the Timor-Leste Commercial Forestry Project. We welcome this innovative approach to the development of commercial forestry in Timor-Leste, using currently unproductive land. In addition, the project is expected to provide jobs for people living in the target areas, re-green vulnerable areas, increase incomes from forest products, and increase Government’s income.”

    His Excellency the Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral said: “We are grateful for the European Investment Bank’s support for waste management projects. Providing adequate and affordable waste services to the entire population is of great concern for the Government. It will improve public health and is much needed for protecting the terrestrial and marine environment. Specifically, better healthcare risk waste management is urgently needed. In this respect, the EIB project proposal provides a modern, efficient, and sustainable solution that should be implemented as soon as possible.”

    Background information:

    Project Preparation and Implementation Programme (PPIP) is an EU-funded and EIB-managed project designed to assist the Government of Timor-Leste in the identifying, preparing and implementing projects that are technically sound, financially viable, and environmentally and socially responsible, and are ready for investments. The programme has identified potential projects in the three sectors — water, solid waste management and forestry — by conducting prefeasibility studies for six projects and completing three feasibility studies. Investment projects in forestry and solid waste are now ready for the Government of Timor-Leste to request loan from the EIB and EU grant funding, should they choose to move forward with these initiatives.

    Steering Committee of the Project Preparation and Implementation Programme is chaired by the Ministry for Planning and Strategic Investments. The committee also includes representatives from several key government entities of Timor-Leste, such as by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of State Administration, the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry and Bee Timor-Leste public utility company.

    The European Union (EU) is a unique economic and political union between 27 European countries that cover much of the continent together. In Timor-Leste, the EU is the second largest donor of development aid (grant funding). The EU is committed to supporting Timor-Leste’s 2011-2030 Strategic Development plan, which aims to transform Timor-Leste into an upper-middle-income country by 2030 based on rapid, inclusive growth enabling it to improve infrastructure, worker skills, education, training and health systems, and combat poverty and malnutrition. The EU assistance focuses on green and sustainable economic recovery and development, rural development, good governance for sustainable development and gender equality.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term financing institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. EIB Global is the EIB’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance outside the European Union. EIB Global is a key partner of the EU Global Gateway strategy, and is designed to foster strong, focused partnerships within Team Europe, alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB closer to local people, companies and institutions through our offices across the world.

    Global Gateway is the European Union’s strategy to reduce the worldwide investment gap, boost smart, clean and secure connections in the digital, energy and transport sectors, and strengthen health, education and research systems. The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States and European development finance institutions. It aims to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments between 2021 and 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.

    EU paves the way for investments in Timor-Leste’s
    EU paves the way for investments in Timor-Leste’s water, waste, and forestry sectors, boosting the country’s sustainable development
    ©EIB
    Download original
    EU paves the way for investments in Timor-Leste’s
    EU paves the way for investments in Timor-Leste’s water, waste, and forestry sectors, boosting the country’s sustainable development
    ©EIB
    Download original

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Impact of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (on fluorinated greenhouse gases) on European industry – E-002128/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    17.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002128/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Isabella Tovaglieri (PfE)

    Annex IV to Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases bans all gases (including HFOs).

    Owing to the sudden need to cut the use of fluorinated gases, many European companies are announcing delays to investments in new heat pump production lines[1] and experiencing slumps in sales of air-conditioning and refrigeration systems[2].

    The development of the new generation of heat pumps and air-conditioning systems is also crucial for the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

    Article 35(5) of the Regulation provides that the entry into force of those bans is conditional on a re-evaluation of the technologies available on the market and their effectiveness on the basis of a report to be published by 2030, which implies that there will be six years of deadlock and uncertainty for industry.

    In the light of the above:

    • 1.Given the six-year wait for the report, with a view to giving industry greater regulatory certainty and enabling it to plan, can the Commission provide it with reassurance?
    • 2.In the light of the objectives of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive with regard to the decarbonisation of buildings, should the phasing out of HFOs not be reconsidered?

    Submitted: 17.10.2024

    • [1] https://www.coolingpost.com/world-news/daikin-to-axe-500-jobs-as-heat-pump-demand-falls/#:~:text=BELGIUM%3A%20Daikin%20Europe%20has%20said,before%20the%20end%20of%20December.
    • [2] https://www.ehpa.org/market-data/#:~:text=Heat%20pump%20sales%20fell%20by,seen%20in%20the%20annual%20sales.
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, a EUR 5 billion sinkhole – E-002169/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    18.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002169/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Fabrice Leggeri (PfE), Thierry Mariani (PfE), Julie Rechagneux (PfE), Philippe Olivier (PfE), Valérie Deloge (PfE), Malika Sorel (PfE), Julien Sanchez (PfE), Julien Leonardelli (PfE), Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE), Marie Dauchy (PfE), Anne-Sophie Frigout (PfE), Gilles Pennelle (PfE)

    The European Court of Auditors is sounding the alarm over the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa[1], a mechanism intended to tackle the causes of illegal migration and facilitate the return of migrants. Partly financed from our taxes, the Fund is turning out to be a EUR 5 billion sinkhole.

    The Commission has clearly not taken into account the recommendations already made by the Court in 2018.

    The Fund is apparently even being used by people to facilitate their illegal migration using traffickers, or even being misappropriated by the traffickers themselves, who are the very people the programme was intended to tackle.

    Out of a sample of 115 investments examined, 33 were no longer operational and a further 66 risked becoming unsustainable.

    There are almost no controls. These are just a few examples:

    In sub-Saharan Africa, blenders are distributed to cookery schools with no electricity.

    In Gambia, one beneficiary receives the same aid twice for poultry projects that do not even exist.

    Can the Commission:

    • 1.Explain why it continued to pay into the Fund without taking into account the recommendations made by the Court of Auditors in 2018?
    • 2.Say whether France has contributed to the Fund, and if so, how much?
    • 3.Guarantee that the Fund has not financed migrant traffickers?

    Submitted: 18.10.2024

    • [1] https://www.eca.europa.eu/ECAPublications/SR-2024-17/SR-2024-17_EN.pdf

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and fair pay – E-002167/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    18.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002167/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Kathleen Funchion (The Left)

    Many institutions, such as higher education institutions, draw down money from the ESF+ to help with their work.

    Does the Commission:

    • 1.Set out any conditions pertaining to pay for institutions that draw down from the ESF+?
    • 2.Ensure that, in the spending of EU funds, there are not significant differences between the amounts spent on similar services in the same regions of Member States, given that costs would be similar?

    Submitted: 18.10.2024

    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 – E-002164/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    18.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002164/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Kathleen Funchion (The Left)

    • 1.Can the Commission explain why the political commitment made in 2021 under its Beating Cancer Plan to amend the FIC Regulation[1] by introducing mandatory ingredient and nutritional labelling on all alcoholic beverages by the end of 2022 has not been fulfilled?
    • 2.Can it state when these amendments will be introduced, so that the Commission’s stated aim ‘to leave no stone unturned to take action against cancer’ can be achieved?
    • 3.Finally, will the Commission make a statement on this matter?

    Submitted: 18.10.2024

    • [1] Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, amending Regulations (EC) No 1924/2006 and (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Commission Directive 87/250/EEC, Council Directive 90/496/EEC, Commission Directive 1999/10/EC, Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Directives 2002/67/EC and 2008/5/EC and Commission Regulation (EC) No 608/2004, OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, p. 18, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/1169/oj.
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Brutality of Croatian border police – E-002123/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    16.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002123/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Erik Marquardt (Verts/ALE), Alexandra Geese (Verts/ALE), Benedetta Scuderi (Verts/ALE), Sebastian Everding (The Left), Rima Hassan (The Left), Thomas Waitz (Verts/ALE), Jan-Christoph Oetjen (Renew), Pernando Barrena Arza (The Left), Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE), Lena Schilling (Verts/ALE), Damien Carême (The Left), Hannah Neumann (Verts/ALE), Marco Tarquinio (S&D), Leoluca Orlando (Verts/ALE), Nela Riehl (Verts/ALE), Rasmus Andresen (Verts/ALE), Matjaž Nemec (S&D), Per Clausen (The Left), Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Verts/ALE), Irena Joveva (Renew), Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE), Katrin Langensiepen (Verts/ALE)

    In an article published on 10 October 2024[1], The Guardian again reported on the brutality of the Croatian border police: strip-searching and threatening asylum seekers, and burning their phones, passports and other belongings after pushing them back to Bosnia. Illegal pushbacks accompanied by violence, including sexualised violence as also described in this article, have been reported multiple times by the United Nations as well as non-governmental organisations. However, the burning of documents and phones, both needed to seek asylum and to record the presence of asylum seekers on EU territory, is a new, terrifying ‘practice’ of deterrence.

    Croatia has been a member of the Schengen area since 1 January 2023, following the Commission’s positive evaluation of Croatia’s application of the Schengen acquis, including its fundamental rights obligations.

    • 1.Has the Commission-supported and often criticised ‘independent human rights monitoring mechanism’ reported on this practice of burning phones and documents, and have steps been taken to investigate and remedy this illegal behaviour?
    • 2.What does the Commission plan to do in the context of the reformed Schengen Evaluation and Monitoring Mechanism and Schengen Borders Code, as well as the Schengen Council and Forum, to ensure the rule of law and effective access to asylum at the Croatian-Bosnian border?
    • 3.What steps are being taken with the Croatian authorities to roll out the new fundamental rights monitoring mechanisms set out in the Screening Regulation?

