CALENDAR / Main activities of the european institutions
Until 16 July 2021
Monday 12 July
Brussels. Council of the EU. Foreign Affairs Council. – Debate on the latest developments in international affairs. – Exchange of views on the geopolitics of new digital technologies. – Debate on the situation in Ethiopia. – Debate on the ‘strategic compass’. – Conclusions on a globally connected Europe. – Other business.
Brussels. Council of the EU. Eurogroup. *Open configuration (EU-27). – EU-USA: exchange of views with Janet Yellen, US Treasury Secretary, in particular on measures taken to combat the pandemic, economic recovery, and banking sector and financial stability issues. – Banking Union: information by President Paschal Donohoe on the June Euro Summit and preparation of the next work. *Group of 19: – Euro area budgetary stance: debate on the budgetary situation and prospects of the euro area for 2022 on the basis of a report by the European Fiscal Board and the Commission’s analysis of the 2022 stability programmes. – Debate on the euro as a digital currency. – State of play: possible consequences of a digital euro for EMU citizens and businesses (political dimension).
Brussels. Council of the EU. Preparatory proceedings: Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management (CivCom), Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA).
Brussels. European Parliament. Committee activities. – LIBE-AFET: exchange of views on the migration pressure at the Lithuanian border with Belarus, including Commissioner Ylva Johansson (Home Affairs), Agnė Bilotaitė (Minister of Interior of Lithuania), and Fabrice Leggeri (Director of Frontex) (agenda: https://bit.ly/3AHfL5n ). – CONT-BUDG: Court of Auditors’ analysis of the financial contributions paid by third countries to the EU and MS (rapp. G Boyer); study on the impact of organised crime on the EU’s financial interests (rapp. C Chinnici) (agenda: https://bit.ly/3hvsWPo ). – IMCO: vote on the trilogue agreement on third party liability insurance for motor vehicles (rapp. D Charanzová); presentation of a study on online advertising and the impact of targeted advertising on advertisers and consumers (agenda: https://bit.ly/3yFFSIb ). – TRAN: vote on the trilogue agreement on the taxation of heavy goods vehicles (Eurovignette) (rapp. G Ferrandino); vote on the report on the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Korea on certain aspects of air services (rapp. D Riquet) (agenda: https://bit.ly/3dZ9DvS ). – PECH: exchange of views with the Commission on fisheries quotas in Svalbard waters and on WTO negotiations on fisheries subsidies; vote on amendments to the report on the EU-Greenland and Denmark Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (agenda: https://bit.ly/3qZaiTa ). – AGRI: exchange of views with Tom Vilsack, US Secretary of Agriculture, on transatlantic relations in regards to food and agriculture (agenda: https://bit.ly/36stwqJ ). – FISC: public hearing on ‘Green Taxation’ (agenda: https://bit.ly/3yLynj9 ). – FEMM: presentation by the Commission of the results of the Generation Equality Forum; – FEMM-LIBE: consideration and adoption of the amendments to the report on the definition of gender-based violence as a new area of crime (rapp. M Björk and D Riba) (adopted on 14/07) (agenda: https://bit.ly/3yEhCpW ). – AFET-DROI: second meeting with experts from the platform against impunity in Belarus; discussion with experts on the humanitarian situation in Yemen (agenda: https://bit.ly/2TL3I6J ). – SEDE: exchange of views with Kris Peeters, Vice-President of the EIB Management Committee; discussion with experts on the fight against hybrid threats in the framework of CSDP missions and on the Strategic Compass (agenda: https://bit.ly/3AN1MLt ). – INGE: hearing of experts on disinformation and discrimination against minorities and INGE-LIBE: Presentation of studies with the LIBE Committee on “Strategic/critical infrastructure, a way to interfere in Europe: state of play and recommendations” and on information manipulation (agenda: https://bit.ly/3hsoHnz ). – ENVI: vote on the amendments to the report on serious cross-border health threats and to the opinion on the protection of workers against asbestos (agenda: https://bit.ly/3hP28bT ).
