UK Office of the European Parliament

 

EP News, September 29th, 2006 (No. 275)

 

The Week Ahead 2-6 October 2006

 

Highlights of the week include:-

  • REACH chemicals regulation (2nd reading discussion) Environment Cttee
  • Services Directive (2nd reading discussion) Internal Market Cttee
  • Medical devices (1st reading revised directive) Envt & Health Cttee
  • Biofuels strategy - adoption report - Industry Cttee
  • Successions and wills - adoption report on Green Paper - Legal Cttee.

 

UK MEPs

  • Liz Lynne MEP (Lib Dem, West Midlands) adoption report on disability in enlarged EU (Employment Cttee)
  • Eluned Morgan MEP (Lab, Wales) discussion draft report (Energy Cttee)
  • Arlene McCarthy MEP (Lab, NW) European order for payment procedure 2nd reading (Legal Cttee)
  • Diana Wallis MEP (Lib Dem, Yorks & Humber) cross-border disputes involving injuries/fatalies (Legal Cttee)
  • James Elles MEP (Cons, South East) - EU budget 2007 (Budgets Cttee).

 

Hearings

  • Inter-parliamentary meeting on freedom, security & justice (2-3 Oct):  John Denham MP, Lord Avebury from UK;  MEPs Claude Moraes (Lab, London); Michael Cashman (Lab, West Midlands) to speak
  • Controlling acquisition of weapons - Internal Market Cttee - chaired by Arlene McCarthy MEP (Lab, NW);  DCI Paul Savill of Gtr Manchester Police expert evidence (4 Oct)
  • Gender budgeting - Women's Rights Cttee; Professor Sylvia Walby, Lancaster Uni expert evidence (4 Oct)
  • SWIFT bank transfer data and the US (Civil Liberties Cttee, 4 Oct)
  • Role of local government in development policy (Development Cttee, 3 Oct).

 

Petitions

Among the UK petitioners whose case will be heard on 3-4 October:-
  • Tyne & Wear, Landfill at Path Head Quarry
  • Scotland, EU procurement rules and Scottish Executive / Glasgow Council
  • Scotland, Dungavel Immigration Centre
  • Rights of lesbian and gay partners
  • Rights of British citizens in Spain.

 

Committee visits to the UK

  • CIA rendition flights - Temporary Committee visit to London 4-6 October to take evidence from victims' lawyers & relatives, NGOs, Government and MPs
  • Equitable Life Committee of Inquiry visit to London 16 October.

 


 

Committee meetings

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
Proposed Act / OEIL
AFET - Foreign Affairs [ list ] 3-5 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
Exchange of views with Mr Mark Malloch BROWN, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations - - - -
Exchange of views with H.E Mr Kassymzhomart TOKAEV, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan - - - -
The European prospects of Montenegro following the declaration of independence Marcello Vernola (EPP-ED) - Consideration of amendments - Adoption of a draft resolution (possibly) -
Financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide Hélène Flautre (Verts/ALE)
Edward McMillan-Scott (EPP-ED)
Codecision first reading - Regulation - OEIL
The negotiations with a view to a Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States of the one part, and the Syrian Arab Republic, of the other part Véronique De Keyser (PSE) - Consideration of amendments, Vote and adoption of a draft recommendation Council Decision - OEIL
Exchange of views with Mr Javier SOLANA, High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union - - - -
The implementation of the European Security Strategy in the context of the ESDP Karl von Wogau (EPP-ED) - Consideration of amendments - Vote and adoption of a draft report OEIL
The external dimension of the fight against international terrorism Luis Yañez-Barnuevo García (PSE) Own initiative Consideration of a draft report OEIL
Exchange of views with H.E. Ms Kolinda GRABAR-KITAROVIC, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia - - - -
Exchange of views with Mr Peter SEMNEBY, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus (tbc.) - - - -
       
-
SEDE - Subcommittee on Security and Defence [ list ] 03 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
In the presence of the Council and the European Commission - - - -
Seventh annual report on arms exports Raül Romeva i Rueda (Verts/ALE) Non legislative Consideration of a draft report OEIL: link to 6th report
Review Conferences on CCW (7-17 November 2006) and BTWC (20 November - 8 December 2006): Exchange of views with Mrs Annalisa GIANNELLA, Mr Solana's Personal Representative on Non-Proliferation of WMD - - - -
Exchange of views with Mr Michel BARNIER, former French Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Member of the European Commission, on Europe Aid : a European Civil Protection Force - - - -
MOLDOVA: EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine: current situation
- Exchange of views
- - - -
       
-
DROI - Subcommittee on Human Rights [ list ] 03 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
A financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide Hélène Flautre (Verts/ALE); Edward McMillan-Scott (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Consideration of amendments Regulation - OEIL

Presentation of two studies:

  • Analysis of the external dimension of the EU’s asylum and immigration policies – summary and recommendations for the European Parliament and
  • Human rights and democracy indicators
- - - -
Follow-up to the delegation visit to Turkey from 18 to 22 September 2006 - - - -
Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement between the European Community and Syria
Véronique De Keyser Assent Exchange of views Council Decision - OEIL
The impact of Sharia law on women’s rights in Indonesia - Exchange of views with Mrs Nursyahbani Katjasungkana, Member of the Indonesian Parliament - - - -
- - - - -
       
-
BUDG - Budgets [ list ] 03-04 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
2007 budget: Section III - Commission James Elles (EPP-ED) - Consideration of budgetary amendments
-
Budget 2007 : "Other sections" Louis Grech (PSE)
- Consideration of budgetary amendments
-
- - - - -

CONT - Budgetary Control [ list ]

9 October 2006   committee homepage
-
Joint committee meeting with national Budgetary Control Committees        
       
-
DEVE - Development [ list ] 02-03 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
Strategic partnership between the European Union and South Africa Luisa Morgantini (GUE/NGL) Non legislative Adoption of draft report Communication - OEIL
European Parliament ad hoc delegation to the second conference of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) – Arusha (Tanzania), 21-23 September 2006
- Rapporteurs’ report
- Exchange of views
José Javier Pomés Ruiz, Edith Mastenbroek - - -
Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation and economic cooperation Gay Mitchell Codecision second reading Progress report - Exchange of views Regulation - OEIL
Possibly, EU relations with the Pacific Islands – a strategy for a strengthened partnership Nirj Deva Non legislative Consideration of and vote on the Committee on Fisheries’ opinion (Draftswoman: Rosa Miguélez Ramos) - Vote on the resolution as a whole Communication - OEIL
Meeting with Mark Malloch Brown, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
- Exchange of views
- - - -
Conclusion of the Agreement amending the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement José Ribeiro e Castro (PPE-DE) Assent - OEIL
Mainstreaming sustainability in development cooperation policies - Danutė Budreikaitė (ALDE) - Exchange of views -

COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENT

Hearing on

Decentralised Cooperation
and the role of local government in development policy

3 October 2006, 15.00 - 18.30
European Parliament, room ASP 3E2

DRAFT PROGRAMME

Panel 1 - Decentralised cooperation: actors, the place of decentralised cooperation in
development cooperation, practical cases

In the Chair: Luisa Morgantini

Invited experts:

  • Enrico Cecchetti, Euro-African Partnership for Decentralised Governance
  • M. Moussa Diallo, Mayor of Gorom Gorom (Burkina Faso)
  • Teo Romero Hernández, President, Confederación de Fondos de Cooperación y
    Solidaridad

Panel 2 - Local governments and its role in development policy

In the Chair: Pierre Schapira

Invited experts:

  • Enrique Riera Escudero, Mayor of Asuncion (Paraguay) (to be confirmed)
  • Wim Deetman, Mayor of The Hague (The Netherlands)
  • Elisabeth Gateau, Secretary General of United Cities and Local Governments
  • Jean-Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of the Municipal Development
    Partnership, Secretary General of the African branch of the UCLGA (United Cities and Local Governments of Africa)
     
       
-
ECON - Economic and Monetary Affairs [ list ] 02-03 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage  
Adoption of the 2007 draft calendar of committee meetings - - - -
Annual Report on the Euro Area José Manuel García-Margallo y Marfil (EPP-ED) Non legislative Consideration of a draft report OEIL
Annual report of the European Central Bank Pervenche Berès (PSE) Non legislative Consideration of amendments - Adoption of a draft report OEIL
Level 2 Measures under the Transparency and Prospectus Directives (accounting standards used by third country issuers) Margarita Starkevičiūtė (ALDE) - Peter Skinner (PSE) - Consideration of amendments - Adoption of a draft resolution -
Level 2 Measures on Transparency Directive Peter Skinner (PSE) - Consideration of amendments -
Prudential assessment of acquisitions and increase of shareholdings in the financial sector Wolf Klinz (ALDE) Codecision first reading 1st exchange of views Directive - OEIL
The exemption from valued added tax and excise duty of goods imported by persons travelling from third countries Charles Tannock (EPP-ED) Consultation Adoption of a draft report Directive - OEIL
FINANCIAL SERVICES: Exchange of views with Baron Alexandre LAMFALUSSY
- - - -

     
-
EMPL - Employment and Social Affairs [ list ] 04-05 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
Improvement of the portability of supplementary pension rights Ria Oomen-Ruijten (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Directive / OEIL
European system of integrated social protection statistics (ESSPROS) Jan Andersson (PSE) Codecision first reading Consideration of amendments - Vote and adoption of a draft report Regulation / OEIL
Exchange of views with Commissioner Vladimír Spidla on the Communication on Demography - - - -
Situation of disabled people in the enlarged European Union: European Action Plan 2006-2007 Elizabeth Lynne (ALDE) Non legislative Exchange of views - Vote and adoption of a draft report Communication / OEIL
Social security schemes for employed persons and members of their families moving within the Community Maria Matsouka (PSE) Codecision first reading Vote and adoption of a draft report Regulation / OEIL
Establishment of the European Globalisation adjustment Fund Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Regulation / OEIL
Corporate social responsibility: a new partnership Richard Howitt (PSE) Non legislative Hearing Communication / OEIL
       
-
ENVI - Environment, Public Health and Food Safety [ list ] 03-04 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage  
Exchange of views with Mrs Zsuzsanna Jakab, Managing Director of ECDC - in presence of EP representatives of the ECDC management board - - - -
Exchange of views with Mr Robert Madelin, Director General of the Obesity Platform - - - -
Promoting healthy diets and physical activity: a European dimension for the prevention of overweight, obesity and chronic diseases Frédérique Ries (ALDE) Non legislative Consideration of a draft report Green Paper - OEIL
Climate Change COP 12 in Nairobi - - Adoption of a motion for a resolution based on an oral question -
Oral Question to the Commission on Natura 2000 financing - - Adoption of an oral question -
Revision of directives on medical devices Thomas Ulmer (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Adoption of a draft report Directive - OEIL
Implementation of EU public health legislation in Member States - - Exchange of views -
Exchange of views with Mrs Catherine Geslain-Laneelle, Executive Director of EFSA. Presentation of EFSA 's Management Board Recomendations on the External Evaluation of EFSA - - - -
Exchange of views with Mr Julian Priestley, Secretary General of the European Parliament, on the implementation of EMAS in the Parliament - - - -
Definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks Horst Schnellhardt (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report Regulation / OEIL
Chemicals: REACH system and European Chemicals Agency (amendment of Directive 1999/45/EC and regulation on pollutants) Guido Sacconi (PSE) Codecision second reading Consideration of amendments Regulation + Directive / OEIL
Registration, evaluation, authorisation and restrictions of chemicals - REACH (amendment of Directive 67/548/EC) Guido Sacconi (PSE) Codecision second reading Consideration of amendments Regulation + Directive / OEIL
- - - -
--
ITRE - Industry, Research and Energy [ list ] 02-04 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
In the presence of the Council and the European Commission - - - -
Management of the European satellite radio-navigation programmes Giles Chichester (EPP-ED) Consultation Adoption of a draft report (procedure rule 43.1 "without amendments") Regulation / OEIL
Renewal and modification of the agreement on research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems (IMS) between the European Community and Australia, Canada, the EFTA countries of Norway and Switzerland, Korea, Japan and the United States of America Giles Chichester (EPP-ED) Consultation Adoption of a draft report (procedure rule 43.1 "without amendments") Decision / OEIL
Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement between the EC and Korea Giles Chichester (EPP-ED) Consultation Adoption of a draft report (procedure rule 43.1 "without amendments") Decision / OEIL
Strategy on Biomass and Biofuels Werner Langen (EPP-ED) Non legislative Consideration of amendments - Adoption of a draft report Action Plan - OEIL
A European strategy for sustainable, competitive and secure energy Eluned Morgan (PSE) Non legislative Consideration of a draft report Green Paper - OEIL
Consumer confidence in the digital environment David Hammerstein Mintz (Verts/ALE) Own Initiative 2nd exchange of views OEIL
Specific Programme 'People' (Seventh RTDD Framework Programme, 2007-2013) Umberto Pirilli (UEN) Consultation Adoption of a draft report Decision - OEIL
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 Adoption of a draft report Decision - OEIL
Specific programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Seventh Research and Training Framework Programme, 2007-2011) Umberto Guidoni (GUE/NGL) Consultation Adoption of a draft report Decision - OEIL
Assessing Euratom - 50 Years of European Nuclear Policy - Presentation by the European Commission - - - -
Developing a knowledge flagship: the European Institute of Technology Reino Paasilinna (PSE) Own initiative Exchange of views -
Towards a European policy on Radio Spectrum Fiona Hall (ALDE) Non legislative Exchange of views OEIL
Mini-Hearing on "European Policy on Radio Spectrum" - Hearing - - - -
Specific Programme 'Cooperation' (Seventh RTDD Framework Programme, 2007-2013) Teresa Riera Madurell (PSE) Consultation Consideration of amendments Council Decisions / OEIL
Specific Programme 'Ideas' (Seventh RTDD Framework Programme, 2007-2013)
ITRE/6/30655
Angelika Niebler (EPP-ED) Consultation Consideration of amendments Decision - OEIL
EUREKA, A key player in the European Research Area - Presentation - - - -
        -
IMCO - Internal Market and Consumer Protection [ list ] 04-05 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage  
In the presence of the Council and the European Commission - - - -
Working Group on European Contract Law Diana Wallis (ALDE) - Exchange of views -
Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons Gisela Kallenbach (Verts/ALE) Codecision first reading Mini-Hearing Directive - OEIL
Exchange of views with Commissioner REDING - - - -
Services in the internal market Evelyne Gebhardt (PSE) Codecision second reading Exchange of views Directive - OEIL
Communication from the Commission on public-private partnerships Barbara Weiler (PSE) Non legislative Consideration of amendments Communication - OEIL
Review procedures concerning the award of public contracts Jean-Claude Fruteau (PSE) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Directive - OEIL
         

DRAFT PROGRAMME

Public Hearing of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

The Role of consumer organisations across Europe

Wednesday, 10 October 2006 from 15h00 to 18h30
European Parliament, Brussels

Opening session

  • Welcome address by Mrs. Arlene McCARTHY, Chair of IMCO-Committee
    Introduction by Mr. Markos KYPRIANOU, Commissioner of the European
    Commission, DG SANCO (tbc)

SESSION 1 - What is a consumer organisation: Is there a need for European criteria and definition of a consumer organisation?

  • Prof. Dr. Hans-W. MICKLITZ, Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg, Germany
  • Mr. Ed MAYO, National Consumer Council, UK (tbc)
  • Dr. Barna BERKE, University of Budapest and Jean Monet Chariholder in EU Economic Law, Hungary

Questions & Answers by Members

SESSION 2 - Best practice and cross-border cooperation between the Consumer organisations

  • Martine MÉRIGEAU, Euro-Info Verbraucher e.V., Kehl, ECC France
  • Jim MURRAY, BEUC
  • Camilla HERSOM, Danish Consumer organisation

Questions & Answers by Members

SESSION 3 - Financing of Consumer organisation: means of financing

  • Luís SILVEIRA RODRIGUES, Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection
  • Małgorzata NIEPOKULCZYCKA, Federacja Konsumentów, Poland
  • Franz FLOSS, Verein für Konsumenteninformation, Austria

