European Union

A political deal reached behind closed doors included MEPs giving up the right to veto how the subsidies from the European Defence Fund will be spent.

Can the trend of dropping voter turnout for the EU parliament elections finally be reversed? At a new political festival, political campaigners try to find out.

MEPs will gather for the last time this week in Strasbourg before the European elections in May to finalise several bills. Lawmakers will have a Brexit debate and hear from Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for people interested in artificial intelligence.

Twitter Hashtag #EUandME

© Gorodenkoff / Fotolia

Unless you are a robot yourself, you are probably either fascinated or appalled by the prospects of artificial intelligence (AI). No longer limited to science-fiction, artificial intelligence is already a fact in our daily life, through speech recognition, driverless cars, medical diagnosis, etc. AI takes away some tasks from us. This might be for the better, when machines perform routine work and helps us concentrate on more interesting tasks, or appreciate extra leisure time. However, this might also be for the worse, as automation may lead to replacing humans at work. Changes to the way we manage our time, and perhaps earn less money, have to be considered carefully. Moreover, trusting ‘things’ with the power to decide on our behalf – on the road or at the hospital – implies a thorough revision of our ethical and legal frameworks.

A wide range of activities have to be ready for the shift to AI. We need a collective strategy to tackle changes in the education system, job market, health services, and road safety rules. The EU approach addresses all three dimensions of the artificial intelligence revolution. The EU and Member States are committed to: boost public and private investment to harness research and development; support the adaptation of education and training systems; and reflect on future ethics and legal guidelines. The 2018 General Data Protection Regulation has already cleared the way for a more transparent use of our data by automated systems and their developers. Let’s continue to be smarter than artificial intelligence!

Further information

• European Commission, website on artificial intelligence, https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/artificial-intelligence
• European Commission, factsheet ‘Artificial intelligence for Europe’, https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/factsheet-artificial-intelligence-europe
• EPRS blog, STOA workshop ‘Should we fear the future? Is it rational to be optimistic about artificial intelligence?’, 2017, https://epthinktank.eu/2017/10/30/is-it-rational-to-be-optimistic-about-artificial-intelligence/

Czech Republic v Parliament and Council
Industrial Policy
Advocate General Sharpston: the Court should dismiss the Czech Republic’s action against EU legislation introducing more stringent rules for the acquisition and possession of firearms

The European Commission is looking forward to advancing "the strong and broad EU-India partnership across all areas of our bilateral and multilateral agenda," an EU spokesperson told EURACTIV after the Indian elections began on Thursday (11 April).

Soaring housing prices, budget under pressure, automation. In its latest report, the OECD paints an alarming picture of the French middle class. EURACTIV France’s media partner La Tribune reports.

Nigel Farage formally launched his Brexit party on Friday (12 April) promising to save Brexit for a British public that had been “betrayed” by its political leaders.

Czech Republic v Parliament and Council
Industrial Policy
Advocate General Sharpston: the Court should dismiss the Czech Republic’s action against EU legislation introducing more stringent rules for the acquisition and possession of firearms

In view of the threat of environmental damage caused by climate change, experts are putting a lot of hope in the bioeconomy as a future model in agriculture. But the question is – what kind of bioeconomy do we need? EURACTIV Germany reports.

Written by Clare Ferguson,

© European Parliament / P.Naj-Oleari

Unsurprisingly, the agenda for this final plenary session of Parliament’s 2014-2019 term will deal with a range of issues that are emblematic of the major themes that have marked this eighth legislature.

EU policy on migration was always high on this Parliament’s agenda, and two files scheduled for debate on Wednesday afternoon deal with issues linked to future migration policy. Parliament is expected to take a position on the provisional agreement to strengthen the European Border and Coast Guard, including measures to engage 5 000 EU border guards (from January 2021), with a further 5 000 operational staff in operation by 2027, including a ‘rapid response’ team. The changes aim to ensure the same high border-management standards throughout the EU, and to provide more support for national authorities involved in managing migration and the fight against cross-border crime at the EU’s external borders. Members will then turn to consider the revision of the EU Visa Code, which would increase the visa fee to €80; simplify the procedures for requesting visas and harmonise multiple-entry visa rules. The proposals also seek to ensure that non-EU countries cooperate in readmitting their illegally staying nationals.

