The ongoing war in Ukraine and EU’s response to it, the migration crisis and the need for EU action on search and rescue in the Mediterranean, measures for energy saving, alternative vehicle refueling, as well as the European Parliament’s internal reforms to strengthen transparency, are among the many and diverse discussions that make up the agenda of the last plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg before the summer break.
The 500-day long and ongoing war in Ukraine is one of them and, following a voting in the Industry, Research and Innovation Parliamentary Committee on measures that aim to speed up the delivery of ammunition in order to cover the increasing needs of Ukraine, the plenary will discuss on Wednesday the conclusions of the European Council regarding the latest developments of the war against Ukraine and in Russia.
Also, following the latest devastating wreck near Pylos, Greece, where hundreds of migrants were drowned, the MEPs will discuss on Wednesday morning, in the presence of the European Commissioner of Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, EU’s capabilities for search and rescue operations of migrants at sea.
Another important subject on the agenda is the debate and the plenary vote on the EU nature restoration law, as there was no majority during its discussion in the Committee of Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. In addition, MEPs are set to approve new EU rules to deploy charging stations for cars, at least every 60 km, as well as to greenlight new rules to boost energy savings in public buildings and generally in the public sector.
On Tuesday, MEPs will vote on their position on rules to protect journalists, activists, academics, artists and researchers against legal actions aimed at silencing them (anti-SLAPP), since ‘these lawsuits are a threat for democracy’, as mentioned during the agenda briefing.
As for the internal reforms of the Institution, the MEPs will discuss proposals to improve the European Parliament’s transparency, integrity and accountability rules, as the draft report of the Parliament’s Special Committee on foreign interference, transparency and accountability identifies measures that need to be taken.
On Wednesday, the plenary will also vote on its final recommendations to improve EU crisis management and preparedness for future health emergencies, following the experience of the COVID-19 crisis.
Also, MEPs will vote on pound 2,2 million in EU aid for 603 dismissed workers in Belgium, responding to a request for support from the European Globalization Adjustment Fund, as proposed by Cypriot MEP, Eleni Stavrou, on behalf of the Budgets Committee.
Source: Cyprus News Agency