Questions & Answers by Members

Summary and closing statement: Arlene McCARTHY, Chair of IMCO Committee

     
         

DRAFT PROGRAMME

Public Mini-Hearing of the
Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons

Wednesday, 04 October 2006 from 10h30 to 12h30
European Parliament, Brussels
salle: ASP 1E2

Chair: Arlene McCARTHY

Opening session

  • Welcome address by Mrs. Arlene McCARTHY, Chair of IMCO-Committee
  • Introduction by Gisela KALLENBACH, Rapporteur
  • Presentation of briefing note (CEPS)

SESSION 1 - How the 1991 directive works: successes and problems encountered (registration, tracing, marking, classification, deactivation, brokering activities)

  • Dr. Vito GENCO (Secretary General AFEMS (European Association of Sporting Ammunition Manufacturers), Brussels
  • Detective Chief Inspector Paul SAVILL, Head of Armed Crime Unit, Greater Manchester Police
  • Mr. Ilhan BERKOL, Groupe de Recherche et d'Information sur la Paix et la Sécurité (GRIP)

Possible intervention by Commission representative

SESSION 2 - Possible additional measures against illicit manufacturing and trafficking

  • Dr. Heinz GABRIEL, President of the Permanent International Commission (CIP)
  • Mr. Pekka KARHUNEN, Finnish Hunting Association
  • Mrs. Rebecca PETERS, Director of International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA)

Questions & Answers by Members

Possible intervention by Commission representative

Summary and closing statement

  • Arlene McCARTHY, Chair of IMCO Committee
  • Gisela KALLENBACH, Rapporteur
     
       
-
INTA - International Trade [ list ] 03 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage  
In the presence of the Council and the European Commission - - - -
Construction of the Euro-Med Free Trade Area - - 1st exchange of views -
Trade Defence Instruments new and notable cases (in particular the potassium chloride, plastic bags and footwear cases) - Exchange of views with a representative of DG Trade, European Commission - - - -
The economic partnership agreements Robert Sturdy (EPP-ED) - 1st exchange of views -
Interim Agreement with Turkmenistan - - Adoption of an oral question and of a draft resolution -
A financing instrument for cooperation with the industrialised countries and territories and other high-income countries and territories David Martin (PSE) Consultation Consideration of a draft report Regulation / OEIL
The EU's Aid for Trade David Martin (PSE) Own initiative 1st exchange of views OEIL
       
-
TRAN - Transport and Tourism [ list ] 09-10 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
European Aviation Safety Agency Jörg Leichtfried (PSE) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report Regulation - OEIL
Exchange of views with Mr Patrick Goudou, Executive Director of the European Aviation Safety Agency - - - -
Driving licences, repealing Directive 91/439/EEC Mathieu Grosch (EPP-ED) Codecision second reading Consideration of a draft recommendation Directive - OEIL
Exchange of views on the Third Railway Package: - - - -
Development of the Community's railways Georg Jarzembowski (EPP-ED) Codecision second reading Exchange of views Directive - OEIL
Certification of train crews operating locomotives and trains on the Community's rail network Gilles Savary (PSE) Codecision second reading Exchange of views Directive - OEIL
European Road Safety Action Programme - Mid-Term Review Ewa Hedkvist Petersen (PSE) Non legislative Consideration of a draft report Communication - OEIL
Double-hull or equivalent design requirements for single-hull oil tankers Fernand Le Rachinel (NI) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report Regulation - OEIL
Investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector Jaromír Kohlíček (GUE/NGL) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report Directive - OEIL
Liability of carriers of passengers by boat in the event of accidents Paolo Costa (ALDE) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report Regulation - OEIL
       
-
REGI - Regional Development [ list ] 04-05 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
In the presence of the Council and the European Commission - - - -
The contributions of the future regional policy to the innovative capacity of the EU Mieczysław Edmund Janowski (UEN) own initiative Consideration of a working document OEIL

Exchange of views with:

  • Mr Harry Dijksma, Chairman of the Commission for Economic and Social Policy (ECOS) of the Committee of the Regions