date |
details |
| Week beginning 5th October, 2008 |
Plenary session and committee meetings – Brussels
John will be attending meetings of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee. In particular, the item on:
Solvency II. The Committee votes at first reading on the overhaul of the supervisory framework for the insurance sector (Tuesday).
John will be attending meetings of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and the following plenary events:
Financial market supervision. MEPs vote on a formal request for the Commission to propose laws to improve the framework for supervising financial markets. (debate and vote Thursday)
Ingrid Betancourt. The plenary will be addressed by the former Colombian presidential candidate freed from 6 years as a hostage in July. Ms Betancourt will join EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering for a press conference (Wednesday) and take part in meetings with a number of EP bodies (Thursday)
The plenary agenda also includes a debate on the forthcoming EU summit and votes on the use of EU symbols by Parliament, water scarcity in Europe, the EU’s health strategy and tackling poverty.
Climate Change. The Environment Committee votes on the emissions trading system, on carbon capture and storage and on effort sharing in reducing CO2 emissions (Tuesday).
Temporary workers. The rights of agency workers are at the heart of a second reading vote in the Employment Committee (Tuesday).
Budget 2009. The Budgets Committee devotes most of the week to its first reading vote on the 2009 EU budget. (Monday – Thursday)
CAP Health Check. The Agriculture Committee adopts its position on the proposed reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (Tuesday).
Joseph Blatter. The FIFA chairman joins a discussion with the Culture Committee (Monday).
Lisbon Treaty. The Irish Foreign Minister discusses the Lisbon Treaty with the Constitutional Affairs Committee (Monday).
Human rights. The EP, Commission and the UN hold a conference to mark 60 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Tuesday and Wednesday). There will also be an event for the European Day against the Death Penalty (Tuesday).
Euro-Med Assembly. The Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly holds a plenary session in Jordan, under the Presidency of Hans-Gert Pöttering (Saturday 11 – Monday 13 October).
Scottish MEP lunch with Malawi Ambassador, hosted by Catherine Stihler MEP.
ICAEW Seminar: Business Growth, globalisation and regulation.
Scotland:
IOD Business Leaders Dinner, St Andrews.
|
| Week beginning 29th September, 2008 |
MEPs' External Activities Week.
John will be attending the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham this week. |
| Week beginning 22nd September |
Brussels:
This week John will be attending the plenary part session of the European Parliament in Brussels. He will also be attending parliamentary group meetings preparing for the sittings of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee of which he is Vice Chairman and of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee of which he is a member.
Items on the plenary session include the following:
Debate on the world financial system and the consequences on the European markets
Hedge funds and private equity - recommendations for regulation
Electronics communications networks and services
Getting a grip on energy prices
White paper on nutrition, obesity and over-weight related health issues
VAT on insurance and financial services
|
| Week beginning 8th September |
Brussels:
Monetary Dialogue with ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet. For this year's third Monetary Dialogue, Mr Trichet will meet the ECON Committee, of which John is Vice Chairman, on 10 September from 9.00 to 11.00. The ECB President and the MEPs will discuss the questions of how much inevitable US - euro area interdependence is there in monetary policy and if we are experiencing a new (and lasting) upward shift in inflation. Further points of discussion could be the ECB's decision in July to raise its refinancing rate to 4.25%, and the current money market developments.
Exchange of views with Jean-Claude Juncker
On 10 September from 11.00 to 12.30, the ECON Committee will meet the President of the Eurogroup, Jean-Claude Juncker, for their second exchange of views this year. One issue for discussion could be the economic outlook for the euro area, whose GDP declined by 0.2% in the second quarter of 2008 - the first contraction since the launch of the single currency in 1999.
John will attend meetings of the following committees.
Economic and Monetary Affairs:
Agenda items include:
Discussion on hedge funds
Community statistics relating to the trading of goods between member states
White Paper on damages action for breach of the EC antitrust rules
European Court of Auditoros' special report concerning administrative co-operation in VAT.
Industry, Research and Energy:
Agenda items inclulde:
Greenhouse gas emissions trading system.
