Search

29. Regarding fisheries, there were no significant changes during the review period in the management of fisheries under the reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which has been in effect since 2014. The Commission conducted a comprehensive assessment of the implementation of the CFP, considering the CFP's objective of restoring and maintaining fish stocks at sustainable levels by 2020. While tariff protection on an MFN basis is relatively high, the EU grants preferences on a reciprocal or unilateral basis, to major fishery suppliers. The EU adopted a new regulation in December 2017 on the sustainable management of external fishing fleets. Regarding international cooperation, it signed ocean partnership agreements with China and Canada and, together with nine other countries, signed an Agreement to Prevent Unregulated Commercial Fishing on the High Seas in the Central Arctic Ocean. As at October 2019, the EU had 12 Sustainable Fisheries Partnerships Agreements with partner countries, in addition to the Northern Agreements with Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

30. Key objectives of the EU's energy policy, as defined in the Energy Union Package adopted in 2015, are: improving security of energy supply; completing the internal energy market; boosting energy efficiency; decarbonizing the economy and becoming the world leader in renewable energy; and promoting research, innovation and competitiveness. New legislation adopted during the review period relating to these objectives includes new rules on the security of gas supply and electricity risk preparedness, a revision of the gas Directive, a regulation and a directive on the internal market for electricity, amendments to the Energy Efficiency Directive, and a directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. The 2030 Climate and Energy Policy Framework, adopted in 2014, has the following targets for 2030: reduce greenhouse gas emissions domestically by at least 40% compared to 1990 levels; reach a share of at least 32% in renewable energy; and increase energy efficiency by at least 32.5% at EU level. In 2018-19, the EU adopted a new comprehensive legislative framework for energy and climate change policies.

1.7. GDP growth slowed in 2018, as the German economy contracted in 2018 Q3. The downturn in the automotive market contributed to the slowdown. This was partly the consequence of the introduction of new emissions standards , the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure, with higher requirements for the reduction of CO2 emissions, (...)

1.16. There are ongoing efforts to rationalize expenditures by shifting resources from the common agricultural and cohesion policies to areas such as research and innovation, young people, the digital economy, migration, and climate objectives. (...)

1.26. The Europe 2020 Strategy is the EU's agenda for growth and jobs for the current decade. It emphasizes smart, sustainable and inclusive growth as a way to overcome the structural weaknesses in the economy, improve competitiveness and productivity, and underpin a sustainable social market economy. The final objective is to deliver high levels of employment, productivity and social cohesion in the member States, while reducing the impact on the environment. The Commission set five targets under the strategy: (i) 75% employment level for people aged 20 64; (ii) 3% of GDP invested in research and development (R&D); (iii) greenhouse gas emissions 20% lower than 1990 levels, 20% of energy coming from renewables, and a 20% increase in energy efficiency; (iv) reduction of early school leavers to below 10%, and at least 40% of 30-34 year-olds having completed higher education; and (v) lifting at least 20 million people out of the risk of poverty and social exclusion. These targets were translated into national targets, as defined in the National Reform Programmes (NRPs). The NRPs represent the set of policies EU member States plan to implement to promote economic growth and job creation and prevent/correct imbalances.

1.30. (...) Furthermore, efforts are ongoing in areas like services, as progress was made towards establishing a Digital Single Market, a Banking Union, a Capital Market Union, good quality infrastructure, broadband, energy, transport, and a circular economy, with a view to creating new opportunities for inclusive economic growth (Section 4). (...)

1.32. Similarly, the European Commission's Annual Growth Survey 2019 calls for decisive and concerted policy action by the EU and its member States to deliver on the promise of inclusive and sustainable growth (...) It identifies the main risks and challenges facing the EU as follows:
(...)
• medium/long-term challenges: tapping the growth potential of digitization; the impacts of technological transformations on workers and specific sectors; the impacts of demographic changes and the role of migration; mitigation of and adaptation to climate change; and sustainable use of natural resources.

2.9. In light of Opinion 2/15 of the Court, the Commission considers that the EU's exclusive competence to conclude international trade agreements covers the following matters:
(...)
• trade and sustainable development in its entirety;
(...)

2.13. The first objective is to seal new trade partnerships to build progressive rules for global trade. EU trade policy aims to create new economic opportunities through a comprehensive negotiating agenda at various (bilateral and multilateral) levels. The EU is committed to strengthening its economic ties with future engines of growth in Asia and Latin America. This first objective also involves the use of trade policy to promote the universal values the EU adheres to, regarding environmental, consumer, social and labour protection and fundamental rights, as well as the express preservation of the right to regulate in the public interest. (...)

2.14. A noteworthy development relating to this first objective concerns gender aspects of international trade, (...) The potential effects of trade agreements on women were analysed in sustainability impact assessments and in several ex post assessments of EU trade agreements. (...)