EU Review – This Week rounds up the main meetings, developments and events from around the European Union and Europe on a weekly basis. Each update gives an overview of the main developments from a European perspective to provide a solid context for political and policy developments within the EU institutions and from European capitals.

6 – 10 May 2024

Europe Day

On 9 May every year, the EU Member States celebrate Europe Day, the anniversary of the signing of the Schuman Declaration in 1950. It is regarded as a day of reflection on the benefits of cooperation, which have brought peace and prosperity to the EU. This year, Europe Day takes place ahead of the European Parliament elections, shifting the focus on democracy in Europe, which is seen as a gift from previous generations that now needs to be protected against the rise of the right. In partnership with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Dublin, the Houses of the Oireachtas will light up Leinster House and other locations to remind people of the importance of voting in the European Parliament elections, as the EP is a European Union legislative body directly elected by the people. 

Activities in the EU Institutions

• The European Parliament

This week's EU Review will not refer to policy developments in the European Parliament, as the EP held the last plenary session of its 9th term on 22-25 April 2024. MEPs are now heading back to their native countries to prepare for the elections on 6-9 June, when voters will choose the 720 members of the next legislature. Member States will hold their elections on different dates, with Irish voters going to the polls on 7 June. The IIEA has prepared a series of infographics which provide an easy visual guide to inform the public about the EP elections. Election results will be available on 9 June 2024. The European Parliament will continuously publish election results data from all Member States throughout the election night. The data will be composed of publicly available information from the Member States, made available in a harmonised format on the official election result website. The first plenary session of the new European Parliament after the elections is scheduled for 16-19 July 2023, when the EP has to approve the new Commission President proposed by the European Council by an absolute majority before breaking for the summer in August.

• European Commission

Working Party on Enlargement and Countries Negotiating Accession to the EU: 7 May 2024

This meeting will focus on a presentation by the European Union Intelligence and Situation Centre (INTCEN) on Türkiye’s progress towards EU accession. Then, the Commission will provide information on the Technical Support Instrument pilot project aimed at accompanying efforts of candidate countries in tackling reform challenges by offering them technical expertise to enhance their capacity to carry out reforms and to foster the exchange of good practices across the EU. Lastly, the Commission will provide an update on the Leaders’ Summit on the Growth Plan, which will take place in Kotor, Montenegro, on 16 May 2024.

 

• Council of the European Union 

Foreign Affairs Council in its development configuration: 7 May 2024

EU Development Ministers will convene to discuss the situation in Ukraine and the Ukraine Plan, which aims to unblock the disbursement under the first pillar of the Ukraine Facility for 2024-2027 – financial support in the form of €5.2 billion in grants and €33 billion in loans towards the reconstruction and modernisation of Ukraine as part of its accession process. The disbursement is conditional on the progress made on Ukraine’s reform and investment agenda. If approved, ECOFIN will take the implementing decision on 14 May. The next agenda item will be on the latest developments in Palestine and the call for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire. 

In advance of the Council, EU High Representative Jossep Borell said that, to his knowledge, the President of the Commission had not responded to the letters from Ireland and Spain to call for a review of the EU/Israel Association agreement. EU Representative for Human Rights, Olaf Skoog, is in touch with the United Nations Special Representative regarding the situation on the ground and will present a report on this to the Council.

Lastly, Ministers will touch upon the EU’s relationship with Africa, emphasising the importance of an equal and respectful partnership with the continent. The Belgian Presidency will provide a briefing on a strengthened approach to global health and is expected to discuss preparations for the UN Summit of the Future on 22-23 September in New York on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly.

Conferences and Meetings of Experts: 

• EU-Ukraine Defence Industry Forum: 6 May 2024

EU Institutions, Ministers and the defence industry will meet with their Ukrainian counterparts to explore ways to strengthen defence industrial cooperation between the EU and Ukraine. They will particularly focus on production capacity, the integration of the Ukrainian Defence Technological and Industrial Base into the European one, and cooperation in defence innovations. The overall aim of the conference is to contribute to the EU’s long-term support for Ukraine.

Articles and Press Releases of Interest  

• Press statement by President von der Leyen following the trilateral meeting with French President Macron and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping
• Speech by President von der Leyen in Katowice at the 16h European Economic Congres
• Commission intends to close Article 7(1) TEU procedure for Poland
• Moldova fights to free itself from Russia’s AI-powered disinformation machine Politico
• Georgia: The next domino to fall in the Kremlin’s undemocratic direction Politico

Council adopts Interinstitutional Agreement on the Growth Plan Agence Europe

 

15 – 19 April 2024                                                                                                    

Activities in the EU Institutions

On Thursday, Ireland’s new Taoiseach, Simon Harris, met EP President Roberta Metsola, Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President, Charles Michel, in Brussels. Topics for discussion involved the situation of farmers in the EU, the agri-food industry, and the situation in Palestine. He also travelled to Warsaw, where he met with European Council President, Charles Michel, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk for a discussion on the new Strategic Agenda in advance of the next Special European Council.

Enlargement remains a key topic on the EU Agenda in the run towards the European Parliament elections on 6-9 June. While the geostrategic importance of enlargement has seen renewed momentum in the Eastern neighbourhood and the Western Balkans, issues such as migration and the necessary reforms in both the EU and the candidate countries remain contentious. On 8 April, Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne, TD, spoke at a conference at Charles University in Prague on EU Enlargement as a Success Story: The Cases of Ireland, Greece, and Lithuania. Ireland will be part of a Trio of Presidencies of the Council of the EU, commencing in the latter half of 2026, and the conference provided three geographically diverse perspectives on the benefits of enlargement for the three countries since their accession to the EU. 

• The European Parliament

Last week, on 10 April 2024, the European Parliament approved the adoption of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, a set of new rules for migration management and establishing a common asylum system across the Union. First proposed to the Commission in September 2020, the Pact focuses on ensuring four main objectives: (i) secure external borders, (ii) fast and efficient procedures, (iii) an effective system of solidarity and responsibility, and (iv) embedding migration in international partnerships. In essence, it will regulate how EU Member States deal with people arriving at their borders, the processing of asylum claims, and the identification of those arriving from third countries.

The Pact also includes mandatory solidarity for EU Member States recognised as being under migratory pressure to improve burden-sharing, noting that some Member States receive disproportionate numbers of claimants. The new ‘fair share’ principle, based on 50% population and 50% GDP, will require less-burdened Member States to either provide financial contributions or offer relocations.

Helen McEntee, Irish Minister for Justice, welcomed the political Agreement, stating it will provide a balance between effective asylum and return procedures and protection for those who seek asylum. It will also ensure that applications from illegal migrants who are not entitled to protection will be processed swiftly, and those who are entitled can access their rights and protections in shorter timeframes. Such accelerated asylum processing was introduced in Ireland in November 2022 with new regulations for the fast processing of applicants from designated ‘safe’ countries of origin. Following the approval of the Pact by the European Parliament, Minister McEntee sought approval from the Government for Ireland to opt into the Pact measures in the first quarter of 2025. The Pact was described by Minister Mc Entee as an absolute game changer, as it will involve repealing the 2015 International Protection Act and introducing a new legally binding time frame for making decisions on international protection applications and appeals. There will be a greater focus on efficient return for unsuccessful applicants and quicker processing of those with no documents or those applying from safe countries arriving in ‘secondary movements’ from other Member States where they have already received asylum. She added that the enhanced screening and security checks, coupled with better information sharing via the Eurodac database, will enable the government to understand who the applicants are and where they come from and to ensure that those who genuinely need help will get it.

Committee on Foreign Affairs: 16 April 2024

The European Parliament and the European University Institute will host two panels: one on expectations for the EU enlargement process in 2024-2029 and its benefits for EU citizens, and one on the implications of future enlargement for the EU’s institutional reforms and Europe’s security. Afterwards, the Committee will hold an exchange of views with Mr Milojko Spajić, Prime Minister of Montenegro, on Montenegro’s accession to the Union, the functioning of its democratic institutions, the fight against organised crime and corruption, and the promotion of the rule of law and protection of fundamental freedoms.

Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety: 18 April 2024

The committee will hold an exchange of views on the Agreement Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, which was adopted in New York on 19 June 2023 and became open for signature on 20 September 2023. While all 27 Member States are signatories to the Agreement, the committee will hold a vote after the debate on the adoption of its draft recommendations. 

• Council of the European Union 

Special European Council: 17 – 18 April 2024 

EU Heads of State and Government will meet to discuss four main topics of concern: (i) competitiveness and the single market, (ii) Ukraine, (iii) Türkiye, whose accession process was meant to be discussed at the European Council meeting on 21-22 March 2024, and (iv) the Middle East.

• Enrico Letta, the President of the Jacques Delors Institute, will join the Council for the first agenda item to present an independent report on the future of the single market. Leaders will then discuss how to enhance Europe’s economic, manufacturing, industrial and technical base, the opportunities for a climate-neutral, digital and circular economy, the capital markets union, and competitive, sustainable and resilient agriculture.
• In the context of the latest developments in Ukraine, EU leaders will address Russia’s continued air and missile attacks against Ukraine’s civilians and critical infrastructure, including the recent intensified targeting of the energy sector.
• The Council will also conduct a strategic debate on EU-Türkiye relations, particularly the state of play of their political, economic, and trade relations.
• Lastly, EU leaders will discuss the latest developments in the Middle East after calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance at the previous European Council in March 2024. The recent Iranian drone and missile attacks against Israel will also be addressed, which the EU has warned are an unprecedented escalation and threat to regional security.

Informal Meeting of Energy Ministers: 15 – 16 April 2024

During the informal meeting, ministers will discuss advancing sustainable energy infrastructure and related challenges. The meeting will include three plenary session which will focus on coordinated grid planning, financing and de-risking infrastructure investments, and the scale- and speed-up of energy infrastructure.

Conferences and Meetings of Experts: 

• Expert Conference on Effective Identity Management in the Area of Migration: 18 April 2024

This conference will bring together European experts in identity management, migration procedures, and combatting identity fraud to exchange information and best practices on security and migration, along with identifying challenges, to ensure efficient border management, legal migration, and return procedures.

Articles and Press Releases of Interest  

• Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Metsola and Belgian Prime Minister De Croo on the adoption of the Pact on Migration and Asylum
• Statement of Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson on record post-winter gas storage levels in Europe
• EU’s sanctions regime in turmoil after oligarchs win legal battle Financial Times
• How Russian state assets could yield tens of billions in cash for Kyiv Euronews
• Hungary won't rule out using veto during EU Council presidency Euronews
• MEPs reiterate their concerns about the situation in Slovakia Agence Europe

31 July- 4 August

Articles and Press Releases of Interest 

• Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the situation in Niger Press Release
• After coup d’état in Niger, European Union threatens to suspend its budgetary support immediately Agence Europe
• Global Gateway: President von der Leyen launches Green Economy Team Europe initiative in the Philippines Press Release
• 'We simply are nowhere’: EU slams lack of progress at G20 climate meeting Politico
• European Parliament set to grow by 15 MEPs in 2024 Politico
• UK’s post-Brexit policing pact with EU put at risk by migration laws, say peers The Guardian
• Haiti: EU sets up autonomous framework for restrictive measures
• European Commission approves €246 million Dutch aid scheme to support hydrogen production Agence Europe
• July 2023 set to to be the hottest month ever recorded, climate scientists say Euronews

Look Ahead

No event is planned at the Council of EU and European Council during the coming weeks.

The European Parliament is in recess over the summer holidays from 31 July to 20 August 2022. Business resumes on Monday 21 August.

24-28 July

Articles and Press Releases of Interest 

• EU priorities at the 78th UN General Assembly: Council approves conclusions
• General election results in Spain leave future of next government up in the air Euronews
• Sánchez’s tricky road to victory after shock Spanish election result Politico
• European Commission’s Executive Vice-President, Frans Timmermans, to leave his post to stand in Dutch parliamentary elections Agence Europe
• Timmermans candidacy for Dutch PM angers right-wing Euractiv
• EU ready to strengthen relations with Turkey, subject to conditions Agence Europe
• Elections that matter: what’s in store for Europe for the rest of 2023 Euractiv
• Speech by President von der Leyen at the International Conference on Development and Migration
• Meloni builds alliance to tackle illegal migration Euractiv
• In Logroño, EU home affairs ministers make progress towards their mandate on ‘Crisis and force majeure’ regulation Agence Europe
• Commission presents Global Gateway Investment Agenda with Latin America and Caribbean

Monday, 24 July 2023

Council of the EU- Spanish Presidency

• Informal ministerial meeting on consumer affairs and industry and internal market

European Parliament

Delegations

• DEVE Delegation to Democratic Republic of Congo A delegation of five MEP's will be travelling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 24-26 July 2023. The delegation will be led by MEP Karsten Lucke (S&D, DE). The mission will include a field visit to see a mine in Lubumbashi in the south of the DRC, and meetings are foreseen, both in the capital Kinshasa and in Lubumbashi, with representatives of government, counterparts in the DRC parliament, UN-based and private humanitarian actors, human rights associations, and businesses and civil society associations active in the mining sector.
• ECON mission to Washington DC A delegation of the following MEP's will be travelling to Washington DC from 23 - 26 July 2023: Markus FERBER (EPP, DE), Danuta Maria HÜBNER (EPP, PL), Jonás FERNÁNDEZ (S&D, ES), Stéphanie YON-COURTIN (Renew, FR), Erik POULSEN (Renew, DK), Henrike HAHN (Greens/EFA,DE), Dorien ROOKMAKER (ECR, NL)
• FISC mission to Singapore A delegation of the following MEP's will be travelling to Singapore from 24 - 28 July 2023: Paul TANG (S&D, NL), Kira PETER-HANSEN (Greens/EFA, DK), Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO (EPP, IT), Georgios KYRTSOS (Renew, EL)

Tuesday, 25 July 2023

Council of the EU- Spanish Presidency

• Agriculture and Fisheries Council

Wednesday, 26 July 2023

Council of the EU- Spanish Presidency

• Coreper I
• Coreper II

Thursday, 27 July 2023

Council of the EU- Spanish Presidency

• Informal ministerial meeting on competitiveness (Research)

Friday, 28 July 2023

Council of the EU- Spanish Presidency

• Informal ministerial meeting EPSCO (health)

17-21 July 2023

Articles and Press Releases of Interest 

• Tunisia and EU finalise deal on migration Al Jazeera
• Dutch MEP slams EU-Tunisia migration deal Euractiv
• EU calls on Greece to launch probe into migrant pushbacks Politico
• EU extends  the humanitarian exemption under the sanctions regime for the situation in Syria by six months, until 24 February 2024 Agence Europe
• Europe heatwave: Italy intensifies warnings as Continent bakes in extreme temperatures Irish Times
• Agreement on critical minerals with Washington, EU Council is due to adopt negotiating mandate on 20 July Agence Europe
• Austria’s right targets rising in polls far-right Euractiv
• Speech of President Charles Michel at the opening ceremony of the EU-CELAC summit

Monday 17 July

EU-CELAC Summit

The third EU-CELAC summit will bring EU leaders and leaders from the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) together in Brussels, which will be co-chaired by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, in his role as CELAC pro tempore president. The summit will also see the participation of the President of the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The summit is an opportunity to further strengthen the EU-CELAC partnership, discuss working together to achieve fair green and digital transitions, and demonstrate a shared commitment to upholding the rules-based international order.

European Parliament

Parliamentary Committees

• Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
• Subcommittee on Tax Matters
• Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
• Committee on Culture and Education
• Committee on Petitions
• Joint meeting of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the Committee on Constitutional Affairs

European Commissioners’ Activities

• President Ursula von der Leyen participates in the EU-CELAC Summit; receives Mr Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil; delivers an opening speech at the EU-LAC 2023 Business Round Table; witnesses the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and Argentina on energy cooperation together with Mr Alberto Fernández, President of Argentina; participates in the EU-Caribbean Leaders' meeting
• Mr Frans Timmermans delivers introductory remarks at the EU-LAC business round table on energy transition in the margins of the EU-CELAC Summit.
• Mr Valdis Dombrovskis participates in the EU-CELAC Business Round Table Panel on Critical Raw Materials and E-Mobility; participates in the European Central Bank 2023 9th High-level Conference on Central, Eastern and South-eastern European (CESEE) Countries via videoconference; receives Ms María Luisa Hayem, Minister of Economy of El Salvador.
• Ms Vĕra Jourová meets via video-conference with Prague Civil Society Centre.
• Mr Margaritis Schinas visits the Public Psychiatric Care Centre ‘OPZ Geel'.
• Mr Paolo Gentiloni in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India (until 18/07): participates in the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors.
• Mr Thierry Breton holds a videoconference call with high-level representatives of the European Competitive Telecommunications Association (ECTA).
• Mr Didier Reynders in Washington D.C., United States: meets with Mr. Rohit Chopra, CFPB Director, with Ms. Gina Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce, with Mr. Merrick Garland, Attorney General.
• Ms Helena Dalli launches the EU ‘Access City Award Competition' via a video message.
• Ms Ylva Johansson meets with Mr John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize; meets with Ms Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica; delivers a keynote address via webinar to the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA).
• Mr Olivér Várhelyi in Tirana, participates in working lunch with Western Balkan leaders.
• Ms Jutta Urpilainen receives Mr Ilan Goldfajn, President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); receives Mr Sergio Diaz-Granados, Executive President of the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF); receives Ms Alicia Barcena, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico; Mr Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago.
• Ms Kadri Simson attends the Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Commission and Argentine, in the Berlaymont.