    Submitted: 16.10.2024

    • [1] https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/oct/10/photos-croatia-police-phones-passports-asylum-seekers.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Debate on next EU long term budget with EIB and EU Court of Auditors – 6.11.2024 – Committee on Budgets

    Source: European Parliament

    © Image used under the license from Adobe Stock

    BUDG members will exchange with Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Tony Murphy, President of the European Court of Auditors (ECA), on the lessons learnt from the current EU long-term budget.

    The debate will contribute to the preparation of the BUDG own-initiative report “A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world”. The Parliament will define in it its priorities and expectations for the next EU long term budget (post 2027) before the European Commission puts forward its proposal during the summer of 2025.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minutes – Wednesday, 23 October 2024 – Strasbourg – Final edition

    Source: European Parliament

    PV-10-2024-10-23

    EN

    EN

    iPlPv_Sit

    Minutes
    Wednesday, 23 October 2024 – Strasbourg

    IN THE CHAIR: Sabine VERHEYEN
    Vice-President

    1. Opening of the sitting

    The sitting opened at 09:00.


    2. Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns (debate)

    Commission statement: Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns (2024/2882(RSP))

    Helena Dalli (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Tomas Tobé, on behalf of the PPE Group, Iratxe García Pérez, on behalf of the S&D Group, Kinga Gál, on behalf of the PfE Group, Nicola Procaccini, on behalf of the ECR Group, Valérie Hayer, on behalf of the Renew Group, Tineke Strik, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Estrella Galán, on behalf of The Left Group, Sarah Knafo, on behalf of the ESN Group, Jeroen Lenaers, Ana Catarina Mendes, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Marieke Ehlers, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Malik Azmani, Diana Riba i Giner, Ilaria Salis, who also declined to take blue-card questions from Susanna Ceccardi and Anna Maria Cisint, Mary Khan, Erik Kaliňák, Lena Düpont, who also answered a blue-card question from András László, Cecilia Strada, Jean-Paul Garraud, Assita Kanko, Fabienne Keller, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Fabrice Leggeri, Erik Marquardt, Konstantinos Arvanitis, Monika Beňová, Dolors Montserrat, Matjaž Nemec, Paolo Borchia, who also answered a blue-card question from Maria Grapini, Charlie Weimers, Abir Al-Sahlani, who also answered a blue-card question from Rihards Kols, Ignazio Roberto Marino, Siegfried Mureşan, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Elena Yoncheva, Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, Tom Vandendriessche, Rasa Juknevičienė, Harald Vilimsky, François-Xavier Bellamy, who also answered a blue-card question from Malika Sorel, Paulo Cunha, Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz and Loránt Vincze.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Paulius Saudargas, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Susanna Ceccardi, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Hilde Vautmans and João Oliveira.

    IN THE CHAIR: Sophie WILMÈS
    Vice-President

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Lukas Sieper, Matej Tonin and Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis.

    The following spoke: Helena Dalli.

    The debate closed.


    3. Tackling the steel crisis: boosting competitive and sustainable European steel and maintaining quality jobs (debate)

    Commission statement: Tackling the steel crisis: boosting competitive and sustainable European steel and maintaining quality jobs (2024/2883(RSP))

    Helena Dalli (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Christian Ehler, on behalf of the PPE Group, Dan Nica, on behalf of the S&D Group, Paolo Borchia, on behalf of the PfE Group, Daniel Obajtek, on behalf of the ECR Group, Christophe Grudler, on behalf of the Renew Group, Terry Reintke, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Martin Schirdewan, on behalf of The Left Group, René Aust, on behalf of the ESN Group, Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez, Estelle Ceulemans, Ondřej Knotek, Elena Donazzan, Brigitte van den Berg, Sara Matthieu, Rudi Kennes, Marcin Sypniewski, Adam Jarubas, Jens Geier, Anna Bryłka, Anna Zalewska, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Dennis Radtke, Raphaël Glucksmann, Tom Berendsen, Giorgio Gori, Letizia Moratti, Elena Sancho Murillo, Radan Kanev, Eero Heinäluoma, Johan Danielsson and Idoia Mendia, who also answered a blue-card question from Bogdan Rzońca.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Susana Solís Pérez, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Michał Kobosko, Branislav Ondruš, Massimiliano Salini, Michele Picaro, Kateřina Konečná, Manuela Ripa, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Seán Kelly, Ondřej Krutílek, Diego Solier and Mirosława Nykiel.

    The following spoke: Helena Dalli.

    The debate closed.

    (The sitting was suspended at 11:57.)


    IN THE CHAIR: Roberta METSOLA
    President

    4. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 12:03.


    5. Statement by the President

    The President made a statement to mark the 68th anniversary of the Hungarian Uprising of 1956. She paid tribute to the victims and to those who had suffered under Soviet oppression.

    ⁂

    The following spoke: Ondřej Knotek and Peter Liese (the President made some clarifications).


    6. Voting time

    For detailed results, see also ‘Results of votes’ and ‘Results of roll-call votes’.


    6.1. Deforestation Regulation: provisions relating to the date of application ***I (vote)

    Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 as regards provisions relating to the date of application [COM(2024)0452 – C10-0119/2024 – 2024/0249(COD)] – ENVI Committee

    REQUEST FOR AN URGENT DECISION from the ENVI Committee (Rule 170(6))

    Parliament approved the request for urgent procedure.

    The following tabling deadlines had been set:
    – amendments: Wednesday 6 November 2024 at 13:00
    – requests for separate votes and split votes: Thursday 12 November 2024 at 16:00.

    Vote: at a later part-session.


    6.2. Draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025 – all sections (vote)

    (Majority of Parliament’s component Members required)

    DRAFT AMENDMENTS

    (The draft amendments adopted would appear as an annex to the Texts Adopted)

    The following had spoken:

    After the vote, Péter Benő Banai (President-in-Office of the Council) had noted the differences between the positions of Parliament and of the Council and had agreed to the President’s convening of the Conciliation Committee in accordance with Article 314(4)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

    (‘Results of votes’, item 1)


    6.3. General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025 – all sections (vote)

    Report on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025 [12084/2024 – C10-0099/2024 – 2024/0176(BUD)] – Committee on Budgets. Rapporteurs: Victor Negrescu and Niclas Herbst (A10-0008/2024)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Rejected

    The following had spoken:

    Before the vote, Victor Negrescu (rapporteur) on the basis of Rule 189(4).

    Leila Chaibi, to move an oral amendment to paragraph 68. Parliament had not agreed to put the oral amendment to the vote as more than 39 Members had opposed it.

    (‘Results of votes’, item 2)


    6.4. Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States * (vote)

    Report on the proposal for a Council decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States [COM(2024)0599 – C10-0084/2024 – 2024/0599(NLE)] – Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. Rapporteur: Li Andersson (A10-0004/2024)

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    COMMISSION PROPOSAL

    Approved as amended (P10_TA(2024)0027)

    (‘Results of votes’, item 3)


    6.5. Urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (vote)

    Motions for resolutions RC-B9-0123/2024/REV1, B10-0121/2024, B10-0122/2024, B10-0123/2024, B10-0124/2024, B10-0125/2024, B10-0126/2024, B10-0127/2024 and B10-0128/2024 (minutes of 23.10.2023, item I) (2024/2849(RSP))

    The debate had taken place on 9 October 2024 (minutes of 9.10.2024, item 15).

    (Majority of the votes cast)

    JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

    Adopted (P10_TA(2024)0028)

    (Motions for resolutions B10-0121/2024, B10-0122/2024 and B10-0127/2024 fell.)

    (‘Results of votes’, item 4)

    (The sitting was suspended at 12:53.)


    IN THE CHAIR: Roberts ZĪLE
    Vice-President

    7. Resumption of the sitting

    The sitting resumed at 12:56.


    8. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

    The minutes of the previous sitting were approved.


    9. Continued war crimes committed by the Russian Federation, notably killing Ukrainian prisoners of war (debate)

    Commission statement: Continued war crimes committed by the Russian Federation, notably killing Ukrainian prisoners of war (2024/2897(RSP))

    Didier Reynders (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Sandra Kalniete, on behalf of the PPE Group, Chloé Ridel, on behalf of the S&D Group, Tomasz Buczek, on behalf of the PfE Group, Adam Bielan, on behalf of the ECR Group, Petras Auštrevičius, on behalf of the Renew Group, and Sergey Lagodinsky, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group.

    The following spoke: Didier Reynders.

    The following spoke: Lukas Sieper on the allocation of speaking time in the debate (the President made some clarifications).

    The debate closed.


    10. U-turn on EU bureaucracy: the need to axe unnecessary burdens and reporting to unleash competitiveness and innovation (topical debate)

    The following spoke: Jörgen Warborn to open the debate proposed by the PPE Group.

    The following spoke: Helena Dalli (Member of the Commission).

