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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Compliance check on online second-hand goods traders and consumer rights protection – E-001214/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001214/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Dimitris Tsiodras (PPE)

    According to the results[1] of the latest sweep investigation carried out by the European Commission and national consumer protection authorities in 25 Member States, more than half (52 %) of the online second-hand traders that were checked were found to be in breach of EU consumer law. It is particularly concerning that 45 % of the traders checked did not provide full and comprehensible information on the right to return faulty goods and 57 % did not respect the minimum legal guarantee period of one year for second-hand goods.

    In light of the above, can the Commission say:

    • 1.What measures are planned to strengthen checks on and enforcement of EU legislation on unfair commercial practices, especially in relation to the online sale of second-hand goods?
    • 2.What steps will it take to ensure that online traders fully comply with their obligations to inform consumers about their rights and implement the rules on the minimum legal guarantee period?
    • 3.What additional measures does it intend to take to ensure that national consumer authorities have the tools and resources required to carry out effective checks and impose sanctions if necessary?

    Submitted: 21.3.2025

    • [1] https://commission.europa.eu/live-work-travel-eu/consumer-rights-and-complaints/enforcement-consumer-protection/sweeps_en?prefLang=en
    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU Talent Pool – E-001212/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001212/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Erik Kaliňák (NI)

    The Commission is pushing for an EU Talent Pool, once again imposing a centralised migration policy on Member States under the guise of a ‘search for talent’ from third countries. This plan clearly ignores persistent unemployment in the EU and the risks associated with an uncontrolled influx of migrants.

    • 1.Why does the Commission prefer to import foreign workers instead of supporting its own EU citizens facing unemployment and economic insecurity?
    • 2.How does the Commission intend to prevent the ‘EU Talent Pool’ from becoming a vehicle for a massive influx of cheap labour that undermines the wages and social standards of Europeans?
    • 3.When will the Commission stop circumventing the sovereignty of Member States and forcing unwanted migration experiments on them?

    Submitted: 21.3.2025

    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU action to accelerate biotech solutions for autoimmune disease patients – E-001203/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001203/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Wouter Beke (PPE), Liesbet Sommen (PPE)

    Over the past decade, autoimmune diseases have surged across Europe, driving social, economic and healthcare costs to over EUR 50 billion[1]. The upcoming EU biotech act is a top political priority, aimed at harnessing European biotech innovation to enable quicker and more effective diagnoses and treatments. This bold initiative seeks to turn the tide against autoimmune diseases, a mounting challenge for public health.

    • 1.What specific measures is the Commission considering to help boost collaboration between biotech companies, academia and healthcare providers, and in turn to accelerate the development of innovative diagnostics and treatments for autoimmune disease patients?
    • 2.How will the new biotech act enhance regulatory pathways for innovative biotech therapies, ensuring both faster deployment and the continued prioritisation of patient safety?
    • 3.How does the Commission plan to encourage ongoing research and development for multiple indications of both current and future products?

    Submitted: 20.3.2025

    • [1] Greiner, W., Patel, K., Crossman-Barnes, C. J., Rye-Andersen, T. V., Hvid, C., & Vandebrouck, T. ‘High-Expenditure Disease in the EU-28: Does Drug Spend Correspond to Clinical and Economic Burden in Oncology, Autoimmune Disease and Diabetes?’. PharmacoEconomics – open, 5(3), 385–396. (2021) https://doi.org/10.1007/s41669-020-00253-4.
    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Poland’s new migration strategy – E-002189/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU’s Eastern border neighbouring Russia and Belarus is being subjected to tactics of hybrid warfare, exercising pressure by weaponising migration, undermining the security of the EU. Member States have a responsibility to protect the external borders, in line with EU and international law.

    On 11 December 2024, the Commission adopted a communication on countering hybrid threats from the weaponisation of migration[1], setting out the legal context in which exceptional measures can be taken to tackle this threat, including as arising from case-law, and in full compliance with EU and international law.

    To complete the set of legislative reforms undertaken with the Pact on Migration and Asylum[2], t he Commission works with Member States to pursue EU level responses to common challenges related to irregular migration.

    For instance, in November 2023, the Commission launched a Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling and proposed to strengthen the EU legal framework against migrant smuggling with two legal instruments[3].

    The Commission has presented a proposal for a new Regulation on a common approach on the return of irregular migrants[4], to increase the efficiency of the return process by providing Member States with clear, simplified and uniform rules for managing returns.

    • [1] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on countering hybrid threats from the weaponisation of migration and strengthening security at the EU’s external borders, COM/2024/570 final, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52024DC0570
    • [2] https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/pact-migration-and-asylum_en
    • [3] Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down minimum rules to prevent and counter the facilitation of unauthorised entry, transit and stay in the Union, and replacing Council Directive 2002/90/EC and Council Framework Decision 2002/946 JHA, COM(2023) 755 final, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2023:755:FIN; and Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on enhancing police cooperation in relation to the prevention, detection and investigation of migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings, and on enhancing Europol’s support to preventing and combating such crimes and amending Regulation (EU) 2016/794, COM(2023) 754 final, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52023PC0754
    • [4] Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC, COM(2025) 101 final, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025PC0101
    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Urgent implementation and strengthening of tariff measures on fertilisers from Russia and Belarus – P-000434/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission proposed on 28 January 2025 a regulation to the Council and the European Parliament with the aim to increase gradually customs duties on nitrogen-based fertilisers imported from Russia and Belarus[1].

    This proposal responds to a surge in imports, which could disrupt the EU market and harm the EU producers. In addition, this measure is vital to ensuring the EU food security and addressing growing utilization of Russian gas in its fertilisers’ production. At the same time, the proposal is carefully calibrated to minimise the risk of price increases for EU farmers.

    The Commission proposal does not include codes of the Combined Nomenclature 3103 (phosphorus fertilisers) or 3104 (potash). These are mineral fertilisers that are not produced from natural gas.

    All imports of phosphorus fertilisers from Russia are covered by the measures proposed, since they consist of monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), not of phosphates.

    Furthermore, unlike for nitrogen fertilisers, whose sources of supplies are more diverse and sufficient, the pool of alternative suppliers on phosphorus and potash is more limited.

    Also, imports of potash from Russia and Belarus are subject to quantitative restrictions under Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014[2], as subsequently amended[3], and the import ban under the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the Council Regulation (EU) 2022/355[4].

    The Commission continues monitoring the market of fertilisers inter alia through the Fertiliser Market Observatory and will do its utmost to facilitate the ordinary legislative process.

