Movers & Shakers

European Parliament??

On 14 February MEPs agreed to create a new permanent Subcommittee on Public Health (SANT), to be established under the umbrella of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI). According to its approved mandate, the public health subcommittee will deal with programmes and specific actions in the field of public health, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, health aspects of bioterrorism, the European Medicines Agency, and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. On 15 March, the names of members who will be sitting on the new Subcommittee on Public Health were announced in plenary. On 23 March, the new Subcommittee on Public Health elected MEP Mr Bartosz Ar?ukowicz as Chair, as well as four Vice-Chairs at its constitutive meeting.

Chair: Mr Bartosz Ar?ukowicz (EPP, PL)

First Vice-Chair: Mr Tudor Ciuhodaru (S&D, RO)

Second Vice-Chair: Ms Irena Joveva (Renew, SI)

Third Vice-Chair: Ms Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA, LU)

Fourth Vice-Chair: Ms Joanna Kopcinska (ECR, PL)

Members of Subcommittee on Public Health (SANT) may be found here.

Ad Hoc MEP Movements??

·Ms Ana Miranda (Greens/EFA, ES) joined the Delegation for Relations with Brazil (D-BR) as a Substitute

·Ms Chiara Gemma (ECR, IT) joined the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) as a Member

·Mr Joachim Schuster (S&D, DE) joined the Committee on International Trade (INTA) as a Substitute

·Mr Udo Bullmann (S&D, DE) joined the Committee on International Trade (INTA) as a Substitute

·Mr Giuseppe Milazzo (S&D, IT) joined the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) as a Member

·Mr Nicolae ?tef?nu?? (Greens/EFA, RO) joined the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) as a Member

·Mr Bergur Larsson L?kke Rasmussen (Renew, DK) joined the Delegation for relations with the Republic of China (D-CN) as a Member

Council of the European Union

The Employment, Social Policy, Health, and Consumer Affairs Council (ESPCO) met on 13-14 March. On 13 March the Ministers exchanged views on the employment and social situation in the EU, with a particular focus on the labour market situation of refugees from Ukraine. Ministers also engaged in a discussion about the European Semester 2023, paying special attention to competitiveness and skills. On 14 March Ministers held a policy debate on a draft law concerning fees payable to the European Medicines Agency. Ministers also exchanged views on the topic of the EU global health strategy as presented by the Commission on 20 November 2022.

List of ESPCO Participants (Employment & Social Policy) may be found here.

List of ESPCO Participants (Health) may be found here.

The Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) met on 14 March. The Council discussed how the Recovery and Resilience Facility and REPowerEU chapters can effectively contribute to the green transition and ensure European independence from Russian energy sources in the context of high inflation and supply chain disruptions. Additionally, the Council adopted an implementing decision approving the revised recovery and resilience plan of Finland. The Council also discussed the economic and financial impact of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, focusing on energy-related financial markets. The Presidency and the Commission informed the Council of the main outcomes of the G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors held on 24-25 February 2023. The Council also approved conclusions on the guidelines for the 2024 budget.

List of ECOFIN Participants may be found here.

The Environment Council (ENVI) met on 16 March. Ministers reached a general approach on a proposal to revise the industrial emission directive. The directive is the main EU instrument regulating pollution from industrial installations and large intensive livestock farms. The revision proposes further efforts to reduce pollution in line with the aim of the European Green deal to reach a zero-pollution, competitive, climate neutral economy by 2050. Ministers held a policy debate on a proposal to set up an EU certification framework for carbon removals, however ministers agreed further discussion would need to take place to further underline the EU’s climate policy for reducing emissions and decarbonizing the European economy.

List of ENVI Participants may be found here.

The Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) met on 20 March. Ministers exchanged views on the Commission’s new package of measures, published on 21 February, which aims to increase the sustainability and resilience of the EU’s fisheries and aquaculture sector. The discussion focused on the member states’ priorities for sustainable fisheries and how they envisioned closer collaboration with stakeholders. Ministers examined the market situation for agricultural products in the EU, specifically discussing the impact of agricultural imports from Ukraine on farmers in neighbouring EU countries. Ministers considered the current situation of international agricultural markets, focusing on the latest data on imports/exports, relations with key trading partners and ongoing negotiations on trade agreements. While Ministers agreed that the EU’s agricultural sector remained competitive on the global market, they stressed the need for continued protection of sensitive sectors to maintain the EU’s self-sufficiency.

List of AGRIFISH Participants may be found here.

The General Affairs Council (GAC) met on 21 March. The Council adopted two decisions related to the Windsor Framework, (1) the establishment of the EU’s position in the Joint Committee and (2) the establishment of the Joint Consultative Working Group set under the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. The adoption of the acts demonstrates the EU’s commitment to implementing the joint solutions that have been found to aid in the practical difficulties in implementation on the ground. Additionally, the Presidency presented an updated roadmap for the 2023 European Semester and the Council agreed to forward a draft recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area to the European Council for further endorsement.

List of GAC Participants may be found here.

The European Council met for a two-day summit in Brussels. Building upon previous European Council meetings, EU leaders discussed the latest developments relating to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the continued EU support efforts for Ukraine. Ministers also debated Europe’s long-term strategy to boost competitiveness and how to best harness the potential of the single market. Ministers also held a strategic discussion based on the geopolitical aspects of EU trade policy and examined the EU economic governance framework against the backdrop of the 2023 European Semester.

List of European Council Participants may be found here.

European Trade Association

Airlines for Europe (A4E), Europe’s largest airline trade association, has appointed Ms Ourania Georgoutsakou as its new Managing Director. Ms Georgoutsakou brings over two decades of public affairs experience in trade and representative associations and joins from Lighting Europe where she has served as Secretary General since 2017. She will assume her new role in June and will succeed Mr Thomas Reynaert who left A4E in February to join IBM as Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs Europe.

The week ahead...

The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (TTE) will meet on 28 March. Ministers will seek a general approach on the gas and hydrogen package, which includes a proposal for a regulation on common internal market rules for renewable and natural gases and hydrogen. Ministers will also seek an agreement on a proposal to extend a Council regulation on the voluntary reduction of natural gas demand. Finally, Ministers will hold a policy debate to revise the EU electricity market design. To conclude the Commission will update Ministers on winter preparedness and Danish representatives will provide information on the nature restoration regulation.?