INSIGHT EU MONITORING – EU and global regulatory monitoring. Collecting and fact-checking first-hand documents, policy positions, data, and investigations on business & finance, digitization, security, and sustainability.

Insight EU Smart Cities Monitoring 20 September 2023

MEPs: STEP should also support EU cohesion +++ 5 reasons to celebrate transnational cooperation with Interreg Baltic Sea Region +++ Seminar on Tackling Border Obstacles through and beyond Interreg on 26 September +++ Digital Alps Conference 2023 +++ Driving Urban Transition: Update on the DUT Call 2023 +++ Upcoming DUT events: Workshop at EU Regions week +++ Get ready for the next URBACT call for Innovation Transfer Networks.

22/09/2023

Insight EU Environment Monitoring 20 September 2023

UNGA78: Accelerating climate action and biodiversity protection +++ High-level panel at the Nordic launch event: Towards Ending Plastic Pollution by 2040 +++ Digital Labelling of Fertilising Products +++ Draft report on Urban Wastewater Treatment +++ EU sold production of chemicals hit a decade high in 2022 +++ ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee: banning secondary uses of creosote-treated wood necessary.

22/09/2023

Insight EU Climate Monitoring 20 September 2023

Speech by EU Commission President von der Leyen at the Climate Ambition Summit +++ Remarks by Executive Vice-President Šefčovič at the United Nations Climate Ambition Summit thematic session on decarbonisation +++ At Climate Ambition Summit, UN agencies and IFRC kickstart major initiative towards realizing Early Warnings for All by 2027 +++ Multilateral Development Banks back Early Warnings for All +++ Countries Offer Lackluster Progress at Climate Ambition Summit; Steep Road Ahead to COP28 – WRI World Resources Institute +++ United Kingdom: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s new approach to Net Zero.

22/09/2023

Insight EU Energy Monitoring 20 September 2023

EU Commission: New Energy Efficiency Directive published +++ Registration now open for two ACER webinars +++ Eurogas: JEAG Letter on REMIT II Trialogues +++ Vestmoldtransgaz starts operation of the Moldovan gas transmission network +++ IAEA Mission Observes Commitment to Safety at Research Reactors in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Recommends Further Enhancement +++ 67th IAEA General Conference, starting 25 September 2023.

22/09/2023

BUSINESS

Europol: 27 arrested in Spain for laundering over €65m drug profits

Criminal network composed of Albanian and Chinese nationals was involved in the production, trafficking and laundering of criminal assets. The Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional), supported by Europol, dismantled a criminal network involved in drug trafficking and laundering large sums of criminal profits.

22/09/2023

Mergers: EU Commission clears acquisition of PetSmart by Apollo Management and BC Partners

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of PetSmart LLC by Apollo Management L.P., both of the US, and BC Partners LLC of the UK. The transaction relates primarily to the pet food and services sector.

22/09/2023

Mergers: EU Commission clears creation of joint venture by NMC and Embraer

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by Nidec Motor Corporation (‘NMC’) and Embraer Aircraft Holding Inc (‘Embraer’), all of the US. The joint venture, Nidec Aerospace LLC, will develop and manufacture electric propulsion systems for aeronautical applications.

22/09/2023

Mergers: EU Commission clears acquisition of Compass by Brookfield and OTPP

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Compass Holdco LLC (‘Compass) of the US, by Brookfield Corporation (‘Brookfield’) and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (‘OTPP’) both of Canada. The transaction relates primarily to the design, building, operation and ongoing management of data center solutions in Canada, Israel and the US.

22/09/2023

EU Commission finds that Italian support to Banca Tercas does not constitute State aid

The European Commission has concluded that support granted by the Italian mandatory deposit guarantee scheme to Banca Tercas does not constitute State aid within the meaning of EU rules. This decision follows a judgment by the Court of Justice, which confirmed a previous General Court ruling annulling the 2015 Commission decision.

21/09/2023

ESMA study on the EU securitisation markets: Significant decrease

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, today published a study setting out the details of the EU securitisation market. Overall, the size of the European securitisation market has decreased significantly since the EUR 2tn it reached at the end of 2010. Get the details.

21/09/2023

Italy: EU Commission approves €109.9m to provide Sorical with urgent liquidity support

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €109.9 million Italian measure to provide Sorical S.p.A. with urgent liquidity support. Sorical, wholly owned by the Region of Calabria, has been entrusted with a concession for the provision of the drinking and waste water services in the region. It is thus the sole regional provider of integrated water services. The company has been experiencing financial difficulties.

21/09/2023

Austria: EU Commission approves €233m to compensate energy-intensive companies

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €233 million Austrian scheme to partially compensate energy-intensive companies for higher electricity prices resulting from the impact of carbon prices on electricity costs (so-called ‘indirect emission costs’), incurred in 2022, under the EU Emission Trading Scheme (‘ETS’).

