Coronavirus | EU-Turkey | Single Market

With the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rising, the virus is likely to continue to affect meetings and events in the institutions this week. As a last-minute precaution taken by the European Parliament, this week's plenary will exceptionally be held in Brussels instead of Strasbourg. MEPs will use the occasion to assess Europe's efforts in dealing with the rapid spread of the virus.

Today, Ursula von der Leyen marks her 100th day as Commission President. She will kick off her week with a meeting with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Council President Charles Michel tonight. On Tuesday, Commissioners are set to release several new initiatives aimed at strengthening the single market, including a 'European Industrial Strategy' and the 'New Circular Economy Action Plan'. 

European Parliament

MEPs will be in Brussels for a plenary session, starting with a debate on the European Commission’s climate law proposal. Later on this week, they will discuss how the EU should deal with the spread of COVID-19. Parliament will also assess the situation at the Greek-Turkish border. On Wednesday, MEPs will welcome Council President Charles Michel to discuss the next steps in the negotiations for the EU's longterm budget, after leaders failed to reach an agreement during the summit in February. That same day, they will give their opinion on the Commission’s new circular economy plan. What is more, to mark International Women’s Day, Parliament will assess the role of women as agents for change with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

European Commission

Today, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, alongside European Council President Charles Michel, to discuss the crisis at the Turkish-Greek border and the 2016 EU-Turkey deal. Later on this week, the College will discuss and present a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening the single market, including a 'European Industrial Strategy', an 'SME Strategy', a 'Single Market Enforcement Action Plan' and a 'New Circular Economy Action Plan'. Circular Economy has been one of the priorities of the European Green Deal and the Action Plan is part of the Commission's attempt to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent in the world by 2050, by reducing waste and thus decoupling economic growth from the use of natural resource. 

Council of the EU

This week, EU trade ministers will focus on the upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference, as well as recent developments in trade relations with China and the United States and the impact the COVID-19 outbreak could have on supply chains and trade flows. Meanwhile, the Justice and Home Affairs Council will assess the state of play of the European Public Prosecutors Office (EPPO) that is currently being set up.