The last week of March sees the European institutions busy on various fronts. While attention is high on the Chips Act, with reports in both the ITRE and IMCO committees, work continues on the Gigabit Infrastructure Act in the Council. At the centre of the agenda there will also be the European Health Data Space. In addition, a major meeting of ministers in the Energy Configuration Council will take place with the focus on the gas and hydrogen package.
DIGITAL
Monday 27 March 2023. Report on the ongoing interinstitutional negotiations in the IMCO Commission on the Chips Act, with opinion rapporteur Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques of Spain (S&D). In addition, the chair of the working group, Denmark’s Christel Schaldemose (S&D), will report to the IMCO committee on the implementation of the Digital Service Act, of which she is rapporteur.
Tuesday 28 March 2023. In the ITRE Committee, developments concerning the inter-institutional negotiating table of the Chips Act will be reported by Romania’s Dan Nica (S&D). Also on the same day, Renate Nikolay, Deputy Director-General (DG CNECT), will present the Gigabit Infrastructure Act. The GIA aims to contribute to the timely and cost-effective deployment of ultra-high capacity networks to meet the growing connectivity needs in the European Union. To this end, it plans to facilitate better access to physical infrastructure by network operators and public institutions, better coordination of civil works, and uniform and digitally accessible licensing procedures. In addition, the rules address the implementation of new and renovated “fibre-ready” buildings. The draft opinion on the European Media Freedom Act will be considered in the IMCO Commission. Rapporteur for the opinion is Frenchman Geoffroy Didier (EPP). For the work of the Working Group on Telecommunications and the Information Society, the Gigabit Infrastructure Act will be at the centre of the agenda.
ENERGY
Tuesday 28 March 2023. Danish Rapporteur Niels Fuglsang (S&D) will report to the ITRE Commission on the ongoing negotiations for the Energy Efficiency Directive. Following, the European Commission will give two technical presentations on the Net-Zero Industry Act and the Critical Raw Materials Act. On the same day, the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council will meet in the energy configuration. First, ministers will work towards a general orientation on the gas and hydrogen package to outline common legislation for domestic renewable gas and natural gas and hydrogen markets. In addition, state representatives will be asked to reach agreement on the Council regulation on coordinated gas demand reduction measures. Consequently, ministers will hold an initial exchange of views on a proposal to revise the EU electricity market structure.
HEALTH
Tuesday 28 March 2023. Amendments to the European Health Data Space regulation will be considered in the IMCO Committee. Rapporteur for the opinion is Andrey Kovatchev of Bulgaria (EPP).
Thursday 30 March 2023. The European Health Data Space will also be addressed by the Working Group on Public Health.
