Dokumente - Think Tank - Europäisches Parlament

Auf einen Blick - Current membership of the European Council - 05-03-2025

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 23:00:00 GMT

The European Council consists of the 27 Heads of State or Government of the EU Member States, who are voting members, together with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, who have no vote (Article 15(2) Treaty on European Union). The chart shows the current members, the national office they hold, their most recent European political affiliation, and the year their membership began.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2025 - EP

Auf einen Blick - What if orbital debris destroyed satellites? - 21-02-2025

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Space technologies are playing an increasingly critical role in communications, defence and research. As more satellites are launched, there is a growing risk of collision, and of satellites becoming military targets. Satellite-debris collisions have the potential to destroy not just one or two but many satellites, preventing the use of those orbits for years. Although de-orbiting satellites at a faster pace may be a solution, orbital debris falling back to Earth can cause environmental harm. Europe needs to better understand the risks and take regulatory and diplomatic steps to ensure continued access to space while protecting domestic and global interests.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2025 - EP

Eingehende Analyse - Zur Unabhängigkeit der Justiz: Überblick über die Rechtsprechung des Europäischen Gerichtshofs für Menschenrechte und des Europäischen Gerichtshofs - 09-12-2024

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 11:10:35 GMT

Diese eingehende Analyse bietet einen systematischen Überblick über die Rechtsprechung des Europäischen Gerichtshofs für Menschenrechte in Straßburg und des Europäischen Gerichtshofs in Luxemburg zur Festlegung gemeinsamer Mindeststandards für die richterliche Unabhängigkeit in Europa. Die Urteile werden anhand ihres Gegenstands erörtert, wobei ein besonderer Schwerpunkt auf den jüngsten gerichtlichen Entscheidungen in den letzten fünf Jahren liegt.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2024 - EP

Briefing - Single European Sky 2+ package - 22-11-2024

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 23:00:00 GMT

The Single European Sky (SES) initiative is about making EU airspace less fragmented and improving air traffic management in terms of safety, capacity, cost-efficiency and the environment. Its current regulatory framework is based on two legislative packages: SES I (adopted in 2004), which set up the principal legal framework, and SES II (adopted in 2009), designed to tackle substantial air traffic growth, increase safety, and reduce costs and delays and the impact of air traffic on the environment. Nonetheless, European airspace remains fragmented, costly and inefficient. The European Commission presented a revision of the SES in 2013 (the SES 2+ package). While the �Ϸ��վ adopted its first-reading position in March 2014, in December 2014 the Council agreed only a partial general approach, owing to disagreement between the UK and Spain over the application of the text to Gibraltar Airport. Once Brexit removed this obstacle, the Commission amended its initial proposal. Following lengthy negotiations, the Council and �Ϸ��վ negotiating teams reached a provisional agreement on 6 March 2024. The Council approved the agreed text on 26 September 2024. �Ϸ��վ approved the agreed text on 22 October 2024. The final act was signed on 23 October 2024 and it was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 11 November 2024. Fifth edition of a briefing originally drafted by Maria Niestadt. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2024 - EP

Briefing - Asia's skyrocketing space race: A competition for peace? - 16-10-2024

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 22:00:00 GMT

Over the past 20 years, new Asian players have emerged in the competition for space. Until the end of the 20th century, Japan – the only Asian country admitted to the International Space Station – played a leading role in the region. However, the beginning of the 21st century has seen the rise of other countries' space capabilities, fuelling a new space race. China has made sizeable progress, outpacing Russia as the main competitor to the United States. Beijing aims to be the world's leading space power by the mid-2040s and has integrated its space activities in the army structure. China is planning to build a permanent research station on the lunar south pole and a solar power station in space. China and Russia are increasingly teaming up in space projects. India has showed the capability to perform low-cost missions, including the successful landing on the Moon in August 2023, making it the fourth country to achieve this. South Korea has a relatively recent space history, but aims to rank among the world's top five space powers by 2045. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia have revealed ambitious space policies; the UAE aims to establish the first inhabitable human settlement on Mars by 2117. Meanwhile, despite the narrative of a shared vision for humanity in space, China is accumulating major counter-space capabilities, including that of seizing control of a satellite, rendering it ineffective. The Chinese army has meanwhile designated outer space as a warfighting domain. There is also concern around the claimed pacific purpose of Iran's space programme, potentially supporting its intercontinental ballistic missile capacities. North Korea is also developing a space programme. The European Union (EU) economy, society and security are increasingly reliant on space services. The April 2021 Space Regulation established the EU space programme and the EU Agency for the Space Programme. The EU's space strategy for security and defence was adopted in March 2023.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2024 - EP

