Exchange of views with Torben Brylle, EU Special Representative for Sudan and for operation EUFOR Tchad/RCA

Any other business - 27 March 2008, 09.00 – 12.30

This session will take place only if the votes on the 2006 discharge reports cannot be completed on 26 March. In the event that the votes on the 2006 discharge reports cannot be completed during the 25-27 March meeting, the meeting of 7 and 8 April 2008 will be maintained so as to allow the plenary debates and votes during the April session.

Monetary dialogue with Mr. Jean-Claude TRICHET, President of the European Central Bank

Reaping the full benefits of the digital dividend in Europe:
A common approach to the use of the spectrum released by the digital switchover

MINI-HEARING on

Digital Dividend: A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

Chaired by Angelika Niebler
Chairwoman of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Rapporteur: Patrizia Toia

European Parliament,
Room: PHS 1A002
Brussels, 27 March 2008, 11h00 to 12h30

DRAFT AGENDA

Opening: Angelika Niebler, Chairwoman

Panel Discussion: The Digital Dividend: Towards Common Spectrum Planning

Questions to be addressed by panellists:

• How much spectrum is going to be realistically freed up by the digital switchover? How to maximise the digital dividend?
  
• Which categories of services are best suited for the released spectrum? What are the new competitive dimensions for broadcasting services? Is Mobile TV the new battlefield? Is the promise of “ubiquitous broadband access for all” realistic?
  
• Why is a common spectrum plan at EU level needed? How to minimise the amount of 'wasted' spectrum? What is the necessary level of harmonisation?
  
• How awarding this spectrum can best promote competition and innovation? What lessons can be learned from the US 700MHz auction? Are there alternative innovative approaches?

Panel members:

• Jean Revéillon, Director General of the European Broadcasting Union
• Simon Wilson, Chairman of the Frequencies Working Group of GSM Europe
• Tim Hewitt, Director Regulatory and Spectrum Policy, WiMAX Forum
• Bernd Wiemann, Chairman of Broadcast Mobile Convergence Forum
• Antonio Nicita, Professor of Economic Policy University of Siena

Questions and answers

Conclusions and closure by Patrizia Toia, rapporteur

Public Hearing on
Governance and Partnership in Regional Policy
27 March 2008, 10:30 - 12:30
ASP 03 E 02

Draft Programme

• Ms Herta TÖDTLING-SCHÖNHOFER, OÏR Managementdienste GmbH, Austria, presentation of the study "Governance and Partnership in Regional Policy"
• Mr Olivier DERRUINE, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee
• Mr Petr OSVALD, First Vice-President of COTER Committee, Member of the Committee of the Regions
• Mr Desmond CLIFFORD, Head of the Wales Representation Office in Brussels
• Mr Bernard LANGE, European Commission, DG Regional Policy
• Debate with MEPs

COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
HEARING
27 March 2008, 10:00 - 12:30

Situation and perspectives for the aquaculture sector

Room ASP 1E2
rue Wiertz - BRUSSELS

PROGRAMME

• Opening statement by Mr Philippe Morillon, Chairman of the Committee on Fisheries.
• Presentation by each of the following speakers:
  • Goulven BREST, President, National Committee of shellfish-farming
    (France)
  • Richie FLYNN, Executive Secretary, Irish Farmers' Association,
    Aquaculture Section (Ireland)
  • Pr. Christos NEOPHYTOU, Head of Department of the Agriculture,
    Ichthyology & Aquatic Environment, University of Thessaly (Greece)
  • Javier OJEDA, Manager, APROMAR (Employers' association of
    Producers of Marine Cultures) (Spain)
  • Lara BARAZI-YEROULANOU, Vice-President, Federation of Greek
    Maricultures
  • Alistair LANE, Executive Director, European Aquaculture Society
  • François SIMARD, Advisor on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Centre for
    Mediterranean Cooperation, IUCN (International Union for the
    Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources)
• Questions from Members of the Committee and answers from speakers.
• Closing statement by Mr Philippe Morillon, Chairman of the Committee on Fisheries.

The independence of the judiciary

to be held between 3.45 p.m. and 6.30 p.m.
on Wednesday, 26 March 2008

in Room PHS 5 B 1

Welcome, introduction by the Chairman and presenting the draft report
Giuseppe Gargani MEP

• The position in France (French Judge/academic)
  Questions and answers
• The position in Italy: Avv. Salvatore Catalano
  Questions and answers
• The position in Spain: Mr Miguel Carmona, President of the Provincial Court of Seville
  Questions and answers
• The position in Belgium: Prof. Christian Behrendt, Department of Public Law, University of Liege
  Questions and answers

Summing up by the rapporteur and conclusions

Guidelines for the speakers

The Chairman considers that the principle of the independence of the judiciary, understood in the broad sense as including also public prosecutors, reflects the "principles which are common to the Member States within the meaning of Article 6 of the EU Treaty". The committee's experience in dealing with parliamentary immunity has brought to light instances in which it is considered that this principle may not have been properly respected. With a view to identifying how the independence of the judiciary is guaranteed in the Member States, speakers are asked to address the following matters:

1. To what extent is the principle of separation of powers respected in your Member State?
2. On what constitutional/legislative/other foundations is the principle of the independency of the judiciary based in your Member State? Speakers are invited to consider the system of appointments to the judiciary, dismissal from office, etc., relations with Parliament and the legislature and the media. How well does the system work in practice?
3. What is the relationship between the judiciary and the political arena? Do you consider that there is any tendency for or threat of a "politicisation" of the judiciary?
4. Is any reform of the judicial system which might affect the independence of the judiciary contemplated in your Member State?

Transparency of institutional investors