Tuesday 18 July

European Parliament

Press Conference

• Assessing EU-Cuba Relations

Parliamentary Committees

• Committee on Fisheries
• Committee on Foreign Affairs
• Committee on Internal Markey and Consumer Protection
• Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
• Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
• Committee on Petitions
• Committee on Culture and Education
• Committee on Budgetary Control
• Committee on Constitutional Affairs
• Joint meeting of the Committee on the Internal Markey and Consumer Protection and the Committee on International Trade

European Commissioners’ Activities

• President Ursula von der Leyen participates in the EU-CELAC Summit; receives Mr Luis Lacalle Pou, President of Uruguay, and witnesses the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and Uruguay on energy cooperation; witnesses the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and Chile on a Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains cooperation, together with Mr Gabriel Boric, President of Chile;
• Mr Frans Timmermans receives Mr Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of Suriname; participates in the EU Youth Climate and Sustainability round table at the European Economic and Social Committee, in Brussels; participates in the meeting with European CEOs of the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP); receives Mr Frank Heemskerk, Secretary-General of the European Round Table for Industry (ERT).
• Ms Margrethe Vestager participates in the ‘Digital Ministerial Roundtable on Inclusion and Connectivity' organised by the European Commission and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
• Mr Valdis Dombrovskis receives Mr Alberto van Klaveren Stork, Foreign Affairs Minister of Chile; receives Ms Alicia Barcena Ibarra, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico.
• Mr Maroš Šefčovič receives Mr Ignazio Cassis, Federal Councillor of Switzerland, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
• Ms Vĕra Jourová attends the CEPS event: ‘Populist Parties and Democratic Resilience: How can the EU and its member states prevent populist parties from turning against democracy?'; meets via video-conference with members of the German Eastern Business Association; meets via video-conference with Mr Nick Clegg, President for Global Affairs of Meta.
• Mr Margaritis Schinas meets with Mr Rainer Dulger, President of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations.
• Mr Nicolas Schmit gives a speech at an event organised by three confederations of employers entitled ‘Business Lunchtalk – Skills & Talents for Europe‘; receives Ms Karine Lalieux, Belgium's Minister of Pensions and Social Integration, in charge of people with disabilities, the fight against poverty and Beliris.
• Mr Thierry Breton meets with representatives of the Italian Initiative Group (GII), in Brussels; holds a videoconference call with Mr Shou Chew, CEO of TikTok.
• Mr Olivér Várhelyi receives Mr Manuel Sarrazin, German Federal Government Special Representative for the Western Balkans.
• Ms Jutta Urpilainen receives Mr Ariel Henry, Prime Minister of Haiti; receives Mr Arnoldo André Tinoco, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica, and Ms Paula Bogantes, Minister of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications of Costa Rica; receives Ms Janaina Tewaney, Foreign Ministers of Panama.
• Ms Kadri Simson attends the Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Commission and Uruguay, in the Berlaymont.
• Ms Kadri Simson receives Mr Diego Pardow, Minister for Energy of Chili.
• Ms Mairead McGuinness meets, via videoconference, with Ms Petra Hielkema, Chairperson of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA); chairs the roundtable with stakeholders on distribution of retail financial products organised by DG FISMA. 

Wednesday 19 July

European Parliament

Parliamentary Committees

• Committee on Budgets
• Subcommittee on Human Rights
• Committee on International Trade
• Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
• Committee on Transport and Tourism
• Joint meeting of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
• Joint meeting of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Budgetary Control

European Commissioners’ Activities

• College Seminar
• President Ursula von der Leyen chairs the College seminar in preparation of the State of the Union address.
• Ms Margrethe Vestager meets via videoconference with Mr Geoffrey Hinton, Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, and Mr Stuart Russell, Computer Science Professor at Berkeley University and Director of the Center for Intelligent Systems.
• Ms Vĕra Jourová speaks at Re-Imagine Europa's first edition of Valéry Giscard d'Estaing dinners ‘Media, Democracy and Polarisation'.
• Mr Paolo Gentiloni in New York, USA (until 21/07): participates in the United Nations Financing for Development Forum.
• Ms Adina Vălean receives Ms Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Brussels Airlines; and holds a meeting, via videoconference, with Mr Alain Rousset, President of Nouvelle Aquitaine Region (France), and Mr Iñigo Urkullu, President of the Basque Country.
• M. Janez Lenarčič au Tchad (jusqu'au 21/07) : rencontre des représentants des partenaires humanitaires de l'UE ; rencontre des représentants de haut niveau du Tchad.
• M. Olivér Várhelyi reçoit M. Volker Türk, Haut Commissaire aux droits de l'homme des Nations Unies ; reçoit Mme Luminita-Teodora Odobescu, ministre roumaines des Affaires étrangères ; reçoit M. Ilia Darchiashvili, ministre des Affaires étrangères de Géorgie
• Ms Jutta Urpilainen visits New York, the United States, and participates in the UN High Level Political Forum.
• Mr Virginijus Sinkevičius receives with Mr Franz Tattenbach, Minister for Environment and Energy of Costa Rica.

Thursday 20 July

Council of the EU- Spanish Presidency

Foreign Affairs Council, 20 July 2023, will be chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, will discuss the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

It will then exchange views on the foreign policy dimension of economic security, and Türkiye over lunch.

In the afternoon, EU ministers will have an informal exchange via videoconference with US State Secretary Antony Blinken.

Under current affairs the Council will touch on, amongst others, China and the EU-CELAC summit of 17-18 July.

The Council will be preceded by an informal breakfast hosted by the High Representative with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk.

European Parliament

Parliamentary Committees

• Subcommittee on Human Rights

European Commissioners’ Activities

• Mr Valdis Dombrovskis meets Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore via videoconference; receives Ms Katherine Tai, US Trade Representative. 
• Ms Vĕra Jourová receives organisers of the European Citizens Initiative Fur Free Europe; receives Mr Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
• Mr Nicolas Schmit in Indore, India: attends the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers' meeting.
• Ms Kadri Simson in Goa, India (until 23/7): participates in the CEM-14/MI-8 and G20 meetings; delivers the opening remarks at the CEM (MI) hydrogen Initiative - Unleashing the global potential for clean hydrogen in ports and the maritime sector; delivers the opening remarks at the CEM Power Workstreams -Release of Action Plans for Rapid Power Sector Decarbonization.

Friday 21 July

European Commissioners’ Activities

• President Ursula von der Leyen in New York, United States: receives the World Peace and Liberty Award on behalf of the European Commission.
• Mr Johannes Hahn in Bregenz, Austria: meets Mr Markus Wallner, Governor of Vorarlberg; visits the Illwerke vkw AG.
• Mr Nicolas Schmit in Indore, India: attends second day of the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers' meeting; meets with Mr Thulas Nxesi, South African Minister of Employment and Labour; Mr Luiz Marinho, Brazilian Minister of Labour and Social Security; and Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State for Manpower of Singapore.
• Ms Kadri Simson in Goa, India: participates in the CEM—14/MI-8 Joint Plenary; holds a bilateral meeting with Mr Bruce Douglas, CEO of Global Renewables Alliance, and with Mr Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council; and holds a bilateral meeting with Ms Jennifer Granholm, Secretary for Energy of the United States of America.

10-14 July

Articles and Press Releases of Interest 

• Dutch PM Mark Rutte to leave politics after government collapses Politico 
• Erdoğan links Sweden’s Nato bid with Turkey’s EU accession Financial Times 
• Renault boss: War of the future will be over critical raw materials Euractiv 
• Nature restoration, ‘Fit For 55’ and integrity of European Parliament on agenda of last session of MEPs in Strasbourg before summer break Agence Europe 
• Energy sector’s contribution to COP28, strategic autonomy and security of supply on agenda of informal Council of Energy ministers Agence Europe 
• EU and New Zealand sign ambitious free trade agreement Press Release 
• Rinkevics sworn in as Latvian president, first openly gay EU head of state Euronews 

Monday 10 July  

Council of the EU-Spanish Presidency  

• General Affairs Council 

European Parliament 

Plenary Session  

Joint debate- Fit for 55 and Industrial Emissions  

Parliamentary Committees  

• Joint meeting of Committee on Budgets and Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• Mr Valdis Dombrovskis receives Mr Wally Adeyemo, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury of the United States. Meets Hon Don Farrell, Special Minister of State and Minister for Trade and Tourism of Australia in the context of the negotiations of the European Union-Australia Free Trade Agreement. 
• Ms Dubravka Šuica attends the Dubrovnik Summer Festival opening ceremony. 
• Mr Nicolas Schmit in Luxembourg: attends the Heads of Mission lunch hosted by Mr José María Rodríguez Coso, Spain's Ambassador to Luxembourg. 
• Mr Paolo Gentiloni meets with U.S. Treasury Deputy Secretary Mr Wally Adeyemo. 
• Mr Janusz Wojciechowski receives Mr Don Farrell, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment of Australia. 
• Ms Kadri Simson holds a trilateral meeting in Valladolid, Spain, together with Ms Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, Third Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic and a delegation of CEOs. 

Tuesday 11 July  

European Parliament  

Plenary Session 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• College Meeting 
• President Ursula von der Leyen participates in the 2023 NATO Summit. 
• Mr Valdis Dombrovskis meets Hon Don Farrell, Special Minister of State and Minister for Trade and Tourism of Australia in the context of the negotiations of the European Union-Australia Free Trade Agreement. 
• Mr Janusz Wojciechowski  receives Mr Don Farrell, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment of Australia. 
• Ms Helena Dalli, in Strasbourg: joins the European Women's Lobby for a photo opportunity, to mark the vote on the Proposal for a Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence and the start of the trilogues. 
• Mr Olivér Várhelyi receives Mr Pascual Navarro, State Secretary for the European Union of Spain  

Wednesday 12 July  

European Parliament 

Plenary Session    

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• President Ursula von der Leyen participates in the 2023 NATO Summit. 
• Ms Margrethe Vestager participates via videoconference in the CEO Alliance's meeting on Competitiveness and Sustainability. 
• Mr Nicolas Schmit in Madrid, Spain: attends the High-Level Meeting on Skills in the Mediterranean, organised by the Union for the Mediterranean; meets with Mr Nasser Kamel, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean; meets with Mr Yoav Ben Tzur, Minister of Labour of Israel; and meets with Mr Nasri Abu Jaish, Minister of Labour of Palestine. 

Thursday 13 July   

European Parliament 

Plenary Session  

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• President Ursula von der Leyen participates in the EU-Japan Summit; hosts the European Commission-United Nations Retreat in La Hulpe, Belgium, with the participation of the College of Commisioners. 
• Mr Frans Timmermans participates in the Ministerial on Climate Action (MoCA); participates in the ceremony to establish the EU Day to Commemorate the Victims of the Global Climate Crisis, together with the Council Presidency and the European Parliament, in Brussels. 
• Ms Margrethe Vestager receives Mr Raffaele Fitto, Minister for European Affairs of Italy. 
• Mr Valdis Dombrovskis participates in the bi-annual meeting with the European Stability Mechanism (ESM); receives Mr Michal Horváth, Minister of Finance of the Slovak Republic. 
• Mr Josep Borrell in Jakarta, Indonesia: participates in the ASEAN-EU Post-Ministerial Conference and holds bilateral meetings with a number of counterparts in the margins. 
• Mr Maroš Šefčovič hosts an industrial roundtable with CEOs of the European Battery Alliance. 
• Ms Dubravka Šuica participates in the EU-UN High-Level Dialogue (until 14/07). 
• Mr Paolo Gentiloni meets with the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) Managing Director, Mr Gramegna.  
• Ms Jutta Urpilainen participates in the EU–LAC Forum. 
• Mr Virginijus Sinkevičius receives Mr Steven Guilbeault,  Minister for Environment and Climate Change of Canada; receives the organisers of the European citizens' initiative (ECI) - ‘Stop finning – Stop the trade'; receives Mr Huang Runqiu, Minister for Ecology and Environment of China. 
• Ms Mairead McGuinness attends the High-Level Dialogue between the European Union and the United Nations. 
• Ms Ylva Johansson meets with Mr Dimitris Keridis Minister for Migration of Greece. 

Friday 14 July  

Council of the EU-Spanish Presidency 

• Economic and Financial Affairs Council 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• President Ursula von der Leyen hosts the European Commission-United Nations Retreat in La Hulpe, Belgium, with the participation of the College of Commisioners. 
• Mr Josep Borrell in Jakarta, Indonesia: participates in the 30^th ASEAN Regional Forum and holds bilateral meetings with a number of counterparts in the margins. 
• Ms Vĕra Jourová attends the European Commission and United Nations High-Level Dialogue. 
• Ms Dubravka Šuica participates in the EU-LAC Forum. 
• Mr Janez Lenarčič participates in the “EU-Latin America and the Caribbean Forum: Partners in Change” Youth, Civil Society and Local Authorities – in Tour & Taxi, Brussels: participates to the closed roundtable on the Memorandum of Understanding on Disaster Preparedness;  takes part to the Public event “Disaster preparedness saves lives!” ;  will have a Bilateral with Ms Mami Mizutori, Secretary-General and Special Representative of UNDRR. 
• Ms Mairead McGuinness meets, in the margins of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council, with Mr Christian Lindner, Federal Minister of Finance of Germany; with Mr Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform of Ireland and President of the Eurogroup. 

3 July-7 July

Articles and Press Releases of Interest 

• European Council conclusions, 29-30 June 2023: On 29-30 June 2023, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine, economy, security and defence, China, external relations, Eastern Mediterranean and other items.
• Conclusions by the President of the European Council on the external dimension of migration
• Remarks by President Charles Michel following the European Council meeting of 29 and 30 June 2023
• Spain assumed the Presidency of the Council on 1 July. The Spanish Presidency has established four priorities for its semester available here
• Migration mutiny: EU summit deadlocks Politico
• EU leaders fail to resolve migration dispute with Poland and Hungary Euractiv
• European leaders threaten to impose sanctions on Pristina Agence Europe
• Europe swings right — and reshapes the EU Politico
• Spain to set out “Europeanist” programme during its EU Council Presidency, says Pedro Sánchez Agence Europe
• Only three countries have submitted their national energy and climate plans on time Agence Europe
• Critical raw material act: Council adopts negotiating position Press Release

Monday 3 July  

Council of the EU- Spanish Presidency

• Visit of the College of Commissioners of the European Commission to Madrid, Spain

European Parliament

• President Metsola meeting with the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom James Cleverly

Parliamentary Committees

• Joint meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Committee on Development

Delegations

• ENVI delegation to London- A delegation of MEPs from the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee will participate in the 80th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC72) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London 3-5 July 2023. MEPs will also have bilateral meetings with several delegations and meet with representatives from NGOs and the shipping industry.

Special Events

• Third meeting of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly- MEPs and UK parliamentarians will gather in Brussels on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the state of EU-UK relations, joint efforts to support Ukraine and sanctions policies. The third meeting of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (PPA), established by the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and agreed in December 2020, will feature interventions by, among others, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič. UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is expected to attend as well.

