Category: English

Question for written answer  E-003914/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Bogdan Rzońca (ECR)

In its proposal for a regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime affairs, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034 (COM/2025/565), the Commission rightly highlights the importance of border and rural regions.

However, the definition of ‘eastern border regions’ in Annexes V and VII only includes regions bordering Russia and Belarus, excluding regions that border Ukraine, such as the Podkarpackie region. This does not reflect geopolitical realities, Podkarpackie’s role as the EU’s gateway to the East, or the region’s humanitarian, economic and logistical role in supporting Ukraine.

In addition, the proposal involves centralising the management of the cohesion policy within the framework of the National and Regional Partnership Plan, limiting the participation of regional governments that have proven experience in implementing EU funds.

Taking the above into consideration:

• 1.How does the Commission intend to ensure that regions bordering Ukraine, including Podkarpackie, are fully recognised and receive targeted support in the post-2027 cohesion policy?
• 2.What mechanisms will ensure the effective and decisive participation of regional authorities in programming and delivering EU funds?
• 3.Will the Commission commit to maintaining a separate guaranteed envelope for border regions that fulfil a strategic role for the EU as a whole?

Submitted: 6.10.2025

Question for written answer  E-004204/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nikolas Farantouris (The Left), Elena Kountoura (The Left), Yannis Maniatis (S&D), Sakis Arnaoutoglou (S&D), Nikos Papandreou (S&D)

Almost three years after the tragic railway accident at Tempi, and despite the infringement proceedings launched by the Commission against Greece for systemic deficiencies in railway safety[1], the design of the new railway line between Nea Karvali and Toxotes has raised significant concerns among local communities and citizens’ organisations[2]. The Council of State[3] held that the decision approving environmental conditions (DAEC) for the railway project did not take into account the high risk of serious accidents and/or disasters resulting from the project’s proximity to a natural gas pipeline and pre-existing industrial installations for the production of highly hazardous substances such as ammonia, acidic and nitrogen fertilisers, which fall within the scope of the Seveso III Directive on the control of major-accident hazards[4]. The competent ministry temporarily suspended the relevant DAEC until the highlighted safety issues have been investigated and appropriate specific measures to eliminate the identified risks are incorporated into that decision[5].

Given that the implementation of this project is being financed by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), will the Commission say:

• 1.Does it consider that the current design of the project entails safety issues and the risk of a major accident?
• 2.How will it address the risks identified in relation to the existing project design?
• 3.How will it ensure that the requirements of European law are fully respected in the context of the project’s implementation?

Submitted: 25.10.2025

• [1] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/inf_24_6006
• [2] https://www.dimokratia.gr/politiki/598437/chimiki-vomva-kai-kindynos-gia-nea-tempi-stin-kavala/
• [3] https://www.adjustice.gr/webcenter/faces/wcnav_externalId/search-caselaws?bltId=34F87BDCB77D2048AE38230B377C3112&_afrLoop=23307861367611066#!%40%40%3F_afrLoop%3D23307861367611066%26bltId%3D34F87BDCB77D2048AE38230B377C3112%26_adf.ctrl-state%3D9ijdho5ne_104
• [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:32012L0018
• [5] https://kavalawebnews.gr/eidiseis/epikairotita/prota-i-asfaleia-ton-politon-kai-meta-tha-sfyrixei-to-treno/

The Services Directive[1] applies to all economic activities provided for remuneration, except those expressly excluded in its Article 2. Specialised markets, including those with a cultural or heritage character, are not excluded from its scope.

However, the Services Directive allows Member States to introduce certain measures restricting the exercise of a service activity if justified for reasons of overriding public interest. This includes, notably, the protection of the urban environment or the conservation of the national historic and artistic heritage. Such measures should comply with all the conditions laid down by this directive .

• [1] Directive 2006/123/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on services in the internal market (OJ L 376, 27.12.2006, p. 36).

Cohesion Policy is the EU’s main policy for supporting all regions with their socioeconomic development.

During the 2021-2027 programming period, Cohesion Policy has supported the sector and the regions in which this sector is present: alternative fuels infrastructure (mostly electric charging points), the purchase of electrical vehicles for public services, measures to support research and innovation in the sector, and the support of strategic technologies through Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) for automotive enterprises and their value chains.

