European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is set to represent the European Parliament at the upcoming summit, where she will speak to heads of state and government at 15:00, followed by a press conference around 15:30 on June 29. The event will take place in the European Council press room and will be streamed via EbS.
During the summit, EU leaders are expected to engage in discussions regarding the recent developments in Russia, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the EU’s persistent support for Ukraine. Additionally, topics such as migration and asylum policy, security and defense cooperation, the EU’s economic conditions, relations with China, and the forthcoming summit with Latin American and Caribbean nations will be addressed.
For more details, the European Parliament’s website offers additional information.
Plenary Debate Prior to the European Council Meeting
On June 14, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) discussed their expectations for the EU summit scheduled for June 29-30, considering the escalation of events in Ukraine and advancements in finalizing the EU’s Migration Pact. They condemned the recent destruction of Ukraine’s Nova Kakhovka dam as a war crime perpetrated by Russia, asserting that such actions must have repercussions. MEPs called for continued robust support for Ukraine, imposed new sanctions on Russia, and proposed utilizing the billions of euros in frozen assets held by Russian oligarchs to aid Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Regarding migration and asylum, some MEPs praised the agreement reached among member states as a progressive step that could enhance the treatment and reception of refugees, strengthen the EU’s external borders, and improve efforts against human trafficking. However, others expressed concerns over a perceived toxic atmosphere in the debate, arguing that enhancing border controls would not necessarily reduce the number of refugees and that the Council’s agreement effectively undermines the right to asylum within the EU.
For further reading, visit:
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230609IPR96211/meps-look-ahead-to-next-eu-summit
Russia’s Aggression Against Ukraine
In a resolution passed on June 15, MEPs urged NATO allies to uphold their commitments to Ukraine and facilitate its invitation to join the defense alliance. They anticipate that the membership process will commence post-conflict and conclude expeditiously. Until full membership is secured, MEPs stressed the need for close collaboration between the EU, its member states, NATO allies, and other partners to establish a temporary security guarantee framework to be activated immediately following the war.
MEPs strongly condemned the June 6 destruction of the Kakhovka dam by Russia as a war crime, calling for a comprehensive EU recovery package that addresses Ukraine’s immediate and long-term needs for relief, reconstruction, and recovery. The Parliament reaffirmed its support for the European Council’s decision to grant Ukraine EU candidate status last year and demanded a clear roadmap for initiating accession talks, which could potentially start this year with sufficient backing.
On May 9, Parliament endorsed a proposal to extend the suspension of import duties, anti-dumping duties, and safeguards on Ukrainian exports to the EU for another year, considering the impact of Russia’s aggression on Ukraine’s ability to trade internationally. The tariff suspension applies to fruits and vegetables under the entry price system, along with agricultural products and processed agricultural goods subject to tariff-rate quotas. Industrial products have been enjoying zero duties since January 1, 2023, under the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and are not included in the new proposal.
For additional reading, visit:
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230609IPR96214/parliament-calls-on-nato-to-invite-ukraine-to-join-the-alliance
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230524IPR91909/meps-endorse-plan-to-provide-more-ammunition-for-ukraine
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230505IPR84918/meps-renew-trade-support-measures-for-ukraine
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/priorities/ukraine
Contact Information for MEPs:
David McALLISTER (EPP, DE) – Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR) – Chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence
Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE) – Standing Rapporteur on Ukraine
Andrius KUBILIUS (EPP, LT) – Standing Rapporteur on Russia
Security and Defence
On June 1, MEPs, acting under urgent procedures, approved the legislative proposal for the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP), introduced by the European Commission on May 3. This initiative aims to urgently supply ammunition and missiles to Ukraine and assist member states in replenishing their stockpiles. The Act encompasses targeted measures, including €500 million in funding, to enhance the EU’s production capacity and address the current shortages of ammunition, missiles, and their components.
On June 27, an agreement was reached between Parliament and the Council on new regulations to incentivize EU nations to jointly procure defense products and bolster the EU’s defense industry. This regulation will create a temporary instrument to stimulate the European defense industry through collective procurement (EDIRPA) until December 31, 2024. This tool is intended to assist member states in meeting their most pressing defense requirements, particularly those intensified by their transfers of equipment to Ukraine, in a voluntary and collaborative manner.
It is also designed to enhance the competitiveness and efficiency of the European Defense Technological and Industrial Base, including small and mid-sized enterprises, by increasing manufacturing and fostering cross-border supply chain cooperation. Joint procurement requires the participation of at least three member states and will encompass defense products as defined by Article 2 of Directive 2009/81/EC, including combat medical equipment.
For more information, visit:
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230524IPR91909/meps-endorse-plan-to-provide-more-ammunition-for-ukraine
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230626IPR00817/eu-defence-deal-on-joint-procurement-of-defence-products
Contact Information for MEPs:
David McALLISTER (EPP, DE) – Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR) – Chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence
Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE) – Standing Rapporteur on Ukraine and EDIRPA
Andrius KUBILIUS (EPP, LT) – Standing Rapporteur on Russia
Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL) – Rapporteur for the Industry, Research and Energy Committee on EDIRPA
Migration and Asylum Policy
Regarding migration and asylum, Parliament formalized its negotiating stance for discussions with the Council on April 20, 2023.
Asylum and Migration Management
The negotiating mandate for the central legislation of the Asylum and Migration Package, concerning asylum and migration management, received MEP support with 413 votes in favor, 142 against, and 20 abstentions. This draft regulation aims to establish improved criteria for determining which member state is responsible for processing an asylum application (the so-called ‘Dublin’ criteria) to ensure equitable responsibility-sharing among countries. It incorporates a binding solidarity mechanism to support countries under migratory pressure, including following search and rescue operations at sea.
Screening of Third-Country Nationals
The decision to initiate negotiations on this new regulation was confirmed with 419 votes in favor, 126 against, and 30 abstentions. For the centralized conviction information system (ECRIS-TCN), the outcome was 431 votes in favor, 121 against, and 25 abstentions. These rules will apply at EU borders to individuals who do not meet the entry requirements of a member state. They will involve identification, fingerprinting, security checks, and preliminary assessments of health and vulnerability. MEPs proposed an independent fundamental rights monitoring mechanism to ensure thorough verification of border surveillance and to guarantee that any potential pushbacks are documented and investigated.
Crisis Situations
The decision to begin negotiations for regulations addressing crisis situations was confirmed with 419 votes in favor, 129 against, and 30 abstentions. This text centers on sudden mass arrivals of third-country nationals that could lead to a crisis in a member state, mandating relocations and adjustments to screening and asylum processes based on a Commission assessment.
Long-Term Resident Directive
MEPs approved a negotiating mandate for proposed amendments to the existing long-term resident directive by a vote of 391 to 140 with 25 abstentions. The changes include expediting the granting of EU long-term permits after three years of legal residence and enabling the integration of individuals under temporary protection status. EU long-term residents would be permitted to relocate to other EU countries without additional work restrictions, with dependent children automatically granted the same status.
For continued reading, visit:
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230419IPR80906/asylum-and-migration-parliament-confirms-key-reform-mandates
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230327IPR78520/first-green-light-given-to-the-reform-of-eu-asylum-and-migration-management
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230327IPR78519/new-rules-on-screening-of-irregular-migrants-and-faster-asylum-procedures
Contact
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