EP News, May 19th, 2006 (No. 261)
[ Latest news ] [ Committee meetings ] [ Hearings ] [ Diary dates and contacts ]
MEPs return to their constituencies next week 22-26 May.
Committee work resumes from 29-30 May, highlights including:-
Parliament will meet in plenary in Brussels on 31 May and 1 June -the draft agenda of the session is online. Highlights of the session may include (subject to modifications):
[ Latest news ] [ Committee meetings ] [ Hearings ] [ Diary dates and contacts ]
MEPs approved tougher rules for foods claiming to provide nutritional and health benefits. They want clear definitions for claims that foods are "low energy", low fat", "high fibre" or even "reduce cholesterol". The European Parliament also looked at harmonising national rules on the addition of vitamins and minerals to foods in order to improve consumer protection and the free circulation of goods within the EU.
The first report aims to harmonise the provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States which relate to nutrition and health claims in order to ensure the affective functioning of the internal market whilst providing a high level of consumer protection.
The House adopted a legislative report by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN, IT) on nutrition and health claims made on foods. Agreement was reached between Parliament and the Austrian presidency on food health and nutritional claims. The key idea of the regulation is that there should be clear definitions for claims such as "low energy", "low fat", "high fibre" or even "reduces cholesterol".
[ Press summary on Europarl ] [ Link to debate held on 15 May in the speakers' original language ]
If no action is taken, total road freight transport in Europe is set to grow by more than 60% by 2013. Parliament therefore adopted, by a large majority, the report by Reinhard Rack (EPP-ED, AT) on the Marco Polo II programme. This programme for 2007-2013 aims at shifting the average yearly increase of international road freight towards short sea shipping, rail and inland waterways. The adoption of this first reading report concludes the procedure and means that it will enter on 1 January 2007.
The environmental performance of the freight transport system is expected to improve substantially by Marco Polo II, which has a budget of €400 million. The Commission had proposed €740 million, but this amount was reduced to €400 million following an agreement between Council and Parliament.
[ Press summary on Europarl ] [ Link to debate held on 16 May in the speakers' original language ]
The President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, addressed MEPs in a formal sitting on Tuesday 16 May. He stressed that there was a Palestinian partner for peace with Israel, and rejected unilateral solutions to the border question. He also called the new Palestinian government to "be given the chance to adapt to the basic requirements of the international community."
[ Press summary on Europarl ] [ Link to Mr Abbas' address ]
Bolivian President Evo Morales took part in a debate with the Foreign Affairs Committee. MEPs praised his personal commitment and showed understanding for his social reform plans, though there were questions about the legality of the nationalisations being pushed through by the former indigenous activist and leader of coca-leaf growing farmers - and about his close relations with Fidel Castro.
In a formal sitting in the full Parliament shortly before, President Morales told MEPs of his ambitions to tackle the engrained poverty in his country. He also stressed that his nationalisation of natural resources was essential to achieving these goals, but was not a matter on expropriation – he wanted to work in partnership with other countries and their firms.
[ Press summary of Committee meeting on Europarl ] [ Press summary of President Morales' address on Europarl ] [ Link to full text of the address ]
Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn announced to Parliament that Bulgaria and Romania should be able to join the EU on 1 January 2007 if they take action to address a number of outstanding problems. The Commission will make a new report in October on whether that target date can be met.
[ Press summary on Europarl ] [ Link to the debate ]
The European Parliament approved the EU's budget for the coming seven years, but underlined the need to resolve a number of shortcomings, including funding, during the budget review in 2009. Following Parliament's approval, it was signed into law by the EP, Commission and the Council. MEPs welcome the extra €4 billion to be used on EP priorities, but said the higher figures approved by Parliament last June would have offered the best way of funding EU policies.
EP President Josep Borrell said immediately after the signing of the Financial Perspective for 2007-2013: "The EU costs 26 cents per day per inhabitant. We certainly can't consider that as expensive." The agreement was signed by European Parliament President Josep Borrell, by Austrian Federal Chancellor Wofgang Schüssel for the EU Presidency and by Budgets Commissioner Dalia Grybauskaite for the European Commission.
[ Press summary on Europarl ] [ Link to the debate ]
Participants in a European Parliament seminar to mark International Day against homophobia (IDAHO) on Wednesday 17 May appealed for urgent action at all levels to fight homophobia and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
European Parliament President Josep Borrell opened the seminar, condemning all forms of discrimination against people on the basis of their sexual orientation. He said that the European Parliament had always fought against discrimination of all kinds and that homophobia is a very current issue, where vigilance and action are of extreme importance.
"Homophobia must stop in Europe," said Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe (CoE) Commissioner for Human Rights. He said the CoE was looking into legislation to ensure all basis for homophobic acts had been removed and that this was implemented in practice. Louis-George Tin, a founder of the IDAHO, called for the universal abolition of homophobic laws. He added that France and Belgium now officially recognise IDAHO.
[ Press summary on Europarl ] [ Link to EP Live Audio (mp3 format) - MEPs statements on homophobia ]
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Note to readers: A new column appears in the table below, with the type of legislation at hand. Where available, a link to the factsheet on the European Parliament's Legislative Observatory (the 'OEIL') is also included: OEIL files often contain a summary of the successive stages of the legislative procedure, and links to the original proposal. [ For a quick reminder of the different types of European laws, please check this link on the Commission's website, Europa ].