Tuesday 13 July
Brussels. Council of the EU. Economic and Financial Affairs Council. – Economic Recovery: exchange of views on the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility and possible adoption of the first set of EU Council implementing decisions on Member States’ recovery and resilience plans. – European Semester: approval of the conclusions on the 2021 in-depth reviews in the framework of the European Semester. – Other business: presentation of the Slovenian Presidency’s work programme in the field of economy and finance; state of play of legislative proposals in the field of financial services; results of the G20 Finance meeting (9-10/07); discussion on the EU strategy on sustainable finance.
Brussels. Council of the EU. EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina Stabilisation and Association Council. – Relations between the two parties in the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process and the state of the pre-accession process in the light of the Commission’s 2020 Report (political, economic criteria, acquis, and pre-accession assistance); progress in the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. – Situation in the Western Balkans: exchange of views.
Brussels. Council of the EU. Preparatory proceedings: Political and Security Committee; Working Party on the United Kingdom.
Brussels. European Parliament. Committee activities. – AFET: vote on the amendments to the report on the implementation of the Facility for Refugees in Turkey (rapp. M Zver, G Hölvényi, and J Lewandowski) (agenda: https://bit.ly/3dXjLFi ). – CONT: report on the effectiveness of the use of the Solidarity Fund by the MS (rapp. C Crețu) and CONT-INGE: special report by the Court of Auditors on the impact of disinformation on the EU (rapp. H Heide) (agenda: https://bit.ly/3hvsWPo ). – IMCO: presentation by Commissioner Didier Reynders (Justice) of the Commission’s proposals on the revision of the consumer credit directive and the general product safety directive (agenda: https://bit.ly/3yFFSIb ). – TRAN: presentation of the Slovenian Presidency priorities (agenda: https://bit.ly/3dZ9DvS ). – PECH: exchange of views with the Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius (agenda: https://bit.ly/3qZaiTa ). – AGRI: presentation of the communication on the long-term vision for rural areas by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski; presentation by the Slovenian Presidency of its priorities in the field of agriculture; presentation of a study on animal welfare and the prospects for a European label in this area (agenda: https://bit.ly/36stwqJ ). – FEMM-JURI: vote on the joint report on the impact of intimate partner violence and custody rights on women and children (rapp. E Kountoura and L Regimenti) (agenda: https://bit.ly/3yEhCpW ). – ECON: public hearing with experts on the prospects for international cooperation in the field of financial services with the Biden administration; economic dialogue with the President of the Ecofin Council and Slovenian Minister of Finance, Andrej Šircelj; economic dialogue and exchange of views with Nadia Calviño, Spanish Minister for the Economy (agenda: https://bit.ly/2TMRZ7K ) – INTA: discussion on the upcoming WTO negotiations, notably on the waiver of intellectual property rights on vaccines, fisheries subsidies; discussion with the Commission on the 15-point action plan on the implementation of the trade and sustainable development chapters in trade agreements (agenda: https://bit.ly/3ht3ava ). – DROI: exchange of views with the EU Head of Delegation on the spot on the human rights situation in Chad (agenda: https://bit.ly/2TL3I6J ). – CULT: public hearing on “The future of the media and media pluralism in Europe”; discussion with the Commission on the situation of the rule of law in Belarus; priorities of the Slovenian Presidency in the cultural field (agenda: https://bit.ly/3huKknr ). – SEDE: discussion with Vice-Admiral Hervé Bléjean, Director General of the EU Military Staff, on various EU missions (agenda: https://bit.ly/3AN1MLt ). – ENVI: vote on the trilogue agreement on health technology assessment. – DEVE: exchange of views with the Slovenian Presidency on its work programme and DEVE-AFET-BUDG: vote on amendments to the implementation report on the EU Trust Funds and the Facility for Refugees in Turkey (rapp. M Zver, G Hölvényi, and J Lewandowski) (agenda: https://bit.ly/2UFe9sg ).
