Elena KOUNTOURA

Policy topics Elena KOUNTOURA is active on

What Elena KOUNTOURA has said (80)

• 2026-06-17 “Thank you, chair. Social media undermine security and mental health of children. Platforms use addictive strategies and design models that affect the judgment and behavior of children, increasing the screen time and the content consumption. We have to support citizens' resilience in the digital space and protect children's mental health on the net. DSA and the directive on commercial practices must be strictly implemented. We need an ambitious act on digital justice with clear measures against the models that are against children's mental health. Access to social networks has to be determined by the age of the user. We need also digital behavior training.”
  Age restrictions on children's access to social media
• 2026-03-19 “Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission 22.5.2026 Written question As outlined in the 2026-2030 Gender Equality Strategy [1] , the Commission will strengthen monitoring of the gender pension gap and poverty risks among women aged 65+, analysing root causes (gender employment and pay gaps, part-time work disparities) via the social scoreboard. The Commission will also map best practices on addressing the gender pension gap and publish the 2027 report on adequate social protection in old age, detailing older women’s socioeconomic challenges and persistent pension and poverty gender gaps. Within the framework of the European Semester, the Commission systematically assesses relevant indicators to inform targeted policy responses and makes recommendations to Member States, as appropriate. The Commission proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework, which includes National and Regional Partnership Plans, will rely on the European Semester as one of the elements of the reference framework underpinning the programming and design of the plans. The proposal also envisages social cohesion, social inclusion, equal opportunities, access to services and associated infrastructure and supporting strong social safety nets as specific objectives. Moreover, the proposed Performance Regulation makes gender equality a horizontal principle, embedding it across EU funding through gender-disaggregated indicators and expenditure tracking to assess the performance. The Commission’s proposal is under negotiation between the Council and the Parliament. [1] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/gender-equality/gender-equality-strategy_en.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion · EU competences on social policies · EU policy on aging workforce and pensions
• 2026-03-05 “Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission 28.5.2026 Written question The new Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030 [1] , adopted on 5 March 2026, includes measures to advance gender equality in the employment, health and education sectors, in line with the Roadmap for Women’s Rights’ [2] principles. Measures related to employment are detailed, inter alia , in principles 3, 4 and 5 (equal pay, economic empowerment and financial independence; work-life balance and gender equality in care; equal employment opportunities and adequate working conditions). These range from the full implementation of the Pay Transparency Directive [3] to the adoption of an Action Plan for Women in Research, Innovation and Start-Ups. Measures related to health are outlined in principle 2 (the highest standards of physical and mental health), and include a new initiative with the World Health Organisation on women’s health. Measures related to education are outlined in principle 6 (high-quality inclusive education and training) and encompass a new ‘Boys in HEAL’ (Health, Education, Administration, Literacy) approach, as well as the publication of a handbook on reducing gender-based disparities in study choices and educational outcomes. The measures included in the Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030 will also help meet relevant, existing targets, such as the target to halve the gender employment gap by 2030 set by the action plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights [4] , and the target of attracting one million girls to Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics sectors by 2028 put forward by the Union of Skills strategy [5] . [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52026DC0113. [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0097. [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2023/970/oj/eng. [4] https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/european-pillar-social-rights-building-fairer-and-more-inclusive-european-union/european-pillar-social-rights-action-plan_en. [5] https://commission.europa.eu/topics/competitiveness/union-skills_en.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2026-03-05 “Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission 27.5.2026 Written question The Commission recognises the key role of women in tourism, while noting persistent gaps in their career progression and job quality [1] . While tourism is primarily a Member State competence, the EU supports and complements national action, notably through its competences in employment and social policy . Under the EU Gender Equality Strategy and European Pillar of Social Rights, the Commission promotes equal opportunities, fair working conditions and work-life balance, including measures on pay transparency, adequate minimum wages and childcare [2] . The Women on Boards Directive [3] promotes gender-balanced representation in top management positions through transparent and merit-based selection procedures. The Commission also supports actions combating stereotypes, discrimination and female leadership. The Commission supports upskilling, reskilling and career development through Erasmus+, the Pact for Skills and cohesion policy funds [4] . The Tourism Large-Scale Partnership under the Pact for Skills promotes skills, career pathways and the attractiveness of the sector [5] . Particular attention is given to disadvantaged groups, including women, and their integration into the tourism labour market. EU programmes also support entrepreneurship, including women-led small and medium enterprises, and can be mobilised to address specific needs, such as training, business development and childcare services in tourism-dependent areas [6] . The Commission proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework will continue supporting skills, social inclusion and regional resilience, including through measures relevant for tourism ecosystems. The EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy [7] will further promote inclusive, resilient and quality employment across the ecosystem. [1] UN Tourism, Global Report on Women in Tourism (2nd edition) , 2019 (women represent ~54% of the global tourism workforce), https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/book/10.18111/9789284420384. [2] COM(2020) 152 final; COM(2021) 102 final; Directive (EU) 2022/2041; Directive (EU) 2023/970. [3] Directive (EU) 2022/2381. [4] Erasmus+: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu; Cohesion Policy: https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu; Single Market Programme: https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu. [5] Pact for Skills — Tourism Large-Scale Partnership: https://pact-for-skills.ec.europa.eu. [6] European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), support for SMEs including women-led businesses, https://eismea.ec.europa.eu; Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs, https://www.erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu. [7] https://transport.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/have-your-say-upcoming-eu-sustainable-tourism-strategy-2025-06-23_en.”
  EU policy on permanent and fixed-term employment · EU policy on social criteria in public funding · Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2026-03-02 “Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission 4.5.2026 Written question As the Honourable Member refers in her question, a potential discrimination of fixed-term teachers contrary to Directive 1999/70 EC [1] , is already being examined in the framework of an infringement procedure INFR(2024)4013 [2] . Currently, the Commission is assessing the reply provided by the Greek authorities to the reasoned opinion sent in May 2025. The steps that the Commission decides to take in the infringement procedure will be made publicly available. The Greek authorities with the support of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), have initiated efforts to address Greece’s demographic challenges. This includes the establishment of a National Observatory of Demographic Policy to support the implementation of the National Action Plan for Demography and to strengthen the capacity of public administration to design targeted interventions at national and regional level. Furthermore, in Greece ESF+ supports women’s participation in the labour market by financing measures addressing employment insecurity and enhancing maternity protection, including through developing early childhood education and care and long-term care services. Additionally, targeted programmes support the development of women’s skills and career opportunities, which helps mitigate disincentives to family formation. [1] Council Directive 1999/70/EC of 28 June 1999 concerning the framework agreement on fixed-term work concluded by ETUC, UNICE and CEEP ((European Trade Union Confederation, Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe and European Centre of Employers and Enterprises providing Public Services) , http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/1999/70/oj. [2] In the following webpage: https://ec.europa.eu/implementing-eu-law/search-infringement-decisions/?lang_code=en&langCode=EN&version=v1&typeOfSearch=byDecision&page=1&size=10&order=desc&sortColumns=decisionDate&refId=INFR(2024)4013.”
  EU policy on permanent and fixed-term employment · Gender roles, equality and inclusion · EU competences on demographic policy
• 2026-02-27 “Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission 24.4.2026 Written question The Commission continues updating the EU regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles, guided by the Automotive Action Plan [1] . A key aspect is the harmonisation of technical rules for automated driving systems under the United Nations framework for vehicle regulations, ensuring strict and uniform safety standards for these vehicles. A new UN Regulation for automated driving systems is expected to be adopted in June 2026 and to be integrated in the EU type-approval framework subsequently. It will be accompanied by interpretations and guidance for consistent global implementation, including real-world testing procedures and a broadened scope of mandatory monitoring and reporting of in-service safety performance, as introduced by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1426 [2] , enhancing market surveillance. Rules on cybersecurity [3] and over-the-air updates [4] complement the new technical requirements for automated driving systems. The Product Liability Directive [5] addresses new technology developments, holding manufacturers accountable for defective products. Member States must transpose the directive into national laws by December 2026. Even though road safety liability rules remain under the responsibility of individual Member States and differ across countries, the Commission is collaborating with Member States in the context of large-scale cross-border testbeds for automated vehicles to support the harmonisation of accident liability approaches for autonomous vehicles. [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0095. [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32022R1426. [3] UN Regulation 155, https://unece.org/transport/documents/2021/03/standards/un-regulation-no-155-cyber-security-and-cyber-security. [4] UN Regulation 156, https://unece.org/transport/documents/2021/03/standards/un-regulation-no-156-software-update-and-software-update. [5] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ:L_202402853.”
  Regulation of vehicles insurance
• 2026-02-17 “E-000665/2026 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission 1. The proposal of the Commission for the revision of Regulation (EU) 2016/796 (ERA Regulation 1 ) is currently under preparation and its adoption is foreseen in the second half of 2026. Hence, it is too early to give any details on its content. The revision of the ERA Regulation is also based on the findings of a recent evaluation 2 , which showed that one of the challenges of the current ERA mandate is the insufficient monitoring and reporting of the implementation of relevant actions in response to deficiencies identified during the audits of the national safety authorities (NSA), especially for NSAs facing greater capacity limitations and deficiencies. 2. The Commission does not intend to revise Directive (EU) 2016/798 3 at this stage. 1 European Union Agency for Railways Regulation - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/796/oj/eng. 2 https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/documents-register/detail?ref=SWD(2025)361&lang=en. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2016/798/oj/eng.”
  EU support of rail transport · EU policy on aviation safety
• 2026-02-17 “E-000666/2026 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Commission notes that the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) apply to rolling stock produced before their entry into force only under specific conditions. Not all maintenance interventions on a vehicle trigger the mandatory application of the TSIs and associated standards. Each case should be assessed on its merits considering e.g. the extent of changes, their impact on the vehicle characteristics, and the degree of deviation from the technical documentation. In this regard, the Commission has no information or evidence of any specific trains operating in the EU that are not meeting the applicable standards. 2. The Commission recalls that according to Article 14 of Directive (EU) 2016/798 1 , every vehicle must have an entity in charge of maintenance which manages the maintenance process to ensure continuous conformity of the vehicle with the requirements. As part of this process, all changes to the vehicle are categorised according to Articles 15 and 16 of Regulation (EU) 2018/545 2 . Depending on this categorisation, further technical checks may be performed by conformity assessment bodies, and the vehicle may require a new authorisation for placing on the market from a national safety authority (NSA) or the Agency. The Commission considers that the existing legal setup provides the necessary framework to ensure conformity of vehicles with the applicable requirements. 3. The Commission is aware of the challenges concerning the poor performance of some NSAs that were identified by the Evaluation of the EU Agency for Railways (ERA) 3 . These findings will be used to prepare the Commission’s proposal for the revision of Regulation (EU) 2016/796 4 with a view to strengthen the supporting role of ERA towards the NSAs. 1 Directive (EU) 2016/798 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on railway safety (recast), OJ L 138 26.5.2016, p. 102, ELI: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2016/798. 2 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/545 of 4 April 2018 establishing practical arrangements for the railway vehicle authorisation and railway vehicle type authorisation process pursuant to Directive (EU) 2016/797 of the European Parliament and of the Council, OJ L 090 6.4.2018, p. 66, ELI: https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2018/545. 3 Evaluation is available in the Register of Commission Documents - SWD(2025)361, https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/documents-register/detail?ref=SWD(2025)361&lang=en. 4 Regulation (EU) 2016/796 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the European Union Agency for Railways and repealing Regulation (EC) No 881/2004, OJ L 138, 26.5.2016, ELI: https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/796.”
  EU support of rail transport · EU policy on aviation safety
• 2026-01-26 “E-000294/2026 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission The protection of children’s rights and the prevention and combating of gender-based violence remain key priorities for the Commission. The Roadmap for Women’s Rights 1 , reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to gender equality and the Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030 put forward concrete actions contributing to the realisation of the Roadmap’s principles and objectives. The EU acceded to the Istanbul Convention as regards the parts that fall within the EU’s exclusive competence. The Convention provides the guiding framework to effectively combat gender-based violence. In the absence of a cross-border dimension, any rules of substantive family law, such as rules governing the custody and parental access rights and principles of child protection, relating to the concept of ‘parental alienation’, do not fall under EU competence. The landmark Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence 2 applies to all victims and recognizes the need to protect child victims of domestic violence. The definition of a victim includes children who have suffered harm because they have witnessed domestic violence. This will give children a more central role in criminal justice procedures. The next meeting of the EU Network on the prevention of gender-based and domestic violence 3 on 26-27 March 2026, entitled Turning Best Practices into Action: Combating Domestic Violence more efficiently in the EU, will include a session on Child custody, visitation rights and domestic violence, giving Member states the opportunity to share best practices in this field. 1 European Commission - A Roadmap for Women's Rights (COM/2025/97 final). 2 Directive (EU) 2024/1385 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on combating violence against women and domestic violence, OJ L, 2024/1385, 24.5.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1385/oj. 3 https://commission.europa.eu/eu-network-prevention-gender-based-violence-and-domestic-violence_en.”
