European Parliament
Sakharov Prize Award. The democratic opposition in Venezuela will be awarded the European Parliament’s 29th Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought at a ceremony in the chamber on Wednesday at noon. European Parliament President Antonio Tajani will hold a press conference with the winners after the ceremony, at around 12.30.
EU summit/Brexit. On Wednesday morning, MEPs will discuss migration, defence and social policies with EU Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans, as well as the progress of Brexit negotiations with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier, ahead of the European summit to be held on 14 and 15 December. (Debate and vote Wednesday)
PANA recommendations. Parliament will vote on its recommendations to stamp out practices enabling tax evasion and optimisation, as exposed by the “Panama Papers”. Wrapping up 18 months’ work, the PANA committee calls for better regulation of financial intermediaries, better protection of whistle-blowers and a single definition of tax havens. A press conference is scheduled for Wednesday at 14:30. (Debate Tuesday, vote Wednesday)
More investment funding. The European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI), which has helped economic recovery, will be prolonged until 2020 and topped up with extra money to finance more projects that promise the best economic and social returns in the EU member states, under a new law to be discussed and put to the vote on Tuesday.
EU farm policy. Reforms designed to simplify farm policy rules, boost farmers’ bargaining power against supermarkets and better equip them to face risks, will be debated on Monday and put to the vote on Tuesday.
Meat additives. Parliament will decide on Tuesday whether to veto an EU Commission proposal to allow phosphate additives in kebab meat out of health concerns.
Cross-border online TV. Parliament will vote to approve a mandate for its negotiators to start talks with the Council on new rules making it easier for broadcasters to make their news and current affairs programmes available online for consumers in other EU countries.
Foreign affairs. MEPs will discuss the recent pledge by US President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the persecution of Rohingya people, the Iran nuclear deal, abuse of migrants in Libya and the situation in Afghanistan, with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Dimitri Avramopoulos on Tuesday afternoon.
President’s diary. EP President Antonio Tajani will chair the EU summit preparatory debate on Wednesday morning. At 11:30 he will meet the laureates of the 29th Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought and chair the awards ceremony in the Hemicycle at noon, followed by a press conference. He will attend the EU summit on Thursday at 15:00 and hold a press conference immediately afterwards.
Pre-session press briefing. The EP Press Service will hold a press briefing at 16.30 on Monday. (Daphne Caruana Galizia Press conference room, Strasbourg)
