Busy period ahead

Croatia will presided over the Council of the EU during a busy period, when there will be negotiations on the EU’s long-term budget as well as on future relations with the UK. However, MEPs expect to see other topics on the agenda too.

Karlo Ressler (EPP) sees the presidency as a great opportunity for Croatia to further position itself politically, economically and diplomatically within the EU. “Croatia will continue to address the issue of Brexit and lead the negotiations on a budget for the next seven years. One of the key events will certainly be the summit in Zagreb, with a focus on the European perspective of Southeast European countries.“

Biljana Borzan (S&D) said protecting the rights of workers and consumers, as well as public health and the rule of law should be at the forefront. ”I hope that the negotiations on [the EU’s long-term budget] will be successful because implementation of programmes and politics for which citizens voted on during the European elections, like the European Green Deal, depends on it“

Valter Flego (Renew Europe) said: “Croatia needs to act as a neutral mediator and ensure successful cooperation and continuous implementation of the [EU’s] programme“. He also believes that Croatia will have an opportunity to “directly show to its people what Europe does for them“.

Ruža Tomašić (ECR) expects lobbying in the national interests. “The most important document from the previous term, the report on the multi-annual plan for fish stocks in the Adriatic Sea, is still at a dead end in the Council. I expect this will change during Croatia’s presidency“. She also wants to see progress on direct payments in agriculture and the activation of unused agricultural land.

Climate emergency

Tackling the climate emergency is one of the EU’s top priorities. The European Commission is working on a Green Deal to make the EU climate-neutral by 2050. Expect proposals on sustainable food, more durable products, pesticides, a biodiversity strategy for 2030, as well as plans for fewer harmful emissions from aviation and shipping.

EU’s long-term budget

Negotiations on the EU’s budget for 2021-2027 will continue. Parliament is calling for more money to fight climate change, boost innovation and protect our borders.

Digital services

The Commission is expected to launch a proposal for a Digital Services Act as well as one regarding artificial intelligence. The latter should clarify legal issues and help to boost investment for companies dealing with it in Europe. Parliament will be looking into whether automated decision-making systems can be biased due to the algorithm being used.

Banking Union

The euro zone crisis showed the need for further integration of the EU’s financial system. In 2020 the Parliament will work on proposals for completing the Banking Union, including a scheme to protect savings and backup measures in case a bank goes bust.

Trade deals

Parliament will vote on trade and investment agreements with Vietnam, which would remove 99% of tariffs. In addition, the EU will continue working on new deals with other countries, including Australia and New Zealand, Chile, Indonesia, the Philippines, Morocco and Tunisia. Talks for an investment agreement with China are also ongoing.

Health

Early next year the European Commission is expected to come up with an action plan to fight cancer, which will be examined by the Parliament.

Passenger rights

A new proposal seeks to update passenger rights for people travelling by air or rail. MEPs are especially keen to boost the rights of people with a disability.

Enlargement

Talks will continue with countries wanting to join the EU. The Parliament is pushing for the EU to launch accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia as they have met the requirements. MEPs will also debate the prospects of Western Balkan countries joining.

Brexit

The UK is currently due to leave the EU on 31 January 2020, although it is possible for the country to leave earlier if the withdrawal agreement has been approved by the UK and the European Parliament.

Once the withdrawal agreement has been approved, the next step would be to negotiate an agreement on future relations, which would include issues such as trade and cooperation on defence, the environment and the fight against terrorism.

Security

Parliament and the Council are currently negotiating proposals to combat the dissemination of terrorist content online. Temporary border controls in the Schengen area are also under discussion and . In addition the Commission is expected to come up with a proposal to secure EU borders next year.

Schuman declaration

On 9 May it will be 70 years since French foreign minister Robert Schuman proposed creating a European Coal and Steel Community, the first step on the path to the current EU.

Thanks to the digital single market, online shopping has become much safer and easier.

Key rights

You can now shop online for goods or services from any EU country. Retailers can no longer redirect you to a local store with different prices and products, a practice known as geo-blocking. The regulation putting an end to unjustified geo-blocking was approved by MEPs and entered into force on 3 December 2018.

In addition, online sellers must make all costs clear from the start – no more nasty surprises at checkout. They must provide clear information about the total price, including all taxes and additional charges. If there are additional fees for services such as express delivery or travel insurance, you cannot be charged for them unless you actively select them. You also cannot be charged extra for using your credit or debit card.

Right to return or cancel

You have 14 days to return an order you made online for any reason and still get a refund. There are some exceptions, such as train and plane tickets, concert tickets or hotel bookings. You must also inform the trader that you want to cancel the purchase.

You also have the right to cancel an order if it is not delivered at the agreed time or within 30 days and receive a refund.

Two-year guarantee

All goods bought in EU countries as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are covered by a minimum two-year guarantee. National rules may provide extra protection and a trader may also offer an additional guarantee, but this does not replace or reduce the two-year guarantee.

If the product you bought was damaged during delivery, is faulty or does not look or work as advertised, the seller is obliged to repair or replace it free of charge or give you a price reduction or a full refund. The guarantee also covers second-hand goods bought from a trader, but not from private individuals.

It has been quite a year. From European elections, which brought many new faces to Parliament, to electing the new European Commission and approving laws, 2019 was busy.

Check out our photo gallery to catch up with some of the highlights of the year and read our article for a reminder of key moments: from the hearings of candidate commissioners to approving a ban on single use plastics and cutting emissions.

In 2020, the new Parliament and Commission will have to live up to the pledges made to the people of Europe in the context of the elections. Find out about some of the key issues coming up in our article on 1 January.