Oireachtas Digest on Europe - WEEK 47 16-22Nov| Ref:40-20
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Oireachtas Digest on Europe
WEEK 47 16 - 22 Nov | Ref: 40-20
Spotlight
Last Week
European Parliament:
o On Tuesday, MEPs (LIBE) and members of national parliaments discussed with representatives of
key institutions how to make the most of the new annual democracy review in EU member states.
o After ten weeks of intense negotiations, Parliament’s budget negotiators agreed with the Council
Presidency on the outline of an agreement on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF 2021-
2027) and new Own Resources. The agreement was supported in the plenary debate on
Wednesday.
o In a debate on terrorism MEPS heard from Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson, on
upcoming EU initiatives such as strengthening Europol’s mandate and an action plan on integration
and inclusion. MEPs also held a minute of silence in memory of victims of terrorism.
o On Thursday Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola was elected as First Vice-President of the European
Parliament, replacing Mairead McGuinness who became European Commissioner.
o On Friday, Parliament adopted its position on the Commission proposal to step up the EU’s action
in the health sector significantly, through the so-called “EU4Health Programme” with 615 votes to
34 and 39 abstentions.
Commission:
o The 42 member countries of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) convened on Tuesday by
videoconference for the 11th Trade Ministerial Conference to launch three new trade and
investment initiatives.
o President von der Leyen, the Austrian Chancellor Kurz, Chancellor Merkel, President Macron, and
President Michel, met via videoconference to discuss the fight against terrorism.
o At the Western Balkans summit in Sofia on Tuesday the European Commission welcomed the
commitment by the Western Balkan leaders to further strengthen regional cooperation as a way to
advance on their European path.
o The European Commission welcomed the agreement between the European Parliament and EU
Member States in the Council on Europe's next long-term budget and NextGenerationEU.
o On Wednesday the Commission announced it is putting forward a set of proposals to strengthen
the EU's health security framework, and to reinforce the crisis preparedness and response role of
key EU agencies.
o The Commission approved a fourth contract with pharmaceutical companies BioNTech and Pfizer,
which provides for the initial purchase of 200 million doses on behalf of all EU Member States, plus
an option to request up to a further 100 million doses, to be supplied once a vaccine has proven to
be safe and effective against COVID-19.
o The Commission has presented the first-ever EU Strategy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-
binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) equality.
o The Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a German scheme to support the
deployment of very high capacity broadband networks offering Gigabit speeds in Germany.
Council:
o Trade Ministers met by videoconference on Monday and discussed: Trade Relations with the United
States; Trade Policy Review and outlook for WTO; Trade relations with China.
o Home Affairs Ministers issued a statement on the fight against terrorism; they also discussed the
Commission proposals for a pact on migration and asylum. They held an orientation debate on key
elements of the pact, including the external dimension, the proposed pre-entry phase, solidarity
mechanism, internal migration and asylum management, various means to improve return, the
role of agencies, legal pathways to enter Europe, and integration.
1
Spotlight
Coming Week
European Parliament:
o The coming week is assigned to Committee and Political Groups meetings
o High level inter-parliamenary Conference on Migration and Asylum on Thursday
Commission:
o College meeting on Wednesday
o G 20 Summit on Saturday and Sunday
Council:
o Council of the EU video conferences for Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers; Agriculture and
Fisheries Ministers; European Affairs Ministers; Foreign Affairs Ministers; Internal Market and
Industry Ministers; Defence Ministers; Space Ministers
o European Council meeting on Thursday.
o G 20 Summit in Riyadh. on Saturday and Sunday
European Parliament
Committee and Political Group Meetings - Highlights
WEEK 47
President’s Diary. On Tuesday, EP President Sassoli will have a remote meeting with Pablo Iglesias,
Vice-President of the Spanish Government. On Wednesday morning, he will have a video meeting with
the Conference of European Rabbis and in the afternoon, he will open the “2020 European Strategy and
Policy Analysis System (ESPAS) Annual Conference: Thinking about the Future”.
