EU Agenda: Week Ahead - 16-21 March 2020
This week, the Eurogroup and Finance Council are due to discuss the economic policy challenges of COVID 19, and the upcoming review of the 2009 Solvency II directive; and MEPs have postponed or cancelled committee meetings due to the spread of coronavirus. 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 16-21 March 2020.
Monday 16 March
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament committee meetings
European Parliament, Brussels
Due to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Conference of Presidents (EP President and political leaders) modified the European Parliament's calendar of activities.
Committee meetings and other official activities initially foreseen for this week have either been postponed or cancelled. The President can authorise meetings to go ahead during this week if necessary, for example for trilogue negotiations on legislation between the Parliament, the Council and the Commission.
Monday 16 March
Council of the EU and European Council - Presidency of the Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Economy and the euro
Eurogroup
Brussels
Regular format (from 15:00)
Ministers of euro area countries will discuss:
- Preparation of the international meetings: inflation and exchange rate developments
- Greece – Fifth Enhanced surveillance report
- Miscellaneous
- a) Updated draft budgetary plan of Austria – information on process
Inclusive format (from 16:00)
Ministers of the 27 EU member states will discuss:
- ESM Treaty – Political endorsement of the package
- Early introduction of the common backstop – Political endorsement of the draft Amending Agreement to the IGA and next steps
- COVID 19 – economic policy challenges
- Miscellaneous
Monday 16 - Tuesday 17 March
Presidency of the Council of the EU | Events/Conf/Fairs | Consumer affairs and public health
High Level Conference on Organ Donation and Transplantation ** CANCELLED **
Zagreb
Organ donation and transplantation is one of the priorities of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the field of health. At a high level conference, Croatia calls for a new, synergistic approach at European Union level to address existing inequalities in the availability of transplant treatment methods, identify areas of good EU practice and strengthen mechanisms for faster and more efficient knowledge transfer, exchange of good practice between Member States, joint action and broader interstate cooperation, in order to successfully address the challenges in this area of public health.
Due to its unique organizational model and high ethical and professional standards, Croatia is one of the leading countries in the world in the field of organ donation and transplantation.
Tuesday 17 March
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
Capital markets union
Thomas Wieser, chair of the High Level Forum on the capital markets union, or CMU, will present the group's interim report of 20 February. The High Level Forum is an expert group charged with proposing policy recommendations for future CMU actions.
The aim is for citizens and businesses to access capital markets across the EU on equal terms, regardless of their geographical location.
Solvency II directive
The Council will hold a policy debate in view of the upcoming review of the 2009 Solvency II directive.
Solvency II is a harmonised prudential framework to reduce risk and insolvency for insurance firms across the EU. The directive replaced a patchwork of rules in the areas of life and non-life insurance as well as reinsurance.
European Semester
The European Commission will present its 2020 country reports and in-depth reviews. Ministers will exchange views on the implementation of the country-specific recommendations.
In line with the EU Green Deal, this year, the reports contain an analysis of environmental sustainability issues. The discussion is expected to focus in particular on greening investment.
International cooperation within the G20 and IMF
The Croatian presidency and the Commission will also report to the Council of the outcome of the G20 February meeting. Ministers will finalise the preparation of the G20 and IMF spring meetings of April 2020.
Tuesday 17 - Friday 20 March
Presidency of the Council of the EU | Events/Conf/Fairs | Research and innovation
European Research Infrastructures for a Smarter Future
Zagreb
Within Croatia's Presidency to the Council of the European Union, the Ministry of Science and Education will organize a multi-day event which will cover several events related to research infrastructures.
The conference will bring together researchers, managers and other experts on research infrastructures from Europe to explore the potential of European Research Infrastructures to make a meaningful impact on the European strategic agendas and identify the ways in which this could be achieved.
The outcome of this high-level event will provide a new impetus for the European research infrastructure policy, supporting full realisation of the potential of the European Research Area to drive the necessary changes in our economy and society.
Tuesday 17 - Wednesday 20 March
European Commission | Events/Conf/Fairs | Food, farming and fisheries
Farm Advisory System Workshop 2020 ** postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak **
Budapest, Hungary
The JRC, in collaboration with DG AGRI and the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture, organises the Farm Advisory System (FAS) Workshop 2020.
The objective of the workshop is to have open and constructive exchanges about the current implementation of the Farm Advisory System in the Member States.
Farm advice should play an important role in the next CAP after 2020 and it is interesting to take stock of the situation after the evolution of the FAS since 2007 and before the implementation of the reform.