Day-by-day

Monday 11 July

• EP: DEVE, BUDG, ECON, LIBE, ENVI, ITRE, TRAN, PECH, JURI, AFCO, FEMM
• EP: COSAC Chairperson’s meeting
• Informal Environment Council and Ministerial Conference on Water
• Eurogroup
• EC: 14th Round of TTIP negotiations
• EC: Hahn at the 7th Eastern Partnership Informal Dialogue in Kiev
• EC: Avramopoulos hosts Four-Party Ministerial Meeting on Visa Reciprocity
• EESC: Study Group on development-oriented governance
• Presidency: Conference on the European Unemployment Benefits Scheme
• CoE: Youth Peace Camp / Social inclusion of refugee students

Tuesday 12 July

• EP: DEVE, BUDG, ECON, EMPL, FEMM, ENVI, ITRE, TRAN, PECH, JURI, LIBE, AFCO, PANA
• Economic and Financial Affairs Council
• Informal Environment Council
• Informal Energy Council
• EU-China Summit
• EC: Timmermans receives national regulatory watchdogs
• EESC: Preparatory meeting EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee
• Presidency: Convergence of insolvency frameworks within the EU
• Agencies: European Police College annual stakeholders meeting
• CoE: Special Representative on migration and refugees meets Greek authorities
• ECHR: 67 judgments and 41 decisions

Wednesday 13 July

• EP: DROI, SEDE, INTA, CONT, EMPL, ITRE, CULT, IMCO, REGI, AGRI, PETI, EMIS
• Informal Energy Council
• Informal Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Council
• EU-China Summit
• EC: College meeting
• EC: Avramopoulos receives Director of the EU Intelligence and Situation Centre
• EESC: Plenary Session
• CoR: Briefing on the role of subnational parliaments in the EU
• Agencies: FRA at annual UNECE seminar on poverty measurement

Thursday 14 July

• EP: INTA, CONT, IMCO, REGI, AGRI, CULT, PETI, EMIS
• Informal Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Council
• EC: Juncker and Mogherini in Mongolia for the ASEM
• EC: Hahn visits Georgia
• EC: Andriukaitis visits Montenegro
• EESC: Plenary Session
• CoR: Stakeholder consultations on the EU Skills Agenda

Friday 15 July

• Informal Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Council
• 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)
• EC: Hogan opens Meat Market Observatory
• EESC: Study Groups

 

European Union

European Parliament

Sunday 10 – Monday 11 July

COSAC Chairperson’s Meeting in Bratislava
Meeting of the Presidential Troika: Adoption of the agenda of the Meeting of the Presidential Troika of COSAC; Approval of the draft programme of the COSAC Chairpersons Meeting; Debate on the draft programme of the LVI COSAC; Approval of the outline of the 26th Bi-annual Report of COSAC; Letters received by the Presidency.
COSAC Chairperson’s Meeting: Procedural issues and miscellaneous matters; Priorities of the Slovak EU Council Presidency; Social Dimension of EU & Cohesion Policy – Triple A on social issues.

Monday 11 July

Committee on Development (DEVE)
Commission Communication on establishing a new Partnership Framework with third countries under the European Agenda on Migration; Exchange of views on EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking; Exchange of views on General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 – all sections; Exchange of views on amendments on The future of ACP-EU relations beyond 2020; Exchange of views on Sustainable management of external fishing fleets; Exchange of views on Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Government of the Cook Islands.

Committee on Budgets (BUDG) and Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON)
Exchange of views on Budgetary capacity for the euro area.

Committee on Budgets (BUDG)
Jointly with the Committee on Budgetary Control: Workshop on «Mid-Term Revision of the Financial Regulation: Improvement of Direct Management and Outlook on the Commission Proposal».

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) and Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)
Exchange of views on Proposal on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing and amending Directive 2009/101/EC.

Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)
Consideration of draft opinion on EU strategy for liquefied natural gas and gas storage; Consideration of draft opinion on General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 – all sections; Consideration of draft motion for a resolution on 2016 UN Climate Change Conference – COP 22 in Marrakesh, Morocco (7 – 18 November 2016); Consideration of motion for a resolution on Objection pursuant to Rule 106: extension of the approval period of glyphosate.

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)
Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Visit of Peter Žiga, Slovakian Minister of Economy; Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Visit of Roman Brecely, Slovakian Minister of Transport, Construction and Regional development; Consideration of amendments on EU strategy for liquefied natural gas and gas storage.

Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN)
Consideration of amendments on Common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Union Aviation Safety Agency; Consideration of amendments on Report on the application of the Postal Services Directive; Consideration of draft opinion on General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 – all sections; Consideration of amendments on EU strategy for liquefied natural gas and gas storage; Consideration of draft recommendation for second reading on Technical requirements for inland waterway vessels (repealing Directive 2006/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council).

