Ten Issues To Watch in 2021
Ten Issues To Watch in 2021
Ten Issues To Watch in 2021
Ten issues to
watch in 2021
IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS
EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service
Author: Étienne Bassot
Members' Research Service
PE 659.436 – January 2021 EN
This EPRS publication seeks to offer insights and put into context ten key issues and policy areas that
are likely to feature prominently on the political agenda of the European Union in 2021. It has been
compiled and edited by Isabelle Gaudeul-Ehrhart of the Members' Research Service, based on
contributions from the following policy analysts: Marie-Laure Augère and Anna Caprile (Food for all?
Food for thought), Denise Chircop and Magdalena Pasikowska-Schnass (Culture in crisis?),
Costica Dumbrava (A new procedure to manage Europe's borders), Gregor Erbach (A digital boost
for the circular economy), Silvia Kotanidis (Conference on the Future of Europe, in the introduction),
Elena Lazarou (A new US President in the White House), Marianna Pari (The EU recovery plan:
Turning crisis into opportunity?), Jakub Przetacznik and Nicole Scholz (The vaccine race for health
safety), Ros Shreeves and Martina Prpic (Re-invigorating the fight against inequality?),
Branislav Staniček (Turkey and stormy waters in the eastern Mediterranean) and Marcin Szczepanski
(Critical raw materials for Europe). The cover image was produced by Samy Chahri.
Further details of the progress of on-going EU legislative proposals, including all those mentioned
in this document, are available in the European Parliament's Legislative Train Schedule, at:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/
LINGUISTIC VERSIONS
Original: EN
Translations: DE, FR
Manuscript completed in January 2021.
PE 659.436
ISBN: 978-92-846-7689-7
ISSN: 2600-268X
DOI:10.2861/851756
QA-BR-21-001-EN-N
[email protected]
http://www.eprs.ep.parl.union.eu (intranet)
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Ten issues to watch in 2021
Table of contents
Introduction __________________________________________________________________ 1
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Ten issues to watch in 2021
Introduction
The year ahead of us is critical in many ways: 2021 is the first year of recovery after the coronavirus
pandemic hit the world in 2020. In the five-year European political cycle, it is a year in which progress
towards significant action and implementation are expected, after a first year generally more
focused on declarations and planning. And global events and geopolitical tensions make it no less
critical at international level.
To help us to understand Europe and the world at such a critical time, the European Parliamentary
Research Service (EPRS) has asked a dozen of its policy analysts to identify ten issues to watch in
2021, explaining why they matter and what we might expect in the year to come. With so many
burning issues at stake in Europe and in the world, a selection of just ten is by definition subjective.
Yet, it is the opportunity to place the spotlight on a series of topics selected for their obvious
importance or original relevance.
This publication covers a broad spectrum of areas, most of which are affected directly or indirectly
by the current coronavirus pandemic, reflecting how the crisis has impacted our lives and societies
in nearly all their economic, social and cultural dimensions. The ten topics chosen include both
issues that are at the very heart of the crisis – the vaccine race and economic recovery – and those
that are starkly highlighted by it – such as access to food, discrimination, and the state of the
performing arts – as well as some of the big background changes shaping the world we live in
today – the digital, environmental and geo-political challenges ahead, from Europe's borders to its
transatlantic relationship. These ten issues echo some of the ten opportunities spotted for Europe
post-coronavirus in our July 2020 publication exploring potential opportunities that the crisis might
offer to improve policy for the future.
The central nature of the coronavirus crisis and its overall impact in terms of global responsibility,
from vaccines for all to the climate objective, have logically inspired the written contributions as
well as the visual representation of the ten issues on the cover of this publication.
In parallel with these issues, 2021 is also likely to be a year of profound reflection on the EU's future
through the Conference on the Future of Europe. The President of the European Commission
launched the idea of a structured discussion through such a conference in her pre-election
statement to the European Parliament in July 2019, encouraging the involvement of both European
citizens and their elected representatives as part of a broader renewed impulse of European
democracy. This idea was promptly endorsed by the Parliament, which made very precise and
ambitious suggestions on the purpose, scope and composition of the conference in its resolution of
15 January 2020. The Commission went on to present its own somewhat less 'ambitious' vision,
nevertheless largely converging with that of the Parliament. The Council too, while stressing the
importance of the implementation of its Strategic Agenda and the respect of the institutions'
prerogatives, later joined the Parliament and the Commission in endorsing the involvement of
national parliaments, citizens and civil society. Whilst the coronavirus crisis has delayed the signing
of a joint declaration by the three institutions − after which the Conference may start − agreement
seems to be close, even if the sensitive question of the Conference's chair remains open.
