The Newsletter n°1058 — 11 mars 2024
La Lettre
Nicolas-Jean Brehon
—
11 March 2024
In a context of liberalised trade, agriculture has a special place in the agreements negotiated by the European Union. Often the source of disputes, it must be analysed on a sector-by-sector basis to assess the impact of these agreements on European producers. The beef sector appears to be the weak link in the trade negotiations. Even if no trade agreement radically changes a market, certain lessons can be learned: negotiations remain too opaque, the environmental impact is not taken into account, controls are difficult and safeguard clauses are ineffective. Naivety must also be avoided when considering the strategic stakes behind these agreements, and when addressing the disruptions they cause.
Elections
General Election Results in Portugal
11 March 2024
The Democratic Alliance, comprising the Social Democratic Party (PSD), led by Luis Montenegro, the Christian Democratic Social Centre/People's Party (CDS/PP), led by Nuno Melo, and the Monarchist People's Party (PPM), came out ahead in the 10 March general elections in Portugal, with 29.52% of the vote. The alliance beat the Socialist Party (PS), led by Pedro Nuno Santos, which obtained 28.63%, followed by Chega (Enough) (CH), André Ventura's radical right-wing party, which came third with 18.06% of the vote.
Foundation
A site to find out everything you need to know about the European elections
11 March 2024
From June 6 to 9, Europeans are invited to elect 720 Members of the European Parliament for the next five years. The Foundation has set up a website to help you better understand the election and what's at stake, and to follow the campaign with the lists of candidates and party platforms in each member state.
"Paris Defence and Strategy Forum"
11 March 2024
The Foundation is a partner of the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum, the first international summit of its kind in France. From 13 to 14 March, the École Militaire de Paris and its ACADEM, under the aegis of the European Commission, are organising 63 meetings on the major themes of European security and defence. Jean-Dominique Giuliani, Chairman of the Foundation, will be chairing the round table "Europe's new borders: Interparliamentary dialogue - Confronting Russia" on 14 March. Elise Bernard, Head of Research, will moderate the panel "European defence: industry, funding, cooperation instruments, challenges and prospects" on 13 March.
Commission
Fine of over 1.8 billion € against Apple
11 March 2024
Apple was fined €1.84 billion by the European Commission on 4 March for abusing its dominant position in the distribution of music streaming applications through the App Store. The Commission found that Apple had created "unfair trading conditions" by abusing its total control over iOS - its operating system - to force developers to deny the existence of cheaper services outside iOS.
Defence Industrial Strategy
11 March 2024
On 5 March, the Commission unveiled its plan to improve the competitiveness and readiness of the European defence industry. These objectives will be achieved through policies that encourage Member States to invest collectively, through existing defence instruments and initiatives, and in partnership with NATO and Ukraine. The strategy aims to procure at least 40% of defence equipment collaboratively by 2030.
Entry into force of the DMA
11 March 2024
The Commission has announced that the designated gatekeepers - Apple, Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft and ByteDance - will have to comply with all the obligations of the Digital Market Regulation (DMA) from 7 March. This regulation aims to combat the anti-competitive practices of the Internet giants and correct the imbalances in their dominance of the European digital market.
Ursula von der Leyen, EPP candidate
11 March 2024
At its congress in Bucharest on March 6, the European People's Party (EPP) endorsed the candidacy of Ursula von der Leyen for re-election as head of the European Commission. Nominated by 82% of the national delegates present at the congress, the current President of the European Commission now heads the EPP list. The EPP will need to emerge victorious from the elections for Ursula von der Leyen to be reappointed as Commission President, following nomination by the 27 Heads of State and Government and a vote by the European Parliament.
Council
Meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Ministers
11 March 2024
On March 4, Interior Ministers reinforced the protection of the Schengen area via the "Schengen Barometer" and approved new actions against organized crime, such as the European Port Alliance. The Council welcomed the Pact on Asylum and Migration, and discussed Eastern Mediterranean migration routes and partnerships with third countries. On March 5, justice ministers examined the directive establishing minimum rules to prevent and combat the facilitation of unauthorized entry, transit and residence in the Union. The Council also exchanged views with Ukrainian prosecutor Andriy Kostin on the prosecution of war crimes in Ukraine.
