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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13794
Contents Publication in full By article 20 / 34
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES / Democracy

‘European Democracy Shield’ – European ministers asked to optimise progress under Cyprus Presidency

Just over two months after its presentation by the European Commission, the Member States’ Ministers for European Affairs held an exchange of views on the ‘European Democracy Shield’ (see EUROPE B13789A16) at the working lunch of the General Affairs Council on Monday 26 January. 

Placed on the agenda by the Cyprus Presidency, which has made it one of its priorities, the aim of the debate was to clarify the scope of the initiative and the conditions for its implementation. 

Contents

SECTORAL POLICIES
AGRICULTURE: European ministers recognise strategic importance of bioeconomy for EU’s agri-food sector
AGRICULTURE: European Commission announces measure to alleviate EU sugar producers
FOOD SAFETY: EU launches task force to strengthen import controls
FOOD SAFETY: European ministers react with mixed emotions to simplification package
FISHERIES: European Commission launches a review of Western Mediterranean Multiannual Plan
REGIONS/AGRICULTURE: POSEI programme has not met all needs and constraints of outermost regions, according to EU’s Court of Auditors
REGIONS: France, Spain and Portugal launch initiative for EU’s outermost regions
DIGITAL: EU Council puts brakes on Commission’s ambitions to simplify AI Act
DIGITAL: European Commission launches an investigation into Grok, accused of generating sexual deepfakes of women and children
DIGITAL: WhatsApp named 26th ‘Very Large Online Platform’ by DSA
MIGRATION: Parliament’s committee still sceptical about Commission’s readmission procedures for migrants
MIGRATION: Commission coordinated “administrative mission” to Afghanistan to discuss possible returns of migrants with Taliban regime
ENERGY: North Sea energy ministers commit to producing 100 GW of offshore wind energy through joint projects
ENERGY: European ministers approve regulation for definitive end to Russian gas imports
EXTERNAL ACTION
UNITED STATES: MEPs in no hurry to break deadlock in negotiations on last summer’s agreement on trade
FOREIGN AFFAIRS: EU Council /European Parliament agreement on strengthening external action guarantee
JORDAN: EU and Amman strengthen their economic relations
SECURITY - DEFENCE - SPACE
NATO: Europe cannot defend itself without United States, warns Mark Rutte
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
RULE OF LAW: annual dialogue on Rule of Law – at conclusion of first round, Marilena Raouna reports a “fluid, substantial and constructive exchange”
DEMOCRACY: ‘European Democracy Shield’ – European ministers asked to optimise progress under Cyprus Presidency
SOCIAL AFFAIRS - EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT: e-declaration on posting of workers – no solutions yet for restarting negotiations between European Parliament and EU Council
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
ECONOMY/DEFENCE: ‘SAFE’ instrument – European Commission approves eight additional national plans
CUSTOMS: EU co-legislators will soon attempt to agree on selection process for seat of future European authority EUCA 
TAXATION: ‘Fiscalis’ cooperation programme is a success, according to European Commission
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
JUSTICE: Council of Europe and EU agree on financing of an advance team to establish Special Tribunal for Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
COUNCIL OF EUROPE: Austrian Socialist Petra Bayr elected President of Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
NEWS BRIEFS
HOME AFFAIRS: European Commission asks Europeans to draw up new action plan against online fraud
CHINA: European Commission targets imports of Chinese candles with definitive anti-dumping duty
CITIZENSHIP: European citizens’ initiative ‘Stop Destroying Videogames’ is valid
CLIMATE: Commission consults on certification methodologies for carbon farming activities
ECONOMY: G7 finance ministers meeting on 27 January by videoconference
MONTENEGRO: Podgorica hopes to finalise EU accession negotiations by end of 2026
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: launch of an internal group to reflect on development of parliamentary action
FISHERIES: Ireland calls on EU to take urgent action to save Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock