Lithuanian customs has seized the first car with Russian license plates, the agency’s press service announced on Tuesday, AFP reported.
The detention took place a day ago at the Miadinki checkpoint. A citizen of Moldova intended to go to Belarus in an Audi Q7 car with Russian license plates. When checking the documents presented by the driver, it turned out that the owner of the “Audi” is another person, a Russian citizen.
It was explained to the driver that since March 11, Lithuania has introduced administrative liability for persons with cars registered in the Russian Federation, which provides for a fine and possible confiscation of the car. The driver of the Audi Q7 was issued an administrative violation report, who stated that he knew nothing about the restrictions.
The car, worth 41,690 euros, was confiscated, the announcement said.
Customs services remind that from March 11, cars registered in Russia cannot be on the territory of Lithuania or must be re-registered by then.
An exception is made for Russian citizens traveling in transit to or from the Kaliningrad region of Russia with a simplified transit document (STD).
However, this transit through the territory of Lithuania cannot last more than 24 hours, and the owner of the vehicle must be in the vehicle during the transit. If there is no owner in the vehicle, it is not allowed to enter the territory of Lithuania.
Illustrative Photo by Sami Abdullah: https://www.pexels.com/photo/trunk-of-a-blue-lady-riva-18313617/
The revised regulation aims to make import and export of firearms in the EU more transparent and more traceable, reducing the risk of trafficking. Under the updated and more harmonised rules, all imports and a vast majority of export of firearms for civilian use will be subject to closer supervision without compromising trade.
Electronic licensing
The rules set up an EU-wide electronic licensing system (ELS) for manufacturers and dealers, replacing the predominantly paper-based national ones. Competent authorities will have to check the central system, containing all refusals, before granting an import or export authorisation. Member states will either adopt this electronic system, or integrate their national digital ones into the ELS to ensure better oversight and information-sharing among authorities. The Commission will establish the ELS within two years and member states will have four years to input all the required data and connect their systems.
Annual reporting
To increase transparency, EP negotiators secured the requirement for the Commission to compile an annual public report, based on national data, on the import and export of firearms for civilian use. The report should include, among other things, the number of granted import and export authorisations, their customs value at EU level, and the number of refusals and seizures.
EU marking and temporary movements
The revised regulation would also make it mandatory for dealers and manufacturers to mark imported guns and their essential components sold on the EU market. This will improve traceability and avoid so-called “ghost guns”, firearms reassembled with non-marked components.
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Bernd Lange (S&D, DE), Chair of the International Trade Committee and rapporteur, said: “There are still inadequate controls on the import and export of handguns, i.e. pistols and rifles. In Latin America for instance, many illegal activities and shootings use handguns smuggled in from Europe; revising the inadequate rules was more than overdue. For exports in particular, Parliament ensured that all firearms for civilian use will fall under the new rules and improved the control mechanisms. The electronic monitoring system will also make the end use of firearms more transparent and more traceable. As in the Dual use regulation, these mechanisms are key to ensuring transparency when trading sensitive goods and restricting misuse.”
Next steps
Parliament and Council will now both have to give their final green light to the provisional agreement. The regulation will enter into force after being published in the EU’s Official Journal.
Background
Following the terrorist attacks in Europe over the last decade, and in an effort to fight organised crime more effectively, the Commission presented, in October 2022, a proposal to update the EU regulation on import, export and transit measures for firearms. Currently, there are an estimated 35 million illicit firearms owned by civilians in the EU, corresponding to 56% of the estimated total of firearms, and around 630 000 firearms are listed as stolen or lost in the Schengen Information System, according to the Commission.
There is no link between the revision of this legislation and the export of firearms for military purposes to Ukraine.
This is why there must be a “swift, comprehensive investigation” by the UN and an independent external review by a non-UN body into UNRWA, including the allegations that a number of employees participated in the 7 October terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups on Israeli communities, she added.
“That is how we restore donor confidence and it is how we ensure that nothing like this happens again. And we appreciate the Secretary-General’s commitment to that end,” she added, speaking in her individual capacity to correspondents at a stakeout at UN Headquarters in New York.
Ms. Thomas-Greenfield highlighted the need to “get behind” and implement the two humanitarian resolutions that have already been adopted by the Security Council, and for strongly supporting UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator Sigrid Kaag, who has been mandated by the Council to help scale up aid into the enclave.
