Anthony SMITH

Policy topics Anthony SMITH is active on

What Anthony SMITH has said (44)

• 2026-07-15 “(11:03:13 - 11:04:46): Thank you, chair. Welcome again, your excellency. We've already spoken yesterday's environmental committee as well. I welcome the Irish president's commitment to competitiveness, simplification, and food security. These are the right political priorities for Europe's fishery sector, and I also discussed them already with our colleague and minister of state, Timmy Dooley. However, I'm struck by the lack of concrete fisheries initiatives in the presidency program. While your objectives are clear, it remains very unclear how they will be translated into legislative action. Over the last weeks, this committee has repeatedly called for progress on issues such as the evaluation of the CFP, revising the landing obligation fleet modernization, generational renewal, simplification, restoration of the fisheries fund in the MFF. Yet none of these files appear among the presidency's priorities. Instead, the Irish presidency, I quote, the Irish presidency will reflect on the outcomes of the evaluation and and next steps. We urgently need the fisheries omnibus, So initiatives to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and improve the competitiveness of the sector. Ireland does too. Could you, on behalf of the presidency, indicate which concrete fisheries dossiers and legislative and policy initiatives you intend to prioritize during your term, particularly regarding the CFP evaluation and very concretely the landing obligation.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-07-08 “President. President, commissioner colleagues, the bioeconomy is often presented as a sector of the future, but we have to know who it will serve. The new European Commission strategy is, as is often the case, not up to scratch. It talks about competitiveness and innovation, but it really is going to prey on living organisms and the living environment. It's always the same logic, turning, the living environment into march merchandise, further exploiting forests, agriculture, and extending the use of patents. All of this, reduces environmental standards and calls into question the principle of precaution, but it only responds this strategy only responds to 1 need, the interest and the needs of industrial companies and capitalists, making it easier to privatize living living organisms. We won't just, go along with this. We need to respond to the real needs of people and, ecosystems so that we can deal with the climate crisis. Stop with greenwashing. Instead, let's have, environmental planning.”
  Management of EU forests
• 2026-03-20 “Answer given by Mr Dombrovskis on behalf of the European Commission 4.6.2026 Written question Statistics on accidents at work are collected in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 349/2011 [1] . As provided for in Annex II [2] to that regulation, certain categories of civil servants subject to national confidentiality rules may be excluded from the statistical coverage. Any additional limitations in coverage arising from national legislation are documented in the statistical office of the EU (Eurostat) publicly available metadata [3] on national data sources. The Commission continues to support improvements in the coverage, reliability and comparability of statistics on accidents at work. Efforts are ongoing to progressively enhance the scope of data collection, within the framework set by Regulation (EU) No 349/2011. In this context, Eurostat provides methodological guidance and facilitates the exchange of best practices to promote further harmonisation of national approaches. The Senior Labour Inspectors’ Committee publishes consolidated EU data on resources of labour inspectorates in a report [4] . Data on labour inspectorate resources in candidate countries is limited largely to what candidate countries provide for the annual enlargement reports [5] and is not consolidated. [1] Commission Regulation (EU) No 349/2011 of 11 April 2011 implementing Regulation (EC) No 1338/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work, as regards statistics on accidents at work, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32011R0349. [2] List of professions subject to confidentiality for delivery on a voluntary basis. [3] https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/metadata/en/hsw_acc_work_esms.htm. [4] The latest version of that report can be found here: https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/fea534f4-2590-4490-bca6-504782b47c79/library/8515c860-bdea-4f5f-9e6f-a3f132c9043f?p=1&n=10&sort=modified_DESC. [5] See, e.g., https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/news/2025-enlargement-package-shows-progress-towards-eu-membership-key-enlargement-partners-2025-11-04_en for the reports of 2025.”
  EU rules on hazardous working conditions · EU competences on social policies
• 2026-03-10 “E-000978/2026 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The High Representative/Vice President and the European External Action Service are following closely the recent suspension of the Revolución Ciudadana political movement. The respect for democratic principles and protection of fundamental freedoms underpin relations between the EU and Ecuador. The deployment of an EU Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) for the 2024-25 elections in Ecuador was part of the EU effort to strengthen the rule of law and electoral transparency in Ecuador 1 . In its final report, the EOM noted that Ecuador’s Election Law included the possibility of suspension of political rights from six months to four years, which exceeded the period foreseen under Ecuador’s penal code 2 . The EOM cautioned that such a suspension could impose disproportionate restrictions on political rights and recommended a review of the sanctions for electoral offences foreseen by the Election Law. The EU considers that dialogue and cooperation with Ecuador remain the most effective means of preserving and strengthening the country’s rule of law. The EU regularly raises its concerns through diplomatic channels and in formal dialogue mechanisms such as the EU-Ecuador HighLevel Political Dialogue and EU-Ecuador Human Rights Dialogue. EU cooperation in support of the rule of law in Ecuador includes activities to fight transnational organised crime, support for human rights, strengthening the country’s judiciary, and support to independent institutions, civil society and human rights defenders that monitor, report on, and advocate for the rule of law in Ecuador. 1 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eom-ecuador-2025/about-eom-ecuador-2025_en. 2 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/ecuador/european-union-election-observation-mission-presents-itsfinal-report-15-recommendations-support_en.”
  EU relations with left-wing Latin America
• 2026-03-06 “P-000936/2026 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission The Commission proposal for a Regulation on the 28 th regime corporate legal framework – ‘EU Inc.’ 1 , adopted on 18 March 2026, concerns corporate law. It does not affect EU or national employment laws. These laws will apply to EU Inc. companies as they apply to any other limited liability company in the EU. For instance, the rules protecting workers will fully apply. This includes rules stemming from national and EU laws, including on wages, working time, working conditions, health and safety, equal opportunities for women and men, protection against discrimination, and dismissal protection. This also includes employees’ rights to information, consultation and participation in company boards (co-determination). In the same way, the EU Inc. proposal will not affect any existing EU or national rules or safeguards related to tax avoidance or evasion or the circumvention of labour rules. In addition, the Commission proposal provides that the formation of an EU Inc. should be subject to preventive control and to specific safeguards such as authentication and rules related to disqualified directors. Moreover, the extension of the ‘once-only’ principle, i.e. the direct sharing at national level of relevant company information contained in business register with tax authorities, social security authorities and the beneficial ownership register, will ensure consistency and legal certainty and will further contribute to preventing fraud and abuse. 1 COM(2026) 321 final.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation · Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• 2026-02-25 “Answer given by Commissioner Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission 4.5.2026 Written question The Commission attaches great importance to respect for fundamental rights, including freedom of association, the right of collective bargaining and action, and fair and just working conditions. At the same time, the Commission applies strict transparency rules concerning its contacts and interactions with stakeholders on issues relating to EU decision-making and policy implementation. Members of the Commission, members of their Cabinet, and Commission staff holding management functions shall only meet interest representatives that are registered in the Transparency Register [1] . Information and minutes of all such meetings are published in accordance with Commission Decisions (EU) 2024/3081 [2] and 2024/3082 [3] . Amazon Europe is registered in the Transparency Register. Its registration [4] includes information on meetings held with the Commission in an interest representation context. All registrants commit to operate in line with the rules and principles set out in the code of conduct annexed to the applicable Interinstitutional Agreement [5] . The register’s Secretariat is tasked with evaluating registrants’ ongoing eligibility and observance of the code of conduct. To that end, it may carry out investigations and apply measures of an administrative nature. Any natural or legal person may lodge a complaint with the Secretariat concerning a registrant’s alleged non-observance of the code. Amazon Europe’s registration is currently not subject to any administrative measure by the Secretariat. [1] https://transparency-register.europa.eu/index_en. [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202403081. [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202403082. [4] https://transparency-register.europa.eu/search-register-or-update/organisation-detail_en?id=366117914426-10. [5] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2021.207.01.0001.01.ENG.”
