EU Agenda: Week Ahead - 17-22 January 2022
This week, the European Parliament holds a memorial ceremony in honour of its president David Sassoli, who passed away on 11 January; farm ministers debate the priorities of the new French EU presidency; the finance Council discusses minimum corporate taxation; the Commission holds the Nordic ITER Business Forum; and MEPs in plenary vote on the Digital Services Act, better protection of animals during transport, and an increase in powers of the European Medicines Agency. They also discuss with French President Emmanuel Macron the political strategy and aims of France's six-month EU Presidency. 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 17-22 January 2022.
Monday 17 January
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
European Parliament, Strasbourg
Memorial ceremony for David Sassoli: on Monday from 18.00, a ceremony will be held to honour the memory of Parliament's President David Sassoli, who passed away on 11 January. Former MEP and Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, and political group leaders will speak during the ceremony.
Ukraine/Russia: the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on Security and Defence will discuss with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell the ongoing crisis in Eastern Ukraine and along the Russia-Ukraine border.
Monday 17 January
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
Priorities of the French presidency
The French Minister for Agriculture and Food, Julien Denormandie, will present the presidency's priorities in the area of agriculture and fisheries.
In agriculture, the presidency will focus on three main areas:
- reciprocal standards for EU and non-EU products
- low-carbon agriculture and carbon sequestration in agricultural soils
- reducing the use of pesticides in farming
In fisheries, France plans to focus on:
- revision of the fisheries control regulation
- the common fisheries policy and its implementation
- sustainable fisheries partnership agreements with Mauritius, Madagascar and Liberia
The presidency will also begin work on the regulation on deforestation-free imports.
Market situation
Based on information provided by the Commission and member states, ministers will hold an exchange of views on the market situation with regard to agricultural products.
Trade-related agricultural issues
Ministers will receive information from the Commission regarding trade-related agricultural issues. An exchange of views will follow.
Other matters
The European Commission will provide information about the high-level conference 'EU animal welfare today and tomorrow' which took place online on 9 December 2021.
The Commission will present its communication on sustainable carbon cycles, adopted on 15 December 2021, which sets out measures aimed at increasing the removal of carbon from the atmosphere.
Monday 17 January
Council of the EU and European Council - Presidency of the Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Economy and the euro
Eurogroup
Brussels
Regular format
Economic adjustment and resilience
The Eurogroup will have a thematic discussion on economic adjustment and resilience in terms of recent performance of the euro area compared to international peers, based on input from the European Commission. The President of the Eurogroup has invited the Chief Economist of the OECD, Laurence Boone, to exchange views with ministers on this topic.
Corporate vulnerability and structural developments post Covid-19
Ministers will have a thematic discussion on the solvency situation of the corporate sector and potential measures to facilitate the corporate restructuring and economic adjustment in the euro area in the recovery after the global COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion will be based on input from the Commission.
2022 euro area recommendation
Ministers will discuss the draft recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area for 2022, ahead of its approval at the ECOFIN meeting on 18 January 2022.
Economic governance review – euro area aspects
Ministers will discuss the euro area fiscal framework and arrangements for financial assistance and post-programme surveillance. The discussion is based on the Eurogroup work plan that specifies its involvement in the economic governance review.
Inclusive format
Banking union
Ministers will discuss the state of play on the strengthening of the banking union, in particular the way forward to finalise a consensual, stepwise and time-bound work plan on all outstanding elements. Ministers will also take stock of the ratification of the revised European Stability Mechanism (ESM) treaty.
The President of the Eurogroup will also brief the ministers on the December Euro Summit, and the Eurogroup will hold an exchange of views on the follow-up.
Tuesday 18 January
Council of the EU and European Council - Presidency of the Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Economy and the euro
Economic and Financial Affairs Council
Brussels
Minimum corporate taxation
Economic and financial affairs ministers will hold a policy debate on the proposed Council directive on ensuring a global minimum of taxation for multinational groups in the EU.
The aim of the directive is to transpose an international agreement - the global G20/OECD, BEPS IF Two-Pillar Solution - into EU law. This agreement is a major milestone towards an effective and fair system of profit taxation.
