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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13338

30 January 2024
Contents Publication in full By article 9 / 33
EXTERNAL ACTION / Middle east
European Commission asks UNRWA for an independent audit of its controls
Brussels, 29/01/2024 (Agence Europe)

On Monday 29 January, the European Commission called on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to agree to an audit of the checks it carries out to prevent possible involvement of its staff in terrorist activities, following allegations that 12 UNRWA staff members were involved in the 7 October attacks (see EUROPE B13337A16).

In a press release, the Commission announced that it expected “UNRWA to agree to carrying out an audit of the...

Contents

SECTORAL POLICIES
ENVIRONMENT: European Parliament and EU Council reach provisional agreement on modernisation of Urban Wastewater Directive
AGRICULTURE: in response to farmers’ anger, Emmanuel Macron to meet Ursula von der Leyen on 1 February
HOME AFFAIRS/MIGRATION: MEPs count on Belgian Presidency of EU Council to make progress on removal of online child sexual abuse material and strengthening protection of migrants’ rights
TRANSPORT: European Commission proposes to modernise river information services
TRANSPORT: air traffic management in Europe can be further improved, says European Commission
RESEARCH: European Commission publishes positive final evaluation report on Horizon 2020 and identifies areas for improvement
ENERGY: European Commission explores scenarios to exclude renewal of agreement on Russian gas transit via Ukraine
ENERGY/CLIMATE: Climate Action Network calls for 60% reduction in CO2 emissions from buildings by 2030 and elimination of fossil fuels for heating by 2040
EXTERNAL ACTION
MIDDLE EAST: European Commission asks UNRWA for an independent audit of its controls
HUMAN RIGHTS: EU sanctions four Russian individuals and one entity for violations of human rights and freedom of expression
MONTENEGRO: Member States welcome efforts made by Podgorica on road to EU membership, while urging government to speed up remaining reforms
AFRICA: Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa is complementary to Europe’s Global Gateway offer, stresses EU
CENTRAL ASIA: Global Gateway – EU commits to investing €10 billion in corridor linking it to Central Asia
VENEZUELA: EU condemns confirmation of ineligibility of Ms Machado and Mr Capriles for presidential elections
UNITED STATES: EU-US Trade and Technology Council, towards further work rather than announcements
Russian invasion of Ukraine
TRADE: European People’s Party defends implementation of ‘safeguard clauses’ in trade agreement between Ukraine and EU
RUSSIA: EU renews economic sanctions for six months
UKRAINE: EU closely follows reports on arms-related corruption
INSTITUTIONAL
EUROPEAN COUNCIL: difficult negotiations in EU27 on terms of EU financial aid to Ukraine
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: European Parliament wants to make its work more efficient and attractive
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
DEMOCRACY: ‘defence of democracy’ – EU European Affairs Ministers raise concerns about harmonisation of legislation and balance between transparency and fundamental rights
RULE OF LAW: deepening Article 7 procedure against Hungary, European Commission will let EU27 take initiative
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
FINANCE: MEPs adopt position on easing reporting requirements in financial sector
MONEY LAUNDERING: host city candidates for AMLA to be heard by European Parliament
ECB: number of counterfeit euro banknotes detected remains very low
NEWS BRIEFS
CHINA: EU suspends WTO dispute with Beijing over Lithuanian exports
CLIMATE: EU Council adopts interinstitutional agreements regarding fluorinated gases and ozone-depleting substances
COMPETITION: European Commission takes note of Amazon and iRobot’s decision not to pursue a merger
ENERGY: European Commission launches a call for evidence to designate renewables acceleration areas in Member States
ENVIRONMENT: launch of website listing public events in EU
MALI: EU deplores military junta’s unilateral decision to terminate Algiers Peace Agreement
DIGITAL: EU High Representative reaffirms commitment to fight cyber threats after Australia identifies perpetrator of attack on its healthcare system
SERBIA: opposition to President Aleksandar Vučić’s party continues its attempts to annul results of last legislative elections