Europabevegelsen

Weekly European Agenda 1 – 7 December 2014

by ·

Day-to-day

Monday 1 December

Tuesday 2 December

Wednesday 3 December

Thursday 4 December

Friday 5 December

 

Institutional agendas

Monday 1 December

End of the transition period for European Police and Criminal Justice Policies. These areas will now be fully subject to the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty, including enforcement action from the European Commission, European Court oversight and European Parliamentary decision-making powers.

Monday 1 – Tuesday 2 December

Plenary meeting of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC) Rome, Italy. On the agenda: The future of supranational democracy 5 years after the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty: What role for European institutions and national Parliaments?; Review of the Europe 2020 Strategy: growth, employment, competitiveness; European integration prospects: Global role of the European Union and projection of its policies in the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe.

Monday 1 – Wednesday 3 December

28th Session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, Strasbourg. On the agenda, amongst other issues: statement from and debate with European Commissioner for international cooperation and development Neven Mimica; Report on the challenge of national reconciliation in post conflict and post crisis countries; the Ebola outbreak; the social and economic consequences of malnutrition in ACP countries; migration.

Monday 1 – Friday 12 December

United Nations Climate Change Conference in Lima, Peru. Attended by the European Commission and a European Parliament delegation led by Environment committee Chairman Giovanni La Via.

 

European Parliament Committee Meetings

Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET): 1-2 December
On the agenda, amongst other issues: exchange of views with Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn; exchange of views with Federica Mogherini; debriefing on the state of investigation on the MH17 crash in Ukraine; exchange of views with Foreign Ministers of the Western Balkans on the enlargement progress reports; exchange of views with Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Open Russia Movement.

Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT): 1-2 December
On the agenda, amongst other issues: exchange of views on recent allegations concerning EULEX Kosovo mission; report on the Fight against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of criminal law; vote on European Investment Bank Annual report 2013.

Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN): 1-2 December
On the agenda, amongst other issues: presentation of the amended 2014 CEF Transport Work Programme by the Commission; amendments and vote on Cross-border exchange of information on road safety related traffic offences; exchange of views with Commissioner Bulc; Commission presentation on the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems.

Committee on Culture and Education (CULT): 1-2 December
On the agenda, amongst other issues: exchange of views with the 2014 European Charlemagne Youth Prize winners; exchange of views with the Commission on the implementation of the Erasmus+ Programme; public hearing on ‘An integrated approach to cultural heritage in Europe: State of play and perspectives’.

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM): 1-2 December
On the agenda, amongst other issues: debate on the situation of women in the Gulf States; presentation of activities of the European Institute for Gender Equality; draft report on the Equality between Women and Men in 2013; joint meeting with LIBE, the Council and the Commission on the Commission Mid-term report on the 2012-2016 EU Strategy towards the eradication of trafficking in human beings and the Global Report on Trafficking in Persons of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Committee on Petitions (PETI): 1-2 December
On the agenda, amongst other issues: statement by the Head of Delegation of the Petitions Committee of the Scottish Parliament; vote on the Annual report on the activities of the European Ombudsman in 2013; Fact-Finding Visit Proposals to Spain, Poland and Cyprus.

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON): 1-2 December

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL): 1-2 December

Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI): 1, 2, 3 December
On the agenda 1-2 December, amongst other issues: exchange of views on the statute for a European Foundation (FE); exchange of views on decisions in matters of matrimonial property regimes; a hearing on ‘The revision of the shareholders’ rights Directive’.
On the agenda 3 December, in Luxembourg: exchange of views with the Luxembourg Minister of Justice; Round table discussion with judges from the Court of Justice, the General Court and the Civil Service Tribunal; exchange of views with the Court of Auditors.

Committee on Regional Development (REGI): 3 December
On the agenda, amongst other issues: exchange of views on the urban dimension of EU policies; exchange of views on investment for jobs and growth: promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion in the Union; information session on Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 with an exchange with the European Commission.

Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE): 3 December

Committee on Fisheries (PECH): 3-4 December
On the agenda, amongst other issues: vote on Provisions for fishing in the GFCM Agreement area; a draft report on Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Senegal; exchange of views with Pascal Savouret, Director of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA); public hearing on ‘Fisheries in the Outermost Regions’.

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI): 3-4 December
On the agenda, amongst other issues: a debate with Commissioner for agriculture Phil Hogan on the latest developments on the 2015 agricultural budget, an update on measures taken by the EU to alleviate the impact of the Russian import ban on EU food products, the situation on agricultural markets (including prospects for the dairy market) and ongoing work on legislative proposals such as the organic production and the school schemes files.

Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): 3-4 December
On the agenda, amongst other issues: a report on cableway installations; report on appliances burning gaseous fuels; a report on personal protective equipment; consideration of draft opinion on Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT): State of Play and Outlook; report on unfair trading practices in the food supply chain.

Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI): 3-4 December

Committee on International Trade (INTA): 3-4 December

Committee on Budgets (BUDG): 3-4 December

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI): 3-4 December

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): 3-4 December

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE): 3-4 December

Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO): 4 December
Including: a public hearing on the reform of European electoral law, with presentations from experts to strengthen the visibility of the European elections, possible changes to secondary law, changes to the Electoral Act and changes to the Treaties i.e. to introduce transnational lists. Also: an evaluation of the Commissioner hearings.

Link to all committee pages, where you can find draft agenda’s: here

 

European Council / Eurogroup

Monday 1 December

Donald Tusk takes office as the new President of the European Council.
11.00 pm: handover ceremony with Herman Van Rompuy and Donald Tusk.

Eurogroup meeting (if not postponed)

 

Council of Ministers

Monday 1 December

Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (health issues). 
On the agenda: take note of a progress report on proposed regulations on medical devices; exchange of views on the contribution of investments in health systems to the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy; adopt conclusions on: vaccination as an effective tool in public health; patient safety and quality of care; innovation for the benefit of patients.

Wednesday 3 December

Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (transport issues)
On the agenda: reaching a general approach on proposals on the European air transport system and the Single European Sky initiative; seek a general approach to repeal a regulation on normalisation of accounts of railway undertakings; take stock of progress on proposals aimed at improving rail services; adopt conclusions on transport infrastructure and the trans-European network.

Informal meeting of the European ministers of public administration (Rome)

Thursday 4 December 

Competitiveness Council (internal market and industry issues)
On the agenda: debate on the priorities for further enhancing the internal market; approve conclusions on the smart regulation agenda and the management of customs risks to facilitate trade; debate on industrial competitive-ness; approve conclusions on the role of SMEs and the preparation of an industry roadmap; adopt conclusions on the tourism industry and examination of the package travel directive.

Justice and Home Affairs Council (justice)
On the agenda: reach a partial general approach on a regulation on the protection of individuals with regard to personal data; update on the state of play of the directive on the processing of personal data by competent authorities; agreement on the proposal for a regulation on insolvency proceedings; adopt a general approach on a directive on the strengthening of the presumption of innocence; orientation debate on the establishment of the European public prosecutor’s office.

Friday 5 December

Competitiveness Council (research and innovation issues and space policy)
On the agenda: a debate on the future of science with and for the society; approve conclusions on progress in the implementation of the European Research Area, the reforms, conditions and resources that will contribute to enhancing European competitiveness with innovation and research as new sources of growth, and the promotion of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in research and innovation; exchange views on the orientations and challenges of the European space policy.

Justice and Home Affairs Council (home affairs)
On the agenda: endorse the closure report and Council conclusions on the Schengen evaluation; an orientation debate on the implementation of the package of measures regarding foreign fighters and returnees; and in the context of the fight against terrorism: adopt guidelines, take note of reports and be briefed on the use of Passenger Name Record data. In addition, there will be a meeting of the Mixed Committee (EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland) on some of these issues.