    • [1]  COM(2025) 34 final; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025PC0034
    • [2] OJ L 229, 31.7.2014, p. 1-1; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L:2014:229:FULL
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/833/oj/eng
    • [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/355/oj/eng
    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Request to eliminate subsidies for Morocco – E-000245/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    EU development cooperation with non-EU countries is a parallel competence of the EU and the Member States. The Commission ensures that cooperation with non-EU countries aligns with EU interests and does not harm Member States by enforcing strict eligibility criteria, transparency standards and robust monitoring systems.

    Concerning the logistical corridors in southern Europe, the Algeciras — Bobadilla railway forms an integral part of the Mediterranean and Atlantic European Transport Corridors.

    The designated coordinators of both corridors are committed to ensuring that this line is developed and upgraded within the given deadlines and complies with the defined infrastructure standards of the new trans-European transport network (TEN-T) Regulation (EU) 1679/2024[1], which was adopted in June 2024. In the TEN-T Regulation, the Algeciras — Bobadilla railway line is designated as a core network line for both freight and passenger services.

    The Commission closely analyses and monitors EU country partners’ policies that may affect the European economy. For instance, as regards tax good governance standards that were developed based on t he Commission’s 2016 External Strategy for Effective Taxation[2], Morocco currently complies with all the criteria of the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, after amending the preferential tax regime (Casablanca Finance City) in 2020, thus addressing potential threats to Member States’ tax base.

    The Code of Conduct Group for business taxation, with technical assistance of the Commission, will monitor that Morocco continues to comply with the EU listing criteria.

    Understanding the impact that Morocco’s policies could have is vital for crafting appropriate strategies to support EU industries’ growth and competitiveness and safeguard the EU common market.

    • [1] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1679/oj
    • [2] COM(2016) 24 final.
    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Exacerbation of industrial relocation driven by EU policy through US tariffs – P-000555/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    On 10 February 2025 the United States (US) announced the imposition a 25% tariff on all US imports of steel and aluminium as of 12 March 2025 and subsequently published a list of downstream products to which the tariffs will also apply[1][2][3]. On 13 February 2025, the US announced plans to impose so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs’[4].

    The President of the Commission and the Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security publicly stated that while the EU is ready to discuss mutually beneficial solutions, any unjustified tariffs will trigger firm and proportionate EU countermeasures . The President spoke to the Vice-President of the United States on 11 February 2025.

    Moreover, the Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security also discussed this with his counterparts, including during a meeting in Washington on 19 February 2025.

    The Commission will spare no effort to avert unnecessary tensions but is ready to act to safeguard its economic interests. The EU has at its disposal instruments that allow addressing unjustified measures, including with tariffs.

    To promote European competitiveness, the Commission adopted its Competitiveness Compass[5], the strategic framework for the Commission’s work in this mandate, and other industrial policy initiatives[6].

    The Competitiveness Compass sets out an approach and a selection of flagship measures on three transformational imperatives to boost competitiveness: closing the innovation gap, a joint roadmap for decarbonisation and competitiveness, and reducing excessive dependencies and increasing security.

    The 2025 Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report[7] provide an analytical basis for the EU’s industrial strategy.

    • [1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/adjusting-imports-of-steel-into-the-united-states/
    • [2] https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/02/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-restores-section-232-tariffs/
    • [3] https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-02-18/pdf/2025-02832.pdf and https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-02-18/pdf/2025-02833.pdf
    • [4] https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/02/reciprocal-trade-and-tariffs/
    • [5] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0030
    • [6] For example, the Clean Industrial Deal proposes six business drivers for a competitive yet decarbonising economy: (1) affordable energy, (2) lead markets, (3) financing, (4) circularity and access to materials, (5) global markets and international partnerships and (6) skills.
    • [7] https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/publications/2025-annual-single-market-and-competitiveness-report_en
    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Addressing the impact of mass tourism in Spain – E-000445/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The Commission is aware of the challenges that unbalanced tourism may create for the infrastructure, the environment, the economy and/or the social fabric of certain local destinations, as well as affecting the quality of the experience for visitors. This was acknowledged by the 2022 report on Unbalanced tourism growth at destination level[1]. The Commission supports through several projects the exchange of good practices among the Destination Management Organisations, including on tourist flows management. The link between tourism and the housing crisis lacks more detailed studies, which will be needed in order to better understand their potential mutual influence. The Commission has already established a Housing Task Force to steer and coordinate the preparation of the European Affordable Housing Plan[2], with a view to addressing structural drivers of the housing crisis.

    2. As announced in the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism confirmation hearing[3], the Commission will present in early 2026 its Sustainable Tourism Strategy, following consultations in the next few months with the European Parliament, Member States, Local and Regional Authorities, other stakeholders of the sector, and tourism destinations.

    3. In terms of financing, a guide for EU funding is available for tourism stakeholders[4], as no single specific instrument is dedicated to promote or manage tourism. For example, EUR 1,79 billion are allocated to Spain for the development of Tourism Sustainability Plans under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RFF)[5]. Moreover, EUR 4.2 billion between 2021 and 2027 are allocated to sustainable tourism under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), out of which EUR 700 million have been earmarked to Spain.

    • [1] Root causes, impacts, existing solutions and good practices,
      https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/816f1561-3a32-11ed-9c68-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
    • [2] https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/proximity-and-social-economy/social-economy-eu/affordable-housing-initiative_en
    • [3] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/nl/press-room/20241029IPR25032/hearing-of-commissioner-designate-apostolos-tzitzikostas
    • [4] https://transport.ec.europa.eu/tourism/eu-funding-and-businesses/guide-eu-funding-tourism_en
    • [5] https://www.igae.pap.hacienda.gob.es/sitios/igae/es-ES/Control/Documents/Anexo%20Decisi%C3%B3n%20ST-9303-2024-ADD-1_es.pdf
    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Potential misuse of EU funds by pro-migrant association Equalis – E-000658/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Equalis received EUR 4 million in European funding from the European Social Fund (ESF)[1] between 2015 and 2022 (through the 2014-2020 French national programme) and EUR 1.14 million between 2022 and 2024 (through the FSE+ 2021-2027 French national programme). Equalis does not receive funding from the FSE+ regional programme of Île-de-France.

    La Commission carried out a compliance audit on the FSE+ French national programme in 2021 with a view to providing reasonable assurance that the management and control systems of this programme were working effectively to prevent, detect and correct errors and irregularities, thereby guaranteeing the lawfulness and regularity of expenditure declared to the Commission.

    The audit conclusions were positive. However, it should be noted that the sample selected by the Commission auditors did not include any operations of which Equalis was the beneficiary.

    It is the Member States which are primarily responsible for the management and control of the structural funds. In the event of irregularities, the authorities must deduct the expenses in question from the amounts declared to the Commission (in the annual accounts). The Member State is responsible for recovering these amounts from the beneficiary.

    The Commission checks the control systems put in place by the Member States. In the event of significant weaknesses, the Commission can interrupt payments and request corrective measures such as financial corrections and measures aimed at improving the functioning of the management and control systems.