Harmonisation of some spects of copyright and related rights in the information society.
The developmentof micro-credit in support of growth and employment.
Energy produced from renewable sources.
|
| Week beginning 1st September |
Brussels
Plenary
John will be attending the Parliament's Plenary Session in Brussels (not Strasbourg) this week.
Items of particular interest to John include:
Better protection for users' rights in use of technology
EU-wide spectrum management for full benefits of wireless services
Co-ordinated use of "digital dividend" spectrum
Social package - including health facility and discrimination directive
Cloning of animals for food supply
More competition in airline reservation systems
Fisheries and acquaculture in integrated coastal zone management
Framework directive on soil protection
State aid to ports guidelines
Freight should be a higher rail network priority |
| Week beginning 21st July, 2008 |
External activities. The week beginning 27 July is set aside for MEPs to work in their constituencies and for visits by Parliamentary delegations, so there are no official meetings in Brussels.
John will be visiting contituents and attending meetings in Scotland.
|
| Week beginning 14 July 2008 |
Brussels:
John will be attending the following:
Committee Meetings:
Industry, Research and Energy
Econommic and Monetary Affairs
Mashreq Delegation
EPP-ED seminar on More Security in Europe
Meeting with Ben Gil nof Misys banking and financial services sector software and services provider.
Scotland:
Visit to Quaker Oats Plant, Cupar, with Miles Briggs, NEF candidate.
|
| Week beginning 7th July, 2008 |
Strasbourg
John will attend the plenary session in Strasbourg where he will debate upon and vote with fellow MEPs on some of the following agenda items:
New guidelines in the 2009 budgetary process
New political grouping rules
Environmental impact of the planned gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea
Stabilisation of Afghanistan: challenges for the EU
Inclusion of aviation activities in the scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowancne trading within the Community
Conditions for access to the natural gas transmission networks
European strategic energy technology plan
Amendment of directive on the Community's railways
Establishing a European Railway Agency - amendment
Rules for the operation of air transport services
Report on the European central Bank annual report for 2007
Co-ordination of social security systems
A common system of VAT
The Airbus/Boeing World Trade Organsiation disputes
Uniform format for the numbering of visas
To establishing a common authorisation procedure for food additives, etc.
John will also attend preparatory meetings of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee and of the Industry Research and Energy Committee.
|
| Week beginning 30 June 2008 |
Committee meetings and political groups week – Brussels
Preparations for the plenary session. Parliament’s political groups, including the EPP-ED of which John's Conservative UK Delegation are members, will devote most of the week to preparations for the Strasbourg plenary session of 7-10 July.
The main legislative items on the Strasbourg agenda include the gas market, food additives, air ticket pricing and the inclusion of aviation in the emissions trading system. The plenary will also see President Sarkozy debating the priorities of his country’s six-month presidency of the Council and ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet joining MEPs to discuss the Central Bank’s policies.
Meanwhile, in Brussels this week and two days before the ECB decides whether to raise interest rates, Economics Commissioner Joaquín Almunia will give his assessment of the EU economy to the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee of which John is Vice Chairman.
There will also be a debate on border controls. National MPs from around the EU join MEPs from the Civil Liberties Committee for a round-table debate on management of the EU’s borders. (Monday)
President Pöttering will welcome participants to a conference on global food security being held at Parliament in Brussels. (Thursday)
|
| Week beginning 16th June |
Strasbourg:
Plenary
This week John will be attending the plenary session of the Parliament in Strasbourg. He will be voting and following the debates on some of these issues. The reference numbers are a guide to finding the full documents on the Europarl website:
Oral questions - The crisis in the fisheries sector caused by rising fuel oil prices (O-0063/2008 - B6-0162/2008) (O-0064/2008 - B6-0163/2008)
Council and Commission statements - Preparation of the EU/Russia summit (26-27 June 2008)
The EU answer to the challenge of sovereign wealth funds (O-0067/2008 - B6-0164/2008) (O-0068/2008 - B6-0165/2008)
Recommendation for second reading: Bogusław Liberadzki (A6-0227/2008) - Inland transport of dangerous goods
Report: Helmuth Markov (A6-0050/2008) - Road infrastructure safety
Report: Liam Aylward (A6-0196/2008) - Future of the sheep/lamb and goat sector in Europe
Recommendation for second reading: Caroline Jackson (A6-0162/2008) - Revision of the framework directive on waste
Recommendation for second reading: Anne Laperrouze (A6-0192/2008) - Environmental quality standards in the field of water policy
Commission statement - Reinforcing the Union's disaster response capacity
Report: Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou (A6-0173/2008) - European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
The impact of cohesion policy on the integration of vulnerable communities and groups
Report: Frithjof Schmidt (A6-0137/2008) - Policy coherence for development and the effects of the EU's exploitation of certain biological natural resources on development in West Africa.