Committee on Fisheries (PECH)
Exchange of views with a Commission representative on fisheries agreements with non-EU countries and the ongoing negotiations; Exchange of view on Characteristics for fishing vessels (recast).

Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI)
Exchange of views with Vĕra Jourová, European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, on the review of the Brussels IIa Regulation; Consideration of draft report on Liability, compensation and financial security for offshore oil and gas operations; Consideration of draft report on The application of the European Order for Payment Procedure; Consideration of draft opinion on EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking; Exchange of views on Control of the Register and composition of the Commission’s expert groups; Report back to committee on Interpretation and implementation of the interinstitutional agreement on Better Law-Making; Exchange of views on Insolvency proceedings and insolvency practitioners; Adoption of draft report on Request for the waiver of the parliamentary immunity of István Ujhelyi; Adoption of draft report on Request for the defence of the parliamentary immunity of Rosario Crocetta; Consideration of draft report on Request for the defence of the immunity of Mario Borghezio; Consideration of draft report on Request for the waiver of the parliamentary immunity of Sotirios Zarianopoulos; Exchange of views on Request for waiver of the immunity of Rolandas Paksas.

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)
Exchange of views on Protecting online privacy by ensuring greater European digital autonomy; Presentation of the state of play of trilogue negotiations on European travel document for the return of illegally staying third-country nationals; European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA); Exchange of views on Commission draft implementing decision pursuant to Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the adequacy of the protection provided by the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield.

Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO)
Exchange of views on Council Presidency; Consideration of draft opinion on European Defence Union; Exchange of views on General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 – all sections.

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM)
Consideration of amendments on How can the CAP improve job creation in rural areas?; Consideration of working document on The need for an EU strategy to end and prevent the Gender Pension Gap; Consideration of draft opinion on The situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2015.

Tuesday 12 July

Committee on Development (DEVE)
Adoption of draft opinion on Cost-effective emission reductions and low-carbon investments; Adoption of draft opinion on Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part; Good Governance in EU external relations: what role for development policy in a changing international context?; Public hearing on ‘Transparency in the management of financial and natural resources in developing countries’; Exchange of views on Priorities of the Slovak Presidency in humanitarian aid; Exchange of views on Conclusion of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the East African Community (EAC) Partner States, of the one part, and the EU and its Member States, of the other part.

Committee on Budgets (BUDG) and Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON)
Consideration of amendments on Budgetary capacity for the euro area.

Committee on Budgets (BUDG)
Exchange of views on General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 – all sections; Exchange of views on Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions in budget 2016 and 2017; Exchange of views on The European Union Solidarity Fund: an assessment; Exchange of views on Possible evolutions and adjustments of the current institutional set up of the European Union; Exchange of views with Mario Monti, Chairman of the High Level Group on Own Resources; Exchange of views on  Annual meeting with EU Agencies; Exchange of views on European Union Agency for Asylum; Adoption of draft opinion on The future of ACP-EU relations beyond 2020; 2016 Budget: Section III – Commission; 2016 Budget: Other Sections; Building policy.

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) and Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM)
Adoption of draft report on Creating Labour Market Conditions Favourable for Work-Life Balance.

Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)
Adoption of the outcome of negotiations with the Council on Controls and activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health, plant reproductive material, plant protection products; Adoption of the outcome of negotiations with the Council on Reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants and amending Directive 2003/35/EC; Adoption of motion for a resolution on Objection pursuant to Rule 106: extension of the approval period of glyphosate; Adoption of question for oral answer to the Commission and Council on Transfats; Adoption of question for oral answer to the Commission and Council on 2016 UN Climate Change Conference – COP 22 in Marrakesh, Morocco (7 – 18 November 2016); Adoption of draft report on Implementation of the Food Contact Materials Regulation; Adoption of draft opinion on Liability, compensation and financial security for offshore oil and gas operations; doption of motion for a resolution further to a question for oral answer on Key objectives for the 17th Conference of the Parties to the CITES; Exchange of views with Mr Tomáš Drucker, Minister of Health, Slovak Presidency; Consideration of draft report on Regulation on mercury and repealing Regulation; Exchange of views with OLAF on Anti-Contraband and Anti-Counterfeit Agreement; Consideration of draft motion for a resolution on Transfats.

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)
Adoption of draft report on EU Strategy on Heating and Cooling; Adoption of draft opinion on General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 – all sections; Vote on the text agreed during interinstitutional negotiations on European statistics on natural gas and electricity prices and repealing Directive 2008/92/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning a Community procedure to improve the transparency of gas and electricity prices charged to industrial end-users; Exchange of views with Mr Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation; Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Visit of Peter Plavčan, Slovakian Minister of Education, Science, Research and Sport; Consideration of amendments on Measures to safeguard the security of gas supply; Consideration of amendments on Cost-effective emission reductions and low-carbon investments.

Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN)
Vote on the text agreed during interinstitutional negotiations on Amendment of Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 concerning the opening of the market for domestic passenger transport services by rail; Vote on the text agreed during interinstitutional negotiations; Amendment of Directive 2012/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 establishing a single European railway area, as regards the opening of the market for domestic passenger transport services by rail and the governance of the railway infrastructure; Vote on the text agreed during interinstitutional negotiations on Repeal of Regulation (EEC) No 1192/69 of the Council on common rules for the normalisation of the accounts of railway undertakings; Adoption of draft report on Report on the application of the Postal Services Directive; Presentation by the Slovak Minister for Transport, Construction and Regional Development, Mr Roman Brecely of Slovak Presidency priorities; Consideration of amendments on New opportunities for small transport businesses, including collaborative business models; Consideration of amendments on Improving the connection and accessibility of the transport infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe.

Committee on Fisheries (PECH)
Exchange of views with the Commission on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing – and non-cooperating countries; Vote on the text agreed during interinstitutional negotiations Specific conditions to fishing for deep-sea stocks in the North-East Atlantic, provisions for fishing in international waters of the North-East Atlantic and repeal of Regulation (EC) No 2347/2002; Vote on Establishing a long-term plan for cod stocks and the fisheries exploiting those stocks; Adoption of draft report on How to make fisheries controls in Europe uniform; Consideration of draft opinion on General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 – all sections; Exchange of views with Gabriela Matečná, Slovak Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Council President-in-Office on the priorities of the Slovak presidency; Exchange of views on Conservation of fishery resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures; Exchange of views on EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking; Presentation by the Commission on delegated and implementing acts discard plan.

Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI)
Meeting with Miguel Arias Cañete, European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy; Adoption of draft report on Monitoring the application of Union law. 2014 Annual Report; Adoption of draft opinion on Recognition of professional qualifications in inland navigation; Adoption of Protecting against the effects of the extra-territorial application of legislation adopted by a third country and actions based thereon or resulting therefrom (recast); Exchange of views with Marianne Thyssen, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility in relation to the ‘yellow card’ procedure on the proposal on posting of workers; Consideration of draft report on Cross-border portability of online content services in the internal market; Exchange of views on Contracts for the online and other distance sales of goods; Exchange of views on Disclosure of income tax information by certain undertakings and branches; Consideration of draft opinion on Protecting against the effects of the extra-territorial application of legislation adopted by a third country and actions based thereon or resulting therefrom (recast); Exchange of views on A coherent EU policy for cultural and creative industries; Commission implementing decision amending Decision 2011/30/EU on the equivalence of certain third country public oversight, quality assurance, investigation and penalty systems for auditors and audit entities and a transitional period for audit activities of certain third country auditors and audit entities in the European Union; Commission implementing decision on the equivalence of the public oversight, quality assurance, investigation and penalty systems for auditors and audit entities of the United States of America; Commission implementing decision on the adequacy of the competent authorities of the United States of America; Regulation (EU) No 655/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 establishing a European Account Preservation Order procedure to facilitate cross-border debt recovery in civil and commercial matters.

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)
Presentation by the Commission on Conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of highly skilled employment; Presentation on Commission staff working document «An economic take on the refugee crisis»; Presentation on Proposal for a Council implementing decision approving the conclusion by the European Police Office (Europol) of the Agreement on Strategic Cooperation between the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China and Europol; Vote on European travel document for the return of illegally staying third-country nationals; Adoption of draft report on Establishing provisional measures in the area of international protection for the benefit of Italy and Greece; Adoption of draft report on List of the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement (review of the suspension mechanism); Adoption of draft report (to be confirmed) on Fight against corruption and follow up of the CRIM resolution; Presentation of the priorities of the Slovak Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the area of Justice and Home Affairs; Consideration of draft opinion on Contracts for the supply of digital content; Consideration of amendments on Establishment of an EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights; Consideration of draft report on Agreement between the EU and the People’s Republic of China on the short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports.

Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO)
Exchange of views on Working Group REVISITING THE RULES OF PROCEDURE; Consideration of draft report on Possible evolutions and adjustments of the current institutional set up of the European Union; Exchange of views on Improving the functioning of the European Union building on the potential of the Lisbon Treaty; First exchange of views on The situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2015.

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM)
Adoption of draft opinion on How can the CAP improve job creation in rural areas?; Adoption of amendments on GMAs – European Semester for economic policy coordination: implementation of 2016 priorities; Consideration of working document on Report on the application of Council Directive 2004/113/EC implementing the principle of equal treatment between men and women in the access to and supply of goods and services; Consideration of draft opinion and exchange of views on General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 – all sections.

Committee of Inquiry to investigate alleged contraventions and maladministration in the application of Union law in relation to money laundering, tax avoidance and tax evasion (PANA)
Constitutive meeting; Election of Chair; Election of the Vice-Charis.

