Valentina PALMISANO

Policy topics Valentina PALMISANO is active on

What Valentina PALMISANO has said (59)

• 2026-02-25 “Answer given by Executive Vice-President Ribera on behalf of the European Commission 30.4.2026 Written question The Commission decision of 9 February 2026 approving the rescue aid to Acciaierie d’Italia S.p.A. in Amministrazione Straordinaria is based on Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), under which aid can be approved if it contributes to the development of an economic activity or an economic area and provided that it does not adversely affect competition and trade between Member States to an extent contrary to the common interest [1] . The urgent rescue loan approved in the decision will be exclusively used to meet operating costs, such as contractual wages and supplies, for some months. Moreover, the rescue loan is without prejudice to the obligation of Italy to take all necessary measures to ensure compliance in the shortest possible timeframe with the Industrial Emissions Directive [2] , as interpreted in the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union [3] . The additional letter of formal notice sent to Italy in the context of infringement procedure INFR(2013)2177 [4] takes account of the Court’s findings. The rescue loan merely bridges the liquidity gap with a view to transferring operations to a private investor that will be selected in the ongoing selection process and which may eventually be liable to repay the rescue aid. In this regard, the Commission takes note of the announcement of the Italian Government that the new operator will also be obliged to decarbonise the Taranto plant. Given its legal basis (Article 107 TFEU), therefore, the ‘do no significant harm’ principle is not applicable to the Commission decision of 9 February 2026. [1] OJ C1662 of 17.03.2026, p.1. [2] OJ L 334, 12.12.2010, pp. 17-119. [3] ECLI:EU:C:2024:542. [4] https://ec.europa.eu/implementing-eu-law/search-infringement-decisions/?langCode=EN&version=v1&typeOfSearch=byDecision&refId=INFR(2013)2177&page=1&size=10&order=desc&sortColumns=decisionDate”
  EU policy on sustainability criteria in public funding · State Aid
• 2026-02-10 “E-000567/2026 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission In response to the challenges facing the plastics recycling sector, the Commission adopted, in December 2025, a communication with a package of measures to accelerate Europe’s transition to a circular economy 1 . In the responsible Comitology Committee, the Commission secured the necessary support from Member States on new rules on recycled content in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic beverage bottles under the Single-Use Plastics Directive 2 on 6 February 2026 3 . The draft act is currently on its way to be adopted. These measures are expected to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness and support the functioning of the internal market. Moreover, Article 7(10) of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 4 establishes safeguards to ensure that imported plastic recyclates are subject to equivalent conditions regarding emissions, separate collection, and sustainability criteria for recycling technologies. The detailed rules will be set out in an implementing act planned to be adopted by the end of 2026. Similar provisions have been included in the provisionally agreed End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation 5 . The Commission seeks to strike a balance between boosting demand and ensuring a sustainable supply of recycled materials. Upcoming initiatives are designed to support this objective. The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation 6 further provides enabling conditions through circularity requirements related to recyclability and recycled content. 1 https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/communication-accelerating-europes-transition-circulareconomy-boosting-circularity-plastics_en; specific measures include: creation of separate customs codes for virgin and recycled plastics, monitoring efforts for EU and global markets for virgin and recycled plastics which will inform potential trade measures to ensure fair competition between EU-produced and imported plastics, investigations whenever evidence shows that EU industries are suffering injury from dumped or subsidised imports. Investigations continue where necessary, taking inspiration from the successful safeguard action in the steel sector. These measures complement anti-dumping duties on China and anti-subsidy duties on India, covering both recycled and virgin PET. 2 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, p. 1–19. 3 Comitology Register, Meeting CMTD(2026)166, https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/comitologyregister/screen/meetings/CMTD%282026%29166. 4 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. 5 https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/proposal-regulation-circularity-requirements-vehicle-design-andmanagement-end-life-vehicles_en. 6 Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for sustainable products, amending Directive (EU) 2020/1828 and Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and repealing Directive 2009/125/EC, OJ L, 2024/1781, 28.6.2024.”
  EU policy towards plastics · Circular economy
• 2026-01-21 “Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission 18.3.2026 Written question 1. The Commission did not have elements pointing to breaches of EU occupational safety and health (OSH) directives in the coal-fired plants like the Taranto steelworks when it launched an infringement procedure linked to the Taranto steelworks plant with regard to Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions [1] . 2. As regards workers’ protection, Member States must transpose EU OSH d irectives into their national legislation. The primary responsibility for properly enforcing national legislation transposing EU directives lies with relevant national authorities [2] . 3. The imperative to further decrease OSH related fatalities, accidents and ill health remains a key objective under the current EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027 [3] , that builds on previous strategies that have seen substantial improvements in occupational safety and health. The Commission ensures that Member States apply rulings from the Court of Justice of the EU through a structured enforcement process primarily governed by Article 260 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. An infringement procedure is ongoing since 2013 on Italy’s failure to fully and correctly transpose and implement Directive 2010/75/EU as interpreted by the Court of Justice in Case C-626/22 [4] , and on its failure to ensure that the Taranto plant operates in compliance with that directive. In this context, the Commission sent an additional letter of formal notice to Italy on 7 May 2025 [5] to which Italy has replied on 4 July and 4 September 2025. The Commission is currently assessing these replies. [1] Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial and livestock rearing emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control), OJ L 334, 17.12.2010, p. 17-119, as amended by Directive (EU) 2024/1785 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 OJ L, 2024/1785, 15.7.2024. [2] Relevant inspectorates or equivalent bodies. [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021DC0323&qid=1626089672913#PP1Contents . [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:62022CJ0626. [5] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/inf_25_982#_blank .”
  EU rules on hazardous working conditions
• 2025-11-11 “E-004472/2025 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1865 amended Regulation 765/2006 to prohibit import into the EU of vehicles falling under CN code ‘8703’, i.e. private motor cars from Belarus. Article 1(5) of Regulation No 765/2006 provides that the competent authorities may authorise, under such conditions as they deem appropriate, the entry into the EU of a vehicle falling under CN code 8703 not intended for sale and owned by, among others, EU citizens or their family members resident in Belarus if driving the vehicle into the EU for strict personal use. Restrictions on the entry of vehicles bearing Belarusian registration plates into Lithuania target vehicles, not EU citizens or their family members. These measures are enforced by the competent Lithuanian authorities pursuant to the national sanctions framework established by Government Order No. 535, which ensures uniform and proportionate execution of EU sanctions. EU citizens retain their right to enter the territory by alternative means even where a Belarus-registered vehicle cannot be admitted. Lithuania keeps one border crossing point with Belarus open, and any practical difficulties arising from transport availability or sanctions on Belarus-registered vehicles should not be considered a limitation on the right of entry for EU nationals and their family members. The Commission will continue to monitor the situation and ensure that all measures are applied proportionately and in full conformity with EU law.”
  Enlargement of Schengen area · Asylum & border control
• 2025-11-11 “E-004468/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission The Communication of the Commission ‘Connecting Europe through High-Speed Rail’ 1 that was published on 5 November 2025 builds on Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 2 , known as the TEN-T Regulation, which defines the trans-European transport network and aims to accelerate the development of high-speed rail across the continent. The map published in the press merely shows a snapshot of a very few capital-to-capital connections and not the entire high-speed plan. Figure two of the same Communication and, in more detail, the accompanying Staff Working Document 3 show the high-speed rail network in all EU regions and major cities, including Calabria, Basilicata, Puglia and Sicily. The plan does not propose nor entail any changes to the TEN-T Regulation and fully adheres to the objectives of sustainability, cohesion, efficiency and user benefits set therein, in line with the provisions of article 170 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. 1 https://transport.ec.europa.eu/document/download/774e79c9-1ece-4514-8f16a2b98049c82e_en?filename=COM_2025_903_HSR.pdf. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1679/oj/eng. 3 https://transport.ec.europa.eu/document/download/c814d78c-1867-4efc-87aad1af34ae253f_en?filename=SWD_2025_960_HSR_maps_tables.pdf.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• 2025-10-15 “E-004036/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission The quality of drinking water in the EU is regulated by the Drinking Water Directive (DWD) 1 , whereby Member States must ensure that drinking water is wholesome and clean. The DWD establishes a parametric value of 10 microgram per liter for tetrachloroethylene 2 ; it requires Member States to maintain and improve access to safe water in particular for vulnerable and marginalised groups 3 . The Water Framework Directive 4 provides special protection for water bodies used for the abstraction of drinking water. The Commission has not received a formal report regarding breaches to the DWD in the province of Avellino. Italian authorities 5 are responsible to ensure compliance with EU law, to monitor water quality, and take appropriate remedial actions if needed. The Commission expects the competent national authorities to ensure these obligations are fulfilled and that affected populations are protected and informed. The Commission is monitoring the implementation of the DWD in Italy and will not hesitate to act should evidence of systemic non-compliance emerge. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 6 is investing around EUR 558 million in Campania’s integrated water service, addressing water losses, wastewater treatment and the security and resilience of water networks. Campania has in addition proposed amending its ERDF programme to allocate significant resources for water resilience investments, in the framework of the Mid-term review of cohesion policy, whose approval is expected by end of 2025. For the selection of the projects financed by the five investments in water management under component M2C4 of the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan 7 which include actions in Campania, the Italian authorities are responsible. 1 Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on the quality of water intended for human consumption (recast), OJ L 435, 23.12.2020, p. 1–62. 2 Annex I, Part B. 3 Article 16. 4 Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy, OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1–73, as amended by Commission Directive 2014/101/EU of 30 October 2014, OJ L 311, 31.10.2014, p. 32–35. 5 In Italy, the competent authority for the implementation of the Drinking Water Directive is the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and Environment. 6 https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/european-regionaldevelopment-fund-erdf_en. 7 The Commission will assess the completion of those projects under the related milestones and target as outlined in the Annex to the Council Implementing Decision on the approval of the IT recovery and resilience plan https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/5def5446-08e6-4cc0-8c02c7d5a8bc9b5c_en?filename=COM_2025_675_1_EN_annexe_proposition_cp_part1_v3%20%282%29.pdf.”
  EU policy on water management · Water pollution
• 2025-09-29 “E-003768/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission The Commission acknowledges the challenges faced by healthcare professionals in certain Member States in relation to medico-legal liability and the possible impact this may have on the organisation of the healthcare system. However, the Commission has not received information pointing at comparatively high occurrence of such challenges and their impact on the performance of the health system in Italy. Under Article 168(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) 1 , Member States remain responsible for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care, including the regulation of medical liability. According to Article 4 of Directive 2011/24/EU 2 , in case of cross-border healthcare, liability remains subject to the legislation of the Member State of treatment. As regards the possible approximation of substantive criminal law, Article 83 TFEU confers on the Union the competence to establish minimum rules concerning the definition of certain criminal offences and sanctions. However, such competence is limited to areas of particularly serious crime with a cross-border dimension (Article 83, paragraph 1, TFEU) or to cases where such approximation is essential for the effective implementation of a Union policy that is already subject to harmonisation measures (Article 83, paragraph 2, TFEU). The criminal liability of healthcare professionals for negligence does not seem to fall within these categories. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/treaty/tfeu_2008/art_168/oj/eng. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2011/24/oj/eng.”
