Brussels, 28/01/2002 (Agence Europe) - Next week's plenary session in Strasbourg will enable the High Representative for Cfsp, Javier Solana to make a statement on the situation in the Middle East (we know that MEPs would like to hear the High Representative more often than hitherto: the Corbett Report on Parliament's Rules of Procedures also makes proposals on this subject). The same day, Parliament will discuss the EIB's annual report, in the presence of the President of the European Investment Bank, Philippe Maystadt, and turn to the delicate issue of how to proceed to adopt legislation on financial services, following the tug-of-war between Parliament and the Commission over the Lamfalussy Report (see EUROPE of 23 January, p. 7, for the von Wogau report) . Also on Tuesday, Parliament will discuss another controversial issue, the draft amendment to the directive on the structure and levels of excise duties applicable to manufactured tobacco, having refused to deal with this issue according to the emergency procedure (see EUROPE of 16 November, p.14 for Parliament's rejection of the Commission's proposal in view of amending the directive). Wednesday, Parliament will hear statements be the Commission and Council on the UN conference on development and the meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, and debate relations with national parliaments (see the summary of the report in EUROPE of 25 January, p.5). Also on Wednesday, Parliament will debate the Watson Report on combating terrorism and the European arrest warrant (see EUROPE of 9 January, p.12). As early as Monday, Parliament will discuss the common enterprise Galileo (see EUROPE of 21/22 January, p. 10, for the statement by the President of the Transport Council to MEPs). Here is the detailed agenda of the session, that could still be altered:
Monday 4 February (from 17.00 to 21.00 hrs.)
Oostlander Report (Dutch, EPP) on the framework-decision in view of the establishment of minimum provisions relating to the constitutive elements of criminal infringements and penalties applicable to drug trafficking (consultation);
join discussion of the reports by Ludford (British, Liberal-Democrat) on the draft directive on the status of third country nationals residents for a long time and by Kessler (German Social-Democrat) on the draft directive on conditions in which third country nationals may move freely in Member states for a maximum of three months, setting entry conditions in view of displacement for a maximum of six months (consultation in both cases);
Paciotti Report (Italian, DS) on the status and conditions for the work of European controller of the protection of data;
joint discussion on the reports by Hughes (British Labour) on the amended draft directive on hours of work of mobile workers in the road transport business, and Ghilardotti (Italian, DS) on the amended daft directive on the general framework relating to worker information and consultation (do-decision, third reading in both cases).
Tuesday 5 February (with the first night session)
Schmidt Report (Swedish Liberal) on the EIB's annual report for 2000;
Von Wogau Report (German, EPP) on the implementation of legislation concerning financial services;
Mayol I Raynal report (Spanish, Green/EFA), on the draft regulation concerning the index of the cost of labour (consultation, first reading);
second Katifioris Report (Greek, socialist) on the amendment of the1992 and 1995 directives on the structure of excise duties applicable to manufactured tobacco (consultation);
Kauppi report (Finnish, EPP-ED) on the draft regulation concerning administrative co-operation in the field of value added tax (co-decision, first reading);
Olsson Report (Swedish Liberal) on the follow-up to the BSE crisis, regarding public health and food safety;
at 12.00 hrs., voting;
at 15.00 hrs., statement by Javier Solana on the situation in the Middle East;
à 17h00, Commission communication on its decisions that day.
from 17h30 to 19h00, Commission question time.
Wednesday 6 February (with first night session)
Watson report (British Liberal Democrat) on proposals of framework decisions on combating terrorism and the European arrest warrant.
Council and Commission declarations on financing of development aid with a view to the UN conference in Monterrey (Mexico), on 21 and 22 March.
Council and Commission declarations on preparations for the meeting, in March in Geneva, of the UN Commission on Human Rights.
Napolitano report (DS, Italy) on EP/national parliaments' relations in building Europe.
Pohjamo report (Liberal, Finland) on the management of regional policy and of Structural Funds.
Musotto report (Forza Italia) on the second Commission report concerning economic and social cohesion.
Hatzidakis report (EPP-ED, Greece) on amending the directive on fitting speed reducers on certain categories of motor vehicles (codecision, first reading).
Marques report (EPP-ED, Portuguese) on proposals authorising France to extend application of a reduced rate of excise on "traditional" rum from the overseas departments, and Portugal to apply reduction of this rate to rum and liqueurs produced and consumed in Madera, and to spirits and liqueurs products and consumed in the Azores (consultation).
van den Berg report (Socialist, NL) on the Commission communication concerning the links between emergency aid, rehabilitation and development.
at 12h00, voting.
from 17h30 to 19h00, Council question time.
Thursday, 7 February
Kratsa-Tsagaropolou report (EPP-ED, Greece) on the promotion of women's rights and gender equality in the Mediterranean countries.
Hermange report (EPP, France) on illiteracy and social exclusion.
Hermange report on the Commission's communication on the scoreboard for implementation of the social agenda (see EUROPE of 10 January, p.14).
Koukiadis report (Socialist, Greece) on the Commission's report concerning the state of progress of transposing the 1993 directive on certain aspects of adjustment of working hours.
at 12h00, voting.
at 15h00, topical, urgent issues and issues of major importance.
at 18h30, voting.