EU Insight, 13 October 2023

Brussels, 13 October 2023

COMMISSION CONDEMS HAMAS ATTACKS ON ISRAEL

Following Hamas’ attacks towards Israel over the weekend, the Commission was quick to condemn the violence exerted by the terrorist group. Notably, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Israel to commemorate the attack’s victims, and reaffirm the EU’s support of Israel, while underlining the importance to differentiate Hamas from the Palestinian people. In a similar vein, following an informal meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers, High Representative Josep Borrell condemned the attacks, and calling for the release of Israeli hostages. Mr Borell also underlined the importance for Israel to respect human rights in its retaliation and ensured that the EU would continue financial aid for Palestine.

KEY FIT FOR 55 LEGISLATIONS FINALISED

The Council adopted two key initiatives within the ‘Fit for 55’ package, the Renewable Energy Directive and the RefuelEU aviation Regulation. While the former legislation aims to increase the EU’s renewable energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030, the latter aims to boost the use and production of sustainable aviation fuels while ensuring a level playing field amongst airlines in the EU. While most initiatives within the ‘Fit for 55’ package have been finalized, the revision of the Energy Taxation Directive is yet to be completed. Furthermore, the Commission urged remaining Member States to submit their National Energy and Climate Plans promptly, as the deadline was in June of this year.

COMMISSION PRESENTS TOOLBOX TO MANAGE DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE

As most Europeans see demographic changes as a threat to the EU’s future prosperity according to the latest Eurobarometer survey, the Commission unveiled its demographic policy toolbox. The toolbox is meant to guide Member States in addressing demographic shifts, by supporting families, empowering both young and older generations, and addressing labour shortages through managed legal migration. Underlining the significance of regional disparities, the toolbox encourages the implementation of policies tailored to local challenges, such as “brain drain”, and focuses on gender equality and digital solutions. The initiative will be funded through existing EU instruments, such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the European Social Fund+.

COUNCIL ADOPTS AGREEMENT ON THE CONSUMER CREDIT DIRECTIVE

The Council adopted the agreement on the consumer credit directive which aims to protect European consumers when applying for credit. The Directive aims to ensure that credit information, such as the total cost of credit is clear and understandable, while also establishing stricter advertising rules. The Directive will require lenders to disclose standardised information to ease consumer comparisons, as well as assess customers’ creditworthiness to prevent over-indebtedness. The Council’s adoption paves the way for the Directive to be published in the Official Journal of the EU, and its subsequent entry into force.

TEN EU CITIES RECOGNISED FOR CLIMATE AND DIGITAL EFFORTS

Ten European cities were awarded the EU Mission Label for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, a significant recognition under the Horizon Europe initiative. This label honours the cities for their ambitious goals to reaching climate neutrality by 2030 and their efforts to make both public and private funding more accessible. The recognition aims to foster the promotion and implementation of green and digital transition policies at local level. The label also eases their access to diverse funding sources. The awarded cities are Sønderborg (Denmark), Mannheim (Germany), Madrid, Valencia, Valladolid, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Zaragoza (Spain), Klagenfurt (Austria), Cluj-Napoca (Romania) and Stockholm (Sweden).

COMING UP NEXT WEEK

• 16 – 19 October: European Parliament Plenary in Strasbourg. On the agenda: European Sustainability Reporting Standards, Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform, Israel
• 16 October: Environment Council. On the agenda: Urban wastewater treatment directive, EU COP28 conclusions, EU Nationally Determined Contribution to UNFCCC
• 16 October: Eurogroup. On the agenda: Digital Euro stocktake, Recover and Resilience implantation, Future of the Capital Markets Union, Transatlantic Economic Dialogue
• 17 October: ECOFIN. On the agenda: Economic Governance Review, Implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, Impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine
• 17 October: College of Commissioners. On the agenda: 2024 Commission Work Programme, Action Plan on anti-drug trafficking, Visa suspension mechanism

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.