European Union

This week in the European Parliament 27 November – 03 December 2017

EU Budget. The 2018 EU budget year will be signed off by EP President Antonio Tajani, provided the House approves a provisional agreement struck by Parliament negotiators with member states. MEPs pushed for and obtained better support for young unemployed people as well as additional funding to support SMEs and research. (Debate on Wednesday, vote on Thursday)

EU fund for stability and peace. MEPs are willing to support civilian tasks by the military in non-EU countries under strict conditions. They will vote on topping up an EU fund by €100m covering projects in 70 countries. The money shall not be spent on weapons or other warfare expenses such like training soldiers, but on civilian goods like building hospitals. (Debate on Wednesday, vote on Thursday)

Investor-state disputes. Future international trade negotiations should have a multilateral court to deal with the arbitration of trade conflicts, instead of a private investor-state dispute settlement, say MEPs. Conflicts in trade partnerships, such as CETA or TTIP, should be settled by such a court, MEPs will urge the Commission in a debate. (Wednesday)

VAT fraud. MEPs will give their opinion on Thursday on new rules to improve the exchange of information between fiscal authorities to fight cross-border VAT fraud in the EU and on simpler VAT rules for electronic trade. In a debate on Wednesday, they will also give their response to the Commission’s wider vision for a single EU VAT area.

Committees

Paradise Papers. Three journalists of the International Consortium for Investigative Journalism (ICIJ), which recently broke the story on the “Paradise Papers”, are attending the EP Inquiry Committee on Money Laundering and Tax Evasion. Commissioners Pierre Moscovici and Věra Jourová will join the discussion to debate possible follow-up actions. (Tuesday)

 

Rule of Law (Malta). Following up on Parliament’s resolution expressing concerns on the functioning of the rule of law in Malta, an EP delegation will visit Malta on a fact-checking mission. MEPs will gather information on the rule of law in the country and compliance with anti-money laundering rules and bank regulations. (Thursday and Friday)

 

Clean energy. New requirements to promote energy savings and increase the share of renewable sources throughout the EU, thus reducing costs for consumers and improving security of supply, are up for two separate votes in the Industry and Energy Committee. (Tuesday)

 

President’s diary. EP President Antonio Tajani will be in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Tuesday for the EU – Africa Parliamentary Summit and on Wednesday for the fifth African Union – European Union (AU-EU) summit, the latter gathering Heads of state or government from EU and AU countries.

Press briefing. The EP Press Service holds a press briefing at 11.00 on Monday.

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Samuel Ranz

Samuel Ranz is a PhD student in geometry, athlete, and football referee. He is passionate about European history and politics, as well as he is about exploring the recondite corners of our beloved continent.

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