EU Agenda: Week Ahead - 30 September-5 October 2024
This week, the Commission holds a workshop on substituting targeted hazardous chemicals; the European Nuclear Energy Forum takes place in Prague; and MEPs discuss lowering the key European Central Bank interest rate further with ECB President Christine Lagarde, publish a first pan-European post-electoral opinion survey and prepare for the New Commission/Confirmation hearings. The week's events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings from 30 September tp 6 October 2024.
Monday 30 September
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament committee and political groups meetings
Brussels
ECB President Lagarde: Members of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee will discuss lowering the key European Central Bank interest rate further with ECB President Christine Lagarde and the need for a Capital Markets Union. This is President Lagarde's first meeting with the parliamentary committee since the June European elections (Monday).
Ukraine/financial assistance: the International Trade Committee will have a first discussion on the proposed Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism, and an exceptional Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) loan of up to €35 billion to the country, with Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis.
European Public Prosecutor: European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi will update MEPs in the Civil Liberties Committee on her office's current work and future challenges.
Plenary Preparations: Political Groups will prepare for the 7 - 10 October session, where MEPs will assess the introduction of internal border controls by some member states and their impact on the travel-free Schengen area, debate the programme of Hungary's Council Presidency with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and look ahead at the upcoming 17-18 October EU summit. They will also debate and vote on Russian interference ahead of the upcoming presidential elections in Moldova as well as on the democratic backsliding and threats to political pluralism in Georgia. During the session, Parliament will also discuss the crisis facing the EU's automotive industry and debate ways to ensure sustainable, decent and affordable housing in Europe.
Monday 30 September - Tuesday 1 October
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Nuclear energy | Energy union | Energy policy
17th European Nuclear Energy Forum
Prague, Czechia
The European Nuclear Energy Forum (ENEF) serves as a unique platform for comprehensive discussions about the opportunities and risks associated with nuclear energy. Traditionally organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the host country, this year's forum will take place in the Czech Republic.
ENEF brings together key stakeholders in the nuclear field, including high-level political representatives from EU countries, European institutions, nuclear industry, nuclear safety regulators, academia and research organisations, trade organisations, and representatives of energy consumers and civil society.
Tuesday 1 October
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Chemical industry | Chemicals legislation | Competitiveness | Value chain | Public health
Second workshop on substituting targeted hazardous chemicals
Brussels
The European Commission is hosting a second workshop together with a group of contractors led by the Logika Group. It is being held to follow up on the study 'Strengthening the role of substitution planning in the context of REACH and other EU chemicals legislation'.
This workshop will give an update on progress made on the project to date, including the problem definition. It will also provide an overview of the identified options for a substitution framework and explore their potential implications.
Tuesday 1 October
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament committee and political groups meetings
Brussels
New Commission/Confirmation hearings: the Conference of Committee Chairs will prepare the confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate and discuss the possible timetable, common questions all candidates have to answer as well as the division of responsibilities among Parliament's committees (Tuesday). The final decision will be taken by the Conference of Presidents (EP President and political group leaders), which is set to discuss the organisation of the hearings during their meeting on Wednesday.
Wednesday 2 October
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | South East Asia | Innovation | Circular economy
Innovation Cooperation between Europe and South East Asia, Trends, Challenges and Opportunities in Circular Economy and Clean Energy
Hanoi, Vietnam and online
The Innovation Event, organised under the Southeast Asia-Europe Joint Funding Scheme (JFS) in the framework of the Global Service Facility, a project funded by the European Commission, aims at fostering international cooperation in research and innovation. Its primary goals are to encourage co-design and co-creation of solutions to address global challenges, accelerate the green transition, and form partnerships between innovators and researchers from both Regions.
Thursday 3 October
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament committee and political groups meetings
Brussels
Eurobarometer/after the June 2024 European elections: Parliament will publish its first pan-European post-electoral opinion survey, focused on the concerns of EU citizens and the issues that motivated them to vote in June.
Press briefing on confirmation hearings & Eurobarometer: the EP Press Service will hold a technical briefing to present the main results of the post-electoral Eurobarometer survey, as well as the schedule, rules and structure of the confirmation hearings of the new Commission.