At the start of this critical year, we hope that you will enjoy reading this latest edition of 'Ten Issues
to Watch' and that it will stimulate you to reflection, and ignite your curiosity as you explore the
challenges and opportunities of 2021.
Étienne Bassot
Director, Members' Research Service,
European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS)
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EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service
The European Commission presented a strategy on 17 June 2020, to accelerate the development,
manufacturing and deployment of vaccines against Covid-19. The strategy aims to secure high
quality, safe, effective and affordable vaccines for all in the EU within 12 to 18 months, if not earlier.
As different vaccines will accomplish different things − one vaccine might be better for older or
vulnerable populations, while another might be better for the young; one might prevent the spread
of the virus, while another might prevent severe illness − the Commission has sought to diversify its
vaccine candidate portfolio with different technologies and different companies. To this end, it has
entered into advance purchase agreements with vaccine producers on behalf of the EU Member
States. In 2020, it concluded contracts with AstraZeneca, Sanofi/GSK, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV,
BioNTech/Pfizer, CureVac, and Moderna. All potential vaccines are assessed by the European
Medicines Agency (EMA) before the Commission grants approval. On 21 December, the BioNTech/Pfizer
vaccine, and on 6 January the Moderna vaccine, were given one-year conditional marketing
authorisations. These vaccines will be available to all EU Member States at the same time. A joint,
coordinated EU-wide vaccine roll-out started officially on 27 December in most countries.
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Ten issues to watch in 2021
distance, and vulnerable socio-economic groups. The Commission underlined that Covid-19
vaccination should be made easily accessible and affordable, encouraging countries to consider
providing vaccines for free. It asked the Member States to strengthen their vaccination services,
including workforce and supplies, and to take into account the logistical challenges linked to
specific storage and transport requirements, especially as regards temperature (in some cases as
low as -70 to -80 °C), which would also entail economic costs in terms of specialist equipment and
running costs to maintain the cold-chain. It insisted that Member States ensure clear
communication on the benefits, risks and importance of Covid-19 vaccines to build public
trust. Vaccine hesitancy is an important aspect not to be overlooked, as the European Parliament
underlined in an April 2018 resolution. This is all the more valid in the current context: in an April
2020 survey on the willingness to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in seven European countries, 74 %
of respondents said they would want to have a jab if a vaccine were available, 19 % were not sure,
and 7 % stated they did not want to get vaccinated. Monitoring vaccine acceptability, behavioural
research, as well as communication plans are also key components of the European Centre for
Disease Prevention and Control's supporting guidance for Covid-19 vaccination. Finally, there is the
'for and against' in the controversy as to whether vaccination should be made mandatory in order
to obtain the Covid-19 vaccination coverage needed for herd immunity, estimated at up to 70 % of
the population.
Not just those companies with which the Commission negotiated contracts developed vaccines.
Among the most discussed are four Chinese vaccines and the Russian Sputnik V. Their development
processes were heavily criticised, as they received approval or were widely distributed before
ending phase III clinical trials. The lack of transparency, and previous national vaccine scandals, have
led to the vaccines' claimed safety and efficacy results being questioned. Despite that, Hungary
initially declared its willingness to use Chinese and Sputnik V vaccines. While this is compatible with
EU law under certain conditions, the Commission stresses the importance of having the vaccines'
efficacy, safety and quality assessed by the EMA, to build citizens' trust.
Challenges ahead
The global operation to distribute vaccines is an unprecedented challenge. The vaccine doses have
to be produced without undermining other vaccine production capabilities. The vaccine transport
and distribution security is the next issue to watch. Once vaccinations start, extra measures will be
taken to monitor possible side-effects. Some scientists advise to expect the unexpected. Not only
can production or transport lines temporarily fail, but people may behave less cautiously too early,
or the virus may mutate and become resistant to vaccine. Also, insufficient numbers of vaccinations
may delay any herd immunity effect. The world should be prepared for different scenarios.
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Ten issues to watch in 2021
these funds and achieve the full potential the plan can offer to support recovery and modernisation.