Briefing - Judicial independence in the case law of the European Court of Human Rights - 13-05-2024

Sun, 12 May 2024 22:00:00 GMT

Judicial independence is one of the key components of the rule of law. It is enshrined in Article 6(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which states explicitly that 'everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing ... by an independent and impartial tribunal established by law'. Article 6(3) of the Treaty on European Union considers the fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the European Convention, to be general principles of EU law. Against this backdrop, the present briefing presents an overview of European Court of Human Rights case law on judicial independence. It focuses on various issues, including: the concept of judicial independence and criteria for assessing it; procedures for appointing judges and possible irregularities; the question of term of office, including the vetting of judges and early termination of term in office; the problem of external influence on judges (by the executive); possible lack of internal independence (from other judges); the question of combining judicial office with other work; and the question of judicial immunity. Recent European Court of Human Rights case law has clarified the notion of a 'tribunal established by law', especially in the context of judicial reforms seeking to expand the influence of the executive and legislative powers over the judiciary, thereby undermining its independence.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2024 - EP

Auf einen Blick - EU-Neuansiedlungsrahmen - 08-04-2024

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 08:38:54 GMT

Viele Migranten und Flüchtlinge riskieren bei dem Versuch, nach Europa zu kommen, ihr Leben, indem sie auf gefährliche Seefahrten gehen, um Verfolgung, Konflikt, Instabilität und Armut zu entkommen. Am 13. Juli 2016 legte die Kommission im Rahmen der Reform des Gemeinsamen Europäischen Asylsystems einen Vorschlag für eine Verordnung zur Schaffung eines EU-Neuansiedlungsrahmens vor, um für Vertriebene, die eindeutig internationalen Schutz benötigen, sichere und legale Wege in die EU zu schaffen. Auf der Plenartagung I im April soll das Europäische Parlament über seinen Standpunkt in erster Lesung zu der im Dezember 2023 im Zuge von interinstitutionellen Verhandlungen erzielten Einigung abstimmen.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2024 - EP

Briefing - �Ϸ��վ and foreign and security policy: The 1991 Pöttering report - 26-02-2024

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 23:00:00 GMT

�Ϸ��վ has, for a long time, demanded a more integrated and purposeful European foreign, security, and defence policy. It has also argued for an enhanced role for itself in this policy field. With the European Union facing multiple external challenges, it is timely to explore �Ϸ��վ's long-standing demands for a more robust collective approach to issues such as defence and arms procurement. In June 1991, the European �Ϸ��վ adopted the Political Affairs Committee report on 'The outlook for a European security policy: The significance of a European security policy and its implications for European Political Union'. The resolution endorsing the report represented �Ϸ��վ's only statement on foreign and security policy during the intergovernmental conferences that, inter alia, led to the creation of the common foreign and security policy in the Maastricht Treaty. This briefing examines the report's proposals and discusses the political strategy employed by the rapporteur, Hans-Gert Pöttering. It explores the disagreements in �Ϸ��վ over the future common foreign and security policy. The briefing shows that, while the report was unsuccessful in changing the intergovernmental character of European foreign and security policy in the short term, it nevertheless impacted the EU's foreign policy priorities, most notably through its proposals on disarmament policy. It also helped create a longer-term trajectory for the growing institutionalisation of and common action in foreign, security, and defence policy.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2024 - EP

Briefing - Priority dossiers under the Belgian EU Council Presidency - 08-01-2024

Sun, 07 Jan 2024 23:00:00 GMT

The Kingdom of Belgium is a federal constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy, with the monarch as Head of State and a prime minister as Head of Government. The current monarch, King Philippe/Filip has been on the throne since 21 July 2013, his heir apparent is Princess Elisabeth, the daughter of the monarch. The King has wide legislative powers constitutionally but is relieved of all responsibility, with his ministers signing the bills and royal decrees. It is the King's task to appoint the prime minister, who is usually the leader of the majority coalition after legislative elections. The King is the symbol of the unity of the nation. Upon appointment by the King, the prime minister has to be approved by the parliament’s Chamber of Representatives. The current prime minister is Alexander De Croo of the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats (Open Vld) party, which sits in the Renew Group in the European �Ϸ��վ.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2024 - EP

