Source: European Parliament
Ahead of the 3rd EU-AU Ministerial Meeting, EP Members engaged in high-level discussions with representatives from the African Union Commission and African Member States.
Written question – US tariffs on cinema – E-001965/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001965/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Catherine Griset (PfE)
Donald Trump has announced that he wants to introduce 100 % tariffs on foreign-made films shown in the US.
However, as these are services rather than goods, it is unclear how the US intends to apply the tariffs.
Member States that encourage filmmakers from third countries to film in that Member State, using various means to do so (such as tax credits or quotas on European works), could see these tariffs affect our film industry. This is occurring in a context where European cinema accounts for only 34 % of cinema admissions and 30 % of streaming views in Europe.
Finally, films are sometimes wrongly classified as European when one of the producers is established in Europe. With the new US tariffs, this classification could come back to bite those who have such arrangements.
- 1.Does the Commission have any information on the new tariffs?
- 2.Is it considering ways to protect our film industry, including through retaliatory measures?
- 3.Does it agree that there is now an urgent need for a clearer definition of what qualifies as a European work?
Submitted: 15.5.2025
Last updated: 22 May 2025
Hydrogen’s pressure fix
Source: European Investment Bank
Decarbonising heavy transport is tricky. Electric buses and trucks are expensive, and they take a long time to charge.
Hydrogen could solve the problem. It’s easy to transport and can refuel a heavy vehicle in minutes. But hydrogen, the lightest of elements, has a low energy content, so it must be compressed to fit enough of the gas into a vehicle to run it. The problem: hydrogen is highly flammable, and compression heats it up.
“You need to build up the pressure very carefully, because you can’t just put highly pressurised gas into a tank,” says Herman Roose, chief financial officer at Resato Hydrogen Technology, a Dutch company that has been working on hydrogen refuelling since 2016. “Without the right approach, it will heat up to over 100 degrees, which is very dangerous.”
High pressure is what makes hydrogen a viable fuel. The light and airy gas must be compressed to 700 bars for a car and about 350 bars for a truck, although new heavy vehicle technologies may require 700 bars. The overall system needs to maintain a pressure of 950 bars, roughly equivalent to the pressure in the deepest parts of the ocean. “That’s not easy,” Roose says.
The company’s technology pressurises the gas without having the temperature rise too fast. If it does, the pumping system shuts off. Pulling up to a petrol station and seeing “out of order” on a pump isn’t a big deal when you can just drive a couple kilometres to the next station. Hydrogen refuelling stations, however, will be far and few between – about 200 kilometres apart on major roads, according to EU plans.
Resato sells its system directly to big station operators, like Total of France and Hypion of Germany. The whole process fits in a shed-like structure that sits above ground and pumps compressed hydrogen to fuelling points with specialised nozzles for cars, trucks and buses.
“A lot of operators buy components for hydrogen refuelling, put them together and hope the system works,” Roose says. “But we have our own fully integrated and owned technology.”
The European Investment Bank signed a €25 million venture debt facility with Resato Hydrogen in January. The financing was made possible by an InvestEU guarantee.
Latest news – 3rd EU-African Union Ministerial Meeting – High Level Meetings with the EP – Delegation for relations with the Pan-African Parliament
Source: European Parliament
Ahead of the 3rd EU-AU Ministerial Meeting, EP Members engaged in high-level discussions with representatives from the African Union Commission and African Member States.
Highlights – HOUS mission to Barcelona, 26-28 May 2025 – Special committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union
Source: European Parliament
Housing Committee to discuss housing needs in Barcelona A delegation from the Committee on Housing is travelling to Barcelona to meet local, regional and national governments, economic and social actors and education and research institutions.
Answer to a written question – Promoting knowledge learning and transfer in the crafts and heritage restoration professions – E-000968/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
The traditional crafts and heritage occupations typically require vocational education and training (VET). The Commission has recently launched the Union of Skills[1], a comprehensive strategy that addresses skills across all levels of education, and across all sectors of the economy, so that artisans can be supported to sustain and preserve their skills.
Organisations from the craft and heritage sector can join the European Alliance for Apprenticeship (EAfA)[2] to network and exchange with other organisations, i.e. about how to reduce administrative burden.
