EU Agenda: Week Ahead - 20-25 May 2024
This week, telecoms ministers approve conclusions on the future of EU's digital policy and on the future of cybersecurity; the Competitiveness Council aims to adopt conclusions on strengthening Europe's competitiveness through space; the Commission holds a webinar on the new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, and a consultation conference on EU guidance on public procurement of medicines; and the European Parliament hosts a debate between the lead candidates for the Commission presidency. The week's events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings from 20 to 25 May 2024.
Monday 20 May
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European elections
Brussels
The European Parliament concluded the last plenary session of its 9th term on 25 April. The European elections are taking place 6 - 9 June.
Tuesday 21 May
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Security research
Impact of Climate Change on Security Practitioners
Brussels
Climate change is high on both national and European political agendas as all countries need to address the environmental challenges. With this workshop, we aim to focus some of this attention on immediate and future, but inevitable, impact of climate change on international and domestic security affairs and related policy implications.
Tuesday 21 May
Council of the EU | Conferences and summits | General Affairs
General Affairs Council
Brussels
Ministers will focus on preparations for the June European Council, the Council's annual rule of law dialogue and the Article 7 procedure concerning Poland.
Tuesday 21 May
Council of the EU | Conferences and summits | Telecommunications
Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications)
Brussels
Ministers for telecommunications will hold a policy debate on the need for a collaborative approach for consistent implementation of the recently adopted legislation in the digital field. The Council will also approve conclusions on the future of EU's digital policy and on the future of cybersecurity. Over an informal lunch, ministers will discuss the subject of promoting digital skills for an inclusive digital transformation. Finally, as an item without discussion, the Council is expected to adopt the artificial intelligence act.
Wednesday 22 May
Other bodies and agencies | Info days | Circular economy | Consumer protection | Greenwashing | Labelling | Textile industry | Green public procurement
Information session on new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)
Online only
Join this webinar organised by the Commission to hear what the new law will mean and what the next steps will be towards making sustainable products the norm.
Wednesday 22 May
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences & summits | EU law
Sixth Annual Conference on Regulatory Scrutiny
Brussels
The Regulatory Scrutiny Board (RSB) is pleased to announce that its Sixth Annual Conference on Regulatory Scrutiny will take place in Brussels on 22 May 2024, in the afternoon.
As usual, the Conference will be dedicated to exploring the findings of the RSB's Annual Report and to bringing together different stakeholders - representatives of EU institutions as well as national public administrations and non-governmental sector - to reflect on regulatory scrutiny work in the European Commission in 2023.
Thursday 23 May
European Commission | Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
Debate between lead candidates for the Commission presidency
European Parliament, Brussels
The Eurovision debate between the lead candidates for the Commission presidency will take place on Thursday 23 May from 15.00-16.45 in Parliament's plenary chamber in Brussels.
The debate is organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in collaboration with the European political parties and the European Parliament.
EBU has announced the lead candidates for the Commission presidency who have confirmed their presence at the debate on 23 May:
The Eurovision debate between the lead candidates for the Commission presidency will take place in Parliament's plenary chamber in Brussels. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which is organising the debate, has confirmed the participation of Walter Baier (Austria, European Left), Sandro Gozi (Italy, Renew Europe Now), Ursula von der Leyen (Germany, European People's Party), Terry Reintke (Germany, European Greens) and Nicolas Schmit (Luxembourg, Party of European Socialists).
Thursday 23 May
Council of the EU | Conferences and summits | Space | Research
Competitiveness Council (Space, research and innovation)
Brussels
On Thursday morning, ministers responsible for space will meet in Brussels and will aim to adopt Council conclusions on strengthening Europe's competitiveness through space, a subject that will also be discussed in the following Joint EU-ESA Space Council. In the afternoon research ministers will take over and are expected to adopt a a political agreement on EuroHPC and AI, a recommendation on security in research, and Council conclusions on two issues: knowledge valorisation and the ex-post assessment of Horizon 2020
Thursday 23 May
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences & summits | Medicinal products
Consultation conference: EU guidance on public procurement of medicines
Paris
Following the Commission Communication on Addressing Shortages in the EU, the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety is preparing an EU guidance on best practices for public procurement of medicines. The focus is on procurement practices that can make a direct contribution to security of supply and availability of medicines throughout the product lifecycle, by effectively integrating supply security as an award criterion.
The contents and guiding principles of the draft guidance will be presented to the broader NCAPR group and relevant stakeholders at the 'Consultation Conference: EU guidance on Public Procurement of Medicines', on the 23rd of May 2024. The aim is to discuss and collect overarching feedback on the content of the paper, which will further support Member States and procurers in their procurement practices.
Friday 24 May
Council of the EU | Conferences and summits | Internal market
Competitiveness Council (Internal market and industry)
Brussels
On Friday, industry and internal market ministers will continue the COMPET Council. After the approval of A points, ministers are invited to adopt Council conclusions on three issues: the future of industrial policy; the internal market and on the report of the Court of Auditors on the EU public procurement