Brussels, 29/05/2006 (Agence Europe) - During the 31 and 1 June plenary in Brussels, MEPs will debate the future of the European Union following a speech by Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt (see EUROPE 9177 for his idea of a United States of Europe, and 9164 on a core group of states in the eurozone). They will be briefed by the Council and Commission on the situation of prisoners held by the US at Guantanamo Bay, and will discuss the ideas of MEPs Elmar Brok and Erika Mann on boosting transatlantic relations (see EUROPE 9180 and 9174). Two other big issues at the plenary will be expanding the eurozone (see EUROPE 9194) and medicines used on children. On Thursday, the plenary will vote on a resolution on the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian Territories. The agenda in detail:
Wednesday 31 May: - Debate on the future of the European Union, attended by Guy Verhofstadt; Commission and Council statements on situation of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay; - joint discussion of Brok and Mann reports on transatlantic relations in general and transatlantic business relations; - Grossetête Report on medicines used on children (codecision, second reading); - Langen Report on expanding the eurozone; - Grech Report on EP spending forecasts for 2007; - Markov Report on trade policy and reducing poverty; - Hennicot-Schoepges Report on proposition for 2008 to be European Year of Cross-cultural Dialogue (codecision, first reading); - Vidal-Quadras Report on Green Paper on Energy Efficiency; - Sonik Report on follow-up on bans following incrimination for sexual abuse of children (consultation).
Thursday 1 June: - Niebler Report on Council common position of 10 March on rehash of directive on equal opportunities between men and women in employment (codecision, second reading); - Jaroka Report on situation of Roma women in the EU; - De Keyser Report on situation of women in armed conflict and how women contribute to reconstruction; - voting on humanitarian crisis in Palestinian Territories and the role of the EU (see EUROPE 9192 and 9194 on statements by Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner on plan to provide aid for Palestinians by bypassing Hamas-led government, and 9189 on Quartet statement).