Anna Maria CISINT

Policy topics Anna Maria CISINT is active on

What Anna Maria CISINT has said (56)

• 2026-03-17 “Answer given by Mr Jørgensen on behalf of the European Commission 8.5.2026 Written question On 11 March 2026, the Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice [1] to Italy and 18 other Member States [2] as they failed to submit their draft National Building Renovation Plan (NBRP) by 31 December 2025 pursuant to Article 3 of the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) [3] . The NBRPs are an essential tool for Member States to transform their building stock into energy-efficient, decarbonised asset by 2050. By creating predictable renovation pipelines and clear long-term trajectories, they support a cost-effective implementation of the EPBD at national level and give the necessary investment stability for national industries. The recast EPBD was preceded by an impact assessment showing that the worst-performing residential buildings are often occupied by vulnerable households and that the proposed measures will help reduce their energy bills [4] . Rather than imposing uniform rules, the recast EPBD already provides substantial flexibility to accommodate national specificities, especially for Member States with a significant share of historic or protected buildings such as Italy. It does not impose renovation obligations on individual homes but sets targets for reducing the energy consumption of the overall building stock. This allows Member States to determine the most appropriate and cost-effective pathways, including prioritising interventions where they are most feasible. As regards non-residential buildings, Member States can continue to exempt historic and protected ones from the renovation requirements. They can also set additional exemption criteria in light of serious hardship or an unfavourable cost-benefit assessment. [1] https://energy.ec.europa.eu/news/march-infringements-package-key-decisions-energy-2026-03-11_en. [2] Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, France, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Sweden. [3] EPBD — Directive EU/2024/1275. [4] SWD (2021) 453, Commission Staff Working Document, Impact Assessment Report, Accompanying the document, Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the energy performance of buildings.”
  Energy performance of buildings
• 2026-03-16 “Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission 27.5.2026 Written question The EU takes very seriously the threat posed by extremist radical views sowing social division, polarisation and radicalisation in Europe. In close cooperation with Member States, the EU monitors the evolving risks linked to organisations trying to unduly influence the EU institutions, including radical and extremist non-state actors, as well as interference from third countries. The legal prerequisite for the listing of new individuals, groups or entities, under Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/455 of 26 February 2026 [1] , is a decision by a competent authority as defined by Article 2(3) of the decision. Such a decision should concern the involvement of the individual or entity in question in a ‘terrorist act’ as defined by Article 1(1) of the aforementioned Decision. On that basis, the Council decides on a listing pursuant to Decision (CFSP) 2026/455 [2] , acting by unanimity. The Commission remains committed to preventing and combatting all forms of radicalisation, as well as hatred, racism and discrimination, including those related to actual or perceived religion or belief. [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202600455. [2] please see footnote 1.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters · EU policy on Islam
• 2026-03-09 “Answer given by Executive Vice-President Ribera on behalf of the European Commission 27.5.2026 Written question The Commission is aware that the situation in the Middle East has direct consequences and dire economic and social implications for the EU, in particular for primary agricultural production and fisheries. To face this crisis, the Commission acts in two directions, in close coordination with Member States to follow the most exposed sectors and assess further developments. First course of action: more flexibility for Member States mobilising national funds. On 29 April 2026, the Commission adopted [1] the Middle East crisis Temporary state aid Framework (METSAF) [2] which allows for temporary limited amounts of aid for the undertakings active in primary production of agricultural, or fishery and aquaculture, products. Member States may use the METSAF, in addition to the standard state aid rules applicable to the agricultural and fishery sectors, to alleviate the consequences of exceptionally severe increases in the price of fuel and fertilisers caused by the current crisis. Second course of action: channelling existing EU funds towards affected undertakings. This is illustrated, regarding fisheries, by the activation of Article 26(2) of the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Regulation [3] . This crisis mechanism was previously activated to compensate for additional costs and income forgone arising from the disruption caused by the military aggression of Russia against Ukraine in 2022. On 16 April 2026, the Commission activated [4] the compensation mechanism provided under the EMFAF Regulation. [1] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_894. [2] Communication from the Commission on the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (OJ C, C/2026/2593, 5.5.2026): http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2026/2593/oj. [3] Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1004 (OJ L 247, 13.7.2021, p. 1). [4] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_824.”
  Agricultural funding · Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-03-09 “Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission 4.5.2026 Written question The Commission’s monitoring of the implementation of the Italian national recovery and resilience plan (RRP) [1] is based on the requirements outlined in the annex to the Council Implementing Decision on the approval of the assessment of the RRP for Italy [2] . With regard to the investment on the development of rapid mass transport systems in particular, milestone M2C2-26, concerning the issuance of completion certificates related to the activities supported by the investment, will be assessed in the context of the tenth payment request expected in 2026, while milestone M2C2-24 and M2C2-25 were positively assessed in the context of the fifth and seventh payment request. Overall, Member States’ authorities must ensure compliance of the specific projects undertaken under their national RRP with applicable national and EU law, including on the matters related to working conditions. [1] https://reforms-investments.ec.europa.eu/italys-recovery-and-resilience-plan_en. [2] https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-15106-2025-ADD-1/EN/pdf.”
  EU funding for transportation · EU Competition policy
• 2026-03-04 “P-000901/2026 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission Owing to the vulnerability resulting from importing a significant share of fossil fuels from unstable regions, the impact of the situation in the Middle East has already cost Europeans an additional EUR 22 billion in fossil fuel imports in 44 days of the Iran conflict alone 1 . Speeding up the production and integration of low-carbon, home-grown energy in Europe’s energy system is one of the most effective ways to reduce the impact of fossil fuels on price setting. The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) is a key tool to achieve a higher degree of energy security and independence, which in time will ensure lower, more stable energy and carbon costs. The Commission has no plans to suspend the ETS. A review of the ETS is planned by July 2026 notably to set out the emissions cap and a decarbonisation trajectory beyond 2030 in line with the 2040 emissions reduction target set by the co-legislators. On 1 April, the Commission has proposed to increase the firepower of the Market Stability Reserve 2 , so that it can more effectively address excessive price volatility and keep prices in check. The Commission will also work on an ETS Investment Booster to fast-track support to energy intensive industries as they modernise and decarbonise. The Commission is also taking steps to lower energy prices and other costs for businesses in the context of the Clean Industrial Deal and its Affordable Energy Action Plan. For example, the proposed European Grids Package will allow for the integration of clean energy, lowering prices for industry, and the Clean Industrial State Aid Framework provides the possibility to give electricity price relief to industries. The Commission is also working on a toolbox of targeted, temporary measures to address recent price spikes in energy prices. 1 Statement by the President of the Commission of 13 April 2026, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_26_800 2 EU reinforces the stability and predictability of its carbon market https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_666”
  Extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme · Climate efforts · Decarbonisation of maritime transport
• 2026-03-03 “E-000876/2026 Answer given by Ms Šuica on behalf of the European Commission In line with its 2023 Economic Security Strategy 1 , the Commission has been working steadily over recent years in ensuring resilient and diversified supply chains. The India–Middle East– Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is part of these efforts, which is why the Commission has played a key role in the revival of this initiative over the last year. The current military escalation in the region and the logistical and energy shocks resulting from this disruption make such a corridor even more relevant than before. Since May 2025, the IMEC signatories have been meeting regularly at senior official level (the latest meeting organised by Italy, one of the eight initial signatories, in Trieste on 17 March 2026) and at technical level, with the establishment of five technical working groups, whose current and future work will help operationalise IMEC. All IMEC signatories are already investing in, or supporting, soft and hard infrastructure projects that contribute to the objectives of IMEC, i.e. boosting connectivity between Europe, the Midde East-Gulf region and India, be it in terms of transport, energy and digital connections. The current aim of the IMEC signatories is to identify gaps and relevant projects to address these. Infrastructure investments and accompanying soft measures are key to the success of IMEC and while the private sector will be the main engine behind IMEC, all signatories are expected to contribute to this aim, including Italy. The Commission will use its existing tools and financial instruments in this respect. 1 2023 European Economic Security Strategy: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52023JC0020.”
  EU relations with Gulf countries · EU-India relations · EU policy on the Indo-Pacific region
• 2026-02-02 “Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission 7.5.2026 Written question The recycled content targets for single-use plastic (SUP) beverage bottles for 2025 and 2030 are laid down in the SUP Directive [1] and the Commission is empowered to adopt the necessary related implementing acts pursuant to Articles 6 (5) and 13(4), thereof . While the evaluation of the SUP Directive is ongoing, it is important to stress that the recycled content targets of the SUP Directive for beverage bottles will be repealed when the recycled content targets of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) [2] will apply (planned as of 1 January 2030). The responsible Comitology Committee recently issued a positive vote on a draft implementing act under the SUP Directive laying down technologically neutral rules for the calculation, verification and reporting of recycled content in SUP beverage bottles that are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as the major component [3] . This draft restricts recycled plastic to material that has been recycled in the EU until 21 November 2027. After that date, the geographic scope also includes Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries [4] and third countries with which the EU has bilateral arrangements ensuring the environmentally sound management of waste. There is sufficient supply of recycled PET (rPET) in the EU. Approximately 3.1 million tonnes of PET beverage bottles were placed on the EU market in 2022, while existing PET recycling capacity amounted to around 3.0 million tonnes [5] . To meet the 25% target in the SUP Directive for 2025, approximately 0.8 million tonnes of rPET are required. Under the PPWR, the Commission intends to adopt implementing and delegated acts on the calculation methodology, sustainability criteria and equivalence rules with third countries. [1] Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, OJ L 155, 12.6.2019, pp. 1-19. [2] Regulation (EU) 2025/40 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 on packaging and packaging waste, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904, and repealing Directive 94/62/EC, OJ L, 2025/40, 22.1.2025. [3] Comitology Register, Meeting CMTD(2026)166, https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/comitology-register/screen/meetings/CMTD%282026%29166. [4] To which the OECD Decision of the Council on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Wastes Destined for Recovery Operations (OECD/LEGAL/0266) applies. [5] Calculations of the Joint Research Centre (not published) based on data from Petcore Europe (PET Market in Europe: State of Play, 2024, https://www.petcore-europe.org/images/pet/PET_report_V3.pdf).”
