Monday

2nd Oct 2023

Agenda

Vaccine fairness plus Russia on table This WEEK

  • Waiving Covid-19 vaccine patents remains controversial in the EU (Photo: UNICEF Ethiopia)

After Europe Day (9 May) eventually saw the delayed launch of the Conference on the Future of Europe, attention returns to vaccines - after US president Joe Biden put the EU in a tight spot when he backed waiving the Covid-19 vaccine patents.

EU leaders discussed the matter at their summit over the weekend in Porto, but many remain sceptical.

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Become an expert on Europe

Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

"We welcome the United States' ambition to catch up, particularly so after having exported hardly any vaccines for several months. It would be very beneficial for all if they lifted their export ban. Issuing populistic statements will not help anyone", centre-right MEP Christophe Hansen said.

The EU Commission meanwhile is examining the national recovery plans it has received from more than a dozen member states so far.

On Monday, MEPs in the budget committee will hear from commissioners Valdis Dombrovskis and Paolo Gentiloni on the latest developments.

On the same day, MEPs on the culture committee will hear from commission vice-president Vera Jourova on media policy.

Jourova is expected to discuss planned legislation against abusive lawsuits against journalists, called SLAPPs, and plans to better protect media freedom in Europe.

Russia, which banned Jourova plus other top EU officials recently, will remain high on the bloc's agenda.

On Monday, MEPs on the foreign affairs and foreign interference committee will hear from Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an exiled Russian businessman and former oligarch who was imprisoned for 14 years by the regime in Moscow.

EU foreign ministers on Monday will be briefed by EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell, and will discuss China, the Western Balkans, transatlantic relations, and Belarus.

MEPs on the foreign affairs committee will discuss the new EU-China strategy on Monday.

North Macedonian prime minister Zoran Zaev will be in Brussels on Monday, and among others will meet with EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

Also on Monday, lawmakers on the parliament's legal affairs committee will talk with commission vice-presidents Margrethe Vestager on digital policy.

EU and US join up against China on Taiwan

The EU and its leading powers voiced strident criticism of China at a G7 meeting in London on Wednesday, even as Hungary, once again, tried to gag Europe in Brussels.

European Political Community and key media vote This WEEK

A major meeting of leaders from all over Europe will take place this week, with security and enlargement as key topics for discussion. In the Parliament, MEPs are expected to vote on the European Media Freedom Act.

China trade tension and migration deal This WEEK

An EU-China high-level economic is scheduled on Monday amid renewed tensions. Later this week, EU home affairs ministers will discuss the EU-Tunisia deal and the state of play of the EU pact on asylum and migration.

Spain's EU-language bid and UN summit This WEEK

While the heads of EU institutions are in New York for the UN high level meeting, Spain's EU presidency will try to convince ministers to make Catalan, Basque, and Galician official EU languages.

European Political Community and key media vote This WEEK

A major meeting of leaders from all over Europe will take place this week, with security and enlargement as key topics for discussion. In the Parliament, MEPs are expected to vote on the European Media Freedom Act.

Latest News

  1. Slovak's 'illiberal' Fico victory boosts Orban, but faces checks
  2. European Political Community and key media vote This WEEK
  3. Is the ECB sabotaging Europe's Green Deal?
  4. The realists vs idealists Brussels battle on Ukraine's EU accession
  5. EU women promised new dawn under anti-violence pact
  6. Three steps EU can take to halt Azerbaijan's mafia-style bullying
  7. Punish Belarus too for aiding Putin's Ukraine war
  8. Added-value for Russia diamond ban, as G7 and EU prepare sanctions

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of MinistersThe Nordic Region is stepping up its efforts to reduce food waste
  2. International Medical Devices Regulators Forum (IMDRF)Join regulators, industry & healthcare experts at the 24th IMDRF session, September 25-26, Berlin. Register by 20 Sept to join in person or online.
  3. UNOPSUNOPS begins works under EU-funded project to repair schools in Ukraine
  4. Georgia Ministry of Foreign AffairsGeorgia effectively prevents sanctions evasion against Russia – confirm EU, UK, USA
  5. International Medical Devices Regulators Forum (IMDRF)Join regulators & industry experts at the 24th IMDRF session- Berlin September 25-26. Register early for discounted hotel rates
  6. Nordic Council of MinistersGlobal interest in the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations – here are the speakers for the launch

Join EUobserver

Support quality EU news

Join us