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Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13618
Contents Publication in full By article 35 / 38
NEWS BRIEFS / Regions

MEPs endorse EU Council’s position on Border Regions’ Instrument

09/04/2025 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 9 April, the MEPs of the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development approved (30 votes in favour, none against and 2 abstentions) the Council of the EU’s position on the Border Regions’ Instrument for Development and Growth (“BRIDGEforEU’). On 17 December 2024, the EU Council and European Parliament negotiators reached a provisional agreement on this new instrument (see EUROPE 13606/8). The establishment of cross-border coordination points is voluntary and Member States are free to choose how to overcome cross-border obstacles, including not overcoming them. The text still has to be formally approved by the European Parliament at its plenary session in Strasbourg from 5 to 9 May. (LC)

Contents

EXTERNAL ACTION
UNITED STATES: first tariffs on American products approved by EU27
CHINA: Beijing takes steps towards EU on trade issues
UKRAINE: European Union steps up its support for country
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: in Sarajevo, Kaja Kallas denounces “any attempt to break up country” and threats to its territorial integrity
AFRICA: several European countries are considering a mechanism to monitor commitments made by African Union and EU
SWITZERLAND: EU programmes - European Commission submits to EU Council decision to authorise Switzerland’s provisional participation
TRADE: US tariffs cause panic at WTO
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
EUROGROUP: impact of US tariffs on euro area economy and spring meetings of international financial organisations on agenda
FINANCE/CLIMATE: MEPs discuss future shape of taxonomy
SECTORAL POLICIES
DIGITAL: European Commission betting on legislative simplification and public-private investment to boost development of AI in EU
DIGITAL: Henna Virkkunen evasive in response to criticism from Committee on Legal Affairs MEPs over withdrawal of ‘AILD’
ENVIRONMENT: EU Council and European Parliament reach provisional agreement on regulation to prevent losses of plastic granules
ENVIRONMENT: Jessika Roswall plans to reduce delegated and implementing acts relating to environmental legislation by one third
JUSTICE: Adam Bodnar reports to MEPs on priorities of Polish Presidency of EU Council
COHESION: several MEPs believe proposed mid-term review is turning Cohesion Policy “upside down”
FOOD SAFETY: strengthening alignment of production standards for imported products is one of Olivér Várhelyi’s priorities
FISHERIES: MEPs strengthen proposal on measures against third countries that allow non-sustainable fishing
TRANSPORT: MEPs and EU Council alike concerned about extension of Emissions Trading System to maritime sector
TRANSPORT: European Commission reviews 2014 guidelines on state aid to airports and airlines
ENERGY: gas storage – EPP, ECR, S&D and Renew Europe propose a lower annual filling target
ENERGY: ACER puts forward proposals to promote demand response and flexibility in electricity system
INSTITUTIONAL
EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN: Teresa Anjinho open to reform of rules on access to documents of EU institutions
BUDGET: European Parliament preparing own-initiative report on implementation of rule of law conditionality regime
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
WOMEN’S RIGHTS: faced with phenomenon of chemical submission, MEPs hold hearing to launch European response
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
MIGRATION: despite attempts to block it, Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly adopts resolution against collective expulsions
NEWS BRIEFS
BOTSWANA: EU releases €150,000 in humanitarian aid following floods
CHINA: NATO must not be naive about China, warns Mark Rutte
EUROPEAN COMMISSION : Herald Ruijters becomes head of new ‘Security Action for Europe’ task force within European Commission’s DG DEFIS
ECONOMY: EU Council adopts its position on macro-financial assistance of €4 billion to Egypt
ENERGY: gas storage – Polish Presidency of EU Council proposes 10% flexibility in event of unfavourable market conditions
ENERGY: ACER calls for greater clarity from German regulator when proposing gas transmission tariffs
COMPANIES: EFRAG launches public call for input on revision of sustainability reporting standards
DIGITAL: European Commission launches consultation on digital product passport
EPP: Manfred Weber as candidate for President and Dolors Montserrat as Secretary-General of European People’s Party
REGIONS: MEPs endorse EU Council’s position on Border Regions’ Instrument
REGIONS: EIB survey on state of local infrastructure investment in Europe
SOCIAL: co-legislators hope for agreement at ‘trilogue’ on European Works Council scheduled for 20 May
TAIWAN : G7 foreign ministers and EU High Representative express concern at China’s “provocative actions”