The war in Ukraine, the ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package and the EU’s contribution to global deforestation are among the topics to be debated by the European Parliament during the 17-20 April plenary session in Strasbourg.
‘Fit for 55’. On Tuesday 18 April, MEPs will vote on five texts of the ‘Fit for 55’ package which have been the focus of provisional agreements between the European Parliament and the EU Council: - the regulation revising the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) (see EUROPE 13087/4, 13106/15); - the one on the inclusion of maritime transport activities in the ETS (see EUROPE 13074/10); - the regulation establishing a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) (see EUROPE 13083/23); - the regulation establishing a Social Climate Fund (see EUROPE 12118/20); - and finally, the directive revising the ETS for the aviation sector (see EUROPE 13089/6). The day before, on Monday 17, debates will be held on all these texts (see other news).
On Wednesday, Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel will outline his vision for the future of the European Union. In May 2018, he had already done this exercise, insisting on the importance of a Europe capable of protecting its sovereignty (see EUROPE 12030/1).
Russia/Ukraine. On Wednesday, MEPs will debate the International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued on 17 March against Vladimir Putin and the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia (see EUROPE 13148/2). More than 16,000 children were reportedly sent to Russia.
China. For Tuesday morning’s priority debate, MEPs will react to recent visits to Beijing by EU leaders and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (see EUROPE 13158/2). They will discuss a ‘coherent strategy for EU/China relations’ after a statement by the EU Council and the Commission on this issue.
Foreign affairs. On Monday, the report by Alviina Alametsä (Greens/EFA, Finnish) on ‘the implementation of civilian CSDP and other EU civilian security assistance’ will be presented, before being voted on Tuesday. In particular, the report calls for the strengthening of the strategic vision for civilian crisis management and the implementation of the Civilian CSDP Compact, including the strengthening and provision of the necessary capacities to achieve the level of ambition of the Compact.
The European Parliament will debate the report by Javi López on ‘EU Rapid Deployment Capacity, EU Battlegroups and Article 44 TEU: the way forward’. The report, which welcomes the proposal for an EU rapid deployment capacity and stresses that the use of Article 44 can offer significant advantages, such as speed, flexibility and freedom of action, will be voted on Wednesday.
On Wednesday as well, a resolution assessing the challenges facing Moldova will be put to a vote.
A debate on Moldova was held at the March 2023 plenary. The country, a neighbour of Ukraine and candidate for EU membership, faces a complicated economic, political - with foreign interference - and energy situation (see EUROPE 13125/2).
On Tuesday, as part of the debates on foreign affairs, Josep Borrell will discuss with MEPs the political crisis that has shaken Peru since the end of 2022 and the dismissal of the radical left-wing former president Pedro Castillo.
On Wednesday, as part of debates on cases of violations of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, MEPs will focus on Iran and the cases of French-Irish journalist Bernard Phelan and Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehin, detained in the country. MEPs will also vote on an emergency resolution concerning the possible death penalty and execution of singer Yahaya Sharif Aminu for blasphemy in Nigeria. Access to education for Afghan women will be discussed, as well as the case of Afghan human rights defender and activist Matiullah Wesa, arrested by the Taliban on 27 March.
Environment. After a debate on Monday evening, the European Parliament will, on Wednesday, give its final approval to the political agreement reached with the EU Council in December 2022 on the regulation to significantly reduce the EU’s contribution to global deforestation (see EUROPE 13078/9). The text states that only products that companies can prove have not contributed to global forest degradation or deforestation can be sold in the EU or exported from the EU under a supply chain due diligence requirement. It will initially cover six commodities - soybeans, palm oil, livestock, timber, cocoa, coffee and rubber - as well as by-products such as chocolate, tyres, charcoal and wooden furniture. The adoption of the text by the EU Council is expected on 26 April.
MEPs will also have a topical debate on ‘getting rid of pollutants forever and strengthening EU chemicals legislation now’. This is a concern for the Greens/EFA group, given that under the REACH regulation, the elimination of PFASs - those highly toxic eternal pollutants - “is only planned for in 15 years”, the group’s spokesperson stressed on Friday. It should be remembered that the proposal to revise REACH, which has been postponed until the end of 2023, cannot be adopted during this legislature (see EUROPE 13142/23).
Consumers. The European Parliament will vote on Wednesday on the March 2022 proposal for a directive to empower consumers in the green transition, by promoting sustainable consumption through informed choices. They will vote on the report by Biljana Borzan (S&D, Croatian) (see EUROPE 13151/10).
Industry. On Tuesday, the European Parliament will be asked to validate, or not, the provisional agreement reached on 15 December 2022 on the ‘machinery and equipment’ regulation (see EUROPE 13085/17).
Euros/Finance/Laundering. On Wednesday afternoon, financial issues will be in the spotlight, including statements by the EU Council and the European Commission on the ECB’s digital euro project. The Commission will present in May a European regulatory framework to establish this digital central bank currency.
On Tuesday, MEPs will debate the ‘MiCA’ regulation framing the European crypto-assets market. An Interinstitutional Agreement was reached in June 2022 on the basis of a mandate voted in the competent European Parliament committee (see EUROPE 12984/3). This committee subsequently approved the Interinstitutional Agreement in October (see EUROPE 13040/35).
Another debate around crypto-assets will follow. The Parliament will discuss the revision of the “transfers of funds” (TRF) Directive, which aims to make it harder for criminals to use cryptocurrencies for money laundering. An Interinstitutional Agreement was also reached in June 2022 (see EUROPE 12983/7).
Digital. On Tuesday afternoon, the European Commission will present its two-part cyber package to MEPs. The first of these, the ‘Cyber Solidarity Act’ should eventually enable the EU to combat cyber attacks and other cyber threats, including through the creation of a ‘cyber shield’ (see EUROPE 13158/7) within the EU. The second text will deal with the creation of a ‘Cyber Skill Academy’.
Visas for Kosovo. On Tuesday 18 April, the agreement reached by the European Parliament with the EU Council last December on visa liberalisation for Kosovo nationals (see EUROPE 13084/28, 11138/6) will be put to the vote for confirmation. The measure will enter into force when the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is in place, and in any case by 2024.
Fundamental Rights. In a motion for a resolution to be put to the vote on Wednesday, MEPs will call on Member States to allow the finalisation of the horizontal directive for equal treatment (see EUROPE 13071/17). Due to the lack of unanimity, this has been blocked in the EU Council for almost 15 years.
Third country lorry drivers. On Tuesday afternoon, MEPs will also discuss with the EU Council and the Commission ‘safeguarding labour mobility and social rights of striking lorry drivers from third countries’. No resolution is foreseen on this subject.
Cohesion. On Thursday, the European Parliament will discuss the impact of the further relaxation of State aid rules (see EUROPE 13138/1) and the possible revision of the de minimis regulation (see EUROPE 12980/25) on EU cohesion.
Culture/youth. Also on Thursday, the Commission will be asked to make a statement on the EU action plan against trafficking in cultural goods. Presented in December (see EUROPE 13083/14), it has four objectives, including requiring Member States to keep records of sales and to improve the tracking of stolen objects on their territory.
MEPs will question the Commission on the legacy of the European Year of Youth (see EUROPE 13070/25). The European Parliament will adopt its guidelines on the 2024 budget (see EUROPE 13151/24).
Link to the European Parliament plenary agenda: https://aeur.eu/f/6br (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur and the editorial staff)