    The following spoke: Markus Ferber, on behalf of the PPE Group, René Repasi, on behalf of the S&D Group, Klara Dostalova, on behalf of the PfE Group, Antonella Sberna, on behalf of the ECR Group, Stéphanie Yon-Courtin, on behalf of the Renew Group, Jutta Paulus, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Jussi Saramo, on behalf of The Left Group, Milan Uhrík, on behalf of the ESN Group, Tom Berendsen, Lara Wolters, Vilis Krištopans, Kosma Złotowski, Svenja Hahn, Kim Van Sparrentak, Stanislav Stoyanov, Branislav Ondruš, Christine Schneider, Lina Gálvez, Ondřej Knotek, Stephen Nikola Bartulica, João Cotrim De Figueiredo, Marie Toussaint, Anja Arndt and Katarína Roth Neveďalová.

    IN THE CHAIR: Younous OMARJEE
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Lídia Pereira, Nikos Papandreou, Raffaele Stancanelli, Stefano Cavedagna, Katri Kulmuni, Mirosława Nykiel, Tiemo Wölken, Julie Rechagneux, Ľudovít Ódor, Aura Salla, Jorge Martín Frías, Angelika Niebler, Susanna Ceccardi, Isabella Tovaglieri and Barbara Bonte.

    The following spoke: Helena Dalli.

    The debate closed.


    11. Presentation of the Court of Auditors’ annual report 2023 (debate)

    Presentation of the Court of Auditors’ annual report 2023 (2024/2784(RSP))

    Tony Murphy (President of the Court of Auditors) made the presentation.

    The following spoke: Helena Dalli (Member of the Commission).

    The following spoke: Tomáš Zdechovský, on behalf of the PPE Group, José Cepeda, on behalf of the S&D Group, Csaba Dömötör, on behalf of the PfE Group, Dick Erixon, on behalf of the ECR Group, Olivier Chastel, on behalf of the Renew Group, Daniel Freund, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Jonas Sjöstedt, on behalf of The Left Group, Niclas Herbst, Giuseppe Lupo, Virginie Joron, Marco Squarta, Joachim Streit, Giuseppe Antoci, Monika Hohlmeier, Eero Heinäluoma, Julien Sanchez, Bogdan Rzońca, Ciaran Mullooly, Jacek Protas, Fernand Kartheiser, Caterina Chinnici and Dirk Gotink.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sebastian Tynkkynen and Grzegorz Braun.

    The following spoke: Helena Dalli and Tony Murphy.

    The debate closed.


    12. Findings of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on Poland’s abortion law (debate)

    Commission statement: Findings of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on Poland’s abortion law (2024/2867(RSP))

    Helena Dalli (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Ewa Kopacz, on behalf of the PPE Group, Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, on behalf of the S&D Group, Anna Bryłka, non-attached Member, Marlena Maląg, on behalf of the ECR Group, Abir Al-Sahlani, on behalf of the Renew Group, Alice Kuhnke, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Manon Aubry, on behalf of The Left Group, Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik, on behalf of the ESN Group (the President reminded the House of the rules on conduct), Arba Kokalari, Ana Catarina Mendes, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, who also answered blue-card questions from Bruno Gonçalves, Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle and Irene Montero, Małgorzata Gosiewska, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Abir Al-Sahlani, Michał Kobosko, Mélissa Camara, Irene Montero, who also answered a blue-card question from Alvise Pérez, and Tomasz Froelich.

    IN THE CHAIR: Christel SCHALDEMOSE
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Grzegorz Braun, Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska, Heléne Fritzon, Laurence Trochu, who also answered a blue-card question from Manon Aubry, Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, who also answered a blue-card question from Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Benedetta Scuderi, Hanna Gedin, Maria Walsh, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Paolo Inselvini, who also answered a blue-card question from Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar, who also answered a blue-card question from Robert Biedroń, Mirosława Nykiel, Lina Gálvez, Birgit Sippel, Elisabeth Grossmann, Evin Incir, who also answered a blue-card question from Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, and Alessandra Moretti.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Łukasz Kohut, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Emma Fourreau, Lukas Sieper, Magdalena Adamowicz, Bruno Gonçalves and João Oliveira.

    The following spoke: Helena Dalli.

    The debate closed.


    13. Seven years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: lack of progress in restoring the rule of law in Malta (debate)

    Commission statement: Seven years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: lack of progress in restoring the rule of law in Malta (2024/2868(RSP))

    Didier Reynders (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: David Casa, on behalf of the PPE Group, Alex Agius Saliba, on behalf of the S&D Group, Fabrice Leggeri, on behalf of the PfE Group, Alessandro Ciriani, on behalf of the ECR Group, Moritz Körner, on behalf of the Renew Group, Daniel Freund, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Konstantinos Arvanitis, on behalf of The Left Group, Ana Miguel Pedro, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Sophie Wilmès, Gaetano Pedulla’, Judita Laššáková, Peter Agius, Daniel Attard, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, who also answered a blue-card question from Alex Agius Saliba, Evin Incir, Sunčana Glavak and Thomas Bajada.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sandro Ruotolo, Katarína Roth Neveďalová and Lukas Sieper.

    The following spoke: Didier Reynders.

    IN THE CHAIR: Martin HOJSÍK
    Vice-President

    The debate closed.


    14. The important role of cities and regions in the EU – for a green, social and prosperous local development (debate)

    Commission statement: The important role of cities and regions in the EU – for a green, social and prosperous local development (2024/2869(RSP))

    Didier Reynders (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Andrey Novakov, on behalf of the PPE Group, Mohammed Chahim, on behalf of the S&D Group, Rody Tolassy, on behalf of the PfE Group, Denis Nesci, on behalf of the ECR Group, Ľubica Karvašová, on behalf of the Renew Group, Gordan Bosanac, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Valentina Palmisano, on behalf of The Left Group, Arno Bausemer, on behalf of the ESN Group, Elena Nevado del Campo, Jean-Marc Germain, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Şerban-Dimitrie Sturdza, Ciaran Mullooly, Vladimir Prebilič, Younous Omarjee, who also answered a blue-card question from Ana Miranda Paz, Nora Junco García, Krzysztof Hetman, Marcos Ros Sempere, Anne-Sophie Frigout, Waldemar Buda, Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, Ana Miranda Paz, Elena Kountoura, Isabelle Le Callennec, Nora Mebarek, Raffaele Stancanelli, Ruggero Razza, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Mārtiņš Staķis, Gabriella Gerzsenyi, Carla Tavares, Mireia Borrás Pabón, Barry Cowen, Fredis Beleris, René Repasi, Nikolina Brnjac, Javi López, Marco Falcone, Camilla Laureti, Antonio Decaro, Rosa Serrano Sierra, Dario Nardella, Sabrina Repp, Raffaele Topo, Marko Vešligaj, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Stefano Bonaccini, Sakis Arnaoutoglou, Sofie Eriksson and Alex Agius Saliba.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Nina Carberry, Maria Grapini, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Niels Geuking, Juan Fernando López Aguilar and Maravillas Abadía Jover.

    The following spoke: Didier Reynders.

    The debate closed.


    15. Foreign interference and hybrid attacks: the need to strengthen EU resilience and internal security (debate)

    Commission statement: Foreign interference and hybrid attacks: the need to strengthen EU resilience and internal security (2024/2884(RSP))

    Didier Reynders (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Lena Düpont, on behalf of the PPE Group, Hannes Heide, on behalf of the S&D Group, András László, on behalf of the PfE Group, Beata Szydło, on behalf of the ECR Group, Helmut Brandstätter, on behalf of the Renew Group, Alexandra Geese, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Petar Volgin, on behalf of the ESN Group, and Mirosława Nykiel.

    IN THE CHAIR: Antonella SBERNA
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Tobias Cremer, who also answered a blue-card question from Reinier Van Lanschot, Aleksandar Nikolic, Rihards Kols, Reinier Van Lanschot, Kateřina Konečná, Ana Miguel Pedro, Brando Benifei, Nikola Bartůšek, Geadis Geadi, Javier Zarzalejos, Mathilde Androuët, Ivaylo Valchev, Pekka Toveri, Aurelijus Veryga, Salvatore De Meo and Patryk Jaki.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Michał Szczerba, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Majdouline Sbai, András Tivadar Kulja, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis and Magdalena Adamowicz.

    The following spoke: Didier Reynders.

    The debate closed.