Studie - Qualified majority voting in common foreign and security policy - A cost of non-Europe report - 28-08-2023

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 08:27:35 GMT

Common foreign and security policy (CFSP) has a particular status in the EU legal framework, part of which is the unanimity rule within the Council. This report analyses decision-making rules in CFSP from a 'cost of non-Europe' perspective. It identifies CFSP challenges and the extent to which they could be attributed to unanimity. This allows us to identify the current 'cost of unanimity'. The report also analyses possible alternatives to unanimity decision-making in CFSP, such as a switch to qualified majority voting (QMV), including their costs and benefits. The study develops several policy options, including options within the current legal framework, options requiring Treaty change, and options requiring a departure from the intergovernmentalism in CFSP.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2023 - EP

Auf einen Blick - First EU space strategy for security and defence: What implications for EU strategic autonomy? - 28-08-2023

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 22:00:00 GMT

In 2022, the EU Strategic Compass included space as a strategic domain, and called for a dedicated European strategy. In the meantime, Russia's invasion of Ukraine confirmed the key role of space for defence and resilience, but also highlighted vulnerabilities related to space systems. Another 'wake-up call' came from a different direction; SpaceX's advances in reusable rocket technology leading to Starship's first orbital flight test turned the spotlight onto launch providers and access to space. Space is a critical infrastructure issue with growing economic significance. It is also an increasingly contested arena between competing geopolitical interests. To address these rising challenges, in March 2023 the European Commission and the High Representative/Vice-President presented their first joint communication on a European space strategy for security and defence.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2023 - EP

Briefing - International Agreements in Progress: Economic Partnership Agreement with Kenya (East African Community) - 03-07-2023

Sun, 02 Jul 2023 22:00:00 GMT

On 19 June 2023, the EU and Kenya concluded negotiations on an economic partnership agreement (EPA). This agreement builds on negotiations for an EPA with the partner states of the East African Community (EAC) – at the time: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda – which were finalised in October 2014. However, the signing of the EU-EAC EPA had been stalled because of discussions within the EAC on the consequences of the EPA for their economies. Except for Kenya, all EAC partner states are least developed countries, and still enjoy duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market. Kenya is the only EAC country to have ratified the agreement, in order not to lose free access to the EU market. The EAC initially envisaged the EU-EAC EPA as a bloc-to-bloc agreement – i.e. the EPA could only enter into force after it had been ratified by all EAC partners. However, the EAC eventually agreed that Kenya enter negotiations to implement a bilateral EPA with the EU. Other EAC countries – including South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which joined the EAC in 2016 and 2022 respectively – can decide to join the agreement. As soon as the EU-Kenya EPA enters into force, it will immediately provide duty-free, quota-free EU market access to all exports from Kenya, combined with partial and gradual opening of the Kenyan market to imports from the EU. The text of the new negotiated agreement includes binding provisions on trade and sustainable development, and a transparent dispute resolution mechanism. Third edition. To view earlier editions of this briefing, please see the EPRS blog.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2023 - EP

Briefing - Free movement rights of rainbow families - 28-06-2023

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 22:00:00 GMT

'Rainbow families' – same-sex couples with or without children – still face many obstacles while exercising their free movement rights today. In a debate in the European �Ϸ��վ in September 2010, then European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, Viviane Reding, stated, 'Let me stress this. If you live in a legally recognised same-sex partnership, or marriage, in country A, you have the right – and this is a fundamental right – to take this status and that of your partner to country B. If not, it is a violation of EU law, so there is no discussion about this. This is absolutely clear, and we do not have to hesitate on this'. Over a decade later, same-sex couples still experience issues when relying on their free movement rights. While the European Court of Human Rights has upheld that all member countries must provide for a registered partnership for same-sex couples if they do not provide for same-sex marriage, it can be unclear which rights should be attached to such a status. And while the European Court of Justice has ruled that same-sex marriages and parenthood established for same-sex couples have to be recognised in all EU Member States for the purpose of free movement, this case law is still very unclear, due to mixed concepts, which has led to consistent Member State violations. In her 2020 State of the Union Speech, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated 'If you are [a] parent in one country, you are [a] parent in every country'. In 2021, the European �Ϸ��վ declared the EU an LGBTIQ Freedom Zone. It has expressed its deepest concern regarding the discrimination suffered by rainbow families and their children in the EU and insists that the EU needs to take a common approach to the recognition of same-sex marriages and partnerships. In December 2022, the Commission proposed a regulation on the recognition of parenthood.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2023 - EP