Wednesday 13 July

Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI)
Debriefing by the EEAS on the Human Rights Dialogue with Vietnam in December 2015 in Hanoi; Feedback from DROI ad hoc mission to Thailand; Exchange of views on sport and human rights on the occasion of the Olympic Games in Rio; Hearing jointly with the Committee on Development on The shrinking space for civil society; Exchange of views with Sam Rainsy (opposition leader) on Cambodia’s state of democracy and human rights situation; Update on the UN Human Rights Council’s June session.

Committee on International Trade (INTA)
Exchange of views on State of play of ongoing trilogue negotiations; Consideration of draft recommendation for second reading on Statistics relating to external trade with non-member countries as regards conferring of delegated and implementing powers upon the Commission for the adoption of certain measures; Consideration of draft opinion on Establishing an information exchange mechanism with regard to intergovernmental agreements and non-binding instruments between Member States and third countries in the field of energy and repealing Decision No 994/2012/EU; Consideration of draft opinion on EU strategy for liquefied natural gas and gas storage; Consideration of draft opinion on General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 – all sections; First exchange of views on Common rules for imports of textile products from certain third countries not covered by bilateral agreements, protocols or other arrangements, or by other specific Union import rules; Jointly with the Committee on Development and the Subcommittee on Human Rights: Presentation of an ad hoc briefing on «Human rights provisions in Economic Partnership Agreements in light of the expiry of the Cotonou Agreement in 2020»; Exchange of views on Laying down rules on the making available on the market of CE marked fertilising products; Public hearing and exchange of views on Africa Rising? Trade policy responses to sustainable growth challenges.

Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE)
Exchange of views on European High Level Task Force on Conflict Zones: presentation of EASA report; Exchange of views on The future of unmanned aircraft system operations in Europe; Exchange of views on Mali: security situation and current and future EU engagement; Exchange of views on Iraq: security challenges; Exchange of views on Next steps in cyber defence: which actions after the NATO Summit?.

Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT)
Adoption of draft opinion on Budgetary capacity for the euro area; Adoption of draft opinion on The European Union Solidarity Fund: an assessment; Consideration of draft report on Control of the Register and composition of the Commission’s expert groups; Consideration of draft opinion on General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 – all sections; Consideration of draft opinion on Commissioners’ declarations of interests – Guidelines; ECA Special Report 8/2016 (2015 Discharge): Rail freight transport performance in the EU: still not on the right track; ECA Special Report 3/2016 (2015 Discharge): Combatting eutrophication in the Baltic Sea: further and more effective action needed; Exchange of views on CONT Mission to Italy (18-20 July 2016); Hearing on «Corporate VAT fraud»;  Exchange of views with Dimitris Avramopoulos (Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship) on the state of play of the financing and the implementation of the measures taken by the Union in the context of the migration crisis.

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL)
Consideration of draft opinion on European Semester for economic policy coordination: implementation of 2016 priorities; Exchange of views on Revision of the Statute of Agencies for which EMPL is responsible; Consideration of budget amendments on General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 – all sections; Consideration of draft opinion on Investing in jobs and growth – maximising the contribution of European Structural and Investment Funds: an evaluation of the report under Article 16(3) of the CPR; Exchange of views on Implementing the Agreement concluded between the General Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives in the European Union (COGECA), the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and the Association of National Organisations of Fishing Enterprises (EUROPÊCHE) of 21 May 2012 concerning the implementation of the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 of the International Labour Organisation; Study on TTIP and jobs; Study on TTIP and labour standards; Adoption of question for oral answer on Corporate Social Responsibility; Adoption of draft report on Social dumping in the European Union; Adoption of draft report on How best to harness the job creation potential of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)?; Adoption of draft report on Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States; Adoption of draft report on Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment; Adoption of draft opinion on Budgetary capacity for the euro area.

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and Committee on Culture and Education (CULT)
Consideration of draft report on A coherent EU policy for cultural and creative industries.

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO)
Update on Trilogues and Events on OECD Conference on the Digital Economy held in Cancun on 21-23 June 2016 – Andreas Schwab (EPP); Consideration of amendments on An Aviation Strategy for Europe; Presentation by the Commission: European Agenda for the collaborative economy; Exchange of views on Laying down rules on the making available on the market of CE marked fertilising products; Consideration of draft opinion on General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 – all sections; Adoption of draft report on Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons; Consideration of amendments on Green Paper on Retail Financial Services.

Committee on Regional Development (REGI)
Exchange of views on The right funding mix for Europe’s regions: balancing financial instruments and grants in EU cohesion policy; Exchange of views on Investing in jobs and growth – maximising the contribution of European Structural and Investment Funds: an evaluation of the report under Article 16(3) of the CPR; Exchange of views with Walter Deffaa, DG REGIO; Exchange of views with Peter Pellegrini, Deputy Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic for Investments and Information Society, President in office of the Council, on the priorities of the Slovak presidency.

