18/02 to 24/02/2019

Monday 18 February

• Brussels. Council of the European Union. Foreign Affairs Council. – Debate on current issues: Democratic Republic of Congo, entry into force of the Prespa Agreement on the change of name of FYROM. – Ukraine: in-depth discussion on ongoing reforms, the security situation, upcoming elections. – Syria: review of the situation and developments on the spot. – Horn of Africa: exchange of views on the basis of the High Representative's on-site visit (9-11/02). – Venezuela: latest developments on the ground and assessment of the first meeting of the international contact group (7/02)
• Brussels. Council of the European Union. ‘Competition’ Council (and 19/02). *Internal Market and Industry: – Exchange of views on the process of providing an overview of the Single Market in the context of the Competitiveness Check-up – Orientation debate and adoption of conclusions on the impact of artificial intelligence on EU industry. – Policy debate on the industry-related aspects of the European Commission's recent communication 'A clean planet for all'.
• Dubai. European Commission. Trade mission to the United Arab Emirates (16-19/02)
• Brussels. European Parliament. Commission activities (through 22/02). – ECON-TAXE3: joint session with national parliaments (money laundering, qualified majority on tax matters, digital taxation). – BUDG-ECON-EMPL: European Parliamentary Week 2019: meetings of the three committees with national parliamentarians (and 19/02).

Tuesday 19 February

• Brussels. Council of the European Union. General Affairs Council. – Policy debate on the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027. – First exchange of views on the basis of the discussion paper entitled "Towards a sustainable Europe by 2030". – Update on the 'Article 7.1' procedures of the TEU concerning the rule of law in Poland and respect for EU values in Hungary. – Preparation of the Spring European Council. – Adoption of conclusions on the measures to be taken to ensure free and fair European elections
• Brussels. Council of the European Union. ‘Competitiveness’ Council. *Research: Progress report on the specific implementation programme of Horizon Europe, the next EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.
• Brussels. European Parliament. Commission activities. – LIBE: vote on the report on the establishment of the Internal Security Fund, the Asylum and Migration Fund and part of the Integrated Border Management Fund; vote on a resolution on the situation of the rule of law and the fight against corruption in Malta and Slovakia; vote on provisional agreements on explosive precursors; vote on the Visa Code and on the interoperability of EU information systems; exchange of views with Alexis Goosdeel, Director of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). – JURI: vote on the report on the interruption of seasonal changes; vote on a petition on the Commission's discretionary powers regarding the application of EU law by Member States; vote on the reports on the general arrangements for excise duty in Member States and on the return of illegally staying third-country nationals; - possibly vote on the Interim Interinstitutional Agreement on copyright in the digital single market. – ITRE: discussion on the issues related to the introduction of 5G and its applications; workshop on equitable energy transition (role of hydrogen in the future, energy transition in Germany, etc.). – FISH: Public hearing on the first implementation appraisal of the mandatory landing of catches; workshop on the environmental, social and economic sustainability of European eel management. – JURI: hearing on attacks against the legal professions and lawyers defending human rights. – TAXE3: Exchange of views with the Spanish Minister of Finance, María Jesús Montero, on the proposal for a Spanish digital tax; discussion with the Commissioner for Competition, Magrethe Vestager, on the state of implementation of the recommendations made by the European Parliament on this subject over the last 5 years.

Wednesday 20 February

• Brussels. European Commission. Weekly meeting of the College of Commissioners. – Communication on the method for calculating financial penalties in cases of infringement of EU law (following the judgement of the EU Court of Justice) (Juncker).
• Brussels. Council of the European Union. Coreper I and II.
• Brussels. European Parliament. Commission activities. – ECON-ENVI: adoption of the draft report on taxonomy in sustainable finance. – ENVI: vote on a motion for a resolution on the European strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. – BUDG-ECON: Vote on the progress report on the establishment of a European Monetary Fund. – IMCO: vote on the report on the requirements for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers (and 21/02); discussions with Commissioners Moscovici, Bieńkowska and Gabriel to discuss the challenges ahead to fully exploit the benefits of the Internal Market. – CONT: vote on the draft reports on the 2017 discharge for the Commission, European Parliament, EDF and other institutions, agencies and joint undertakings.
• Brussels. European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). 541st Plenary session (and 21/02). Agenda of the session: https://bit.ly/2GHM0ba.

Thursday 21 February

• Bucharest. Council of the European Union. Informal Meeting of Defence Ministers (and 22/02). – World Trade Organisation Reform (dinner with WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo and European Parliament INTA Committee Chair Berd Lange)
• Brussels. European Parliament. Commission activities.

Friday 22 February

• Bucharest. Council of the European Union. Informal Meeting of Trade Ministers. – Exchange of views on the modernisation of the WTO and EU-US trade relations (negotiating mandate to be given to the Commission). – EU trade agreements under negotiation. – Recent developments concerning the implementation of the Everything But Arms initiative. – Session of the Citizen Dialogue with the participation of the Commissioner for Trade and the Romanian Minister for Trade and Entrepreneurship.
• Brussels. Council of the European Union. Coreper I.

Sunday 24 February

• Sharm el Sheikh (ET). Council of the European Union. European Union/Arab League Summit (and 25/02). – Meeting co-chaired by Mr Tusk and Mr al Sissi. Object: Strengthening of the links between the two parties. Main topics covered: multilateralism, trade and investment, migration flows, security, local situation.