  Circular economy · EU policy towards plastics
• 2026-01-27 “E-000320/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) are of increasing concern and the Mediterranean Sea has become a hotspot for these invasions. The Commission works closely with the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean to address the related challenges. Several pilot projects and research programmes have been launched and will be paramount in collecting data and establishing mitigation measures. The European Ocean Pact 1 announced a dedicated policy initiative addressing the issue of NIS and the preparation of a document mapping good practices and recommendations on the management of conflicts with predators in aquaculture. The EU Aquaculture Assistance Mechanism is working on this document, expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) helps achieve sustainable fishing and aquaculture and strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of the sector and coastal communities. EMFAF national programmes can support the monitoring, surveillance and mitigation of invasive alien species. Under specific conditions, EMFAF can provide for compensation to fishers for the temporary cessation of fishing activities. The Italian authorities may mobilise resources in line with the specific objectives of its EMFAF Programme. The Commission does not plan to propose adding Mnemiopsis leidiy on the list under the Invasive Alien Species Regulation 2 . A risk assessment under Article 5(1) is a required first step. None has yet been carried out. Based on biological characteristics, it is unlikely that its inclusion on the Union list would effectively prevent its impact. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive 3 and the Ballast Water Management Convention are also relevant frameworks to address NIS. 1 https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/european-ocean-pact_en. 2 Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 35–55. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32008L0056.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries · Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2026-01-27 “E-000319/2026 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission In January 2025, the Commission presented the Competitiveness Compass 1 , a new roadmap to restore the EU’s dynamism and boost economic growth. The European pulp and paper industry benefits from a large range of policies announced in the Competitiveness Compass and already adopted by the Commission such as the EU Omnibus Packages 2 , the Clean Industrial Deal 3 as well as the Action Plan on Affordable Energy 4 . In November 2025, the Commission presented the Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy (EU Bioeconomy Strategy) 5 , which aims to boost innovation and support European companies in making a success of the green transition. The European pulp and paper industry will benefit from many actions announced in the EU Bioeconomy Strategy such as the creation of lead markets for bio-based materials. Specifically in respect of the export of waste from the EU, new and stricter waste export rules under the Waste Shipment Regulation 6 will ensure that waste is exported only where it can be ensured that it will be managed in conditions that are equivalent to those required in the EU. It is expected that more waste will be retained in the EU as a result of that stricter regime. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0030. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52025PC0081. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0085. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0079. 5 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0960. 6 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02024R1157-20250109.”
  EU industrial funding · Circular economy · EU support for bioeconomic applications
• 2026-01-20 “E-000214/2026 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The EU is a strong advocate for accountability mechanisms related to human rights violations in Iran, including those committed during the brutal repression of peaceful protests in January 2026. The EU urges Iran to allow free and unhindered access to the country for the UN mandate holders and to cooperate fully with the independent, international fact-finding mission and the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran. At the special session of the Human Rights Council on 23 January 2026, the EU strongly supported the work of the UN mechanisms and the extension of their mandate. The EU is also supporting civil society organisations, both outside and inside the country, but cannot provide more details given the sensitivity of such activities. During the Foreign Affairs Council of 23 February 2026, the Commission raised the point on continuing support to civil society organisations and the importance of coordinated Member State action. Civil society remains key to supporting Iranians in their bid to live a life of dignity under good governance. As part of a strong EU response to the violent repression of peaceful protesters, the Council adopted new restrictive measures against perpetrators of serious human rights violations in the context of the recent nationwide protests, including prominent figures such as the Minister of Interior of the Islamic Republic of Iran 1 and reached the political agreement to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps under Council Common Position of 27 December 2001 on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism (2001/931/CFSP) 2 as a terrorist organisation. The EU will continue to use all available tools, including new restrictive measures, to advance EU interests and address all issues of concern with Iran. 1 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/01/29/iran-council-adopts-new-sanctions-overserious-human-rights-violations-and-iran-s-continued-support-to-russia-s-war-of-aggression-against-ukraine/. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/compos/2001/931/oj/eng.”
  EU-Iran relations
• 2026-01-08 “E-000039/2026 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission The scope of the Commission’s proposal 1 and the Council’s compromise 2 text include the same 26 product categories subject to the currently existing steel safeguard measure. The proposed measure provides explicitly that the Commission should assess the necessity to adjust the scope of products covered and, if deemed necessary, consider making a legislative proposal to expand the product scope. This commitment is reflected in Article 9 (1) and Recital 26. It its proposal, the Commission aims to have such a review within maximum two years from the date of entry into force of the Regulation 3 , a period that the Council has proposed to shorten to a maximum of 18 months 4 . The final decision on this aspect of the proposal will depend on the outcome of the ongoing ordinary legislative procedure. Regarding the free trade agreement partners, the Commission may impose bilateral safeguard measures, which shall comply with the requirements of the applicable agreement. It should be noted that steel producers have strongly welcomed the proposal. Furthermore, a feedback period was opened on 10 October 2025 and closed on 16 December 2025 providing stakeholders the opportunity to express their views on the proposal5. The Commission, the European Parliament and the Council will discuss the text in the trilogues that will start in the first quarter of 2026. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/documents-register/detail?ref=COM(2025)726&lang=en. 2 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-16080-2025-INIT/en/pdf. 3 https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/documents-register/detail?ref=COM(2025)726&lang=en. 4 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-16080-2025-INIT/en/pdf. 5 https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14781-Trade-measure-addressing-thenegative-trade-related-effects-of-global-excess-capacity-on-the-EU-steel-sector_en.”
  Trade relations with Turkey
• 2025-11-28 “P-004725/2025 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission Morocco has introduced new Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) requirements, as notified to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Committee on 7 October 2021. It introduces a ban of ornamental plants from countries affected by Xf and regionalisation rules for fruit plants from these countries. Besides raising the issue regularly as a specific trade concern at the WTO SPS Committee, a technical meeting was organised with the four affected Member States (Italy, France, Spain and Portugal) in November 2024. During the meeting, Morocco clarified the approach used for regionalisation. If an outbreak is detected in a country, an export ban is introduced for host plants not only from the administrative region with the outbreak but also from the adjacent ones. The EU has since then requested Morocco to notify the legal act defining this approach and invited Morocco to consider the type of regionalisation applied in the EU. While Morocco has not yet been open for this, the EU will continue to pursue this approach. The Vision for Agriculture and Food invites the EU to be more assertive in promoting and defending strategically the exports of EU products as well as a reciprocal treatment to EU exports. Based on this, the EU follows closely the agricultural markets and will continue to defend EU farmers and exporters when confronted with the misuse of non-tariff trade barriers. The EU may also use various measures according to the applicable legislation, in cases of market disturbances. Furthermore, it is important to highlight that Member States have a broad array of interventions available through the common agricultural policy strategic plans 1 and through national schemes with the use of state aids. 1 OJ L 435, 6.12.2021, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/2115/oj.”
  Trade relations with Morocco · Export of EU agri-food products
• 2025-11-13 “E-004510/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission Council Directive 89/391/EEC 1 , which applies to all sectors of activity, both public and private, imposes on employers the duty to ensure the safety and health of workers in every aspect related to the work. In this context, employers are required to identify and assess all risks, physical and psychosocial, to their workers’ health and safety at work, and to take, within the context of their responsibilities, the measures necessary for the safety and health protection of workers. This includes any risks linked to incidents of assault on healthcare workers. Among the preventive and protective measures that must be implemented by employers for the above purpose are the provision to workers of all the necessary information concerning the safety and health risks that they face and the protective and preventive measures and activities implemented to address them, as well as of adequate safety and health training. The Commission will continue its efforts in cooperation with the Member States to ensure the effective application and enforcement of these provisions. While the Commission at this stage does not intend to establish a system to monitor attacks on health workers, it has supported, under an EU4Health-funded action, the European Mental Health or Nurses and Doctors survey (MeND) 2 , which provided data on workplace conditions affecting mental health and well-being of health professionals, including exposure to violence at work. As part of an EUR 11 million contribution agreement with the World Health Organization, this action will also provide further capacity-building support to Member States to improve the mental health of health workers. 1 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) - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A01989L0391-20081211. 2 https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/WHO-EURO-2025-12709-52483-81031.”
  EU competences on health
• 2025-11-05 “E-004378/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission As the question concerns a possible form of support to Member States by Europol, the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, and refers to several criminal offences, including forms of crime that fall within the scope of Europol’s mandate, the Commission has asked this agency to deliver the reply to the question put forward by the Honourable Member. The reply of the agency will be transmitted by the Commission to the Honourable Member as soon as possible. The Commission is committed to enhancing the capacity of EU agencies and bodies to combat cross-border organised crime. In line with the Political Guidelines 1 and the ProtectEU Strategy 2 , it will propose in 2026 legislation to transform Europol into a truly operational agency, fully delivering on its support role to Member States. The Commission has also proposed to increase the funding for Europol under the next multiannual financial framework to boost the agency's operational capacity. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf. 2 COM(2025) 148 final, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025DC0148.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters · Anti-money laundering regulation
• 2025-11-03 “E-4294/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The Commission recognises the importance of providing consumers with clear and transparent information on the species, production method and origin of fishery and aquaculture products. This is reflected in the mandatory consumer information requirements set out in Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 1 on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products (CMO). These rules apply to the majority of fishery and aquaculture products but exempt prepared and preserved products. Consequently, mandatory consumer information under the CMO does not cover most items sold by the hospitality sector (e.g. hotels, restaurants, catering). The revised Fisheries Control Regulation 2 sets out rules to ensure traceability throughout the supply chain. As of 10 January 2026, all lots of fishery and aquaculture products must be traceable from the point of catch or harvest to retail, with each lot requiring proper labelling with minimum information and digital transmission of traceability data. For prepared and preserved products, and as agreed by the co-legislators, new traceability requirements will apply from 2029. As part of the ongoing evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation, the Commission is assessing the CMO provisions to identify areas for improvement. A dedicated study 3 informing this evaluation has recently been completed. The study examined, among other issues, the scope of mandatory labelling, the implementation of the CMO labelling rules by Member States, and the situation in the hospitality sector. While the outcome of the evaluation cannot be prejudged, the Commission remains committed to ensuring that the labelling framework is fit for purpose and delivers effective consumer information. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/1379/oj/eng. 2 Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02009R1224-20241011. 3 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/b8deded9-a010-11f0-97c8-01aa75ed71a1.”
