10/02/2020
EU AND UK GEAR UP TO START OF TRADE TALKS
Following the UK’s departure from the EU, the European Commission presented its draft negotiating mandate for negotiations for a new partnership with the UK. The document proposes an association agreement-type structure on the basis of three pillars: i) trade/economy, ii) security and iii) governance. The UK also outlined its intentions for the future EU-UK relationship, which include a free trade agreement, agreement of fisheries, agreement on international security cooperation, and other areas of cooperation including transport and immigration systems. The Council of the EU is expected to adopt the EU negotiating mandate on 25 February, following which negotiations on the future relationship are expected to begin.
EU ACCESSION FOR WESTERN BALKANS WILL BE MORE CREDIBLE, DYNAMIC AND PREDICTABLE
The European Commission wants to make the EU accession process more credible, dynamic and predictable, granting it a stronger political steer. In a non-legislative proposal focusing on the Western Balkans, the Commission commits to better define the conditions set for candidates to progress. The EU will also provide clear and tangible incentives of direct interest to citizens, such as the accelerated integration and “phasing-in” to individual EU policies, the EU market and EU programmes – while ensuring a level playing field – as well as increased funding and investments. The European Union-Western Balkans Summit will take place in Zagreb on 6-7 May.
COMMISSION LAUNCHES REVIEW OF EU ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK
The European Commission unveiled the long-awaited review of the stability and growth pact, which requires Member States keep public deficit below 3% of GDP and public debt below 60% of GDP. The framework is now up for review to ensure the maintenance of sound public finances whilst restarting growth and promoting public investments, particularly in response to the transition to a digital and climate-neutral economy. For the time being, the Commission holds back on any conclusions, noting that decisions the way forward will only be taken at the end of the year, after receiving responses to the consultation launched this week.
COMMISSION PUTS UP A FIGHT WITH CANCER
The European Commission launched a public consultation on Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. When published, the plan will propose actions at every key stage of the disease. This will include i) prevention measures, as the easiest and most effective way of reducing cancer, ii) early detection and diagnosis to improve the patient’s chance of a better health outcome, iii) measures to improve treatment and care, as well as iv) measures to improve the quality of life for patients, survivors and carers. The public consultation will now run for 12 weeks and the plan is due to be published before end-2020.
EU TAKES STOCK OF CORONAVIRUS
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) the probability of coronavirus infection for the EU/EEA and UK population is very low. However, if an infection is acquired, the impact of infection for Europe’s population is considered high, with 2-3% mortality and 23% of hospitalised pneumonia cases. In the meantime, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) began supporting the development of vaccines and treatments to face the emergency. Lastly, during a debate at the European Parliament, MEPs stressed the importance of cross-checking the Chinese reliability to prevent and treat the virus outbreak.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
Karl Isaksson, Managing Partner Brussels, Kreab