2021 EU refers to the European Union and its activities, policies, and significant developments during the calendar year 2021. This period was marked by the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the advancement of ambitious climate and digital agendas, and continued efforts to strengthen the Union's strategic autonomy and resilience.
Key Themes and Developments:
- COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Recovery: A central focus for the EU in 2021 was the rollout of vaccination campaigns across member states and the implementation of the NextGenerationEU recovery plan, particularly its centrepiece, the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Member states submitted their national recovery and resilience plans, which were subsequently approved by the European Commission and the Council, leading to initial disbursements of funds designed to support green and digital transitions, as well as reforms. The EU also launched the EU Digital COVID Certificate to facilitate safe free movement.
- Green Deal Implementation: Building on its commitment to climate neutrality, the European Commission presented the "Fit for 55" package in July 2021. This comprehensive legislative proposal aimed to revise and update various EU laws, including the Emissions Trading System (ETS), renewable energy targets, energy efficiency, and CO2 emission standards for cars, to align with the new target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
- Digital Transformation: The EU continued to advance its digital agenda, with legislative work progressing on the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), aimed at creating a safer digital space and ensuring fair competition among online platforms. Discussions also focused on artificial intelligence regulation and data governance.
- Presidencies of the Council of the European Union:
- Portugal (January - June): Under the motto "Time to deliver: a fair, green and digital recovery," Portugal focused on the implementation of NextGenerationEU, strengthening the social dimension of Europe (culminating in the Porto Social Summit), and advancing the EU's digital agenda.
- Slovenia (July - December): Slovenia's presidency emphasized resilience, recovery, and strategic reflection on the future of Europe, including efforts to enhance the EU's capacity to respond to crises, strengthen the rule of law, and engage with the Western Balkans.
- Conference on the Future of Europe: Launched in 2021, this pan-European democratic exercise aimed to engage citizens in discussions about the EU's future challenges and priorities, with citizen panels and a multilingual digital platform providing input for policy recommendations.
- External Relations and Geopolitics: The EU navigated complex geopolitical challenges, including ongoing tensions with Russia, the crisis at the Belarus-EU border, the aftermath of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, and continued efforts to deepen relations with the Indo-Pacific region. Trade relations, particularly with the United States following a change in administration, also saw renewed focus.
- Rule of Law: Concerns regarding the rule of law in certain member states, particularly Poland and Hungary, remained a significant internal issue. The European Court of Justice issued rulings related to the primacy of EU law, and the European Commission continued its monitoring and engagement.
- Brexit Aftermath: While the UK formally left the EU in 2020, 2021 was the first full year of its new relationship, marked by continued adjustments to the new trade and cooperation agreement, as well as ongoing challenges and negotiations regarding the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.