Day-by-day

Monday 24 October

• EP: Plenary session
• EP: AFET, BUDG
• EC: Christos Stylianides in Iran
• EESC: Euromed Summit 2016
• CoE: Regional conference on improving women’s access to justice

Tuesday 25 October

• EP: Plenary session
• CELAC – EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting
• EC: College of Commissioners
• EC: European Day of Justice
• EESC: Euromed Summit 2016
• EESC: Public Hearing on Common Agricultural Policy post-2020
• CoR: 19th meeting of the Working Group on Western Balkans
• CoE: Regional conference on improving women’s access to justice

Wednesday 26 October

• EP: Plenary session
• EC: Andrus Ansip receives the European Data Protection Supervisor
• EC: Maroš Šefčovič at signing of the joint EU-ESA declaration on space policy
• EESC: LIFE: a tool for a greener Europe
• CoR: CORLEAP conference on Administrative reforms and decentralisation
• Presidency: Conference on Re-industrialisation of the European Union
• CoE: PACE Fact-finding missions to Albania and Serbia

Thursday 27 October

• EP: Plenary session
• EU-Canada Summit
• EC: Creative Europe Showcase Conference
• EC: Timmermans receives the EU Special Representative for Human Rights
• EC: Federica Mogherini at NATO Defence Ministers meeting
• EESC: Conference on The role of civil society in the European Energy Union
• eu-LISA: Annual Conference JHA Tech 2016
• EIB: European Microfinance Day 2016
• EDPS: Data Protection Officers meeting
• CoE: PACE Sub-Committee on the Rights of Minorities

Friday 28 October

• EC: Commissioners at the Tatra Summit in Bratislava
• EC: Johannes Hahn in Geneva
• Presidency: Tatra Summit Conference
• CoE: PACE Sub-Committee on the European Social Charter
• CoE: PACE Election Observation Missions in Georgia and Moldova

 

European Union

European Parliament

Monday 24 October

Plenary Session
Debates on Union legal framework for customs infringements and sanctions; EU strategy towards Iran after the nuclear agreement.
Short presentations on Fight against corruption and follow-up of the CRIM resolution; Human rights and migration in third countries; Corporate liability for serious human rights abuses in third countries; How the CAP can improve job creation in rural areas;     How to make fisheries controls in Europe uniform; Improving the connection and accessibility of the transport infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe.

Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)
Adoption of amendments on The implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy (based on the Annual Report from the Council to the European Parliament on the Common Foreign and Security Policy), on European Defence Union, on Extension of the provisions of the EC-Uzbekistan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to bilateral trade in textiles and on Accession to the Trade Agreement between the EU and its Member States, of the one part, and Colombia and Peru, of the other part, to take account of the Accession of Ecuador.

Committee on Budgets (BUDG)
Consideration and adoption of Mid-term revision of the MFF, of Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund following an application from Estonia– EGF/2016/003 EE/petroleum and chemicals and of General Revision of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure; 2016 Budget; Building policy; Report by J. M. Fernandes from the hearing with the Commission on Structured dialogue (Spain and Portugal) – possible suspension of ESI funds; Follow-up of the Trilogue of 19 October 2016; Exchange of views with Commission on Financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union.

Tuesday 25 October

Plenary Session
Debates on Accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies; EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights; Commission Work Programme 2017; General budget of the European Union for 2017 – all sections; The MFF mid-term revision; Macro-financial assistance to Jordan; Rail transport statistics, as regards the collection of data on goods, passengers and accidents; Statistics of goods transport by inland waterways (delegated and implementing powers); Protective measures against pests of plants; Trans fats.
Votes followed by explanation of votes on Member States experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability; Draft amending budget No 3/2016: Security of the Institutions; EU-China Agreement on short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports;

Wednesday 26 October

Plenary Session
Key debate on Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 20 and 21 October 2016.
Debates on Presentation of the Court of Auditors’ annual report – 2015; EU policies and actions to protect children in the context of migration.
Debates with statements by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on Situation in Northern Iraq/Mosul; Afghanistan, notably EU commitments and the EP role in the EU-Afghanistan Joint Way Forward on migration issues; Situation in Belarus; Situation of journalists in Turkey; Nuclear security and non-proliferation.
Joint debate on Discharge 2014: EU general budget – European Council and Council; ENIAC Joint Undertaking; ARTEMIS Joint Undertaking; Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy.