  Transparency requirements for interest groups · EU engagement with civil society · Sustainable corporate governance
• 2026-02-23 “E-000745/2026 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission The Directive (EU) 2024/1760 will only enter into application in July 2029. Under the Directive, the Commission is not designated as a supervisory authority. Rather, it is for the Member States to designate independent national supervisory authorities (Article 24). These authorities will have investigative and enforcement powers (e.g. the imposition of penalties). They will be able to conduct investigations and inspections on their own initiative or based on complaints raising substantiated concerns, including in relation to conduct in third countries, in line with applicable national law and while respecting the limits of their jurisdiction. Under Article 29, Member States must also ensure that companies can be held liable for damage caused by a failure to comply with due diligence obligations. The Commission’s role is to support consistent application of the Directive, in particular through the European Network of Supervisory Authorities and guidance. These functions are complementary to, but distinct from, the supervisory and investigatory powers of national authorities. This does not, however, preclude the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS), within wider external action, from engaging with countries and stakeholders, including through the institutional framework of the Multiparty Trade Agreement, the Trade Committee and the Trade and Sustainable Development Subcommittee. These might be additional ways to support supervisory authorities in their tasks after the Directive enters into application. In addition, the Commission may also build on existing EU tools, projects and other actions to help with the due diligence implementation in the EU and in third countries.”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights) · EU policy on social & environmental impact of foreign investments
• 2026-02-19 “P-000710/2026 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission As of end February 2026, 22 out of the 27 Member States have notified the complete transposition of Directive (EU) 2022/2041 on adequate minimum wages in the European Union 1 . Three Member States have notified partial transposition and two have not yet notified any transposition measures. The Commission is closely monitoring the state of play of the transposition process in the few Member States that have not yet notified full transposition of this Directive and will take appropriate action if necessary. In parallel, the Commission is currently carrying out the compliance assessment of the transposition measures that have been notified by Member States, in line with what is foreseen in this respect in the Better Regulation Guidelines and Toolbox 2 . In the context of this assessment, the Commission will also check the compliance with Article 6 of the Directive of any national provision that establishes a variation of the statutory minimum wage for prison inmates, provided that they fall within the personal scope of the Directive. This will be the case where they have an employment relationship as defined by law, collective agreements or practice in force in each Member State, with consideration to the case-law of the Court of Justice. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/2041/oj/eng. 2 See, in particular, Tool #39 of the Better Regulation Toolbox: https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-makingprocess/better-regulation/better-regulation-guidelines-and-toolbox/better-regulation-toolbox_en.”
  EU competences on social policies · Minimum wages harmonisation at EU level
• 2026-02-13 “E-000632/2026 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission The AI Act 1 applies to AI systems and general-purpose AI models. It prohibits AI systems that employ subliminal or deceptive techniques or exploit vulnerabilities that have the objective or effect of materially distorting behaviour, when this is reasonably likely to lead to significant harm 2 . Discriminatory content produced or amplified by AI systems may be covered by this prohibition. AI systems classified as high-risk 3 need to comply with certain requirements, including on data governance to avoid bias and discriminatory content. For AIgenerated or -manipulated content, such as deepfakes, transparency obligations apply 4 . Providers of general-purpose AI models with systemic risk must identify and address concrete risk scenarios arising from their models, which may include the generation of illegal, violent, hateful, radicalising, or false content, and report the results of this risk management process to the AI Office before placing those models on the market. The rules on enforcement of the AI Act will apply from August 2026. The Digital Services Act (DSA) 5 requires online platforms to put in place a notice and action mechanism through which users can report content that they consider illegal. If providers are made aware of illegal content on their services, they must remove it expeditiously. In addition, the DSA requires providers of very large online platforms and search engines to identify, analyse and assess the systemic risks stemming from their services in the EU and mitigate such risks. This includes the risk of the dissemination of illegal content, such as illegal hate speech, and the risk of negative impacts on users’ mental health and wellbeing. These provisions apply irrespective of whether the content is AI generated. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1689/oj/eng. 2 Articles 5(1)(a) and 5(1)(b) of the AI Act. 3 Article 6 of the AI Act. 4 Article 50 of the AI Act. 5 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32022R2065.”
  Artificial Intelligence · Transparency and oversight of AI-generated content
• 2026-02-11 “E-000610/2026 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission The Commission applies strict transparency rules on its interactions with interest representatives. It publishes information on, and minutes of, all meetings held between members of the Commission, their members of Cabinet or Commission management staff and interest representatives. in accordance with Commission Decisions (EU) 2024/3081 1 and (EU) 2024/3082 2 . The Transparency Register includes a list of such meetings with the European Chemical Industry Council 3 . The Commission also attends meetings organised by third parties such as the meeting referred to by the Honourable Member, that also involved trade unions. The Commission is open to attending meetings organised by all relevant stakeholders. All Commission proposals comply with the ‘better regulation’ principles, the general legal principles and fundamental rights. A description on how each act complies with these principles is provided in the explanatory memorandum accompanying each proposal. The Commission is committed to legislation that is effective, enforceable and proportionate. Simplification efforts aim to improve clarity, reduce unnecessary administrative burden, and enhance compliance. In the specific case of the Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals 4 , the Commission will always promote human health and environmental protection, science-based chemicals risk management and competitiveness and innovation of European companies. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ:L_202403081. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ:L_202403082. 3 https://transparency-register.europa.eu/search-register-or-update/organisation-detail_en?id=64879142323-90. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02006R1907-20251023.”
