The Week Ahead 26 November – 02 December 2018

Plenary

Future of Europe/Rasmussen. Denmark’s Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen will debate the future of Europe with MEPs and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday at 15.00. This will be the thirteenth in a series of future of Europe debates between EU heads of state or governments and MEPs.

Schengen/Reintroduction of border controls. MEPs will vote on an update of the Schengen Borders Code, establishing the conditions upon which Member States can temporarily carry out checks at internal borders of the Schengen area. Six Schengen states have been carrying out controls for more than three years, despite a two-year maximum period (Thursday).

Climate Change. Parliament will hold a debate with Commissioner for Climate Action Miguel Arias Cañete on the new EU strategy for long-term greenhouse gas emissions reduction to meet Paris Agreement targets, (Wednesday).

Western Balkans/EU membership. MEPs will review and vote on the progress made towards possible EU accession by Serbia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro (Thursday).

Committees

EU risk assessment in the food chain. Draft legislation aiming at restoring trust in EU scientific risk assessment in the food chain will be voted by the Environment and Public Health Committee. Under the draft rules, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) would have to disclose more information to the public and Commission and member states would be able to request additional studies, when they have doubts on an approval of a substance. This proposal follows up on the “Stop Glyphosate” Citizen’s Initiative (Tuesday)

Draghi/Monetary Union. The Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee will debate the reform of the European Economic and Monetary Union and the monetary policy of the Eurozone, among other issues, in with European Central Bank (ECB) President and European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) Chair Mario Draghi (Monday).

Libya/Migration. The Civil Liberties Committee will discuss the situation in Libya and the Libyan Search and Rescue (SAR) zone with UNHCR, IMO, IOM and Frontex representatives. MEPs will also hear a legal opinion on the lawfulness of “regional disembarkation platforms” and “controlled centres”, as proposed by the June European Council (Tuesday).

Research and innovation. A high-level conference titled “EU research and innovation in our daily life” will bring together researchers and politicians to reflect on past and present achievements and talk about the challenges ahead. EP President Tajani will participate to the opening and closing sessions as well as hold a press conference with EU Commissioner Moedas at 15.30 (Tuesday).

President’s diary. EP President Antonio Tajani will address the extraordinary European Council (EU27) convened to endorse the Brexit withdrawal agreement, on Sunday 25 November, followed by a press conference. On Wednesday, he will meet Denmark’s Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.