Report: Manfred Weber (A6-0339/2007) - Common standards and procedures for the return of illegally staying third-country nationals
Report: David Casa (A6-0231/2008) - Adoption by Slovakia of the single currency on 1 January 2009
Report: Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (A6-0178/2008) - Minimum level of training of seafarers (recast version)
Report: Avril Doyle (A6-0190/2008) - Establishment of residue limits of pharmacologically active substances in foodstuffs of animal origin
Report: Eluned Morgan (A6-0191/2008) - Internal market in electricity
Report: Alejo Vidal-Quadras (A6-0228/2008) - Conditions for access to the network for cross-border exchanges in electricity
Report: Giles Chichester (A6-0226/2008) - Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators
Report: Mia De Vits (A6-0202/2008) - on Towards a European Charter on the Rights of Energy Consumers
Commission statement - Import of poultry carcases
Protection of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
Report: Zita Gurmai (A6-0169/2008) - Towards Europe-wide Safer, Cleaner and Efficient Mobility: The First Intelligent Car Report
Burma: continued detention of political prisoners
Somalia: routine killing of civilians
Iran: execution of juvenile offenders
|
| Week beginning 9th June |
Brussels:
John will be attending several debates in Brussels this week, including oreign policy and defence, illegal fishing and financial services.
Also under discussion will be the results of the last EU-US Summit, the deteriorating situation in Georgia and the Union's relations with Mediterranean countries - the so called Barcelona process.
Wednesday 4 June
Foreign policy: The session opens at 3pm with a joint debate on foreign policy, security and defence. The Foreign Affairs Committee highlights the increased effectiveness the Lisbon Treaty could give to the EU's foreign policy, while also pointing to the need for increased parliamentary scrutiny and democratic legitimacy in the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). The Committee's stance is set out in two own initiative reports.
EU-US Summit: Parliament will debate the forthcoming EU-US Summit to be held in Slovenia on 9 and 10 June. The summit will centre on the following key areas: Regional and political issues, global security issues, present-day global challenges and bilateral transatlantic partnership. The House will also vote on a resolution on this topic.
Illegal fishing: John, as one of Scotland's seen MEPs, has a particular interest in this issue - the EU system against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing IUU). MEPs in the committee propose several amendments concerning the Community list of IUU fishing vessels, the inspections to be carried out and the sanctions and other measures to be imposed by Member States.
Financial services: As vice Chairman of the economic and monetary Affairs Committee, John is very much at the centre of this debate on competition, retail and financial services. Consumers should have more choice in, and pay less for, banking and financial services, says the report. This could be achieved in part by removing the obstacles to cross-border products. One way to do this is to reduce the differences between national regulations. The reports also stress the importance of improving financial literacy among consumers.
Forced prostitution: The last point on Wednesday evening is an oral question to the Commission on forced prostitution and human trafficking, especially of women for the purpose of sexual exploitation during the European football championship 2008. Within the framework of events it organised to mark International Women's Day on 8 March 2006, the European Parliament's Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality launched a campaign to alert the public to the need to prevent and combat trafficking and forced prostitution during the FIFA World Cup 2006 championship.
