Newsletter

MEPs will debate the outcome of the EU Summit of 16 September with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and the Commission. This is the first time Mr Van Rompuy has reported back to MEPs in Strasbourg after a meeting of the European Council, as required by the Lisbon Treaty. The main issues will be the EU's relations with its strategic partners and the state of play of the task force on economic governance chaired by Mr Van Rompuy.

On Wednesday in Strasbourg MEPs will be asked to approve a deal with Council on the EU's financial supervision package, which will reshape the financial regulation landscape in Europe.

Parliament's Budgets Committee wants the EU to have more flexible budget rules so that it can respond better to new responsibilities generated by the Lisbon Treaty such as the new External Action Service or unforeseen events like the current financial crisis.

Gas supply crises in Europe are expected to be better managed and disruption in household gas supplies avoided, thanks to a new law on better EU-wide co-ordination of supplies and gas interconnection plans.

As air traffic volumes grow, accident prevention measures need to improve too. A new EU law to ensure the independence of air accident inquiries will be scrutinised by MEPs in Strasbourg.

People with medical conditions are set to be better protected and informed about the use and any undesirable side effects of medicines, under an EU law that comes before Parliament for approval in Strasbourg.

Parliament will vote in Strasbourg on safety rules governing pest control products designed to eliminate bacteria in the water supply, slugs in the garden and other pests.

The barriers to a digital single market need to be removed, as this would help reduce copyright infringements on the internet, argues a non-legislative resolution tabled by the Legal Affairs Committee.

A new agreement with Pakistan on the readmission by that country of individuals illegally living in the EU will be put to a vote by MEPs on Tuesday.

The internet is the fastest growing channel for retail sales, yet only one in three consumers would consider shopping online from another EU country. The Internal Market Committee has set out proposals to encourage cross-border e-trading and build consumer confidence.

Trade, climate change, the EU arms embargo on China and the situation of human rights defenders are among topics likely to be raised in a debate in Strasbourg ahead of the 13th annual EU-China summit of 6 October.

Parliament will discuss how to stop imports into the EU of products made by prisoners in Chinese labour camps. MEPs will also ask the Commission how it intends to raise this issue in talks with China.