European Commissioners’ Activities

• Visit of the College of Commissioners to the Spanish Presidency in Madrid, Spain.
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans in China (until 4/07): meets with Mr Xie Zhenhua, China's Special Envoy for Climate Change; meets with Mr Bin Yang, Tsinghua University Vice-President; delivers a speech on climate change and biodiversity loss at Tsinghua University;  holds a bilateral meeting with Mr Huang Runqiu, Minister for Ecology and Environment.
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager in Copenhagen, Denmark: meets with Mr Jacob Holbraad, CEO of the Confederation of Danish Employers; delivers a keynote speech at the International Union of Architects World Congress; meets with Mr Lars Frølund, Member of Board of the European Innovation Council and lecturer at MIT; meets via videoconference with Mr Hemant Taneja, CEO of General Catalyst.
• HRVP Josep Borrell in Spain: participates in the visit of the College of Commissioners to mark to start of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
• Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič participates in a meeting of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, receives Mr James Cleverly and co-chairs together with the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, a meeting of the EU-UK Joint Committee.
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski in Tokyo, Japan (until 05/07): participates in High-Level Trade Mission; attends working breakfast and networking lunch with business delegates; delivers opening address to business seminar; hosts official dinner; meets bilaterally with Mr Tetsuro Nomura, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan; meets with representatives of JA-Zenchu, the Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives, chaired by Mr Toru Nakaya; meets with representatives of the Agricultural Committee of the House of Representatives of Japan, led by Mr Hiroyoshi Sasagawa, Chairman of the committee.
• Commissioner Thierry Breton in Tokyo, Japan (until 04/07): meets with Mr Taro Kono, Minister for Digital Transformation of Japan; delivers a keynote speech at the ‘Chips and Skills' event organised by the Office for Economic Policy and Regional Developent Ltd (EPRD); meets with members of the European Business Council in Japan; meets with Mr Takeaki Matsumoti, Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) of Japan; co-chairs the Japan-EU Digital Partnership Council meeting; meets with Mr Takahito Tokita, President and CEO of Fujitsu Ltd.
• Commissioner Didier Reynders in The Hague, The Netherlands: participates in the launch of the ICPA (International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine); participates via videoconference in the 30^th anniversary event of the ‘Centre européen des consommateurs'.
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius receives Ms Kaya Shukova, Minister for Environment and Physical Planning of North Macedonia, followed by the association agreement of North Macedonia to the LIFE programme.

Tuesday 4 July

Council of the EU-Spanish Presidency

• Political and Security Committee

European Parliament

• President Metsola to deliver an address at the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly

Press Conferences

• The third meeting of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly
• Press freedom in Europe: The case of Pablo González

Delegations

• ENVI delegation to London

European Commissioners’ Activities

• Commissioner Frans Timmermans in China: meets bilaterally with Mr Ding Xuexiang, Chinese Vice-Premier; co-chairs the High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue with Mr Ding Xuexiang, Chinese Vice-Premier; meets with think tanks and members of civil; meets with Mr Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency.
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager receives Mr Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy.
• Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič receives Mr Arturo Gonzalo, CEO of Enagas; receives Ms Ana Brnabic, Prime Minister of Serbia.
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica meets with representatives of the Radiochirurgia Zagreb Hospital; delivers a welcome speech at 10 year ceremony of Croatia joining the EU, organised by MEP Karlo Ressler.
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn receives Mr Wolfgang Sobotka, President of the Austrian National Council; receives representatives of the Austrian Fire Brigade Association.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit receives Mr Markus Beyrer Director General of BusinessEurope and Mr Maxime Cerutti, Director of Social Affairs at BusinessEurope: holds an online meeting with Mr Laurent Freixe from the Global Apprenticeship Network.
• Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni meets with Ms Ana Brnabić, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia. 
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski in Tokyo, Japan: participates in High-Level Trade Mission; attends working breakfast with business delegates, takes part in field trip to the Yamanashi prefecture, visiting the Akebono Daizu GI soy bean farm, the Agri Kai agricultural production corporation, the Daizen-ji Temple, and the Mercian Katsunuma winery.
• Commissioner Thierry Breton in Tokyo, Japan: meets with Mr Terry Higashi, Chairman of Rapidus Corporation, and Mr Atsuyoshi Koike, President and CEO of Rapidus Corporation; participates in a roundtable event on ‘Secure International Connectivity', with representatives of the EU Delegation of Japan and of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) of Japan; meets with Mr Yasutoshi Nishimura, Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan; delivers a keynote speech at a public event ‘Resilient Supply Chains in times of geopolitical tensions', organised jointly by the Japanese Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI), the EU Delegation, and the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation (EUJIC).
• Commissioner Elisa Ferreira hosts the 5^th meeting Group of High level specialists on the Future of Cohesion Policy; receives the President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Mr Igor Grosu; receives a group of students from Portugal in the framework of the Fellowship “Mentes Empreendedoras”.
• Commissioner Helena Dalli delivers a keynote speech at the official launch of Accessible EULaunch Event.
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič receives Mr Mahamat Saleh Annadif, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Chad; receives Mr Luigi di Maio, EU Special Representative for the Gulf.
• Commissioner Adina Vălean receives Mr Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister for Civil Aviation of India.
• Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi receives Ms Ana Brnabić, Prime Minister of Serbia; receives Mr Igor Grosu, President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova; receives Mr Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organisation of Turkic States; receives Mr Vladimir Lučić, Chief Executive Officer of Telekom Srbija; participates in event: Migratory flows and regional challenges: Turkey's way forward on migration.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson receives the CEOs of the European gas transmission operators GRTgaz, Enagás, REN and Teréga.
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius receives representatives of the EU Water Alliance; receives representatives from the industries on Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS).
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness in Dublin, Ireland: delivers an opening speech at the celebration event of the 10^th anniversary of signing of the Galway Statement, co-organised by the European Commission, the Irish Government, the Marine Institute and the University of Galway.

Wednesday 5 July

Council of the EU- Spanish Presidency

• Coreper I
• Coreper II

European Parliament

• President Metsola meeting with the President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova Igor Grosu, followed by a press point

Press Conference

• Defence of European Public Health while interacting with the World Health Organization
• The ECJ decision regarding their immunity

Delegations

• ENVI delegation to London

European Commissioners’ Activities

• College Meeting
• President Ursula von der Leyen receives Mr Vasco Cordeiro, President of the European Committee of the Regions. 
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager meets via videoconference with Ms Nadia Calviño, First Vice-President of Spain and Minister for the Economy and Digital; meets via videoconference with Mr Robert Gentz, co-CEO of Zalando; meets with the members of the Danish DJØF trade union in Belgium.
• Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič receives Mr Stephane Michel, Deputy CEO and President of Gas, Renewables & Power at TotalEnergies.
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica receives Mr Reiner Haseloff, Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt (Germany); receives members of the World Economic Forum's Group of Young Global Leaders.
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas receives representatives from the Leaders Gang; delivers a keynote speech at the innovation summit organised by the Hans Seidel Stiftung.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit receives Mr Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy.
• Commissioner Helena Dalli joins a roundtable with the ministers responsible for LGBTIQ policies; delivers a keynote speech at the High Level Event on ‘Advancing LGBTIQ+ Rights in Europe'.
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič receives the Austrian voluntary fire brigade together with Ms Angelika Winzig, Member of Parliament.
• Commissioner Adina Vălean delivers, via videoconference, a keynote address to the ICAO Global Aviation Gender Summit 2023.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson in Vienna, Austria: participates in the High-level roundtable ‘Energy sustainability trilemma', at the 8^th OPEC International Seminar; meets with Mr Russell Hardy, CEO of Vitol; meets with Mr Parviz Shahbazov, Minister for Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius attends a hand-over session of signatures for the preservation of the Doñana wetland, in Brussels.
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness receives Mr Michel Barnier, former European Commission Chief Negotiator for the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the United Kingdom under Article 50 of the TEU.

Thursday 6 July

Council of the EU- Spanish Presidency

• Political and Security Committee

European Parliament

• European Parliament’s Conference of Presidents

Parliamentary Committees

• Committee on Foreign Affairs
• Committee on Development
• Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
• Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
• Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
• Joint meeting of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food

European Commissioners’ Activities

• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager delivers a keynote speech at the EU Space Policy Forum.
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová meets with representatives of NGOs; speaks via video conference at the event on Rule of Law Report with Ms Jana Dubovcová, Minister of Justice of Slovakia.
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas receives a Group of Young Global Leaders from the World Economic Forum.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit receives Ms Esther Lynch, General Secretary of ETUC and Mr Ludovic Voet, Confederal Secretary of ETUC.
• Commissioner Helena Dalli launches the EU ‘Access City Award Competition' via a video message.
• Commissioner Adina Vălean in Brăila, Romania: delivers a speech at the official opening of the Brăila suspended bridge on the Danube.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson delivers an opening keynote speech at the Eurogas 1st European Renewable Gas Conference ‘European Renewable Gas : Evolution or Revolution?', in Brussels.
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness attends the Extraordinary Meeting of the Sustainability Reporting Board of the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG.

Friday 7 July

Council of the EU-Spanish Presidency

• Coreper II

European Commissioners’ Activities

• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica in Dubrovnik, Croatia (until 08/07): participates in the Dubrovnik Forum 2023.
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn in Salzburg, Austria: participates in an event with students of the Salzburg Law School's Summer program.
• Commissioner Elisa Ferreira in Porto, Portugal (until 09/07): attends the Commemorations of the 70 years of the Faculty of Economics of Porto.
• Commissioner Didier Reynders in Tokyo, Japan: participates in the G7 Justice Ministers meeting.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson visits the hydrogen-ready pipeline project by Fluxys, in Lokeren, Belgium; and visits the ports of Antwerp-Bruges, Belgium.
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius in Leticia, Colombia (until 8/7).
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness in Dublin, Ireland: makes an official visit to Eurofound – the EU Agency for the improvement of living and working conditions.  
• Commissioner Ylva Johansson gives an address at a virtual meeting of the ‘Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drugs'.

26-30 June 

Articles and Press Releases of Interest 

• EU adopts 11th package of sanctions against Russia for its continued illegal war against Ukraine Press Release
• Russia is ‘cracking’ after Wagner rebellion, EU’s top diplomat says Politico
• Without any major decisions, ‘Summit for a New Global Financial Pact’ ended with a ‘consensus’ on a number of advances Agence Europe
• German far-right AfD gains first elected official Euronews
• Estonia becomes first central European country to allow same-sex marriage Reuters
• Mitsotakis back as Greek PM after election landslide RTE
• Letter from President Charles Michel on the next Strategic Agenda
• Miles apart: The US and Europe diverge on China car threat Politico

Monday 26 June

Council of the EU-Swedish Presidency

• Agriculture and Fisheries Council
• Foreign Affairs Council
• EU-Tajikistan Cooperation Council

European Parliament

Parliamentary Committees

• Committee on Budgetary Control
• Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
• Committee on Transport and Tourism
• Committee on Foreign Affairs

European Commissioners’ Activities

• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager receives Mr Evan Spiegel, CEO of SNAP.
• Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis receives Mr Alfredo E. Pascual, Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Philippines.
• Commissioner Věra Jourová receives Mr Evan Spiegel, Co-funder and CEO of Snap Inc.
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica participates in the First General Assembly of the Children's Participation Platform.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit gives a keynote speech at an event to launch Caritas Europa's report on long-term care; gives a keynote speech at the 10 year anniversary event of the Commission's European Alliance for Apprenticeships.
• Commissioner Thierry Breton receives Mr Evan Spiegel, CEO of Snap; meets with the members of the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), in Brussels; delivers a keynote speech at the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance Electrolyser Summit, in Brussels.
• Commissioner Helena Dalli in Tokyo, Japan: joins a side event with G7 Gender Equality Ministers and Civil Society, co-hosted by the Delegation of European Union to Japan & W7 Japan; gives an online keynote speech for Ukraine National Forum on United Nations Security Council 1325.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson in Karlovy Vary, Prague (until 27/6): participates in the Annual Political Dialogue of the EU's initiative for coal regions in transition.
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius receives Ms Irena Šinko, Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Food of Slovenia.

Tuesday 27 June

Council of the EU-Swedish Presidency

• General Affairs Council
• Political and Security Committee

European Parliament

Press Conference

• Press Seminar LUX Audience Award 2023
• EU's nature restoration law
• EPP Group position on Nature Restoration Law
• The LUX audience award winner

Parliamentary Committees

• Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
• Committee on Budgetary Control
• Committee on International Trade
• Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
• Committee on Foreign Affairs
• Committee on Transport and Tourism
• Subcommittee on Tax Matters
• Committee on Budgets
• Joint meeting of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

European Commissioners’ Activities

• President Ursula von der Leyen receives US Senators Ms Patty Murray, Mr Christopher Coons, Ms Lisa Murkowski and Ms Catherine Cortez-Masto.
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans and Commissioner Stella Kyriakides meets with representatives of 300 NGOs to discuss New Genomics Techniques, in Brussels.
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans meets with Mr Anton Hofreiter, Chairman of the EU Affairs Committee of the Bundestag, (Germany; delivers a closing speech at the 2023 Annual Conference of the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, in Brussels.
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager participates in the ‘Competitive Europe Summit', organised by Politico Europe; receives Mr Jamie Iannone, CEO of eBay; delivers a keynote speech at the European Internet Forum's summer reception.
• Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis participates in the 3^rd EU-Japan High Level Economic Dialogue; receives representatives of the European Australian Business Council (EABC). 
• Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič participates in a breakfast meeting on ‘Transition to sustainable mobility: Can Europe maintain its competitiveness?' organised by Mr Mark E. Newman, President and CEO of Chemours; receives representatives from the Slovak energy company SPP to discuss the EU Energy Platform; receives Mr Jean-Louis Bourlanges, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly.
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica recieves Ms Ana Golubovic, member of the third convocation of the Children's Council of the Eurochild organisation from Opatija (Croatia); participates in the event ‘Beating the odds- fostering cancer survival rates in the EU', organised by MEP Tomislav Sokol; delivers a keynote speech at the Representation of the Free State of Saxony to the EU.
• Commissioner Věra Jourová receives Mr Jean-Louis Bourlanges, President of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the French National Assembly.
• Mr Margartis Schinas delivers a keynote speech at the 2^nd edition of the Education and innovation summit; participates in the Article 17 dialogue: ‘The 30th anniversary of the EU single market: past achievements and future developments'; meets with the interparliamentary task force to combat antisemitism online; meets Mr Igor Papič, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of Slovenia.
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn receives Mr Giorgi Amilakhvari, Minister of Education and Science of Georgia.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit participates at the Friends of Europe Climate and Energy Summit in the session entitled ‘A Green Deal that works for All Europeans'; participates at the event organised at the European Parliament by the S&D Group ‘Towards a Local Employment Guarantee'; meets representatives from Cooperative Italiane AGCI, Confcooperative and Legacoop; receives Mr Cosmin Boiangiu, Executive Director of the European Labour Authority.
• Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni in Palermo, Italy: participates in the XVI Symposium COTEC Europa. 
• Commissioner Thierry Breton delivers a keynote speech at the European Hydrogen Forum, in Brussels; delivers a keynote speech at the European Travel Commission (ETC)-Euronews  ‘Destination Europe Summit', in Brussels.
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides holds a videoconference call with the members of the Scientific Advice Platform on COVID-19.
• Commissioner Adina Vălean in Rome, Italy (until 28/6): meets with Mr Matteo Salvini, Minister for Sustainable Infrastructures and Mobility; visits the new boarding area of the Fiumicino Airport; addresses the EU Affairs and Transport Committees of the Italian Senate; holds a Citizens dialogue with students at University Roma III.
• Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi in Montenegro: participates in the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the South East European Cooperation Process..
• Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen receives Mr Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary of The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
• Commissioner Kadri Simson in Karlovy Vary, Prague: delivers a welcoming speech and participates in the opening session's panel discussion, at the Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition Annual Political Dialogue 2023; participates in a meeting with regional political representatives, at the Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition Annual Political Dialogue 2023.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson delivers a keynote speech at the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) Annual Event.
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius in Copenhagen, Denmark: delivers the opening remarks, and participates in the Global Fashion Summit.
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness receives Ms Verena Ross, Chair of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA); delivers a speech at the dinner opening the FESE Convention 2023, organised by the Federation of European Securities Exchanges.
• Commissioner Didier Reynders opens the TACD Annual Forum Brussels; participates in a roundtable discussion with CEOs on Transatlantic cooperation (organised by AmCham EU); receives Mr. Jamie Iannone, CEO of eBay; receives Ms. Anu Talus, new EDPB Chair; holds a videoconference call with Mr. Alex Chalk, UK Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice; gives the closing speech of the EU Children's Participation Platform's General Assembly.

