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The EU's integration, from the establishment of the European Economic Community in 1957 to the welcoming of 13 European countries in the 2004-2013 period, has been lauded for boosting economic development and living standards across the continent, bringing dynamism and new perspectives as well as enhancing Europe's geopolitical weight on the global stage. This economic development has been accompanied by dramatic improvements in life expectancy, gender equality and protection of the environment. ...

In June 2024, the Belgian Council Presidency put forward a compromise proposal for a new Council directive on equal treatment and it won the support of a broad majority of Member States. The proposed law calls for the EU acquis on non-discrimination and equality to be extended to four new grounds beyond the area of employment (religion or belief, age, sexual orientation and disability). This briefing looks into what might be the European added value of such a directive. While most Member States already ...

Building a European defence union is at the top of the EU's policy agenda. It is essential to preserving the security and wellbeing of EU society from current and future geopolitical threats. A reflection on the efficiency and quality of defence spending is a crucial first step in this process. Based on research carried out for the European Parliamentary Research Service, this report investigates the potential gains from deeper European cooperation on defence spending that leverages the continent's ...

Progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals has been insufficient, not least because of shocks such as the COVID 19 pandemic and recent wars. The cost of this lack of progress is borne by 'least developed countries' – low-income countries with low indicators of socio-economic development, as defined by the UN. This study reviews the European Union's role in policies that affect poverty in these contexts. It identifies 12 challenges that could be addressed to some extent by further ...

The European Union stepped up its action in the area of health – a shared competence between the EU and its Member States – in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. Yet, the EU lacks a joint health policy that recognises health as a public good. This study investigates three areas where there is high added-value potential from a joint EU health policy: research and development; the availability of prescription medicines; and preventive healthcare. EU action in these areas could generate benefits for ...

Globala utmaningar som klimatförändringar, geopolitiska konflikter, urholkning av demokratiska principer och sociala orättvisor, påverkar människors vardagsliv och framtidsutsikter. Ett gemensamt EU-svar under de närmaste tio åren skulle kunna bidra till att hantera dessa utmaningar – och generera vinster på upp till 3 biljoner euro per år. Det är runt 18 % av EU:s bruttonationalprodukt (BNP), eller motsvarande 6 700 euro per invånare varje år. Utifrån Europaparlamentets arbete under valperioden ...

This study has been drawn up by the European Added Value Unit within the European Parliament's Directorate-General for Parliamentary Research Services. It is part of a research project to better define the concepts of the cost of non-Europe and of European added value. The study recounts the development of these concepts and specifically how they have been used to support the European Parliament's work in setting the legislative agenda. It also presents their theoretical underpinnings and the main ...

Stress-testing is a promising foresight policy tool that can support the design of EU policies able to withstand the shocks and challenges of both the present day and the years to come. This study explores how the European Parliament could use stress-tests to identify weak points in EU legislation and avenues for further EU action. The study draws on the findings of a stress-test of EU rail transport policy and recommendations from an expert practitioner of foresight and regulatory policy. It finds ...

Trots att den europeiska integrationen är en viktig drivkraft för tillväxt, fred, miljöskydd och socialt välstånd brottas vi fortfarande med ihållande utmaningar. Vi kan också se potentiella kriser framöver. EU har ett antal möjliga vägar att välja mellan inför framtiden. Europaparlamentet förespråkar ambitiösa gemensamma EU-åtgärder, med potential att ge betydande vinster, inte bara i dag utan även i olika möjliga framtidsscenarier. Det här är ett utdrag ur en studie som genomförts för att stödja ...

Corruption poses a significant threat in the European Union and can contribute towards an erosion of democracy and the rule of law, especially during times of crisis. The European Union can do more to tackle corruption and curb its negative impacts on society. This report presents a quantitative analysis of the potential gains from further EU action to tackle corruption, estimating that it could generate up to €58.5 billion per year. Other gains could also be expected in terms of reinforcing democracy ...