Meeting of ministers responsible for energy
11 March 2024
On March 4, the 27 energy ministers reached a political agreement on the extension of coordinated measures to reduce the demand for gas. They also discussed the importance of flexibility in the energy transition, and the need to move away from Russian fossil fuels. To this end, the ministers discussed the introduction of support schemes, as well as the lifting of the latest cross-border energy taxes, which date back to the energy crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Meeting of Ministers responsible for Competitiveness
11 March 2024
The ministers for the internal market and industry met on 7 March to discuss the progress made on the regulation of late payments in commercial transactions, as well as the 2024 Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report (ASMCR). They also discussed the future of industrial policy, the European tourism programme 2030, and the need to establish a European maritime strategy.
Diplomacy
Migration: partnership with Mauritania
11 March 2024
On 7 March, the European Union and Mauritania announced a partnership aimed at strengthening their cooperation on migration. This partnership will provide better employment prospects for young Mauritanians, as well as better management of the arrival of refugees in order to protect the right to asylum. Legal migration will be encouraged among students, researchers and entrepreneurs. Finally, border management will be strengthened through enhanced cooperation with Frontex.
The Swiss Federal Council approves the definitive negotiating mandate with the European Union
11 March 2024
On 8 March, the Swiss Federal Council adopted a negotiating mandate for closer relations with the European Union. Negotiations will begin once the European Commission has obtained the green light from the European Council.
ECB
Maintenance of key rates
11 March 2024
On 7 March, the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to leave its three key interest rates unchanged, while inflation is decreasing in the eurozone. It has revised inflation downwards, forecasting - excluding energy and food - 2.6% for 2024, 2.1% for 2025 and 2% for 2026. The ECB's latest forecasts also predict that growth will fall to 0.6% in 2024, before recovering to 1.5% in 2025 and 1.6% in 2026.
Bulgaria
Resignation of Bulgarian Prime Minister
11 March 2024
Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov tendered his resignation on 5 March, nine months after taking office. The Bulgarian parliament approved his decision the following day. The product of a political agreement between the GERB and PP-DB parties to bring the country out of a political crisis lasting more than two years, Nikolai Denkov is to hand over to former European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, who is expected to govern Bulgaria for the next nine months.
Cyprus
Announcement of a new humanitarian corridor to Gaza
11 March 2024
Visiting Cyprus on 8 March, Ursula von der Leyen met Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and announced the decision by the European Commission, the Republic of Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and the United Kingdom to open a maritime corridor to deliver humanitarian aid from Cyprus to Gaza.
France
Emmanuel Macron visits Prague
11 March 2024
President Emmanuel Macron travelled to Prague on 5 March to meet his Czech counterpart Petr Pavel. They reiterated their support for Ukraine, and Emmanuel Macron announced that France would participate in the Czech platform for the purchase of munitions produced outside the EU. They also signed a 2024-2028 action plan setting out the broad guidelines for bilateral cooperation between the two countries on international, European and energy issues.
Meeting with Moldovan President Maia Sandu
11 March 2024
French President Emmanuel Macron hosted his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu on 7 March. He reiterated France's support for Moldova's independence, security and sovereignty at a time of war in Ukraine. He also confirmed France's determination to support Moldova in its process of integration into the European Union. The two Heads of State discussed bilateral cooperation issues and reached an agreement on defence cooperation and a roadmap for economic cooperation.
Hungary
Investiture of the Hungarian President
11 March 2024
The inauguration of Hungary's new president, Tamas Sulyok, took place in Budapest on 10 March. He succeeds Katalin Novák, who resigned following a scandal that sparked a wave of demonstrations across the country. As soon as he took office, Tamas Sulyok signed the Hungarian parliament's decision paving the way for Sweden to join NATO.
