On August 13, 2024, the CMU adopted Resolution N 757-р On some issues of pilot auctions for the allocation of the support quota in 2024 (the “Auction Quota Resolution”).

On 21 August 2024, the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy opened a tender procedure for National infrastructure for storage of renewable energy (RESTORE) for granting stand-alone battery energy storage system (BESS) tender funded under the EU’s Recovery Resilience Facility (the “Procedure”).

As a preliminary overview, as of January 2023, applications for cancellation on absolute and relative grounds, as well as for revocation due to non-use of national trademarks and international trademarks designating Romania, can be brought before the Romanian State Office for Inventions and Trademarks (the “IPO”).

In a recent legal resolution, an author, a mechanical engineer employed to oversee the printing machinery at a prominent publishing house, found himself at the heart of an unexpected ghostwriting controversy.

On 26 July 2024, the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission (NEURC) adopted Resolution 1381, amending key provisions of the following agreements:

Although Lithuania no longer has a national airline, charter companies are popular in the market, especially during holiday periods. Although the Lithuanian aviation industry was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, no charter company has gone bankrupt. In fact, just recently in spring 2024, one charter company undergoing restructuring finished restructuring procedures earlier than planned and successfully continues its operations from Lithuania.

On August 13, 2024, the CMU adopted Resolution N 756-р On some issues related to the contest for the construction of generating capacity and the implementation of demand-side management measures (the “Contest Conditions Resolution”) setting forth the following conditions for the construction of generating capacity:

When importing goods from third countries into the European Union (EU), you must adhere to EU and national laws regarding importing, declaring, and applying customs duties (such as import duty, value-added tax, and excise duty on certain products).

In recent months, Slovenia’s real estate market has experienced significant shifts driven by economic, technological, and regulatory factors, with more changes expected.

On June 15, 2024, the long-awaited Act on the Judicial Protection Procedure for Former Holders of Qualified Liabilities of Banks (ZPSVIKOB 1) entered into force in the Republic of Slovenia.

Slovenia’s economy has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, with a projected GDP growth rate of 2.3% in 2024, up from 1.6% the previous year. Inflation has stabilized at around 2.8%, and unemployment is at a historically low rate of 3.7%.

Following a prolonged financial crisis, Greece’s economic recovery has significantly progressed in recent years, leading to a resurgence in the real estate market. This revival is not just a mere uptick but a significant surge, evident in rising property prices, increased transaction volumes, and growing interest from foreign investors. Prominent areas such as Athens and Thessaloniki and popular islands like Crete, Mykonos, and Santorini have experienced a substantial increase in real estate activity.

The energy market in Greece is undergoing dynamic changes and challenges. The country is trying to adapt to the requirements of the energy transition by focusing on the development of renewable energy sources (RES) and enhancing its energy independence. At the same time, legislative developments and initiatives aim to address existing challenges and promote sustainable solutions.

Despite a slowdown experienced in the Greek M&A sector in 2023, primarily attributed to factors such as inflation, increased interest rates, pervasive geopolitical instabilities, and diverging valuation perspectives between sellers and buyers, the ongoing year of 2024 has seen a notable upsurge in transaction activity. This upward trend underscores the robustness and resilience of the market, which is not only recovering but is also attracting heightened attention from international investors.

On 1 July 2024, the long-awaited Act on Collective Civil Proceedings (the Class Actions Act) entered into force, allowing consumers and small entrepreneurs to pursue their claims in court together through a class action.

The Law on Personal Data Protection (LPDP) significantly influences the development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems in the Republic of Moldova. As companies increasingly adopt AI technologies, awareness and understanding of LPDP requirements application is crucial to ensure compliance and protect the rights of individuals.

In Austria, almost 1,000 units of stored blood are needed every day; in Germany, it is around 15,000 units. Blood is an important emergency medication in the event of accidents, childbirth, surgeries or serious illnesses. It has a shelf life of only 42 days and cannot be produced artificially.

Although not recognized in domestic legislation for a long time, freelancers finally saw a resolution to their long-standing battle for legal recognition of their status by the end of 2022. Amendments to the Law on Personal Income Tax (“Law”), which followed months of protests and negotiations with relevant authorities, officially established and regulated the status of this category of workers. This legal framework now clearly defines their rights and obligations in a transparent manner.