  EU policy on country of origin food labelling · Food labelling harmonisation at EU level
• 2025-10-22 “E-004174/2025 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission All sectors, including maritime transport, must contribute to the EU climate neutrality goal by 2050 and the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) is key to achieve this objective. Based on the information available at the time, the first Commission report 1 does not find any evidence of major changes in the market directly attributable to the introduction of the EU ETS to maritime transport. As mandated by the EU ETS Directive 2 , the Commission will continue monitoring closely the implementation of the EU ETS extension to maritime transport, notably with the objective to detect possible evasive behaviours at an early stage. If appropriate, the Commission will propose measures to ensure the effective implementation of the Directive. With regards to the use of ETS revenues, Member States are required to use the revenues generated from the auctioning of allowances (or an equivalent financial value) to support climate action and energy transformation, including measures supporting maritime decarbonisation. The Commission closely monitors compliance with this obligation to ensure all ETS revenues are genuinely spent for these purposes. In addition, EUR 20 million allowances 3 will be deployed up to 2030 to support the decarbonisation of the sector through the Innovation Fund 4 . Finally, the FuelEU Maritime Regulation and the EU ETS Directive both include dynamic review clauses designed to take into account future developments at the International Maritime Organization. Pending the activation of these review clauses, both legislations will continue to apply as planned, driving emissions reductions, creating demand for sustainable fuels, and supporting innovation across the sector. 1 COM(2025) 110 final: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025DC0110. 2 Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Union and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC (OJ L 275 25.10.2003, p. 32). 3 Worth about EUR 1.5 billion with a price of EUR 75 per EU allowance. 4 This includes another European Hydrogen Bank auction with a dedicated budget of EUR 300 million for the production of hydrogen with off-takers in the maritime and aviation sectors that the Commission will open in early December 2025.”
  Decarbonisation of maritime transport · Extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme
• 2025-10-15 “P-004043/2025 Answer given by Ms Albuquerque on behalf of the European Commission EU sanctions on Russia prohibit access to EU ports and locks for vessels flying the Russian flag, as well as those that have reflagged from Russia after 24 February 2022. A number of derogations are foreseen. The responsibility for assessing whether a specific operation qualifies under one of the derogations lies with the competent national authorities who remain competent to interpret and apply a possibly relevant derogation. In this case, the Italian authorities are responsible for evaluating the logistics operation and determining the applicability of the relevant provisions. Moreover, it is important to clarify that the FAQ published by the Commission 1 , and referred to in the question, does not concern this specific case. The Commission services remain available to support Member States in the implementation of the sanctions regime and to provide technical guidance where appropriate. 1 https://finance.ec.europa.eu/document/download/66e8fd7d-8057-4b9b-96c2-5e54bf573cd1_en?filename=faqssanctions-russia-consolidated_en.pdf.”
  EU-Russia relations (from March 2022)
• 2025-10-08 “E-003956/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission Reliable, fast and secure connectivity for everybody in the EU, including in rural and remote areas, is a Commission priority. The Digital Decade policy programme 2030 1 sets up digital targets, including 100% coverage with 5G and very high-capacity networks (VHCN), as well as the framework aiming to ensure that these targets are met. It includes a monitoring process and a cooperation mechanism involving the Member States who, having developed national strategic roadmaps, are fully committed to these targets. As regards progress achieved 2 , in 2024 79.6% of EU households in rural areas were reached by basic 5G coverage, while 61.9% of these households were reached by very high-capacity networks. At least EUR 17.2 billion of EU funding is dedicated to supporting connectivity in the current Multiannual Financial Framework 3 . Besides the structural funds and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital also supports connectivity of remote islands and outermost regions, as well as the deployment and take up of 5G by local communities. The WiFi4EU initiative 4 has also helped bridge the digital divide by bringing free connectivity in some 7 200 local municipalities across Europe, the vast majority of which are in rural areas and remote locations. Furthermore, the upcoming Digital Networks Act will aim to incentivise investments in digital infrastructure and thereby improve access to secure, fast and reliable connectivity across the EU. 1 Decision (EU) 2022/2481 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 establishing the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030. 2 Digital Decade in 2025: Progress and outlook | Shaping Europe’s digital future https://digitalstrategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/digital-decade-2025-progress-and-outlook. 3 Commission Staff Working Document Digital Decade in 2025: progress and outlook Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions State of the Digital Decade 2025: Keep building the EU's sovereignty and digital future https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail//publication/498ec314-4aa4-11f0-85ba-01aa75ed71a1/language-en. 4 https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/wifi4eu.”
  5G · EU policy on accessibility of digital infrastructure
• 2025-09-09 “E-003492/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission 1. Maintenance and structural works are needed in particular to ensure the road safety of the infrastructure and to prolong its useful lifetime. They will therefore have a positive effect for the single market in the long term, even if they require temporary closures and shifting of the traffic on alternative routes in the short term, with the associated consequences mentioned by the Honourable Member. 2. The Commission is fully engaged in the construction of the Mont Cenis railway tunnel situated on the trans-European transport (TEN-T) core network between Lyon and Turin. It will be opened in 2033 and will allow for a modal shift towards railways alleviating the road traffic via available road tunnels of Fréjus and Mont Blanc. 3. Article 11 of the Transport Protocol to the Alpine Convention 1 , to which the Honourable Member refers, limits the construction of new, large-capacity roads for transalpine transport. It is not planned to revise this provision which ensures the right balance between transport needs and environmental protection. 1 Protocol on the implementation of the 1991 Alpine Convention in the field of transport-Transport protocol (OJ L 323, 8.12.2007, p. 15).”
  EU transport infrastructure integration · EU support of rail transport · EU funding for transportation
• 2025-09-03 “E-003394/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission The decision to lower Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for acetamiprid in several products was guided by a comprehensive evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which identified risks to consumer health from the existing MRLs. Following a vote by Member States in the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF) and scrutiny by the Council and the European Parliament, the Commission adopted a Regulation 1 with a deferred application of six months 2 to allow food business operators to adapt by 19 August 2025. Applications for revision of MRLs in specific crops can be submitted under the provisions of Article 6 of the MRL Regulation 3 at any time. Decisions on (renewal of) approval of active substances and on MRLs are based on EFSA evaluations and are taken by the Commission together with the Member States after careful consideration of all available relevant information, including from stakeholders. Intentions of regulatory changes are shared well in advance of the adoption of Regulations (e.g. through SCoPAFF meetings) so that stakeholders have time to prepare. Acetamiprid is an approved active substance. Member States can grant authorisations for plant protection products (PPPs) containing it, including via emergency authorisations in urgent situations involving new pests or invasive species when no other reasonable means are available. As announced in the Vision for Agriculture and Food 4 , the Commission is preparing a legislative proposal by end 2025 for simplifying and clarifying the regulatory framework for PPPs. It aims in particular at accelerating market access for biocontrol solutions as alternatives to chemical pesticides. A call for evidence 5 to collect the views of stakeholders ended on 14 October 2025. 1 Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/158 of 29 January 2025 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for acetamiprid in or on certain products (OJ L, 2025/158, 30.1.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/158/oj). 2 https://food.ec.europa.eu/plants/pesticides/maximum-residue-levels/qas-pesticides_en. 3 Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 February 2005 on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin and amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC (OJ L 70, 16.3.2005, pp. 1–16, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2005/396/oj). 4 https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/overview-vision-agriculture-food/vision-agriculture-and-food_en. 5 https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14824-Food-and-feed-safetysimplification-omnibus_en.”
  EU policy on pesticides · Maximum residue levels
• 2025-09-01 “P-003352/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The legislative instruments of the Pact on Migration and Asylum were adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in May 2024. The provisions will enter into application on 12 June 2026. Based on the new rules, notably Article 25 paragraphs 2 and 3 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 1 , if following a multi-disciplinary assessment there are still doubts as to whether or not an applicant for international protection is a minor, national authorities can use medical examinations, as a measure of last resort that is to be the least invasive possible. As reported by the EU Asylum Agency in 2018 Practical Guide on age assessment 2 , none of the existing assessment methods, including bone testing, leads to accurate estimates, while the multi-disciplinary approach reduces the margin of error. Considering the elements above, the Commission is not planning to reform the legislative framework. The Commission proposal for a Regulation on return 3 seeks to create a more coherent and efficient return system. The proposal intends to equip Member States with common rules for identifying and speeding up the return of third-country nationals, including those posing security risks. It also provides specific rules to be followed when returning minors. The best interests of the child should be a primary consideration when applying this Regulation, as well as the protection of children rights as enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU 4 . 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1348/oj/eng. 2 https://euaa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/easo-practical-guide-on-age-assesment-v3-2018.pdf. 3 Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:9565bdd7-ff1a-11ef-950301aa75ed71a1.0001.02/DOC_1&format=PDF. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/treaty/char_2012/oj/eng.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-09-01 “E-003343/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission Member States are responsible for the coordination of search and rescue activities under international law. Determining a place of safety for a specific disembarkation is the responsibility of the Maritime/Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in charge of the individual rescue operation. The proposal for a Facilitation Directive 1 defines criminal offences for the facilitation of unauthorised entry, transit and stay in the EU. It does not regulate search and rescue operations. It is currently under negotiation by the co-legislators. Under the umbrella of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling, the Commission works closely with third countries to counter migrant smuggling globally and reinforce international cooperation along the three strands of prevention of migrant smuggling, response to migrant smuggling and alternatives to irregular migration. 1 COM(2023) 755 final.”
