14/09/2020 (Agence Europe) – The French Secretary of State for European Affairs, Clément Beaune, spoke on Monday 14 September of possible “compensation” for the European Union to show “its commitment to its presence in Strasbourg” during a visit to the Alsatian capital, according to AFP. Among the avenues explored, he mentioned the possibility that some of the work of the Conference on the Future of Europe might be held in Strasbourg. Another reported issue is the “duration and number” of plenary sessions of the European Parliament, Mr Beaune said. The European Treaty sets the number of plenary sessions to be held at the European Parliament headquarters in Strasbourg at 12, but, to the dismay of French elected representatives, the persistent Covid-19 pandemic is upsetting the calendar (see EUROPE 12555/4). Parliament’s President David Sassoli hoped on Monday to be back in Strasbourg “soon”. For Paris, this should be the case as soon as October. (MB)