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Answer to a written question – Development of nuclear energy in the EU – E-000862/2025(ASW)

Source: European Parliament

The choice of the energy sources in the energy mix, and the decision to use or not use nuclear energy, remains within the remit of each Member State in accordance with the Treaty on Functioning of the EU[1].

In order to decarbonize its economy and to end energy dependencies on unreliable suppliers, the EU has been accelerating its energy transition plans.

This transition must be technology neutral[2]. According to The Commission’s projections, all zero and low carbon energy solutions, including nuclear energy, are needed to meet the 2040 decarbonisation targets[3].

The Commission is committed to respecting and applying the principle of technological neutrality , as reflected in the Clean Industrial Deal (CID)[4] and the Affordable Energy Action Plan (AEAP)[5].

As announced in the AEAP, the Commission will assess investments needs in an updated Nuclear Illustrative Programme and the possibility of streamlining current permitting and licensing practices for the deployment of new nuclear technologies in the EU, such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

In addition, the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs was launched to facilitate the deployment of first SMRs in the EU by early 2030s.

The Commission will continue to support the work of the Alliance in line with the mission letter of the Commissioner for Energy and Housing.

The Commission oversees the compatibility of state aid granted by Member States with the EU State aid rules. As announced in the CID, the Commission will assess the state aid for nuclear supply chains and technologies, including SMRs, in line with the Treaty and with respect to technological neutrality.

  • [1] Article194 of the Treaty on Functioning of the European Union.
  • [2] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: ‘A Competitiveness Compass for the EU’ (https://european-research-area.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/2025-01/COM%202025%2030%20-%20A%20Competitiveness%20Compass%20for%20the%20EU%20_%2029-1-2025.pdf).
  • [3] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: ‘Securing Europe’s 2040 climate target and path to climate neutrality by 2050 building a sustainable, just and prosperous society’ (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2024%3A63%3AFIN).
  • [4] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/9db1c5c8-9e82-467b-ab6a-905feeb4b6b0_en
  • [5] https://energy.ec.europa.eu/document/download/7e2e6198-b6b8-46fe-b263-984b437da3ab_en?filename=Communication%20-%20Action%20Plan%20for%20Affordable%20Energy.pdf
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Answer to a written question – The need to update Europe’s policy on the Ukrainian conflict given recent diplomatic trends and the changing international landscape – E-000683/2025(ASW)

Source: European Parliament

The President of the Commission welcomed the proposal for a ceasefire which came out of the US-Ukraine talks in Jeddah on 11 March 2025, as a positive development that can be a step towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. She declared that the EU is ready to take its full part in the upcoming peace negotiations[1].

Similarly, the High Representative/Vice-President, in the statement on behalf of the EU, welcomed the ceasefire proposal, as well as humanitarian efforts and the resumption of the United States’ intelligence sharing and security assistance.

She reiterated that the EU’s objective is to support Ukraine to reach a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, based on the principles of the United Nations’ Charter and international law.

She declared that the EU is ready to play its full part in supporting the upcoming steps, together with Ukraine, the United States, and other partners. She underlined that it is now for Russia to show its willingness to achieve peace[2].

  • [1] https://x.com/vonderleyen/status/1899538326438261074
  • [2] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/03/11/ukraine-statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-following-the-ukraine-us-meeting-in-saudi-arabia/
Last updated: 30 April 2025

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Answer to a written question – Implementation of NextGenerationEU funds – E-000831/2025(ASW)

Source: European Parliament

NextGenerationEU comprises the Resilience and Recovery Facility (RRF) as well as other smaller instruments such as the Recovery assistance for cohesion and the territories of Europe (REACT-EU).

The RRF is a performance-based instrument under which disbursements are made upon satisfactory fulfilment of milestones and targets.

Should the Commission assess that milestones or targets of an instalment are not satisfactorily fulfilled, the payment is suspended in part or in full.

If the Member State does not take necessary measures to fulfil the respective milestones or targets within six months from the suspension, the Commission reduces the amount of the financial contribution and, where applicable, of the loan.