“Her success, and we have been clear on this, her success is the UN’s success in Gaza,” she added, noting “we cannot afford to undermine her efforts or the sensitive negotiations taking place as we speak.”
US Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaking to correspondents.
The ambassador noted her country’s ongoing efforts with regional actors on developing a proposal that will secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and other groups, as has been called for by the Security Council.
Such a move would enable a prolonged humanitarian pause, “longer than the one we saw in November, allowing for more lifesaving food, water, fuel, medicines to get into the hands of Palestinian civilians who desperately need it,” she stated.
Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said that a new draft resolution on the crisis, proposed by Security Council member Algeria, “could put sensitive negotiations in jeopardy, derailing the exhaustive, ongoing diplomatic efforts” to secure the release of hostages and secure an extended humanitarian pause desperately needed by Palestinian civilians and aid workers.
In the two resolutions, adopted on 15 November and 22 December last year, the Council called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses through the Gaza Strip to enable aid to civilians, as well as for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups. In the latter, the Council also asked the Secretary-General to appoint a Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator to “facilitate, coordinate, monitor, and verify” the humanitarian nature of aid consignments.
Efforts to address rising West Bank violence
The US Permanent Representative also noted steps recently announced by the White House to address the “disturbing rise” of settler violence in the West Bank.
US President Joseph Biden signed, an executive order on Thursday that imposes financial sanctions and visa bans, initially for four Israeli settlers in the West Bank who have been attacking Palestinians, according to media reports.
The executive order is a means of “addressing these actions” including violence against civilians or intimidation which may cause them to leave their homes, destroy or seize their priorities, and other acts of terrorism “which undermine security, peace and stability for Israelis and Palestinians alike”, Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said.
“Now is the time to allow space for the sensitive hostage negotiations to proceed, to get behind Special Coordinator Kaag’s proposal, and to hold accountable those perpetrating violence that undermine safety and stability,” she said.
A ‘pressure cooker of despair’
Meanwhile, thousands of Gazans have continued to flee intense hostilities in Khan Younis towards the massively overcrowded southern city of Rafah which UN humanitarians described as a “pressure cooker of despair”.
The warning from the UN aid coordination office, OCHA comes nearly four months since Israel commenced a devastating bombing campaign in response to Hamas-led terror attacks on 7 October that left some 1,200 people butchered in southern Israeli communities and more than 250 taken hostage.
“In recent days, thousands of Palestinians have been fleeing to the south to Rafah, which is already hosting over half of Gaza’s population of some 2.3 million people,” said OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke.
100,000 dead, injured or missing
Repeating deep concerns that nowhere in Gaza is safe amid reports of Israeli shelling on the periphery of Rafah on Friday, Mr. Laerke told journalists that most of the new arrivals were “living in makeshift structures, tents or out in the open. Rafah is now a pressure cooker of despair, and we fear for what happens next.”
To date, 100,000 people in Gaza “are either dead, injured or missing and presumed dead” as a result of bombing raids and fighting on the ground between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian militants, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO).
Sixty per cent of the 27,019 fatalities reported by the enclave’s health authorities have been women and children, the UN health agency reported, with more than 66,000 now injured and requiring medical care that remains difficult to access.
Health system crumbling
Highlighting the “extremely challenging” task of replenishing hospitals and medical centres throughout the wartorn enclave, WHO Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Dr. Rick Peeperkorn explained that of 15 planned missions to the north in January, three had been carried out, four had been impeded by impassable routes, one postponed and eight were denied.
Dr. Peeperkorn added that of the 11 planned missions to the south last month, four had gone ahead, two were postponed and two were impeded either because checkpoints opened late or owing to excessive delays. Authorizations were denied for three missions.
“Lack of safety guarantees and humanitarian corridors in Gaza are making it increasingly challenging to safely and rapidly carry out humanitarian operations,” the WHO official said, speaking from Jerusalem. “Lack of sustained access to hospitals could dismantle the health system.”
Child trauma
The development came as the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that at least 17,000 children in Gaza are unaccompanied or separated.
“Each one, a heartbreaking story of loss and grief,” said Jonathan Crickx, UNICEF Chief of Communication in the State of Palestine.
Speaking from Jerusalem to journalists in Geneva, the UNICEF official described meeting youngsters in Gaza earlier this week. Among them was 11-year-old Razan, who lost almost all her family during a bombing raid in the first weeks of the war.
“Her mother, father, brother and two sisters were killed,” Mr. Crickx continued. “Razan’s leg was also injured and had to be amputated. Following the surgery, her wound got infected. Razan is now being taken care of by her aunt and uncle, all of whom have been displaced to Rafah.”
Because of the lack of food, water and shelter, extended families are struggling to look after themselves, let alone orphaned or unaccompanied children, the UNICEF officer said.
“I met these children in Rafah. We fear that the situation of children who have lost their parents is much worse in the north and the centre of the Gaza Strip.”
The UN Syria Commission of Inquiry, which reports to the Human Rights Council, warned that fighting escalated on 5 October last year, when consecutive explosions at a military academy graduation ceremony in government-controlled Homs killed at least 63 people, including 37 civilians.
The Syrian Government and Russian forces “responded with bombardments” that struck at least 2,300 sites in opposition-controlled areas in the space of three weeks, “killing and injuring hundreds of civilians”, the investigators said.
Locations hit included “well-known and visible hospitals, schools, markets and camps for internally displaced persons” which may amount to war crimes, the said in a statement.
From the Commission of Inquiry, chairperson Paulo Pinheiro insisted that the Syrian people “cannot sustain” any more fighting, after 13 years of war which have left 16.7 million inside the country in need of humanitarian assistance – the largest number of people in need since the start of the crisis.
“More than 90 per cent now live in poverty, the economy is in freefall amid tightening sanctions, and increased lawlessness is fuelling predatory practices and extortion by armed forces and militia,” Mr. Pinheiro explained.
Syria has used cluster munitions in densely populated areas, “continuing devastating and unlawful patterns that we have documented in the past,” said Commissioner Hanny Megally.
“The October attacks resulted in some 120,000 people in fleeing, many of them previously displaced several times, including by the devastating earthquakes last February.”
Mr. Megally said it should be no surprise that the number of Syrians seeking asylum in Europe last October reached the highest level in seven years, with Syria remaining the world’s largest displacement crisis.
Since the start of the Gaza war, tensions have increased between some of the six foreign armies active in Syria, commissioners said, notably Israel, Iran and the US – all raising concerns of a wider conflict.
Meanwhile, in northeast Syria, Turkish forces have accelerated operations against Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in retaliation for an attack claimed by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Ankara in October, the Commission said.
Turkish aerial attacks on power plants deprived nearly one million people of water and electricity for weeks, in violation of international humanitarian law.
The Commission’s report is due to be presented to the Human Rights Council on Monday 18 March.
Myanmar: Deep concern over use of heavy weapons in residential areas
UN humanitarians are deeply concerned about the “indiscriminate use” of heavy weapons in residential areas of Myanmar’s Rakhine state during fighting between forces loyal to the ruling junta and the rebel Arakan Army, the UN Spokesperson said on Monday.
Men traveling by motorbike through cyclone-damaged Thae Chaung IDP camp. Sittwe, Rakhine.
Stéphane Dujarric said that the use of artillery was posing grave risks to civilians and costing civilian lives, as fighting intensifies between a raft of rebel groups across the country and the national army.
“On Saturday, a stray artillery shell landed in a residential area in the state capital Sittwe, killing at least eight Rohingya civilians and injuring 12 others, including five children”, said the UN Spokesperson.
It’s now more than three years since the military coup which toppled the democratically-elected Government and amid a violent crackdown on any opposition and protests, more than 4,600 have been killed including hundreds of women and children, with the death toll likely much higher.
Rakhine is home to the mostly Muslim Rohingya minority, hundreds of thousands of whom have fled across the border into Bangladesh following brutal military repression in 2017.
“This is the second time in two weeks that a stray shell has killed people in Sittwe.
The situation has prompted a surge in displacement across the state. More than 300,000 people are now displaced, Mr. Dujarric added.
He said the tactics used by the parties to the conflict are harming civilians and undermining humanitarians’ continued ability to deliver assistance to people in need.
“We remind all parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians, including aid workers.”
Truth and justice call for disappeared Thai lawyer
It’s been a full 20 years since Thai lawyer and activist Somchai Neelapaijit went missing – high time that the authorities disclose what happened to him, top independent rights experts said on Monday.
The joint appeal led by the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances comes almost two decades to the day since Mr. Neelapaijit vanished.
