1 April 2022
Latest developments of the war against Ukraine and the EU sanctions against Russia and their implementation; EU Protection of children and young people fleeing the war in Ukraine; Trans-European Energy Infrastructure; Outcome of the EU-China Summit
Latest developments of the war against Ukraine and the EU sanctions against Russia and their implementation
On Wednesday morning, MEPs will debate the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 24 and 25 March including current developments in Ukraine. European Council President Charles Michel, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles will attend. Ukraine has been devastated by Russian troops. 4 million Ukrainians have fled the country. The ECR Group believes that the EU must not weaken sanctions against Russia. On the contrary, the EU must urgently ban all oil, coal and gas imports from the Russian Federation, as these imports directly finance Putin’s war machine. We must also ensure that the current sanctions are fully implemented, with no loopholes left. The ECR Group proposes that the Russian state and oligarchs’ money be used as funds for the reconstruction of Ukraine. For this purpose, assets should be confiscated and a special fund should be established. At the same time, EU money should be used to alleviate the costs of sanctions for businesses and citizens. The ECR Group considers it a priority to give Ukraine the status of an EU candidate country. Ukrainians are waiting for it and definitely deserve it. Following the debate, MEPs will vote on a resolution on Thursday.
Debate: Wednesday @ 9:00
Vote: Thursday @ 12:00
EU Protection of children and young people fleeing the war in Ukraine
On Tuesday morning, the European Parliament will hold a debate that will specifically address the situation of children and young people who have fled the war in Ukraine. The ECR Group believes that it is important to facilitate access for children, young people and teachers to the education systems of the host Member States. The EU should give priority to supporting frontline Member States in evacuating and receiving Ukrainian children in urgent need of care. In view of the increasing activities of criminal networks, the ECR considers it necessary for EU member states to work closely with the Ukrainian authorities and relevant international and non-governmental organisations. A registration and monitoring system for unaccompanied children and children from Ukrainian shelters should be established to prevent child trafficking, illegal adoption and other possible abuses. Ukrainian children from bombed orphanages face a particularly difficult situation and need immediate assistance. The debate will be followed by a vote on Thursday.
Debate: Tuesday @ 9:00
Vote: Thursday @ 12:00
Trans-European Energy Infrastructure
On Tuesday, the European Parliament will debate ECR Rapporteur Zdzisław Krasnodębski’s report that aims to improve the infrastructure to support the European energy transition. The existing Trans-European Energy Networks (TEN-E) Regulation identifies priority corridors and thematic areas of trans-European energy infrastructure and provides guidelines for the selection of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs), as well as the possibility to benefit from EU funding under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). Projects based on natural gas will no longer be eligible for EU funding, however a temporary derogation for Cyprus and Malta is allowed in order to end these island countries’ energy isolation. Moreover, blending projects i.e. cross-border dedicated hydrogen assets converted from natural gas to be used to transport a mixture of hydrogen with natural gas or biomethane, will be eligible for PCI status until the end of 2029. The regulation also strengthens the role of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). Member states will plan their offshore networks based on national strategies and plans, but coordination will be improved. Radially connected offshore facilities may be eligible for PCI status and funding if the project is designed to transmit electricity from offshore generation facilities with a capacity of at least 500 megawatts and is developed in areas with low penetration of offshore renewable electricity. The vote will take place on Tuesday.
Debate: Tuesday @12:00
Vote: Tuesday @ 14:00
Outcome of the EU-China Summit
On Tuesday, the European Parliament will analyse the results of the EU-China Summit which takes place on Friday 1 April. The ECR Group is increasingly critical of China on the basis of ongoing human rights prosecutions in the country, repression of the opposition in Hong Kong, threats against Taiwan and its refusal to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The ECR Group believes that the European Union must reduce its dependence on the Chinese economy and exercise the utmost prudence in all economic cooperation.
Debate: Tuesday @ 20:00