EU Agenda: Week Ahead - 2-7 December 2019
This week, the COP25 climate change conference takes place in Madrid; the EU Council aims to agree on rail passengers' rights and EU road charging rules, and adopt conclusions on money laundering; MEPs in committee vote on the EU Pollinators Initiative and the Fight against VAT fraud, and meet with new ECB president Christine Lagarde; and it's European Space Week. 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 2-7 December 2019.
Monday 2 December
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament Committee Meetings
European Parliament, Brussels
ECB/Lagarde: European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde will be heard, for the first time in her new role, by Members of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee. MEPs are expected to discuss with her the economic perspectives of the euro area and next steps for the ECB's monetary policy, including the decision-making process on rates setting.
Monday 2 - Tuesday 4 December
European Commission | Events/Conf/Fairs | Energy, environment and climate
Meeting of the energy and managing authorities network
Brussels
This meeting will address the latest policy developments in energy and cohesion policies, in the light of the new Commission priorities.
Preparing the post-2020 period and the role of cohesion policy in delivering the clean and fair energy transition will be at the core of the meeting, with a focus on lessons learned and best practices from the current period.
In this context, the Just Transition fund and its synergies with structural funds will be presented. The role of the national energy and climate plans in the future programming will also be addressed.
Monday 2 - Thursday 5 December
Other bodies and agencies | Events/Conf/Fairs | Research and innovation - Transport and travel
European Space Week 2019
Helsinki, Finland
The European Space Week is the leading event for the European space programmes in 2019. It brings together business, policymakers, international experts and the space application user community.
The event will present first-hand insights into the EU's space programmes Copernicus and Galileo and updates on the new space economy, as well as discussing how space solutions can contribute to a sustainable Europe and a sustainable future.
With a mix of keynotes, panel discussions, networking opportunities, business matchmaking sessions and exhibitions, it provides the perfect set-up for a productive exchange of game-changing ideas, future trends and current challenges.
This year's edition focuses on the following central themes:
- How space solutions can help to strengthen the EU's position as a global leader in climate action
- New space economy for sustainable growth
- Sustainable space economy: saving space for future generations
- Space solutions for a sustainable Arctic
Monday 2 - Friday 13 December
European Commission - Other bodies and agencies | Political Meetings | Energy, environment and climate
Madrid climate change conference (COP25)
Madrid, Spain
The EU and its Member States will take part in the 2019 UN climate change conference (COP25) as parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Monday 2 December
Other bodies and agencies | Events/Conf/Fairs | Consumer affairs and public health - Research and innovation
EIT Health summit 2019
Paris
The annual summit of EIT Health, an initiative of the European Institute of innovation and technology, will this year be on the topic: 'Where collective ideas transform the future of healthcare'.
More than 700 multi-disciplinary stakeholders, representing the entire healthcare innovation landscape, are expected to come together to hear from and interact with experts and opinion leaders, decision-makers and cutting-edge innovators on the topics most relevant in healthcare today.
The focus of this year's event will be to explore the determination and understanding of needs-based health innovation and the fundamental role it should play to generate true transformation in the lives of patients and citizens.
Monday 2 - Tuesday 3 December
European Aviation Safety Agency - Other bodies and agencies | Events/Conf/Fairs | Business - Transport and travel
Business jets workshop
Cologne, Germany
This workshop organised by the European aviation safety agency (EASA) is dedicated to the discussion between the business aviation industry and aviation authorities, with particular focus on the business jets world, the regulators' achievements and ongoing activities to support the industry and manufacturers' expectations for their projects in the coming years.
Monday 2 - Tuesday 3 December
Council of the EU and European Council - Presidency of the Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Justice and citizens' rights
Justice and Home Affairs Council
Brussels
Home affairs, Monday 2 December
Home affairs ministers will discuss the future of EU migration and asylum policy. This will wrap up the reflection process, launched at the JHA informal ministers meeting in July, that has continued during the past months at the technical and political level.
Ministers will also discuss the future of EU internal security, with a view to providing guidance for future developments in the area of internal security during the next legislative cycle (2019-2024).
Ministers will look at the implementation of the European Border and Coast Guard regulation entering in force on 4 December.
They will then focus on the implementation of the interoperability regulation following its entry in force on 11 June 2019.
Finally, the Counter-Terrorism Group will update ministers on further cooperation among counter terrorism authorities.
Justice, Tuesday 3 December
The Council will aim to reach two general approaches on:
- the regulation on the service of documents
- the regulation on the taking of evidence
Justice ministers will discuss environmental crime. The discussion will follow the Presidency's presentation of the final report on the 8th round of mutual evaluations in the field of criminal matters.
Ministers are expected to adopt conclusions on victims' rights and conclusions on alternative measures to detention. The Council will also aim to adopt conclusions on the future of civil justice cooperation.
