25/03/2021 (Agence Europe) – The European Parliament, meeting in plenary session on Thursday 25 March, approved the political agreements reached between the European Parliament and the EU Council in December (see EUROPE 12620/9) on the adjustments to the EU framework on securitisation proposed by the Commission in July in order to foster the post-Covid-19 economic recovery (see EUROPE 12535/11). Both agreements were adopted by 454 votes in favour, 172 against and 62 abstentions (‘Tang’ report) and 460 votes in favour, 171 against and 57 abstentions (‘Karas’ report). The purpose behind the new measures is to facilitate the use of securitisation, an instrument that allows banks to bundle loans, convert them into securities and sell them on the capital markets. For its part, the Council of the EU gave its green light to the texts last week (see EUROPE 12680/30). (MF)