Nikos Mertzanidis

🔴 Do you wish to go deeper into what happened in EU Affairs and beyond thsi month? 👉 The ninth issue of our newsletter "The Finder" is out! You can read it here 👇

1

With the new EU institutions settling in, those of us in the Brussels arena are reflecting on how to adapt to the changing political environment. This shift presents both challenges and opportunities, emphasising the need to weave communications and advocacy more closely than ever. The complexities of EU policymaking mean that effective engagement requires more than traditional advocacy. It's about crafting messages that resonate, building relationships, and fostering understanding across diverse stakeholders. Importantly, there's now a growing space to advocate for competitiveness and pragmatic solutions, rather than focusing solely on sustainability at all costs. At the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) , we recognise this shift and are committed to improving our advocacy by more closely integrating communications and EU affairs. We will: ✈️Promote balanced policies by advocating for initiatives that bolster competitiveness while supporting sustainable practices, demonstrating that economic growth and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. ✈️Enhance communication strategies by developing impactful narratives that connect with policymakers and the public, highlighting the value of business aviation to Europe's economy. ✈️Leverage digital platforms by utilising innovative communication channels to reach a wider audience and engage in more interactive dialogues. ✈️Facilitate open dialogue by creating forums and events that encourage the exchange of ideas, fostering mutual understanding between the industry and policymakers (meet us at our summit on December 5th!👀👀) To learn more about our strategic priorities and the path forward, I invite you to read our newly published policy manifesto with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, where we outline our commitment to advancing the business aviation sector in Europe. https://lnkd.in/eYeABQec #BusinessAviation #EUPolicy #Advocacy #Communications #Competitiveness #Sustainability #EuropeanBusinessAviationAssociation #GAMA #AviationIndustry #EUInstitutions #Brussels #PolicyManifesto #Innovation #Collaboration #DigitalEngagement

9

⏳ Remember #EARF2023? Thanks to the support of our wonderful partners and sponsors, we had the pleasure to organise panels that connected the Euro-Atlantic community and discussed some of the most important topics that define resilience today, such as: 🔹Technological game changers in the maritime sector 🔹The support that NATO and EU can offer to their neighbours 🔹The Ukrainian experience of building an energy grid that withstood barbaric Russian attacks 🔹Resilience of critical entities in face of various threats such as cyber attacks 🔹The synergy between maritime and societal resilience 🔹Climate change and the marine ecosystem 🔹and other important topics of debate. The timeliness of the topics and the ability to connect Bucharest to Washington, DC, New York, Brussels, Vicenza, Lublin and Kyiv was highlighted by all our partners. For example, Hasit Thankey, Head of the Resilience & Enablement Section, NATO International Staff, said: “I would like to thank the Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre and our Romanian hosts, who are really big champions to advance this resilience agenda, not just nationally, not just in NATO, but also in the European Union, at the United Nations and in various other fora. I think this Forum, given the themes that you have, really helps.” Join us this year, as we once again connect cities and top speakers from the community of countries sharing the Euro-Atlantic values. #ThrowbacktoEARF2023 #Resilience #EARF2024

24

Delighted that we British Irish Chamber of Commerce have launched our European Election Priorities Paper. Some points we'd like respective candidates consider include:   1.     Embrace a Global Trade Agenda. Candidates who represent Ireland should reject the growing trend of isolationism. Free and fair trade opens up new markets for exporters, gives consumers greater competition and options at home, it creates jobs and fuels innovation. 2.     Advocate for an EU – UK SPS Agreement. Agri-food products invoke the greatest levels on checks and inspections. These trade barriers are bad for consumers, farmers and retailers. A comprehensive SPS Agreement would address many of these barriers. 3.     Champion Framework Programme Funding The Chamber is urging MEPs to champion the budget for Framework Programme 10. The Chamber calls for an ambitious, ringfenced budget to deliver world-class research and innovation to solve global challenges and to increase the EU’s competitiveness. Furthermore, the UK’s association to FP 10 should be fast tracked.   4.     Support the Completion of the Capital Markets Union (CMU) The completion of the CMU should allow SMEs to have greater access to liquid capital markets to help fund the transition to a ‘green’ and ‘digital’ economy. The development of the CMU would only be effective if there is a streamlined approach to supervision and regulation across the EU.   5.     Reduce Bureaucracy – Create an EU Commissioner for SMEs   80% of Irish legislation originates from the EU, therefore it is important that it is understandable, implementable, and not contradictory. Excess bureaucracy is a costly burden on businesses and consumers alike and the EU has a reputation for bureaucratic entanglements. Amongst other things, a new SME focused Commissioner could be tasked with reducing unnecessary bureaucracy.   6.     Lead the Acceleration to Net Zero   To achieve this, we need to grow interconnection between Member States and the UK, the electrification of transport systems, and acknowledge the important roles of solar, green hydrogen, the Wind Power Package and the development of biomethane as an alternative source of energy.   7.     Support a potential UK request to link the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) with the UK ETS. Linking of carbon pricing is advantageous to both the EU and UK by increasing the pool of purchasers and sellers of Co2 permits and enhancing efficiencies for both the EU and UK markets.   8.     Protect the interests of Ireland’s Agri-food Sector   The CAP for over 60 years has supported Irish farmers and is critical in ensuring a balance between affordability of food and maintaining farm incomes. In Ireland, over a third of all emissions are derived from the Agri-food sector. Therefore, the onus of the green transition has a disproportionate impact on the sector and should be acknowledged through additional supports for Ireland in the next round of CAP negotiations.

