24/03/2026 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 23 March, negotiators from the European Parliament and the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU held a second exchange of views on the proposal for a regulation to accelerating the granting of permits for military projects, a text that is part of the ‘Omnibus V’ package to simplify European legislation (see EUROPE 13761/9). Progress has reportedly been made on extending the deadline for deciding whether to grant a permit beyond the default 60-day deadline. The tacit approval of a project when the competent authority does not respond to a permit application within 60 days is also said to have been retained. Discussions will continue at technical level with a view to an interinstitutional negotiating session (trilogue) in late April. On Tuesday, a trilogue also took place on the simplification of defence equipment transfers in the EU and public procurement in the defence sector, another legislative text from the ‘Omnibus V’ package. (MB)