The Commission will brief ministers on the state of play about the establishment of European Public Prosecutor Office. Laura Codruta Kövesi, newly elected EU chief prosecutor, will present her vision and plans for the office.
On e-evidence, the Council will be informed on the negotiations with the US and the Council of Europe.
Monday 2 - Tuesday 3 December
Council of the EU and European Council - Presidency of the Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Transport and travel
Transport, Telecommunications & Energy Council - Transport and telecommunications
Brussels
The Council aims to agree its position on a number of proposals:
- revising rail passengers' rights
- streamlining permit-granting measures to facilitate the completion of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T)
- updating EU road charging rules (Eurovignette) to address issues relating to road infrastructure financing, congestion and environmental impact
In addition, ministers will hold two public policy debates on:
- digital transport services for people
- future of the Single European Sky
The Council will also hear information on the proposal on seasonal time changes from Finland's presidency.
Tuesday 3 December
European Food Safety Authority - Other bodies and agencies | Events/Conf/Fairs | Food, farming and fisheries - Research and innovation
Technical stakeholder event: re-evaluation of authorised food additives – focus on sweeteners
Paris
As part of the ongoing re-evaluation of authorised food additives, under Regulation (EC) No 257/2010, the European food safety authority (EFSA) is currently focussing on the safety assessment of sweeteners.
The panel on food additives and flavourings (FAF) has developed 2 draft protocols detailing the approach and the methodology that will be followed for performing all the risk assessment steps, from hazard identification and characterisation to exposure assessment, for its coming re-evaluation of sweeteners.
EFSA scientists and external experts will present the approaches developed in the 2 protocols, the main feedback received during the public consultation phase and how this could be further developed in the protocols. This will be followed by a discussion during which attendees will have the opportunity to put questions to the presenters. An update on the overall status of the re-evaluation of food additives will also be presented.
The meeting is intended for all interested stakeholders, especially those contributing to the public consultation with expertise in the area of food additives, toxicology, dietary exposure, systematic reviews and/or protocol development.
Tuesday 3 December
European Commission | Events/Conf/Fairs | Business, taxation and competition
2nd stakeholder workshop on intra-EU investment
Brussels
This investment workshop organised by the European Commission (DG Financial stability, financial services and capital markets union) targets the relevant stakeholders and will bring together companies investing in the EU, industry associations, Member State authorities, representatives of civil society as well as the relevant Commission services.
In the years to come Europe will need to mobilise vast financial resources, mainly long-term, namely to meet commitments related to climate change and digitalisation. In this context, the workshop will focus on the future of investment protection and investment facilitation in the EU. Its aim is:
- to give investors an opportunity to provide feedback on their practical experiences with intra-EU cross-border investments and to identify potential problems/weaknesses of the current system
- to give stakeholders the opportunity to discuss possible ways forward to improve protection and facilitation of investments under EU law
Tuesday 3 December
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament Committee Meetings
European Parliament, Brussels
Biodiversity/COP15: the Environment Committee will outline its demands for the Biodiversity Convention's COP15, the biodiversity equivalent of the Paris agreement on climate change, taking place in China in 2020. MEPs may propose the agreement to include ambitious legally binding targets, detailed timelines and clear performance indicators.
EU Pollinators Initiative: an EU roadmap to tackle the decline of bees and other pollinators in Europe will be voted by the Environment Committee. Proposals will aim at tackling the causes of pollinator decline as well as promoting awareness on the consequences of the phenomenon.
Fight against VAT fraud: two legislative measures to reinforce the EU's fight against VAT fraud in e-commerce will be put to the vote by the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee. New rules include the obligation for payment service providers to keep detailed records of transactions to enable national authorities to carry out controls and setting up a new central electronic system for the exchange of relevant payment information.
European Ombudsman: five candidates from Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Estonia and Sweden running for the post of European Ombudsman will present their priorities in a public hearing organised by the Petitions Committee. The full house is expected to elect the new Ombudsman by secret ballot during the December plenary session.
Tuesday 3 December
European Commission | Events/Conf/Fairs | Economy and the euro
2nd annual conference of the Joint Research Centre's (JRC) community of practice in financial research – Capital market union: unlocking Europe's economic potential
Brussels
The 2nd annual conference of the JRC community of practice in financial research (CoPFiR) will bring together researchers in the field and policy makers and will address amongst others, the following questions:
- How easy is it for SMEs nowadays to access non-bank finance?
- How integrated are capital markets after the crisis?
- How easily can capital cross borders to sustain investment in the wake of large asymmetric shocks?
- And to what extent does risk sharing take place for European households?
After 4 years since the EU launched its action plan on building a capital markets union, it is time to take stock of the achievements and to identify remaining and future challenges to ensure that the EU economy reaps the benefits of a single market for capital.
