Debate with Barnier on cohesion funds, with Byrne on BSE, with Solana on Middle East, Barcelona Process, situation in Colombia

Brussels, 26/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - The mini-session that the European Parliament is to hold in Brussels in the afternoon of 31 January and morning of 1 February will, as usual, begin with a Communication from the Commission on decisions it will have taken the same day. Wednesday afternoon Commissioner Michel Barnier will present MEPs his report on cohesion in the EU. In a press release, the member of Democratici di sinistra, Gianni Pittella has, moreover, already welcomed Barnier's approach and especially the fact that cohesion policy should remain one of the foundations of the Union, and that the entry of new less well-off members should "not automatically transform the Objective 1 and 2 regions into 'rich regions', and that it is unthinkable to conduct effective and balanced cohesion policies in a future enlarged Europe with the financial envelopes earmarked for 15". Among the more political debates, we may mention those on the Middle East (in which the High Representative Javier Solana will participate), the Euro-Mediterranean process and Colombia (see EUROPE of 25 January, pages 4 and 5). In addition, members will hear the European Commissioner for consumer affairs, David Byrne speak about the latest developments in the mad cow crisis. Here is the detailed agenda:

Wednesday 31 January (from 15.00 to 24.00 hrs.)

Commission Communication on its decisions taken the same day, followed by questions (from 15.00 to 16.00 hrs.);

Council and Commission declaration on the situation in the Middle East;

Joint discussion on the reports by Muscardini (Italian, Alleanza nazionale) on the EU's joint strategy towards the Mediterranean region and Nair (French, Socialist Group) on the Commission's Communication on "A New Impetus for the Barcelona Process".

Oral questions of Mr. Miranda (Portuguese, United Left), chair of the Development Committee, on the "Plan Colombia" for peace, prosperity and the strengthening of the State;

Joint discussion on the reports by Jarzembowski (German, EPP) on the joint draft directive, approved by the Conciliation Committee, on the development of the Community railway for freight and Swoboda (Austrian, Social-Democrat), on the joint draft directive, approved by the Conciliation Committee, on licences for railway companies and the distribution of rail infrastructure capacities and pricing of the rail infrastructure (in both cases, co-decision, second reading).;

Erika Mann Report (German, Social-Democrat) on the draft regulation on projects aimed at promoting cooperation and trade relations between the EU and North America, Australia and the industrialized countries of the Far-East (consultation in single reading);

McNally Report (British, Labour) on the draft regulation on a Community labeling programme for energy-efficient products for office equipment (co-decision, first reading);

Wieland Report (German, EPP) on the joint draft directive, approved by the Conciliation Committee, on the general system for the recognition of the professional qualifications for nurses responsible for general care, practitioner in the art of dentistry, veterinary surgeons, midwives, architects, pharmacists and medical practitioners (co-decision, third reading);

Ferri Report (Forza Italia) on the Multidisciplinary Group on organised crime.

Thursday 1 February (9.00 to 13.00 hrs.)

Debate with Mr. Byrne (and possibly Mr. Fischler) on BSE;

Olsson Report (Swedish, Liberal Group) on the draft amendment to the directive on the ban on the use of certain substances with hormonal or thyrostatic effects and B-agonistic substances in livestock farming (co-decision, first reading);