Question for written answer E-002813/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Anders Vistisen (PfE)
As the EU rules currently stand, taxi drivers and people in similar professions are required to take a break at the latest after six hours of work, regardless of whether, in the meantime, they have had downtime and waiting periods without customers. In practice, this means that drivers who have already had an hour or more of downtime in their vehicle, without active driving, are required to take a further break. This has a negative effect on both their earnings and their customer service.
1.Does the Commission consider it reasonable that documented downtime and waiting times – which are recorded by control systems in the car – are not recognised as rest periods or breaks?
2.Is the Commission intending to overhaul or clarify the existing rules so that better account is taken of the specific circumstances in the taxi industry and to ensure that the requirements relating to break times are applied in a more balanced way?
Question for written answer E-002755/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Pina Picierno (S&D)
Conductor Valery Gergiev is slated to perform in Caserta on 27 July in ‘Un’estate da Re’ [‘A King’s Summer’], a concert that the Campania Region has financed through European cohesion funds[1].
Gergiev is known for openly supporting the Russian Government and many reports indicate that he is a leading Kremlin propagandist. In 2022, the Scala opera house in Milan suspended its working relationship with Gergiev owing to his refusal to distance himself from President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine[2].
Moreover, according to several journalistic investigations, Gergiev has purchased many luxury properties in Russia, Italy and the United States via a charitable fund registered in his name that has mostly received donations from companies owned by the Russian state and from oligarchs with close ties to the Kremlin, leading to concerns about financial transparency and potential conflicts of interest[3].
Gergiev’s participation in an EU-funded event is therefore blatantly at odds with the fundamental values enshrined in the Treaties.
In the light of the above:
1.Will the Commission take steps to prevent and put a stop to the use of European cohesion funds to finance initiatives linked to figures with close ties to regimes that are opposed to European values?
2.Is the Commission planning any initiatives to strengthen checks on the use of cohesion funds at the local level with a view to ensuring compliance with EU principles?
Credit marks EIB’s largest financing operation in Spain to strengthen EU security and defence capabilities.
Financing to enable Indra to build a technological research and development centre, Indra Technology Hub, and push ahead in radar, electronic defence and other technologies.
Agreement supports technological innovation in Europe and is part of the EIB Group’s efforts to strengthen European security and defence capabilities, one of its cross-cutting priorities. It also contributes to the TechEU initiative.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €385 million financing agreement with Spanish technology company Indra Group to boost research, development and innovation of cutting-edge technologies for the defence and space sector. This is the largest EIB’s financing agreement in Spain to date to strengthen the European Union security and defence capabilities.
The loan is aimed at spurring cutting-edge technologies in areas such as radar, electronic defence, electro-optics, command and control communications and advanced digitalisation. The EIB support will enable Indra to build an integrated technology centre in Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid region. The planned Indra Technology Hub will be equipped with laboratories and advanced manufacturing technologies to serve the defence and space sector.
The financing agreement was signed today at the EIB headquarters in Luxembourg. EIB President Nadia Calviño and Vice-President Robert de Groot attended the event along with Indra Chaiman Angel Escribano.
“Today we are signing a strategic agreement with Indra to boost research and development of cutting-edge technologies. In the current geopolitical context, it is more important than ever to strengthen Europe’s security capabilities, with a pan-European approach and strategic projects. Investing in innovation and technology is investing in security, and the EIB’s support is key to enabling companies to develop projects that contribute to the security of all Europeans,” said Nadia Calviño, President of the EIB Group.
“This agreement is about turning new ideas into real capabilities across Europe’s defence and space ecosystem,” said EIB Vice-President de Groot. “Space in particular has a critical role in Europe’s security and defence. By backing Indra’s innovation and supporting the creation of its Technology Hub, we are helping Europe stay ahead of the curve in technology, in resilience and in its ability to act with greater autonomy in a fast-changing world.”