  Support for families · Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2026-01-20 “Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission 19.3.2026 Written question The Commission shares the Honourable Member’s view that these are very serious issues that need to be addressed. On 26 January 2026, the Commission launched new proceedings against the provider of X under the Digital Services Act (DSA) [1] , which will determine if the provider properly assessed and mitigated systemic risks associated with the deployment in the EU of Grok’s functionalities on X, including risks related to the dissemination of illegal content, such as manipulated sexually explicit images and content that may amount to child sexual abuse material. Under the DSA, online platforms must have mechanisms and procedures in place for reporting and expediently removing illegal content they have become aware of, including non-consensual intimate images. The DSA does not empower the Commission itself to order the removal of content, but national judicial or administrative authorities may order platforms to act against items considered illegal under national or EU law. The 2024 Directive on combating violence against women [2] criminalises different forms of cyber-violence offences, such as non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and of material created or altered to falsely portray someone engaging in sexually explicit activities where such conduct is likely to cause serious harm to that person. Member States must transpose it by 14 June 2027, thus establishing the illegality of such content under national law which further complements DSA enforcement and ensures that online platforms act against it. As for the AI Act [3] , the Commission is aware that Member States and Members of the European Parliament are proposing to strengthen the current protections and include explicit prohibitions of AI systems producing child sexual abuse material and non-consensual sexually explicit images in the context of the AI Omnibus negotiations. [1] Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act), OJ L 277, 27.10.2022, pp. 1-102. [2] Directive (EU) 2024/1385 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on combating violence against women and domestic violence, OJ L, 2024/1385, 24.5.2024. [3] Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence and amending Regulations (EC) No 300/2008, (EU) No 167/2013, (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1139 and (EU) 2019/2144 and Directives 2014/90/EU, (EU) 2016/797 and (EU) 2020/1828 (Artificial Intelligence Act), OJ L, 2024/1689, 12.7.2024.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online · Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content · Transparency and oversight of AI-generated content
• 2026-01-15 “Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission 18.3.2026 Written question According to EU legislation [1] , to ensure connectivity to isolated regions, including islands, Member States may impose Public Service Obligations setting fixed standards of continuity, regularity, pricing or minimum capacity, if the market itself does not deliver an acceptable level of air services to such regions [2] . This can include preferential/maximum prices for residents. Social aid schemes support air transport and ferry services for residents of remote regions [3] . To preserve connectivity, Member States may exempt passenger ships serving small islands from low-carbon fuel obligations until 31 December 2029 [4] . The Commission proposal for the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework [5] foresees the introduction of National and Regional Partnership Plans elaborated by the Member States and supporting economic, social and territorial cohesion. The new approach aims to promote a more coherent, flexible and coordinated use of EU resources for investments and reform across the policy areas. This framework is also intended to provide greater flexibility to design targeted, place-based solutions for territories facing permanent natural or demographic constraints, including islands. Territorial development may be supported through integrated territorial strategies, allowing islands to unlock development potential and address structural challenges such as accessibility and connectivity. The Commission does not propose a separate financial mechanism or measures exclusively dedicated to island connectivity. However, t he review [6] of the Air Services Regulation is considering possible measures to help ensure sustainable and affordable connectivity, including in the EU islands. [1] Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community, OJ L 293, 31.10.2008, p. 3-20. [2] In Greece, there are currently Public Service Obligations on 28 routes. [3] based on Article 107(2)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:12008E107. [4] Article 2(3) of the regulation (EU) No 2023/1805 on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport, and amending Directive 2009/16/EC. [5] COM (2025)570: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0570. [6] https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14620-Aviation-EU-air-services-rules-revision-_en.”
  Funding for OCTs and outermost regions · Cohesion and rural funding
• 2026-01-12 “P-000057/2026 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission The Commission and the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) were timely informed by the Greek authorities about the serious incident and that the closure of the Greek airspace most likely was caused by a failure in voice communications systems. Civil aviation flights operate under common EU aviation safety rules. The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (H-CAA) is the national supervisory authority responsible for the enforcement of EU legislation on Air Traffic Management in Greece including the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/373 on the common requirements for providers of air traffic management and air navigation services 1 . The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) supervises the H-CAA oversight tasks by conducting regular standardisation visits and monitoring their safety oversight to assess compliance with EU regulations. According to official sources, the Greek Safety Investigation Authority will conduct an independent safety investigation according to its mandate under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13 and Regulation (EU) No 996/2010 on aviation safety investigation of accidents and incidents 2 . The investigation aims to determine the root cause of the outage, contributing factors of the incident, and develop recommendations to prevent future occurrences, without apportioning blaming. EASA has appointed a technical advisor to the investigator in charge and stands ready for supporting the Greek Safety Investigation Authority. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2017/373/oj/eng. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2010/996/oj/eng.”
  EU policy on aviation safety
• 2025-11-04 “E-004337/2025 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Commission acknowledges the importance of legal recognition of the crime of ‘femicide’. The definition of the crime of femicide at EU level would have required a legal basis in the Treaty, which is currently absent. Nevertheless, the Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence 1 puts in place a system of early detection, intervention and prosecution that is expected to prevent many potential cases of femicide. Among the measures of prevention, for example, the Directive requires to promote changes in behavioural patterns rooted in the historically unequal power relations between women and men or based on stereotyped roles, through awareness-raising campaigns or programmes. Where acts of violence have been reported, the obligation on the police and social services to carry out a thorough risk assessment of the victim can help save her life. Article 44 requires indicating the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator, which may indicate cases of femicide. 2. The Directive is currently in the transposition phase and the Commission is conducting workshops to ensure correct transposition by Member States. Once the transposition deadline expires in June 2027, the Commission will conduct transposition checks to ensure the correct application of the Directive. The Commission can also collect statistics on femicide in collaboration with Eurostat. Even if the Member States do not have such statistics prepared, Eurostat can request proxy statistics based on factors, such as the gender of the victim. 1 Directive (EU) 2024/1385 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on combating violence against women and domestic violence, OJ L, 2024/1385, 24.5.2024, p. 1-36.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2025-11-04 “E-004340/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission In full respect of the Member States’ responsibility for organising and delivering health services 1 including prioritising public health infrastructure projects on cancer care and screening, Cohesion Policy and the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) funding support Member States in improving equal access to healthcare and strengthening the resilience of health systems. EU-wide, EUR 7.3 billion from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Interreg, and some EUR 3.8 billion from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2 , as well as about EUR 42 billion from the RRF, are channelled to health-related investments, including measures to enhance access to specialist healthcare services 3 . For the 2021-2027 period, Greece has earmarked EUR 362 million from the ERDF and EUR 250 million from the ESF+ in public funding for investments aimed at improving the accessibility and effectiveness of its healthcare services including the purchase of state-ofthe-art medical equipment. The EU supports health reforms and investments under the Greek recovery and resilience plan, such as the renovation of 156 primary healthcare units and 80 hospitals, the creation of 312 chronic disease management units across the country, as well as the ‘Implementation of the National Public Health Prevention Program Spiros Doxiadis’, providing breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening as well as cardiovascular disease screening to the Greek population 4 . Finally, the EU provides funding to support cancer care and screening, under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, through the EU4Health Programme. The Joint Action EUCanScreen 5 , with EUR 31 million, also serves to support the implementation of the 2022 Council Recommendation on cancer screening 67 . 1 Article 168(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. 2 Financing measures to support digitalisation in health care, delivery of family and community-based care services and improving accessibility, effectiveness & resilience of health systems. 3 Horizontal initiatives, such as the Talent Booster Mechanism Working Group on Health also contribute by drafting recommendations to address talent challenges in the healthcare sector. 4 The completion of the RRP measures will be assessed by the Commission in the context of the upcoming payment requests, with the last one due by 31 August 2026. 5 https://health.ec.europa.eu/non-communicable-diseases/cancer/europes-beating-cancer-plan-eu4healthfinanced-projects/projects/eucanscreen_en. 6 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.C_.2022.473.01.0001.01.ENG. 7 It includes a recommendation to ensure access to cancer screening services for people living in rural or remote areas.”
  Public and private sectors role in healthcare services
• 2025-11-04 “E-004338/2025 Reply Further to the adoption of Directive (EU) 2024/1385, the Council reaffirmed its commitment in its conclusions of 17 October 2025 on ‘violence against women and domestic violence: prevention, early detection and intervention’ 1 , explicitly noting that women and girls are disproportionately exposed to gender-based violence, including its most extreme and brutal manifestations such as femicide. Article 44 of Directive (EU) 2024/1385 provides for obligations in relation to data collection and research. In order to ensure the comparability and standardisation of administrative data across the Union, Member States must endeavour to collect administrative data on the basis of common disaggregations developed in cooperation with and in accordance with the standards developed by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE). The deadline for the transposition of the Directive is 14 June 2027. In its abovementioned Council conclusions, the Council called on the European Commission and the Member States to improve the data collection, analysis, publication and use of data on violence against women and domestic violence. In the framework of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (‘Istanbul Convention’), a thematic discussion on preventing and combating gender-related killings/femicide was held at the Committee of the Parties’ meeting on 11 December 2025. As the Union is a party to the Convention, it participated in the discussion and the Commission debriefed the Council’s competent working party on the outcome. 1 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-13244-2025-INIT/en/pdf.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2025-10-16 “E-004070/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission In its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy 1 , the Commission committed to ‘explore options to further support safe, smart and sustainable road transport operations under an existing agency or another body’. In line with this commitment, the Commission launched a feasibility study, which identifies shortcomings in the current policy implementation and governance set-up and investigates the economic, technical, legal, as well as financial feasibility of different scenarios in terms of governance structure for meeting the identified needs which go beyond road safety. While the feasibility study on the possible support to this development has been completed, the Commission’s assessment of the needs has not been finalised yet. Further steps on this issue will be decided by the Commission following the outcome of this assessment. 1 https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/mobility-strategy_en”
  EU support of rail transport · EU policy on aviation safety
• 2025-10-15 “E-004062/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission The independence of the rail infrastructure manager, in particular as regards path allocation and charging, which are the essential functions of an infrastructure manager, is fundamental to ensure the development of a strong and fair rail sector to the benefit of passengers and businesses. With Directive (EU) 2016/2370 1 , specific rules to ensure this independence were introduced in Chapter II of Directive 2012/34/EU 2 . The Commission is continuously monitoring and assessing compliance with these rules across the Union. Article 2(1) of Directive 2012/34/EU provides that ‘railway undertakings which only operate urban, suburban or regional services on local and regional stand-alone networks for transport services on railway infrastructure or on networks intended only for the operation of urban or suburban rail services’ are to be exempt from the application of Chapter II of that Directive. Based on the information available, the railway undertaking referred to in the Honourable Member’s written question only operates metro and tramway services on dedicated lines in and around the city of Athens. Therefore, it appears to be exempt from the independence requirements laid down in Articles 7 and 7a of Directive 2012/34/EU. For this reason, the Commission is not considering taking any steps regarding the matter described in the Honourable Member’s question. The matter is not covered in the infringement case INFR(2023)2036 3 mentioned in the Honourable Member’s written question, as this infringement is based on Directive (EU) 2016/798 4 which does not contain any independence requirements concerning the infrastructure manager. 1 Directive (EU) 2016/2370 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2016 amending Directive 2012/34/EU as regards the opening of the market for domestic passenger transport services by rail and the governance of the railway infrastructure (OJ L 352, 23.12.2016, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2016/2370/oj). 2 Directive 2012/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 establishing a single European railway area (recast) (OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 32, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2012/34/oj). 3 More details can be found here: https://ec.europa.eu/implementing-eu-law/search-infringementdecisions/?lang_code=sv&langCode=EN&version=v1&typeOfSearch=byDecision&refId=INFR(2023)2036&pa ge=1&size=10&order=desc&sortColumns=decisionDate. 4 Directive (EU) 2016/798 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on railway safety (recast) (OJ L 138, 26.5.2016, p. 102, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2016/798).”