His alleged enforced disappearance is believed to be related to his work as a lawyer defending Muslim minorities in southern Thailand.
No-one has been held accountable for his enforced disappearance but “truth, justice and redress” in the case of Mr. Neelapaijit must be achieved “without further delay”, the rights experts insisted.
They highlighted how the lawyer’s wife, Angkhana, had faced threats and reprisals in her search for justice, but that she had refused to give up her quest – even becoming the first Asian women to join the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.
Mr Binder Singh and Ivan Arjona with recognition to L Ron Hubbard (Photo credit: Church of Scientology)
#pressrelease – The President of the European Sikh Organization, Mr. Binder Singh, recently honored L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology at an event celebrating their shared values and commitment to interfaith collaboration and human rights advocacy. The tribute recognized Hubbard’s efforts in promoting unity between faiths and religions, which inspired the President of the European Office of the Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights, to further improve the collaboration between the Sikh and Scientology communities through dialogue and shared initiatives.
L. Ron Hubbard, the man inspiring an all-inclusive movement
The meeting brought together members of the Sikh and Scientology communities and the atmosphere was filled with respect and understanding emphasizing the significance of fostering harmony among different beliefs in our present day society.
During his statement, the ESO President praised L. Ron Hubbard for his approach in bridging gaps between various faith traditions. Binder Singh highlighted Hubbard’s teachings as “catalysts for promoting respect, understanding and collaboration, among religious groups” and finding the parallelism in spirituality between the two faiths. This collaborative spirit has brought the Sikh and Scientology communities together to work on projects that support rights and advocate for freedom of belief for everyone, everywhere and at all times.
The partnership between the two communities has resulted in discussions on different faiths collaborative humanitarian efforts, presentations at the European Parliament and others focused on fostering acceptance and comprehension of diverse religions. These endeavors have not only positively impacted the communities involved but have also set an example for other religious groups to follow.
The acknowledgment of L. Ron Hubbard by the European Sikh Organization underscores the lasting influence of his teachings in inspiring efforts in promoting harmony and solidarity among religious beliefs. It highlights the significance of “shared principles and the necessity of working towards mutual objectives to make of this world a better place” said Ivan Arjona, Scientology representative to the European institutions and the United Nations.
In his closing statements the President of ESO Mr. Binder Singh urged all communities to “continue building upon the groundwork established by figures like Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of the Sikh Faith and L. Ron Hubbard“. “Let us honor L. Ron Hubbard’s legacy by strengthening our dedication to interfaith cooperation and advocacy for rights. Together we can shape a world where respect for all faiths is not a concept but a tangible reality.“
The gathering concluded with a prayer led by leaders from both Sikh and Scientology communities symbolizing their collective aspiration for a future characterized by enhanced understanding and collaboration, among individuals of all faiths.
The event not just commemorated the day of an extraordinary individual but also emphasized the significance of conversations and teamwork, among different faiths to tackle the current issues. By working consistently the Sikh and Scientology groups are demonstrating a strong model of how respect and joint efforts can bring about significant transformations.
What is the Sikh faith?
The Sikh faith, founded in the 15th century by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the Punjab region, is a monotheistic faith emphasizing unity, equality, and a direct connection with God. Guru Nanak, the first of ten Sikh Gurus, initiated a religion that rejects caste and gender discrimination, advocating instead for the universal brotherhood of humanity. The core teachings, enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, focus on the oneness of God, the importance of remembering God’s name (“Naam Japna”), and living a life of honesty (“Kirat Karni”). Community service (“Seva”) is exemplified by the “Langar,” a communal meal open to all, reflecting Sikhism’s commitment to altruism and equality. These foundational principles encourage Sikhs to lead lives of spiritual devotion and social justice.
What is Scientology?
The Scientology religion, founded in the 20th century by L. Ron Hubbard, started originally with his book Dianetics. The teachings found there evolved in 1952 into the religious movement it is today. The Church of Scientology was founded in 1954, focusing on spiritual rehabilitation and enlightenment. Central to its beliefs is the concept of the human soul, or “Thetan,” being immortal and capable of transcending multiple lifetimes. Through a process called “auditing,”(spiritual counselling) individuals work to overcome past traumas and limiting beliefs, aiming to unlock their full potential towards an understanding of his/her relation with God or Infinity. Scientology emphasizes the pursuit of knowledge, ethics, and integrity, offering a path towards greater spiritual awareness and personal well-being. The religion encourages followers to study its teachings to improve their lives and contribute positively to society.
