EP News, May 2nd, 2008 (No. 356)
Highlights in committee include:
UK MEPs lead on:
Public hearings:
Highlights of the plenary session (Weds-Thurs 7-8 May) include
Every year since 1985, May 9 has been celebrated across the EU as Europe Day. It is an opportunity to come together and learn more about the European Union and its 27 Member States. In the evening of Friday May 9 teams across the UK are pooling their knowledge and racking their brains to take part in a special Europe Day Pub Quiz devised by the European Parliament's UK Office.
How many official languages does the EU have?
What is the European emergency number?
How many times zones are there in the EU?
When did the Channel Tunnel open?
Although primarily intended for May 9 the quiz book can be used at any time of the year.
For more information, to order a quiz book or to take part and find out the answers, contact caroline.boyle@europarl.europa.eu
Committee in charge |
Date of meeting |
Link to full agenda |
Link to Committee |
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Title of procedure |
MEP in charge |
Type of procedure |
Stage of procedure |
Proposed Act / OEIL |
| AFET - Foreign Affairs [ list ] | 6 May 2008 | full agenda | committee homepage | - |
| Report by Doris Pack, Chairwoman of the Delegation for relations with the countries of south-east Europe on AFET delegation visit to Kosovo from 17 to 19 April 2008 |
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| 2006 annual report on the CFSP | Jacek Saryusz-Wolski (EPP–ED) | Own initiative | Consideration of amendments · Adoption of draft report | OEIL |
| Annual report on the implementation of the European Security Strategy and ESDP | Helmut Kuhne (PSE) | Own initiative | Consideration of amendments· Adoption of draft report | OEIL |
| Exchange of views with Matjaž Šinkovec, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, on the results of the General Affairs and External Relations Council of 27-28 April 2008 | - | - | - | - |
| Exchange of views with Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, "structural dialogue" on Commission´s work programme 2008 and ASP 2009 | - | - | - | - |
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| SEDE - Subcommittee on Security and Defence [ list ] | 5 May 2008 | full agenda | committee homepage | - |
| EUROCORPS and ESDP - Exchange of views with Lieutenant General Pedro Pitarch, Commander of Eurocorps | - | - | - | - |
Private security companies
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EUBAM Moldova/Ukraine - Exchange of views with Mr Karl von Wogau and Mr Ioan Mircea Pascu |
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Possibly, other delegation(s) - Exchange of views |
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| DROI - Subcommittee on Human Rights [ list ] | 6 May 2008 | full agenda | committee homepage | -- |
Exchange of views with Kesang Yangkyi Takla, Minister for Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. |
- | - | - | European Parliament resolution of 10 April 2008 on Tibet |
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| BUDG - Budgets [ list ] | 6 May 2008 | full agenda | committee homepage | - |
| BUDGET 2009 | Budget procedure website | |||
| 2009 budget: First reflections on the 2009 PDB and mandate for the conciliation · Exchange of views and presentation of PDB for the year 2009 by Commissioner Grybauskaite at 9h30 | Jutta Haug (PSE) | - | - | - |
| 2009 budget: Parliament's estimates | Janusz Lewandowski (EPP–ED) | - | Consideration and adoption of draft report | - |
| Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: Exchange of views and mini hearing on the use of EUSF in Greece and Slovenia | Reimer Böge (EPP–ED) | - | - | - |
| The financial aspects of the Reform Treaty | Catherine Guy-Quint (PSE) | - | - | - |
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| BUDGET 2008 | - | - | - | Budget 2008 |
| Amending budget 3/2008: Microsoft - Joint Technology Initiatives | Kyösti Virrankoski (ALDE) | - | Exchange of views | - |
| Amending budget 4/2008: budgeting the surplus from the 2007 budget year | Kyösti Virrankoski (ALDE) | - | - | - |
| 2008 budget: Section III - Commission | Kyösti Virrankoski (ALDE) | - | Other possible transfer requests | - |
| 2008 budget - Other Sections - Court of Justice: Modification of Establishment Plan according to Art 47 of the Financial Regulation - Other possible transfer requests |
Ville Itälä (EPP-ED) | - | - | - |
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| BUILDING POLICY | - | - | - | - |
| Court of Auditors - extension (K3 building) | Jan Mulder (ALDE) | - | - | - |
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| EXECUTIVE AGENCIES | - | - | - | - |
| "Executive Agency for the Public Health Programme" - Transformation into an "Executive Agency for Health and Consumer Protection" - Extension of mandate | Jutta Haug (PSE) | - | - | Decision |
