EU Agenda: Week Ahead - 23-27 May 2022
This week finance ministers meet on the revised ELTIF regulation, and a global minimum level of taxation for multinational groups; agriculture and fisheries ministers discuss the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza; and MEP delegations meet in the United States over the US-EU digital acts and civil Liberties; in Malta over the rule of law, judicial reforms and the safety of journalists; in Turkey over refugees; in Chile on trade and human rights; and in Latvia over the NATO StratCom Dialogue. 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 23 to 27 May 2022.
Monday 23 May
Council of the EU and European Council | Political Meetings | Economy and the euro
Eurogroup
Brussels
Regular format
Macroeconomic and fiscal developments in the euro area
Ministers will discuss the macro-economic developments on the basis of the Commission Spring Forecast. Based on the updated economic outlook, the Eurogroup will discuss the appropriate policy response, in view of the current economic challenges, with a focus on fiscal policies.
Upcoming vacancy of Managing Director of the ESM
Following the call for candidates for the position of Managing Director of the ESM, ministers are expected to have an exchange of views on the candidatures received.
Draft Budgetary Plans
Ministers will receive a presentation from the Commission on its opinions concerning the updated Draft Budgetary Plans of Germany and Portugal.
Inclusive format
Banking Union
Ministers will discuss the draft work plan for the completion of the Banking Union, building on the progress made during the Eurogroup in inclusive format of 3 May and the work done by the High-Level Working Group (HLWG) since then.
Monday 23 May
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament delegations
United States, Malta, Turkey, Chile
No parliamentary meetings are scheduled in Brussels, as the week is set aside for committee delegations/visits linked to topics falling under their responsibility.
US/EU digital acts: an Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee delegation will go to the Silicon Valley where MEPs will meet with tech companies, local authorities and academia and discuss the EU's digital policy agenda, including the recently agreed Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA). The new rules aim to defend European values and fundamental rights online and could reshape the online world dominated by so-called "gatekeepers" (Monday to Friday).
Rule of law in Malta/Daphne Caruana Galizia: a Civil Liberties Committee delegation will take stock of the latest developments on the situation of the rule of law, recent judicial reforms, safety of journalists, anti-corruption measures, and citizenship and residence by investment schemes. MEPs are planning to meet representatives of the government, the police, the judiciary, and other relevant authorities, as well as NGOs, civil society and the family of Daphne Caruana Galizia (Monday to Wednesday).
US/Civil Liberties: a delegation of the Civil Liberties Committee will travel to Washington, D.C., to discuss current issues in data protection, asylum, migration, security co-operation and counter-terrorism efforts. MEPs will meet with officials from the US Departments of State, Commerce, Justice, and Homeland Security, the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) officials, as well as experts on privacy and artificial intelligence (Monday to Thursday).
Turkey/Refugees: a Budgets Committee delegation will travel to Turkey to gather information on how EU funds from the Facility for Refugees are being spent. MEPs will visit refugees' facilities in the Ankara region and in Gaziantep, close to the Syrian border, as well as meeting government members and beneficiaries of the funds (Monday to Thursday).
Chile/International Trade: a delegation of the International Trade Committee will go to Chile to discuss the pending update of the EU-Chile Association Agreement as well as human rights, gender and women's rights issues. MEPs will meet with ministers, Senate members, trade unions, business associations and civil society (Monday to Wednesday).
Tuesday 24 May
Council of the EU and European Council | Political Meetings | Economy and the euro
Economic and Financial Affairs Council
Brussels
The most recent economic developments in the EU will be discussed during the Ecofin Council's informal breakfast.
In the formal meeting, economy and finance ministers will discuss the economic and financial consequences of the sanctions imposed on Russia after its unprovoked and unjustified military invasion in Ukraine.
The Council is expected to adopt its position (general approach) on the revised ELTIF regulation. This regulation lays down uniform rules on the authorisation, investment policies and operating conditions of EU alternative investment funds (EU AIFs) or compartments of EU AIFs that are marketed in the Union as European long-term investment funds (ELTIFs). The objective is to raise and channel capital towards long-term investments in the real economy, in line with the Union objective of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
The Council will then take stock of the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
In public session, ministers may revert on the proposal for a Council directive on ensuring a global minimum level of taxation for multinational groups in the Union.
The presidency will update ministers on legislative proposals in the field of financial services. The Presidency and the Commission will debrief ministers on the results of the latest G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors. Finally, the Commission will present to ministers the recommendations of its group of wise persons on challenges facing the Customs Union.
On 23 May at 11.00, the twice-yearly macroeconomic dialogue with social partners will take place. The presidency and the two upcoming presidencies, the Commission, the European Central Bank President and the Eurogroup President will exchange views with representatives of the social partners on the recent developments of the economic situation, as well as the consequences of the war in Ukraine on the European labour market, especially as regards the labour market integration of Ukrainian refugees.
On 24 May at 8.00, an economic and financial dialogue between the EU and the Western Balkans and Turkey will take place. The EU will be represented by the current and the two upcoming presidencies of the EU Council: France, Czechia and Sweden. Participants will discuss economic challenges in the region as well as measures to support a sustainable and inclusive recovery from the economic crisis.
Tuesday 24 May
European Council | Events/Conf/Fairs | Food, farming and fisheries
Agriculture and Fisheries Council
Brussels
EU agriculture ministers will meet in Brussels to discuss the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza and a strategic approach to the development of vaccination. Ministers will further exchange views on the situation of agricultural markets in view of the situation in Ukraine.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza
Ministers aim to adopt conclusions on vaccination as a complementary tool to current measures for the prevention and control of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Avian influenza poses a risk to public health and is detrimental to animal health and welfare, with serious economic consequences for the poultry sectors affected.
Other matters
Agricultural markets
EU agriculture ministers will receive information from the Commission on the market situation for agri-food products in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The invasion of Ukraine has significantly disturbed global agricultural markets, putting pressure on agricultural products and commodities needed for agricultural production such as energy and fertilisers. Despite the additional uncertainty this creates for markets, the EU has a significant agri-food trade surplus and is largely self-sufficient for food. High market prices and inflationary trends have nevertheless brought concerns around affordability, with food prices being the main concern.
Epidemiosurveillance platforms
The French presidency will inform ministers about an event on epidemiosurveillance platforms that took place in hybrid format in March. This session will be held publicly.
Keeping of companion animals
The Cyprus delegation will share information with ministers regarding the establishment of a new EU legislative framework for an EU positive list for the keeping of companion animals. This session will be public.
Soil protection
The Slovakia delegation will inform ministers on the workshop 'Dialogue on the future of soil protection in the EU and its potential to help achieve the goals of the European Green Deal' that took place in Brussels on 27 April. This session will be held publicly.
12th Ministerial Conference
Ministers will be briefed about the 12th World Trade Organization ministerial conference due to take place on 12-15 June in Geneva, Switzerland.
Monday 23 May
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament delegations
Riga, Latvia
Latvia/NATO StratCom Dialogue: Members from the Special Committee on Foreign Interference will go to Riga to meet officials from the NATO Strategic Communication Centre, ahead of the Riga StratCom Dialogue, taking place on 25 and 26 May. The event will gather the strategic communications community in the aftermath of Russian aggression (Tuesday and Wednesday).