European Parliament - Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel, the need for de-escalation and an EU response (debate)
Parliament voted with 347 votes in favour, 117 against and 99 abstentions to amend the Commission’s proposal to suspend import duties and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU for another year, from 6 June 2024 to 5 June 2025. MEPs referred the report back to the Committee on International Trade to start negotiations with the Council
The legislation gives the Commission the power to take swift action and impose any necessary measures should there be significant disruptions to the EU market, or to the markets of one or more EU countries due to Ukrainian imports, including an emergency brake for particularly sensitive agricultural products MEPs voted to amend the Commission’s proposal to include more sensitive products and a wider reference date for calculating average volumes.
The liberalising measures are conditional on Ukraine’s respect for democratic principles, human rights, the rule of law, and its sustained efforts to fight corruption and organised crime.
Supporting Moldova
In a separate vote on Wednesday, Parliament agreed with 459 votes in favour, 65 against and 57 abstentions that all remaining duties on imports from Moldova should be suspended for another year.
Russia’s illegal military aggression against Ukraine has also hit the Republic of Moldova hard as it relies heavily on Ukrainian transit routes and infrastructure for its own exports. The trade liberalisation measures allowed Moldova to redirect some of its trade with the rest of the world via the EU. Most Moldovan exports already benefit from duty-free access to the EU market under the Association Agreement.
Next steps
On Moldova, the measures will now have to be formally approved by EU governments. The new regulation should enter into force immediately when the current regulation expires. The current suspension expires on 5 June 2024 for Ukraine and on 24 July 2024 for Moldova. On Ukraine, the MEPs will start negotiations with the Council.
Background
The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, has ensured that Ukrainian businesses have preferential access to the EU market since 2016. In the immediate aftermath of the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU put in place autonomous trade measures (ATMs) in June 2022, which allow duty-free access for all Ukrainian products to the EU. These measures were extended by one year in 2023. In January, the EU Commission proposed that import duties and quotas on Ukrainian and Moldovan exports should be suspended for another year. Russia has deliberately targeted Ukrainian food production and Black Sea exporting facilities to undermine the country’s economy and threaten global food security.
The European Parliament backed today more effective EU rules for combined work and residence permits for third-country nationals.
The update of the Single permit directive, adopted in 2011, which established a single administrative procedure for delivering a permit to third-country nationals wishing to live and work in an EU country, and a common set of rights for third-country workers, was adopted today with 465 votes in favour, 122 against and 27x abstentions.
Faster decisions on applications
In negotiations, MEPs succeeded in setting a 90-day limit for a decision to be taken on applications for a single permit, compared to the current four months. Procedures on especially complex files might get a 30-day extension and the time to deliver a visa, if necessary, is not included. New rules will introduce the possibility for a holder of a valid residence permit to apply for a Single Permit also from within the territory, so a person who is legally residing in the EU could request to change their legal status without having to return to their home country.
Change of employer
Under the new rules, single permit holders will have the right to change employer, occupation and work sector. MEPs ensured in negotiations that a simple notification from the new employer would suffice. National authorities will have 45 days to oppose the change. MEPs have also limited the conditions under which this authorisation can be subject to labour market tests.
EU states will have the option to require an initial period of up to six months during which a change of employer will not be possible. However, a change during that period would still be possible if the employer seriously breaches the work contract, for example by imposing particularly exploitative working conditions.
Unemployment
If a single permit holder is unemployed, they will have up to three months –or six if they have had the permit for more than two years- to find another job before their permit is withdrawn, compared to two months under the current rules. EU states may choose to offer longer periods. If a worker has experienced particularly exploitative working conditions, member states shall extend by three months the period of unemployment during which the single permit remains valid. If a single permit holder is unemployed for more than three months, member states may require them to provide evidence that they have sufficient resources to support themselves without using the social assistance system.
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After the vote, the rapporteur Javier Moreno Sanchez (S&D, ES) said: “Regular migration is the best instrument to combat irregular migration and human traffickers. We need to address irregular migratory flows, foster coherence between the different legal migration instruments and facilitate foreign workers’ integration. The review of the Single Permit Directive will support workers from third countries to reach Europe safely, and European companies to find the workers they need. At the same time we will avoid and prevent labour exploitation, by strengthening the rights of third countries’ workers and protecting them more effectively against abuse.”