    • [1] https://fse.be/
    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Chile: European Union, EIB and KfW to provide up to €216.5 million to finance renewable hydrogen projects

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • The Team Europe Renewable Hydrogen Funding Platform for Chile will support Chile’s renewable hydrogen industry and help meet the country’s target of 100% clean energy by 2050.

    Today the European Commission, the European Investment Bank (EIB), KfW Development Bank, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and the European Commission, Corporación de Fomento de la Producción (CORFO) and the Chilean Ministry of Energy signed agreements to support Chile’s growing renewable hydrogen industry via the Team Europe Renewable Hydrogen Funding Platform for Chile. The signing ceremony took place in Santiago de Chile and was attended by European Commissioner for International Partnership Jozef Sikela, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Chile Diego Pardow, Executive Vice-President of CORFO José Miguel Benavente, EIB Director of the International Partners Department Thouraya Triki, and, representing KfW, Thomas Schmitt, Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy to Chile.

    The funding platform will support the decarbonisation of Chile’s economy, creating green jobs and generating business opportunities for Chilean and European companies while also helping Europe meet its import demand for renewable hydrogen. The Team Europe Renewable Hydrogen Funding Platform for Chile is part of the European Union – Latin America and the Caribbean Global Gateway Investment Agenda that  facilitates priority investment projects to help address infrastructure needs in Latin America and the Caribbean, while creating local added value and promoting growth, decent jobs and social cohesion.

    Under the platform, the EIB and KfW can provide financing to the Republic of Chile of up to €200 million (€100 million each), with CORFO as the implementing agency to channel the funds to renewable hydrogen initiatives. The EU Latin America and Caribbean Investment Facility (LACIF) will provide an additional grant of €16.5 million. The Team Europe Renewable Hydrogen Funding Platform for Chile supports Chile’s ambition to make its main sources of energy generation renewable and clean, with 100% clean energy before 2050. It is estimated that the operation will contribute to the development of at least 150 MW of new renewable energy generation capacity and 150 MW of new electrolysers capacity in the country.

    “With this agreement, the European Union reaffirms its vision of renewable hydrogen as a pillar of the energy of the future, and together with Chile, a leader in the region in this field, we are advancing the development of this key industry. The collaborative work between CORFO, the European Investment Bank (EIB), KfW, and the European Union channels strategic resources towards innovative projects, generating mutual benefits for Chile and Europe. This initiative is a clear example of Team Europe’s commitment to sustainability, the creation of green jobs, and the strengthening of our economic ties,” said European Commissioner for International Partnership Jozef Sikela.

    “The Team Europe Renewable Hydrogen Funding Platform for Chile will play a key role in supporting the Chilean government’s efforts to develop a sustainable and competitive renewable hydrogen sector. Through this platform, Team Europe is once again demonstrating its commitment to advance key Global Gateway investment priorities. By aligning with Chile’s ambitious climate action goals, we are fostering green energy solutions that create jobs, drive innovation and strengthen EU-Latin America cooperation. This partnership reflects our shared vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future,” said Vice-President of the European Investment Bank Ioannis Tsakiris.                                    

    “The creation of the green hydrogen industry is not only an opportunity to continue the decarbonisation process but can also contribute to providing quality jobs and opportunities for the regions where future projects will be located. Therefore, this initiative led by the European Union, which is another step in our long and close collaboration, is great news for the energy industry but also for the citizens of our country,” said Minister of Energy of the Republic of Chile Diego Pardow.

    “The development of the green hydrogen industry represents a major challenge, not only in Chile but also globally. The creation of CORFO’s Green Hydrogen Facility, with contributions from multilateral institutions, including KfW and the European Investment Bank, constitutes a very relevant and necessary step forward to have financial instruments that can provide an important signal from the State in order to support the development of the industry and large-scale projects. We take on this challenge with great energy and enthusiasm,” said Executive Vice-President of CORFO José Miguel Benavente.

    “Chile has outstanding renewable energy potential for the development of green hydrogen production. To realise this potential, it is essential to leverage private investment. KfW financing on behalf of BMWK will support the mobilisation of private capital for Chilean hydrogen projects at an early stage. At a later stage, this should also enable the export of green hydrogen to European customers within the framework of hydrogen partnerships,” said Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy to Chile Thomas Schmitt.

    The Team Europe Renewable Hydrogen Funding Platform for Chile is part of the European Union’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda supporting projects that improve global and regional connectivity in the digital, climate, transport, health, energy and education sectors. The Global Gateway is the European Union’s contribution to narrowing the global investment gap worldwide. Between 2021 and 2027, the European Union expects to mobilise up to €300 billion of investments for sustainable and high-quality projects, taking into account the needs of partner countries and ensuring lasting benefits for local communities.

    Background information

    About EIB Global

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives.

    EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner of 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. Within Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong, focused partnerships alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB Group closer to people, companies and institutions through our offices across the world. High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

    http://twitter.com/EIB

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/eib-global/

    About EIB Global in Chile

    The EIB is the largest multilateral public bank in the world. In 2024 it financed around €8.4 billion in investments outside the European Union via EIB Global, the arm of the EIB created in 2022 for activities beyond Europe. Since the EIB started working in Chile in 1994, it has provided over €942 million to finance investments on favourable conditions — in terms of both maturity and interest rates — with the aim of improving Chileans’ quality of life.

    About EIB Global in Latin America

    EIB Global has been providing economic support for projects in Latin America since 2022, facilitating long-term investment with favourable conditions and offering the technical support needed to ensure that these projects deliver positive social, economic and environmental results. Since the EIB began operating in Latin America in 1993, it has provided total financing of around €15 billion to support more than 170 projects in 15 countries in the region.

    About the Global Gateway Investment Agenda

    EIB Global is a key partner in the implementation of the European Union’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda, supporting sound projects that improve global and regional connectivity in the digital, climate, transport, health, energy and education sectors. Investing in connectivity is at the very heart of what EIB Global does, building on the Bank’s 65 years of experience in this domain. Alongside our partners, fellow EU institutions and Member States, we aim to support investment of €100 billion (around one-third of the overall budget of the initiative) by the end of 2027, including in Chile and Latin America.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Chile: EIB to provide $110 million to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy investments

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • $110 million loan to Banco del Estado de Chile to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy investments for small and medium businesses and industries among others, including the value chain companies for critical raw materials in the country.

    Today the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Banco del Estado de Chile signed in Santiago de Chile a $110 million loan to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy investments for small and medium businesses and industries among others, including the value chain companies for critical raw materials in the country. The operation is in line with the EU Global Gateway Investment Agenda in Chile and fosters partnerships to develop sustainable local value chains in the critical raw materials segment.