Studie - 2023 Country-Specific Recommendations - comparison of Commission and Council texts - 23-06-2023

Sun, 25 Jun 2023 22:00:00 GMT

This document compares the draft 2023 Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs) proposed by the Commission on 24 May 2023 with the 2023 CSRs approved by the Council on 16 June 2023. The Council will finally adopt the recommendations in July.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2023 - EP

Auf einen Blick - 'This is Europe' debate in the European �Ϸ��վ: Speech by Nikos Christodoulides, President of Cyprus, 13 June 2023 - 15-06-2023

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 22:00:00 GMT

'This is Europe' – an initiative proposed by the President of the European �Ϸ��վ, Roberta Metsola – consists of a series of debates with EU leaders to discuss their visions for the future of the European Union. In his address to the European �Ϸ��վ on 13 June 2023, the reunification of the island was a central theme for the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. He stressed that the EU has every interest, but also an 'obligation to actively contribute to its final settlement' by taking a leading role in the process. He stressed that the wider Middle East and Gulf were the EU's neighbourhood, and that Cyprus was the 'geopolitical gateway' from the EU to the MENA region. He also called for further European integration, and promised to promote the deepening of the EU within the European Council.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2023 - EP

Auf einen Blick - Entlastung für die Ausführung des Haushaltsplans 2021: dezentrale Agenturen der EU und gemeinsame Unternehmen - 03-05-2023

Wed, 03 May 2023 12:01:41 GMT

Während der Mai-I-Plenartagung soll das Europäische Parlament im Rahmen des Entlastungsverfahrens für das Haushaltsjahr 2021 über die Entlastung für 33 dezentrale Agenturen der EU und neun gemeinsame Unternehmen abstimmen. Der Haushaltskontrollausschuss (CONT) empfiehlt, allen dezentralen Agenturen, Einrichtungen und gemeinsamen Unternehmen die Entlastung zu erteilen, und legt einige Bemerkungen zur weiteren Verbesserung der Wirtschaftlichkeit der Haushaltsführung vor.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2023 - EP

Auf einen Blick - Entlastung für die Ausführung des Haushaltsplans 2020: Europäischer Rat und Rat - 12-10-2022

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 22:00:00 GMT

Das Europäische Parlament beschloss im Mai 2022, den Beschluss über die Entlastung des Europäischen Rates und des Rates für die Ausführung des Haushaltsplans 2020 aufzuschieben, und legte eine Reihe von Bemerkungen vor. Der Haushaltskontrollausschuss des Parlaments hat die Lage erneut geprüft und empfiehlt angesichts der mangelnden Fortschritte in diesem zweiten Bericht erneut, diesen beiden Organen keine Entlastung zu erteilen. Die Abstimmung über den zweiten Entlastungsbericht ist für die Oktober-II-Plenartagung vorgesehen.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2022 - EP

Studie - Perspektiven für die EU-Governance: zwischen Gemeinschaftsmethode, neuer Zwischenstaatlichkeit und Parlamentarisierung - 10-06-2022

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 22:00:00 GMT

Briefing - Revision of Directive 2014/42/EU on the freezing and confiscation of the proceeds of crime and proposal for a new directive on asset recovery offices - 30-05-2022

Sun, 29 May 2022 22:00:00 GMT

Confiscation of instrumentalities and proceeds of crime is a key tool for depriving criminals of ill-gotten gains that could be reinvested in further criminal activities. Directive 2014/42/EU on the freezing and confiscation of instrumentalities and proceeds of crime was adopted in 2014 to harmonise the rules by introducing minimum standards. In 2019, following a joint statement by the �Ϸ��վ and Council, a dedicated staff working document on non-conviction based confiscation measures in the EU was prepared by the Commission, followed in June 2020 by a report, Asset recovery and confiscation: ensuring crime does not pay, assessing the opportunity to introduce new rules. In its 2021 work programme, the Commission announced its intention to revise the 2014 Directive, as well as Council Decision 2007/845/JHA on asset recovery offices, both being closely interlinked. This implementation appraisal looks at the practical implementation of the directive in light of the expected Commission proposal for its revision. The Commission work programme had planned the proposal for the fourth quarter of 2021; it was postponed to the second quarter of 2022.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2022 - EP