  Transparency requirements for interest groups · EU engagement with civil society
• 2026-01-05 “P-000004/2026 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission Immediately after the strikes, on 4 January 2026, the High Representative/Vice-President, supported by 26 Member States called for calm and restraint by all actors, to avoid escalation and to ensure a peaceful solution to the crisis. International law, including the principles of territorial integrity and state sovereignty enshrined in the UN Charter, must be upheld under all circumstances. Respecting the will of the Venezuelan people remains the only durable solution for Venezuela. The EU continues to advocate for a Venezuelan-led, peaceful transition to democracy in Venezuela. The EU is ready to support and accompany all Venezuelans in this process. From the EU perspective, the renewed threats over Greenland are of utmost concern. Preserving the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, its sovereignty and the inviolability of its borders, is essential for the EU. The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland. The EU continues to prepare for all scenarios. This includes continuously engaging with the administration of the President of the United States and reminding American interlocutors of the value of the alliance.”
  EU-US relations · EU-Venezuela relations
• 2025-11-20 “E-004633/2025 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission Maritime security in the Caribbean is crucial for regional stability. The EU encourages constructive dialogue towards de-escalation of tensions and shares the priority of combatting drug-trafficking and organised crime. The EU approach combines operational actions based on evidence, stronger legislation and international cooperation to disrupt criminal organisations. The EU is committed to working with partners in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), as well as with the United States, to counter transnational organised crime and drug trafficking through law enforcement and judicial cooperation, in full respect of international law and the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty enshrined in the United Nations Charter. The need for international cooperation, mutual respect and full compliance with international law in combating transnational organised crime and drug trafficking, as well as the importance of maritime security and regional stability, was reaffirmed in the Joint Declaration of the 4th CELAC-EU Summit (9 November 2025) 1 , hosted by Colombia’s President and co-chaired by the President of the European Council. The High Representative/Vice President represented the Commission at the Summit. The Summit reaffirmed the strategic importance of a bi-regional relationship with LAC. The EU remains committed to strengthening bilateral relations with Colombia, through the negotiation of a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The EU will continue to support Colombia in the pursuit of shared priorities, including via the Global Gateway initiative 2 and through shared actions in areas such as fight against organised crime, protection of the environment and construction of peace. 1 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-15125-2025-INIT/en/pdf. 2 https://commission.europa.eu/topics/international-partnerships/global-gateway_en.”
  EU-US relations · EU relations with left-wing Latin America
• 2025-11-12 “E-004499/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission In the EU, all medicinal products must be authorised, either at national or at EU level, before they can be marketed and made available to patients. All authorised medicines, whether authorised nationally or centrally, and regardless of whether they are innovative medicinal products, generics or biosimilars, must comply with the rigorous requirements for quality, safety and efficacy. The EU has a strong legal framework for medicine manufacturing, centred around legally binding good manufacturing practice standards that safeguard the high quality of medicines placed on the EU market 1 . These standards apply regardless of where the medicines are manufactured. Compliance with these standards is verified through inspections carried out by EU competent authorities. Additional verifications also apply to imported products, including analytical tests on each batch in line with EU requirements. The EU legislation 2 also foresees measures to prevent that falsified medicines enter the supply chain and reach patients. Its enforcement falls with Member States. Furthermore, the illegal channels, offering potentially harmful medicines without proper medical supervision, are jointly tackled by customs authorities, police and medicines authorities. Also, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) plays an active role in investigating fraudulent imports of illegal medicines including via e-commerce. On the production in the EU, the Commission is putting forward actions specifically intended to improve the resilience of supply chains of medical products. In particular, the proposal for a Critical Medicine Act 3 aims directly to strengthen Europe's manufacturing capacity for critical medicines and to reduce dependencies on third countries. 1 https://health.ec.europa.eu/medicinal-products/good-manufacturing-and-distribution-practices_en. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32011L0062. 3 https://health.ec.europa.eu/medicinal-products/legal-framework-governing-medicinal-products-human-useeu/critical-medicines-act_en.”
  GMOs
• 2025-10-23 “E-004181/2025 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission Detention issues are primarily within the responsibility of the Member States. To complement and support Member States’ policies, on 8 December 2022, the Commission presented the Recommendation on the procedural rights of suspects and accused in pre-trial detention and on material detention conditions 1 , a legally non-binding instrument. One of the guiding principles of this Recommendation is that Member States are encouraged to manage detention in such a way as to facilitate the social rehabilitation of detainees. Paragraphs 47 and 48 of the Recommendation provide specific guidance on the work of detainees to promote their reintegration into society. The Commission will publish a report in 2026 assessing the national measures taken by Member States to implement the Recommendation. It is primarily the responsibility of the Member States to ensure the correct application of the relevant legal provisions applicable to inmates, including where inmates may classify as workers. As regards minimum wages, the Minimum Wage Directive 2 applies to imprisoned persons as long as they have an employment relationship as defined by national law, with consideration to the case-law of the Court of Justice. In these cases, Article 6 of the Directive requires Member States to ensure that variations of the statutory minimum wage for this specific group of workers, if they exist, respect the principles of non-discrimination and proportionality. 1 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2023/681 of 8 December 2022 on procedural rights of suspects and accused persons subject to pre-trial detention and on material detention conditions, OJ L 86, 24.3.2023, pp. 44– 57. 2 Directive (EU) 2022/2041 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on adequate minimum wages in the European Union, OJ L 275, 25.10.2022, pp. 33–47.”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights) · EU policy on victims' compensation rights
• 2025-09-26 “E-003764/2025 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission Ecuador is facing a security crisis characterised by increased violence and killings linked to organised crime, which has exacerbated pre-existing challenges including poverty and social inequality. In recent weeks, tensions between the current government of Ecuador and some sectors of society have led to public protests, including violent clashes. The EU Heads of Mission issued a local statement on 8 October 2025, condemning all acts of violence and calling for restraint. The EU continues to encourage dialogue and peaceful resolution of differences. The EU regularly raises the importance of continued commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law with the authorities of Ecuador. These exchanges take place in the framework of the EU-Ecuador High Level Political Dialogue 1 , the EU-Ecuador local human rights dialogue, and in the context of EU development cooperation with Ecuador. The EU is also carrying out activities to promote and protect human rights in Ecuador, including support to civil society and human rights defenders. The EU-Colombia-Ecuador-Peru Trade Agreement 2 contains an essential elements clause requiring respect for human rights. If a Party violates these provisions, the other Party may adopt appropriate measures proportional to the violation. In cases of continuous, systematic, and grave human rights violations, the Commission may propose to the Council the suspension of the Agreement as a last-resort measure. At this stage, the Commission does not consider that such conditions exist with Ecuador. Before suspension, the EU should prioritise measures that minimally disrupt the Agreement while enabling continued dialogue, cooperation, and monitoring of human rights in Ecuador. 1 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/ecuador-bilateral-political-consultations-mechanism-between-europeanunion-and-ecuador_en. 2 https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/eu-colombia-peru-ecuador-trade-agreement.”