Building a European Health Union. The Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee will
have a first discussion on the Commission’s proposals on serious cross-border threats to health, the
revamp of the European Medicines Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
as well as the proposal on “Building a European Health Union: preparedness and resilience”, with Health
Commissioner Stella Kyriakides (Monday).
Terrorism, organised crime and cybersecurity. The Civil Liberties Committee will debate, with Home
Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson and the German Presidency, EU tools to fight terrorism, organised
crime and cyber threats, in the light of recent terrorist attacks. The need to enhance the exchange of
police information, particularly DNA, fingerprint and vehicle registration data, is likely to be addressed
(Monday).
ECB President Lagarde. Christine Lagarde will be heard by MEPs of the Economic and Monetary Affairs
Committee in her capacity as both President of the ECB and Chair of the European Systemic Risk Board.
The economic recovery from the pandemic will top the issues to be discussed (Thursday).
EU long-term budget. Parliament’s negotiating team on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and
Own Resources will debrief the Budgets Committee on the political agreement on future EU financing
reached with the German Presidency on 10 November. Parliament met its objectives to secure top-ups
for key EU programmes, obtained a legally binding calendar for the introduction of new Own Resources
2
European Parliament
Committee and Political Group Meetings - Highlights
and strengthened the role of the budgetary authority (Monday).
EU aid for COVID-related measures and natural disasters. Over 132 million euros will be given to
Croatia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal and Spain as advance payment to cover expenses
related to the public health emergency caused by COVID-19 in early 2020. This support will be mobilised
through the EU Solidarity Fund, and will be put to the vote in the Budgets Committee. MEPs will also vote
on freeing up almost 700 million euros to help Croatia after the March earthquake, and Poland following
floods in June (Monday).
High-level Conference on Migration and Asylum. MEPs and national MPs will gather virtually to
discuss the way forward to manage migration and asylum in Europe. High-level speakers include
Parliament and Commission Presidents David Sassoli and Ursula von der Leyen, the Presidents of the
German parliament, Wolfgang Schäuble, of the Portuguese parliament, Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, and of
Slovenia’s parliament, Igor Zorčič as well as UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi and International
Organization for Migration Director General António Vitorino. (Thursday).
Plenary preparations. Political groups will prepare for the 23-26 November plenary session, where
MEPs will debate and vote on media freedom and how to protect journalists in Europe, and tackle hate
speech and disinformation; on a new industrial strategy for Europe; on guaranteeing product safety; and
on tackling homelessness. During the next session, MEPs will also debate the consequences of COVID-19
on foreign policy and on the Schengen system and give their input for the 10-11 December EU summit.
Link to all committee meetings here
European Commission
Coming Week Highlights
18 November: College meeting
20/21 November G20 Summit
European Council – Council of the European Union
Coming Meetings
16 November Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers, video conference
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
o Exchange of views on the current situation of the EU's agricultural market
o Food losses and food waste: assessment of progress made in
implementing the Council conclusions adopted on 28 June 2016 -
3information from the presidency and the Commission
o Conference on the 'farm to fork' strategy - information from the
Commission
o Preparation of the United Nations food systems summit - information from
the presidency
o Perspectives for the EU forest-related policies and EU forest strategy post-
2020 - information from the presidency
17 November European Affairs Ministers video conference
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
o Rule of law
o European Council (10 -11 Dec)
o EU enlargement
o Long-term EU budget
o European Semester 2021
Link to full agenda and background information here
18 November European Economic Area Council video conference
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
Link to agenda here
19 November European Council, video conference
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
EU response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
19 November Foreign Affairs Ministers, video conference
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
o EU industry in the recovery
o New consumer agenda
o 2020 annual report of the SME envoy network
o Work programme of the Portuguese Presidency
Link to full agenda and background information here
19 November Internal Market and Industry Ministers, video conference
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
o EU industry in the recovery: Ministers will hold a policy debate on
how to make the most of the recovery plan. They will discuss ways
to achieve a more dynamic, resilient and competitive European
industry through investments in the green transformation and
clean industry.
o New consumer agenda
o 2020 annual report of the SME envoy network
o Work programme of the Portuguese Presidency
20 November Foreign Affairs Ministers (defence), video conference
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
4Link to agenda here
20 November Space Ministers, video conference
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
o Europe’s role in the global space economy
o Preparation of the 10th Space Council
o Work programme of the Portuguese presidency
Link to full agenda and background information here
20 November Defence Ministers,
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
Ministers will be briefed by High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy, Josep Borrell about current affairs, including on the situation in Mali and
operation IRINI.