Briefing - International Agreements in Progress: Economic Partnership Agreement with the East African Community - 23-05-2022

Sun, 22 May 2022 22:00:00 GMT

The current partnership between sub-Saharan African, Caribbean and Pacific states (ACP) and the EU (the Cotonou Partnership Agreement) has a provision making it possible for the EU to negotiate different economic partnership agreements (EPAs) with regional ACP sub-groups. This provision was needed for the partnership to be aligned with the World Trade Organization's rules. Negotiations for an EPA with the partner states of the East African Community (EAC) – at the time: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda – were finalised in October 2014. South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which joined the EAC in 2016 and 2022 respectively, did not take part in the negotiations, but can join the agreement once it enters into force. As soon as this happens, the EU-EAC EPA will immediately provide duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market to all EAC exports, combined with partial and gradual opening of the EAC market to imports from the EU. The EPA contains detailed provisions on sustainable agriculture and fisheries, rules of origin, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. The parties are committed to concluding additional negotiations within five years of the entry into force of the agreement. The signing of the EPA has been stalled because of discussions within the EAC. Except for Kenya, all EAC partner states are least developed countries, and still enjoy duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market. Some of them have pushed for further clarifications on the consequences of the EPA for their economies before the EAC endorses the agreement. Kenya is the only EAC country to have ratified the agreement, in order not to lose free access to the EU market. It has now entered negotiations to implement a bilateral interim EPA with the EU. Second edition. The 'International Agreements in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the process, from initial discussions through to ratification. To view the previous edition of this briefing, please see: PE 620.218, April 2018.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2022 - EP

Briefing - Russia’s war on Ukraine in international law and human rights bodies: Bringing institutions back in - 08-04-2022

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 22:00:00 GMT

In the midst of war, human rights and international law institutions have responded with unprecedented speed to the unfolding crisis, not least due to the strong engagement of the Ukraine government in multilateral fora. While these institutions can deliver little immediate relief for Ukraine citizens, the initiatives have important political functions: they show the political and legal alternatives to the logic of war chosen by the Russian government; they contribute to formalising international consensus and providing independent legal assessments of the attack; and, most importantly, they prepare the ground to ensure accountability for crimes committed in the context of the war. .

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2022 - EP

Eingehende Analyse - Survey on the role of national parliaments in the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility - 07-04-2022

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 22:00:00 GMT

�Ϸ��վary scrutiny is important to ensure full transparency and accountability and to enhance the democratic legitimacy, as well as to sense of citizens' ownership of the RRF. This survey aims to keep stock of whether and how EU national parliaments are involved in the implementation of the RRF. This document was prepared by Economic Governance Support Unit in view of the INI Report on the Recovery and Resilience Facility

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2022 - EP

Auf einen Blick - Russia's war on Ukraine: Russia ceases to be a member of the Council of Europe - 21-03-2022

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 23:00:00 GMT

The military invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation has pushed hundreds of thousands of people to flee the country and seek shelter in neighbouring countries. With each passing hour, the humanitarian situation is deteriorating both within and outside the country. Several Ukrainian cities have reportedly lost access to water, heating, electricity and basic supplies, while the civilian population is subject to shelling and violence. While outside Ukraine's borders, the international humanitarian community has quickly mobilised to provide support, the conflict has caused civilian casualties and destruction of hospitals, schools and other civilian infrastructure. This is an update of an 'At a glance' note published on 8 March 2022.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2022 - EP

Eingehende Analyse - What About Policy Normalisation? - 13-09-2021

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 22:00:00 GMT

As the ECB follows the time-honoured inflation targeting strategy, it runs the risk of, once more, failing to normalise its policy in time for the next unexpected shock. With interest rates at their lower bounds and facing historic uncertainty that undermines its policy effectiveness, a strong case can be made for developing a Plan B. This paper was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) ahead of the Monetary Dialogue with the ECB President on 27 September 2021.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2021 - EP

Studie - The fight against disinformation and the right to freedom of expression - 05-07-2021

Sun, 04 Jul 2021 22:00:00 GMT

This study, commissioned by the European �Ϸ��վ’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the LIBE Committee, aims at finding the balance between regulatory measures to tackle disinformation and the protection of freedom of expression. It explores the European legal framework and analyses the roles of all stakeholders in the information landscape. The study offers recommendations to reform the attention-based, data-driven information landscape and regulate platforms’ rights and duties relating to content moderation.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2021 - EP