EU Insight, 08 July 2022

Brussels, 8 July 2022

PARLIAMENT LABEL GAS AND NUCLEAR AS ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE

The European Parliament held a plenary vote on a resolution to object the Complementary Climate Delegated Act (CDA) under the Taxonomy Regulation, which failed to gather a majority of the casted vote. The CDA was put forward by the Commission in March and proposes to label a list of energy-related economic activities as environmentally sustainable under the EU Taxonomy, including gas and nuclear activities within the realm of transitional energy sources. Following the plenary vote, the CDA will be published in the official journal after 11 July and enter into force 20 days later. 

THE DIGITAL SERVICES PACKAGE ADOPTED BY PARLIAMENT

The European Parliament held its final vote on the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA) during the last plenary before summer break. A significant majority of the Parliament voted in favour of both DSA and DMA which aim to address the societal and economic effects of the tech industry by introducing a set of rules in line with the EU’s fundamental rights and values. The rules will touch on social media, marketplaces, targeted advertising, as well as on illegal content and online disinformation. The new rules will be formally adopted by the Council in July (DMA) and September (DSA).

CZECH EU PRESIDENCY KICKS OFF

The Czech Presidency of the Council kicked-off as Prime Minister Petr Fiala presented the country’s programme for the next semester during the European Parliament plenary. While tackling the adverse effects of the current crisis on EU citizens, managing Ukraine’s post-war recovery, and developing the EU’s strategic autonomy are the key priorities, the Prime Minister also underlined that EU countries should be able to choose their preferred energy mix. In response, Members of the European Parliament not only echoed the need to enhance the EU’s energy security, but also called to integrate the recommendations from the Conference on the Future of Europe’s and for the Council to consider a revision of the Treaties. 

UKRAINE: EUROPEAN MEASURES AGAINST NEGATIVE ECONOMIC CONSEEQUENCES

Following the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, the EU introduced a new set of measures to alleviate the negative consequences of the war both in Ukraine and the EU. The Parliament, following a Commission proposal, agreed on a € 1 billion macro-financial loan to help Ukraine cover its financing needs. In addition, the Commission decided to waive customs duties and VAT on the import of life-saving goods that are destined for Ukraine. Moreover, the European Parliament supported a proposal to recognise Ukrainian driving licences in the EU, exempting millions of refugees to exchange them for EU ones.

EUROPEAN RULES IMPROVING ROAD SAFETY ENTERS INTO FORCE

The new Vehicle General Safety Regulation, introducing a range of mandatory advanced driver assistant systems, entered into force. The General Safety Regulation seeks to improve road safety and establishes the legal framework for the approval of automated and fully driverless vehicles in the EU. Driver assistant systems target all road vehicles, i.e., cars, vans buses and trucks, and include safety features such as intelligent speed assistance, reversing detection with camera or sensors, lane-keeping systems, and automated braking. The new rules are applicable to new vehicle types as of 6 July 2022 and will cover all new vehicles from 7 July 2024.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK

• 11 July: Eurogroup. On the agenda: macroeconomic developments and policy challenges in the euro area; budgetary situation in the euro area and fiscal policy orientations for 2023; potential impacts on the financial system and the use of cash; adoption of the euro by Croatia.

• 11-12 July: Informal meeting of justice and home affairs ministers. On the agenda: cross-border legal protection of vulnerable adults in civil matters; judicial cooperation; collection of evidence for the prosecution of crimes committed in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine; EU harmonisation of victims’ rights.
• 12 July: Economic and Financial Affairs Council. On the agenda: Current financial services legislative proposals; presentation of the Czech Presidency work programme; economic and financial impact of the Russian aggression against Ukraine; economic recovery in Europe; conclusions on the European Semester 2022 in-depth reviews under the macroeconomic imbalance procedure; adoption of the euro by Croatia; conclusions on the 2021 Fiscal Sustainability Report.
• 12-14 July: Informal meeting of environment ministers.
• 13 July: College of Commissioners meeting. On the agenda: 2022 Rule of Law report, College-to-College meeting with the European Court of Auditors.
• 14 July: EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Council. On the agenda: Montenegro accession strategy; bilateral relations under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement; developments in Montenegro and in the Western Balkans.
• 14-15 July: Informal meeting of European affairs ministers.

Karl Isaksson, Managing Partner Brussels, Kreab

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Kreab • Tel: +32 2 737 6900 • karl.isaksson@kreab.com • www.kreab.com/brussels • Twitter: @KreabEU.