10 important European Parliament decisions that will soon affect your life

1. Online shopping - strengthened consumer protection against fraudsters. THE EP adopted eu-wide rules for better consumer protection and a faster suspension of unfair traders. EU Member States' authorities will have wider powers to detect and stop consumers' rights violations online. The amended regulation on consumer protection cooperation will also make it possible to act more closely AT EU level.

More plašāk: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/latvia/lv/jaunumi/2017/okt_jaunumi/onlineshopping.html
 

2. More accessible products and services for people with disabilities. THE EP supported the European Accessibility Act, which aims to make a number of products and services accessible to people with disabilities. For example, essential products and services such as telephones, ticket machines and banking services.

More plašāk: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/latvia/lv/jaunumi/2017/septembra_jaunumi/invaliditate.html
 

3. Rules in āa tricker “terminal” ban AT EU level. THE EP approved the rules in October which will make it possible to identify significantly faster the damage caused by new psychoactive substances as “terminal” and, where necessary, to limit their circulation AT EU level. Penalties for production and distribution will be treated as penalties for the circulation of other prohibited substances. The new rules also strengthen the role of Europol in determining the involvement of organised crime in the production and distribution of drugs.

More plašāk: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/latvia/lv/jaunumi/2017/oktobra_jaunumi/narkotikas.html
 

4. It should be noted that, in order to improve the quality of life of the population, THE EP adopted decisions on both the availability of online-based online content and the availability of free internet access TO THE EU:

Iemitted movies and TV shows online, including abroad. THE EP approved the rules for removing restrictions on access to online content, films, TV serials, music, games or sports broadcasts, in another European country. This means that Latvian citizens can access Viaplay or shortcut content, for example by visiting relatives in Ireland or visiting Estonia. These Regulations apply to pay services - Netflix, Amazon Prime etc.
More plašāk: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/latvia/lv/jaunumi/2017/mai_jaunumi/parraides.html
 
Wifi4eu: A new EU scheme for free internet access. THE EP approved AN EU scheme for free WiFi access points in public places. EU funding for the implementation of the scheme is intended to be “geographically balanced” by selecting projects in the order of submission. This will allow more than 6000 public places across THE EU (hospitals, libraries etc.) to provide free wireless internet.
More plašāk: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/latvia/lv/jaunumi/2017/septembra_jaunumi/wifi4eu.html
 
Employment

5. Paeur 500 million for the fight against youth unemployment. THE EP approved a budget increase of €500 million for youth employment initiative in September. It is part of the €1.2 billion increase in 2017-2020.

More plašāk: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/latvia/lv/jaunumi/2017/septembra_jaunumi/papildu-500-miljoni-eiro-c-ai-ar-jauniesu-bezdarbu.html
 
Business and consumers

6. Supported EU-Canada Trade Agreement (CETA) THE EP was supported by the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which aims to promote trade and investment in goods and services. THE ep rapporteur was Mr Pabriks.

More plašāk: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/latvia/lv/jaunumi/2017/febr_jaunumi/ceta-eiroparlament-riesi-atbalsta-es-kan-das-tirdzniec-bas-nol-gumu.html
 
It should be noted that in July, THE EP supported the first European Union (EU) and Cuban Cooperation Agreement, marking a turning point in relations between the two parties.
More plašāk: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/latvia/lv/jaunumi/2017/julija_jaunumi/kuba.html
 

7. New anti-dumping rules for the protection of jobs and production IN THE EU

THE EP, in November, supported stricter EU rules aimed at protecting EU jobs and businesses from unfair trade practices that are being implemented by countries which are excessive in economic activity. The new EU rules are the first in the world to prevent trade partners and producers outside THE EU from pursuing international labour and environmental standards.
More plašāk: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/latvia/lv/jaunumi/2017/okt_jaunumi/antidempings.html
 

8. Transparent gas supply contracts

THE EP approved new rules in September so THAT EU countries could start a specific cross-border aid mechanism when faced with gas supply crises. In accordance with the Regulation, the supply of gas to households, district heating installations and relevant social service providers such as hospitals will be a priority. A Member State affected by the crisis will be able to activate the solidarity mechanism and seek assistance to other countries.
More plašāk: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/latvia/lv/jaunumi/2017/septembra_jaunumi/gaze.html
 
Security

9. The European Parliament has supported a number of provisions to combat terrorism and strengthen security IN THE EU:

New EU anti-terrorism rules. In order to combat the growing threats posed by foreign fighters who move between different conflict areas for terrorist purposes, as well as the so-called “lonely wolves” who are planning “solo attacks”, THE EP supported the new EU anti-terrorism rules in February. The new Anti-Terrorism Directive has updated THE scope of EU rules on terrorist offences and expanded the scope of the rules, including new threats. The EP also approved new rules to strengthen checks at EU external borders with a view to improving EU internal security.
More plašāk: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/latvia/lv/jaunumi/2017/febr_jaunumi/pretterorisma.html
 
Pexternal EU firearms directive to address safety deficiencies. THE EP in March supported the revised EU firearms directive, which provides for stricter control of “empty cartridges” weapons and inadequate deactivated weapons used in Paris terrorists, and the obligation FOR EU countries to ensure a system for the issuance and renewal of licences and to ensure the exchange of information.
More plašāk: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/latvia/lv/jaunumi/2017/mar_jaunumi/ieroci.html
 
It should be added that September THE EP was created by the Special Committee on Terrorism Studies (TERR)to identify counter-terrorism measures and policy gaps IN THE EU.
More plašāk: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/latvia/lv/jaunumi/2017/septembra_jaunumi/terorisms.html
 

10. Dsmarter and smarter European borders

In October, THE EP supported the creation of a single electronic system that will speed up checks at the external borders of the Schengen area and register all third-country immigrants. The new entry/exit system (IIS) will record information (name, fingerprints, facial photo, border crossing date and place) of entry, exit or refusal of entry of third-country nationals.
More plašāk: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/latvia/lv/jaunumi/2017/oktobra_jaunumi/entryexitsystem.html
 
BREXIT
In the context of the Brexit process, where EP dthe eputies, as one of the priorities, strongly emphasise the provision of equal rights FOR EU citizens (the right FOR EU citizens living in Great Britain and British citizens living IN THE EU))it should be noted that THE EP welcomed THE Eu-Uk joint progress report in December and called for a second phase of Brexit negotiations. In general, THE EP has so far adopted three resolutions on Brexit negotiations – 5 April, 3 October and 13 December. They developed Gia Ferhofstadt (ALDE, Belgium) EP Brexit Coordination Group. The European Parliament will have a final vote on the agreement reached in Brexit. The negotiations are to be concluded by the end of March 2019.
More plašāk: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/latvia/lv/jaunumi/2017/decembra_jaunumi/brexitnew.html
 
Legislative process IN THE EU
European Parliament and COUNCIL of THE EU (its work was conducted in the first half of 2015 by Latvia), jointly adopt EU rules in many areas (e.g. economic governance, energy, transport, environment, consumer protection, etc.), which is then a basis FOR eu national laws. For example, in Latvia up to 80% law is based on EU decisions. Although the European Commission (EC) is the only EU legislative initiator, THE EP can indicate what legislation would be desirable and ask THE EC for legislative proposals.