  Asylum & border control · Regulation of NGOs in Europe
• 2025-08-27 “E-003304/2025 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission Under the EU-Türkiye trade regime for agricultural and fishery products, Türkiye’s liberalisation of agricultural and fishery (including aquaculture) products trade towards the EU remains indeed more limited than the EU’s liberalisation towards Türkiye. A key objective of modernising the Customs Union with Türkiye would be to achieve mutually enhanced market access for trade in agricultural and fishery products. However, progress on this modernisation has been stalled since 2017. The Commission is fully committed to protecting EU industries from unfair competition from imports and conducts investigations where it receives evidence from any affected EU industry of injury suffered from dumped and/or subsidised imports and that action is warranted. There are countervailing measures in place on imports of trout 1 from Türkiye since February 2015, most recently extended to May 2026 following an expiry review completed in May 2021. There are no measures on imports of sea bass and sea bream from Türkiye and no ongoing investigation into these products. The industries have the possibility to contact the Commission’s trade defence services 2 to discuss the issues of concern. 1 Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss):-live weighing 1,2 kg or less each, or - fresh, chilled, frozen and/or smoked: in the form of whole fish (with heads on), whether or not gilled, whether or not gutted, weighing 1,2 kg or less each, or with heads off, whether or not gilled, whether or not gutted, weighing 1 kg or less each, or – in the form of fillets weighing 400 g or less each or – in the form of fillets weighing 400 g or less each, currently falling under CN codes ex 0301 91 90, ex 0302 11 80, ex 0303 14 90, ex 0304 42 90, ex 0304 82 90 and ex 0305 43 00 (TARIC codes 0301 91 90 11, 0302 11 80 11, 0303 14 90 11, 0304 42 90 10, 0304 82 90 10 and 0305 43 00 11) and originating in Turkey. 2 https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/contacts/trade-defence-enquiries_en.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture · Import of agri-food products in the EU
• 2025-07-28 “E-003122/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU is committed to the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as an ambitious project of major geopolitical and economic relevance. To this end, the EU is working with relevant Member States to deliver a European package of support in close coordination with other IMEC signatories. IMEC is an international initiative with eight signatories (EU, Germany, Italy, France, United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and India), who are equally engaged. The EU intends to play a leading role and is ready to invest in concrete projects under Global Gateway. The EU is ready to contribute to mapping and feasibility studies with the Member States that are IMEC signatories (France, Italy, Germany), in a Team Europe approach. These studies will guide investment priorities and support Member States and project promoters. IMEC is anchored in the Global Gateway strategy and the EU’s engagement with partner countries concerned. The Commission is open to consider ways to potentially link IMEC with other strategic corridors such as the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. The Commission will, as appropriate, mobilise relevant EU instruments, and is exploring technical assistance, soft connectivity and ways to leverage both private and public investment for hard infrastructure. Importantly, IMEC will require strong private-sector involvement, as ultimately economic operators decide on the most appropriate transport routes, based on cost, efficiency and security considerations. While there are no special provisions or resources dedicated specifically to IMEC, the Commission is fully committed to assisting the project promoters and Member States to facilitate the development of IMEC infrastructures – as it does with all projects of common interest.”
  EU-US trade relations
• 2025-07-23 “E-003052/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission 1. The proposed global funding structure of the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is fundamentally different from the current one. It will be more streamlined, flexible and impactful. To this end, it has three main headings: (i) National and Regional Partnership Plans, (ii) Competitiveness Fund, and (iii) Global Europe Fund. In this new architecture, fisheries and aquaculture producers remain the lifeblood of Europe’s coastal communities and economies. Fisheries and ocean related policies are well reflected in all three major building blocks of the new MFF. Under the National and Regional Plans, EU fishers and aquaculture producers can have access to the big pot, through the national plans submitted by Member States. A ringfenced amount of EUR 2 billion has been specifically earmarked for support to the Common Fisheries Policy. In addition, there will be access to the EU Facility for data collection, fisheries control and digital solutions. Furthermore, the European Competitiveness Fund will support investments in sustainable blue economy, including fisheries, and Horizon Europe will support ocean observation, research and innovation. In addition, Global Europe will support EU Ocean diplomacy and strengthen EU’s capacity to fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. All these combined ensure a robust financial support for EU fishers, aquaculture producers and ocean related policies, with the potential to go significantly beyond the amounts foreseen under the current MFF. 2. Productive investments, fleet modernisation as well as support to energy transition of the European fleet, as well as compensation for cessation of fishing, can all be financed under the new MFF 1 . 1 As in the previous programming periods, this type of public support is subject to compliance with the Common fisheries policy and World Trade Organisation rules.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2025-07-08 “E-002765/2025 Answer given by Mr Hansen on behalf of the European Commission The EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) needs to adapt to the challenges and opportunities faced by EU agriculture but does not warrant a complete revision. The Commission’s proposals under the proposed multiannual financial framework (MFF) 20282034 1 aim for an evolution and maintain a robust CAP. Within the proposed structure, the CAP would continue to rely on its comprehensive set of instruments, ensuring that common objectives and basic policy requirements are set at EU level while providing greater flexibility in funding, thus enabling more effective support for beneficiaries. The future long-term EU budget and revenue system will shortly be discussed in the Council. A dedicated budget of at least EUR 293.7 billion is allocated to farmers’ income support, providing predictable aid to ensure fair income, supporting environmental sustainability, onfarm investment and interventions in certain sectors, including wine. To address possible market disturbances, additional EUR 6.3 billion is reserved under the Unity Safety Net, doubling the current agricultural reserve. Farmers will also benefit from the European Competitiveness Fund and the Horizon Programme, where around EUR 40 billion will be available, including to foster innovation in health, agriculture, bioeconomy and biotech. An inflation-handling method is introduced at the level of the whole MFF to avoid that unexpected inflationary shocks impact the EU’s ability to deliver on its objectives, including support to farmers and rural areas. Outside the CAP, in the context of international cooperation, Team Europe 2 invested around EUR 13.6 billion in 2021-2023 in partner countries to increase food security and the sustainability of local and global food systems. 1 tabled on 16 July 2025. 2 In this context, Team Europe refers to the joint mobilisation of resources from the EU Institutions, specifically, DG ENEST, and DG ECHO, together with those of EU Member States, as part of the EU’s overall commitment of EUR 18 billion until 2024 to address global food insecurity - https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-andpolicy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/eu-actions-enhance-global-foodsecurity_en#:~:text=The%20European%20Union%20is%20taking%20steps%20to%20ensure,aid%20and%20su pport%20to%20the%20most%20affected%20farmers.”
  Import of agri-food products in the EU · Agricultural funding
• 2025-07-03 “P-002734/2025 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission All sectors of the economy must contribute to emission reductions, including shipping. Maritime was included in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) in 2023 and 20 million allowances 1 will be deployed up to 2030 to support its decarbonisation. The FuelEU Maritime Regulation (FuelEU) applies as of January 2025. The provisionally approved International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Net-Zero Framework (NZF) is a landmark achievement for decarbonising shipping. If formally adopted in October 2025 and implemented, it will be the first global agreement with mandatory emission limits and greenhouse gas pricing across an entire industry sector from 2028. The EU ETS Directive 2 and FuelEU contain specific review provisions to take into account IMO policy developments. Once the IMO adopts the NZF, the Commission will examine and compare it with the EU framework. The assessment will cover aspects including its level of ambition and environmental integrity, any issue of coherence with EU measures, level of participation, enforceability, transparency, penalties for non-compliance, the monitoring, reporting and verification of emissions, registries and accountability. The Commission will review the ETS Directive and FuelEU, as appropriate, notably to avoid any significant double burden for shipping companies, while avoiding environmental backsliding. The term ‘significant’ pertains to the extent and impact of potential burden for companies, being financial, administrative, or operational. The Commission will continue supporting a level playing field for EU maritime companies by strongly advocating for ambitious measures at IMO, ensuring equal treatment of EU and nonEU ships under its laws and through relevant support instruments. 1 Worth about €1.5 billion with a price of €75 per EU allowance. 2 Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC (OJ L 275, 25.10.2003, p. 32).”
  Decarbonisation of maritime transport
• 2025-07-02 “E-002695/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Commission, in coordination with EU Member States and the European External Action Service (EEAS), has acted to address the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. EU Naval Force Operation ASPIDES, launched in February 2024 to protect commercial shipping and freedom of navigation, covers the Strait of Hormuz. ASPIDES has assumed all tasks of the previous European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASoH) Operation AGENOR but has not yet deployed there due to limited assets. To improve maritime awareness, ASPIDES has gained access to surveillance systems hosted by the European Maritime Safety Agency. Coordination continues at the United Nations and the International Maritime Organization on passage rights under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Commission also supports the shipping industry through updated security guidance and preparedness of EU ports and corridors for rerouted traffic. 2. Building on lessons from the 2022 crisis, the Commission continues to coordinate demand aggregation and facilitate contacts with international gas suppliers to replace missing volumes. The prolonged Gas Storage Regulation entered into force on 11 September 2025, requiring Member States to reach 90% gas storage annually, with flexibility depending on market conditions. The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSO-G)’s Winter Supply Outlook of 9 October 2025 confirmed the vital role of storage and the resilience of EU infrastructure to meet demand under severe conditions. 3. While the Commission does not provide direct financial or insurance compensation to individual operators, it supports the sector through horizontal EU instruments and actions that provide protection and facilitate coordinated response.”