  Free trade agreements (FTAs) · EU relations with left-wing Latin America
• 2025-09-26 “E-003763/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Ribera on behalf of the European Commission Under existing EU law, Member States must ensure transparency in the granting of State aid, including measures co-financed by EU funds. This includes the publication, on a comprehensive State aid transparency website, of detailed information on individual aid awards exceeding the relevant thresholds established in the applicable Guidelines and Regulations. The Commission has reinforced these requirements through the Transparency Award Module, which provides Member States with a common platform for uploading aid award data. As from 2026, the transparency obligation will extend to de minimis aid pursuant to Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2831, and the Commission’s new e-Aid Register will provide Member States with a shared platform to record the aid granted. Transparency of EU funds is ensured through the Financial Transparency System, established under Article 38 of the Financial Regulation. This platform publishes information on beneficiaries of EU funds managed directly by the Commission or indirectly through other entities, including the amounts awarded and their purpose. Where public support qualifies as State aid, the Treaty sets out conditions for its compatibility with the internal market. Those conditions are further specified in the relevant secondary legislation and Commission guidelines to make sure that the relevant objective is achieved without undue distortion of competition and intra-EU trade. These conditions may involve also creation and maintenance of jobs (e.g. for regional aid or investment aid under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework 1 ). Even when the State aid rules do not involve any such requirements, the Member States may make their granting of aid subject to additional conditions. 1 OJ C, C/2025/3602, 4.7.2025.”
  EU policy on forced redundancies · EU policy on social criteria in public funding
• 2025-09-18 “E-003629/2025 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The EU attaches the utmost importance to the freedom of association. States are obliged to protect it under international law. It is an essential element of any democratic society. In Argentina, political and trade union movements are free to organise themselves autonomously and to engage actively in open and free public debate. The EU is aware of Ms Milagro Sala’s case. The EU does not comment on judicial proceedings. The EU has already taken note of reports by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and Amnesty International on her case. The EU remains committed to closely following this specific situation and engaging with all stakeholders in the context of the EU-Argentina regular Human Rights dialogue. This serves as an effective and constructive platform for raising specific concerns, monitoring developments, and supporting the promotion and protection of human rights in the country. The next such meeting is planned to take place before the end of 2025.”
  EU-Brazil Relations
• 2025-07-23 “E-003062/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union recognises the freedom of assembly and of association, as well as the right for workers and employers to conclude collective agreements and take collective action 1 . However, according to its Article 51(1), the Charter applies to Member States only when they are implementing EU law, and does not extend the field of application of EU law. Pursuant to Article 153(5) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the right of association is outside the social policy fields in which the EU supports and complements the activities of the Member States. It is therefore for the competent national authorities, including courts, to ensure that employers and national authorities correctly apply the relevant national provisions and the fundamental rights resulting from their international obligations to ensure the respect of workers’ rights. Finally, the freedom of association and the right of social partners to organise themselves are enshrined in the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) (1948) No 87 2 . The standard supervisory system of the ILO can assess compliance of national rules with international labour standards. 1 Article 12 of the Charter of fundamental Rights of the European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:12012P/TXT&from=EN. 2 Ratified by all EU Member States.”
  EU competences on social policies · EU regulation on worker representation in company decisions
• 2025-06-24 “E-002540/2025 Answer given by Ms Zaharieva on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has not established so far that the activities under projects funded by the Horizon Europe (HE) programme have breached the principle of exclusive focus on civil applications. During the lifetime of a project the continuing compliance with the rules is monitored by the Commission Executive Agencies in charge of implementing the programme. With regard to the European Defense Fund (EDF), entities, private or public, established in Israel are not eligible under EDF. In cases where EU-established entities are controlled by non-associated third-country entities, safeguards such as security guarantees approved by the Member State in which they are established are imposed by the Regulation 1 and enforced to ensure that no sensitive information is unduly accessed or transferred to the controlling entity, and that the latter cannot use sensitive technology or results resulting from the EU-funded action 2 . Article 2(2) of the Agreement on the association of Israel to HE 3 sets out the principle that Israeli entities participate in the HE programme under terms and conditions equivalent to those applicable to legal entities established in the EU. While any actions of the State of Israel cannot be considered automatically attributable to Israeli entities participating in HE, Israel needs to comply with Art. 2 of the Euro-Med Agreement 4 . In the context of Israel’s intervention in the Gaza Strip and the ensuing humanitarian catastrophe, the Commission has come to the conclusion that Israel is violating human rights and humanitarian law thus breaching Art. 2 of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement. Therefore, it has proposed to the Council to partially suspend the HE Association Agreement with Israel so that legal entities established in Israel would not be eligible to participate in calls for grant and investment support under the HE European Innovation Council Accelerator. Furthermore, in her State of the Union Speech on 10 September 2025, the Commission President announced a further package of measures, as the Commission considers that there is a case for the suspension of certain trade-related provisions of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The Commission plans to implement additional measures such as putting on hold bilateral support to Israel. 1 Regulation (EU) 2021/697 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 establishing the European Defence Fund and repealing Regulation (EU) 2018/1092. 2 Projects carried out under EDF shall also comply with ethical principles also reflected in relevant EU, national and international laws. The ethical aspects of EDF funded projects are screened, and should any participant breach these conditions, there are mechanisms in place to ensure compliance, including the termination of grants and the recovery of funds. 3 Agreement between EU, of the one part, and Israel, of the other part, on the participation of Israel in the Union programme Horizon Europe — the framework Programme for Research and Innovation, OJ L 95, 23/03/2022. 4 ‘Relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement’.”
  EU competences on human rights · Relations with Israel - Palestine
• 2025-06-16 “E-002407/2025 Reply The EU continued to pursue its critical engagement towards Cuba under the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA). The Council follows the implementation of the PDCA and the political dialogues it establishes, including the ones in April 2024 on Unilateral Coercive Measures and on Sustainable Development and in October 2024 on the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and on Illegal Trade of Small Arms and Light/Conventional Weapons. Any change in policy would require a unanimous decision by the Council of the EU.”
  EU-Cuba relations
• 2025-06-16 “E-002406/2025 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The EU notes that the longstanding embargo imposed by the United States of America (US) on Cuba, and related measures – notably, among others, the listing of Cuba as a state sponsoring terrorism (SST) and the Helms-Burton Act – are having an adverse effect on Cuba’s economy. These measures also impact on EU companies and citizens, due to their extraterritorial character. In response, Council Regulation (EC) No 2271/96 (‘the Blocking Statute’) 1 aims at providing legal protection to EU operators facing such third-country measures and at preserving their right to conduct legitimate business freely with Cuba. External trade and foreign investment with Cuba should play a crucial role in setting Cuba on a path towards necessary reforms and the modernisation of its outdated economic model, thereby helping to alleviate the economic hardship endured by its population. The EU and its Member States have voted annually unanimously in favour of the United Nations (UN) Resolution 2 calling for the end of the US embargo against Cuba, and in their latest Explanation of Vote 3 (October 2024), the EU and its Member States proposed taking Cuba off the SST list. The EU will continue to raise its position on the US embargo and SST listing in the UN framework and bilaterally with the US. The EU also recalls the agreement of the US to respect waivers to Titles III and IV of the Helms-Burton Act 4 , as confirmed with the EU in 1998. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/1996/2271/oj/eng. 2 https://press.un.org/en/2024/ga12650.doc.htm. 3 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-new-york/eu-explanation-vote-%E2%80%93-un-general-assemblyembargo-imposed-united-states-america-against-cuba_en?s=63. 4 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/05/02/declaration-by-the-high-representativeon-behalf-of-the-eu-on-the-full-activation-of-the-helms-burton-libertad-act-by-the-united-states/.”
