The Week Ahead 04 – 10 December 2017

Cash control. An update of EU rules on checking on cash entering or leaving the EU will be voted on by Civil Liberties and Economic Affairs committees. The aim is to step up detection of money laundering and financing of illegal activities such as terrorism. It would extend the definition of “cash” to include prepaid cards and commodities, such as gold coins and bars. (Monday)

Rule of law/Hungary. Civil Liberties Committee MEPs will quiz representatives of the Hungarian government, civil society and others on the situation of the rule of law in the country. The hearing is part of their work, requested by the full House in October, to assess whether Hungary is at risk of a serious breach of EU values.  (Thursday)

Eurozone/Dijsselbloem. Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem will join the Economic and Monetary Committee to discuss the Eurozone countries’ budgetary plans for 2018 and the overall budgetary situation in the Eurozone as well as plans to develop the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) further. EU governments should appoint his successor on 4 December. (Thursday)

Parliament of Persons with Disabilities. Organisations of people with disabilities from all over Europe will join MEPs, Commissioners and other EU institutions’ representatives for the 4th European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities, to discuss issues such as participation in political and public life. Parliament President Antonio Tajani and European Disability Forum President Yannis Vardakastanis will open the event. (Wednesday)

Interreligious dialogue. The role of the EU in the world will be debated with representatives of religious communities. EP President Antonio Tajani, Vice-President Mairead McGuinness and Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans will open the debate. The event is part of a regular dialogue between the EU institutions and religious as well as non-confessional organisations. (Wednesday)

Plenary preparations. Political groups will prepare for December Strasbourg plenary debates and votes on Parliament’s recommendations for the next steps in Brexit negotiations ahead of the EU December summit, the final report of the inquiry committee on money laundering, tax avoidance and tax evasion (PANA) and the extension of the “Juncker” fund (EFSI) for investment in growth and jobs. MEPs will also consider whether to veto the Commission’s proposal to allow phosphate in kebab.

President’s agenda. EP President Antonio Tajani will meet with Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama, followed by a press point, on Tuesday, and with Prime Minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Zoran Zaev on Wednesday. Mr Tajani will pay an official visit to Cyprus on Friday.

Pre-session press briefing. The EP Press Service will hold a press briefing with the EP’s political group spokespersons at 11.00 on Friday. (Anna Politkovskaya room, press centre, Brussels)

EP Press Service contact 2 and 3 December