21/09/2023

Hand grenades cartel: EU Commission fines defence company €1.2m

The Commission investigation revealed that the two manufacturers split national markets across the European Economic Area (‘EEA’) between themselves during almost 14 years. Following this allocation, only the designated manufacturer was entitled to sell military hand grenades in its allocated territory unless the other party gave its consent.

21/09/2023

Sweden: Tobias Billström signs High Seas Treaty

Following more than 15 years of negotiations, in March 2023 the UN successfully adopted a new global treaty to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Sweden has now signed the treaty, which establishes rules to limit environmental impacts and create marine protected areas in the high seas, which make up approximately 95 per cent of the volume of the world’s oceans.

21/09/2023

Mergers: EU Commission clears acquisition of BAM by Reliance, Brookfield and Digital Realty

The transaction relates primarily to the sector of data centre facilities in India. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that BAM has no actual or foreseen activities in the European Economic Area. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

21/09/2023

EU Court of Justice: Judgment of the General Court in Case T-131/16 RENV | Belgium v Commission

Since 2005, Belgium has applied a tax scheme that exempts certain ‘excess’ profits of Belgian entities which form part of multinational corporate groups. Those entities can obtain an advance ruling (tax ruling) from the Belgian tax administration, in particular if they centralise activities, create employment or make investments in Belgium. In that context, ‘excess’ profits, that is, profits exceeding the profit that would have been made by comparable standalone entities operating in similar circumstances, are exempted from corporate income tax.

21/09/2023

EU to ban greenwashing and improve consumer information on product durability

EU Parliament and Council have reached a provisional agreement on new rules to ban misleading advertisements and provide consumers with better product information. The agreement updates the existing EU list of banned commercial practices and adds to it several problematic marketing habits related to greenwashing and early obsolescence of goods. The aim of the new rules is to protect consumers from misleading practices and help them make better purchasing choices.

21/09/2023

DIGITIZATION

Insight EU Smart Cities Monitoring 20 September 2023

22/09/2023

EU-China: EU Commission and China hold second High-level Digital Dialogue

Today, the Commission held its second High-level Digital Dialogue with China. Co-chaired by Vera Jourova, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, and Vice-Premier of China, Zhang Guoqing, this dialogue hosted in Beijing covered key issues such as platforms and data regulation, Artificial Intelligence, research and innovation, cross-border flow of industrial data, or the safety of products sold online. The Commissioner for Justice and consumer rights, Didier Reynders, also participated in the discussions by video message.

18/09/2023

Insight EU Smart Cities Monitoring 13 September 2023

EESC: Conference on #ReskillEU – new jobs for energy and transport in Europe +++ CAP: EU Common Agricultural Policy as a driver for rural digital transformation +++ CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION: Opening Speech by EU Commissioner Elisa Ferreira at the EU Parliament debate on Amending the proposed mechanism to resolve legal and administrative obstacles in a cross-border context +++ ITU: Digital Transformation and Cities Digest +++ Seventh meeting of United for Smart Sustainable Cities
Balady: Giving residents a voice in city services +++ URBACT: Unlocking the potential of testing actions +++ SMART ADMINISTRATION: Mit Datenkompetenz zur smarten Kommune – Fraunhofer IAO

16/09/2023

Ukraine digitalising public services with Swiss support

At its meeting on 15 September 2023, the Federal Council approved additional support for digitalisation in Ukraine. This will enable citizens, refugees and businesses to access public services and have a political say despite the ongoing war. The ‘E-governance for Accountability and Participation’ (EGAP) project will receive a contribution of CHF 15 million this year.

15/09/2023

Finland: EU initiative on the next technological transition towards Web 4.0

Finland has worked long-term on its information policy, which has influenced the development of the European data economy and the technologies used in it. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government Programme aims for growth and competitiveness from the data economy and digitalisation.

14/09/2023

Answering the Call of History: The 2023 State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen

“In just under 300 days, Europeans will take to the polls in our unique and remarkable democracy. As with any election, it will be a time for people to reflect on the State of our Union and the work done by those that represent them. But it will also be a time to decide on what kind of future and what kind of Europe they want. Among them will be millions of first-time voters, the youngest of whom were born in 2008. As they stand in that polling booth, they will think about what matters to them. They will think about the war that rages at our borders. Or the impact of destructive climate change. About how artificial intelligence will influence their lives. Or of their chances of getting a house or a job in the years ahead” – EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

14/09/2023

United States: Voluntary risk management commitments from eight additional A.I. companies

Since taking office, U.S. President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the entire Biden-Harris Administration have acted decisively to manage the risks and harness the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI). As the Administration moves urgently on regulatory action, it is working with leading AI companies to take steps now to advance responsible AI. In July, the Biden-Harris Administration secured voluntary commitments from seven leading AI companies to help advance the development of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI.