Thursday 27 October

Plenary Session
Debates on European Voluntary Service; Switch between summer and winter time.
Short presentations on the following reports: EU Youth Strategy 2013-2015; How the CAP can improve job creation in rural areas.
Votes followed by explanations of votes on Discharge 2014: EU general budget – European Council and Council; Discharge 2014: ENIAC Joint Undertaking; Discharge 2014: ARTEMIS Joint Undertaking; Discharge 2014: Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy; Situation in Northern Iraq/Mosul; Situation of journalists in Turkey; Nuclear security and non-proliferation; Motions for resolutions – European Voluntary Service; EU Youth Strategy 2013-2015; How the CAP can improve job creation in rural areas.

Find the full plenary agenda here. Find an overview of committees here.

 

Council of Ministers

Tuesday 25 – Wednesday 26 October

CELAC – EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting
The meeting on the future of the bi-regional partnership is held in in Santo Domingo. The draft agenda foresees discussions on how to strengthen the bi-regional dialogue and deepen mutual relations, an assessment of the programmes and actions adopted by the Summits, discussions on financing for development and on climate change, and a specific point on the European Union – Latin America and the Caribbean Foundation (EU-LAC Foundation). An agreement establishing the EU-LAC Foundation as an international organisation is expected to be signed at the meeting.

Thursday 27 October

EU-Canada Summit
Foreseen to take place in Brussels in order to sign the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada.

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

 

European Commission and High Representative

Monday 24 October

Christos Stylianides on an official visit in Iran.

Tuesday 25 October

College of Commissioners in Strasbourg

European Day of Justice
The European Day of Justice aims to bring justice closer to all European citizens, by informing them on their rights and of the available tools in place for facilitating access to cross-border justice, as well as raise awareness of EU law among legal professionals through communication and other related activities across the EU Member States.

Wednesday 26 October

Andrus Ansip receives Giovanni Buttarelli, the European Data Protection Supervisor.

Maroš Šefčovič attends the signature ceremony of the joint EU-European Space Agency (ESA) declaration on space policy, in Brussels.

Thursday 27 October

Creative Europe showcase conference – Culture in the spotlight
The European Commission is organising a showcase conference on the the first results of the Creative Europe programme. Culture will be in the spotlight and results will be demonstrated with the presence of project coordinators and people benefitting directly from the projects. Artists and creators, as well as policy makers, will gather to exchange on topics such as audience development, capacity building, intercultural dialogue, social inclusion, and cultural heritage. The discussion will take place against the background of real outcomes of Creative Europe projects.

Frans Timmermans receives Stavros Lambrinidis, EU Special Representative for Human Rights.

Federica Mogherini attends the NATO Defence Ministers meeting, in Brussels.

Friday 28 October

Commissioners at the Tatra Summit in Bratislava
Kristalina Georgieva, Maroš Šefčovič, Günther Oettinger, Pierre Moscovici, and Elżbieta Bieńkowska participate in the TATRA Summit – Investment Forum, a flagship event of the Slovak Presidency of the Council of the EU on the European Political, Economic and Financial Affairs.

Johannes Hahn in Geneva, Switzerland: meets with Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and with Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.

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

European Economic and Social Committee

Monday 24 – Tuesday 25 October

Euromed Summit 2016 of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions
The Euromed Summit brings together some 120 participants from a range of economic and social councils, or similar institutions, representatives of employers, trade unions, other economic and social interests groups and NGOs from countries which are members of the Union for the Mediterranean. This year, the exchange will focus on the following topics: Promotion of legal migration; Women participation in labour force and women’s entrepreneurship; Organised civil society and climate change in the view of the COP22; and the coordination of social protection systems. As on previous occasions, the meeting will conclude with the adoption of a final declaration.