  EU competences on health
• 2025-09-29 “E-003769/2025 Answer given by Mr Dombrovskis on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is closely engaged in the monitoring of railway investments and their implementation progress through the assessment of Italy’s payment requests for the completed milestones and targets under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). In this regard, the Commission published its preliminary assessment 1 . Based on the information available to the Commission, the Avellino project is not among those that Italy intends to report under the RRF payment requests. However, given the performance-based nature of the RRF, Italy has room to include these projects when submitting a payment request considering that for railway projects the performance is measured by the number of km built. The milestones and targets related to railway investments in Italy are part of payment requests to be submitted by Italy in 2026. Member States remain primarily responsible for the implementation of their recovery and resilience plans as approved by the Council, as well as for verifying that the financing provided has been properly used in accordance with all applicable rules. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resiliencefacility/country-pages/italys-recovery-and-resilience-plan_en#documents.”
  EU funding for transportation · EU support of rail transport
• 2025-09-19 “E-003646/2025 Answer given by Mr Micallef on behalf of the European Commission In accordance with Article 167 Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, action by the EU on culture aims at encouraging cooperation between Member States and, if necessary, supporting and supplementing their actions in areas such as literary creation. These efforts are implemented through the adoption of incentive measures designed to encourage cultural development and exchange, while respecting the diversity of national cultural policies, excluding harmonisation and regulations of the Member States. The Creative Europe programme 1 is the Commission’s flagship initiative to support culture and audiovisual sectors, including the book and literature sectors. The programme funding is allocated through calls that involve participation of multiple partners from Creative Europe countries. Different funding schemes and actions of Creative Europe include support to literary translations – more than 500 books are translated each year. The programme also supports reading promotion through European Authors Day 2 and cooperation projects such as RISE Plus 3 aimed at strengthening the European booksellers. Furthermore, the Commission also supports the book sector and reading promotion initiatives through other EU programmes like Erasmus+ 4 and Horizon Europe 5 . The Commission remains strongly committed to safeguarding editorial pluralism and freedom of expression which are core European values. The safeguarding and promotion of these values feature prominently in the Culture Compass for Europe 6 , which was adopted on 12 November 2025. 1 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe. 2 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/cultural-and-creative-sectors/books-and-publishing/european-authors-day. 3 https://risebookselling.eu/. 4 https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/it. 5 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-europe_en. 6 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-adopts-new-culture-compass-for-europe.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-09-15 “E-003551/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is committed to tackling gender-based violence in all its forms, reaffirmed by the EU’s 2023 accession to the Istanbul Convention. The Digital Services Act (DSA) 1 establishes that what is illegal offline is also illegal online. Article 16 DSA requires platforms to provide a notice-and-action mechanism for users to flag illegal content, including image-based sexual abuse (IBSA). Providers of very large online platforms (VLOPs) and very large online search engines (VLOSEs) must conduct annual risk assessments and adopt measures to mitigate systemic risks, including privacy breaches, IBSA and other forms of gender-based violence. NonVLOP platforms such as Phica.net fall under the enforcement remit of the national Digital Services Coordinator (DSC) in the Member State of establishment. The 2024 Directive on combating violence against women 2 criminalises online offences, including IBSA, with transposition due by 2027. In parallel, EU and Member States are now allowed to sign the United Nation’s convention against cybercrime, that will criminalize IBSA dissemination and strengthen cross-border investigations. In accordance with the EU Digital Identity Regulation, the use of EU digital identity wallets is voluntary for the users. However, the Regulation requires VLOP providers to accept and facilitate the use of the Wallets if they require user authentication for access to online services and users choose to authenticate themselves using the wallets. In addition, the Commission is establishing an expert panel on minors’ protection and a forthcoming action plan against cyber-bullying targets preventive and remedial measures for platforms, schools and families. 1 Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act) https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2065/oj/eng. 2 Directive (EU) 2024/1385 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on combating violence against women and domestic violence https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1385/oj/eng.”
  Electronic identity · Regulation of pornography in the EU · Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content
• 2025-09-03 “E-003386/2025 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission It is not possible at this stage to appraise the consequences of the mentioned extension in time as the actual eventual use for energy production capacity reserve is not stated. In relation to emissions of pollutants from the Brindisi plant, they are regulated by the Industrial Emissions Directive 1 , as well as by the applicable Best Available Techniques Conclusions 2 . This said, the Commission monitors the progress of all Member States, including Italy, towards the 2030 target, including through the annually revised Climate Action Progress Report. In the case of Italy, the Commission has issued specific observations in its National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) in order to accelerate the energy transition of the Member State, and has called for a faster roll-out of renewable energy sources in Italy’s 2025 Country Specific Recommendations. Power plants - such as the one mentioned - fall under the EU Emission Trading System (ETS); the total amount of ETS emission allowances decreases annually by 4.3% until 2027, thus ensuring the decarbonisation of the sectors subject to ETS as a whole. The EU ETS cap is set to bring emissions down by 62% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels emissions. The Commission closely monitors the implementation of the Ambient Air Quality Directives 3 . On 10 November 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled 4 that Italy has breached the Directive because of systematic exceedances of the limit values for PM 10 and because it did not adopt appropriate measures to keep the exceedance period as short as possible. The Brindisi plant is part of air quality zone IT1613 Area Industriale and part of this infringement case. 1 OJ L, 2024/1785, 15.7.2024, Directive (EU) 2024/1785 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 amending Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) and Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste. 2 OJ L 469, 30.12.2021, pp. 1–81 Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/2326 of 30 November 2021 establishing best available techniques (BAT) conclusions, under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, for large combustion plants (notified under document C (2021) 8580. 3 Directive 2004/107/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2004 relating to arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air, OJ L 23, 26.1.2005, p. 3–16; Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, OJ L 152, 11.6.2008, p. 1–44. 4 Case C-644/18: http://curia.europa.eu/juris/documents.jsf?num=C-644/18.”
  Fossil fuels · Energy (green transition)
• 2025-08-13 “E-003239/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission The Italian authorities have issued a new permit to the Taranto steel plant via decree n. 436 of 25 July 2025 1 . This permit is being assessed by the Commission in line with the provisions of the Industrial Emissions Directive 2 . As part of the revision of the Italian Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) 3 , taking into account the challenges related to the Taranto site, the Italian government has decided to exclude funding for the direct reduced iron facility from the Plan and the project will be refinanced exclusively through national funds. The Commission evaluates compliance with the ‘Do No Significant Harm’ (DNSH) principle for every measure upon submission of the RRPs. Throughout implementation, Member States are primarily responsible for ensuring that DNSH conditions are fully respected at all times, taking into account commitments set out in the submitted RRPs in accordance with the DNSH Technical Guidance 4 . In response to the opening of infringement procedure INFR(2013)2177 5 and before issuing the new permit, the Italian authorities have taken several steps towards reaching compliance with EU environmental law: the plant’s permit has been amended several times, including by two so-called ‘Environmental Plans’ in 2014 and 2017, to include increasingly stricter provisions to protect the health of the residents and the environment; several measures were implemented to reduce pollution at the plant, leading the pollutant concentration in ambient air in Taranto to drop significantly; and clean-up operations have started at the site (although they are still to be completed). Italy’s reply of 4 September 2025 to the additional letter of formal notice issued on 7 May 2025 is being assessed. 1 https://va.mite.gov.it/it-IT/Oggetti/MetadatoDocumento/1280455. 2 Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) (recast), OJ L 334, 17.12.2010. 3 https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resiliencefacility/country-pages/italys-recovery-and-resilience-plan_en. 4 https://commission.europa.eu/publications/dnsh-technical-guidance-amended-october-2023_en. 5 https://ec.europa.eu/implementing-eu-law/search-infringementdecisions/?langCode=EN&version=v1&typeOfSearch=byDecision&page=1&size=10&order=desc&sortColumn s=decisionDate&refId=INFR(2013)2177.”
  Air quality policy · Industrial emissions directive (IED) · Climate efforts
• 2025-07-31 “E-003154/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission Under Annex IV of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive 1 , an environmental impact assessment report required by Article 5(1) shall contain a description of the likely significant effects of the project on the environment resulting from, inter alia, the cumulation of effects with other existing and/or approved projects. Under the Waste Framework Directive 2 , Member States must ensure that waste management is carried out without endangering human health and the environment. The disposal of waste in incinerators is also regulated by the Industrial Emissions Directive 3 . Decisions on the type and location of waste treatment plants are the prerogative of the Member States as part of their waste management plans to implement EU waste legislation. Without prejudice to the Commission’s role as guardian of the Treaties, Member States are primarily responsible to ensure compliance with EU law 4 . The project has been co-funded by the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) 5 during the programming period 2014-2020, whose regulatory framework lays down that the programmes should comply inter alia with the rules for environmental protection and fighting climate change. The obligations stemming from the Do Not Significant Harm (DNSH) principle were introduced in the Common Provisions Regulation 6 on Cohesion Policy Funds for the programming period 2021-2027, so after the implementation of the 2014-2020 ESIF funds programmes. The management authorities of the programmes are responsible to ensure their correct management and implementation, in accordance with EU regulations and with the principle of fairness, equal conditions and transparency. 1 Consolidated text: Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, OJ L 026 28.1.2012, p. 1. 2 Article 13 of 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, as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/851 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May, OJ L 150, 14.6.2018, p. 109–140. 3 Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions, OJ L 334, 17.12.2010, p. 17–119. Therefore, installations falling under the Annex I of the IED must hold a permit granted in compliance with IED as well as with best available techniques (BAT) conclusions (Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/2010 of 12 November 2019 establishing the best available techniques (BAT) conclusions, under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, for waste incineration, OJ L 312, 3.12.2019). 4 Especially for individual cases - in line with its strategic approach on enforcement action as set out in the Communication of 19 January 2017: EU law: Better results through better application - C/2016/8600, OJ C 18, 19.1.2017, p. 10-20 and in the Communication of 13 October 2022: COM(2022) 518 final - Enforcing EU law for a Europe that delivers, the Commission focuses on systemic non-compliance. 5 https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/european-regionaldevelopment-fund-erdf_en. 6 Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy, OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, pp. 159–70.”
