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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13190

31 May 2023
Contents Publication in full By article 3 / 41
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES / Fundamental rights
EU Council close to common position on directives to strengthen equality bodies
Brussels, 30/05/2023 (Agence Europe)

On Wednesday 31 May, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU will submit two proposals for political agreements (‘general approaches’) on the directives aimed at strengthening the equality bodies (see EUROPE B13188A24) to the Member States’ Deputy Ambassadors to the EU (Coreper I). The main changes compared to the European Commission versions concern their independence, resources, investigative powers and ability to take legal action. 

Independence

Sweden therefore maintains...

Contents

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
RULE OF LAW: situation of Rule of law in Poland and Hungary continues to be of concern to EU’s European Affairs Ministers
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: Swedish Presidency of EU Council wants political debate on horizontal ‘anti-discrimination’ directive
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: EU Council close to common position on directives to strengthen equality bodies
GENDER EQUALITY: EU Member States to commit to efforts to prevent violence against LGBTI community
SECTORAL POLICIES
AGRICULTURE: numerous EU ministers call for European aid to counteract effects of droughts
AGRICULTURE: EU ministers vigilant over proposal on food packaging
ENERGY: electricity market reform, Presidency of EU Council asks Member States about contracts for difference, price crisis and capacity mechanisms
CIVIL PROTECTION: EU increases its reserve fire-fighting air assets for forest fires and prepares for chemical and radiological threats
HOME AFFAIRS: confiscation of assets of criminal groups or individuals violating international sanctions, EU Council has its mandate
HOME AFFAIRS: European Commission consults co-legislators on future revision of mechanism for suspending visa-free regimes granted to third countries
COMPETITIVENESS: Christian Ehler wants to widen scope of ‘net zero industry act’
JUSTICE: protection of environment through criminal law, EU Council Presidency takes stock of interinstitutional negotiations
JUSTICE: according to Maria Vilar, “public order” cannot be invoked against a European parenthood certificate
ENVIRONMENT: EU reiterates its support for a future legally binding UN treaty to end plastic pollution by 2040
ENVIRONMENT: dialogue between EU and Malaysia and Indonesia over regulation to combat global deforestation caused by EU
Russian invasion of Ukraine
AGRICULTURE: Mykola Solsky wants to “do everything possible” to avoid extending restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports
BELARUS: EU condemns agreement between Minsk and Moscow on deployment of nuclear warheads
UKRAINE: for Hanna Hopko, 2023 is vital for Ukraine’s progress towards EU and NATO
INSTITUTIONAL
EP2024: Franco-German tandem reiterates its attachment to creating transnational lists
EXTERNAL ACTION
KOSOVO: Josep Borrell calls on Belgrade and Pristina to take urgent measures to “de-escalate tensions immediately and unconditionally” in north of country
UNITED STATES: EU27 get agreement on softening language on China in joint statement by EU-US Trade and Technology Council
TURKEY: EU congratulates Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on his re-election
MIDDLE EAST: several EU Member States call on Israel to halt confiscations and demolitions in West Bank
CUBA: dialogue with EU on human rights to be held in November
SOCIAL AFFAIRS
SOCIAL: on Wednesday, Swedish Presidency of EU Council will again attempt to obtain an agreement from Member States on issue of workers on digital platforms
SOCIAL: in Porto, thirty-seven European leaders reaffirm relevance of objectives of European Pillar of Social Rights
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
MOLDOVA: EU Council approves macro-financial assistance of €145 million
FINANCE: ‘Listing Act’, Better Finance President insists on need for European Parliament to maintain a high level of ambition
TAXATION: professionals concerned about shape of EU initiative on aggressive tax planning
TAXATION: European experts call for simplification of tax systems
COMPETITION: European Commission publishes guidelines for mid-term review of regional aid maps for 2022-2027
COMPETITION: European Commission approves €125 million Italian measure to promote transport of goods by sea
COMPETITION: European Commission authorises Belgium to support fisheries sector affected by Brexit with a €4.5 million measure
NEWS BRIEFS
SPAIN: Pedro Sánchez announces early elections at start of Spanish Presidency of EU Council
DIGITAL: Twitter leaves code of practice on disinformation
DIGITAL: artificial intelligence, MEPs to vote in plenary on ‘Tudorache-Benifei’ report on 14 June
UGANDA: EU deplores promulgation of Uganda’s anti-homosexuality law
RESEARCH: European Commission is launching a call for applications to support doctorates in all fields
UNITED KINGDOM: ‘Windsor Framework’, EU Council formally adopts three new regulations aimed at making life easier for citizens and businesses in Northern Ireland
SUDAN: EU and Troika support African Union’s initiatives in favour of coordinated international action for viable peace
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