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Relations with the UK: Commission proposes targeted contingency measures to prepare for possible “no-deal” scenario While the Commission will continue to do its utmost to reach a mutually beneficial agreement with the UK, there is now significant uncertainty whether a deal will be in place on 1 January 2021. The European Commission has today (Thursday) put forward a set of targeted contingency measures ensuring basic reciprocal air and road connectivity between the EU and the UK, as well as allowing for the possibility of reciprocal fishing access by EU and UK vessels to each other's waters. The aim of the measures is to cater for the period during which there is no agreement in place. If no agreement enters into application, they will end after a fixed period. Read more...

Statement by European Commission President following her meeting with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson "We had a lively and interesting discussion on the state of play across the list of outstanding issues. We gained a clear understanding of each other´s positions. They remain far apart. We agreed that the teams should immediately reconvene to try to resolve these essential issues. We will come to a decision by the end of the weekend." Read more...

Commission proposes to modernise EU legislation on batteries The European Commission has proposed mandatory requirements to make all batteries more sustainable and safer all along their entire life cycle. This means batteries that are produced with the lowest possible environmental impact, using materials obtained in full respect of human rights as well as social and ecological standards. Batteries will also have to be long-lasting and safe, and at the end of their life, they should be repurposed, remanufactured or recycled. The Commission wants to increase the share of batteries that are collected for recycling from 45% to 65% in 2025 and 70% in 2030. Read more...

Security: Commission presents new counter-terrorism measures, stronger Europol mandate, and first progress report on the Security Union The European Commission this week proposed a new The European Commission this week proposed a new Counter-Terrorism Agenda for the EU and a stronger mandate for Europol, the EU Agency for law enforcement cooperation. The aim of the Counter-Terrorism Agenda is to support Member States in better anticipating, preventing, protecting and responding to terrorist threats. The Commission also published this week the first progress report under the Security Union Strategy which includes a wide range of reporting on security policy, such as skills and awareness raising issues or education. Read more...

Commission presents plan for green, smart and affordable mobility The European Commission this week presented its ‘Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy' together with an Action Plan of 82 initiatives for the next four years. The strategy lays the foundation for how the EU transport system can achieve its green and digital transformation and become more resilient to future crises. Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans said: "Today's strategy will shift the way people and goods move across Europe and make it easy to combine different modes of transport in a single journey. We've set ambitious targets for the entire transport system to ensure a sustainable, smart, and resilient return from the COVID-19 crisis." Read more...

Other news

Joint statement by the co-chairs of the EU-UK Joint Committee Following a meeting this week to address the outstanding issues related to the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, the co-chairs of the EU-UK Joint Committee – Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and UK Chancellor Michael Gove – announced their agreement in principle on all issues, in particular with regard to the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland: Border Control Posts/Entry Points specifically for checks on animals, plants and derived products, export declarations, the supply of medicines, the supply of chilled meats, and other food products to supermarkets, and a clarification on the application of State aid under the terms of the Protocol. Read more...

The European Climate Pact: empowering citizens to shape a greener Europe The European Commission this week launched the European Climate Pact, an EU-wide initiative inviting people, communities and organisations to participate in climate action and build a greener Europe. The Pact offers a space for everyone to share information, debate and act on the climate crisis, and to be part of an ever-growing European climate movement. The Commission has also launched an open call inviting people and organisations to become Climate Pact Ambassadors. Climate Pact Ambassadors will lead by example and engage their communities in climate action. Read more...

Eight Irish researchers awarded 2020 ERC grants Eight Irish researchers were this week awarded European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grants. Eight Irish researchers were this week awarded European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grants. Four of them are from Trinity College Dublin, three are from University College Cork and one is from the National University of Ireland Galway. ERC consolidator grants, which are worth up to €2 million plus in some cases an additional €1 million for start-up costs, are provided for up to five years and mostly cover the employment of researchers and other staff to consolidate the grantees' teams. A total of €655 million was awarded this week by the ERC to 327 researchers across Europe. Read more...

EU adopts a global human rights sanctions regime The has adopted a decision and a regulation establishing a global human rights sanctions regime. For the first time, the EU is equipping itself with a framework that will allow it to target individuals, entities and bodies – including state and non-state actors – responsible for, involved in or associated with serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide, no matter where they occurred. Read more...

Security Union: Commission welcomes political agreement on removing terrorist content online The EU institutions this week reached a political agreement on the proposal for a Regulation on preventing the dissemination of terrorist content online. Once adopted, the Regulation will ensure that online platforms play a more active role in detecting terrorist content online and that such content is removed within a maximum of one hour. The agreement will also help to counter the spread of extremist ideologies online. Read more...

Coronavirus: EU agrees rules to make capital markets work for Europe's recovery The EU institutions this week agreed on important amendments to EU rules on investor protection and commodity derivatives (the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID)). Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and the Mairead McGuinness said: "The changes remove requirements that were overly burdensome, without reducing the overall protection of retail investors, and will increase our global competitiveness on commodity derivatives markets." Read more...

Medicines and doping substances worth €73 million seized in Europe-wide operation 667 people were arrested and 25 organised criminal groups were dismantled thanks to a recent Europol coordinated operation. The Shield operation was led by , , and and involved law enforcement authorities from 27 countries, including Ireland. During the operation, law enforcement officers also seized large amounts of anti-cancer drugs, erectile dysfunction medicines, pseudoephedrine, various doping substances (hormone and metabolic regulators), drugs, painkillers, antioestrogens, antivirals, hypnotics, antihistamines and anxiolytics. Read more...