  Industrial emissions directive (IED) · EU policy on sustainability criteria in public funding
• 2025-07-30 “E-003134/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is committed to supporting Member States in their actions in full respect of their responsibilities for the organisation and delivery of health services under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union 1 . The implementation of public health or environmental monitoring at local or regional levels is a national competence. The Commission recognises the importance of addressing environmental pollution and helps EU countries through several funding mechanisms. A guide was prepared in this respect, which outlines relevant instruments that support environmental projects 2 . To ensure sound management of EU-funded projects, EU programmes envisage project checks, reviews and audits, which focus on the financial and budgetary implementation and cover technical aspects and compliance with the foreseen obligations 3 . The Granting Authority monitors closely the implementation of projects through the assessment of deliverables and reports. On-site audits can also take place on a case-by-case basis. The EU4Health Programme 4 supports Member States to set up and improve their cancer screening programmes, in line with the 2022 Council Recommendation on cancer screening 5 . The Joint Action EUCanScreen 6 provides an EU contribution of EUR 31 million to 29 participating countries, including Italy, to support the full implementation of screening programmes for breast, colorectal and cervical cancer, and testing the feasibility of lung, prostate and gastric cancer screening. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:12012E/TXT:en:PDF. 2 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/cba047ab-b6a6-11ef-91ed-01aa75ed71a1/language-en. 3 https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=1867977. 4 https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/eu4health_en. 5 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.C_.2022.473.01.0001.01.ENG. 6 https://health.ec.europa.eu/non-communicable-diseases/cancer/europes-beating-cancer-plan-eu4healthfinanced-projects/projects/eucanscreen_en.”
  Water pollution · Air quality policy · Environmental crimes and justice
• 2025-07-18 “E-002995/2025 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware of the matter raised by the Honourable Members and notes that it pertains to an issue of national competence to be addressed by national authorities and courts. Direct taxation falls essentially within the competence of Member States. As confirmed by the Court of Justice of the European Union (hereinafter, ‘the Court’), in the absence of any harmonisation at EU level, Member States have retained the power to define, even unilaterally, the criteria for allocating their powers of taxation 1 . The Court has also held that the criterion of nationality for the purpose of allocating fiscal jurisdiction between states which conclude bilateral tax treaties cannot be regarded as constituting any discrimination prohibited under the EU Treaties 2 . Hence, Article 1(2) of the Convention between Italy and Bulgaria does not appear to contravene EU law. Since the application by Italy of the Convention concerned is not governed by EU law, the Commission is not competent to assess its compatibility with general principles of law such as legal certainty and legitimate expectations 3 . Whether the changed interpretation or application of the 1988 Convention between Italy and Bulgaria would pose a legal problem is for the Member States concerned and their national courts to address. 1 van Hilten (C-513/03), paragraph 47. 2 Gilly (C-336/96), paragraph 30. 3 See, in particular, Society for the Protection of Unborn Children Ireland (C-159/90), paragraph 31; Friedrich Kremzow (C-299/95), paragraph 15; Kühn (C-177/90), paragraph 14; Duff and Others (C-63/93), paragraph 20; Rombi and Arkopharma (C-107/97), paragraph 67; Weidacher (C-179/00), paragraph 31; Willy Gerekens and Association agricole pour la promotion de la commercialisation laitière Procola (C-459/02), paragraph 29.”
  Tax Havens · EU competences on taxation
• 2025-07-14 “E-002870/2025 Answer given by Mr Dombrovskis on behalf of the European Commission The quantitative target of the recovery and resilience plan (RRP) measure ‘Home as first place of care and telemedicine’, related to the number of patients in home care, is due in the ninth Recovery and Resilience Facility payment request, indicatively scheduled for end-2025. In the context of its assessment, the Commission will verify the correctness of reported patient numbers. The RRP measure ‘Home as the first place of care and telemedicine’ provides the financial resources necessary to cover expenses for additional home care services envisaged under the measure. It is up to the regions to determine whether to use existing personnel, hire new one or contract out services from the private sector. When submitting its RRP, Italy provided information on its ability to provide the additional financial and human resources to manage the target of 10% of old-age population in home care in the medium- to long-term. Italy presented plans for training new nurses and new general practitioners (the latter under another RRP measure) in sufficient number to cater for the needs of the reorganised territorial healthcare. According to the information provided by the Italian authorities, new financial resources would flow from both additional funding and savings deriving from more efficient use of resources following the reorganisation of territorial healthcare.”
  Public and private sectors role in healthcare services · EU competences on health
• 2025-07-09 “E-002788/2025 Reply As part of the joint initiative on the Conference on the Future of Europe launched on 10 March 2021 by the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission, and concluded on 9 May 2022, the Council has been fully committed to opening new spaces for debate with citizens to address the EU’s challenges and priorities, in particular through the organisation of European Citizens’ Panels. In this context, several Member States have also organised national Citizens’ Panels. These panels have allowed citizens to deliberate and formulate a set of recommendations on which the Union can follow up. Specific initiatives organised by public authorities at local, regional or national level to promote the engagement and effective participation of citizens and civil society organisations in public policymaking processes fall under the respective authority’s competences.”
  EU engagement with citizens · EU engagement with civil society
• 2025-07-02 “E-002694/2025 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission The EU legislation mentioned by the Honourable Member, namely Council Directive 2000/78/EC, 1 has been correctly transposed in Italian national legislation. The Commission remains committed to monitor the effective application of the Directive in Italy and all other Member States, including the obligation to provide reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. There are no open infringement procedures on the Directive. The Commission is currently preparing a report for the European Parliament and the Council on the application of the Directive, to be published in the first semester of 2026. To support the labour market inclusion of persons with disabilities, the Commission has issued the Disability Employment Package, 2 namely a set of guidelines, instructions, and model practices for employers. The guidelines cover all stages of employment, from recruitment through retention and return to work. A dedicated guideline, translated in all EU languages provides detailed explanations, methods, and model examples, including the cost of the provision of reasonable accommodation in employment. 3 To further support the implementation of the guidelines, the Commission has launched the transnational social innovation call. 4 1 Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation, OJ L 303, 2.12.2000, p. 16–22, available at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32000L0078. 2 https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/eu-employment-policies/disabilityemployment-package_en. 3 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/f3f79e30-23c7-11ef-a195-01aa75ed71a1/language-en. 4 https://socialinnovationplus.eu/call/esf-si-2025-dep-01/.”
  EU policy on disability inclusion & accessibility · Recruitment policies in the EU
• 2025-07-02 “E-002693/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission The Commission proposal COM(2023)193 1 reinforces the current provisions for compassionate use, ensuring a consistent approach of Member States regarding the criteria and conditions for the compassionate use of new medicinal products under the legislation. Whilst procedural rules have been put forward to allow data collection on medicinal products used under compassionate use programmes to evaluate the benefit-risk balance of the medicinal products in question, there are no suggested changes in relation to binding timeframes. The Commission proposal does not provide specific access obligations regarding compassionate use programmes or early access in emergency clinical scenarios. However, it provides multiple meaningful measures to allow for timely and equitable general access to all safe, effective, and affordable medicines to patients across the EU, and ensure that medicines are available to them. The role of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use regarding the adoption of scientific opinions on medicines eligible for compassionate use, which includes orphan medicinal products, is maintained in the proposal. In addition, in situations where a medicinal product has been authorised in another Member State or a non-EU country, and there is an urgent, specific need for that medicine, particularly when no alternatives are available and the patient has exhausted all other treatment options, Article 5(1) of Directive 2001/83/EC 2 can be used for the patient to receive the medicine. This process is commonly known as ‘named patient use’. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52023PC0193. 2 http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2001/83/oj.”
  Pharmaceuticals regulation in EU · EU competences on health
• 2025-06-30 “E-002620/2025 Answer given by Mr Jørgensen on behalf of the European Commission The Italian Recovery and Resilience Plan includes a reform of the student housing regulation coupled with an investment aimed at creating additional sleeping accommodations units for students. The Commission approved it establishing milestones and targets 1 . It is Italy’s responsibility to implement them. On 1 April 2025, the Commission adopted a proposal 2 to allow Member States to increase their investments in affordable housing under Cohesion policy. The Commission also prepared a model for new financial instruments for affordable housing 3 . Under shared management, it is then the Member States’ choice to make use of the possibilities. This would entail an amendment of the Member State’s programme which would need to be duly justified 4 and require approval by the monitoring committee 5 prior to the Commission’s assessment and approval. The Member State should involve partners throughout the programmes, including through participation in monitoring committees 6 . Direct funding to cities, including for housing, is provided for innovative actions and capacity building through the European Urban Initiative. The Commission will publish a European Affordable Housing Plan (EAHP) in 2026. To prepare this, the Commission is carrying out a stakeholder consultation in 2025 and launched a public consultation 7 in July 2025, encouraging municipalities to participate in it. The EAHP will have a strong investment dimension, by setting up a pan-European investment platform, working with the European Investment Bank, international financial institutions and national promotional banks. 1 The Council Implementing Decision requires that 30% of new places be reserved for students in socioeconomic difficulties, and that rental fees must be at least 15% below local market rates. 2 Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1058 and (EU) 2021/1056 as regards specific measures to address strategic challenges in the context of the mid-term review (https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/communication/mid-term-review2025/regulation-proposal-mid-term-review-2025_en.pdf). 3 For combining Cohesion policy funding with resources from the EIB and other financial institutions https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/communication/mid-term-review-2025/swd-affordable-housing2025_en.pdf. 4 Article 24(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy. 5 Articles 39 and 40(2)(d) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060. 6 In line with Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060. 7 https://housing.ec.europa.eu/news/have-your-say-how-make-housing-more-affordable-2025-07-11_en.”