It is an opportunity not to be missed.
Another opportunity the recovery plan brings relates to the reform of the EU's own resources. The
agreed package, in line with the European Parliament's long-standing request for new own
resources, envisages the gradual introduction of new own resources to facilitate the repayment of
the NGEU borrowing. The new own resources decision provides, from 2021 already, for a new
contribution to the EU budget based on non-recycled plastic packaging waste. Moreover, further
resources should be gradually introduced on the basis of a roadmap. These new sources aim to
progressively diminish the GNI-based own resource and thus open a new approach to financing the
EU budget.
According to some experts, this innovative recovery instrument gives another dimension to the EU's
financing. If the EU recovery instrument is implemented with success, it could become a new way
of financing EU policies and a permanent facility to help the EU face any other potential deep crisis.
However, for this approach to become the new way to react to crisis situations, further political
debate will be necessary, as there are still diverging views.
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Ten issues to watch in 2021
The conclusion of the UN 2020 report leaves no doubt: the world is currently not on track to achieve
zero hunger by 2030, and if recent trends continue, the number of people affected by chronic
hunger would surpass 840 million by 2030. Although exacerbated by the pandemic, the profound
imbalances and distortions inherent to the current global food systems were present well before.
Data source: Food and Agriculture Organization, In brief to the state of food security and nutrition in the world 2020; World
Health Organization, Essential nutrition actions: mainstreaming nutrition through the life-course, 2019; Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change, Special report climate change and land, 2020; Employment in agriculture, The World Bank, June
2020; Delivering sustainable food and land use systems: The role of international trade, Chatham House, 2019.
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5. Culture in crisis?
Culture in general, and the arts in particular, create relationships and help us
interpret and give meaning to our lives and the world around us. As such, they
play an important role in our social relations, general wellbeing and health,
especially mental health, even underpinning certain therapies. While such
factors are not included in the calculation of gross domestic product (GDP),
Canada recently introduced culture into its wellbeing index. This covers time
and money spent on arts and culture, attendance at live performances, and
volunteering for culture, thus acknowledging the importance of an often under-valued area.
Artistic processes enrich our experiences but not necessarily the artists themselves, whose jobs are
precarious and often poorly paid. While cultural and creative sectors employ 3.7 % of workers across
the EU, cultural jobs, artistic ones in particular, account for twice as many freelancers as in the rest
of the economy and offer low levels of social protection. This, together with the tendency to have
to follow project-based career paths, means that many workers in the cultural sector have an
uncertain future.
revenues. Beyond the pandemic, digital applications are now available to improve the experience
in certain seats with limited visibility. Digital technology also offers an opportunity to attract new or
younger audiences to theatres and other cultural venues.
The lockdowns have accelerated efforts and reflection on digital transitions in many spheres, even
in cultural activities. Recently, G20 culture ministers called for a new paradigm, forging more
sustainable societies and economies. On that occasion, Unesco's Director General, Audrey Azoulay,
stated that culture must be central to the recovery efforts, since it is an overarching need,
underpinning all aspects of our societies. She defines it as a purpose, not a cost.
Whatever 2021 will bring for the sector, recent data point not only to a drop in revenues from live
performance by musicians due to lockdowns, but also a reduction in the royalties generated through the
playing of 'background' music in public venues such as restaurants, bars and hotels. This is yet another
trend to watch for live performances, since such usage accounts for 19 % of royalties collected by
European authors’ societies, making it possible for musicians to go on stage.
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EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service
Circular economy
A circular economy is a key component of the European Green Deal. In a circular economy, products
stay in use longer (through sharing, repair and reuse), and materials are reused over and over. A
circular economy would reduce environmental damage from resource extraction and production of
materials, make Europe less dependent on imported materials and decouple economic growth from
the input of new material resources. There is growing recognition that a circular economy will help
to address the triple challenge of resource scarcity, environmental impacts and waste. The EU's new
circular economy action plan, adopted in March 2020, features a sustainable products initiative to
support the circular design of products, focused on resource-intensive sectors, including electronics
and information and communication technologies, as well as a new European data space for smart
circular applications with data on value chains and product information.
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Ten issues to watch in 2021
Moreover, digital technologies can help design and manage complex circular industrial ecosystems,
in which the waste of one production process becomes a valuable input to another process, based
on the principle of industrial symbiosis, for example by using captured CO2 as a chemical feedstock.
Smart batteries with a built-in battery management system play an ever-increasing role in the digital
and green transition at all scales, from tiny batteries for smart watches to grid-scale batteries that
help integrate fluctuating renewable energy sources in a climate-neutral electricity system. Batteries
in electric vehicles enable zero-pollution mobility and can help to balance the electricity grid.
Boosting the production, reuse and recycling of batteries in the EU is seen as critical to the success
of the energy and clean mobility transitions. On 10 December 2020, the Commission proposed a
revision of the EU Batteries Directive, with the aim of introducing sustainability requirements and
improving collection, treatment and recycling of waste batteries and ensuring materials recovery.
The broader circular electronics initiative, to be launched in in the fourth quarter of 2021 as part of
the new Circular Economy Action Plan, aims to promote longer product lifetimes, establish a right
to repair, and improve the collection and treatment of e-waste. The European Parliament supported
the right to repair in its November 2020 resolution on a more sustainable single market.
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Ten issues to watch in 2021
Another crucial goal of the EU, which depends on access to CRMs, is its twin − green and digital –
transition, which is one of the main ambitions of the current policy cycle. This was highlighted
before the coronavirus crisis in both the European Green Deal and in the new industrial strategy, for
instance. The European Parliament supports bolstering this dual transformation with a holistic
approach linking all elements of the value chain: mining, recycling, smelting, refining and
transformation, and the development of an integrated ecosystem for the whole range of materials,
metals, and minerals, which goes beyond CRMs. This means that the existing gaps and
vulnerabilities in raw material supply chains need to be thoroughly addressed. When the virus hit
Europe, the twin transition of economy and society gained even more importance, as it formed the
core of the long-term EU response. The CRMs play an enabling role in the planned recovery from
the pandemic. They are essential for successfully taking both paths out of the crisis: they underpin
all the digital technologies as well as those required for the green future of the EU such as solar
panels, wind turbines and electrical batteries. Indeed, Commission President von der Leyen's call for
'building a resilient, green, and digital Europe' cannot be answered without systematically resolving
the issues of CRM supply. However, in its transition to a low-carbon economy, the EU should avoid
replacing its reliance on fossil fuels with reliance on CRMs.
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Long-overdue reforms
In 2016, the Commission put forward a package of proposals to reform the CEAS. Despite making
progress on several aspects, the Member States could not agree on a number of key issues, such as
the proposed corrective relocation mechanism, and mandatory asylum border procedures. In the
meantime, more progress was achieved on a series of measures aimed at strengthening the
management of external borders. Most of these measures, however, are still to be fully implemented
to produce notable effects.
The new pact builds on, revises, and expands previous proposals in an effort to break the deadlock
on the reform of the CEAS. Despite a significant drop in the number of people arriving at EU external
borders, as compared with 2015 figures, deficiencies continue to affect EU asylum and migration
policies. This is exemplified by the persistent backlogs in processing applications for international
protection, overcrowded reception facilities at the EU's external borders, recurrent allegations of
illegal border practices, including push-backs and fundamental rights violations, and consistently
low rates of return of rejected asylum applicants and irregular migrants. The coronavirus outbreak
in 2020, and the related containment measures adopted by Member States, have temporarily
reduced the flow of people across the external borders. However, this has exacerbated challenges
related to delivering protection to people in need and to securely managing the borders.
Deficiencies at external borders also affect the functioning of the Schengen area of free movement.
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Ten issues to watch in 2021
A second objection is that the proposed solutions are unlikely to improve the situation and that their
impacts on border management, asylum, and return will likely be limited if not adverse. Indeed,
despite being presented as 'a mere information-gathering stage', the border screening may have
unwarranted effects on asylum procedures. Moreover, the broad margin of discretion left to the
Member States on how to carry out checks, including preliminary medical and vulnerability checks,
and on the use of detention, could aggravate existing problems at the external borders.
The swift routing of pre-checked persons, who are not authorised to enter the EU and who do not
apply for international protection, towards the return procedure is intended to make the return
process more efficient. A number of other measures in the new pact (e.g. the joint issuance of return
decisions and of decisions rejecting applications for international protection, and sponsorship
return procedures) are expected to contribute to this. The problem with return measures is that their
effectiveness depends largely on cooperation with third countries. However, most third countries
have so far been reluctant to cooperate on returns, given the domestic political and economic costs
of such cooperation. Whereas the new pact would make a prominent point about cooperation with
third countries on migration and return, it seems to prioritise coercive measures while offering little
additional incentives (for example, no concrete proposals on legal migration pathways).
