04/06/2021 (Agence Europe) – Negotiators from the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union reached, on Friday 4 June, a provisional political agreement on the proposed directive to stimulate secondary markets for non-performing loans (NPLs) (see EUROPE 12634/25). This agreement “lays the foundations for a real, efficient and well-regulated European secondary market for non-performing loans”, said Irene Tinagli (S&D, Italy), in a statement. She welcomed the provisions that will allow for the adjustment of the forbearance measures for borrowers in difficulty. The stock of NPLs is expected to rise again in the EU as Member States remove emergency budgetary measures to address the economic crisis arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. EUROPE will continue to follow this story. (MB)