EU Insight, 20 January 2023

Brussels, 20 January 2023

SPECIAL ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT VON DER LEYEN ON GREEN DEAL INVESTMENT PLAN

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, delivered an address at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The speech included insights on the EU response to the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and focused on the net zero transition. Thus, she stressed that the EU needs to invest in its industry. Hence, more investor-friendly policies are needed and policies such as the IRA need to be countered. Against that backdrop, von der Leyen announced the EU Green Deal Industrial Plan, which consists of four pillars: i) an investment-friendly regulatory environment; ii) the adaptation of EU state aid rules; iii) an EU Sovereignty Fund; and iv) greater and coordinated investment in training and education to make the European labour force more skilled.

SWEDISH PRIME MINISTER OUTLINES PRIORITIES TO MAKE EU GREENER, SAFER AND FREER

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson discussed the priorities of the Swedish Council Presidency with Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. During his speech, Mr Kristersson stressed that Sweden’s first priority will be Europe’s security, continuous support of Ukraine, and enhancing EU’s geopolitical significance. Additionally, he spoke about EU’s crucial role in the green transition, a topic strictly linked with Europe’s long-term competitiveness. Finally, the overarching Swedish priority will be to uphold the EU’s common values.

PARLIAMENT CALLS FOR MORE SANCTIONS AGAINST IRANIAN REGIME

During this week’s plenary, Members of the European Parliament condemned the Iranian regime’s disregard for human dignity as well as its support to Russia. The Parliament urges the EU to expand its sanctions list to cover all individuals and entities responsible for human rights violations, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, President Ebrahim Raisi, Prosecutor General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, and all foundations linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Finally, the Parliament called on the Council and the member states to add the Revolutionary Guard and its subsidiary forces, including the paramilitary Basij militia and the Quds Force, to the EU terrorist list.

PARLIAMENT WANTS A FIRMER RESPONSE TO RUSSIAN THREATS TO EUROPEAN SECURITY

In the annual Common Foreign and Security Policy report, the Parliament stressed that the EU and its Member States need to increase their military, political and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Additionally, the Parliament required the Member States to strengthen their defence in countering Russian threats to European security. The report was adopted on Wednesday with 407 votes in favour, 92 against and 142 abstentions. Parliament is calling on the Council to trigger provisions of the Treaty of the European Union that would allow the adoption of certain decisions, without military implications, in particular those concerning sanctions and human rights, by qualified majority rather than unanimity.

EUROGROUP STATEMENT ON THE DIGITAL EURO PROJECT

At this week’s Eurogroup meeting, the finance ministers of the euro area adopted a joint statement on the digital euro project. In this statement, the Eurogroup renewed its support for the continued efforts of all European and national institutions involved in the preparatory work towards the potential issuance of a digital euro and encouraged a high level of innovation and ambition in exploring its possible design and distribution options. Additionally, the Eurogroup reaffirmed that the digital euro should complement rather than replace cash, ensure and maintain users’ trust and contribute to safeguard the financial stability of the euro area.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK

• 23 January: Foreign Affairs Council. On the agenda: Russian aggression against Ukraine and the Sahel and coastal countries of West Africa.
• 24 January: Code of Conduct Group (Business taxation). On the agenda: Preparation for the update of the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.
• 25 January: Coreper I and Coreper II. On the agenda: European Semester 2023, approval of employment and social aspects.
• 25 January: College of Commissioners. On the agenda: Strengthening social dialogue, Communication on strengthening social dialogue in the European Union, Council Recommendation to support social dialogue at EU and national level.
• 26 January: Informal meeting of justice and home affairs ministers. On the agenda: Migration and Asylum, The fight against organised crime in the digital era, How to ensure an effective whole-of-government approach to meet migratory challenges.
• 27 January: Informal meeting of justice and home affairs ministers. On the agenda: Judicial cooperation and the fight against organised crime, The prosecution of core international crimes in Ukraine

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.