  EU-Cuba relations · EU-US relations
• 2025-05-22 “E-002064/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The enforcement of national legislation transposing EU health and safety at work Directives is a competence that falls primarily under the responsibility of the national competent authorities. It is up to Member States to identify and allocate the resources needed for such activity. The Commission's Senior Labour Inspectors’ Committee as well as the European Labour Authority assist the Member States with the enforcement of the EU legislation (Occupational Safety and Health at work (OSH) and labour mobility respectively). The Commission places great importance on the Vision Zero approach on work-related deaths but it did not set a deadline in that respect. The EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027 1 set ambitious objectives to further improve OSH in the EU. It also states in its section 2.2 that ‘all efforts must be deployed to reduce work-related deaths as much as possible, in line with a Vision Zero approach to work-related deaths in the EU’. In addition, a dedicated Working Party of the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work has adopted in 2022 an opinion 2 on ‘Actions to improve prevention of work-related accidents and illnesses in line with a vision zero approach’, including several relevant recommendations. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52021DC0323. 2 https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/cb9293be-4563-4f19-89cf-4c4588bd6541/library/6dd45935-308c-4ed4bc88-7fb4471af27a/details.”
  EU rules on hazardous working conditions · Recruitment policies in the EU
• 2025-05-19 “E-002002/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission The Commission confirms to have taken note of the proposal to establish a European day of remembrance for the victims of COVID-19 and will consider it, in cooperation with EU Member States. Discussions will also consider that the pandemic had a global dimension and thus it might be warranted to assess options for a remembrance for the victims at that level. There are no specific and well-determined frameworks and procedures for the establishment of commemorative days in the EU. The establishment of a new European Remembrance Day could in principle be initiated by all EU Institutions (e.g. the European Parliament established the ‘European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism’) or by the Council of Europe (e.g. European Day of Languages). It is a political process requiring strong advocacy and communication efforts.”
  EU competences on health
• 2025-05-12 “P-001882/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission As acknowledged in the Steel and Metals Action Plan 1 , the steel sector plays a vital role for the EU’s economic security and social stability. It is facing significant challenges, but several European instruments support its decarbonisation. Around 10 large clean steel projects received public support, either via State aid or the EU Innovation Fund 2 to accelerate the steel sector’s transition. The new Clean Industrial Deal 3 State aid Framework (CISAF) will further facilitate investments in industrial decarbonisation, including in the steel sector. The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund 4 offers one-off re-active assistance in case of major restructuring events to support workers affected by restructuring in their job-transition. The Commission proposed on 1 April 2025 to amend this regulation 5 to allow for earlier intervention before collective dismissals occur. The European Social Fund Plus 6 supports skills development and training of workers and the targeted amendment proposed on 1 April 2025 is meant to encourage Member States to allocate more funds to ‘support adaptation of workers to decarbonisation’. The future European Fair Transition Observatory will also be instrumental in monitoring the employment impacts of the transition. The Commission will consider introducing in the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act 7 sustainability and resilience criteria and minimum EU content requirements. These aim to create lead markets for low-carbon industrial products, while aligning with other legislative initiatives and the EU’s international commitments. Decisions in the area of nationalisation fall under the competence of individual Member States, provided they comply with EU competition rules. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_805. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02019R0856-20231121. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0085. 4 https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/funding/european-globalisationadjustment-fund-displaced-workers-egf_en. 5 https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-proposes-broader-faster-eu-social-andemployment-funds-2025-04-02_en. 6 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=LEGISSUM:4536659. 7 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=PI_COM:Ares(2025)3570423.”
  Carbon leakage support · Ownership of strategic assets
• 2025-03-18 “E-001133/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The rules of public procurement are governed by the EU Directive on Public Procurement 1 . In particular, Article 18(2) of the Directive (the so-called horizontal social clause) states that ‘Member States shall take appropriate measures to ensure that in the performance of public contracts economic operators comply with applicable obligations in the fields of environmental, social and labour law established by Union law, national law, collective agreements or by the international environmental, social and labour law provisions listed in Annex X’. Individual Member States should ensure that rules resulting from the EU social acquis are respected in the context of public procurement. While the Directive does not have specific clause on training and working conditions, the Commission supports Member States to invest in skills and jobs through various funding channels such as the European Social Fund Plus or the Recovery and Resilience Fund. The Union will further support labour and social standards to ensure that the transition is fair and equitable for all, including in the context of the Commission’s forthcoming evaluation of the legislative framework on public procurement. On labour inspection, the European Labour Authority is supporting the work of national authorities. 1 Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of 26 February 2014 on public procurement and repealing Directive 2004/18/EC, OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 65. - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/24/oj/eng.”
  EU policy on social criteria in public funding · EU policy on forced redundancies
• 2025-03-18 “E-001134/2025 Answer given by Mr Kubilius on behalf of the European Commission The Commission acknowledges the importance of ensuring that the EU’s critical communication infrastructure remains sovereign and resilient. The Regulation establishing the EU Space Programme and the EU Agency for the Space Programme 1 and the Regulation establishing the EU Secure Connectivity Programme 2 provide that the Commission applies eligibility and participation conditions if it deems that this is necessary and appropriate to preserve the security, integrity and resilience of the operational EU systems. In particular, they require that economic operators providing critical components and services are fulfilling the following eligibility and participation conditions: a) the eligible legal entity is established in a Member State and its executive management structures are established in that Member State; b) the eligible legal entity commits to carry out all relevant activities in one or more Member States; and c) the eligible legal entity is not to be subject to control by a third country or by a third country entity. It therefore ensures that critical technologies required to deploy and operate IRIS² are under EU control. 1 OJ L 170, 12.5.2021 p.69, ELI, Article 24: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/696/oj. 2 OJ L 79, 17.3.2023 p.1, ELI, Article 22: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/588/oj.”