Edited committee agenda below, with links to full agenda on www.europarl.eu.int, and working documents on the committees' websites:
Committee in charge |
Date of meeting |
Link to full agenda |
Link to Committee |
|
Title of procedure |
MEP in charge |
Type of procedure |
Stage of procedure |
Type of legislation / OEIL |
| AFET - Foreign Affairs [ list ] | 30 May 2006 | committee homepage | - |
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| SEDE - Subcommittee on Security and Defence [ list ] | 20 June 2006 | committee homepage | - |
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| DROI - Subcommittee on Human Rights [ list ] | 19 June 2006 | committee homepage | - |
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| BUDG - Budgets [ list ] | 29-30 May 2006 | full agenda | committee homepage | - |
Budget 2007 : Council's Guidelines Presentation of the Council's Guidelines for 2007 Draft Budget by Mrs Ulla-Maj Wideroos, Minister, Finnish Ministry of Finances - Exchange of views on Working Document No 3 |
J. Elles (EPP-ED) | - | - | - |
| 2007 budget: Section III - Commission - 1st exchange of views on Working Document | James Elles (EPP-ED) | - | - | - |
| Budget 2006 : "Commission" - Consideration of transfers request | Giovanni Pittella (PSE) | - | - | - |
| Budget 2006 : "Other sections" Consideration of transfers request | Valdis Dombrovskis (PPE-DE) | - | - | - |
| System of own resources -
1st exchange of views
on a draft report |
Alain Lamassoure (EPP-ED) | Consultation | - | - |
- |
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CONT - Budgetary Control [ list ] |
19-20 June 2006 | committee homepage | - |
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| DEVE - Development [ list ] | 29-30 May 2006 | committee homepage | - |
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| ECON - Economic and Monetary Affairs [ list ] | 30 May 2006 | committee homepage | - |
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| EMPL - Employment and Social Affairs [ list ] | 21 June 2006 | committee homepage | - |
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| ENVI - Environment, Public Health and Food Safety [ list ] | 29-30 May 2006 | committee homepage | - |
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| ITRE - Industry, Research and Energy [ list ] | 29 May 2006 | full agenda | committee homepage | - |
| In the presence of the Council and the European Commission | ||||
| A policy framework to strengthen EU manufacturing - towards a more integrated approach for industrial policy | Joan Calabuig Rull (PSE) | Non legislative | Consideration of amendments - Adoption of a draft report | |
| Nanosciences and nanotechnologies: an action plan for Europe 2005-2009 | Miloslav Ransdorf (GUE/NGL) | Non legislative | Consideration of amendments | |
| "Energy-Star Accord with USA"- Presentation by the European Commission [European Community ENERGY STAR Programme for energy efficient office equipment] | - | - | - | |
| Implementing the Community Lisbon Programme: more research and Innovation - investing for growth and employment | Pilar del Castillo Vera (EPP-ED) | Non legislative | Adoption of a draft report | |
| Joint Undertaking for the European air traffic management system (SESAR) | Erna Hennicot-Schoepges (EPP-ED) | Consultation | Consideration of a draft report | |
| Joint debate: | - | - | - | - |
| Specific Programme 'Ideas' (Seventh RTDD Framework Programme, 2007-2013) | Angelika Niebler (EPP-ED) | Consultation | Consideration of amendments | |
| Specific Programme 'People' (Seventh RTDD Framework Programme, 2007-2013) | Umberto Pirilli (UEN) | Consultation | Consideration of amendments | |
| Specific programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Seventh Research and Training Framework Programme, 2007-2011) | Umberto Guidoni (GUE/NGL) | Consultation | Consideration of amendments | |
| Specific Programme 'Cooperation' (Seventh RTDD Framework Programme, 2007-2013) | Teresa Riera Madurell (PSE) | Consultation | Consideration of amendments | |
| Specific programme to be implemented through direct actions by the Joint Research Centre (Seventh Nuclear Research and Training Framework Programme, 2007-2011) | Daniel Caspary (EPP-ED) | Consultation | Consideration of amendments | |
| Specific programme to be implemented through direct actions by the Joint Research Centre (Seventh RTDD Framework Programme, 2007-2013) |
David Hammerstein Mintz (Verts/ALE) | Consultation | Consideration of amendments | |
| Specific Programme 'Capacities' (Seventh RTDD Framework Programme, 2007-2013) | Vittorio Prodi (ALDE) | Consultation | Consideration of amendments | |
| - | ||||
| IMCO - Internal Market and Consumer Protection [ list ] | 29-30 May 2006 | committee homepage | - | |
| - | ||||
| INTA - International Trade [ list ] | 29-30 May 2006 | - | committee homepage | - |
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| TRAN - Transport and Tourism [ list ] | 1 June 2006 | committee homepage | - |
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| REGI - Regional Development [ list ] | 30 May 2006 | full agenda | committee homepage | - |
| In the presence of the Council and the European Commission | - | - | - | - |
| Consideration of the legislative proposals on Cohesion | - | - | - | - |
| European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund and Cohesion Fund | Konstantinos Hatzidakis (EPP-ED) | Assent | Consideration of a draft report | Regulation - OEIL |