| Executive agency Education, Audiovisual and Culture - Extension of mandate | Jutta Haug (PSE) | - | - | Decision |
Trans-European Transport Network Executive Agency - Modification of the tasks
and extension of the period of operation |
Jutta Haug (PSE) | - | - | Decision |
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CONT - Budgetary Control [ list ] |
5-6 May 2008 | full agenda | committee homepage | - |
Public hearing UNITED AGAINST VAT FRAUD? European Parliament Brussels, 5 May 2008, 15.00 - 18.30
Session I: Member States' perspective Ms Marjetka ŠTEMBERGER Mr Frank PHILIPSEN Mr Harald ROHNKE Question time Mr Lex SCHALBAR Mr Cedric ANDREW - Debate - Session II: The role of EU institutions Prof. Dr. Sabine GLESS - Debate - Closing remarks: Bart STAES, Rapporteur |
Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) |
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| Follow-up on the 2006 discharge to the Commission (rapporteur: Dan Jørgensen
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| The budget review from the perspective of accountability and budgetary control Communication from the Commission "Reforming the budget, changing Europe - a public consultation paper in view of the 2008/2009 budget review" |
Herbert Bösch (PSE) | - | Exchange of views with Gabriele Cipriani, Director, European Court of Auditors | - |
| New regulation on investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) |
Ingeborg Gräßle (EPP–ED) | Codecision first reading | Consideration of several working documents | - |
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| DEVE - Development [ list ] | 5-6 May 2008 | full agenda | committee homepage | - |
| With the Council and Commission | - | - | - | - |
| Meeting with Professor Jeffrey Sachs, special adviser to the UN Secretary-General, on the Millennium Development Goals in the field of health and aid effectiveness, with Dr Alvaro Bermejo, Executive Director of the NGO Action for Global Health - Exchange of views | - | - | - | - |
| Explosion in food prices - Exchange of views | - | - | - | - |
| Follow-up to the Monterrey Conference of 2002 on Financing for Development | Thijs Berman (PSE) | Own initiative | Exchange of views | OEIL |
| Work of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in 2007 | Alain Hutchinson (PSE) | Own initiative | Adoption of draft report | OEIL |
| Follow up to the Paris Declaration of 2005 on Aid Effectiveness | Johan Van Hecke (ALDE) | Own initiative | Adoption of draft report | OEIL |
| Meeting with Louis Michel, Member of the Commission for Development and Humanitarian Aid, particularly on the Commission’s annual policy strategy for 2009 - Exchange of views | - | - | - | - |
| Joint public hearing Panel I : legal framework and current practice Speakers:
Panel II: improving the EU’s response to women involved in armed conflict:
recommendations Speakers:
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The hearing on Tuesday 6 May (afternoon) will be followed, from 18.30 to 19.30 in the same room (A 3 G 2), by a screening of the film ‘Rape: a weapon of war in the Congo’ (in the original languages, with subtitles only in French) |
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| ECON - Economic and Monetary Affairs [ list ] | 5-6 May 2008 | full agenda | committee homepage | |
| Co-ordinated strategy to improve the fight against fiscal fraud | Sharon Bowles (ALDE) | Non legislative | Consideration of draft report | Communication - OEIL |
| Programme for the Modernisation of European Enterprise and Trade Statistics (MEETS) |
Christoph Konrad (EPP–ED) | Codecision first reading | Consideration of amendments | Decision - OEIL |
| Lamfalussy follow-up: future structure of supervision | Daniel Dăianu (ALDE) Ieke Van Den Burg (PSE) |
- | Exchange of views | - |
| Hedge funds and private equity | Poul Nyrup Rasmussen (PSE) | Own initiative | Consideration of draft report | OEIL |
| Value added tax on the treatment of insurance and financial services | Joseph Muscat (PSE) | Consultation | Consideration of draft report | Directive - OEIL |
| Common system of value added tax | Dariusz Rosati (PSE) | Consultation | Consideration of amendments | Directive - OEIL |
| Financial markets crisis: update Exchange of views with Jörgen Holmquist, Director-General of DG Internal Market and Services | - | - | - | - |
| Exchange of views with Thomas Steffen (Chairman of CEIOPS - Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors) | - | - | - | - |
| Green Paper on Retail Financial Services in the Single Market | Othmar Karas (EPP–ED) | Non legislative | Adoption of draft report | Green paper - OEIL |
| Competition: Sector inquiry on retail banking | Gianni Pittella (PSE) | Non legislative | Adoption of draft report | Inquiry Report - OEIL |
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| EMPL - Employment and Social Affairs [ list ] | 5-6 May 2008 | full agenda | committee homepage | - |
