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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 12470

21 April 2020
Contents Publication in full By article 28 / 34
NEWS BRIEFS / Hong kong
EU promises to closely monitor situation of pro-democracy activists arrested in recent days

20/04/2020 (Agence Europe) – The spokeswoman for the European External Action Service, Virginie Battu, explained on Monday 20 April that the EU would closely monitor the situation of 14 pro-democracy figures, including several parliamentarians, who were arrested in Hong Kong on Saturday 18 for taking part in demonstrations last autumn. These “multiple and coordinated arrests (...) demand close scrutiny”, she told EUROPE. Mrs Battu recalled that “an independent judicial system,...

Contents

EU RESPONSE TO COVID-19
ECONOMY: clash of views on nature of Recovery Fund designed to kick-start European economy
BUDGET: on 23 April, Commission is expected to present its ideas on revised MFF 2021-2027 to EU leaders
STATE AID: European commission approves French, Hungarian and Portuguese schemes to support economies in context of Coronavirus
COHESION: Mr Dombrovskis rejects any transitional solution between two Multiannual Financial Frameworks
CIVIL PROTECTION: COVID-19, EU stands in solidarity with Greece to prevent spread of virus in refugee camps on islands
FOREIGN AFFAIRS: COVID-19, Josep Borrell deplores a flagrant lack of leadership in the world
HEALTH: driven by industry, EU opts for regulatory flexibility
HEALTH: Germany will cover cost of European patients hospitalised in country
HEALTH: EU, which has so far called for cuts in unnecessary spending, now recognises “systemic weaknesses”
CLIMATE: four more Member States support call for a green recovery
SECTORAL POLICIES
AGRICULTURE: MEPs call for fresh money to help wine sector overcome crisis caused by COVID-19
AGRICULTURE: EU’s Geographical Indications represent a treasure trove worth €75 billion
AGRICULTURE: EU agricultural production holding up well despite coronavirus crisis, says European Commission
ENERGY: Baltic States and Finland are making progress in establishing a common regional gas market
TRANSPORT: MEP Ismail Ertug and ETF union call on EU to 'use' the current crisis 'to rethink the future of the sector'
GENDER EQUALITY: EIGE raises awareness of gender implications of COVID-19 pandemic
EXTERNAL ACTION
FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Libya, Turkey, Afghanistan and Ukraine on Council’s agenda
TRADE: European exports are expected to fall by around €285 billion
BUSINESS/ HEALTH: WTO and WHO call for international solidarity in fight against pandemic
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
BANKS: creation of a European ‘bad bank’ is not currently under consideration, says Commission
INSURANCE: COVID-19, EIOPA makes new recommendations to national supervisors for pension sector
INSTITUTIONAL
HUNGARY: new wave of protests against emergency measures decreed by government of Viktor Orbán
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
WOMEN: implementation of Istanbul Convention must be strengthened “in the context of the current public emergency”
HEALTH: PACE Health Committee calls on member states to contribute to WHO COVID-19 fund and calls for its medium-term reform
NEWS BRIEFS
ENERGY: France finally submits its national energy/climate plan
ENERGY: Austria officially closes its last coal-fired power station
COMPANIES: 90% of European SMEs are impacted by pandemic, according to SMEunited
HONG KONG: EU promises to closely monitor situation of pro-democracy activists arrested in recent days
INTERNAL MARKET: ‘E-commerce’ doing best in European Union according to Eurostat
INTERNAL MARKET: Regulation on mutual recognition enters into force
DIGITAL: public consultation on artificial intelligence extended to June 14
RESEARCH: European Commission postpones closing date for registration for its pan-European hackathon to 24 April
TRANSPORT: public transport authorities intend to contribute to recovery of European economy
Kiosk
Kiosk: No. 013