EU to scrutinise foreign direct investment more closely | News | European Parliament

EU to scrutinise foreign direct investment more closely | News | European Parliament

• First ever EU-level tool to screen foreign direct investment (FDI) on grounds of security and public order 
• Covers FDI in critical sectors and technologies made by opaque, state-owned companies with government ties, FDI impacting EU programmes and projects 
• EU countries to cooperate and exchange information on FDI, Commission may deliver opinions 

Parliament has agreed to set up an EU-level tool to screen foreign direct investment on grounds of security to protect strategic sectors, in a vote on Thursday.

While the EU remains open for investment, inward foreign direct investment (FDI) needs to be vetted to limit any possible danger to the EU’s strategic interests. The new provisions on how to screen, informally agreed between Parliament negotiators and EU ministers, were endorsed by 500 votes for, 49 against and 56 abstentions. Parliament’s vote has created the first EU-wide system that supports member states’ screening FDI on grounds of security and public order. (...)