Tuesday 25 October

Public Hearing on Common Agricultural Policy post-2020
For half a century, the CAP has helped to build the European Union. In this present period of great doubt concerning the EU, a return to basics should be an opportunity for a new long term vision for the CAP to give clear and concrete guidance not only to farmers, but also to millions of citizens. It is of utmost importance to make an in-depth analysis of the current CAP and the result of the previous reform. The purpose of the opinion that the EESC is currently preparing, is to make some suggestions and take part in the reflection on the future of the CAP.

Wednesday 26 October

LIFE: a tool for a greener Europe
Since 1992, the LIFE programme (L’Instrument Financier pour l’Environnement) has been the main European funding source for the protection of nature, resource efficiency and awareness-raising actions around the environment. In 2017, the European Commission will issue a mid-term evaluation of the LIFE programme over the 2014-2020 period. The EESC will contribute with an opinion reflecting the views of the European civil society on LIFE, its strengths and weaknesses and ways to improve it in the future; the EESC opinion will then feed into the drafting of the mid-term evaluation report, which is due in June 2017.

Thursday 27 October

Conference on The role of civil society in the European Energy Union: Ensuring secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy
The aim of the conference is to obtain a better grasp of the role civil society has to play in energy security and the transition to renewable energy at both national and regional levels. The challenge is to channel civil society involvement and expertise towards creating more links, partnerships and dialogue between local, national and regional players. The conference will explore the following themes: energy security and efficient supply; effective management of the transition to renewable energies; an Energy Union with a forward-looking climate change policy; ways that energy policy can lead to national and regional development; and the new electricity market’s design and impact on vulnerable consumers.

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

 

Committee of Regions

Tuesday 25 October

19th meeting of the Working Group on Western Balkans
The 19th Meeting of the Working Group in Western Balkans will be held in Gjilan, Kosovo. In the first session of the meeting, which will be attended by Kosovo’s acting Minister of European Integration and by EU representatives, an assessment of recent developments in Kosovo’s European integration process will be made; the second session will focus mainly on the «Connectivity Agenda» for Western Balkans, launched in the framework of the «Berlin Process».

Wednesday 26 October

CORLEAP conference on Administrative reforms and decentralisation in EaP countries
As part of the CORLEAP Action Plan 2016-2017, the event co-organised with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development of Armenia and DG NEAR in Yerevan will be an opportunity to raise awareness on the role sub-national authorities and local stakeholders (including citizens) can play in support of sustainable development. Administrative reforms and decentralisation, capacity building and financial support can further strengthen their role.

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

 

Slovak Presidency

Wednesday 26 – Friday 28 October

REinEU2016: Re-industrialisation of the European Union 2016
Excellent science, research and innovation are essential for a sustainable development of the European economy. That is why hundreds of representatives from European and international research, innovation communities, and the business sector will meet to discuss this topic during the REinEU2016 Conference in the field of nanotechnologies, advanced materials, manufacturing and production technologies, biotechnology.

Friday 28 – Sunday 30 October

Tatra Summit Conference
GLOBSEC TATRA SUMMIT is a prominent international conference discussing the most pressing European political, economic and financial affairs. By bringing together an immensely diverse pool of participants and creating an open forum, GLOBSEC TATRA SUMMIT conferences aim to make a lasting contribution to defining the future of the economic and political governance of the European Union. Making sure the voice of the Central Europe is heard, GLOBSEC TATRA SUMMIT provides a unique opportunity for shaping and presenting the positions of Visegrad countries. GLOBSEC TATA SUMMIT 2016 topics: European solutions to current challenges; Migration crisis; Economic and Monetary Union; Energy Union; Transatlantic relations; Digital Single Market.

The agenda of the Slovak Presidency can be found here.