The financial crisis and the challenges of the shift to digital processes have affected EU citizens and businesses alike. Digitalisation and an ageing population have brought about major changes in the EU labour market in recent decades, leading to unfair employment practices such as ‘zero hours’ contracts. On Tuesday morning, Members will debate proposals to reform labour market rules, to ensure transparent and predictable working conditions in the EU. Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee wants to ensure that employers provide timely information for their employees, respect probationary periods and set out working conditions for those who work non-standard schedules. A proposal for a regulation on promoting fairness and transparency for business users of online intermediation services returns to the agenda on Tuesday afternoon, seeking fairer contractual relations between online giants (such as Amazon and Google) and other online businesses (such as hotels or restaurants). Encouraging fair competition between businesses, as well as protecting consumers’ health and safety, is behind proposals on the market surveillance and compliance of products, which Members will debate on Tuesday afternoon. The proposals seek greater coordination of rules on market surveillance of harmonised industrial products, which represent 69 % of the overall value of industrial products in the internal market. On Wednesday night, Members will debate an agreement on measures to improve the use of digital tools and processes in company law. Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee wants to see stronger measures throughout the EU to make it easier to set up and register a business, including greater use of online submission for official company documentation.

The pharmaceuticals sector is an important source of jobs and growth in the EU. On Tuesday evening, Members will consider a compromise on proposals to improve the intellectual property rights regime for the industry, which suffers from competitive disadvantage in export markets. Due to the lengthy testing and trials necessary to obtain EU market approval, pharmaceuticals firms can extend the patent protection on their products through a supplementary protection certificate (SPC) for medicinal products. The proposal would allow EU-based companies who do not hold the rights within the EU to manufacture generic or biosimilar versions of medicines still under SPC protection inside the EU, providing this is done exclusively for export to a non-EU market, or for stockpiling in anticipation of the patent protection’s expiry. The new rules could lead to €1 billion annual net additional export sales, create new jobs, and allow better access to quality and affordable medicine.

Over the current legislature, controversy has also erupted on more than one occasion on environmental issues, not least over the way in which products and substances are authorised (and renewed) for use in the EU. Members will vote to adopt Parliament’s position on an agreement concerning the transparency and sustainability of risk assessment in the food chain on Tuesday afternoon, which are a direct follow-up to citizens’ demands, notably regarding a ban on glyphosate. The current proposals would improve public access to the scientific studies carried out on sensitive products and substances. Against the background of emissions scandals and warnings about the deteriorating climate change situation during this legislature, the review of the Clean Vehicles Directive has shown poor results to date. Members will debate a proposal on Wednesday night that should tighten up definitions of clean road transport vehicles and set stronger emissions thresholds. Immediately afterwards, Parliament debates an agreed text setting CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles, such as buses, trucks and trailers, at 15 % lower than current standards. Such issues often come to light thanks to whistle-blowers. On Monday evening, Members will debate EU proposals to give whistle-blowers greater protection when they report on breaches of EU law (such as money laundering, or contravening environmental or food safety regulations), where the situation varies greatly between EU countries. However, the Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee insists the measures should be stronger, including that journalists and non-governmental organisations can enjoy anonymity and legal protection when reporting on whistle-blowing.

An EU success story – the key role played by the Horizon 2020 programme in the first ever observation of a black hole – underlines the importance of EU research funding. The EU is proposing to replace this successful programme when it ends in December 2020 with the Horizon Europe package. In a joint debate on Tuesday afternoon, Members will consider a report on proposals to establish and implement the Horizon Europe programme that encourages an even more ambitious programme, not least because it could generate some 100 000 new jobs, as well as to allocate 35 % of the Horizon Europe budget to climate objectives.

Members will also discuss a number of finance-related issues, with a joint debate on banking reform and financial supervision, and several other financial issues. Among these, Members will debate collective investment funds – which pool investor capital for investment in collective securities portfolios – in a joint debate on Monday afternoon. While the EU provides passporting possibilities to ensure a wide range of cross-border distribution of investment funds, at present, little advantage is taken of these opportunities in a market that remains relatively small and predominantly national. The proposals under consideration would align national requirements and harmonise verification, creating economies of scale, reducing investors’ fees and opening up the market. In addition, the current prudential supervision and requirements of investment firms, which facilitate savings and investment throughout the EU’s capital markets, is too complex and inefficient. Members will also debate proposals on Monday night to update the EU regulatory framework for investment firms, taking account of the size and nature of investment firms and the risks involved. In a joint debate on Wednesday night, Members will discuss a compromise on proposals on covered bonds – debt securities issued by credit institutions, secured by a pool of mortgage loans or public sector debt. Covered bonds provide vital long-term finance for many EU Member States, channelling funds to the property market and the public sector. However, both use and regulation of these bonds varies greatly between EU countries, and a common definition is lacking.