    16. Proposals for Union acts

    The President announced that the President of Parliament had declared the following proposals for Union acts to be admissible under Rule 47(2):

    – Proposal for a Union act tabled by Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Mireia Borrás Pabón, Jorge Martín Frías, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Hermann Tertsch, on classifying the activity of military personnel, police officers, prison officers and private security guards as dangerous professions in the Union (B10-0018/2024)

    committee responsible: EMPL

    – Proposal for a Union act tabled by Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Hermann Tertsch, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Mireia Borrás Pabón, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Jorge Martín Frías, on the need to protect families, businesses and self-employed persons from the rise in fuel prices in Europe (B10-0077/2024)

    committee responsible: ECON
    committee asked for opinion: ITRE

    – Proposal for a Union act tabled by Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Hermann Tertsch, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Mireia Borrás Pabón, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Jorge Martín Frías, on the need for cheaper access to housing (B10-0078/2024)

    committee responsible: ECON
    committee asked for opinion: EMPL


    17. EU actions against the Russian shadow fleets and ensuring a full enforcement of sanctions against Russia (debate)

    Commission statement: EU actions against the Russian shadow fleets and ensuring a full enforcement of sanctions against Russia (2024/2885(RSP))

    Didier Reynders (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    The following spoke: Sandra Kalniete, on behalf of the PPE Group, Thijs Reuten, on behalf of the S&D Group, András László, on behalf of the PfE Group, Reinis Pozņaks, on behalf of the ECR Group, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, on behalf of the Renew Group, Isabella Lövin, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Jonas Sjöstedt, on behalf of The Left Group, Zsuzsanna Borvendég, on behalf of the ESN Group, Francisco José Millán Mon, Heléne Fritzon, Veronika Vrecionová, Karin Karlsbro, Ville Niinistö, Li Andersson, Pekka Toveri, Sérgio Gonçalves, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Ivars Ijabs, Per Clausen, Mika Aaltola, Emma Wiesner, Ondřej Kolář, Lukas Mandl and Tom Berendsen.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis.

    The following spoke: Didier Reynders.

    Motions for resolutions to be tabled under Rule 136(2) would be announced at a later stage.

    The debate closed.

    Vote: next part-session.


    18. Need to strengthen rail travel and the railway sector in Europe (debate)

    Commission statement: Need to strengthen rail travel and the railway sector in Europe (2024/2896(RSP))

    Didier Reynders (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

    IN THE CHAIR: Javi LÓPEZ
    Vice-President

    The following spoke: Dariusz Joński, on behalf of the PPE Group, François Kalfon, on behalf of the S&D Group, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, on behalf of the PfE Group, Marlena Maląg, on behalf of the ECR Group, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, on behalf of the Renew Group, Kai Tegethoff, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Elena Kountoura, on behalf of The Left Group, Arno Bausemer, on behalf of the ESN Group, Sophia Kircher, Vivien Costanzo, Jana Nagyová, Adrian-George Axinia, Ana Vasconcelos, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Tilly Metz, Arash Saeidi, Luis-Vicențiu Lazarus, Nikolina Brnjac, Ondřej Krutílek, Pär Holmgren, Sebastian Everding, Kostas Papadakis and Krzysztof Hetman.

    The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Marta Wcisło, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Ana Miranda Paz, João Oliveira, Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska, Per Clausen, Carmen Crespo Díaz and Magdalena Adamowicz.

    The following spoke: Didier Reynders.

    The debate closed.


    19. Explanations of vote

    Written explanations of vote

    Explanations of vote submitted in writing under Rule 201 appear on the Members’ pages on Parliament’s website.


    20. Agenda of the next sitting

    The next sitting would be held the following day, 24 October 2024, starting at 09:00. The agenda was available on Parliament’s website.


    21. Approval of the minutes of the sitting

    In accordance with Rule 208(3), the minutes of the sitting would be put to the House for approval at the beginning of the afternoon of the next sitting.


    22. Closure of the sitting

    The sitting closed at 21:57.


    LIST OF DOCUMENTS SERVING AS A BASIS FOR THE DEBATES AND DECISIONS OF PARLIAMENT


    I. Motions for resolutions tabled

    Urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation

    Motions for resolutions tabled under Rule 136(2) to wind up the debate:

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (B10-0121/2024)
    Catarina Martins
    on behalf of The Left Group

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (B10-0122/2024)
    Christine Anderson
    on behalf of the ESN Group

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (B10-0123/2024)
    Tiemo Wölken
    on behalf of the S&D Group

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (B10-0124/2024)
    Andreas Glück
    on behalf of the Renew Group

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (B10-0125/2024)
    Peter Liese
    on behalf of the PPE Group

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (B10-0126/2024)
    Ignazio Roberto Marino
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (B10-0127/2024)
    Ondřej Knotek, Viktória Ferenc
    on behalf of the PfE Group

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (B10-0128/2024)
    Ruggero Razza, Pietro Fiocchi, Michele Picaro, Laurence Trochu, Aurelijus Veryga
    on behalf of the ECR Group

    Joint motion for a resolution tabled under Rule 136(2) and (4):

    on the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (2024/2849(RSP)) (RC-B10-0123/2024/REV1) (replacing motions for resolutions B10-0123/2024, B10-0124/2024, B10-0125/2024, B10-0126/2024 and B10-0128/2024):

    Peter Liese
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Tiemo Wölken
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Ondřej Knotek
    on behalf of the PfE Group
    Ruggero Razza
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Andreas Glück
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Ignazio Roberto Marino
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group


    II. Delegated acts (Rule 114(2))

    Draft delegated acts forwarded to Parliament

    – Commission Delegated Regulation supplementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards on information to be exchanged between competent authorities (C(2024)06766 – 2024/2875(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 3 months from the date of receipt of 10 October 2024

    referred to committee responsible: ECON

    – Commission Delegated Regulation amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 as regards certain animal health requirements for movements within the Union of terrestrial animals (C(2024)06985 – 2024/2870(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 9 October 2024

    referred to committee responsible: AGRI

    – Commission Delegated Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the listing of pesticides and industrial chemicals (C(2024)07071 – 2024/2880(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 15 October 2024

    referred to committee responsible: ENVI

    – Commission Delegated Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 as regards short-necked clam and red seabream (C(2024)07102 – 2024/2876(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 11 October 2024

    referred to committee responsible: PECH

    – Commission Delegated Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 as regards changes on shipments of electrical and electronic waste agreed under the Basel Convention (C(2024)07198 – 2024/2900(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 18 October 2024

    referred to committee responsible: ENVI

    – Commission Delegated Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 as regards changes on shipments of electrical and electronic waste agreed under the Basel Convention (C(2024)07199 – 2024/2899(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 18 October 2024

    referred to committee responsible: ENVI

    – Commission Delegated Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2015/757 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the rules for the monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions from offshore ships and the zero-rating of sustainable fuels (C(2024)07210 – 2024/2894(DEA))

    Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 16 October 2024

    referred to committee responsible: ENVI


    III. Implementing measures (Rule 115)

    Draft implementing measures falling under the regulatory procedure with scrutiny forwarded to Parliament

    – Commission Regulation amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for fenbuconazole and penconazole in or on certain products (D096823/04 – 2024/2898(RPS) – deadline: 18 December 2024)
    referred to committee responsible: ENVI

    – Commission Regulation amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the removal of the flavouring substance 4-Methyl-2-phenylpent-2-enal (FL No 05.100) from the Union list (D099950/02 – 2024/2873(RPS) – deadline: 11 January 2025)
    referred to committee responsible: ENVI

    – Commission Regulation amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the inclusion of (E)‐3‐benzo[1,3]dioxol‐5‐yl‐N,N‐diphenyl‐2‐propenamide in the Union list of flavourings (D099953/02 – 2024/2874(RPS) – deadline: 11 December 2024)
    referred to committee responsible: ENVI

    – Commission Regulation amending Regulations (EC) No 2150/2002 and (EC) No 1552/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council, as well as Commission Regulations (EC) No 1726/1999, (EC) No 1916/2000, (EC) No 198/2006, (EC) No 1062/2008 and (EU) No 349/2011, as regards references to the statistical classification of economic activities NACE Revision 2 established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D100325/01 – 2024/2901(RPS) – deadline: 21 January 2025)
    referred to committees responsible: EMPL, ENVI


    IV. Documents received

    The following documents had been received:

    – Proposal for transfer of appropriations DEC 12/2024 – Section III – Commission (N10-0019/2024 – C10-0122/2024 – 2024/2059(GBD))
    referred to committee responsible: BUDG

    – Proposal for transfer of appropriations DEC 13/2024 – Section III – Commission (N10-0021/2024 – C10-0135/2024 – 2024/2060(GBD))
    referred to committee responsible: BUDG


    V. Transfers of appropriations and budgetary decisions

    In accordance with Article 29 of the Financial Regulation, the Committee on Budgets had decided to approve transfer of appropriations INF 5/2024 – Section VI – European Economic and Social Committee.

    In accordance with Article 29 of the Financial Regulation, the Committee on Budgets had decided to approve transfer of appropriations INF 3/2024 – Section VII – Committee of the Regions.

    In accordance with Article 29 of the Financial Regulation, the Committee on Budgets had decided to approve transfer of appropriations No 1/2024 – Section VIII – European Ombudsman.

    In accordance with Article 31(3) of the Financial Regulation, the Committee on Budgets had decided to approve Commission transfers of appropriations DEC 09/2024 and DEC 10/2024 – Section III – Commission.

    In accordance with Article 31(6) of the Financial Regulation, the Council of the European Union had decided to approve Commission transfers of appropriations DEC 09/2024 and DEC 10/2024 – Section III – Commission.


