EU Parliament's EU Secretariat Reports on Key EU Developments

The European Parliament's EU Secretariat, based in Helsinki, Finland, reports on key EU developments to the Members of Parliament and the Parliament's civil service each week. On Wednesday, 10 September, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her first State of the EU address, focusing on competitiveness initiatives, support for Ukraine, and addressing the rising cost of living. The address was accompanied by a letter of intent to the Council of the EU and the European Parliament outlining the Commission's work programme for the next year. The report also highlights the Commission's commitment to better inform the Parliament when using Article 122 derogation procedures and to be available during parliamentary sessions. Furthermore, the report mentions the publication of the Commission's latest annual strategic foresight report, which focuses on resilience and identifies eight areas of action to strengthen the EU's resilience to crises.

Key Takeaways:

• Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her first State of the EU address, emphasizing the importance of competitiveness initiatives, support for Ukraine, and addressing the rising cost of living.
• The address highlighted the EU's competitiveness initiatives, support for Ukraine, and European security, as well as the situation in Gaza and responding to the rising cost of living.
• A letter of intent was published to the Council of the EU and the European Parliament outlining the Commission's work programme for the next year.
• The Commission intends to submit to the October European Council, in addition to the roadmap for defence development, a proposal for the establishment of a European Defence Semester.
• The deepening of the internal market will be promoted with a new roadmap for capital, services, energy, and telecommunications, extending to 2028.
• Von der Leyen addressed the issue of responding to the increased cost of living under a four-point package of measures: energy, housing, cars, and food.
• The EU's annual strategic foresight report, focusing on resilience, identifies eight areas of action to strengthen the EU's resilience to crises.
• Commissioner Glenn Micallef, responsible for the report, emphasized the EU's specific future challenges, including competitiveness, the comprehensive use of science-based technologies, social cohesion, and the defence of fundamental democratic values.

Statistics:

• The EU's competitiveness initiatives play a central role in the State of the EU address.
• 418-135, 41 abstentions: The European Parliament's plenary week adopted the interim assessment of the progress of Ukraine's accession negotiations.
• 305-151, 122 abstentions: The European Parliament's plenary week passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of the necessary border crossings for humanitarian aid deliveries in Gaza.
• 459-65, 90 abstentions: The Internal Market Committee (IMCO) adopted a position paper calling for the implementation and streamlining of EU rules to strengthen the internal market.
• 2021-2027: The current financial framework period.
• 2021-2024: The period during which unallocated appropriations and additional funds above the financial framework ceiling were used.

Sources:

• Parliament's EU Secretariat
• Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
• Commissioner Glenn Micallef
• EU-India trade agreement negotiations
• European Parliament's plenary week
• EU Court of Auditors
• European Parliament's constituency week
• Commission's communication on strengthening EU-India relations
• Draghi report anniversary conference
• Agendas for upcoming meetings of the College of Commissioners