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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13330

18 January 2024
Contents Publication in full By article 8 / 41
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PLENARY / Economy
Reform of Stability and Growth Pact – large majority in European Parliament in favour of negotiating mandate
Brussels, 17/01/2024 (Agence Europe)

On Wednesday 17 January, the European Parliament voted by a comfortable majority (431 in favour, 172 against, 4 abstentions) in favour of the position of its Committee on Economic Affairs on the reform of the ‘preventive’ part of the Stability and Growth Pact (see EUROPE B13312A29, B13311A22). Inter-institutional negotiations began immediately afterwards in Strasbourg, with the Belgian Presidency of the Council setting itself the target of completing the dossier by early February.

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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