Debate on 22-23 June European Council and G20 preparations with Presidents Tusk
In Wednesday’s morning’s key debate, MEPs will take stock of the outcome of the 22-23 June European Council and discuss initial progress in Brexit negotiations with Council President Donald Tusk and Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. They will also give their input to the G20 meeting of world leaders to be held in Hamburg (Germany) 7-8 July.
The extension of sanctions against Russia, member states’ renewed commitment to implementing the Paris climate agreement and their stance on better protecting EU citizens from uncontrolled globalisation and irregular immigration will also be under MEPs scrutiny.
Procedure: Council and Commission statements with debate
2017/2657(RSP)
Debate: Wednesday, 5 July
#euco #Brexit #G20 @JunckerEU @eucopresident #G20
Estonia’s Prime Minister Jüri Ratas presents the incoming EU Council Presidency priorities to MEPs on Wednesday.
MEPs will debate the priorities of the incoming Estonian Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers with Prime Minister Jüri Ratas on Wednesday morning.
The Estonian government will focus its six-month mandate on the following priorities:
- An open and innovative European economy
- A safe and secure Europe
- A digital Europe and the free movement of data
- An inclusive and sustainable Europe
The day before, on Tuesday, MEPs will review progress made during the outgoing Maltese Presidency
Procedure: Council and Commission statements with debates
2017/2659(RSP) - Estonian presidency
2017/2658(RSP) - Maltese presidency
Debates: Tuesday, 4 July and Wednesday, 5 July
Press conference: Parliament’s president Antonio Tajani will hold a press conference with Estonia’s Prime Minister Jüri Ratas and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday at around 12.30 (tbc)
@EU2017EE #EU2017EE @ratasjuri
@EU2017MT #EU2017MT
Consumers should be able to benefit from durable, high-quality products that can be repaired and upgraded.
MEPs therefore propose measures to tackle planned obsolescence for tangible goods and for software in a non-legislative resolution being put to the vote on Tuesday.
The recommendations include:
- robust, easily repaired and quality products: “minimum resistance criteria” to be established for each product category from the design stage,
- if a repair takes longer than a month, the guarantee should be extended by the same period,
- member states should give incentives to the production of durable and repairable products, boosting repairs and second-hand sales - this could help to create jobs and reduce waste,
- essential components, such as batteries and LEDs, should not be fixed into products, unless for safety reasons,
- spare parts which are indispensable for the proper and safe functioning of the goods should be made available “at a price commensurate with the nature and life-time of the product”,
- an EU-wide definition of “planned obsolescence” and a system that could test and detect the “built-in obsolescence” should be introduced, as well as “appropriate dissuasive measures for producers”.
Procedure: Non-legislative resolution
Debate: Monday 3 July 2017
Vote: Tuesday 4 July 2017
#circulareconomy
Turkey’s EU accession talks should be suspended if proposed changes to the constitution go ahead, as these go against EU membership criteria, MEPs are to say on Wednesday.
The Parliament will discuss Turkey’s 2016 reform efforts towards EU membership with Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn on Wednesday and vote on a resolution on Thursday.
MEPs are concerned about Turkey backsliding in the rule of law, human rights, media freedom, and the fight against corruption. They condemn the repeatedly declared support for the reintroduction of the death penalty by the Turkish President.
But the draft resolution also recognises the importance of good EU-Turkey relations and maintaining a constructive and open dialogue, which is key to addressing common challenges, such as migration, security or terrorism.
Procedure: Own-initiative resolution
Debates: Wednesday, 5 July
Votes: Thursday, 6 July
Press conference: Wednesday, 5 July - 11.30
#EUenlargement @JHahnEU
HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis C epidemics should be tackled better at EU level with long-term programmes, say MEPs
There are not only health benefits, but also potential synergies and savings in taking action at EU level, given that all three infections require long-term and sustained programmes. Therefore EU plans need to be updated where they exist and new ones set up where necessary, say MEPs in an oral question to the Commission to be debated on Monday. They will adopt a resolution on Wednesday.
In 2015, almost 30 000 new HIV infections were reported by the 31 EU/EEA countries. An estimated 120 000 people in Europe developed Multi-Drug Resistant TB. Viral hepatitis (HCV) is one of the most serious public health threats globally.
MEPs therefore want the European Commission to come up with proposals in response to the agreement between EU Health Ministers in Bratislava on 4 October on the need to develop a policy framework on HIV/AIDS, TB and Hepatitis C.
Procedure: Oral question to the Commission with resolution
Debate: Monday, 3 July
Vote: Wednesday, 5 July
A proposal to establish a temporary committee on counter‑terrorism will be put to the vote on Thursday. The new committee will examine what is needed to improve anti-terror cooperation in the EU. In the past, MEPs have in particular stressed the need for increased cooperation and information-sharing among member states.
A temporary committee is a special committee established for a maximum of 12 months, which may be extended.
Vote: Thursday 6 July
Large multinationals should provide publicly available information on how much tax they pay and where, according to draft rules to be debated and put to the vote on Tuesday.
Earlier this month, the Economics and Legal Affairs committees agreed on new EU rules which would oblige multinationals with a worldwide turnover of €750 million or more to make information about the tax they pay in each, publicly available.
Committee MEPs also backed exemptions in the case of commercially-sensitive information. The two rapporteurs behind the report -- Hughes Bayet (S&D, BE) and Evelyn Regner (S&D, AT) -- are set to proposes amendments imposing time limits on how long firms can claim such an exemption.
Quick Facts
The legislation aims to increase tax transparency by providing the public with a picture of the taxes paid by multinationals, and where those taxes are paid. It is designed to crack down on corporate tax avoidance, which is estimated to cost EU countries EUR 50-70 billion a year in lost tax revenues, according to the European Commission.
Following the vote on the amendment, MEPs will vote on whether to enter into negotiations with the EU ministers
Procedure: Co-decision
Debate/vote: Tuesday, 4 July