Thursday 5 June
Barcelona process: The session opens on Thursday with MEPs debating the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean after hearing statements from the Council and Commission. The European Commission adopted proposals on 20 May 2008 for upgrading relations with its Mediterranean partners through the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean. The relationship is likely to be a priority of the French Presidency during the second half of 2008. MEPs will vote on a resolution on this topic.
|
| Week beginning 2 June, 2008 |
Brussels:
John will attend the following:
Information, Research and Energy Committee Preparatory Meeting.
Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee Workshops on Solvency 11.
Briefing - 4-5 June 2008 - Brussels plenary session.
Group meeting of the EPP-ED.
Brought forward by the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee of which John is Vice Chairman, MEPs will debate a report on competition, retail and financial services. Consumers should have more choice in, and pay less for, banking and financial services. This could be achieved in part by removing the obstacles to cross-border products. One way to do this is to reduce the differences between national regulations. The reports also stress the importance of improving financial literacy among consumers.
The session opens at 3pm with a joint debate on foreign policy, security and defence. The Foreign Affairs Committee highlights the increased effectiveness the Lisbon Treaty could give to the EU's foreign policy, while also pointing to the need for increased parliamentary scrutiny and democratic legitimacy in the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). The Committee's stance is set out in two own initiative reports.
Parliament will debate the forthcoming EU-US Summit to be held in Slovenia on 9 and 10 June. The summit will centre on the following key areas: Regional and political issues, global security issues, present-day global challenges and bilateral transatlantic partnership. The House will also vote on a resolution on this topic.
The House then turns its attention to the EU system against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. MEPs in the committee propose several amendments concerning the Community list of IUU fishing vessels, the inspections to be carried out and the sanctions and other measures to be imposed by Member States.
The last point on Wednesday evening is an oral question to the Commission on forced prostitution and human trafficking, especially of women for the purpose of sexual exploitation during the European football championship 2008. Within the framework of events it organised to mark International Women's Day on 8 March 2006, the European Parliament's Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality launched a campaign to alert the public to the need to prevent and combat trafficking and forced prostitution during the FIFA World Cup 2006 championship.
Thursday 5 June 2008
The session opens on Thursday with MEPs debating the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean after hearing statements from the Council and Commission. The European Commission adopted proposals on 20 May 2008 for upgrading relations with its Mediterranean partners through the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean. The relationship is likely to be a priority of the French Presidency during the second half of 2008. MEPs will vote on a resolution on this topic.
MEPs will vote on a resolution on the deteriorating situation in Georgia following a previous plenary debate held on 7 May in Brussels.
|
| Week beginning 26th May 2008 |
France:
John, as Vice Chairman of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, will visit France with his colleagues in a delegation to meet French politicians and officials to discuss issues affecting the EU. These will include meetings with:
MEDEF (Employers' organisation) to discuss financial services, banking, sovereign wealth funds, the Euro, consumption, the current economic situation, corporate governance, taxation, VAT.
RTE (Reseau de Transport d'Electricite) to discuss the 3rd Energy Package.
Meetings with the Deputy Secretary General of he French Presidency, Francois Perol, Minisitry of Foreign Affairs, Banque de France, Paris Stock Exchange, the French Treasury and the National Assembly Finance, Economic & Planning Committee. Issues to be discussed wil range fro the current financial crisis to monetary policy, taxation, finacial services and banking.
