The Week Ahead 05 – 11 September 2016

Future financing of the EU. EP President Martin Schulz, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and the Chair of the High Level Group on Own Resources Mario Monti are among the participants of a conference on how the EU should be financed over the coming years. The meeting brings together national MPs from all 28 Member States and MEPs. (Wednesday and Thursday) Mr Schulz and Mr Monti will hold a joint press conference on Thursday at 13:30.

Car emissions. Parliament’s Inquiry Committee on Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector (EMIS) will hear two former Commissioners: Janez Potočnik and EP Vice President Antonio Tajani, who were in charge successively of Environment and Industry and Entrepreneurship from 2010 until 2014. The two former Commissioners will face questions on the implementation of the legislation on type-approval and emissions measurements as well as on the factors that influenced policy choices made at the time. (Monday)

Refugees/resettlement. David Miliband, International Rescue Committee (IRC) President and former UK Foreign Minister, will meet Civil Liberties MEPs to discuss the IRC’s humanitarian relief operations as well as refugee resettlement and assistance programs. Members will then debate a legislative proposal to set up a common European resettlement policy (the Union Resettlement Framework). (Thursday) Mr Miliband will also meet President Schulz on Wednesday.

Plenary preparations. Political groups will prepare for the 12-15 September plenary session in Strasbourg and the annual State of the European Union debate with Commission president Juncker. A further highlight of the session will be the discussion on the upcoming informal Bratislava summit. Agenda items also include the first report of the inquiry committee into car emission measurements, debates and votes on the respect of fundamental rights in Poland, help for Italy and Greece to cope with migrants, travel documents for the return of illegally staying migrants, a ban on the export of goods which can be used for the death penalty or torture, and measures to increase the efficiency of regional funding and to enhance the competitiveness of SMEs.

Pre-session press briefing. The EP Press Service will hold a press briefing with the EP’s political group spokespersons at 11.00 on Friday. (Anna Politkovskaya room, press centre, Brussels)