ELEC’s working commissions start 2016 with a busy schedule. As always they will keep ELEC members up-to-date on the state of European integration and give them the chance to express their views and exert influence. Next week the Mediterranean Commission convenes in Istanbul to analyze the position of Turkey as a European and regional hub. On April 26th a high level conference takes place in Bucharest on energy and food security in the Black Sea region. EU commissioner for energy Miguel Canete has already confirmed his participation. The Monetary Commission will gather in Utrecht on May 25th on a still to be determined topic, prior to the Summer Central Council. A meeting in Italy of the Economic and Social Commission in June will be devoted to international trade.