|
| Week beginning 19 May 2008 |
John will travel to Strasbourg for the plenary session of the European Parliament. The following items are on the agenda:
Climate Change. The interim report of the Temporary Committee on Climate Change, setting out the factual scientific context to the issue, comes to the plenary. (debate and vote Wednesday)
Burma and China. The aftermath of the cyclone in Burma and the earthquake in China will be the subject of debates with Commission and Council. (debate Wednesday, vote Thursday)
EU/Turkey. Parliament will consider its latest report on Turkey’s progress as negotiations on EU accession continue. (debate and vote Wednesday)
Criminal law/environment. A directive to protect the environment via criminal law is set to become law at first reading, following an agreement between Council and Parliament representatives. (debate Monday, vote Wednesday)
Road transport. Legislation on licensing for road transport operators and access to the road passenger and goods transport markets comes to first reading. (debate Tuesday, vote Wednesday)
Maritime Policy. MEPs will debate and vote on a report on maritime policy as Parliament marks the first European Maritime Day, which will be launched with the signing of a joint declaration by the Parliament, Council and Commission Presidents. (Tuesday)
Votes on Lebanon, food prices, US visas. After debates at earlier sessions, MEPs will vote on the situation in Lebanon, rising food prices and the US visa waiver programme. (Thursday)
Gas market. Away from the plenary, the Industry Committee (of which JP is a member) will vote on competition rules for the internal market in gas. (Monday)
CAP Health Check. Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel will unveil her legislative proposals for the changes to the Common Agricultural Policy to the Agriculture Committee. (Tuesday)
Scotland:
John returns to Scotland for the Scottish Conservative Party Conference in Ayr, 23-25 May.
|
| Week beginning 5 May, 2008 |
Brussels:
ECON intensifies discussions on the current situation in the financial markets .
John,Vice Chairman of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON), will be attending its May session (5-6 May) for another series of discussions on the current situation in the financial markets. For this purpose, the Director General of the DG Internal Market, Jörgen Holmquist and the Chairman of the Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors, Thomas Steffen have been invited.
The part-session plenary of the European Parliament will also debate the following items this week:
A simplified business environment for companies.
Framework for the activities of lobbyists in the EU institutions.
White paper on sport.
Preparatory meetings for ECON. The committee will debate the following:
Rammussen & Bowles hedge funds. Transparency of institutional investors.
Cross-border electricty.
Dos SantosEuro counterfeit.
IT Research and Energy Committee:
Agenda items include the following:
Meeting with FSA Directory of Strategy & Risk.
Morgan electricity (Directive).
Energy Policy roundtable discussion.
Meeting with European journalists.
Meeting with Andrew GHeywood, Council of Mortgage Lenders re mortgage credit White Paper.
Scotland:
May 9:
John will attend the Europe Day Conference in the Scottish Parliament.
|
| Week beginning 14 April |
Brussels:
Seminar on 2nd generation biofuel production
ICAS debate, JP hosting
Discussion meeting on animal cloning
Ireland health reception
Pre-conference dinner debate on Consumer Information and Education in a Competitive Retail Banking World.
EPP-ED Group Meeting
EPP-ED bureau discussion: energy package
Meetings:
Mohammed Safael, Iran Embassy
Rick Watson, European Securitisation Forum
Ian Campbell, Deputy Head of Scottish Government, Brussels
Responsible Gaming Day
|
| Week beginning 21 April |
Strasbourg:
Plenary Session. Agenda items to follow.
Preparation for Jordan visit: Mashreq delegation
Depart for Jordan with Mashreq delegation, Saturday 26 April. |
| Week beginning 28 April |
Mshreq Delegation to Jordan. Return 2nd May. |
| Week beginning April 8 |
Brussels:
Part-session. Items include:
Combating cancer in the enlarged EU.
Green paper on the role of civil society in drugs policy in the EU.
Support for R & D performing SMEs.
Research fund for coal and steel.
Cultural industries in Europe.
Fishing activities of community fishing vessels outside community waters and the access of third country vessels.
Rights-based management tools in fisheries.
|
| Week beginnning 30 March 2008 |
Scotland:
Visits:
Aviagen Group, Newbridge.
Common Purpose Programme Day, Power in the Area, with Forth Valley, at University of Stirling.
Professor Brian Furman, Dean of Sience, University of Strathclyde.
Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik.
Brussels:
Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee. Agenda items include:
Energy Package.
Agency for the Co-operation of energy regulators.
Conditions for access to network for cross-bordoer exchanges in electricity.
Conditions for access to natural gas transmissions networks.
Insurance and re-insurance - Solvency 11.
Electronic communications networks and services, protection of privacy and consumer protections.
|
| Week beginning 24 March |
Brussels:
Preparatory Committee Meetings -
Economic and Monetary Affairs
Items include:
Discussion on Rasmussen Hedge Funds/Private Equity in which JP will speak.
