The Week Ahead 17 – 23 April 2023
Plenary Session, Strasbourg
Fit for 55 package. MEPs are set to adopt five laws crucial to achieving the EU’s 2030 climate target: the reform of the Emissions Trading System including for aviation and the maritime sector, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and the new Social Climate fund. A press conference with President Metsola and lead MEPs is scheduled at 14.00 on Tuesday (debate Monday, vote Tuesday)
Fighting deforestation. MEPs will debate on Monday and vote on Wednesday on a new law obliging companies to ensure products sold in the EU do not come from deforested land anywhere in the world. A press conference with the rapporteur will take place on Wednesday at 14.30.
EU’s China policy. On Tuesday morning, Parliament will discuss the European Union’s response to the growing global challenges stemming from a more repressive and assertive China. Deported Ukrainian children/Putin arrest warrant. On Wednesday morning, MEPs will debate the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the alleged war crimes of unlawfully deporting and transferring Ukrainian children to Russia.
Asylum and migration. Parliament is set to adopt its negotiating mandates for talks with the Council on key legislation to reform the EU asylum system and measures to facilitate legal migration.
Crypto-assets. MEPs are set to endorse the first EU rules to ensure the traceability of crypto-asset transfers, to prevent money laundering, terrorist financing, and other crimes, as well as a common framework for supervision, consumer protection and environmental safeguards in the crypto markets. (debate Wednesday, vote Thursday)
“This is Europe”/Xavier Bettel. On Wednesday at 10.30, Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel will discuss with MEPs his views on Europe’s challenges and future. A press point by President Metsola and Prime Minister Bettel is scheduled at around 10.20.
President’s diary. President Roberta Metsola will meet French Secretary of State for European Affairs, Laurence Boone, on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning, she will have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Bettel, before he addresses MEPs. At noon, she will make a statement in plenary on the 80th anniversary of the Uprising in the Warsaw Ghetto. On Thursday, President Metsola will meet the President of Czechia, Petr Pavel.
Last-minute briefing. On Monday at 16.30, Parliament’s Spokesperson will hold a press briefing on the plenary session, which starts at 17.00. Political group briefings will take place on Tuesday morning.
