Foreign Affairs Committee – highlights of the next meetings
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28. April 2017 In Aktuell

Foreign Affairs Committee – highlights of the next meetings

Foreign Affairs Committee – highlights of next meeting

Tuesday

Debate Tuesday 2 May, 9.30-10.30

Turkey – Rapporteur Kati Piri (S&D, NL)

Foreign Affairs MEPs will have a first debate on annual resolution on Turkey’s progress on EU-related reforms in 2016, drafted by Kati Piri (S&D, NL). EU-Turkey relations, migration, visa policy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, but also recent referendum on constitutional changes are some of the topics addressed in the resolution. It also calls on the EU „to suspend the accession talks with Turkey if the constitutional package is implemented unchanged“.
Vote Tuesday, 2 May 15.30

Private Security Companies – Rapporteur Hilde Vautmans (ALDE, BE)

MEPs on the Foreign Affairs committee will vote on the proposals to strengthen accountability and oversight of the 40,000 private security companies (PSCs) in the EU. The draft resolution advocates to adopt EU rules and draw up a “positive list” of PSCs without criminal records, having strict staff vetting and code of ethics. PSCs employ 1.5 million contractors in military and civilian field, and amongst others ensure the security of EU delegations, missions and operations. In the past, PSCs have been accused of committing human rights violations and even causing casualties.

Wednesday

Debate 3 May, 11.45-12.30

Latin America – Rapporteur Javi López (S&D, ES) 

The report on EU political relations with Latin America, drafted by Javi López (S&D, ES) will be debated by Foreign Affairs MEPs. Shaped at bi-regional, sub-regional and country levels during the past two decades, EU-Latin America relations are now facing major challenges. Tensed political situation in some Latin American countries, the new Republican presidency in the United States, Fidel Castro’s death and the Brexit are some of the recent events changing the landscape of transatlantic relations which MEPs will discuss.

Security and Defence Subcommittee –
highlights of next meeting

Wednesday

Debate 3 May 15.00-16.00 (PHS 3C050)

EU-NATO

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will debate with Foreign Affairs and Defence MEPs EU-NATO relations and the upcoming NATO summit of 25 May, which could become the first US president Trump visit to Brussels. The debate would present an opportunity for MEPs to take stock of the implementation of 2016 Joint Declaration and explore the possibilities how the two organisations can jointly face complex security threats.

Thursday

Debate Thursday, 4 May 9.00-10.00 (PHS 4B001)

Information warfare against Eastern Partnership countries – the case of Moldova

MEPs on the Security and defence Subcommittee will debate the information warfare which Moldova is facing recently with Moldovan journalists and European External Action Service. Information warfare is an integral part of today’s modern hybrid warfare, seeking to undermine the objective information or ethical journalism and to destabilise the political, economic and social situation of a country under attack.

Human Rights Subcommittee – highlights of next meeting

Wednesday

Hearing Wednesday 3 May, 15.15-18.30

Business and human rights in the EU external policies

Jointly with the Committee on International Trade

Human rights in relation to trade is of utmost importance, even more when the EU is negotiating new agreements with third countries. Human Rights and International Trade MEPs will hold a joint hearing on ‚Business and human rights in EU External Policies: due diligence, non-financial reporting and access to remedies‘. Corporate Social Responsibility, the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles, as well as legally binding instrument on transnational corporations will be discussed during the hearing. You can find more information in the programme. The hearing will be webstreamed.
Debate Wednesday 3 May, 11.00-11.45

Sudan

MEPs on the Human Rights Subcommittee will debate situation of human rights in Sudan with Aristride Nononsi, the UN Independent Expert on Sudan, and Jan Figel, EU Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the European Union. You can follow the debate through webstreaming.

Thursday

Debate 4 May, 09.30-11.00

Press Freedom Day

Every year, 3 May celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom. Together with Christophe Deloire, Secretary General, Reporters without Borders, Jerzy Pomianowski, Executive Director of the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) and Jakub Kalenský, member of the East Stratcom Task Force, Human Rights MEPs will debate the situation of press freedom in the world and in the European Union. You can follow the debate through webstreaming

Wednesday & Thursday

Conference 2 May, from 15.15 to 19.00, Wednesday 3 May, from 9.00 to 18.45, Thursday 4 May, from 9.00 to 11.30

Tunisia

MEPs and members of the Tunisia’s Assembly of People’s Representatives (ARP) will meet during a 3-day High-Level Conference on Strengthening parliamentary capacity between EP and ARP and to discuss present and future EU-Tunisia relations, including the project of Free Trade Agreement, the participation of women in public life and the fight against money laundering. The “Tunisian week” will be opened by EP President Antonio Tajani and ARP President Mohamed Ennaceur.