European Parliament

Letter from the ECB President to Ms Clara Ponsatí Obiols, MEP, on Eurosystem institutional issues

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, January 28, 2024

As highlighted in my previous letters, independence is essential to the proper functioning of the European

Key Points: 
  • As highlighted in my previous letters, independence is essential to the proper functioning of the European
    System of Central Banks (ESCB).
  • The ECB considers matters relating to this principle to be of the utmost
    importance.
  • I recall that, in the case at issue, no complaint nor allegation of removal from office or forced
    resignation has been communicated to the ECB by any of the parties involved.
  • Yours sincerely,
    [signed]
    Christine Lagarde

    Address
    European Central Bank
    Sonnemannstrasse 20
    60314 Frankfurt am Main
    Germany

    Postal address
    European Central Bank
    60640 Frankfurt am Main
    Germany

    Tel: +49-69-1344-0
    Fax: +49-69-1344-7305
    Website: www.ecb.europa.eu

Press release - Release of frozen EU funds to Hungary: MEPs to debate next steps with Commission

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 24, 2024

On Wednesday, Budgets and Budgetary Control Committee MEPs will quiz commissioners Hahn, Reynders and Schmit about the partial release of previously frozen funds to Hungary.

Key Points: 
  • On Wednesday, Budgets and Budgetary Control Committee MEPs will quiz commissioners Hahn, Reynders and Schmit about the partial release of previously frozen funds to Hungary.
  • Parliament had also warned that it would look into whether legal action should be pursued to overturn the Commission’s decision.
  • Consequently, 55% of budgetary commitments (approximately EUR 6.3 billion) in EU cohesion funding for Hungary are currently frozen.
  • In December 2023, the Commission recognised Hungary's judicial reforms as meeting the fundamental requirement of judicial independence under the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Press release - Holocaust Remembrance Day: Holocaust survivor Irene Shashar to address MEPs

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Holocaust Remembrance Day: Holocaust survivor Irene Shashar to address MEPs

Key Points: 
  • Holocaust Remembrance Day: Holocaust survivor Irene Shashar to address MEPs
    On Thursday, Irene Shashar, a survivor of the Warsaw ghetto, will address MEPs during a plenary session in Brussels, to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
  • After Ms Shashar’s speech, MEPs will observe a minute’s silence.
  • The ceremony will close with a musical performance by Sheva Tehoval, soprano, and Mr Marcelo Nisinman of "Kaddish" by Maurice Ravel.
  • Irene Shashar
    Born on 12 December 1937 as Ruth Lewkowicz, Irene Shashar survived the Warsaw ghetto.

Press release - MEPs warn that European values are being eroded across the EU

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 24, 2024

MEPs also want all member states to regulate lobbying, and ask for the discriminatory practices and the concentration of business in the hands of oligarchs in Hungary to be addressed.

Key Points: 
  • MEPs also want all member states to regulate lobbying, and ask for the discriminatory practices and the concentration of business in the hands of oligarchs in Hungary to be addressed.
  • Dangers for persons and civil society
    MEPs highlight the Slovakian government’s plans to restrict the work of NGOs and stigmatise organisations receiving foreign funding.
  • Need for a more robust approach
    MEPs acknowledge that the Commission rule of law report has become a benchmark.
  • The European Parliament calls on the member states and the Commission to respect and enforce democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights.

Press release - Trafficking in human beings: deal on new EU rules

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 24, 2024

It requires the Member States step up their response to trafficking in human beings including mandating national anti-trafficking coordinators.

Key Points: 
  • It requires the Member States step up their response to trafficking in human beings including mandating national anti-trafficking coordinators.
  • We have agreed to tackle exploitation of trafficking victims in its most obvious forms.
  • It can never be okay to take advantage of trafficking victims.”
    Next steps
    Parliament and Council will have to formally approve the agreement.
  • The new rules will come into force twenty days after their publication in the EU Official Journal, and member states have two years to implement the provisions.

Press release - Anti-Money Laundering Agency: host city candidates to present their bids

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 24, 2024

On 30 January, the nine applicants to host the EU’s future watchdog on fighting money-laundering and terrorist financing will present their candidacies in a public hearing.

Key Points: 
  • On 30 January, the nine applicants to host the EU’s future watchdog on fighting money-laundering and terrorist financing will present their candidacies in a public hearing.
  • You can follow the hearing (livestream and video-on-demand) here.
  • Background and next steps
    Next, the seat of the agency will be determined by a joint vote of Parliament and Council.
  • Parliament and Council have reached provisional agreements on other parts of the package of measures against money-laundering and terrorist financing.

Article - How the EU is supporting Ukraine in 2024

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Check out our timeline for an overview of how the EU and the European Parliament continue to support Ukraine in 2024.

Key Points: 
  • Check out our timeline for an overview of how the EU and the European Parliament continue to support Ukraine in 2024.
  • Parliament has also been supportive of Ukraine’s efforts to become an EU candidate country and has been calling on EU countries to launch accession talks.
  • Check out how the EU and the Parliament were supporting Ukraine in 2022.
  • Check out how the EU and the Parliament were supporting Ukraine in 2023.

Article - Apply for the 2024 European Charlemagne Youth Prize

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 19, 2024

If you are 16-30 and working on a project with an EU dimension, apply for the 2024 Charlemagne Youth Prize and win funds to further develop your initiative.

Key Points: 
  • If you are 16-30 and working on a project with an EU dimension, apply for the 2024 Charlemagne Youth Prize and win funds to further develop your initiative.
  • The European Parliament and the International Charlemagne Prize Foundation in Aachen award the European Charlemagne Youth Prize every year to projects by young people with a strong EU dimension.
  • The first prize is €7,500, second prize €5,000 and third prize €2,500.
  • - 12 February 2024: application deadline:
    - 20 March 2024: selection of national winners:
    - 7 May 2024: announcement of the European winners and award ceremony in Aachen
    Charlemagne Youth Prize 2023
    In 2023, the first prize went to Ailem from Belgium - a language app tailored for refugees and asylum seekers and developed in consultation with them.

Press release - Human rights breaches in China, Sudan and Tajikistan

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 19, 2024

They call for the PRC to end its domestic and transnational surveillance, control and suppression of religious freedom.

Key Points: 
  • They call for the PRC to end its domestic and transnational surveillance, control and suppression of religious freedom.
  • The threat of famine following the spread of conflict in Sudan
    MEPs strongly condemn the continuing violence between rival armed factions in Sudan, alongside human rights violations and food insecurity.
  • Tajikistan: state repression against the independent media
    MEPS strongly condemn the ongoing crackdown against independent media, government critics, human rights activists and independent lawyers, and the closure of independent media and websites in Tajikistan.
  • They call on the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States to increase support for civil society, human rights defenders and independent media workers in Tajikistan, including funding.

Isabel Schnabel: Q&A on X

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 19, 2024

Bank market power, both in the loan and deposit market, has important implications for credit provision and for financial stability.

Key Points: 
  • Bank market power, both in the loan and deposit market, has important implications for credit provision and for financial stability.
  • This article discusses these issues through the lens of a simple theoretical framework.