EU Agenda: Week Ahead - 14 to 20 January, 2013
Welcome back to the Week Ahead, as the European Parliament meets for its first session of 2013, when it is due to vote on a range of economic and monetary issues, including credit rating agencies and stability bonds. The week's events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings and other EU-related conferences and events. Events for the week of 17 to 22 December 2012.
Monday, 14 January
Institutional affairs - European Parliament
European Parliament plenary session
European Parliament, Strasbourg | Political Meetings
Youth guarantee schemes: employment ministers should ensure all young people get a job, education or internship offer after four months' unemployment, according to a draft resolution to be put to a vote. (Debate Monday, vote Wednesday).
Tuesday, 15 January
Institutional affairs - European Commission
Commission's weekly College meeting
Strasbourg, France | Political Meetings
The Commissioners meet every Wednesday in Brussels, except when the European Parliament holds its plenary session, in which case they meet on a Tuesday in Strasbourg.
Tuesday, 15 January
Institutional affairs - European Parliament
European Parliament plenary session
European Parliament, Strasbourg | Political Meetings
Credit rating agencies: MEPs will vote on legislation to make credit rating agencies fairer and more accountable, through restricting the timing of sovereign debt ratings, requiring more detailed explanations and allowing investors to claim damages for ill-founded assessments. (Debate Tuesday, vote Wednesday).
Stability bonds: Parliament will vote on a resolution urging the Commission and Member States to explore the possibility of introducing Eurobonds, as well as all other avenues to pool sovereign debt. (Debate Tuesday, vote Wednesday).
Council Presidency handover: Parliament will review Cyprus' Presidency of Council with President Christofias and debate current priorities with Taoiseach Enda Kenny, as Ireland takes the helm. (Debates Tuesday and Wednesday).
Austrian Chancellor: Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann is the latest EU leader to take up an invitation by EP President Schulz to address plenary. He will debate with MEPs on the future of the European Union, the economic and financial crisis and the EU budget for 2014 to 2020.
Wednesday, 16 January
Institutional affairs - European Parliament
European Parliament plenary session
European Parliament, Strasbourg | Political Meetings
Syria: escalating violence in Syria and UN and Arab League joint efforts to secure its transition to democracy will be debated by political group leaders and EU foreign policy representatives.
Parliament's 2013 calendar: MEPs have to approve a new calendar with 12 plenary part-sessions to be held in Strasbourg in 2013, following the European Court of Justice recent ruling.
Wednesday, 16 - Thursday, 17 January
Institutional affairs | Employment and social rights - European Economic and Social Committee
European Economic and Social Committee plenary session
Charlemagne building, Brussels | Political Meetings
The 344 Members of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) meet in plenary session in Brussels nine times a year, to discuss and adopt opinions, reports and resolutions
Thursday, 17 January
Institutional affairs - European Parliament
European Parliament plenary session
European Parliament, Strasbourg | Political Meetings
Sunday, 20 January
Culture, education and youth - European Commission
Opening ceremony of Kosice - European Capital of Culture
Kosice, Slovakia | Events/Conf/Fairs
Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou will participate in the opening ceremony of "Kosice 2013 - European Capital of Culture" at the historic State Theatre. The opening events will take place on 19 and 20 January and will kick off a year-long cultural programme which will profile Kosice as the crossing of old routes between East and West. The launch events will take place at various locations in the city, including the State Theatre, the Steel Arena, the Podium as well various clubs, restaurants and cultural venues.