  EU competences on social policies · EU housing policy
• 2025-06-13 “E-002386/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto behalf of the European Commission 1. EU cohesion funds respond to health challenges in an integrated manner, with a focus on access to essential services. Infrastructure investments under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) include facilities for specialist, acute and long-term care, hospitals and emergency services. The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) supports the improvement and expansion of health service provision for disadvantaged populations funding, for instance, initiatives focused on maternity care 1 . In Italy, in addition to regional programmes, the ESF+ ERDF national programme ‘Health Equity’ focuses particularly on underserved areas in southern regions. Addressing regional disparities is also one of the key objectives of the health component of the Italian national recovery and resilience plan (RRP) 2 . 2. Cohesion funds are also used to tackle depopulation and specific challenges in remote communities, by supporting integrated territorial strategies 3 . The Recovery and Resilience Facility 4 also ensures the continuity and vitality of small communities. For example, the Italian RRP includes measures such as the establishment and operationalisation of community health houses as well as rural pharmacies. They aim to strengthen healthcare capacity and services of community nurses and midwives in remote areas. 3. Member States 5 are responsible for healthcare delivery and the Commission cannot intervene in the organisation of healthcare services. 1 Such as the strengthening of local family planning clinics (consultori). 2 Recovery and Resilience Plan: https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/recoverycoronavirus/recovery-and-resilience-facility/italys-recovery-and-resilience-plan_en#operational-arrangements. 3 In specific areas identified in the National Strategy for Inner Areas and its recently adopted National Strategic Plan, in addition to territories identified at regional level. 4 Recovery and Resilience Facility. https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economicrecovery/recovery-and-resilience-facility_en. 5 According to Article 168 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• 2025-06-11 “E-002345/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware that the permit of Acciaierie d’Italia steel plant is being reviewed. The participation of the public concerned in permit-granting and update procedures for installations subject to the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) 1 is regulated by Article 24(1) IED, which requires Member States to ensure that the public concerned are given early and effective opportunities to participate in the listed permit procedures, in compliance with Annex IV IED. That Annex requires that the public concerned must have access to relevant information made available to the competent authority while the permit granting procedure is ongoing, subject to the provisions of Directive 2003/4/EC 2 . IED provisions must be interpreted in light of the Aarhus Convention 3 , in particular its Article 6(6). A guidance 4 on Article 6(6) specifies that all information relevant to decision-making should be made available to the public concerned as soon as it becomes available to public authorities, at whatever stage in the decision-making procedure. It also states that if further information becomes available during the public participation procedure, members of the public who have already participated before the additional information becomes available may submit further comments. In line with its policy approach on infringements, the Commission prioritises its enforcement efforts on cases pointing to a systemic breach of EU law in a Member State. The primary responsibility for fully and correctly implementing EU law lies with the Member States. National administrations and courts have the power to order coercive measures or to annul acts of Member States’ authorities and are best placed to do so with regard to individual cases. 1 Directive (EU) 2024/1785 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 amending Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) and Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste, OJ L, 2024/1785, 15.7.2024. 2 Directive 2003/4/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2003 on public access to environmental information and repealing Council Directive 90/313/EEC, OJ L 41, 14.2.2003, p. 26–32. 3 https://unece.org/environment-policy/public-participation/aarhus-convention/introduction. 4 https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2022-10/1514364_E_web.pdf.”
  Industrial emissions directive (IED)
• 2025-06-11 “E-002346/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission According to Article 168(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union 1 , Union action shall respect the responsibilities of the Member States for the organisation and delivery of their health services and medical care. Definition of healthcare coverage, including specific services, such as hydrotherapy, is the responsibility of Member States. The Commission respects the responsibilities of the Member States in managing their healthcare systems. This means that it does not directly intervene on specific healthcare treatments, such as hydrotherapy, for which Member States are competent. Principle 16 of the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan 2 underscores the right to healthcare of good quality that is affordable. The Commission supports Member States in upholding this principle through funding projects, which provide support to address barriers in access to healthcare for persons with disabilities 3 , improve affordability of healthcare 4 , and ensure fairer distribution of health benefits 5 . While there is no specific funding support earmarked for hydrotherapy facilities under the EU4Health Programme, there are other complementary EU funds. The Recovery and Resilience Facility 6 , the Technical Support Instrument 7 , and the Cohesion Policy 8 provide support to health systems, including for the upgrade of infrastructure and equipment, according to country-specific needs. 1 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:12012E/TXT&from=en. 2 https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/european-pillar-social-rights-buildingfairer-and-more-inclusive-european-union/european-pillar-social-rights-action-plan_en. 3 HS-p-22-14.02 Guidelines on access to healthcare for people with disabilities; https://health.ec.europa.eu/document/download/331c4ac5-492d-4359-a708c0a7e2cfa363_en?filename=c_2023_5052_1_annex_en.pdf. 4 HS-g-14.1.1 Supporting Member States in improving access to healthcare and effectiveness of health coverage, taking into account vulnerabilities of specific groups and targeted intervention; https://health.ec.europa.eu/document/download/024cb1cb-44ab-44be-a21e56757550eb05_en?filename=com_2022-5436_annex1_en.pdf. 5 HS-p-23-46 The role of healthcare in reducing poverty; https://health.ec.europa.eu/document/download/ff17bd26-4cdd-4351-a4e3e2ca85aa3e84_en?filename=wp2023_annex_en.pdf. 6 Recovery and Resilience Facility: https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economicrecovery/recovery-and-resilience-facility_en. 7 Technical Support Instrument (TSI): https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-fundingprogrammes/technical-support-instrument/technical-support-instrument-tsi_en. 8 Cohesion Policy: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/2021-2027_en.”
  Public and private sectors role in healthcare services · EU competences on health
• 2025-05-18 “E-001987/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission Regarding the first question, the Commission recalls that Directive 1999/70 1 requires Member States to adopt effective measures to prevent abuse of successive fixed-term employment contracts but leaves Member States a certain margin of discretion as to how they achieve this objective. The Treaties do not confer to the EU competence to adopt binding guidelines on how to prevent abuse of such contracts in the Italian school system. Concerning Decree-Law 131/2024, the Commission notes that the provisions on compensation were amended to address the lack of effective measures to penalise abusive use of successive fixed-term contracts. As explained in the Commission’s reply to petition 1264/2024, whether national legislation contains sufficient safeguards to prevent such misuse warrants further assessment 2 . The Commission is notably monitoring, in the context of infringement procedure INFR(2014)4231, the practical effects of recent legislative amendments and recruitment measures aiming to comply with the relevant reforms and targets set out in the National Resilience and Recovery Programme. 3 Regarding the third question, the Commission refers to its explanations in reply to petition 1264/2024, noting that EU law does not regulate the recruitment systems that Member States may choose to apply to permanent or support positions. The system of teachers’ recruitment remains a responsibility of the Member State in line with the subsidiarity principle. 1 Council Directive 1999/70/EC of 28 June 1999 concerning the framework agreement on fixed-term work concluded by ETUC (European Trade Union Confederation), UNICE (Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe) and CEEP (European Centre of Enterprises with Public Participation) (OJ L 175, 10.7.1999, p. 43) - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1999/70/oj/eng. 2 This assessment refers, in particular, to the criteria set out in the Mascolo judgment referenced by the honourable member (Judgment of 26 November 2014 in joined cases C‑22/13, C‑61/13 to C‑63/13 and C‑418/13, Mascolo and Others, ECLI:EU:C:2014:2401). 3 Reform of the system for recruiting teachers (M4C1R.21) and target M4C114 to recruit 70 000 teachers by 2026.”
  EU policy on permanent and fixed-term employment
• 2025-05-14 “E-001918/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission The Commission took note of the suggestions made by certain pharmaceutical companies on the introduction of a public European reference price with confidential rebates at Member State level, the elimination of spending caps, and a European spending target for innovative medicines. Decisions on pricing and reimbursement for medicines are a Member State competence, as per Article 168(7) of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union. Medicine prices differ significantly across Member States depending on their health system needs, the medicine’s therapeutic value for the Member State, and its financial capabilities, among other considerations. The Commission supports and encourages cooperation on pricing, payment and procurement policies between Member States in the group of National Competent Authorities on Pricing and Reimbursement and Public Healthcare Payers. The Commission is also funding through the EU4Health Programme several activities which aim to foster price transparency and help Member States take better informed pricing and reimbursements decisions. This includes grants for the European Integrated Price Information Database, where Member States voluntarily share information on medicine prices, sales volumes, and the existence of Managed Entry Agreements. The EU Health Technology Assessment Regulation 1 sets an EU framework to assess relative effectiveness of innovative medicinal products starting with new oncology treatments and Advanced Therapeutic Medicinal Products. These assessments, called joint clinical assessments, will provide Member States with evidence-based reports for pricing and reimbursement decisions. 1 Regulation (EU) 2021/2282 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2021 on health technology assessment and amending Directive 2011/24/EU (Text with EEA relevance).”
  EU intervention in private pricing of medicines · Pharma price transparency
• 2025-04-17 “E-001565/2025 Answer given by Mr Hansen on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Commission is currently assessing the conformity of decree-law No 48/2025 1 with Directive (EU) 2015/1535 2 and will be in dialogue with the Italian authorities. The Commission is unable to comment further at this stage. 2. As mentioned in its answer 3 to question E-001510/2024, the Commission has received multiple complaints regarding a proposed amendment to the Italian law on public security that restricts the movement of hemp inflorescences or products containing such inflorescences. However, the Commission underlines that this amendment is still under examination in the Italian Senate and hence not yet in force. As the Italian Government has recently adopted the above-mentioned decree-law which includes similar provisions 4 , the Commission is currently assessing its compliance with the Treaties and with secondary Union legislation. The Commission is unable at this stage to provide further information. 3. The Commission refers the Honourable Member to its communications ‘EU law: Better results through better application’ 5 and ‘Enforcing EU law for a Europe that delivers’ 6 which set out in more detail how the Commission ensures the enforcement of EU law, including aspects concerning the resolution of potential breaches of EU law. 1 The decree-law in question (Disposizioni urgenti in materia di sicurezza pubblica, di tutela del personale in servizio, nonche' di vittime dell'usura e di ordinamento penitenziario) was published in the Italian Official Journal (Gazzetta Ufficiale) General Series no 85 of 11 April 2025 (GU Serie Generale n.85 del 11-04-2025). 2 Directive (EU) 2015/1535 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 September 2015 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical regulations and of rules on Information Society services, OJ L 241, 17.9.2015, p. 1. 3 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/-ASW_EN.html. 4 The decree-law was converted into law (Legge 9 giugno 2025, n. 80) and published in the Italian Official Journal (Gazzetta Ufficiale) General Series no 131 of 9 June 2025 (GU Serie Generale n.131 del 09-06-2025) 5 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=oj:JOC_2017_018_R_0002. 6 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52022DC0518.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• 2025-03-31 “P-001320/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission 1. The EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) 1 can only be activated at the request of Italy which has a deadline of 12 weeks as from when the first damage occurred, demonstrating that the total direct damage exceeds the thresholds specified in Article 2 Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002. The EUSF may cover a part of the costs for emergency and recovery operations incurred by public authorities 2 . Private damage is not eligible. Additionally, cohesion policy funds 3 can foster investments that promote climate change adaptation, disaster risk prevention and resilience 4 , and reconstruction projects following natural disasters 5 . 2. While urban planning and building codes fall within the competence of Member States, the Commission recognises the importance of promoting good practices in seismic risk management, particularly in urban areas. A technical paper will be published in 2025, outlining good practices and key areas for improvement in earthquake risk management across the EU. 3. For the moment, Italy has not requested the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) 6 intervention for the recent seismic activity in the Phlegraean Fields. The Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre is monitoring the situation and stands ready to support. Under the UCPM, a number of tools may be used to enhance prevention and preparedness for major risks. For instance, several projects that contribute to strengthening seismic resilience in the Mediterranean region 7 have been financially supported under the Knowledge for Action in 1 Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3) as amended by Regulation (EU) No 661/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 May 2014 (OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p. 143) and by Regulation (EU) 2020/461 of the European Parliament and the Council of 30 March 2020 (OJ L 99, 31.3.2020, p. 9) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:32002R2012 2 This means, for example, the recovery of essential infrastructure, provision of temporary accommodation to the population, cleaning-up operations, and protection of the cultural heritage. 3 https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/policy/what/investment-policy_en 4 Ecosystem based approaches should be taken into consideration with specific interventions aimed at improving the safety levels of the public building stock and to monitor and control the territory. 5 Regulation (EU) 2024/3236 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1057 and (EU) 2021/1058 as regards Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction (RESTORE) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/3236 6 https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protectionmechanism_en#:~:text=In%20October%202001%2C%20the%20European%20Commission%20established%20t he,to%20improve%20prevention%2C%20preparedness%2C%20and%20response%20to%20disasters; https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protectionmechanism_en#:~:text=In%20October%202001%2C%20the%20European%20Commission%20established%20t he,to%20improve%20prevention%2C%20preparedness%2C%20and%20response%20to%20disasters 7 https://civil-protection-knowledge-network.europa.eu/projects/eres and https://civil-protection-knowledgenetwork.europa.eu/projects/medea”
  Climate efforts
• 2025-03-21 “E-001216/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware of the situation regarding the Acciaierie d'Italia steelworks and its impact on local industry workers and economic sectors. The Commission acknowledges the challenges posed by the need to decarbonise the plant, while ensuring the health and safety of workers and the surrounding environment. The Commission has put forward a Clean Industrial Deal 1 which was closely followed by the Steel and Metals Action Plan 2 , which aims to support the transition of the steel industry towards environmental sustainability. The Action Plan sets out measures to support the steel industry in its effort to reduce carbon emissions, while maintaining its competitiveness and protecting the health and safety of workers. Regarding the support for Acciaierie d'Italia workers, the Commission notes that the National Programme Just Transition Fund Italy, co-funded by the EU with EUR 1.029 billion, provides support for workers at risk of losing their jobs. In the Taranto area, it will support skilling action for the unemployed and for those at risk of losing their jobs. The Apulia Region also plans to launch relevant training courses, financed by the EU Cohesion Funds. The Commission is monitoring the implementation of measures adopted to bring the Acciaierie d'Italia plant into compliance with Directive 2010/75/EU 3 , as part of an ongoing infringement procedure 4 . The Commission is aware that national funds worth EUR 400 million, which were initially supposed to finance projects to clean up contaminated aquifers and sites in the area, have since been reallocated to the Taranto steelworks so that they can keep production going. These funds and their reallocation is a matter for the Italian Republic. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/clean-industrial-deal_en. 2 https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/publications/european-steel-and-metals-action-plan_en. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2010/75/oj/eng. 4 INFR(2013)2177 - https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/inf_25_982.”