    The loan was signed by Daniel Hojman, President of Banco del Estado de Chile, and by Thouraya Triki, EIB Director of the International Partners Department, in the presence of the European Commissioner for International Partnership Jozef Sikela.

    The project, 100% climate action, supports Chile’s transition to a decarbonised, environmentally friendly, and inclusive economy, reinforcing the country’s efforts to enhance renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. Mining companies or companies providing services to the critical raw materials sector, and implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy sub-projects, can also be targeted as final beneficiaries, thus supporting the decarbonisation of the critical raw materials supply chain, which is needed to ensure a clean energy transition in the country.

    “This $110 million financing agreement between the European Investment Bank and Banco del Estado de Chile is a relevant contribution towards a cleaner and more efficient energy future. We are investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency, especially for small and medium businesses, thereby strengthening the decarbonisation of the Chilean economy. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to climate action. Through the Global Gateway Investment Agenda, Chile and the European Union are strengthening our collaboration, ensuring that economic growth and environmental protection go hand in hand,” said Jozef Sikela, European Commissioner for International Partnership.

    “This agreement between BancoEstado and the European Investment Bank strengthens the cooperation between our two financial institutions, with the aim of accelerating the adoption of green energy. This complements our previous partnership, which sought to improve the financial access conditions for housing with enhanced energy efficiency standards. Sustainability is an integral part of our identity as a public bank, and green financing is one of our strategic pillars, in line with supporting Chile’s transition towards an economy committed to climate action and environmental conservation,” said Daniel Hojman, President of Banco del Estado de Chile.

    “The $110 million EIB financing in energy efficiency and renewable energy generation supports Chile’s green transition and the EU’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda in Chile while strengthening energy security in the years ahead. This operation contributes significantly to decarbonise the energy supply in the country and unlocks energy efficiency potential in small and medium businesses and industry, including in the critical raw materials sector. This cooperation with Banco del Estado de Chile builds on the EIB’s global climate engagement and our support for climate action in Chile over the last three decades,” said Ioannis Tsakiris, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank.

    The operation is part of the European Union’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA) supporting projects that improve global and regional connectivity in the digital, climate, transport, health, energy and education sectors. The Global Gateway is the European Union’s contribution to narrowing the global investment gap worldwide. Between 2021 and 2027, the European Union expects to mobilise up to €300 billion of investments for sustainable and high-quality projects, taking into account the needs of partner countries and ensuring lasting benefits for local communities.

    Background information

    About EIB Global

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by the Member States. It finances investments that pursue EU policy objectives.

    EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner of Global Gateway. It aims to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027 – around one-third of the overall target of this EU initiative. Within Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong, focused partnerships alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB Group closer to people, companies and institutions through its offices across the world. Photos of EIB headquarters for media use are available here.

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

    About EIB Global in Chile

    The EIB is the largest multilateral public bank in the world. In 2024 it financed around €8.4 billion in investments outside the European Union via EIB Global, the arm of the EIB created in 2022 for activities beyond Europe. Since the EIB started working in Chile in 1994, it has provided over €942 million to finance investments on favourable conditions — in terms of both maturity and interest rates — with the aim of improving Chileans’ quality of life.

    About EIB Global in Latin America

    EIB Global has been providing economic support for projects in Latin America since 2022, facilitating long-term investment with favourable conditions and offering the technical support needed to ensure that these projects deliver positive social, economic and environmental results. Since the EIB began operating in Latin America in 1993, it has provided total financing of around €14.9 billion to support more than 170 projects in 15 countries in the region.

    About the Global Gateway Investment Agenda

    EIB Global is a key partner in the implementation of the European Union’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA), supporting sound projects that improve global and regional connectivity in the digital, climate, transport, health, energy and education sectors. Investing in connectivity is at the very heart of what EIB Global does, building on the Bank’s 65 years of experience in this domain. Alongside our partners, fellow EU institutions and Member States, we aim to support investment of €100 billion (around one-third of the overall budget of the initiative) by the end of 2027, including in Chile and Latin America.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Bankruptcy of Swedish manufacturer Northvolt – the crash of the ‘Airbus of batteries’ – E-001140/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001140/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Jordan Bardella (PfE)

    The recent bankruptcy of Northvolt, which once carried Europe’s hopes in the electric vehicle battery sector, highlights Europe’s incoherence in the face of Asian dominance in the sector.

    Despite massive investments of USD 15 billion, Northvolt failed to compete with Chinese giants such as CATL and BYD, which hold 37% and 13% respectively of the global battery market. This development only increases Europe’s dependence on Asian suppliers and undermines our strategic autonomy.

    • 1.What lessons does the Commission draw from Northvolt’s failure to ensure the future success of European initiatives, in particular the ‘battery production recovery plan’ presented in recent weeks?
    • 2.Given the industrial and strategic uncertainties surrounding electric batteries, does the Commission intend to encourage the reintroduction of hybrid engines and biofuels as part of the revision of the regulation banning the sale of new combustion-engine vehicles?

    Submitted: 18.3.2025

    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Commission has it in for French rail freight – E-001141/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001141/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Jordan Bardella (PfE)

    On 18 January, the Commission launched an in-depth investigation into Fret SNCF, jeopardising not only the future of the public operator, but also that of the French rail freight sector as a whole. Although rail freight is a strategic pillar of energy autonomy and industrial competitiveness, the Commission seems to favour a deregulatory approach that risks undermining the public sector for private gain.

    It is worth remembering that since the rail freight market was opened to effective competition in 2006, the modal share of rail freight transport has been halved and Fret SNCF has seen its workforce reduce by two thirds.

    What factors justify jeopardising a sector that is essential to France’s supply chain and industrial competitiveness?

    Submitted: 18.3.2025

    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – European Train Control System in Greece: implementation delays and the need for transparency – E-001129/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001129/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Afroditi Latinopoulou (PfE)

    Although two years have passed since the implementation of the European Train Control System (ETCS) was announced, it is unclear how much progress has been made in Greece towards its installation and operation. The need for transparency and clarity is imperative, especially following the recent tragedy in Tempi, which shone a spotlight on shortcomings in railway safety. The installation of the ETCS would enable the automatic surveillance of trains, improving safety by means of information on train speed and location. This upgrade is essential to prevent human error and to align with European standards.

    In light of the above, can the Commission say:

    • 1.How does it assess Greece’s progress with regard to the installation and operation of the ETCS, and what specific measures are being taken in response to Member States that delay the implementation of this project?
    • 2.What measures does it intend to take to enhance transparency and accountability in the implementation of the ETCS across Europe?
    • 3.How does it intend to ensure that all Member States comply with all the commitments on safety standards?

