06/11/2023
EU Insight, 3 November 2023
Brussels, 3 November 2023
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY BINDS TOGETHER TO ADDRESS AI RISKS
In light of rapid recent developments, global leaders have united in the effort to regulate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ensure the safety of the technology. The G7 together with the EU agreed on International Guiding Principles on AI and a voluntary Code of Conduct for AI developers. Both documents are meant to serve as guidance until AI regulation is implemented globally, which is being spearheaded by the imminent EU AI Act. Similarly, at the UK AI Safety Summit 28 jurisdictions, including the EU, US, and China, signed the “Bletchley Declaration”, which building upon the G7’s agreement, aims to foster a global, collaborative approach on AI’s risks and opportunities.
EU-US TASK FORCE REAFFIRMS TRANSATLANTIC COOPERATION ON ENERGY SECURITY
High-level EU and US officials convened at the 11th EU-US Task Force on Energy Security to discuss the EU’s energy supply and related EU-US collaboration. Notably, the meeting served to underline the importance of the enduring transatlantic partnership to ensure energy security and foster decarbonisation objectives. Amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions, and the EU’s efforts to reduce its Russian energy reliance, the session highlighted the US’s role as Europe’s top LNG supplier, while acknowledging the success of AggregateEU in securing stable and competitively priced energy. Finally, the meeting served to reaffirm the EU and US’ readiness to jointly respond to energy security challenges as they arise.
EU AND JAPAN STRIKE LANDMARK DEAL ON DATA FLOWS
At the EU-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue, Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, together with his Japanese counterparts, concluded an agreement on cross-border data flows, between the two jurisdictions. The deal aims to facilitate making business online across jurisdictions, while also enabling greater collaboration on research and development in the digital economy. Both sides praised the agreement, which ends forced data localisation, thus removing unnecessary burdens to business, while also fostering and enabling supervisory collaboration. The deal with Japan comes as the EU aims to introduce digital trade deals with its global trade partners, having already existing deals with the UK and New Zealand.
COMMISSION ASSESSES PROGRESS TOWARDS ENERGY UNION AND CLIMATE GOALS
The Commission released a report assessing the EU’s development towards an Energy Union as well as Member States’ progress towards achieving the EU’s Climate Action goals. Notably, the report urges Member States to bolster their National Energy and Climate Plans implementation. Though greenhouse gas emissions saw a 3% drop in 2022, the report underlines that their reduction rate must nearly triple to meet the EU’s 2030 target. While the ‘Fit for 55’ measures should help, the report emphasises that faster renewable energy adoption and improved energy efficiency are critical. Furthermore, the Commission reminds that eleven Member States missed the 30 June deadline to submit their draft updated climate plans.
PARLIAMENT CALLS FOR EUROPEAN COUNCIL TO RESPECT THE SPITZENKANDIDATEN
Considering the upcoming 2024 European Elections, Members of Parliament aim to enhance the democratic procedure of the EU elections and boost voter turnout for EU citizens. By adopting a resolution, the Parliament criticised the European Council’s disregard for the “Spitzenkandidaten” system in 2019. To recall, the system, following which the leader of the winning parliamentary group would lead the negotiations to appoint the new Commission President, was ignored by the European Council when Ursula von der Leyen was appointed despite not having been a candidate. As such, the Parliament calls for the European Council to stop striking deals behind closed doors, and fairly engage with the European Parliament to ensure a true EU democratic process.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
- 6-7 November: Informal meeting of European ministers responsible for space.
- 8 November: Eurogroup. On the agenda: Inflation, State of Play of Fiscal Policy, Euro area Competitiveness, Banking Union update, Capital Markets Union
- 8 November: College of Commissioners. On the agenda: Enlargement Package
- 8-9 November: European Parliament plenary session. On the agenda: Euro 7, State of the Energy Union, European Single Access Point (ESAP)
- 9 November: Economic and Financial Affairs Council. On the agenda: Economic governance review, Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine, Recovery and Resilience Facility
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.