Monetary dialogue preparatory meeting, with experts.
Mortgage Credit meeting
Information Technology, Research and Energy Committee Preparatory Meeting and workshops. Items include:
Energy package -consideration of draft reports
Solvency11
Plenary session. The outcome of the EU Spring Summit will be the subject of a debate with President-in-office of the European Council Janez Janða and Commission President José Manuel Barroso at a special plenary session. Mr Janða will then join EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering for a press conference. (Wednesday)
Middle East. Parliament's new working group on the Middle East will hear from Quartet representative Tony Blair, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Norway 's Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr St¸re. (Tuesday)
Discharge 2006. The Budgetary Control Committee will vote on whether to recommend approving the financial management of the Commission, Parliament and other EU institutions and bodies in 2006. (Tuesday-Thursday)
Jean-Claude Trichet. The ECB President's regular dialogue with the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee comes at a time on increasing concerns about the impact of the financial market crisis on the real economy. (Wednesday)
Rajendra K. Pachauri. The Nobel Peace Prize winner and Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will take part in the latest thematic session of the Climate Change Committee, and then a press conference. (Wednesday)
Organ donation. A report in the Environment Committee considers how to tackle risks in organ transplants, as well as organ shortages and trafficking. (Wednesday)
Protecting pedestrians. The Transport Committee votes on legislation aimed at reducing the number of pedestrians and cyclists killed or injured in collisions with motor vehicles. (Wednesday)
EuroMed Assembly. President Pöttering will lead the EP delegation to the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, which brings together MEPs with MPs from EU countries and their Mediterranean neighbours, meets in Athens . This session will focus on energy and the environment. (Thursday-Friday)
|
| Week beginning 3 March |
Brussels
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Agenda includes -
Concentration and pluralism in the meda in the EU
Electronic communications networks and services
European Electronic Communications Market
Authority
Electronics communications protection of privacy
Regulation of fuel cells and hydrogen joint
undertaking
Mid-term review of industrial plicy: growth and
jobs strategy
Classification, labelling and packaging of
substances
Selection and authorisation of satellite services
systems
European charter on the rights of energy
consumers
|
| Week beginning 10 March |
Strasbourg
Plenary
Agenda includes:
Common rules in civil aviation security
Sustainable European transport policy
Enhancing the quality of life of older people
Solidarity fund - amending budget
Lunch:
Debate on therapeutical potential of stem cells: Peter Liese
Meeting with Glasgow University Visitors Group in Strasbourg
Meeting re hedge funds and private equity: Blackrock
Visitors' group from Motherwell - meeting
|
| Week beginning 24 February |
London -
Conference:
Clearing and Settlement. John Purvis to make keynote speech.
Brussels:
Meetings of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, at which John Purvis will present his report on trade and economic relations with the Association of South East Asian Nations.
Other agenda items includes:
Support for research and develoipment performing SMEs.
Internal market in electricity.
Conditions for access to the network for cross-border exchanges in electricity.
Internal market in natural gas.
Conditions for access to the natural gas transmission networks.
Agency for Co-operation of Energy Regulators.
The European strategic energy technology plan.
Charter for the Rights of Energy Consumers.
Meetings of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Selected agenda items:
Development of the framework for the activities of lobbyists in the European institutions.
A simplified business environment for companies in company law, accounting and auditing.
Insurance and reinsurance - Solvency 11
Internal markets in electricity and natural gas
Hedge funds and private equity.
Transparency of institutional investors.
White Paper on sport.
Concentration and pluraluism in the media in the EU.
Green Paper on Retail Financial Services in the Single Market.
Competition: sector inquiry on retail banking. |
| Week beginning 11 February, 2008 |
Brussels:
Political grouping EPP-ED working groups in preparation for Strasbourg plenary in week beginning 18 February. This includes JP opinion on the marketing of products and an item on biomedical sciences.
Breakfast briefing on Iran, incuding gulf security, nuclear power and terrorism.
SME Circle to discuss Research and development for SMEs.
Conference on cancer screening
Seminar on alternatives to animal experiments.
