UK Office of the European Parliament

EP News, January 18th, 2008 (No. 339)

 

The Week Ahead, 21-25 January 2008

 

Highlights of the week 21-25 January include

  • Energy & climate change - special plenary session (Weds) to discuss latest Commission proposals;
  • President Musharraf of Pakistan to Foreign Affairs Cttee (Tues);
  • Organ donation - EU action - draft report discussed in Environment/Health Cttee;
  • Electro-magnetic fields Directive - 1st reading amending 2004 Dir. - Employment Cttee;
  • Brazilian beef - European Commission statement - Agriculture Cttee.
 

UK MEPs

  • Richard Corbett MEP MEP (Lab. Yorks & Humber) - adoption report on EU Reform Treaty (Constitutional Affairs Cttee);
  • Neena Gill MEP (Lab. West Midlands) - adoption report on research & older people (Industry/Research Cttee);
  • Elspeth Attwooll MEP (Lib Dem. Scotland) - adoption report on Fisheries - rights-based management (Fisheries Cttee);
  • Liz Lynne MEP (Lib Dem., West Midlands) - draft report on equal opps and discrimination (Employment Cttee);
  • Robert Evans MEP (Lab, London) - opinion on ship dismantling (Transport Cttee).

 

Petitions

  • Equitable Life - latest developments with representatives of the Equitable Life Action Group;
  • Spanish Land law petition - latest developments;
  • Mortgages - non-respect by UK building societies of prudential notes.

 

Public hearings

  • Energy regulators co-operation (Industry/Energy Cttee) - includes evidence from Sir John Mogg of Ofgem (Thurs);
  • Internet data protection (Civil Liberties Cttee) includes evidence from Microsoft, Google, Yahoo representatives (Mon);
  • Trade in raw materials & commodities (Intl Trade Cttee) with evidence from UNCTAD, Conf. of European Paper Inds (Tues);
  • Lisbon guidelines (Economic & Employment Cttees) - UK evidence from Commons European Scrutiny Cttee (Tues).

 

 

Latest News

Among the votes at the Strasbourg plenary session 14-17 January:


Consumer credit directive

MEPs adopted new rules aimed at stimulating the EU market in consumer credit. Two out of three Europeans use credit to buy furniture, a washing machine or a car. But the vast majority seek lending only in their own country. The new directive should make it easier for people to compare loan offers from lenders in any EU country.

The vote followed a series of negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers (representing the EU's 27 Member State governments), given that both Parliament and Council have to agree the new rules before they can come into effect. Among the main aspects of the new rules, as voted today:

  • Standard information on loan conditions will make it easier to calculate the total cost of a loan offered by various banks;
  • A right to withdraw from a loan within 14 days will apply EU-wide;
  • The Directive sets out the terms for lenders to seek compensation for early repayment of credit; it sets a ceiling for early repayment penalties and defines when compensation cannot be claimed. It also stipulates when a lender can, exceptionally, claim higher compensation;
  • The new rules cover loans between a value of €200 and €75,000.

This was the 2nd reading in the European Parliament where each amendment adopted needed at least 393 votes (50% + 1). The text now passes to the Council of Ministers, which is expected to confirm the vote at one its next meetings. The directive would then come into effect in two years' time.

The following UK MEPs took part in the debate [click here for the transcript]: Malcolm Harbour (Cons, West Midlands); Arlene McCarthy (Lab, North West); Diana Wallis (Lib Dem, Yorks & Humber); Godfrey Bloom (UKIP, Yorks & Humber).



Airport charges

The European Parliament adopted approved at 1st reading a proposed new directive setting out common principles for levying airport charges at Community airports. The directive aims to prevent any abuse of a dominant position in the market by individual airports, thus contributing to the balanced development of the EU airport sector. The report was adopted with 613 votes in favour, 33 against and 51 abstentions.

