EU Insight, 31 January 2020, Brussels

UK WILL LEAVE THE EU TONIGHT, BUT EU LAW WILL APPLY UNTIL END OF TRANSITION

The United Kingdom will leave the European Union tonight at 23:59 CET after the Council and the European Parliament gave the final sign-off to the Withdrawal Agreement earlier this week. During the debate that preceded the crucial vote at the European Parliament, the great majority of MEPs highlighted that Brexit will not mark the end of the road for the EU-UK relationship. Unless it is extended before 1 July, the transition period, which starts tomorrow, is set to expire at the end of December 2020. Until then, the UK will continue to be subject to EU law.

COMMISSION PRESENTS ITS WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2020

The European Commission adopted its 2020 work programme, which outlines the actions the EU executive body intends to do this year. The main ambitions of the programme are the work on the European Green Deal, making Europe fit for the digital age, creation of more social Europe, increasing Europe’s role in the world, promoting the European way of life and supporting democracy. In the European Parliament, MEPs broadly welcomed the work programme, but remined the Commission to be aware of upcoming challenges, such as Brexit or the continued struggle to ensure the respect of the rule of law across Europe.

EU CIVIL PROTECTION MECHANISM ACTIVATED AMID CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

Upon the request of France, the EU activated the Civil Protection Mechanism to support EU citizens in Wuhan, China. This will allow for increased cooperation between EU Member State to ensure that EU citizens can be repatriated in a timely manner, no matter their nationality. As a result, the EU will co-finance the transport costs of the French aircraft. During the European Parliament’s mini-plenary session in Brussels, MEPs urged citizens not to panic amid the first European contagion but remined the authorities that situation cannot be underestimated, and that a proper screening must be conducted.

ECB LAUNCHES FIRST STRATEGIC REVIEW OF MONETARY POLICY IN 17 YEARS

The European Central Bank (ECB) announced the launch of the first review of its monetary policy strategy in 17 years. The scope of the exercise will be broad, although the primary mandate of the ECB – price stability – will not be changed. Instead, how price stability is defined in practice and what tools the ECB may employ in maintaining it will be up for discussion. The review will also touch upon the ECB’s secondary mandate of contributing to the Union’s general economic policies. The review should be concluded by the end of the year, after considering input from a wide range of stakeholders.

COMMISSION HOPEFUL FOR EU BUDGET DEAL IN COMING WEEKS AS SUMMIT IS CONFIRMED

This week European Parliament’s Budget Committee hosted the first exchange of views with Commissioner for Budget Johannes Hahn. As the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 is currently under negotiation, the discussion focused on the current challenges towards an agreement in the coming weeks. Commissioner Hahn said that he is confident that the Council is making some good progress and that he looks forward to an agreement among the EU institutions soon. The European Council will gather in Brussels on 20 February for an extraordinary summit where EU Heads of State and Government hope to make a breakthrough in negotiations.

 COMING UP NEXT WEEK

• 4 February: Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers (Research). On the agenda: electromobility, European Research Area, brain circulation (mobility of scientists).