A Taste of the North Reception
Scotland:
Visit to Egger (Barony) Ltd., Wood Panel Industry Federation, Cumnock.
Meetings of committees and political groups - Brussels
Preparing for the plenary. The EP's political groups will devote most of the week to preparations for the Strasbourg plenary session of 18-21 February. Key points on the agenda include the adoption of the EP's opinion on the Lisbon Treaty, votes on several reports designed to facilitate the free movement of goods within the EU while boosting consumer confidence in the "CE" mark, as well as debates on Kosovo and economic policy. MEPs will also hear the views of Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeld on the future of Europe and will hold a formal sitting with John Agyekum Kufuor, President of Ghana and President of the African Union.
Hans-Gert Pöttering in New York. During a visit to New York, Parliament's President will take part in a meeting at the United Nations on climate change and give a speech at New York University. On his return Mr Pöttering will make an official visit to the Belgian authorities (Wednesday).
Climate change/Prince Charles. During a visit to Brussels aimed at focusing attention on climate change, the Prince of Wales will address an audience of MEPs and have a private meeting with EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering (Thursday).
Fundamental rights. Members of the Civil Liberties Committee will hold hearings of the final two candidates for the post of director of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, Dario Carminati and Morten Kjaerum (Monday).
Lisbon Strategy. The internal market, research, globalisation and the labour market will be among the issues discussed at the fourth parliamentary meeting on the Lisbon Strategy being held in Brussels by the EP and the Slovenian presidency (Monday).
Space and defence. A workshop organised by the Subcommittee on Security and Defence will look into ways of using the satellites of the Member States for operations carried out under the EU security and defence policy (Monday).
Pakistan. A delegation of MEPs led by Robert Evans travels to Pakistan to observe the parliamentary elections taking place on 18 February (from Friday).
Intercultural film festival. As part of European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, the European Parliament is hosting a film festival, starting on Thursday, showing films dealing with the topic of intercultural dialogue from all the Member States.
|
| Week beginning February 18 |
Strasbourg:
Plenary Session - a selection of agenda items:
Report: José Javier Pomés Ruiz -Transparency in financial matters -
Protection of the Communities’ financial interests – Fight against fraud – Annual reports 2005 and 2006
Report: Bill Newton Dunn - Application of the law on customs and agricultural matters
on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 515/97 on mutual assistance between the administrative authorities of the Member States and cooperation between the latter and the Commission to ensure the correct application of the law on customs and agricultural matters .
Report: André Brie - Accreditation and market surveillance relating to the marketing of products
on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council setting out the requirements for accreditation and market surveillance relating to the marketing of products
Report: Christel Schaldemose - Common framework for the marketing of products.
Report: Alexander Stubb - Application of certain national technical rules to products lawfully marketed in another Member State.
Arlene McCarthy -Safety marking on consumer products
|
| Week beginning 4 February |
Scotland:
Visit to Waid Academy,Anstruther, to speak to advanced higher students on EU Relations studies
Visit to KemFine Ltd., Grangemouth
Visit to Wider Access to School Project, Denny High School
OfCom Scotland Annual Dinner, Dundee.
|
| Week beginning 25 February |
London -
Conference:
Clearing and Settlement. John Purvis to make keynote speech.
|
| Week beginning 28 January |
Scotland:
Second meeting of Conservative and Unionist Association selection committee, Glasgow
Brussels:
Plenary
Agenda items include:
Internal market in Community postal services
Action plan for energy efficiency: realising the potential |
| Week beginning 21 January 2008 |
Brussels:
Committee on Industry, Research and Eenrgy
Agenda includes:
Enhancing the life of older people
Green paper on market-based instruments for environment and related policy purposes
Sustainable agriculture and biogas- review of legislation
Internal markets in gas and electricity.
Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON):
Agenda items include:
Competition - sector inquiry on retail banking
Green paper on retail financial serices in the single market
Meeting with national parliaments 2008 (broad economic guidelines)
Preparatory sessions.
Scotland in Europe co-ordination meeting, Scotland House.