The European Commission had proposed that the new rules should apply to airports with an annual traffic of more than one million passengers, but the European Parliament is in favour of five million passengers as a threshold or which accounted annually for more than 15% of the passenger movements in the Member State where it is located. UK airports affected will be: Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Luton, Manchester and Newcastle.

UK MEPs who spoke in the debate [click here for the transcript]: Brian Simpson (Lab, North West); Jim Allister (Ind., Nthn Ireland); Timothy Kirkhope (Cons, Yorks & Humber).


Kenya

MEPs call for "fresh presidential elections" in case a credible and fair recount of the votes in the presidential election by an independent body proves impossible, according to a resolution adopted by the European Parliament. MEPs also ask for the freezing of further budgetary support to the government of Kenya until the current crisis is resolved. The joint resolution was adopted by a large majority in a show of hands.

UK MEPs who spoke in the debate [click here for the transcript]: Glenys Kinnock (Lab, Wales); David Martin (Lab, Scotland).



Motor industry competitiveness

Research funding needs to be increased to meet binding CO2 targets in the car industry, says the European Parliament's report on a competitive automotive regulatory framework (CARS 21). The House adds that cars should be permitted to emit more CO2 if these emissions result from mandatory safety measures, and that intellectual property rights must be effectively protected worldwide. The report was adopted with 607 votes in favour, 76 against and 14 abstentions.

UK MEPs who spoke in the debate [click here for the transcript]: Malcolm Harbour (Cons, West Midlands); Gary Titley (Lab, North West); Chris Davies (Lib Dem, North West)

 

 

Committee meetings

Note to readers: Where available, a link to the factsheet on the European Parliament's Legislative Observatory (the 'OEIL') is included in the right-hand column: OEIL files often contain a summary 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.europa.eu, 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 January 2008 full agenda committee homepage
-

Any other business

  • Report by Mr Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, Chief Observer of the EU Election
    Observation Mission to Kenya (27 December 2007) and Mr Jan Mulder, Chairperson of the EP Election Observation Delegation
  • Report by Mrs Marie Anne Isler Beguin, Chairperson of the EP Election Observation
    Delegation to Georgia (2-7 January 2008)
  • Report by Mr José Ignacio Salafranca Sanchez-Neyra, Co-President of the EuroLat
    Parliamentary Assembly, on the 1st Ordinary Plenary Session (18-20 December 2007 in Brussels)
  • Reports from the Subcommittees on Human Rights and Security and Defence
 - - - -
Joint meeting with the Delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia - - - -
Exchange of views with H.E Mr Pervez Musharraf, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan - - - -
Commission's 2007 enlargement strategy paper Elmar Brok (EPP-ED) Non legislative Consideration of working document Communication - OEIL
FYROM (joint debate): - - - -
FYROM's 2007 progress report Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) Own initiative Consideration of draft report OEIL
Exchange of views with Mr Antonio Milososki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and with Mr Erwan Fouéré, EU Special Representative for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Head of the Commission Delegation - - - -
The European Union's role in Iraq Ana Maria Gomes (PSE) Own initiative Consideration of draft report OEIL
Exchange of views with Mr Saeed Jalili, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran (to be confirmed) - - - -
- - - -
-
SEDE - Subcommittee on Security and Defence [ list ] 23-24 January 2008 full agenda committee homepage
-
With the Council and Commission - - - -
Perspectives of the CFE-Treaty - Exchange of views with Mr Michael D. MIGGINS, Head of the "Arms Control and Coordination" Section, Political Affairs Division, NATO International Secretariat - - - -
Annual report on the implementation of the European Security Strategy and ESDP Helmut Kuhne (PSE) - Exchange of views
(without document)		 -
Exchange of views with Mrs Metka IPAVIC, Slovene Ambassador, Chair of the PSC - - - -

European Security and Defence College

  • Exchange of views with Mrs Claude-France ARNOULD, Director DG E VIII, Council General Secretariat
  • Exchange of views with Mrs Julia LIEB, Stiftung für Wissenschaft und Politik
 - - - -

EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine - Exchange of views with the Commission

 - - - -
- - - - -
DROI - Subcommittee on Human Rights [ list ] 23-24 January 2008 full agenda committee homepage
--
Exchange of views on the activities of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) - - - -
Exchange of views on the Human Rights situation in Afghanistan - - - -
Exchange of views on a EU support and protection mechanism for Human Rights Defenders - - - -
State of the Ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances (adopted by the UN General Assembly by consensus on 20 December 2006) - - - -
Exchange of views on the imprisonment of two journalists in the Republic of Niger
- - - -

Questions to the Commission

 - - - -
- - - - -
BUDG - Budgets [ list ] 23-24 January 2008 full agenda committee homepage
-
LEGISLATIVE REPORTS        
Amendment of regulation on a standard financial regulation for the executive agencies entrusted with the management of Community programmes Ingeborg Gräßle (EPP-ED) Consultation Exchange of views Regulation - OEIL
Framework Financial Regulation for the bodies referred to in Article 185 of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 Ingeborg Gräßle (EPP-ED) Consultation Exchange of views Regulation - OEIL
  - - - -
BUDGET 2009 - - - -
Budget 2009
- Rapporteur Section III: Jutta Haug (PSE)
- Rapporteur Other Sections: Janusz Lewandowski (EPP-ED)		 - Budget First presentation  
  - - - -
PROCEDURES - - - -
Discussion on Section III and Other Sections annual procedures - - - -
  - - - -
BUDGET 2008 - - - Budget 2008 website
Draft amending budget 1/2008 Kyösti Virrankoski (ALDE)   Exchange of views possibly  
2008 budget: Section III - Commission - possible transfer requests Kyösti Virrankoski (ALDE)      

2008 budget - Other Sections
- Consideration and adoption of transfer requests: Committee of Regions, Economic and Social Committee.
- Other possible transfer requests

 Ville Itälä (EPP-ED)      
  - - - -
BUILDING POLICY - - - -
Fisheries Agency in Vigo Jan Mulder (ALDE) - - -
  - - - -
STUDIES - Presentation of 3 studies - - - -

Structural Funds support for innovation – implementation challenges for 2007-2013 and beyond * Appointed Members: Ms Starkeviciute, Mr Surjan, Ms Douay, Ms Griesbeck

The EU added value of Agricultural expenditure – from market to multifunctionality – gathering criticism and success stories of CAP * Appointed Members: Ms Trüpel, Mr Virrankoski, Mr Berman

Study on the Administrative reforms of the Commission in relation to ABB/ABM * Appointed Members: Ms Guy-Quint, Ms Grässle, Mr Virrankoski

 - - - -
- - - - -

CONT - Budgetary Control [ list ]

21-22 January 2008 full agenda committee homepage
-

2006 Discharge to the European Parliament - Exchange of views with the Vice-President of the European Parliament responsible for Budget and Budget Control and Chair of the Audit Panel, Mr Luigi Cocilovo, and the Secretary-General of the European Parliament, Mr Harald Rømer

José Javier Pomés Ruiz (EPP-ED) - - 2006 Budget discharge website
Transparency in financial matters
 José Javier Pomés Ruiz (EPP-ED) Own initiative Adoption of a draft report OEIL

Protection of the Communities’ financial interests – Fight against fraud – Annual
reports 2005 - 2006

 Francesco Musotto (EPP-ED) Non legislative Adoption of a draft report Annual Report - OEIL
2006 Discharge to the Commission - Exchange of views with the Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Administrative Affairs, Audit and Anti-Fraud, Mr Siim Kallas Dan Jørgensen (PSE) - - -
- - -
-
-
DEVE - Development [ list ] 28-29 January 2008   committee homepage
-
- - -
-
-
- - -
-
-
ECON - Economic and Monetary Affairs [ list ] 22 January 2008 full agenda committee homepage  
Programme for the Modernisation of European Enterprise and Trade Statistics
(MEETS)		 Christoph Konrad (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading First exchange of views Decision - OEIL