Ministers will also have an exchange of views on the Strategic Compass - the
process providing enhanced strategic direction for EU security and defence - and
the strategic review of PESCO. PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation) is a
framework and process to deepen defence cooperation between those EU
member States. The Council is expected to adopt conclusions on the latter.
Link to further information here
21 -22 November G20 summit, video conference
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
A virtual leaders' summit will be organised by the Saudi Arabian 2020 G20
presidency, replacing the physical meeting originally planned to take place in
Riyadh.
The EU will be represented by Charles Michel, President of the European Council,
and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
Link to further information here
German Presidency of the EU Council
Programme for Inter-Parliamentary Events
Date Meeting EP Location
Committee Provisional
19 Nov High-level Conference on Migration and Asylum- Video
conference
19 /20 Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
Nov of Europe, organised by the German Bundestag
23 Nov Chairpersons of the Committees on European Affairs of EU National Video
Parliaments and the European Parliament video conference with conference
Executive Vice-President Margrethe VESTAGER.
5German Presidency of the EU Council
Programme for Inter-Parliamentary Events
29 Nov Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Berlin
1 Dec Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC) – Plenary meeting,
organised by the German Bundestag in cooperation with the
Bundesrat
24/25 Meeting of the Secretaries-General from the national parliaments of
Jan the EU member states and the European Parliament, organised by
2021 the German Bundestag in cooperation with the Bundesrat
29/30 Conference of the Speakers from the national parliaments of the EU
Mar member states and the European Parliament (EUSC), organised by
2021 the German Bundestag in cooperation with the Bundesrat
6Highlights of Week 46: 9 - 15 November
European Parliament Plenary and Committee
Highlights Week 46: 9 - 15 November
Dual use goods: Parliament and EU ministers agree on new EU export rules. INTA
The reviewed rules, agreed by Parliament and Council negotiators, govern the export of so-called dual use
goods, software and technology - for example, high-performance computers, drones and certain chemicals -
with civilian applications that might be repurposed to be used in ways which violate human rights.
The current update, made necessary by technological developments and growing security risks, includes new
criteria to grant or reject export licenses for certain items.
Link to EP Report here
European Parliament and Council Presidency negotiators agree on Multiannual
Financial Framework (MFF 2021-2027) and new Own Resources.
On Tuesday, after ten weeks of intense negotiations, Parliament’s budget negotiators agreed with the Council
Presidency on the outline of an agreement on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF 2021-2027)
and new Own Resources.
In the compromise, Parliament obtained €16 billion on top of the package agreed by heads of state or
government at their summit in July. According to the EP negotiators, €15 billion will reinforce flagship
programmes to protect citizens from the COVID-19 pandemic, provide opportunities for the next generation,
and preserve European values. €1 billion will increase flexibility to address future needs and crises.
The agreement was endorsed by the EP Group leaders on Wednesday and received favourable support in a
plenary debate, also on Wednesday
The Parliament is expected to give its final approval on the long-term budget at the plenary session at the
end of November,
Link to EP statements negotiator’s statement here
Fisheries partnerships with Senegal and Seychelles are renewed
On Thursday, MEPs gave their consent to concluding renewed protocols with Senegal and the Seychelles
offering opportunities to French, Spanish and Portuguese fishermen.
