Brussels, 24/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - Next week's plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels, allowed MEPs in particular to ask the Council and Commission about the results of the European Council of 20 and 21 March. Immediately afterwards, Parliament will be holding a discussion on the impact of enlargement on its budgetary powers. Last week, MEPs spoke out against the annexe to the act of Accession, which already lays down the financial perspectives for the ten future Member States, based on the financial agreement reached at the Copenhagen European Council (see EUROPE of 13 March, p.7, and 14 March, p.7, and 18 March, p.15). MEPs will also be discussing sustainable pesticide use, the fight against Aids, malaria and tuberculosis in developing countries, and the creation of a European State Prosecutor. Here is the agenda in detail:
Wednesday 26 March (from 3pm to 8pm; and 9pm to midnight)
- Statements by Council and Commission on results of the European Council of 20 and 21 March, followed by a debate;
- Discussion of recommendation on budgetary problems posed by the Accession Treaty;
- Harbour (EPP-ED) and Ortega (PES, Spain) report on amendments to regulation on status of European Community officials (consultation, reading: see Europe of 21 March, p.13);
- Van Brempt (PES, Belgium) report on thematic strategy for sustainable use of pesticides;
- Lannoye (Green/FTA, Belgium) report on amendments to the directive on sales and use of nonylphenol, nonylphenol ethoxylate and cement (co-decision, first reading);
- Nistico (EPP-ED, Italy) report on common project approved by conciliation committee on amendment of the directive on limitations of sales and use of various dangerous substances and preparations- classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (co-decision, third reading).
Thursday 27 March (from 9am to 1pm)
- Caudron (GUE/NGL, France) report on Community participation in a research and development programme aiming to develop new clinical interventions to fight HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis in developing countries (co-decision, first reading);
- Theato (EPP-ED, Germany) report on Commission Green Paper on protection under criminal law of the financial interests of the Communities, and the creation of a European state prosecutor (see EUROPE of 20 March, p.13);
- at 11am, voting;
- Jové Peres (GUE, Spain) report on tuna follow-up and verification
- Attwool (ELDR, UK) report on handling on sharks on board vessels