News > Weekly European Agenda | 24/05/2021
Weekly European Agenda | 24/05/2021
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24-30 May 2021
Monday 24 May
- European Council Summit
- EC: Von der Leyen participates in the special meeting of the European Council
- EC: Timmermans receives the Chancellor of Austria
- EC: Jourová receives the Prime Minister of Slovenia
- Presidency: International seminar “European Defence Economy”
Tuesday 25 May
- EP: INTA, EMPL, AIDA, REGI, PECH, LIBE, FEMM, AFCO
- EC: Timmermans delivers a speech at the Power Summit – Electric Decade
- EC: Šuica delivers a speech at the Vienna Youth Symposium
- EC: Gabriel delivers a speech at the Business Leadership Forum
- Presidency: International Conference on Human Trafficking, Conference “From Sea to Society”, Webinar on “Caves, Otherworldly Places”
- CoE: Association of Francophone Constitutional Courts
- OSCE: Annual Trial Monitoring Meeting 2021
Wednesday 26 May
- EP: AFET, DEVE, FEMM, CONT, EMPL, ITRE, IMCO
- CoM: Agriculture and Fisheries Council
- EC: European Social Economy Summit 2021
- EC: EU open for business – A new compass for SMEs
- EC: Vestager will speak at the ‘European Union in International Affairs’ Conference
- EC: Schmit delivers a speech at the European Social Economy Summit
- EESC: Taxing Multinationals in Europe
- CoR: Supporting Social Economy and Social Enterprises
Thursday 27 May
- EP: AFET, DEVE, BECA, CONT, EMPL, IMCO
- EU-Japan Summit
- CoM: Competitiveness Council
- EC: European Financial Integration and Stability
- EC: Von der Leyen chairs the meeting with the Advisory Panel on COVID-19
- EC: Timmermans delivers a speech at the Global Solutions Summit
- CoR: Multilevel Climate and Energy Dialogue
- Presidency: Conference on International Connectivity and the EU Atlantic Data Gateway Platform
- CoE: UniDem Med 6th Annual Coordination Meeting
- OSCE: Trends and Challenges in Addressing Human Trafficking in Central Asia
Friday 28 May
- EC: Timmermans delivers a speech at the ChangeNOW 2021 Summit
- EC: Schinas delivers a speech at the 2021 Global Solution Summit
- EC: Gentiloni participates in the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting
- EESC: More Inclusive and Fairer Sustainable Food Systems for a Wellbeing Economy Post-Covid 19
Institutional Agendas
European Parliament
Tuesday 25 May
Committee on International Trade
Votes: Adoption of draft report on trade related aspects and implications of COVID-19; adoption of draft opinion of the assessment of the implementation of Article 50 TEU; and adoption of draft recommendation of the votes on tariff rate quota adjustments for Thailand, Indonesia and Argentina.
There will be debates on trade and the European Digital Decade; the EU’s Trade policy tools addressing global overcapacity and additional duties in the steel and aluminium sectors; and the state of play of the implementation of the trade part of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. There will also be an exchange of views on the request for a waiver from certain provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the prevention, containment and treatment of COVID-19 within the broader framework of increasing production capacity for vaccines.
Joint Hearing: Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in a Digital Age & Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
The AIDA and EMPL Committees will organise a joint hearing on Artificial Intelligence and the labour market and impact of AI on the future of skills. The hearing aims to explore how the labour market can adapt to fast progressing digitalisation and increasing deployment of artificial intelligence, and how to respond when new jobs emerge because of AI, while other jobs disappear.
Committee on Regional Development
Votes: Adoption of draft report on establishing the Brexit Adjustment Reserve
There will be debates on a new approach to the Atlantic maritime strategy and a presentation on the study commissioned by Policy Department B on “Cohesion Policy and Climate Change”. There will also be an exchange of views with the Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira.
Committee on Fisheries
Votes: Adoption of draft report on the impact on the fishing sector of offshore windfarms and other renewable energy systems and a vote on amending the Regulation (EU) 2019/833 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2019 laying down conservation and enforcement measures applicable in the Regulatory Area of the northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation.