The project will boost the competitiveness of European industry and strengthen the resilience of the EU aerospace, security and defence supply chain. It supports the EIB’s goal of strengthening European security and defence capabilities as well as the priorities included in its Strategic Roadmap to strengthen the European security and defence industry and accelerate digitalisation and technological innovation. It also contributes to the EIB’s TechEU initiative.
“The EIB’s financing will boost our industrial and technological development supporting our ’Leading the Future’ strategic plan and our vision of becoming a key player in Europe’s security, defence and aerospace sectors,” said Indra ChairmanÁngel Escribano. “The support of this public funding will enable Indra to accelerate the deployment of our industrial and innovation capabilities as well as strengthen our leadership in the security and defence field amidst the new European sovereignty environment.”
EIB Group support for European security and defence
Since 2024, the EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), has significantly stepped up its support for European security and defence. This line of activities is now a permanent cross-cutting public policy goal for the Group and one of its eight strategic priorities for 2024-2027.
The Group has updated its lending policy, broadening the eligibility criteria and the range of security and defence projects it can finance. It has also set up a Security and Defence Office to ensure a rapid and effective response to project proposals.
As a result of ongoing fruitful dialogue with industry, financial intermediaries, defence ministries and key institutions such as the European Commission, the European Defence Agency and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Group currently has a solid pipeline of 80 projects contributing to Europe’s security and defence capabilities.
For more information on EIB support for the European security and defence sector, click here.
Background information
EIB
The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union, and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world.
The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impactprojects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.
All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Agreement, as pledged in its Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.
In Spain, the EIB Group signed €12.3 billion of new financing for more than 100 high-impact projects in 2024. In France, the EIB Group signed €12.6 billion of new financing for more than 100 high-impact projects in 2024. This financing is contributing to the green and digital transition of both countries, economic growth, competitiveness and improved services for residents.
High-quality, up-to-date photos of the organisation’s headquarters for media use are available here.
Indra Group
Indra Group (www.indracompany.com) is a holding company that promotes technological progress, which includes Indra, a leading global defence, air traffic and space company; and Minsait, a leader in digital transformation and information technologies in Spain and Latin America. Indra Group drives a safer, more secure and connected future through innovative solutions, trusted relationships and the best talent. Sustainability is part of its strategy and culture, in order to respond to present and future social and environmental challenges. At year-end 2024, Indra Group had revenues of 4,843 million euros, local presence in 49 countries and commercial operations in more than 140 countries.
Luxembourg’s national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) was initially to be financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) with a total of €93.4 million in grants. This allocation accounted for around 51 % of the plan’s total estimated value (€183.1 million), while a further 46 % of the costs were to be covered by the national budget, and 3 % from other EU co-financing. The NRRP has since been adjusted, first to factor in the European Commission’s 2022 recalculations of the grants available to Member States, bringing Luxembourg’s new RRF total to €82.7 million. In May 2024, Luxembourg submitted a newly revised NRRP, including a REPowerEU chapter with its additional allocation, and modifying existing measures. In February 2025, the country submitted another revised version of plan with no financial implications. The estimated total EU contribution to the NRRP stands at €241.1 million, of which €177.3 million have been dedicated to REPowerEU measures (including a €128.5 million transfer from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to the RRF). Luxembourg’s RRF allocation remains the smallest in the EU in absolute figures, and the lowest as a share of grants relative to gross domestic product (GDP) (0.4 % of GDP in 2019). Luxembourg has so far received €90.2 million in RRF grants (pre-financing and two payments). The NRRP aims to address Luxembourg’s structural issues. The measures included complement and build on priorities laid out in the national economic stimulus package from May 2020. The central objective is to support social cohesion and the promotion of a modern, attractive economic environment while responding to climate and environmental challenges. The REPowerEU chapter seeks to advance Luxembourg’s green transition, helping it meet EU energy-related recommendations. With 80.1 % of the funds going to climate objectives and 37.5 % to the digital transition (the latter excluding REPowerEU), the NRRP will contribute to EU efforts in these areas. The European Parliament participates in interinstitutional forums for cooperation and discussion on the implementation of the RRF, and scrutinises the Commission’s work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Fifth edition. The ‘NGEU delivery’ briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans.