    ATTENDANCE REGISTER

    Present:

    Aaltola Mika, Abadía Jover Maravillas, Adamowicz Magdalena, Aftias Georgios, Agirregoitia Martínez Oihane, Agius Peter, Agius Saliba Alex, Alexandraki Galato, Allione Grégory, Al-Sahlani Abir, Anadiotis Nikolaos, Anderson Christine, Andersson Li, Andresen Rasmus, Andrews Barry, Andriukaitis Vytenis Povilas, Androuët Mathilde, Angel Marc, Annemans Gerolf, Antoci Giuseppe, Arimont Pascal, Arłukowicz Bartosz, Arnaoutoglou Sakis, Arndt Anja, Arvanitis Konstantinos, Asens Llodrà Jaume, Assis Francisco, Attard Daniel, Aubry Manon, Auštrevičius Petras, Axinia Adrian-George, Azmani Malik, Bajada Thomas, Baljeu Jeannette, Ballarín Cereza Laura, Bardella Jordan, Barna Dan, Barrena Arza Pernando, Bartulica Stephen Nikola, Bartůšek Nikola, Bausemer Arno, Bay Nicolas, Bay Christophe, Beke Wouter, Beleris Fredis, Bellamy François-Xavier, Benea Adrian-Dragoş, Benifei Brando, Benjumea Benjumea Isabel, Beňová Monika, Bentele Hildegard, Berendsen Tom, Berger Stefan, Berlato Sergio, Bernhuber Alexander, Biedroń Robert, Bielan Adam, Bischoff Gabriele, Blaha Ľuboš, Blinkevičiūtė Vilija, Blom Rachel, Bloss Michael, Bocheński Tobiasz, Boeselager Damian, Bonaccini Stefano, Bonte Barbara, Borchia Paolo, Borrás Pabón Mireia, Borvendég Zsuzsanna, Borzan Biljana, Bosanac Gordan, Boßdorf Irmhild, Bosse Stine, Botenga Marc, Boyer Gilles, Boylan Lynn, Brandstätter Helmut, Brasier-Clain Marie-Luce, Braun Grzegorz, Brejza Krzysztof, Bricmont Saskia, Brnjac Nikolina, Bryłka Anna, Buczek Tomasz, Buda Waldemar, Budka Borys, Bugalho Sebastião, Buła Andrzej, Burkhardt Delara, Buxadé Villalba Jorge, Bžoch Jaroslav, Camara Mélissa, Canfin Pascal, Carberry Nina, Cârciu Gheorghe, Carême Damien, Casa David, Caspary Daniel, Cassart Benoit, Castillo Laurent, del Castillo Vera Pilar, Cavazzini Anna, Cavedagna Stefano, Ceccardi Susanna, Cepeda José, Ceulemans Estelle, Chahim Mohammed, Chaibi Leila, Chastel Olivier, Chinnici Caterina, Christensen Asger, Ciccioli Carlo, Cifrová Ostrihoňová Veronika, Ciriani Alessandro, Cisint Anna Maria, Clausen Per, Clergeau Christophe, Cormand David, Corrado Annalisa, Costanzo Vivien, Cotrim De Figueiredo João, Cowen Barry, Cremer Tobias, Crespo Díaz Carmen, Crosetto Giovanni, Cunha Paulo, Dahl Henrik, Danielsson Johan, Dauchy Marie, Dávid Dóra, David Ivan, Decaro Antonio, de la Hoz Quintano Raúl, Della Valle Danilo, Deloge Valérie, De Masi Fabio, De Meo Salvatore, Demirel Özlem, Deutsch Tamás, Devaux Valérie, Dibrani Adnan, Diepeveen Ton, Dieringer Elisabeth, Di Rupo Elio, Disdier Mélanie, Dobrev Klára, Doherty Regina, Doleschal Christian, Dömötör Csaba, Donazzan Elena, Dorfmann Herbert, Dostalova Klara, Dostál Ondřej, Droese Siegbert Frank, Düpont Lena, Dworczyk Michał, Ecke Matthias, Ehler Christian, Ehlers Marieke, Eriksson Sofie, Erixon Dick, Eroglu Engin, Estaràs Ferragut Rosa, Everding Sebastian, Ezcurra Almansa Alma, Falcă Gheorghe, Falcone Marco, Farantouris Nikolas, Farreng Laurence, Farský Jan, Ferber Markus, Ferenc Viktória, Fidanza Carlo, Fiocchi Pietro, Firea Gabriela, Firmenich Ruth, Fita Claire, Fourlas Loucas, Fourreau Emma, Fragkos Emmanouil, Freund Daniel, Frigout Anne-Sophie, Friis Sigrid, Fritzon Heléne, Froelich Tomasz, Fuglsang Niels, Funchion Kathleen, Furet Angéline, Furore Mario, Gahler Michael, Gál Kinga, Galán Estrella, Gálvez Lina, Gambino Alberico, García Hermida-Van Der Walle Raquel, Garraud Jean-Paul, Gasiuk-Pihowicz Kamila, Geadi Geadis, Gedin Hanna, Geese Alexandra, Geier Jens, Geisel Thomas, Gemma Chiara, Georgiou Giorgos, Gerbrandy Gerben-Jan, Germain Jean-Marc, Gerzsenyi Gabriella, Geuking Niels, Gieseke Jens, Giménez Larraz Borja, Girauta Vidal Juan Carlos, Glavak Sunčana, Glucksmann Raphaël, Goerens Charles, Gomart Christophe, Gomes Isilda, Gonçalves Bruno, Gonçalves Sérgio, González Casares Nicolás, González Pons Esteban, Gori Giorgio, Gosiewska Małgorzata, Gotink Dirk, Gozi Sandro, Grapini Maria, Gražulis Petras, Grims Branko, Griset Catherine, Gronkiewicz-Waltz Hanna, Grossmann Elisabeth, Grudler Christophe, Gualmini Elisabetta, Guetta Bernard, Guzenina Maria, Gyürk András, Hadjipantela Michalis, Hahn Svenja, Haider Roman, Halicki Andrzej, Hansen Christophe, Hansen Niels Flemming, Hassan Rima, Häusling Martin, Hava Mircea-Gheorghe, Hazekamp Anja, Heide Hannes, Heinäluoma Eero, Henriksson Anna-Maja, Herbst Niclas, Herranz García Esther, Hetman Krzysztof, Hohlmeier Monika, Hojsík Martin, Holmgren Pär, Hölvényi György, Humberto Sérgio, Ijabs Ivars, Imart Céline, Incir Evin, Inselvini Paolo, Iovanovici Şoşoacă Diana, Jaki Patryk, Jalloul Muro Hana, Jamet France, Jarubas Adam, Jerković Romana, Jongen Marc, Joński Dariusz, Joron Virginie, Jouvet Pierre, Joveva Irena, Juknevičienė Rasa, Junco García Nora, Jungbluth Alexander, Kabilov Taner, Kalfon François, Kaliňák Erik, Kalniete Sandra, Kamiński Mariusz, Kanev Radan, Kanko Assita, Karlsbro Karin, Kartheiser Fernand, Karvašová Ľubica, Katainen Elsi, Kefalogiannis Emmanouil, Kelleher Billy, Keller Fabienne, Kelly Seán, Kennes Rudi, Khan Mary, Kircher Sophia, Knafo Sarah, Knotek Ondřej, Kobosko Michał, Köhler Stefan, Kohut Łukasz, Kokalari Arba, Kolář Ondřej, Kollár Kinga, Kols Rihards, Konečná Kateřina, Kopacz Ewa, Körner Moritz, Kountoura Elena, Kovatchev Andrey, Krah Maximilian, Krištopans Vilis, Kruis Sebastian, Krutílek Ondřej, Kubilius Andrius, Kubín Tomáš, Kuhnke Alice, Kulja András Tivadar, Kulmuni Katri, Kyllönen Merja, Lagodinsky Sergey, Lakos Eszter, Lange Bernd, Langensiepen Katrin, Laššáková Judita, László András, Latinopoulou Afroditi, Laurent Murielle, Laureti Camilla, Laykova Rada, Lazarov Ilia, Lazarus Luis-Vicențiu, Le Callennec Isabelle, Leggeri Fabrice, Lenaers Jeroen, Leonardelli Julien, Lewandowski Janusz, Lexmann Miriam, Liese Peter, Lins Norbert, Løkkegaard Morten, Lopatka Reinhold, López Javi, López Aguilar Juan Fernando, López-Istúriz White Antonio, Lövin Isabella, Lucano Mimmo, Luena César, Łukacijewska Elżbieta Katarzyna, Lupo Giuseppe, McAllister David, Madison Jaak, Maestre Cristina, Magoni Lara, Maij Marit, Maląg Marlena, Mandl Lukas, Maniatis Yannis, Maran Pierfrancesco, Marczułajtis-Walczak Jagna, Maréchal Marion, Mariani Thierry, Marino Ignazio Roberto, Marquardt Erik, Martín Frías Jorge, Martins Catarina, Martusciello Fulvio, Marzà Ibáñez Vicent, Matthieu Sara, Mavrides Costas, Mayer Georg, Mazurek Milan, McNamara Michael, Mebarek Nora, Meimarakis Vangelis, Meleti Eleonora, Mendes Ana Catarina, Mendia Idoia, Mertens Verena, Mesure Marina, Metsola Roberta, Metz Tilly, Mikser Sven, Milazzo Giuseppe, Millán Mon Francisco José, Minchev Nikola, Mînzatu Roxana, Miranda Paz Ana, Molnár Csaba, Montero Irene, Montserrat Dolors, Morace Carolina, Morano Nadine, Moratti Letizia, Moreira de Sá Tiago, Moreno Sánchez Javier, Moretti Alessandra, Mularczyk Arkadiusz, Müller Piotr, Mullooly Ciaran, Mureşan Siegfried, Muşoiu Ştefan, Nagyová Jana, Nardella Dario, Negrescu Victor, Nemec Matjaž, Nerudová Danuše, Nesci Denis, Neumann Hannah, Nevado del Campo Elena, Nica Dan, Niebler Angelika, Niedermayer Luděk, Niinistö Ville, Nikolaou-Alavanos Lefteris, Nikolic Aleksandar, Ní Mhurchú Cynthia, Noichl Maria, Nordqvist Rasmus, Novakov Andrey, Nykiel Mirosława, Obajtek Daniel, Ódor Ľudovít, Oetjen Jan-Christoph, Ohisalo Maria, Oliveira João, Olivier Philippe, Omarjee Younous, Ondruš Branislav, Ó Ríordáin Aodhán, Orlando Leoluca, Ozdoba Jacek, Paet Urmas, Pajín Leire, Palmisano Valentina, Papadakis Kostas, Papandreou Nikos, Pappas Nikos, Pascual De La Parte Nicolás, Paulus Jutta, Pedro Ana Miguel, Pedulla’ Gaetano, Pellerin-Carlin Thomas, Peltier Guillaume, Penkova Tsvetelina, Pennelle Gilles, Pérez Alvise, Peter-Hansen Kira Marie, Petrov Hristo, Picaro Michele, Picierno Pina, Picula Tonino, Piera Pascale, Pimpie Pierre, Piperea Gheorghe, de la Pisa Carrión Margarita, Pokorná Jermanová Jaroslava, Polato Daniele, Polfjärd Jessica, Pozņaks Reinis, Prebilič Vladimir, Princi Giusi, Protas Jacek, Pürner Friedrich, Rackete Carola, Radev Emil, Radtke Dennis, Rafowicz Emma, Ratas Jüri, Razza Ruggero, Rechagneux Julie, Regner Evelyn, Repasi René, Repp Sabrina, Reuten Thijs, Riba i Giner Diana, Ricci Matteo, Ridel Chloé, Riehl Nela, Ripa Manuela, Rodrigues André, Ros Sempere Marcos, Roth Neveďalová Katarína, Rougé André, Ruissen Bert-Jan, Ruotolo Sandro, Rzońca Bogdan, Saeidi Arash, Salini Massimiliano, Salis Ilaria, Salla Aura, Sánchez Amor Nacho, Sanchez Julien, Sancho Murillo Elena, Saramo Jussi, Sardone Silvia, Šarec Marjan, Sargiacomo Eric, Satouri Mounir, Saudargas Paulius, Sbai Majdouline, Sberna Antonella, Schaldemose Christel, Schaller-Baross Ernő, Schenk Oliver, Scheuring-Wielgus Joanna, Schieder Andreas, Schilling Lena, Schneider Christine, Schwab Andreas, Scuderi Benedetta, Seekatz Ralf, Sell Alexander, Serrano Sierra Rosa, Serra Sánchez Isabel, Sidl Günther, Sienkiewicz Bartłomiej, Sieper Lukas, Simon Sven, Singer Christine, Sippel Birgit, Sjöstedt Jonas, Śmiszek Krzysztof, Smith Anthony, Smit Sander, Sokol Tomislav, Solier Diego, Solís Pérez Susana, Sommen Liesbet, Sonneborn Martin, Sorel Malika, Sousa Silva Hélder, Søvndal Villy, Squarta Marco, Staķis Mārtiņš, Stancanelli Raffaele, Steger Petra, Stier Davor Ivo, Storm Kristoffer, Stöteler Sebastiaan, Stoyanov Stanislav, Strack-Zimmermann Marie-Agnes, Strada Cecilia, Streit Joachim, Strik Tineke, Strolenberg Anna, Sturdza Şerban-Dimitrie, Stürgkh Anna, Sypniewski Marcin, Szczerba Michał, Szekeres Pál, Szydło Beata, Tamburrano Dario, Tânger Corrêa António, Tarczyński Dominik, Tarquinio Marco, Tarr Zoltán, Tavares Carla, Tegethoff Kai, Teodorescu Georgiana, Teodorescu Måwe Alice, Ter Laak Ingeborg, Terras Riho, Tertsch Hermann, Thionnet Pierre-Romain, Timgren Beatrice, Tinagli Irene, Tobback Bruno, Tobé Tomas, Tolassy Rody, Tomac Eugen, Tomašič Zala, Tomaszewski Waldemar, Tomc Romana, Tonin Matej, Toom Jana, Topo Raffaele, Torselli Francesco, Tosi Flavio, Toussaint Marie, Tovaglieri Isabella, Toveri Pekka, Tridico Pasquale, Trochu Laurence, Tsiodras Dimitris, Turek Filip, Tynkkynen Sebastian, Uhrík Milan, Ušakovs Nils, Vaidere Inese, Valchev Ivaylo, Vălean Adina, Valet Matthieu, Van Brempt Kathleen, Van Brug Anouk, van den Berg Brigitte, Vandendriessche Tom, Van Dijck Kris, Van Lanschot Reinier, Van Leeuwen Jessika, Vannacci Roberto, Van Sparrentak Kim, Varaut Alexandre, Vasconcelos Ana, Vautmans Hilde, Vedrenne Marie-Pierre, Ventola Francesco, Verheyen Sabine, Verougstraete Yvan, Veryga Aurelijus, Vešligaj Marko, Vicsek Annamária, Vieira Catarina, Vigenin Kristian, Vilimsky Harald, Vincze Loránt, Virkkunen Henna, Vistisen Anders, Vivaldini Mariateresa, Volgin Petar, von der Schulenburg Michael, Vondra Alexandr, Voss Axel, Vozemberg-Vrionidi Elissavet, Vrecionová Veronika, Vázquez Lázara Adrián, Waitz Thomas, Walsh Maria, Walsmann Marion, Warborn Jörgen, Warnke Jan-Peter, Wąsik Maciej, Wcisło Marta, Wechsler Andrea, Weimers Charlie, Werbrouck Séverine, Wiesner Emma, Wiezik Michal, Wilmès Sophie, Winkler Iuliu, Winzig Angelika, Wiseler-Lima Isabel, Wiśniewska Jadwiga, Wölken Tiemo, Wolters Lara, Yar Lucia, Yon-Courtin Stéphanie, Yoncheva Elena, Zacharia Maria, Zajączkowska-Hernik Ewa, Zalewska Anna, Žalimas Dainius, Zan Alessandro, Zarzalejos Javier, Zdechovský Tomáš, Zdrojewski Bogdan Andrzej, Zīle Roberts, Zingaretti Nicola, Złotowski Kosma, Zoido Álvarez Juan Ignacio, Zovko Željana, Zver Milan

