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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13330

18 January 2024
Contents Publication in full By article 4 / 41
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PLENARY / Rule of law
MEPs are concerned that planned reforms in Slovakia could weaken fight against corruption and rule of law
Strasbourg, 17/01/2024 (Agence Europe)

After debating the issue in plenary in December (see EUROPE B13314A21), on Wednesday 17 January in Strasbourg MEPs adopted by a large majority (496 votes in favour, 70 against, 64 abstentions) a resolution denouncing the attacks on the fight against corruption in Slovakia.

The European Parliament is particularly critical of Robert Fico’s government’s plans to revise the criminal code, reform the protection of whistleblowers and dissolve the Special Prosecutor’s Office. It also...

Contents

SECTORAL POLICIES
INTERNAL MARKET/TRADE: ban on forced labour, political agreement hoped for at EU Council on 19 January
INDUSTRY: European industrial production continues to fall since October, according to Eurostat
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PLENARY
RULE OF LAW: MEPs furious at Commission and its decision to release €10.2 billion for Hungary
RULE OF LAW: MEPs are concerned that planned reforms in Slovakia could weaken fight against corruption and rule of law
UKRAINE: Ursula von der Leyen announces start of screening process for Ukraine and Moldova
BUDGET: MEPs want to override Hungarian threats to block EU budget review
BUDGET: European Parliament calls for greater transparency in activities of EU-funded NGOs
ECONOMY: reform of Stability and Growth Pact – large majority in European Parliament in favour of negotiating mandate
AGRICULTURE: MEPs divided on how to tackle crisis affecting European farmers
ENVIRONMENT: mercury, European Parliament backs proposed regulation to ban dental amalgams from 2025
ENVIRONMENT/FOOD SAFETY: neonicotinoid thiacloprid – European Parliament forces European Commission to reconsider its position on tolerances for imported foodstuffs
SEAS: European Parliament criticises Norway’s decision to move forward with Arctic seabed mining
TRANSPORT: European Parliament wants to protect ports from influence of third countries
CONSUMERS: European Parliament validates future EU rules empowering consumers in green transition
DIGITAL: MEPs call for an assessment of rules governing virtual worlds and, “if necessary”, their revision
CULTURE: streaming music, European Parliament approves resolution on fair pay, transparency and cultural diversity
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: inclusion of hate speech and hate crimes in list of European offences, Maite Pagazaurtundúa calls for legislation that is more inclusive and adapted to digital age
FOREIGN AFFAIRS: EU must invest more in conflict prevention, according to European Parliament
CHINA: MEPs warn against Chinese influence on EU critical infrastructure
CENTRAL ASIA: European Parliament wants closer cooperation in context of global and regional geopolitical change
INDIA: European Parliament validates its recommendations for an ambitious new partnership between EU and New Delhi
ECUADOR: support in European Parliament for restoring rule of law
DEVELOPMENT: European Parliament calls on EU to ensure coherence of its policies to support access to clean energy in developing countries
RESEARCH: European Parliament recommends European legislative initiative to protect academic freedom
SOCIAL AFFAIRS - EMPLOYMENT
SOCIAL: digital platform workers – Belgium’s new proposals better received at EU Council by countries opposed to provisional agreement reached with European Parliament
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
COMPANIES: environmental, social and governance ratings, European Parliament/EU Council negotiations are focusing on scope of application and third-country regime
SLOVAKIA: 2024 draft budget plan risks not complying with EU Council recommendations
COMPETITION: European Commission accepts modified commitments from Renfe to restore competition on online rail ticketing market
STATE AID: European Commission authorises two Czech schemes to support farmers faced with spread of poultry and pig diseases
SECURITY - DEFENCE
NATO: for Admiral Rob Bauer, we are living in an era of the unexpected
EXTERNAL ACTION
RUSSIA: EU reiterates its call for release of all political prisoners
CENTRAL ASIA: European Commission intends to promote connectivity, trade and security with countries in region
NEWS BRIEFS
AGRICULTURE: saffron from Turkey added to protected designations of origin register in EU
MONEY LAUNDERING: European Parliament/Council agreement almost finalised on revision of AMLD 6 directive
CLIMATE: European Union would save €1,000 billion by 2030 by adhering to Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target, according to report by Climate Action Network Europe
ECONOMY: euro area inflation confirmed at 2.9% in December 2023
JUSTICE: Eurojust and Panama sign working arrangement to strengthen cooperation against organised crime
DIGITAL: around 20 companies competing with gatekeepers request they speed up DMA compliance
EP2024: European Left to name its Spitzenkandidat at end of February in Ljubljana
FISHERIES: EU Council has adopted new EU/Kiribati fisheries protocol
TRANSPORT: Ryanair asks European Commission to protect overflights