Tuesday 3 December
European Commission - Presidency of the Council of the EU | Events/Conf/Fairs | Justice and citizens' rights - Research and innovation
The innovation principle: developing an innovation-friendly legislative culture
Helsinki, Finland
The Finnish Ministry of economic affairs and employment, in collaboration with the European Commission, is organising a high-level conference on the innovation principle, under the auspices of the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The aim of the conference is to raise awareness and build a shared understanding of opportunities and challenges in developing an innovation-friendly legislative culture in Europe. A further aim is to identify key policy questions on how to facilitate the use of the innovation principle in promoting sustainable growth through building the best possible ecosystem for innovation to flourish.
The conference will bring together high-level decision makers, businesses, researchers, civil society and other innovation stakeholders to discuss and share their insights and experiences.
Wednesday 4 December
European Commission - Other bodies and agencies | Events/Conf/Fairs | Culture, education and youth
Erasmus+ Sport cluster meeting: The role of sport in education – enhancing skills development and dual careers perspectives
Brussels
The European Commission and the Education, audiovisual and culture executive agency (EACEA) will organise a cluster meeting on Erasmus+ Sport and the role of sport in education.
This meeting is an opportunity to monitor projects' implementation, collect information on best practices, identify relevant outcomes from the Erasmus+ Sport selected projects since 2014, and provide synergies across sector.
This 3rd Erasmus+ Sport cluster meeting will focus on the promotion of education in and through sport with special focus on skills development, as well as support the implementation of the EU guidelines 'Dual careers of athletes'.
The meeting's objective is also ensuring that the lessons learned and the good practices identified among the projects can be used as a basis for the new generation of sport calls for proposals and selected projects.
Wednesday 4 December
Council of the EU and European Council - Presidency of the Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Economy and the euro
Eurogroup
Brussels
Regular format
Ministers from eurozone countries will meet from 15:00 to discuss:
- Greece – fourth enhanced surveillance report
- Cyprus – post programme surveillance
- Spain – post programme surveillance
- Assessment of euro area member states' draft budgetary plans and of the euro area budgetary situation and prospects
- Draft Eurogroup work programme I-2020
- Appointment of the President of the Eurogroup Working Group
- Miscellaneous
Inclusive format
Eurogroup ministers of the EU27 member states will meet from 17:00 to discuss:
- Preparation of the report to Leaders for the Euro Summit – deepening of the EMU
- Miscellaneous
Wednesday 4 December
Council of the EU and European Council - Presidency of the Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Energy, environment and climate
Transport, Telecommunications & Energy Council - Energy
Brussels
Smart sector integration
The Council will hold a policy debate on the topic of smart sector integration.
This will provide political guidance for the European Commission in view of its upcoming initiatives in this field.
In June 2019, the Council adopted conclusions on the future of energy systems in the Energy union. It called on the Commission to run an analysis of sector coupling and sector integration technologies.
Energy policy priorities
Ministers will also exchange views on the European Commission's energy policy priorities for 2019-2024.
This is subject to the new Commission taking office in early December.
National energy and climate plans
The Council will discuss the follow-up to the European Commission communication on the draft national energy and climate plans (NECPs). They are meant to ensure that the EU meets its clean energy and climate targets for 2030.
Four key EU-wide 2030 targets:
- greenhouse gas emissions reduction
- more electricity interconnection
- minimum share of renewable energy
- minimum improvement in energy efficiency
Wednesday 3 December
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament Committee Meetings
European Parliament, Brussels
2018 Human Rights report: the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Human Rights Sub-committee will take stock of the situation of human rights and democracy in the world in 2018 as well as how the EU is faring in meeting its commitments to protect them.
Wednesday 4 - Thursday 5 December
European Commission | Events/Conf/Fairs | Research and innovation - Transport and travel
European conference on the results from road transport research in Horizon 2020 projects (H2020RTR conference)
Brussels
This will be the 3rd edition of the H2020RTR conference.
Over 2 days, the Horizon 2020 projects invited to join the 2019 conference will present to you what they have discovered, how they tackled the challenges they encountered and what are the next research steps in the fields covered by their activities.
Like in previous editions, the projects have been selected in various areas to get a holistic view of how the European scene is taking the lead in these fields, for the benefit of the environment, the economy and the society at large:
- green vehicles
- urban mobility
- logistics
- intelligent transport systems
- safety
- automated road transport
The event is also a unique opportunity to network and meet fellow stakeholders in the road transport research sector.
Thursday 5 December
European Commission | Events/Conf/Fairs | Institutional affairs
Clear writing for Europe
Brussels
This conference is being hosted by the team within the Commission's Directorate-General for translation which run the clear writing campaign, which edits texts drafted in-house, and provides training and online clear writing resources.