| Guidelines for employment policies | Anne Van Lancker (PSE) | Consultation | Consideration of amendments Consideration and adoption of draft report | Decision - OEIL |
| European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion | Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou (EPP–ED) | Codecision first reading | Consideration of amendments Consideration and adoption of draft report | Decision - OEIL |
| Elder abuse | - | - | Consideration and adoption of question for oral answer | - |
| Health Care Financing in the context of Social Security | - | - | Presentation of the study | - |
Hearing Promoting social inclusion and combating poverty, including child poverty, in the EU |
Programme | - | - | - |
| Coordination of social security systems: Annex XI | Emine Bozkurt (PSE) | Codecision first reading | Consideration of amendments | Regulation - OEIL |
| Coordination of social security systems | Emine Bozkurt (PSE) | Codecision first reading | Consideration of amendments | Regulation - OEIL |
| Coordination of social security systems: implementing procedures | Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) | Codecision first reading | Consideration of amendments | Regulation - OEIL |
| Extension of the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 and Regulation (EC) No […] to nationals of third countries who are not already covered by these provisions solely on the ground of their nationality |
Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) | Consultation | Consideration of amendments | Regulation - OEIL |
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| ENVI - Environment, Public Health and Food Safety [ list ] | 6 May 2008 | full agenda | committee homepage | |
| Documents received for information | - | - | - | - |
| Proposal for a Council regulation adapting Annex I to Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules COM(2008)0048 | - | - | - | - |
| Proposal for a Council decision establishing the position to be taken on behalf of
the European Community on the interpretation of Article 14 of the Aarhus
Convention
COM(2008)0174 |
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| 7 May 2008 | full agenda | |||
| Greenhouse gas emission allowance trading system | Avril Doyle (EPP–ED) | Codecision 1st reading | Exchange of views without a document | Directive - OEIL |
| Shared effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions | Satu Hassi (Verts/ALE) | Codecision 1st reading | Exchange of views without a document | Decision - OEIL |
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| ITRE - Industry, Research and Energy [ list ] | 6 May 2008 |
full agenda | committee homepage | - |
| With the Council and Commission | - | - | - | - |
| European Network and Information Security Agency | Angelika Niebler (EPP–ED) | Codecision first reading | Exchange of views | Regulation - OEIL |
| Electronic communications networks and services | Catherine Trautmann (PSE) | Codecision first reading | Consideration of draft report | Directive - OEIL |
| European Electronic Communications Market Authority | Pilar Del Castillo Vera (EPP–ED) | Codecision first reading | Consideration of draft report | Regulation - OEIL |
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| Joint debate: | - | - | - | - |
| Internal market in natural gas | Romano Maria La Russa (UEN) | Codecision first reading | Consideration of amendments | Directive - OEIL |
| Conditions for access to the natural gas transmission networks | Atanas Paparizov (PSE) | Codecision first reading | Consideration of amendments | Regulation - OEIL |
| Conditions for access to the network for cross-border exchanges in electricity | Alejo Vidal-Quadras (EPP–ED) | Codecision first reading | Consideration of amendments | Regulation - OEIL |
| Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators | Renato Brunetta (EPP–ED) | Codecision first reading | Consideration of amendments | Regulation - OEIL |
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| Internal market in electricity | Eluned Morgan (PSE) | Codecision first reading | Adoption of draft report | Directive - OEIL |
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| IMCO - Internal Market and Consumer Protection [ list ] | 6 May 2008 | Full agenda | committee homepage | |
| With the Council and Commission | ||||
| Protection of consumers in respect of certain aspects of timeshare | Toine Manders (ALDE) | Codecision first reading | Adoption of draft report | Directive - OEIL |
| Transfers of defence-related products | Heide Rühle (Verts/ALE) | Codecision first reading | Exchange of views | Directive - OEIL |
| Type-approval of hydrogen powered motor vehicles | Anja Weisgerber (EPP–ED) | Codecision first reading | Consideration of amendments | Regulation - OEIL |
| Electronic communications networks and services, protection of privacy and consumer protection |
Malcolm Harbour (EPP–ED) | Codecision first reading | Exchange of views with experts and consideration of draft report |
