Foreign policy consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak; Improving development and effectiveness of aid; Stocktaking of European Elections; Executive Vice-President of the European Commission visits ECR; Elimination of customs duties on certain products (Lobster-Deal)

Foreign policy consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak

On Monday, MEPs will debate on an own initiative report providing a snapshot of international relations after the COVID-19 outbreak. It condemns China’s initial lack of information sharing after the spread of the virus of Wuhan, its human rights violations as well as China’s and Russia’s disinformation campaigns against the EU. The report also supports the call for Taiwan’s accession to the World Health Organization. The ECR supports the call for closer strategic transatlantic cooperation, including in the common fight against COVID-19. However, we believe that the report’s criticism of US policies is not conducive or in balance, especially within the wider framework of China’s responsibility for the global pandemic. The ECR is opposing calls for qualified majority voting and an EU seat in multilateral organisations. Votes will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Debate: Monday @ 7 pm

Votes: Tuesday and Wednesday

Improving development and effectiveness of aid

On Monday, the own initiative report on improving development and effectiveness of aid will be debated, followed by votes from Tuesday and Wednesday. The report stresses that the EU, as the world’s biggest donor, should take the lead in terms of the provision of development aid by improving coordination and to tailor EU modalities to the local context thereby reflecting the needs and capacities of the country whilst bearing in mind the need for transparency. Whilst the ECR Group sees a need to reinforce help by better coordination, it is important to point out to some problematic provisions on migration in this report as it stresses that aid should never be conditional on migration control, while in the view of the ECR Group, this conditionality is necessary for a more effective migration management. In addition, the ECR Group believes that gender mainstreaming should not be put at the heart of recommended measures.

Debate: Monday @ 8 pm

Votes: Tuesday and Wednesday

Stocktaking of European Elections

On Tuesday morning, MEPs will debate on an own initiative report “stocktaking of European elections” that calls for reducing differences between the EU countries’ voting systems and to introduce “zipped” lists as well as harmonising the minimum voting age across the EU countries. It also makes recommendations for a future Spitzenkandidaten procedure while referencing the use of transnational lists. The ECR is against transnational lists and the suggested harmonisation of electoral rules as it undermines the functioning of national democracies and the principle of subsidiarity. Votes will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Debate: Tuesday @ 8.45 am

Votes: Tuesday and Wednesday

Executive Vice-President of the European Commission visits ECR

On Wednesday, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Margrethe Vestager will attend the ECR Group meeting to exchange views with our MEPs.

When: Tuesday @ 4 pm

Elimination of customs duties on certain products (Lobster-Deal)

On Thursday, the European Parliament will debate and vote on the so-called Lobster-Deal with the US, officially named Elimination of customs duties on certain products. The regulation proposes to eliminate a number of customs tariffs and will translate into a reduction of US tariffs on EU exports worth some 160 million US Dollars per year. The package also includes prepared meals, crystal glassware, surface preparations, propellant powders, lighters and lighter parts. The US producers will benefit from the elimination of tariffs on imports of live and frozen lobster products. The mini-deal, despite being very limited in scope, is expected to support the settlement of on-going disputes between the US and the EU. ECR INTA Coordinator Geert Bourgeois is of the opinion that the deal will contribute to a positive transatlantic cooperation with our leading NATO Ally.

Debate: Thursday @ 8.45 am

Votes: Thursday