The Week Ahead 17 – 23 May 2021
Plenary session and committee meetings
COVID-19 certificate. Parliament, Council and Commission negotiators will meet to try to conclude a deal aimed at establishing, on time for the summer tourist season, an EU certificate attesting that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, has a negative test result or recovered from the sickness. This should allow for smooth and safe travel within the EU from the end of June. (Tuesday)
COVID-19 vaccine patents. On Wednesday morning, MEPs will debate a proposal to the WTO to waive intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines, a move backed by the US administration. A resolution will be put to the vote during the 7-10 June session.
EU strategy towards Israel-Palestine. On Tuesday afternoon, MEPs will discuss the recent unrest and violence between Israel and Palestine The last days have been witness to some of the worst clashes between the Israeli and Palestinian sides in years.
Erasmus+/Creative Europe/Solidarity Corps Programmes. Parliament is set to adopt three 2021-2027 EU programmes: the Erasmus education, training, youth and sports programme, worth 28 billion euro; the Creative Europe programme, the biggest ever commitment to support EU cultural and creative sectors (2.2 billion euro); and the European Solidarity Corps volunteering programme for young people in Europe and beyond (one billion euro). (debates Tuesday)
Just Transition Fund. MEPs are set to adopt the €17.5 billion Just Transition Fund that will help EU countries address the social and economic impact of the transition to climate neutrality. The fund will focus on least developed regions, outermost territories and islands. Committing to climate neutrality by 2050 will be a condition for financial support; investments linked to waste incineration and fossil fuels will be excluded from grants. (debate Monday vote Tuesday)
Ecocide/Environmental liability. Parliament will debate and vote on a report that demands existing EU rules on environmental liability of companies be strengthened to better prevent and remedy environmental damage, and ensure victims of environmental damage are better supported. The draft text calls on the Commission to examine how “ecocide” can be recognised under EU law. (debate Wednesday, vote result Thursday)
Turkey/Enlargement prospects. MEPs will discuss recent developments in Turkey and Montenegro’s EU accession negotiations. In two resolutions to be put to the vote, MEPs are expected to criticise the Turkish government for distancing itself from European values and standards, and to support Montenegro’s path towards the EU. (debates Tuesday, vote results Wednesday)
President’s Diary. On Tuesday, EP President Sassoli will have a meeting with the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Kakha Kuchava. On Friday, he will participate remotely in the Global Health Summit.
Press briefing. On Monday at 15.30, spokespersons from Parliament and political groups will hold a press briefing on next week’s plenary session.
