EU Parliament Pushes for Simplification

In a call for greater efficiency, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola urged EU leaders to embrace simplification to boost employment, stability, and security across the continent. Speaking at an informal leaders’ meeting in Copenhagen, Metsola emphasized the Parliament’s commitment to easing regulatory burdens for industries, families, and farmers, highlighting the recent signing of a new Framework Agreement with the European Commission.

The push for simplification is set to advance with votes on revisions to key directives, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, scheduled for October. The agenda also includes discussions on the Omnibus II Investment Simplification Package, the Visa Suspension Mechanism, and the Common Agriculture Policy Simplification Omnibus. Metsola pointed out that these efforts aim to generate more jobs and foster economic stability and security.

Addressing other critical issues, Metsola underscored the need for a collective European defence strategy, particularly through the European Defence Industry Programme, with an agreement anticipated in the upcoming trilogue. She also reaffirmed the Parliament’s support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict, advocating for increased financial backing to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

In addition to defence and economic matters, Metsola touched upon the importance of energy independence from Russia and expressed optimism about a U.S.-endorsed peace plan for the Middle East that could pave the way for stability and reconstruction in Gaza. On migration, she noted progress towards establishing an EU list of Safe Countries of Origin and revising related regulations, with hopes for completion by the year’s end.