EU Agenda: Week Ahead - 18-23 November 2019
This week, trade ministers debate WTO reform and trade agreements; farm ministers discuss the future of the CAP; and MEPs continue Hearings of Commissioner-candidates, and debate the Rule of Law in Hungary, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 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 18-23 November 2019.
Monday 18 November
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament Committee and Political Group meetings
European Parliament, Brussels
Eurozone: Eurogroup President Mário Centeno will discuss recent developments in the Euro area with the Economy and Monetary Affairs Committee, with topics such as the economic slowdown as well as completing the Banking Union, including the setup of the European deposit insurance scheme, likely to be raised by MEPs.
ACP-EU Assembly: Members of the European Parliament and parliamentarians of 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries will meet in Kigali, Rwanda, for the 38th ACP-EU Assembly. Climate change and food security, migration, sustainable growth and the post-Cotonou agreement are set to be the focus of the event (Sunday 17 to Thursday).
Plenary preparations: Political groups will prepare for the 25-28 November session in Strasbourg, where MEPs are set to elect the new European Commission, following the presentation by Ursula von der Leyen of the College of Commissioners and their programme. They will discuss the upcoming 12-13 December EU summit and the U.N. Climate Change Conference COP25 in Madrid. MEPs are also set to vote on the EU's 2020 budget. The sitting finally includes the award of the EP's LUX film Prize and a solemn sitting with Oleg Sentsov, 2018 Sakharov Prize Laureate, recently released from prison.
Monday 18 - Tuesday 19 November
European Commission - Other bodies and agencies | Events/Conf/Fairs | Business, taxation and competition - Economy and the euro - Energy, environment and climate
Banking regulation and sustainability
Ispra, Italy
The EU is fully committed to reaching the EU 2030 climate and energy targets and to mainstream sustainable development into EU policies.
Against this background, in 2018 the Commission published an action plan on financing sustainable growth. On the back of this plan, the European Banking Authority (EBA) prepared its own work plan and identified its key priorities. These include considerations on how sustainability can be incorporated into the regulatory and supervisory framework of EU credit institutions.
This joint JRC-EBA workshop moves forward on the various challenges related to integrating sustainability into the EU banking regulation framework.
It aims at bringing together academics, supervisors, policymakers and industry representatives, promoting a structured dialogue on how banks could measure and manage risks related to the environmental, social and governance dimensions.
Monday 18 - Wednesday 20 November
European Commission | Events/Conf/Fairs | Research and innovation
Raw Materials Week 2019
Brussels
The 4th edition of the Raw Materials Week will take place in Brussels on 18-22 November 2019.
It builds on a series of events organised by the European Commission addressing the latest news on raw materials in the EU.
It will be a unique opportunity for the raw materials community to discuss and exchange on all relevant issues: policy, technology, international cooperation, framework conditions, knowledge base etc.
Monday 18 November
Other bodies and agencies | Events/Conf/Fairs | Consumer affairs and public health
European antibiotic awareness day 2019 – launch event
Stockholm, Sweden
This launch event will mark the 12th European antibiotic awareness day. It is a platform for governmental institutions, professional and patient organisations, country representatives and media to come together and discuss the current situation regarding antibiotic resistance and the actions taken to address them by all stakeholders, both at EU and national levels.
The launch event will be hosted by the European Centre for disease prevention and control (ECDC) and the representation of the European Commission in Sweden and will include keynote speeches, a panel debate, and a public debate with stakeholders and citizens.
Monday 18 November
Council of the EU and European Council - Presidency of the Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Food, farming and fisheries
Agriculture and Fisheries Council
Brussels
Finland is currently holding the presidency of the Council of the EU, they introduce the agenda of this meeting in this video.
Future of the CAP post 2020
Ministers will exchange views on the environmental and climate-related aspects of the post 2020 CAP reform package which consists of three legislative proposals:
- three legislative proposals:
- a regulation on the CAP strategic plans
- a regulation single common market organisation (CMO)
- a horizontal regulation on financing, managing and monitoring the CAP
Regulations on CAP transitional rules
The Commission will present its proposals for CAP transitional rules, which it recently adopted with the aim of guaranteeing certainty and continuity in the granting of support to European farmers before the new CAP enters into force. Ministers will hold an exchange of views on the proposed rules.
