EU Agenda: Week Ahead - 15-20 October 2018
This week, EU leaders nmeet to review Brexit progress; ministers discuss Baltic Sea Fishing opportunities for 2019; and MEPs in committee vote on border controls and migration, workers' rights in the gig economy and CO2 emissions from trucks. 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 15 to 20 October 2018.
Monday 15 - Wednesday 17 October
Other bodies and agencies, Events/Conf/Fairs, Research and innovation, Security and defence
European Cyber Security Challenge (ECSC) 2018
London
The European Cyber Security Challenge (ECSC) is an initiative of multiple European countries supported by the European Agency for network and information security (ENISA) that aims at engaging cybersecurity talent across Europe and connecting high potentials.
The 2018 edition of the competition will take place in London, United Kingdom, and is expected to be attended by 17 countries: Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Monday 15 October
Council of the EU and European Council, European Council, Political Meetings, Enlargement, external relations and trade, International aid, development and cooperation, Security and defence
Foreign Affairs Council
Luxembourg
Current affairs
The Foreign Affairs Council will start with a discussion on current affairs, allowing ministers to review pressing issues on the international agenda. This will include the outcome of the 73rd UN General Assembly held in September.
Ministers may also refer to the results of the consultative referendum in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 30 September 2018. They may also refer to the outcome of the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina of 7 October 2018.
The High Representative will also refer to the recently announced EU strategy for connecting Europe and Asia on which the Council is expected to adopt conclusions. The strategy will feed into the upcoming Asia-Europe meeting (ASEM) summit on 18-19 October.
Migration
Foreign ministers will discuss the external aspects of migration. They will take stock of progress achieved and measures adopted. This discussion is expected to prepare the leaders' discussion at the forthcoming European Council meeting on 17-18 October.
Libya
Foreign ministers will discuss Libya and prepare the forthcoming conference on Libya foreseen for mid-November in Palermo. The discussion will build on the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in the margins of the recent UN General Assembly.
Central African Republic
The Council will discuss the latest developments in the Central African Republic and is expected to adopt conclusions.
Venezuela
Foreign ministers will discuss the situation in Venezuela over lunch. They are expected to focus on how to find ways to re-open the political process in the country, including together with regional and international actors. Ministers may also discuss the European and international responses to the migratory crisis and the situation of Venezuelan refugees.
Monday 15 - Tuesday 16 October
Council of the EU and European Council, European Council, Political Meetings, Food, farming and fisheries
Agriculture and Fisheries Council
Luxembourg
Baltic Sea: Fishing opportunities for 2019
The Council will discuss the fishing opportunities for 2019 for the Baltic Sea. The aim is to reach an agreement on total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for the ten main commercial stocks in the basin.
Also on fisheries
The Council will also exchange views on the position to be taken by the EU at:
- the annual consultations between the EU and Norway in the framework of their bilateral fisheries agreement
- the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
Future of the CAP post 2020
Agriculture ministers will then consider a progress report on the regulation on CAP strategic plans. This is one of the three legislative proposals belonging to the post 2020 CAP reform package.
Ministers will also be informed about the:
- meeting of the G20 agriculture ministers
- latest development in the fight against African swine fever - a devastating infectious disease of pigs, usually deadly
- latest development in the sugar sector
- the election of the director general of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV)
Monday 15 October
Other bodies and agencies, Events/Conf/Fairs, Business, taxation and competition, Economy and the euro
Single Resolution Board conference 2018
Brussels
The Single Resolution Board (SRB) will hold its third conference on 15 October, under the theme: '10 years after the crisis: are banks now resolvable?'
Monday 15 October
European Parliament, Political Meetings, Institutional affairs
European Parliament Committee and Political Group Meetings
European Parliament, Brussels
Borders control/Migration: the Civil Liberties Committee will vote on two legislative proposals that aim to make information exchange and data sharing between the various EU information systems more effective and efficient, to boost protection of the EU's external borders, improve migration management and enhance internal security, while fully upholding fundamental rights.
