EU

Weekly

Weekly European Agenda 11/03/2024

11-15 March 2024

Monday 11 March

Tuesday 12 March

Wednesday 13 March

Thursday 14 March

Friday 15 March

Institutional Agendas

European Parliament


Monday 11 March

Plenary
Debates: Horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020; Substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims (Green Claims Directive); Energy performance of buildings (recast); Definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of Union restrictive measures.

Tuesday 12 March

Plenary
Debates: Council and Commission statements – Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21 and 22 March 2024; Council decision inviting Member States to ratify the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) of the International Labour Organization; International Women’s Day Celebration; European Media Freedom Act; Artificial Intelligence Act; Pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews; Question Time (Commission) – Preparedness of EU governments to combat foreign interference, including from Russia; EU climate risk assessment, taking urgent action to improve security and resilience in Europe; A single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State and on a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a Member State; State of play of the corporate sustainability due diligence directive; European cross-border associations; Compulsory licensing for crisis management and amending Regulation (EC) 816/2006.
Votes: Parliament’s calendar of part-sessions – 2025; Vote on request for urgent procedure (Rule 163); Objection pursuant to Rule 111(3): Union list of projects of common interest and projects of mutual interest; Industrial Emissions Directive; Industrial Emissions Portal; Definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of Union restrictive measures; Weights and dimensions of certain road vehicles; Use of railway infrastructure capacity in the single European railway area, amending Directive 2012/34/EU and repealing Regulation (EU) No 913/2010; Amending certain financial services and investment support Regulations as regards certain reporting requirements; Energy performance of buildings (recast); Horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020; Substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims (Green Claims Directive); Liability for defective products; Amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 as regards the digital labelling of EU fertilising products; European Maritime Safety Agency and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002; Council decision inviting Member States to ratify the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) of the International Labour Organization; Extending Rule 168 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure until the end of the 10th parliamentary term.

Wednesday 13 March 

Plenary
Debates: Need to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia; Creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children; This is Europe – Debate with the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo; Topical debate (Rule 162) – Allegations of corruption and misuse of EU funds in Spain during the pandemic; Joint debate – European Semester; Guidelines for the 2025 Budget – Section III; Type-approval of motor vehicles and engines with respect to their emissions and battery durability (Euro 7); Financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast); Cohesion policy 2014-2020 – implementation and outcomes in the Member States; Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144); The time the European Commission takes to deal with requests for public access to documents.
Votes: European Media Freedom Act; Artificial Intelligence Act; Amending the Directive on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes; Discontinuation of the European ODR Platform; Asset recovery and confiscation; Use of the Internal Market Information System and the Single Digital Gateway for the purposes of certain requirements laid down by the Directive on European cross-border associations; Compulsory licensing for crisis management and amending Regulation (EC) 816/2006; Safety of toys and repealing Directive 2009/48/EC; Amending Directive 2008/98/EC on waste; A single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State and on a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a Member State; European cross-border associations; Reporting requirements in the fields of road transport and aviation: Regulation; Reporting requirements in the fields of road transport and aviation: Decision; Minimum requirements on minimum breaks and daily and weekly rest periods in the occasional passenger transport sector; Establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013; Amending Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics; Type-approval of motor vehicles and engines with respect to their emissions and battery durability (Euro 7); European Semester for economic policy coordination 2024; European Semester for economic policy coordination: employment and social priorities for 2024; Guidelines for the 2025 Budget – Section III; MRs – Closer ties between the EU and Armenia and the need for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Thursday 14 March 

Plenary
Debates: Promised revision of the EU animal welfare legislation and the animal welfare-related European citizens’ initiatives; Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia; Healthy lifestyle and active ageing in the EU.
Votes: The immediate risk of mass starvation in Gaza and the attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries; The repressive environment in Afghanistan, including public executions and violence against women; The case of Rocío San Miguel and General Hernández Da Costa, among other political prisoners in Venezuela; Financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast); Industrial property: protection of Community designs; Industrial property: legal protection of designs (recast); Reporting requirements for infrastructures for spatial information; Reporting requirements in the fields of food and food ingredients, outdoor noise, patients’ rights, and radio equipment; Protocol amending the Agreement between the European Union and Japan for an Economic Partnership regarding free flow of data; Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Albania on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of Albania; Nomination of a member of the Court of Auditors – Carlo Alberto Manfredi Selvaggi; Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia; The time the European Commission takes to deal with requests for public access to documents; Creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children; Cohesion policy 2014-2020 – implementation and outcomes in the Member States.

Find an overview of the parliamentary agenda here.

Council of Ministers


Monday 11 March

Eurogroup
Ministers will take stock of the macroeconomic and fiscal developments and prospects in the euro area and exchange views on the fiscal policy orientation for 2025. Ministers are also expected to continue their work on a statement on the future of the Capital Markets Union. The objective is for this statement to be presented to leaders at their summit at the end of March.

Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council
Employment and social affairs ministers will seek to approve the provisional agreement between the Council and the European Parliament on new rules aimed at improving conditions for platform workers. Ministers will hold a policy debate on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights in the context of the European Semester 2024 and the future social agenda. They will also endorse the opinion of the Employment Committee (EMCO) and of the Social Protection Committee (SPC) on the EU’s future policy priorities for the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Tuesday 12 March 

Economic and Financial Affairs Council
Ministers will exchange views on the state of play of the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Ministers will proceed to an exchange views on the state of play of the economic and financial impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

An overview of planned Council meetings can be found here.

European Commission and High Representative


Monday 11 March

Jourová meets with Alma Zadić, Sirpa Rautio and Gerhard Karner
Vice-President Vĕra Jourová will meet with Alma Zadić, Minister of Justice of Austria, Sirpa Rautio, Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights and Gerhard Karner, Minister of the Interior of Austria in Vienna.

Breton receives Nadia Calviño
Commissioner Thierry Breton will receive Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Johansson hosts the 20th European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism
Commissioner Ylva Johansson will host the 20th European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism in Madrid.

Tuesday 12 March

College meeting
EU Commissioners will gather in Strasbourg to unveil and discuss a communication on pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews and climate resilience.

Reynders participates via videoconference in an event on the EU consumer policy with suggestions for the future Consumer Agenda
Commissioner Didier Reynder will participate via videoconference in an event on the EU consumer policy with suggestions for the future Consumer Agenda organised by the German Greens.

Simson participates at the College of the Commissioners meeting
Commissioner Kadri Simson will participate at the College of the Commissioners meeting in Strasbourg.

Wednesday 13 March

Gentiloni meets with Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón
Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni will meet with Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, Prime Minister of Spain, in Madrid.

Gentiloni meets with Ernest Urtasun
Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni will meet with Ernest Urtasun, Minister for Culture, in Madrid.

Reynders participates in the 2nd trilogue on Updating Digital Company Law
Commissioner Didier Reynders will participate in the 2nd trilogue on Updating Digital Company Law in Strasbourg.

Thursday 14 March

Johansson delivers a statement and a pledge on behalf of the EU at the High-level Segment of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs
Commissioner Ylva Johansson will deliver a statement and a pledge on behalf of the EU at the High-level Segment of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna.

Wojciechowski participates in “Agriculture for the Future: 20 years of Poland in the EU” conference
Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski will participate in “Agriculture for the Future: 20 years of Poland in the EU” conference organised by the Executive Board of the Warmińsko-Mazurska Chamber of Agriculture, in Olsztyn. 

Gentiloni meets with Carlos Cuerpo
Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni will meet with Carlos Cuerpo, Minister for Economy, Trade and Enterprise, in Madrid.

Friday 15 March

Simson participates at the EU-US Energy Council meeting
Commissioner Kadri Simson will participate at the EU-US Energy Council meeting in Washington D.C.

An overview of the Commission College can be found here; the Commissioners’ weekly activities can be found here; the agenda of upcoming College meetings can be found here; Commission events can be found here.

European Economic and Social Committee


Monday 11 March

Advancing SDGs through Sustainable and Just Economic Transformation
This public debate of the Sustainable Development Observatory (SDO) will focus on the pivotal role of sustainable and just economies in driving the implementation of SDGs. The topic is the first of six key areas for transformation identified in the SDO work programme 2023-2025. 

Tuesday 12 – Wednesday 13 March 

Together for a social, just and sustainable Europe
Recovery, decent wages, and the role of social partners in social security will be the main topics of the next extraordinary meeting of the Workers’ Group, which will take place in Brussels on the occasion of the Belgian Presidency, with wide participation of representatives from the Belgian government and Belgian trade unions.

Thursday 14 March

Effective legal protection and access to justice for all – a fundamental rights perspective
The seminar will provide an opportunity for an exchange between legal practitioners, national authorities (including Charter focal points), civil society organisations, human rights defenders, politicians and other stakeholders on how the effectiveness of legal protection and access to justice – whether through judicial or non-judicial remedies – can be effectively ensured and further improved across the EU.

Potential and challenges of Assistive Technology and Artificial Intelligence on the life of persons with disabilities
The EESC’s Permanent Group on disability Rights is organising a hybrid public hearing on ” Potential and challenges of Assistive Technology and Artificial Intelligence on the life of PWD “. During the hearing, there will be a discussion with stakeholders about the potential but also challenges associated with the use of AT and AI on the life of PWDs.

Ensuring Roma political participation at local, national and European level
Encouraging the Roma community’s participation in political life at local, national and European level is one of the objectives of the EU Roma strategic framework 2020-2030. At an estimated 10-12 million, the Roma community constitutes the largest minority in Europe. The hearing will explore further the reasons behind the Roma’s lack of participation in the political sphere, look into best practices and discuss possible actions that can help increase their participation.