  EU relations with Gulf countries · EU-Iran relations
• 2025-06-26 “E-002592/2025 Answer given by Mr Hansen on behalf of the European Commission The Commission’s proposal for the multiannual financial framework (MFF) post-2027 maintains a robust Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Anchored to the EU Treaty objectives, the CAP will retain a distinct role within the National and Regional Partnership Plans to provide a fair standard of living for the agricultural community, guarantee food security and affordability, and ensure market stability and rural community support, while contributing to environmental and climate objectives. The CAP will maintain its comprehensive set of instruments, ensuring EU common objectives and basic policy requirements are established at EU level, while enhancing flexibility in funding and leverage, enabling more effective support for beneficiaries. With the new Plans’ holistic approach and more integrated policy planning, agriculture and rural areas stand to gain from synergies with other policy areas, with access to additional funding such as for improved services, infrastructure, or energy. The Commission proposed a ring-fenced budget of EUR 300 billion to support farmers’ income and a twofold increase of the funds to address possible market disturbances under the Unity Safety Net, providing the needed predictability to farmers. An inflation-handling method is introduced for the whole MFF to avoid unexpected inflationary shocks impact the EU’s ability to deliver on its objectives, including support to farmers and rural areas. A collaborative approach has been central to shaping the future CAP through extensive dialogues, consultations, workshops, and engagements with stakeholders including the farming community. This process will continue, reinforcing the Commission’s commitment to stakeholder engagement in future CAP developments.”
  Agricultural funding · Direct payments to farmers (pillar 1)
• 2025-05-22 “E-002075/2025 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission The freight transport and logistics sector are important stakeholders for developing and implementing policies for decarbonising the road transport sector. The Commission will continue the dialogue with them also in the future. Supply side regulations, such as the CO 2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles Regulation 1 , effectively provide this commercial sector with access to cost-efficient transport solutions achieving the greenhouse gas emission reductions objectives of the EU and thereby strengthening its international competitiveness. The CO 2 Standards for heavy-duty vehicles Regulation requires a reduction of CO 2 emissions by 65% as from the reporting period 2035 and by 90% as from the reporting period 2040. They do not include any ‘ban’ of thermal engines. Article 15 of the Regulation requires a review by 31 December 2027 which will look at the effectiveness and impact of the Regulation. It will inter alia assess the progress of the deployment of charging and refilling infrastructure and impact of infrastructure constraints in third countries on the operation of zero-emission vehicles registered in the EU, as well as its impact on employment, the effectiveness of retraining/upskilling measures of the workforce and the economic and social viability of the transition towards zero-emission mobility. According to Article 15(1)(f) of the Regulation, the review will also assess the level of the excess CO 2 emissions premium. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32024R1610.”
  Corporate fleet electrification: binding zero-emission quotas vs. voluntary approach · Road transport environmental policy
• 2025-05-21 “P-002042/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware of the report. The Commission takes the threat posed by radicalisation 1 leading to violent extremism and terrorism very seriously. The Commission launched the EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation 2 in 2024, gathering all relevant stakeholders to address the phenomenon in all its forms. Furthermore, the new European Internal Security Strategy (ProtectEU) 3 emphasised the need to address challenges posed by radicalisation, both offline and online, and announced the EU Agenda on preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism for 2025. As stated in ProtectEU, the EU budget must be protected from misuse to foster radical/extremist views in the Member States. The revised Financial Regulation 4 now includes ‘incitement to discrimination, hatred or violence’ as a ground for exclusion from EU funding. The Commission will continue to explore the best way of making full use of the toolbox to protect the EU budget, including when selecting potential beneficiaries. The protection of the EU budget also relies on strong cooperation and information sharing with national authorities, EU agencies and bodies. 1 https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/networks/eu-knowledge-hub-prevention-radicalisation_en. 2 https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/networks/eu-knowledge-hub-prevention-radicalisation/about-eu-knowledgehub-prevention-radicalisation_en. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025DC0148. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R2509, the revised Financial Regulation introduced an explicit ground under the Early Detection and Exclusion System for excluding entities from receiving EU funds if they have engaged in certain activities contrary to EU funding values, where such misconduct negatively affects or concretely risks affecting the performance of legal commitments.”
  EU policy on integration and ethnic, racial and religious discrimination · EU policy on Islam
• 2025-05-19 “E-002003/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission This interim evaluation report of the Single Market Programme (Regulation (EU) 2021/690 1 ) adopted on 1 July 2025, assessed the effectiveness of the veterinary and phytosanitary programmes and of the emergency measures in place. The report concluded that the flexibility provided for in the current work programmes made it possible to address some unforeseen challenges and has contributed to the effectiveness of the emergency measures taken. As regards the programme management, the interim evaluation noted that it has made significant efforts towards simplification, including the acceptance of unit costs, lump sums and multiannual grants and a step towards increased digital transformation and efficiency. During the period of 2021-2024 there were large scale animal disease outbreaks in the EU, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza and African swine fever. Due to these outbreaks, the veterinary and phytosanitary programmes saw co-financing rates cut by 60% from 2023 onward, since the allocated funds were insufficient to cope with such large-scale crises. The next Multiannual Financial Framework will take into account these experiences. 1 http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/690/oj.”
  Agricultural funding · Animal diseases prevention and management in the EU
• 2025-05-14 “E-001951/2025 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission 1. In its judgment of 14 May 2025 in case T-36/23 1 concerning an access to documents request, the General Court found that the Commission should have provided a more detailed explanation in its decision that it does not hold documents of the requested type. In order to implement the judgment, on 28 July 2025, the Commission has adopted a new decision C(2025)5429 2 , providing a more detailed explanation. 2. The case in hand concerns an access to documents request submitted under Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 3 . Following the judgment of 14 May 2025, the Commission carried out a new and exhaustive search for the documents corresponding to the description given in the request. As a result of the renewed search, no documents could be identified. 3. The Commission has a robust record-keeping policy as laid down in Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121 on records management 4 , and in its internal guidelines, which provide for cumulative criteria for registration of documents. These rules aim to ensure the integrity of the Commission's records and full transparency by making sure that important documents drafted or received by the Commission are easily retrievable and can be made accessible to interested EU citizens. In its judgment, the General Court did not put into question the Commission's registration policy regarding access to documents. 1 Judgment of 14 May 2025, Stevi and The New York Times v Commission, T-36/23, EU:T:2025:483. 2 https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/documents-request/search/document-details/16708. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2001/1049/oj/eng. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2021/2121/oj/eng.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions · Disclosure vs. confidentiality of pharma companies processes
• 2025-05-13 “E-001908/25 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission Global Gateway (GG) aims to mobilise up to EUR 300 billion in public and private investments by 2027 through a mix of grants, concessional loans and guarantees. From 2021 to 2023, the EU, its Member States, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) jointly mobilised EUR 179 billion in investments, including EUR 50 billion by the EU 1 . Revised figures for the period 2021-2024 are expected by the last quarter of 2025. GG implementation remains in line with the strategy set out in the Joint Communication, emphasising mutual benefits and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals’ achievement. Implementation has helped to refine this approach, with the GG Board highlighting on 11 December 2022 the importance of digital connectivity, critical raw materials, value chains, and strategic transport corridors, including maritime ones. The Commission’s 360-degree approach ensures infrastructure investments are supported by actions that can maximise their development impact, creating sustainable jobs and ensuring adequate education. Member States are forming ‘Team Nationals’ to foster engagement and mobilisation of the private sector with a view to deploying GG investments. The next Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Investors Forum, in late 2025 in Uzbekistan, will provide an implementation update for the EUR 10 billion commitment made at the Investors Forum in 2024. The share of Team Europe and EBRD in this is EUR 3 billion. The announcement was a mixture of investments by International Financing Institutions, contributions from the Commission’s Multi-Annual Indicative Programmes in Central Asia and EU-financed blending and guarantees. The Commission is taking a leading role in coordinating present and future investments commitments. 1 Joint Communication on the Global Gateway (2021), page 3: https://internationalpartnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/1e8e8afb-64eb-493c-9494-7e2e10796bf3_en.”
  Funding for EU Neighbourhood
• 2025-05-08 “E-001860/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission As requested by Directive (EU) 2023/2668 1 , the Commission will make available, by the end of 2025, guidelines to facilitate the implementation of the revised Asbestos at Work Directive. The Commission services, when preparing the guidelines, involve a large number of relevant stakeholders including employers, workers and national authorities’ representatives, European industry associations and asbestos experts, by means of workshops, consultation rounds, onsite-pilots and case studies. For example, nearly 900 stakeholders have participated in ten workshops exchanging on different aspects of asbestos management. The guidelines aim to cover specific topics such as risk assessment and safe removal of asbestos, as well as existing good practice examples in the different Member States. The guidelines would present a holistic approach addressing different target groups including public and private entities and cover all relevant topics such as risk assessment, training, cleaning up and waste disposal along the asbestos lifecycle. The Committee of Senior Labour Inspectors will carry out from 2026 until 2027 an EU-wide awareness and inspection campaign on asbestos at work. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02009L0148-20231220.”
