Brussels, 10/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - The impasse in the Council on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the passport-free Schengen area and preparation for next week's European Council (17-18 October) will be the main items on the agenda of the European Parliament (EP) plenary session in Brussels on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 October. MEPs will also debate the situation in Yemen and Bahrain. The EP is expected to adopt new rules on the export of civil-use firearms, such as sports and hunting guns.
Wednesday 12 October
3.00pm-11.00pm
Preparation for the European Council meeting (17-18 October 2011) - Council and Commission statements
Accession of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen - Oral questions
Situation in Yemen and Bahrain - Statement by Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Subscription to additional shares in the capital of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) (report by Sharon Bowles)
Short presentation of the following report: Insurance guarantee schemes (report by Peter Skinner)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Use of subsidiarity principle after the Lisbon Treaty - Oral question
Thursday 13 October
9.00am-11.20am
The future of VAT (report by David Casa)
American Jobs Act - Commission statement
11.30am-1.30pm
Votes on the following reports:
EU guarantee to the EIB against losses under loans and guarantees for projects outside the EU (report by Ivailo Kalfin
EU-Cape Verde agreement on certain aspects of air services (report by Dominique Riquet)
Recommendation on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of an EU-Cape Verde agreement on certain aspects of air services
Report on Insurance guarantee schemes
The future of VAT
Subscription to additional shares in the capital of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
Implementation of Article 10 of the United Nations Firearms Protocol and establishing export authorisation, import and transit measures for firearms, their parts and components and ammunition (report by Salvatore Iacolino)
Exceptional trade measures for countries and territories participating in or linked to the EU's Stabilisation and Association process (report by Vital Moreira)
Motions for resolutions on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area. (LC/transl.rt)