There will be a hearing on the European Fisheries Control Agency. There will be debates on establishing a catch documentation programme for bluefin tuna and repealing Regulation (EU) No 640/2010 (COD) and a presentation on Strategic Guideline on Aquaculture. There will be an exchange of views on EU-UK: Implementation of the Trade & Cooperation Agreement with the Commission.
Joint Meeting: Committee on civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs & Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
There will be debates on combating gender based violence: cyber violence, the proposal for a Council decision to identify gender-based violence as a new area of crime listed in Article 83(1) TFEU and an exchange of views on the Istanbul Convention – 10th anniversary, including the impact of the withdrawal of Turkey.
Committee on Constitutional Affairs
Votes: Election of the fourth Vice-Chair of the AFCO Committee and the adoption of the draft report on the draft regulation of the European Parliament, laying down the regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties and repealing Decision 94/262/ECSC, EC, Euratom (INL).
There will be debates on amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure concerning Rules 99, 197, 213, 214, 222, 223, 230, 235 and Annex V, and on insertion of a new Rule 106a (REG), the Working Document N°4 on The principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, Working Document n° 3 on Encouraging the dialogue between the European Parliament and the national and regional parliaments for strengthening democracy through the Conference on the Future of Europe, and on the citizens’ dialogue and citizens’ participation in the EU decision-making. There will also be a hearing on “The statute and funding of European political parties and political foundations”.
Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
There will be a workshop on “Three years after #Metoo – what needs to be done? Call for reforms to avoid sexual harassment in EU institutions” organised by Policy Department C as well as a hearing on the socio-economic position of women.
Wednesday 26 May
Committee on Development
There will be an exchange of views with the European External Action Service jointly with AFET. There will be a presentation on cash for development: the use of microcredit and cash transfers as development tools. There will be a joint hearing with FEMM addressing inequalities in developing countries, with specific reference to the COVID pandemic.
Committee on Budgetary Control
There will be debates on the Commission’s 2020 Rule of law report; strengthening transparency and integrity in the EU institutions by setting up an independent EU ethics body; adopting a resolution on the conflict of interest of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic; the control of the financial activities of the European investment Bank -annual report 2019; and the protection of the EU’s financial interest – combatting fraud – annual report 2019. There will be an exchange of views on the administration of EU funds in shared management in Malta and rule of law conditionality regulations. There will also be a workshop on ‘Missing Trader Fraud: Definition, effects, prevention and solutions’.
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
There will be a debate on fair working conditions, rights and social protection for platform workers – new forms of employment linked to digital development. There will be the presentation of the IMF study on Affordable Rental Housing: Making it Part of Europe’s Recovery and a presentation of the ECA review on EU actions to address low digital skills.
Committee on Industry, Research and EnergyU
There will be debates on establishing the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking, a reinforce role for the European Medicines Agency in crisis preparedness and management for medicinal products and medical devices, the EU’s Cybersecurity Strategy for the Digital Decade. Consideration for the regulation concerning batteries and waste batteries -repealing Directive 2006/66/EC and amending Regulation (EU) No 2019/1020, consideration for an Eu strategy to reduce methane emissions, and for a Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe. There will be structured dialogue with the Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson.
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
There will be a hearing on the Implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: challenges for the integrity of the Single Market and the Customs Union. There will be consideration on establishing the European Union Single Window Environment for Customs and amending Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 (COD). There will also be a workshop on the DSA and DMA: a forward-looking and consumer-centered perspective.
Thursday 27 May
Committee on Development
There will be an exchange of views with the Commission on the draft Delegated Act supplementing the Regulation establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe.
Special Committee on Beating Cancer
There will be a public hearing on “Unlocking the potential of Artificial Intelligence in cancer research and care” BECA/9/06093, in association with AIDA committee and the Commission.
Committee on Budgetary Control
There will be a public hearing on the use of CPR provisions in EU funds – spending, theory and case examples. There will be a presentation of the ECA Special Report 04/2021: Customs controls: insufficient harmonisation hampers EU financial interests and a prestation on the study on the largest 50 beneficiaries in each EU Member State of CAP and cohesion funds.
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Votes: Adoption of the draft report on the old continent growing older – possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020.
There will be a debate on protecting workers from asbestos and there will be a hearing on Amazon attacks on fundamental workers’ rights and freedoms: freedom of assembly and associated and the rights to collective bargain and action.