    Excused:

    Gómez López Sandra, Homs Ginel Alicia, Lalucq Aurore

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Greece’s railway network to be upgraded with EIB on board as adviser

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • EIB’s Advisory Hub to support major railway modernization across Greek rail network
    • Goal is to improve infrastructure, safety, and efficiency
    • EIB to provide targeted advisory services for free as part of InvestEU programme

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) will advise Greece on its planned major upgrade of the national railway network to improve safety, punctuality, and sustainability. Under the agreement with the Greek Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the EIB  will assist authorities in developing a long-term  business plan for a newly established rail infrastructure management company and in outlining near-term network investments.

    The accord, which comes under the InvestEU programme, builds on the Greek government’s commitment to restructuring the national railway sector and to fulfilling European Union safety and environmental standards. It also highlights the EIB’s commitment to promoting modern and sustainable transport networks in the EU as part of the bank’s strategic roadmap.

    EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris and Greek Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Staikouras signed the agreement today in Athens.

    “The EIB’s Advisory Services will provide the Greek government with the technical expertise necessary to implement long-term strategies, helping to ensure that the country’s railway system is both safe and competitive,” said Tsakiris. He added: “The EIB will support the Greek government in developing a multiyear investment plan for the railway sector, which will serve as a roadmap for the country’s infrastructure development over the next decade.”

    “The European Investment Bank, with its extensive expertise and experience, will provide a coherent strategic business plan, which will serve as a valuable guide in the organizational efforts of the new entity. This plan will support the Government’s priorities for developing a modern, safer, faster, and fully interoperable network, in line with the requirements of the Trans-European Transport Network and the standards set by the European Union. By utilizing the knowhow offered by the EIB, we are creating a sound and rational framework on which this crucial reform of the railway sector will be based. In this way, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is implementing another important — and promising — initiative for the modernization and future development of the Greek railway system.”, said Staikouras.

    Strategic priorities for Greece’s railway sector

    Greece aims to develop a modern, safe, and fully interoperable rail system, aligning with Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) requirements.

    Key strategic priorities outlined for the Greek rail sector include:

    • Completing the Patras-Athens-Thessaloniki-Promachonas (PAThEP) corridor, a crucial part of the TEN-T network.
    • Expanding rail connections to ports and industrial zones, strengthening the economic infrastructure.
    • Facilitating cross-border rail connections with Europe to enhance regional connectivity.

