Brussels, 30/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - The first European Parliament plenary session next year, in Strasbourg on 16-19 January, will be where the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU outlines its plans for the first half of the year (see EUROPE 9093). Before addressing the European Parliament, the Austrian Presidency will discuss its six-month programme with the Barroso Commission in Vienna on 9 January. The other big issue at the plenary will be the European Parliament's role in the reflection on Europe following the breakdown of the ratification of the European Constitution (see EUROPE 9090 on the Duff/Voggenhuber Report). The EP will also discuss European citizenship and human trafficking. Other issues on its agenda include the EU's Neighbourhood Policy (which has already led to a series of national action plans for recipient countries), the situation in Chechnya and (if it agrees to the Council's request for emergency treatment), potential sanctions for involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri. Business themes include the WTO Summit in Hong Kong (see EUROPE 9095 for MEPs' reactions), reform of the EU sugar system (see EUROPE 9075 on the Agriculture Council's agreement) and air travel. The detailed agenda (to be amended in line with developments):
Monday 16 January: - Commission statement on homophobia in Europe; -Catania Report on European citizenship (fourth report, looking at 1 May 2001 - 30 April 2004); Prets Report on preventing the trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation; - oral question from the President of the EP's Trade Committee, Enrique Baron, on WTO Summit in Hong Kong; - Seppänen Report on including the Maldives in the list of countries covered by aid following the December 26 2004 tsunami (see EUROPE 9094 on 20 December conference in Brussels); statement by Commission on climate change.
Tuesday 17 January: - emergency request from Council about draft regulation establishing restrictions against people suspected of involvement with assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri; - Jarzembowski Report on draft directive on access to port services (codecision, first reading);- El Khadraoui Report on EU's foreign aviation policy; - Zile Report on relations with Russia and China in aviation; - joint discussion of three Fruteau Reports on draft regulation on organisation of common market for sugar, the regulation on common rules for aid for sugar farmers and the regulation on a temporary restructuring scheme for the EU's sugar industry; Korhola Report on Council common position on the application to the EU institutions of the Aarhus Convention on public access to information and the legal system on environmental issues; - Sjöstedt Report on Conciliation Committee's draft report on the directive concerning management of mining industry waste (see EUROPE 9070 and 9084); - Maaten Report Conciliation Committee's draft report on Bathing Water quality (third reading under codecision for last three reports) - Ferreira Report on environmental aspects of sustainable development; - European Commission communication on the decisions of the day.
Wednesday 18 January: - Presentation of Austrian Presidency's programme; - Voggenhuber/Duff Report on structure, subject matter and framework for assessing debate on the future of the European Union; - statements by Council and Commission on situation in Chechnya following the elections and developments in civil society in Russia (see EUROPE 9093 on resolution adopted by European Parliament plenary in December); - Tannock Report on European Neighbourhood Policy; - Vlasto Report on implementation of Small Company Charter; - Onesta Report on changes to EP regulation on MEPs' rules of behaviour.
Thursday 19 January: Estrela Report on gender prospects under Lisbon Strategy; - oral question by John Bowis on disability and development; - debate on human rights violations, democracy and the rule of law.