  "Buy European" provisions · EU competences on space policy
• 2025-02-18 “E-000737/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission The Steel and Metals Action Plan 1 aims to maintain and expand European industrial capacities in the steel and metals sectors. In particular, the Commission announced the adjustment of the existing steel safeguard that entered into force on 1 April 2025 and committed to propose no later than third quarter 2025 2 a trade measure replacing the steel safeguards, providing a highly effective level of protection against negative trade-related effects caused by global overcapacities. European electricity market design reform strengthens the role of power purchase agreements and contracts for difference to stabilise electricity prices. The Action Plan for Affordable Energy 3 sets out measures to encourage lower electricity taxation levels and more efficient network charges, and to enhance energy efficiency, renewable energy deployment, accelerating permitting and reducing systems costs. These efforts will help bring down energy costs. The Commission adopted a first set of retaliatory measures against the unilateral imposition by the United States (US) administration of new tariffs on EU steel and aluminum imports – initially set at 25% and later increased to 50% - but decided to suspend those measures for 90 days. This suspension has created the necessary space for negotiations, which are now underway. Should these negotiations not result in a mutually beneficial outcome, EU tariffs will automatically enter into force. In addition, the Commission has also launched a public consultation on additional US imports which could become subject to EU response and has further prepared other countermeasures possible under EU legislation. On 26 February 2025, the Commission adopted its proposal to simplify the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism 4 (CBAM) by exempting importers of under 50 tonnes of iron and steel, aluminum, fertilisers and cement. This would exempt about 90% of importers while still covering 99% of emissions, maintaining strong protection against carbon leakage. On 18 June 2025, agreement was reached in trilogues with co-legislators. The proposed exemption was not altered on substance. The Commission is also working on solutions for carbon leakage for CBAM goods exported from the EU to third countries, on expanding the CBAM’s scope to certain downstream products and introducing anti-circumvention measures. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_805. 2 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/fr/mex_25_872. 3 https://energy.ec.europa.eu/publications/action-plan-affordable-energy-unlocking-true-value-our-energy-unionsecure-affordable-efficient-and_en. 4 https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/news/cbam-new-commission-proposal-will-simplify-and-strengthen2025-02-26_en#:~:text=As%20part%20of%20this%2C%20the,exemption%20of%2050%20tonnes%20mass.”
  Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) · Energy transition (state support) · EU-US trade relations
• 2025-02-18 “E-000730/2025 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is following closely developments in Peru related to human rights and democracy. The EU supports the ongoing investigation into the possible use of excessive force during the anti-government protests of late 2022/early 2023. As regards the ongoing investigation into the possible use of excessive force during the anti-government protests of late 2022/early 2023, it is important that it be conducted independently, according to due process, and without undue delay, so that there can be proper accountability. With regard to the law presented in June 2024, a revised version was approved by the Peruvian Congress on 12 March 2025. It is now going through the subsequent stages of the legislative process. The Commission is assessing the practical implications together with other international partners and civil society and will engage with the relevant authorities with a view to mitigating possible negative impacts. The Commission fully shares the view that independent civil society plays a crucial role in protecting democracy, promoting transparency and ensuring accountability. To this end, it is crucial civil society is able to operate in an enabling environment.”
  EU relations with left-wing Latin America · EU competences on human rights
• 2025-01-27 “E-000347/2025 Answer given by Ms Zaharieva on behalf of the European Commission The launch of the Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) Culture and Creativity of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) was foreseen in the EIT strategic agenda 2021-2027 as confirmed by the Council and the European Parliament. It is designed to strengthen Europe’s cultural and creative sectors and industries by increasing its innovation capacity and competitiveness. The KIC will help address the current fragmentation of the sector and facilitate its access to finance. By creating a pan-European innovation ecosystem between education institutions, research organisations and businesses, it will train the next generation of entrepreneurs, identify innovative products and services, bring them to the market and provide access to investors. In February 2023, the EIT signed a start-up grant agreement of EUR 6 million with the selected consortium to build the legal and operational readiness of the new KIC as well as to draft its long-term strategic agenda and its multi-annual business plan. The KIC experienced some delays during its start-up phase, including the cancellation of the 2023 calls for projects. In March 2024, the EIT Governing Board endorsed the start-up phase. Later in 2024, the EIT signed with EIT Culture and Creativity the 7-year partnership agreement and the subsequent grant agreement of EUR 25 million with the first business plan 2024-2025. The first calls under this business plan were launched on 11 February 2025. Activities will now start in 2025. The EIT is part of the Horizon Europe programme and has its own legal basis, the EIT Regulation, with its dedicated budget. Therefore, the Commission confirms that the funding for EIT Culture and Creativity does not come at the expense of any other EU funding programme.”
  EU and national cultural identities · Research priorities within the EU
• 2024-12-04 “E-002771/2024 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU enshrines the fundamental right to the freedom of the arts. According to its Article 13(1), ‘the arts and scientific research shall be free of constraint’ 1 . The Charter also safeguards the freedom of expression (Article 11) and cultural diversity (Articles 11 and 22), which are integral to artistic freedom. Freedom of expression, which includes freedom of artistic expression, is a core EU value and crucial for democratic societies. The Commission attaches great importance to it. Responsibility for cultural policy and legislation lies with the Member States. Nonetheless, the Commission works closely with them to facilitate mutual learning and cooperation, share best policy and practice, and address common challenges in this field. The Commission works with Member States in addressing threats to cultural diversity and artistic freedoms, through such initiatives as the Creative Europe programme 2 , which offers funding and support to cultural institutions and initiatives that promote cultural diversity, inclusion, and freedom of expression; the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 3 , which recognises artistic freedom as a fundamental part of cultural work, and the protection of artistic freedom as an essential element for strengthening the link between culture and democracy. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/treaty/char_2012/oj/eng 2 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022G1207(01)”
  EU engagement with civil society · Rule of law and democracy in the EU (political compass)
• 2024-11-07 “E-002463/2024 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The EU has been following the developments in Bolivia closely. So far, the Bolivian electoral authorities have not yet extended an official invitation for a European Union electoral observation mission (EOM). The EU has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to the Bolivian people in its efforts to consolidate democracy and the rule of law, by deploying EOMs in 2006 and 2009, as well as Electoral Expert Missions in 2014, 2019 and 2020. The EU remains committed to contributing to the holding of transparent, inclusive, credible and peaceful elections in Bolivia. In this regard, it is ready, if invited, to consider deploying an election mission for the 2025 general and presidential elections.”
