Weekly European Agenda 18/03/2024

This week, multiple European Parliament committee meetings will take place in Brussels. On Monday and Tuesday, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs will exchange views on the use of spyware in the European Union. Also on Monday, the Foreign Affairs Council will gather ministers to discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, after an informal exchange of views with Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and on the developments in Belarus. On Thursday and Friday, EU leaders will meet in the European Council to discuss continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression, security and defence, as well as the unfolding situation in the Middle East, enlargement, external relations, migration, agriculture and the European Semester.

European Parliament

On Wednesday, the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) will host a public hearing on the ''Constitutional aspects of the future of Europe''. On the same day, the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) will host a European Commission’s presentation of the 2024 Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report. On Wednesday and Thursday, the Committee on Foreign Affairs will exchange views on the EU-UK foreign policy cooperation post-Brexit.  

Council of Ministers

On Tuesday, the General Affairs Council (GAC) will gather ministers to finalise the preparations for the European Council meeting on 21 and 22 March by discussing draft conclusions. On the same day, the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union will host the European Humanitarian Forum (EHF24). The Forum will feature a ministerial-level pledging session as well as high-level panels on key topics and challenges that the humanitarian system faces.  

European Commission and High Representative

On Monday, Vice-President Margaritis Schinas will receive Rashid Meredov, Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan. On Wednesday, EU Commissioners will gather in Brussels to discuss an action plan for skills and labour shortages in the EU, reinforced quality framework for traineeships and will unveil a communication on pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews. On the same day, President Ursula von der Leyen will receive António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.