European Commission
EU and UK issue joint statement on Northern Ireland Protocol
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove and European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič issued a joint statement this week on the Northern Ireland Protocol, following a meeting after an exchange of letters last week. In its letters, the UK Government had called for the extension of a number of grace periods for checks on goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as number of overall reforms to the Protocol. In the statement both sides said they would aim to find “workable solutions” for the implementation of the Protocol and agreed to a further meeting on24 February. (link)
Meanwhile in the European Parliament, all relevant Committees have recommended the Parliament give its consent to the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. (link) However, Member States are expected to request a 2-month extension period to the provisional application of the Agreement, in order to allow more time for it to be translated to all EU languages.
Commission presents factual assessment of Council cooperation with partner countries on readmission
The European Commission has this week published its first factual assessment looking at the Council’s cooperation with partner countries on readmission. The Commission highlighted that effective return and readmission as well as sustainable reintegration are essential elements of comprehensive, balanced, tailor-made and mutually beneficial migration partnerships with countries outside the EU. The New Pact on Migration and Asylum from last September also showed the need for improved procedures inside the EU. Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas emphasised that the assessment shows that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to cooperation on readmission. (link)
Commission launches public consultations on fighting child sexual abuse and gender-based violence
The European Commission has this week launched a consultation on combatting child sexual abuse. The consultation is an opportunity to contribute to the Proposal for a Regulation addressing the detection, removal and reporting of child sexual abuse content online, and follows an impact assessment carried out in December 2020. The consultation period closes on 15 April 2021. (link) The Commission is also consulting on proposals to better combat gender-based violence. The consultation period will be open until 10 May 2021. (link)
Council
Council Presidency and Parliament reach provisional agreement on civil protection mechanism
The Council Presidency and the European Parliament this week reached provisional agreement on a proposal to strengthen the EU civil protection mechanism. The proposed new rules would allow the EU and member states to better prepare for natural and man-made disasters as well as allowing the Commission to address gaps in the area of transport and logistics and directly procure certain additional rescEU capacities when needed. (link)
European Parliament
MEPs debate state of COVID vaccination strategy and adopt Recovery and Resilience Facility
During a Plenary session this week, MEPs debated the state of the EU’s COVID vaccination strategy together with representatives from the Commission. Many MEPs as well as Commission President von der Leyen defended the EU’s choice to order vaccines collectively. Members also acknowledged that the EU underestimated the challenges of vaccine mass production, and the Commission acknowledged lessons must be drawn from past mistakes. MEPs also repeated their call for transparency in vaccine contracts and well as calling for clear data on vaccine rollout at the national level. (link) MEPs also this week gave their approval for the Recovery and Resilience Facility, voting in favour of the Regulation setting out the objectives, financing and rules for accessing the Facility. (link) This was followed by adoption by the Council, which means the Regulation can now be published in the Official Journal of the EU after which it will enter into force. Member States can then submit their national plans to access the grants and loans provided through the Facility to support them in recovery from the COVID crisis. (link)
Parliament adopts report on human trafficking
The European Parliament this week adopted a report assessing the 2011 EU Anti-trafficking Directive, calling for more robust measures against all forms of trafficking, focusing on protecting women, children and migrants. The report calls on the Commission to amend the Anti-Trafficking Directive to ensure that member states explicitly criminalise the “knowing use” of services provided by victims of trafficking. It also recognises that COVID has worsened the situation of trafficked victims. (link)
- Belgium: Government decides to consider police as priority for COVID vaccination (link)
- Ireland: Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors lodge official complaint with the Oversight Body at the Workplace Relations Commission over exclusion from final pay negotiations in December 2020 (link)
- Netherlands: Study calls for roadmap to keep police officers up to date with latest digital developments (link)
- Norway: New police budget to provide more funds for visible police officers on the beat (link)
- Spain: National Police and officers from Guardia Civil next in line to receive COVID vaccine(link)
Other news
SIRIUS Project hosts annual Advisory Board meeting
The SIRIUS Project has held its annual Advisory Board meeting this week presenting its 2020 main achievements. As part of the meeting, the second edition of the EU Digital Evidence Situation Report was presented. The meeting brought together representatives of the European Commission, CEPOL, the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (UNCTED), the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United States Department of Justice, the European Cybercrime Training and Education Group (ECTEG), the European Judicial Network (EJN), the European Judicial Cybercrime Network (EJCN) and the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN). (link)
Look Ahead
– 16 February: Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli holds a videoconference call with representatives of the European Confederation of Police
– 19 February: FRA Online Event ‘Crime, victims and rights: what can EU countries do to strengthen victims’ rights?’