  EU relations with left-wing Latin America
• 2024-10-02 “E-001930/2024 Answer given by Ms Zaharieva on behalf of the European Commission 1. Any research and innovation activities carried out under Horizon Europe 1 must have an exclusive focus on civil applications, as set forth in applicable rules and in particular in the Horizon Europe Regulation 2 . During the execution of the Horizon Europe projects, all beneficiaries must ensure that the activities under the action comply with these rules. At the level of implementation of Horizon Europe, several mechanisms have been put in place to prevent that EU funds are used for activities that could be contrary to international law. All projects are monitored by the Commission to verify in particular the use of EU funds and compliance with the contractual obligations. Any non-compliance may trigger corrective or contractual measures as provided for in the grant agreement (e.g. the recovery of EU funding or termination of the participation). 2. According to the relevant Horizon Europe framework, excluding participants from a Horizon Europe project on the sole grounds of their nationality would amount to discrimination. Pursuant notably to Article 2 (2) of the Association Agreement to Horizon Europe, Israeli entities participate in the Horizon Europe programme under terms and conditions equivalent to those applicable to legal entities established in the EU 3 . 3. The EU-Israel Association Agreement 4 is the legal basis of the EU’s ongoing dialogue with Israeli authorities on all sectoral cooperation matters. It provides mechanisms to discuss issues and advance the EU point of view. The EU will continue to reaffirm its commitment to the application of international human rights and humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territory and in the Gaza Strip; at the same time the EU is working actively to revive a political process leading to a lasting and sustainable peace based on a two-state solution. A decision to suspend the Association Agreement lies with the Council and would require unanimity. 1 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-europe_en 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32021R0695, OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 1–68. 3 Article 2(2) of the Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and Israel, of the other part, on the participation of Israel in the Union programme Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, OJ L 95, 23/03/2022, p. 143–157. 4 OJ L 147, 21/06/2000.”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine
• 2024-09-20 “E-001777/2024 Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission The ‘Healthier Together’ EU non-communicable diseases (NCDs) initiative 1 is the main strategic framework to support Member States in preventing NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) It takes a holistic approach, focusing on health promotion and disease prevention, and addressing health determinants and inequalities. EUR 53 million is available via the EU4Health programme for Member States to work together in the joint action JACARDI on CVDs and diabetes 2 , and EUR 76 million supports the joint action PreventNCD on health determinants 3 . The political guidelines presented by the President of the Commission call on the Commission to build on the work already started under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and to step up work on preventive health, to ensure a comprehensive approach to health promotion and disease prevention across the life course. This work includes addressing CVDs. It will be for the incoming Commission to decide on the most appropriate measures to take, taking into account the responsibilities of the Member States in such areas. The Occupational safety and health Framework Directive 4 states the duty of the employer to ensure the safety and health of workers 5 and to take the necessary measures to that effect 6 . It sets minimum requirements that apply to all workers and sectors of activity 7 . Particularly sensitive risk groups must be protected against the dangers specifically affecting them. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work provides analyses, guidelines, and tools to support the protection of workers’ health. These include a paper on the link between psychosocial risks and CVDs 8 and an overview under preparation of tools and good practice for the prevention and management of occupational circulatory diseases 9 . 1 https://health.ec.europa.eu/document/download/d843d53e-c1c1-4664-b31e-febf618d011a_en?filename=euncd-initiative_publication_en_0.pdf 2 https://jacardi.eu/ 3 https://www.preventncd.eu/ 4 Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work. OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1. 5 Article 5(1). 6 Article 6(1). 7 Article 2(2) of this Directive contains very limited exceptions as regards certain public service activities (such exceptions are to be interpreted restrictively, see case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, for example, Case C-303/98, para 34-35, Case C-132/04, para 22-28 and C-742/19, para 56-71), but even in those situations, the safety and health of workers must be ensured as far as possible in the light of the objectives of this Directive. 8 https://osha.europa.eu/sites/default/files/Links-exposure-work-related-psychosocial-risks-at-work-andcardiovascular-diseases_EN.pdf 9 https://osha.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/20230105%20Final%20SPD%202024-2026-FINAL.pdf”
  EU rules on hazardous working conditions · EU competences on health
• 2024-08-20 “P-001531/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Vestager on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is committed to protect human health and the environment while managing the socio-economic consequences associated with restriction decisions. Restrictions under the Regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) 1 are based on evidence from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and its scientific committees concerning the risks for human health or the environment posed by a substance, and the socio-economic impacts of restricting that substance. As for all restriction dossiers, before deciding whether a legal restriction is warranted, the Commission assesses the evidence provided by ECHA, taking into account stakeholders’ comments. In this specific case, the Commission has considered, on the one hand, the risk posed by calcium cyanamide when used as a fertiliser, as confirmed by the Agency’s Committee for Risk Assessment, and, on the other hand, (i) the lack of conclusions of the Agency’s Committee for Socio-Economic Assessment on the proportionality of a restriction, due mainly to the uncertainties on the risk posed by the possible alternatives, and (ii) the possible socio-economic consequences of a restriction on broader priorities of the EU. Following this assessment, the Commission services now intend to present a draft proposal for a restriction of calcium cyanamide as fertiliser for a first discussion with the Member States in the REACH 2 Committee by the end of 2024. 1 Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1. 2 Committee established by Article 133 of REACH.”
  Energy (green transition) · GMOs
• 2024-08-20 “E-001526/2024 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles on behalf of the European Commission The spokesperson statement on Bangladesh of 19 July 2024 mentioned by the Honourable Member 1 was followed by three statements by the High Representative/Vice President (HR/VP) on 30 July, 5 August and 8 August 2024. In these statements 2 , HR/VP voiced the EU concern over unlawful killings and stressed the need to fully respect all human rights and to ensure full accountability. On 8 August 2024, a new interim-government was sworn-in, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Muhammad Yunus. Bangladesh is now entering a period of transition and the interim government will have an important task to prepare the ground for democratic elections and ensure accountability for the deaths and violence that have occurred. The EU looks forward to engaging with the new administration and to supporting this critical transition which should be part of a peaceful and inclusive process underpinned by good governance, democratic values and respect for human rights. 1 Bangladesh: Statement by the Spokesperson on the recent developments, 19.07.2024 (https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/bangladesh-statement-spokesperson-recent-developments_en). 2 Bangladesh: Statement by the High Representative on recent developments, 30.07.2024 (https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/bangladesh-statement-high-representative-recent-developments_en?s=164); Bangladesh: Statement by the High Representative on the latest developments, 05.08.2024 (https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/bangladesh-statement-high-representative-latest-developments_en); Bangladesh: Statement by the High Representative on the new interim government, 08.08.2024 (https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/bangladesh-statement-high-representative-new-interim-government_en).”
