Summary

This week is a political group week (i.e., the week before the Parliament’s plenary session, during which all political parties and groups organize meetings and discuss their views and voting strategy). The Plenary session will be held in Strasbourg from October 24 to October 27. Therefore, the number of committee meetings is relatively limited for the week ahead.

The Committee into emission measurements (“EMIS”) will continue its investigation into Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector. EMIS Committee has been granted a mandate to analyze information and assess whether the Commission and Member States had evidence of the use of defeat mechanisms for emission measurement. The mandate also covers investigation for alleged offenses and maladministration relating to vehicle emission measurements. The EMIS Committee is also responsible for hearing stakeholders in this respect. Therefore, on October 17, the EMIS Committee will hear Mr. Harald Wester, Chief Technical Officer, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles; and, on October 20, Mr. Alexander Dobrindt, German Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, and Mr. Olaf Lies, Minister for Economy, Labor and Transport of Lower Saxony, Germany.

Several votes will also take place in committees. On October 20, Foreign Affairs Committee (“AFET”) will vote in first reading on the amendments tabled in relation to the draft Report on Implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy adopted on July 29, 2016. This Report aims at enhancing the European Common Security and Defence Policy (“CSDP”). This Report reiterates the need for cooperation between the EU and NATO (and especially the relevance of the mutual defence clause), the importance of the EU’s assistance in providing military equipment to partner countries, and the role of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base as a fundamental basis of the CSDP. See the draft Report here, and the amendments tabled here.

On the same day, the AFET Committee will also vote on the amendments made to the draft Report on the European Defence Union. This Report invites the Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Federica Mogherini, to propose an initial white book on security and defence of the Union that will be based on the global strategy endorsed by the European Council. The initial white book will outline various initiatives, including: an EU-wide cooperation system to allow  faster deployment of defence forces and equipment; the organization of a European stakeholder conference on common European armaments and capability; and a process reflection on foreign direct investment in defence- and security-critical industries and service providers, in order to develop EU-level legislation. See the draft Report here, and the amendments tabled here.

The EP will also hold various special events. On October 17, the Committee on Legal Affairs (“JURI”) will organize a workshop relating to robotics and artificial intelligence.  Based on presentations from various experts, the workshop will address basic ethical and policy questions generated by the development of robotics and artificial intelligence. Members of national parliaments will take part in the workshop. In addition, on October 17 and 18, the EP will hold a conference for the media on the future of the EU. This conference will address major challenges that the EU will have to face in the future. This will be attended by European Parliament’s President Martin Schulz and the Vice-President Mairead McGuinness.

On October 20, Mr. Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner in charge of Better Regulation will also appear before the Parliamentary Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (“LIBE”) to discuss inter-institutional relations and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Meetings and Agenda

Monday October 17, 2016

Committee of Inquiry into Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector

15:00 – 18:30 

  • Hearing of Mr Harald WESTER, Chief Technical Officer, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
  • Debriefing of the EMIS missions to the Joint Research Center, Ispra (Italy), 18-19 July 2016 and to Florange (France), Luxembourg and Lambsheim (Germany), 21-22 September 2016

Committee on Legal Affairs

15:00 – 18:30

  • Workshop with EU National Parliaments on robotics and artificial intelligence

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

15:00 – 18:30

  • Discussion with the French Defender of Rights, Jacques TOUBON
  • EU-Turkey statement, discussion on Third Report on progress made in implementation – discussion with Maarten VERWEY, Director-General, Head of the Structural Reform Support Service and EU coordinator for the implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement on migration
  • Sixth report on relocation and resettlement and urgent measures to be taken by Greece in view of the resumption of transfers under Regulation (EU) No. 604/2013 – discussion with Commission representative (DG Migration and Home Affairs)
  • Common European Asylum System (CEAS) – discussion with the Slovak Presidency of the Council of the EU on progress following the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 13 October

Tuesday October 18, 2016

Special Event – Future of Europe / Press Seminar

14:30 – 17:00 

  • The European Parliament press service is organising a press seminar in Brussels on ‘The future of Europe’ for journalists to debate issues of crucial importance to the European Union with leading MEPs, with the focus on several important draft resolutions in the pipeline, including on the future set-up of the European Union, the better use of current EU treaties, as well as the future for the Eurozone. EP President Martin SCHULZ (S&D, DE) and Vice-President Mairead McGUINNESS (EPP, IE) will participate in the event.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Special Event – Future of Europe / Press Seminar

10:00 – 12:00 

  • The European Parliament press service is organising a press seminar in Brussels on ‘The future of Europe’ for journalists to debate issues of crucial importance to the European Union with leading MEPs, with the focus on several important draft resolutions in the pipeline, including on the future set-up of the European Union, the better use of current EU treaties, as well as the future for the Eurozone. EP President Martin SCHULZ (S&D, DE) and Vice-President Mairead McGUINNESS (EPP, IE) will participate in the event.

Thursday, October 20, 2013

Committee of Inquiry into Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector

9:00 – 12:30

  • Hearing of Mr Alexander DOBRINDT, Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, Germany
  • Hearing of Mr Olaf LIES, Minister for Economy, Labour and Transport of Lower Saxony, Germany

Committee on Foreign Affairs

09:00 – 12:30

  • The implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy (based on the Annual Report from the Council to the European Parliament on the Common Foreign and Security Policy) – 2016/2067(INI) – Rapporteur: Ioan Mircea PAŞCU (S&D, RO) – Adoption of amendments
  • European Defence Union – 2016/2052(INI) – Rapporteur: Urmas PAET (ALDE, ET) – Adoption of amendments
  • Discussion with Ranil WICKREMESINGHE, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka

Committee on Budgetary Control

09:00 – 18:30

  • Agenda not available

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

09:00 – 12:30

  • Structured dialogue with Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the Commission and Commissioner in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and Charter of Fundamental Rights
  • Code of conduct on countering illegal hate speech online – discussion with Paul NEMITZ, Director for Fundamental Rights and Union Citizenship (DG Justice and Consumers) European Commission

Committee on Constitutional Affairs

09:00 – 12:30

Agenda not available

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Photo of Sebastian Vos Sebastian Vos

Sebastian Vos is co-chair of the firm’s public policy practice, and heads up its European division. He has extensive experience in the European Union and advises clients as they navigate and manage today’s global regulatory and policy challenges.

Sebastian provides clients with strategic…

Sebastian Vos is co-chair of the firm’s public policy practice, and heads up its European division. He has extensive experience in the European Union and advises clients as they navigate and manage today’s global regulatory and policy challenges.

Sebastian provides clients with strategic public policy, regulatory, and communications advice on a range of competition, trade, transactional and sectoral issues. Sebastian has particular expertise in advising companies in the technology, financial services, energy and transport sectors.

Sebastian was formerly a partner at a leading global public affairs consultancy. Prior to this, he was head of the competition practice at a strategic communications agency. He worked as an attorney at a magic circle firm, specialising in Antitrust, Competition and Trade law, as well as being a member of the Public Policy practice. He has also worked at the European Commission, and was part of its Delegation to the United States in 2000.

Sebastian has written articles on legal and political developments in various publications, including Europe’s World, Bloomberg Business Law Review and European Competition Law Review. He has also been a commentator on broadcast media including CNBC and Bloomberg TV.