  EU rules on hazardous working conditions · European Globalisation Adjustment Fund · Climate efforts
• 2025-03-05 “E-000927/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission According to available information, the EUR 400 million in question are distinct from the socalled bridge loan and are part of the EUR 1.1 billion seized from the former owners of ILVA to remedy the environmental impact of the plant. In Decision (EU) 2018/1498 1 , the Commission concluded that the latter amount 2 was not State aid 3 . The destination of these funds was not an element retained by the Commission in its assessment (as non-aid) and, therefore, without prejudice to the application of Italian law, a change in such destination does not constitute a breach of the Decision. A new permit in line with the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) 4 is due to be issued to the Acciaierie d’Italia plant by June 2025. The Commission receives updates on the progress made to bring the plant into compliance with the IED and is in contact with the Italian authorities to address the issues raised in the infringement procedure 5 . The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 6 can only support small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) or investments related to the production, processing, transport, distribution, storage, or combustion of fossil fuels, with some exceptions 7 . Regulation (EU) 2021/1056 8 excludes support to those activities under the Just Transition Fund (JTF) 9 . Further exceptions for the support of such investments are introduced in the Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 and (EU) 2021/1056 10 . In addition, while support to enterprises others than SMEs is allowed by Regulation (EU) 2021/1056, it is not under the Italian JTF National Programme 11 . Thus, investments involving large enterprises and related to blue hydrogen cannot be financed under the above-mentioned programmes, unless exceptions apply. 1 Commission Decision (EU) 2018/1498 of 21 December 2017 on the State aid and the measures SA.38613 (2016/C) (ex 2015/NN) implemented by Italy for Ilva SpA in Amministrazione Straordinaria (notified under document C(2017) 8391), OJ L 253, 9.10.2018, p. 45-75. 2 ‘Measure 1: the transfer of the assets seized during criminal proceedings against Ilva's previous owners’. 3 Section 2.2.1, Section 5.2.1 and Article 1(a) of Decision (EU) 2018/1498. 4 Directive (EU) 2024/1785 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 amending Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) and Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste, OJ L, 2024/1785, 15.7.2024. 5 INFR(2013)2177: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_13_866 6 Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund, OJ L 231, 30.6.2021. 7 Article 7(1)(h) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1058. 8 Regulation (EU) 2021/1056 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 establishing the Just Transition Fund, OJ L 231, 30.6.2021. 9 Article 9(d) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1056. 10 Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 and (EU) 2021/1056 as regards specific measures to address strategic challenges in the context of the mid-term review. 11 https://www.jtf.gov.it/the-program/”
  Industrial emissions directive (IED) · EU policy on sustainability criteria in public funding
• 2025-02-24 “E-000821/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is closely monitoring the implementation of Italy’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), including its measures to strengthen administrative capacity. The Commission acknowledges the importance of an effective and well-resourced public administration to ensure the timely and efficient management of EU funds, particularly in less-developed regions. The Commission is aware of the discussions surrounding the ‘suitable candidates cap’. The recruitment and management of public servants fall under the responsibility of national authorities. While it is for the Italian authorities to assess and adapt their recruitment policies in line with national and EU objectives, the Commission stands ready to engage with the Italian authorities if needed and will continue to follow this matter in the broader context of RRP implementation and effective fund management.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• 2024-12-31 “E-003090/2024 Answer given by Mr Dombrovskis on behalf of the European Commission The reform of the Stability and Growth Pact that entered into force in spring 2024 put in place a balanced framework that accommodates spending on common priorities of the EU while maintaining sound and sustainable public finances in Member States. Member States are free to decide the composition of their budget and how to implement the required fiscal adjustment. In addition, Regulation 2024/1263 1 explicitly indicates that social and economic resilience is a common priority in the EU. As a result, an increase in healthcare investment may be put forward in Member States’ medium-term fiscal-structural plans within a package of investments and reforms that underpin a more gradual fiscal adjustment, up to seven years instead of four years. The general escape clause is a provision to deal with extraordinary circumstances. Article 25 of Regulation 2024/1263 specifies that it can be activated by the Council in the event of a severe economic downturn in the euro area or the EU as a whole. It allows Member States to deviate (initially for a period of one year with the possibility to extend annually) from their net expenditure path as set by the Council, provided that it does not endanger fiscal sustainability over the medium term. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1263/oj/eng”
  EU fiscal rules and oversight of national budgets
• 2024-12-11 “E-002872/2024 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission Article 17 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter) provides that everyone has the right to own, use, dispose of and bequeath his or her lawfully acquired possessions. However, according to its Article 51(1), the provisions of the Charter are addressed to the Member States only when they are implementing EU law. On the basis of the information provided, it does not appear that the matter referred to by the Honourable Member is related to the implementation of EU law. In particular, there is nothing that indicates that the free movement of capital applies in the case at issue. In the present case, it is thus for the concerned Member States to ensure that fundamental rights are effectively respected and protected in accordance with their national law and international obligations.”
