EPP Group Highlights (11-15 September 2017)

The European Parliament will vote on Tuesday on the security of gas supply Regulation by Jerzy Buzek MEP, which will make it easier and mandatory to share gas supplies to prevent and diminish gas energy supply shocks, as well as to ensure solidarity in the event of an emergency in the European Union, for instance gas shortages in winter times. The EPP Group welcomes the idea that in the future, EU countries will also be obliged to help a neighbouring EU country if it is experiencing gas supply trouble. Gas supply security rules will shift from a national approach to a regional approach where countries will work together to identify common gas supply risks. The Report is part of the Energy Union package published by the European Commission in 2016.

If global aviation was a country, it would rank in the top 10 of emitters. Imagine this: someone flying from London to New York and back generates roughly the same level of emissions as the average person in the EU does by heating their home for a whole year! The EPP Group believes that action against growing emissions in aviation is needed by including it in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) so that aviation can also contribute to reducing CO2 levels. The EPP Group, at the same time, supports the European Commission in its endeavours to keep inter-continental flights outside the current EU ETS scheme. The vote on the proposal to regulate this domain will be held on Wednesday in Strasbourg. 

On Tuesday, MEPs will debate the EU's relationship with Turkey with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini. The EPP Group is very concerned with the latest developments in Turkey, where the Government is trampling on the rule of law, putting journalists and human rights activists in jail. We therefore request that negotiations on Turkey's EU membership be stopped immediately. 

Scientists estimate that forests play a critical role in contributing to climate change. Their loss or simply changes to the use of land account for around 23% of current man-made CO2 emissions, which is 17% of the 100-year warming impact of all current greenhouse gas emissions. The EPP Group believes that every sector has to contribute to fighting climate change, sectors relating to land use and forestry included. This is the way to contribute to the goals set in the Paris Climate Agreement. Next week, Parliament's Chief Negotiator Norbert Lins will seek support from other political groups in the European Parliament. The vote on the legislative proposal, which includes land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) in the 2030 climate and energy framework, will take place on Wednesday.

The European Parliament will vote on Thursday on the Report on academic further and distance education as part of the European lifelong learning strategy. Education systems are facing significant challenges as a result of the digital transformation, which are impacting teaching and learning processes. This is why the European lifelong learning strategy should be reinforced so that every person, at every stage of their life should have lifelong learning opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills they need for both their personal development and professional progress. "Learning doesn't belong solely to childhood. Technological change demands stronger and more continuous connections between education and employment throughout our whole lives. Nobody is too old to learn", says Milan Zver MEP, Parliament's Spokesman for this dossier.