Wednesday 28 June

Council of the EU-Swedish Presidency

• Coreper I

European Parliament

Press Conference

• Asparaginase in the EU: why are patients being exposed to a substandard cancer medicine

Parliamentary Committees

• Committee on Development
• Subcommittee on Security and Defence
• Committee on Budgets
• Committee on Culture and Education
• Subcommittee on Human Rights
• Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
• Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
• Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
• Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
• Joint meeting of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
• Joint meeting of Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
• Joint meeting of the Committee on Legal Affairs and the Committee on Constitutional Affairs
• Committee on Constitutional Affairs
• Committee on Foreign Affairs

European Commissioners’ Activities

• Meeting of the College of Commissioners.
• President Ursula von der Leyen receives Ms Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia; receives Mr Nikolai Denkov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria and receives Mr Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland.
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager receives Ms Jessica Roswall, Minister for European Affairs of Sweden; receives Mr Dominique Laboureix, Chairman of the Single Resolution Board; receives leaders of the Polish political party Polska 2050.
• Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič receives Mr Humza Yousaf, First Minister of Scotland; receives Ms Suzanne Clark, CEO of the US Chamber of Commerce.
• Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič in Berlin, Germany: meets with Mr Jörg Kukies, State Secretary in the Federal Chancellery.
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica attends a reception on the occasion of Croatia's National Day and the 10^th Anniversary of EU membership.
• Commissioner Věra Jourová receives Mr Szymon Hołownia, Leader of Poland 2050 party; receives Ms Elizabeth McCaul, Member of the Supervisory Board of the European Central Bank; receives Ms Clare Melford, CEO of the Global Disinformation Index; receives Ms Slavica Grkovska, Deputy Prime Minister of Good Governance of the North Macedonia; speaks at AmCham EU 60th Anniversary event in Brussels.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit receives Ms Elly Schlein, leader of Italy's Partito Democratico.
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski receives the Board of Directors of FoodDrinkEurope and a delegation of CEOs/Presidents.
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides delivers closing remarks at the European Kidney Forum 2023.
• Commissioner Helena Dalli in Strasbourg, France, joins the deposition of the ratification instruments for the EU's accession to the Istanbul Convention; gives an online keynote speech for UEFA Respect Forum 2023.
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič gives an opening speech at the photo exhibition ‘Women & girls in forgotten crises' organised by UNHCR in the European Parliament; receives Mr Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
• Commissioner Adina Vălean in Naples, Italy: visits the Napoli Afragola high-speed Railway Station; meets with Mr Gaetano Manfredi, Mayor of Naples; visits the new underground connecting system of all modes of transport of Naples.
• Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi receives Ms Ewa Ośniecka Tamecka, Vice Rector of the College of Natolin; receives Mr Giorgi Amilakhvari, Minister of Education and Science of Georgia.
• Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen holds a videoconference call with Mr Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Right.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson receives the high-level Australian business delegation and the delegates of the ‘European Australian Business Council' (EABC).
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius receives Mr Nikos Koumettis, President of Europe of the Coca Cola Company and Mr Zoran Bogdanović, Chief Executive Officer at Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, following up on their meeting in Davos in January 2023.
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness meets with representatives of the European Australian Business Council (EABC); delivers a keynote speech at the Annual Reception of the  German Insurance Association (GDV – Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft e. V.).
• Commissioner Didier Reynders participates in the AmCham EU's 60^th Anniversary Gala dinner.

Thursday 29 June

Council of the EU- Swedish Presidency

• European Council- Over the course of this two-day summit in Brussels, EU leaders will discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and continued EU support to Ukraine, as well as the economy,  security and defence, migration and external relations.

European Parliament

Press Conference

• From Tripoli to Brussels: amplifying the voices of refugees in Libya

Parliamentary Committees

• Subcommittee on Human Rights
• Subcommittee on Public Health
• Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
• Committee on Budgets
• Subcommittee on Security and Defence
• Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

European Commissioners’ Activities

• President Ursula von der Leyen participates in the EPP Summit in the European Council meeting; participates in the European Council meeting.
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans meets with Mr Werner Faymann, Former Chancellor of Austria, in Brussels.
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager participates in the Renew Europe Leaders Summit.
• Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič in Berlin, Germany: meets with Mr Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action; and with Ms Franziska Brantner, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
• Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič in Schwarzheide, Germany: participates in the ‘Battery Materials meets Recycling' inauguration event at the BASF Schwarzheide plant.
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica participates in the EPP Summit.
• Commissioner Věra Jourová  speaks via video conference at the European Broadcasting Union General Assembly, in Brussels.
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn receives Ms Slavica Grkovska, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Good governance policies of North Macedonia; receives Mr Brad Smith, Vice-Chair and President of Microsoft; receives representatives of the Europe-Committee of the State Parliament of Styria.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit in Munich and Nuremberg, Germany (until 30/06): takes part in a public discussion on the European Year of Skills at Café Luitpold; exchanges views with Members of the Bavarian Parliament's EU Affairs and Social Affairs Committees; visits the European Social Fund (ESF)-supported projects by the Chamber of Crafts; visits Scan4KMU, a REACT-EU supported project that provides specialist training to local SMEs; meets with Ms Andrea Nahles, Head of the Federal Employment Agency.
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski speaks via videoconference with representatives of the Lubelska Porzeczka Cooperative, Lublin voivodeship of Poland.
• Commissioner Thierry Breton in Seoul, Republic of Korea (until 30/06): meets with Mr Dukgeun Ahn, Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of Korea; meets with the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK) and representatives of the European ICT Industry; meets with Mr Lee Jae Yong, Executive Chairman of Samsung Electronics.
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides receives Ms Ingvild Kjerkol, Minister of Health and Care Services of Norway; delivers opening remarks at the launch of European Cancer Community Foundation.
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič receives Mr Micheál Martin Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defence of the Republic of Ireland. 
• Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen holds a videoconference call with Ms Nadia Calviño, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economy and Digitalisation of Spain; receives Mr Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Natural Resources of Guyana, and they sign the Forest Partnership roadmap; receives mayors of the city of Helsinki 
• Commissioner Kadri Simson delivers a keynote speech at the European Association for the Promotion of Cogeneration Europe's (COGEN) Annual Conference in Brussels.
• Commissioner Didier Reynders participates via videoconference in the European Insolvency & Restructuring Congress; participates via videoconference in the ‘Consumer rights for Ukrainian refugees' campaign of DG JUST

Friday 30 June

Council of the EU- Swedish Presidency

• European Council- Over the course of this two-day summit in Brussels, EU leaders will discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and continued EU support to Ukraine, as well as the economy,  security and defence, migration and external relations.

European Commissioners’ Activities

• President Ursula von der Leyen participates in the European Council meeting.
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestage in Berlin, Germany: delivers a keynote speech at the event ‘Winning the race for talent', hosted by the European Commission and MEP Mr Damian Boeselager.
• Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič meets with the International Conference of the Lake Constance at the Bavarian Representation; receives Mr Peter Balik, Minister of Investments, Regional Development and Informatisation of Slovakia.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit in Nuremberg and Munich, Germany: visits the Federal Employment Agency; visits BMW Munich.  
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski in Rome, Italy: participates in EU-African Union Agricultural Ministers' Conference.
• Commissioner Thierry Breton in Seoul, Republic of Korea: participates in the EU-Korea Digital Partnership Council Meeting; meets with Mr Yun Kyu Park, 2^nd Vice Minister for Science and ICT of Korea; delivers a keynote speech at the EU-RoK high-level Cyber Security Conference; meets with Mr Won-Wook Kim, Executive Vice President of Hanwha Aerospace.
• Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen visits Stockholm, Sweden.

19-23 June

Articles and Press Releases of Interest  

• European Commission due to unveil proposal for non-programmable and regulated digital euro Agence Europe 
• Questions mount over latest migrant tragedy in Mediterranean Politico 
• Migration Pact: EU Council begins work on ‘crisis and force majeure’ regulation Agence Europe 
• Competitiveness: Critical raw materials act, Swedish Presidency of EU Council proposes a new compromise with a view to reaching a political position by end of June Agence Europe 
• IOM and UNHCR Call for Decisive Action Following Mediterranean Tragedy Press Release 
• Polls: One year before the EU elections Euractiv 
• Olaf Scholz faces tricky balancing act in Germany-China talks Reuters 
• Key elements of the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement Commission Document 

Monday 19 June  

Council of the EU-Swedish Presidency 

• Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy)  

European Parliament  

Delegations (throughout the week) 

• AFCO delegation to Chile: The Constitutional Affairs Committee will travel to Chile from 19 to 21 June to look into the drafting of a second draft for a new Constitution, after the first one was rejected in the September 2022 referendum. Driven by MEPs’ interest for the region's democratic development and in light of the potential revision of the EU Treaties, MEPs will meet parliamentarians, government representatives, and academics and civil society representatives. The mission coincides with the Committee on Foreign Affairs’ mission to the country. 
• AFET delegation to Chile and Brazil: A Foreign Affairs Committee delegation will go to Chile from 19 to 20 June for talks with the country’s authorities and civil society groups about strengthening the EU-Latin America strategic partnership. They will also discuss the state of bilateral relations ahead of the ratification of the EU-Chile Agreement. This visit will conclude with a press point. MEPs will then go to Brazil from 21 to 23 June to look into the reviving of EU-Brazil relations as well as the Mercosur agreement, Brazil's position on the Russian war, and the fight against climate change and deforestation. 
• AGRI delegation to Romania: From 19 to 21 June a delegation from the Agriculture and Rural Development committee will visit Romania. Members will meet national and local authorities, local action groups as well as farmers and dairy and wine producers to discuss recent developments in agriculture in Romania and topics such as the situation in the cereal sector and animal welfare. The delegation will consist of nine Members and will be led by the Chair of the Committee Norbert LINS (EPP, DE). 
• CULT delegation to Scotland: On 19 - 21 June, the Committee on Culture and Education will visit Scotland. A delegation of seven Members, led by committee chair Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE) is heading to Edinburgh, UK, to discuss potential cooperation in education, culture, youth and sport in the wake of Brexit, with particular focus on possibilities to continue mobility of learners between Scotland and the EU within the Erasmus+. During the three-day visit, Members will meet their counterparts in the Scottish Parliament, Ministers of the Scottish government as well as the Director of the UK Government Scotland Office Lyn McDONALD. Meetings are also planned with Scottish education institutions, cultural organizations and youth volunteers. 
• DEVE Delegation to Zambia: From 19 to 21 June a delegation of Development Committee MEPs will visit Zambia, in conjunction with Commissioner Urpilainen. 
• DROI delegation to Israel and Palestine: For the first time since 2015, a delegation of the Human Rights Subcommittee will visit Israel and Palestine, from 18 to 22 June. MEPs will meet Israeli and Palestinian high-level government officials and civil society representatives. They will also carry out field visits to both Palestine and Israel and hold discussions with local authorities, residents as well as international and national organisations. 
• ENVI delegation to Brazil: A delegation of MEPs from the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee will travel to Brazil from 19 to 21 June. In Brasilia, they will have meetings with representatives of the Brazilian government including the ministries of Environment and Climate Change, Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture and External Relations as well as with the Chair of the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee of the Chamber of Deputies. They will also meet with representatives of the Brazilian industry and environmental and Human Rights NGOs. MEPs will also travel to Belém, where they will participate in the Pan-Amazonian Bioeconomy conference and visit Combu island (“Ilha do Combu”) which is protected Amazon forest. Here they will meet indigenous and riverside communities involved in value chains of rainforest products (Açai, cocoa beans). 
• FEMM delegation to Colombia: A delegation of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee will be in Colombia 19 — 23 June to examine the success stories in countering the backlash against women’s rights and the progress made in the implementation of the gender perspective of the Peace Agreement. MEPs will also look into the government's proposals on the right to abortion, which was depenalised in February 2022. 
• FISC delegation to London: Between Monday and Tuesday a delegation of MEPs from the subcommittee will travel to London from 19 to 20 June in order to meet key political decision-makers and stakeholders to discuss developments in the area of international taxation and the relation between the EU and the UK in this field. 
• IMCO delegation to Israel: From 19 to 23 June, a four-member delegation of the IMCO committee will visit Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to learn about the digital advances of Israel as well as to discuss consumer protection, standardisation and customs issues with Israeli authorities. 
• INTA delegation to Indonesia: A delegation of 6 Members of the Committee on International Trade will travel to Indonesia from 19 to 21 June to discuss political, economic, trade and investment relations with the EU. 
• ITRE delegation to Denmark: From 19 to 21 June, MEPs from the Industry, Research and Energy committee will be in Denmark to discuss sustainable practices, the green transition and innovative solutions. On Monday, MEPs will visit Living Places, a sustainable living prototype, before meeting with the Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy. MEPs will then visit Novozymes, a major producer of biological solutions, and Carlsberg, recognized as the world's most water-efficient brewery. On Tuesday, the delegation will visit the Kalundborg Symbiosis, Novo Nordisk, and Ørsted's biomass power plant, a former coal power station fully converted to biomass. On Wednesday, MEPs will visit Denmark's largest offshore wind farm, Horns Rev, which produces 9% of all Danish electricity. 
• LIBE delegation to Frontex, Warsaw: Civil Liberties committee delegation led by Lena Düpont (EPP, Germany) with Theresa Bielowski (S&D, Austria) and Erik Marquardt (Greens, Germany), will visit Frontex, Warsaw, from 19 to 20 June. 
• LIBE delegation to Lampedusa: Civil Liberties Committee delegation, led by the Chair Juan Fernando López Aguilar, will travel to Lampedusa from 19 to 22 June to discuss search and rescue challenges in the Central Mediterranean. Participating : Pietro Bartolo (S&D, Italy), Sylvie Guillaume (S&D, France), Cornelia Ernst (The Left, Germany), Yana Toom (Renew, Estonia), Laura Ferrara (nonattached, Italy), Karlo Ressler (EPP, Croatia), Alessandra Mussolini (EPP, Italy), Giuseppe Milazzo (ECR, Italy), Annalisa Tardino (ID, Italy). 
• LIBE delegation to Malta: Civil Liberties committee delegation led by Fabienne Keller (Renew, France) with Cyrus Engerer (S&D, Malta) and Patricia Chagnon (ID, France) will visit EU Asylum Agency, Malta, from 19 to 20 June. 
• PECH delegation to Croatia: The challenges of fisheries restricted areas will be the focus of a Fisheries Committee delegation to Split and Hvar, in Croatia, from 19 to 21 June. Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries will meet with authorities, representatives from the industry and fishers, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and researchers to learn more from their experience of the fisheries restricted areas. 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• President Ursula von der Leyen receives Mr Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg. 
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager receives Mr Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta.   
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica in Zagreb, Croatia: participates in a conference marking the 10 years of Croatia's membership in the European Union organised by the Government of Croatia. 
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová speaks at the event marking the EU's accession to the Istanbul Convention; receives Ms Mariya Gabriel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for foreign affairs of Bulgaria. 
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas in Paris, France: delivers a keynote speech at the Tent European Business Summit; visits the headquarters of Paris 2024. 
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit meets with the ‘EU's Long Term Care' coordinators, in Brussels. 
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski in Warsaw, Poland: meets with Mr Mateusz Ciasnocha, farmer and co-founder of European Carbon Farmers; receives representatives from Polish Agricultural Organizations and Associations related to pig production. 
• Commissioner Elisa Ferreira receives Ms Anna Bjerde, Managing Director for Operations at the World Bank. 
• Commissioner Helena Dalli organises a cocktail reception with the Swedish Presidency to celebrate the EU accession to the Istanbul Convention. 
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič receives Ms Inger Andersen, Executive Director Environment Programme, United Nations; participates via video-conference in the ministerial-level pledging event to support the humanitarian response in Sudan and the region co-hosted with the United Nations, Egypt, Germany, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the African Union. 
• Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen visits Lusaka, Zambia with MEPs from the European Parliament's Committee on Development (until 20/06). 
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius meets with Ms Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary of the United Nations and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP); delivers the opening remarks, participates in a debate on Ukraine and delivers concluding remarks at at the EC-UNEP High Level meeting, in Brussels. 
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness in Dublin, Ireland: meets with Ms Lynne Embleton, CEO of Aer Lingus. 
• Commissioner Didier Reynders in Stockholm, Sweden: participates in the Interparliamentary conference on ‘Democracy in Europe' organised by the Swedish Presidency; participates via videoconference in the Hemingway Professional Governance annual forum. 

