EP Plenary | EUCO | Enlargement

As people and organisations across Europe are gradually adapting to the new normal of teleworking and restricted physical interactions, the European institutions have modified their agenda to continue functioning as much as possible. While in the European Parliament some Committee meetings are canceled this week, others remain on the agenda. Moreover, Parliament will be holding a one-day plenary session on Thursday, where MEPs will use a remote voting system to approve measures to tackle the outbreak of Coronavirus. On Thursday, EU leaders will take part in a video conference to follow up on the EU’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. They will also use the European Council summit to assess how to help citizens stranded in third countries.

European Parliament

An extraordinary, one-day plenary session has been called on Thursday by EP President David Sassoli, to approve measures presented by the commission to tackle the outbreak of Coronavirus. This will be the first plenary session to use a long-distance voting system.  

When it comes to the parliamentary committees, many meetings are cancelled this week,  including those of the FEMM, ECON and BUDG Committees. A meeting of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) is still scheduled for this week.

European Commission

This week, HR/VP Borrell, together with the rest of the College, will discuss and present the EU’s next ‘Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy’. The action plan tends to cover a 5-year period, in this case from 2020 to 2024, and aims to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to promoting and protecting fundamental values worldwide. The plan also takes into account any new challenges posed for instance by political shifts and new technologies. Commissioner Lenarčič will hold a video call with Ms. Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF on Wednesday. On Thursday, Commissioner Gentiloni will hold a video conference with Ms. Ana Botin, the Executive Chairman of the Santander Group.

Council of the EU

This week, Foreign Affairs Council and a General Affairs Council are set to take place. While COVID-19 will be a priority for ministers in both Council meetings, the General Affairs Council on Tuesday will discuss Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process, with particular attention to the question of opening accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia. Furthermore, the rule of law situation in Poland and Hungary will be addressed.