Europe Day | MFF | Western Balkans

This week, citizens and institutions will celebrate Europe Day, marking the 70th anniversary of the 'Schuman declaration' that was delivered on 9th May 1950 and proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community that would pave the way for a future of cooperation in Europe. As coronavirus measures restrict public events this year, institutions and citizens across Europe will celebrate the day through numerous activities online.

As the global fight against the pandemic continues, the ‘Coronavirus Global Response’ pledging campaign, which the EU is part of, will kick off today. Later on this week, the Commission will publish a reworked longterm budget and work programme that can enable the bloc’s swift recovery. On Wednesday, EU and Western Balkan leaders will gather for an online summit which is hosted by the Croatian Presidency and was initially meant to take place in Zagreb.

European Parliament

This week, a number of committees will vote on their respective recommendations on the negotiations for a new partnership with the UK. Moreover, the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) will debate the EU’s Just Transition Fund and will vote on a safety net to protect the beneficiaries of EU programmes that are part of the MFF. The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) will hold a debate with Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President of the European Commission for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age, on the EU response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

European Commission

Today, the EU, together with several global partners such as the World Health Organization, will kick off a worldwide pledging marathon, otherwise known as the “Coronavirus Global Response”, with an online event. The raised funds will be used to develop fast and equitable access to safe, quality, effective and affordable diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines against coronavirus. Later on this week, the Commission is expected to publish a new proposal for the EU’s next longterm budget that takes into account new priorities and demands under the pandemic.

Council of the EU

On Tuesday, EU employment and social affairs ministers will hold a video conference to discuss the demographic challenges in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the implications for the labour markets and the economy. They will also exchange views on exit and recovery measures taken and foreseen at national and EU level. Telecommunications ministers will discuss tracing apps and electronic communication data for the purpose of tackling the COVID-19 crisis. On Friday, the Eurogroup will discuss, amongst other issues, the economic situation in the euro area and the Pandemic Crisis Support.

European Council | Croatian Presidency

On Wednesday, EU and Western Balkan leaders will take part in an online summit that will focus on common challenges and future cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkan countries. The summit was initially meant to take place in Zagreb and is one of the signature events of the Croatian EU Presidency.