    Submitted: 18.3.2025

    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Protecting EU patients by exempting the medical device sector from EU and US tariffs – E-001185/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001185/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Laurent Castillo (PPE)

    The Commission’s decision to retaliate against the United States’ trade measures was both necessary and a question of principle, as American tariffs cannot be allowed to undermine the economic interests of the EU’s industrial and agricultural sectors.

    However, by including medical technologies and their components in its list of targeted US products, the Commission could end up harming not only the EU’s medical device industry, but also the innovation and supply chains of a sector that is already having to cope with two administratively burdensome regulations.

    To make matters worse, the Commission’s response could discourage research investment and drive up the cost of accessing medical devices, thus undermining public health in the EU.

    Exempting medical devices from tariff measures is therefore vital to ensuring that European patients can continue to access high-quality healthcare and that the EU’s medical device industry can attract investors.

    What measures will the Commission put in place to guarantee that EU and US tariffs do not target medical devices or affect their supply chains?

    Submitted: 20.3.2025

    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Social crisis at Thales Alenia Space – E-001133/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001133/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Anthony Smith (The Left), Marina Mesure (The Left)

    In March 2024, management at Thales Alenia Space announced their intention to cut more than 1 300 jobs in Europe, including 1 124 in France. However, the Thales Group has made a record profit of EUR 20.6 billion, up 11.7 %, and its order book is full, thanks, in particular, to public orders such as the demonstration contract for the HydRON project, signed recently, and industrial activities for the IRIS2 project.

    In response, workers were stirred into action to protect their jobs and rail against the deterioration in their working conditions: according to its occupational health services, more than 50% of the group’s employees are overworked and 13% are already burned out.

    At a time when the EU has decided to boost its autonomy in the defence and space sector, does the Commission intend to:

    • 1.ensure that jobs and skills are maintained and improve the working conditions of employees at a company that has signed public contracts?
    • 2.step up checks to see to it that working conditions are decent at companies that have signed public contracts?

    Submitted: 18.3.2025

    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Reporting of EU funding to press bodies and implications for journalistic independence – E-001183/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001183/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Paolo Borchia (PfE), Susanna Ceccardi (PfE), Anna Maria Cisint (PfE), Aldo Patriciello (PfE), Silvia Sardone (PfE), Raffaele Stancanelli (PfE), Isabella Tovaglieri (PfE), Roberto Vannacci (PfE)

    Press sources report that the European Commission provided EUR 132.82 million to various media outlets – including significant Italian newspapers – through the company Havas Media France around the time of the June 2024 European elections. No information is available on the beneficiaries and specific amounts disbursed.

    Given that the EU institutions do not pursue commercial purposes and have internal structures for institutional communication:

    • 1.What criteria justified the allocation of these resources through a private intermediary, without applying the public tendering obligations for sums over EUR 14 000?
    • 2.There is evidence to suggest that articles and services have been tailored to the preferences of Brussels’ top dogs, undermining the principle of the independence of the press. In the light of this in particular, how will the Commission ensure that such funding, if indeed provided, is not used to politically influence the beneficiaries, curtailing their editorial freedom?
    • 3.Why has the information on beneficiaries and specific amounts disbursed not been published in full?

    Submitted: 20.3.2025

    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Energy sanctions against Russia and audit request – E-001144/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001144/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Jordan Bardella (PfE)

    The energy sanctions the EU has imposed against a number of third countries, including Russia, have had a dramatic economic impact on our businesses and citizens. In particular, the energy price hikes pose a serious threat to both our industry’s competitiveness and the purchasing power of the French people. Experts are also pointing to the fact that these sanctions could prove to be counterproductive, effectively bolstering in the long term the economy and strategic autonomy of the countries targeted.

    In the light of these repercussions and the current decline, it is now crucial to assess objectively the effectiveness of these sanctions and their real impact on Europe’s energy security.

    In view of this, does the Commission plan to have an independent and transparent audit carried out to analyse the impact of the energy sanctions on the European economy and on the energy sovereignty of the Member States, as well as their objective impact on the economies of the countries concerned?

    Submitted: 18.3.2025

    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU funding for animal experiments – E-001196/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001196/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE)

    The announcement from the Mauritian Minister of Agro-Industry regarding a memorandum of understanding with Charles River Laboratories to conduct experiments on long-tailed macaques in Mauritius has raised concerns about the potential increase in public EU funding for animal experiments in countries with lower standards than Directive 2010/63/EU.

    Several EU countries have already funded primate experiments in China, Kenya and St Kitts, where there is little to no animal welfare oversight and no transparency regarding the sourcing of these animals. This is particularly alarming as the International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) as endangered since 2022, with the biomedical industry being identified as a major threat. Additionally, ongoing US investigations into alleged trafficking by Charles River have uncovered evidence of poaching and fraud.

    • 1.What measures are in place to prevent EU funds from supporting animal experiments in non-EU countries that would not be permitted under EU legislation?
    • 2.Will the Commission revise Directive 2010/63/EU to prohibit public institutions and publicly funded projects from conducting animal experiments in facilities not complying with EU welfare regulations?
    • 3.How will the Commission address the risk of Directive 2010/63/EU being undermined by the EU or Member States funding animal experiments overseas?

    Submitted: 20.3.2025

    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Audit of the Polish poultry industry – E-001195/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001195/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE)

    In her reply on 10 June 2024 to written question E-001344/2024 on hygiene issues in the Polish poultry sector, former Commissioner Kyriakides stated that ‘the audit planned for this year will contribute to this follow-up and assess the effectiveness of the actions taken’.

    The Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety published a report in 2024 on an assessment of Poland’s controls on antimicrobial veterinary medicinal products[1]. Commission experts state that there has been significant improvement in this important area of human safety, but there are still significant problems. I concluded from the response to written question E-001344/2024 that the Polish poultry industry would also be audited to assess progress in reducing salmonella contamination. An article published on 31 January 2025 in The Guardian entitled ‘Delays to post-Brexit border checks may have let diseased chicken enter UK’ stated: ‘officials were also worried that the salmonella contamination had become more widespread, involving multiple producers from Poland and a greater number of food products, the documents show. While attention had initially focused on breaded chicken and other highly processed products, testing had revealed that fresh chicken and raw pet food was also implicated’.

    Can the Commission please state whether an audit of the Polish poultry industry was carried out in 2024, and if so, what was found?

    Submitted: 20.3.2025

    • [1] https://ec.europa.eu/food/audits-analysis/audit-report/download/16871.
    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Press Briefing – March 28, 2025

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Spokesperson Tammy Bruce leads the Department Press Briefing, at the Department of State, on March 28, 2025.

