The European Commission is reorganising its work programme for the coming weeks as a result of Covid-19 and is preparing a series of initiatives and communications in connection with the health crisis, according to a provisional document obtained by EUROPE on Tuesday 5 May. The Multiannual Financial Framework and the Recovery Fund are not included in the document.
Significant changes have been made from an earlier provisional version (see EUROPE 12467/23). Thus, the document, dated May 4, calls for a series of communications, guidelines and recommendations directly related to tourism to prepare for the summer season in the context of the pandemic to be ready by Wednesday, May 13.
The aim is to ensure the smoothest possible mobility of travellers within the Single market while guaranteeing their health safety. The European Commission is also preparing recommendations on travel vouchers as a reimbursement alternative.
Among the new communications and initiatives directly related to the pandemic, the institution will present a paper on disinformation in the context of Covid-19 on 10 June. There is also a new strategy concerning the European pharmaceutical sector which could be presented on 29 July, although the date has yet to be confirmed.
The strategies on biodiversity and sustainable food 'from Farm to Fork' are finally maintained for the first half of 2020 and are expected on 20 May. The date has been set, with the words “to be confirmed” no longer appearing next to the two communications.
The White Paper on remedying distortions of competition in the Internal market caused by companies benefiting from foreign subsidies also appears to be maintained for 17 June.
Among the texts planned, but where the date could still change, are the initiative on the strengthening of the Youth Guarantee, which aims to ensure that young people under 25 are offered a job or internship as soon as possible (normally scheduled for 24 June), the anti-fraud tax package (15 July) and the Customs Union package (22 July).
The Multiannual Financial Framework and the European Recovery Fund absent
The document left out two major issues: the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and the Recovery Fund. During an exchange with the group Chairs of the European Parliament on Tuesday 5 May, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, remained silent regarding a presentation date.
Either the 18 or 20 May are possible dates (see EUROPE 12480/3), but others in the European Parliament believe that the proposals will more likely be presented at the end of the month. Initially, the date of 29 April was envisaged by the Commission (see EUROPE 12464/25).
To consult the document: https://bit.ly/3fsTmy4 (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens, Hermine Donceel and Aminata Niang)