  Air quality policy
• 2025-04-23 “E-001613/2025 Answer given by Ms Zaharieva on behalf of the European Commission This project is a European Research Council (ERC) grant funded through Horizon 2020 1 . A key role of the ERC in Horizon 2020 was to ensure that Europe produces world-class science. The ERC has funded since 2007 more than 17 000 projects and over 10 000 researchers, across physical sciences and engineering, life sciences, social sciences and humanities 2 . This led to over 2 200 patents and other Intellectual Property Rights applications. More than 200 000 articles were published in scientific journals and the ERC grantees have been awarded with 14 Nobel Prizes, 7 Fields Medals, 11 Wolf Prizes and dozens of important prizes. The European Qur’an’ project is a multidisciplinary scientific research project that explores the complex historical interactions between Europe and the Islamic world. The main scientific objective of the project is to study the role of the Qur’an in European intellectual history, thought and self-image. The project has developed a wide-ranging database of primarily Western European texts dealing with the Qur’an in the long period from 1150-1850 3 . This project is a major scholarly undertaking by a group of recognised academic institutions 4 . The project was awarded funding through an independent scientific peer-review process, with the selection based solely on scientific excellence 5 . All ERC funded projects are monitored, requiring periodic scientific and financial reports, to ensure progress and compliance with all relevant EU legislation and ethical standards. Projects also undergo an independent ethics appraisal process 6 . The funding of this project is in line with the Treaty on European Union 7 , the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights 8 and the objective to promote academic freedom. 1 The EU's research and innovation funding programme from 2014-2020. 2 Within the social sciences and humanities projects which represent around a fourth of ERC grants, topics span an extensive range of disciplines, including economics and finance, law and political science, sociology, psychology and linguistics, literature and philosophy, history and archaeology, geography and environmental studies, anthropology, arts and cultural and religious studies – the category in which falls the mentioned project. 3 For an overview of the project’s results, please consult https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/810141/results. 4 Led by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the University of Naples L’Orientale, University of Copenhagen, and University of Nantes, with additional academic partners across Europe and beyond. 5 For more details on the applicable evaluation procedure and criteria, please consult the ERC work programme 2018-2020, Commission C(2017) 5307 of 2 August 2017 https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/wp/2018_2020/erc/h2020-wp18-erc_en.pdf. 6 See Annex A: The ethics review process, Commission Decision C(2017)4750 amending Decision C(2014)2454 on the European Research Council rules for submission of proposals and the related evaluation, selection and award procedures relevant to the specific programme of Horizon 2020; https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/sgl/erc/h2020-erc-se-rules-amended2_en.pdf. 7 See Article 6: ‘The Union recognises the rights, freedoms and principles set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union…’: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:2bf140bf-a3f8-4ab2-b506fd71826e6da6.0023.02/DOC_1&format=PDF. 8 See Article 13: ‘The arts and scientific research shall be free of constraint. Academic freedom shall be respected’: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/charter/pdf/text_en.pdf.”
  EU research funding · EU policy on Islam
• 2025-03-27 “E-001289/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission The classification as waste first and foremost ensures traceability and accountability of waste producers and haulers notably to prevent the illegal discard of waste, including dumping in nature or illegally landfilling, of safety issues which could arise by managing waste or certain types of waste. In parallel, to promote the recovery of recycled and organic materials (such as clippings and prunings), the Regulation on fertilising Products 1 allows material that constitutes waste, as defined in the Waste Framework Directive 2 , to cease to be waste, if it is contained in a compliant EU fertilising product. The Regulation provides harmonised conditions for making fertilisers made from such recycled or organic materials available on the entire internal market, to provide an important incentive for their further use. In all cases, Member States have the freedom to set such end of waste criteria at national level in order to facilitate its further usage, if a number of criteria are met to ensure safety, as set by per Article 6 of the Waste Framework Directive. To further facilitate the process and in a view of simplification and further harmonisation, the Circular Economy Act which the Commission indents to adopt by end 2026 will propose improvements in the procedures for the adoption of national and EU-level ‘end of waste’ criteria to facilitate the transition from waste to valuable secondary raw materials. 1 Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 laying down rules on the making available on the market of EU fertilising products and amending Regulations (EC) No 1069/2009 and (EC) No 1107/2009 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003, OJ L170/1, 25.6.2019, p 1-114. 2 Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives, OJ L 312, 22.11.2008, p. 3–30.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU · Circular economy
• 2025-03-14 “E-001103/2025 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission On 17 March 2025, the EU hosted the ninth Brussels Conference ‘Standing with Syria: Meeting the Needs for a Successful Transition’. The Syrian Interim Foreign Minister was invited and attended the conference, alongside international and regional partners and Syrian civil society. This invitation reflected the EU’s engagement in supporting an inclusive and peaceful transition guided by the respect of international law, human rights, pluralism and non-discrimination, and addressing Syria’s humanitarian and economic needs. Gravely alarmed by the violence in Syria’s coastal region on 6 March 2025, on 11 March 2025, the High Representative/Vice-President issued a statement 1 on behalf of the EU, strongly condemning the horrific crimes committed against civilians. The EU welcomed the transitional authorities’ establishment of an investigative committee, and called for a swift, transparent and impartial investigation to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and to prevent any such crimes from happening again. It further called on the transitional authorities to allow the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic to investigate all violations. The EU continues to be a staunch supporter of accountability mechanisms in Syria, including the Impartial and Independent Mechanism and the Independent Institution on Missing Persons. The EU continues to call for an end of violence across Syria, urges all parties to protect all Syrians without any form of discrimination, notably on the basis of ethnic and religious background, and advocates an inclusive, peaceful, Syrian-owned and Syrian-led transition built on the respect of international law and human rights. 1 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/03/11/syria-statement-by-the-highrepresentative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-the-recent-wave-of-violence/”
  EU-Syria relations
• 2025-03-06 “E-000964/2025 Answer given by Mr Serafin on behalf of the European Commission The English Style Guide (ESG) is a Commission internal handbook first published in 1982 which is revised and updated continuously. It is prepared by a small number of Commission staff as part of their regular tasks. No additional costs or external parties are involved. Chapter 15 of the ESG on ‘Inclusive language’, reflects existing English conventions and usage in English-speaking countries (for example the United Kingdom and Ireland) and has remained stable and unchanged since 2022. Its recommendations are based on the English section of the Interinstitutional Style Guide 1 to which the European Parliament has also adhered. The ESG refers to the English language only. It offers recommendations and does not ban the use of any words or phrases. It is intended primarily for the use of Commission’s in-house translators and freelance contractors to ensure consistent communication for drafting in English. It is also publicly available for anyone who might find it useful, similarly to other English-language drafting guidelines. 1 https://style-guide.europa.eu/en/home.”
  Multilingualism in EU institutions
• 2025-02-12 “P-000672/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission On 4 February 2025, the Commission published a Staff Working Document 1 reviewing Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. This review was announced in the 2021 Commission Communication 2 and aims to assess whether the actions included in the Cancer Plan are sufficient to achieve its objectives, or whether additional measures are necessary. The review is not a revision of the Plan and does not announce any new actions but is strictly limited to existing actions for which a state of play of implementation is provided. Concerning taxation of alcoholic beverages, the review informs on the ongoing evaluation of the EU legislation. This work is strictly limited to the evaluation of the Council Directive 92/84/EEC of 19 October 1992 3 on the approximation of the rates of excise duty on alcohol and alcoholic beverages according to Better Regulation principles and does not make future policy recommendations. Concerning labelling, the review reiterates that the Plan called for proposals on health warnings and further adds that robust evidence would be necessary for any such measure. The Commission is presently concentrating its efforts on evidence gathering to support any future policy steps in this regard. The Commission has acknowledged the challenging situation of the wine sector by establishing the High-Level Group on Wine in 2024. In December, all the members of the Group had endorsed a set of policy recommendations to help the wine sector and highlighted the economic, social and cultural role of the sector. The Commission is also working swiftly on a legislative proposal to address specific challenges of the wine sector that require an immediate response. 1 https://health.ec.europa.eu/latest-updates/review-europes-beating-cancer-plan-2025-02-04_en 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2021%3A44%3AFIN 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A31992L0084”
  Drinking regulation · EU measures on lifestyle-related behaviours (smoking, drinking, eating, etc.)
• 2025-02-03 “E-000455/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission 1. Member States can offer support to EU aquaculture companies, including on productive investments or innovation under their European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) programmes. EU aquaculture companies can also benefit from funding opportunities under other EU programmes 1 . 2. Strict controls ensure that imported food adheres to high EU standards for consumer protection and safety. The high standards on environmental sustainability applicable to EU aquaculture, as well as its capacity to provide food closer to the consumer, can provide EU aquaculture products a competitive edge over products from third countries. To this end, consumers need to be informed of the origin of aquaculture products, as well as the advantages of EU aquaculture production. The Regulation on the Common Market Organisation in fishery and aquaculture products (CMO Regulation) 2 ensures that consumers receive clear mandatory information on the origin of aquaculture products. This allows consumers to differentiate between EU aquaculture products and imported ones. In the context of the evaluation of the CMO Regulation, the Commission will assess whether the existing labelling rules provide consumers with adequate information, and whether additional requirements are needed. Under the revised Fisheries Control Regulation 3 , the control of the supply chain and traceability requirements of fishery and aquaculture products is enhanced, including imported products from third countries 4 . The Commission has recently launched an EU-wide communication campaign on EU aquaculture, to increase EU citizens and consumer awareness on the benefits of EU aquaculture 5 . 1 see EU funding opportunities available for aquaculture : https://aquaculture.ec.europa.eu/system/files/202403/AAM_WP4_EU%20Funding%20Opportunities_Background%20Paper.pdf 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/1379/oj/eng 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2842/oj/eng 4 Operators will be obliged to digitally record and transmit traceability data for fresh and frozen fisheries and aquaculture products by 10 January 2026. By 2029, this obligation will extend to prepared and preserved products. 5 EU Aquaculture - We work for you with passion - European Union: https://euaquaculture.campaign.europa.eu/index_en”
  EU policy on country of origin food labelling · Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2025-01-30 “E-000418/2025 Answer given by President von der Leyen on behalf of the European Commission Democracy is a founding value on which the EU is built, and free and fair elections are at the core of democracy. The conduct and the organisation of elections, at local, regional, national and European level, are a competence of the Member States, in accordance with their national legislation, as well as their international obligations and EU law. The Commission does not intervene in either the organisation of national political parties and their activities in national Parliaments, nor in how elected Members of the European Parliament may organise and conduct themselves in their parliamentary activity. The Commission President is elected by the Parliament. The European Council proposes a presidential candidate to the Parliament for election, taking into account the elections to the European Parliament and after having held the appropriate consultations. The Parliament also votes to consent to the Commission as a whole, following individual hearings for each candidate Commissioner before the relevant parliamentary committees. These hearings are framed by the Commission President’s political guidelines and her mission letters to the candidates. The Commission was approved by the Parliament on 27 November 2024 by 370 votes for, 282 against, 36 abstentions, and subsequently appointed by the European Council.”