    Shaping the future of Greek rail investment

    The advisory accord marks a significant opportunity for the EIB to help shape rail investment in Greece over the next two decades. The EIB  work will feed into the Greek National Recovery and Resilience Plan, which requires the adoption of a multiyear investment plan by mid-2025.

    The assignment will run for run for six months, during which the EIB will engage external service providers to execute three main tasks:

    ·        Development of a strategic business plan for the new rail infrastructure entity.

    ·        Preparation of a medium-term (2025-2034) implementation plan for the railway sector.

    ·        Creation of a comprehensive funding plan to support the implementation of priority projects.

    Background information

    About the EIB

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances sound investments that further EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality.

     The European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group), consisting of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF), reported total financing signatures in Greece of €2.5 billion in 2023, 33% of which went to supporting sustainable energy and natural resources projects. Overall, the EIB Group signed €88 billion in new financing in 2023.

    Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the EU is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower. This underscores the Bank’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and the convergence of living standards.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Salt batteries: The fireproof battery

    Source: Switzerland – Federal Administration in English

    Originally developed for electric cars, nowadays they supply mobile phone antennas with electricity, and tomorrow perhaps entire districts: The salt battery is a safe and long-lasting battery technology with huge potential. Empa researchers are collaborating with an industrial partner to further develop these special batteries.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia awarded 2024 Sakharov Prize

    Source: European Parliament

    The leader of Venezuela’s democratic forces and the opposition candidate in the July presidential elections will receive the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

    Parliament’s President Roberta Metsola announced the winners of the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in the chamber on Thursday, following the meeting of the Conference of Presidents, which took the decision.

    President Metsola said: “The 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded to María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia for their brave fight to restore freedom and democracy in Venezuela. In their quest for a fair, free and peaceful transition of power, they have fearlessly upheld values that millions of Venezuelans and the European Parliament hold so dear: justice, democracy and the rule of law. The European Parliament stands with the people of Venezuela and with María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia in their struggle for the democratic future of their country. This award is for them.”

    María Corina Machado was elected as the Venezuelan opposition’s presidential candidate on behalf of the ‘Unity Democratic Platform’ in 2023 but was later disqualified by the regime-controlled National Electoral Council.

    Edmundo González Urrutia, a diplomat and politician who succeeded her as the ‘Unity Democratic Platform’ candidate, denounced the Venezuelan government’s failure to publish the official results of the presidential elections and contested Nicolás Maduro’s declared victory. Mr González Urrutia left the country in September after a warrant was issued to arrest him.

    In a resolution adopted on 19 September 2024, MEPs stressed that international election observation missions made it clear that the Venezuelan presidential election did not comply with international standards of electoral integrity. They recognised Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate and democratically-elected president of the country, and María Corina Machado as the leader of the democratic forces.

    Parliament condemned “the electoral fraud” and the serious and systematic human rights violations perpetrated against the democratic opposition, the Venezuelan people, and civil society.

    According to the Venezuelan government, 2 400 people were arrested during demonstrations that followed the election and non-governmental organisations have reported the deaths of 24 people. María Corina Machado remains in hiding, while Edmundo González Urrutia fled to Spain, which granted him political asylum on 7 September.

    In its September 2024 resolution, Parliament called on the EU to extend sanctions against the Venezuelan regime and to apply targeted sanctions through the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Nicolás Maduro and his inner circle. Before the elections, the European Parliament urged member states to maintain the sanctions imposed on the Maduro regime and criticised the unconstitutional decision to prevent prominent political opposition figures such as María Corina Machado from running in the 2024 elections.

    Award ceremony on 18 December

    The award ceremony for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought will take place on 18 December in Strasbourg, during Parliament’s plenary session.

    Background

    Named after Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the EU’s highest human rights award. Created in 1988, it is awarded every year by Parliament to individuals or organisations, in recognition of their work in one of the following areas: the defence of human rights and fundamental rights, in particular freedom of expression, the safeguarding of minority rights, respect for international law, the development of democracy and the defence of the rule of law.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Poor treatment of airline passengers – E-001628/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission would like to underline that, in accordance with the Air Services Regulation 1008/2008[1], airlines are free to set their own airfares.

    However, air carriers must also provide information to passengers on the elements of those fares, particularly as regards optional price supplements such as ‘priority boarding’ services.

    As regards the boarding process, it is up to air carriers and airports to design and implement it. It should be however emphasised that accordingly to EU rules on consumer protection and a common principle of consumer contract law, the customer can request a refund if a service has been paid for but is not provided.

    Furthermore, if an airline expects that the flight will be delayed beyond the scheduled departure time, passengers are entitled to assistance depending on the length of the delay and distance of the flight.

    Finally, while the Commission has no power to intervene in individual disputes between passengers and air carriers, passengers who believe their rights under the regulation have not been respected can contact the body in the country where the incident took place[2] or contact a European Consumer centre when it comes to general consumer rights[3].

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=celex%3A32008R1008
    • [2] List of National Enforcement Bodies : https://transport.ec.europa.eu/document/download/d7b5dd33-4083-4faa-8132-b6dc8b3a1c07_en?filename=2004_261_national_enforcement_bodies.pdf
    • [3] List of European Consumer Centres Network : https://commission.europa.eu/live-work-travel-eu/consumer-rights-and-complaints/resolve-your-consumer-complaint/european-consumer-centres-network-ecc-net_en
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Lawfulness of the ban on the trade in products containing hemp cannabidiol (CBD) in Italy – E-001677/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Commission has received complaints against the Decree of the Italian Ministry of Health of 27 June 2024 and is currently analysing its compliance with Union law. In this context it will assess its compliance also under Article 36 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU[1].

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:12012E/TXT
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Devastating forest fires in Attica – E-001519/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF)[1] can only be activated at the request of Greece which has a deadline of 12 weeks as from when the first damage occurred, demonstrating that the total direct damage exceeds the thresholds specified in Article 2 Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002. It may cover the costs of emergency and recovery operations by the public authorities. Private damage is not eligible. So far, Greece has not requested EUSF assistance for this disaster.

    2. Overall , more than EUR 2 billion are planned under Cohesion Policy to support the prevention and management of fire risk. These investments target the reduction of the vulnerability of more than 130 million people to wildfire risk, particularly in regions with higher risk of wildfire exposure. The 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy programmes for Greece include allocations for addressing fire risk prevention and management actions, with a total public funding of EUR 421 million. Under shared management, Greece decides how to deploy these funds, in line with the applicable regulatory framework, and the objectives and priorities set up in the above-mentioned programmes.

    3. Regarding the organisation and functioning of firefighting services, the Commission refers to the reply to written question 000020/2024 of 28 February 2024[2].

    • [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] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2024-000020-ASW_EN.html
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Lifting the ban on electric pulse fishing in the light of new scientific findings – P-001786/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission welcomes and follows closely scientific publications that may have an impact on fisheries, and therefore, is aware of the publications mentioned.

    Some of the conclusions, such as those on the potential of some fishing techniques to reduce the impact on the seabed were already shared by the Scientific Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries in 2020[1], and echoed by the first report on the implementation of the Technical Measures Regulation (EU) 2019/1241[2].

    While not included in the initial Commission proposal for that regulation, the final decision of the co-legislators in 2019 was to ban electric pulse fishing and allow it to continue only for scientific purposes under strict conditions set out in the above-mentioned Regulation.

    The second report on the implementation of the regulation was adopted in July 2024[3]. This report includes updates on the scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea on innovative gear[4] and underlines the need to invest in research and innovation. It presents as well the efforts made by both Member States and stakeholders in this field.

    The Commission will continue to engage with the scientists, fisheries managers and stakeholders to encourage the development and use of innovative fishing techniques within the context of continuing to optimise fishing patterns, reduce impact on sensitive habitats and with a view of transitioning to less energy use.

    The Commission will closely follow the outcomes of these discussions, as well as the scientific advice on the field, and regularly assess whether amendments to the existing legal framework are justified.

    • [1] Review of technical measures, Part I, STECF 20-02. EUR 28359 EN.
    • [2] Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the conservation of fisheries resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1967/2006, (EC) No 1224/2009 and Regulations (EU) No 1380/2013, (EU) 2016/1139, (EU) 2018/973, (EU) 2019/472 and (EU) 2019/1022 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 894/97, (EC) No 850/98, (EC) No 2549/2000, (EC) No 254/2002, (EC) No 812/2004 and (EC) No 2187/2005, OJ L 198, 25.7.2019, p. 105-201 — https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52021DC0583
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2024:349:FIN
    • [4] https://www.ices.dk/news-and-events/news-archive/news/Pages/InnovativeGear.aspx
    Last updated: 24 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Expanding Clean Cooking in East Africa to strengthen communities, cut pollution and save lives: US $15 million financing from European Investment Bank for Kenya-based BURN

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • The $15 million financing will enable BURN to produce and distribute its industry-leading ECOA Induction Cooker to over 1 million households across East Africa.
    • The investment will positively impact 6.5 million people, avoiding 12 million tons of carbon emissions over a period of 5 years.

