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Briefing item
Newsletter - 23-26 November 2009 - Strasbourg plenary session
19-11-2009 - 18:01
Final vote on new EU telecoms rules that safeguard internet access
A major overhaul of EU telecoms rules, which will strengthen the rights of phone users and internet surfers and boost competition among telecoms firms, will be put to a final vote in Parliament on Tuesday.
Tyre labelling: helping consumers make an informed choice
All new car tyres in Europe will in future be labelled to help consumers choose the most environmentally friendly models. An agreement on this issue, hammered out between representatives of Parliament and EU governments, will be put to the vote on Wednesday.
MEPs call for ambitious agreement in Copenhagen
EU government leaders must demonstrate political leadership to make a success of the Copenhagen climate change summit in December, says a draft resolution that comes up for the vote next Wednesday.
Airline bankruptcies: MEPs press for passenger compensation
Passengers who have booked flights with airlines that go bankrupt should receive compensation, according to a draft resolution by the Transport Committee.
EU enlargement strategy for 2009
Parliament will state its views on the progress made over the past year by EU candidate countries when it votes on a resolution on the 2009 enlargement strategy drawn up by the European Commission.
Parliament gets ready for Lisbon Treaty
Parliament is preparing for the increased powers it is set to receive under the Lisbon Treaty, as well as the arrival of eighteen extra MEPs. MEPs will vote in Strasbourg on changes to the internal EP rules designed to reflect these changes.
Parliament set to approve Council's accounts for 2007
Parliament is expected to sign off the Council's 2007 budget following a recommendation to do so by the Budgetary Control Committee now that Council has agreed to give the EP access to documents, to answer questions and to hold meetings with MEPs.
Stockholm programme : EP justice and home affairs priorities
EU civil rights need to be strengthened by a European internet court, mutual recognition by EU countries of same-sex couples and a set of prisoners' rights, says a draft resolution to be put to the vote on Wednesday.
MEPs look ahead to Swedish presidency summit
On Wednesday, looking ahead to the 10-11 December European Council, MEPs debate the Lisbon Treaty's entry into force, economic developments, civil rights measures and the Copenhagen climate conference. The Swedish presidency and the European Commission will take part in this preparatory debate.
Smoke-free areas in Member States
MEPs will debate rules on smoke-free areas in different Member States, stressing that tobacco remains the largest single cause of premature death and disease in the European Union.
Court of Auditors' 2008 report presented to MEPs
The Court of Auditors' 2008 report, to be presented to Parliament's plenary, notes some improvements in EU spending controls but also a high level of errors in the structural and cohesion funds as well as external policy.
Protecting women against violence: still a challenge in Europe
MEPs will urge the Council and Commission to devise an EU policy plan to tackle domestic violence against women, in a resolution marking the tenth anniversary of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
European Parliament to award LUX Cinema Prize
Parliament's €87,000 LUX Cinema Prize for 2009 will be awarded to one of three shortlisted films: Eastern Plays, Sturm and Welcome, in the plenary chamber on Wednesday at 11.45am. The films' directors or producers will be present.
Immunity of ex-MEP Tobias Pflüger set to be lifted
Parliament is expected to waive the parliamentary immunity of Tobias Pflüger, a German former MEP who was accused of insulting behaviour towards two police officers during a counter-demonstration against the 2005 Munich Security Conference.
Aid to Ireland and Belgium following job losses in computer and textile industries
MEPs will vote to approve the use of €14.8 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to support 2400 employees who lost their jobs when Dell closed its factory in Ireland and € 9.2 million to support 2168 textile workers who lost their jobs in Belgium.
Debate on minority languages
There will be a debate on the use of minority languages in view of the common European cultural heritage, following a statement by the Commission.
Concerns about safety of European railways
The safety of rail freight transport in the EU is a matter of serious concern to MEPs, after recent tragedies such as the rail crash in Viareggio (Italy) last June, and near Rotterdam (Netherlands) last September. They will ask the Commission to explain how it plans to ensure that EU rail freight safety standards are fully upheld.
Financial aid for Serbia, Bosnia, Armenia and Georgia
Parliament will give its view on €400 million-plus in budget aid to be made available to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armenia and Georgia. The aim is to urgently help these countries to finance their external balance of payments and state budget deficits.
Europol reforms awaiting Lisbon Treaty: MEPs want decision powers
Four proposals on the work of Europol may well be rejected in a plenary vote. MEPs argue that Europol-related matters processed until the Lisbon Treaty, which gives Parliament decision-taking powers in the area of police co-operation, has entered into force.
Better statistics on the use of pesticides
The sale and use of pesticides needs to be monitored more strictly as part of EU plans to ensure they are used more safely. To this end, Parliament will vote next week on the introduction of new rules for the dissemination of statistics on the sale and use of pesticides.
European Year of Volunteering
MEPs want to boost funding for the 2011 European Year of Volunteering from the €6 million proposed by the Commission to €10 million. The Council is prepared to allocate €8 million. A resolution will be drawn up by the Culture Committee on Monday and put to a plenary vote on Thursday.
Forced return of migrants to Afghanistan
MEPs will debate the forced return of 27 Afghan nationals to Kabul by France and Britain on a shared flight on 20 October. The debate will start with statements by Council and Commission.
Google Book Search Project: does it have an impact on Europe?
MEPs will ask the Commission for its views on the Google Book Search Project and the project's impact on the digitisation of books in Europe and on the rights of authors.
Questions raised about non-EU countries' beef production standards
How can European consumers be sure that the beef they buy always meets high quality standards? MEPs will discuss next week with the Commission how best to enforce EU standards when importing beef from non-EU countries.
Piracy off the Somali coast
MEPs will debate the issue of piracy off the Somali coast as well as the continuing institutional and political crisis inside the country.
REF.: 20091112BRI64327
