SOTEU; Afghanistan; Fit for 55 Package: EU-Russia political relations: EU-China Strategy; ECDC; Community plant variety rights

State of the Union Speech by the President of the Commission

On Wednesday, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will address the European Parliament with the second State of the Union Speech. The ECR Group points out that the Commission’s priority must now be to create the conditions for economic recovery, ensuring that member states can effectively protect their citizens and borders. It should go without saying that the rights and sovereignty of the member states which make up the EU must be respected. Protection of the environment and efforts against climate change are vital, but only at a cost we can afford and in a way that increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the Union. The ECR Group hopes that Ms von der Leyen will refrain from setting off a fireworks display of buzzwords. Europe is in a situation which demands decisiveness.

Debate: Wednesday @ 9:00

Statement of by the VPC/HR on the Situation on Afghanistan

On Tuesday afternoon, MEPs will hold an important debate on the current situation in Afghanistan, followed by a vote on a resolution on Thursday. The ECR Group will express its grave concern around the appointment of an all-male interim government, consisting of 33 Mullahs with many under US and UN sanctions. It will also stress the need for the Taliban to uphold human rights and freedom of expression and association. The ECR Group warns against violence towards women, protestors and journalists and believes that, in order for Afghanistan to attain national security, stability and prosperity, its government needs to represent and reflect the country’s ethnic and cultural diversity. In a statement published earlier, the ECR Group called for any negotiation with the Taliban that may lead to their government’s formal recognition to be dependent on adherence to a set of stringent conditions, especially around issues concerning women and religious minorities.

Debate: Tuesday @ 15:00

Votes: Thursday @ 9:30 & 13:45

Presentation of the Fit for 55 package after the publication of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report

On Tuesday morning, MEPs will debate the Fit for 55 package in light of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report. The ECR Group will take a clear stand for Europe’s citizens. In our opinion, the impact assessments that accompany the package do not provide sufficient answers to the major concerns with the low carbon transition, not least its socio-economic impact on industry and coal-dependent member states. In particular, we worry that proposals to extend the scope of the EU Emissions Trading System to the building and transport sectors will raise costs and place a disproportionate financial burden on lower income households. Furthermore, we believe that requirements and targets to incentivise the deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure should not be uniformly imposed on all member states, but instead should vary depending on the different geography, population density and level of urbanisation in each country.

Debate: Tuesday @ 9:00

Direction of EU-Russia political relations

On Tuesday, the European Parliament will debate an own initiative report on future EU-Russia political relations, followed by votes on Wednesday. The text proposes a coordinated and holistic strategy towards Russia while strengthening cooperation with the United States and other like-minded partners. Additionally, the ECR Group welcomes the fact that the report takes into account assisting civil society and pro-democratic movements in the country whilst applying a strict policy towards the Kremlin.

Debate: Tuesday @ 15:00

Votes: Wednesday @ 13:00 & 20:00

A new EU-China strategy

On Tuesday, MEPs will also debate an own initiative report on a new EU-China strategy, followed by votes on Wednesday. The ECR Group believes that the EU needs a more assertive, comprehensive, and consistent strategy towards China that unites all member states and shapes relations in the interest of the EU as a whole and in cooperation with like-minded partners.

Debate: Tuesday @ 17:00

Votes: Wednesday @ 13:00 & 20:00

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

On Monday, MEPs will debate ECR Rapporteur Joanna Kopcińska’s report on the extension of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s (ECDC) mandate, followed by votes on Tuesday and Wednesday. In Future, the ECDC will be able to survey epidemics via integrated systems, and provide recommendations for risk management. It will have the capacity to mobilise and deploy an EU Health Task Force to assist local response in the member states and to set up medical networks, such as EU reference laboratories, to deal with future health challenges. Ms Kopcińska hopes this will serve to create better synergies and trust between EU institutions and member states’ competent authorities – something the EU clearly fell short of at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. The ECR Group is also pleased that the current text takes into account the roles, unique situations and differing competencies of each member state in the organisation of their health care systems.

Debate: Monday @ 17:45

Votes: Tuesday @ 13:00 & Wednesday @ 13:00

Community plant variety rights: extension of the term for certain varieties

On Monday, members of the European Parliament will vote on ECR MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen’s report that will boost innovation on new flower bulbs, asparagus, woody berries and woody ornamental plants in the EU, thanks to a five-year extension of plant variety rights. Mr Ruissen expects a broad majority to vote in favour of the report.

Vote: Monday @ 18:30