Highlights

The Committee on Petitions will hold a debate with Maroš Šefčovič, the Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, on 2 December. The Committee debate is part of the regular structured dialogue on the Commission Work Programme 2022 and the cooperation between the European Commission and PETI on improving relations in handling the petitions.

The Committee on Transport and Tourism will discuss the available EU funding for the tourism sector within the ‘Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027’ and ‘Next Generation EU’, on 02 December. The invited speakers from the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, and other stakeholders will present the Committee a variety of programmes available for different entities working in the tourism sector. They will also give an overview on the need, accessibility and use of EU funds.

The Committee on Transport and Tourism will debate with Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, on the ‘Fit for 55’ package, on 1 December. The package aims to implement the Union’s goals of moving towards a sustainable society. The Committee will also hold a public hearing on the “Naiades III – Strategic Tools for Sustainable Inland Waterways Transport within the EU”, which will examine the major elements of the new programme and its implications for the sector.

The Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection will hold a debate with the European Commission on the proposal concerning a common charger for mobile phones and other electronic devices amending the Radio Equipment Directive, on 1 December. New rules apply to mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, handheld video games consoles, and portable speakers. The proposal also implies unbundling of devices and chargers.

The Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Development will jointly debate the situation in Ethiopia and the latest developments related to the internal conflict, the humanitarian crisis, and its impact on the whole region, on 1 December. The Committees will also discuss with the EEAS and the Commission which foreign policy tools the EU can use to enforce adherence to international and human rights law and help end the conflict.

The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs will hold a structured dialogue with Commissioner McGuinness, on 1 December. Topics for debate include the completion of the Banking Union, the review of crisis management and deposit insurance legislation, payments and digital finance, following the recent Commission new proposals in the areas of Sustainable Finance, Anti-Money Laundering, Insurance Regulation, and on the Capital Markets Union.

The Committee of Inquiry on Protection of Animals will discuss the outcome of negotiations, on 1 December. They will vote on the draft report and the draft recommendation on the protection of animals during transport within and outside the Union, on 2 December. 1233 amendments have been tabled and many compromises have been reached.

The Subcommittee on Security and Defence will hold a debate with Commissioner Thierry Breton on the priorities of the Commission's work programme to reinforce the development of the objectives of the Strategic Compass, on 29 November. The committee will also discuss with Charles Fries, EEAS Deputy Secretary-General for CSDP and crisis response, the state of play of the Strategic Compass in light of the FAC Defence Ministers’ meetings, on 30 November.