Strasbourg, 04/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament, which began its plenary session on Monday with the debate on the Oostlander report on the fight against drugs trafficking (see EUROPE of 2 February, p.13), will hear President Prodi himself on Tuesday morning when he explains the position of the European Commission on the von Wogau report concerning the European financial services market. It is hoped that a positive vote will be reached that same day on the compromise regarding the procedures envisaged by the Lamfalussy report, especially with regards the Parliament's request to be on an equal footing with the Council (see EUROPE of 23 January, p.13). On Wednesday, the presentation by the new Parliament President, Pat Cox, of the broad lines of his programme "reform, reconnect, reunite" will be an opportunity for the heads of the political groups, as well as for several "backbenchers", to express their views. Furthermore, the Parliament must, on Thursday, adopt a resolution on terrorism, after the joint debate on Wednesday on the declaration by the Spanish Presidency on measures taken by the EU to fight terrorism. It will also discuss the Watson report on this subject and on the European arrest warrant.
Also during this session, the presidents of the EP delegations for relations with third countries are to be chosen. The election of the European ACP-EU joint president will be postponed. British Labour member Glenys Kinnock, currently Vice-President, is said to be in a good position for succeeding John Currie.