Quote of the week from S&D leader Udo Bullmann:
“We must change the course of the EU in the next term from 2019 to 2024. Based on our work and achievements in the Parliament over the last five years, we want a new governance built on a new Sustainable Development Pact. Madrid is the best place to discuss this roadmap. The Spanish government led by Pedro Sánchez reflects our vision: on the one hand, it includes true gender equality, and on the other hand, it has adopted a horizontal approach to all policies in order to ensure social, economic and environmental sustainability.”
Upcoming activities
Next week #EuropeTogether will be in Ljubljana to discuss a progressive vision for the future of Europe. On Thursday 28 February, Commission first vice-president Frans Timmermans will join S&D Group Vice-President Tanja Fajon and many others in Congress square to talk and debate on the future of the EU. The full programme is available here.
It is also another busy committee in the Parliament, with a lot of legislation to be finalised before the EU elections in May. On Tuesday the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and Budgetary Control committees will hear from the three shortlisted candidates for the European Chief Prosecutor position. The European Parliament and the Council will agree the final decision jointly.
The Committee will also vote on establishing a Community Code on Visas on Tuesday. On the same day, the Legal Affairs committee will vote on the provisional agreement on news rules on copyright in the digital single market and on rules governing intellectual property rights for medicinal products. These will allow generic medicines to come to market faster, saving consumer’s money and making EU companies more competitive.
On Wednesday, the Environment and Development committees will debate and vote on the annual report on the implementation of and development of the UN’s sustainable development goals. The Committee on Financial crimes, tax evasion and avoidance will vote on its report outlining the next steps needed in the fight against tax evasion in Europe.
On Friday, a cross party delegation from the European Parliament’s human rights subcommittee, chaired by Antonio Panzeri (S&D, Italy), will go to Rome in order to collect first-hand information about migrants and refugees experiences while travelling from the country of origin to the country of destination. This will help the delegation to understand better the migrants and refugees daily challenges and to put forward policy proposals at a EU level.
Coming up, alongside civil society groups and organisations, we are organising a #March4Europe. This will be held one day before the anniversary of the founding of the Treaty of the European Union on March 24 in Brussels.
For updates and details, follow us on Twitter!