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    X: https://x.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
    Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PPZ3RZwsk4

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Need for a European detention system for members of organised crime gangs and the mystery surrounding the release of crime bosses in Italy – E-001096/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001096/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Giuseppe Antoci (The Left)

    Recent organised-crime-combating operations against Cosa Nostra in Sicily have shown there to be shortcomings in the penal system, which allow the heads of organised crime gangs to continue to run their criminal activities, even while in jail[1]. Despite the adoption of maximum security systems, there is still a shortage of resources and a need for more effective cooperation between European authorities.

    On top of this, reports concerning the release of Mafia bosses have raised doubts as to the transparency and effectiveness of the Italian penal system[2].

    This situation would seem to be putting police informers at serious risk of retaliation, and highlights the need for proper support and protection[3].

    It seems clear that there is an urgent need to establish a uniform European detention system for high-risk prisoners[4].

    In view of the above, can the Commission state:

    • 1.What specific measures are being planned to improve cooperation between national authorities in order to strengthen detention systems for members of high-risk organised crime gangs and furthermore, are legislative initiatives being planned in respect of the combating of organised crime in order to strengthen investigative and security measures within European prisons?
    • 2.What steps can be taken to improve protection and support for police informants across the EU so as to ensure their safety and opportunities for reintegration without risk of retaliation?
    • 3.How many additional places have been created in European prisons through the construction of prisons using EU funds?

    Submitted: 13.3.2025

    • [1] https://www.rainews.it/articoli/2025/02/mafia-maxi-retata-dei-carabinieri-a-palermo-oltre-180-ordinanze-cautelari-7502ca17-6e4b-4260-af45-e3ade32d2b9b.html
    • [2] https://palermo.repubblica.it/cronaca/2025/03/09/news/lista_boss_scarcerati_antimafia_dap-424051354/
    • [3] https://www.antimafiaduemila.com/home/mafie-news/309-topnews/104210-mistero-attorno-ai-boss-scarcerati-la-lista-del-dap-e-top-secret.html
    • [4] The basis for a proposal for a special European detention system is contained in Articles 82 and 83 TFEU and two European Parliament resolutions: the resolution of 23 October 2013 on organised crime, corruption and money laundering: recommendations on action and initiatives to be taken (final report) (2013/2107(INI)), paragraph 84; and the resolution on organised crime in the European Union (2010/2309(INI)), paragraph 32.
    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Return and readmission cooperation with the Palestinian Authority – E-002107/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU provides humanitarian and development assistance in line with the European Joint Strategy in support of Palestine[1]. However, contacts established in this framework are not per se relevant in view of operational cooperation on readmission. The possibility for identification, issuance of travel document and carrying out return operations depends on the situation on ground.

    The Qualification Directive[2] allows Member States to revoke refugee status based on several grounds, including if the person has committed serious crimes or poses a threat to national security.

    If after an individualised assessment, the Member State authorities decide that an individual satisfies the aforementioned conditions and revoke the refugee status, it will be possible to return the individual to the country of origin if this does not violate the principle of non-refoulement.

    The Return Directive[3] requires an individual assessment deciding on the issuance of a return decision. This decision needs to respect certain safeguards, including the respect of the principle of non-refoulement.

    The Return Directive provides for the possibility to apply firmer rules for third-country nationals representing a serious threat to public policy, public security or national security (such as no granting of a period for voluntary departure and issuance of an entry ban longer than five years).

    The Commission has proposed a new Regulation on a European approach to return that would provide for stricter rules for such cases, including mandatory forced return, longer entry bans, and a separate detention ground.

    • [1] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/European%20Joint%20Strategy%202021-2024.PDF
    • [2] Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection, and for the content of the protection granted (recast).
    • [3] Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third-country nationals.
    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Transparency and accountability over EU funds for Ukraine – E-000497/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    EU financial assistance to Ukraine follows a control framework with both internal and external controls, which includes checks by the Commission before making payments, expenditure verifications by independent auditors contracted by the Commission, audits by the European Court of Auditors on expenditure and performance, and administrative and criminal investigations by the Anti-Fraud Office and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

    With the establishment of the Ukraine Facility[1], the Commission has even more robust powers to exercise audit and control, which became binding on Ukraine with the framework Agreement between the Union and Ukraine[2].

    An independent Audit Board[3] assists the Commission in assessing the effectiveness of Ukraine’s management and control systems for the funds provided under the Ukraine Facility.

    In implementing the Ukraine Facility, the Commission and Ukraine are taking appropriate measures to protect the financial interests of the Union.

    The Commission conducts comprehensive ex ante controls prior to any payment requests submitted by Ukraine. Following the disbursement, the Commission also carries out risk-based ex-post audits on Ukraine Plan steps.

    Regarding the future reconstruction of Ukraine, it is currently too early to provide specific details on costs and the involvement of various donors.

    The Commission will continue to collaborate with Ukraine and its partners to support recovery and reconstruction efforts, particularly through the Ukraine Donor Platform.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/792/oj/eng
    • [2] Commission Decision C(2024)3456 of 17 May 2024 approving the framework Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine laying down the principles of financial cooperation under the Ukraine Facility.
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2024/1697/oj/eng
    Last updated: 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Expect delays due to Keating off-ramp closure, Highway 17 repairs

    Drivers should expect delays on Highway 17 northbound as the right lane of the highway near Keating Cross Road requires emergency repairs.

    To facilitate the repairs, the Keating off-ramp will be fully closed until at least 3 p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2025.

    The highway remains open and the Keating off-ramp (Exit 18) is closed, so northbound traffic can utilize the left-turn lane until work is complete in the afternoon. Drivers can take an alternative route via Island View Road.

    Work is ongoing as crews repair a steel plate on Highway 17 northbound.

    Drivers should expect delays of at least 20 minutes and are encouraged to choose alternative routes where possible.

    People are asked to take extra care while travelling in the area with workers present and obey all safety signage. For the most up-to-date information, check https://www.drivebc.ca.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Statement Of Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky On The Convictions Of Charlie Javice And Olivier Amar

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    “Today, a unanimous jury found Charlie Javice and Olivier Amar guilty of orchestrating a brazen fraud. Javice, the founder and CEO of Frank, falsely claimed that her company had millions of customers when, in reality, it had just a fraction of that number. She and Amar, the Chief Growth Officer, fabricated data, lied to major financial institutions, and sold their business for $175 million. And while Javice and Amar may have thought that they could lie and cheat their way to a huge payday, their lies caught up with them, and they now stand convicted by a jury of their peers in federal court. 

    This Office will continue to pursue financial fraud aggressively and hold accountable those who put greed above honesty. I commend the career prosecutors of this Office and our law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to bring this case to trial and secure today’s verdict. Thanks to their efforts, Javice and Amar will now pay a steep price for their lies. ”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Connecticut Woman Sentenced to More Than Four Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking Five Victims

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A New Haven, Conn. woman was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for sex trafficking and the interstate transportation of two separate victims for the purposes of prostitution.