As regards individual access of farmers to state aid provided by Member states under Articles 21 and 22 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2472[1], prior registration of the beneficiaries ( agricultural holdings/farmers) is not a condition for receiving state aid contained in the EU State aid legislation in force.
According to these articles, the aid shall be accessible to all eligible undertakings in the area concerned, based on objectively defined conditions.
Moreover, where the provision of the relevant activities is undertaken by producer groups and organisations, membership of such groups or organisations shall not be a condition for access to those activities.
Nevertheless, Member States shall ensure that actions supported under these articles are consistent with the description of the agricultural knowledge and innovation systems provided in the Member State common agricultural policy strategic plan.
The choice of the modalities of implementation of additional requirements unrelated with EU legislation, for instance a prior registration of agricultural holdings/farmers mentioned in the question, is not excluded.
It remains at the discretion of the Member States. However, caution is needed to avoid unnecessary administrative burden limiting access to consultancy services.
The funding initiatives referred to are provided under external action instruments. In the EU’s external action, the majority of the transitional justice-related programmes are supported under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation instrument ( NDICI) — Global Europe and the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace.
Notably, transitional justice is supported as part of the ongoing programming phase under NDICI Global Europe, often as part of broader programmes in the field of justice and rule of law . However, such external action instruments are not applicable inside the EU.
Otherwise, the Commission wishes to refer the honourable member to its responses provided to parliamentary questions P-002838/2024[1] and P-000819/2025[2]. There is currently no further update.
Demographic evidence indicates there is no single solution to address population ageing and decline. The Commission demography toolbox[1] considers a wide range of instruments, resources and policy frameworks to help Member States respond to demographic changes, from adaptation and support measures on the labour market, to pension and health systems, childcare and to long-term care provision, with a view to ensuring intergenerational fairness and territorial cohesion.
The Commission sees that migration can play a complementary role to address labour shortages in specific sectors, in addition to measures to activate and upskill the existing EU workforce[2].
The determination of the conditions for the naturalisation of third-country nationals and acquisition of citizenship is an exclusive competence of the Member States.
Family policies and policies to boost birth rates remain primarily under the competence of Member States. The Commission has put forward a wide range of initiatives, tools and funding opportunities that help create favourable conditions enabling people to pursue their life and family aspirations in the place they call home[3].
These are supported mainly through the cohesion policy funds[4]. Under the European Social Fund Plus, Greece will establish a National Observatory of Demographic Policy to contribute to the implementation of the national action plan for demography.
The design of tax-benefit systems is within the competence of Member States.
[3] For example: The Work-Life Balance Directive aims to improve the balance between work and family lives for parents and carers. The EU Strategy on the rights of the child aims to combat child poverty, improve access to childcare, education and healthcare, and support families in vulnerable situations. The European Child Guarantee aims to ensure that all children at risk of poverty or social exclusion have access to essential services such as education, care, healthcare, nutrition and housing. The Council Recommendation on the revision of the Barcelona targets on early childhood education and care (ECEC) encourages Member States to increase availability, affordability, accessibility and quality of ECEC.
[4] The EU cohesion policy, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the Just Transition Fund (JTF) provides support for start-ups, local small and medium-sized enterprises, investment in public services and transport, thereby contributing to socioeconomic and territorial cohesion. The Talent Booster Mechanism directly addresses brain drain and talent retention, including in Eastern and Southern Europe. The Youth Guarantee aims to ensure that young people receive a job, education or training offer within four months of becoming unemployed.
The current 2021-2027 Erasmus+ programme has enhanced focus on inclusion, substantiated by a Commission Implementing Decision[1], including geographical and socioeconomic barriers.
These measures include dedicated financial support, national inclusion plans, inclusion resource centres, tailored project formats, and inclusion support for mobility activities.