Wednesday 14 July
Brussels. European Commission. Weekly meeting of the College of Commissioners. – ‘Fit for 55’ package: +Revision of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Directive as regards the aviation, maritime transport and CORSIA sectors (Timmermans). +Revision of the regulation on the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, land use change, and forestry (LULUCF) (Timmermans). +Effort sharing regulation (Timmermans). +Amendment of the renewable energy directive to implement the ambition of the new 2030 climate target (Timmermans). +Amendment of the energy efficiency directive to implement the ambition of the new 2030 climate target (Timmermans). +ReFuelEU Aviation – sustainable fuels for aviation (Timmermans). +FuelEU Maritime – European green maritime space (Timmermans). +Revision of the directive on the deployment of infrastructure for alternative fuels (Timmermans). +Amendment of the regulation defining CO2 emission criteria for cars and vans (Timmermans). +Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (Timmermans). +Revision of the energy taxation directive (Timmermans). +Climate Action Social Facility (Timmermans). – New European forest strategy (Timmermans).
Brussels. Council of the EU. Preparatory proceedings: Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management (CivCom); Financial Services Officers; European Union Military Committee (EUMC).
Brussels. European Parliament. Committee activities. – AFET: vote on the amendments to the reports on EU/USA (T Picula), EU-Russia (A Kubilius) and EU-China (H Vautmans) (vote on the reports on 15/07) (agenda: https://bit.ly/2UAEMi1 ). – AFET-DROI-SEDE: exchange of views with High Representative Josep Borrell (agenda: https://bit.ly/2UAEMi1 ). – PETI-TRAN: public hearing on “How to improve air passenger rights during the Covid-19 crisis?” (agenda: https://bit.ly/3hQVx0F ). – ANIT: discussion with the Slovenian Minister for Agriculture and Food on the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council (agenda: https://bit.ly/36ohiPZ ). – EMPL: adoption of the report on the social protection of platform workers (rapp. S Brunet); exchange of views with Commissioner Nicolas Schmit (Social Affairs and Jobs) on the framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027; exchange of views with the Slovenian Presidency on its work programme. – ENVI: exchange of views with Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans on the ‘Fit for 55’ package; exchange of views with the Commission on the Communication “A new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU”; discussion with the Slovenian EU Presidency on its environmental programme (agenda: https://bit.ly/3hP28bT ). – AFCO: adoption of the report on the establishment of an independent EU Ethics Body (rapp. D Freund); presentation of the report on the parliamentary right of initiative (rapp. P Rangel) (agenda: https://bit.ly/3yFR4EF ). – LIBE: report to the committee on the work on the European Agency for Asylum (rapp. E Yoncheva); Commission communication on the strategy towards a fully functioning and resilient Schengen area; preparation of the opinion on the EU budget 2022 (agenda: https://bit.ly/3hPSAxj ).
Luxembourg. * General Court: #Judgments: – T-648/19 (Nike European Operations Netherlands and Converse Netherlands v Commission – did the Commission err in law in initiating the formal procedure to identify the existence of possible State aid granted by the Netherlands to Nike?) – T-677/20 (Ryanair and Laudamotion v Commission – Austrian Airlines – Covid-19 – is the Commission’s decision to approve an aid measure in the form of a subordinated loan granted by Austria to Austrian Airlines vitiated by a failure to state reasons or by an inadequate statement of reasons under EU law?) – T-488/20 (Guerlain v EUIPO – Shape of an oblong, conical and cylindrical lipstick – does the shape of the packaging of a Guerlain lipstick diverge significantly from the norm and practices of the lipstick sector, thereby justifying its registration as an EU trade mark?)
Thursday 15 July
Kranj, Slovenia. Council of the EU. Informal Meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers (through 16/07). *Home Affairs: – Crime in the digital age: impact of digital files on the work of law enforcement agencies (impact of the proposed Regulation on artificial intelligence). – Stabilisation of the Balkans: Presentation by the Presidency of the conclusions of the Brdo Process Conference (January 2021) and discussion on assisting the Western Balkan partners in addressing migration challenges. – Pact on Migration and Asylum: possible progress in the negotiations. – Schengen strategy and discussion on Member States’ expectations regarding the revision of the Schengen Code, which will be presented by the European Commission in the autumn.
Brussels. Council of the EU. Preparatory proceedings: Political and Security Committee.
