Plenary focus: Strasbourg plenary session 11-14 June 2012

Economic governance: EP to weigh up fiscal tightening and growth promotion

Parliament's vote on the economic governance "two pack" on Wednesday will reveal the true extent of support for strengthening the European Commission's powers to vet Member States' budgets. The committee vote on these powers was too close to give a clear mandate to start negotiations with Member States, after the Socialists and Democrats Group argued that the legislation should be made friendlier to growth.

MEPs to debate possible reforms to EU budget for 2014-2020

Member States' contributions to the EU budget could be slashed under proposals by MEPs to reform the EU's revenue system set out in a draft resolution to be voted on Wednesday, following a debate with Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski on Wednesday. The EU's next seven-year budget plan can only be adopted with Parliament's consent. The European Council will discuss it for the first time at the 28-29 June summit.

New rules for baby milks and "gluten-free" foods

Rules on the labelling and content of baby milks and food for people with special medical needs must be stricter and better defined to protect consumers and give clarity to the food industry, according to draft legislation to be put to a vote on Thursday. MEPs say it should also cover gluten intolerance and certain low calorie diets.

Spotlight on Afghanistan, the Middle East, Tibet and Africa

MEPs will question foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on the EU's policies for Afghanistan and the Middle East, including Syria, on Tuesday afternoon. They will also debate the current situation in Tibet after several self-immolation protests and renewed violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Parliament is also set to adopt resolutions on Guinea-Bissau and Sudan-South Sudan on Wednesday.

President of Peru to address Parliament

The President of Peru, Ollanta Humala, will address the house at a formal sitting at noon on Wednesday. Shortly beforehand, MEPs are expected to vote on a resolution on the EU trade agreement with Colombia and Peru. Parliament must consent to the trade agreement before it can enter into force and is scheduled to vote on it by the end of the year.

Parliament to call on UN states to report all arms trade deals

UN member states which sign a UN Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), to be negotiated in July, should be required to report regularly on all arms trade deals, including transfers of small arms and light weapons, says a draft resolution to be voted on Thursday. The ATT should also require states to pass national laws to ensure that measures taken to enforce it are credible, adds the draft.

MEPs to call for human rights envoy with strong mandate

On Wednesday, Parliament will adopt a set of recommendations for the new post of EU Special Representative for Human Rights, created in line with its repeated demands. It wants the Council to appoint a high-level envoy with an international reputation, tasked with raising the EU's human rights profile worldwide.

Development cooperation funding for Latin America

Though Latin American countries have gained political and economic importance in recent years, cuts to EU development assistance to this region should not be as drastic as the Commission has proposed, says a draft resolution to be debated on Monday and voted on Tuesday.

Investing in jobs

Job creation must be a top priority for Europe, say MEPs. In a resolution to be voted on Thursday, they will call for an investment pact to tap the potential for jobs and growth in the green economy, health, social services and new technologies.

MEPs to quiz Commission on economic policy recommendations to Member States

On Tuesday, in the presence of Commission President José-Manuel Barroso and Commissioner Olli Rehn, the house will debate the European semester process for economic policy coordination and more particularly the latest country-specific recommendations issued by the Commission.

The single market as a driver for growth

To open up the EU single market further and thus unlock more growth in the EU, the European Commission should propose a "growth Initiative", says a draft resolution to be voted on Thursday. This initiative should complement "European Semester" oversight of national budgets, focus on applying all the "Single Market Act" measures, and be funded by EU structural funds and project bonds, it adds.

Dangerous chemicals: tougher inspections and more public information

New EU rules are set to step up inspections of dangerous chemical sites, following the 2010 "red mud" disaster in Hungary. They will also ensure the public has a right to know about sites in their local area and that people are well informed of emergency plans in the event of an accident. The draft legislation, known as 'Seveso III', will be put to the vote on Thursday.

Learning the lessons of the breast implants scandal

A breast implant register, more stringent checks and traceability, and a pre-market authorisation system are among MEPs' proposals to prevent a repeat of the defective breast implants scandal, in a draft resolution to be put to a vote on Thursday.

MEPs to vote on stronger safeguards for the EU textiles market

EU trade preferences for developing countries would include stricter rules from 2014 to prevent very low-cost textile imports from disrupting the EU market, in an update of the EU's generalised system of preferences (GSP) to be put to a vote on Wednesday.

Volunteering: recognising skills for use in future employment

A "skills passport" could validate skills acquired through volunteering, says Parliament in a draft resolution to be voted on Tuesday. These skills should be recognised for both professional and learning purposes, say MEPs.

€18 million from European Solidarity Fund to help repair flood damage in Italy

MEPs to approve €1.6 million in EU aid to redundant Spanish shoemakers

Parliament to endorse Court of Auditors candidate Iliana Ivanova

Parliament must have its say on EU-Japan trade talks

Human rights and democracy resolutions