Link to EP statement Senegal here and Seychelles here
Terrorist attacks in France and Austria unanimously condemned by MEPs
In a debate with Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson, who announced upcoming EU initiatives such
as strengthening Europol’s mandate and an action plan on integration and inclusion, MEPs pointed to the need
to further close the gaps and loopholes in existing counter-terrorism legislation and in its implementation. At
the same time, measures promoting integration into our societies, education and non-discrimination should
be further developed and supported.
MEPs also held a minute of silence in memory of victims of terrorism
7Link to EP statement here
New First Vice-President of the European Parliament elected.
On Thursday Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola was elected as First Vice-President of the European Parliament,
replacing Mairead McGuinness who became European Commissioner.
Link to EP report here
EU4Health
On Friday, Parliament adopted its position on the Commission proposal to step up the EU’s action in the health
sector significantly, through the so-called “EU4Health Programme” with 615 votes to 34 and 39 abstentions.
EU4Health is intended to prepare the EU more thoroughly for major cross-border health threats and make
health systems more resilient. This should enable the EU to face not only future epidemics, but also long-
term challenges such as an ageing population and inequalities in health.
Link to EP statement here
Commission
Highlights Week 46: 9 - 15 November
Union for the Mediterranean
The 42 member countries of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) convened on Tuesday by videoconference
for the 11th Trade Ministerial Conference to launch three new trade and investment initiatives. They also
called for the strengthening of trade ties in the Euro-Mediterranean area as a crucial element for the regional
economic recovery. The Conference was held under the UfM Co-Presidency of Mr Valdis Dombrovskis,
Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade, and Eng. Maha Ali, Jordanian Minister of Industry,
Trade and Supply, in the presence of Mr Nasser Kamel, UfM Secretary-General.
Link to joint statement here
Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with
Chancellor Kurz, Chancellor Merkel, President Macron, and President Michel,
following the videoconference on the fight against terrorism
Link to Statement here
Western Balkans Summit in Sofia:
At the summit in Sofia on Tuesday the European Commission welcomed the commitment by the Western
Balkan leaders to further strengthen regional cooperation as a way to advance on their European path. The
region's positive response to the Economic and Investment Plan, its commitment to enhanced connectivity
and endorsement of key initiatives such as the establishment of a Common Regional Market, the launch of a
Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and further support to Roma integration will help accelerate the post-
pandemic recovery by spurring on sustainable economic growth.
8Link to press statement and further information here
EU budget: European Commission welcomes agreement on €1.8 trillion package to
help build greener, more digital and more resilient Europe
The European Commission has welcomed the agreement between the European Parliament and EU Member
States in the Council on Europe's next long-term budget and NextGenerationEU, the temporary recovery
instrument. Once adopted, the Commission says the package of a total of €1.8 trillion will be the largest
package ever financed through the EU budget. It will help rebuild a post-COVID-19 Europe, which will be
greener, more digital, more resilient and better fit for the current and forthcoming challenges.
Next Steps: The MFF Regulation and the Interinstitutional Agreement endorsed on Tuesday must now be
formally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, in line with their respective roles and
procedures.In parallel, work must continue towards a final adoption of all other elements of the package,
including the sectoral legislation and the Own Resources Decision.
In the case of the Own Resources Decision, which will enable the Commission to borrow, ratification by all
Member States in line with their constitutional requirements is also needed. The European Parliament, at the
September plenary, has already provided its positive opinion on this piece of legislation. The adoption by the
Council is the next step.
In parallel, negotiations on the annual budget for 2021 have to take place. The 21-day conciliation period,
during which the European Parliament and the Council should reach an agreement, runs between 17
November and 7 December this year.
Link to Commission statement here
European Health Union
On Wednesday the Commission announced it is putting forward a set of proposals to strengthen the EU's
health security framework, and to reinforce the crisis preparedness and response role of key EU agencies.
The announcement says that in order to step up the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and future health
emergencies, more coordination at EU level is needed.
