23/10/2023
Brussels, 20 October 2023
COMMISSION OUTLINES ITS PRIORITIES FOR 2024
The Commission published its 2024 work programme outlining the remaining tasks it will prioritise until the end of the mandate. The work programme includes only a limited number of new initiatives, most of which has been previously announced. Instead of presenting many new initiatives, the Commission indicates its focus on finalising relevant legislation related to key ambitions such as the European Green Deal. The Commission also presented a burden reduction package aimed to simplify and rationalize corporate reporting requirements, and reduce administrative burdens imposed on EU companies.
GENERAL APPROACH ON ELECTRICITY MARKET DESIGN REVIEW
Following months of deadlock, the Council reached an agreement on the revision of the EU’s Electricity Market Design. The agreement reconciles opposing views between France and Germany on the treatment of nuclear plants by allowing the use of subsidies for existing nuclear plants under certain conditions, to ensure a level playing field across Member States. Generally, the reform aims to decouple electricity prices from fossil fuel price volatility, while fostering the deployment of renewable energies. The agreement in Council paves the way for the start of negotiations with the Parliament. The aim is to conclude by the end of the year.
COMMISSION AIMS TO CURB THE SPREAD OF ILLEGAL CONTENT ONLINE
Considering current international conflicts, the Commission wants to foster and facilitate Member States’ cooperation in addressing the spread and amplification of illegal content, such as hate speech and terrorist messaging via online platforms. As such, the Commission issued a set of recommendations, encouraging Member States to fast-track the implementation of certain requirements under the Digital Services Act. The Commission asks Member States to appoint an independent authority to be part of a network of prospective Digital Services Coordinators, to ensure full compliance by “Very Large Online Platforms and Search Engines” with their requirements under the legislation.
EUROPEAN AMMUNITION AND MISSILE PRODUCTION RAMP-UP
The Commission announced enhanced support for the European defence sector as part of the Regulation on supporting Ammunition Production (ASAP) Work Programme for 2023-2025. Aiming to foster the ammunition and missile production in the EU, ASAP allocates €500 million to fund projects worth up to €1.4 billion. This initiative represents the first call for proposals for projects that enhance European defence product production capacities and fortify related supply chains. Overall, the initiative’s goal is to address challenges in the supply chains, adapt swiftly to market trends, and reduce dependencies, ensuring a more resilient and robust European defence industry.
PARLIAMENT TAKES STRIDES TO SUPPORT EU COMPETITIVNESS
The Parliament adopted its position to establish the “Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform” (STEP), which aims to foster digital, net zero and biotechnologies in an effort to enable the EU’s industry to achieve the digital and net zero transitions. STEP comes with two supportive features named the ‘Sovereignty Seal’ and ‘Sovereignty Portal.’ The Seal is a reward given by the Commission to projects that score high during the selection process of a competitive procedure of calls for proposal under multiple initiatives. The Portal is a tool to help project promoters and companies seeking funds to find relevant information about opportunities within EU budget programmes.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
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.