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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 12451

21 March 2020
Contents Publication in full By article 3 / 42
EU RESPONSE TO COVID-19 / Budget
OLAF launches investigation into fake Covid-19 products
Brussels, 20/03/2020 (Agence Europe)

On Friday 20 March, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) announced that it had opened an investigation into imports of fake products that are supposed to provide protection against Covid-19, such as masks and screening tests. OLAF has warned, however, that these contraband products “are ineffective or even detrimental to health”.

A press release states that “OLAF and national customs administrations are working together to prevent these dangerous counterfeit or prohibited products...

Contents

EU RESPONSE TO COVID-19
ECONOMY: European Commission fully opens budget floodgates to deal with COVID-19 pandemic
INTERNAL MARKET: Covid-19, Ministers take stock of obstacles in Single Market
BUDGET: OLAF launches investigation into fake Covid-19 products
FINANCE: ESMA clarifies expectations regarding ‘MiFID II’ requirement on recording of telephone conversations due to Covid-19
FINANCE: COVID-19, ESMA postpones monitoring of compliance with tick-size regime for systematic internalisers to June
CUSTOMS: CLECAT calls for a reduction of customs formalities to ensure circulation of goods during pandemic
TRADE: medical protective equipment can now be exported without authorisation to EFTA countries
UN: António Guterres calls for a multilateral, massive, exceptional and coordinated response to contain Covid-19
ASEAN: EU and ASEAN to strengthen cooperation in fight against Covid-19
MIGRATION: UN High Commissioner for Refugees calls on countries not to sacrifice right to asylum
CIVIL PROTECTION: repatriation of European citizens continues with EU-facilitated flights from Belgium, Germany, and Latvia
CLIMATE: COVID-19 crisis calls for long-term paradigm shift and just transition, says EEA
ANIMAL HEALTH: NGOs call for an end to transport of farm animals to non-Member States during COVID-19 period
AGRICULTURE: COVID-19, EU Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers to videoconference on Wednesday 25 March
FISHERIES: COVID-19, maximum amount of de minimis aid increases from 30 000 to 120 000 euros per company
COHESION: Covid-19, CoR President calls for European health emergency mechanism for cities and regions
WOMEN: Covid-19, Greens/EFA group in European Parliament calls for action to prevent lockdown from increasing domestic violence
TRANSPORT: EU Council wants exemption from airport slots regulation to be effective until 24 October 2020
DEMOCRACY: a report points to 'infodemic' surrounding COVID-19 pandemic
INSTITUTIONAL: decision-making in times of crisis, EU Council is moving towards a relaxation of its written procedure
COUNCIL OF EUROPE: COVID-19, emergency measures taken do not require activation of derogation from ECHR
COUNCIL OF EUROPE: COVID-19, measures taken must not expose persons deprived of their liberty
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS: COVID-19 on agenda of European foreign ministers’ videoconference
SOCIAL: Covid-19, Ministers take stock of national employment measures
SOCIAL: social services are at risk of being left behind because of COVID-19, according to EASPD
DIGITAL: COVID-19, Breton discusses how to keep internet running smoothly with Google and YouTube CEOs
INDUSTRY: ACEA calls for additional support measures specifically for automotive sector as a result of Covid-19
JUSTICE: coronavirus further delays formation of College of European Prosecutors of European Public Prosecutor's Office
HOME AFFAIRS: Belgium sets up checks for its borders, in particular those with Netherlands
PARLIAMENT: COVID-19, GUE/NGL Group in European Parliament proposes a distribution of €2000 to all citizens guaranteed by ECB
SERBIA: Borrell calls for cooperation and solidarity
UNITED KINGDOM: British negotiator David Frost also self-isolates after exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms
SECTORAL POLICIES
ENERGY: Commission details its strategy to reduce methane emissions
ECONOMY - FINANCE
STATE AID: Commission approves Danish public financing of Fehmarn Belt fixed rail-road link
EXTERNAL ACTION
IRAN: EU can do nothing against US sanctions
COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU
EMPLOYMENT: Court clarifies concept of successive fixed-term employment relationships
MIGRATION: Hungary cannot refuse to examine a migrant's asylum application because he or she has arrived from a country where he or she is not persecuted
NEWS BRIEFS
AZERBAIJAN: Ms Kaljurand and Mr McAllister welcome release of journalist Afgan Mukhtarli
INDIA: EU condemns executions of four criminals
UNRWA: Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner General of UN agency
CORRIGENDUM
ENVIRONMENT: Member States give green light to European Parliament/Council agreement on reuse of waste water for agricultural irrigation
CALENDAR
Main activities of European Institutions: from 23/03 to 29/03/2020