CUS NEWS REPORT FOR WEEK 44 OF 2024

26^th October 2024 – 1^st November 2024

LOCAL NEWS

No news reported.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

1. Upcoming hearings of Commissioner designates – Written answers by Commissioners – designates to MEPs

As part of the European Parliament’s evaluation process and in preparation of their upcoming hearings at the European Parliament between 4-15 November 2024, the Commissioners-designate have provided written responses to questions posed by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas (Sustainable Transport and Tourism) noted in his answers that he aims to balance EU’s environmental objectives with the social and economic needs of the transport sector, especially in terms of improving connectivity and affordability. He insisted that the existing EU transport legislation acquis will be enforced consistently across Member States to ensure a harmonised approach. He plans to quickly introduce a Sustainable Transport Investment Plan which would identify measures to effectively support the energy transition in transport and to boost investment in the production and supply of sustainable transport fuels in Europe, in particular for aviation and maritime transport, as well as access to electricity for transport. Furthermore, he will coordinate the preparation of a comprehensive EU Port Strategy to improve the security, sustainability and competitiveness of EU ports.

Other Commissioners-designate, like Teresa Ribera Rodríguez (Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just, and Competitive Transition) and Wopke Hoekstra (Climate, Net Zero, and Clean Growth) emphasized that that their priorities centre on the Clean Industrial Deal, alongside a revision of major climate policies to meet net-zero targets.

According to ECSA, there is a balanced approach in the response of Ms Teresa Ribera Rodríguez. On the one hand she highlights the need of aligning the state aid framework to the European priorities set by the Clean Industrial Deal. On the other hand, she emphasises the need to safeguard the competitiveness of European companies.

However, Ms Ribera, emphasizes the importance of aligning EU policies with IMO goals and ensuring that the maritime sector is part of the broader global efforts to achieve climate neutrality.

Mr. Ribera’s main points on state aid are:

Simplification of Procedures: simplifying State aid processes to speed up project deployment, ensuring that sustainable projects are implemented efficiently and create;
New State Aid control framework: building on the experience of the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework to provide Member States with flexibility for adapting state aid frameworks to align with climate goals and green investments;
Consideration of a ‘New Competition Tool’ proposed by the Draghi report.

Mr. Woepke Hoekstra, Commissioner, Climate, Net-Zero, Clean Growth lists the following actions related to taxation:

BEFIT: Continue to work on the ‘Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation’ (BEFIT) proposal for the development of a common corporate tax framework in the EU;
OECD Pillar 2: Keep encouraging all committed jurisdictions (i.a, the US) to implement the OECD Pillar 2 rules or to swiftly cooperate in effective exchange of information;
Energy Taxation Directive (ETD): continue the negotiation on the ETD. In general, Hoekstra stresses the importance of involving all sectors (including maritime) in reaching the EU’s global emission reduction targets. He stresses that removing the mandatory exemption applicable to aviation and maritime fuel “should allow to differentiate tax rates per fuels according to their environmental performance. It would give an advantage to sustainable aviation fuels and sustainable and advanced fuels for ships over fossil fuels and help to boost investment in the production and supply of sustainable transport fuels in Europe”. He however acknowledges that this change has proven difficult to Member States and point to the fact that action is needed at internation level. He voices support for the adoption of an ambitious GHG strategy for the maritime sector at IMO.

Related Articles:

Clecat 28/10 – COMMISSIONERS-DESIGNATE WRITTEN ANSWERS

Europa Tzitzikostas Written Questions And Answers.pdf

Europarl 28/10 – EU Commissioners-designate confirmation hearings in CULT

Europa Ribera Written Questions And Answers.pdf

Europa Hoekstra Written Questions And Answers.pdf

2. TREASURY REPORT

The US Treasury Report for all actions reported is hereby attached.

Related Article:

Attachment 1: US Treasury Report for week 26/10/2024 – 01/11/2024

3. PIRACY REPORT

The Piracy Report for all actions reported is hereby attached.