EU-Russia relations, European Security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine; Macro-financial assistance programme to Ukraine; EU fishing vessels in the North Pacific; Address by Iván Duque Márquez, President of Colombia; EU-Africa Relations; Tackling non-tariff and non-tax barriers in the single market; Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer

EU-Russia relations, European Security and Russia’s military threat against Ukraine

On Wednesday, the European Parliament will debate the recent developments in EU-Russia relations and at the Ukrainian border. The ECR Group is of the opinion that despite its best effort over the years, the West has failed to make Putin any less aggressive and, in fact, has failed in its attempts to stabilise the situation. The ECR Group calls for an immediate change in the policy towards Russia and in particular cautions against any acts of appeasement. The need for unity has never been as important as it is today. It is also necessary that all EU Member States are on the same page when it comes to responding to Putin’s actions. Finally, the EU should work as closely as possible with NATO and reject any demands to rule out further NATO enlargement. NATO is the only guarantor of security for our Member States and for all democratic countries in Europe that wish to join the alliance.

Debate: Wednesday @ 9:00

Macro-financial assistance programme to Ukraine

On Monday, MEPs will vote on an urgent procedure file for an emergency macro-financial assistance (MFA) programme for Ukraine of up to 1.2 billion Euros. The proposal follows an earlier request from the Ukrainian authorities and direct discussions between the Commission and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Given the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic and the current geopolitical situation, this MFA requires urgent mobilisation. The first instalment should be disbursed immediately. The swift adoption of this proposal by the European Parliament and the Council will allow the Commission to transfer a first tranche of €600 million with minimal delay. The ECR Group strongly supports providing this MFA to Ukraine.

Vote: Monday @ 18:00

EU fishing vessels in the North Pacific

On Monday, MEPs will vote on ECR MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen’s report on the EU joining the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery Resources in the North Pacific Ocean. The convention ensures the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the fishery resources in the North Pacific while protecting the marine ecosystems in the area. Through signing the convention, EU fisheries will gain access to the fish stock in North Pacific Ocean, leading to the creation of new opportunities for EU’s fishermen. As EU fishermen are already active in the South Pacific Ocean, Mr Ruissen called the new proposals “a welcome development”.

Vote: Monday @ 18:00

Address by Iván Duque Márquez, President of Colombia

On Tuesday, the conservative President of Colombia, Iván Duque Márquez, will address the plenary of the European Parliament. The ECR Group points out that Colombia is one of the last real democracies in the Iberoamerican sphere that opposes narco-communism. Therefore, the country deserves full support of European democracies.

Formal address: Tuesday @ 12:00

EU-Africa Relations

On Tuesday afternoon, MEPs will debate the relations between the EU and Africa. ECR Coordinator on Foreign Affairs Anna Fotyga believes that strengthening the bonds and economic cooperation between the European Union and Africa is of the utmost importance and to the benefit of both sides. Helping Africa in its development could win the EU a gigantic, new trading partner and could reduce migration pressures on Europe in the future. Last, but no less important, are international security concerns. In pursuit of global security, the EU should act to prevent Africa from becoming a forecourt of Russia or China.

Debate: Tuesday @ 15:00

Tackling non-tariff and non-tax barriers in the single market

On Tuesday evening, the European Parliament is going to debate on Kosma Złotowski’s Initiative Report that was proposed by the ECR Group to complement a previously adopted report on the movement of services in the single market. The initiative has taken on added importance in the absence of substantive action in this area by the current Commission, which is halfway through its term of office. The report stresses, among other things, that the effective implementation of the Green Deal policy relies mainly on the proper functioning of the common market, hence the problems it faces deserve the same level of attention as the Green Deal. At the same time, it points out that that the elimination of non-tariff barriers is one of the conditions for achieving the objectives proposed in the Industrial Strategy. The existing barriers have a particularly negative impact on the functioning of the services sector as well. For this reason, legislative action is urgently needed. The final vote is scheduled for Wednesday evening.

Debate: Tuesday @ 20:00
Vote: Wednesday @ 20:00

Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer

On Tuesday, MEPs will debate on the final report of the Special Committee on Beating Cancer, followed by a vote on Wednesday. The Parliament established the Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA) in September 2020, to highlight the importance of the battling this deadly disease. Each year, an estimated 2.7 million new cases are diagnosed, and approximately 1.3 million people lose their lives to cancer. This own-initiative report is the culmination of BECA’s work, marking the end of the committee’s fifteen month mandate by establishing a wide range of recommendations for Member States and EU institutions in order to strengthen Europe’s resilience against cancer. Because a high number of cancers are preventable, a large section of the report is dedicated to primary prevention legislation, including new measures to reduce tobacco and alcohol consumption, the promotion of healthier diets and working conditions, better screening, and provisions to further limit exposure to radon gas, poor air quality and industrial chemicals. The ECR Group welcomes most of the report, which is largely constructive on improving cancer diagnosis, treatment and care. Shadow Rapporteur Pietro Fiocchi is especially eager to address concerns in the wording of some parts of the report. According to Mr Fiocchi it is important to have a balanced and reasonable text on primary prevention to facilitate implementation by the Commission in the Beating Cancer Action Plan.

Debate: Tuesday @ 9:00
Vote: Wednesday @ 12:30