The Week Ahead 28 March – 03 April 2022
Committee and political groups’ meetings, Brussels
Russian aggression. EU foreign policy Chief Josep Borrell will brief the Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Human Rights and Security and Defence subcommittees, on the Commission’s 2022 work programme. MEPs will also quiz Mr Borrell on the EU’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the consequences of the war for Europe’s security (Monday).
Strategic Compass. The Security and Defence Subcommittee will discuss the state of play on the EU’s Strategic Compass with Charles Fries, the European External Action Service’s Deputy Secretary General for Common Security and Defence Policy and Crisis Response (Monday).
War in Ukraine/Moldova. A delegation of MEPs from the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Security and Defence Subcommittee will travel to the Republic of Moldova to assess the security situation there in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent influx of refugees. MEPs plan to meet national authorities and representatives of international organisations (Thursday – Saturday).
Ukrainian women refugees. The Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee will hold an exchange of views with Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson on the situation of women refugees fleeing Ukraine. MEPs will discuss what support the EU can provide to protect refugees from the risk of gender-based violence and sexual exploitation (Tuesday).
Webinar on the war in Ukraine and disinformation. The EP press service organises a webinar for media on the “War in Ukraine: Disinformation vs reality”, featuring the participation of key MEPs and experts (Thursday).
European elections rules. The Constitutional Affairs Committee will adopt proposals to enhance the European dimension of EU elections. These may include a pan-European constituency, a European electoral authority, gender balance in electoral lists, ensuring access to polling stations for persons with disabilities, and a fixed day for European elections (9 May) (Monday).
ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly. MEPs and their counter-parts from African, Caribbean and Pacific countries will gather for the 41st session of the joint parliamentary assembly. The situation in West Africa and the Sahel, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, economic recovery and strengthening health systems are among the topics to be discussed (Friday to Sunday).
LUX Audience Award 2022 week. Simultaneous screenings of the three films nominated to win the LUX Audience Award 2022 will take place in several EU countries to allow the public to vote for the winner, to be selected together with MEPs. The films nominated are: Flee, Great Freedom and Quo Vadis, Aida? The Award Ceremony will take place on 8 June.
Plenary preparations. Political groups will prepare for the 4-7 April plenary session, where MEPs will debate the EU’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They will also assess the EU’s action plan for strengthening its security and defence policy by 2030, the results of the 24-25 European Council, and the outcome of the EU-China Summit. MEPs will debate and vote on updated rules on the financing of energy projects, on ongoing hearings about the breach of EU values by Poland and Hungary, on the “right to repair”, and on the situation of women in Afghanistan.
President’s diary. EP President Roberta Metsola travels to Slovenia on Monday and Tuesday, to meet Prime Minister Janez Janša. She will participate in the Conference of Speakers of EU Parliaments and deliver a keynote address, as well as hold a press conference with National Assembly President Igor Zorčič, and National Council President Alojz Kovšca. On Wednesday, President Metsola will unveil a portrait of the late EP President David Sassoli, and hold meetings with the European Data Protection Supervisor Wojciech Wiewiórowski and Georgia’s Parliament chairman Shalva Papuashvili. On Thursday, the EP President will have an online meeting with Jüri Ratas, President of Estonia’s Parliament.
Pre-session press briefing. The EP Press Service will hold a press briefing with the Parliament’s political group spokespersons at 11.00 on Friday (Anna Politkovskaya room, press centre, Brussels).
