UK Office of the European Parliament

 

EP News, November 17th, 2006 (No. 282)

 

The Week Ahead in the European Parliament + Latest News from Strasbourg

20-24 November 2006

 

Highlights of the week ahead in committee include

  • Mobile roaming regulation - discussion (Industry Committee);
  • Driving licences directive - 2nd reading adoption (Transport Cttee);
  • Double-hull tanker design - 1st reading adoption (Transport Cttee);
  • Equitable Life inquiry - evidence from Equitable CEO Charles Thomson + Glasgow Herald journalist;

 

UK MEPs

  • Geoffrey Van Orden MEP (Cons, Eastern) - adoption report on Bulgaria (Foreign Affairs);
  • Arlene McCarthy MEP (Lab, Nth West) - adoption 1st reading mediation civil/commercial law (Legal Affairs);
  • Diana Wallis MEP (Lib Dem, Yorks & Humber) - adoption report on time-periods in cross-border disputes (Legal Affairs);
  • Chris Heaton-Harris MEP (Cons, East Midlands) - adoption 1st reading paperless customs & trade (Internal Mkt Cttee);
  • Eluned Morgan MEP (Lab, Wales) - discussion & possible adoption report on energy security (Energy Cttee);

 

Hearings

  • European Contract Law (Legal Affairs - Tues) - Evidence from Prof. Beale of Warwick Uni, Simon James of Clifford Chance;
  • Serious international crime (Civil Liberties - Mon) - Intl Bar Association and Amnesty International to give evidence;
  • Co-ordination of social security systems (Employment Cttee - Thurs) - Jean Lambert MEP (Greens) co-chair;
  • EU relations with Russia (International Trade Cttee - Tues);
  • Aid for trade (International Trade Cttee);
  • Functions of Budgetary Control Committee (Tues) with evidence from Caroline Mawhood of National Audit Office & Don Touhig MP, Commons Public Accounts Cttee;

 

Petitions

  • Tyneside landfill site (Residents against toxic site);
  • Hampshire pensioner affected by closure of company pension scheme;
  • Welsh couple on timeshare advertising;
  • Gibraltar and disabled access to aircraft.

 

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 ] 21-23 November 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
Exchange of views with Dr Barham SALIH, Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq - - - -
Exchange of views with Mr Seppo KÄÄRIÄINEN, Minister of Defence of Finland and acting President-in-office of the Council - - - -
Exchange of views with Mr Olli REHN, Comissioner for Enlargement, on the Commission's Strategy Paper on progress in the Enlargement process - - - -

JOINT MEETING WITH THE DELEGATION TO THE EU-RUSSIA PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION COMMITTEE: Exchange of views with Mr Oleg MOROZOV, 1st Deputy Speaker of the State Duma of the Russian Federation and Mr Georgy BOOS, Governor of the Kaliningrad Oblast

- - - -
Seventh and eighth annual reports on arms exports Raül Romeva i Rueda (Verts/ALE) Own initiative 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 amendments, Vote and adoption of a draft report OEIL
Accession of Bulgaria Geoffrey Van Orden (EPP-ED) Non legislative Consideration of amendments, Vote and adoption of a draft report Monitoring report - OEIL
Accession of Romania Pierre Moscovici (PSE) Non legislative Consideration of amendments, Vote and adoption of a draft report Monitoring report - OEIL
Report on the strategy paper on progress in the enlargement process Elmar Brok (EPP-ED) Non legislative Consideration of amendments,Vote and adoption of a draft report Communication - OEIL - draft report
IN THE PRESENCE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION FOR RELATIONS WITH THE COUNTRIES OF SOUTH-EAST EUROPE - Exchange of views with Mr Vuk DRASKOVIC, Serbian Foreign Minister
 - - - -
IN THE PRESENCE OF THE DELEGATION TO THE EU-MOLDOVA PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION COMMITTEE - Exchange of views with Mr JACOBOVITS DE SZEGED, EU Special Representative for Moldova
 - - - -
- - - -
-
SEDE - Subcommittee on Security and Defence [ list ] 27 November 2006   committee homepage
-
- - - - -
DROI - Subcommittee on Human Rights [ list ] 18-19 December 2006   committee homepage
-
- - - - -
       
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BUDG - Budgets [ list ] 20-22 November 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-

BUDGET 2007

Draft Budget 2007: Amending letters 1, 2 and 3 - Preparation of the Conciliation

- - - -
Section III Commission James Elles (EPP-ED) - - -
Other Sections: Louis Grech (PSE) - - -
Financial Regulation - exchange of views on working document Nr. 9 and with M. Vítor Manuel da SILVA CALDEIRA, Member of the Court of Auditors Ingeborg Grässle (EPP-ED) - - -
- - - - -
LEGISLATIVE CONSULTATIONS - - - -
Community guarantee to the European Investment Bank Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) Consultation Consideration and adoption of a draft report Council Decision - OEIL
Surveys on the structure of agricultural holdings Janusz Lewandowski (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Consideration and adoption of a draft report Regulation - OEIL
Trans-European transport networks Mario Mauro (EPP-ED) Codecision 2nd reading Consideration of possible compromise text Regulation - OEIL
- - - - -
BUDGET 2006 - - - -
Amending budget 6/2006: revision of the forecast for traditional own resources, VAT and GNI bases - reduction in appropriations for the EAGGF and the Structural and Cohesion Funds Giovanni Pittella (PSE) - 1st exchange of views -
Transfer of appropriations - Section III - Commission Giovanni Pittella (PSE) - Consideration of transfer request -
Budget 2006 : "Other sections" Valdis Dombrovskis (EPP-ED) - Consideration and adoption of transfer request: -
- - - - -

BUDGET 2007

Draft Budget 2007: Discussion on the outcome of the Conciliation
- Section III Commission: rapporteur James Elles (EPP-ED)
- Other Sections: rapporteur Louis Grech (PSE)

- - - -
- - - - -

CONT - Budgetary Control [ list ]

20-21 November 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
2005 discharge: EC general budget, Section III, Commission Salvador Garriga Polledo (EPP-ED) Discharge - -

Exchange of views

from 15:00h to 17:00 with the Vice-President of the Commission responsible for Administrative Affairs, Audit and Anti-Fraud, Mr Siim Kallas, and the Member of the Commission responsible for Financial Programming and Budget, Mrs Dalia Grybauskaitė;

from 17:00h to 19:00h with the Member of the Commission responsible for Regional Policy, Mrs Danuta Hübner, and the Member of the Commission responsible for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Mr Vladimír Špidla

- - - -

 

Workshop
"Strengthening the functions of the Committee on Budgetary Control"
- full programme -

European Parliament, Brussels
Tuesday, 21 November 2006 (9 am - 12.30)

  • Welcome and opening -
    Szabolcs FAZAKAS MEP, Chairman of the Committee on Budgetary Control in the European Parliament
  • Introduction by Herbert BÖSCH, Vice-chairman and rapporteur.
  • "The role of a modern Parliamentary Audit Committee"
    Mr Nick TREEN, Senior Adviser, SIGMA/OECD
  • Presentation by the UK National Audit Office
    Ms Caroline MAWHOOD, Assistant Auditor General
  • Presentation by the Public Accounts Committee, House of Commons
    Mr Don TOUHIG, Member
  • Presentation by the National Audit Office Lithuania
    Mrs Rasa BUDBERGYTĖ, Auditor General
  • Presentation by the Committee on Audit, Parliament of Lithuania
    Mr Donatas JANKAUSKAS, Member and Chairman of the Committee on Audit
  • Presentation by the European Court of Auditors
    Mr Maarten BENGWIRDA, Member
 Herbert Bösch (PSE) - - -
-  - - -
-
DEVE - Development [ list ] 30 November 2006 - committee homepage
-
       
-
ECON - Economic and Monetary Affairs [ list ] 21-22 November 2006 full agenda committee homepage  
EXCHANGE OF VIEWS with Mr Charlie McCREEVY, Commissioner for the Internal Market and Services - - - -
Prudential assessment of acquisitions and increase of shareholdings in the financial sector Wolf Klinz (ALDE) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report Directive - OEIL
Green Paper: Damages actions for breach of the EC antitrust rules Antolín Sánchez Presedo (PSE) Non legislative Consideration of a draft report Green Paper - OEIL
Structural business statistics Elisa Ferreira (PSE) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report Regulation - OEIL
Coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS) as regards the clarification of certain definitions Wolf Klinz (ALDE) - Consideration of amendments -
COMMITTEE OF EUROPEAN BANKING SUPERVISORS - Exchange of views with Mrs Danièle NOUY, Chairperson of the CEBS. - - - -
VAT on radio and television broadcasting services and certain electronically supplied services Zsolt László Becsey (EPP-ED) - Consideration of amendments (possibly) -
EXCHANGE OF VIEWS with Mr Jean-Claude JUNCKER
 - - - -
         
EMPL - Employment and Social Affairs [ list ] 22-23 November 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
Promoting decent work for all Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou (EPP-ED) Non legislative Consideration of a draft report - With the participation of an ILO expert Communication - OEIL
Corporate social responsibility: a new partnership Richard Howitt (PSE) Non legislative Exchange of views Communication - OEIL
Social services of general interest in the European Union Joel Hasse Ferreira (PSE) Non legislative Consideration of a draft report Communication - OEIL
Ratification of the ILO's 2006 Consolidated Maritime Labour Convention Mary Lou McDonald (GUE/NGL) Consultation Consideration of a draft report Decision - OEIL
Health and safety of workers at work: simplify and rationalise the reports on practical implementation (amend. direct. 89/391/EEC, 83/477/EEC, 91/383/EEC, 92/29/EEC, 94/33/EC) Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) Codecision first reading 1st exchange of views Directive - OEIL
Coordination of social security systems: implementing procedures Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) Codecision first reading Hearing Regulation - OEIL
Social security: coordination of the national systems to promote the free movement of persons (amend. regul. 883/2004/EC) : Annex XI Emine Bozkurt (PSE) Codecision first reading Hearing Regulation - OEIL
- - - - -

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
PUBLIC HEARING
"Coordination of social security systems"

23 November 2006
European Parliament, Brussels

EMPL organises a hearing to pave the way for the preparation of Mrs Lambert and Mrs Bozkurt reports on two Commission proposals in the field of social security, namely the proposal for a Regulation laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EC) 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems, and the proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EC) 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems, and determining the content of Annex XI.

Introductions of Experts

  • Mr Ger ESSERS - EURES
  • Mr Roger HESSEL - European Institute of Public Administration, European Training Centre for Social Affairs and Public Health Care (CEFASS)
  • Mr Peter Johan HUSTINX, European Data Protection Supervisor
  • Mr Rob CORNELISSEN European Commission - DG EMPL

Exchange of views

 - -
--
ENVI - Environment, Public Health and Food Safety [ list ] 20-21 November 2006 full agenda committee homepage  

New common position to be announced (possibly): Eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (amendment of the regulation)

 Dagmar Roth-Behrendt (PSE) - Announcement of timetable Common Positions website
Advanced therapy medicinal products Miroslav Mikolášik (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report Regulation - OEIL
Public health: Programme of Community action in the field of health, 2007-2013 Antonios Trakatellis (EPP-ED) Codecision 2nd reading Update on the proceedings with the Council Decision - OEIL
Thematic Strategy on the sustainable use of natural resources Kartika Tamara Liotard (GUE/NGL) Non legislative Consideration of a draft report Communication - OEIL
Oral question by the Green group on rotten meat and the implementation of
food safety legislation		 - Oral Question with debate Exchange of views with Commission representatives oral question
Exchange of views with Commissioner Barrot on "Clean Vehicles" -- -    

Foodstuffs, nutrition or health claims used in labelling: new regulatory procedure with scrutiny of the implementing powers conferred on the Commission (déc. 2006/512/EC)

 Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) Codecision first reading Adoption of a draft report Regulation - OEIL
Protection of human health, addition of nutrients to food: new regulatory procedure with scrutiny of the implementing powers conferred on the Commission (déc. 2006/512/EC) Karin Scheele (PSE) Codecision first reading Adoption of a draft report Regulation - OEIL
Medicinal products for human use:  new regulatory procedure with scrutiny of the implementing powers conferred on the Commission (déc. 2006/512/EC) Françoise Grossetête (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Adoption of a draft report Regulation - OEIL
The prevention of injury and the promotion of safety Kathy Sinnott (IND/DEM) Consultation Adoption of a draft report Council recommendation - OEIL
- - - -
--
ITRE - Industry, Research and Energy [ list ] 22-23 November 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
In the presence of the Council and the European Commission - - - -
Simplified procedure: Rule 43.1: 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
IN CAMERA: EU-Russia Energy Cooperation - Presentation by the European Commission - - - -
eBusiness and Innovation - Presentation by the European Commission - - - -
Visit of Mr. Ján FIGEL, Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Multilingualism - Exchange of views on the latest Commission proposals - - - -
A European strategy for sustainable, competitive and secure energy Eluned Morgan (PSE) Non legislative Consideration of the compromise amendments presented by the rapporteur, Adoption of a draft report OEIL
The National Regulatory Authorities and the proposed Regulations on Roaming - Exchange of views - - - -
Roaming on public mobile networks Paul Rübig (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Regulation - OEIL
Communication from the Commission to the European Council: Implementing the renewed partnership for growth and jobs - Developing a knowledge flagship: the European Institute of Technology - Exchange of views - - - Communication - OEIL
- - - - -
IMCO - Internal Market and Consumer Protection [ list ] 21-22 November 2006 full agenda committee homepage  
In the presence of the Council and the European Commission - - - -
Exchange of views with Commissioner KYPRIANOU - - - -
Community action programme in the field of consumer protection (2007-2013) Marianne Thyssen (EPP-ED) Codecision second reading Consideration of a common position, Vote (decision) in committee Decision - OEIL
A paperless environment for customs and trade Christopher Heaton-Harris (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Consideration of amendments, Vote (decision) in committee Decision - OEIL
Community Customs Code (Modernized Customs Code) Janelly Fourtou (ALDE) Codecision first reading Consideration of amendments, Vote (decision) in committee Regulation - OEIL
Customs 2013: action programme for customs in the Community Janelly Fourtou (ALDE) Codecision first reading Consideration of amendments, Vote (decision) in committee Decision - OEIL
Combating transnational organised crime: control of the acquisition and possession of weapons, illicit manufacturing and trafficking, tracing of firearms (amend. direct. 91/477/EEC)  Gisela Kallenbach (Verts/ALE) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report Directive - OEIL
Impact and consequences of the exclusion of Health Services from the Directive on Services in the Internal Market - Own initiative Exchange of views -
Preparations of the Public Hearing of the Commissioner designate, Mrs KUNEVA - - Exchange of views -
- - - -
-
INTA - International Trade [ list ] 21-22 November 2006 full agenda committee homepage  
In the presence of the Council and the European Commission        

 

HEARING ON EU ECONOMIC AND TRADE RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA
Tuesday, 21 November 2006, 15.00 - 18.30

PROGRAMME

  • Opening of the Hearing by Mr Enrique Barón Crespo, Chairman of the Committee on International Trade

Theme I: Multilateral and bilateral trade issues

  • Presentation by Mr Ignacio Garcia Bercero, Director DG Trade
  • Presentation by Mrs Iwona Wisniewska, Centre for Eastern Studies, Warsaw
  • Presentation by Mr Anders Åslund, Senior Fellow, Peterson International Institute for Economics, Washington D.C.
  • Questions and comments by Members

Theme II: Energy issues

  • Presentation by Mr Constantinos S. Maniatopoulos, former Director General DG Energy
  • Presentation by representative from Gazprom (tbc)
  • Questions and comments by Members

Theme III: Doing business in Russia

  • Presentation by Dr Andrea Francesco Martinelli, Regional Operating Officer Russia and Ukraine, METRO Cash & Carry, Germany
  • Presentation by Mrs Nina Formby, Project Leader for CIS and Mongolia, European Patent Office, Munich
  • Questions and comments by Members

Conclusion

Statement by H.E. Vladimir A. Chizhov, Ambassador to Mission of the Russian Federation to the European Union

Concluding remarks by the rapporteur Dr. Quisthoudt-Rowohl, Member of the Committee on International Trade

Closing of Hearing by Mr Enrique Barón Crespo, Chairman of the Committee on International Trade

 - - -
Construction of the Euro-Med Free Trade Area Kader Arif (PSE) Own initiative Consideration of a draft report OEIL
Oral Question on Renegotiation of the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) - - Adoption of an oral question Draft oral question
External assistance: a financing instrument for cooperation with the industrialised countries and territories and other high-income countries and territories David Martin (PSE) Consultation Adoption of a draft report Regulation - OEIL

Mini-Hearing on "Aid for Trade: Making Trade work for Development" - Experts invited:

  • Don Stephenson, Ambassador of Canada, Permanent Representative to WTO;
  • Siphana Sok, Head of the Division of Technical Cooperation Coordination- ITC (International Trade Center);
  • Simon John Evenett, Professor of International Trade and Economic Development, University of St Gallen.
-
 - - -
Presentation on mission to Italy, 4-6 October 2006 - - - -
"The EU's economic and trade relations with China" - Presentation by Peter Balas, deputy director general, DG Trade - - - -
EU-US Economic Ministerial Meeting - Exchange of views with representatives of the Commission
- - - -
       
-
TRAN - Transport and Tourism [ list ] 21-23 November 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
Driving licences, repealing Directive 91/439/EEC Mathieu Grosch (EPP-ED) Codecision second reading Consideration of amendments, Adoption of a draft recommendation Directive - OEIL
Development of the Community's railways Georg Jarzembowsky Codecision second reading Consideration of a draft recommendation Directive - OEIL
European Road Safety Action Programme - Mid-Term Review Ewa Hedkvist Petersen (PSE) Non legislative Consideration of amendments, Adoption Communication - OEIL
Harmonisation of technical requirements and administrative procedures in the field of civil aviation Paolo Costa (ALDE) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report, Adoption Regulation - OEIL
Technical requirements for inland waterway vessels Paolo Costa (ALDE) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report, Adoption Directive - OEIL
Double-hull or equivalent design requirements for single-hull oil tankers Fernand Le Rachinel (NI) Codecision first reading Adoption of a draft report Regulation - OEIL
Agreement between the EC and Paraguay on certain aspects of air services Paolo Costa (ALDE) Consultation Adoption of a draft report Decision - OEIL
Certification of train crews operating locomotives and trains on the Community's rail network Gilles Savary (PSE) Codecision second reading Consideration of a draft recommendation Directive - OEIL
International rail passengers' rights and obligations Dirk Sterckx (ALDE) Codecision second reading Consideration of a draft recommendation Regulation- OEIL
Keep Europe moving - sustainable mobility for our continent Etelka Barsi-Pataky (EPP-ED) Non legislative Exchange of views Communication - OEIL
EC/United States agreement: air services, replacing the bilateral agreements by a Community agreement Saïd El Khadraoui (PSE) Consultation Exchange of views Decision - OEIL
Maritime safety: recognition of classification societies, organisations which inspect ships and issue ships’ certificates (repeal. direct. 94/57/EC) Luis de Grandes Pascual (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report Directive - OEIL
Port State control (recast version) Dominique Vlasto (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report Directive / OEIL
Investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector Jaromír Kohlíček (GUE/NGL) Codecision first reading Consideration of amendments Directive - OEIL
In camera: New rules on liquids in hand luggage: exchange of views - - - -
Liability of carriers of passengers by boat in the event of accidents Paolo Costa (ALDE) Codecision first reading Consideration of amendments Regulation - OEIL
Civil liability and financial guarantees of shipowners Gilles Savary (PSE) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report Directive - OEIL
European Aviation Safety Agency Jörg Leichtfried (PSE) Codecision first reading Consideration of amendments Regulation - OEIL
       
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REGI - Regional Development [ list ] 22-23 November 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
In the presence of the Council and the European Commission - - - -
Presentation of the financial instruments JASPERS, JEREMIE and JESSICA - Exchange of views with representatives of the European Commission DG Regio, the European Investment Bank/European Investment Fund, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Council of Europe Development Bank - - - -
Housing and regional policy - With the participation in the debate of Ms Flo Clucas, rapporteur of the Committee of the Regions and Mr Angelo Grasso, rapporteur of the European Economic and Social Committee Alfonso Andria (ALDE) Own initiative Consideration of a working document OEIL
Financial contributions to the International Fund for Ireland (2007-2010) Jim Higgins (EPP-ED) Consultation Adoption of a draft report Regulation - OEIL
External Study on "The impact of Trans-European Networks on Cohesion and Employment" - Presentation of the Study by Ms Silvia Maffii (TRT Trasporti e Territorio Srl) - - - Study

     
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AGRI - Agriculture and Rural Development [ list ] 21-22 November 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
With the Commission: - -