DiscoverEU is an integral part of the Erasmus+ programme since 2021. Under its Inclusion Action, the Erasmus+ National Agencies award specific grants to organisations working with young people with fewer opportunities facing accessibility and outreach barriers, including geographical barriers: participants may receive extra support while travelling, such as the possibility to be accompanied, extra budget for subsistence, mentoring, and support to the journey preparations.
These measures helped to increase the participation rate of individuals with fewer opportunities from 10% over the 2014-2020 programme cycle to around 17% in 2024. This data is currently not disaggregated according to the place of residence of participants.
The Erasmus+ individual support for physical mobility was increased in 2023 and 2024, based on two studies carried out in 2023 performing statistical analysis and market-price research, to cater for raising inflation and new market prices over the last years.
The level of financial support for different programme actions will again be analysed for the future programme generation, supported by robust evidence.
[1] Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1877 of 22 October 2021 on the framework of inclusion measures of the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Programmes 2021-2027 (Text with EEA relevance) C/2021/7493.
A project funded by the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is under implementation.
It aims to promote modernisation of the mining sector in Rwanda and specifically supports technical and vocational education training, skills training , improvement of safe working conditions based on international standards, and digitalisation of mining sector services.
The project was approved under the multiannual indicative programme for Rwanda, for 2021-2023. Project activities do not involve direct mining investments, nor the extraction, transformation or processing of minerals.
The project is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) with the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) and the Integrated Polytechnic Regional College in Kigali, as the two main local partners.
The project is co-financed with BMZ and implemented by GIZ, with whom the Commission has signed a Delegation Agreement. The EU funds under this project are administered directly by GIZ, applying standard regulations in terms of justification of expenses. GIZ is a pillar assessed Member State organisation and project implementation is subject to GIZ contractual rules and internal controls
This means that it is GIZ and not the Commission, who has signed a contract with RMB according to their own pillar-assessed rules. Oversight is also ensured through the Project Steering Committee including the EU Delegation, which provides strategic guidance and oversight.
On 17 March 2025, the EU adopted restrictive measures against, among others, sanctions on the current RMB’s chief executive officer[1]. RMB as an institution has not been sanctioned.
The Commission has requested that GIZ as the implementing partner put in place all possible measures to ensure that the RMB’s chief executive officer does not benefit directly or indirectly, from any support provided to the RMB as an institution.
Regarding the Honourable Members’ first question on Amazon’s 2022 antitrust commitments, the Monitoring Trustee appointed in accordance with the Commitments Decision[1] has been evaluating Amazon’s compliance and provides bi-annual reports to the Commission.
The Commission has been carefully assessing both the Monitoring Trustee’s reports and Amazon’s compliance and is continuously engaging with both to ensure Amazon’s effective compliance with the commitments.
In parallel, and as announced on 25 March 2024, the Commission has been taking steps to assess Amazon’s compliance with Article 6(5) of Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 (Digital Markets Act — DMA)[2] and continues to look into potential self-preferencing practices by Amazon on the Amazon Marketplace.
Regarding the Honourable Members’ second question on Amazon’s automated pricing systems, the Commission is aware of the Federal Trade Commission’s and Bundeskartellamt’s investigations into Amazon’s pricing behaviour.
The Commission is assessing Amazon’s compliance with Article 5(3) DMA and is closely coordinating with the Bundeskartellamt on the investigation into Amazon’s pricing practices.
Regarding the Honourable Members’ third question on Amazon’s compliance report, the Commission shares the view that transparent and complete compliance reports are fundamental to ensuring that all relevant stakeholders can scrutinise DMA compliance.
The Commission is engaging with Amazon to make sure that these reports are as informative and detailed as possible.
[1] Commission Decision of 20 December 2022 relating to a proceeding under Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and Article 54 of the EEA Agreement, Cases AT.40462 — Amazon Marketplace and AT.40703 — Amazon Buy Box, C(2022) 9442 final.
[2] Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 September 2022 on contestable and fair markets in the digital sector and amending Directives (EU) 2019/1937 and (EU) 2020/1828 (Digital Markets Act), OJ L 265, 12.10.2022, p. 1-66.