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
There will be an exchange of view with the Commission on machinery products (COD).
Find an overview of the parliamentary agenda here.
European Council
Monday 24 – Tuesday 25 May
Special Meeting of the European Council
EU leaders will meet in Brussels to discuss current issues. The agenda includes the coordination of the EU’s response to COVID-19, the EU’s fight against climate change, the EU’s external relations with Russia and the EU’s relations with the UK, following the entry into force of the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement.
Thursday 27 May
EU-Japan Summit
The leaders of the EU and Japan will meet for a virtual summit. The EU will be represented by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and Japan will be represented by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. The discussions will be centred around three main pillars: global issues, bilateral relations and foreign and security policy.
The meeting page can be found here.
Council of Ministers
Wednesday 26 – Thursday 27 May
Agriculture and Fisheries Council
EU Agriculture Ministers will meet to discuss the Common Agricultural Policy reform package, studies on agri-food techniques, organic farming and the EU’s priorities for the UN Food Systems Summit.
Thursday 27 – Friday 28 May
Competitiveness Council
Ministers will meet to discuss the internal market and industry, in relation to the Digital Services package, the EU industrial strategy the future of European tourism and data technologies for better law-making. Ministers will also discuss research and innovation in regards to the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking, deepening the European Research Area and improving researchers’ careers and Space.
An overview of planned Council meetings can be found here.
European Commission and High Representative
Monday 24 May
President von der Leyen participates in the special meeting of the European Council.
Vice-President Timmermans receives the Chancellor of Austria, Sebastian Kurz.
Vice-President Jourová receives the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Janez Janša.
Tuesday 25 May
Vice-President Timmermans delivers a speech at the Power Summit – Electric Decade.
Vice-President Šuica delivers a speech at the Vienna Youth Symposium.
Commissioner Gabriel delivers a speech at the Business Leadership Forum.
Wednesday 26 May
College Meeting
The college will discuss guidance for strengthening the code of practice on disinformation
European Social Economy Summit 2021
The European Social Economy Summit 2021 is a conference organised by the European Commission and the City of Mannheim. The conference aims to strengthen the social economy in Europe and harness its contribution to economic development, social inclusion, as well as green and digital transitions.
Vice-President Vestager will speak at the 2021 virtual conference of the ‘European Union in International Affairs’.
Commissioner Schmit delivers a speech at the European Social Economy Summit of Mannheim.
Wednesday 26 – Friday 28 May
EU open for business – A new compass for SMEs
The European Commission is organising this online events which will discuss the challenges of transitioning to a digital and a more sustainable way of doing business for Europe’s SMEs, as well as the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will provide practical advice on EU programmes and tools that can help SMEs meet these challenges head-on.
Thursday 27 May
European Financial Integration and Stability
The 2021 European financial integration and stability annual conference will be held online by the European Commission and European Central Bank. The conference will discuss the implications of COVID-19 for the EU financial system over the medium term and possible policy implications, as well as, climate change and the EU financial system. The European Commission will also publish its annual edition of the European financial integration and stability report.
President von der Leyen chairs the meeting with the Advisory Panel on COVID-19.
Vice-President Timmermans delivers a speech on ‘A Global Green Deal? at the 2021 Global Solutions Summit
Friday 28 May
Vice-President Timmermans delivers a speech at the ChangeNOW 2021 Summit.
Vice-President Schinas delivers a speech at the 2021 Global Solutions Summit.
Commissioner Gentiloni participates in the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors virtual meeting
A full list with meetings of Commissioners can be found here; the Commissioners’ weekly activities can be found here; the agenda of the College Meetings can be found here; Commission events can be found here.
European Economic and Social Committee
Tuesday 25 May
Taxing Multinationals in Europe
The EESC will host an online public debate in partnership with the IMF as a result of the OECD and the UN Committee of Experts on Tax Matters are working to find a globally acceptable solution. The debate will discuss the taxation of multinational companies in Europe.
Friday 28 May
More Inclusive and Fairer Sustainable Food Systems for a Wellbeing Economy Post-Covid 19
This online public hearing will discuss the new actions proposed by the UN, to transform the way the world produces and consumes food, ahead of the UN Food System Summit. It will aim to explore the vulnerabilities and inequalities of European food systems, and to identify the enablers to achieve more equitable and fair supply chains.
