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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13400

27 April 2024
Contents Publication in full By article 8 / 35
EXTERNAL ACTION / South africa
Pretoria requests WTO consultations with EU on European plant health rules
Brussels, 26/04/2024 (Agence Europe)

On Wednesday 24 April, South Africa circulated to members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) a request to open consultations with the EU regarding its regime on imports of South African citrus fruit affected by the ‘citrus anthracnose’ fungus. This is the first stage in a WTO dispute between two members. 

Pretoria believes that the European restrictions are incompatible with the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. In particular, the EU is criticised for banning...

Contents

ECONOMY - FINANCE
BANKS: Belgian Presidency of EU Council presents options for financing resolution of a failing bank
STATE AID: small modular nuclear reactors, green light for French aid of €300 million to Nuward
STATE AID: European Commission approves compensation for national DTT operator in Slovakia
SOCIAL AFFAIRS - EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT: EU Member States to consider new compromise on European Works Councils on 29 April
SOCIAL: European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) calling for binding legislation on managing extreme heat in workplace
Russian invasion of Ukraine
TRADE: EU Council expected to decide to increase tariffs on certain Russian and Belarusian products soon
EXTERNAL ACTION
TRADE: Europe Jacques Delors makes recommendations to better support developing countries affected by ‘CBAM’
SOUTH AFRICA: Pretoria requests WTO consultations with EU on European plant health rules
CÔTE D’IVOIRE: Mr Ouattara underlines “excellent relations” between EU and his country
HUMANITARIAN AID: EU announces new €68 million support for Gazans
SECTORAL POLICIES
DIGITAL: Shein designated as ‘Very Large Online Platform’ under DSA
ENERGY: International Energy Agency is holding first-ever international summit devoted to role of individuals in energy transition
ENERGY: European Commission launches public consultation on ecodesign and energy labelling of computers
ENERGY: fall in electricity and gas bills in second half of 2023, according to Eurostat
HEALTH: European Commission welcomes MEPs’ adoption of measures on availability of in vitro diagnostics
AGRICULTURE: EU agricultural organisations call for review of agricultural budget commensurate with challenges
AGRICULTURE: EU agri-food exports and imports rose in January 2024
SECURITY - DEFENCE
DEFENCE: EU takes allegations against Chairman of EU Military Committee very seriously
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: European directive on equal treatment – deadlock persists despite efforts to reach compromise
INSTITUTIONAL
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 2024: Ursula 2024, or Ms von der Leyen’s attempt at a personalised election campaign
DEMOCRACY: European Court of Auditors, European Economic and Social Committee and European Committee of Regions to participate in EU Ethics Body
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PLENARY
SEAS: European Parliament gives its consent to conclusion of Agreement establishing ‘high seas treaty’
RESEARCH: MEPs vote in favour of initiative enabling EuroHPC to support researchers and start-ups in AI activities
GAMBIA: MEPs concerned about possible repeal of ban on female genital mutilation
AZERBAIJAN: European Parliament calls on Baku to release all political prisoners
NEWS BRIEFS
BENIN: Charles Michel announces EU support of €47 million in 2024 to help country deal with terrorism
MYANMAR: extension until end of April 2025 of EU sanctions against 103 individuals and 21 entities linked to Burmese regime
COMPETITION: deadline for 2nd phase of investigation into acquisition of ITA Airways by Lufthansa and MEF could be extended by 20 working days
CULTURE: Gustav Düsing and Max Hacke winners of European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture 2024
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: third European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Awards, Zagreb, Corbetta and Ljubljana win ‘Gold Award’
ECONOMY: EU Council ratifies reform of Stability and Growth Pact
JUSTICE: Eurojust helps crack down on criminal network that stole €2.5 million worth of historical works across Europe
MIGRATION: The Netherlands, Sophie in ’t Veld expresses concern about plans currently under discussion to derogate from right to asylum
MOLDOVA: EU extending sanctions against parties attempting to destabilise, undermine or threaten country’s independence
Op-Ed
OP-ED: Europe, join forces to preserve the industry, by the CEOs of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, North Sea Port, Duisburger Hafen AG and Port of Rotterdam