18

1 Comment

🚀 A Gold Mine for Futurists! 🚀 The EIC Tech Report is here, packed with insights from EIC’s vast internal data and expert opinions. Discover the early-stage trends of groundbreaking technologies being developed in labs across Europe. These innovations have the potential to revolutionize economic growth and boost the EU's competitiveness, ... but only when they eventually get deployed in existing or new deep tech companies scaling in EU. 🌍💡#EUeic

68

4 Comments

EU underinvestment in Defence is estimated to be 425 billion €. If EU Member States had allocated 2% of their GDP to defence investment between 2006 and 2022, this amount would have been spent. For more insights, check out the latest EU staff working paper on the topic: https://lnkd.in/dQE8XTaE.

1

#EUInsight by #KreabBrussels always worth a read for a quick, easy-to-digest summary of the main developments in EU policy and what they mean! Kreab Worldwide 👇👇👇

4

❗ The energy challenges facing our politicians in the coming decades are enormous. Elia presented an energy compass with the main challenges but, above all, solutions 🗺 Read it here ⬇

21

♻️Big 🙏 thanks to ECESP Circular Economy for a very warm welcome and interesting insights from European stakeholders who were very helpful in giving me more detailed views of different sectors of circular economy. #egd #circulareconomy #europeanstakeholdersgroup

8

🎙️ Looking forward to getting better acquainted with the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) and its Hubs covering all EU Member States at their annual training, albeit virtually this time 🛡️ EDMO is a crucial part of the global FIMI defender community, even if EU-centric in its focus. It brings together fact-checkers, media literacy experts and researchers to better understand and analyse disinformation. All this in close collaboration with media organisations, online platforms and media literacy practitioners. 🔗 More information on the event: https://lnkd.in/eb9HZ-83

49

1 Comment

This year’s International PACE Event will be hosted by the The Romanian Lobbying Registry Association/ Asociatia Registrul Roman de Lobby and the PACE - Public Affairs Community of Europe(PACE). This event aims to encourage participants to engage in an active debate and demonstrate how ethical and transparent lobbying can strengthen democratic processes and protect the public interest. The 2024 Summit will focus on what the future holds from multiple public affairs perspectives, through exploring the ever-changing landscape of governance from the lens of upcoming elections, the impact and influence of artifical intelligence, and mitigation of threats through responsible and transparent partnerships between the private and public sphere. Each panel will feature discussions on the following topics: Regulating influence. How do we prepare for the future? Recommendations of the Regulation of Lobbying from international organisations Romania’s opportunities: Exploring Perspectives for Good Governance and Ethical Practices Presentations of EC and National Developments on Lobbying Regulations – Associations The future is here. AI in the future of Governance. Deep fake dangers for democracy Each year, the PACE Summit serves as a platform for thought-provoking discussions and knowledge exchange among delegates representing over 14 countries from across Europe. It is a gathering that fosters collaboration and drives meaningful change in the realm of public affairs. #publicaffairs #publicaffairssolutions #PACE