Travellers in Ireland: Key results from FRA Roma and Travellers survey The Irish results of an EU Agency for Fundamental Rights Survey launched this week highlight stark inequalities and confirm the discrimination and exclusion experienced by Irish Travellers. The survey found, among other things, that there was a significant life expectancy gap of 10 years between Travellers and the general population with a bigger gap for Traveller men than Traveller women. It also found that Ireland had the second highest rate of reported discrimination within the countries surveyed – 68% of Traveller men and 62% of Traveller women reported experiencing discrimination. Read more...

Coronavirus response: Commission welcomes agreement on crucial VAT relief for vaccines and testing kits EU Member States this week adopted important new measures which will enable Member States to relieve EU hospitals, medical practitioners and individuals of Value-Added Tax (VAT) when acquiring coronavirus vaccines and testing kits. Currently, Member States can apply reduced VAT rates on sales of vaccines but cannot apply a zero rate, while testing kits cannot benefit from reduced rates. Under the amended Directive, Member States will be able to apply either reduced or zero rates to both vaccines and testing kits if they so choose. Read more...

New Digital4Development Hub to help shape a fair digital future across the globe The new Digital4Development (D4D) Hub launched this week by President von der Leyen will gather key stakeholders from EU Member States, private sector, civil society and financial institutions with the objectives of: scaling up investments in the digital transformation of partner countries; promoting a comprehensive values-based rulebook for a digital economy and society worldwide; and promoting a stronger and more strategic EU engagement in international digital partnerships. Read more...

European Union and African Union sign partnership to scale up preparedness for health emergencies The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) this week launched a new partnership initiative to strengthen the capacity of Africa CDC to prepare for and respond to public health threats in Africa. The partnership will enable Africa CDC and ECDC to exchange experiences and lessons learnt on the continental harmonised surveillance of infectious diseases, data sharing, and early detection of threats, as well as on preparedness, risk assessment, rapid response, and emergency operations, and on how to adapt these to their needs. Read more...

Ireland in 7th place on the 2020 Women in Digital Scoreboard Ireland is in 7th place on the 2020 Women in Digital Scoreboard with a score of 60.9/100 compared to an EU average score of 54.5/100. Ireland performed above average in most of the areas covered by the scoreboard and came in first for the share of women with specialist skills and employment. However, Irish women were still less than half as likely to graduate in the area of STEM as their male counterparts. Read more...

Home ownership in Ireland 7th lowest in Europe New data from Eurostat reveals that 69% of Irish people owned their own home in 2019, 7th lowest in the EU and slightly below the EU average of 70%. (96%) had the highest rate of home ownership while (51%) had the lowest. Irish people (92%) were the most likely to live in a house rather than an apartment - the EU average was 53%. The data also shows that Ireland (77% above the EU average) had the highest housing costs in the EU in 2019. Nonetheless, the share of Irish households' expenditure on housing (25.4%) was just a little above the EU average of 23.5%. (Housing costs include water, electricity, gas and other fuels.) Read more... Agenda

Thursday 10 and Friday 11 December: European Council EU leaders will meet in Brussels to discuss further coordination on COVID-19, climate change, security and external relations. On 11 December the leaders will also meet for the Summit. Read more...

Friday 11 December: Online event - Learn about how COVID-19 vaccines are approved in the EU The European Medicines Agency (EMA) will hold an online event to explain the processes for the development, evaluation, approval and safety monitoring of COVID-19 vaccines in the EU, including EMA’s specific role. It will also give the opportunity to the public and stakeholder groups to speak and share their needs, expectations and any concerns, that will be considered by EMA and the European medicines regulatory network in the decision-making process. The event will start at 12 noon (Irish time) and can be followed online at the link below. Read more...

Friday 11 December: Euro Summit The Euro Summit will meet in inclusive format, with all 27 EU leaders. EU leaders will take stock of progress on the banking union and the capital markets union and provide additional guidance as required. Read more...

Monday 14 December: Video conference of Energy ministers EU energy ministers will hold an informal video conference to discuss energy system integration in the EU. They will receive information on a number of other matters. Read more...

Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 December: Agriculture and Fisheries Council EU ministers aim to reach an agreement on the fishing opportunities for next year for the following stocks: Atlantic and North Sea; certain deep-sea stocks; and Mediterranean and Black Seas. Ministers also plan to find agreement and adopt conclusions on: an EU-wide animal welfare label and front-of-pack nutrition labelling, nutrient profiles and origin labelling. The German presidency will brief ministers on the state of play of the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform package. Read more...

Wednesday 16 December: Video conference of the Information on this meeting will be available at the link below. Read more...

Wednesday 16 December: Launch event of the European Climate Pact The European Climate Pact invites everyone to take action to fight climate change and work together for a climate-friendly society. The online launch event takes place on Wednesday 16 December 2020 from 8 to 10 am. The Pact is being launched by the European Commission in order to give everyone a voice and space to design new climate actions, share information, launch grassroots activities and showcase solutions that others can follow. Read more...

Thursday 17 December: Information on this meeting will be available at the link below. Read more... Calls for Tender/Proposals

LIFE 2020 Call for Proposals from NGOs on the European Green Deal (NGO4GD) Amid the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic, civil society as whole and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in particular are suffering a blow to their capacity to take actions and to contribute to the profound transformations needed to achieve a successful and just transition towards a sustainable future. In the framework of the LIFE Programme, the LIFE 2020 Call for Proposals from NGOs on the European Green Deal (NGO4GD) was launched to reinforce the capacity of NGOs acting at Member States’ level to mobilise and strengthen civil society participation and contribution to the implementation of the European Green Deal. The deadline for the submission of proposals is 31 March 2021. Read more...

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