Under the Pact for Skills, the large-scale skills partnership for Cultural and Creative industries[3] identified supporting VET initiatives that can serve the preservation and the further development of technical skills, arts and crafts as the priority.
Thanks to Regulation (EU) 2023/2411[4], as from December 2025, producers of craft and industrial products will be able to obtain an EU-wide registration of their geographical indication. This new protection tool is known for helping to pass on know-how, particularly to younger generations.
Horizon Europe currently funds four projects on ‘traditional crafts for the future: a new approach’[5]. The Erasmus+ programme contributes to the learning and exchange of know-how in the crafts, as part of VET learning mobility of apprentices and cooperation projects[6].
The Creative Europe programme contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage, including the transmission and promotion of heritage professionals’ skills and craft through several actions among which are Europa Nostra[7] and Culture Moves Europe[8].
Artisans specialising in heritage restoration may apply for individual mobility grants and participate in residencies.
- [1] https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/union-skills_en.
- [2] https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/skills-and-qualifications/working-together/european-alliance-apprenticeships_en.
- [3] https://pact-for-skills.ec.europa.eu/about/industrial-ecosystems-and-partnerships/creative-and-cultural-industries_en.
- [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2411/oj/eng.
- [5] Namely Tracks4crafts, Colour4crafts, Hephaestus, and Craeft; https://cordis.europa.eu/programme/id/HORIZON_HORIZON-CL2-2022-HERITAGE-01-04.
Other crafts-focused projects include Culturality (https://culturalityproject.eu/), aimed at promoting rural and remote areas through cultural tourism activities leveraging traditional crafts, CRAFT-IT4SD (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101132596), focused on craft revitalization for futureproofing the transition to innovative technologies for sustainable development, and Make-a-Thek (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101177660/fr), Modular library makerspaces for heritage crafts innovation and digitization. - [6] For more information on Erasmus+ opportunities, please refer to: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/4f38e3b2-39b7-11ed-9c68-01aa75ed71a1/language-en.
- [7] A pan-European network dedicated to the promotion of heritage professional voices.
- [8] A mobility scheme for artists and cultural professionals in all 40 creative Europe countries and covering sectors such as architecture and cultural heritage.
Last updated: 22 May 2025
Answer to a written question – The detrimental impact of housing market regulation on supply and prices – E-001072/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
The Commission is carrying out a consultation during 2025 on the issues related to affordable housing raised by the Honourable Member, and following that, will put forward a European Affordable Housing Plan (EAHP). This Plan will assess the specificities of the rental market, too.
The Commission will also analyse and — if necessary — make further proposals related to short-term accommodation rentals and/or make proposals to address the use of the current housing stock.
In addition, the Commission will conduct an analysis of the impact of housing speculation and its economic consequences, as well as propose follow-up actions where needed.
At the same time, the Commission notes that housing — in line with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality — is mainly a responsibility of Member States, regions and local authorities and in developing the EAHP, the Commission will respect these principles.
While the Commission does not at this stage plan to produce a report on the impact of national regulations on housing availability in the Member States, the Commission seeks solutions where value can be added at EU level and aims at facilitating the sharing of best practices among stakeholders.
The Commission notes that it is important to attract private investments to housing. The Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) group have recently laid the foundations for a new pan-European investment platform for affordable and sustainable housing[1].
The Commission will continue to work with EIB, national promotional banks, international financial institutions and other stakeholders to support local and national efforts.
- [1] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_671.
Last updated: 22 May 2025
Answer to a written question – Securing the EU’s external borders in the context of new migration flows – E-000996/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
The Commission recognises the challenges faced by Member States at EU external borders in managing migration flows. The Commission will continue to provide financial assistance through the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (BMVI) established by Regulation (EU) 2021/1148[1], and operational support via the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), as set out in Regulation (EU) 2019/1896[2].
The Commission adopted a decision to provide an additional EUR 3 billion to support Member States with the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum and to host refugees from Ukraine[3].
Frontex’s deployment of personnel and equipment to vulnerable regions will be enhanced, subject to the available budget as well as Member State agreement and cooperation.