When the implementation of projects is no longer achievable, either partially or totally, by the Member State concerned because of objective circumstances, the Member State may make a reasoned request to the Commission to make a proposal to amend or replace the measures concerned in the Plan[1].

The conditions under which an entity/beneficiary must repay the funds depend on the specific terms of the relevant measure, as set by the national authorities.

Member States are the beneficiaries of the RRF, where disbursements are made upon fulfilment of the relevant milestones and targets. Final recipients, such as municipalities for instance, receive funding from RRF-supported measures upon fulfilment of the specific conditions of the concerned measures.

For the purpose of audit and control, Member States should collect and ensure access to a list of any measures for the implementation of reforms and investment projects under the plan with the total amount of public funding of those measures and indicating the amount of funds paid under the Facility and under other EU funds.

  • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021R0241 see Article 21.
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Oral question – Corruption in Spain regarding the allocation of EU funds on the basis of a guarantee of stable employment – O-000013/2025

Source: European Parliament

Question for oral answer  O-000013/2025
to the Commission
Rule 142
Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal
on behalf of the PfE Group

On 23 December 2024, the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, convened an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers to modify the conditions for the second allocation of NextGenerationEU funds (Reform 6, component 23). The meeting approved the modification of paragraph 10 of the 44th additional provision of the recast General Social Security Law on urgent measures for labour reform, the guarantee of stability in employment and the transformation of the labour market. The aforementioned allocation of funds had been conditional on companies being granted an exemption from paying social security contributions if they provided employees who had previously been affected by temporary collective dismissals with a minimum guarantee of six months’ employment. The new version of paragraph 10 eliminates this guarantee, which had been agreed upon with the Commission, and instead makes exemptions from social security contributions conditional upon companies’ compliance with a longer period, that is, a period of between six months and two years after a temporary collective dismissal.

In the light of the above:

  • 1.Can the Commission confirm whether it was aware of the new version of paragraph 10 of the 44th additional provision of the recast General Social Security Law?
  • 2.Can the Commission evaluate this modification in the light of the principle of legal security?
  • 3.Can the Commission assess whether this modification might entail a deviation of EU funds?
  • 4.Can the Commission assess whether this modification might entail a deterioration of Spanish companies, of the situation of Spanish workers and, ultimately, of Spain’s productive sectors?
  • 5.Finally, if the Commission is not in a position to answers questions two to four, what measures has it taken (if it answered ‘yes’ to question one) or does it intend to take (if it answered ‘no’ to question one) to investigate and address any possible irregularity, in order to ensure maximum transparency and soundness in the allocation of EU funds?

Submitted: 28.4.2025

Lapses: 29.7.2025

Last updated: 30 April 2025

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Answer to a written question – The withdrawal of the horizontal equal treatment directive from the Commission work programme – P-000962/2025(ASW)

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
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Answer to a written question – EU’s defence and security: restriction on lead in ammunition under the REACH Regulation – P-000698/2025(ASW)

Source: European Parliament

The Union’s security and defence capabilities are top priorities of this Commission. For this reason, military and security uses of lead ammunition are outside of the scope of this restriction dossier.

In addition, the Commission has ensured that the proposed restriction will not affect (i) the ability of the European industry to produce ammunition at the required scale for military purposes, (ii) the economic viability of shooting ranges and (iii) military preparedness and national security training.

This was done by proposing a permanent derogation that does not require the installation of additional risk management measures for the use of lead bullets in civilian shooting ranges.

According to the European Chemicals Agency, the market for lead ammunition is mostly driven by bullets for sport shooting (42 000 tonnes of lead bullets are used annually for sports shooting, compared with only 134 tonnes for hunting).

The proposed derogation for the use of lead bullets in sports shooting ranges will ensure that the demand, and therefore the production of lead bullets, will remain at pre-restriction levels.

Consequently, civilian production lines for lead bullets are expected to remain economically viable and available should there be a need to scale up production for military uses.

Since the derogation for the use of lead bullets in civilian shooting ranges does not require the installation of new risks management measures, the economic viability of those ranges and their continued availability for the voluntary military training of reservists is guaranteed.