  EU competences on human rights
• 2024-08-20 “E-001525/2024 Answer given by Mr Reynders on behalf of the European Commission Detention issues, including decisions concerning the allocation and social rehabilitation of prisoners, are primarily a responsibility of Member States. All Member States have, however, committed themselves to respect the standards on this matter drafted by the Council of Europe, such as the 2006 European Prison Rules. Moreover, on 8 December 2022, the Commission adopted a Recommendation on the procedural rights of suspects and accused in pre-trial detention and on material detention conditions 1 . It should be noted that the minimum standards as laid down in the Recommendation are not legally binding on the Member States. However, they will serve as a reference point in order to improve the situation in prisons within the EU. The Commission will monitor and assess the measures taken by Member States in the coming years. The Commission is committed to ensuring the respect of fundamental rights within the remit of its competences. However, the Charter applies to Member States only when they are implementing EU law, in line with its Article 51(1). Therefore, it is for the concerned Member State to ensure that fundamental rights are effectively respected and protected in accordance with their national law and international obligations, including the European Convention for Human Rights. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7570”
  EU competences on human rights
• “Chairman, since the start of this Parliament, we have seen democracy flouted in this committee. Urgent procedures that were not necessary. Things happening behind closed doors. Divvying up of files. Members of this committee being excluded from Democratic debate. This flouts the rules of this Parliament. We are seeing Trump's approach in many areas, and I think we're on a dangerous path here. That is not fair for the citizens who elected us. What all this proves is that the E-Trade committee serves the capitalist multinationals, the industrialists, not the workers, and we continue to denounce such practices.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “Thank you very much. Chair, I want to talk about, uh, learning. I was in Marseille at the center in, uh. And we see that young people who are often in regulated training. I saw there was a number of issues, including the lack of respect for their working conditions, psychosocial risks and low pay, but also recognition of their professional skills. Furthermore, we can see that, uh, despite the liberalization of the market, uh, uh, large companies are funding and monopolizing young Apprentices, and the latter leave with vocational training structured by the funding company, and this proves inadequate outside the company walls, which increases difficulties in terms of professional mobility. Now the EU's ambition, notably through Erasmus+ programme, is to develop into company mobility and this is laudable, but the commercialisation of vocational training sector is rather hampering this laudable objective. So my question is what do you think could be done to improve the directive, or how it's transposed to ensure better recognition of professional skills of apprentices and young workers who wish to work in another member state? Do you think the introduction of a European apprenticeship statute or status would improve the recognition of apprentices and their international mobility?”
  Youth employment & training
• “Mrs. president. Colleagues. Commissioner. Let's be clear with a clean industry deal. The commission has learned nothing, and it continues its neoliberal strategy. It is simply recycling policies from the past which drove European industry into the wall. No lessons learned from the electricity market. As has been said, it's based on prices linked to gas, which means that bills are exorbitant. No lessons learnt on public funding for an industrial transition, which is still bound by the absurd austerity rules of the stability pact. No lessons learnt on the failure to protect the European market from foreign competition. Nothing about involving workers and unions in developing an industrial strategy. And yet there are solutions to this crisis. But that would mean a new way of thinking. And I know that's difficult. It's urgent, for example, that we should agree democratically on how to modernise industry and we should nationalise strategic sectors. The objective is clear. European industry in the service of workers and not people and not profit. We're far from that lack.”
  Ownership of strategic assets
• “President, ladies and gentlemen. Commissioner. Well, let's say this straight away, the European Commission's competitiveness compass is a just a con. We're talking about mass simplification that's going to affect our extensive regulations, which are going to harm the environment and our social aspects. There's nothing there to about the reform of the European electricity market to reduce their bills. Nothing about the necessity to protect European industry. Nothing or very little about increasing investments from the public sector to bolster innovation, decarbonisation of the European industry and nothing about collective negotiations with the trade unions to increase wages and to help working conditions. Further proof, if needed, is that ArcelorMittal, the second biggest steel producer in the world, is threatening to leave the European Union. As soon as you had announced this a week ago. Your policy, Mr. Séjourné, is exacerbating the social and economic crisis, and it's urgent that we leave it behind.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Chairman, since the start of this Parliament, we have seen democracy flouted in this committee. Urgent procedures that were not necessary. Things happening behind closed doors. Divvying up of files. Members of this committee being excluded from Democratic debate. This flouts the rules of this Parliament. We are seeing Trump's approach in many areas, and I think we're on a dangerous path here. That is not fair for the citizens who elected us. What all this proves is that the E-Trade committee serves the capitalist multinationals, the industrialists, not the workers, and we continue to denounce such practices.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “Chairman, since the start of this Parliament, we have seen democracy flouted in this committee. Urgent procedures that were not necessary. Things happening behind closed doors. Divvying up of files. Members of this committee being excluded from Democratic debate. This flouts the rules of this Parliament. We are seeing Trump's approach in many areas, and I think we're on a dangerous path here. That is not fair for the citizens who elected us. What all this proves is that the E-Trade committee serves the capitalist multinationals, the industrialists, not the workers, and we continue to denounce such practices.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “Mr. president colleagues. Commissioner, this debate on energy intensive industries that we are having today is vital for the future of these sectors. Faced with competition from the US and China and with skyrocketing prices, there are thousands, millions of jobs at risk in the steel sector. But yet that's such an important sector for the automotive industry in France. Arcelormittal might offshore 15,000 jobs, but the shareholders are still getting rich. We're all aware of what's happening. Yet this resolution doesn't provide sufficient responses given the scale of this crisis, of this crisis. We see the electricity market is deregulated, prices are going up and up. We need measures to protect the market given the trade crisis. If we look at the social side of things, we need to protect working conditions and maintain high quality jobs. We need to involve employees and trade unions in long term planning. Finally, we need to have strict conditions on subsidies. You have to pay those subsidies back if you don't comply with environmental or social standards. But what you're actually doing is giving a blank check to industry while they dismiss people in their droves. Colleagues, I turn to you. When are you going to put your neoliberalist policy aside? You have brought us to the edge of disaster, and we must end it very much.”
  State Aid
• “Thank you. Chair. Colleagues, allow me to just say colleagues, that I was slightly surprised about this draft text. The regulation on biotechnology by factoring in general, is a fundamental at a time of great growth. But its development means that we need to implement safeguards to prevent any possible ethical or health abuses to respond to this risk. I hoped that we would have the precautionary principle at the outset. This is a part of our treaties. It's enshrined therein. It's sacrifice to totem's innovation, regulatory sandboxes that sit on environmental and social standards and quash them. I hoped that we would have a public development of this sector. Unfortunately, not something that would be in the interest of all of the citizens with patent protection, so that it wouldn't be capitalistic approaches and big companies. Unfortunately, no. The knowledge is being shifted. So knowledge that is coming from public research and academia towards industrialists that will be so pleased to get big profits based on the research that's been financed by the EU and social and environmental conditionality of public aid to businesses. We should have a strict application, including any reimbursement, if there is not a respect for social conditionality. There's nothing referred to in this text, even though the clean industrial deal actually mentions this now, I would have hoped that the text would have a social aspect for workers, meaning that there are congenial labor conditions that respect the health conditions as well as the safety conditions in a sector that can. At times have many risks and manifold with decent, dignified jobs. But there is very little enough to nothing at all. Another possible would be possible. Colleagues and I will table a text amendments to that end. We must stop working for the lobbies of the industry and look more towards our workers, our consumers, and all of the organizations that represent them. Thank you.”
  EU policy on ethical standards in biotechnology applications