Briefing
Delegations
No parliamentary meetings are foreseen in Brussels, as the week is set aside for committee delegations/missions in relation to topics falling under their responsibility.
Greece/Migration & asylum. MEPs on the Civil Liberties Committee will travel to Athens and Samos to assess the situation on the ground of migrants and asylum-seekers and exchange views with Greek authorities, representatives of EU institutions and agencies, and NGOs. They will in particular check how the establishment of new multi-purpose reception centres is progressing. In addition, they will verify how applications for international protection are being managed, and look at reception and integration policies (Tuesday to Thursday).
Gender pay gap/Iceland. The Women’s Rights Committee will send a delegation to Iceland to gather information on a law that requires companies and institutions with more than 25 employees to prove that they pay men and women equally for a job of equal value. MEPs will meet, among others, representatives of the government, women’s rights organisations, civil society and professional organisations to inquire about the practical aspects of implementing this policy and its results (Wednesday to Friday).
Spain/terrorism. A delegation from the Petitions Committee will travel to Madrid and the Basque country to inquire into unsolved murders attributed to the terrorist Basque separatist organisation ETA, following a petition by the Dignity and Justice Association. MEPs will meet the petitioners, representatives of the Government and the police, members of the judiciary and victims’ associations (Wednesday to Friday). A press conference will take place on Friday at 10:00 in Madrid.
USA/Trade. An International Trade Committee delegation will travel to Washington DC to discuss global trade challenges, including Trade and Technology Council deliverables. MEPs will meet with White House officials, members of Congress, the US Trade Representative, US-based European companies as well as US enterprises, trade unions and think tanks (Monday to Thursday).
Conference on the Future of Europe/citizens’ panels. The second round of the four European Citizens’ Panels is set to begin, this time only online. The first Panel will continue its work on the future of European economy and jobs, especially after the pandemic, with a focus on social justice. It will also tackle the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation, and issues related to youth, sport, culture and education (Friday to Sunday).