Next steps
The new rules have to now formally be approved by the Council. Member states will have two years after the entry into force of the directive to introduce the changes to their national laws. This legislation does not apply in Denmark and Ireland.
With 297 votes in favour, 190 against and 37 abstentions, Parliament adopted the deal reached with the Council on the Euro 7 regulation (type-approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles). Vehicles will need to comply with the new standards for longer, ensuring they remain cleaner throughout their lifetime.
Reducing emissions, increasing battery durability
For passenger cars and vans, the current Euro 6 test conditions and exhaust emissions limits will be maintained. For buses and trucks, stricter limits will be applied for exhaust emissions measured in laboratories and in real driving conditions, while maintaining the current Euro VI testing conditions.
For the first time, EU standards will include brake particles emissions limits (PM10) for cars and vans and minimum performance requirements for battery durability in electric and hybrid cars.
Better information to consumers
An Environmental Vehicle Passport will be made available for each vehicle and contain information on its environmental performance at the moment of registration (such as pollutant emission limits, CO2 emissions, fuel and electric energy consumption, electric range, battery durability). Vehicle users will also have access to up-to-date information about fuel consumption, battery health, pollutant emissions and other relevant information generated by on-board systems and monitors.
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Rapporteur Alexandr Vondra (ECR, CZ) said: “We have successfully struck a balance between environmental goals and the vital interests of manufacturers. We want to ensure the affordability of new smaller cars with internal combustion engines for domestic customers and at the same time enable the automotive industry to prepare for the expected transformation of the sector. The EU will now also be addressing emissions from brakes and tyres and ensuring higher battery durability.”
Next steps
Council needs to formally approve the agreement as well before it can enter into force.
Background
On 10 November 2022, the Commission proposed more stringent air pollutant emissions standards for combustion-engine vehicles, regardless of the fuel used. The current emission limits apply to cars and vans (Euro 6) and to buses, trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles (Euro VI).
In adopting this report, Parliament is responding to citizens’ expectations to promote the purchase of electric vehicles complying with good battery life standards, to advance the deployment of digital and electrical infrastructure, and to reduce EU’s energy dependency from foreign actors, as expressed in proposals 4(3), 4(6), 18(2) and 31(3) of the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe.
Addressing MEPs, the Finnish Prime Minister highlighted a strong economy, security, the clean transition and continued support for Ukraine as key priorities for the EU.
In his “This is Europe” address to the European Parliament, Prime of Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo focussed on three key factors for the coming years. First, strategic competitiveness, which is important as Europe’s productivity is falling behind that of key competitors. To thrive in a global landscape, Europe needs a fully functioning internal market, investments in innovation and skills, and a more effective use of its budget, said Mr Orpo. The EU also needs to conclude new trade deals, he argued.
Secondly, Mr Orpo emphasised the importance of security. This includes ramping up the defence industry so EU and NATO can complement each other, as well as defending the EU’s external borders against Russian hybrid attacks. The economic vitality of border regions is also crucial from a security perspective, said Mr Orpo.
Thirdly, the Prime Minister raised the clean transition as another key priority. To tackle climate change and phase out fossil fuels while creating jobs, the transition needs to leverage the bioeconomy and circular economy. Mr Orpo argued that climate goals should be reached with more innovation, not only more regulation.
Finally, Mr Orpo underlined that supporting Ukraine is a strategic necessity for Europe. Although Russia has shifted to a war economy, it is not invincible, and its military capabilities are limited. Mr Orpo encouraged Europeans to pool their resources to support Ukraine by accelerating ammunition production immediately, by allocating additional funding to the European Peace Facility, and by extending the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) capabilities beyond dual-use projects.
Reactions from MEPs
In their interventions after Prime Minister Orpo’s address, several MEPs praised Finland’s leadership on climate and digital policy as well as on gender equality. They also welcomed the country’s accession to NATO and called on the EU to rise to the challenges linked to external diplomacy and defence.
Others criticised the Finnish centre-right government’s choice of forming a coalition with the far right at home, stressing the dangers this could pose for Europe. Some MEPs also criticised the Finnish PM for policies they said undermine the Finnish labour market as well as social and worker protection.
On Wednesday, Parliament approved the Artificial Intelligence Act that ensures safety and compliance with fundamental rights, while boosting innovation.