Poland
Reform of the Constitutional Court
11 March 2024
On 6 March, the Polish Parliament adopted, by 240 votes to 197, a resolution aimed at reforming the Constitutional Court in order to "eliminate the effects of the constitutional crisis of 2015-2023". The main aim is to strengthen the independence of judges, which has been undermined by decisions of the previous administration. The reform of the Constitutional Court is one of the conditions for the release of European funds, which have been suspended due to breaches of the rule of law in Poland.
Sweden
Sweden officially becomes the 32nd member of NATO
11 March 2024
On 7 March, Sweden officially became the 32nd member of NATO, thereby renouncing its historic neutrality. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson travelled to Washington where he met US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, marking the end of the accession process initiated in May 2022.
UK
Customs Partnership with France
11 March 2024
Following a meeting of the Calais Group - which brings together the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands - in Brussels on 4 March, the United Kingdom announced that it would be setting up a customs partnership with France to target the supply chain for small boats used by smugglers to cross the English Channel illegally. A further meeting is scheduled for April to discuss the details of this agreement.
Ukraine
Extension of transport agreements with the European Union
11 March 2024
On 5 March, the Commission submitted a proposal to the Council to extend the agreements on road haulage between the EU and Ukraine and Moldova. These agreements allow Ukrainian, Moldovan and European hauliers to transit and operate between these territories in complete freedom. In addition, the agreement between the EU and Ukraine provides for the recognition of Ukrainian driving licences and certificates of professional competence.
Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers in Vilnius
11 March 2024
The Estonian, Latvian, French, Lithuanian and Ukrainian foreign ministers met in Vilnius on 8 March to discuss their support for Ukraine. The head of Ukrainian diplomacy, Dmytro Kuleba, called on his counterparts to step up their support, stressing the threat to their own security posed by Russian aggression.
Visit of Greek Prime Minister to Ukraine
11 March 2024
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy escaped a Russian strike on 6 March while visiting the port of Odessa. Kyriakos Mitsotakis had come to meet his Ukrainian counterpart to discuss Greek participation in the reconstruction of the country's civil infrastructure and cultural sites, and to underline its support for Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
Freezing of Russian assets in Switzerland
11 March 2024
On 7 March, the Swiss Council of States adopted, by 21 votes to 19 with 3 abstentions, a motion to allow frozen Russian assets to be sent to Ukraine as war reparations. "Russia has seriously violated international law and must therefore repair the damage caused", said Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.
Trilogues
Single European Sky
11 March 2024
Ten years after the start of negotiations, on 6 March the Council and Parliament reached agreement on new rules to optimise air links in the Union. The agreement includes an assessment every three years of the performance plans of air navigation services and a mechanism for achieving carbon neutrality through climate and environmental performance targets, as well as air charges to encourage the use of fuel-efficient routes.
Ban on products made using forced labour
11 March 2024
On 5 March, MEPs and the Council adopted a provisional agreement aimed at banning products produced using forced labour. To this end, the Commission and national authorities will be empowered to investigate the proven or suspected use of forced labour and, if necessary, request that the products in question be withdrawn from the market.
Sustainable packaging
11 March 2024
On 6 March, Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement aimed at reducing packaging and waste, particularly plastic waste, by introducing restrictions on the use of certain packaging formats, such as a ban on "Perishable Chemicals" (PFAS) in packaging that comes into contact with food.
Combating cross-border crime and e-solidarity
11 March 2024
On 6 March, the Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the transfer of criminal proceedings, strengthening the fight against cross-border crime, and on the regulation on cyber solidarity, which aims to strengthen European detection and defence capabilities in the cyber domain. Both texts must be approved by the two co-legislators.
Plant health law
11 March 2024
On 6 March, the Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement to revise the plant health law designed to protect the EU from the entry onto the market of new organisms harmful to plants. The aim of the revision is to strengthen procedures for high-risk plants by simplifying the administrative declaration requirements for the transport of plants within the EU.
