login
login

Europe Daily Bulletin No. 12644

27 January 2021
Contents Publication in full By article 21 / 30
COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU / Payments
Euro area country can restrict obligation for its administration to accept cash, says EU court
Brussels, 26/01/2021 (Agence Europe)

A euro area Member State may oblige its administration to accept cash payments, but it may also restrict this possibility of payment on public interest grounds, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on Tuesday 26 January (cases C-422 & 423/19) (see EUROPE B12570A28).

Two German citizens are challenging in court the fact that the broadcasting organisation of the Land of Hessen refuses payment of the licence fee in cash. According to them, the German Central Bank Act (BBankG), the...

Contents

EU RESPONSE TO COVID-19
HEALTH: Ursula von der Leyen announces launch of biological defence programme
HEALTH: delay in delivery of Covid-19 vaccines in EU, new meeting with AstraZeneca scheduled for evening of 27 January
SECTORAL POLICIES
JUSTICE: appointment of European Delegated Prosecutors, last obstacle to European Public Prosecutor’s Office taking up its duties
CLIMATE: MEPs question intentions of Portuguese Presidency of the Council regarding ‘Climate Law’
ENVIRONMENT: second draft compromise in EU Council on post-2020 Environment Action Programme
ENVIRONMENT : MEPs want to strengthen second action plan for circular economy
FOOD: MEPs hold first debate on Farm to Fork strategy to protect environment and farmers
AGRICULTURE: European Commission proposes to negotiate Agreement on geographical indications with Mongolia
FISHERIES: MEPs criticise Brexit Adjustment Reserve proposal
FISHERIES: MEPs reject compromise amendment regarding cameras on board ships
TRANSPORT: Portuguese Presidency of EU Council is aiming for a political agreement on ‘Single European Sky’ and cross-border car rental by June
TRANSPORT: in European Parliament, Commission’s strategy for “sustainable and intelligent mobility” is considered unrealistic
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
STATE AID: green light for €2.9 billion public support for a second electric battery project
TAXATION: European Court of Auditors identifies shortcomings in exchange of tax information between Member States
EXTERNAL ACTION
MOZAMBIQUE: EU to step up cooperation with Maputo
FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Portuguese Presidency of Council of the EU calls for a sense of geopolitical balance
FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Stefano Sannino wants to bring EEAS closer to other EU institutions
TRADE: trade agreements will benefit European agricultural sector, says EU Commission
SOCIAL AFFAIRS
SOCIAL: Nicolas Schmit wants to renew European “social contract”
COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: EU Court of Justice clarifies concept of direct or indirect discrimination on grounds of disability
PAYMENTS: euro area country can restrict obligation for its administration to accept cash, says EU court
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
RULE OF LAW: judges must remain independent in Poland, says Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe
NEWS BRIEFS
AFRICA: EU mobilises €25 million for more sustainable cocoa in global supply chain
BANKS: EU legislation on bank deposit protection subject to consultation until end of April
BUDGET: João Leão wants to make progress in discussions on own resources for EU budget
CLIMATE: US makes a comeback in global fight against climate change
TRADE: Services trade struggles to recover globally due to Covid-19
DEMOCRACY: European Commission launches public consultation on transparency of sponsored political content
REGIONS: EIB Group and Committee of Regions strengthen cooperation
TRANSPORT: Commission considers adopting specific rules for infrequent road passenger transport