Communication - OEIL |
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| INTA - International Trade [ list ] | 5-6 May 2008 | full agenda | committee homepage | |
| With the Council and Commission | - | - | - | - |
MINI-HEARING ON
INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN *** DRAFT PROGRAMME *** Opening of the mini-hearing by Mr Helmuth Markov, Chairman of the INTA Committee Presentation by a representative of the European Commission Theme 1 The Economic Impact of Counterfeiting and Piracy
Theme 2 Counterfeiting, the point of view of the European industry
Theme 3 Infringements to intellectual property rights and piracy
Comments by a representative of the European Commission |
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| Implementing trade policy through efficient import and export rules and procedures | Jean-Pierre Audy (EPP–ED) | Own initiative | Adoption of draft report | OEIL |
| Oral question with a resolution on the Airbus/Boeing WTO disputes | - | - | Adoption ofr a draft resolution winding up the debate on the oral question | - |
| OQ with resolution on the "International Tropical Timber Agreement" | - | - | Adoption of an oral question and its resolution winding up the debate on the oral question |
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| The reform of the Community Trade Defence Instruments | Christofer Fjellner (EPP–ED) | Own initiative | Exchange of views | OEIL |
| Generalised tariff preferences for the period from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011 | Helmuth Markov (GUE/NGL) | Consultation | Consideration of draft report | Regulation - OEIL |
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In camera - Presentation of the Legal Service of the opinion on the involvement of the Parliament in the conclusion of the Economic Partnership Agreements |
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| TRAN - Transport and Tourism [ list ] | 5-6 May 2008 | full agenda | committee homepage | - |
| Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air transport services in the Community (recast) |
Arūnas Degutis (ALDE) | Codecision second reading | Working procedure | Regulation - OEIL |
| Minimum level of training of seafarers (recast version) | Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (EPP–ED) | Codecision first reading | Consideration of amendments Consideration and adoption | Directive - OEIL |
| Towards a new culture for urban mobility | Reinhard Rack (EPP–ED) | Non legislative | Consideration of amendments | Communication - OEIL |
| A European Ports Policy | Josu Ortuondo Larrea (ALDE) | Non legislative | Exchange of views | Communication - OEIL |
| Inland transport of dangerous goods | Bogusław Liberadzki (PSE) | Codecision second reading | Consideration of draft recommendation for second reading | Directive - OEIL |
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| REGI - Regional Development [ list ] | 28-29 May 2008 | committee homepage | - |
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| AGRI - Agriculture and Rural Development [ list ] | 6 May 2008 | full agenda | committee homepage | - |
| With the Commission | - | - | - | - |
| Specific measures for agriculture in favour of the smaller Aegean islands |
Neil Parish (EPP–ED) | Consultation | Vote on simplified procedure (Rule 43(1) – without amendment): report | Regulation - OEIL |
| What future for young farmers under the ongoing reform of the CAP | Donato Tommaso Veraldi (ALDE) | Own initiative | Adoption of draft report | OEIL |
| The future of the sheep/lamb and goat sector in Europe | Liam Aylward (UEN) | Own initiative | Consideration of draft report | OEIL |
| Exchange of views with Mariann Fischer Boel, Member of the Commission responsible for Agriculture and Rural Developpment - Exchange of views on the Annual Policy Strategy 2009 | - | - | - | - |
| The placing on the market and use of feed | Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe Zu Baringdorf (Verts/ALE) | Codecision first reading | Exchange of views | Directive - OEIL |
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| PECH - Fisheries [ list ] | 5-6 May 2008 | full agenda | committee homepage | - |
| Exchange of views with Joe Borg, Member of the Commission, on the 2009 legislative and work programme on the basis of the 2009 annual policy strategy | - | - | - | - |
| Exchange of views with Joe Borg, Member of the Commission, on the Lisbon Treaty, the fisheries agreement between the EC and Mauritania and other matters | - | - | - | - |
| Fisheries and aquaculture in the context of integrated coastal zone management in Europe | Ioannis Gklavakis (PPE-DE) | Non legislative | Consideration of draft report | Communication (report) - OEIL |
| Protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems | Duarte Freitas (PPE-DE) | Consultation | Adoption of draft report | Regulation - OEIL |