| European Regional Development Fund | Giovanni Claudio Fava (PSE) | Codecision second reading | Consideration of a draft report | Regulation - OEIL |
| Cohesion Fund | Alfonso Andria (ALDE) | Assent | Consideration of a draft report | Regulation - OEIL |
| Establishment of a European grouping of cross-border cooperation (EGCC) | Jan Olbrycht (EPP-ED) | Codecision second reading | Consideration of a draft report | Regulation - OEIL |
| Exchange of views with
Ms Danuta Hübner, Commissioner for Regional Policy, on - Legislative proposals on Cohesion and - The Commission's Work Programme for 2007 |
- | - | - | - |
- |
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| AGRI - Agriculture and Rural Development [ list ] | 30 May 2006 | full FR agenda | committee homepage | - |
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
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- | - | - | |
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| PECH - Fisheries [ list ] | 20-21 June 2006 | committee homepage | - |
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| CULT - Culture and Education [ list ] | 29-30 May 2006 | full agenda | committee homepage | - |
| In the presence of the Council and the Commission: | ||||
| Key competences for lifelong learning | Helga Trüpel (Verts/ALE) | Codecision first reading | Vote on and adoption of draft report | Recommendation - OEIL |
| Establishment of a European Qualifications Framework | Milan Gala (EPP-ED) | Vote on and adoption of draft report | ||
| European Quality Charter for Mobility (education and training) | Christa Prets (PSE) | Codecision first reading | Consideration of draft report | Recommendation - OEIL |
| Consideration of draft report | Karin Resetarits (ALDE) | Codecision first reading | Consideration of draft report | |
| White Paper on a European Communication Policy | Luis Herrero-Tejedor (EPP-ED) | Non legislative | Exchange of views | White Paper - OEIL |
| European cultural and architectural heritage at local level: raising the profile of little-known heritage sites | Nikolaos Sifunakis (PSE) | Own initiative | Consideration of draft report | |
PUBLIC HEARING on "CULTURE 2000: lessons from the implementation of the Programme", 30 May 2006 from 9 am. to 12.30 pm. Chairman: Nikolaos Sifunakis MEP Experts:
European Commission representatives will participate to all parts of the Hearing. Part I a) Positive experiences and results and difficulties encountered
(financing, procedures, advice and technical assistance,
application process, selection procedures, etc). Part II a) Cultural expression and creativity, movement of artistes, socioeconomic
impact, promotion of cultural diversity and cultural
heritage, specific sectors, etc. a) Lessons learned from Culture 2000 for a better implementation
of the Culture 2007-2013 Programme. Part IV |
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| JURI - Legal Affairs [ list ] | 30 May 2006 | Full FR agenda | committee homepage | - |
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| LIBE - Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs [ list ] | 29 May 2006 | committee homepage | - |
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| AFCO - Constitutional Affairs [ list ] | 22 June 2006 | committee homepage | - |
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| FEMM - Women's Rights and Gender Equality [ list ] | 21-22 May 2006 | full FR agenda | committee homepage | - |
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| PETI - Petitions [ list ] | 19-20 June 2006 | committee homepage | - |
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| EQUI - Committee of Inquiry: collapse of Equitable Life Assurance Society [ list ] | 29 May 2006 | committee homepage | - |
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| TDIP - Temporary Committee on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners [ list ] |
30 May - 1 June 2006 | committee homepage | - |
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[ Latest news ] [ Committee meetings ] [ Hearings ] [ Diary dates and contacts ]
PUBLIC HEARING on The Audiovisual Media Services Directive
Committee on Culture and Education
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality
European Parliament, Brussels - Thursday 1 June 2006, 3pm-6.30pm and Friday 2 June 2006, 9am-12.30pm.
DRAFT P R O G R A M M E (edited) - link to full draft programme
FIRST DAY, 1 June 2006, 15h00-18h30
CHAIR: Mr. Nikolaos Sifunakis, MEP
Introduction by Mrs Ruth Hieronymi, MEP (Rapporteur)
SESSION 1: Scope: A vision for the future
Participants:
SESSION 2: Economic aspects
Panel I: Advertisement rules
Participants:
Panel II: Product placement
Participants:
Panel III: Copyrights
Participants:
SECOND DAY, 2 June 2006, 09h00-12h30
SESSION 3: Non Economic aspects
Panel I: Jurisdiction
Participants:
Panel II: Protection of minors and human dignity
Participants:
Panel III: Promotion of cultural diversity and pluralism
Participants:
Committee on Culture and Education
PUBLIC HEARING on "CULTURE 2000: lessons from the implementation of the Programme",
Brussels,
30 May 2006 from 9 am. to 12.30 pm.
(see programme above in the committee meetings table)
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
PUBLIC HEARING:
COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN ON ANIMAL WELFARE 2006-2010
Brussels,
30 May 2006,
15h00 to 18h30
(see programme above in the committee meetings table)
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