The Week Ahead 13 – 19 January 2025
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Subcommittee on Security and Defence and the Delegation for Relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly will meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for the first time, on Monday. In the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and the incoming US administration, the topics to be discussed will likely include efforts to strengthen NATO defence and deterrence as well as the delivery of military assistance to Ukraine. MEPs are also set to inquire about other regional and global security threats that require close cooperation between the EU and NATO.
Enlargement. MEPs in the Foreign Affairs Committee will meet Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos on Tuesday. The discussion is expected to focus on the state of play and the progress made by the ten enlargement countries.
EU-Mercosur. The Committee on International Trade will meet with Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič to discuss the trade aspects of the EU-Mercosur deal on which a political agreement was reached on 6 December 2024. (Thursday)
Europol report on terrorism situation and trends. MEPs in the Civil Liberties Committee will assess the latest annual report by Europol on the terrorism threat landscape in the EU, based on data provided by member states on terrorist attacks, arrests, and court decisions issued for terrorist offences. (Thursday)
Plenary preparations. MEPs will prepare for the 20-23 January plenary session where they will discuss the Polish Council Presidency’s work programme, the new Presidency having started on 1 January. They will also assess the outcome of the December EU summit, debate the EU’s strategy for the Middle East and discuss the need for EU action with regard to the continued oppression and fake elections in Belarus. In addition, MEPs will debate how to combat desertification, examine links between organised crime and the smuggling of migrants and vote on a resolution on Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine.
President’s diary. EP President Roberta Metsola will meet the Chancellor of Austria, Alexander Schallenberg, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday. On Wednesday, she will preside over the Conference of Presidents meeting and on Thursday, she will meet the Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mustafa.