22 January 2008, 09.30 – 11.00 - Joint Public Hearing (ECON - EMPL committees) on
"The Integrated Guidelines in connection with the Renewed Lisbon Strategy"

 - - -- -
Strategic Report on the Renewed Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs: Launching
the new cycle (2008-2010)		 Margarita Starkevičiūtė (ALDE) - Consideration of amendments OEIL
Competition: Sector inquiry on retail banking Gianni Pittella (PSE) Non legislative First exchange of views Final competition inquiry report - OEIL
Green Paper on Retail Financial Services in the Single Market Othmar Karas (EPP-ED) Non legislative First exchange of views Green Paper - OEIL
- - - - -

«The Broad Economic Policy Guidelines
Revision of the cycle: What challenges European and national economic policy?»

«European Financial Supervision, Crisis Management on Financial Markets»
A debate with National Parliaments
Brussels, 22 - 23 January 2008
Location: PHS 3C50

DRAFT PROGRAMME as of 14 January 2008

 

Tuesday, 22 January 2008: 15:00 - 22:00

Welcome by Mr Manuel António dos Santos, Vice-President of the European Parliament

Introduction by Mrs Pervenche Berès, Chair of the Committee on Economic and
Monetary Affairs, European Parliament, together with Mr Bojan Starman, Chair of the
Committee on Finance and Monetary Policy at the Slovenian Parliament

PART I:
"The Broad Economic Policy Guidelines
Revision of the cycle: What challenges European and national economic policy?»

  • Presentation by Mr Žiga Turk, Slovenian Minister for Growth
  • Presentation by Mr Mario Monti, Chairman Board of Bruegel, President Bocconi University
  • Presentation by Mr Joaquín Almunia, Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs
  • Discussion
  • Presentation by Mr Didier Migaud, Chair of the Committee on Finance, General Economy and Plan at the French National Assembly
  • Presentation by Mr Jorge Neto, Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee at the Portuguese Parliament
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion of the discussions by Mrs Pervenche Berès
  • Dinner-debate (by invitation only) with Mr Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa, Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance (Italy), Chair of the IMFC

Wednesday, 23 January 2008: 09:00 - 12:30

PART II:
"European Financial Supervision, Crisis Management on Financial Markets"

  • Welcome by Mrs Pervenche Berès together with Mr Milan Cvikl, Member of the Committee on Finance and Monetary Policy at the Slovenian Parliament
  • Presentation by Mr Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the ECB
  • Presentation by Baron Alexandre Lamfalussy, Chair of the Group of Wise Men on the Regulation of Securities Markets
  • Presentation by Mr Andrej Bajuk, Slovenian Minister of Finance
  • Discussion
  • Conclusions and summary of proceedings by Mrs. Pervenche Berès together with Mr Milan Cvikl
 - - -
- - -
-
-
EMPL - Employment and Social Affairs [ list ] 22-23 January 2008 full agenda committee homepage
-
Exchange of views with Ms Marjeta COTMAN, Minister for Labour, Family and Social Affairs - Presentation of the work programme of the Slovenian Presidency. - - - -
The demographic future of Europe Françoise Castex (PSE) Non legislative Consideration of amendments. Consideration and adoption of draft report. Communication - OEIL
Progress made in equal-opportunities and non-discrimination in the EU (the transposition of Directives 2000/43/EC and 2000/78/EC Elizabeth Lynne (ALDE) Own initiative Exchange of views OEIL
Exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields) Jan Andersson (PSE) Codecision first reading Exchange of views. Vote on simplified procedure (Rule 43(1) – without amendment): report. Directive - OEIL
Employment Guidelines 2008 - 2010 Anne Van Lancker (PSE) - Exchange of views with Mr Gabaglio (EMCO) -