With the speakers from the EU institutions and panellists from across the EU, the event will be an opportunity to celebrate clear writing, exchange best practices, and learn about achievements, ideas, and campaigns to encourage clearer communication.
The conference will mark the 10th anniversary of the Commission's clear campaign. Through publications such as the How to write clearly, the campaign aims to help everyone in the Commission to write shorter, simpler, jargon-free texts. This event will also be a chance to look to the future and to what we can all to do to promote a clear writing culture in Europe in the decade to come.
Thursday 5 December
Other bodies and agencies | Events/Conf/Fairs | Research and innovation - Security and defence
Supporting the deployment of the EU cybersecurity certification framework
Brussels
The workshop aims to present and touch upon the efforts of the EU Agency for cybersecurity (ENISA) and the European Commission on the deployment of the EU Cybersecurity Certification Framework.
The event will present recent ENISA preparatory and support activities and studies while engaging invited participants in a lively exchange of opinions, experience so far and future considerations.
Thursday 5 - Friday 6 December
European Commission - European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction - Other bodies and agencies | Events/Conf/Fairs | Consumer affairs and public health
2019 Solidify conference
Lisbon, Portugal
The project 'Solidify – Supervised drug consumption facilities to instill harm reduction and social cohesion at local levels', is a project funded by the European Commission.
The general objective of this project is to better equip cities which have drug consumption rooms, both in order to help them accompany and facilitate the installation of structures offering this scheme in any given territory and to evaluate the rooms' impacts in terms of localised nuisance reduction.
This conference is organised by the European monitoring centre for drugs and drug addiction (EMCDDA), together with the European forum for urban security (EFUS) and the city of Lisbon.
Thursday 5 December
Council of the EU and European Council - Presidency of the Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Business, taxation and competition - Economy and the euro
Economic and Financial Affairs Council
Brussels
Money laundering
The Council is expected to adopt conclusions on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. The aim is to guide the Commission's future work in this area, in particular to:
- consider ways to harmonise anti-money laundering rules
- enhance anti-money laundering supervision across the EU
Climate action
As the UN's climate conference COP25 unfolds in Madrid, the Council will:
- approve a work plan on climate action
- discuss the future agenda for sustainable finance
- adopt conclusions on energy taxation
In this context, the Commission will report on:
- progress with the implementation of the EU's 2018 Sustainable Finance Action Plan
- preparation of the green financing strategy for the New Green Deal
Capital Markets Union
The Council will adopt conclusions on the deepening of the capital markets union (CMU). The conclusions should shape the format and scope of a new roadmap for further actions.
Financial architecture for development
In April 2019, the Council established a High Level Group of Wise Persons on Financial Development Architecture. In October, the group presented its report on challenges and opportunities to rationalise the system and recommended scenarios for its evolution.
Development ministers discussed the report on Monday 25 November. The Council is expected to adopt conclusions on this topic.
Banking union
The Council will take stock of progress in strengthening the banking union under the Finnish Presidency.
The Commission will also present the state of play of implementation of the action plan to tackle non-performing loans in Europe.
Stablecoins
The Council will adopt a joint statement on "stablecoins".
"Stablecoins" is the name given to a sub-category of crypto-assets designed to maintain a stable value related to another asset, reducing price fluctuations which affect cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin. "Stablecoins" have potential benefits such as cheaper and more efficient cross-border payments. However, they raise important regulatory and supervisory concerns.
Thursday 5 December
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament Committee Meetings
European Parliament, Brussels
Conference of Presidents: EP President and the leaders of political groups (Conference of Presidents) will be in Zagreb to discuss the priorities of the upcoming Croatian Presidency of the EU Council, which will start on 1 January.
Thursday 5 - Friday 6 December
European Aviation Safety Agency - Other bodies and agencies | Events/Conf/Fairs | Research and innovation - Security and defence - Transport and travel
High-level conference on drones 2019
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The high-level conference on drones 2019 of the European aviation safety agency (EASA) will focus on 'scaling drone operations' and will bring together regulatory bodies and industry experts from all over the world, to discuss the development of a common European market of drones.
Friday 6 December
European Commission | Events/Conf/Fairs | Economy and the euro
Addressing housing market imbalances
Brussels
The global financial crisis underlined the importance of housing developments for macroecononomic stability. EU countries have strengthened policy framework to address boom-bust dynamics in the housing sector. However, questions remain on the effectiveness, timeliness and implementation difficulties of some of these policy measures, including the fiscal, macro-prudential or regulatory field. Moreover, housing affordability has become a pressing policy issue in many EU countries in recent years. The workshop aims at gathering researchers and policy makers to shed light on these questions.
The first session focuses on general issues associated with housing market imbalances, while the second session on macro-prudential measures, notably questions related to effectiveness and implementation difficulties. The workshop concludes with a policy panel discussing the experience of selected countries in addressing housing bubbles.