Romanian Presidency priorities discussed in committees

Romania is holding the Presidency of the Council until the end of June 2019. Hearings take place from 21 January onwards.
Economic and monetary affairs: banking and capital markets union, European Monetary Fund
ECOFIN Chair and Public Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici said on Monday 21 January that the Presidency would aim to continue deepening economic and monetary union, particularly through progress on the banking union and the capital markets union. making progress towards fairer taxation, and improving economic convergence. MEPs were particularly interested in Mr Teodorovici’s views on the European Monetary Fund and stabilisation mechanism proposals, as well as what progress could be made towards a Eurozone budget. They also asked about the next steps on digital taxation, the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for taxation purposes as well as the review of the EU financial supervisory agencies.
Budgets: invitation to appear declined
Successive Council presidencies have been invited to present their priorities on EU budget-related matters, without ever accepting. The Romanian Presidency has so far refrained from answering, despite the number of important files of common interest being dealt with by that committee: the 2020 budget, the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, the protection of financial interests in case of rule of law deficiencies, InvestEU and the Reform Support programme, inter alia.
Culture and education: mobility, inclusion, support for artists and fair remuneration for authors
The Presidency will focus on early childhood education and care as well as language teaching and learning, as they can contribute towards increasing mobility and creating an inclusive environment, National Education Minister Ecaterina Andronescu said on Tuesday.
Culture and National Identity Minister Valer Daniel Breaz said they would try to finalise negotiations on the copyright legislation, highlighting the importance of fair remuneration of artists, but also access to content. Access to more opportunities, integrating more easily in the labour market and volunteering for young people will be the main priorities in the field of youth, Youth and Sports Minister Constantin-Bogdan Matei said.
Internal Market: Online platforms, market surveillance, consumer protection rules
Finalising the negotiations on online platforms and market surveillance rules to ensure that products sold in the EU are safe are among the priorities of the Presidency, said Economy Minister Nicolae Bădălău, on Tuesday. The 2021-2027 single market programme, which will depend on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) negotiations, is also high on the agenda.
On updating consumer protection rules (the “Omnibus proposal” voted through on Tuesday in the committee, which also deals with dual quality of products), the Presidency will seek to obtain a Council position at the beginning of February, the minister ensured MEPs, so that negotiations with Parliament could start soon.