EC Report

Strategic lawsuits against public participation, commonly known as ‘SLAPPs', are a particular form of harassment used primarily against journalists and human rights defenders to prevent or penalise speaking up on issues of public interest. The proposed Directive covers SLAPPs in civil matters with cross-border implications. It enables judges to swiftly dismiss manifestly unfounded lawsuits against journalists and human rights defenders. It also establishes several procedural safeguards and remedies, such as compensation for damages, and dissuasive penalties for launching abusive lawsuits. The Commission is also adopting a complementary Recommendation to encourage Member States to align their rules with the proposed EU law also for domestic cases and in all proceedings, not only civil matters. The Recommendation also calls on Member States to take a range of other measures, such as training and awareness raising, to fight against SLAPPs.

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The 10-year bond, due on 06 July 2032, brings the total financing raised under the programme to €91 billion. Portugal had submitted a payment request to the Commission on 25 January based on the achievement of the 38 milestones and targets selected in the Council Implementing Decision for the first instalment. The milestones and targets cover reforms in the areas of health, social housing, social services, investment and innovation, qualifications and skills, forestry, the blue economy, the bio-economy, renewable gases (including hydrogen), public finances and public administration. Several targets also concern investments in the areas of infrastructure, de-carbonisation of industry and digital education. The Portuguese recovery and resilience plan includes a wide range of investment and reform measures in 20 thematic components. The plan will be supported by €13.9 billion in grants and €2.7 billion in loans, 13% of which (€2.2 billion) was disbursed to Portugal in pre-financing on 3 August 2021.

This financing will support the implementation of the crucial investment and reform measures outlined in Bulgaria's recovery and resilience plan.

The Commission assessed Bulgaria's plan based on the criteria set out in the RRF Regulation. The Commission's analysis considered, in particular, whether the investments and reforms contained in Bulgaria's plan support the green and digital transitions; contribute to effectively addressing challenges identified in the European Semester; and strengthen its growth potential, job creation and economic and social resilience.

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This is a key step paving the way for the EU to disburse €3.3 billion in grants to Sweden under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). This financing will support the implementation of the crucial investment and reform measures outlined in Sweden's recovery and resilience plan, enabling Sweden to emerge stronger from the coronavirus pandemic. The RRF is the key instrument at the heart of NextGenerationEU. It will provide up to €800 billion (in current prices) to support investments and reforms across the EU. The Swedish plan forms part of an unprecedented and coordinated EU response to the coronavirus crisis. It addresses common European challenges by embracing the green and digital transitions, strengthening economic and social resilience, as well as the cohesion of the single market. The Commission assessed Sweden's plan based on the criteria set out in the RRF Regulation. The analysis focused on whether the investments and reforms contained in Sweden's plan support the green and digital transitions; contribute to effectively addressing challenges identified in the European Semester; and strengthen its growth potential, job creation and economic and social resilience.

The digital euro could foster the emergence of cross-border solutions for payments and the deployment of instant payments. It could support innovation and competition in payments and strengthen the EU's open strategic autonomy. In addition, a digital euro could meet the new payment needs of Industry 4.0. The European Central Bank (ECB) and the Commission are jointly examining, a wide range of political, legal and technical issues in relation to the possible introduction of a digital euro. The Commission wants to gather stakeholders’ views on users’ needs and expectations for the digital euro and how to make it available for retail while preserving the legal tender status of euro cash. This consultation also seeks views on the role of a digital euro for retail payments and the EU digital economy, its impact on the financial sector and financial stability, as well as aspects related to anti-money laundering rules and data protection.

Through an information stand set up in the vicinity of flea markets, SEM provided factual information on the problem of single-use plastics and their adverse effects, what the EU is doing to address this problem and encourage the public to take action by reducing the use of plastic through their participation in a competition.

The stands were set up on April 18 in Mosta, on April 19 in Cospicua, on April 20 in Birkirkara and on April 23 in Qormi.

Visitors at the information stand were able to collect a flyer and a bamboo toothbrush as a token, while also being encouraged to take part in a competition related to alternative plastic use.

You can also participate in this competition and get the chance to win a water filter jug, by sending us a photo showing what you are doing in order to reduce the use of plastic. You can send us a photo via our Facebook page, or via email at info.sem@gov.mt. The competition closes on April 30, 2022.