Plenary preparations: political groups will prepare for the 22-25 October plenary session in Strasbourg, where they will vote on an EU ban on polluting throwaway plastics, quality of drinking water, recommendations following the Facebook/Cambridge Analytica case, road charging for heavy goods vehicles and the 2019 EU budget. MEPs will also discuss the conclusions of the 17 and 18 October European Council and continue the debate on the future of Europe with Romania's President Klaus Iohannis.
Tuesday 16 - Wednesday 17 October
European Commission, Events/Conf/Fairs, Energy, environment and climate
31st Madrid Forum
Madrid
The Madrid Forum was set up to discuss issues regarding the creation of the internal gas market. Currently it is addressing the implementation of the network codes and the cross-border trade of gas, in particular the allocation and management of scarce interconnection capacity and other technical and commercial barriers to the creation of a fully operational internal gas market.
The participants include national regulatory authorities, EU national governments, the European Commission, transmission system operators, gas suppliers and traders, consumers, network users, and gas exchanges. The forum meets once a year in Madrid and is co-hosted by the Spanish energy regulator Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia and the European Commission.
Tuesday 16 October
Council of the EU and European Council, European Council, Political Meetings, Institutional affairs
General Affairs Council (Art. 50)
Luxembourg
The Council, meeting in an EU27 format, will be updated by the Commission's Brexit chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, about the state of play of Brexit negotiations with the UK, regarding both the withdrawal agreement and the political declaration on future relations. Ministers will on this basis prepare the European Council (Article 50) of 17 October 2018.
Withdrawal issues
All the withdrawal issues need to be covered in the withdrawal agreement, which should be agreed in good time to be ratified before the withdrawal date of 29 March 2019. Some parts of the text have already been agreed in principle by the UK and the EU negotiators, although nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.
There are still parts of the withdrawal agreement that require further negotiation. One of them is the issue of avoiding a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Future relationship
An agreement on a future relationship can only be negotiated and concluded once the UK has become a third country. However, an overall understanding on the framework for the future relationship will be set out in a political declaration accompanying and referred to in the withdrawal agreement.
Tuesday 16 October
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, Other bodies and agencies, Events/Conf/Fairs, Employment and social rights
Work-life balance: is it all about work?
Brussels
This event, organised by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound), will examine the challenges as well as the different areas, tools and practices that can foster greater reconciliation of work and private life, such as improving working conditions, flexible work arrangements, fairer rights for those in employment and outside the labour market, better quality of life, the role of care services, and ways to help reduce gender pay gap.
This timely debate will also be an opportunity to discuss the bumpy road of making both legal and non-legal measures a reality on the ground in the context of the upcoming EU Directive on work-life balance.
Tuesday 16 October
Council of the EU and European Council, European Council, Political Meetings, Institutional affairs
General Affairs Council
Brussels
Ministers will continue preparations for the European Council on 18 October 2018 by examining draft conclusions. They will take stock of the implementation of previous European Council conclusions.
Proceedings under Article 7(1) TEU
The Council will discuss the situation regarding the rule of law in Poland.The discussion follows the hearing of Poland at the meetings of the General Affairs Council held on 26 June and 18 September.
The presidency will inform ministers on how it intends to organise the Council's proceedings following the triggering of the Article 7(1) TEU procedure for Hungary.The procedure was triggered on 12 September 2018 when the European Parliament's plenary voted a resolution with a reasoned proposal. Members of the European Parliament asked the Council to determine whether there is a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values referred to in Article 2 TEU.
Multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027
In public session, the Council will return to the MFF package to hear an assessment from the presidency on the state of play in the examination of the Commission proposals.
Wednesday 17 October
European Parliament, Political Meetings, Institutional affairs
European Parliament Committee Meetings
European Parliament, Brussels
Development policy/Bill Gates: the Development Committee and the European Think Tanks Group (bringing together five think tanks) are organising a public debate on the future of development and innovation in Europe. EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation co-chair Bill Gates will join one of the panels.