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI)
Exchange of views with Ms Gabriela Matečná, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, on the priorities of the Slovak Presidency of the Council of the European Union; Hearing on «The future of the EU sugar market after the abolition of sugar quotas in 2017».

Committee on Culture and Education (CULT)
Adoption of draft report on Assessment of the EU Youth Strategy 2013-2015; Adoption of draft opinion on Approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States as regards the accessibility requirements for products and services; Presentation of the priorities of the Slovak Presidency by Minister for Education, Science, Research and Sport, Peter Plavčan and Minister for Culture, Marek Maďarič; Consideration of draft opinion on General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 – all sections; Exchange of views on Implementation report on Erasmus +.

Committee on Petitions (PETI)
Fact-finding Visit to Spain (8-10.02.2016); Pilot project on Bullying; Petitions on the Protection of minorities – Environment – Energy, Social Affairs, Environment, Opinion, Agriuclture, Energy.

Committee of Inquiry into Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector (EMIS)
Adoption of draft interim report on the inquiry into emission measurements in the automotive sector; Hearing of Mr Gaspar Gascon Abellan, Executive Vice President Engineering, Renault Group; Hearing of Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn, Chief Technology Officer, Volkswagen Group.

Thursday 14 July

Committee on International Trade (INTA)
Presentation by Peter Žiga, Minister of Economy, representing the President-in-Office of the Council, on the priorities of the Slovak Presidency in the area of International Trade Policy; Vote on the text agreed during interinstitutional negotiations on Trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Adoption of draft recommendation (consent) on Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part; Adoption of draft recommendation for second reading on Statistics relating to external trade with non-member countries as regards conferring of delegated and implementing powers upon the Commission for the adoption of certain measures; Adoption of draft recommendation (consent) on Agreement between the EU and China relating to the modification of concessions in the schedule of the Republic of Croatia in the course of its accession to the EU; Adoption of draft recommendation (consent) on Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Eastern Republic of Uruguay pursuant to Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 relating to the modification of concessions in the schedule of the Republic of Croatia in the course of its accession to the European Union; Adoption of draft opinion on The future of ACP-EU relations beyond 2020; Adoption of draft opinion on EU strategy towards Iran after the nuclear agreement; Exchange of views on Implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Korea; Presentation of a study on “Market economy status to China: the potential economic impacts for the EU”.

Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT)
Exchange of views on Discharge 2014 – International Fusion Energy Organization (ITER); Consideration of draft report on Discharge 2014: Embedded computing systems (Artemis); Consideration of draft report on Discharge 2014 : European Nanoelectronics Initiative Advisory Council (ENIAC); Consideration of draft report on Discharge 2014: EU general budget – Council and European Council; Study on «How EU and Member States manage data transparency and accessibility on EU funds».

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO)
Adoption of draft opinion on Green Paper on Retail Financial Services; Adoption of draft opinion on An Aviation Strategy for Europe; Adoption of draft report on Directive of the European parliament and of the Council on the Union legal framework for customs infringements and sanctions; Joint Committee with JURI (rule 55) on Contracts for the supply of digital content; Presentation of the working document on Contracts for the online and other distance sales of goods; Presentation of the Council Presidency’s programme by Deputy Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini and Economy Minister Peter Žiga; The EU e-Government Action plan 2016-2020 – Accelarating the digital transformaton of government; Consideration of draft opinion on Civil Law Rules on Robotics; Consideration of draft opinion on European Semester for economic policy coordination: implementation of 2016 priorities; Consideration of draft opinion on The implementation of the European Fund for Strategic Investments.

Committee on Regional Development (REGI)
Consideration of draft opinion on European Semester for economic policy coordination: implementation of 2016 priorities; Consideration of draft opinion on General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 – all sections; Consideration of draft report on The European Union Solidarity Fund: an assessment.

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI)
Consideration of draft opinion on General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017 – all sections; Exchange of views on the state of play of the trilogue negotiations on the National Ceilings for certain pollutants (NEC Directive).

Committee on Culture and Education (CULT)
Workshop on «The Implementation of the European Strategy on Multilingualism» organised by Policy Department B; Exchange of views on Implementation report on Creative Europe.

Committee on Petitions (PETI)
Energy Efficiency, Tariffs/Bills; Petitions which it is proposed to close in the light of the Commission’s written reply or other documents received.

Committee of Inquiry into Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector (EMIS)
Hearing of Mr Paul Greening, Emission & Fuels Director, European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA); Hearing of representatives of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation; Hearing of Mr Stavros Dimas, Commissioner for the Environment from 2004 to 2010; Hearing of Mr Günter Verheugen, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship from 2004 to 2010.

Find an overview of committees here.