  EU support of rail transport
• 2025-10-15 “E-004063/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is in close contact with the Greek authorities and receives regular progress reports on the actions implemented and programmed by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (H-CAA) to achieve compliance with the EU Regulations related to the three infringement procedures indicated in the Honourable Member’s question. The Commission remains committed to ensuring full compliance by the Greek authorities with EU law and proactively follows up on all three infringements. In December 2025, the Commission while acknowledging the efforts to take necessary measures by the Greek authorities, at this stage, considers that the progress has been insufficient and therefore decided to refer Greece to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to put in place the necessary measures to design and publish performance-based navigation (PBN) procedures at Greek airports. In addition, the Commission decided to send a reasoned opinion to Greece for failing to implement the aircraft identification technology (deployment of radars). The H-CAA is the national competent authority that is responsible for the day-to-day oversight and enforcement of EU safety related regulations in Greece. The European Aviation Safety Agency supports the H-CAA and other national competent authorities by checking their safety oversight through regular standardisation visits.”
  EU policy on aviation safety
• 2025-10-10 “E-003985/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission Under Article 109 of the Directive (EU) 2018/1972 (European Electronic Communications Code) 1 , Member States shall ensure that all publicly available number-based interpersonal communications services (NB-ICS) give access to emergency services. This obligation applies within the EU, including in roaming conditions. Member States also need to ensure via transposition measures that, in case of emergency communications, caller location is provided by NB-ICS, including in roaming conditions 2 . Articles 3(6), 12 and 15 of Regulation (EU) 2022/612 3 provide for the obligations of roaming providers on exchange of technical information, wholesale charges and transparency measures with regard to emergency communications. These obligations apply regardless of underlying technologies, including the migration to 4G and 5G networks. Existing standards ensuring the provision of NB-ICS should ensure seamless access to emergency services and seamless transmission of caller location. In this context, the Commission services are aware of the risks that home routing (S8HR) implementations pose to effective access to emergency services and are in contact with national authorities and mobile network operators in order to find a solution to such possible shortcoming of technological migration to 4G and 5G networks. 1 Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code (Recast) (OJ L 321, 17.12.2018, p. 36, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2018/1972/oj). 2 As clarified under recital 285 of directive (EU) 2018/1972. 3 Regulation (EU) 2022/612 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 April 2022 on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union (OJ L 115, 13.4.2022, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/612/oj).”
  EU policy on accessibility of digital infrastructure · 5G
• 2025-07-03 “P-002720/2025 Answer given by Mr Serafin on behalf of the European Commission Cohesion policy and the common agricultural policy are at the heart of the next multi-annual financial framework (MFF) proposal. The National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP) will allow simpler and more tailored implementation. The NRPP will build on the key success factors of cohesion policy: place-based approach, the partnership principle, multilevel governance and shared management. Regional and local authorities will continue to play a key role in the design and implementation of supported measures throughout the whole process. Member States will have the flexibility to structure the plans to reflect their own constitutional and administrative structures and preferences as it is already the case. Existing local cooperation instruments such as community-led local development or integrated territorial investments remain. All this will enable the active involvement of regional and local authorities. By bringing together the combined envelope of EUR 865 billion under a coherent strategy, the NRPP will allow simpler and easier to access EU Funds implemented by Member States. Of this amount, EUR 453 billion will be for cohesion, rural development and fishing communities, broadly equivalent to that provided in the current MFF. Investment in the least developed regions will be ring-fenced with at least EUR 218 billion. Member States will have to demonstrate that the plan addresses the needs and challenges of all regions in an effective and balanced manner.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• 2025-06-16 “E-002421/2025 Reply There are currently no plans to create a separate Council configuration dedicated to gender equality. The topic is addressed in the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Council, as well as in other Council formations, depending on the subject or subjects on the agenda.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2025-05-30 “E-002175/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission 1. Cohesion policy after 2027 will continue to be guided by its core principles of shared management, multilevel governance and partnership, with regional and local authorities playing a key role in programming and implementation, while strengthening local communities through targeted, place-based investments. 2. The EU’s financial programmes can already be mobilised to support social housing initiatives. Improving access to these instruments could help local and regional authorities better respond to these needs. In the 2021-2027 period direct funding to cities, including for housing, is provided for innovative actions and capacity building through the European Urban Initiative. Furthermore, the Commission has recently adopted a proposal 1 to provide flexibilities and incentives for Member States which would allow them to redirect funding to housing under the Cohesion policy Funds. 3. Cohesion policy programmes’ authorities are defined by the Member States. The managing authority may identify intermediate bodies to carry out certain tasks under its responsibility 2 . Accordingly, technical assistance is available at the initiative of a Member State 3 . The Commission also provides capacity building 4 and technical assistance. That includes advisory support in cooperation with the European Investment Bank, including fi-compass 5 , JASPERS 6 and the Pan-European Investment Platform for affordable and sustainable housing. 1 Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1058 and (EU) 2021/1056 as regards specific measures to address strategic challenges in the context of the mid-term review (COM(2025) 123) https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/communication/mid-termreview-2025/regulation-proposal-mid-term-review-2025_en.pdf. 2 In accordance with Article 71 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy. 3 Articles 36 and 37 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy; more details available at 20212027 Technical Assistance in profile | Cohesion Open Data: https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/stories/s/jt9x-jd6i. 4 Inforegio - Capacity building for cohesion policy https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/policy/how/improvinginvestment_en. 5 https://www.fi-compass.eu/. 6 https://jaspers.eib.org/.”
  Cohesion and rural funding · EU policy on urban development
• 2025-05-30 “E-002171/2025 Answer given by Ms Albuquerque on behalf of the European Commission As the Commission referred to in its answer to written question E-1918/2024 1 , ‘the Mortgage Credit Directive 2014/17/EU (MCD) provides a number of safeguards’ for the borrowers and ‘enables Member States to introduce more stringent provisions’, as for example in the Greek insolvency code 2 . Regarding the possible granting of full protection of primary residences and support measures for borrowers in difficulties, there are currently no plans to regulate these matters at EU-level. As the Commission pointed out in its answer to written question E3366/2022 3 , the auctioning of property ‘falls exclusively within the competence of the Member State’. As regards measures on the transfer of mortgage loans when they become non-performing, Directive (EU) 2021/2167 4 harmonises the rules for credit servicers and credit purchasers of a creditor’s rights under a non-performing credit agreement. This Directive ensures that the sale of such loans does not undermine borrowers’ rights. The Commission does not currently intend to propose further measures in this regard. 1 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/-ASW_EN.html. 2 Law 4738/2020 transposing Directive (EU) 2019/1023, as amended by law 4818/2021 and law 5024/2023. The new sale-and-leaseback regime aims to avoid past moral hazard behaviour and the adverse impact it has had in the cost of credit in Greece. Until said mechanism becomes operational, law 4916/2022 provides for the protection of the primary residence of eligible vulnerable debtors by means of a state subsidy and the suspension of liquidation measures. 3 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/-ASW_EN.html. 4 OJ L 438, 8.12.2021, p. 1–37.”
  Non-performing mortgages · EU housing policy
• 2025-05-30 “E-002173/2025 Answer given by Mr Jørgensen on behalf of the European Commission Supporting the swift implementation of the existing EU legislative framework to drive energy efficiency, emissions reduction and use of renewable energy in the housing sector is a priority for the Commission. Cohesion policy will continue to be one of the key mechanisms to support building renovation and tackling energy poverty 1 . The Commission has proposed to facilitate the use of EU funds for affordable housing in the recent mid-term review of the cohesion policy under the current Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) 2 . Vulnerable households will also benefit from the Social Climate Fund, as of 2026, including for the energy renovation of buildings 3 . Furthermore, with the European Affordable Housing Plan the Commission aims at supporting the increase of supply and access to sustainable and affordable housing 4 . The National Building Renovation Plans and the Energy and Climate Plans will support the coordination of reforms and financial support at national level. To ensure a just transition, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requires Member States to address rent increase following energy renovation 5 , including when EU funds are used. On 30 June 2025, the Commission adopted an EPBD implementation support package 6 , providing guidance to Member States on how to best implement this. Regarding the post-2027 framework, the Commission will present proposals for the next MFF in summer 2025. The Commission is aware of multiple options for the mobilisation of private finance. To identify and evaluate different options 7 the Commission is working with financial institutions. The InvestEU Programme 8 already provides dedicated EU public guarantees to implementing partners and interested financial intermediaries 9 . 1 Including social housing. 2 MFF - https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/communication/mid-term-review-2025/regulationproposal-mid-term-review-2025_en.pdf. 3 Including tenants and people living in social housing. 4 A public consultation within the Affordable Housing Dialogue is taking place currently and the European Affordable Housing Plan should be presented in Spring 2026. 5 Article 17 (17) and Article 17 (19) of Directive (EU) 2024/1275 on the energy performance of buildings (recast). 6 https://energy.ec.europa.eu/publications/communication-approving-content-notice-providing-guidance-recastepbd-guidance-recast-epbd_en. 7 Including an European Renovation Loan approach. 8 https://investeu.europa.eu/investeu-programme/investeu-fund_en. 9 These can be used for the development of dedicated energy efficiency financial products and energy renovation loans.”
  Energy performance of buildings · EU housing policy
• 2025-05-30 “P-002169/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission The Air Services Regulation 1 provides for pricing freedom of air carriers (Article 22) and lays down transparency obligations for display of prices for air services (Article 23). The Commission acknowledges the potential inconvenience and confusion for passengers which results from the many different hand luggage policies in place at different airlines and for different classes of tickets. The Commission notes that stakeholders have divergent views on what would constitute ‘reasonable’ dimensions and weight for hand baggage referred to in the judgment in Case C-487/12 2 . Such baggage with reasonable dimensions would following this judgement need to be included in the basic ticket price if it complies with applicable security requirements. 1. The 2023 passenger rights proposal 3 calls for the airline industry to engage with other relevant stakeholders to create common industry standards on the weight and dimension of hand luggage. In 2024, Commission services organised two workshops towards this objective. 2. The 2013 passenger rights proposal 4 partly addresses related concerns by requiring air carriers to inform passengers of the baggage allowance. The Council compromise text 5 on the 2013 proposal explicitly refers to hand luggage, as does the Parliament report 6 on the 2023 proposal. The Commission will support negotiations to help find a balanced and reasonable compromise, improving passenger rights while taking into account the views of all relevant stakeholders. 3. The Commission announced in its call for evidence the intention to assess possible measures to clarify hand luggage allowances as part of the review 7 of the Air Services Regulation. This issue will be covered in the open public consultation which will soon be published. 1 Regulation (EC) 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community (Recast), OJ L 293, 31.10.2008, p. 3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2008/1008/oj. 2 Judgment of 18 September 2014, Vueling Airlines (C-487/12), EU:C:2014:2232. 3 Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulations (EC) No 261/2004, (EC) No 1107/2006, (EU) No 1177/2010, (EU) No 181/2011 and (EU) 2021/782 as regards enforcement of passenger rights in the Union COM/2023/753 final, recital 14. 4 Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights and Regulation (EC) No 2027/97 on air carrier liability in respect of the carriage of passengers and their baggage by air COM/2013/0130 final. 5 Council document 9795/25 ADD 1. 6 Parliament procedural file 2023/0437(COD). 7 https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14620-Aviation-EU-air-services-rulesrevision-_en.”