13/09/2023

ECR Group Co-Chairman Procaccini: “The EU must put nation states back at the centre.”

On Wednesday, Commission President von der Leyen will give her final State of the Union address in the European Parliament in Strasbourg ahead of the 2024 European elections.
The ECR Group argues that the starting point for any reflection must be the recognition that Europe and European values of freedom and national sovereignty are under military, political and economic attack.

12/09/2023

EU consults on remuneration for musicians and record producers from non-EU countries

This targeted consultation aims at gathering feedback from stakeholders and Member States on the application of the single equitable remuneration right under Article 8(2) of Directive 2006/115/EC on rental and lending rights in the different Member States.

11/09/2023

President Charles Michel and China’s Prime Minister Li Qiang – readout of the meeting

“The EU and China are important trade and economic partners and we will continue ensuring that this relationship is balanced, reciprocal and mutually beneficial. EU will continue addressing critical vulnerabilities and diversifying where necessary and appropriate without undermining crucial economic interests.”

10/09/2023

United Nations 2.0: Reimagining our global organization for a world in flux

The transformation in skills and culture, encapsulated in the Secretary-General’s vision of a UN 2.0, is focused on fostering cutting-edge capabilities in data, digital, innovation, foresight and behavioural science – to deliver stronger results, better Member State support, and faster progress towards theSustainable Development Goals.

09/09/2023

SECURITY

Europol: 27 arrested in Spain for laundering over €65m drug profits

22/09/2023

Azerbaijan’s attacks on Nagorno-Karabakh: Statement by EU High Representative Borrell

The European Union condemns the military operation by Azerbaijan against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and deplores the casualties and loss of life caused by this escalation.

21/09/2023

UN Security Council: Statement by EU Council President Michel on Ukraine

The Kremlin dreams of restoring the old Russian empire. After Ukraine, who will be next? Who will be next to satisfy Putin’s fantasy of the past? And if Russia succeeds in Ukraine, what other countries would be tempted to copy its actions? At this crime scene, we also have the victim, the attacked. Ukraine and all Ukrainians, fighting a battle they did not start, defending their country against a war they did not want and protecting their children against suffering nobody deserves.

21/09/2023

EU releases €140m to support the Afghan people, in particular women and girls

The European Union has agreed to release €140 million of basic needs and livelihoods assistance in the fields of education, health, agriculture and women’s economic empowerment in Afghanistan. The decision to release funds, previously frozen since December 2022 in response to the Taliban’s decision to ban women from working in NGOs, comes after six months of monitoring and assessment of the “for women by women” principle. This principle ensures that Afghan girls and women are involved in all aspects of the aid delivery chain.

21/09/2023

Global Counterterrorism Forum: Opening speech by EU HRVP Borrell

The speed at which the threat level is spreading across Africa is particularly worrying. Increasing the representation of African voices in Counter-Terrorism multilateral fora is of essence. I also count on working more closely with the African Union (AU) for a fitting and much-needed civilian response to the threat on the African continent.

21/09/2023

Ukraine: Statement by EU Council President Michel at the UN Security Council debate

“Ukraine is a crime scene. The perpetrator is sitting in this very room. You know who you are. The Kremlin dreams of restoring the old Russian empire. After Ukraine, who will be next? Who will be next to satisfy Putin’s fantasy of the past? And if Russia succeeds in Ukraine, what other countries would be tempted to copy its actions?” – EU Council President Charles Michel

21/09/2023

Rede von Bundeskanzler Scholz zur 78. Generaldebatte der UN-Generalversammlung

“Das Gebot der Stunde lautet nicht weniger Kooperation als heute ‑ heute vielleicht als „decoupling“ oder als „Zusammenarbeit nur unter Gleichgesinnten“ verpackt ‑, sondern mehr Kooperation, die Stärkung bestehender Allianzen genauso wie die Suche nach neuen Partnern. Denn nur so lassen sich auch die Risiken allzu einseitiger Abhängigkeiten abbauen” – Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz in seiner UN-Rede.

20/09/2023

Europol: International operation closes down Piilopuoti dark web marketplace

This successful action by the Finnish Customs was supported, among others, by the German Federal Criminal Office (Bundeskriminalamt) and the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau (Lietuvos kriminalinės policijos biuras). Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre coordinated the international activity and provided operational support and technical expertise.

20/09/2023

French National Police arrest 13 intercontinental car traffickers

Europol participated in two operational meetings, contributing analytical findings related to the main suspects in the investigation and information on overlaps with other cases. Europol’s analysts carried out multiple crosschecks and a staff member with a mobile office was deployed to France to support the action day.