More information about EESC events can be found here.
The agendas of the different EESC meetings can be found here.

Committee of the Regions


Tuesday 12 March 

Rural NEET Youth Network Conference
The conference “Rural young people: Alternative futures for more hopeful rural societies” will be held at the European Committee of the Regions. This is the final event of the COST Action 18213 Rural NEET Youth Network. The conference will discuss the pathways for rural young people social inclusion and social participation, while improving their educational attainment and employment prospects.

Europe – what’s up?
​In a series of UE Local Dialogues, Jens Christian GJESING (DK/PES) discusses with various groups of citizens the most important questions related to the EU: its history, the role of the Union as peacekeeper, its economy, institutions, decision-making, the impact of migration and climate policies on local communities, and much more.

Wednesday 13 March

On the Way towards EU Integration: Countries of Eastern and South-Eastern Europe reforming Lifelong Learning Systems
The Conference is organised jointly by DVV International in cooperation with the European Training Foundation and the European Association for the Education of Adults. The aim of the conference is to reflect on the state of convergence of adult education and lifelong learning systems in Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, and Ukraine with the policies, trends and best practices in the EU member states.​​​

Friday 15 March

Conference for Mayors “Translating the EU Green Deal into local action”, as part of the Belgian EU Presidency
The Government of Flanders will gather 550 mayors and representatives of local governments to the conference “Translating the EU green deal to local action”, in Brussels, within the framework of the Belgian EU Presidency. 

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.

Belgian Presidency


Tuesday 12 March – Wednesday 13 March

Informal meeting of member states sports administration directors
Traditional informal meeting of member states’ sports administration directors to ensure the continuity of meetings between sports administrations, in line with the themes of the Belgian presidency and the next Work Plan.

Conference: Unlocking the Power of Science Communication in Research and Policy Making
With the aim of establishing the vital role of science communication in today’s research landscape, FWO, F.R.S.-FNRS and Science Europe are co-organising a (hybrid) high-level conference on science communication. This conference will bring together high-level EU policy makers, seasoned science communicators, renown researchers, along with EU-wide research organisations to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices. The conference’s ambition is ultimately to provide EU policy makers with high-level conclusions as part of the Belgian presidency recommendations.

The agenda of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU can be found here.

European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights


Monday 11 March – Tuesday 12 March

Fundamental Rights Forum 2024
The Fundamental Rights Forum 2024 will focus on the most pressing human rights challenges related to climate change, technological advances and the threats to democracy and civic space. The Forum will take place in Vienna. 

Information on upcoming FRA events can be found here.

European Central Bank


Monday 11 March

Participation by Cipollone in Eurogroup meeting in Brussels
Piero Cipollone will participate in the Eurogroup meeting in Brussels. 

Tuesday 12 March 

Participation by de Guindos in ECOFIN meeting
Luis de Guindos will participate in the ECOFIN meeting in Brussels.

Keynote speech by Buch at Morgan Stanley Financial Conference 2024
Claudia Buch will give a keynote speech at the Morgan Stanley Financial Conference 2024 in London.

Thursday 14 March

Speech by Schnabel at Money Market Contact Group (MMCG) meeting
Isabel Schnabel will give a speech at the Money Market Contact Group (MMCG) meeting in Frankfurt.

Friday 15 March

Guest lecture by Lane at Imperial College Business School
Philip R. Lane will give a guest lecture at the Imperial College Business School in London.

More information about ECB events can be found here

European Investment Bank


Friday 15 March

EIB Investment towards the Green, Digital and Energy Transition in Small States
The European Investment Bank and the Central Bank of Malta (CBM) are organising the conference aiming to address the financing of the triple transitions in small states, with a special focus on Malta. The event will bring together economists, policymakers, and representatives from financial institutions and the business community across Malta and the EU.

The agenda of the EIB can be found here.

Council of Europe


Thursday 14 March
European Prize for Eloquence
The School for Young Orators of the Strasbourg Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po), in co-operation with the Council of Europe, will host the European Prize for Eloquence, which will bring together 12 candidates. The six finalists will have the opportunity to debate topics such as “Our need for security endangers our freedoms”; “Human rights are exclusively universal” or “Human dignity is guaranteed in Europe”. This annual competition aims to encourage the exchange of ideas, promote common European values and master rhetoric in French.

Friday 15 March – Saturday 16 March
Plenary session of the Venice Commission
During its plenary session, the Venice Commission will have on its agenda in particular six draft opinions concerning: Bosnia and Herzegovina on certain questions relating to the functioning of the Constitutional Court; Bulgaria on the Code of Ethical Conduct for Judges and on the Code of Ethical Conduct for Prosecutors and Investigators; Hungary on the Act LXXXVIII of 2023 on the Protection of National Sovereignty; Lebanon on the draft law on the administrative judiciary; Spain on the rule of law requirements of amnesties, with particular reference to the parliamentary bill “on the organic law on amnesty for the institutional, political and social normalisation of Catalonia”.

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.

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