EP Plenary | Munich | Western Balkans



The European Parliament plenary resumes this week in Strasbourg. One of the main focus areas will be the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF), as there is yet to be an agreement between the institutions on the EU's long-term budget. In anticipation of the Special European Council on 20 February, there will be a debate between MEPs on the topic this Wednesday.  

On Tuesday, the College of Commissioners will convene to discuss matters on European defence. In the second half of the week, EU leaders take part in the annual Munich Security Conference where, together with international decision-makers, they will take part in discussions on international diplomacy, security, and defence. 

Moreover, in anticipation of the Western Balkan Summit in Croatia in May, a meeting between leaders of the EU and the Western Balkan countries will take place this Sunday.



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European Parliament

In addition to the above-mentioned EU budget debate, the European Parliament will also focus on human rights this week, with MEPs debating on a Gender Equality Strategy, as well as the EU’s priorities for the 64th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. On Thursday, MEPs will debate and vote on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Furthermore, in light of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (which was last Thursday), there will be a vote on the EU’s strategy to put an end to the practice.

Other debates and votes this week include Parliament's position on the future EU-UK partnership as well as the economic trade agreement between the EU and Vietnam and the EU’s statements on fighting against antisemitism, racism, and hatred across Europe. MEPs will additionally discuss AI in terms of how to ensure its safe and unbiased use.



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European Commission

Commissioners have a busy week ahead, with multiple activities planned. There will be a College meeting on Tuesday, where the colleagues will debate on matters of European defence. In the days following, several Commissioners will attend the 2020 Munich Security Conference and deliver key note speeches. 

In more detail, today Margrethe Vestager will meet Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland. On Tuesday, Olivér Várhelyi will be in Ukraine in order to meet with members of the Ukrainian government and the Parliamentary Committee on Integration of Ukraine with the EU. On Wednesday, EC President Ursula von der Leyen will address the Strasbourg Plenary on the topic of the Multiannual Financial Framework. On Sunday, President Ursula von der Leyen will participate in the Council's informal Western Balkans meeting. 



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European Council

On Sunday, a meeting will be held between EU officials and Western Balkans countries’ leaders. In attendance will be European Council President Charles Michel, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, as the representative of the country presiding over the Council of the EU, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Joseph Borell. This meeting is a precursor to the Western Balkan summit which will be held in May, in Zagreb.



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