 

Council of Ministers / Eurogroup

Monday 11 – Tuesday 12 July

Informal Environment Council
During the first session, ministers will discuss water management in the context of adaptation to climate change, focusing on drought, water scarcity and floods, and debate their impact on the quality of life of European citizens, the European economy and the environment, as well as effective solutions to the challenges posed by drought and water scarcity. The second session will focus on International climate negotiations, the follow-up to the COP21 and expectations from the COP 22.

Monday 11 July

Eurogroup
The Eurogroup will exchange views on the economic and financial situation in the euro area and the developments in financial markets following the outcome of the UK referendum; be informed about the main outcomes of the fifth post-programme surveillance review in Ireland and the fourth post-programme surveillance review in Portugal; exchange views on the budgetary situation in Spain and Portugal; discuss the euro area fiscal stance based on national stability programmes; and continue its series of thematic discussions on growth and jobs, this time focusing on investment.

Ministerial Conference on Water 
The conference in Bratislava will focus on ‘Improved Water Management to Enhance Environmental Integrity’. The EU’s action on water scarcity and droughts will be discussed, focusing on the Water Framework Directive (WFD), and on strategies and international cooperation on integrated water management for river basins. Sharing scientific and technical knowledge on drought and water scarcity in Europe is one of the key elements of international cooperation, and the modelling tool and prognosis system developed by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) will be presented during the conference. The particular experiences of Member States in various parts of Europe in addressing drought and water scarcity challenges will be also discussed, paying attention to regional specificities in dealing with water issues. Ministers will be invited to express their views on the topic at the informal meeting of EU environment/climate ministers which follows the ministerial conference.

Tuesday 12 July

Economic and Financial Affairs Council
Ministers will discuss the Work programme of the Slovak Presidency of the Council; discuss and possibly adopt conclusions on the implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact by Spain and Portugal; hear a presentation of the Commission on a proposal to amend the EU directive on the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing; formally adopt European Semester Country Specific Recommendations;  exchange views following the Commission’s presentation of a communication on further measures to enhance transparency and the prevention of tax evasion and tax avoidance; formally adopt the Anti-tax avoidance directive; discuss the Convergence reports from the European Commission and the European Central Bank; and discuss other items including preparations for the forthcoming G20 meeting.

Tuesday 12 – Wednesday 13 July

Informal Energy Council
Joint Informal Meeting of the EU Energy and Climate Ministers Sustainable financing and new governance with a view to achieving the EU’s Climate and Energy objectives; Informal Meeting of the EU Energy Ministers – Session I: Energy prices and competitiveness; Session II: LNG and energy security of the EU.

EU-China summit
The 18th bilateral summit between the EU and China will take place on 12-13 July in Beijing. Discussions will focus on political and economic relations as well as global and regional issues. European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will represent the European Union at the summit. The High Representative Federica Mogherini, Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen and Commissioner Cecilia Malmström will also participate. Discussions will be held in the framework of the jointly agreed EU-China 2020 strategic agenda for cooperation. Leaders are expected to give political guidance for completion of the comprehensive agreement on investment (CAI) and to endorse a first list of projects on connectivity. They are also expected to touch upon the issue of China’s market economy status. The summit is expected to cover mobility and migration, foreign policy cooperation and the human rights dialogue with China. Leaders will assess the implementation of the EU-China climate change declaration of 2015, and prepare the upcoming G20 summit, to be held in China on 4-5 September 2016.

Wednesday 13 – Friday 15 July

Informal Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Council 

Friday 15 – Saturday 16 July

11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)
Mongolia will host the 11th ASEM Summit of Heads of State and Government in Ulaanbaatar on the theme «20 years of ASEM: partnership for the future through connectivity». European Council President, Donald Tusk, European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, and High Representative Federica Mogherini will represent the European Union at the summit. Heads of State and Governments of 50 European and Asian countries have been invited to attend. Leaders will review the progress made and set the course for cooperation in the next decade. They are expected to highlight the need for connectivity in all its aspects. The summit will also reinforce the pillars of the partnership: peace and stability, economic prosperity, sustainable development and a better quality of life.

An overview of planned Council meetings can be found here. Information on informal meetings can be found here.

 

European Commission and High Representative

Monday 11 – 15 July

TTIP 14th Round of negotiations in Brussels

Monday 11 July

Mr Johannes Hahn in Kiev, Ukraine (until 12/07): participates at the Seventh Eastern Partnership Informal Partnership Dialogue, and holds bilateral meetings with Mr Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine and with government representatives.

Mr Dimitris Avramopoulos hosts Four-Party Ministerial meeting on Visa Reciprocity in the presence of Mr John McCallum, Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada, Mr Dragoș Ioan Tudorache, Minister and Head of the Prime Minister’s Chancellery of Romania, Mr Rumen Alexandrov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and Mr Philip Gounev, Deputy Minister of the Interior of Bulgaria.