Any other business
Ministers will be informed about the following items:
- apiculture sector
- rice imports from Myanmar
- maize imports from Ukraine
- EU-China bilateral agreement on certain products
Tuesday 19 November
Council of the EU and European Council - Presidency of the Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
General Affairs Council
Brussels
The presidency will inform ministers on progress in the work on the multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027. This item will be taken in public session.
Ministers will start preparations for the European Council meeting on 12-13 December by discussing an annotated draft agenda.
On enhancing respect for the rule of law in the EU, ministers will first hold, in public session, an exchange of views with Michael O'Flaherty, Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights. They will then focus on conclusions on the evaluation of the Council's annual rule of law dialogue.
The Council will also take stock of the situation on enlargement and the stabilisation and association process following the October European Council.
Tuesday 19 November
European Commission - Presidency of the Council of the EU | Events/Conf/Fairs | Energy, environment and climate - Research and innovation
European forum for electronic components and systems (EFECS) 2019
Helsinki, Finland
The European forum for electronic components and systems (ECS) 2019 (EFECS 2019) brings together major actors in the ECS industry and in other industries that are immediate users of ECS products, in an effort to promote the networking of businesses.
The success of the ECS industry is important because of the strategic significance that a swift access to using the latest innovations in the field has for the competitiveness of the rest of the industry.
The event is organised by AENEAS, ARTEMIS-IA, EPoSS, ECSEL Joint Undertaking and the European Commission, in association with EUREKA and under the auspices of the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Wednesday 20 November
European Commission | Events/Conf/Fairs | Energy, environment and climate - EU regional and urban development
'Clean energy for EU islands' forum
Split and Hvar, Croatia
The 'Clean energy for EU islands' initiative was launched in May 2017 and provides a long-term framework to help islands generate their own sustainable, low-cost energy.
The 4th 'Clean energy for EU islands' forum takes place in Croatia and will start with a political event and then continue with interactive workshops and a technology fair.
Wednesday 20 November
European Commission | Events/Conf/Fairs | Business - Employment and social rights
EaSI technical assistance workshop on brand-building strategies
Berlin, Germany
The European Commission is organising a one-day social finance workshop on brand-building strategies under the Employment and social innovation (EaSI) technical assistance programme for social enterprise finance providers.
The content of the workshop will be developed in interactive sessions. At the end of the day participants should have a better understanding of key concepts, implications and branding strategies, acquire a framework to build a relevant and consistent brand identity and tools to develop their own marketing and communication strategy.
Wednesday 20 November
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament Committee and Political Group meetings
European Parliament, Brussels
Convention on the Rights of the Child: Parliament is organising a high-level conference to mark the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child as well as to discuss progress made over the past three decades and reflect on the challenges that children and youth face today. It will be opened by Her Majesty the Queen of the Belgians, Parliament President David Sassoli as well as Spanish singer and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Bisbal.
Wednesday 20 November
Other bodies and agencies | Events/Conf/Fairs | Food, farming and fisheries - Research and innovation
EIT Food conference: the future of food
Brussels
This conference is organised by the EIT Food initiative of the European Institute of innovation and technology (EIT). It will gather policymakers and food innovation experts to brainstorm on the future of food.
The event will provide a platform to discuss the possible solutions and the key levers for transforming the food system and delivering impact. It will bring together EIT Food partners with EU policymakers from the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council, as well as other EU stakeholders from industry, academia and civil society.
The format will allow participants to play an active role, by taking part in a series of interactive workshops. The outcome will consist of a set of recommendations geared towards inspiring practical solutions in this time of EU leadership change.
Thursday 21 November
Council of the EU and European Council - Presidency of the Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Enlargement, external relations and trade - International aid, development and cooperation
Foreign Affairs Council - Trade
Brussels
WTO
The Council will discuss the state of play of the World Trade Organization (WTO) reform.
Ministers will also prepare for the next WTO ministerial conference. This will be held in June 2020, in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.