Having been postponed again, to 31 October 2019, Members will hear Council and Commission statements on the state of play of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, Krišjānis Kariņš will attend plenary on Wednesday morning, for the last debate in the series on the future of Europe.

Turning to the details of how EU laws are decided on Wednesday evening, Members will debate proposals on a revision that would adapt legal acts to the Treaty of Lisbon. The proposal aligns ‘regulatory procedure with scrutiny‘ (RPS) measures, from 64 basic acts, with the delegated acts procedure, where European Parliament and the Council have the right of veto and may revoke the delegation. However, agreement on a further 104 acts, and on acts in the justice policy field, will have to wait until the new legislative term.

Finally, the European elections for the ninth European Parliament are approaching fast. Members will hear a Commission statement on Tuesday afternoon on protecting the integrity of the European elections, particularly considering international threats to cybersecurity.

A list of all material prepared for this Plenary Session: Covered bonds: Issue and supervision, exposures (available in DE – EN – ES – FR – IT – PL) Adapting legal acts to Articles 290 and 291 TFEU (available in DE – EN – ES – FR – IT – PL) Revision of the Visa Code (available in DE – EN – ES – FR – IT – PL) Supplementary protection certificate for medicinal products (available in DE – EN – ES – FR – IT – PL) Digital tools and processes in company law (available in DE – EN – ES – FR – IT – PL) Establishing and implementing Horizon Europe (available in DE – EN – ES – FR – IT – PL) Protection of whistle-blowers (available in DE – EN – ES – FR – IT – PL) Food chain risk assessment transparency (available in DE – EN – ES – FR – IT – PL) European Border and Coast Guard (available in DE – EN – ES – FR – IT – PL)

The farming sector is often blasted for its contribution to climate change. But it also has unique potential to capture and store carbon, write Imke Lübbeke and Andreas Baumüller.

EU member states have not yet taken the necessary measures from the Tobacco Product Directive II to implement a track and trace system for tackling illicit tobacco trade, which risks creating disruptions in the single market, EURACTIV has learnt.

The EU is considering slapping more than €19 billion in fresh tariffs against the US in response to subsidies provided to planemaker Boeing, EU and European officials told EURACTIV.

Written by Marcin Grajewski,

© boldg / Fotolia

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) celebrates its 70th anniversary in April 2019, proud of its survival, durability and historic role in ensuring peace, notably during the Cold War. However, analysts and politicians stress that the military alliance must work hard to keep pace with a changing environment and new challenges of the 21st century, both geo-strategic and technological. Another major test is an uncertain commitment to NATO of Donald Trump, the current President of the United States.

This note offers links to commentaries and studies on NATO and European defence by major international think tanks. Earlier papers on European defence, focused on a planned U.S. withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, can be found in a previous edition of ‘What Think Tanks are Thinking’, published in February 2019.

NATO at 70: From triumph to tumult?
German Marshall Fund, April 2019

NATO at 70: Twilight years or a new dawn?
Centre for European Reform, April 2019

NATO just turned 70, and it’s showing its age
Carnegie Europe, April 2019

NATO at 70: Shaping the future for the next 70 years
Center for Strategic and International Studies, April 2019

NATO at 70: Celebration and introspection
European Council on Foreign Relations, April 2019

Don’t count on NATO to save liberal values
Chatham House, April 2019

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Council on Foreign Relations, April 2019

NATO at seventy: Filling NATO’s critical defense-capability gaps
Atlantic Council, April 2019

NATO at 70: A strategic partnership for the 21st century
German Marshall Fund, April 2019

After Crimea: Does NATO have the means to defend Europe?
European Council on Foreign Relations, April 2019

Beyond collective defense: How NATO can lead on 21st century challenges
Atlantic Council, April 2019

Europe whole and free: Why NATO’s open door must remain open
Brookings Institution, April 2019

To preserve NATO, Britain must help reinvent it
Chatham House, April 2019

3 ways Europe is looking at a fraying NATO
German Marshall Fund, April 2019

As NATO turns 70, the European security debate comes full circle
Council on Foreign Relations, April 2019

Europe in a multipolar missile world: Why the EU and NATO should not try to salvage the INF Treaty
Egmont, April 2019

Love me today, love me tomorrow? Millennials and NATO
Brookings Institution, April 2019

Brexit makes NATO even more important for the Atlantic
Chatham House, April 2019

L’état de la relation entre la Turquie et l’OTAN : Un engagement fragilisé
Groupe de recherche et d’information sur la paix et la sécurité, March 2019

