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15 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 08 SEPTEMBER 2021 NEWS try of Foreign Affairs Dr Stanislav Raščan told the Development Committee that the Presidency will help partner countries re- cover from the wide-ranging effects of the pandemic on education, gender equality, food security and hunger, education, and health. Additionally, they would continue advancing gender equality in European ex- ternal action and push for the integration of water policy into all of the EU's external policies. In their replies, MEPs questioned what concrete measure the Minister would ad- vocate for improving fair access to vac- cines for developing countries. MEPs al- so expressed support to the Presidency's commitment to pushing for the signature of the post-Cotonou partnership agree- ment with the Africa, Caribbean and Pacif- ic (ACP) region before the end of the year. Economic and Monetary Affairs On Tuesday 13 July, Economic and Mon- etary Affairs Committee asked Finance Minister Andrej Šircelj what the Presiden- cy intend to do about unfinished EU pro- jects that urgently need completion. These included the Banking Union, including a European Deposit Insurance Scheme (EDIS), the Capital Markets Union, with a focus on access of small and medium com- panies to finance, and ongoing work on non-performing loans. Additionally, MEPs wanted to know about the next steps regarding Global Agreement on Corporate Taxation and Fi- nancial Transaction Tax, both files being blocked in the Council due to unanimity rule on tax issues. Finally, MEPs sought assurance that funds from national recov- ery plans will be properly spent through- out the EU and, with reference to growing debts and deficits in many member states, they said to expect a review of the Stability and Growth Pact. Animal welfare during transport On 14 July, Agriculture Minister Jože Podgoršek said there should be more ef- forts to ensure the proper implementation of current rules on animal transport and zero tolerance on animal welfare breaches. The Slovenian presidency will be looking forward for Commission's impact assess- ment of current rules in this area, and their update by the end of 2023. MEPs on the Committee of Inquiry on the Protection of Animals during Trans- port said that numerous hearings on this topic have revealed many shortages in the implementation of current animal trans- port rules, calling for a review of them and for the use of new funds from Common Agriculture Policy to equip vehicles with proper equipment to strengthen animal welfare. Many MEPs also stressed a need to ban the export of live animals to third countries, as member states do not have means to ensure proper control in coun- tries of destination. Environment, Public Health and Food Security On 12 July, Health Minister Janez Poklukar told the Environment, Public Health and Food Security Committee that the presidency would promote the imple- mentation of innovative solutions for re- silient health systems and EU level coop- eration. Two of the main priorities for the presidency are reducing health inequality and advancing towards a fully-fledged Health Union. MEPs had questions about cross-border research against cancer, the HERA incubator, a stronger EMA and ECDC and countering cyberattacks against these agencies. On 14 July, Agriculture, Forestry and Food Minister Jože Podgoršek said the Presidency will emphasise work on con- sumer protection, traceability of products and indications of origin, as well as effec- tive official control to ensure the food Eu- ropeans eat is safe. MEPs questioned him on a number of topics including the Coun- cil's initial assessment of the forest strat- egy, the responsibility of the agriculture sector in the green transition, pesticides, loopholes in the new CAP deal, and the overexploitation of forests. Later the same day, Environment Minis- ter Andrej Vizjak told the committee that he will prioritise the implementation of the Fit For 2030 package and work towards a compromise that is fair and ensures that Europe's economy continues to remain competitive. The minister also highlighted the COP26 in Glasgow on climate change and the COP15 on biodiversity where the presidency will work to achieve a global framework for climate action. MEPs ques- tioned him on incentives to ensure the green transition, the old and new Emis- sions Trading System (ETS), the recovery of European nature, biodiversity, carbon sinks, and the battery regulation. Foreign Affairs On 14 July, Slovenia will pay special at- tention to the Western Balkans, and its prosperity as a strategic interest for the EU, Foreign Minister Anže Logar told the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The en- largement process is a key priority, he said, adding that the EU should strive to include the region when discussing Europe's fu- ture. The minister also highlighted the ge- opolitical dimension of the EU's strategic autonomy, transatlantic partnership, con- nectivity and cyber security. MEPs inquired about the political block- age between North Macedonia and Bul- garia, the worrying presence of Russia and China in the Western Balkans, as well as asking how the Presidency will achieve its goal of a stronger Euro-Atlantic perspec- tive for the region. Industry, Research and Energy In the field of energy, infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec told the Industry, Research and Energy Committee that the Presidency will try to create a more stable EU energy sector to prepare for a smooth, cost-effective and just energy transition. It will continue work on the Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E regulation), and start negotiations with Parliament as soon as possible. The Presidency also in- tends to start working on the proposals of the "Fit for 55" package. On digital issues, Public Administration Minister Boštjan Koritnik said that the Presidency will work on the roaming reg- ulation and data governance act, starting negotiations with Parliament as soon as possible. Finding a general approach on the European Digital Identity regulation and the revision of the NIS directive is also high in their agenda. On industrial policy, Economic Devel- opment and Technology Minister Zdra- vko Počivalšek said that the Presidency will focus on implementing the upcoming modernised European Industry Strategy, focusing in particular on the issues of re- silience of the EU economy, an open stra- tegic autonomy, and the twin digital and green transitions. The Presidency will also carefully monitor the implementation of the SME strategy, the minister said. On research, Education, Science and Sport Minister Simona Kustec told MEPs that European partnerships, the Europe- an Research Area, international cooper- ation and gender equality will be presi- dency priorities. The Presidency will aim to conclude the legislative process on the joint undertaking for high performance computing, on the joint undertakings un- der Horizon Europe, and on the European Partnership on Metrology, she said. Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs On 1 September, Justice Minister Marjan Dikaučič announced to MEPs that he will focus on the protection of fundamental rights in relation to new digital technol- ogies as well as on the ethical aspects of Artificial Intelligence. He will also com- prehensively address the subject of child rights in both criminal and civil law, as well as raising awareness of the need to effec- tively combat hate speech and hate crimes. When it came to legislative files, Minister Dikaučič hoped for significant progress on e-evidence and for the start of negotiations on the e-codex file, a computerised system for communication in cross-border civil and criminal proceedings. MEPs raised the question of the possible conclusion of Article 7 procedures against Poland and Hungary in the Council, as well as the completion of the appointment procedures for Slovenian delegated EPPO prosecutors. On 2 September, Interior Minister Ales Hojs told MEPs the Presidency will work on the good functioning of the Schengen Area and the protection of the EU's exter- nal border, as well as a comprehensive mi- gration management and working to guar- antee a high level of internal EU security. On legislation, the completion of Eurodac reform and work on the return directive and the revision of the rules governing Eu- ropol were identified by Minister Hojs as among the presidency's priorities. MEPs asked about possible progress on the pact on migration and asylum. They also queried him on the need to establish structural solidarity among member states in the distribution of refugees, the possi- ble activation of the temporary protection directive, establishing humanitarian corri- dors and search and rescue at sea plans at EU level. presidency of the Council of the EU This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. 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