  Rule of law and democracy in the EU (political compass)
• 2024-12-09 “E-002827/2024 Answer given by Mr Dombrovskis on behalf of the European Commission The Commission assesses the compliance of Italy’s Recovery and Resilience plan (RRP) measures against the ‘Do No Significant Harm’ (DNSH) principle based on analysis of documentation provided by the Italian authorities. The assessment is done at the measure level. As a rule and without prejudice to its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission does not assess the environmental impact of specific projects within overall investment measures. This is a primary responsibility of the Member States, which are requested to ensure compliance of specific projects with EU and national law, including the environmental acquis. Given that the specific project mentioned above has been implemented exclusively through the National Complementary Fund (and not with Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) budget), no DNSH assessment has been undertaken by the Commission. According to Article 168(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU 1 , Member States are responsible for the management of health services. Principle 16 of the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan 2 underscores the right to affordable, good-quality healthcare. The Commission supports Member States in upholding this principle through funding projects. The works for this hospital, in the amount of EUR 23.5 million, are financed with national funds under the Piano Nazionale Complementare. Based on the information at the disposal of the Commission, for the investment at stake, the RRF (EU) funds are being used for an amount of EUR 4 million exclusively for the purchase of equipment and digitalisation of hospitals for the Eboli-Battipaglia-Roccadaspida hospitals (as part of the investments M6C2 1.1.1. and M6C2 1.1.2 of the RRP of Italy). For that reason, the Commission is not launching RRP-related checks on the construction project for a new hospital in Battipaglia. 1 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:12012E/TXT&from=en 2 https://op.europa.eu/webpub/empl/european-pillar-of-social-rights/en”
  EU competences on health · Public and private sectors role in healthcare services
• 2024-10-30 “E-002313/2024 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Commission would refer to the in-depth analysis of the wolf situation in the EU 1 . This study has collected and assessed the available and most updated information and data 2 and has shown that the conservation status of the wolf in Europe has significantly improved over the last decades, both in terms of population increase and range expansion. 2. For many years, the Commission has been supporting 3 the design and implementation of effective and appropriate solutions, including to prevent and reduce livestock depredations by wolves and other protected species 4 . Specific measures have been supported through Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding to the Member States that have planified these in their CAP Strategic Plans 5 . The details of such measures, including the involvement and role of veterinarians, need to be defined by the relevant Member States’ authorities and stakeholders. There is no one-size-fitsall approach to large carnivore management and therefore measures have to be tailored to the local circumstances. Since 2014, good practices have been collected under the EU Platform on coexistence between people and large carnivores 6 . 3. As the change of the protection status of the wolf under the Bern Convention 7 was adopted, in order to implement this change internally, the Commission intends to modify accordingly the regime of the wolf under the EU Habitats Directive 8 . Member States would be free to keep the strict protection of the species. Furthermore, they will remain obliged to maintain or restore a favourable conservation status of the wolf on their national territory, in line with the recent rulings of the Court of Justice of the EU 9 and the international commitments on biodiversity agreed by the EU and its Member States. 1 Published by the Commission in December 2023: https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/env/items/813295/en 2 Including data reported by national authorities from Member States. 3 Through EU funding instruments. 4 https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/habitats-directive/large-carnivores/eu-largecarnivore-platform/eu-funding-and-large-carnivores_en 5 https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/cap-my-country/cap-strategic-plans_en 6 https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/habitats-directive/large-carnivores/eu-largecarnivore-platform/best-practice_en 7 https://www.coe.int/en/web/bern-convention 8 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7–50. 9 E.g. Case C-436/22 on wolf hunting in Spain: https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/202407/cp240118en.pdf and Case C-601/22 on derogations to kill wolves in Austria: https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2024-07/cp240111en.pdf”
  Large Carnivores
• 2024-10-28 “E-002285/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission 1. Any authorisation requested to the Commission is assessed following the corresponding formal procedure and timing and the results cannot be anticipated before its conclusion. No formal request was submitted so far for the funding of the initiatives under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). There are on-going exchanges with the Member State aiming at the submission of a comprehensive amendment proposal for the programme concerned 1 . 2. The ESF+, implemented under shared management with Member States, is the key EU instrument supporting youth and female employment. Its share for Italy in the 21-27 programming period equals about EUR 14 809 million, largely concentrated in less developed regions. About EUR 2 800 million target young people, for measures including guidance, work experiences, apprenticeship, school orientation, civil service, vocational education and training and third level non-academic education 2 . Young people can benefit also from all other ESF+ measures, in the field of employment, skills and social inclusion. The ESF+ budget targeting women’s employment is about EUR 841 million, with more than EUR 13 billion contributing to gender mainstreaming. Measures include training and work-life balance initiatives. Operations for female employment are part of the overall commitment of the EU to promote gender equality, as included in the European Pillar of Social Rights and its Action Plan, as well as the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025, which includes a series of measures promoting women’s economic empowerment, notably the Work-Life Balance Directive, the Gender Care Strategy, the Pay Transparency Directive and the Directive on Gender Balance in Company Boards. 1 ESF+ National Programme ‘Giovani, Donne e Lavoro’. 2 Higher Technical Institutes (ITS, Istituti Tecnici Superiori).”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion · Youth employment & training
• 2024-10-24 “E-002248/24 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The Commission regularly monitors the implementation of the Employer Sanctions Directive 2009/52/EC 1 by Member States and organises regular expert group meetings on the topic of irregular migration and the Directive to exchange information and good practices. The Commission intends to step up enforcement and, where necessary, review the rules on preventing exploitation of workers in Europe with an irregular status. In this context, the Commission is currently evaluating the European Labour Authority’s performance in relation to its objectives, mandate and tasks. In accordance with Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009 2 , Member States should issue EU hauliers holding a community licence with a driver attestation for each driver they lawfully employ or use and who is neither a national of a Member State nor a long-term resident. The attestation certifies that the driver is lawfully employed in accordance with the relevant rules in the Member State that issues it. The Commission is not aware of any systematic issues regarding the issuance of driver attestations by Member States. The Commission strongly condemns any discriminatory practice between foreign drivers and EU drivers as regards working conditions and remuneration. Mobility Package I 3 , which was adopted in July 2020, substantially improved the working conditions and remuneration of drivers and must be applied to all drivers, irrespective of their nationality. It is for Member States to enforce these rules through checks at roadside and at premises. 1 OJ L 168 30.6.2009, p. 24. 2 OJ L 300, 14.11.2009, p. 72. 3 OJ C 252, 31.7.2020, p. 1.”
  EU Competition policy · Driving licences
• 2024-10-21 “E-002195/2024 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission 1. Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) 1 is a quarantine pest listed in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 2 , not in Regulation (EU) 1143/2014 3 . The Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1201 4 to prevent its introduction and spread. This Regulation allows Member States to authorise grafting in infected zones subject to containment. Commission Directive (EU) 2019/782 5 as regards the establishment of harmonised risk indicators does not provide any basis for action to combat the spread of Xf in Puglia. 2. The European Agriculture on Rural Development Fund supported farmers hit by Xf, through Physical investments (sub-measure 4.1), Risk-preventing investments (5.1) and Restoration of damaged production potential (5.2). This aid did not include grafting, which was however supported through national schemes. Under Sectoral interventions, the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund may support: - replanting olive groves after mandatory grubbing-up for phytosanitary reasons; - investments in tangible and intangible assets; - research and experimental and innovative production methods; and - other actions, including improving resilience against pests. 3. The EU has been actively addressing Xf through research and innovation projects under the previous research and innovation programme Horizon 2020 6 and the current one Horizon Europe 7 . The Bexyl Project 8 , which started on 2022 with nearly EUR 7 million, focuses on integrated management strategies to mitigate Xf’s impact in Europe. The BIOVEXO Project 9 is developing and testing innovative biopesticides targeting Xf and its spittlebug vectors. Since 2015, the EU has funded key projects like POnTE 10 and XF-ACTORS 11 , providing critical 1 All the information below as regards legislation applicable, financial support and research programmes may be seen in the following Commission website: https://food.ec.europa.eu/plants/plant-health-andbiosecurity/legislation/control-measures/xylella-fastidiosa_en 2 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 of 28 November 2019 establishing uniform conditions for the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and the Council, as regards protective measures against pests of plants, and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 690/2008 and amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019. OJ L 319, 10.12.2019, p. 1–279. 3 http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/1143/oj 4 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1201 of 14 August 2020 as regards measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union of Xylella fastidiosa (Wells et al.) OJ L 269, 17.8.2020, p. 2– 39. 5 Commission Directive (EU) 2019/782 of 15 May 2019 amending Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the establishment of harmonised risk indicators OJ L 127, 16.5.2019, p. 4–10. 6 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-2020_en 7 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-europe_en 8 Beyond Xylella, Integrated Management Strategies for Mitigating Xylella fastidiosa impact in Europe https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101060593 9 Biocontrol of Xylella and its vector in olive trees for integrated pest management https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/887281 10 Pest Organisms Threatening Europe - https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/635646 11 Xylella Fastidiosa Active Containment Through a multidisciplinary-Oriented Research Strategy https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/727987”
  GMOs
• 2024-10-17 “E-002129/2024 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission The Commission attaches great importance to the protection of fundamental rights. The freedom of access to information and the respect of the procedural rights for suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law are enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. Directive (EU) 2016/343 requires Member States to ensure that public statements made by public authorities, and judicial decisions, other than those on guilt, do not refer to suspects and accused persons as being guilty. The Directive does not require specific limitations as to the publication by the press of procedural documents relating to the pre-trial stage of the proceedings. Without prejudice to national law protecting the freedom of press and other media, the Directive only requires that the dissemination of any information by public authorities to the media must respect the presumption of innocence and not create the impression that the person is guilty before his or her guilt has been proven according to law. The 2024 Rule of Law report for Italy 1 notes that legislative initiatives regulating the access to, and publication of certain judicial information, are a source of concern for journalists. The report also notes that the Italian Government considers these initiatives to be justified to guarantee the right to privacy and the presumption of innocence. The Commission will continue monitoring the developments in this respect in the framework of the Rule of Law cycle. 1 2024 Rule of Law Report, ‘Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Italy’ (SWD(2024) 812 final): https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/60d79a4f-49cd-4061-a18fd3a4495d6485_en?filename=29_1_58066_coun_chap_italy_en.pdf”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters · Disinformation & online freedoms
• 2024-10-09 “E-001997/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Vestager on behalf of the European Commission In line with Articles 165 1 and 166 2 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Member States are responsible for the organisation of their education and training systems. Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications 3 facilitates free movement of professionals in the internal market by setting the rules for recognition of qualifications for access to a regulated profession in another Member State than the one where the qualifications were obtained. Member States are responsible for regulating the nature of a profession, such as teachers, at national level, including setting any training requirements. Such regulations and requirements must be in accordance with the rules of Directive (EU) 2018/958 on a proportionality test before adoption of new regulation of professions 4 . Member State authorities assess that requests for recognition of qualifications for access to regulated professions are in line with national requirements to access the profession. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:12008E165 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:12016E166 3 Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications, OJ L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 22–142 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32005L0036). 4 Directive 2018/958 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 June 2018 on a proportionality test before adoption of new regulation of professions, OJ L 173, 9.7.2018, p. 25–34 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32018L0958).”
  Governance of academic priorities within the EU
• 2024-10-01 “E-001893/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission 1. Lake Trasimeno is part of the Natura 2000 network 1 . The Italian region Umbria 2 is responsible for the protection and management of the designated site and for the adoption of specific measures for this purpose, taking account of economic, social and cultural requirements and regional and local characteristics. Both Habitats 3 and Birds 4 Directives and the Water Framework Directive 5 aim at ensuring that the maintenance work carried out respects the conservation objectives and ecological functions of Lake Trasimeno while considering its value for the tourism sector. The Commission ensures that both objectives are reconciled by overseeing its correct implementation and through guidelines. 2. The Commission has produced guidance documents 6 to help Member States implement the above-mentioned provisions and to reconcile the protection of the Natura 2000 sites with social and economic needs. Italy has transposed these provisions in its national legislation 7 and, in 2019, adopted tailored national guidelines 8 to facilitate and ensure their consistent implementation across its regions. The region Umbria has also adopted specific guidelines 9 to implement the above-mentioned provisions that are relevant to the case at stake. 3. The Commission has produced a specific guidance document describing the EU funding programmes and instruments for the period 2021–2027 that could support projects contributing to the EU’s environmental policies and objectives 10 . In particular, Cohesion Policy 11 can help supporting investments by Member States in enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, through a specific objective of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 12 . 1 The site is designated both as a Special Protection Area under the Birds Directive and as a Special Area of Conservation under the Habitats Directive. 2 https://www.regione.umbria.it/uffici-regione-umbria 3 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7–50. 4 Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds, OJ L 020 26.1.2010, p. 7. 5 Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy, OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1–73, as amended by Commission Directive 2014/101/EU of 30 October 2014, OJ L 311, 31.10.2014, p. 32–35. 6 https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/management/guidance_en.htm https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/natura-2000/permitting-procedure_en 7 https://www.mase.gov.it/pagina/la-valutazione-di-incidenzavinca#:~:text=Si%20tratta%20del%20processo%20d,di%20significativit%C3%A0%20di%20tali%20incidenze 8 https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2019/12/28/19A07968/SG 9 https://www.regione.umbria.it/documents/18/25116977/DGR+360_2021_Nuove+Linee+Guida.pdf/e2633356feb8-4dc5-9c4c-2ab32142f2ac https://www.regione.umbria.it/documents/18/25116977/Recepimento+Linee+guida+Nazionali+VIncA.pdf/0521 4a5c-d3ef-43ce-8bbe-1d0e6fcbdfb8 10 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/33b54f0d-0251-11ed-acce-01aa75ed71a1 11 https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/policy/what/investment-policy_en 12 https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/funding/erdf_en, Umbria has programmed EUR 4.7 million to this specific objective in their ERDF programme for 2021-2027. Responsibility for the selection of operations lies in the hand of the Managing Authority of the Programme.”