    Jennifer Fortier, 51, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 58 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The government recommended a sentence of eight years in prison. In November 2024, Fortier pleaded guilty to two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and one count of knowingly transporting any individual in interstate or foreign commerce, with intent that such individual engage in prostitution. Fortier was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023, along with her co-defendants Jermall Anderson and Latasha Anderson.

    “Jennifer Fortier inflicted violence against these women, who were vulnerable, homeless, unemployed, and suffering from drug addiction, all to feed the profits of this criminal sex-trafficking organization.” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Prosecuting those who exploit others for their own personal gain is something that my office will continue to put our resources into. Everybody deserves to be treated with dignity, not exploited for their addictions and life circumstances.”

    “Fortier worked alongside the now-convicted human trafficker Jermall Anderson, using violence and drugs to enforce his reign of terror over the women he trafficked. The harm she and her co-conspirators did to the women they victimized cannot be undone, but as another member of the conspiracy is sentenced, we hope this step offers some resolution for all they have been through,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations New England.

    From 2012 through 2016, Fortier, along with her co-conspirators and at the direction of Jermall Anderson, used physical violence, threats and the giving and withholding of heroin and cocaine to force two different victims to prostitute on their behalf. Fortier and her co-conspirators targeted vulnerable victims, specifically those struggling from drug addiction, homelessness and lack of economic resources and coerced them into providing commercial sex for the defendants’ benefit. The defendant trafficked these victims throughout New England, New York and New Jersey.  

    In March 2025, Jermall Anderson was sentenced to 15 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Latasha Anderson pleaded guilty in March 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 11, 2025.

    Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274 or contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.

    U.S. Foley and HSI SAC Krol made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the HSI Office in New Haven, Conn., the Lynn and Tewksbury Police Departments (Mass.) and the Hampden (Conn.) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
            

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Charged with Drug Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican national was charged in federal court today following his arrest during the execution of a federal search warrant yesterday.

    Jose Valencia-Soriano, 23, was charged in a three-count criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court of Kansas City, Mo., on Friday, March 28.  As set forth in the attached complaint, Valencia-Soriano is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, and one count of being an alien in possession of a firearm  Valencia-Soriano was arrested yesterday and remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing.

    According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, on Thursday, March 27, agents with the Kansas City Field Division of the FBI, assisted by agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration, were executing a federal search warrant at a home in the Kansas City area. According to the affidavit, during the execution of this warrant, Valencia-Soriano was discovered at the location, in addition to approximately 102 lbs. of finished crystal methamphetamine, over 406 lbs. of liquids containing methamphetamine in various states, three firearms in the main bedroom, and $48,634 in cash.  Two of the firearms recovered had been listed as stolen.  The underlying investigation is out of the St. Louis area and is primarily being handled by the St. Louis Field Division of the FBI.

    “FBI St. Louis prioritized this drug trafficking investigation after we confirmed this defendant entered the U.S. illegally,” said Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson of the FBI St. Louis Division. “With the help of our law enforcement partners, we seized a large quantity of illicit drugs to include 100 pounds of finished crystal meth and 406 pounds of liquid that contained meth.”

    “This case serves as an important reminder that, in addition to fentanyl, large quantities of other dangerous drugs, in this case methamphetamine, are still a significant problem in our community.  This office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively prosecute every one of these cases with the goal of making our communities a safer place to live,” said Acting United States Attorney Jeffrey P. Ray for the Western District of Missouri.

    A courtesy copy of the complaint is attached to this release.

    The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Foley. It was investigated by the Kansas City and St. Louis Field Divisions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Rolla Area Drug Enforcement. HSI and KCMOPD also assisted with the execution of the warrant yesterday.

    Operation Take Back America

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: United States Secures Extradition of More Than a Dozen Fugitives from 10 Countries

    Source: US State of California

    Defendants Wanted for Murders, Drug Trafficking, Alien Smuggling, and Cybercrime in the District of Columbia, California, Florida, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, New York, Texas, and Washington State

    Extensive coordination and cooperation efforts between the U.S. Department of Justice and law enforcement authorities in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom resulted in the extraditions this month of alleged murderers, a child rapist, an MS-13 leader, an alien smuggler, Colombian drug traffickers, a Russian cybercriminal, a Nigerian fraudster, and an immigration scammer.

    “The dedicated, persistent work of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs with foreign partners resulted in the extradition of fugitives wanted in the United States for violent crimes,” said Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Matthew R. Galeotti. “The Justice Department will aggressively pursue and bring to justice in the United States transnational criminals and hold them accountable for the death and violence they have committed here and abroad.”

    The fugitives extradited to the United States in March 2025 include:

    • Eswin Mejia, 28, was extradited from Honduras to face charges of vehicular homicide and failure to appear in court for the January 2016 killing of 21-year-old Sarah Root in Douglas County, Nebraska. Mejia was arrested and released on bond in February 2016 and subsequently fled the country to evade prosecution by the Douglas County Attorney’s Office.
    • Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco, 48, an alleged leader of a Guatemala-based alien smuggling organization, was extradited from Guatemala to face charges in the Western District of Texas for his alleged role in the June 2022 San Antonio mass casualty incident that resulted in the death of 53 Guatemalan, Honduran, and Mexican nationals, including children, and the injury of 11 others.
    • Moises Humberto Rivera Luna, 55, an alleged international leader of the violent gang MS-13, was extradited from Guatemala to face racketeering conspiracy charges in the District of Columbia regarding racketeering activities to include murder, narcotics distribution, extortion, robberies, obstruction of justice, and other crimes.
    • Carlos Espino Farfan, 36, was extradited from Spain to face charges of first-degree felony rape of a child and first-degree felony sodomy upon a child filed by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
    • Jair Alberto Alvarez Valenzuela, 54, and Luis Carlos Diaz Martinez, 32, former Colombian Navy personnel were extradited to face charges in the Middle District of Florida for their alleged role in selling locations of Colombian Navy drug interdiction vessels to international drug traffickers.
    • Louie Hernandez, 61, was extradited from Mexico to face charges in King County, Washington, of first-degree murder in connection with the February 2024 fatal shooting of his alleged estranged partner, Reyna Hernandez.
    • Juan Ramirez, 37, was extradited from Mexico to face charges in Santa Clara, California, for the March 22, 2013, fatal stabbing of 29-year-old Sandra Cruzes-Gonsalez.
    • Solomon Sincler Gheorghe, 20, an Irish national, was extradited from France to face charges in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, of felony death by motor vehicle and felony serious injury by vehicle. Gheorghe is alleged to have been impaired by alcohol and drugs when he caused a multi-vehicle wreck on Sept. 20, 2023, resulting in the deaths of two adults and a 12-year-old boy, and with injury to others.
    • Rostislav Panev, 51, a dual Russian and Israeli national, was extradited from Israel to faces charges in the District of New Jersey for his alleged role as a developer for the LockBit ransomware group from its inception in or around 2019 through at least February 2024. The LockBit group has attacked more than 2,500 victims in at least 120 countries around the world, including 1,800 in the United States.
    • Marco Tulio Fernandez-Rodriguez, 24, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was extradited from the Dominican Republic to face charges in the Southern District of New York of murder, narcotics, and firearms in connection with his alleged role in an attempted gunpoint robbery of a Mount Vernon, New York, warehouse that sold various unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products. Two people — one employee of the warehouse and one member of the roughly 15-man robbery crew — were shot and killed during the failed robbery attempt.
    • Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, 41, a Nigerian national, was extradited from the United Kingdom to face charges in the Southern District of Florida for allegedly engaging in a transnational criminal organization that operated an inheritance fraud scheme targeting elder U.S. consumers.
    • Bikramjit Ahluwalia, 39, a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates living in Dubai, was extradited from Spain to face charges in the Western District of North Carolina of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to damage a protected computer, and wire fraud for his alleged role in an extensive tech support fraud scheme.
    • Danhong “Jean” Chen, also known as Maria Sofia Taylor, 60, a San Jose, California, immigration attorney, was extradited from the Kyrgyz Republic to face charges in the Northern District of California for allegedly committing visa fraud and related crimes to obtain immigration benefits for more than 100 foreign investors through the government’s Employment-Based Immigration Fifth Preference, or “EB-5,” visa program. Chen is the first extradition from the Kyrgyz Republic to the United States on federal criminal charges.

