EUCO | Climate | Western Balkans

This week, EU leaders will take part in a video call to discuss the EU's response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Since the European Council’s last online meeting, the Commission, the Council of the EU, including the Eurogroup, as well as the European Parliament have been working on a coordinated approach to the health and economic crises.
Ahead of the European Council, the Croatian Presidency will chair a number of (virtual) ministerial meetings this week, involving EU sport ministers on Tuesday and foreign and European affairs ministers on Wednesday. Meanwhile, MEPs as well as a number of European Commissioners will take part in parliamentary committee meetings and hearings this week to discuss, amongst other topics, the tourism sector under COVID-19, the EU Green Deal, the Western Balkans and the future EU-UK relationship.

European Parliament

This week, several parliamentary committees will hold online meetings, including the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), the Committee on International Trade (INTA) and the Committee on Development (DEVE). The TRAN Committee will hold a discussion with Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, on the Commission’s response to the COVID-19 crisis in the tourism sector. ENVI will have a debate with Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, and Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management, on COVID-19 and the EU-measures to tackle the pandemic. MEPs will also discuss the European Green Deal and the European Climate Law with Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President MEPs of the AFET committee will exchange views with HR/VP Josep Borrell on the implications of COVID-19 for the external action of the EU.

European Council

On Thursday, EU heads of state and government will hold a videoconference to follow up on the EU's response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Leaders will discuss a coordinated exit strategy and a comprehensive recovery plan, as part of the EU’s roadmap to ensure the well-being of all Europeans and to bring the EU back to strong, sustainable and inclusive growth. EU leaders will also discuss the Eurogroup’s recent proposals to tackle the socio-economic consequences of the crisis.

Council of the EU

On Tuesday, EU sport ministers will discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sport sector, while focusing on measures foreseen to support and successfully restart the activity of the sport sector and on ways to ensure the continuity of athletes’ training and enhance the physical activity of citizens. EU foreign affairs ministers and ministers for European affairs will talk on Wednesday in preparation of the European Council.