20/09/2023

MEPs examine the current work and future plans of Europol

This week, the latest meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group (JPSG) on Europol brings together MEPs, Europol officials and national lawmakers to discuss the police agency’s work. During the meeting on 20 and 21 September, Europol officials including Executive Director Catherine de Bolle present the latest activities and future plans of the EU’s police agency, and answer questions from MEPs and national lawmakers.

20/09/2023

Crisis Regulation: EU Parliament insists on starting negotiations with the Council

In the absence of an agreement in Council on the Crisis Regulation proposal, interinstitutional talks on Eurodac and Screening regulations are put on hold today by the European Parliament. On Wednesday 20 September, the Members of the European Parliament’s Asylum Contact Group met with representatives of the Spanish Presidency and of the four Presidencies who signed up the 2022 Joint Roadmap to assess the progress made on the EU migration and asylum reform.

20/09/2023

EU Solidarity with Ukraine: EU Commission proposes to extend temporary protection for people fleeing Russian aggression

The European Commission is proposing today to further extend the temporary protection for people fleeing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine from 4 March 2024 to 3 March 2025. This will provide certainty and support for more than 4 million persons enjoying protection across the EU.

20/09/2023

EU Commission wants to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s war and aggression

19/09/2023

SUSTAINABILITY

Insight EU Environment Monitoring 20 September 2023

22/09/2023

Insight EU Climate Monitoring 20 September 2023

22/09/2023

Insight EU Energy Monitoring 20 September 2023

22/09/2023

Ocean protection: President von der Leyen signs High Seas Treaty on behalf of EU

This landmark treaty agreed in March this year is key to protect the ocean, tackle environmental degradation, fight climate change, and prevent biodiversity loss on the high seas.

21/09/2023

Sweden: Tobias Billström signs High Seas Treaty

21/09/2023

Norway: Many climate solutions to be found in the oceans

According to an updated report from the High-level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, ocean-based climate solutions can provide 35 % of the cuts in emissions needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C by 2050. The report was presented at the meeting of the Ocean Panel during the UN General Assembly High-level Week.

21/09/2023

Insight EU Environment Monitoring 19 September 2023

EU Council and EU Parliament reached provisional agreement to empower consumers for the green transition +++ UNGA78: bringing the Sustainable Development Goals back on track ++++ Vice-President Suica delivers a keynote speech for the event: “Children as Agents of Change – A Call to Action to Enable Inclusive Child Participation to Accelerate Implementation of the SDGs”, organized by Joining Forces – For all children +++ UNCTAD counts the costs of achieving sustainable development goals +++ WWF Statement on New Report from the Nordic Council of Ministers: Towards Ending Plastic Pollution by 2040.

21/09/2023

Climate Ambition Summit: Speech by EU Commission President von der Leyen

We need to agree on effective solutions, still this year. The European Union will be a strong ally in those discussions. But at the same time, we should also show ambition in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. So we should go faster in removing the root causes of climate change. The European Union has set ambitious emission reduction goals for 2030. We want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55%.

21/09/2023

co2 neutral, climate change, pxclimateaction

Insight EU Climate Monitoring 19 September 2023

‘A world in crisis: climate breakdown, conflict and us’. A lecture delivered by Commissioner Janez Lenarčič at the Center for European Studies, Harvard University +++ UN: Biden says ‘when we stand together’, we can tackle any challenge +++ UN: ‘No nonsense’ Climate Ambition Summit: What you need to know +++ Climate Ambition Summit in New York: Germanwatch erwartet Schwung für die Weltklimakonferenz bei Emissionsminderung und Schutz für die Hauptbetroffenen der Klimakrise

21/09/2023

Insight EU Energy Monitoring 19 September 2023

EU Commission to set up a forum to improve the selection and implementation of Important Projects of Common European Interest +++ CTP secures €200 million EIB loan to finance ambitious solar energy roll-out +++ EU energy market reform: protecting against high prices +++ Workshop: Developing countries’ energy needs and priorities +++ UNECE and partners to develop AI-powered platform to help build resilient energy systems +++
Aerospace and H2 heavyweights form UK Hydrogen in Aviation alliance.

21/09/2023

Net Zero: UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sets out his new approach

“Government can set the framework, step in when needed, and step back when necessary. It can make big decisions. But what I have concluded during my time so far as Prime Minister, is that those decisions – the decisions that could bring real change, change that could alter the trajectory of our country – can be so caveated, so influenced by special interests, so lacking in debate and fundamental scrutiny that we’ve stumbled into a consensus about the future of our country, that no one seems to be happy with. And this is because too often, motivated by short term thinking, politicians have taken the easy way out” – Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

20/09/2023

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