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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13360

29 February 2024
Contents Publication in full By article 9 / 37
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PLENARY / Transport
European Parliament adopts its negotiating position on driving licences by narrow majority
Brussels, 28/02/2024 (Agence Europe)

The European Parliament adopted its negotiating position on the revision of the Driving Licence Directive (see EUROPE B13310A13) at its plenary session in Strasbourg on Wednesday 28 February, with 339 votes in favour, 240 against and 37 abstentions. The majority of MEPs in the EPP, ECR and ID groups rejected this text.

The rapporteur for the EPP, Poland’s Elżbieta Łukacijewska, explained that her group had “concerns over provisions that could hinder mobility and burden citizens”....

Contents

SECURITY - DEFENCE - SPACE
DEFENCE: Ursula von der Leyen wants to encourage joint procurement of military equipment
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PLENARY
RUSSIA: Yulia Navalnaya calls on EU not to be satisfied with “another set of sanctions that is no different from the previous ones” to “defeat Putin”
DEFENCE: MEPs support strengthening European defence
CSDP: MEPs support creation of a Commissioner dedicated to defence
FOREIGN AFFAIRS: European Parliament calls for determined, disciplined and assertive EU foreign policy
HUMAN RIGHTS: European Parliament calls on EU to do more to defend human rights and democracy worldwide
DRC: “humanitarian catastrophe” in North Kivu, MEPs and European Commission call for a resumption of peace negotiations
SYRIA: European Parliament calls for support for Syrians’ democratic aspirations
TRANSPORT: European Parliament adopts its negotiating position on driving licences by narrow majority
PATENTS: European Parliament adopts position on five texts in patent package
COMPETITIVENESS: European Parliament calls for reinforced strategy for European competitiveness
EIB: green and digital transition, support for SMEs and Ukraine, Nadia Calviño reaffirms EIB’s priorities
TAXATION: European Parliament adopts its opinion on new withholding tax procedure
AGRICULTURE : European Parliament approves agreement on reform of rules on geographical indications
HOME AFFAIRS: spying on elected representatives and journalists, MEPs once again condemn European Commission’s inaction in face of malicious software
RULE OF LAW: MEPs confirm their concerns about state of rule of law in a number of Member States
CONSUMERS: MEPs approve text on reporting requirements without amendment
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: European Parliament sanctions MEP José Ramón Bauzá for “psychological harassment”
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
COMPANIES: Member States reject provisional agreement on corporate due diligence
SECTORAL POLICIES
HOME AFFAIRS: online child sexual abuse material – Belgian Presidency will try to relaunch discussions on detection orders at EU Council
ENERGY: almost 100 billion m3 of gas offered by international suppliers as part of first “medium-term” call for tenders under EU’s energy platform
ENERGY: share of renewable energy for heating and cooling has risen from 18.6% to 24.8% in 10 years, according to Eurostat
ENERGY: EU’s 2030 wind energy target is within reach, according to WindEurope
MIGRATION: more than 1.1 million asylum applications were lodged in EU in 2023
MIGRATION: European Ombudsman believes Frontex’s current rules leave it unable to help migrants in distress
EXTERNAL ACTION
WTO: WTO members trying to reach agreement on banning subsidies that lead to overfishing
Russian invasion of Ukraine
TRADE: Donald Tusk considers temporary closure of border with Ukraine for trade purposes
EDUCATION - YOUTH - CULTURE - SPORT
EDUCATION: EU higher education ministers to meet in Brussels to promote integration and academic mobility within European area
SPORT: European Commission assesses progress of EU Work Plan for Sport 2021-2024 and prepares ground for 2024-2027
INSTITUTIONAL
RULE OF LAW: European Court of Auditors calls on Commission to consolidate foundations of annual rule of law reports
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
DEMOCRACY: with a view to strengthening integrity of European elections, Věra Jourová launches ‘Democracy Tour’ in Finland
DEMOCRACY: fight against climate change and economic recovery, Friends of Europe polls citizens on their priorities ahead of elections
DEMOCRACY: European branch of International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association is calling for greater awareness to strengthen Rule of law and protect rights of LGBTI people in Europe
COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU
STATE AID: EU General Court dismisses appeals concerning financing of Fehmarn Strait Fixed Link project between Denmark and Germany
NEWS BRIEFS
HOME AFFAIRS: Bartjan Wegter appointed EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator
BUDGET: revision of Multiannual Financial Framework is about to be officially ratified by Member States
TRANSPORT: EU Council endorses agreements with European Parliament on maritime safety