Wednesday 17 October
Other bodies and agencies, Events/Conf/Fairs, Business, taxation and competition, Consumer affairs and public health
6th BEREC stakeholder forum
Brussels
The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) stakeholder forum was established in 2013 with a view of providing a direct interactive platform for discussion between BEREC and its stakeholders. This platform supports the traditional consultation process, taking place before the adoption of the BEREC documents. The forum meetings focus on strategic issues related to the medium and long-term vision and challenges for the electronic communications markets in Europe and consumer protection.
Wednesday 17 - Friday 19 October
Presidency of the Council of the EU, Events/Conf/Fairs, Enlargement, external relations and trade
European Diplomatic Programme (EDP)
Vienna, Austria
Since 1999, the European Diplomatic Programme has been bringing together young diplomats and human resource developers from the foreign ministries of EU Member States to take part in joint conferences and training sessions. In addition to fostering discussion on topical foreign policy issues, the programme also aims at promoting networking between the young diplomats and strengthening the common EU spirit.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) is responsible for coordinating the programme, while the current Presidency of the Council of the EU is in charge of determining its content and organising one of the four annual modules. The Austrian Presidency will be organising the first module of the 19th edition (2018/19) in Vienna. This year's theme is 'The EU global strategy: from vision to action'. Particular emphasis will be placed on the priorities of the Austrian Presidency and some 120 participants from all EU Member States and the EU institutions are expected to attend this module.
Wednesday 17 October
Presidency of the Council of the EU, Events/Conf/Fairs, Enlargement, external relations and trade, Research and innovation
eu-LISA annual conference: EU borders – Getting smarter through technology
Tallinn, Estonia
On 17 October 2018, eu-LISA and Frontex will co-host the conference 'EU borders - Getting smarter through technology' in Tallinn, Estonia. The event is organised under the auspices of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The conference will focus on new trends, technologies and challenges in external border management, both from strategic and operational points of view. It will bring together up to 180 delegates representing Member States, EU institutions and agencies, practitioners and industry.
Thursday 18 October
European Commission, Events/Conf/Fairs, Culture, education and youth, EU regional and urban development, Transport and travel
7th EUSDR annual forum: Culture and tourism boosting growth in the Danube region
Sofia, Bulgaria
The annual forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) will cover topics of particular importance for the Danube region related to preservation of cultural and historical heritage, new technologies and digitalisation in the tourism sector, ensuring safety and security in tourism, transport connectivity and mobility.
Issues related to synergy and consistency between macro-regional strategies for achieving the common objectives of the EU and for the future of those strategies after 2020 will also be referred to.
Two parallel thematic sessions on sustainable tourism mobility and security in public spaces and an open-air exhibition have been scheduled as well.
Thursday 18 October
European Parliament, Political Meetings, Institutional affairs
European Parliament Committee Meetings
European Parliament, Brussels
Workers' rights/Gig economy: EU rules to protect precarious workers, including on-demand, voucher-based and platform workers, will be voted on by the Employment Committee. Proposals include more information on contractual terms, making work schedules more predictable, length of probationary periods and cost-free training. It aims at addressing recent digital developments that led to the so-called Gig economy and the rise of platforms such as Uber and Deliveroo.
Climate change/CO2 emissions from trucks: new binding reduction targets for CO2 emissions produced by heavy-duty vehicles will be up for a vote by the Environment and Public Health Committee. CO2 emissions from trucks represent 6% of total EU greenhouse gas emissions (2015). Without EU action, this share is expected to increase.
Thursday 18 - Friday 19 October
Council of the EU and European Council, European Council, Political Meetings, Institutional affairs
European Council
Brussels
The October European Council will focus on migration and internal security. It will be followed by the Euro Summit in an inclusive format.
On 17 October EU27 leaders will meet in the European Council (Art.50) to discuss Brexit.
Brexit
At the European Council (Art. 50) working dinner on 17 October, EU27 leaders will review the state of the negotiations with the UK.
Migration
EU leaders will discuss the issue of migration. There will be a report on progress, as agreed in the June European Council conclusions.
Internal security
The European Council will adopt conclusions on internal security, following the Leaders' Agenda thematic debate in Salzburg on 20 September 2018.