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Ten issues to watch in 2021
Policy responses
In 2021, both the US and the EU are likely to continue their clear policy towards Turkey, which is
influenced more by Turkey's current provocative behaviour and several political disagreements than
by common economic interests. According to experts, for the US, 'the policy begun under the
Obama administration of building up Cyprus and Greece as strategic partners to replace Turkey is
likely to continue'. The position of the EU is also tilted towards a more sceptical and prudent view.
The European Commission announced in March 2020 that Turkey would not receive any pre-
accession funds during the 2021-2027 period, in contrast to the €3.2 billion allocated to the country
from the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance in 2014-2020. Furthermore, the much needed
modernisation of the EU-Turkey customs union, which came into force in 1995, could be suspended
despite the fact that the European Council of 1 October 2020 called for conditional modernisation
as part of an effort to 're-energise the EU-Turkey agenda'.
In case of renewed Turkish unilateral and provocative actions in breach of international law, such as
Erdoğan's visit to the northern Cyprus Varosha beach resort, and his support for a two-state solution
in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, the EU, as recalled by the European Council, 'will use
all the instruments and the options at its disposal, including in accordance with Article 29 TEU and
Article 215 TFEU, in order to defend its interests and those of its Member States'. This view was
echoed in the Commission's 2020 annual report on Turkey. The European Parliament shares this
opinion. It has called in the past for a conditional modernisation of the EU-Turkey Customs Union
(see resolution of March 2019 on the 2018 Commission report on Turkey), but has also opened the
door for new sanctions and suspension of the Customs Union (resolution of October 2019 on Turkish
military action in Syria and resolution of November 2020 on escalating tensions in Varosha). A
growing number of voices suggest that the EU could decide to apply new tariffs on selected goods,
such as Turkish steel. At the 10-11 December 2020 European Council meeting, EU leaders asked High
Representative/Vice-President of the Commission Josep Borrell to draw up a report on the state of
EU-Turkey political, economic and trade relations and to suggest how to proceed, including on
widening sanctions, and submit it to the leaders by the time they hold their meeting in March 2021.
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EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service
• the 'made in all of America' future, which aims to use smart investments in
manufacturing and technology to create manufacturing and innovation jobs across
the US, including a US$400 billion 'Buy American' fund;
• building on the Affordable Care Act by giving Americans more choice, reducing
healthcare costs, and making the healthcare system less complex to navigate;
• tackling the climate emergency, including through a clean energy revolution,
ensuring that the US achieves a 100 % clean energy economy and reaches net-zero
emissions by 2050;
• improving racial economic equality, through a range of initiatives, including access
to affordable housing for black, brown, and native families.
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Ten issues to watch in 2021
The Biden-Harris team has also outlined a detailed approach to beating the Covid-19 pandemic and
an economic recovery plan, alongside plans in areas such as education, gun control, violence against
women, immigration, LGBTQ+, employment insurance and a range of others.
In 2018, the European Parliament recalled the longstanding EU-US partnership and alliance, and insisted
that it 'be based on jointly sharing and promoting together common values including freedom, rule of
law, peace, democracy, equality, rules-based multilateralism (and) sustainable development'. It
welcomed the work of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue in fostering EU-US relations. EP President
David Sassoli congratulated Joe Biden on his victory on 7 November 2020, emphasising the need for a
relaunch of transatlantic relations. The Parliament has urged the US to re-join the Paris Agreement on
climate change and called for the removal of US tariffs imposed since 2017.
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Further reading
Aguilar A. and Cantú C., 'Monetary policy response in emerging market economies: why was it different
this time?', Bank of International Settlements (BIS) Bulletin, November 2020.
Anghel S., Immenkamp B., Lazarou E., Saulnier J. and Wilson A., On the path to 'strategic autonomy' − The
EU in an evolving geopolitical environment, EPRS, European Parliament, September 2020.
Antikainena M., Uusitaloa T. and Kivikytö-Reponen P., Digitalisation as an Enabler of Circular Economy,
10th CIRP Conference on Industrial Product-Service Systems, May 2018.