Studies/Reports
Europe is not prepared for the rapid increase in climate risks
11 March 2024
Europe could be faced with "catastrophic" situations if it does not take the measure of the climate risks it faces, many of which are already at a critical level, warned the European Environment Agency (EEA) on 11 March in its first report on the assessment of climate risks in Europe.
Report on the safety of journalists
11 March 2024
The annual report of the Council of Europe's Platform to strengthen the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists was published on 5 March. Entitled "Press freedom in Europe: time to reverse the trend", the report expresses concern about the illegal deployment of spyware, such as Pegasus, on journalists, as well as the misuse of legal proceedings against them. The report is also concerned about the fate of journalists in exile, particularly those from Russia and Belarus.
Culture
Nassio Bayarri in Valencia
11 March 2024
The Bancaja Foundation in Valencia is hosting the collection of Valencian sculptor Nassio Bayarri until 16 June. The exhibition, which includes sculptures, drawings, poems, letters, sketches and collages, showcases the artist's work throughout his career, from the 1950s until his death in 2023.
Exhibition on the Hague School
11 March 2024
Works by the Hague School are on show at the city's Kunstmuseum from 16 March to 1 September. This artistic movement emerged in the Netherlands in the second half of the 19th century, inspired by Impressionism and Romanticism. The works on show reflect a search for feeling, spontaneity and poetry.
French Painting in Cologne
11 March 2024
The exhibition "Paris 1863-1874: Revolution in Art - from the Salon to Impressionism" runs from 15 March to 28 July at the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum in Cologne. It traces the development of French painting from the official salons, marked by academic constraints, to the emergence of the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874.
Martin Margiela in Athens and Brussels
11 March 2024
A double exhibition by Martin Margiela is on show at the Bernier/Eliades galleries in Athens until 15 May, and in Brussels until 11 May. Originally a fashion designer and founder of a haute couture house, this Belgian artist has devoted himself to art since 2009. Known for his radicalism and romanticism, in this exhibition he explores his penchant for the unconventional, finding beauty in the ephemeral.
Rubens, Rembradt and Vermeer in Dublin
11 March 2024
The National Gallery of Ireland is hosting an exhibition on Dutch and Flemish painters of the 15th and 17th centuries - Rubens, Rembrandt and Vermeer - until May 26. The exhibition features a large collection of works by these adepts of "tronie", face painting.
On the trail of the Livonian pilgrims
11 March 2024
Until September 8, the Estonian Museum of Art is exhibiting the majority of objects found in connection with pilgrimages to Livonia during the medieval period. Pilgrims left behind a variety of artistic symbols, clothing, everyday objects and souvenirs that trace their passage through these Baltic lands. The exhibition provides an insight into this rich textual and artistic heritage.
Poets' Spring
11 March 2024
Printemps des poètes runs until 25 March on the theme of Grace, chosen for this 25th edition. After L'Ardeur, La Beauté, Le Courage, Le Désir, L'Éphémère and Les Frontières, Grace is the emblem of the seventh letter of the alphabet. From good grace to bad, from consoling grace to carnal grace, this cultural event explores and plays with the polysemy offered by the theme of this new edition.
Maastricht Art Fair
11 March 2024
The Maastricht Art Fair, TEFAF, runs until 14 March. The event brings together 270 exhibitors of exceptional works of fine art, antiques and design. Every year, collectors and museums from all over the world come together to admire and acquire classic, sometimes forgotten and even hitherto unseen masterpieces by the greatest artists.
Agenda
les 11-14 March 2024
Plenary Session of the European Parliament (Strasbourg)
12 March 2024
Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Brussels)
18 March 2024
Foreign Affairs Council (Brussels)
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The Editors of the Newsletter :
Stefanie Buzmaniuk, Helen Levy, Juliette Bachschmidt, Charles Devoud, Aiti Syiemlieh, Thomas Richomme, Elena Kuntel
N°ISSN : 2729-6482
Editor-in-Chief :
Peggy Corlin
Director of Publication :
Pascale Joannin
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