EU Agenda: Week Ahead - 20-25 March 2023
This week, EU leaders at a summit focus on Ukraine, competitiveness, single market and the economy, and energy; the EU hosts an International Donors' Conference for Turkey and Syria; and MEPs in committee adopt their position on a draft bill on the protection of the environment through criminal law. The week's events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings and 20-25 March 2023.
Monday 20 March
EU Presidency | Commission | Conferences and summits | Humanitarian aid
International Donors' Conference: Together for the people in Türkiye and Syria
Brussels
On 6 February 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, followed by two devastating tremors, struck Türkiye and Syria, causing widespread destruction, and killing tens of thousands of people.
To help mobilise support from the international community in dealing with the devastating aftermath, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, as the Presidency of the Council of the EU, will jointly host a Donors' Conference on 20 March 2023 in Brussels.
The aim of the Donors' Conference is to raise funds and coordinate the relief response in the areas affected in both countries. The conference will be organised in coordination with Turkish authorities.
Monday 20 March
EU Presidency | Conferences and summits | Agriculture and Fisheries
Agriculture and Fisheries Council
Brussels
Fisheries
Ministers will exchange views on the Commission's new package of measures to increase the sustainability and resilience of the EU's fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Agriculture
Market situation
Based on information from the Commission and the member states, ministers will exchange views on the current market situation, particularly in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Trade-related agricultural issues
The Council will discuss the current situation of international agricultural markets. The discussion will focus on relations with key trading partners, ongoing trade negotiations and challenges including Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
Other business
Nature restoration law: farming and forestry aspects
The presidency will provide information on the implications of the proposed nature restoration law for farming and forestry in the EU.
A new deal for pollinators
The Commission will provide information to ministers about its recently published communication on protecting pollinator species.
Pigmeat Reflection Group Report
The Commission will inform ministers about the report produced by the European Pigmeat Reflection Group.
The future of the EU-Morocco SFPA protocol
The Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish delegations will present information about the future of the protocol to the fisheries partnership agreement between the EU and Morocco.
Monday 20 March
Council of the EU | Conferences and summits | Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs Council
Brussels
The Foreign Affairs Council, chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Securit policy, Josep Borrell, will take place in Brussels starting at 10.45.
The Council will discuss the Russian aggression against Ukraine and exchange views on Tunisia. It will also be informed about current affairs.
In the afternoon, EU foreign affairs ministers will hold a joint session with EU defence ministers to discuss the implementation of the Strategic Compass one year after its approval, and EU support to Ukraine.
Monday 20 March
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament committee and political group meetings
Brussels
ECB President Lagarde: MEPs in the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee will quiz European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde on the bank's measures to deal with an economic environment marked by high uncertainty and strong inflationary pressures.
Use of Pegasus spyware in Spain: the Inquiry Committee on the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware will go to Madrid to learn more about allegations of spyware abuse targeting politicians, journalists and civil society. MEPs will meet with government representatives, civil society actors and journalists and various public officials targeted with Pegasus (Monday and Tuesday).
Plenary preparations: EP political groups will prepare for the 29-30 March plenary session in Brussels, where MEPs will hold final votes on new legislation on pay transparency to promote equal pay between women and men, and on safety of products sold online in the EU. MEPs will also discuss the results of the 23-24 March European Council.
Tuesday 21 March
Council of the EU | Conferences and summits | General Affairs
General Affairs Council
Brussels
March European Council
Ministers will continue preparations for the European Council meeting on 23-24 March 2023 by discussing draft conclusions.
At their upcoming meeting, EU leaders will focus on
- Ukraine
- competitiveness, single market and the economy
- energy
Tuesday 21 March
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament committee meetings
Brussels
Silicon Valley Bank: the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee will also discuss the failure of the Silicon Valley Bank and its implications for financial stability in Europe with European Banking Authority Chair José Manuel Campa and ECB Supervisory Board Chair Andrea Enria.
Environmental crimes: the Legal Affairs Committee will adopt its position on a draft bill on the protection of the environment through criminal law. The proposal introduces new environmental crimes and sanctions for companies and individuals. A briefing for media with the lead MEP will take place at 09:30.
Tuesday 21 March
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Translating Europe Workshops
ELIS SURVEY 2023 (Belgium)
Brussels
Registration for the ELIS presentation is now open. Reserve your place to hear about language industry trends and expectations in 2023.
ELIS focuses on the industry trends, expectations and concerns of a wide range of language industry stakeholders, including language service companies, independent language professionals, training institutes with translation and interpreting-related training programmes, language departments in private companies, public administrations, and language service buyers.
Wednesday 22 March
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament committee meetings
Brussels
Fit for 55/Maritime fuels: Parliament and Council negotiators will continue to work towards an agreement on how to steer the EU maritime sector towards decarbonisation. They will look into ways to cut green-house gas emissions from ships, increase the use of more renewable fuels and support the maritime sector in contributing to the EU's goal of climate neutrality by 2050.
2021 EU budget discharge: the Budgetary Control Committee will vote on the so-called discharge procedure for 2021, whereby MEPs scrutinise how the EU budget is spent by the Commission and the other EU institutions and bodies, and decide on whether to sign off on their accounts.
Thursday 23 - Friday 24 March
Council of the EU and European Council | Political Meetings | Summit
European Council
Brussels
At their upcoming meeting, EU leaders will focus on:
- Ukraine
- competitiveness, single market and the economy
- energy
Thursday 23 March
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament committee meetings
Brussels
EU Public Prosecutor: European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi will discuss with MEPs from the Budgetary Control and Civil Liberties committees the activities of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in 2022.
Rule of Law in Poland: the Civil Liberties Committee will assess with Justice Commissioner Reynders and experts the latest developments in Poland regarding the country's judiciary, following the Commission decision to refer Poland to the EU Court of Justice.
Thursday 23 March
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Translating Europe Workshops
21st century competences as seen by the translation industry and by training institutions
Budapest, Hungary
What competences do translators need in order to succeed in the highly technologized translation industry of the 21st century? And how can training improve these competencies? Find out what the European Master's in Translation (EMT) network, university teachers and translation industry stakeholders have to say on the matter.
Thursday 23 - Friday 24 March
European Economic and Social Commitee | Training and workshops | Youth democracy
Your Europe, Your Say! 2023 - Youth Democracy Dialogues
European Economic and Social Commitee, Brussels
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is planning its 14th Your Europe, Your Say! event. As part of Your Europe, Your Say (YEYS), 35 schools (from the 27 EU Member States, the seven EU candidate countries and one of the European schools based in Brussels) are invited to participate in a two-day set of debates, workshops and interactive activities around a topical issue of interest to young people.