    Today BURN, the world’s leading clean cooking appliance manufacturer, distributor, and carbon project developer, and the European Investment Bank signed an agreement to invest $15 million from the EIB to fund the distribution of BURN’s ECOA Electric Induction cooker to households across the East African region.

    Announced at a signature ceremony on the margins of the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings in Washington, the US$15 million debt investment from EIB Global will finance a solution that could significantly reduce indoor air pollution in homes across the world – a problem that currently causes 4 million premature deaths a year, and disproportionally affects the health of women living in developing countries.

    Speaking from Washington the EIB Group President, Nadia Calviño said, “The investment that we have agreed today is not just about improving lives, but saving them as well. With relatively simple technology for clean cooking we will strengthen communities, especially by protecting the health of women, and their families.

    This will have a positive impact on the climate as well by lowering carbon emissions. Supporting potentially transformative projects like BURN’s expansion of affordable clean cooking for more than a million households in Africa is the kind of initiative that the European Union aims to support more of under our Global Gateway Initiative.” 

    From Washington, Peter Scott, Founder and CEO of BURN, stated, “BURN has already brought our unique PAYC electric cooking solution to thousands of households in Kenya and Tanzania that were previously relying on traditional charcoal stoves.   This investment by EIB will help us transition over a million low-income households to cooking with electricity, allowing them to cook on grids that are 80-95% powered by renewable energy.”

    The EIB financing announced today in Washington will enable the appliances to be offered via BURN’s innovative, Pay-As-You-Cook payment offering. This tech-enabled payment solution enables affordable financing for low-income households currently using solid biomass as their primary cooking fuel but who are unable to afford full upfront payments typically required for clean electric cooking appliances.

    This project is also actively supporting the empowerment of women – and has been qualified as a gender lens investment by the 2X Challenge, a global initiative launched at the G7 summit in 2018, with the EIB as one of  its members. The 2X Challenge aims to accelerate private sector investments that support women in low- and middle-income countries, using a standardized set of criteria known as the 2X criteria.

    The financing support to BURN is through the Desiree Investment Envelope under the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Impact Finance Envelope (“IFE”).

    The financing package from the European Commission aims to support the participation by the EIB in high-risk projects in ACP countries to support greater investments in energy efficiency and electrification ventures. The IFE supports projects that generate superior developmental impact with the overarching objective of poverty reduction through developing the private sector by taking a higher risk of investment for high developmental impact.

    The ECOA Induction cooker is bundled with a high-quality, 3-piece stainless steel induction cookware set, fully manufactured in Kenya. The appliances reduce indoor air pollution by 100%, decrease cooking time by 70%, and save households money on cooking fuels.

    BURN’s electric cooking appliances generate high-integrity carbon credits by using integrated cellular-enabled IoT technology which allows for effective, real-time and end-to-end monitoring of energy usage. These electric appliances reduce ~2.5 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, and contribute to EIB’s climate action, gender equality, and economic development objectives.

    The company, which is also exporting its products to other countries, is also showcasing Africa’s untapped manufacturing opportunities, that create sustainable job opportunities for many young people.

    To date, BURN has distributed over 5 million clean cookstoves across Africa, transforming the lives of 25 million people and preventing 26 million tons of CO2 emissions from entering the atmosphere. 

    ABOUT BURN

     Founded in 2011, BURN is Africa’s leading producer of clean cookstoves, committed to saving lives, protecting forests, and reducing CO2 emissions. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, BURN operates in 9 countries and employs over 3,500 people, with a mission to revolutionize the clean cooking sector and provide sustainable cooking solutions across the continent.

    The efficiency, safety, and benefits of BURN’s clean cooking appliances have been independently verified through peer-reviewed Randomized Control Trial (RCT) by the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Chicago.

    The study found a match to BURN’s usage and consumption measurements, finding a fuel savings of 39% against the baseline, saving families US$119 per year, with each cookstove reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 3.5 tons per year (their recent update to the study found these savings to be robust for 3 years and counting, with 98% of the stoves still in use). This study was peer-reviewed and published in the world’s leading economics journal, The American Economic Review (AER).

    Learn more at burnstoves.com. 

    ABOUT the EIB

     The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals.

    EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner in Global Gateway. We aim to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027, around one third of the overall target of this EU initiative. With Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong, focused partnerships, alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the Group closer to local people, companies and institutions through our offices around the world.

    The EIB Group aims to embed gender equality and in particular women’s economic empowerment in its business model and is also committed to driving gender equality in its workplace. The EIB financed a total of 63 projects across the globe in 2023 that significantly contributed to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, providing €5.8 billion of investment, more than half of which also supported climate action.

    Expanding Clean Cooking in East Africa to strengthen communities, cut pollution and save lives: US $15 million financing from European Investment Bank for Kenya-based BURN
    Expanding Clean Cooking in East Africa to strengthen communities, cut pollution and save lives: US $15 million financing from European Investment Bank for Kenya-based BURN
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    Expanding Clean Cooking in East Africa to strengthen communities, cut pollution and save lives: US $15 million financing from European Investment Bank for Kenya-based BURN
    Expanding Clean Cooking in East Africa to strengthen communities, cut pollution and save lives: US $15 million financing from European Investment Bank for Kenya-based BURN
    ©EIB
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    Expanding Clean Cooking in East Africa to strengthen communities, cut pollution and save lives: US $15 million financing from European Investment Bank for Kenya-based BURN
    Expanding Clean Cooking in East Africa to strengthen communities, cut pollution and save lives: US $15 million financing from European Investment Bank for Kenya-based BURN
    ©EIB
    Download original
    Expanding Clean Cooking in East Africa to strengthen communities, cut pollution and save lives: US $15 million financing from European Investment Bank for Kenya-based BURN
    Expanding Clean Cooking in East Africa to strengthen communities, cut pollution and save lives: US $15 million financing from European Investment Bank for Kenya-based BURN
    ©EIB
    Download original
    Expanding Clean Cooking in East Africa to strengthen communities, cut pollution and save lives: US $15 million financing from European Investment Bank for Kenya-based BURN
    Expanding Clean Cooking in East Africa to strengthen communities, cut pollution and save lives: US $15 million financing from European Investment Bank for Kenya-based BURN
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ‘We try not to think about the future or the past’

    Source: European Investment Bank

    Vadym Chursin’s mother died long before the war. His father, Dmytro, has been his parent and best friend since he was very young. The two have grown even closer since their town near Ukraine’s southern border was occupied by Russian soldiers.

    “There is barely anything left of our house today and not a single building still standing in our old town,” says Vadym, who is 16 years old and had lived in Oleshky, a city near Kherson, where his father ran a business building trendy tiny homes on wheels. For the past two years, father and son have been renting half a house about 220 kilometres to the west in Odesa, near Vadym’s new school. “We’re what people call displaced persons. There are many of us here and all of us are helping each other.”

    Vadym attends Odesa School No. 41, one of the first schools repaired in 2021 under the European Investment Bank’s first Ukraine recovery programme. The Bank has helped modernise a group of Odesa schools since then and a city hospital.

    Schools are a focus for the dozens of engineers, economists, loan officers and advisory specialists at the European Investment Bank who are trying to meet the urgent needs of Ukraine. Other critical work involves electricity lines, heating, water, roads, hospitals, community centres and bomb shelters. These types of projects allow people to go to work, drive to the doctor, buy groceries, get an education and stay safe during bomb attacks.

    The Russian invasion has caused widespread devastation and created a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and surrounding countries. Roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and residential buildings need repair in Ukraine, particularly in areas of intense fighting such as Kharkiv and the Donbas region. One study estimates economic damage in Ukraine at more than $150 billion since Russia invaded in February 2022. The cost of recovery over the next decade is estimated at about $500 billion.

    The European Investment Bank is helping to renovate more than 300 schools, kindergartens, hospitals and social housing facilities in about 150 Ukrainian cities. It has improved electricity, gas, water, sanitation and solid waste management in more than a dozen regions, and has finished more than 100 projects. It receives new requests for help every week.

    Pavel Novak, a public sector engineer at the European Investment Bank who is from Kyiv, where his parents still live, says a friend who was disabled in the war reminded him that soldiers are fighting to beat Russia, but also to see that other Ukrainians can continue to live normal lives in their home cities and communities today.

    “My friend said to me, ‘Look, Pavel, we are doing this to keep life going on, bakeries and restaurants open, keep kids going to school and ensure that something beyond war still exists in this country.’”

    In September 2024, the European Union’s financing arm proposed a €600 million energy rescue plan to help Ukraine as winter approaches, ensuring that businesses and homes have electricity and heat. Shelters will be built to protect electricity substations from bombings. The European Investment Bank is in regular discussions with Ukrhydroenergo, Ukraine’s largest hydropower company, and Ukrenergo, the national electricity transmission operator, to repair damaged power networks. It’s common for some parts of Ukraine to lose electricity for half of every day.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Federal Councillor Parmelin renews vocational education and training agreement with the USA

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in English

    On 23 October, the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, Guy Parmelin, signed a memorandum of understanding in Washington D.C. reaffirming the close cooperation between Switzerland and the US on vocational education and training. The agreement is aimed at strengthening the exchange of information between public and private stakeholders in education and business in both countries in the years 2024–27.

    MIL OSI Europe News –