EU Agenda: Week Ahead - 10-15 December 2018
This week, the EU summit focuses on the long-term EU budget, migration, the single market and external relations; foreign affairs ministers discuss Iran, Ukraine and EU- African Union cooperation; the Commission holds the first Canada-EU CETA forum and a conference on the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa; MEPs in plenary vote on the EU-Japan trade deal, food safety, the EU Budget and the final report of the Special committee on Terrorism; and it's EU Energy Day. 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 10-15 December 2018.
Monday 10 December
European Commission, Events/Conf/Fairs, Energy, environment and climate, Food, farming and fisheries
Roundtables on the green architecture of the CAP
Brussels
Phil Hogan, Commissioner for agriculture and rural development, in cooperation with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is organising two roundtables on the proposed new environmental and climate architecture of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
These events aim at initiating fruitful conversations between stakeholders, to consider how the legal proposals could help farmers achieve the CAP sustainability objectives, in particular a higher level of environment and climate ambition.
Monday 10 December
European Parliament, Political Meetings, Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg, France
Monday 10 December
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
Brussels
Current affairs
The Foreign Affairs Council will start with a review of pressing issues on the international agenda. The High Representative and foreign ministers may raise the situation in Sri Lanka and Syria.
They may refer to the joint action plan on disinformation presented by the High Representative and the Commission on 5 December 2018. They may also refer to human rights, as the Council takes place on the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Iran
The Council will have a discussion on Iran.
Western Balkans
Foreign ministers will exchange views on the Western Balkans. They will take stock of the EU's current and future engagement with the region. They will also discuss the latest developments, including in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ukraine
Foreign ministers are expected to discuss the latest developments in Ukraine, including in preparation for their informal lunch with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin on the same day.
Venezuela
The Council will discuss Venezuela. Ministers will follow-up on their exchange of views of 15 October 2018 when they agreed to explore the possibility of establishing an international contact group which could, if conditions are met, help facilitate a political process. The discussion is also taking place in view of the start of the second term of President Maduro on 10 January 2019.
EU- African Union cooperation
The Council will discuss EU- African Union (AU) cooperation in view of the first inter-summit EU-AU ministerial meeting on 21-22 January. The debate is expected to cover three main themes:
- political aspects: peace, security and governance
- the economy: investment, trade and skills
- multilateralism: strengthening cooperation in support of the rules-based global order
Monday 10 December
Presidency of the Council of the EU, Events/Conf/Fairs, Consumer affairs and public health, Culture, education and youth, Employment and social rights
Seminar on sport and physical activity in the workplace
Vienna, Austria
In the area of sport and health, one of the priorities of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU is sport and physical activity at the workplace and the role it plays in occupational health. To this end, participants will be invited to exchange views and information at EU level.
Tuesday 11 December
European Commission, Events/Conf/Fairs, Energy, environment and climate
EU Energy Day 2018
Katowice, Poland
The 6th EU Energy Day will take place in Katowice, Poland, as part of the EU side events programme at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP24).
It will showcase some of the initiatives launched to support a clean energy transition in the EU and beyond, and advertise the progress already made towards delivering on the EU's commitments, including with the 2030 targets and Clean Energy Package.
Tuesday 11 December
Council of the EU and European Council, European Council, Political Meetings, Institutional affairs
General Affairs Council
Brussels
The Council will hold a policy debate on the multi-annual financial framework for 2021-2027. It is also expected to approve, in public session, the Council's 18-month programme covering the period 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2020.
Ministers will continue preparations for the European Council meeting on 13-14 December 2018 by discussing draft conclusions. They will take stock of the implementation of previous European Council conclusions.
The Commission will present its annual growth survey for 2019, which launches the European Semester - the annual cycle of economic governance in the EU.
Under Article 7(1) TEU, the Council will hold a hearing on the rule of law in Poland and exchange views on respect for EU values in Hungary.
Over lunch, ministers will focus on the topic of subsidiarity.
Tuesday 11 December
European Parliament, Political Meetings, Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg, France
EU summit/Eurogroup: MEPs will debate their priorities for the 13-14 December EU summit, which will focus on the EU's long-term budget, migration, the single market and external relations, as well as the results of the Eurogroup and the upcoming Euro summit
Food safety: MEPs will vote on the EP´s position on a new proposal aiming to make the authorisation process for substances and food stuff more transparent. The proposal is a follow-up to the European Citizens' Initiative on glyphosate, especially to concerns that the scientific studies used to evaluate pesticides were not independent enough and not accessible to the public
Tuesday 11 December
European Committee of the Regions, Events/Conf/Fairs, Economy and the euro, Institutional affairs
Delivering reforms, investments and cohesion - How to make the European Semester work
Brussels
Under the new multi-annual financial framework (MFF) 2021-2027, the European Semester and the EU cohesion policy will be more strictly linked. The country reports will address the needs of EU countries in terms of investments and cohesion, providing the basis for more investment-oriented country-specific recommendations in the years to come. Structural reforms will be prioritised in order to focus on growth and cohesion needs.
To prepare for this new scenario, this workshop will address issues such as the need to align short- and medium-term goals and governance processes with the long-term EU goals of sustainable growth, the definition of structural reforms and the role of the local and regional authorities in the European Semester, in light of the principles of partnership and multilevel governance.
Wednesday 12 December
European Parliament, Political Meetings, Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg, France
2018 Sakharov Prize: the Ukrainian film director Oleg Sentsov, currently imprisoned in Russia, will be awarded the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in a ceremony at noon by President Tajani.
Long-term budget: Parliament will vote on its positions on the scope and priorities for the 2021-2027 funds dedicated to Horizon Europe (research), the EU Defence Fund, the EU Space Programme, Digital Europe and the Connecting Europe Facility as well as the LIFE programmes for climate and environmental action.
