The EC publishes the first Annual Report on the screening of FDI into the EU

The Annual Report draws on a number of sources, including the reporting by Member States pursuant to Article 5 of the FDI Screening Regulation. Prior to the entry into force of the FDI Screening Regulation on 11 October 2020, there was no EU-wide formalised cooperation among Member States and the European Commission on these matters. The European Commission had no role in the screening of FDI into the EU. This Report provides transparency around the operation of FDI screening in the EU, and developments in national screening mechanisms. It contributes to the accountability of the Union in an area where, given the security interests at stake, transparency regarding individual transactions is neither possible nor appropriate. This first Annual Report, based on the reports by the 27 Member States and other sources, confirms the clear value-added of the Regulation and the cooperation mechanism.