The European Defense, the Support of Ukraine, the changes in the rules for the return of migrants or the reduction of bureaucracy in order to increase the competitiveness of the European Union are among the most important topics of the March plenary session of the European Parliament (EP) in Strasbourg. It will start on Monday at 5 pm.
MEPs will discuss the impact of climate change on the most vulnerable regions of Europe and the recent cyclone on the island of Réunion on Monday after opening the meeting first with the European Commission (EC).
MEPs will then examine the EC proposals to reduce bureaucracy and simplify legislation for EU enterprises and citizens. Last week, as part of a strategy to improve the EU’s competitiveness, the EC proposed the first two summary packages of simplistic measures.
They will also discuss defense
On Tuesday, the EP will evaluate the results of last week’s extraordinary summit of the European Council (ER) on Ukraine and European security. MEPs will talk about the strengthening of Europe’s security and later outline their expectations from the next summit 20 to 21 March, which should also focus on the Middle East, Competitiveness of Europe, business policy and management of migration.
At noon, the EP will commemorate International Women’s Day (March 8). Four women fighting for freedom, peace and justice in their home countries, including the leader of the Belarusian Democratic Forces of the Feast of the Holidays of Cicanovska, were invited to perform in the plenary.
In the afternoon, MEPs and representatives of the Polish Presidency of the Council and the EC will discuss the upcoming white book on the future of the European Defense, which should be introduced in mid -March. The plenary will terminate this debate on Wednesday by voting on the resolution.
MEPs will talk about continuing support for Ukraine, the resolution will vote the next day. The resolution should outline how the EU is to respond and continue supporting Kiev if the US sought an agreement with Russia, without the involvement of the EU or Ukraine itself. It is also likely to focus on European contributions to the security guarantees needed to ensure a fair and permanent peace in Ukraine, says the EP website.
Migration also requires a solution
MEPs and the Commission will also discuss the changes in EU rules on the return of migrants who do not have the legal right to stay in Europe. It is expected that the EC will officially present the proposal of a new legal framework for the so -called “returns” announced von der Leyen in July 2024.
On Tuesday, the EC will present a proposal for new legislation on critical medicines (CMA), followed by a discussion with MEPs. The aim of CMA is to address a serious lack of medicines and medical devices and reduce the external dependence on critical medicines and ingredients, as well as to ensure the supply of affordable medicines.
From Tuesday to Thursday, MEPs will discuss its new proposals on the net industry, energy plans and the automotive industry in three separate debates.
Russian gas will also come to the shake
On Wednesday, the EP will talk and vote on the economic and social priorities and employment priorities for the EU. The discussion is related to the “European Semester” cycle – the framework for the coordination of EU economic and social policy. According to the EP, MPs want to emphasize the need to grow growth by increasing competitiveness while preparing the EU economies for the risks related to the geopolitical and climate crisis.
In two separate debates on Wednesday afternoon, MEPs will talk about the possibility of using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine and accelerate the gradual decommissioning of Russian gas and other energy commodities of Moscow.
On Thursday, one of the most important points will be a debate on the plans for the future of the EU agro -food sector. The resolutions in connection with human rights in Thailand, Sudan and Azerbaijan should also be voted on. The situation in these countries will be discussed on Wednesday.
