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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 12676

12 March 2021
Contents Publication in full By article 25 / 44
SECTORAL POLICIES / Digital
Geo-blocking, Commission will launch dialogue group before beginning of summer
Brussels, 11/03/2021 (Agence Europe)

On Thursday 11 March, the European Commission defended its cautious approach to ending geo-blocking for audiovisual works. Commissioner Johannes Hahn has confirmed that a dialogue with stakeholders will be launched before the summer, before considering possible legislative measures by the end of 2022. 

Entering into force in December 2018, Geo-blocking Regulation 2018/302 prohibits unjustified geographical restrictions on the sale of goods and services within the EU. It leaves out...

Contents

EU RESPONSE TO COVID-19
HEALTH: European Commission authorises Johnson & Johnson vaccine
TRADE: EU extends transparency mechanism on Covid-19 vaccine exports
STATE AID: Polish support of €1.1 billion for companies affected by coronavirus pandemic given green light
CIVIL PROTECTION: Covid-19, EU coordinates medical staff in Slovakia
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PLENARY
ECONOMY: European Parliament adopts position on economic policy coordination in first since May 2019 European elections
BUDGET: European Parliament to request fast-track procedure before EU Court of Justice on ‘Rule of law conditionality’
TAXATION: in response to OpenLux, European Commission is considering an amendment to ‘anti-tax avoidance’ directive
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: European Parliament votes in favour of resolution declaring EU a “LGBTIQ Freedom Zone”
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: European Parliament makes its recommendations for publication of a new comprehensive strategy on children’s rights
AGRICULTURE: MEPs call for measures to ensure maintenance of EU’s rural areas 
FISHERIES: European Parliament votes for mandatory CCTV for certain vessels over 12 metres
ENVIRONMENT: European Parliament opposes extending EU authorisation of nine toxic active ingredients of pesticides, including dimoxystrobin
GMO: European Parliament opposes EU authorisation of glufosinate-tolerant GM maize and cotton
INDUSTRY: MEPs call for stronger, greener regulatory framework for construction products
EMPLOYMENT: European Parliament votes for first time on report presented in simplified form
DRC: European Parliament calls for an independent enquiry into killing of Italian Ambassador Luca Attanasio and his entourage
SYRIA: European Parliament expresses its support for democratic aspirations of Syrian people
CAMBODIA: MEPs call on authorities to start a process of national reconciliation
BAHRAIN: European Parliament calls for respect of fundamental freedoms and human rights
INSTITUTIONAL
FUTURE OF EU: political groups asked to review list of European Parliament representatives on Executive Committee of the Conference on the Future of Europe
SECTORAL POLICIES
ENERGY: Energy Charter Treaty, still no major breakthrough following fourth round of negotiations
ENERGY: compromise proposals by Portuguese Presidency of EU Council on revision of TEN-E Regulation
ENERGY: divided, European Parliament political groups finalise compromise amendments on ‘Geier’ draft report on hydrogen
HEALTH: no agreement expected in EU Council on health assessments, but a debate on Covid-19 and Cancer Plan
DIGITAL: geo-blocking, Commission will launch dialogue group before beginning of summer
DIGITAL: Didier Reynders very cautious about data retention
JUSTICE: Didier Reynders does not rule out European Public Prosecutor’s Office starting its activities with reduced number of European Delegated Prosecutors
ECONOMY - FINANCE
ECB: PEPP operation, monetary institute decides to “significantly” increase pace of securities repurchases 
PAYMENTS: European Commission is considering several options to encourage instant payments in EU
EXTERNAL ACTION
ETHIOPIA: Tigray, EU pushes for full humanitarian access and stability in Horn of Africa
HUMANITARIAN AID: EU announces €17 million in emergency aid for Haiti and other Caribbean islands
COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU
WOMEN: EU can conclude Istanbul Convention without common agreement of all Member States, according to Court’s Advocate General
NEWS BRIEFS
BIODIVERSITY: new UN statistical framework for nature in economic planning
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: Mr Borrell encourages country to move forward towards EU membership
RULE OF LAW: Portuguese Presidency of EU Council reiterates it cannot hold ‘Article 7’ hearings virtually
TAXATION: country-by-country reporting, first round of interinstitutional negotiations expected on 29 March
TAXATION: European Commission consults on ways to improve taxpayers’ rights
JUSTICE: upcoming European Parliament/EU Council negotiations on electronic evidence scheduled for 18 March
MIGRATION: European Commission launches public consultation on digitalisation of visa procedures
MONGOLIA: launch of first annual political dialogue
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Italian MEP Marco Zullo joins the Renew Europe group
CIVIL PROTECTION: EU lends a hand to Equatorial Guinea after explosions at a military base
UNITED KINGDOM: European Parliament chooses not to set date for ratification of Trade and Cooperation Agreement yet
TRANSPORT: airlines and NGOs call on European Commission to include long-haul flights in its ReFuelEU Aviation initiative