Tuesday 20 June 

Council of the EU-Swedish Presidency 

• Environment Council 
• Political and Security Committee 
• EU-US Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• College meeting 
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager meets via videoconference with Mr Volker Wissing, Minister for Digital and Transport of Germany; delivers a keynote speech at the conference '20 Years of Regulation 1/2003: A (r)evolutionary tale', organised by the European Commission's DG Competition.  
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová speaks at the European Partnership for Democracy Annual Conference on Defence of Democracy; receives Mr Fredrik Persson, President of BusinessEurope. 
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica receives Mr Thomas Stelzer, Governor of Upper Austria; participates in an event on new initiatives for democratic participation in Europe organised by the European Partnership for Democracy; meets with members of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE). 
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas participates to an event organised by the Association of Greek Employees of International Organizations. 
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn in London, United Kingdom (until 21/6): participates in the 40th Anniversary events of the International Democratic Union. 
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit participates in an event organised by the Commission to mark the second anniversary of the European Child Guarantee, together with the EU's Child Guarantee coordinators, in Brussels; receives Mr Thomas Stelzer, Governor of Upper Austria; gives the closing speech at a conference organised by CSR Europe ‘A Caucus to Forge Alliances for Just Transition'. 
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski receives Mr Vladimir Bolea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry of Republic of Moldova. 
• Commissioner Thierry Breton receives Mr Robert Gentz, CEO of Zalando; meets with senior representatives of the retail industry, and delivers a keynote speech at the EuroCommerce launch event of the Exhibition: ‘Transition Pathways for the Retail and Wholesale Sector' and celebration of the 30^th anniversary of the Single Market, in Brussels. 
• Commissioner Ylva Johansson in Stockholm, Sweden (until 21/06): participates in the Ministerial meeting between the European Union and the United States on Justice and Home Affairs. 
• Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi receives Mr Martin Dvořák, Minister for European Affairs of Czechia. 
• Commissioner Kadri Simson delivers the opening speech, at the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW); participates in the European Sustainable Energy Week's Award Ceremony and hands over an award to the Young Energy Champion 2023; delivers a keynote speech at the Eurelectric Power Summit - Balance of Power and attends a roundtable discussion with the CEOs in Brussels, Belgium as the side event of the Eurelectric Power Summit; delivers a keynote speech at the European Sustainable Energy Week's session - RES-Skilling: How to address the renewable energy skills challenge?; launches, together with Mr Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the ‘Innovation Landscape for Smart Electrification' Report; in Brussels, Belgium; and receives Mr Fredrik Persson, President of BusinessEurope. 
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness receives Ms Gintarė Skaistė, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania; speaks at the International Conference on the EU Retail Investment Strategy: “Towards a Capital Markets Union that works for people" organised by Better Finance; delivers a keynote speech at the Annual General Meeting of the  European FinTech Association (EFA). 
• Commissioner Didier Reynders participates via videoconference in the 1^st conference of the Academy of Law Office of the republic of Cyprus; participates via videoconference in the consumer dialogue with Lithuania. 

Wednesday 21 June 

Council of the EU-Swedish Presidency 

• Coreper I 
• Coreper II 
• Informal meeting of the General Affairs Council 
• Political and Security Committee 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• President Ursula von der Leyen in London, U.K: delivers a keynote speech at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2023), hosted jointly by the United Kingdom and Ukraine. 
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans receives Mr Mathieu Flamini, former professional footballer and co-founder and CEO of GfBiochemicals; receives Mr Joachim Rukwied, President of the German Farmers' Association. 
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans and Mr Josep Borrell participate in the High-level event ‘A Transatlantic Conversation: Climate and Security – The New Nexus' with Mr Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary-General of NATO and Mr John Kerry, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate of the United States of America. 
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová in Stockholm, Sweden: speaks at Stockholm Ministerial Symposium on Democracy and Rule of Law. 
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn receives Mr Jindřich Fryč, Supreme State Secretary, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic. 
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit in Valletta, Malta (until 22/06): meets with representatives from the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD); meets with Mr Andy Ellul, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue; has an exchange of views with members of the Parliament from the Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Committees; visits the mental health organisation Richmond Foundation; visits the Foundation for Welfare Services and the EU-funded Home-Based Therapeutic Services Initiative. 
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski receives Mr Juha Niemelä, President of the European State Forest Association; participates in the official opening of the European Organic House, established by IFOAM Organics Europe in Brussels. 
• Commissioner Helena Dalli holds an interview with Nikkei Asia. 
• Commissioner Ylva Johansson in Stockholm, Sweden: meets with Mr Merrick Garland, United States Attorney 
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius receives representatives from the Warwick University (United Kingdom); receives Mr Fredrik Persson, President of BusinessEurope; receives representatives of BLUMA architects (nature-based design agency from Lithuania); participates in the European Blue Economy Conference 2023, in Brussels; delivers the opening keynote speech at the Water Innovation Europe 2023. 
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness in Warsaw, Poland (until 22/06) meets with members of the EU Affairs Committee and the Public Finances Committee of the Sejm – Parliament of the Republic of Poland. 
• Commissioner Didier Reynders in Stockholm, Sweden: participates in the EU-US JHA Ministerial meeting and in the high-level opening plenary session of the Symposium on Democracy and Rule of Law; meets with Ms. Hadja Lahbib, MFA of Belgium and with Mr. Merrick Garland, US Attorney General; participates via videoconference in the consumer dialogue with Latvia. 

Thursday 22 June 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová receives Mr Jindrich Fryc, Supreme State Secretary of Ministry of Interior of Czechia. 
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas in Thessaloniki, Greece : delivers a keynote speech at the SEVE General Assembly. 
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn in London, United Kingdom: participates in the Annual Deutsche Bank Forum. 
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit in Valletta, Malta: meets with Mr Clyde Caruana, Minister for Economy and Employment; meets with Mr Michael Falzon, Minister for Social Policy and Children's Rights; visits a school to see the EU-funded ‘One Tablet Per Child' project. 
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski speaks via videoconference with the Committee on Food and Agriculture of the German Bundestag. 
• Commissioner Thierry Breton in San Francisco, US (until 23/06): meets with Mr Elon Musk, Executive Chairman of Twitter; participates in the political launch event for the inauguration of the EU Representation office in San Francisco. 
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides in Paphos, Cyprus (until 23/06): meets with Mr Phedonas Phedonos, Mayor of Paphos and members of the Paphos Municipal Council; visits the Geroskipou Cancer Screening Centre; visits the Paphos branch of the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends (PASYKAF); attends the ceremony to lay the foundation stone at the new building of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics. 
• Commissioner Helena Dalli gives an online keynote speech for Malta Sustainable Forum. 
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness in Warsaw, Poland: meets with Ms Magdalena Rzeczkowska, Minister of Finance of Poland; meets with Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk, State Secretary for European Affairs of Poland;  meets with Mr Jacek Jastrzębski, Chair of the Board of the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF); meets with representatives of Polish FinTech companies; meets with representatives of Konfederacja Lewiatan. 

Friday 23 June 

Council of the EU-Swedish Presidency 

• Coreper I 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová meets via video conference with Mr Miquel Iceta Llorens, Minister of Culture and Sport of Spain. 
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica in London, UK: delivers a keynote speech for the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 side event on children, organised by the UK and Ukraine. 
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas in Athens, Greece: meets with Yannis Moschos, Director of the national theatre of Greece. 
• Commissioner Thierry Breton in San Francisco, US: meets with Mr Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI; meets with Mr Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta; meets with Mr Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA. 
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides in Nicosia, Cyprus: meets with Archbishop of Cyprus Georgios; visits the facilities of the Association of Rare Diseases ‘Monadika Xamogela'; meets with Ms Annita Demetriou, President of the Cyprus House of Representatives and President of the Democratic Rally party; meets with members of the LGBTQI trans community to discuss health issues. 
• Commissioner Helena Dalli in Tokyo, Japan (until 25/06):  joins a working lunch hosted by EU Ambassador, Jean Eric Paquet to discuss the FPI-financed project for Enhancing Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in and with Japan in the Post Pandemic Era. 

12-16 June

Articles and Press Releases of Interest  

• EU ministers reach ‘historic’ deal on migrant relocation Euractiv 
• The European Union and Tunisia agreed to work together on a comprehensive partnership package Statement 
• Poland to build coalition against EU migration pact Euractiv 
• It’s time for more majority decision-making in EU foreign policy Politico Op-Ed 
• EU Council conclusions on safety of LGBTI people rejected by Hungary and Poland Agence Europe 
• Macron calls on Iran to end support to Russia in war against Ukraine Euractiv 
• Uncertainty reigns over composition of European Parliament in 2024 Agence Europe 
• Silvio Berlusconi: Former Italian prime minister dies aged 86 RTE 
• Half-hearted agreement in EU Council on Directive to combat violence against women Agence Europe 
• French warn Irish bottle labelling sets ‘dangerous precedent’ Euractiv 
• European Union countries will try again this week to pass a deal on new renewable energy targets, which have been stalled by concerns from France and other states that the law sidelines nuclear energy Euractiv 

Monday 12 June    

Council of the EU- Swedish Presidency  

• Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council 
• Informal meeting of agriculture ministers 

European Parliament  

Plenary Session 

Debates 

• Resumption of session and order of business  
• Marking the World Day against Child Labour 
• Joint debate - Regulation and directive on electronic evidence in criminal matters 
• EU Day for the victims of the global climate crisis 
• Competition policy - annual report 2022 
• Large transport infrastructure projects in the EU 

Short presentations of the following reports: 

• European Union Drugs Agency 
• Assessment of the new Commission communication on outermost regions 
• Implementation of the Regulations on the European citizens' initiative 

Parliamentary Committees  

• Committee on Constitutional Affairs 
• Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs 
• Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• President Ursula von der Leyen begins visit to Latin America (until 15/06) in Brasilia, Brazil : meets Mr Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil ; delivers a speech at the National Industry Confederation. 
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans in Barbados (until 13/6) for COP28 preparations: meets with Ms Mia Mottley, Prime Minister. 
• Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič delivers a keynote speech at the EU-UK Forum Annual Conference 2023. 
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica in Zagreb, Croatia: participates in a conference marking the 10th anniversary of Croatia's EU membership organised by the European Commission Representationin Croatia and the Department of European Law at the Faculty of Law in Zagreb; participates in a roundtable on digital literacy skills among the elderly organised by the University of Dubrovnik and the University of Zagreb. 
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová meets with academics form Institute of Asia Studies of Charles University in Prague. 
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas on mission to Israël. 
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski in Stockholm, Sweden (until 13/06): takes part in field visit to Torsåker farm and study visits to Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and the Forestry Research Institute of Sweden, on the margins of the informal meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of the European Union. 
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič receives Ms Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan; addresses the participants at the opening of the Norwegian Refugee Council's interactive exhibition ‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind. Putting the Spotlight on Neglected Crises' at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. 
• Commissioner Kadri Simson in Copenhagen, Denmark: visits the ‘Utilities down under' district heating and cooling project; meets bilaterally with Mr Lars Aagaard, Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities; and delivers an opening speech at the Energy Infrastructure Forum 2023. 
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn in Salzburg, Austria: Participates in the youth event ‘EU gestalten' and in the award ceremony for the ‘#DreamYourEUunlimited' competition organised by Europe-Direct Salzburg. 

Tuesday 13 June 

Council of the EU- Swedish Presidency  

• Political and Security Committee 

European Parliament  

Plenary Session  

Joint debate – Ukraine 

• Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam 
• Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community 

Key Debate 

• This is Europe - Debate with the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides 

Votes 

• Parliament’s calendar of part-sessions – 2024 
• Macro-financial assistance to North Macedonia 
• Draft amending budget No 1/2023: Technical adjustments stemming from the political agreements reached on several legislative proposals, including with respect to REPowerEU, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and the Union Secure Connectivity programme 
• Amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure concerning the referral of proposals for legally binding acts to committees and the procedure for solving conflicts of competence 
• Electronic evidence in criminal proceedings: legal representatives directive 
• Electronic evidence regulation: European production and preservation orders for electronic evidence in criminal matters 
• European Union Drugs Agency 
• Competition policy - annual report 2022 
• Assessment of the new Commission communication on outermost regions 
• Large transport infrastructure projects in the EU 
• Implementation of the Regulations on the European citizens' initiative 

Debates (or at the end of votes) 

• Artificial Intelligence Act 
• Establishment of the EU Ethics Body 

Debates 

• Question Time (VPC/HR) - Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and at the Lachin Corridor  
• Situation in Lebanon 
• Situation in Nicaragua 
• State of EU Cuba PDCA in the light of the recent visit of the High Representative to the island 
• Batteries and waste batteries 
• Negotiations on the European Electoral Law 
• Ensuring food security and the long-term resilience of EU agriculture 
• Quality traineeships in the EU 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• College Meeting 
• President Ursula von der Leyen in Buenos Aires, Argentina: meets Mr Alberto Fernández, President of Argentina, delivers a keynote speech at the EU-Argentina Business Forum. 
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans in Barbados for COP28 preparations: visits St. Martin's Bay and exchanges views with the local community and representatives of national emergency and disaster management institution; visits several projects related to climate resilience and vulnerability with Ms Mia Mottley, Prime Minister, and with Mr Kerrie D. Symmonds, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. 
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas on mission to Israël. 
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski in Stockholm, Sweden: meets with federation of Swedish Farmers on the margins of the informal meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of the European Union. 
• Commissioner Helena Dalli in New York, United States: gives a welcome speech at the Ministerial Breakfast; attends the Conference of States Parties chaired by the Secretary General; gives a keynote speech at the EU Side event of the Conference of States Parties, on Developing skills for employment; gives a keynote speech at the Swedish Side event of the Conference of States Parties, on Maximizing, understanding and monitoring the impact of disability strategies; delivers the EU Statement at the Conference of States Parties; joins the International Disability Alliance; holds a bilateral meeting with Mr. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. 
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič participates in the opening of the European Parliament's Day of Dialogue in the framework of the Brussels VII Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region. 
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn in Strasbourg, France: Meets with Raffaele Fitto, Minister for European Affairs, Southern Italy, Cohesion Policy and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). 

Wednesday 14 June  

Council of the EU- Swedish Presidency  

• Coreper I 
• Coreper II 

European Parliament  

Plenary Session  

Key Debates 

• Preparation of the European Council meeting of 29-30 June 2023 
• The electoral law, the investigative committee and the rule of law in Poland 
• Formal sitting- Address by Vjosa Osmani, President of the Republic of Kosovo 

Votes 

• EU/Thailand Partnership and Cooperation Agreement 
• EU/Thailand Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (Resolution) 
• EU/Malaysia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement 
• EU/Malaysia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (Resolution) 
• EU/Mauritius Fisheries Partnership Agreement: implementing the Agreement (2022- 2026). Protocol 
• Artificial Intelligence Act 
• Batteries and waste batteries 
• Ensuring food security and the long-term resilience of EU agriculture 
• Quality traineeships in the EU 
• Debates (or at the end of votes) Surrogacy in the EU - risks of exploitation and commercialisation 

Joint debate  

• Pegasus spyware- Investigation of the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware 
• Investigation of the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware (Recommendation) 
• Make Europe the place to invest 
• Lessons learnt from the Pandora Papers and other revelations 
• Implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals 
• Extension of the mandate of the EPPO with regard to the criminal offence of violation of Union restrictive measures

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144) 

• Torture and criminal prosecution of Ukrainian minors Tihran Ohannisian and Mykyta Khanhanov by the Russian Federation  
• Humanitarian situation in Sudan, in particular the death of children trapped by fighting  
• Deterioration of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, notably the case of Jimmy Lai 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• President Ursula von der Leyen in Santiago de Chile: meets Mr Gabriel Boric, President of Chile. 
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans in Guyana (until 14/6) for COP28 preparations: meets with Mr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President; holds a bilateral meeting with Mr Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice-President on biodiversity and energy transition; visits Iwokrama forest where he meets with government, with Mr Dane Gobin, CEO at the Iwokrama International Centre, and with Iwokrama research centre representatives; meets with civil society representatives in the field of environment and forestry; participates in a signing ceremony on an EU support programme for mangroves; and meets with members of the CARICOM-Caribbean Community. 
• Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis in Frankfurt, Germany (until 15/06): participates in the European Central Bank's (ECB) Governing Council. 
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica in Madrid, Spain (until 15/06): meets with Mr José Luis Martínez-Almeida, Mayor of Madrid; participates in the Annual Meeting of Europe Direct Centres and European Documentation Centres in Spain; participates in a working breakfast on demography and democracy organised by the Forum Nueva Economía; meets with Mr José Manuel Albares, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain. 
• Commissioner Helena Dalli in New York, U.S.: holds a bilateral meeting with H.R.H. Prince Mired bin Raad Zeid Al-Hussein of Jordan; holds a bilateral meeting with Ms. Gertrude Fefoame, Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; holds a bilateral meeting with Mr. Dan Rashal, Commissioner for Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Justice, Israel; holds a bilateral meeting with US Special Advisor Sara Minkara. 
• Commissioner Kadri Simson delivers the opening keynote speech, via videoconference, on the InnoGrid 2023 Conference - Between urgency and energy transition: getting the balance right. 
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius in Malta (until 15/6). 

