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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 12614

3 December 2020
Contents Publication in full By article 2 / 34
INSTITUTIONAL / Eu2021pt
Portugal is banking on a Presidency with a social focus
Brussels, 02/12/2020 (Agence Europe)

The Portuguese Prime Minister, António Costa, presented to the Presidents of the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament, on Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 December, the programme of his country’s Presidency of the EU Council, which will begin on 1 January. This fourth Portuguese Presidency will focus on social issues (EUROPE B12610A2), culminating in a Social Summit on 7 and 8 May in Porto.

“The main priority of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of...

Contents

INSTITUTIONAL
BUDGET: ‘Rule of law mechanism’ could apply even in case of a ‘provisional twelfths’ regime
EU2021PT: Portugal is banking on a Presidency with a social focus
EXTERNAL ACTION
UNITED KINGDOM: several Member States willing to continue discussions into 2021, if insufficient progress is made with London
UNITED STATES: High Representative and European Commission propose their vision of future transatlantic partnership
MEDITERRANEAN: European Council wants renewed partnership with countries of Southern Neighbourhood
TRADE: European Commission publishes results of consultation on EU Trade Policy
SUDAN: €70 million in aid announced during Janez Lenarčič’s visit to Khartoum and refugee camps
EU RESPONSE TO COVID-19
HEALTH: Covid-19, Commission calls for people to keep up their guard over festive season
HEALTH: ministers generally supported strengthening of ECDC and EMA in EU Council 
TAXATION: Member States give green light to temporary VAT exemption for Covid-19 vaccines and test kits
SECTORAL POLICIES
COHESION: umbrella regulation, European Parliament and EU Council agree on weakened macroeconomic conditions
JUSTICE: European Commission presents “toolbox” to speed up digitisation of judicial systems
JUSTICE: delays in establishment of European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Commission once again calls Member States to order
JUSTICE: German Presidency puts forward idea of a forum for dialogue between European judges on Rule of law
CLIMATE: Under ‘Climate Law’, European co-legislators present their respective positions pending agreement on 2030 objective
ENVIRONMENT: pesticides, European Ombudsman confirms her criticisms of authorisation methods used by Commission
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: vast majority of 39 countries cooperating with EEA say they are taking action to achieve environment-related SDOs
ENERGY: global production of fossil fuels would have to fall by 6% per year to comply with Paris Agreement, according to UNEP
MIGRATION: future return policies must safeguard fundamental rights and give priority to voluntary compliance, says European Parliament
MIGRATION: GUE/NGL in European Parliament publishes counter-proposals to ‘Pact on Migration and Asylum’
ANIMAL HEALTH: a “large part “ of animal transport can be avoided, according to Janusz Wojciechowski
TRANSPORT: Channel Tunnel, EU Council Presidency calls for adoption without amendment of Regulation on extension of certificates and licences
TRANSPORT: European Parliament Transport Committee supports Interinstitutional Agreement on European Year of Rail
SECURITY - DEFENCE
NATO: Alliance and its partners want to strengthen cooperation with China
CSDP: EU Council could extend EUCAP Somalia missions
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
GENDER EQUALITY: Poland, Hungary and Bulgaria refuse to support EU Council Presidency conclusions on gender equality in culture
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: Commission presents some timid proposals to strengthen application of EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
SOCIAL AFFAIRS
SOCIAL: MEPs call for directive to establish European right to disconnect
SOCIAL: EU ministers to discuss working conditions on digital platforms
NEWS BRIEFS
COHESION: agreement between European Parliament and EU Council EU on Interreg Regulation
CONSUMERS: Euroconsumers launches first class-action lawsuits against Apple for programmed obsolescence of iPhones
ENVIRONMENT/CLIMATE: green light for resumption of interinstitutional negotiations on the LIFE 2021-2027 programme
RESEARCH: EU Council adopts conclusions on recasting of European Research Area
TERRORISM: uncertainty persists over upcoming meetings on online terrorist content