  EU Competition policy
• 2025-05-30 “E-002174/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission 1.+2. On 1 April 2025, the Commission adopted measures to address strategic challenges as part of the mid-term review 1 , including amendments to the cohesion policy regulatory framework. New specific objectives have been proposed to allow greater flexibility in programming housing interventions. Member States are encouraged to adjust their programmes by reallocating funding to the new specific objectives, notably affordable housing. To incentivise Member States and regions to increase their cohesion policy investments in affordable housing, including social housing, reprogrammed resources may benefit from additional pre-financing in 2026 and higher EU financing rates. To enhance the effectiveness of investments, the Commission has proposed making reform-related costs eligible, including preparatory work to improve housing market regulations and permitting at local level. Given the diverse definitions for affordability and housing across Member States, the proposal does not set a single EU-wide definition, in line with the principle of subsidiarity. Instead, Member States are expected to carry out needs assessments to guide reallocations, identifying eligible housing types and target groups in line with national systems and local needs to address housing shortages. 3. Programme amendments will need to be duly justified and require approval by the responsible monitoring committee to ensure scrutiny by stakeholders prior to the Commission’s assessment and approval. State aid rules need to be complied with to prevent market distortions. At the same time, the Commission will put forward the European Affordable Housing Plan. 1 COM (2025) 123 final.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• 2025-05-30 “E-002170/2025 Answer given by Mr Dombrovskis on behalf of the European Commission Protocol No 12 of the Treaty on European Union does not allow the exclusion of any items from the calculation of Member States’ deficits, which are defined in the European System of Accounts. The EU fiscal rules have been reformed in 2024 to strengthen the conditions for inclusive growth, and they strike a balance between the need to ensure debt sustainability and the need for investments and reforms to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth. They allow for a more gradual, realistic and growth-friendly reduction in deficits and debts. Reforms and public investment that enhance growth and fiscal sustainability and are in line with EU objectives and relevant country specific recommendations can be presented as part of the set of reforms and investment underpinning an extension of the adjustment period, which allows for a more gradual fiscal adjustment. The Commission plans to amend rules for services of general economic interest (SGEI) to give Member States a flexible tool to subsidise affordable housing projects without undue distortion in the private housing market or detrimental effect on social housing initiatives. On 1 April 2025, the Commission put forward a mid-term review proposal to modernise cohesion policy 1 – including flexibilities and incentives to encourage Member States and regions to increase their investments in affordable housing under cohesion policy – and adopted a new financial instrument model for affordable housing 2 3 . In addition, the Commission is working with the European Investment Bank, national promotional banks and the international financial institutions towards the pan-European investment platform on affordable and sustainable housing. 1 Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1058 and (EU) 2021/1056 as regards specific measures to address strategic challenges in the context of the mid-term review (COM (2025) 123). 2 Commission Staff Working Document ‘Model for Financial instruments and grants with co-financing from the EIBG and others for affordable housing’ – SWD(2025) 18 final of 1 April 2025. 3 Including combining cohesion policy funding with resources from the EIB and other financial institutions.”
  EU competences on social policies · EU housing policy
• 2025-05-30 “E-002172/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission Homelessness is a complex and multi-dimensional phenomenon with multiple drivers and no universally accepted definition. The European Typology of Homelessness and Housing Exclusion (ETHOS) Light, developed in the context of a Commission study in 2007 1 , is increasingly used by Member States as the reference framework for understanding and measuring homelessness in the EU. ETHOS Light defines six operational categories of homelessness and housing exclusion, corresponding to different living situations from rough sleeping to inadequate housing. The development of a common operational definition and counting methodology to be tested in 35 cities across 20 Member States is the one of the main goals of the European Homelessness Count pilot project funded by the Commission 2 . Housing remains a competency of the Member States. The Commission will continue to support Member States in the development of national strategies based on the principles of the Lisbon Declaration 3 , including by the announced European Affordable Housing Plan. In addition, the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness 4 represents the strategic framework at EU level to fight homelessness, promoting policies based on a person-centred, housing-led and integrated approach. Regarding funding instruments, the Commission presented its proposals for the next multiannual financial framework on 16 July 2025. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/social_inclusion/docs/2007/study_homelessness_en.pdf. 2 https://www.kuleuven.be/lucas/en/eu_homelessness_counts. 3 https://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=24120&langId=en. 4 https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/social-protection-socialinclusion/addressing-poverty-and-supporting-social-inclusion/homelessness_en.”
  EU housing policy · EU competences on social policies
• 2025-05-12 “E-001876/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission 1. The EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy is currently undergoing an extensive targeted consultation with EU tourism stakeholders, and an open public consultation was launched in June 2025. Tourism stakeholders interested in camper vans and caravans have the possibility to contribute to the consultations by making their suggestions. The Commission takes note of the suggestion to develop parking and service infrastructure for camper vans and caravans in Member States. Nevertheless, the Commission's competence on tourism matters is limited in Article 195 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union 1 to support, coordinate or supplement the actions of Member States, which may limit the possibilities for Union action in this matter. 2. Establishing a framework of guidelines or common minimum standards for such infrastructure has not been considered, but if such an action is deemed relevant following appropriate analysis of the results of the consultation, it may be considered. 3. Under the 2021-2027 programming period, Cohesion Policy can support tourism infrastructure as part of measures that strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the sector and its role in socioeconomic and territorial development. However, Programmes supported by Cohesion Policy Funds that target Greece do not foresee specific actions for the development of parking infrastructure for camper vans and caravans. 1 https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/treaty/tfeu_2016/art_195/oj/eng#:~:text=The%20European%20Parliament%20and%20the%20 Council%2C%20acting%20in,the%20laws%20and%20regulations%20of%20the%20Member%20States.”
  EU transport infrastructure integration · EU funding for transportation
• 2025-04-14 “E-001524/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission Health services and infrastructure are already a priority under Cohesion Policy enabling Member States to promote equal access to healthcare and strengthen health system’s resilience 1 . Implemented through shared management, national authorities can tailor investments addressing territorial needs, as access to basic healthcare is vital to support the right to live where people reside. For Greece, some EUR 416 million 2 under the European Regional Development Fund, support health infrastructure and equipment at all levels of the National Health System across regions, including Primary Healthcare, eHealth and telemedicine 3 . Complementary, some EUR 323 million 4 under the European Social Fund Plus, support measures targeting marginalised and isolated communities such as the creation of 127 Local Health Units 5 and Mobile Healthcare Units 6 , promotion of citizen registration with a personal doctor, the development of integrated information technology systems, long-term and mental health care actions, especially in remote areas, and staff training to improve access and quality 7 . To help islands and outermost regions address multi-faceted problems, the Commission will launch a consultation on an Islands Strategy as announced in the Communication of 1 April 2025 ‘A modernised Cohesion policy: The mid-term review’ 8 . 1 In total, EUR 7.4 billion have been allocated by Member States across the EU from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Interreg to support health-related investments under Cohesion Policy for 2021– 2027. These include improvements in healthcare infrastructure, long-term care, and digitalisation, in line with national and regional smart specialisation strategies. Examples of ERDF support include investments in health infrastructure and equipment, that improve access to mainstream high-quality healthcare and long-term care (LTC) services across the EU. Cohesion policy also supports research and innovation linked to healthcare, digitalizations and e-health, based on Member States’ and regions’ smart specialisation strategies (S3). 2 Public expenditure. 3 Through 13 regional programmes. 4 Public expenditure. 5 Local Health Units (TOMYs) – Τοπικές Μονάδες Υγείας (ΤΟΜΥ). 6 Mobile Healthcare Units (KOMYs) – Κινητές Μονάδες Υγείας (ΚΟΜΥ). 7 European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) investments fall under the horizontal intervention field 160 and 16Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159 https://eurlex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ%3AL%3A2021%3A231%3ATOC) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1060/oj/eng. 8 https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/information-sources/publications/communications/2025/a-modernisedcohesion-policy-the-mid-term-review_en.”
  Funding for OCTs and outermost regions · Cohesion and rural funding
• 2025-04-09 “E-001474/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware that Greek law contains less favourable employment conditions for fixed-term teachers working in public schools compared to permanent teachers, including differences in relation to access to sick leave. For that reason, on 25 July 2024, the Commission decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Greece (INFR(2024)4013) 1 for failing to correctly transpose into national law the Framework Agreement on fixed-term work annexed to Council Directive 1999/70/EC 2 , which prohibits discrimination against fixed-term workers. The explanations received from the Greek authorities were considered unsatisfactory and, consequently, on 7 May 2025, the Commission decided to take a next step in the infringement proceedings and issued a reasoned opinion to Greece 3 , which now has two months to respond and take the necessary measures. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to refer Greece to the Court of Justice of the European Union. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/implementing-eu-law/search-infringementdecisions/?lang_code=en&langCode=EN&version=v1&typeOfSearch=byDecision&refId=INFR(2024)4013&pa ge=1&size=10&order=desc&sortColumns=decisionDate. 2 Council Directive 1999/70/EC of 28 June 1999 concerning the framework agreement on fixed-term work concluded by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), the Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe (UNICE) and the European Centre of Enterprises with Public Participation (CEEP), OJ L 175, 10.7.1999, p. 43–4 - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1999/70/oj/eng. 3 More information is available in the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/inf_25_982.”
  EU policy on permanent and fixed-term employment
• 2025-04-08 “E-001429/2025 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission Article 48 of the Istanbul Convention requires Parties to prohibit mandatory alternative dispute resolution processes. In the referred GREVIO Baseline evaluation Report, GREVIO notes that criminal mediation is not mandatory in criminal justice procedures in Greece 1 . Pursuant to Article 12 of the Victims’ Rights Directive 2 (VRD), in Member States where restorative justice services are provided, safeguards shall be in place to ensure the victim is not further victimised and the participation of the victim shall be voluntary. Other factors such as power imbalances should also be taken into consideration in conducting a restorative justice process. The Commission has analysed whether Member States have completely transposed into national legislation all normative provisions of the VRD. In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission continues to monitor the correct enforcement of these provisions in all Member States, including in Greece, and will take appropriate action, if necessary. In the referred GREVIO Baseline evaluation Report, GREVIO also recommend that all relevant actors in the criminal justice sector receive training on the gendered dynamics of domestic violence. In this regard, Article 36 of the Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence Directive 3 requires Member States to provide general and specialist training and information for professionals meeting victims of violence against women and domestic violence. Member States, including Greece, will need to implement this Directive by June 2027. During this period, the Commission will hold implementation workshops to steer the timely and complete transposition of the Directive. 1 GREVIO Baseline Evaluation Report,, p. 57, para 242-248. 2 Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA. OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 57. 3 Directive (EU) 2024/1385 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on combating violence against women and domestic violence, OJ of 24.5.202, L p. 1.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion · EU policy on victims' compensation rights
• 2025-04-08 “E-001424/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Commission is not aware of an inadequate functioning of the checks in road transport in Greece. In line with Article 2(3) of Directive 2006/22/EC 1 , Member States are required to carry out a minimum number of checks at the roadside and at the premises of road transport undertakings to verify compliance of drivers and operators with the EU social rules in the road transport sector. The 32nd report from the Commission on the implementation of the social legislation relating to road transport 2 based, as regards Greece, on the Greek national report, shows that Greece complied with the minimum level of checks in the period 20212022. Member States must submit to the Commission, by 30 September 2025, their national report covering the period 2023-2024. 2. The Commission may decide to take any appropriate action, including infringement proceedings, against Greece in case of failure to comply with the minimum control requirements set out in Article 2(3) of Directive 2006/22/EC. 3. The European Labour Authority can help the Greek authorities by further promoting the exchange of experience, best practices and information, and by involving them in concerted checks and joint training initiatives. 1 Directive 2006/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 on minimum conditions for the implementation of Council Regulations (EEC) No 3820/85 and (EEC) No 3821/85 concerning social legislation relating to road transport activities and repealing Council Directive 88/599/EEC (OJ L 102 of 11.4.2006, p. 35). 2 Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation in 2021-2022 of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 on the harmonisation of certain social legislation relating to road transport and of Directive 2002/15/EC on the organisation of the working time of persons performing mobile road transport activities (32nd report from the Commission on the implementation of the social legislation relating to road transport) COM/2024/405 final, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2024:405:FIN.”
  EU policy on aviation safety
• 2025-04-03 “E-001377/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission As a follow-up to the European Parliament’s resolution of 21 January 2021 on the right to disconnect and telework, the Commission has launched a two-stage consultation of European social partners on workers’ right to disconnect and on telework, pursuant to Article 154 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. The first stage of this consultation ended in June 2024 and the second stage is currently in preparation. In addition, and in line with the applicable rules on Better Regulation, it continues to pursue evidence gathering and analysis of potential EU action in these areas, including through a dedicated study. The outcome of this study, as well as the consultations with social partners will feed into the Commission’s reflections on the next steps to address the challenges raised by an ‘always-on’ work culture and telework. In order to address the challenges related to occupational safety and health, among others, in the context of telework, the Commission is currently also working on the review of the Workplace 1 and Display Screen Equipment 2 Directives. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A01989L0654-20190726. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A01990L0270-20190726.”