2019 EU budget: Parliament is set to approve a deal on the 2019 EU budget, boosting funds for growth and jobs, namely Erasmus+, climate protection, research, tackling migration and youth unemployment.
EU-Japan partnership: Parliament will vote on the free trade agreement between the EU and Japan, the largest bilateral trade deal ever done by the EU, as well as on the Strategic Partnership Agreement, which aims to extend the scope of EU-Japan cooperation from trade to other sectors.
Brexit: One day after the vote on the negotiated withdrawal agreement in the British parliament, MEPs will debate the outcome of this vote with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier (tbc) and the state of play of Brexit on Wednesday morning.
Future of Europe/Anastasiades: President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, will debate the future of Europe with MEPs and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday morning. A joint Press statement by President Tajani and President Anastasiades is scheduled at 13.00
Special committee on Terrorism: Parliament will vote on the final report of its Special Committee on Terrorism, calling for a self-standing portfolio for the Commissioner for "Security Union" and urging member states to strengthen cooperation and swiftly share information when the threat level increases.
Thursday 13 - Friday 14 December
Council of the EU and European Council, European Council, Political Meetings, Institutional affairs
European Council
Brussels
The European Council on 13-14 December 2018 will focus on the EU's long-term budget, single market, migration and external relations.
At the start of the meeting, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, representing the Austrian presidency, will provide an overview of progress on the implementation of earlier European Council conclusions.
EU budget for 2021-2027
The European Council will have a first substantial exchange of views on the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework on the basis of a progress report by the presidency of the Council.
Single market
Following its conclusions of March 2018, and based on the Commission assessment of remaining barriers and options for action to tackle these barriers, the European Council will review the state of play regarding a fully functioning single market.
Migration
The European Council will return to the implementation of its comprehensive approach to migration, in accordance with its conclusions of June 2018.
External relations
The European Council will discuss preparations for the upcoming summit with the League of Arab States on 24-25 February 2019.
In the light of events, the European Council may address other specific foreign policy issues.
Fighting disinformation
EU leaders will also revert to the issue of disinformation, on the basis of the action plan to be presented by the High Representative and the Commission, in cooperation with the member states and in line with its earlier conclusions.
Thursday 13 December
European Commission, Events/Conf/Fairs, Business, Economy and the euro, Energy, environment and climate
Financing energy efficiency in the industry sector
Online
This webinar, organised in partnership with the UN Environment Finance Initiative, will discuss in particular the financing of investment into energy efficiency in the industry sector.
The webinar will be of particular interest to public authorities, energy agencies, industry, insurers and financing institutions/investors. It will feature four presentations and there will be allocated time for questions and answers with each presenter.
This event is organised by the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME), as part of the Sustainable Energy Investment Forums initiative, funded by the European Horizon 2020 programme.
Thursday 13 December
European Commission, European Committee of the Regions, Events/Conf/Fairs, International aid, development and cooperation
Conference of the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa
Brussels
The operational committee of the EU Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa-North of Africa region will gather representatives of the European Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), EU countries and partner countries in the North of Africa region.
The purpose of the meeting is to update EU countries' and partner countries' representatives on the latest developments in the region, financial data, non-substantial changes in action documents, achieved results and on monitoring and evaluation of ongoing actions. A series of four new programmes will be presented for approval of a total amount of € 115 million.
Friday 14 December
Presidency of the Council of the EU, Events/Conf/Fairs, Enlargement, external relations and trade
Connecting Europe and Asia
Vienna
This event will look at how cooperation between Europe and Asia can be improved. The conference will focus on economic aspects, trade, finance and transport (land and sea).
Experts from academia, business and politics will debate how to achieve this and promote deeper integration of mutual benefit between Europe and Asia.
Friday 14 December
European Commission, Events/Conf/Fairs, Enlargement, external relations and trade, Institutional affairs
CETA regulatory cooperation forum – Stakeholder debrief meeting
Brussels
The first Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) Regulatory Cooperation Forum (RCF) will take place on Friday 14 December 2018 in Brussels, Belgium.
Both Canada and the European Commission have carried out consultations with stakeholders to identify areas where there is interest in regulatory cooperation between Canada and the EU.
Following the meeting, Canadian and EU co-chairs will provide a debriefing to stakeholders.
Non-governmental organisations, consumers associations, workers/trade unions, professional organisations, industry and business associations, companies, regional/local representatives and other stakeholders from either Canada or the EU are encouraged to attend.
Friday 14 December
European Investment Bank, Events/Conf/Fairs, Business, taxation and competition, Economy and the euro
European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) - Stakeholders' consultation event
EIB, Luxembourg
The event, organised by the EFSI steering board of the European Investment Bank (EIB), will bring together a broad range of stakeholders, such as public authorities, umbrella associations, think tanks, project promoters, civil society organisations and relevant social partners with a strong interest in the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) and whose input is highly valuable for shaping the EFSI policy and its implementation.
This stakeholders' consultation event will touch upon key topics in the implementation of EFSI. Among others, the impact of EFSI after 3 years of operation, the cooperation between the EIB and national promotional banks and institutions (NPBIs) or access to finance to SMEs and mid-caps will be addressed.
Friday 14 December
Presidency of the Council of the EU, Events/Conf/Fairs, Institutional affairs
Impacts on performance management
Vienna
Performance management is becoming a recognised part of management systems in the public sector. At the same time, rapidly developing technological capabilities pose a challenge to the implementation of these management systems and the tools must develop and demonstrate their potential and benefit in the face of increasing demands. This event therefore focuses on outcome-oriented management systems of Europe's national states, with their similarities, differences and challenges.