Presentation of the Work Programme 2008 of the following agencies:

  • The European Training Foundation
  • The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work
  • The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
  • The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training
 - - - -
Presentation by the European Commission and the OECD of the LEED programme. - - - -
European Training Foundation (recast version) Bernard Lehideux (ALDE) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Regulation - OEIL
- - -
-
-
ENVI - Environment, Public Health and Food Safety [ list ] 22-23 January 2008 full agenda committee homepage  
Exchange of views with Mrs Zofija Mazej Kukovic, Slovene Minister for Health - - - -
Organ donation and transplantation: Policy actions at EU level Adamos Adamou (GUE/NGL) Non legislative Consideration of draft report Communication - OEIL
Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the hygiene of foodstuffs Horst Schnellhardt (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Consideration of draft report Regulation - OEIL
Report back from the delegation visit to Ireland, Dublin, on environmental implementation and food safety issues and the bi-annual visit to FVO in Grange, 19 - 20 November 2007 - - Exchange of views -
Exchange of views with Mr Janez Podobnik, Slovene Minister for the Environment and Town and Country Planning - - Exchange of views -
Green paper on better ship dismantling Johannes Blokland (IND/DEM) Non legislative Exchange of views Green Paper - OEIL
Monitoring and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from fuels (road transport and inland waterway vessels) Dorette Corbey (PSE) Codecision first reading Exchange of views
on a possible first reading agreement with Council		 Directive - OEIL
- - - - -
ITRE - Industry, Research and Energy [ list ] 23-24 January 2008 full agenda committee homepage
-
With the Council and Commission: - - - -
Study on "A common European spectrum policy: barriers and prospects"

Presentation by the Policy Department		 - - - -
Enhancing the quality of life of older people Neena Gill (PSE) Codecision first reading Consideration of amendments · Adoption of draft report Decision - OEIL
Continuation of the exchange of views on the Energy Package Electricity and Gas - - - -
Letter of Commissioner Piebalgs on the Commission's impact assessment - - - -
Internal market in electricity Eluned Morgan (PSE) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Directive - OEIL
Conditions for access to the network for cross-border exchanges in electricity Alejo Vidal-Quadras (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Regulation - OEIL
Internal market in natural gas Romano Maria La Russa (UEN) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Directive - OEIL
Conditions for access to the natural gas transmission networks Atanas Paparizov (PSE) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Regulation - OEIL
Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators Renato Brunetta (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Regulation - OEIL
Visit of Minister Andrej Vizjak, Slovenian Minister of Economy, and Minister
Radovan Zerjal, Slovenian Minister of Transport and Communication, Presidencyin-
Office of the Council of the European Union		 - - - -
Visit of Minister Mojca Kucler Dolinar, Slovenian Minister of Higher Education,
Science and Technology, Presidency-in-Office of the Council of the European
Union		 - - - -

Mini-Hearing on EUROSTARS

24 January 2008, from 11:30 until 12:30

programme
will appear here
(item 18).
- - -

PUBLIC HEARING ON

"The Agency for the Co-operation of Energy Regulators"
Chaired by Angelika Niebler MEP
Chairwoman of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Rapporteur: Renato Brunetta MEP

European Parliament, Brussels,
24th January 2007, 15.00 - 18.30

AGENDA

Opening: Angelika Niebler, Chairwoman

First panel
Regulatory Overview: The Legal and Budgetary Context

  • Reimer Böge, Chairman/ Jutta Haug, Rapporteur on Agencies, Budgets
    Committee, European Parliament
  • Giulio Napolitano, Professor for Public Law, Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Rome
  • Sir John Mogg, Chair, European Regulators Board for Electricity and Gas
  • Mr de Ladoucette, Chairman of the Electricity Regulation Commission, France
  • Professor Pippo Ranci, Florence School of Regulation

Questions and answers, discussion


Second panel
Stakeholder View: Will the Commission's proposal deliver more effective energy regulation?

