10th – 13th June 2013. European Council. Passenger Name Records. Common Asylum System. Regional aid. Financial statements. Commissioner-designate Mimica.

European Council

MEPs will debate with the European Commission President on their priorities for the economic-themed EU summit to be held on the 27th and 28th June. ECR Group Chairman Martin Callanan MEP will argue that tackling deficits and creating jobs requires the EU to move towards an open model of minimal regulation, flexible labour markets and open trade.

Press officer to contact: James Holtum on +32 473 861762

Debate: Wednesday @ 08.30

Passenger Name Records

Timothy Kirkhope’s report on Use of Passenger Name Record (PNR) Data will come before Parliament. He will be arguing forcefully for the parliament to send the report back to the justice and home affairs Committee, which narrowly rejected the proposals.

If the measures are not implemented, up to 16 EU countries will continue to build passenger data collection systems, but with no compatible rules or legal clarity for the airlines, and no cross-border rights for passengers. Mr Kirkhope strongly believes in the value of this measure whose primary aim is to protect the data, rights and lives of European citizens.

Press officer to contact: John Furbisher on 0032 498 984760

Vote: Wednesday @ 11.30

Common Asylum System

The parliament will vote on four reports which form part of the Common European Asylum System. ECR group home affairs spokesman Timothy Kirkhope believes that whilst cooperation is necessary in order to defend Europe’s borders and offer genuine asylum, the broad range of challenges Member States face with asylum means that national governments are best placed to provide a more nuanced and therefore effective asylum system.

However, there have been some improvements, particularly with regard the ‘Dublin’ returns system and the early warning mechanisms to avoid breakdowns of national systems, as well as the Eurodac fingerprinting system which will be of use to law enforcement and will prevent asylum seekers being lost or exploited when entering Europe. Some aspects also help to reduce asylum abuses.

Press officer to contact: John Furbisher on 0032 498 984760

Vote: Wednesday @ 11.30

Regional aid

Ahead of the adoption of Regional Aid Guidelines by the European Commission, MEPs will vote on a report by ECR regional development spokesman Oldrich Vlasak on the subject. In his report, Mr Vlasak is strongly supportive of effective state aid rules to ensure a well-functioning Single Market, which prevents wasteful subsidy races between Member States.

However, where market failure does occur, the report stresses that support for large enterprises should be permitted in poorer regions where they contribute to employment and where the supply chains they create with SMEs can stimulate the local economy. Accordingly, he strongly opposes the Commission’s intention to decrease aid intensity in the poorest regions.

Press officer to contact: Jan Krelina on 0032 493 214346

Vote: Wednesday @ 11.30

Financial statements

Parliament will vote on new legislation on annual financial statements. ECR shadow rapporteur Sajjad Karim is pleased that in line with objectives of reducing administrative burdens on business, the rules will apply on a sliding scale, with micro-enterprises excluded entirely and SMEs benefitting from lighter rules, particularly over notes attached to financial statements.

The Accounting Directive will contain new rules on transparency for mining and drilling companies. “Country by country reporting” as it is termed, will mirror rules in the United States obliging companies operating in third countries to report payments they make to governments relating to their overseas projects.

The ECR was successful in maintaining several sections of the previous directives which are of particular importance to certain member states, in particular the alternative balance sheet format commonly used by UK companies.

Press officer to contact: John Furbisher on +32 498 984760

Vote: Wednesday @ 11.30

Commissioner-designate Mimica

MEPs will vote on whether to confirm Neven Mimica as the newest member of the European Commission with responsibility for consumer affairs. ECR MEP Malcolm Harbour chaired the confirmation hearing of the Commissioner-designate last week, and ECR consumer protection spokesman Adam Bielan asked him how he would ensure consumers are able to reap the benefits of the single market.

Press officer to contact: James Holtum on 0032 473 861762

Confirmation vote: Wednesday @ 11.30