Plenary | Trade | G20

This week, the European Parliament will hold an extraordinary, two-day plenary session in Brussels, to continue with parliamentary work on the special measures to fight the pandemic. Meanwhile, EU health ministers will assess the steps already taken in different Member States to stop the spread of COVID-19 and will reflect on the challenges ahead. Education ministers will discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education this week, while trade ministers will look into the pandemic’s impact on trade relations and global value chains. They will focus on what the EU can do to alleviate the socioeconomic impact of the crisis. The Trade Council will also look at lessons to be learned from the shock effect the crisis has had on the global economy and the international trading system. On Sunday, EU representatives will participate in a teleconference of the G20 Health Ministers.

European Parliament

On the agenda of this week’s special two-day plenary will be a debate with Council and Commission and a vote on a resolution on EU coordinated action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences. The European Parliament is also ready to vote on any legislative or budgetary proposals prepared in time by the European Commission to further address the current situation.
Moreover, an online meeting of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection will take place this Tuesday. On the agenda: A discussion with Justice Commissioner Reynders on EU measures to protect consumers and safeguard their rights in times of COVID-19 as well as a vote on an opinion on the guidelines for the 2021 Budget.

European Commission

While there will be no formal College meeting this week, the Commission continues to focus on supporting Member States in coordinating their responses to the COVID-19 crisis. Commissioner Gabriel will take part in the meeting of education ministers. She will also join a videoconference with chief scientific advisors, ministers and leaders of international partners on COVID-19. Meanwhile, Commissioner Breton and Commissioner Reynders will put forward EU-wide recommendations and standards for the use of virus-tracking digital tools that can help fight the virus but need to respect the privacy of citizens. On Sunday, Commissioner Kyriakides will take part in a teleconference of the G20 Health Ministers.

Council of the EU

On Tuesday, EU ministers of education will hold a video conference together with EU Commissioner Gabriel to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education. On Wednesday, EU health ministers will take stock of the current situation and measures already taken in response to the spread of COVID-19 in the EU and will reflect on the challenges ahead in order to find the best coordinated approach for moving forward. On Thursday, Croatia’s Minister for Foreign and European Affairs will chair an online meeting with EU trade ministers to assess the pandemic’s impact on trade relations and global value chains.