  EU political integration · Von der Leyen
• 2025-01-17 “E-000203/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/785 1 banned all outdoor uses of plant protection products (PPP) containing thiamethoxam because of unacceptable impacts on bees. Thereafter, the applicant for the renewal of approval of thiamethoxam withdrew its application and the approval expired in 2019. Regulation (EU) 2023/334 2 lowered all Maximum Residue Levels for thiamethoxam to the technical zero 3 , considering the impact on bees, which is an environmental concern of global nature. These levels also apply to products imported into the EU. Decisions on the approval of active substances are always based on a scientific assessment of potential effects on human health or the environment, the consideration of other legitimate factors and the precautionary principle, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 4 which does not explicitly include socio-economic factors 5 . As set out in its Vision for Agriculture and Food 6 , the Commission will carefully consider any further ban of pesticides if alternatives are not yet available, unless the pesticide in question represents a threat to human health or to the environment that agriculture relies on for its viability. Member States can grant emergency authorisations for PPP containing non-approved active substances, if these are necessary to combat a danger to plants that cannot be controlled by other reasonable means. The Common Agricultural Policy supports farmers with, e.g., investments, research, production methods, replanting of orchards after mandatory grubbing. If phytosanitary measures require restriction of movement of fruits/vegetables within the EU, exceptional supporting market measures can be adopted. Horizon Europe 7 prioritises plant health research and innovation 8 under its cluster 6 9 . 1 http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2018/785/oj. 2 Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/334 of 2 February 2023 amending Annexes II and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for clothianidin and thiamethoxam in or on certain products. OJ L 47, 15.2.2023, p. 29–45. 3 Technical zero is the limit of determination. 4 Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and repealing Council Directives 79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC (OJ L 309, 24.11.2009, p. 1). 5 Recital 24 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009: ‘The provisions governing authorisation must ensure a high standard of protection. In particular, when granting authorisations of plant protection products, the objective of protecting human and animal health and the environment should take priority over the objective of improving plant production. Therefore, it should be demonstrated, before plant protection products are placed on the market, that they present a clear benefit for plant production and do not have any harmful effect on human or animal health, including that of vulnerable groups, or any unacceptable effects on the environment’. 6 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the committee of the Regions. A Vision for Agriculture and Food Shaping together an attractive farming and agri-food sector for future generations. COM/2025/75. 7 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-europe_en. 8 AgriFactsheet on Plant Health: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/document/e8a5772e-9fca-4583-”
  EU policy on pesticides · Maximum residue levels · Import of agri-food products in the EU
• 2024-12-18 “E-003043/2024 Answer given by Ms Kos on behalf of the European Commission Bosnia and Herzegovina has significantly strengthened its migration management, border management and asylum, with EU support of more than EUR 140 million since 2018. Bosnia and Herzegovina also benefits from regional EU programmes supporting border management and anti-smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings. Thanks to EU support, four temporary reception centres provide shelter for approximately 4 500 persons across Bosnia and Herzegovina. They play a key role for the identification and assessment of the status of migrants, including access to asylum for persons in need, and possible return of persons not in need of international protection, as well as for statistical data collection. EU support has helped the country avoid a repetition of the tragic events witnessed in the winter of 2020-21, following the fire at the former centre in Lipa. At the current multipurpose reception and identification centre in Lipa, which is operational since 2021, migrants are registered, their status is assessed to establish if they intend to seek asylum in the country and their identity is checked when entering and leaving the centre. The centre is built in accordance with EU standards 1 and is managed by the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities with EU support. The EU-funded operation of the Lipa centre is subject to regular monitoring visits, detailed reporting and independent audits as per usual practice. 1 Commission Implementing Decision on the financing of the individual measure to strengthen the response capacity to manage migration flows in favour of the Western Balkans for 2022, C(2022) 2561 final.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2024-11-21 “E-002621/2024 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo carbo) like all naturally occurring birds in the wild state in the EU, is protected under the Birds Directive 1 . There is no specific EU legislation on cormorants nor any plans to develop such legislation. The Commission is aware of the significant increase of the European cormorant population in the last decades, which can make balancing conflicts between human interests and cormorants at local level challenging at times. To support national authorities the Commission has published information on preventing and managing these conflicts 2 . A broader guidance on the application of Article 5 and 9 of the Directive is also under development. 2. The Great Cormorant was removed from Annex I of the Directive in 1997 in light of the recovery of the population. Regarding authorising Member States to hunt the cormorant, Annex II of the Birds Directive is rather linked to recreational hunting and is not the appropriate tool to address conflicts of cormorants with fisheries. In consequence, it is neither appropriate to add the cormorant in Annex III of the Directive which relates to the authorisation of the sale of specimen, as the cormorant is of little commercial interest. The derogation system under the Directive already provides the necessary flexibility to Member States to address this problem. Provided that the species conservation status is not at risk and there are no alternatives, it is possible to take a certain number of cormorants under a derogation, e.g. to protect fish farming from serious damage. In any case, even if the cormorant was listed in Annex II of the Directive, there would be an obligation to respect hunting periods and the need for derogations would remain, e.g. during reproduction periods. 1 Council Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds, OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7-25. 2 https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/birds-directive_en”
  Nature protection and restoration in the EU
• 2024-11-13 “E-002520/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Commission is aware of the concerns expressed by stakeholders regarding the availability of ferrous scrap within the EU and its potential impact on the competitiveness of the steel industry. The Commission is currently exploring various measures to ensure a stable supply and demand of ferrous scrap for EU production facilities. This includes enhancing the internal market for secondary raw materials and promoting recycling within the EU. It also includes continued monitoring of the development and functioning of these markets to ensure healthy competitive conditions. The revised EU Waste Shipment Regulation 1 sets out stricter rules on the export of waste to non-EU countries, notably requiring better monitoring and treatment of waste in an environmentally sustainable manner. 2. Ferrous scrap is a highly valuable secondary raw material that can avoid millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and as such, the Commission recognises the strategic importance of ensuring that sufficient ferrous scrap is available. In the context of the upcoming Circular Economy Act, the Commission is also considering potential ways to create incentives for a higher share of ferrous scrap to be used in steel production in the EU. The Commission will continue to monitor the situation and engage with stakeholders to find solutions that support the competitiveness, economic security and decarbonisation of the EU steel industry. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1157/oj”
  Trade relations with Turkey · Climate efforts
• 2024-10-29 “E-002296/2024 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission The Commission follows with concern the publication of extensive evidence-based reports (including from United Nations experts) regarding the use of forced labour in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The EU has repeatedly voiced such concern in bilateral meetings with the Chinese authorities and in multilateral fora. The Forced Labour Regulation 1 , adopted on 19 November and to apply three years after entry into force, lays down rules prohibiting operators to place on the EU market products made with forced labour. Bans will be imposed in a non-discriminatory way on all products made with forced labour irrespective of their origin in the EU or a third country, based on objective criteria and on verifiable information gathered during investigations on the specific products. Regarding the concern on harmful substances, all goods imported into the EU must comply with the robust EU health and product safety requirements, which are in place to assure a high level of food safety and animal and plant health within the EU. In 2023 and 2024 there were no notifications in the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed concerning tomato products from China. The Commission is committed to maintaining the functioning of the EU internal market by securing a level playing field and fair competition for the EU industry. Industry has the possibility of lodging a complaint requesting the Commission to initiate an anti-dumping and/or anti-subsidy investigation against Chinese imports. After conducting evidence-based investigation the Commission could propose imposition of additional duties on the concerned products. 1 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/11/19/products-made-with-forced-labourcouncil-adopts-ban/”
  GMOs
• 2024-10-24 “E-002245/2024 E-002048/2024 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief is a high priority of EU human rights action, both in multilateral fora and bilateral relations with third countries. As an expression of this commitment, the Commission appointed Mr Frans Van Daele in 2022 as Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU 1 . The Commission and the High Representative/Vice-President are deeply concerned about persecution, discrimination and violence against people of any religion or belief, especially those belonging to religious minorities, whether they be Christian, Jewish, Muslim or of other faiths. To address these concerns, the EU continues implementing the ‘EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief’ 2 adopted by the Council in 2013. The Commission and the High Representative/Vice-President regularly speak out about attacks or discrimination against persons, whether they be women or girls, men or boys, because of their religion or belief wherever they may occur, regardless of whether the victims belong to majority or minority religious groups or are non-believers. Freedom of religion and belief is often discussed in the context of the human rights dialogues between the EU and third countries. The EU Special Representative for Human Rights is also active on issues related freedom of religion and belief. Moreover, the EU continues to support projects related to freedom of religion or belief including for Christians and their communities through Global Europe-Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) geographic and thematic Human Rights and Democracy and Civil Society programmes. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/9730cd4e-685f-424e-a8c1461deb1613e5_en?filename=Mandate%20Special%20Envoy%20-%20final.pdf 2 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/137585.pdf”
  EU engagement with Christian communities inside and outside the EU
