European Union

All three ministers of the liberal MoDem party in France's new government have resigned. First Defence Minister Sylvie Goulard stepped down then Justice Minister Francois Bayrou and Europe Minister Marielle de Sarnez followed suit over allegations that the party used European parliamentary funds to pay assistants based in France. Macron's close confidant and urban planning minister Richard Ferrand of LREM has also tendered his resignation. But Macron is not unhappy about these developments, commentators surmise.

On International Refugee Day, celebrated on Tuesday, more than 65 million people were displaced worldwide. This dramatic and long-term situation must not be trivialised and reduced to a supposedly temporary state by the use of the term "crisis", commentators warn, and call on governments to take responsibility.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague is to release its ruling on the border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia next week. The Slovenian government has announced that it will abide by the ruling. Croatia, however, says it doesn't feel obliged to observe it. Zagreb would offend not just Slovenia if it doesn't, commentators warn.

Just under a year after the British voted to leave the EU the Brexit negotiations have begun in Brussels. Weakened after the general elections, the British government will be more open to a softer and more humane Brexit, commentators believe, putting their trust in the negotiators' bargaining skills.

The power struggle in Romania has entered a new round. The leadership of the ruling Social Democrats (PSD) under Liviu Dragnea submitted a no-confidence vote against its own head of government, Sorin Grindeanu. The vote is scheduled for this Wednesday. The Romanian press warns of the consequences of this bitter contest for power within the party.

The Premio Princesa de Asturias de la Concordia Award granted to the European Union is a significant recognition in a year marked by the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.

Six decades ago, the founding fathers of the EU sowed the seeds of a united Europe in the ashes of a devastating war. Since then, the path we have followed has helped us develop a union of peoples, allowing Europeans to embark upon a project of peace, democracy and prosperity.

Thirty years ago, Spain joined this European adventure enthusiastically and with a constructive spirit. Today, it has become one of the main protagonists of the European project.

On behalf of the European Union, we accept this prestigious award and we express our appreciation for the recognition and great honour bestowed upon the EU by Spain.

Press contacts:

For the European Council
Preben AAMANN (+32 2 281 20 60; +32 476 85 05 43)

For the European Parliament
Jaume DUCH GUILLOT (+32 2 284 30 00; +32 496 59 94 76)

For the European Commission
Margaritis SCHINAS (+ 32 2 296 05 24; +32 496 58 38 26)
Mina ANDREEVA (+32 2 299 13 82; +32 498 99 13 82)

 

More information on the Princess of Asturias Foundation website

"The European Union has achieved the longest period of peace in modern Europe, contributing to introducing and disseminating values such as freedom, human rights and solidarity to the world. These values of the European Union project hope for the future, in times of uncertainty, offering an example of progress and well-being."

On 21 June 2017, the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a proposal for a revised directive concerning the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. The agreement will have to be confirmed by the EU ambassadors (Coreper) during their meeting scheduled this Friday, 23 June.

The new directive revises the scope of the Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2). It includes amendments aimed at establishing equal treatment of products covered by the Directive, proposes to exclude a particular product: pipe organs; and specifically, addresses concerns arising from the "open-scope" product group. 

"We have reached a deal with the European Parliament to reduce hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. With this new legislation, we are improving the prevention and management of  waste and encouraging the reuse and recycling of those products and materials in the EU. The Maltese presidency is determined to move the EU forward towards a more circular economy."

José Herrera, Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change

The main purpose of the amended text is to address a number of problems which were identified in the evaluation carried out by the Commission in relation to the scope of the Directive. Specifically, it will ensure the possibility of secondary market operations (e.g. reselling, second-hand market) for electrical and electronic equipment that were newly covered by RoHS 2 and the use of spare parts for such equipment if they are put on the market before 22 July 2019.

Both the Council and the European Parliament are in favour of the approach followed by the Commission not to widen the scope of this revision and leave, as scheduled, the general review of the Directive for 2021. In the agreed text, the Commission is required to carry out this general review of RoHS2 by 22 July 2021. 

In relation to applications for the renewal of an exemption warranted under the directive, the Commission will also have to inform applicants on the expected timing of the decision-making process.   

Next steps 

Once the deal is approved by the Council's Permanent Representatives Committee the new directive has to be formally adopted by the Council and the European Parliament. 

The legislative act will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. 

Background

The Commission submitted a proposal for a new directive amending Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2) on 26 January 2017. The Council adopted its negotiating mandate on 14 June. On the same day, the European Parliament gave its authorisation to start negotiations immediately.

RoHS 1 and 2 have introduced measures to limit the presence of these harmful substances in electrical and electronic equipment. The existing Directive RoHS2 broadened the scope significantly as it now applies to all electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)  placed on the EU market.