This WEEK in the European Union
ELITSA VUCHEVA
28.11.2008 @ 17:45 CET
EUOBSERVER / AGENDA (30 November – 7 December) – This week, EU economy and finance ministers will discuss a €200 billion stimulus package proposed last week by the European Commission, with Germany and Ireland already reacting with scepticism to the measures.
On 26 November, Brussels unveiled its plan to boost Europe's economy, a strategy to invest around 1.5 percent of the 27-nation bloc's gross domestic product to prime the economic pump. The realisation of the commission's plan, however, will depend on the willingness of EU countries to contribute.
EU economy and finance ministers are to discuss the European Commission's stimulus package this week. (Photo: European Community)
Some member states – such as Germany and Ireland – have already reacted somewhat coldly to the plan.
The 27 economy ministers will be able to give their opinion on the package on Tuesday, before it is to be submitted to EU leaders during their meeting in Brussels on 11 – 12 December for final approval.
On Monday, EU ministers from the competitiveness council are to discuss the commission's plan for growth and jobs in the context of the current economic crisis. They are also expected to exchange views on EU policies related to gambling and betting.
Later this week, the bloc's environment ministers will meet to try to tackle another hot issue – the EU's energy and climate package, which is also set for a final blessing at the December EU summit.
They will also prepare for international negotiations on climate change that are to kick-off on Monday in Poznan, Poland, and last until 12 December.
Busy week for the European Commission
Meanwhile, the EU executive is this week set to present a substantial series of proposals, including a directive laying down the minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers in the EU.
A revised directive on electrical and electronic waste, as well as on hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, is also on the commission's agenda for Wednesday. Brussels is aiming to reduce the use of hazardous substances in electronic products, and to boost the recycling of such equipment, as only one third of the electrical and electronic waste is currently treated in line with the commission's rules.
Also on Wednesday, the commission is set to present its proposals for the EU's Eastern Partnership – the framework for the bloc's relations with its six post-Soviet neighbours, where it is to recognise their "European aspirations" and create a new "European Economic Area."
It is also to propose signing Association Agreements with Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in the next few years, underlining however that this does not represent a promise for possible future EU accession.
A proposal on the management of biological waste in the EU; one in the field of organ donation and transplantation; and two legislative proposals on the rights of passengers, notably with reduced mobility, in international bus and maritime transport, are also on the commission's stuffed agenda this week.
Dalai Lama in the parliament
MEPs will also have several issues to deal with this week. On Tuesday, the parliament's temporary committee on climate change will adopt its final report, just before MEPs debate the climate package proposals with commission and council representatives on Thursday.
The parliamentarians will also debate the commission's proposed recovery package, and a piece of legislation that sets up a €1 billion fund to help developing countries that face volatile food prices, on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the Dalai Lama will address the parliament in the framework of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.
The Tibetan spiritual leader's forthcoming meeting with French president Nicolas Sarkozy, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, as well as his planned visits to several European capitals, has angered China.
Beijing has always opposed the Dalai Lama meeting foreign leaders, as it considers him a "secessionist" for pleading for Tibet's autonomy. Consequently, on Wednesday it called off an EU – China summit that was scheduled for 1 December – a decision which the EU "regretted."
Meanwhile, a number of French ministers – including interior minister Michelle Alliot-Marie, immigration minister Brice Hortefeux, justice minister Rachida Dati, and defence minister Herve Morin – will be discussing the outcome of the French EU presidency with MEPs on Monday and Tuesday.