Thursday 15 June 

Council of the EU- Swedish Presidency  

• Eurogroup 

European Parliament  

Plenary Session  

Debates 

• The water crisis in Europe 
• Ukraine’s accession to the Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters 

Votes 

• Torture and criminal prosecution of Ukrainian minors Tihran Ohannisian and Mykyta Khanhanov by the Russian Federation 
• Humanitarian situation in Sudan, in particular the death of children trapped by fighting 
• Deterioration of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, notably the case of Jimmy Lai 
• Composition of the European Parliament 
• Investigation of the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware 
• EU Day for the victims of the global climate crisis 
• Ukraine’s accession to the Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters 
• Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community 
• Situation in Nicaragua 
• Lessons learnt from the Pandora Papers and other revelations 
• Implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals 

Debates 

• Call for a European strategy to counter hostage diplomacy 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• President Ursula von der Leyen in Mexico city, México: meets Mr Andrés Manuel López Obrador, President of Mexico. 
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans in Suriname (until 15/6) for COP28 preparations: meets with Mr Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President; visits the Paululu Camp focused on forests management and biodiversity, accompanied by Mr Marciano Dasai, Minister for Spatial Planning and Environment, and Mr Dinotha Vorswij, Minister for Land Policy and Forest Management, as well as representatives of international organisations and NGOs. 
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager in Bornholm, Denmark (until 18 June): participates in various on-stage conversations in the Danish democracy festival ‘Folkemødet'. 
• Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis in Frankfurt, Germany: participates in the European Central Bank's (ECB) Governing Council. 
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica in Madrid, Spain: meets with Ms Ana Pastor, Vice-President of the Congress of Deputies; meets with Ms Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, Third Vice-President and Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge. 
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas on mission in Ukraine. 
• Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni participates in the 11^th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). 
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski in India (until 18/06): attends the welcome dinner of G20 Agricultural Ministers' meeting. 
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič participates in the Brussels VII Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region. 
• Commissioner Kadri Simson delivers the opening remarks, via videoconference, at the Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) Annual Conference 2023 - Fostering security of supply for a decarbonized world. 
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius in Malta. 
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn in Sofia, Bulgaria: Meets with Nikolai Denkov, Prime Minister and Mariya Gabriel, Deputy-Prime Minister 

Friday 16 June 

Council of the EU- Swedish Presidency  

• Economic and Financial Affairs Council 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis in Luxembourg: participates in the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the European Investment Bank (EIB). 
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica in Dubrovnik, Croatia: participates in the event ‘Women and Political Influence: Building Successful Advocacy Campaigns', organised by the Robert Schuman Institute. 
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas in Den Haag, the Netherlands: delivers a keynote speech at the 2023 CDA Europe Conference. 
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit in Bergamo, Italy: speaks at the event organised by the University of Bergamo, Confindustria, and Confcooperative Bergamo on ‘jobs and social economy for an inclusive and sustainable Europe'; speaks at an event co-organised by Mr Brando Benifei, Member of the European Parliament, on ‘Artificial intelligence and platforms: European labour and industry in the digital transformation.' 
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski in India: participates in meeting of G20 Agricultural Ministers; takes part in Plenary Session and High Level Panel Discussion; attends the Gala Dinner. 
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides in Valletta, Malta: meets with Dr. Chris Fearne, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health of Malta; delivers a keynote speech to the 28th Medicines for Europe Annual Conference; visits the Medichem manufacturing site. 
• Commissioner Helena Dalli gives an online keynote speech for the Pride in Sofia. 
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič in Vienna, Austria: meets with Members of the Austrian Parliament, Austrian Minister of Interior Gerhard Karner; speaks at the High-Level Panel of the 6th Humanitarian Congress Vienna. 
• Commissioner Adina Vălean in Tokyo, Japan: attends G7. 
• Commissioner Kadri Simson receives representatives from Alliance PAGE, the largest LNG producers and infrastructure owners from the United States of America. 
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius participates in the High-Level Conference - Joining forces for the Energy Transition in the EU Fisheries and Aquaculture, in Brussels, Belgium. 

5-9 June

Articles and Press Releases of Interest 

• European Political Community Meeting- Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with Moldovan President Sandu
• Ireland to work with Germany on green hydrogen Euractiv
• Press Release- Kosovo - Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the latest developments
• European Commission wants a label to be introduced immediately to identify content generated by artificial intelligence Agence Europe
• Press Release- Human rights violations in Russia: EU lists individuals responsible for Vladimir Kara-Murza’s sentencing and degrading treatment
• EU Green Week 2023 is taking place from 3 to 11 June under the theme: Delivering a net-zero world.
• European Council on Foreign Relations- The future of the European Political Community
• Polish law on independence and private life of judges infringes EU law, says Court of Justice Agence Europe

Monday 5 June

Meeting of Experts- Meeting of EU marine and water directors

European Parliament

Parliamentary Committees

• Joint meeting of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
• Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
• Committee on Foreign Affairs
• Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
• Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

European Commissioners’ Activities

• Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis receives the Hon. Don Farrell, Special Minister of State and Minister for Trade and Tourism of Australia.
• Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič receives representatives of InoBat.
• Commissioner Věra Jourová speaks at the 5th Meeting of the Code of Practice's Permanent Task-Force; speaks at the Roundtable of EU and Democratic Russia Representatives.
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica in Ispra, Italy: attends the launch event for the Commission's Report on Demography and Climate Change; visits the Europa Science Experience Exhibition.
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica in Milan, Italy: meets with Mr Attilio Fontana, President of Lombardy Region; attends the inauguration of Europe Direct Lombardia; attends the reception for the 10th anniversary of Croatia in the EU organised by the European Commision Repesentation, the European Parliament Office and the Croatian Consulate in Milan; meets with Mr Gabriele Nissim, President of Gariwo.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit receives Mr Alfonso Lara Montero, CEO, and Mr Christian Fillet, Chair of the European Social Network; receives Mr Magnus Berntsson, President of the Assembly of European Regions.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit and Mr Thierry Breton meet with high-level representatives of the automotive industry on skills, in Brussels.
• Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni in Rome, Italy: participates in the event ‘Jean Monnet aveva ragione? Costruire l'Europa in tempi di crisi', organised by Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana – Treccani.
• Commissioner Ylva Johansson in Antwerp, Belgium: participates in a Ministerial meeting of the Coalition of European Countries against Serious and Organised Crime.
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič Lenarčič in Oslo, Norway (until 06/06): meets Ms Ingvild Kjerkjol, Minister of Health and Care Services; field visit to witness the ongoing EU-financed medical evacuation of Ukrainian patients operated by Norway.
• Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi addresses the participants of the 4th debate on rule of law issues ‘Pravo na pravdu' [Right to Justice] in Sarajevo, via video message.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson delivers a keynote speech, via videoconference, at the opening of the 31st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition; delivers a message, via videoconference, at the 17th edition of the Tecnovisionarie 2023 International Award - Energy and Environment, Excellence for Women Awards Ceremony.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson in Warsaw, Poland: meets with Ms Anna Moskwa, Minister for Climate and Environment; delivers a keynote speech at the 3rd Summit of the Pact of Free Cities; and participates in the panel discussion ‘How to win an argument on Climate'.
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius in Lithuania: participates in a filming session at the Baltic Sea Animal Rehabilitation Centre; participates in the Award Ceremony of the Valdas Adamkus Prize.

Tuesday 6 June

Council of the EU-Swedish Presidency

• Political and Security Committee

European Commissioners’ Activities

• President Ursula von der Leyen participates in the 25th International WDR Europaforum via video message; receives the EPP Group Young Members Network.
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans attends a working meeting on Mediterranean cooperation on hydrogen and clean tech, organised by Business Bridge Europe, in Brussels; delivers an opening keynote speech at the EnerGreenDeal Conference, in Brussels; meets, via videoconference, with Ms Ingrid Thijssen, President of the Dutch employers' organisation VNO-NCW.
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager receives members of the European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association; receives Ms Laurence Boone, Secretary of State for European Affairs of France.
• Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis receives the ASEAN Brussels Committee (ABC).
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová receives Czech students from Gymnasium Zlin; speaks at the conference ‘Building a stronger EU integrity framework'; speaks at the event ‘Democracy Alive: The Brussels Summit; receives Czech influencers'.
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica delivers closing remarks for the High-Level Conference on Loneliness and Social Isolation, receives Ms Milly Doolan, European Affairs Coordinator of the Croatian Employers Association's, and Mr Hrvoje Balen, President of HUP ICT Association; receives Mr Alexei Buzu, Minister for Labour and Social Protection of Moldova.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit participates in the closing event of European Youth Forum's internship campaign ‘Can you afford to work for free?', in Brussels; attends the opening of the ‘Evaluation of Results and Impact of the Acceder Programme 2000-2020', organised by Fundación Secretariado Gitano; receives Mr Alexei Buzu, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova; attends a High Level Event on dual education, organised by the Representation of the European Regions of Alto Adige Trentino, Burgenland, East-Belgium and Bavaria; gives a keynote speech at the Gesamtmetall parliamentary evening.
• Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni receives Mr Giovanni Gorno Tempini, President of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti SpA. 
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski receives Mr Paul-Henri Lava, Deputy Secretary General of AVEC.
• Commissioner Thierry Breton delivers a keynote speech at the conference: ‘The Future of the Electronic Communications Sector - Towards a European success story?', organised by Orange and Euractiv, in Brussels; meets with high-level representatives of the bio-energy industry, in Brussels; meets with high-level representatives of the European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association (ETNO), in Brussels; receives Mr Bertrand Piccard, Chairman and founder of the Solar Impulse Foundation; receives Mr Stefan Wintels, CEO of KfW Bankengruppe; holds a videoconference call with Mr Maciej Witucki, President of the Polish Confederation Lewiatan.
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides delivers pre-recorded remarks to the National Cancer Survivors Day 2023 in Romania.
• Commissioner Didier Reynders receives representatives of companies members of the Polish Lewiatan Confederation.
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič in Oslo, Norway: meets Ms Anniken Huitfeldt, Minister for Foreign Affairs; meets  Ms Emilie Enger Mehl, Minister of Justice and Public Security; participates in a conference Protecting Children in Armed Conflict.
• Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen gives a speech at KfW Development Bank's 75th Company Reception.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson receives representatives of the European Heat Pump Association, for the hand over the ‘Heat Pump Accelerator' Paper; participates in a plenary session on ‘Short and medium-term solutions to realistically and efficiently decarbonise energy consumption', at the 3rd EnerGreen Deal Conference, in Brussels, Belgium.
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius participates in the EU Green Week opening debate - Delivering a Net Zero World; participates in the EU Green Week debate - The impact of war: environmental damage in Ukraine, priority challenges and plans for restoration; receives Mr Ruslan Strilets, Minister for Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, and Mr Oleh Bondarenko Chairperson of the Ukrainian Parliamentary Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management; and participates in the opening of the exhibition of paintings of Ukrainian children with Mr Ruslan Strilets, Minister for Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, in the Berlaymont, Brussels; receives Mr Darius Adamczyk, Honeywell Chairman and CEO; and participates in the European Green Week LIFE Awards Ceremony, in Brussels.

Wednesday 7 June

Council of the EU-Swedish Presidency

• Coreper I
• Coreper II

Meeting of Experts

• Meeting of directors of EU paying agencies within the framework of the common agricultural policy
• Meeting of EU Directors General of Fisheries and fisheries attachés
• Meeting of the Europol Management Board

European Parliament

Press Conference

• Committee covering up on Covid: rejecting accountability, the Covid Committee is attempting to wash Commission of responsibility for vaccine injury and violation of human rights

Parliamentary Committees

• Committee on Budgets

European Commissioners’ Activities

• College Meeting
• President Ursula von der Leyen receives Mr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate and UAE Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change; chairs the College orientation debate on the Multiannual Financial Framework.
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans receives Mr Ahmed Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate.
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica delivers a speech via videoconference for the AGE Annual Conference - A European model for sustainable working lives.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit attends the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training; receives Ms Nadia Calviño, First Deputy Prime Minister of Spain and Minister for Economy and Digitalisation.
• Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni receives Mr Nicola Zaccheo, President of the Italian Transport Regulation Authority; participates in a book presentation: ‘La saggezza e l'audacia' by Mr David Sassoli, in Brussels.
• Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen attends Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Board Meeting; attends Global Partnership for Education (GPE) reception.
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness delivers a speech at the Annual Joint Conference of the European Commission and European Central Bank on European Financial Integration; receives Mr Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO of the Volvo Group.

Thursday 8 June

Council of the EU- Swedish Presidency

• Justice and Home Affairs Council
• Political and Security Committee

European Parliament

European Parliament Conference of Presidents

Press Conferences

• Defending Spanish farming. The European impositions of tuberculosis control in livestock

Parliamentary Committees

• Committee on Budgets

European Commissioners’ Activities

• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager delivers a keynote speech at the Renew Europe Business and SME Days event; receives Mr Vittorio Colao, former Minister for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition of Italy.
• Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis (until 09/06) in Paris, France: participates in the Ministerial Council Meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
• Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič chairs the Fit For Future Platform Plenary meeting; receives Mr Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe.
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica attends the ALDA European Association for Democracy General Assembly.
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová meets with Mr Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee; speaks at the European Citizens' Initiative Day 2023: ‘Upskilling citizens for a successful ECI with impact!'; receives Mr Jerzy Pomianowski, Executive Director of the European Endowment for Democracy.
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas in Athens, Greece: participate in a roundtable discussion on mental health.
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn receives a delegation of Members of the German Bundestag.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit participates in the event ‘Making Skills Count' in Brussels, organised by the European Commission, as part of the European Year of Skills; participates in a roundtable discussion at the margins of the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA)'s annual assembly.
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski in Astana, Kazakhstan (until 09/06): attends the opening ceremony and plenary session of the Astana International Forum; participates in working lunch hosted by H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan; contributes to panel ‘When Chains Break: The Impact of Global Supply Chain Disruption on Food Security'; meets with Mr Mirek Dusek, Managing Director of World Economic Forum, on the margins of the Astana International Forum.
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides delivers pre-recorded remarks to the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the European Blood Alliance.
• Commissioner Didier Reynders participates via videoconference in ‘EU Due Diligence Legislation - Achieving Impact' organised by the RBC working group of the European Parliament.
• Commissioner Helena Dalli gives a keynote speech at the Women Political Leaders Summit 2023; meets with Sven Lehman, Member of the Bundestag from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
• Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi receives Ms Cindy Mc Cain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme of the United Nations; receives a Delegation of the Parliament of Armenia.
• Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen receives Mr Timo Harakka, Minister of Transport and Communications of Finland; receives Ms Afshan Khan, Coordinator of the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement (SUN).
• Commissioner Kadri Simson delivers a keynote speech, via videoconference, and officially launches the ‘30 renewable energy islands 2030 initiative' at the Clean Energy for EU islands Forum 2023.
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness receives Mr Brian McEnery, Managing Partner of BDO Dublin; delivers opening remarks at the event on sanctions circumvention organised by the Commission´s Directorate-General for Financial Affairs (DG FISMA), with non-governmental experts.

Friday 9 June

Council of the EU- Swedish Presidency

• Justice and Home Affairs Council

European Parliament

Special Event- European Youth Event 2023

European Commissioners’ Activities

• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager in Copenhagen, Denmark: delivers a keynote speech at the Nordic SIF meeting 2023, organised by the Danish investors' forum Dansif.
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager in Odense, Denmark: delivers a keynote speech for the event ‘Europe of visions', organised by the Danish trade union Finansforbundet.
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager in Egeskov, Denmark: participates in a conversation on stage in the Heartland Festival.
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas in Elefsina, Greece : delivers a keynote speech at the 'Handle with Care: Culture for Social Well-being' conference.
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas in Volos, Greece: delivers a keynote speech at the Annual conference of the association of industries of Thessaly and central Greece.
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn in Riga, Latvia: meets Mr Krišjānis Kariņš, Prime Minister of Latvia; meets Mr Arvils Ašeradens, Minister for Finance.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit in Luxembourg: meets with Ms Helga Berger and Jan Gregor, the Austrian and Czech Members of the European Court of Auditors, respectively.
• Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni delivers a video message at the ‘Research to Business' conference organised by the region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski in Aqmola, Kazakhstan: takes part in field visit to Rodina agrofirm.
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides in Madrid, Spain: visits the 024 phoneline facilities of the Red Cross; delivers pre-recorded remarks to the first European Charcot-Marie-Tooth Specialists' Conference in Paris, France.
• Commissioner Helena Dalli gives an online keynote speech for the European Women's Lobby.
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič receives representatives municipality from Velenje in Slovenia.
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness delivers a keynote speech opening the seminar ‘Peace Twenty Five – Everyday peace builders', organised by the International Fund for Ireland. 

