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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 12626

19 December 2020
Contents Publication in full By article 10 / 37
SECTORAL POLICIES / Environment
NEC air pollution directive, only two EU countries meet their obligations, says EEB
Brussels, 18/12/2020 (Agence Europe)

25 EU Member States have failed to show how they will reduce air pollution to comply with the European National Emission Ceilings Directive (EU 2016/2284, ‘NEC’ Directive), according to a report by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) published on 18 December.

This directive sets national emission reduction targets for five major pollutants for 2020-2029 and more ambitious commitments for 2030 and beyond (see EUROPE B12515A25).

According to EEB, only Belgium and Slovakia are on...

Contents

EU RESPONSE TO COVID-19
ECONOMY: European Parliament/EU Council agreement on Recovery and Resilience Facility
HEALTH: Covid-19, new draft recommendation by EU Council on use and recognition of antigenic tests
HEALTH: vaccines, European Commission insists on importance of respecting confidentiality clause
COHESION: CRII initiatives have mobilised €18 billion, according to European Commission
SECTORAL POLICIES
AGRICULTURE: European Commission publishes recommendations on CAP national strategic plans
JUSTICE: European Parliament/EU Council agreements on 2021-2027 ‘Justice’ and ‘Rights and Values’ programmes
TRANSPORT: after three years of negotiations, EU Council adopts its position on revision of Eurovignette Directive
TRANSPORT: European Commission will present third part of NAIADES programme for inland navigation in first quarter of 2021
ENVIRONMENT/CLIMATE: Member States informed of European Parliament/EU Council political agreement on LIFE 2021–2027 programme
ENVIRONMENT: NEC air pollution directive, only two EU countries meet their obligations, says EEB
CLIMATE/ENERGY: European Parliament Committee on Industry sets out its vision for future EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
CONSUMERS: Expedia and Booking.com comply with European law for transparency of their offers
ENERGY: hydrogen IPCEI should focus exclusively on hydrogen from renewable sources, stress five Member States
ENERGY: potential for cross-border renewable energy projects in Europe remains under-exploited, according to EEA
ENERGY: all EU countries need to build capacity for cross-zonal electricity trade, says ACER
MIGRATION: GUE/NGL Group in European Parliament denounces practice of refoulement of migrants at EU’s external borders
CUSTOMS: counterfeit goods worth €760 intercepted in EU in 2019
SECURITY - DEFENCE
DEFENCE: EU Council agrees on European Peace Facility 2021-2027
EXTERNAL ACTION
FOREIGN AFFAIRS/DEVELOPMENT: EU Member States endorse European Parliament/EU Council political agreement on NDICI single financial instrument
ENLARGEMENT: EU Member States still disagree on reference to historical disputes
CAUCASUS: EU calls for respect for ceasefire and for lasting settlement of conflict
HUMAN RIGHTS: European Commission publishes Guidance Note on implementation of sanctions related to serious human rights violations
TRADE: European Commission launches gender-balanced recruitment for commercial arbitrators
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PLENARY
UNITED KINGDOM: negotiations to reach an agreement on post-Brexit relationship down to “final hours”
TRANSPORT: European Parliament approves measures to ensure that road and air connections are maintained in event of no-deal Brexit
BUDGET: 2021 EU budget adopted and promulgated by European Parliament
SOCIAL: European Parliament wants European pillar of social rights to be integrated into European treaties
EGYPT: European Parliament deplores intensification of repression of fundamental and human rights defenders
HOME AFFAIRS: European Parliament support for new EU Internal Security Strategy
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
FINANCE: European Commission gives positive assessment of work of Finance Watch and BETTER FINANCE
COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU
ANIMAL HEALTH: member States may impose stunning at ritual slaughter, says Court 
ECB: Slovenia has infringed principle of inviolability of EU archives
NEWS BRIEFS
SPACE: Vega failure, board of inquiry advises strengthening inspections and tests
HOME AFFAIRS: Dunja Mijatović calls for amendments to French law on global security
COUNCIL OF EUROPE: new co-operation agreement between Council of Europe and OECD
FINANCE: Hong Kong Monetary Authority joins International Platform on Sustainable Finance
RUSSIA: EU calls for abolition of new legislation on ‘foreign agents’