Tuesday 12 July

President Jean-Claude Juncker in Beijing, China (until 13/07): participates in the 18th EU-China Summit and delivers a speech at the Closing Ceremony of the Summit. He meets, inter alia, with Mr Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, and with Mr Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.

Ms Cecilia Malmström and Mr Jyrki Katainen in Beijing, China: participates in the 18th EU-China Summit.

Mr Frans Timmermans receives representatives of national regulatory watchdogs.

Wednesday 13 July

College meeting

Mr Dimitris Avramopoulos receives Mr Gerhard Conrad, Director of the EU Intelligence and Situation Centre (EU INTCEN).

Thursday 14 July

President Jean-Claude Juncker and Ms Federica Mogherini in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (until 16/07): participates in the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit, and delivers a speech at the Closing Ceremony of the Business Forum. He meets, inter alia, with Mr Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, President of Mongolia, with Mr Lundeg Purevsuren, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, with Ms Park Geun-hye, President of South Korea, with Mr Shinzō Abe, Prime Minister of Japan and with Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore.

Mr Johannes Hahn in Batumi, Georgia: participates at the 13th Annual International Conference «Georgia’s European Way»; holds bilateral meetings with Mr Giorgi Margvelashvili, President of Georgia, and with government representatives.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis in Montenegro (until 15/07): meets with Mr Petar Ivanović, Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro.

Friday 15 July

Mr Phil Hogan delivers the opening speech at the first meeting of the Meat Market Observatory, in Brussels.

A full list with meetings of Commissioners can be found here.

 

European Economic and Social Committee

Monday 11 July

Study Group on New measures for development-oriented governance and implementation
Short presentations by representatives of others EU institutions; Discussion of the revised preliminary draft opinion on New measures for development-oriented governance and implementation – recommendations for the mid-term evaluation of the European Structural and Investment Funds, drawn up by the rapporteur, Mr Baráth.

Tuesday 12 July

Preparatory meeting of the 35th EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee
Presentation of the draft agenda of the 35th EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee, including the organisational aspects of the meeting, by Ms Annie van Wezel; Presentation of the report for the EU-Turkey JCC on the situation of refugees, as seen by CSOs, with a focus on the integration of the Syrian refugees in the labour market, by Mr Manthos Mavrommatis; Presentation of the draft joint declaration of the 35th EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee by Ms Annie van Wezel; Presentation of the provisional working programme of the EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee and the date of the next meeting by Ms Annie van Wezel.

Wednesday 13 – Thursday 14 July 

Plenary Session
Resolution on the EESC contribution to the European Commission’s 2017 work programme.
Opinions to be put straight to the vote: Conservation of fishery resources and protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures; Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking; The making available on the market of CE marked fertilising products.
Opinions to be drawn up under the simplified procedure: Protection from cancer-causing chemicals.
Opinions to be debated: Industry 4.0 and digital transformation – the way forward; The digital pillar of growth: e-seniors, a potential 25% of the European population (own-initiative opinion); Recognition of professional qualifications in inland navigation; The European Citizens’ Initiative (review) (own-initiative opinion); The impact on key industrial sectors (and on jobs and growth) of the possible granting of market economy treatment to China (for the purpose of trade defence instruments) (own-initiative opinion); Steel: Preserving sustainable jobs and growth in Europe; Aviation Package I; Action Plan on VAT; Building a coalition of civil society and subnational authorities to deliver commitments of the Paris Agreement (own-initiative opinion).
Debates: Presentation of the priorities of the Slovak Presidency, with Ivan Korčok, ministre délégué for the Slovak Presidency of the Council of the European Union; Debate on the future of the Economic and Monetary Union with Sandro Gozi, Italian State Secretary to the Prime Minister’s office with responsibility for European Affairs; Debate on European competition policy, with Margrethe Vestager, Commissioner for Competition.

Friday 15 July

Study Group on The Road from Paris
Presentation of the preliminary draft opinion on The Road from Paris drawn up by the rapporteur, Ms Tellervo Kylä-Harakka-Ruonala (own-initiative opinion)

Study Group on the Entry/exit system
Discussion of the preliminary draft opinion drawn up by the rapporteur, Mr Pîrvulescu.

More information about EESC events can be found here.
The agendas of the different EESC meetings can be found here.

 

Committee of the Regions

Wednesday 13 July

Briefing: Research on the role of subnational parliaments in the EU
In recent years, regional parliaments with legislative powers have acquired enhanced competences in the subsidiarity control. The new role of these parliaments is subject to political discussion and scientific research. The seminar will present the actual state-of-the-art with regards to the political and normative debate about the involvement of regional parliaments in EU affairs and with regards to the current situation in six EU member states (Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK). Finally consequences for the role of the Committee of the Regions and the mechanism for subsidiarity control are discussed. The seminar is of interest for practitioners from regional parliaments and EU policy-makers as well as for experts interested in the parliamentary dimension of the EU.