 

eu-LISA

Thursday 27 October

eu-LISA annual conference ‘JHA Tech 2016 – Aligning the capabilities of technology with policy priorities in the areas of migration and internal security’
Attendees at this year’s eu-LISA annual conference will have the opportunity to take a fresh look at the role of technologies in the domain of justice and home affairs and the extent to which new and innovative developments can support implementation of policy. Evolution of the JHA landscape in recent years has brought different challenges to the fore. Those working in the field are challenged by an apparent increase in the threat of terrorism, changing patterns and trends in migration and an expectation that the myriad of potential threats apparent at borders can be detected. Assurance of internal security requires a cohesive approach that cuts across traditional boundaries between border control, asylum management and law enforcement. Authorities involved must work together to ensure the availability of relevant data at the time that it is required and to allow for the combination of data as necessary to inform decision making.

 

European Data Protection Supervisor

Thursday 27 October

Data Protection Officers – EDPS Meeting
The DPOs in the EU institutions and bodies, around 60 in total, organise themselves in a network, which the EDPS actively supports. The main feature of this network is the DPO meetings, which take place twice each year. These meetings have taken place since 2004 and represent a valuable opportunity for DPOs to share experiences from their respective institutions both with one another and with their supervisory authority, the EDPS. The meetings are also an opportunity for the EDPS to present our policies and activities to DPOs, who are our close partners and main contact points within the EU institutions and bodies. This DPO meeting will take place at EUIPO in Alicante and will include discussions on EDPS inspections, Data Protection Impact Assessments, right of access and restrictions and EDPS Guidelines on mobile devices and web services.

Find more information on EDPS events here. 

 

European Investment Bank

Thursday 27 October

European Microfinance Day 2016
The EIB Group (European Investment Bank and European Investment Fund) is sponsoring the second European Microfinance Day, which aims to raise awareness on microfinance as a tool to fight social exclusion and unemployment in Europe. The theme of this second edition, “Creating opportunities beyond microcredit”, highlights the importance of providing non-financial services alongside financial products. Besides the main central event to be held in Brussels, a multitude of workshops, debates, exhibitions and meetings will take place at local level all across the EU-28 on 20 October 2016, in collaboration with the members of both organising networks.

More information about EIB events can be found here. 

 

Council of Europe

Monday 24 – Tuesday 25 October

Regional conference on improving women’s access to justice
Part of the EU/CoE joint project “Improving women’s access to justice in five Eastern Partnership Countries”, the Council of Europe and the National Institute of Justice of the Republic of Moldova will organise a regional conference. Participants representing beneficiary countries of the project, legal training institutions – and Council of Europe member States, civil society and other regional and international organisations – will discuss how to integrate women’s rights, gender equality and equal access to justice when training legal professionals.

Wednesday 26 October

PACE Fact-finding missions to Albania and Serbia
Andrej Hunko and Joseph O’Reilly, PACE co-rapporteurs for the monitoring of Albania, will visit Albania to further assess the honouring of its obligations and commitments to the Council of Europe. Samad Seyidov and Maria Guzenina, PACE co-rapporteurs for the monitoring of obligations and commitments by Serbia, will make a fact-finding visit to Serbia.

Thursday 27 October

PACE Sub-Committee on the Rights of Minorities
Hearing on the scope of application of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, with the participation of Ms Petra Roter, President, and Ms Barbara Wilson, member, of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention; Exchange of views on the Ratification of Council of Europe treaties with respect to minority rights with representatives of countries not having ratified the Framework Convention.

Friday 28 October

PACE Sub-Committee on the European Social Charter
Parliamentary seminar on “The right of children and young people to social, legal and economic protection” (in the framework of promoting implementation of the European Social Charter, in co-operation with the Department of the European Social Charter and the PACE Parliamentary Projects Support Division.

PACE Election Observation Missions in Georgia and Moldova
A 6-member PACE delegation, led by Emanuelis Zingeris, will travel to Georgia to observe the conduct of the 2nd round of the parliamentary elections alongside observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the European Parliament and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

A 21-member PACE delegation, led by Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter, will travel to Moldova to observe the conduct of the presidential election alongside observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the European Parliament and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

Find an overview of Council of Europe events here.