The Week Ahead 19 – 25 March 2018
Gas supply from third countries. A law to enforce EU gas market rules (unbundling, independent supervision, etc.) on suppliers from non-EU countries will be voted by the Industry and Energy Committee. It would apply to all future gas pipelines to the EU from non-EU countries, e.g. Russia (including Nord Stream 2), Norway, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia and Morocco. Later in the day, the committee will debate latest developments on Russian gas supplies to the Ukraine with Commission Vice-President for the Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič. (Wednesday)
Fair competition in air transport. The Transport and Tourism Committee will vote to step up EU measures to protect EU air carriers against unfair competition by non-EU countries. The regulation would give the EU Commission more effective tools for investigating alleged unfair practices, such as subsidies to third country carriers or discriminatory access conditions for EU ones, and propose countermeasures, including financial duties. (Tuesday)
Protecting victims of terrorism. On the eve of the commemoration of the Brussels and London attacks of 22 March 2016 and 2017 respectively, the Special Committee on Terrorism will hold a public hearing to pay tribute to victims of terrorism and discuss how to ensure that their rights are properly protected in the EU. EP President Antonio Tajani will open the debate. A press point with the chair will take place at 18:00. (Wednesday)
Drop in vaccination rates. The Environment and Public Health Committee will call for measures to address vaccine “hesitancy” in the EU, where growing numbers of people are choosing to delay or refuse vaccines. Recent data from EU member states show a significant drop in the use of vaccines. (Tuesday)
Banking Union/resolution of failing banks. Members of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee will put questions to Elke König, chair of the Single Resolution Board (SRB), the European Banking Union’s authority tasked with ensuring an orderly resolution of failing banks. (Tuesday)
Taxation/special committee. The newly-created “Special Committee on Financial Crimes, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion” holds its first meeting, when the 45 members will elect the Chair and Vice-Chairs who will spearhead its work during its 12 month mandate. (Thursday)
President’s diary. On Monday, EP President Antonio Tajani will speak at a high-level conference on “The challenges of European and Latin American women: Digital Agenda and Access to Markets”. On Tuesday, he will preside the ceremony of handing over the Act of Lithuanian Independence 1918 to the European House of History. He will deliver the opening speech at the Women’s European Council and World Down Syndrome Day, on Wednesday. On Thursday, President Tajani will address heads of state or government at the EU summit, followed by a press conference.
Press briefing. The EP Press Service will hold a press briefing on the week’s activities at 11.00 a.m. on Monday, in the “Anna Politkovskaya” EP press conference room.
