Brussels, 08/02/2007 (Agence Europe) - The Committee of the Regions (CoR) will be holding its February plenary session at the European Parliament headquarters in Brussels on 13-14 February, chaired by the deputy mayor of Dunkerque, Michel Delebarre, and attended by the German economy minister, Michael Glos, and the vice-president of the European Commission with responsibility for transport, Jacques Barrot. Over the two days, the local and regional elected officials will vote on 13 opinions covering topics including EU immigration policy, future maritime policy, financing SME growth, housing, regional policy, pesticide use, children's rights, eGovernment and EU transparency.
Jacques Barrot will speak on 14 February on the recent relaunch of negotiations with the United States over an Open Skies Agreement and establishing genuine transatlantic airspace (see EUROPE 9361), ahead of a debate on the CoR's opinion on the mid-term review of the White Paper on European transport policy. The rapporteur, Jan Zahradnik (EPP, Czech Republic), is calling for the European Commission to focus on improving transport infrastructure in the 12 new EU member states, particularly in border areas, so they can better respond to the opportunities created by the internal market and boost mobility.
Michael Glos will also address the assembly, on 14 February, on recent European Commission plans to limit car CO2 emissions (see EUROPE 9361) and unbundling in the energy sector to force utility giants to open up to more competition. (gb)