  Regulation of teleworking labour conditions
• 2025-03-10 “E-001020/2025 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission EU equality legislation sets minimum standards for the protection of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding, including fixed term workers 1 .This includes a period of maternity leave of at least 14 weeks 2 . An assessment of the implementation of this Directive has not shown problems or gaps in the implementation of the Directive in Greece. The Commission does not have sufficient information to provide a detailed answer and will conduct research on the matter. The Work-Life Balance Directive 3 provides for minimum standards regarding the duration and remuneration of parental leave in all Member States. The Commission is currently assessing the conformity of the implementation of the Directive. If it considers that the transposing legislation in a Member State does not comply with the requirements of the Directive, the Commission will take the necessary action. In relation to the potential breach of the Framework Agreement on fixed-term work annexed to Council Directive 1999/70/EC 4 , , the Commission is aware that Greek law contains less favourable employment conditions for fixed-term teachers working in public schools compared to permanent teachers, including differences in relation to access to maternity leave and on 25 July 2024, it decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Greece (INFR(2024)4013) 5 . The explanations received from the Greek authorities were considered unsatisfactory and, on 7 May 2025, the Commission issued a reasoned opinion to Greece 6 , which now has two months to respond and take the necessary measures. The Commission is open for dialogue and ready to provide guidance to Member States concerning correct implementation of the EU legislation. 1 Council Directive 92/85 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding, O.J/ L348, 28.11.92, p. 1 e.s. 2 Council Directive 92/85/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding (tenth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC). 3 Directive (EU) 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on work-life balance for parents and carers and repealing Council Directive 2010/18/EU, OJ L 188, 12.7.2019, p. 79–93. 4 Council Directive 1999/70/EC of 28 June 1999 concerning the framework agreement on fixed-term work concluded by ETUC, UNICE and CEEP, OJ L 175, 10.7.1999, p. 43–4. 5 https://ec.europa.eu/implementing-eu-law/search-infringementdecisions/?lang_code=en&langCode=EN&version=v1&typeOfSearch=byDecision&refId=INFR(2024)4013&pa ge=1&size=10&order=desc&sortColumns=decisionDate. 6 More information is available in the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/inf_25_982.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion · EU policy on permanent and fixed-term employment
• 2025-03-04 “E-000903/2025 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission The Commission recognises that incentives can be useful in certain cases to support the transition to zero-emission vehicles. However, the adoption of subsidy programmes and other incentives is a decision taken at Member State level. At EU level, the CO 2 standards Regulation for heavy-duty vehicles sets the framework for the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles, creating predictability for investors and manufacturers. In the Industrial Action Plan for the European automotive sector 1 the Commission announced several initiatives to accelerate the uptake of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles. These include a targeted amendment of the Eurovignette Directive 2 , to extend the deadline to fully exempt zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles from road charges. The Plan also stresses the importance of finalising interinstitutional negotiations on the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive, to ensure payload parity between zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles and diesel vehicles. The Commission also published a Communication to decarbonise corporate fleets 3 , which notably encourages national authorities to provide financial support and incentives for public transport authorities and operators switching to zero-emission buses. This contributes to the preparation of a legislative proposal to decarbonise corporate fleets, expected by end 2025. As part of the work on corporate fleets, the Commission will also look into measures to accelerate the uptake of European zero-emission trucks. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025DC0095&qid=1742550809591 2 http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/362/oj 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025DC0096&qid=1742550887847”
  Corporate fleet electrification: binding zero-emission quotas vs. voluntary approach · EU funding for transportation
• 2025-02-11 “E-000622/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission Islands face specific economic and social vulnerabilities, arising from their insularity and remoteness. Their distinct needs require tailor-made approaches. Through EU cohesion policy, which is designed to tackle regional, economic and social disparities, particular attention is paid to these areas, as enshrined in Article 174 of the TFEU. In the 2021-2027 period, at least EUR 14.8 billion are allocated from cohesion policy (from the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the Just Transition Fund) for investments supporting islands. This is to support investments for competitiveness, green transition, better connectivity, housing, sustainable tourism and inclusive growth. Member States can also use cohesion policy to support disaster risk management, particularly financing prevention and response measures. Islands and coastal communities are a key focus in the preparation of the Ocean Pact. The Commission is launching a study on the opportunities and resilience in coastal communities to support its future work 1 . In addition, the Commission will put forward a European Affordable Housing Plan which will consider the housing situation in island regions. The Commission's ‘Clean energy for EU islands’ initiative 2 accelerates decarbonisation of islands’ energy systems and facilitates exchange of best practices. Furthermore, the EU's trans-European transport network policy 3 incorporates the new concept of a European Maritime Space to strengthen the integration of islands into the European Single Market and advance territorial cohesion. Preparations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework are still ongoing, and it is too early to anticipate any decisions on new funding for any policy area. 1 Results are foreseen for Q4 2025. 2 https://clean-energy-islands.ec.europa.eu/ 3 Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1153 and (EU) No 913/2010 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013, OJ L, 2024/1679, 28.6.2024.”
  EU strategy for tourism development · Cohesion and rural funding
• 2025-01-28 “E-000366/2025 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission Directive (EU) 2024/1385 1 requires Member States to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the requirements of the Directive by 14 June 2027. The Commission is fully committed to support Member States in the transposition of the Directive. Starting from May-June 2025 and throughout the transposition period, the Commission will organise several workshops with Member States’ representatives to steer the timely, full and correct transposition and implementation of all the obligations included in the Directive. The Commission will assist Member States in the best ways possible to ensure such correct transposition. Following the end of the transposition period in June 2027, the Commission will facilitate a transposition check. If the Member States have not fulfilled their implementation obligations, the Commission could start an infringement procedure. 1 Directive (EU) 2024/1385 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on combating violence against women and domestic violence, OJ L, 2024/1385, 24.5.2024.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2025-01-03 “E-000007/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission Low temperatures affect the range of electrified vehicles, as a consequence of a reduced efficiency of the battery and also due to the additional energy consumption from auxiliaries (e.g. thermal comfort systems). To be able to quantify and assess the corresponding impact, the Commission has chaired a United Nations (UN) task force developing a harmonised test procedure for the accurate determination of the electric range in low temperature conditions. This procedure has been introduced as a new annex to UN Global Technical Regulation (GTR) No. 15 1 and will be transposed into the Euro 7 2 implementing legislation. It is expected that improved consumer information will support the adoption of enhanced battery technology. In parallel, battery research and innovation on new, more robust battery generations is being undertaken in the co-programmed partnership BATT4EU under Horizon Europe 3 . Regarding the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 4 sets mandatory targets for recharging infrastructure for Member States in relation to the electric fleet size and along the trans-European transport (TEN-T) road network. The Regulation does not define specific rules or targets on a regional or local level where Member States or regional authorities are better placed to determine expected demand and the need for recharging points at specific locations. The Commission supports the deployment of recharging infrastructure through various programmes, such as the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) 5 and the Recovery and Resilience Facility 6 and is preparing for the Social Climate Fund 7 and the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan 8 with additional funds. 1 The Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedures (WLTP) https://unece.org/transport/documents/2021/01/standards/addendum-15-united-nations-global-technicalregulation-no-15 2 Regulation (EU) 2024/1257 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on type-approval of motor vehicles and engines and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, with respect to their emissions and battery durability (Euro 7) (OJ L, 2024/1257, 8.5.2024), ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1257/oj 3 https://bepassociation.eu/ 4 Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023 on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, and repealing Directive 2014/94/EU, OJ L 234, 22.9.2023, p. 1– 47. 5 https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/funding-opportunities/calls-proposals/cef-transport-alternative-fuels-infrastructurefacility-afif-call-proposal_en 6 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02021R0241-20240301 7 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02023R0955-20240630 8 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0045”
  Road transport environmental policy
• 2024-12-13 “E-002941/2024 Answer given by Mr Hansen on behalf of the European Commission 1. As expressed in the replies to written questions 2466/2024 1 and 2537/2024 2 , the sustainability of the European apiculture sector and fight against honey adulteration are key priorities for the Commission. Towards this end, significant support is provided to beekeepers under the Common Agricultural policy (CAP) as well as through various policy initiatives to safeguard pollinators, including honeybees, and their environment. In addition to the support for the apiculture sector in the CAP Strategic Plans, aid is also available to farmers, including beekeepers, for the adoption of bee-friendly farming practices under eco-schemes and agrienvironmental measures. These include the creation of feeding areas for pollinators, cultivation of melliferous plants and reduction of pesticide use, amongst others. The most recently introduced measures to fight against honey adulteration are detailed in the above-mentioned replies. 2. While an annual pollination subsidy is not currently provided for in the legislation, the Commission will continue to engage with stakeholders and Member States to develop effective strategies for the future of the sector. 3. Under the Greek CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 3 , over EUR 61 million (public expenditure) have been earmarked to support beekeepers through targeted interventions for apiculture, including for training and advisory services, research, investments for transhumance and honey analysis to enhance quality and improve marketing. Additional support is also available under various rural development interventions including for agrienvironment commitments, with over EUR 18 million (public expenditure) allocated to beekeepers to introduce and maintain organic apiculture practices. 1 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/-ASW_EN.pdf 2 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/-ASW_EN.pdf 3 https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/cap-my-country/cap-strategic-plans/greece_en”
  Agricultural funding
• 2024-12-12 “E-002926/2024 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission In accordance with Article 44 of Directive 2024/1385 1 , Member States are required to disaggregate data by sex, age group of the victim and the offender (child/adult), type of offence and the relationship between the victim and the offender. As a minimum, Member States are required to collect statistics on annual numbers of reported offences and convictions of violence against women and/or domestic violence; the number of victims who have been killed; the number and capacity of shelters per Member State, as well as the number of calls to national helplines. The European Institute for Gender Equality will continue supporting Member States, including by establishing common standards for the collection of administrative data. The Commission is assisting Member States in the correct implementation of the Directive and its provisions, including the aforementioned data collection requirement. Directive 2024/1385 also requires Member States – in line with the Istanbul Convention – to endeavour to conduct population-based surveys at regular intervals to assess the prevalence of and trends in all forms of violence covered by the Directive. In 2020, Eurostat developed a common questionnaire and methodology for the EU gender-based violence survey. The indicators, as well as the aggregated results of this survey with data for all Member States and the EU average are publicly available on the Eurostat website. 2 The Commission relies on the Member States to cooperate with Eurostat to produce regular, high quality and comparable data on gender-based violence in the future, as well as use this methodological manual developed by Eurostat to conduct their own population-based surveys. 1 To be transposed by June 2027. 2 EU gender-based violence survey 2024, Eurostat, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-statisticalreports/w/ks-01-24-012”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2024-11-21 “E-002618/2024 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Commission has been supporting, through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the development of new and the upgrade of existing parking areas to meet these standards. In total, CEF has so far co-funded 138 parking areas and around 16,113 parking spots with EUR 231,5 million. Further opportunities can be explored under the CEF 2024 call closing on 21 January 2025. Support for safe and secure parking areas (SSPAs) for heavy duty vehicles is also envisaged under the Member States Cohesion Policy Programmes 2021-27. 2. In order to guarantee access to adequate resting facilities for professional drivers, the revised trans-European transport network (TEN-T) Regulation 1 sets out a new requirement obliging Member States to deploy safe and secure parking areas on the core and extended network every 150 km on average by 2040. The Commission is currently carrying-out a study in order to better understand the current demand and supply of SSPAs and forecast future needs. These findings will be key to guide future private and public investment. Based on this study, the Commission will present in the first half of 2025 a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the availability of SSPAs and suitable rest facilities for drivers together with suggestions on how to reinforce and best support the development of SSPAs in the future. 1 Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1153 and (EU) No 913/2010 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013.”
