Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) This week MEPs will gather during committee and political group meetings discussing the situation in Ukraine with its multiple implications such as energy, defence, food security and security lanes. The Parliament’s President will address the European Council. A session will be dedicated to discuss the Recovery and Resilience Facility and a vote on taxonomy is also expected. A debate on Frontex will also be featured and a press briefing on the Fit for 55 too.
Ukraine/European Council
On Monday, the Parliament’s President Roberta Metsola addresses EU leaders gathering for a special meeting of the European Council that will focus on the war in Ukraine, energy, defence and food security.
Recovery and Resilience Facility
MEPs in the Economic and Monetary Affairs and Budgets committees will evaluate, on Monday, the state of play on the use of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, which allows the Commission to raise funds to help EU countries implement reforms and investments in line with the EU’s priorities.
Taxonomy
The Economic and Monetary Affairs and Environment, Public Health and Food Safety committees will hold a public hearing with experts on the Commission’s proposal to classify, under certain conditions, specific gas and nuclear energy as transitional activities contributing to climate change mitigation — the so-called taxonomy. The two committees are expected to vote on whether to veto the proposal on 14 June.
Ukraine/Solidarity Lanes
MEPs in the Agriculture Committee will debate on Monday plans to open Solidarity Lanes between the EU and Ukraine to help the country to export grain, but also to import the goods it needs, from humanitarian aid to animal feed and fertilisers, with the Commission.
Ukraine/temporary protection
The Civil Liberties Committee discuss EU support to Ukraine and solidarity between EU countries, and particularly of the implementation of the Temporary Protection Directive, activated on 4 March to offer those fleeing the war decent reception conditions and swift integration in EU countries.
Frontex
The Civil Liberties Committee discuss today with Frontex how the EU’s border agency is being managed following the resignation of former executive director Fabrice Leggeri and the process to appoint its new chief.
Fit for 55
On Wednesday, the Parliament’s press service is organising a seminar for media on the Fit for 55 package, with Environment Committee Chair Pascal Canfin and MEPs in charge of the legislative files. Emissions, taxonomy, energy dependency and the impact of the war are among the topics to be discussed.
