Brussels, 08/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - At next week's plenary session, the European Commission will briefly exchange view with MEPs on the reports it will be publishing on Tuesday on progress by the candidate countries in moving towards accession. Other focal points of the session will be the presentation of the Court of Auditors' Annual Report and the final vote by Parliament on money laundering (see EUROPE of 12 October, p.9). The Commission will be making a declaration on the economic and jobs situation facing the aviation industry, worsened by the 11 September attacks. Parliament will also vote on the Caudron report on the 4th Framework Research and Development Programme (see EUROPE of 25 October, p.15) and will discuss a series of reports on justice and home affairs (some of which, like data protection, are highly relevant to current events, namely the co-operation between the EU and the United States in the war on terrorism, see EUROPE of 31 October, p.14). The details of the agenda are outlined below but this is likely to change as events unfurl (London Summit following the Ghent mini-Summit; Sabena going into liquidation, etc).
Monday 12 November (from 17: 00 hrs to 21: 30 hrs)
Maij-Weggen report (EPP, the Netherlands) into adaptation of EP and Council Rules of Procedure regarding public access to European institution documents
Carnero Gonzalez (Spanish Socialist) report on amendment of EP Rules of Procedure regarding setting up of interparliamentary delegations and joint parliamentary committees
joint debate on Turco report (Lista Bonino, Italy) on the initiative of Belgium and Sweden extending Europol's mandate to deal with serious forms of international crime and on the initiative of Sweden amending the March 1999 Act governing the transmission of personal data by Europol to third states and bodies, and Kirkhope (British Conservative) on the initiative of Belgium, France, Spain and the United Kingdom on a Framework Decision on joint investigation teams (consultation in single reading in both cases)
Marinho report (Portuguese Socialist) on the initiative of Sweden with a view to adopting a decision on the conventions concerning extradition between EU Member States in accordance with agreement regarding Iceland and Norway's association with application and development of Schengen acquis (consultation)
Vander Taelen report (Belgian Green) on better distribution of European films in internal market and candidate countries
Maat report (EPP, the Netherlands) on the Commission report on the application of the amended directive on the protection of animals during transport
Tuesday 13 November (with the first night session)
Request for urgent procedure on regulation aiming to promote the conversion of vessels and fishermen dependent on fishing agreement with Morocco until 1999
Presentation of Court of Auditors' Annual Report (for 2000) by the Court's President, Mr Karlsson
Lehne report (EPP, Germany) on amendment of 1991 Directive on prevention of use of financial system for money laundering (third reading under codecision)
Zappalà report (Forza Italia) on draft directive on award of public service contracts and contracts in water, energy and transport sectors (first reading under codecision)
Meijer report (United Left, the Netherlands) on draft directive on public service requirements when awarding public service contracts for passenger transport by rail, road and inland waterway (first reading, codecision)
Jarzembowski report (EPP, Germany) on draft directive on market access to port services (first reading, codecision)
Chichester report (UK, Conservative) on Commission's Green Paper "Towards a European strategy for the security of energy supply"
Schörling report (EFA/Green, Sweden) on Commission White Paper "Strategy for a future Chemicals Policy"
Flemming report (EPP, Austria) on Commission's Commination on pricing policies for enhancing the sustainability of water resources (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.14).
Corbey report (Dutch Socialist) on implementation of 1994 directive on packaging and packaging waste
Votes at 12: 00 on EU position for the 3rd negotiating round for WHO Framework Convention on combating smoking, Schmid report (SPD, Germany) on Pericles programme for protecting euro against counterfeiting (first reading, codecision) and Cappato report (Lista Bonino, Italy) on draft directive concerning processing of personal data and protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (first reading, codecision)
From 17: 00 to 17: 30 hrs, European Commission Communication on Enlargement
From 17: 30 hrs to 19: 00 hours, Commission Question Time
Wednesday 14 November (with second night session)
Joint debate on oral questions on protection of the environment through criminal law (Ms Jackson, President of Environment Committee) and questions on criminal sanctions and Community law (Mr Watson and Ms Theato, Presidents of the Citizens' Freedoms and Rights and Budgetary Control Committees) and Mr Watson and Ms Palacio Vallelersundi, President of Legal Affairs Committee)
Joint debate on Caudron reports (French Socialist) on draft decision on the European Research Area (Multiannual Framework Programme 2002-2006) aimed at contributing towards creation of European Research Area (first reading, codecision), and on 2002-2006 Framework Programme of European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) (consultation)
Rijs-Joergensen (Danish Liberal) on draft regulation on temporary defensive mechanism for shipbuilding in the light of Korean competition (consultation)
Peijs report (EPP, the Netherlands) on draft regulation on cross-border payments in euro (first reading, codecision, see yesterday's EUROPE, p.13)
Langen report (EPP, Germany) on Commission Communication on "Services of General Interest in Europe"
Katiforis report (Greek Socialist) on draft directive amending structure and rates of excise duty on manufactured tobacco (consultation)
Berenger Fuster report (Spanish Socialist) on draft directive on insurance mediation (first reading, codecision)
Salafranca report (Partido Popular, Spain) on global partnership and common strategy for EU/Latin American relations
Votes at 12: 00 hrs
From 17: 30 to 19: 00 hrs, Council Question Time
Thursday 15 November
European Commission statement on "Economic and employment situation in the air transport sector and in the industrial and related service sectors"
Figueiredo report (United Left, Portugal) on joint Conciliation Committee text on action programme to encourage cooperation between Member States to combat social exclusion (third reading, codecision)
Bouwman report (Dutch Green) on amendment o directive on approximation of Member States' laws on employee protection in the event their employer becomes insolvent (first reading, codecision)
Lynne report (Liberal, UK) on draft decision on European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 (consultation)
Nobilia report (UEN, Italy) on Commission Communication on new European labour markets, open to all, with access to all
15: 00 to 17: 30 hrs, topical and urgent subject of major importance
Votes at 18: 30 hrs