29 May- 2 June 

Articles and Press Releases of Interest 

• Erdogan declared winner of Turkey's run-off presidential election RTE
• The European Parliament will vote on Wednesday on whether to trigger the EU’s so-called Article 7 procedure against Hungary, used when a country is considered at risk of breaching the bloc’s core values.
• Agreement by EU27 on European position for EU/CELAC Summit Agence Europe
• Finnish coalition talks back on track after migration agreement Euractiv
• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday he would dissolve parliament and the country would hold an early general election on July 23 following the results of Sunday’s local elections FRANCE24
• Twitter pulls out of voluntary EU disinformation code BBC
• EU and Washington try to find right language on China’s uncompetitive practices Agence Europe
• WTO: Council approves an agreement on fisheries subsidies to boost environmental sustainability Press Release

Monday 29 May 

European Commission

• Commissioner Frans Timmermans receives Mr Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum; receives Mr Dato' Sri Haji Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Plantation and Commodities of Malaysia; and Mr Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of Indonesia; receives Mr Roel Wever, Mayor of Heerlen (the Netherlands); and delivers a SUSTAEN lecture on ‘The external dimension of the Green Deal: Navigating a changing world', at the VUB Brussels School of Governance, in Brussels.
• Commissioner Josep Borrell in Barcelona, Spain: participates in the meeting of the Cercle d'Economia 2023.
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová in Bratislava, Slovakia: meets with Ms Zuzana Čaputová, President of Slovakia; with Mr Ľudovít Ódor, Prime Minister of Slovakia; with Ms Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe and speaks at GLOBSEC.
• Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni delivers a video message at the seminar ‘Quale Europa per il futuro dei giovani?' organised by La Sapienza University.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson delivers a speech, via videoconference, at the Forum Central Europe 2023 conference ‘Economic and Social Stability in Central Europe'.

Tuesday 30 May

Council of the EU- Swedish Presidency

• Agriculture and Fisheries Council
• General Affairs Council
• Political and Security Committee

European Parliament

Parliamentary Committees

• Special Committee on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation (INGE 2)
• Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

European Commission

• President Ursula von der Leyen receives Professor Klaus Schwab, Chairman of the World Economic Forum; receives Mr Daniel Caspary, Member of the European Parliament.
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager and Mr Valdis Dombrovskis in Luleå, Sweden (until 31/05): participate in the fourth meeting of the EU-US Trade & Technology Council (TTC).
• Commissioner Josep Borrell receives Ms Retno Marsudi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, and Mr Zambry Abd Kadir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malaysia; meets Mr Jakov Milatović, President of the Republic of Montenegro; participates in a conversation on ‘Global Digital Governance', hosted by the Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE).
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová speaks via video conference at the Warsaw European Conversation conference, ‘Europe in times of non-peace: risks and trends'.
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas participates in the Sports & Innovation Summit.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit meets with Mr Elio Di Rupo, Minister President of the Belgian region of Wallonia, in Namur (Belgium); participates at the launch of the report by LinkedIn: ‘Skills-First: Reimagining the Labour Market and Breaking Down Barriers', in Brussels.
• Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni in Rome, Italy: participates in the Italian Bank Association (ABI) Council Meeting.
• Commissioner Elisa Ferreira in Bratislava, Slovakia: participates in an Informal Meeting of Cohesion Ministers.
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič together with Mr Carl-Oskar Bohlin, Minister for Civil Defence of Sweden host an Informal ministerial-level coordination meeting on CBRN preparedness; participates into the Ceremony on the 10th anniversary of the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) and strengthened rescEU firefighting aircraft Media; participates to the Q&A on the start of the 2023 forest fire season in Europe; receives H.E. Mr Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
• Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi meets Mr Jakov Milatović, President of Montenegro; receives Mr. Marko Čadež, President of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia; receives Mr Lulzim Rafuna, Chairman of the WB6 CIF and President of Kosovo Chamber of Commerce; receives Ms Majlinda Dhuka, Minister of State and Chief Negotiator of Albania.
• Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen visits New York, United States (until 31/05); holds meetings with Mr António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, Ms Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General and other UN interlocutors.
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius receives Mr Luis Planas, Minister for Agriculture of Spain.
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness meets with representatives of the National Farm Business Committee of the Irish Farmers' association (IFA)

Wednesday 31 May

Council of the EU- Swedish Presidency

• Coreper I
• Coreper II

European Parliament

Plenary Session

Debates

• 10 year anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh
• Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence
• Breaches of the Rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds
• Geographical Indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products
• Sexual harassment in the EU and MeToo evaluation
• Strengthening social dialogue

Press Conference

• The Arena of Verona: a European Emotion. One Hundred Years of Opera
• The rule of law situation in Hungary

European Commission

• College Meeting
• President Ursula von der Leyen in Bratislava, Slovakia: delivers a keynote speech at the GLOBSEC 2023 Bratislava Forum.
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans in Delft, the Netherlands: attends the Symposium Momentum.
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager and Mr Valdis Dombrovskis in Luleå, Sweden: participate in the fourth meeting of the EU-US Trade & Technology Council (TTC).
• Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič participates in the working lunch of the 5^th Annual Conference of the Regulatory Scrutiny Board, in Brussels.
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica delivers opening remarks via videoconference for the Media Literacy and Disinformation Conference, organised by MEP Suncana Glavak; delivers a video message for the second annual gathering of the Steering Group of the European Student Assembly (ESA).
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit receives Mr Grzegorz Puda, Minister for Development Funds and Regional Policy of Poland; participates at an event at the European Economic and Social Committee organised by the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism trade unions (EFFAT) entitled ‘Mobile and migrant workers: What's the road ahead for their protection in Europe?'.
• Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni receives Mr Klaas Knot, Governor of the Dutch Central Bank and Chair of the Financial Stability Board; delivers a speech at the Mentor Forum, in Brussels.  
• Commissioner Elisa Ferreira in Lisbon, Portugal: delivers the keynote address at the Lisbon Conference on Youth, organised by Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML) and Radio Renascença.
• Commissioner Ylva Johansson meets with Mr David Miliband, President and CEO of International Rescue Committee.
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič receives Mr David Miliband, President of the International Rescue Committee.
• Commissioner Adina Vălean receives Mr Jon-Ivar Nygård, Minister for Transport of Norway.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson delivers a speech, via videoconference, at the MEF Energy Forum 2023 on Enhancing the ‘Policy-Finance-Energy Technology' Triangle for Energy Resilience and Green.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson in Hannover, Germany: holds a bilateral meeting with Mr Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection; visits the green hydrogen project SALCOS of Salzgitter AG to celebrate the anniversary of REPowerEU, together with Mr Robert Habeck; visits the Salzgitter AG site, and holds a meeting with the group representatives of the SALCOS project.
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness receives representatives of the Finance Committee of the German Bundestag

Thursday 1 June

Meeting of the European Political Community

High-level meeting on Protecting Children: EU support for Reconstruction and Reform of Ukraine’s Child Protection System

Council of the EU-Swedish Presidency

• Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Transport)
• Political and Security Committee

European Parliament

Plenary Session

Debates

• Joint debate - Foreign interference in democratic processes and election Integrity
• Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation
• Election integrity and resilience build-up towards European elections 2024
• Anti-microbial resistance

Votes followed by explanation of votes

• Act in Support of Ammunition Production
• Arrangements between the European Parliament and the ECB on structuring their interaction practices in the area of central banking
• Arrangement with the Republic of Iceland on the modalities of its participation in the European Asylum Support Office
• Nomination of a member of the Court of Auditors - Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz
• Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2023/000 TA 2023 – Technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission
• EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles

Press Conference

• Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union report, including disinformation
• European Union geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, and quality schemes for agricultural products
• Corporate sustainability: companies to address impact on human rights and environment

Parliamentary Committees

• Subcommittee on Public Health

European Commission

• President Ursula von der Leyen à Chisinău, en Moldavie : participe au deuxième sommet de la Communauté politique européenne
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager in Stockholm, Sweden: delivers a keynote speech at the European Innovation Council (EIC) Summit.
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager delivers a keynote speech, via videoconference, at the International Festival of Economics in Turin.
• Commissioner Josep Borrell in Chisinau, Moldova: participates in the Second European Political Community Summit and holds bilateral meetings in the margins.
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová receives Mr Václav Bálek, President of UN Human Rights Council and Permanent Representative of the Czechia to the United Nations.
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn in Madrid, Spain: meets Ms Nadia Calviño, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economy and Digitalization.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit in Turin, Italy (until 02/06): meets with the Director and staff of the European Training Foundation.
• Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni in Turin, Italy: participates in the International Festival of Economics - Torino 2023.
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski receives students from Poznan University of Life Science; receives Mr Marc Pagés, Director General of INTERBEV.
• Commissioner Elisa Ferreira in Porto, Portugal: delivers the keynote address at the Conference - Territorial Cohesion and Competitiveness (70 Years of FEP - School of Economics University Porto).
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič receives the Bureau of European Ambassadors.
• Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen visits San José, Costa Rica; holds meetings with President Rodrigo Chaves Robles, government representatives and civil society.
• Mr Virginijus Sinkevičius in Austria (until 2/6).
• Ms Mairead McGuinness  delivers a keynote speech at the International Banking Summit organised by the European Banking Federation (EBF); receives Mr Klaas Knot, President of the Dutch central bank (De Nederlandshe Bank – DNB); receives Mr Philip R. Lane, member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank (ECB).

Friday 2 June

Council of the EU- Swedish Presidency

• Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications)

European Commission

• Commissioner Josep Borrell in Singapore: participates in the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue.
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica delivers a keynote speech via videoconference for an event on rural communities and food security organised by Mr Piotr Całbecki, President of Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region, Poland. 
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica in Stockholm, Sweden: delivers a keynote speech for the High-Level Meeting on Child Protection, organised by the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union; meets with Ms Camilla Waltersson-Groenvall, Minister for Social Policy of Sweden; meets with Ms Oksana Zholnovych, Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine; meets with Ms Catherine Russel, Executive Director of UNICEF.
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová receives group of Hungarian students.
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas in Madrid, Spain: delivers a keynote speech at the plenary session of the Business Europe Council of Presidents.
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn in Tallinn, Estonia: meets Ms Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister; meets Mr Mart Võrklaev, Minister for Finance.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit in Turin, Italy: participates in the Festival Internazionale dell'Economia in a panel entitled ‘The European Union and the challenges of job changes' and meets with Mr Tito Boeri, Scientific Director of Festival dell'Economia; meets with Mr David Card, winner of the Nobel Prize for Economics.
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides in Ljubljana, Slovenia: meets with Mr Danijel Bešič Loredan, Minister of Health of Slovenia; meets with Ms Irena Šinko, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of Slovenia; visits the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana.
• Commissioner Helena Dalli, in Valletta, Malta: gives an keynote speech at the State of the Union.
• Commissioner Helena Dalli gives an online podcast on Women Empowerment for ‘Il Quotidiano'.
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič participates in an exchange of views with EU Executive Directors of the World Bank.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson receives Ms Rebecca J. Kujawa, President and CEO of NextEra Energy Resources.
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius in Austria. 

22-26 May

Articles and Press Releases of Interest 

• Council confirms 6 to 9 June 2024 as dates for next European Parliament elections Council of the EU Press Release 
• G7 Hiroshima Leaders’ Communiqué 
• Olivér Várhelyi confident in role of EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina High-Level Political Forum in accelerating country’s accession to EU Agence Europe 
• Greek Elections: Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis aiming for outright victory in second vote, Irish Times 
• Macron banks on uranium from Mongolia, offers help with climate targets Euractiv 
• Ireland 'open to reforms' of EU foreign policy and defence veto- Tánaiste Micheál Martin RTE 
• Women’s rights continue to deteriorate in Afghanistan, MEPs say more can be done Euractiv 
• EU hits Meta with record €1.2B privacy fine Politico 
• Italy: over 36,000 people displaced by floods as Giorgia Meloni departs G7 summit early The Guardian 
• UK and EU agree to collaborate over cross-Channel migration Financial Times 
• Council conclusions on addressing the humanitarian funding gap Council of the EU Press Release 

Monday 22 May  

International Summit  

EU-Republic of Korea Summit- The 10th EU-Republic of Korea summit took place in Seoul, as both partners celebrate the 60th anniversary of EU-South Korea diplomatic relations- Information 

Council of the EU-Swedish Presidency  

• Competitiveness Council- Agenda Highlights 
• Foreign Affairs Council- Agenda Highlights 

European Parliament 

Parliamentary Committees 

• Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs 
• Subcommittee on Security and Defence 
• Committee on Budgets 
• Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection 
• Subcommittee on Human Rights 
• Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• President Ursula von der Leyen in Seoul, South Korea: participates in the EU-South Korea Summit. 
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans receives Members of the Agriculture Committee of the Dutch Parliament; and receives Ms Sjoukje Heimovaara, President of the Executive Board of Wageningen University & Research (WUR). 
• Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič receives members of RegWatchEurope. 
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica delivers a video message at the third edition of the Global Policy Forum, organised by Bocconi University and OECD. 
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová in Prague, Czechia: meets with Mr Martin Dvorak, Minister for EU Affairs of Czechia and speaks at the Roundtable discussion with journalists. 
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas in Limassol, Cyprus : meets with Mr Nicos Christodoulides, President of the Republic ; meets with Mr Constantinos Ioannou, Minister of the Interior ; meets with Mrs Athena Michaelidou, Minister of Education, Sport and Youth ; meets with Mrs Stephie Dracos, Minister of Justice ; participates in the inauguration ceremony of the Cyprus Cancer Research Institute ‘Nicola David Pinedo Building'. 
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit receives Ms Judith Kirton-Darling, Deputy General Secretary of industriAll Europe; meets via videoconference with Jean-Philippe Courtois Courtois, Executive Vice-President of Microsoft. 
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides in Nicosia, Cyprus: participates in the inauguration ceremony of the Cyprus Cancer Research Institute. 
• Commissioner Helena Dalli gives a keynote speech at the European Disability Forum Annual General Assembly; gives an online keynote speech at the HSBC Inclusive Panel. 
• Commissioner Helena Dalli gives an online keynote speech for the European Diversity Month in Spain. 
• Commissioner Adina Vălean in Washington, United States of America (until 24/5): meets with representative of the US Chamber of Commerce; meets with Mr Pete Buttigieg , Secretary of Transportation; and addresses the Atlantic Council. 
• Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi meets Mr Bujar Osmani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia; meets Ms Olta Xhaçka Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania; meets Mr José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain; meets Mr Jan Lipavský, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic; meets Mr. Ivica Dačić, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia; meets Mr. Đorđe Radulović, Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of Montenegro. 
• Commissioner Kadri Simson in Weert, the Netherlands: attends a panel discussion and the opening of the SoLarge Factory; meets bilaterally with Mr Rob Jetten, Minister for Climate and Energy Policy. 
• Commissioner Kadri Simson in Roermond, the Netherlands: visits the Sif factory. 
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius meets with members of the Agriculture Committee from the Parliament of the Netherlands. 
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness in London, UK (until 23/05): meets with Lord Kinnoull, Chair of the European Union Committee of the House of Lords; meets with Mr Pedro Serrano, European Union Ambassador to the United Kingdom; attends an event on economic crime and sanctions co-organised by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and the EU Delegation; participates in a roundtable with representatives of the European financial industry;  attends a working lunch with UK business representatives, hosted by the City of London Corporation; meets with consumer organisations on consumer protection, vulnerability, financial inclusion and financial literacy. 
• Commissioner Didier Reynders in Ljubljana, Slovenia: meets with Ms. Dominika Švarc Pipan, Minister of Justice, with Mr Marko Štucin, Secretary of State, and with Mr. Ladislav Hamran, President of Eurojust; holds a dialogue with students; participates in the MLA Diplomatic Conference; participates in the 8^th EU Day against Impunity. 

