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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13156

5 April 2023
Contents Publication in full By article 23 / 31
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES / Democracy
EU democracy defence package must cover all threats without curtailing fundamental freedoms, say associations
Brussels, 04/04/2023 (Agence Europe)

The future ‘Defence of Democracy’ legislative package (see EUROPE B13084A8) must take into account all the threats to democracy while ensuring that fundamental freedoms are not impeded, say 46 European associations in a recommendation published on 30 March. 

While they welcome the fact that the discussions have moved beyond foreign interference to also include internal EU threats, they are urging caution. The new measures, in particular the directive establishing “common transparency...

Contents

SECURITY - DEFENCE
NATO: Finland officially becomes 31st member of Atlantic Alliance
Russian invasion of Ukraine
UNITED STATES: Borrell and Blinken underline transatlantic cooperation on support for Ukraine
UKRAINE: Council of Europe will play a “leading” role in creation of a war damage register in Ukraine, its Secretary General told President Zelensky
RESEARCH: EUrizon network to offer €1.4 million in EU funding for research projects in Ukraine
STATE AID: green light for €3.5 billion in French support for SMEs in context of war in Ukraine
STATE AID: European Commission approves €2 billion Austrian aid to Wien Energie
RUSSIA: preparation of 11th EU sanctions package should start before end of April, according to EU diplomat
SECTORAL POLICIES
Interview HEALTH: Nathalie Colin-Oesterlé wants EU law to be based on a clear definition of voluntary, non-remunerated and informed donation of substances of human origin
HEALTH: ECDC has new framework for infectious disease surveillance
MIGRATION: border procedures, work in EU Council is focusing on defining ‘adequate capacity’ of Member States
ENERGY: EU-US Energy Council, partners reaffirm collaboration on energy security and green energy transition
CLIMATE: EU Council Presidency calls on Member States to discuss proposal on fluorinated greenhouse gases
AGRICULTURE: Swedish Presidency of EU Council suggests an amended text on geographical indications
CIVIL PROTECTION: EU invests over €116 million in creation of strategic reserve of RescEU emergency shelters
CONSUMERS: Nintendo agrees to offer free repairs of Switch controllers beyond legal guarantee
DIGITAL: European Commission reaffirms mutual data adequacy arrangement with Japan, 4 years after its entry into force
EXTERNAL ACTION
MONTENEGRO: EU congratulates Jakov Milatovic on his victory in presidential election
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: UN’s 2030 Agenda, EU prepares for July’s High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
TRADE: agreement in principle at OECD to modernise export credit framework
TRADE: third country companies concerned over impact of unfair foreign subsidy regulation
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
MEDIA: EU Council’s position becoming clearer... and so are their differences with European Parliament over anti-SLAPP directive
DEMOCRACY: European parties should be able to support political movements outside EU that are in line with our values, says Charles Goerens
DEMOCRACY: EU democracy defence package must cover all threats without curtailing fundamental freedoms, say associations
SOCIAL AFFAIRS
SOCIAL: coordination of social security schemes, a blocking minority is said to exist on latest Swedish proposals
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
COMPANIES: EFRAG to publish guidance on implementation of non-financial reporting standards
STATE AID: European Commission updates guidelines on measures to support green transition
INSTITUTIONAL
BUDGET: OLAF announces seizure of over half a billion contraband cigarettes in 2022
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
GEORGIA: Council of Europe notes reform process for EU candidate status seems to be “clearly stalling”
NEWS BRIEFS
HOME AFFAIRS: Schengen enlargement, Olaf Scholz calls for Romania’s integration “this year”
ENERGY: ACER publishes its benchmark for liquefied natural gas
TAXATION: ETAF supports a single VAT registration system