ECON Workshop
PETI
Review of Equitable Life
UK petition re mortgages
Biotechnology in healthcare - talk by Frederique Ries MEP
Scotland:
Fife Chamber lunch with Scottish Water |
| Week beginning 14 January |
Strasbourg
Highlights of this plenary session are likely to include:
Consumer Credit Directive 2nd reading
Airport charges 1st reading
Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from fuels - 1st reading
Presentation on Slovenian Presidency programme
East Midlands Labour MEP Glenis Willmott report on health & safety strategy
Among the main reports due for adoption in the European Parliament over the coming months (timing is subject to change):
Postal Services Directive - 2nd reading - January Brussels
Revision of Timeshare Directive - 1st reading - April/May
Illegal immigration - system for return of illegals; sanctions against employers - May
Electricity and gas internal markets - 1st reading - June
|
| Week beginning 7 January |
Slovenia took over the Presidency of the EU on 1 January 2008. This year is the EU Year of Inter-cultural Dialogue
Mr Purvis and fellow MEPs return to Brussels from 7 January for a week of meetings, preparing their political group positions ahead of the following week's plenary session in Strasbourg.
|
| Week beginning 18 December |
Brussels
The following is a selection of items from the agenda of the part session:
European Council andCommission results of the European Council of 13 and 14 December
Statement by the President-in-office
Activities of the Portuguese Presidency
Committee of Economic and Monetary Affairs
Co-ordinators' meeting
Committee of Industry, Research and Energy
Agenda to follow |
| Week beginning 3 December |
4th Joint Parliamentary Meeting on Future of Europe (The Lisbon Treaty - New Foundation for the EU's Future), co-chaired by the President POETTERING and the President of the Portuguese National Assembly, Mr Jaime GAMA, and with the Presidents SOCRATES and BARROSO (among others)
European Parliament Delegation to Iran visit to Iran |
| Week beginning 10 December |
Strasbourg
The following is a selection of items from the plenary session agenda:
European Aviation Safety Agency
Temporary provision on rates of VAT
Population and housing consensuses
Establishing common rules for direct support under the Common Agricultural Policy and for farmers
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| Week beginning 26 November |
Brussels:
A selection of items from the agenda of the part-session (includes debates and reports):
Charter of Fundamental Human Rights
Co-ordination of some member states' television broadcasting provisions
Safety on EU railways
Establishing a railway agency
A renewed EU tourism policy
Trade and climate change |
| Week beginning 19 November |
Brussels:
John Purvis is Draftsman of the opinion of the Economic and Monetary affairs Committee on a report on the Green Paper on Market-Based Instruments (MBIs) for environment and related policy purposes which he will give this week. The aim of the Commission's Paper was to launch a discussion on ways to develop and streamline the use of MBIs. The discussion touches on policy areas (energy, transport and environment) and agendas (efficient energy use and climate change), which often interact. The main MBI is taxation, followed by the Emissions Trading Scheme and subsidies.
Tax Advisers and Tax Systems conference
Discussion on European Research Area
Preparatory Meetings for the Industry, Research and Energy Committee and for the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee.
Dinner debate on sustainable mobility of people and goods.
Guernsey:
European Utilities Trust Meeting
London:
Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee workshop on hedge funds and private equity. |
| Week beginning 12 November |
Epp-ED Group Meetings
Preparatory meetings for Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee
PanEuropeans Parliamentarians meeting (statement by Otto von Habsburg, Hon President)
Meetings re asset management
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| Week beginning 5 November |
Brussels -
Committee Week and Political Group meetings
Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee Meeting.
The following is a selection of items from the agenda:
Credit institutions
Transparency requirements in relation to issuers of securities
Asset management
Tax treatment of losses in cross-border situations
Action Plan for Energy Efficiency
Insider dealing and market manipulation
Markets in financial instruments
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| Week beg9inning 5 November |
Brussels
Meeting of Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee |
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Week beginning 8 January
MEPs return to Brussels on 9 January to meet in their political groups to prepare voting positions ahead of the next plenary session of Parliament in Strasbourg.
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