European strategic autonomy: Actors, issues, conflicts of interests
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, March 2019

Time for NATO to talk about China
Carnegie Europe, March 2019

Why and how NATO should adapt to a new Mediterranean security environment
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, March 2019

NATO’s pointless burden-sharing debates: The need to replace a mathematically ridiculous 2% of GDP
Center for Strategic and International Studies, February 2019

Joining forces: The way towards the European Defence Union
European Political Strategy Centre, February 2019

Towards a more stable NATO-Russia relationship
Russian International Affairs Council, European Leadership Network, February 2019

State of disunion: Europe, NATO, and disintegrating arms control
European Council on Foreign Relations, February 2019

‘Fort Trump’ or bust?: Poland and the future of European defence
Friends of Europe, January 2019

Is NATO deterrence a paper tiger?
Carnegie Europe, January 2019

Der Balkan als integraler Teil einer gemeinsamen europäischen Sicherheitsarchitektur? Sicherheit, Rolle der NATO und der Auslandseinsätze des österreichischen Bundesheeres
Austrian Institute for International Affairs, January 2019

The future of NATO: Fog over the Atlantic?
Clingendael, December 2018

Reducing the risks of conventional deterrence in Europe: Arms control in the NATO-Russia contact zones
OSCE Network of Think Tanks and Academic Institutions, December 2018

Offense as the new defense: New life for NATO’s cyber policy
German Marshall Fund, December 2018

Why the United States needs a cohesive NATO
German Marshall Fund, December 2018

Rising tensions between the West and Russia: what role for arms control?
Cligendael, December 2018

NATO needs a European level of ambition
Rand Corporation, December 2018

Rising tensions between the West and Russia: What role for arms control?
Clingendael, December 2018

NATO priorities after the Brussels summit
Atlantic Council, November 2018

NATO nuclear sharing and the future of nuclear deterrence in Europe
The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, November 2018

Spending to defend: NATO and the EU’s new budget
European Council on Foreign Relations, November 2018

EU-NATO relations: A long-term perspective
Egmont, November 2018

Strategic autonomy: towards ‘European sovereignty’ in defence?
European Union Institute for Security Studies, November 2018

NATO’s return to the North Atlantic: Implications for the defense of Northern Europe
Finnish Institute of International Relations, November 2018

NATO‘s northeast quartet: Prospects and opportunities for Baltic-Polish defence cooperation
International Centre for Defence and Security, November 2018

The erosion of strategic stability and the future of arms control in Europe
Institut français des relations internationales, November 2018

The challenges of NATO nuclear policy: Alliance management under the Trump administration
Finnish Institute of International Affairs, October 2018

NATO nuclear sharing and the future of nuclear deterrence in Europe
The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, October 2018

Pointing to the emerging Soviet dead ends:-NATO analysis of the Soviet economy, 1971-1982
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, October 2018

NATO in the Trump era: Surviving the crisis
Clingendael, September 2018

NATO after the Brussels summit: Bruised or emboldened?
German Marshall Fund, September 2018

Hard lessons from Brussels: The key challenges facing NATO
Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade, September 2018

Russia and the Baltics: A testing ground for NATO–EU defence cooperation
Instituto Affari Internazionali, September 2018

Debating security plus: Conflict, competition and cooperation in an interconnected world
Friends of Europe, September 2018

Germany and European defence cooperation: A post-Atlantic turn?
Finnish Institute of International Cooperation, September 2018

NATO’s deterrence problem: An analog strategy for a digital age
Council on Foreign Relations, August 2018

Rediscovering geography in NATO defence planning
Egmont, August 2018

Read this briefing on ‘NATO at 70‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

With the European Elections just around the corner the ECR candidate lays out ECR's vision for the future of Europe as well as possible collaborations with Salvini and Orban.

The speaker of the UK's House of Commons, who has attracted attention across the globe for his loud calls bringing lawmakers to order, says his country does not face a constitutional crisis but rather a political challenge when it comes to tackling the Brexit deadlock. EURACTIV’s partner efe-epa reports.

Plenary session, Strasbourg

Source : © European Union, 2019 - EP

Bulgarians will be able to cast their vote for a new pro-European and pro-reform force in the European elections: ‘Way to the young’, led by London-based lawyer Rumen Cholakov, who contributed this op-ed exclusively to EURACTIV.

Finland's EU presidency and MEPs in the new European Parliament will have to address all relevant health concerns when it comes to the drinking water rules if they want to pass the historic first citizen-led EU legislation in the next term.