The 2021 European Commission work programme focuses on the recovery and stronger resilience of the European economy during the coronavirus pandemic and is based on six priorities, with emphasis on swifter green and digital transition, Commission Vice President Dubravka Suica said on Thursday.

She was addressing the Croatian parliament’s European Affairs Committee via video link from Brussels.

Suica said the six priorities were green and digital transformation, an economy that works for people, a stronger Europe in the world, promoting the European way of life, and a new push for European democracy.

Speaking of the Green Deal, which covers a broad legislative spectrum, she said the Commission’s target was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum 55% by 2030 from 1990.

The Commission’s approach to digital transition will focus on the right to privacy and connectivity, freedom of speech, free flow of data and cybersecurity, Suica said.

“We want to ensure that European citizens have greater control over the data they wish to share and over their use. On the external plane, the EU will continue to work on an international agreement for a fairer tax system. If that isn’t feasible, the Commission will propose the introduction of a digital tax in the first half of next year.”

An economy that works for people concerns the European Pillar of Social Rights, an instrument making sure that no one is left behind in Europe’s recovery, Suica said.

The EU also wants to strengthen its role in the world, working on the strengthening of multilateral organisations as well as of its cooperation with the eastern and southern neighbours, Africa and the Western Balkans, she said.

Another goal is to strengthen the security union by tackling organised crime and curbing hybrid threats as well as the sexual exploitation of children on the Internet, said Suica.

Old age and the future

She also spoke of her portfolio, democracy and demography, which did not exist before the current Commission, saying that work on demography was one of the foundations for concrete solutions to the pandemic crisis.

“Demographic changes must be taken into account if we wish to build a more just and more viable society.”

Over the past 50 years, life expectancy in Europe has increased by ten years and if this trend continues, by 2070 women in the EU will live 90.3 years and men 86, Suica said.

Now women live 83 years on average and men 78, and in Croatia that is 81.5 and 74.9 respectively, she said. “These data are important for policy planning. They bring new challenges as well as opportunities.”

She announced that late in January or early in February the Commission will adopt the Green Paper on Ageing which will cover all aspects of the ageing society, including the loneliness of older people and their health.

“Our goal is to highlight the new opportunities that are being created for products and services adjusted to our elderly fellow citizens.”

Envelope for Croatia worth €8.1 billion

Suica also spoke of the negotiations on the 2021-27 EU budget and COVID crisis recovery plan, both of which total over €1.8 trillion and whose adoption has been blocked by Hungary and Poland because payments are conditional on respect for the rule of law.

She was hopeful that a solution will be found at an EU summit scheduled for December 10 and 11.

“In the next seven years, Croatia will have an €8.1 billion cohesion envelope, which is €270 per capita. Through the Common Agricultural Policy, it will also receive a €4.2 billion allocation.”