FTAs and EU-US trade
Ministers will have an opportunity to discuss recent developments in EU-US trade relations.
The Council will also have a policy debate on the implementation of free trade agreements (FTAs).
This follows the European Commission's third report on the implementation of EU FTAs. The report, presented in October 2019, covers the year 2018.
International trade
Under any other business, the Commission will present the results of the 2019 Eurobarometer survey on international trade.
Over lunch, ministers will have an informal discussion about trade relations with China and the state of play of other bilateral trade negotiations.
Thursday 21 - Friday 22 November
European Commission | Events/Conf/Fairs | Economy and the euro - EU regional and urban development - Research and innovation - Statistics
New economic and statistical perspectives on urban and territorial themes (NESPUTT 2019)
Milan, Italy
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the University of Milan-Bicocca organise NESPUTT, an international workshop which will take place in Milan on the 21-22 November 2019.
The workshop aims at fostering an interdisciplinary debate involving economists, statisticians, modellers and other social scientists towards a better understanding of contemporary regions and cities, viewed as complex socio-economic systems.
It encourages contributions about new theoretical/methodological approaches and applied research from regional economics, behavioural economics, environmental economics, experimental economics, statistics and other quantitative disciplines.
Thursday 21 November
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament Committee Meetings
European Parliament, Brussels
Hearings of Commissioner-candidates: The Conference of Presidents (EP President and the leaders of the political groups) is scheduled to hold an exchange of views with the three executive vice presidents-elect (Valdis Dombrovskis, Margrethe Vestager and Frans Timmermans) and decide on the outcome of the hearings process.
Migrants/Libya: The Civil Liberties Committee and the Human Rights sub-committee will assess conditions for asylum-seekers in Libya against the backdrop of the situation in the country, including how armed groups may be linked to organised crime and the conditions in detention centres. Guests include representatives of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Commission, UNHCR, IOM, Médecins sans Frontières as well as International Rescue Committee (IRC) President David Miliband.
Rule of Law/Hungary: The Finnish Presidency of the EU Council will report to the Civil Liberties Committee on the latest discussion in Council on the Article 7(1) procedure against Hungary to determine whether there is a clear risk of a serious breach of the EU's common values. This is the first substantial discussion on the subject in the current legislative term.
Thursday 21 - Friday 22 November
Council of the EU and European Council - Presidency of the Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Culture, education and youth
Education, Youth, Culture & Sport Council
Brussels
The Council will discuss culture and sport issues on 21 November and youth on 22 November. The Council already met already on 8 November to discuss education.
Culture
Culture ministers are expected to adopt a resolution on the cultural dimension of sustainable development aiming at enhancing culture's contribution to the global challenge of sustainability.
The Council will also hold a public debate, entitled 'Strengths, innovation potential and global competitiveness of the European cultural, creative and audiovisual industries'.
Sport
The Council is expected to adopt conclusions on combating corruption in sport, proposing a number of measures and initiatives to be taken by the member states, the Commission and the sports movement to strive for fairness and safety in sport.
Ministers are also expected to adopt conclusions on safeguarding children in sport, aiming at covering all types of safety concerns, namely those related to keeping children safe from harm, abuse, violence, exploitation and neglect as well as those deriving from the actual practice of sports.
Ministers will also hold a public debate on ways to promote good governance in sport. They will be joined by the new President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and former Sports Minister of Poland, Mr. Witold Banka who will make a speech and will be available to answer questions.
Youth
The Council is expected to adopt conclusions on digital youth work aiming at contributing to bridge the digital divide among young people and to make the best possible use of available digital means and technologies.
Additionally, ministers are expected to adopt conclusions on education and training of youth workers encouraging member states as well as regional and local authorities, academia and civil society to learn from each other, and share best practices to improve the quality of the education and training of youth workers.
Furthermore, ministers will hold a public debate entitled 'A vision for youth work in Europe - climate change, young people and youth work', during which they will discuss how youth work can support and help channel the energy and enthusiasm of young people in order not only to raise awareness through climate activism, but to become effective agents of change in policies and lifestyles.