The Commission is committed to strengthening Frontex’s capacity. Plans to increase logistical, financial, and operational support are under review, with a focus on ensuring adequate resources for border management. The Commission will work closely with Member States to assess needs and allocate resources effectively.
Well-managed integration of migrants is part of the Pact on Asylum and Migration[4] and is important for its success. In the framework of the action plan on integration and inclusion[5], the Commission provides financial support to Member States on migrants’ integration under EU funds, such as Asylum Migration and Integration Funds[6] and the European Social Fund+[7], and promotes exchanges of good practices.
- [1] Regulation (EU) 2021/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing, as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund, the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy, OJ L 251, 15.7.2021, p. 48-93, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1148/oj.
- [2] Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 November 2019 on the European Border and Coast Guard and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1052/2013 and (EU) 2016/1624, OJ L 295, 14.11.2019, p. 1-131, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/1896/oj.
- [3] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_1176.
- [4] https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/pact-migration-and-asylum_en.
- [5] Action plan on integration and inclusion 2021-2027 | European Website on Integration, https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/legal-migration-resettlement-and-integration/integration/action-plan-integration-and-inclusion_en.
- [6] Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, OJ L 251, 15.7.2021, p. 1-47, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1147/oj.
- [7] Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1296/2013, OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 21-59, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1057/oj.
Last updated: 22 May 2025
Answer to a written question – Italy’s refusal to comply with its obligations under the Dublin Regulation – E-000534/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
The Dublin III Regulation[1] does not foresee sanctions in case of suspension of the taking charge and taking back of applicants for international protection by the Member State designated as responsible.
The Commission takes note of the judgment of the European Court of Justice in joined cases C-185/24 and C-189/24[2].
The proper functioning of the Dublin system is essential for achieving the common European objectives on migration and asylum. The Commission is working closely with Member States on the good functioning of Dublin transfers, and to ensure a successful transition to the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation[3].
- [1] Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an application for international protection lodged in one of the Member States by a third-country national or a stateless person (recast) — OJ L180/31 of 29/06/2013.
- [2] Judgment of 19 December 2024, Tudmur, Joined Cases C-185/24, C-189/24, paragraph 42, EU:C:2024:1036.
- [3] Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on asylum and migration management, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1147 and (EU) 2021/1060 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 — OJ L2024/1351 of 22/05/2024.
Last updated: 22 May 2025
Answer to a written question – Evaluation and future of the European Platform on Combating Homelessness – E-001367/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
The European Platform on Combatting Homelessness was launched by the Lisbon Declaration in 2021 as a framework of cooperation, knowledge building and mutual learning, coordinated and facilitated by the Commission.
In the context of the Platform, the Commission supports various ongoing projects and activities in the area of homelessness which strengthen the evidence base on the extent and nature of homelessness, provide concrete policy guidance to policy-makers[1] and enhance capabilities at national and local level.
The work programme of the Platform, adopted in February 2022, guided its activities for the period 2022-2024[2]. A new work programme is planned to be discussed by its members in view of its adoption in June 2025.
During the next phase, the Platform is meant to continue supporting national, regional and local authorities to develop integrated, housing-led strategies, monitor their actual impact and optimize the use of funding sources, as the European Social Fund Plus, to implement sustainable solutions.
Also, the Platform’s work in relation to the scope, the drivers and effective policy responses should contribute to the preparation of future EU initiatives related to homelessness such as the new Action Plan of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy and the European Affordable Housing Plan.
Since its launch the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness has evolved into an impactful initiative, illustrated by the adoption of national strategies in several Member States.
The Commission remains fully committed to further strengthening its added value and thus reinforce concerted responses at all levels to effectively address the most extreme manifestation of poverty and social exclusion.
- [1] The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Policy Toolkit on homelessness, launched in December 2024 provides guidance for policy-makers to prevent people from becoming homeless, support people who are experiencing homelessness, and provide sustainable pathways out of homelessness. Accessible here https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-toolkit-to-combat-homelessness_0fec780e-en.html.
- [2] https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/4c863f95-cf93-4581-8b36-33259f9e8663_en?filename=UDW%20TRW1_ex_summary.pdf.