Author: MIL OSI Publisher

Source: European Parliament

In preparing the first work programme of the mandate, the Commission has thoroughly assessed all proposals currently pending with the co-legislators.

In its assessment, the Commission took into account whether proposals were actively being considered and agreement could be reached or, on the contrary, blocked for a very long time and/or have any real perspective of progress.

As a result of this assessment, the Commission put forward a list of 37 proposals it intends to withdraw. This includes the proposal for a Council Directive on equal treatment[1] presented 17 years ago, in 2008.

In line with the interinstitutional agreement on better law making, the Commission will take due account of the positions of the Council and of the European Parliament before deciding on withdrawal of the proposals.

While a majority of the Member States have indicated their support to the proposal, some of them have expressed concerns related to potential implementation costs and administrative impact, the respect of the subsidiarity principle and legal certainty.

The Commission has consistently supported the Council Presidencies and the Member States to help them in making progress towards the adoption of the Council Directive.

Building an EU of equality remains a key priority for the Commission, as demonstrated by the recent adoption of the Roadmap for Women’s Rights[2] and the preparation of new strategies on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer equality, anti-racism and gender equality.

• [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52008PC0426
• [2] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_681

Source: European Parliament

Source: European Parliament

Source: European Parliament

The EU has been gravely alarmed by the recent violence in Syria’s coastal region, which claimed a high number of victims, including civilians.

On 11 March 2025, the High Representative/Vice-President issued a statement[1] on behalf of the EU, strongly condemning the attacks by pro-Assad militias as well as the horrific crimes committed against civilians, many of which were allegedly perpetrated by armed groups supporting the security forces of the transitional authorities.

The EU called for a swift, transparent and impartial investigation to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. It welcomed the transitional authorities’ commitments, in particular the establishment of an investigative committee.

It further called on the transitional authorities to allow the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic to investigate all violations.

The EU also supports accountability mechanisms in Syria, including the Impartial and Independent Mechanism and the Independent Institution on Missing Persons. Everything must be done to prevent such crimes from happening again.

The EU urges all parties to protect Syrians from all religious and ethnic backgrounds without discrimination. The EU is also in contact with interim authorities and local actors, including civil society, to advocate for an inclusive, peaceful, Syrian-owned and Syrian-led political transition grounded on the respect of international law, human rights, fundamental freedoms, pluralism and tolerance as well as on the values of rule of law and accountability.

The suspension in February 2025 of a number of restrictive measures is part of a gradual, reversible approach. The EU will continue to monitor closely developments on the ground.

• [1] Syria: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the recent wave of violence, 11/03/2025. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/03/11/syria-statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-the-recent-wave-of-violence/

Source: European Parliament

Source: European Parliament

The next DMAG meeting will take place on 7 May 2025, from 16.30 to 18.00, in Strasbourg, room CHURCHILL 200.

The Delegation will hold an exchange of views on the current political situation in Libya with:

• H.E. Mr Nicola Orlando – Head of the EU Delegation to Libya

and an exchange of views on the situation in Mauritania and the EU-Mauritania relations (in camera) with:

• H.E. Mr Joaquin Tasso Vilallonga, Head of the EU Delegation in Mauritania

Source: European Parliament

Source: European Parliament

Since the adoption of the European Parliament resolution[1] on investor residence schemes[2], the Commission has taken action to address the risks related to security, money-laundering, tax evasion and corruption.

In its 2022 Recommendation[3], the Commission called on Member States to take measures to prevent such risks and take specific actions regarding investor residence permit granted to nationals of Russia and Belarus.

The new Anti-Money Laundering package[4] also introduces strict obligations on involved actors and requires Member States running these schemes to assess and monitor risks, and to put in place mitigating measures.

In addition, the proposed recast of the Long-Term Residents Directive[5] includes rules to prevent third-country investors from abusively acquiring EU long-term resident status.

With regards to the social impact of “golden visa” schemes, the Commission notes that in respect of the subsidiarity and proportionality principles, primary responsibility for housing is within the remit of Member States, and regional and local authorities. However, the Commission is already providing support to Member States through a variety of funding and programmes[6].

In addition, the Commission appointed the first-ever Commissioner responsible for housing and established a Task Force for Housing. The Commission will put forward a European Affordable Housing Plan to help national, regional and local authorities address structural drivers of the housing crisis.

The Commission will foster investments in affordable housing through a pan-European investment platform[7], by allowing Member States to double cohesion policy investments in this area and by reviewing state aid rules to enable housing support measures.

• [1] European Parliament resolution of 9 March 2022 with proposals to the Commission on citizenship and residence by investment schemes (2021/2026(INL)) proposed to phase out CBI (Citizenship by investment Schemes) by 2025, and proposed other measures to address the risks posed by RBI (Residence by investment schemes) which are commonly named as ‘golden visas (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2022-0065_EN.pdf).
• [2] Commonly known as “golden visa” schemes.
• [3] C(2022) 2028 final, Commission Recommendation on immediate steps in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in relation to investor citizenship and investor residence schemes .
• [4] In particular: Directive (EU) 2024/1640 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2024 on the mechanisms to be put in place by Member States for the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing, amending Directive(EU) 2019/1937, and amending and repealing Directive (EU) 2015/849; Regulation (EU) 2024/1624 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2024 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing.
• [5] COM(2022) 650 final.
• [6] Including the Recovery and Resilience Plans, the European Regional Development Fund , the Cohesion Fund and Just Transition Fund, as well as the InvestEU programme’s Social Investments and skills window and sustainable infrastructure window and the European Social Fund+ .
• [7] To be established in cooperation with the European Investment Bank and other financial institutions.

Source: European Parliament

On 14 May from 15:00 to 16:15, together with the CONT committee, the FISC Subcommittee will invite Mr François-Roger Cazala, Member responsible of the European Court of Auditors (ECA) to present its the Special report 08/2025 on “Value Added Tax fraud on imports – The EU’s financial interests are insufficiently protected under simplified import customs procedures”.

Value Added Tax (VAT) fraud negatively affects the collection of revenues in Member States as well as in the EU. According to the Commission, Member States lost around €89 billion in 2022. Fraud committed by traders on VAT levied on imports contributes to this loss and is one of the main types of cross-border VAT fraud affecting the fiscal policies and public finances of the EU. “The EU’s financial interests and single market are not protected firmly enough against Value Added Tax (VAT) fraud on imports when simplified import customs procedures are used”, according to ECA. There are serious weaknesses in the checks carried out by Member States and shortcomings in the cooperation at EU level and across Member States to combat the abuse of these procedures. The presentation will provide an opportunity for ECA to present its report and discuss its findings with CONT and FISC Members.

Source: European Parliament

This briefing assesses the economic, financial, and monetary implications of the tariffs announced by the Trump administration for the EU. Starting with an overview of US measures and EU countermeasures, it analyses the impact on the EU economy across sectors and member states, explains monetary policy challenges for the ECB, and discusses strategic options for European policymakers. As the situation evolves rapidly, the assessment provided in this briefing reflects information available as of 29 April 2025, with updates to follow as developments unfold.