  Energy (green transition)
• 2024-08-14 “E-001510/2024 Answer given by Ms Kyriakides On behalf of the European Commission The Commission has received multiple complaints both against the recently approved Amendment 13.06 of Italy's security bill that aims to restrict the movement of hemp inflorescences or products containing such inflorescences and against the Italian Decree of 27 June 2024 1 that classifies the products containing as an active substance for pharmaceutical use cannabidiol oil for oral consumption derived from Cannabis. The analysis of these complaints is ongoing. In that context, the Commission is currently assessing the compliance of these measures with the Treaties and with secondary Union legislation. 1 Decree of the Ministry of Health of 27 June 2024, Update of the tables containing the indication of narcotic and psychotropic substances, referred to in Presidential Decree No. 309 of 9 October 1990, as amended and supplemented. Inclusion in the table of medicines, section B, of compositions for oral administration of cannabidiol obtained from cannabis extracts. OJ General Series No. 157, 06.07.2024.”
  EU competences on consumer protection and product standards · EU Single Market harmonisation
• 2024-08-01 “E-001466/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Vestager on behalf of the European Commission As concerns the EUR 320 million bridge loan to Acciaierie d’Italia (formerly ILVA) steelworks, that measure has not been notified to the Commission and so has not been the object of a Commission decision under the State aid rules. It is for the Member State to assess if a specific measure involves State aid and accordingly to proceed with a notification. The Italian authorities consider that the terms of the loan are market based and therefore would not involve State aid. In the framework of the on-going infringement against Italy on the compliance of the former ILVA steelworks plant with Directive 2010/75/EU 1 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (Industrial Emissions Directive, ‘IED’), the Commission is monitoring the implementation of Italian measures to restore compliance with the IED. Italy’s latest submission is currently under assessment. In its recent ruling interpreting the IED in Case C-626/22 2 , the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that for the purposes of granting or reconsidering a permit to operate an installation, the competent authority must take into account, in addition to the polluting substances that are foreseeable having regard to the nature and type of industrial activity concerned, all those polluting substances which are the subject of emissions scientifically recognised as harmful which are liable to be emitted from the installation concerned including those generated by that activity which were not assessed during the initial authorisation procedure for that installation. The Italian authorities must comply with this ruling in the context of the renewal of the steelworks integrated environmental authorisation. 1 OJ L 334 17.12.2010, p. 17 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:62022CJ0626”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Thank you, Commissioner, for your presentation. As was said today, we're talking about striking a very delicate balance, the balance between the right to access treatment, the issue of patient safety on the one hand, and then on the other hand, the need to make sure that there's competitiveness and innovation in our markets for a whole set of reasons that you touched upon. At the moment, we have a system that doesn't manage to make sure that we do have access to these devices, especially for rare diseases and for lesser known technology. This is often because of red tape. The certification process, high costs. For all these reasons, there is huge pressure on the sector. So what's happening? That means that SMEs are leaving the market. And what does that mean in practice? That means that there is a lack of medical devices. When a device disappears, then it is first and foremost a health problem, especially for those patients that depend on that specific device. So of course, we are in favor of all the simplification measures that you want to put in place, and we want to have the best possible results that will strike the best possible balance between these two factors. So on the one hand, we want a system that is going to be more efficient, but without deregulation, because if we deregulate this sector, then this will be tantamount to backsliding and we cannot allow that. And then there's also a political issue. We have to ask ourselves, who benefits who from this revision? So I think the main challenge for all of us will to be make sure that if we reduce the burden and this will translate into more affordable prices and better accessibility and real advantages for the public health system. Because as representatives, this is what we have to stand for. We have to support, uh, public the public health sector.”
  Medical devices
• “Thank you very much. President. The draft regulation that we are debating today shows that we have a problem with the original vision of the European Cohesion Fund, which was designed to reduce disparities and to help regions in difficulty, but is now essentially a cash machine for the defence industry. Now, of course, we have new priorities, but defence apparently is now one of them, and we cannot countenance a fund which was destined for hospitals and schools and SMEs being redirected to the defence industry, because that would be to betray the historical values on which the European Union is based and would be absolutely catastrophic for our regions, particularly the ones which have been struck by disasters and those which we represent. And that is why we need to look at the shortfall of essential resources in our regions. If we deprive regions of their essential resources, that means that once again, they will be put into reverse. And this is not at the heart of our citizens concerns. And once again, I emphasize we can't build Europe with more arms or with more justice and social justice as well as economic resilience. And that is why we'll continue to strive to ensure that Europe remains a project of peace and not of war.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• “Thank you Chair and thank you President Boland for your presentation and for going into depth before our committee. We share the ambitions of the EESC. Our strengths coincide with your strengths. This encourages us and we also believe that Europe is at a critical juncture. That's why the next MFF should not just be an accounting exercise. It must be an investment instrument which is serious for European public goods. So we must be ambitious. There must be simplification but also consistency with the principle of subsidiarity which is really the DNA of the European Union's principles. Also, I agree with what was said by the colleagues before me. The efforts which have been made by the Commission remain very weak. Nevertheless, we believe this is a kind of consolation prize for us. We don't find this satisfactory. There is not a real involvement of the territorial entities as it pertains to agriculture in particular. The cuts for many agriculture but defense has increased. So we're seeing a militarization of the European economy and this is being done at the expense of farmers, rural areas, and a just transition. So we are against this. With regard to governance, the model of single national plans is too centralized. You said this and I also agree. When there is a merger, this weakens or dilutes and it is the weaker elements of society that lose out in the regions. It is well, it's simple to eliminate certain stakeholders, territorial entities, civil society. That's a way of simplifying but you can't do it that way because it can't be at the expense of a democratic participation in this process. So we believe that the new MFF and NRPP funds are a historic opportunity to improve cohesion in Europe. Now, European Union's efficiency can't be mentioned in figures but in concrete results for citizens and we don't see any concrete results in the current framework. Mulhoy.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• “Thank you, president. Well, today we're talking about the metal industry. We're talking about steel. And obviously we can't do that without talking about Taranto. The UN has defined Taranto as a region where human beings are sacrificed. This is it's a city which has been devastated by decades of industrial pollution. There are children who are born ill. There are tumors, numbers of tumors that are increasing. This is a health disaster that Europe can no longer ignore. We strongly call for green decarbonisation based on green hydrogen, yes, and clean innovation. We would turn to the Commission with a clear question. Why is it that since 2013, their infringement proceedings open against Italy and nothing has happened? European treaties guarantee the right to health. But it seems that sometimes for Brussels, industrial production is more important than the lives of our citizens. The EU Court of Justice was clear. The plant needs to shut down if it continues to pollute. So we would call on you to respect that ruling. Shut down the factory and invest in cleaning up the region. Thank you.”
  Industrial emissions directive (IED)
• “There are too many places where care services are not available or are excessively expensive, and many caregivers don't have any economic support. That's not the kind of Europe that we want. It's pure inequality. So that is why we are calling for a solid European strategy for dementia. Well, what would it be useful for? What do we need? We need investment in the public health system. We need early diagnosis accessible everywhere. Quality care, support for caregivers. I think that's worth repeating again. And there's one key aspect to Alzheimer's hits hardest against the people with the least resources. It amplifies existing inequalities. So responding to this challenge is not just a question of talking about health. It's a question of talking about social justice. President. Colleagues in a society that forgets and is losing its memory, it will end up betraying itself. We want Europe to be a genuine community, and we have to show that here now. We have to protect the most fragile in our society, help those who aid them, invest in services and invest in rights. Thank you very much.”
  EU policy on mental health
• “Thank you very much, president. Solidarity is no mere slogan. It is only real if people can have access to the medicines they need. And unfortunately, that is not guaranteed for everyone. We saw how supplies were limited during the pandemic. Now pharmaceuticals save lives and we have prices which can fluctuate from country to country. And I think health care therefore becomes a geographical lottery. So it's not enough simply to talk about cross-border solidarity. We have to make sure that access to cures is available to all European citizens. That is why we should not take these shortcuts. And this is something that the European Commission has shown is multiannual health plan, and making sure that nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals are often sacrificed, whereas these are people who put their lives on the line day in and day out in the service of their fellow citizens, and therefore they must be supported in this battle, for civilization is next.”
  Pharmaceuticals regulation in EU — innovation/access axis
• “Thank you president. Google is a repeat offender and it is affecting visibility of our European media. Local press, even national press are suffering from this competition. It is now clear to everyone that when a single platform controls the entire sector of online advertising, it's a monopoly. And when a monopoly decides which news citizens can read, then democracy pays the highest price. Guaranteeing the economic sustainability of European media is therefore a duty, as well as ensuring fair conditions for access to the advertising market. Also, because there's a new threat on the horizon artificial intelligence of platforms, of robbing content from sites and reducing visibility of the work of journalists who are serious and prepared. And allow me on this. To express my solidarity with Siegfried and Roy, who is the symbol of a free and brave journalism which bothers her those in power. So we are expecting from the European Commission greater severity to defend unfair competition amongst our companies and freedom of the press.”
  EU rules on digital competition
• “Thank you. Chairman. Minister, I'd like to start by thanking you for joining us here today. We very much welcome the priorities set out by the Polish presidency, in particular, commitment to a sustainable energy transition. Protection of biodiversity. Adaptation to climate change. All of us agree on the crucial challenges facing us and the future of the planet. It's important that we find ambitious responses and solutions which must, above all, be coordinated at the European level. In recent years, I have been working hard. I have been fighting with my colleagues to try to ensure that our citizens be given the support they need to become active partners in adapting to climate change. So, for example, our law on energy income meant that less well-off families were able to access incentives to install or install solar panels, not only to improve their energy independence, but also to help them contribute to the ecological transition. We have also made contributions to energy efficiency in private housing, which are very often very old buildings with poor energy performances. So that's something very important in terms of energy consumption. So according to me, according to us, these steps have had a major impact in our regions in Italy. And we believe that these models can, can and should be exported to the European level. We can translate good local practice to good practice to the EU level. So, Minister, I would like to ask you what the Polish Presidency presidency intends to do to promote better coordination between Member States so as to speed up this transition, while at the same time ensuring that no region, no citizens be left behind. European citizens must have fair access to sustainable energy and to And to essential resources.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Thank you. President. On the 4th of March, we celebrated the International Day to Fight Obesity. And it is estimated that 60% of the European population is either overweight or obese. One in every four children in Europe becomes obese. We have to state clearly that obesity is not an individual problem. It is complex. Often it is related to food behaviour that hide a are really difficult issues, and that is also related to marketing. That pushes us to sedentary lifestyles and ultra processed foods. We also know that those who are the most underprivileged tend to suffer that more because there are social and economic elements. So it's not enough to just talk about dieting. We have to bring to schools a food education because if we just if we do not hit at the root causes of this, we will not be able to make sure that all have a healthier future. Thank you.”