  • Hans Gruenfeld, President, The International Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers
  • Holger Krawinkel, BEUC, The European Consumers Organisation
  • Jacques Laurelut, Chairman, Gas Transmission Europe
  • Miranda Robredo, Chairman, EURELECTRIC

Questions and answers, discussion

Response: European Commission

Conclusion: Renato Brunetta, Rapporteur

 - - -
- - - - -
IMCO - Internal Market and Consumer Protection [ list ] 22-23 January 2008 full agenda committee homepage  
With the Council and Commission - - - -
Community Customs Code Janelly Fourtou (ALDE) Codecision second reading Consideration of amendments. Adoption of draft recommendation for second reading Regulation - OEIL
The EU Consumer Policy strategy 2007-2013 Lasse Lehtinen (PSE) Non legislative Consideration of draft report Communication - OEIL
Towards a European Charter on the Rights of Energy Consumers Mia De Vits (PSE) Non legislative Exchange of views OEIL
Certain issues relating to motor insurance Nickolay Mladenov (EPP-ED) Non legislative Exchange of views Report - OEIL
Protecting the Consumer: Improving consumer education and awareness on credit and finance Corapporteurs:
Iliana Malinova Iotova (PSE)
Othmar Karas (EPP-ED)		 Own initiative Exchange of views - possibly OEIL
Mutual assistance and cooperation between the administrative authorities of the Member States and the Commission concerning the application of the law on customs and agricultural matters Bill Newton Dunn (ALDE) Codecision first reading Consideration of Council's Position Regulation - OEIL
Protection of consumers in respect of certain aspects of timeshare Toine Manders (ALDE) Codecision first reading Consideration of draft report Directive - OEIL
Exchange of views with Mr Andrej VIZJAK (Ministry of Economy): Priorities of the Slovenian Presidency - - - -
- - - - -
INTA - International Trade [ list ] 22-23 January 2008 full agenda (pdf) committee homepage  
With the Council and Commission - - - -
Trade related aspects of EU/US bilateral relations to the TLD initiative - Exchange of views - - - -
Industrial Policy (in particular steel and textiles sectors) - Exchange of views with representatives of the European Commission - - - -
Challenges and opportunities resulting from globalisation for the economic and trade relations between the EU and LA countries Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna, EPP-DE Consultation Exchange of views -

HEARING

TRADE IN RAW MATERIALS AND COMMODITIES
Tuesday, 22 January 2008, 3.00 - 5.30 pm
ASP A3G-2, Brussels

  • Opening by Mr Helmuth Markov, Chairman of the Committee on International Trade
  • Presentation of the study on "Trade in raw materials and primary commodities: recent trends and options for EU trade policy" by Mr Hadj Saadi, Pierre Mendès-France University, Grenoble, Chargé de cours à l'Université Pierre Mendès-France de Grenoble et Chercheur au Groupe d'Analyse des Marchés de Matières Premières (GAMMAP)
  • Questions and answers
  • Presentation by Mr Benoît Daviron, Centre de coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), Montpellier
  • Questions and answers
  • Presentation by Mr Harmon C. Thomas, Head, Commodities Branch/DITC, UNCTAD
  • Questions and answers
  • Presentation by Dr Guido Glania, Representative of BusinessEurope for trade and raw materials
  • Presentation by Mr Bernard Lombard, Trade & Competitiveness Director, Confederation of European Paper Industries
  • Questions and answers
  • Conclusions
 - - -
Recent developments in the WTO Dispute settlement - - - -
Implementing trade policy through efficient import and export rules and
procedures		 Jean-Pierre Audy (EPP-ED) Own initiative First exchange of views OEIL
Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) - Exchange of views with the Commission - - - -
Presentation by Mr J VIZJAK, Minister for Economy of the Slovenian government, representing the president-in-office of the Council, on the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency in the area of international trade policy - - -