login
login

Europe Daily Bulletin No. 12461

4 April 2020
Contents Publication in full By article 2 / 45
INSTITUTIONAL / Rule of law
By joining, Hungary weakens declaration of 16 Member States on risks related to emergency measures
Brussels, 03/04/2020 (Agence Europe)

Budapest decided on the evening of Thursday 2 April to join the declaration on emergency measures and respect for democratic principles initiated by 16 Member States (see EUROPE B12460A20), thus rendering it completely meaningless.

Directed against Budapest and the measures adopted on 30 March, the text did not explicitly name Hungary, a loophole exploited by Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga, who tweeted sarcastically about a statement that “felt so empty without us”.

A step...

Contents

INSTITUTIONAL
HUNGARY: Viktor Orbán's regime has now passed stage of illiberal democracy, according to Jacques Rupnik
RULE OF LAW: by joining, Hungary weakens declaration of 16 Member States on risks related to emergency measures
EU RESPONSE TO COVID-19
EMU: COVID-19, euro area rescue fund suggests creation of two credit lines
FOREIGN AFFAIRS: COVID-19, European ministers want to intensify global response to pandemic, which is inseparable from European response
FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Borrell proposes easing sanctions on non-Member States
TRADE: European manufacturing industry sounds alarm
HEALTH: cross-border care, Commission calls for flexibility in COVID-19 framework
HEALTH: COVID-19 pandemic prompts Commission to postpone implementation of rules on medical devices
STATE AID: ‘temporary framework’ extended to five additional types of aid to help tackle Covid-19
STATE AID: COVID-19, Commission approves economic support for Spain, Sweden, Denmark and Malta
TAXATION: Commission temporarily suspends customs duties and VAT on imports of goods to combat Covid-19
FINANCE: ESMA reviews its assessment of market risks in face of COVID-19 pandemic
INSURANCE: COVID-19, EIOPA calls for a temporary dividend freeze
BANKS: EBA guidelines on moratorium practices and dividend payments
HOME AFFAIRS: temporary restrictions on non-essential travel to EU may be extended
JUSTICE: Eurojust ensures that it will remain fully operational during COVID-19 pandemic
SOCIAL: measures to support national short-time working schemes are met with mixed reception
COHESION: new measures to combat Covid-19 globally welcomed
AGRICULTURE: Copa-Cogeca calls for exceptional measures in favour of fruit and vegetable sector
AGRICULTURE: MEP Éric Andrieu recommends introduction of food reserves in light of COVID-19 crisis
FISHERIES: EU shipowners are hoping for fresh money for fisheries sector affected by COVID-19
CONSUMERS: European Commission welcomes measures taken by online platforms to stop promotion of counterfeit protective equipment
DIGITAL: Google analyses location data of its users in lockdown
TRANSPORT: Germany wants vouchers instead of reimbursement of air passengers whose flights have been cancelled
SPORTS: Commission encourages citizens to remain active in spite of confinement
SECURITY - DEFENCE
NATO: Allies want to strengthen their coordination to accelerate and enhance assistance in dealing with coronavirus
EXTERNAL ACTION
VENEZUELA: US proposals point way to a peaceful solution to crisis, says EU
BALKANS: Miroslav Lajčák appointed EU Special Representative for Serbia/Kosovo dialogue and for Western Balkans
SECTORAL POLICIES
INDUSTRY: car manufacturers call for deployment of a dense network of charging stations for heavy-duty vehicles
CLIMATE: legal opinion of European Parliament services may undermine ambition of climate law, not that of Commission
ENERGY: WindEurope welcomes Spain's national energy/climate plan
ENERGY: oil-producing countries are considering massive production cuts
COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU
CONSUMERS: Advocate General specifies competent court in disputes relating to Dieselgate scandal
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
COUNCIL OF EUROPE: Dunja Mijatović denounces obstacles to media freedom in several EU countries in times of pandemic
NEWS BRIEFS
AGRICULTURE: European Commission and EIB approve €700 million of financing
AGRICULTURE: ‘Corsican Kiwi' registered as a new geographical indication
COUNCIL OF EUROPE: Dunja Mijatović calls for specific Covid-19 measures to support people with disabilities
ENERGY: 'renovation wave' initiative should be based on European standards for energy performance of buildings, says EURIMA
ENERGY: CAN Europe criticises Tallinn's decision to allocate €125 million to a shale oil plant
ENVIRONMENT: EU Council expected to adopt its formal position on reuse of waste water for irrigation purposes on 7 April
FINANCE: Commission extends public consultations on MiFID/MiFIR framework and Non-Financial Reporting Directive
FINANCE: Commission consults on digital finance services and retail payments
UKRAINE: several MEPs welcome adoption of land reform bill
CALENDAR
Main activities of European Institutions: from 06/04 to 12/04/2020
CALENDAR EXTRA
Other Events: until 12 April 2020