• 2024-10-09 “E-002001/2024 Answer given by Ms Ivanova on behalf of the European Commission 1. Türkiye’s participation in Horizon Europe 1,2 is based on the Agreement associating Türkiye to Horizon Europe 3 . The adherence to common goals and values in the field of research and innovation is explicitly specified in the agreement, which was signed by both parties in October 2021. These key elements can be addressed at the regular dialogue in the form of a Joint Committee between the EU and Türkiye. In the context of Türkiye’s participation in Horizon Europe, no violation of the common goals and values has been identified. 2. Horizon Europe is legally restricted to research and innovation activities with an exclusive focus on civil applications during the execution of a project 4 . In addition, several mechanisms are set out in Article 19 of the basic act and the model grant agreement 5 to prevent that EU funds are misused for activities in breach of international law and the applicable EU legal framework. Applicants must comply with the ethics appraisal scheme, including an ethics self-assessment, two-stage ethics reviews and ethics screening. Each beneficiary moreover needs to submit a declaration of honour confirming compliance with the requirements set out in the grant agreement, which must be fulfilled throughout the duration of the project. Any non-compliance with the above-mentioned rules may trigger corrective or contractual measures, as provided for in the grant agreement, such as the recovery of EU funding and/or termination of participation. The Commission services remain vigilant to ensure that the legal framework and applicable rules are respected by all participants. 1 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-europe_en 2 Regulation (EU) 2021/695, OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 1–68, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/695/oj 3 OJ L 95, 23.3.2022, p. 33-47, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2022.095.01.0033.01.ENG&toc=OJ%3 AL%3A2022%3A095%3ATOC 4 Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 2021/695. 5 https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/agr-contr/unitmga_he_v1.1_en.pdf”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine · EU-Turkey relations
• 2024-10-04 “E-001963/2024 Answer given by Ms Kos on behalf of the European Commission In view of increased irregular arrivals via the Western Balkan route, the Commission presented an EU Action Plan 1 in December 2022. This Plan allowed to increase engagement with the region on the main challenges: border management, readmission and returns, fighting migrant smuggling, visa policy alignment, asylum and reception capacities. The implementation of the Plan brought significant results and contributed to a 79% decrease in irregular border crossings from the Western Balkan so far in 2024. Between 2021-2024, the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) III 2 has financed bilateral and regional actions for over EUR 350 million to strengthen Western Balkan partners’ migration and border management capacities. These actions include regional programmes focusing on border security, combatting migrant smuggling and human trafficking, supporting migration management systems and training partners to carry out returns to countries of origin. Negotiations of a Status Agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina have been finalised in September 2024. Once it enters into force, it will enable deployments of the standing corps by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 1 https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/eu-action-plan-western-balkans_en 2 https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/overview-instrument-pre-accessionassistance_en”
  Asylum & border control
• 2024-08-29 “E-001568/2024 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles on behalf of the European Commission 1. On 26 August 2024, High Representative/Vice-President issued a statement 1 on behalf of all Member States, and other European partner countries 2 , to firmly denounce the adoption of the appalling so-called law on the ‘Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice’, which confirms and extends severe restrictions on the life of Afghans, in particular women and girls. The EU continues to use all its tools to support Afghan women and girls, starting with its assistance, delivered under a ‘by women for women’ approach – ensuring women play a meaningful role in all aspects of aid interventions 3 . The EU continues to engage with Afghanistan civil society and – through principled engagement based on the five benchmarks set by the Council 4 – with the de facto authorities, to advocate for the fundamental rights of Afghan women and girls, including in the United Nations-led process, which aims to get the Taliban to respect Afghanistan’s international obligations. The EU has persistently called on the de facto authorities to ensure Afghan women’s full and equal enjoyment of human rights, including access to quality education, freedom of expression, movement, and work, as well as participation in decision-making and in all spheres of society and public life. 2. The new EU Directive 5 combating violence against women and domestic violence recognises that women affected by intersecting forms of discrimination face a higher risk of gender-based violence, and Member States must take this risk into account when identifying victims’ protection needs, granting specialist support, and providing training and information for professionals. The Directive includes honour-related violence in the list of aggravating circumstances. Lastly, it also contains several provisions on awareness-raising and prevention measures. 1 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/08/26/afghanistan-statement-of-the-highrepresentative-on-behalf-of-the-eu-on-latest-restrictions-imposed-by-the-taliban-on-thepeople/?utm_source=brevo&utm_campaign=AUTOMATED%20-%20Alert%20%20Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_id=320 2 North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Armenia. 3 For further information on EU assistance see Directorate General for International Partnerships website: https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/countries/afghanistan_en; and Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian aid Operations website: https://civil-protection-humanitarianaid.ec.europa.eu/where/asia-and-pacific/afghanistan_en 4 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-11713-2021-REV-2/fr/pdf 5 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ%3AL_202401385”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion · EU policy on Islam
• 2024-07-26 “E-001437/2024 Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission For lab-grown meat as for other foods, a high level of food safety is a non-negotiable principle and an utmost priority for the Commission. This type of products falls within the scope of the Novel Foods Regulation 1 which provides that any novel food can be placed on the EU market only after having obtained an authorisation from the Commission. Such foods are therefore subject to a pre-market authorisation process which includes a thorough case by case safety assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The EFSA safety assessment of any novel food includes the evaluation of the scientific studies and data submitted by the applicant in support of the referred application as required by the Novel Foods Regulation and takes into account all the scientific data available in the public domain related to the safety of a particular novel food. However, no authorisation has been granted for any laboratory-grown meat, these products are therefore not allowed to be placed on the market within the Union. 1 Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 on novel foods. OJ L327, 11.12.2015, p. 1.”
  GMOs
• 2024-07-26 “E-001436/2024 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles on behalf of the European Commission The EU has repeatedly condemned 1 the Houthi threats and attacks against commercial ships, including the illegal seizure of the ‘Galaxy Leader’ vessel and its 25-member crew, as unacceptable violations of international law threatening maritime security, peace and stability in the region. The EU underlined that they must stop, notably through the High Representative/Vice-President’s (HR/VP) declaration on behalf of the EU and its Member States of 12 January 2024 2 , welcoming the 10 January 2024 United Nations Security Council resolution 2722 3 condemning the Houthi attacks. On 19 February 2024, the EU deployed its Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) ASPIDES 4 in the Red Sea, with a mandate to protect ships under attack, accompany vessels and reinforce maritime situational awareness, in cooperation with partners. Over the last six months of deployment, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES has contributed to uphold the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and beyond by protecting more than 220 merchant vessels during their transits under missiles and drones threats. In addition, it has established in a record time a network of cooperation with the shipping industry. The decision to sail back in the Red Sea is taken by private actors based on their evaluation of the risk analysis between costs and dangers. 1 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/ep-plenary-speech-high-representativevice-president-josep-borrell-houthiattacks-red-sea_en 2 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/01/12/yemen-statement-by-the-highrepresentative-on-behalf-of-the-eu-welcoming-the-un-security-council-resolution-strongly-condemning-houthiattacks-on-red-sea-shipping/. See also the EU Spokesperson’s statements of 5 and 13 December 2023: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/yemen-statement-spokesperson-houthi-attacks-red-sea_en, https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/yemen-statement-spokesperson-houthi-attacks-ships-red-sea_en 3 http://unscr.com/en/resolutions/doc/2722 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/583/oj”
  Decarbonisation of maritime transport · EU funding for transportation
• “President. Commissioner. Europe. Commissioner. Well, Europe is making a serious mistake. Whilst we're facing the serious energy crisis, the Commission is imposing an ETS system, which is very rigid and it increases artificially, increases costs for industry and family. The 2028 transport in Italy is 11 billion, and that is an unacceptable figure. The contradictions are pretty clear for defense. For arms, Brussels has granted flexibility and derogations. But in order to support businesses, companies and employment, you refuse to support. This is not a way of protecting the environment. You're destroying our future and the trust of families and the companies which are already having problems. So it's better to suspend ETS, and this is good for businesses and families. And flexibility in the budget is important for the costs of covering energy.”
  Extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme
• “Thank you very much. Thank you very much, president. I was absolutely astonished when I heard president von der Leyen affirm that companies have grown this year, and one really wonders what kind of reality she lives in. She is pretending that she does not understand that Europe has lost many workers in the fields of fisheries, agriculture and in the maritime sector have been sacrificed on the altar of the Green Deal, which you simply do not want to change. You are refusing to budge. And again, you are. Saying that there is a new specter. You are claiming that there is a risk of war in our countries. But, um, this is an invention. You are doing so quite simply to save Germany from the tragedy that you yourself have created. It's a mere pretext, and that is why money should instead go to health and to schools, and to the real economy, not put into this failed ideological strategy. Now, we've been in Ukraine for years, and of course we want a strong army. But you are no longer credible. You are no longer credible because you have doomed us to fail.”
  Climate efforts
• “Minister. You talked about connectivity. The ETS expanded to the maritime sector has created a competitive disadvantage for the whole of the European system, particularly Mediterranean ports. If you compare to the North African or UK ports where this directive does not apply, this situation means that navigation companies prefer non-EU ports in order to avoid the additional costs, and this is meaning that traffic and logistical operations are outside of EU borders now. And yet they don't solve the problem of emissions. Do you intend to ask the European Commission to make corrective choices and to look at things internationally in order to mitigate this problem also? I believe that the implementation of technological and technological neutrality for fuels is key, because each member state should be allowed to decide by itself. Looking also at economic sustainability. Italy, for example, is excellent when it comes to biogas and biofuels. Do you intend to continue with, um, technological neutrality? And to close, I also believe it's important that the same idea of quotas shouldn't be applied when it comes to tourism. Venice, Sicily and Tuscany are not all the same.”
  Decarbonisation of maritime transport