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the defendants’ arrests and extraditions along with the U.S. Marshals Service. The Justice Department thanks and acknowledges the instrumental role of its law enforcement partners in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom for making these extraditions possible.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Secures Extradition of More Than a Dozen Fugitives from 10 Countries

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    Defendants Wanted for Murders, Drug Trafficking, Alien Smuggling, and Cybercrime in the District of Columbia, California, Florida, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, New York, Texas, and Washington State

    Extensive coordination and cooperation efforts between the U.S. Department of Justice and law enforcement authorities in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom resulted in the extraditions this month of alleged murderers, a child rapist, an MS-13 leader, an alien smuggler, Colombian drug traffickers, a Russian cybercriminal, a Nigerian fraudster, and an immigration scammer.

    “The dedicated, persistent work of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs with foreign partners resulted in the extradition of fugitives wanted in the United States for violent crimes,” said Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Matthew R. Galeotti. “The Justice Department will aggressively pursue and bring to justice in the United States transnational criminals and hold them accountable for the death and violence they have committed here and abroad.”

    The fugitives extradited to the United States in March 2025 include:

    • Eswin Mejia, 28, was extradited from Honduras to face charges of vehicular homicide and failure to appear in court for the January 2016 killing of 21-year-old Sarah Root in Douglas County, Nebraska. Mejia was arrested and released on bond in February 2016 and subsequently fled the country to evade prosecution by the Douglas County Attorney’s Office.
    • Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco, 48, an alleged leader of a Guatemala-based alien smuggling organization, was extradited from Guatemala to face charges in the Western District of Texas for his alleged role in the June 2022 San Antonio mass casualty incident that resulted in the death of 53 Guatemalan, Honduran, and Mexican nationals, including children, and the injury of 11 others.
    • Moises Humberto Rivera Luna, 55, an alleged international leader of the violent gang MS-13, was extradited from Guatemala to face racketeering conspiracy charges in the District of Columbia regarding racketeering activities to include murder, narcotics distribution, extortion, robberies, obstruction of justice, and other crimes.
    • Carlos Espino Farfan, 36, was extradited from Spain to face charges of first-degree felony rape of a child and first-degree felony sodomy upon a child filed by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
    • Jair Alberto Alvarez Valenzuela, 54, and Luis Carlos Diaz Martinez, 32, former Colombian Navy personnel were extradited to face charges in the Middle District of Florida for their alleged role in selling locations of Colombian Navy drug interdiction vessels to international drug traffickers.
    • Louie Hernandez, 61, was extradited from Mexico to face charges in King County, Washington, of first-degree murder in connection with the February 2024 fatal shooting of his alleged estranged partner, Reyna Hernandez.
    • Juan Ramirez, 37, was extradited from Mexico to face charges in Santa Clara, California, for the March 22, 2013, fatal stabbing of 29-year-old Sandra Cruzes-Gonsalez.
    • Solomon Sincler Gheorghe, 20, an Irish national, was extradited from France to face charges in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, of felony death by motor vehicle and felony serious injury by vehicle. Gheorghe is alleged to have been impaired by alcohol and drugs when he caused a multi-vehicle wreck on Sept. 20, 2023, resulting in the deaths of two adults and a 12-year-old boy, and with injury to others.
    • Rostislav Panev, 51, a dual Russian and Israeli national, was extradited from Israel to faces charges in the District of New Jersey for his alleged role as a developer for the LockBit ransomware group from its inception in or around 2019 through at least February 2024. The LockBit group has attacked more than 2,500 victims in at least 120 countries around the world, including 1,800 in the United States.
    • Marco Tulio Fernandez-Rodriguez, 24, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was extradited from the Dominican Republic to face charges in the Southern District of New York of murder, narcotics, and firearms in connection with his alleged role in an attempted gunpoint robbery of a Mount Vernon, New York, warehouse that sold various unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products. Two people — one employee of the warehouse and one member of the roughly 15-man robbery crew — were shot and killed during the failed robbery attempt.
    • Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, 41, a Nigerian national, was extradited from the United Kingdom to face charges in the Southern District of Florida for allegedly engaging in a transnational criminal organization that operated an inheritance fraud scheme targeting elder U.S. consumers.
    • Bikramjit Ahluwalia, 39, a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates living in Dubai, was extradited from Spain to face charges in the Western District of North Carolina of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to damage a protected computer, and wire fraud for his alleged role in an extensive tech support fraud scheme.
    • Danhong “Jean” Chen, also known as Maria Sofia Taylor, 60, a San Jose, California, immigration attorney, was extradited from the Kyrgyz Republic to face charges in the Northern District of California for allegedly committing visa fraud and related crimes to obtain immigration benefits for more than 100 foreign investors through the government’s Employment-Based Immigration Fifth Preference, or “EB-5,” visa program. Chen is the first extradition from the Kyrgyz Republic to the United States on federal criminal charges.

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the defendants’ arrests and extraditions along with the U.S. Marshals Service. The Justice Department thanks and acknowledges the instrumental role of its law enforcement partners in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom for making these extraditions possible.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –