EU has worries other than just Brexit
Brexit is now being negotiated in working groups. Is that a good thing? You might think so. However, the reports from Brussels about the initial discussions do not sound promising. The two sides are so far apart that progress is unlikely in the next few weeks. In any case, as the Vice President of the European Parliament, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, explained at a podium discussion organised by cep and the Junior Chamber in Freiburg, the negotiations are tying up important EU expertise. According to Lambsdorff, the smart minds currently struggling to reach compromises with the British on their EU exit are urgently needed to sort out crises in other areas. He did not say whether this was a reference to the dispute with Poland. The fact is, however, that Germany’s eastern neighbour is currently challenging the EU in a way which is damaging to the EU’s image in the eyes of its citizens. This is a pity for the EU – but it’s nothing new. |
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| Organisations to regulate the EU Electricity Market |
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The EU Commission’s proposed reform of the EU Energy Agency ACER and the creation of additional organisations aims to improve regulation of cross-border electricity networks and the wholesale electricity market. cep criticises the Commission’s proposals.
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| "Investigative Tool" for the Internal Market |
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In future, the EU Commission is to be able to oblige undertakings to submit information. It thereby wants to ensure better enforcement of EU law and better preparation of legislative measures. This could also allow easier investigation and proof of infringements of internal market rules.
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| Glyphosate and the Comitology Reform 2017 |
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The EU Commission wants to make decision-making in the comitology procedure easier and more transparent. cep believes that the proposed aim, of making Member States take greater responsibility, is appropriate. The Commission does not have the necessary democratic legitimacy and public acceptance to make politically sensitive decisions.
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| Governance of the Energy Union |
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The “governance mechanism” aims to enable coordination of the energy policy measures of the Member States and the EU, and tighten planning and reporting duties. The EU Commission’s proposed Regulation creates clarity and reduces excess red tape. However, its authorisation for the Commission to design a financing platform for renewable energy projects is contrary to EU law.
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"The sums that I have seen that they [European Union] propose to demand from this country [GB] seem to me to be extortionate and I think ‘go whistle’ is an entirely appropriate expression."
Boris Johnson, British Foreign Secretary |
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"I’m not hearing any whistling, just the clock ticking."
Michel Barnier, European Chief Negotiator for Brexit |
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"Experience with the Stability and Growth Pact has shown that eurozone governments do not change their conduct to fit in with European rules. It is, in fact, the rules that are changed to fit the conduct of governments."
Dr. Matthias Kullas, Head of Division of the cep |
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“There will be some mud-slinging but we will reach a compromise and the British will leave the EU at the end of March 2019.”
Dr. Bert Van Roosebeke on Brexit negotiations, at the cep podium discussion entitled “Will Brexit break the EU?“ held in Freiburg on 18 July 2017. |
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Facts
55 percent of Commission employees today are women (compared with 44 percent in 1995). The EU Commission is striving to achieve at least 40% female representation in its management positions, with a comprehensive strategy on diversity and inclusion. |
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