  Road transport environmental policy
• 2024-10-25 “E-002262/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission Compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation 1 (GDPR) and the European Digital Identity Framework 2 (eIDAs Regulation), including privacy, unlinkability and unobservability, is supervised by the relevant competent authorities. To further strengthening privacy, the European Digital Identity Wallets (the wallets) will need to be certified as part of a conformity assessment evaluating whether the wallets apply privacy preserving techniques ensuring unobservability and unlinkability. The implementing acts setting out the certification regime and the main features of the wallets were published on 4 December 2024 3 . Harmonisation of processes for lodging complaints and requesting data deletion is not foreseen in the GDPR, so each Member State is responsible for establishing the detailed procedural arrangements regarding the handling of complaints. Nonetheless, the wallets should contain an automatic tool for reporting to the relevant data protection authorities. In addition, the wallets shall enable the user to easily request the erasure of personal data from a relying party pursuant to the GDPR. Both the GDPR and the eIDAS Regulation already establish limitations to the processing of personal data by wallet relying parties. One of the key principles of the eIDAS Regulation is that the wallet users maintain complete control over their data. Combined with the purpose limitation principle established in the GDPR, this limits the data that relying parties are allowed to request and process from the wallets. The Commission is fully committed to ensuring the highest level of data privacy and security for the implementation of the European digital identity wallets. 1 Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation), OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1-88, https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/679/oj 2 Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 amending Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 as regards establishing the European Digital Identity Framework, OJ L, 2024/1183, 30.4.2024, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1183/oj 3 https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/implementing-regulation-european-digital-identity-wallets”
  Electronic identity
• 2024-10-21 “E-002198/2024 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission The Commission recognises the importance of deploying European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) to ensure safe operation and interoperability of the railway system in Greece. For this reason, ERTMS is one of the main areas covered by the dissemination and knowledge-sharing activities of the European Union Agency for Railways towards Greek railway stakeholders under the EU-funded project ‘Technical support for the implementation and application of Union legislation on railway safety and interoperability in Greece’. As part of this project, Agency’s experts support the process of deployment and bringing into operation of ERTMS on the Greek railway network. The above-mentioned project covers also wider assistance to Greece in implementation of the EU railway technical acquis. In particular, it supports the roll-out of the Action Plan established by the Greek authorities to address findings identified by the Agency in its earlier assessment of implementation of safety and interoperability rules under Article 35 of Regulation 2016/796 1 . In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission continues to monitor the progress of implementation of this Action Plan and may decide to take appropriate action. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32016R0796”
  EU funding for transportation · EU support of rail transport
• 2024-10-16 “E-002103/2024 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission The Commission acknowledges that further efforts are required for the EU to fulfil its aims of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030 and achieving ‘Vision Zero’ by 2050. As road safety is a shared competence, cooperation with the Member States in this field is key. The Commission is committed to monitoring the application of existing rules and to support in the future a smooth deployment of new measures resulting from the Road Safety Package 1 . The Commission also promotes an evidence-based approach to road safety, supporting research through the European Road Safety Observatory 2 , data collection on key road safety performance indicators and mutual learning between Member States in the context of the EU Road Safety Exchange. Together with the Member States, the Commission has begun to monitor how the EU policy framework and national road safety strategies are being implemented. A progress report is planned for 2025. Under the Directive on road infrastructure safety management 3 , the safety of motorways and interurban roads must be assessed every 5 years. This is designed to identify high-risk sections and prioritise investments where they will be most effective and of the greatest added value in relation to road-safety. The Commission will also increase the public transparency and awareness of the risk posed by each road section in the EU, by showing the risk levels on a digital map. In addition, the Commission is currently preparing guidance on the design of forgiving roads and of infrastructure for the vulnerable users, which will also serve as a reference for remedial measures and investments. The Commission will examine the possibility of boosting funding for infrastructure projects that contribute to road safety. 1 Road Safety Package proposed by the Commission on 1 March 2023 updates requirements for driving licences covering better road safety aspects and ensures better cross-border enforcement of road traffic rules. While the interinstitutional negotiations on the revision of the Directive on cross-border enforcement of traffic rules were finalised in spring 2024, the legislative process is still ongoing for the two remaining directives of this Package concerning driving licences requirements and EU-wide driving disqualification. 2 https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/european-road-safety-observatory_en 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32008L0096”
  Road transport environmental policy
• 2024-10-08 “E-001981/2024 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission In its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy 1 , the Commission committed to ‘explore options to further support safe, smart and sustainable road transport operations under an existing agency or another body’. In line with this commitment, the Commission launched a feasibility study, which identifies shortcomings in the current policy implementation and governance set-up and explores options to enable swifter deployment of innovation and new technologies for competitive, safe, smart and sustainable road transport and keep EU technical regulation fit for purpose. The study investigates the economic, technical, legal, as well as financial feasibility of different scenarios in terms of governance structure for meeting the identified needs which go beyond road safety. To remain competitive and attractive to investment, the EU needs to enable a fast deployment of innovation in digitalisation, connectivity and automation, while securing safe deployment of these technologies for all road users. While the feasibility study on the possible support to this development has been completed, the Commission’s assessment of the needs has not been finalised yet. Following the outcome of this assessment, any further steps on this issue will be decided by the next College of Commissioners. 1 https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/mobility-strategy_en”
  Road transport environmental policy
• 2024-10-01 “E-001890/2024 Answer given by Mr Jørgensen on behalf of the European Commission In the Political Guidelines for 2024-2029, and in the Mission Letter addressed to the Commissioner for Energy and Housing, the Commission President announced ambitious actions to address the housing crisis and help all citizens facing issues to find affordable housing. The first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan will aim at offering technical assistance to cities and Member States and focus on investment and skills needed. Furthermore, to promote investments, the Commission envisages to work on a pan-European investment platform together with the European Investment Bank, international financial institutions, national promotional banks and other stakeholders. The Commission also plans to inject liquidity into the market by allowing Member States to double the planned cohesion policy investments in affordable housing. Support is already available under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, an option that is planned by Greece, notably with the new ‘Affordable Housing Programme My Home II’, of EUR 1 billion, which provides financial incentives to individuals for the acquisition of an affordable primary residence. The Commission has also been tasked with making proposals aimed to tackle systemic issues arising from short-term accommodation rentals and the inefficient use of the current housing stock. The Commission is working on the implementation of the short-term rental Regulation, adopted in April 2024 1 . It foresees the provision of reliable data on short-term rentals, to help Member States design the most appropriate and targeted measures. The Commission will also lead on conducting an analysis of the impact of housing speculation and its economic consequences, as well as propose follow up actions where needed. 1 OJ L, 2024/1028, 29.4.2024 - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R1028#:~:text=Regulation%20%28EU%29%202024%2F1028%20of %20the%20European%20Parliament%20and,Regulation%20%28EU%29%202018%2F1724%20%28Text%20 with%20EEA%20relevance%29%20PE%2F77%2F2023%2FREV%2F1”
  EU housing policy · EU regulation of short-term rentals
• 2024-09-27 “E-001855/2024 Answer given by Ms Ferreira on behalf of the European Commission As indicated in the reply provided to the written question E-003237/2023 1 , in November 2023, Greece requested EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) assistance for the storm ‘Daniel’ to cover part of the costs for emergency and recovery operations incurred by public authorities 23 . The Commission approved the application, paying an advance of EUR 25.4 million in February 2024, with a balance of EUR 76.1 million due by year-end. Private damage is not eligible. Greece has not applied for EUSF assistance for the ecological catastrophe resulting in masses of dead fish appearing in the Pagasetic Gulf. Greece’s Recovery and Resilience Plan 4 supports the restoration of the damages to Thessaly’s road and railway network affected by storm ‘Daniel’ including the tourist train line of Pelion. For the 2021-2027 period, Greece benefits from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to promote business development and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)’ support including the Greek tourism ecosystem. Indicatively, under the ‘Competitiveness’ 5 programme, a funding call aimed at strengthening the establishment and operation of new tourism SMEs has been launched, with a budget of EUR 160 million 6 . However, compensation of businesses due to loss of revenues is not eligible for co-financing. In accordance with ERDF Regulation 7 , the fund can support productive investments in SMEs and investments aiming at safeguarding existing jobs and creating new jobs. In order to support resilient tourism, to help stakeholders to be better prepared, prevent and manage crisis, including natural disasters, the Commission under the Crisis management and governance in tourism project 8 , provided with digital learning models 9 , best practices and policy recommendations. 1 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/-ASW_EN.html 2 For example, the recovery of essential infrastructure, provision of temporary accommodation to the population, cleaning-up operations, and protection of the cultural heritage. 3 All amounts of this reply refer to public expenditure. 4 Greece’s recovery and resilience plan: https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economicrecovery/recovery-and-resilience-facility/country-pages/greeces-recovery-and-resilience-plan_en 5 https://21-27.antagonistikotita.gr/ 6 https://21-27.antagonistikotita.gr/enischysi-tis-idrysis-kai-leitourgias-neon-mikromesaion-touristikonepicheiriseon-2/ 7 Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund. 8 Crisis Management and Governance in Tourism: https://eismea.ec.europa.eu/crisis-management-andgovernance-tourism_en 9 https://academy.europa.eu/courses/crisis-management-and-governance-in-tourism”
  EU strategy for tourism development · Cohesion and rural funding
• 2024-09-24 “E-001807/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission 1. In the political guidelines of the Commission for 2024-2029, the Commission President committed to significantly increasing funding for just transition across the next long-term budget and to proposing a more focused, impactful and simpler budget. 2. To further ensure that the transition is just and sustainable, the implementation of the Just Transition Fund 1 in 2021-2027 will need to be further enhanced through reinforcing administrative capacity and ownership at territorial level in a multilevel governance model and with strong partnership. Implementation should be enhanced by taking into account more data, including on demography to enhance policy learning. These regions are also supported through the Just Transition Platform 2 , which provides a single access point to support and share knowledge on the implementation and impact of the Just Transition Fund, in the context of the transition to a sustainable, climate-neutral and fair economy. 3. The support of the Just Transition Fund is conditional to the effective implementation of a transition process in a specific territory. All activities supported by the Just Transition Fund need to be pursued in full respect of the climate, environmental and social commitments and priorities of the EU. Investments need to be sustainable in the long-term. In addition, investments in regeneration and decontamination of brownfield sites should respect the ‘polluter pays’ principle. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/just-transition-fund_en 2 https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/funding/just-transition-fund/just-transition-platform_en”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• 2024-09-16 “E-001720/2024 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission As the Commission noted in its reply to written question P-743/2024, there is no practice to publish the EU Agency for Railways’ (ERA) reports based on Article 35 of Regulation (EU) 2016/796 1 . The Commission would like to underline that responsibility for maintaining and continuously improving railway safety is laid upon Member States, as specified in Article 4(1) of Directive 2016/798 2 . The Commission and ERA can only support Member State in delivering this obligation. To that end, the Greek authorities at the request of the Commission have prepared and are now implementing an Action Plan containing a number of organisational, legislative and technical measures to address the findings of the ERA report. The Commission monitors progress in the implementation of this plan. A dedicated project ‘Technical support for the implementation and application of Union legislation on railway safety and interoperability in Greece’ funded by the Commission has also been launched to support the Greek railway stakeholders in implementing the plan. The ERA’s experts also assist in the independent investigation of the causes of the accident near Tempi performed by the Organisation for the Investigation of Air and Rail Accidents and Transport Safety (EODASAAM), the national railway accident and incident investigation body in Greece. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32016R0796 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32016L0798”
  EU policy on aviation safety · EU support of rail transport
• 2024-09-11 “E-001675/2024 Answer given by Ms Ferreira on behalf of the European Commission The EU provides significant financial support to address water management and scarcity. Between 2021 and 2027, EUR 13.2 billion of Cohesion Policy funds 1 are earmarked for sustainable water management. The Recovery and Resilience Facility 2 , and several missions and partnerships under Horizon Europe 3 also provide support for water resilience 4 . The Common Agricultural Policy 5 offers inter alia support 6 for water efficiency and water reuse in the agricultural sector, climate smart agriculture and innovation, and risk and crisis management tools. The EU programme for the environment and climate action 7 co-finances innovative projects in the environmental sector, including recovery of resources from water. Preparatory work and reflections are ongoing for the next multi-annual financial framework. Supporting Member States on climate risk preparedness will be part of a European Climate Adaptation Plan 8 . Moreover, the European Water Resilience strategy 9 will aim to ensure water resources are properly managed, scarcity is addressed, and that the water industry´s innovation is enhanced and takes a circular economy approach. It will build on ongoing efforts on water scarcity and drought management in the context of the implementation of the Water Framework 1 https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/stories/s/21-27-Sustainable-water-management/ehce-gj6d 2 https://next-generation-eu.europa.eu/index_en 3 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-europe_en 4 Of particular relevance are the partnerships ‘Water Security for the Planet’ (https://www.water4allpartnership.eu/), the Partnership on Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA, https://primamed.org/) together with the Missions ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030’ (https://research-andinnovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eumissions-horizon-europe/restore-our-ocean-and-waters_en) (https://research-andinnovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eumissions-horizon-europe/restore-our-ocean-and-waters_en) (https://research-andinnovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eumissions-horizon-europe/restore-our-ocean-and-waters_en), ‘Adaptation to Climate Change’ (https://researchand-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizoneurope/eu-missions-horizon-europe/adaptation-climate-change_en) (https://research-andinnovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eumissions-horizon-europe/adaptation-climate-change_en) and a ‘Soil Deal for Europe’ (https://mission-soilplatform.ec.europa.eu/). 5 https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/common-agricultural-policy_en 6 Different types of support include area-based support, grants and financial instruments for investments. 7 LIFE: https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life_en 8 https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/president-elect-ursula-von-der-leyen_en 9 https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/president-elect-ursula-von-der-leyen_en”
  Energy (green transition)
• “(10:56:49 – 10:57:05): So much. From the European Commission, do we have somebody that wants to interfere? No. Okay. So now I give the floor to rapporteur, mister Tobbe, for 2 minutes to conclude the debate.”