 

 European Commission

Monday 1 December

New transparency rules for the European Commission. Commissioners, members of their cabinets and the heads of the various departments of the Commission will have to make public their meetings with lobbyists and other pressure groups. Additionally, they should only meet with registered lobbyists.

First Vice-President Timmermans attends the COSAC plenary session

Wednesday 3 December

College meeting

 

European Economic and Social Committee

Monday 1 December

Conference Co-operative banks and SMEs – a model to finance the real economy. Organised by EESC, CIPB, EACB and UEAPME, Brussels.

Participation in the 28th session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly – Strasbourg.

Tuesday 2 December

Communication Group meeting (COM)

Budget Group meeting (GB)

Thursday 4 – Friday 5 December

Conference Towards a more effective Europe 2020 – Civil society’s proposals for boosting social inclusion and competitiveness in Europe. It will discuss the role of organised civil society during the 2015-2020 period, and present concrete proposals on the Europe 2020 strategy. Rome, Italy.

 

Committee of the Regions

Tuesday 2 December

Conference Governing a multilevel Europe. On the state of play with regards to multilevel governance in the EU, the application of the principle in the field of EU cohesion policy and the Europe 2020 strategy, and multilevel governance and active citizenship. Related to the Committee of Regions’ Charter on Multilevel Governance.

156th Bureau meeting

Wednesday 3 December

109th Plenary Session. On the agenda: Statement by Jean-Claude Juncker and debate with members (tbc); discussion and adoption of opinions on, amongst others: the 6th report on economic, social and territorial cohesion; the Industrial Policy Package; Innovation in the Blue Economy: Realising the potential of our seas and oceans for jobs and growth; Reconnecting Europe with its citizens –more and better communication at local level; and Neighbourhood at the Crossroads: Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy in 2013.

Thursday 4 December

109th Plenary Session. On the agenda: discussion and adoption of opinions on, amongst others: the efforts to promote genuine solidarity on real European migration policy; European film in the digital era; recognition of skills and competences acquired through non-formal and informal learning; Policy package on organic production; mHealth; and Effective, accessible and resilient health systems.

 

European Ombudsman

Tuesday 2 December

Hearing in the European Parliament’s Petitions Committee. Current EU Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly is the only candidate for the next term, and the hearing will focus on her ambitions for the next five years

Parliamentary Assembly (Council of Europe)

Tuesday 2 December

Meeting of the Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development Committee (SOC). On the agenda, amongst other issues: expert hearing on social rights and social dialogue in times of crisis; report on the protection of the right to bargain collectively including the right to strike; exchange of views on the Ebola outbreak; oral report on a fact-finding visit to Greece on improving children’s access to child-friendly health and social services; report on the need for a citizenship income. Paris, France.

Meeting of the Ad hoc Sub-Committee on Russia’s Neighbourhood Policy with regard to other Council of Europe Member States. On the agenda: exchange of views on Russia’s neighbourhood policy in the context of the monitoring procedure of the Parliamentary Assembly, with co-rapporteurs on Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova an Ukraine. Berlin, Germany.

Wednesday 3 December

Meeting of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination (EGA). On the agenda, amongst other issues: a report on Equality and inclusion for people with disabilities; exchange of views on Recognising and preventing neo-racism; exchange of views and decision on follow-up on Gay to straight conversion therapy and regulation of psycho-therapists; report on Discrimination against transgender persons in Europe. Paris, France.

Thursday 4 – Friday 5 December

Meeting on the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media (CULT). On the agenda, amongst other issues: consideration of draft report and hearing on The reform of football governance; report on the Protection of media freedom in Europe; decision on the prize winner of the Council of European Museum Prize 2015; report on student mobility; statement of the rapporteur on cultural diplomacy. France, Paris.

 

Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (Council of Europe)

Monday 1 December

Bureau of the Congress and of its chambers in Brussels, Belgium.