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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 12676
Contents Publication in full By article 35 / 44
NEWS BRIEFS / Rule of law

Portuguese Presidency of EU Council reiterates it cannot hold ‘Article 7’ hearings virtually

11/03/2021 (Agence Europe) – According to Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament is not satisfied with the explanations provided by the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU as to why it is not possible to hold an ‘Article 7’ hearing via videoconference; the French MEP laments that “it has been 15 months since” Hungary’s and Poland’s last hearings took place. Portugal is counting on another hearing in May, conditions permitting. In its view, this type of hearing can only be held in person—and not informally, as such a format could be challenged before the Court of Justice. The country affirms its commitment to this issue and will hold the second debate on the European Commission’s annual report in April (see EUROPE 12571/5). The cases of France, Germany, Greece, Spain, and Ireland will be examined. Link to the response: https://bit.ly/3qKKusp (SP)

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