  Foreign interference in Europe
• “We need to take measures to protect human life. So revising this directive, um, should not lead us to have 17 year old boys driving huge lorries or children because they are children, to be driving buses with other children and old people and pregnant women in them. I mean, there are age limits, which are at the age of 18 and, you know, young drivers, especially of trucks, are more prone to causing accidents on the road. So are you going to take any initiatives to speed up the European endorsements of this directive? And now, Mr. Boris, Minister, I also was a tourism minister in Greece, and I know how many challenges you need to face. So first of all I will say I wish you the best in your job because tourism is what underpins millions of jobs in Europe. And for tourism to be sustainable, to be a lever for growth for local economies, we need to support our tourist destinations. As far as climate change is concerned. So what are you going to be doing? To make sure that tourism becomes a priority to support the tourism sector in Europe and to adopt proposals, such as creating a European crisis management for tourism to better working conditions, better training for human resources, access for SMEs to financing. And I will bring this to a conclusion. How can we support the digital upgrade overall of our companies? Thank you.”
  Driving licences
• “(10:20:54 – 10:21:11): the bilateral relation with Switzerland. I said that. Tran is concerned mainly to call Swiss land transport agreement and the opinion underlying the need to apply common solutions to avoid fragmentation in the rail market. Let's proceed to the vote.”
  EU support of rail transport
• “Thank you, dear Commissioner. Technology is evolving rapidly, and we see children being victims of violence, harassment and cyberbullying online every day. So it is our duty to have a stronger and more robust European regulatory framework to protect thousands of miners. The European Action Plan needs to invest on public education and training. We need a common definition of cyber bullying. We need user friendly mechanisms for reporting misconduct proper implementation of the Digital Services Act. And we need to impose severe sanctions on those who violate it. We need to to adopt a minimum age for accessing social media, and we need to fight against bad practices followed by companies.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online
• “Um. Thank you very much. I will speak in Greek. Thousands of women and children, unfortunately, find themselves faced with the nightmare of having images, fake images, and videos of them circulating online, showing them naked. This is material made by the use of AI in order to intimidate or blackmail them. Of course, these are deep fakes, which are a form of violence. In our report, Violence Online. Which is an own initiative. Opinion has become familiar, but this kind of digital rape continues to exist with no consent on the part of the victims and no protection for them even. You don't need any technical knowledge in order to produce these images. So even the victims and the perpetrators could be minors. And we've seen how hard it is to control these kinds of illicit behaviors. So. Apart from the attack on the dignity of these victims and the attack on their sense of safety. They are faced with anonymous perpetrators, as we've raised in all of our speeches. These platforms have specific responsibility. They say that there has to be a reporting mechanism for illicit material, which will then restrict access to that material. But when does that happen? It only happens much later on. And what do we in the European Parliament say? We say that we need to have a legal way to control these platforms with regards to AI produced content and a fast response to this abusive material, with the protection of victims included in that process. So with your experience, how do you think that these platforms could be forced to comply. How can we control the their compliance? Is there a way to organize a rapid response or a button? A reporting button that would act immediately in a couple of minutes so that this illicit content could be taken down immediately? Because if you leave it two days or three days later, the damage is done. And lastly, if these platforms refuse to comply or fail to comply, how can we not only get them to protect victims, but also compensate them for the harm?”
  Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content
• “Thank you, Madam President. Greece, my country, as well as other countries in the south of Europe and the Mediterranean once again this year, are suffering the dreadful consequences of the climate crisis. Heat waves are threatening human lives. Wildfires once again are consuming huge expanses of forests, farmland, destroying homes and livelihoods, leaving injuries behind them in their wake. And unfortunately, many member states are not able to cope efficiently with these extreme weather conditions. The EU needs to take immediately more measures for prevention and for managing the situation. The European Civil Protection Mechanism and the European Solidarity Fund, unfortunately, are not sufficient. What we need is a strong and effective European civil protection mechanism, which will be properly shored up by the Multiannual Financial framework so as to provide adequate and timely support to those Member States affected. To allow immediate investments in critical infrastructure and modern technological equipment, and finally, to ensure that we have staffing and human resources at the level of prevention as well as the emergency response.”
  EU policy on infrastructure for preventing climate-related disasters (floods, droughts, extreme weather etc.)
• “Having annual tests for all cars and vans that are more than ten years old is extremely positive, but I believe that given how quickly technology progresses, I would prefer that to be six years instead of ten, because I think that is the only way we can reduce deaths on our roads, reduce injuries, save lives. It is about road safety. So it's against this backdrop that we have to look at how these roadworthiness tests are going to be taking place, and they have to cover motorbikes. And in some countries, 90% of motorbikes are actually under 125cm³. But yet these, uh, motorbikes are excluded from annual roadworthiness tests. So please take this into account, because most accidents actually involve motorbikes that have less than 125 cubic centimeter engines. So it's extremely important to make sure that we have these street inspection roadside inspections. I have two questions and I'll wrap up. So I'd like to know whether your package does not include these motorbikes under 125cm³. And secondly, how are you going to ensure the effective implementation of the new rules, especially when it comes to lorry roadside inspections? Thank you.”
  Driving licences
• “Good morning. Please take your seats. Today, I will replace Madam Melissa Rosenberg as she had an issue with her flight yesterday. Something went wrong at Zavindam Airport, so the flight was canceled. Good morning, dear ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues. It's my pleasure to welcome you all to the first joint meeting of the committees on the environment, climate, and food safety and transport and tourism on the commission proposal for a regulation on clean corporate vehicles. If there are no objections, the draft agenda can be adopted. As I see, I do not see any objections. We can proceed. We have to adopt the minutes from another joint MVTRAN file we had recently on account emissions, EU from March 17, I'm sorry, 2026. These minutes can now be adopted if there are no objections. As I do not see any objections, the minutes are adopted. Now I invite... Okay. Yeah. Okay. So without further ado, I kindly invite Envi chair, Pierre Francesco Moran, to deliver his opening remarks.”
  Corporate fleet electrification: binding zero-emission quotas vs. voluntary approach
• “Thank you very much, Madam President. Commissioner, cohesion policy is a most efficient way of protecting citizens from the crises of recent years energy crises, social crises, other economic crises. The whole territory of the European Union should be covered by cohesion policy. And what we're looking at here for the coming Multiannual Financial framework, we need to bolster the role of cohesion, and we have to find additional resources to make sure that we can deal with future needs. We need to make sure that we have enough money so that we don't have to abandon anybody, and nobody's left behind. We should not leave cohesion to be gutted for defence. We have to have genuine cohesion and all Europe's regions should have the same quality of life. Our coordinated approach should be our priority. Local communities understand all too well what their needs are, so the local authorities need to have a central role in this.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• “Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I would like to thank our guests, our speakers, for the detailed presentations. The upcoming strategy for sustainable tourism is an historical responsibility and chance, and for Europe to become the model for tourist destination in the world level. We should have a strategy. We should have various destinations, a sustainable new models, a new management model and government certification system corresponding to observation system based on KPIs and indices and financial tools. We should give to secure a sustainable and sustainable infrastructure at destinations protected by the change of climate. We should support the island regions that are have special needs, especially concerning connectivity and infrastructure. We have to support the personnel strengthening in help them get new knowledge and dexterity. Without specialized uh workers for the green transition and the digital transition. Ah, companies will not be able to not only to compete, they will not be able to survive. I would like to agree with the two proposals of Mr. Attard for financing concerning airline connectivity, especially with islands. It's very important to do many more things in ship connection and to improve the infrastructure of the island ports. We need a database for tourism that will be reliable supporting destinations, taking decisions, management of crisis and to sustainability. And we need a new organization of tourism, a European organization of tourism supporting sustainability and reliability of the area. Now, let's say the flagship products supported by the Commission. At what stage are they? To have a European data system and system of indices in Europe and a European platform of digital knowledge. And Mrs. Malinska and Mr. Fitzgibbon, I would like to ask what changes do we need in the management model, governance model and what initiatives would contribute in creating a new European model for tourism, aiming to reduce exclusion of regions Agents and to put at the center a digital transition and sustainability of the whole area of tourism. Finally, what should the management organisations of destinations the Dmos? What role should they play? How can they be more productive in the European environment that we're going to create for sustainable tourism? Thank you.”
  EU strategy for tourism development
• “Thank you. Chair. I would like to welcome the ministers to our committee and wish you good luck with your word. The Danish presidency comes at a very crucial moment for tourism. In view of the new strategy for sustainable tourism and the upcoming negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework. Tens of millions of jobs are dependent on European tourism. And Europe has to remain at the top as a global destination. In order to achieve that, we need a sustainable model for sustainable development and resistant to the climate crisis. So, Mr. Donaldson, what will be your new priorities for the new strategy of sustainable tourism and the support of tourism in the MFF? Will you support the evergreen demand of the European Union to have a separate budget line for tourism? And will the creation of sustainable and safe infrastructure and tourism destination be your priority?”
  EU strategy for tourism development
• “Thank you very much, dear sir. Mr. Commissioner. In Greece, the citizens spend almost one third of their disposable income for housing. Uh, a large percentage of them stay with their parents. Uh, whereas in the last three years we have had a lot of houses being sold off from banks. We need to have, uh, a fundamental right to housing. We need to protect citizens from being thrown out of their main residence. And the cohesion policy should give a priority to creating housing for people that work for public services, especially in the islands. Moreover, the local communities should have an enhanced role in planning and realising housing policies also public investment in housing policy should be exempt from the rules of the stability pact, and we need to see again the rules on state aid. Thank you very much.”
  EU housing policy
• “These working conditions are unacceptable. And this is the reason we do not have professional drivers in the European Union. And we lack drivers. And we have if we want young people and women drivers, we should have dignified, uh, working conditions and to have European investments through the MFF. And we shouldn't, uh, reduce the age for giving driver's licenses in these categories because this creates dangers. So I have a question. What specific measures do you propose in order to increase parking areas until 2030? What legislative measures are you going to propose in order to achieve a very big upgrade of non-certified parking areas and to be included in the system of protected parking areas for trucks? And finally, the report finds that we have a low participation of women in the sector. How can you assure that the new infrastructure will be able to correspond to the specific Cific needs of women professional drivers.”
  EU funding for transportation
• “We also have issues around menopause. This is also not properly reflected in the report. But this is this has a great influence on women's bodies and also on their psychological well-being. It has an influence on the quality of life and also women's place at work. There is a lack of information in this area. There is a lack of adequate support for women in the years of menopause. There's also a lack of support at work. We need a proper approach here. We need better access to the relevant services and also we have to deal with with the lack of equality in research. Additional measures are needed for women, for women and girls with disabilities so that they have better access to health care, to education, and also to the labour market and labour market and to and to public life. Will this strategy be implemented in properly quantifiable measures? That's what's important for women's health. This will have to be the case across the whole of women's lives in terms of both the years when they have periods and also the years of menopause. You yourself said in a speech that. That politics, unfortunately, has been devised by men. And what that means that not all of women's needs are adequately taken into account. So what measures will you introduce in order to counter that?”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Thank you. Chair. I would like to thank our invited speakers for the excellent presentations. A lot of Member states have to address the pressure of infrastructure. If we don't manage this problem early enough, we will have to pay a much higher cost in future. In a lot of tourist destinations, general infrastructure are beyond their resilience, especially in the summer where the tourist flows make infrastructure to not be able to face the needs of citizens and visitors. Water and sewage networks. Energy and digital infrastructure, waste management systems, transport infrastructure, road networks, port facilities or suffer at the same time, climate disasters and extreme weather phenomena in the states of the member states of the European South need a safe infrastructure, and that has to happen by 2030. As part of our strategy for sustainable tourism, we need a flexible European mechanism and the plan in order to support tourist destinations with specially targeted financing instruments through the structural funds, in order to have sustainability and innovation projects. At the same time, we need an escape clause so that we can go beyond the tight budgetary framework so that we can have public infrastructure investments to repair infrastructure and to prevent natural disasters. Therefore, I would like to ask our speakers the following. Do you believe it is necessary to adopt a European plan for the convergence of tourist infrastructure so that we can map and assess tourist infrastructure so that member states and the regions will be able to modernize their infrastructure and have special prevention measures in our tourist destinations. Could that happen using European funds? Thank you.”
