EPP Group Highlights (10-14 December)

On Tuesday, MEPs should give their consent to the conclusion of the agreements on the Economic and Strategic Partnership with Japan. The EPP Group believes that the conclusion of both agreements is clear proof of the EU’s commitment to the rules-based multilateral system and the free trade which will benefit EU citizens. The Strategic Partnership will create a legally-binding framework for cooperation between the EU and Japan in more than 40 areas such as foreign policy and security issues, emergency relief operation, global development and humanitarian aid, ICT policy, space technology, research and innovation. The Agreement on Economic Partnership will be the biggest bilateral trade agreement ever negotiated by the EU forging an economic zone of 600 million people worth more than 30 percent of global GDP and representing 40% of global trade.

The European Parliament will decide on new rules regarding the Union’s food safety policy on Tuesday. The European Commission proposal comes after citizens complained in an initiative last year that studies used to assess the carcinogenicity of the herbicide glyphosate were not revealed transparently. The EPP Group believes that even though there is room for improvement in EFSA's transparency rules, everything must be done to protect the jobs and competitiveness of European producers, and to prevent their ideas being stolen.

After the vote in the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee on a revamped Visa Code, all Members of the European Parliament will vote on the dossier during the Strasbourg Plenary Session on Tuesday. The new Visa Code is a very important tool which reflects new security threats, but also more importantly addresses new migration challenges faced by our continent. The new harmonised and coordinated rules will ensure that it will be easier for legitimate travellers to enter while stricter security checks will make sure that those who do enter do not pose a security risk. 

The rule of law is a prerequisite for the protection of fundamental values on which the Union is founded, such as freedom, democracy, equality and respect for human rights. Respect for these values must be ensured throughout all Union policies including the EU Budget. The Budgets and Budgetary Control committees will vote on Thursday on a mechanism that, as part of the next multiannual budget, would establish the rules necessary for the protection of the Union’s budget in the case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States. 

MEPs will adopt the Annual Report on the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) on Wednesday. Authored by EPP Group Member David McAllister, the Report stresses that the time has come for the European Union to take its destiny into its own hands. It also supports a debate within the EU about new formats, including  to move to Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) in specific areas of the CFSP where the Treaties currently require unanimity, notably human rights issues, sanctions and civilian missions.

To wind up the debate on the Commission’s statement on the Single Market Package, held on 28 November, Members of the European Parliament will adopt the Resolution on Wednesday. While the Single Market has been the basis for Europe’s economic success and the cornerstone of European integration and the engine of jobs and growth, it is yet not fully exploiting all its potential. We believe that the deepening of the Single Market requires more political courage and commitment than 25 years ago and greater efforts to close the gap between rhetoric and delivery. We are convinced that in order to do so, a level playing field is key, with the same rules for all players in all Member States. The European Parliament's Resolution also urges the European Commission to make better use of existing instruments to take action against national rules challenging the Single Market.