Via the Smart Specialisation Strategies, various regions have made the automotive industry one of their investment priorities for European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) investment and are focusing resources on its transformation.

Recently, the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2025/1914 has allowed regions more possibilities to support large enterprises, including in the automotive sector. Also, energy interconnectors have been introduced as a strategic priority for Cohesion Policy.

Furthermore, to achieve a just transition and maintain competitiveness, it is important to invest in workers to help them navigate the challenges faced by the sector in synergy with the ERDF creating quality jobs in enterprises.

The Commission proposed targeted amendments to the European Globalisation Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) regulations[1].

The scope of EGF would be extended to support companies in restructuring processes to protect employees against the risk of unemployment, while the amendments to the ESF+ regulation would allow Member States to reprogramme more money for the automotive sector.

• [1] Which are currently under examination by co-legislators.

In Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan[1], the Commission indicated that it would ‘explore measures on exposure to ultraviolet radiation, including from sunbeds…’.

The Commission concluded that more information on the effectiveness of preventive and mitigation measures is needed to have a comprehensive understanding of how policy recommendations could lead to a better protection of EU citizens from health risks associated with the use of sunbeds, beyond the protection already provided under the directive 2014/35/EU[2] (the Low Voltage Directive — LVD)[3].

All sunbeds used for tanning purposes must comply with the health and safety requirements set in the LVD, which covers cancer-related risks. The LVD covered the conditions relating to the placing on the market of sunbeds.

The harmonised standard on sunbeds under the LVD (EN 60335-2-27:2013/AC:2021-11[4]) may be used by manufacturers to prove compliance with the LVD requirements. National authorities are responsible for transposing, implementing and enforcing the LVD.

As for the safety aspects and risks relating to the use of sunbeds which are not covered by the LVD, the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988[5] applies. Furthermore, the general consumer protection rules on misleading and comparative advertising apply.

The Commission will consider further measures if there is compelling evidence that such measures would result in a better protection of EU citizens from health risks associated with the use of sunbeds and provided that such measures respect the responsibilities of the Member States for the definition of their health policy and for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care (Article 168(7) TFEU).

• [1] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/promoting-our-european-way-life/european-health-union/cancer-plan-europe_en.
• [2] http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/35/oj.
• [3] See also reply to Parliamentary Question E-0101259/2025: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2025-001259-ASW_EN.html.
• [4] https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/scheer/docs/sunbeds_co44_en.pdf.
• [5] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/988/oj.

The EU, in coordination with partners, will continue to provide political, financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine, in line with the joint security commitments[1].

So far, the EU and its Member States have provided EUR 177.5 billion in overall support to Ukraine and Ukrainians, including about EUR 63.5 billion in military support, with EUR 6.1 billion via the European Peace Facility. The EU will also continue with restrictive measures against Russia.

On 6 March 2025, the European Council called to accelerate the development of defence capabilities. The White Paper on European Defence Readiness[2] linked these capabilities with actions to strengthen the European defence industry, the required investments, and the work with partners, including Ukraine.

The Security Action for Europe instrument[3] will provide EUR 150 billion for Member States’ common procurement. 16 Member States have also activated the EU National Escape Clause enabling budgetary flexibility of up to 1.5% of gross domestic product for additional defence expenditure over the next 4 years.

Efforts in the field of energy resilience and the protection of critical infrastructure are directed at achieving the EU’s full energy independence from Russia. Timely implementation of the REPowerEU roadmap[4] is a priority.

To accelerate Russian energy import phase-out, the Commission proposed a ban on Russian Liquefied Natural Gas imports by end-2026, as part of the 19th sanctions package.

• [1]  https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/oredhmis/eu-ukraine-security-commitments-en.pdf.
• [2]  https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-industry/white-paper-european-defence-readiness-2030_en.
• [3]  https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-industry/safe-security-action-europe_en#:~:text=Adopted%20by%20the%20Council%20of,European%20defence%20industry%2C%20with%20a.
• [4]  https://commission.europa.eu/topics/energy/repowereu_en.