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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13325

11 January 2024
Contents Publication in full By article 4 / 28
SECTORAL POLICIES / Competitiveness
EU Council approves a partial political agreement on ‘STEP’, without adopting a budget
Brussels, 10/01/2024 (Agence Europe)

Following their meeting on Wednesday 10 January, the ambassadors of the Member States to the European Union validated a ‘partial’ political agreement concerning the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’). This platform will support investments in critical technologies in the fields of digital and deep tech, clean tech and biotech.

A ‘partial’ agreement, as several points are still unresolved, notably the total amount of new money allocated to the platform: in the...

Contents

Russian invasion of Ukraine
ECONOMY/BUDGET: partial political agreement in EU Council on ‘Ukraine Facility’
RUSSIA: 48 countries and EU condemn North Korean arms transfers to Russia
AGRICULTURE: six EU associations call for measures to limit impact of imports of Ukrainian agricultural products
SECTORAL POLICIES
COMPETITIVENESS: EU Council approves a partial political agreement on ‘STEP’, without adopting a budget
RESEARCH: Belgian Presidency of EU Council puts forward proposal to improve knowledge valorisation in Europe
FISHERIES: European Commission focusing work on sustainability of fisheries activities and ocean governance
FISHERIES: EU Council ratifies fishing quota regulations for 2024
MIGRATION: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees calls on Belgian and Hungarian Presidencies of EU Council to ensure protection and respect of migrants’ rights
ENVIRONMENT: scientific study on risks of PFASs for foetuses argues in favour of adopting proposed ‘REACH’ restrictions, stresses NGO HEAL
EDUCATION - YOUTH - CULTURE - SPORT
YOUTH: on eve of this election year, Commission focusing on strengthening dialogue and integrating interests of young people to consolidate European unity
SOCIAL AFFAIRS - EMPLOYMENT
SOCIAL/EMPLOYMENT: social protection and labour market skills shortages on agenda of informal meeting of Belgian Presidency of EU Council
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
ECONOMY: in 2024, aggregate fiscal stance of euro area expected to be contractionary at around 0.5% of GDP
ECB: Isabel Schnabel talks to internet users about interest rate policy, greening of ECB policy and digital assets
TAXATION: tax revenues will increase by between $155 and $192 billion each year, thanks to minimum corporate tax, according to OECD
INSTITUTIONAL
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 2024: European and German social democrats intend to support workers in economic transformation
EUROPEAN COMMISSION: appointment of two new directors for ‘environment’ and ‘maritime affairs’ departments
SECURITY - DEFENCE
DEFENCE: Thierry Breton calls for a €100 billion defence fund
EXTERNAL ACTION
BANGLADESH: EU regrets that legislative elections were held without all major opposition parties
CHINA: Beijing initiates anti-dumping proceedings on European spirits in response to EU investigation into its electric cars
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
RULE OF LAW: Finnish MEP Petri Sarvamaa launches petition to force EU Council to move forward in triggering Article 7 of Treaty against Hungary
NEWS BRIEFS
AGRICULTURE: European Commission approves two new geographical indications from Italy and Spain
CANADA: three German NGOs lodge a constitutional appeal against ratification of CETA
ECONOMY: start of European Parliament/EU Council negotiations on reform of Stability and Growth Pact on 23 January
ENVIRONMENT: negotiations between European Parliament and EU Council on ‘Packaging and Packaging Waste’ regulation will begin on 5 February
DIGITAL: European Commission supports 37 projects to tune of €252 million to strengthen digital connectivity infrastructures
ANIMAL HEALTH: European Ombudsman’s enquiry into European Commission’s failure to act on ending use of cages
FOOD SAFETY: two pesticide active substances will no longer be subject to review of maximum residue levels, announces EFSA
EMU: Guillaume Pierre Wunsch to be reappointed Governor of National Bank of Belgium until 2029