Euro Summit
EU leaders will meet for the Euro Summit in inclusive format of 27 EU member states. They will discuss the state of play of negotiations on the deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) with a view to the Euro Summit in December.
External relations
In the light of events, the European Council may address specific foreign policy issues.
Implementation of earlier conclusions
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, representing the Austrian presidency of the Council, will provide an overview of the progress made in implementing earlier European Council conclusions.
Thursday 18 October
European Commission, Events/Conf/Fairs, Research and innovation
Conference: Digital transformation of public procurement
Lisbon, Portugal
The digital transformation of public procurement will bring huge changes to the sector, but it also offers increased competitiveness of our economies. It will improve the efficiency of public services and make public procurement more attractive for businesses.
For this reason, the digital transformation of public procurement is one of the priorities highlighted in the Commission's public procurement package of October 2017.
The time has come to meet in Lisbon and exchange views on:
- how to take current achievements to the next level
- how to get ready for future waves of technological change and digital innovation
- how to further engage the EU-wide public procurement community on the benefits of this radical transformation
Thursday 18 - Friday 19 October
Other bodies and agencies, Events/Conf/Fairs, Culture, education and youth, Employment and social rights
2nd Cedefop policy learning forum on apprenticeships
Thessaloniki, Greece
Policy learning forums (PLFs) of the European Centre for the development of vocational training (Cedefop) are an opportunity for countries to generate knowledge and they act as a site of consensus-building around shared problems.
During the 2018 PLF, participants will be called to reflect on and learn more about how apprenticeships differ in terms of purpose, function and organisation.
Discussions should lead to the following expected outcomes:
- increased awareness of the substantial differences in approaching apprenticeships
- become familiar with modes of organising apprenticeships in countries with similar and different approaches
- learn about changes and developments in EU countries
Thursday 18 October
European Commission, Events/Conf/Fairs, Business, Economy and the euro
Open stakeholder meeting on non-financial disclosures
Brussels
The Non-Financial Reporting Directive requires around 6.000 large companies with more than 500 employees listed on EU regulated markets or operating in the banking or insurance sectors to disclose certain non-financial information in their management report or in a separate report. Companies affected by the Directive are required to meet the new reporting requirements for the first time in 2018, regarding financial year 2017.
As required by the directive, the Commission has also published non-binding guidelines (June 2017) to help companies disclose relevant non-financial information in a more consistent and more comparable manner. In its action plan on sustainable finance, the Commission announced that by the second quarter of 2019 it will revise the non-binding guidelines that accompany the directive, with regard to the disclosure of climate-related information.
The Commission is currently undertaking a fitness check of EU legislation on public corporate reporting that will be published by the second quarter of 2019.
Thursday 18 - Friday 19 October
Presidency of the Council of the EU, Events/Conf/Fairs, Business, taxation and competition, Economy and the euro
Symphony of excellence
Vienna, Austria
Every year this event takes place in a similar format in a different European city. The general topic always remains the same: the competitiveness of the European economy and society.
This year the focus will be on digitalisation and excellent governance of organisations. This topic is taken up by drawing an analogy between leading a company and leading an orchestra as a conductor. It is then deepened by specific streams on digitalisation.
The event is an excellent example of Austria's integration into Europe – documented by the co-organiser EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) as well as Quality Austria as national partner, participants from Europe and Austria, the strengths of Austrian and in parallel also European competitiveness. Austria demonstrates that it is a strong partner in Europe. In an address before the Council of Ministers on 14 March 2018, 'securing prosperity and competitiveness through digitalisation' was mentioned as one of the priorities of the Austrian Presidency.
Thursday 18 - Friday 19 October
Presidency of the Council of the EU, Events/Conf/Fairs, Justice and citizens' rights, Research and innovation, Security and defence
Data protection in the area of justice
Vienna, Austria
The conference will:
- analyse the new EU data protection scheme and its application in the area of justice
- provide a platform for comparison of national rules and best practice in the Member States
- facilitate contacts and exchange between national judges, staff of data protection authorities and justice administration as well as legal practitioners from various member states
This conference is organised in the framework of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU.