Brussels, 28/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - At its first plenary session in April, the European Parliament will grant the Commission discharge for its implementation of the 2000 budget (McCartin report, see yesterday's EUROPE, p.12). On Tuesday, it will discuss the Palacio Vallelersundi report on the Community patent, the only report that it didn't manage to get adopted in time for the Barcelona European Council (since the EP was able to deal with the financial services package). Also on Tuesday, the Council will make a statement on the EU's defence policy, including relations with NATO (see EUROPE of 25/26 march, p.5 on the informal discussions between defence ministers in Saragossa) and the use of depleted uranium in Afghanistan and will answer questions on the European arms industry (see EUROPE of 27 March, p.3). On Wednesday, Council and Commission will issue a statement on the situation in Chechnya and the EP will discuss the EuroMed foreign ministers meetings scheduled for the end of the month in Valencia. On Thursday, the Commission will make a statement to the EP on the Second United Nations World Assembly on Ageing and the EP will discuss a very sensitive issue, social security schemes for European Parliamentary Assistants. On Monday, the EP will discuss various reports on security and criminal law (including security at international football matches and using criminal law to protect the environment) and immigration and asylum. The detailed agenda (which might be changed) is as follows:
Monday (from 17: 00 to 21: 30 hrs)
Joint debate on reports by Deprez (EPP, Belgium) on draft decision on security at international football matches; Kirkhope (British Conservative) on the Dutch initiative on decision setting up European network of contact points concerning people responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes; Coelho (EPP, Portugal) on draft decision establishing framework for police and judicial cooperation (simply consultation for all the above); and Oomen-Ruijten (EPP, Netherlands) on using criminal law to protect the environment (first reading in codecision).
Joint debate on reports by Hernandez-Mollar (EPP, Spain) on draft directive laying down minimum standards on reception of asylum-seekers in Member States; Oostlander (EPP, Netherlands) on ARGO action programme (external borders, visas, asylum and immigration); Marinho (Portuguese Socialist) on draft regulation on deciding which Member State is responsible for examining asylum applications; von Boetticher (EPP, Germany) on the Belgian, Spanish and French initiative to amend Article 40 (1) and (7) of the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985 on the gradual abolition of checks at common borders (simple consultation for all these reports).
Tuesday 7 April (first night session)
Joint debate on discharge on implementation of EU general budget for 2000 - McCartin report (EPP, Ireland ) on Commission's Budget, Black (GUE, Denmark ) on 6th, 7th and 7th EDF, Seppänen (GUE, Finland) on ECSC, Virrankoski (Finnish Liberal) on European Parliament, Morgan (British Labour MEP) on Court of Justice, Court of Auditors, Economic and Social Committee, Committee of the Regions and the Ombudsman, Staes (Belgian Green) on decentralised bodies (European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training and European Agency for Reconstruction).
Schmitt report (EPP, Germany) on Council common position on regulation setting common rules for civil aviation and creating a European Aviation Safety Agency (second reading in codecision)
Sterckx report (Belgian Liberal) on Council common position on directive setting up Community shipping monitoring, control and information system repealing Directive 93/75/EEC (second reading in codecision)
Palacio Vallelersundi report (EPP, Spain) on draft regulation on Community patent (simple consultation).
Joint debate on Florenz reports (EPP, Germany) on the joint position of the Council on the directives on electric and electronic waste and limiting the use of dangerous substances from this equipment (in both cases, codecision, second reading)
Ries report (Belgian, Liberal) on the Council's joint position on 24th amendment to the 1976 directive on limiting the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations, involving pentabromodiphenylether (codecision, second reading)
at 12 h votes
at 15 h, joint debate on the Council declaration on defence policy including EU/NATO relations and the use of depleted uranium Afghanistan and verbal questions from Elmar Brok, President of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee on the arms industry linked to defence
from 17h30 to 18 h, Commission communication on the day's decisions
from 18h to 19h30, questions to the Commission
Wednesday 10 April (with second night session)
declarations from the Council and Commission on situation in Chechnya
Esteve report (Spanish Liberal) on communication from Commission on approaching Euro- Mediterranean Foreign Affairs meeting 22 - 23 April in Valencia
Graça Moura report (EPP, Spain) on communication from Commission on EU strategy on China
Fatuzzo report (EPP, Italian) on communication from the Commission on "an integrated approach for the national strategies services aimed to guarantee dependable and viable pensions "
Damiao report (Socialist, Portugal) on the amendment to the directive on the protection of workers against asbestos related risks (codecision, first reading EUROPE yesterday page 17)
Skinner report (British Labour Party) on the Commission communication on implementation of action plan on capital-investment (APCI)
Ayuso Gonzalez report (EPP, Spain) on draft regulation on joint organisation for ethyl alcohol market (simple consultation)
at 12 h, votes
from 17h30 to 18 h, questions to the Council
Thursday 11 April
Beazley report (British, Conservative) on the assessment report on the application of the Council recommendation from 24 September 1998 on the protection of minors and human dignity (see below)
De Sarnez report (EPP, France) on the communication from Commission on strengthening co-operation with third countries on higher education
Gillig report (French Socialist) on draft regulation on European Parliament assistants amending 1971 regulation, application of social security systems for waged and non-waged workers and their families who move within the interior of the Community (codecision, first reading)
European Commission declaration on the second UN World Assembly on ageing, 8 -12 April in Madrid
At 12 h votes
from 15 h to 17h30, current problems, urgent and of major importance
At 17h30, votes.
The second plenary session will take place on 24 - 25 April in Brussels, focusing on the Euro-Med Ministerial meeting in Valencia, the promotion of human rights, reform of EU Council, sexual equality.