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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13313

14 December 2023
Contents Publication in full By article 9 / 44
INSTITUTIONAL / Budget
European Commission releases €10.2 billion in cohesion funds to Hungary
Brussels, 13/12/2023 (Agence Europe)

On Wednesday 13 December, the European Commission made the decision to release €10.2 billion in cohesion funds, having found, after what it described as an “in-depth” assessment, that the Hungarian authorities had taken the necessary measures to comply with the condition relating to the horizontal application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union in Hungary.

The EU institution justifies this decision by the adoption in Hungary of measures contributing to the...

Contents

EUROPEAN COUNCIL
ENLARGEMENT: difficult discussions ahead at European Council to reach a consensus on enlargement processes
BUDGET: EU27 invited to approve a frugal revision of Multiannual Financial Framework
UKRAINE: European leaders should reiterate EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine
MIDDLE EAST: EU leaders are divided on situation in Middle East
MIGRATION: EU27 will take stock of various actions undertaken to improve migration management
DEFENCE: European Council calls for stronger European security and defence
FUTURE OF EU: EU27 will set themselves target of finalising strategic agenda for 2024-2029 institutional cycle by summer of 2024
EXTERNAL ACTION
WESTERN BALKANS: EU27 leaders call for “acceleration of accession process, based upon credible reforms” by their Western Balkan counterparts
INSTITUTIONAL
BUDGET: European Commission releases €10.2 billion in cohesion funds to Hungary
EU2024BE: Belgian Presidency of EU Council intends to “protect, strengthen, prepare”
SOCIAL AFFAIRS - EMPLOYMENT
SOCIAL: Spanish Presidency of EU Council and European Parliament agree on future new European rules for digital platform workers
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
MONEY LAUNDERING: European Parliament/EU Council agreement on shape of future ‘AMLA’
STATE AID: European Commission raises ceilings per company for small amounts of aid
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: directive aimed at combating violence against women, MEPs urge inclusion of non-consensual rape
MEDIA: Media Freedom Act, Reporters Without Borders calls on Gérald Darmanin to abandon national security exception allowing journalists to be monitored
SECTORAL POLICIES
CLIMATE: COP28, negotiations result in an agreement to transition away from fossil fuels, without establishing a binding timetable or a “phase-out” plan
ENERGY: new European Parliament/EU Council negotiating session on electricity market reform, Spanish Presidency determined to reach an agreement
INDUSTRY: EU Council and European Parliament reach agreement on regulation governing harmonisation of construction products
AGRICULTURE: European Commission refuses requests from countries for derogations from CAP rules
AGRICULTURE: MEPs’ position on better honey labelling seen as major victory
FISHERIES: NGOs denounce quota decisions allowing overfishing of endangered species
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PLENARY
EU2023ES: in Strasbourg, signing of Spain’s amnesty law takes precedence over assessment of Spanish Presidency of EU Council
UNITED STATES: MEPs call for stronger partnership
CHINA: MEPs agree on definition of EU-China relations
GUATEMALA: EU ready to adopt regulatory framework to punish those who obstruct Bernardo Arévalo’s assumption of power
VENEZUELA: Josep Borrell concerned that process leading to free presidential elections could be called into question
DEVELOPMENT: extractive industry, European Parliament wants EU policy to benefit third countries rich in critical raw materials
ENVIRONMENT: MEPs want Russia to pay compensation for environmental damage in Ukraine
HEALTH: MEPs are ready to negotiate with EU Council on European Health Data Space project
HEALTH: European Parliament calls on EU to do more to tackle non-communicable diseases
TAXATION: European Parliament calls for a reduction in administrative burden on small and medium-sized enterprises
TAXATION: European Parliament rejects resolution proposing new taxes to deal with various crises
FISHERIES: European Parliament approves conclusion of EU/Kiribati protocol
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
RUSSIA: cooperation between Council of Europe and UN on execution of European Court of Human Rights judgments and human rights situation in Russia
NEWS BRIEFS
STATE AID: European Commission increases amounts of aid authorised for vulnerable Spanish regions and neighbouring regions
STATE AID: European Commission approves a UK State aid scheme worth €23 million for certain companies in Northern Ireland
MONEY LAUNDERING: accountants play key role in protecting whistleblowers, according to IFAC
CHILE: EU and Santiago officially sign revised Association Agreement
TRADE: EU reinstates definitive anti-dumping duty on products from Brazil, Russia and Iran
DIGITAL: DMA, European Commission publishes model report to be submitted by gatekeepers on consumer profiling techniques
RESEARCH: European Parliament and EU Council reach political agreement on extending EU’s involvement in PRIMA partnership
RESEARCH: European Commission announces opening of “National Centre of Mechatronics and Clean Technologies” in Bulgaria, supported by Cohesion funds
RUSSIA: EU condemns Russian presidential elections in Ukrainian territories
FOOD SAFETY: European Commission consults public on manufactured nanomaterials in food