Budget | Transport | Libya

With Friday being a public holiday, the EU institutions have a short but busy week ahead of them. The European Parliament will kick off its packed agenda with several committee meetings today. The Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON) will host a debate with Commission Vice-President Dombrovskis and Commissioner Gentiloni on the economic tools that can address the COVID-19 pandemic. MEPs of the LIBE Committee will focus on the EU’s borders by discussing recent developments in Libya and on the Central Mediterranean Route.

The Council will focus mostly on transport, tourism and border management this week. Meanwhile, following last week’s leaders summit, the Commission will work on a new MFF proposal that is expected to be presented next week. Commissioners will also take part in bilateral meetings as well as the weekly College meeting on Wednesday.

European Parliament

Today, a number of Committee meetings will take place, involving the ECON, IMCO and LIBE committee. LIBE will look into the situation in Libya and on the Central Mediterranean Route, together with Commission representatives from DG NEAR, DG HOME, Frontex, UNHCR, Médecins sans frontières, Sea Eye, and the Council of Europe. Later on this week, the Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) will exchange views with Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean. Meanwhile, the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) will debate a report on the framework of ethical aspects of artificial intelligence, robotics and related technologies.

European Commission

As the Commission prepares a new draft for a long-term budget proposal, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will start her week with a videoconference with European Council President Charles Michel. In the meantime, Commissioner Thierry Breton will hold a videoconference with EU Health Ministers. On Tuesday, Commissioner Johansson will continue her weekly, informal meetings with Justice, Home Affairs and Interior Ministers of the EU. On Wednesday, the 27 Commissioners will convene for their weekly College meeting.

Council of the EU

Today, tourism ministers will exchange information and best practice on relief measures taken so far at national level to support businesses in the tourism sector, which has been one of the economic sectors most heavily affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The Council will also explore possible future action at national and EU level for the quick recovery of the sector. In a similar effort, transport ministers will meet later on this week, to discuss how to coordinate the relaxation of measures currently in place in the sector. On Tuesday, EU home affairs ministers will discuss the situation at the EU’s internal and external borders while assessing how to support the functioning of the internal market and the flow of goods as well as migration.