Link to Commission announcement here
Q &A here
Link to COM(2020) 724 final here
Coronavirus: Commission approves contract with BioNTech-Pfizer alliance to
ensure access to a potential vaccine
On Wednesday, the European Commission approved a fourth contract with pharmaceutical companies
BioNTech and Pfizer, which provides for the initial purchase of 200 million doses on behalf of all EU Member
States, plus an option to request up to a further 100 million doses, to be supplied once a vaccine has proven
to be safe and effective against COVID-19. Member States can decide to donate the vaccine to lower and
middle-income countries or to re-direct it to other European countries.
Link to Commission statement here
Union of Equality: The Commission presents its first-ever strategy on LGBTIQ
equality in the EU
On Thursday European Commission presented the first-ever EU Strategy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans,
non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) equality. The Strategy sets out a series of targeted actions around
four main pillars, focused on: tackling discrimination; ensuring safety; building inclusive societies; and leading
9the call for LGBTIQ equality around the world.
Some of the key actions outlined in the Strategy include: Fighting discrimination; Ensuring safety; Protecting
rights of rainbow families; LGBTIQ equality around the world.
Next Steps: Member States are encouraged to build on existing best practices and develop their own action
plans on LGBTIQ equality. The objective will be to protect better LGBTIQ people against discrimination, to
complement action under this strategy with measures to advance LGBTIQ equality in areas of Member State
competence. The European Commission will regularly monitor the implementation of the actions outlined in
the Strategy and present a mid-term review in 2023.
Link to Commission statement here
State Aid
The Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a German scheme to support the deployment of
very high capacity broadband networks offering Gigabit speeds in Germany. The aid will bring these networks
to customers in areas where the market does not provide them, in line with the EU broadband connectivity
objectives.
Link to Commission statement here
European Council and Council of European Union
Highlights Week 46: 9 - 15 November
Trade Ministers video conference, 9 Nov
Main Results
o Trade Relations with the United States: Ministers took stock of the US elections and
underlined the importance of the trans-Atlantic relations to deal with the challenges of our time,
especially in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Despite some ongoing tensions in bilateral
trade relations, transatlantic cooperation is and will continue to be crucial.
o Trade Policy Review and outlook for WTO. Ministers held a discussion on the Trade Policy Review
in the context of the consultation process launched by the European Commission in June about the
EU’s future trade and investment policy. The objective of this consultation, which will run until 15
November, is to see how trade policy can help with the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and support
the green and digital transitions to a stronger and more resilient EU. The outcome of the ongoing
consultation will feed into a Commission Communication likely to set the direction for EU trade and
investment policy for the next five years, to be issued most likely not before January 2021. The
Commission offered an update on the state of play of the process.
o Trade relations with China. Ministers held a discussion on the EU's trade relations with China with
particular focus on the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) that addresses the current
asymmetries in market access. The Commission reported on the current state of the negotiations and
of the contacts around market access and sustainable development.
Ministers underlined the need to continue advancing the discussions on the Comprehensive
Agreement on Investment with the aim of concluding negotiations in 2020 and achieving an open,
fair and transparent business environment for EU investors in China.
Link to Council report here
10Home Affairs Ministers video conference, 13 Nov
Main Results
o Fight Against Terrorism. In a statement ministers reaffirmed their determination to uphold the
EU's common values and counter this barbaric terror holistically. They recalled the measures taken
over the last two decades and highlight a number of actions where work should be brought forward,
including in the areas of religious freedom, social cohesion, reinforcing the security of a well-
functioning Schengen area, ensuring security, preventing radicalisation online and offline,
exchanging information on persons posing a terrorist or violent extremist threat, foreign terrorist
fighters, the renewed EU information architecture and protecting public spaces.
Link to statement here
o Migration and Asylum Pact. Minsters discussed the Commission proposals for a pact on
migration and asylum. They held an orientation debate on key elements of the pact, including on
the external dimension, the proposed pre-entry phase, solidarity mechanism, internal migration and
asylum management, various means to improve return, the role of agencies, legal pathways to
enter Europe, and integration.
The examination of the pact will continue at technical level, while ministers are expected to come
back to these key elements at their meeting in December.
Link to Migration and Asylum Pact here
Link to further information here
Sources: EU Parliament, Commission, and Council websites
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