Last updated: 30 April 2025

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Answer to a written question – Commission’s response to the recent DANA in Spain – E-001087/2025(ASW)

Source: European Parliament

1. In January 2025 , the Spanish authorities submitted an application for financial assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund[1]. The Commission’s assessment confirmed that the application is eligible and an advance of EUR 100 million to help kick-start recovery operations has been paid[2]. Next, it will determine the amount of the assistance, within the limits of the available financial resources, and submit a proposal to the European Parliament and the Council for approval which takes at least 6 weeks.

2. In December 2024, the Commission-proposed amendment to the European Regional Development Fund/Cohesion Fund Regulation and the European Social Fund+ Regulation (Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction (RESTORE))[3] was adopted, which allows national, regional and local authorities to quickly mobilise Cohesion Policy funds to respond to disasters. RESTORE funds disaster reconstruction, prevention and the mitigation of socioeconomic impacts[4]. The Commission is yet to receive a request from Spain to redirect funds.

3. The European Climate Law[5] mandates Member States to ensure progress in enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change. Member States are required to adopt and implement national adaptation strategies and plans and consider the particular vulnerability of relevant sectors.

The Commission also announced[6] a European Climate Adaptation Plan to further support Member States in preparedness and resilience planning. The Commission will also ensure that all relevant EU programmes contribute to climate resilience[7]. For instance, Member States are encouraged to reprogram their Cohesion Policy programmes towards climate adaptation, particularly in high-risk regions.

  • [1] Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3) as amended by Regulation (EU) No 661/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 May 2014 (OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p. 143) and by Regulation (EU) 2020/461 of the European Parliament and the Council of 30 March 2020 (OJ L 99, 31.3.2020, p. 9).
  • [2] The EU Solidarity Fund may cover part of the costs for emergency and recovery operations incurred by public authorities. This includes, for example, the recovery of essential infrastructure, provision of temporary accommodation to the population, cleaning-up operations, and protection of cultural heritage.
  • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202403236
  • [4] Measures under the RESTORE priorities will benefit from an increased maximum co-financing rate of 95%, along with an additional pre-financing rate of 25%.
  • [5] Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (′European Climate Law′) (OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, pp. 1-17).
  • [6] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683-f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf
  • [7] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52024DC0091
Last updated: 30 April 2025

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Answer to a written question – Concern over recent mass killings in Syria – E-001025/2025(ASW)

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/
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Answer to a written question – Addressing obstacles to the effective cross-border provision of insurance – E-000442/2025(ASW)

Source: European Parliament

1. While financial institutions are subject to some common EU rules, in particular in the regulatory field, indirect taxation of insurance transactions, apart from the place of taxation, has not yet been harmonised at EU level. Some Member States do not subject insurance transactions to any form of indirect taxation while the majority apply special taxes and other forms of contribution to insurance transactions, including surcharges intended for compensation bodies. The structure and rates of such taxes and contributions vary considerably between the Member States in which they are applied[1]. Pending subsequent harmonisation[2], the tax rules provided for by the Member State in which the risk is situated or by the Member State in which the commitment continue to apply. The Commission is engaged in preparatory work to identify solutions to barriers to integration, cross-border operations and digitalisation and innovation stemming from the current tax framework for the financial sector.

2. The Commission is currently preparing a report on the application of Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2012 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (recast). The report will present the first general assessment of the application of the regulation after the recast in 2012. The report looks, among others, into the matters relating to the rules on jurisdiction over insurance contracts. Based on the findings of the report, the Commission will consider whether any further steps are necessary, including the possible amendment of the current rules on jurisdiction in insurance matters.

  • [1] Recital 87 of Directive 2009/138/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the taking-up and pursuit of the business of Insurance and Reinsurance (Solvency II), OJ L 335, 17/12/2009, p. 1-155.
  • [2] Article 157 of Directive 2009/138/EC.
Last updated: 30 April 2025

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Latest news – Meeting of Wednesday 7 May 2025, Strasbourg – Delegation for relations with the Maghreb countries and the Arab Maghreb Union, including the EU-Morocco, EU-Tunisia and EU-Algeria Joint Parliamentary Committees

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