21

The EU Competitiveness Council met this week and adopted conclusions for “A competitive European industry driving our green, digital and resilient future  The Council’s call for the Commission “to make industrial policy and the boosting of European competitiveness an integral part of its agenda for the next legislative mandate, working towards a new European competitiveness deal” is highly welcome.  Europe does need a comprehensive, future-oriented and proactive industrial policy which addresses strategic dependencies and builds capacities and capabilities needed for our future. To this end we emphasis that it is essential to place electronics manufacturing at the heart of that effort as electronics enable the European industry at large and strategic European industries specifically. IPC will shortly issue a report that will further detail the state of the electronics ecosystem in the EU which will also identify areas of strategic dependencies. IPC, our members and industry partners look forward to working with the EU Institutions to reduce strategic dependencies and further enhance European competitiveness and resiliency. https://lnkd.in/ebZCBCd8 #electronics #europe #competitiveness #manufacturing #strategy #europeancommission

14

1 Comment

🔛 Pilot projects and preparatory actions (PPPAs) are new initiatives that might turn into EU funding programmes. Pilot projects are designed to test the feasibility of an action, and last not more than 2 years. Preparatory actions last for up to 3 years, and are often the successor of a successful pilot project. They are designed to prepare new EU policies, legislation, programmes etc. Which PPPAs does EACEA manage? https://lnkd.in/dA8qX_K2

7

Good news: 🐳 🐋 🦈 🐠 🐙 🦑 European Parliament consents by an overwhelming majority for the EU to ratify the #HighSeasTreaty. This is an important step forward for EU ratification; ifaw urges the EU Council to conclude the process as quickly as possible and all EU Member States to complete the ratification process domestically. The 27 EU Member States represent nearly half the remaining 56 ratifications needed for the treaty to enter into force. If EU Member States act quickly, they can be a driving force to conserve over half the Earth’s surface. Right now, only 1% of the High Seas are protected. The rest remains a mostly lawless space where millions of marine species have no protection. Yet oceans are the largest habitat on Earth, producing half the Earth’s oxygen, and absorbing about 30% of the carbon dioxide created. With this treaty, we have a formidable opportunity to help protect the planet and combat climate change. Governments around the world have committed to protecting 30% of our ocean by 2030, so we have no time to lose.   This is one of the most significant treaties of our times. While this decision by the European Parliament is an important milestone, EU Member States and other governments around the world need to take the plunge to make this a reality. #RaceForRatification High Seas Alliance 

79

2 Comments

Indeed an inspiring day and a privilege to contribute to the discussion of how we strengthen EUs competitiveness while at the same time accelerate the green transition. EU has set the right direction with the Green Deal and should not compromise. Now we have to work together across sectors as we do in WEFs CEO Action Group for EU Green Deal and build even stronger partnerships with institutions, coming EU parliament and Commission. Transforming EU is not an easy task. Financing, permitting, regulatory updates, workforce and skills etc. calls for clearheaded and constructive cooperation. It is simplification and implementation tackling a new geopolitical reality, all at the same time. Let’s - not get to work - but work even harder together to secure EUs single market, growth, prosperity and green transition.

11

📣 Want to know stakeholders’ replies to the #EUCommission #WhitePaper on telecoms and didn’t have time to read the 300+ responses? 👍🏽 Political Intelligence has done an extremely detailed analysis of most of the responses below. 🚦Most respondents disagree with the EU Commission’s proposals on interconnection, the dispute resolution mechanism or on extending universal service obligations. A lot of work ahead for the next Commissioner to make sure any future regulation takes into account the views from the industry, as requested by President von der Leyen in her letter to Commissioner-designate Virkkunen.

14

1 Comment

🗓 #CSDDD - Save the date for final European Parliament vote 🗳 In one week, on 24 April at 12.00 CET, MEPs will vote on the final agreement on the #EU Corporate Sustainability #DueDiligence Directive 👁 This will be a big moment but it is one of almost 15 laws being voted during a one hour period - so blink & you might miss it ✋ So far it will be a straight ✅ or ❌ vote on the entire text - a simple majority out of 705 MEPs secures the future of the law 📜 The current agenda is below & you can follow live here ➡ https://lnkd.in/evv3YmnU

484

10 Comments

Elections in Belgium: once in a blue moon the stars all align. It seems that a federal government could be seeing the light of day quite quickly as potential coalitions are already taking shape in Belgium. As the country moves to the right, politics are more aligned than ever. Things unfold quickly but... the new federal govt could become the sum of a likely Flemish centrist coalition of right-wing nationalists, Christian democrats and socialists and centre-right coalition in Wallonia of MR and Les Engagés. Having said that, policy negotiations, institutional reform and political egos (IYKYK) are still big hurdles to overcome. Or shall we break a new record, this time for quickest govt formation?

8

1 Comment