Brussels. European Parliament. Committee activities. – BECA: presentation of the report “Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer – towards a comprehensive and coordinated strategy” (rapp. V Trillet-Lenoir) (agenda: https://bit.ly/3dZZXky ). – ANIT: hearing on “Experiences of strengthening and changing legislation within and outside Europe” (agenda: https://bit.ly/36ohiPZ ). – ITRE: presentation by Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson on the energy aspects of the ‘Fit for 55’ package (agenda: https://bit.ly/3hQtgY2 ).
Luxembourg. * Court of Justice of the EU. #Judgments: – Joined Cases C-804/18 (WABE) and C-341/19 (MH Müller Handel – is an undertaking’s internal rule prohibiting employees from wearing any visible sign of political, philosophical, or religious belief in the workplace capable of constituting direct discrimination on grounds of religion or belief within the meaning of EU law?) – C-535/19 A (Public health care – can economically inactive Union citizens residing in a Member State other than that of their origin be affiliated to the public health insurance system of the host Member State?) – C-848/19 P (Germany v Poland – does the principle of energy solidarity have binding effect, in the sense that it entails rights and obligations for the Union and the Member States, as the General Court held in the judgment under appeal?) – C-791/19 (Commission v Poland – disciplinary regime for judges – must Poland suspend the application of national provisions concerning the powers of the disciplinary chamber of the Supreme Court in respect of disciplinary cases concerning judges?) – C-742/19 (Ministrstvo za obrambo – do periods of on-call duty during which a military officer is required to remain at his place of work and at the disposal of his superiors without carrying out any actual activities constitute working time within the meaning of Union law?) – C-911/19 (FBF – are guidelines issued by a European supervisory authority subject to an action for annulment?) – C-709/20 (The Department for Communities in Northern Ireland – are the rules of a host Member State which exclude from social assistance benefits Union citizens who are economically inactive, who do not have sufficient resources, and who have been granted a temporary right of residence by that Member State, whereas such benefits are guaranteed to nationals of the Member State concerned in the same situation, compatible with Union law?) – C-795/19 (Tartu vangla – is national legislation which provides that a prison officer may not be retained in his post under any circumstances if his hearing does not correspond to specific minimum thresholds of sound perception compatible with Union law?) (Commission v Landesbank Baden-Württemberg and SRB) and C-621/20 P (SRB v Landesbank Baden-Württemberg – did the Court of First Instance err in law by annulling the decision of the Single Resolution Board on the calculation of the ex ante contributions for the year 2017 of Landesbank Baden-Württemberg to the Single Resolution Fund?) – C-30/20 (Volvoet al. – which courts have jurisdiction to rule on actions for damages concerning a cartel on the sale of heavy goods vehicles?) #Conclusions: – C-401/19 (Poland v Parliament and EU Council – may the Union legislature, while respecting freedom of expression, impose certain monitoring and filtering obligations on certain online intermediaries, provided, however, that those obligations are backed up by sufficient guarantees?) – C-788/19 (Commission v Spain – Obligation to provide information on tax matters – by requiring tax residents in Spain, on pain of penalties, to declare certain of their assets and rights situated abroad, has Spain infringed the freedoms enshrined in Union law?) – C-261/20 (Thelen Technopark Berlin – should national legislation which is contrary to EU law and which sets compulsory minimum rates for engineers’ and architects’ fees remain unapplied in a dispute between private individuals?)
Friday 16 July
Kranj, Slovenia. Council of the EU. Informal Meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers. *Justice: – Regulation of artificial intelligence: discussion on the judicial aspects of the proposed legislation in the presence of the Director of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (impact of the proposal on the future development and use of artificial intelligence systems within the judicial system from a fundamental rights perspective, with a focus on the right to privacy and data protection). – Rights of the child: discussion of child-friendly justice as one of the thematic areas of the new EU strategy, looking at the multidisciplinary and interinstitutional approach developed under the concept of judicial ‘Children’s houses’ (Barnahus). – Digital heritage: issues related to digital possessions and possible measures to be taken at European level.
Brussels. Council of the EU. Preparatory proceedings: EU Military Committee (EUMC); Trade Policy Committee (alternate members); Financial Services Attachés; Working Party on the United Kingdom.
Brussels. European Parliament. Committee activities. – AGRI: discussion with Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis (Trade) on trade-related agricultural issues (agenda: https://bit.ly/2TUWXz1 ).