  EU strategy for tourism development
• “Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chairman. And, Mr. Klimchuk Minister, thank you very much for your statement. Quite correctly, you said that we can't have different speeds in Europe for transport and infrastructure. And this is very important because it has to do with safety, but it also has to do with development. So first of all, I'll talk about insularity and what we do for our islands. It is something that is very important to us Europeans. It is a priority and it requires immediate, targeted European policies, the resilience of our transporter, of our infrastructure is of vital importance to island populations. There is a lack of connectivity, especially over the winter months, and this makes their everyday life very difficult. And it's also very expensive, which means that that makes everything very expensive on islands. Energy, food. Greece is full of islands, and the combination of the energy crisis, the climate crisis and all the uncertainty we have about our islands means that we need to adopt quite a few measures. So resilience? Yes, that's all the more important because these island areas are also more prone to natural disasters, to flooding, to forest fires. So are you going to underscore the particular needs of our islands, and is it going to be part of your presidency priorities over the next six months? Now, the second issue, road safety. And there I feel a lot of disappointment because of the negotiations on driving licences in Europe and how the tripartite dialogue is going, because, you know, for professional drivers, we can't just cover the lack of drivers by reducing the age limit.”
  Driving licences
• “Thank you. President. Commissioner. Europe is heating faster than the rest of the world. The temperatures this summer have reached record levels in Greece. In recent years. The situation has become unbearable for the most vulnerable citizens. We need European support in order to ensure that our citizens can withstand the challenges of climate change. We need to renovate houses and buildings and to ensure that housing is affordable. The Commissioner should include this as a priority in its plan for affordable and dignified housing, to ensure that prices are affordable for all citizens. Citizens health is the key question here. The housing crisis is worsening the situation of our most vulnerable citizens. It's our duty to protect local communities.”
  EU housing policy
• “Thank you very much for this study. I would like to say that many countries in the European Union have many islands, just as the islands you mentioned in the Mediterranean area, we've got the Azores and Denmark, Croatia as well as Greece. Of course, we have the largest number of islands in Europe. These are far flung regions, and we have many colleagues who come from those islands. And they know how very difficult it is to get anywhere to travel. So there is a need for more funding. It's a very sensitive issue for the the residents of 270 islands, with many which have very, very small number of residents. So connectivity and difficulties generally in daily life is, is is very much present. So all this is very difficult. And I'd like to ask you, how will your report help in the funding of the countries in question who have these special needs because of their islands? And of course, it's not the same thing if you're talking about countries that don't have any islands or don't have many islands, but for islands that countries which do have many islands, they do have many needs. And this is a very sensitive issue. They have needs that lie, if you like, out with the national possibilities and budgets. So I would like to ask the chair of the committee for us to be able to draw up a study on this topic for those countries whose islands are large in number and who need to have funding. And of course, we have to check this funding, but the needs are there. Thank you.”
  Funding for OCTs and outermost regions
• “Thank you sir. I'm also going to be speaking in Greek. Thousands of women overnight face. This threat. All of a sudden they are faced with this situation that you yourself have faced. You know, overnight, they are seeing photos of themselves online and they are naked. In 2021, when I was in charge of, um, domestic violence. And it was a success for me because I was a speaker on this and domestic violence and the consequences on women and children and we had managed to pass two amendments on pornography on and revenge porn and deep fakes. And on that legislative report it was a report. And. Since May 2024, this is EU legislation to combat violence against women and violence against children and domestic violence. So in spite of the fact that in many that many national legislations are transposing this, this law, this type of violence, domestic violence is still expanding and is growing online and on social media, even outside of Europe. And the use of AI. And the use of AI to doctor images runs counter to fundamental human rights. These images are lies, but they are very realistic, and it's hard to tell them from real photography. And it's really difficult for victims to get these pictures taken down. So what are we asking for? We are asking for a bolstering of European legislation with a global framework to combat and prevent these offences, and that there be mandatory legislative control over these platforms and AI generated content, and that these this content be taken down when the victim reports it. So the victim shouldn't have to prove that these images are fake because this can destroy lives. This is a question of dignity, of safety, and lives are lost as well. So we need a immediate notification mechanism and support systems for victims. This is the bare minimum that we can do in the face of the magnitude of these crimes that are growing in number, and we're seeing now we're in an era of AI and we still don't know what the future holds. Thank you.”
  Regulation of pornography in the EU
• “Thank you, Madam Chair. And I'd also like to thank. The speakers for their information. I'd like to wish Mr. Theocharis all the very best of good luck. And I have a few comments to make about tourism, which I believe are very important. For example, the fact that it is a main pillar of support in Europe in terms of employment, tourism plays a huge role in that and we should try to make this sustainable. And in 2026, there will be a new report. And we have to have a new assessment of tourism all through the European Union in the Transport and Tourism Committee. We have already tried to put forward the various criteria, which have not yet been fully exploited in terms of supporting companies, giving them the resources and the know how to work effectively. And for that to happen, the European states are space has to work in a very overarching way, not not in a fragmented way, in providing data to companies, to researchers. This data should be shared It in a in a safe way and in an efficient way. So I think there are four points I could make on that. Uh, there should be a joint system of monitoring with, uh, joint indicators, common indicators for all the companies. It wouldn't matter what size of company, but we also have to involve the local authorities in order to have quality data. And having said all that, I'd like to ask the commission, how will you make sure that this, uh, data space tourism data space will function as an integrated system? Thank you.”
  EU strategy for tourism development
• “Thank you. Uh, Mrs. Gherghinescu, first of all, I would like to congratulate you for being selected for this very important position and wish you every success for your work and to be able to implement these very important priorities that you have presented. Now, I'd like to mention a very serious issue which has marked both the European and Greek railways. Two years ago we had the terrible rail disaster in Greece, where 57 people died. And recently, the conclusions of the National Aviation and Rail Accidents Agency showed that there is a systemic perennial weakness with safety and a picture of abandonment in Greek railways. This is something that you confirm in your own era. Conclusions to DG move in 2023. Now, this is a very sad framework and allow me to say that ERA has responsibility for this situation. You offer recommendations which are not implemented are not followed either by the Member States or the Commission. So during your term, you need to redefine the added value of having your agency operate in Greece in accordance with this report. Our regulatory authority has not been able to guarantee the safety of our railways without finding weaknesses in the air and management of security systems, and ERA has failed to guarantee, with the compliance of national rules and to oversee the regulatory authority correctly.”
  EU policy on aviation safety
• “So I ask you, if competent authorities in Greece cannot guarantee the safety of our railways, who can do that? Are you able to tell us today if Greek railways Always today are safe for European citizens also. Over the past few days, we have been hearing vile insinuations against Mr. Birt. Acres of era in Greece which, uh, through which they're trying to overturn the contribution of era to this report is ERA going to answer officially for everything they are being accused of by our national agency? Thirdly, how are you able to offer a single safety certificate for a five year period when in your report you mention such serious problems? How can you give such conditional safety certificates? Can you have safety that's conditional? Are you materially checking on whether the safety conditions are complied with? Because we have trails on rails. And are they safe? And finally, will you be revoking these single safety securities until you can guarantee the full compliance of the Greek rail with European legislation on the safety of rail transport? Thank you.”
  EU policy on aviation safety
• “A charging mechanism for electric vehicles. These are important for our environmental goals. My question is, do you have extra financing instruments, tools or incentives to support charging infrastructure in the regions and especially remote regions, islands and tourism destinations? Last but not least, you have repeatedly said that, uh, transport safety is your number one priority, two years after the tragic Accident in Tempe in Greece. The Greek railway network is still deficient, with many gaps in terms of safety. We have. We were pleased to see that you took initiative and sent a warning letter to Greece. You started the infringement procedure for a safety and interoperability of railway. Because five European regulations and two European directives are violated this two month, the two month deadline is over. So I can ask you now, is the Greek Railway safe enough for citizens and what will you do in order to have full compliance with the European legislation on railway safety?”
  EU support of rail transport · EV charging infrastructure
• “Thank you very much indeed, Mr. President. Commissioner. Public transport is a crucial pillar for us to be in, to reduce greenhouse gases from transport and achieve our aims for a climate neutral Europe. But obviously to achieve that, we have to ensure that transport is also safe, accessible, modern and affordable for everyone, particularly for the the. The weakest groups in society. So we need safe, accessible public transport. Very few. Um, we need access for all citizens to urban transport and multimodal solutions as well. We need more incentives for our citizens, professionals first and foremost, to leave behind their the pollution producing cars and to use public transport. So we need a clear commitment that under the new NFF, there will be enough funds for public transport to ensure that there is adequate investment for the modernisation of networks and also overall improvements of work and projects within the transport sector. Thank you.”
  EU funding for transportation
• “(10:52:34 – 10:53:27): Thank you so much, mister Giseguin. Let's now move to the next item of our agenda, which is the protocol amending the Euro Mediterranean Mediterranean aviation agreement between the European community and its member states of the 1 part and the Kingdom of Morocco of the other part to take account of the, such accession to the European Union of the Republic of Croatia. In order to conclude the protocol, the council has now request the European Parliament consent. I would like to remind you, dear colleagues, that the deadline for tabling amendments has been set for the June 4 at 12:00. Mr. Tobe, please take the floor for 3 minutes. Thank you.”
  EU policy on aviation safety
• “Thank you very much, Madam President. Thank you very much, Commissioner. We have seen a lot of crises in the last few years that we have managed to overcome, thanks to our cohesion and convergence policies and thanks to our structural policies. That is probably the most important thing for achieving equality in the EU. The Commission needs to fully take into account the issues that the regions have and the inequalities that still exist. It is important in the next MFF to really tackle this. We need to see progress with the Just Transition Fund, and I don't think it's properly been taken into account. It's also important in terms of climate change, and I think it's important, uh, for education, further education, employment, Ability. Uh, supporting. Uh SMEs. All of this falls under cohesion. Uh, Commissioner. And those who are most, uh, socially disadvantaged, poor members of the EU are particularly infected, affected. So they need to be taken into consideration as well. We need to see, uh, investments in, uh, public services as well. That is extremely important. We need more funding, uh, and in urban areas, inner city areas as well. Thank you.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• “Thank you. Chair. Commissioner, you have announced some very important initiatives on tourism, such as the first European strategy on sustainable tourism and the single digital Booking regulation, which are not included in the work programme of the Commission for 2025. But you gave us a timetable. You said that by the end of 2025, early 2026, you will proceed with that. First of all, I would like to tell you that the Task Force for tourism would like to work with you. We are very experienced. We can help you and we would like some more details on the basis. Basic access. The second thing I would like to stress is issues concerning SMEs, which are faced with serious red tape and limited access to financing programs and bank loans. Their financing is crucial for their development, for their growth, and for the resilience of the European tourism sector. The work programme of the Commission for 2025 says that these companies will be very much benefited by the simplification of legislation and regulations. How can you achieve that? We want them to have easier access because their survival is dependent on financing. Will there be extra funds and a new line of financing for tourism in the new MFF, as the European Parliament has repeatedly asked for? Thirdly, the development of sustainable infrastructure.”
  EU strategy for tourism development
• “Thank you very much, Commissioner. This horrific accident in Tempe showed us that the system is lacking and there is no implementation of European rules. Era Tyrus conducted checks there in in 2019 and in 2022 expressed doubts about whether this particular network could function effectively and safely at the same time. The ERA cannot cancel or suspend certificates of approval, so the trains continue to circulate and the ball is thrown from one party to the other. The ball of responsibility. In other words, a lack of safety. Safety. A huge lacuna. The question is who guarantees the safety of European citizens traveling by train? Trains continue to circulate without safety. Six months ago, you told us in the plenary that you would take a look at the era roll and its implementation and how things would work that never took place. All of these various promises concerning era and safety of railroads, nothing took place. We need a European mechanism to intervene after error reports. When there is an issue of train safety in a member state of the European Union.”
  EU policy on aviation safety
• “Thank you very much, president. Ladies and gentlemen. Exorbitant prices and profiteering are affecting European citizens for the third year in a row. In Greece, the country I come from, according to Eurostat, 27% of citizens is at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Two out of three citizens say that they barely make ends meet. Meat. Food prices go up every year, up to 10%, and the purchasing power of Greeks is one of the lowest in Europe. And the products sold in Greece are up to three times higher. And yet our wages are almost up to three times lower. There are concerted practices, price fixing by oligopolies that lead to cartels in our market, and that means that Greek products are actually cheaper to buy in countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and others than in Greece. Now, these distortions cannot be solved by letters. I urge you to take cross-cutting measures against inflation and high prices, and you need to impose penalties when there is price fixing and collusion, and make sure that windfall profits from profiteering are taxed, and that we adopt measures to support vulnerable groups.”
  Taxation of windfall profits