Auersperger Matić A. and Parry M., The role of the Electoral College in US presidential elections, EPRS,
European Parliament, December 2020.
Bassot É., Ten opportunities for Europe post-coronavirus − Exploring potential for progress in EU policy-making,
EPRS, European Parliament, July 2020.
Bellmann B., Lee B. and Hepburn J., Delivering Sustainable Food and Land Use Systems: The Role of
International Trade, Hoffmann Centre for Sustainable Resource Economy, Chatham House, September 2019.
Bentzen B., The evolving consequences of the coronavirus 'infodemic': How viral false coronavirus-related
information affects people and societies across the world, EPRS, European Parliament, September 2020.
Blakeney M., Food loss and food waste: causes and solutions, Edward Elgar Publishing, January 2019.
CERES 2030, Final report: sustainable solutions to end hunger, October 2020.
D’Alfonso Alessandro, Next Generation EU: A European instrument to counter the impact of the
coronavirus pandemic, EPRS, European Parliament, July 2020.
Dumbrava C., Screening of third-country nationals at the EU external borders, EPRS, European
Parliament, November 2020.
EEAS Special Report update: Short assessment of narratives and disinformation around the Covid-19
pandemic (update May-November 2020), European External Action Service Strategic Communications
Task Forces and Information Analysis, Euvsdisinfo.eu, 2 December 2020.
Fundamental Rights Report 2020, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.
Gender equality: A review in progress, Topical Digest, EPRS, European Parliament, October 2020.
Hedberg A. and Šipka S., The circular economy: Going digital, European Policy Centre, March 2020
Johnson, H., International Agricultural Law and Policy: A Rights-Based Approach to Food Security,
Edward Elgar Publishing, October 2018.
Kotanidis S., Conference on the Future of Europe, EPRS, European Parliament, June 2020.
Kotanidis S., Preparing the Conference on the Future of Europe, EPRS, European Parliament, December 2019.
Lazarou E. and Titievskaia J. with Handeland C., US foreign policy after the 2020 Presidential election −
Issues for the European Union, EPRS, European Parliament, December 2020.
Lomba N. and Stjernquist A., Towards a joint European approach on vaccination, EPRS, European
Parliament, April 2020.
Makovsky A., Problematic Prospects for US‑Turkish Ties in the Biden Era. Human Rights, Sanctions Likely
among Early Tests, Stiftung Wissenchaft und Politik (SWP), December 2020.
Pasikowska-Schnass M., EU support for artists and the cultural and creative sector during the coronavirus
crisis, EPRS, European Parliament, May 2020.
Pasikowska-Schnass M., Performing arts: Emerging from confinement, EPRS, European Parliament, June 2020.
Rossi R., European Union food system, EPRS, European Parliament, September 2020.
Sapala M., Pari M. and Kresnichka-Nikolchova N., EU financing for 2021-2027 − Political agreement on the
2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the Next Generation EU (NGEU) recovery instrument
and new own resources, EPRS, European Parliament, December 2020.
Shreeves R, The rights of LGBTI people in the European Union, EPRS, European Parliament, November 2020.
Shreeves R. and Prpic M., Violence against women in the EU − State of play, EPRS, European Parliament,
November 2020.
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Stanicek B., Turkey: Remodelling the eastern Mediterranean Conflicting exploration of natural gas
reserves, briefing, EPRS, European Parliament, September 2020.
Szczepanski M., Critical raw materials for the EU: Enablers of the green and digital recovery, EPRS,
European Parliament, December 2020.
Szczepanski M., Important projects of common European interest: Boosting EU strategic value chains,
EPRS, European Parliament, November 2020.
The COVID vaccine challenges that lie ahead, Nature, 24 November 2020.
Zanotti J. and Clayton T., Turkey: Background and U.S. Relations In Brief, Congressional Research Service,
November 2020.
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QA-BR-21-001-EN-N
This is the fifth edition of an annual EPRS publication
aimed at identifying and framing some of the key issues
and policy areas that are likely to feature prominently
on the political agenda of the European Union over the
coming year.
The topics analysed are: the Covid-19 race for a vaccine;
the recovery plan; access to food; inequality; challenges
for culture and the performing arts; a digital boost for
the circular economy; critical raw materials; border
controls; Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean; and the
new US administration.
PE 659.436
ISBN 978-92-846-7689-7
ISSN: 2600-268X
doi:10.2861/851756