It aims to protect fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of law and environmental sustainability from high-risk AI, while boosting innovation and establishing Europe as a leader in the field. The regulation establishes obligations for AI based on its potential risks and level of impact.
Banned applications
The new rules ban certain AI applications that threaten citizens’ rights, including biometric categorisation systems based on sensitive characteristics and untargeted scraping of facial images from the internet or CCTV footage to create facial recognition databases. Emotion recognition in the workplace and schools, social scoring, predictive policing (when it is based solely on profiling a person or assessing their characteristics), and AI that manipulates human behaviour or exploits people’s vulnerabilities will also be forbidden.
Law enforcement exemptions
The use of biometric identification systems (RBI) by law enforcement is prohibited in principle, except in exhaustively listed and narrowly defined situations. “Real-time” RBI can only be deployed if strict safeguards are met, e.g. its use is limited in time and geographic scope and subject to specific prior judicial or administrative authorisation. Such uses may include, for example, a targeted search of a missing person or preventing a terrorist attack. Using such systems post-facto (“post-remote RBI”) is considered a high-risk use case, requiring judicial authorisation being linked to a criminal offence.
Obligations for high-risk systems
Clear obligations are also foreseen for other high-risk AI systems (due to their significant potential harm to health, safety, fundamental rights, environment, democracy and the rule of law). Examples of high-risk AI uses include critical infrastructure, education and vocational training, employment, essential private and public services (e.g. healthcare, banking), certain systems in law enforcement, migration and border management, justice and democratic processes (e.g. influencing elections). Such systems must assess and reduce risks, maintain use logs, be transparent and accurate, and ensure human oversight. Citizens will have a right to submit complaints about AI systems and receive explanations about decisions based on high-risk AI systems that affect their rights.
Transparency requirements
General-purpose AI (GPAI) systems, and the GPAI models they are based on, must meet certain transparency requirements, including compliance with EU copyright law and publishing detailed summaries of the content used for training. The more powerful GPAI models that could pose systemic risks will face additional requirements, including performing model evaluations, assessing and mitigating systemic risks, and reporting on incidents.
Additionally, artificial or manipulated images, audio or video content (“deepfakes”) need to be clearly labelled as such.
Measures to support innovation and SMEs
Regulatory sandboxes and real-world testing will have to be established at the national level, and made accessible to SMEs and start-ups, to develop and train innovative AI before its placement on the market.
Quotes
During the plenary debate on Tuesday, the Internal Market Committee co-rapporteur Brando Benifei (S&D, Italy) said: “We finally have the world’s first binding law on artificial intelligence, to reduce risks, create opportunities, combat discrimination, and bring transparency. Thanks to Parliament, unacceptable AI practices will be banned in Europe and the rights of workers and citizens will be protected. The AI Office will now be set up to support companies to start complying with the rules before they enter into force. We ensured that human beings and European values are at the very centre of AI’s development”.
Civil Liberties Committee co-rapporteur Dragos Tudorache (Renew, Romania) said: “The EU has delivered. We have linked the concept of artificial intelligence to the fundamental values that form the basis of our societies. However, much work lies ahead that goes beyond the AI Act itself. AI will push us to rethink the social contract at the heart of our democracies, our education models, labour markets, and the way we conduct warfare. The AI Act is a starting point for a new model of governance built around technology. We must now focus on putting this law into practice”.
Next steps
The regulation is still subject to a final lawyer-linguist check and is expected to be finally adopted before the end of the legislature (through the so-called corrigendum procedure). The law also needs to be formally endorsed by the Council.
It will enter into force twenty days after its publication in the official Journal, and be fully applicable 24 months after its entry into force, except for: bans on prohibited practises, which will apply six months after the entry into force date; codes of practise (nine months after entry into force); general-purpose AI rules including governance (12 months after entry into force); and obligations for high-risk systems (36 months).
Background
The Artificial Intelligence Act responds directly to citizens’ proposals from the Conference on the Future of Europe (COFE), most concretely to proposal 12(10) on enhancing EU’s competitiveness in strategic sectors, proposal 33(5) on a safe and trustworthy society, including countering disinformation and ensuring humans are ultimately in control, proposal 35 on promoting digital innovation, (3) while ensuring human oversight and (8) trustworthy and responsible use of AI, setting safeguards and ensuring transparency, and proposal 37 (3) on using AI and digital tools to improve citizens’ access to information, including persons with disabilities.