Thursday 14 July

Stakeholder consultation – A new skills agenda for Europe
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is drafting an opinion on the communication of the European Commission ‘A new skills Agenda for Europe’. The opinion will react to and bring forward ideas from local and regional point of view to the planned actions highlighted in the new and comprehensive Skills Agenda for Europe published on 10 June 2016. In this regard, on 14 July, The rapporteur of the opinion, Ms Marie-Louise RÖNNMARK (Sweden/PES), Member of Umeå Municipal Council, together with her expert, Mr Mats SÖDERBERG, would be happy to meet with representatives of your organisation and other important stakeholders for a consultation and an exchange of views on the relevant topics of this opinion to gather the different points of views and discuss the main issues.

More information about Committee of the Regions events can be found here. 

 

Slovak Presidency

Monday 11 July

Feasibility and Added Value of the European Unemployment Benefits Scheme
The conference will bring together policy-makers, officials, and academic researchers, in order to assess the goals, benefits, as well as the legal and operational feasibility of introducing a common unemployment benefits scheme in Europe. The event will build on the feasibility study commissioned by the DG Employment and Social Affairs of the European Commission and produced by a CEPS-led consortium, the aim of which was to explore all possible aspects of such a scheme. The goal of the conference is to contribute to a larger debate on a supranational automatic stabilisation mechanism for Europe. The event will be opened by the Slovak Finance Minister Peter Kažimír and the Director of CEPS Daniel Gros, and it will be concluded by the European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs Marianne Thyssen.

Tuesday 12 July

Convergence of insolvency frameworks within the European Union: the way forward
The conference is organised under the auspices of the Slovak Presidency of the Council of the European Union. As a follow up of the Commission Recommendation of 2014 on a new approach on business failure and insolvency, and in line with the 2015 Capital Markets Union action plan, the European Commission is in the process of preparation of a legislative initiative addressing certain aspects of substantive insolvency laws. This event, which will bring together the representatives of the Member States, European Parliament, national Parliaments, business and household associations, members of judiciary, legal practitioners, entrepreneurs and academics on issues related to insolvency debt restructuring and second chance, will contribute to the preparatory work of the Commission.

The agenda of the Slovak Presidency can be found here.

 

EU agencies

Tuesday 12 July

European Police College annual stakeholders meeting
The European Police College’s (CEPOL) annual stakeholders’ meeting in Budapest on 12 July will discuss the needs of stakeholders and think about how these can be integrated into CEPOL’s work programmes and where organisations can undertake joint activities. Participants will also learn about the changes which CEPOL’s new legal mandate (applicable as of 1 July 2016) will bring to the Agency. During the meeting FRA, as current Chair of the network of EU Justice and Home Affairs Agencies, will also present an overview of the network’s priorities and activities in 2016.

Tuesday 12 – Wednesday 13 July

FRA at annual UNECE seminar on poverty measurement.
FRA will discuss its work on indicators at the annual UNECE seminar on poverty measurement 12-13 July in Geneva. The purpose of the meeting is to exchange experiences on the challenges in measuring poverty and how this can be addressed. Statisticians and analysts from national statistical offices, ministries and other government agencies meet under the auspices of the Conference of European Statisticians (CES). The aim is to achieve greater comparability and reliability of poverty statistics and to contribute to the drafting of a Guide on Poverty Measurement.
FRA will present a working paper in the session on “Poverty and inequality in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” on its fundamental rights-based approach to indicators for monitoring progress of Roma inclusion strategies and how it can be linked to the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development.

More information about the events can be found here.

 

Council of Europe

Sunday 10 – Monday 18 July

Youth Peace Camp
A Youth Peace Camp, bringing together young people from conflict-affected regions, will be held at the European Youth Centre. Participants from the South Caucasus region, the Russian Federation, Ukraine (Luhansk, Donetsk and border regions), as well as from Kosovo* will engage in activities aimed at conflict transformation, intercultural learning and dialogue, human rights education. They will share personal experiences of conflict and violence, discuss strategies to cope with the trauma and will prepare dialogue-based peace-building projects with other young people.

Social inclusion of refugee students and their role in intercultural dialogue
Social inclusion of refugee students and their role in intercultural dialogue will be the focus of the seminar to take place at the European Youth Centre. This joint initiative by the Youth Department of the Council of Europe and the Global Platform for Syrian Students will gather participants from youth and refugees organisations across Europe who will discuss the challenges that refugee student’s face and ways of addressing them.

Monday 11 – Tuesday 12 July

The Special Representative of the Secretary General on migration and refugees meets with the Greek authorities Tomáš Boček, Special Representative of the Secretary General on migration and refugees, will meet with the Greek authorities to follow up on the recommendations made in his report published in May 2016.

Tuesday 12 July

ECHR
The European Court of Human Rights will notify in writing 67 judgments and 41 decisions.

Find an overview of Council of Europe events here.