More information about EESC events can be found here.
The agendas of the different EESC meetings can be found here.
Committee of the Regions
Wednesday 26 May
Supporting Social Economy and Social Enterprises: Can local and regional authorities make a difference?
The Committee of the Regions is organising a digital workshop as part of the European Social Economy Summit 2021 to debate local and regional strategies in support of the social economy.
Thursday 27 May
Multilevel Climate and Energy Dialogue: Renovation Wave in Recovery and Resilience Plans
The ENVE Commission Secretariat is organising a Multilevel Climate and Energy Dialogue on the The Renovation Wave in Recovery and Resilience Plans in cooperation with the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU, and also as a part of the Joint Action Plan for an Enhanced Cooperation on the Renovation Wave between the European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission.
More information about Committee of the Regions events can be found here. The agendas of the different Committee of the Regions meetings can be found here.
Portuguese Presidency
Monday 24 May
International seminar “European Defence Economy”
The European Defence Economy seminar is aimed at promoting debate and improving information sharing. It will focus on three areas: discussing the current defence initiatives and reflecting on the challenges and the way ahead; telling stakeholders about the many different instruments and programmes available; and hosting a dialogue between National Defence Industry Associations about the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base and about information management.
Tuesday 25 May
International Conference on Human Trafficking
The Portuguese Presidency is organising this online conference which will reflect on the decade of implementation of the European Directive, not only in Portugal but also in other member states. The priorities of the new European Strategy to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings will also be addressed.
Conference “From Sea to Society”
This international conference will focus on the need to share and place greater importance on knowledge and technology for sustainability, and to raise the importance of marine resources for the socio-economic development of coastal communities. It will address specific examples of innovation in industrial sectors of the blue bio-economy, partnerships between scientists and actors in the blue economy, and the differing approaches of coastal communities with an impact on tourist and industrial activities.
Webinar on “Caves, Otherworldly Places”
The Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU and the Portuguese Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests will host a joint virtual event to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity in the context of the relevant information that caves contain for the future of humankind.
Thursday 27 – Friday 28 May
Conference on International Connectivity and the EU Atlantic Data Gateway Platform
As part of the EU-Atlantic Data Gateway Platform, the Portuguese Presidency is organising a conference on “international connectivity” to share the development strategies of the different national and international stakeholders. It aims to reinforce the role of the EU as a digital player, promoting international connectivity within Europe and between the EU and other continents and regions.
The agenda of the Portuguese Presidency can be found here.
Council of Europe
Tuesday 25 May
Association of Francophone Constitutional Courts
The Venice Commission and the World Conference on Constitutional Justice will participate in the 9th Conference of Head of Institutions of the Association of Francophone Constitutional Courts on “Collegiality” which will take place online.
Thursday 27 May
UniDem Med 6th Annual Coordination Meeting
The Venice Commission will jointly host the 6th annual coordination meeting of the UniDem project for the southern Mediterranean will take place online and will discuss the priorities in regards to the modernisation of the civil service in the southern Mediterranean.
Find an overview of Council of Europe events here; the PACE diary here; the Congress calendar of events here; information on forthcoming judgments here; the calendar of hearings here; information on Venice Commission events here; the agenda of the Commissioner of Human Rights here; and the Chairmanship agenda here.
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
Tuesday 25 – Wednesday 26 May
Annual Trial Monitoring Meeting 2021
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights will host the online Annual Trial Monitoring Meeting of 2021. The event will offer participant an opportunity to discuss and share experiences in monitoring trials during the unprecedented past year, focusing how they adapted their monitoring activities to the new environment.
Thursday 27 May
Trends and Challenges in Addressing Human Trafficking in Central Asia: Civil Society and Survivor Perspectives
This digital event will discuss the current human trafficking trends in Central Asia and focus on the challenges experienced by civil society in providing assistance to victims and survivors of trafficking. It will further highlight the need to take a human rights based, victim-centred and trauma-informed approach in: identifying victims and providing protection and assistance to victims in their respective countries.
More information can be found here.
