Nuevas reglas de detección para inversiones extranjeras en la UE: medidas de seguridad y armonización.
Under the new rules, several sectors, such as media services, critical raw materials, and transport infrastructure, will be subject to mandatory screening by Member States to identify and address security risks or public order related to foreign investments. The procedures applicable to national screening mechanisms will also be harmonized, and the Commission will have the power to intervene on its own initiative or if there are disagreements among Member States regarding potential security risks or public order concerns stemming from a specific foreign investment.
If the screening authority finds that the planned foreign investment project is likely to have a negative impact on security or public order, it will have to either approve the project subject to mitigation measures or prohibit it.
The proposal was adopted with 31 votes in favor, 7 against, and 3 abstentions.
Background
The current framework for screening foreign direct investments was signed on October 11, 2020. It has addressed growing concerns about certain foreign investors seeking to acquire control of EU companies providing critical technologies, infrastructure, or assets, or holding sensitive information and whose activities are vital to the EU’s level. The rules are designed to help identify and address security risks or public order concerns regarding foreign direct investments involving at least two members or the EU as a whole. In January 2024, the Commission introduced a new proposal on the assessment of foreign investment projects in the EU.
Quoted by the Rapporteur
Parliament rapporteur Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D, FR) stated: «I am pleased that a strong pro-European and pro-European majority has adopted an ambitious reform of the EU’s foreign investment screening mechanism. This reform will establish a more predictable system to ensure that foreign investments do not compromise our security.»
Next Steps
Following adoption in the International Trade Committee, the Parliament as a whole will vote in a future plenary session, after which negotiations with Member States on the final shape of the law can commence.