  EU measures on lifestyle-related behaviours (smoking, drinking, eating, etc.)
• “Thank you very much. I'd like to thank the commissioners for being here. The proposal that we're discussing this afternoon, the setting up of the single European Fund, uh. As you say, brings together lots of different funds in to one fund in the name of simplification. But there are problems. And the colleagues who spoke before talked about these problems. First of all, the centre of decision. The centre of gravity when it comes to decision making is been shifted and the European Parliament disagrees with this. Then policies that constitute pillars of the EU, such as fisheries, security, cohesion, are now in this big mega fund. And I'm not saying anything strange if I say that this European Commission has shown that the guiding principle seems to be security and defense. Some may agree and some may not. I'm not judging there, but the result is that cohesion and agriculture as policies have been compressed and we have this continuous flexibility while defense and security resources have been increased greatly. And I think this is unacceptable. We expect the European Parliament's work to be decisive. This isn't about clashes between policies. This is about honoring our role and making sure that the real priorities of our regions are at the heart of the debate. It's the real needs of our local communities that we have to represent in order to make sure that resources are allocated to cohesion and agriculture. As was said before me. So we will work hard to make sure that budget related decisions are in line with the real needs of the people on the ground. And that it's not just about strategies that you're coming up with behind closed doors in your ivory towers. Because at the end of the day, the the needs are still there. And agriculture and cohesion are very much about real life.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• “Thank you. Bees as pollinators, are pollinators who actually set the sign for what's going on in 2023? This parliament was working on a new deal for pollinators. And today, after our commitment, we need to actually breathe some life into this. We have heard already about intensive agriculture, the use of pesticides, the deterioration of habitats, etc. and because of what is happening, we need to have the political courage and the consistency to act quickly. We need to give incentives to farmers to make sure that under the cap, the farmers are the ones who look after the bees habitat and help us in our steps to prepare for a better biodiversity. We've seen, uh, urban experience, uh, we've seen, uh, efforts to protect our beings. And this could help us through monitoring the environment. We need to protect pollinators because this means protecting the balance between, uh, human health, between, uh, agriculture and our environment. And really, it is time that we have the necessary instruments to act. Thank you.”
  Nature protection and restoration in the EU
• “(11:41:30 – 11:44:53): Thank you very much. Thank you very much, chair. First of all, I would like to thank the co rapporteurs. Thank you very much for the work that you have done. Now, yes, they have really pulled out all the stops of the co rapporteurs to try and moderate the fact that we are very much adrift of where we should be here. That's what we have in the original commission proposal. So the situation is critical, and we're critical of the commission proposal. We've always been critical of setting up a single fund because as we see it, putting together economic and social and territorial cohesion together with agriculture, CAP, fisheries, maritime policy, prosperity, and security. Essentially, this is an affront to the dignity of the individual policies. So our general criticisms remain. And there's an attempt here by the commission to try and increase their management of all of this, and that is what my colleague, mister Oliver said just before me. Now, of course, we welcome the changes that the coraporters have tried to bring forward. We welcome the strengthening of the principle of ring fencing and protecting the resources that are destined to cohesion policy, support for the least developed regions, and also the attempt to at least partially reinstate the territorial partnership and put that front and center when it comes to governance of the fund. These are central elements for the left group. So that is the way we want to see things move. Then there's the issue of wanting to strengthen the role of the European parliament and the LRAs. We think that they certainly do need to be at the forefront in terms of defining and implementing territorial strategies. It's not something that should just be marginalized here when it comes to the management of such important funds. Of course, there's a whole raft of improvements that we will seek to bring in via amendments, and we really do think we need to insist on the fact that cohesion policy should have a social dimension. When you talk about cohesion, you are talking about fighting child poverty. You're talking about improving the quality of life in the most fragile areas. And then there's the right to health. We think that this should be recognized as a structural component of territorial cohesion, not as something that's an accessory. So we believe that the telemedicine strengthening health care in internal regions, in the least developed regions, we should they should be part and parcel of this text. In conclusion, we very much welcome the efforts made by the co rapporteurs. Of course, the intention is moving in the right direction, but there's still a lot of work to do. Thank you.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• “Thank you very much indeed President. I want to talk about the story of Anna who was embroiled in a long episode of postpartum depression and we had a situation where she didn't want to go to school because we have certain bullied because they are too feminine in appearance and Antonella, another story suffering on depression. These are real stories of real Italians and real Europeans but for too long now mental health has been underestimated and overlooked by our health services. Whereas in actual fact we've seen a boom in psychological disturbances in society in recent years and we should not therefore concern ourselves with issues only on a mental health day. Rather we need to look at the root causes of suicide becoming the second leading cause of death amongst young people after road traffic accidents. Rather we need to look at the suffering of young people. We are with them.”
  EU policy on mental health
• “Thank you, president. Viruses don't carry passports. They don't ask for permission to cross our borders. Above all, they don't wait for Europe to be ready to deal with them. We learned the hard lessons of the pandemic. The recent antivirus outbreak shows that global health threats are not something of the past. They're still very much present. Activation of civil protection mechanisms, which meant that we had an effective evacuation of passengers of the cruise ship, was something you remind us of, commissioner. But our management of health challenges can't just be dealt with in this way. After COVID, we promised European citizens that health would be an absolute priority for the European Union. Today, however, we see that effective health programs are being cut, while at the same time, the global menace is growing. In practical terms, health means we have to invent in invest in protection, strengthen public health systems, collate data, prepare our response before crisis actually happen rather than during or after. So we need more funds, less red tape. Health is not just, another policy. It strikes at the very heart of the lives of our citizens.”
  EU competences on health (internal-competence axis, sharpened)
• “Yes, yes. Thank you. Chair. I'd like to also thank the rapporteur for the work that she has conducted and for the balanced approach that she has taken. Well, in 27 we had inspire, and that has managed the collection of spatial data in Europe. And we've had fragmentation. And we have administrations that thanks to this tool, they can go online and see what the environmental risk is. And they can do that with just a click. So this is something which is not just for specialists, because digital access now is something which is of great importance for economic and dramatic reasons. People can this has increased the transparency and reduced costs for people. I agree with the need that we do need to simplify bureaucracy and we need to bring inspire up to speed. But that should not mean that we're going to dismantle something that's working quite well. Geographical or spatial data is something which is very specific and needs to we need to respect that specificity. So I do follow what the approach of the rapporteur has been here, to not possibly just go down the path paved by the commission.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “This is a very interesting debate. I'd like to thank the representatives of the commission for their contribution. I think that this debate is very much linked to the first debate that we had, that is our role is to understand how to best use the European Union funds in order to meet the most pressing requirements of our regions. In particular, this involves the right of young women to stay in the places they come from, where they were born and grew up. Unfortunately, also based on my personal experience because I'm from one of those areas, I can tell you that women, young women, are forced to leave before even they discover their talent, their dreams, what they want to do in life. They have to leave in order to have opportunities. These young women who can leave, well, they're actually lucky because they do have the opportunity to leave and to invest in another future. But we need to think about all those women who don't even have that opportunity to leave and are forced to remain in a place where they're not recognized. As we had before, it was said that the funds have to be directed in the best possible way and based on data. So having data is essential in order to understand the reasons why young people or women leave and to understand how to best invest to keep them in those areas. I agree on this. Now, I was a municipal councilor and I know that often the information that we're talking about doesn't reach mayors and local councilors. So what I would ask you is: what is the instrument? How will this information reach local administrators so that they are stakeholders, key players in efficient spending? So not, as you said, building a swimming pool which no one is going to use but really spending to create opportunities. And secondly, we as female politicians have a major responsibility today, that is we have to set an example for those women who are at home who are looking at what we're doing. Because often in local politics, women are just a quota, as it were. They're there because the quota has to be met but the real power is held by men. Unfortunately, this is still the case. So we need to get rid of that concept and ensure that all women who want to get involved in politics consider that opportunity, that is to involve women in decision making to avoid everything we're talking about today. **Dragoş Benea (Romania, S&D) @Chair: This is Rosa Serrano Sierra from S&D. **Rosa María Serrano Sierra (Spain, S&D): Thank you chair, first and foremost, I'd like to thank the presenter and just highlight the importance that the European Parliament has placed on gender equality. In particular, the position that young women find themselves in is particularly concerning to us because they have far too many obstacles where they are and they often have to move. We want to ensure that women in rural areas are not doubly discriminated against. We need to boost their possibility for equality and their well-being. We need to include women in the workplace. We have to recognize their work and their rights. This is fundamental. And for this, we need to ensure that gender equality is in cohesion policies. This is key to eliminate barriers to women's participation in the economy. It fights desertification and it helps to improve the economies in rural areas. So we're really looking forward to the initiatives regarding the right to stay that will be announced by the commissioner. But we need to understand how the instruments and resources will be able to incentivize and help improve the reality of women, especially young women in rural areas in particular. Nowadays, when we look at the MFF, we see that there are some very concerning cuts regarding the cohesion policy, which is of course a pillar for the development of our territories. Thank you. **Dragoş Benea (Romania, S&D) @Chair: Thank you Miss Gershenny from EPP.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Thank you very much, chairman. Thank you to both rapporteurs. This report. Is important when it comes to looking at how the next MFF is going to be allocated. As was just explained, we think it's important to to speak up now to underline some of the political priorities that emerge from the amendments that we've tabled, which directly affect territories, starting with the flexibility of the budget. We fully understand the need for instruments that can react to crises such as the pandemic or the energy crisis, but having up to 25% of the resources unprogrammed, I think, means turning flexibility into a blank check for us. Multi-annual funding cannot be sacrificed on the altar of emergency, a permanent emergency. Secondly, on the respect for the rule of law, we welcome the principle as a prerequisite for access to funds. But it shouldn't just remain on paper. We need to take it to the next level. So we need harsher monitoring checks involving autonomous bodies, so that the European Union values are also respected in how these projects are funded. Now, coming on to the social aspect, 14% target can not just stay on paper because without a specific budget line, social aspects could be seriously weakened under the pressure of competitiveness. Regarding just transition, we are very concerned about the disappearance of the Just Transition Fund, even though it was specifically asked to be renewed.”
  Conditions to access EU budget