Russian Nuclear Plants and Chinese Networks in Europe? The European Parliament Says a Clear No: Gregorová Helps Negotiate Joint Investment Control

Strasbourg, May 8, 2025 – The European Parliament approved its position on new legislation regarding the so-called screening of foreign investments. The aim is to strengthen the protection of key European sectors against the influence of hostile regimes such as China, Russia, and Iran. Lawmakers are responding to growing concerns that investments in strategic infrastructure could be exploited for espionage, sabotage, or theft of technology. MEP Markéta Gregorová has played a significant role in negotiating the new rules as the shadow rapporteur for the Committee on International Trade (INTA).

“Europe can no longer afford to be naive. We saw what happened with Huawei and the 5G network – now China is preparing for 6G. Our telecommunications are vulnerable. Russia is building a nuclear power plant in Hungary without oversight, and Chinese conglomerates control key ports in the EU. This is not regular business – this is targeted influence-building that could threaten us.”

MEP Markéta Gregorová

The new rules introduce a unified framework for how member states review foreign investments in areas such as energy, media, electoral infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and transportation hubs. Gregorová successfully advocated for, among other things, more thorough risk assessments, clearer definitions of protected sectors, and harmonization of rules across member states, as some have implemented stricter controls while others have no such laws at all.

“Until now, we allowed authoritarian regimes to choose the weakest member state with the mildest rules, thereby circumventing the rest of the Union. Now, all states will be required to protect strategic sectors – not just themselves, but also their neighbors,” emphasized Gregorová.

A significant change is the strengthening of the role of the European Commission, which will have the authority to investigate suspicious investments and issue binding opinions. “The Commission is being given stronger tools, and this is necessary – member states need not only support but also oversight. It is not about limiting their sovereignty but about joint defense against the exploitation of our weaknesses. Each state has different capacities and political will to address these issues with the necessary diligence. When a loophole opens for authoritarian capital in one state, it can impact the entire Union. Strengthening the Commission’s powers is therefore a logical step – it is a safeguard to ensure that no member state becomes a weak link for all of Europe,” Gregorová added.

The parliamentary position now serves as the basis for negotiations with member states, which will take place within the framework of the so-called trilogues. The goal is to reach an agreement on the final version of the legislation, which would provide the Union with a long-term functional system of defense against hostile foreign influence and enhance its economic security.