Ministers will be invited to provide political guidance on whether the file is a priority and the need to urgently transpose the agreed rules of international corporate taxation as soon as possible. The adoption of the directive will come at a later stage, after the examination of the proposal in the Council has been completed.
Economic recovery
Ministers will exchange views on the state of play for the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
European Semester in 2022
Ministers are expected to approve conclusions on the alert mechanism report and the annual sustainable growth survey and adopt a recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area.
International meetings
Ministers will prepare the upcoming meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, to be held in February 2022.
Any other business
The French presidency will present their priorities for the coming 6 months.
The German delegation will give a presentation on the G7 Presidency priorities.
Ministers will be given a presentation on the EIB investment report.
Tuesday 18 January
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
European Parliament, Strasbourg
Election of EP President and Bureau: MEPs will choose Parliament's next President on Tuesday through remote voting. An absolute majority of votes, cast by secret vote, i.e. 50% plus one, is needed to be elected. MEPs will then elect the 14 Vice-Presidents and five Quaestors who, together with the President, comprise Parliament's Bureau. Appointments to parliamentary committees for the rest of this legislative term will also be confirmed during the session. (Tuesday - Wednesday)
Wednesday 19 - Thursday 20 January
European Commission | Events/Conf/Fairs | Enlargement, external relations and trade
The Nordic ITER Business Forum
Copenhagen, Denmark
The Nordic ITER Business Forum, organised jointly by the European Commission and the Industry Liaison Officers of Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, will take place in Copenhagen from 19 to 20 January 2022.
The aim of the event is to inform businesses about the ITER project and the procurement opportunities it offers, as well as to make them aware of available support to prepare and present proposals. The ITER Organization and Fusion for Energy will make technical presentations and there will be business-to-business meetings and an online exhibition. The Forum will be a good opportunity to meet and network with other companies.
The event will take place at the Technical University of Denmark in Copenhagen, in compliance with local COVID-19 measures. However, depending on the epidemiological situation, the event could be transformed into a virtual one.
Wednesday 19 January
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
European Parliament, Strasbourg
Emmanuel Macron/French EU Presidency: on Wednesday at 11.30, MEPs will discuss with French President Emmanuel Macron the political strategy and aims of France's six-month Presidency of the Council of the EU. The French Presidency's motto is "Recovery, Strength and a Sense of Belonging".
Debate on EU December summit: on Wednesday afternoon, MEPs will discuss with European Council President Charles Michel and the Commission the outcome of the 16 December summit, which focussed on COVID-19, rising energy prices, security and defence issues and external relations.
Digital Services Act: Parliament will vote on its position on the Digital Services Act, which aims to create a safer digital space in which users' rights are protected, including through rules to tackle illegal products, services or content online. It would also enhance the accountability and transparency of algorithms, and deal with content moderation. (debate Wednesday, vote Thursday)
European Medicines Agency: MEPs are expected to endorse the provisional agreement on increasing the powers of the European Medicines Agency. The objective is to ensure that the EU will be better equipped to manage future health crises by tackling shortages of medicines and medical devices more effectively.
Thursday 20 - Saturday 22 January
Council of the EU and European Council - Presidency of the Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Environment | Energy
Informal Meetings of Environment and Energy Ministers
Amiens, France
From 20 to 22 January, a meeting of environment ministers and a meeting of energy ministers will be held in Amiens.
The ministers will discuss current issues, joined by Frans Timmermans, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal and Climate Action Policy; Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy; and Virginijus Sinkevicius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries.
The environment and energy ministers will meet for a joint working session on 21 January 2022.
Thursday 20 January
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
European Parliament, Strasbourg
Protecting animals better during transport: on Thursday, MEPs will debate and vote on how to improve animal welfare during transport, control live animal exports more effectively and limit the transport of young animals.
Friday 21 January
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
European Parliament, Strasbourg
Conference on the Future of Europe: following the conclusion of the work of two of the four European Citizens' Panels, the Conference Plenary will now discuss the 90 recommendations in Strasbourg. Debates will cover "European democracy / Values and rights, rule of law, security" and "Climate change, environment / Health". (Friday to Saturday)