| Environmental effects of fishing gear and the social and economic consequences of modification, substitution or withdrawal Presentation of the study | - | - | - | - |
| Exchange of views with Harm Koster, Director of the Community Fisheries Control Agency, on control of illegal bluefin tuna fishing in the Mediterranean | - | - | - | - |
Exchange of views with Fokion Fotiadis, Director-General of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries DG at the Commission, on the directorate-general’s change of name, mission and structure |
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| CULT - Culture and Education [ list ] | 5-6 May 2008 | full agenda | committee homepage | - |
| With the Council and Commission | - | - | - | - |
| Erasmus Mundus programme (2009-2013) | Marielle De Sarnez (ALDE) | Codecision first reading | Consideration of draft report | Decision - OEIL |
| The Bologna Process and student mobility | Doris Pack (EPP–ED) | Own initiative | Consideration of draft report | OEIL |
| Exchange of views with Petru Dumitru (European Schoolnet) on the Spring Day for Europe | - | - | - | - |
Improving the quality of teacher education Presentation by Roger Beard (Institute of Education, University of London) on "Content and Quality of Teacher Education across the European Union" study |
Maria Badia I Cutchet (PSE) | Own initiative | Consideration of draft report | OEIL |
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| JURI - Legal Affairs [ list ] | 19 May 2008 | committee homepage | ||
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| LIBE - Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs [ list ] | 5-6 May 2008 | full agenda | committee homepage | - |
| Contact-point network against corruption | Hubert Pirker (EPP–ED) | Consultation | Adoption of draft report | Decision - OEIL |
| Protection of the euro against counterfeiting | Agustín Díaz De Mera García Consuegra (EPP–ED) |
Consultation | Consideration of draft report | Regulation - OEIL |
| Exchanges between the Member States of information extracted from the criminal record |
Agustín Díaz De Mera García Consuegra (EPP–ED) |
Consultation | Consideration of draft report | Framework Decision - OEIL |
| Use of the Visa Information System (VIS) under the Schengen Borders Code * Consideration of draft in the presence of the Slovenian Presidency, the President of the Working group Mr. G. Janc and the EC | Mihael Brejc (EPP–ED) | Codecision first reading | - | Regulation - OEIL |
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| Joint debate | - | - | - | - |
| Accession of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the EU, the EC and Switzerland on Switzerland’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis | Ewa Klamt (EPP–ED) | Consultation | Consideration of draft report | Decision - OEIL |
| Accession of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the EC and Switzerland concerning the establishment of the State responsible for examining a request for asylum lodged in a Member State or in Switzerland | Ewa Klamt (EPP–ED) | Consultation | Consideration of draft report | Decision - OEIL |
| Protocol between the EC, Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the EC and Switzerland concerning the criteria and mechanisms for establishing the State responsible for examining a request for asylum lodged in a Member State, in Switzerland or Liechtenstein | Ewa Klamt (EPP–ED) | Consultation | Consideration of draft report | Decision - OEIL |
| Conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of highly qualified employment | Ewa Klamt (EPP–ED) | Consultation | Consideration of working documents | Directive - OEIL |
| EUROJUST: Presentation of the annual report 2007 by Mr. José Luís LOPES da MOTA, President of the College of Eurojust | - | - | - | - |
| LIBE delegation visit to refugee centres in Belgium 11 (October 2007) | Giusto Catania (GUE/NGL) | - | Exchange of views on a delegation report | - |
| Use of Passenger Name Record (PNR) for law enforcement purposes Presentation by the Slovenian Presidency on the latest developments of EU-PNR | Sophia In 'T Veld (ALDE) | Consultation | - | Council Framework Decision - OEIL |
| Draft wind-up resolution on the EP debates on Visa Waiver (EU/USA Troika meeting of 13 March 2008 and Plenary debate of 23 April 2008) Exchange of views and preparation of a wind-up resolution | - | - | - | - |
| Sanctions against employers of illegally staying third-country nationals | Claudio Fava (PSE) | Codecision first reading | Exchange of views | Directive - OEIL |
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| AFCO - Constitutional Affairs [ list ] | 26-27 May 2008 | committee homepage | - |
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| FEMM - Women's Rights and Gender Equality [ list ] | committee homepage | -- |
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| PETI - Petitions [ list ] | 26-27 May 2008 | committee homepage | - |
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