Getting ready for a new start — what’s on the agenda?

Published: 11 June 2009 y., Thursday

Europos Parlamentas Strasbūre
The new Parliament hasn’t come together yet but there are many issues on its agenda already — both new ones and also old ones inherited from the previous term. Here are just some examples of what will be on EP’s table in the near future. Once you've read some of the issues below, we want to hear from you about what you would like MEPs to concentrate on.

Your money: To avoid financial crisis in the future the MEPs will look at a proposal to establish a European supervisory body for banks and to ensure tighter scrutiny of executive pay to discourage them from risky deals. 
 
MEPs will also be deciding together with EU Governments the new budgetary framework for the 7 year period after 2013 and allocating money for different priorities.
 
Your energy: Energy-efficient houses and a new label for tyres showing fuel-efficiency, safety and noise performance are just some measures to mitigate climate change and ensure energy security. Greater fuel efficiency could also mean cheaper fuel costs for drivers across Europe.
 
Your mobility: Rules on compensation for delays and cancellations for passengers in bus, coach and maritime transport and assistance for disabled passengers will be up for a second reading.
 
The House will also have a 2nd reading for rules on the use of information and communication technologies to make transport safer and cleaner and to reduce traffic congestion. Amendments aim to take better account of cyclists and pedestrians.
 
Your food: The EP will look at the proposal to provide clear information on contents of salt, sugar or fat and the country of origin of food.
 
Your health: A proposal to facilitate medical treatment anywhere in the EU will be presented for a second reading. It aims to clarify the conditions of treatment and reimbursement of the costs.
 
Your work: Since there was no agreement on the change of the working time rules in the last Parliament, the Commission might present a new proposal.
 
Your family: An EP committee asked for extension of the maternity leave to 20 weeks (instead of 14) and 2 weeks of compulsory paternity leave. The next term MEPs will vote on it. 
 
Your communication: In its last term Parliament insisted on a prior court ruling before blocking any internet access. Thus the “telecoms package” could be subject to conciliation proceedings between Parliament and Council. Among other issues: consumer rights and privacy protection.
 
Your neighbours: The EP will debate on the accession of new EU members and on a balanced immigration policy.
 

Šaltinis: europarl.europa.eu
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.

Facebook Comments

New comment


Captcha

Associated articles

The most popular articles

Rebuilding Haiti

EU pledges over €1.2bn for Haiti’s reconstruction and long-term development. more »

European Parliament delegation to observe elections in Sudan

A delegation of MEPs will be in Sudan from 8 to 15 April to observe the Sudanese elections at all levels of government. The elections are due to take place from 11 to 13 April. more »

Quake damage in Mexico

Authorities survey cracked streets and overflowing canals in Mexicali, Mexico...one day after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked the U.S.-Mexico border town. more »

The EU welcomes the Serbian Parliament’s declaration condemning the Srebrenica massacre

The EU has welcomed the adoption by the Serbian Parliament of a declaration in which it condemns the Srebrenica massacre. more »

Belgium close to burqa ban

Belgium moved a step closer to becoming the first country in Europe to outlaw full Islamic veils from its streets, following a landmark vote by Belgian lawmakers on Wednesday. more »

New exercise in democracy

Europeans will soon have a new way of getting the EU to act on issues that concern them. But how will the ‘citizens’ initiative’ work in practice? more »

International donors meet to rally support for Haiti

Speaking ahead of an international donors' conference on Haiti 31 March, the MEP heading parliament's delegation said "it is imperative to rebuild the country in order not to repeat past mistakes". more »

The government of Spain calls on the international community to promote honest governance in Haiti

Speaking in New York at the "Towards and New Future for Haití" donor conference, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, First Vice President of the Spanish government, called on the international community to help Haiti build a stable, participative, honest and transparent government. more »

N. Sarkozy visited the USA

It was a busy day in Washington for French President Nicolas Sarkozy. more »

A step forward for the common visa policy: the EU Visa Code becomes applicable

As from 5 April, the EU Visa Code will become applicable. The Visa Code gathers into a single document all legal provisions governing decisions on visas. more »