Tuesday 23 May 

Council of the EU-Swedish Presidency  

• Foreign Affairs Council (Defence)- Agenda Highlights 

European Parliament 

Press Conference 

• The EU ratification of Istanbul Convention on combating violence against women 

Parliamentary Committees  

• Joint meeting of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and the Committee on Development 
• Committee on Budgets 
• Subcommittee on Security and Defence 
• Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection 
• Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs 
• Subcommittee on Human Rights 
• Committee on Development 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• Commissioner Frans Timmermans receives Mr Dietmar Woidke, Minister-President of Brandenburg (Germany). 
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans in Utrecht, the Netherlands: attends the Captains of Innovation event on ‘Bringing consumption within planetary boundaries' together with representatives from the food and agricultural sector. 
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager meets with the international task-force of the Danish Trade Union Dansk Metal, in Brussels. 
• Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič receives Mr Dietmar Woidke, Minister-President of Brandenburg, together with Mr Jörg Steinbach, Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour and Energy, and Ms Katrin Lange, Minister for Finance and European Affairs; delivers a keynote speech at the Brussels Connection event, organised by European Movement Ireland. 
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica participates in the conference ‘The role of Ukrainian women in the Russian war of aggression', organised by Ms Pina Picierno, Vice-President of the European Parliament; receives Mr Bertrand Bainvel, Director of UNICEF's Public Partnership Brussels Office; meets with Mr Hrvoje Balen, President of HUP - Information and Communications Association, and with members of the Croatian Employers Association. 
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová speaks at the 5th European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities event Building an inclusive future for persons with disabilities in the EU; speaks via video conference at the European Council on Foreign Relations discussion on challenge that Russia's war in Ukraine constitutes for European culture and values; receives Mr Karel Kovanda, Senior Advisor at Covington & Burling; speaks at the conference ‘5 years of the GDPR. [Still] a benchmark in the EU digital landscape?'. 
• Commissioner Margartis Schinas in Limassol, Cyprus : meets with Mrs Anita Demetriou, President of the House of Representatives; meets with the Archbishop of Cyprus, Georgios. 
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit receives Mr Dietmar Woidke, Minister-President of Brandenburg. 
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski delivers an opening speech at ‘Sustainability in Agriculture & Food Systems – Innovation, Indicators & Implementation', conference organised by ReImagine-Europa in Brussels; receives Mr Spiro Stefanou, Administrator of the Economic Research Service at the US Department of Agriculture. 
• Commissioner Helena Dalli gives a keynote speech at the European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities; gives an online keynote speech at the Bucharest Leaders Summit. 
• Commissioner Adina Vălean in Washington, United States of America:  meets with representatives of the Congress: Mr Sam Graves, Mr Garret Graves, Mr Daniel Webster, Mr Rick Larsen, Mr Bill Keating and Ms Julia Brownley; meets with senior representatives of Airlines for America (A4A). 
• Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi participates in the conference Minority rights in the EU enlargement process; meets Mr László Brenzovics, President of the Cultural Alliance of Hungarians in Sub-Carpathia; meets with Mr Petro Poroshenko, former President of Ukraine; meets with Mr Edin Forto, Minister of Communications and Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina; meets the Delegation of Foundation for a Civic Hungary. 
• Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen receives Ms Dominique Hasler, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport of Liechtenstein; receives Mr Vasco Alv​​es Cordeiro, President of the European Committee of the Regions. 
• Commissioner Kadri Simson delivers a keynote speech, via videoconference, on the opening day of the 16th OMC Med Energy Conference and Exhibition; hosts the EU-Moldova Energy Dialogue, in Brussels, Belgium; and receives Mr James Danly, Commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) of the United States. 
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness in London, UK: meets with Mr Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Mr Andrew Griffith, Economy Secretary to the Treasury;  meets with Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England;  participates in a keynote interview at the 3rd Moral Money Summit Europe organised by the Financial Times; attends a working lunch on green finance organised by the Irish Embassy. 
• Commissioner Didier Reynders participates via videoconference in the 11^th annual Forum Europe E-Commerce Conference; participates via videoconference in a colloquium organised for the 45th anniversary of CNIL; meets with Mr. Ramona Pop, Executive Director of the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband – vzbv); participates in the 5th edition of the Data Science & Law Forum of Microsoft; participates in the 5th anniversary event of EDPS (European Data Protection Supervisor). 

Wednesday 24 May 

Council of the EU- Swedish Presidency 

• Coreper I 
• Coreper II 
• Political and Security Committee 

European Parliament  

President Roberta Metsola attending celebration to mark the 25th anniversary of the European Central Bank, in Frankfurt, Germany 

Parliamentary Committees  

• Committee on Budgetary Control 
• Committee on Foreign Affairs 
• Committee on International Trade 
• Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety 
• Committee on Fisheries 
• Committee on Culture and Education 
• Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality 
• Committee on Transport and Tourism 
• Committee on Constitutional Affairs 
• Joint meeting of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs 
• Joint meeting of the Committee on Budgetary Control and the Committee on Budgets 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• College Meeting 
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager receives Mr Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google. 
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová receives Mr Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google. 
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica receives Mr Arno Kompatscher, President of the province of Bozen/Bolzano (Italy).   
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas receives Mr Mykhaïlo Fedorov, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology ; receives Mr Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet. 
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit in Berlin, Germany: delivers a keynote speech at the ETUC 15th Congress; delivers a keynote speech at the European Year of Skills event organised by the Commission Representation in Germany. 
• Commissioner Thierry Breton receives Mr Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google. 
• Commissioner Helena Dalli gives a keynote speech at Committee of Regions for Diversity Month. 
• Commissioner Ylva Johansson participates in the PES Migration meeting. 
• Commissioner Adina Vălean in in Seattle, United States of America: visits Boeing Everett Factory; and Amazon facilities. 
• Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi in Kosovo (until 25/05). 
• Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen receives Mr Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania. 
• Commissioner Didier Reynders participates via videoconference in the annual conference of CPDP (Computers, Privacy and Data Protection). 

Thursday 25 May 

Council of the EU-Swedish Presidency 

• Foreign Affairs Council (Trade)- Agenda Highlights  

European Parliament  

President’s Diary 

• President Roberta Metsola in Vienna, Austria delivering a speech at the Austrian National Council plenary 

Parliamentary Committees 

• Special Committee on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation (INGE 2) 
• Committee on Culture and Education 
• Committee on International Trade 
• Committee on Budgetary Control 
• Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs 
• Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety 
• Committee on Foreign Affairs 
• Committee on Transport and Tourism 
• Committee on Constitutional Affairs 
• Joint meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on International Trade 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• Commissioner Frans Timmermans in New Delhi, India (until 26/5): meets with government representatives, stakeholders and civil society to prepare COP28 UN Climate Change Conference and take stock of the progress and latest national policies on climate, energy and environment. 
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager delivers a keynote speech at the European Parliament's Renew Europe Group event ‘Ukraine's Vision for Digital Democracy: a Model for the EU', with Mr Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology and Minister for Digital Transformation; participates in the Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht's International Forum on EU Competition Law 2023. 
• Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič receives members of the UK House of Lords Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. 
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová attends a debate with students of Atheneum Brussels; receives Ms Diana Wallis, President of EU DisinfoLab; speaks at the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) Annual Conference. 
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica in Sibenik, Croatia: participates in the PHILEA Forum 2023, hosted by the National Foundation for Civil Society Development of Croatia. 
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides delivers, via videoconference, a speech at the webinar ‘Europe's Beating Cancer Plan - First EU4Health Project Showcase', organised by the European Commission for the European Week Against Cancer. 
• Commissioner Ylva Johansson participates in a Political trilogue on Screening. 
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness receives Mr Fredrik Persson, President of BusinessEurope; meets with Irish students, winners of MEP Sean Kelly's annual transition year essay competition. 
• Commissioner Helena Dalli gives an online keynote speech for Open for Business and Prout at Work online event. 
• Commissioner Didier Reynders participates via videoconference in the International conference ‘Digital Czech Republic'; participates via videoconference in the first World Summit of Business Mediation; receives Mr. Fredrik Persson, President of Business Europe. 
• Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen visits Helsinki, Finland. 
• Commissioner Kadri Simson in Tartu, Estonia: delivers a keynote speech at the Estonian Hydrogen Days 2023; and meets with Members of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia). 

Friday 26 May 

European Commissioners’ Activities 

• Commissioner Frans Timmermans in New Delhi, India: meets with government representatives, stakeholders and civil society to prepare COP28 UN Climate Change Conference and take stock of the progress and latest national policies on climate, energy and environment. 
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager in Stockholm, Sweden: delivers a keynote speech at the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) annual Congress. 
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová in Stockholm, Sweden: speaks at the ALDE Party Congress. 
• Commissioner Dubravka Šuica delivers a video message at the PanHellenic Conference of the Maternal Fetal Society. 
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit in Porto, Portugal: participates in the Porto Social Forum side events at the Super Bock Arena. 
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides in Nicosia, Cyprus: delivers a speech to the 19th Annual General Meeting of Europa Uomo Cyprus. 
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides in Larnaca, Cyprus: visits Europa Donna House. 
• Commissioner Helena Dalli gives an online keynote speech at the Public Conference of the 2023 Oll Europe Community Event and at the SUPER Final Conference. 
• Commissioner Ylva Johansson gives a virtual address at the ‘Shame European Stories Nordic Exhibition' opening event. 
• Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen receives Mr Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of the Development Bank of Latin America. 

15-19 May

Articles and Press Releases of Interest

• Migration: Council will sign agreement with Montenegro on Frontex cooperation Press Release
• G7 and EU to ban restart of Russian gas pipelines Financial Times
• EU’s Michel hails prospect of peace after high-stakes Armenia-Azerbaijan talks Politico
• EU and UN run rival candidates for UN migration body Euractiv
• Turkey faces runoff election with Erdogan leading Reuters
• Turkish elections 2023 Politico coverage
• Czechia fumes after Orbán compares EU with Hitler’s plans Euractiv
• 13 Members States criticise grain agreement with EU countries close to Ukraine Agence Europe
• Germany, Ukraine willing to strengthen business relations Euractiv
• EU welcomes commitment of rival military forces to protect civilians and calls on both sides to respect it Agence Europe
• EU’s Mariya Gabriel nominated to be Bulgaria’s new prime minister Politico
• Competitiveness: Emmanuel Macron’s call for a “European regulatory pause” interpreted in different ways by EU institutions Agence Europe
• EU and India to conclude Memorandum of Understanding on semiconductors by September 2023 Agence Europe

Monday 15 May

Council of the EU- Swedish Presidency

• Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council- Agenda
• 50th Meeting of Directors-General within the framework of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism Information
• Eurogroup

European Parliament

Delegations this week

• Committee on Petitions delegation to Romania The Committee on Petitions will travel to Romania from 15 to 18 May to investigate issues raised by petitioners -illegal logging and the management and protection of the brown bear population- a group of eight MEPs will travel to Bucharest, Sfântu Gheorghe and Suceava in Romania and meet the Romanian Minister of Environment Mr Barna Tánczos, other government officials, local residents, NGOs and other stakeholders about environmental issues.
• Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development delegation to the Netherlands A delegation of five members, led by chair of Agriculture and Rural Development Committee Norbert Lins (EPP, DE) will visit the Netherlands from 15 to 17 May. MEPs will meet with Mr Piet Adema, Minister of Agriculture of the Netherlands and stakeholders representing the horticulture sector. The delegation will also discuss breeding techniques, ecological farming, water management, nutrients and recent farmers’ protests in the Netherlands with farmers, vegetable breeders and fruit growers.
• Committee on Civil Liberties delegation to the U.S. A Civil Liberties Committee delegation will travel to Washington D.C. from 15 to 18 May to meet with members of Congress, representatives from the Federal Trade Commission, the Departments of State and Justice, the Data Protection Review Court, Office of the Director of National Intelligence as well as stakeholders from tech companies and NGOs. MEPs will discuss priorities such as transatlantic data flows, privacy, children's safety, counter-terrorism, antitrust policy and women's rights
• Committee on Development delegation to Senegal A delegation of 7 MEPs from the Committee on Development will travel to Senegal from 15-17 May 2023. The delegation will be led by Catherine Chabaud (Renew, FR), and will review the EU's development portfolio in the country, including on: vaccine development, EU support for the Great Green Wall, climate adaptation, and female empowerment. The mission will include visits to the Institut Pasteur and to a selection of EU funded projects. Meetings with the Senegalese authorities, local actors and civil society are also foreseen.
• Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs delegation to Japan Between 15 and 17 May, a six-strong delegation of MEPs from the Committee on Economic and Monetary affairs will be in Japan. There they will meet parliamentarians and representatives of the Bank of Japan, the ministry of finance, the financial services supervisory authority, and the Tokyo stock exchange.
• Committee on Fisheries delegation to Ireland Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries will take stock of the challenges posed by Brexit, during a visit to Waterford, Wexford and Rosslare, Ireland, from 15 to 17 May. Programme
• Committee on Foreign Affairs delegation to Washington, D.C. and Wisconsin A delegation from the Foreign Affairs Committee will visit Washington, D.C. and Wisconsin where MEPs will discuss a wide range of issues, including Ukraine, Russia, China, Indo-Pacific, Iran, EU-U.S. energy security cooperation, cybersecurity and fighting false narratives with representatives of the U.S. Department of State, House of Representatives, Senate, think tanks and non-profit organisations. 15-18 May 2023
• Committee on Transport and Tourism delegation to Indonesia From 15 to 17 May, a delegation from the Committee on Transport and Tourism is visiting Indonesia to discuss common challenges facing transport, decarbonisation and tourism initiatives and cooperation between the EU and ASEAN.
• Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality delegation to Denmark A delegation of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee will visit Denmark from 15 to 17 May 2023. The delegation will focus on women’s entrepreneurship and will include meetings with representatives of both the public and private sector, members of the Danish Parliament and NGOs.
• Delegation from the Industry, Research and Energy committee (ITRE) to Finland From Monday to Wednesday MEP will hold visits to Finland - Eurajoki, Olkiluoto, Rauma, Pori, Tampere and Espoo to discuss developments related to energy, including on nuclear waste management and gas, ICT and research. The delegation from the Industry, Research and Energy committee (ITRE) will consist of six MEPs and will be led by Henna Virkkunen (EPP, FI).
• Security and Defence subcommittee delegation to Romania and Moldova From 15 to 18 May, a delegation of Security and Defence subcommittee MEPs will travel to Romania and Moldova. They will meet with the national authorities, representatives of the National Chambers from both countries, international partners and members of the think tank community. They will visit the NATO multinational Battalion in Cincu, Romania ; the city of Hirbovat in Moldova, and the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM Ukraine). A press conference is planned on Thursday, at the end of the visit.

European Commissioners’ Activities

• President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a speech at the Beyond Growth Conference in the European Parliament; holds a press conference ahead of the G7 Summit, together with Mr Charles Michel, President of the European Council; receives Mr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India; Mr Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry of India; and Mr Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology of India.
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans in Taranto, Italy: meets with representatives from the Municipality of Taranto and the entrepreneurs of the ‘Green Hydrogen Valley' of Taranto; participates in a Citizen's Dialogue; speaks, via videoconference at the Sustainable Development Festival 2023 of the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development (ASviS); meets with Mr Rinaldo Melucci, Mayor of Taranto, and Mr Michele Emiliano, President of the Apulia Region; visits the Beleolico offshore wind farm of Taranto.
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager meets with Ms Nadia Calviño, First Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister for the Economy and Digital Transformation; meets via videoconference with Mr Volker Wissing, Minister for Digital and Transport of Germany.
• Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič participates in the Beyond Growth 2023 Conference at the European Parliament.
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová receives Ms Susanne Raab, Minister for Women, Family, Integration and Media of Austria.
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas participates in the Education, Youth and Culture Council.
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn in Salzburg, Austria: delivers a keynote speech at the Salzburger Wirtschaftsforum2023.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit in Stockholm, Sweden: delivers a keynote speech at the Occupational safety and health summit, co-organised by the European Commission and the Swedish Presidency.
• Commissioner Thierry Breton receives Mr Jacob Engel-Schmidt, Minister for Culture of Denmark; receives Mr Frank Vandenbroucke, Minister for Health of Belgium
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides in Tokyo, Japan: visits the National Cancer Centre of Japan; meets with Mr Tetsuro Nomura, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson delivers a keynote speech, via videoconference, at the seventh edition of the Sustainable Development Festival on the  ‘Central role European Union is playing in promoting shared solutions on decarbonisation and energy efficiency'; receives representatives of the energy and renewable companies, gathered under the ‘10-Point Plan'.
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius receives Mr Mario Zanetti, President of Costa Crociere; receives representatives of the civil society to discuss Fisheries and Oceans policies.
• Commissioner Didier Reynders receives Mr. Philippe Close, Mayor of Brussels city; participates via videoconference in the official launch of the new Western-Balkans Criminal Justice project of Eurojust; participates via videoconference in the Global Solutions Summit 2023. 

Tuesday 16 May

Council of the EU- Swedish Presidency

• Economic and Financial Affairs Council- Agenda
• Political and Security Committee- Meeting information

European Commissioners’ Activities

• President Ursula von der Leyen in Reykjavik, Iceland: meets Ms Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland ; participates in the Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe.
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans delivers an opening speech at the European Council of Young Farmers, in Brussels.  
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager and Mr Thierry Breton participate in the EU-India Trade and Technology (EU-India TTC) Council, with Mr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister for External Affairs of India, Mr Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister for Commerce and Industry of India, and Mr Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Commerce, Electronics and Information Technology of India; participate in an event on technology in the context of the EU-India TTC, alongside Mr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Mr Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in Brussels.
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas participates in the Education, Youth and Culture Council ; delivers a via videoconference keynote speech at the CISCO Networking Academy EMEA Partner Conference.
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn receives Mr Martin Polaschek, Federal Minister for Education, Science and Research of Austria; receives Mr Tibor Navracsics, Minister for Regional Development and EU Funds of Hungary.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit in Stockholm, Sweden: attends the second day of the Occupational safety and health summit; visits a construction industry security park in Märsta specialised in designing health and safety measures and products for the workplace.
• Commissioner Thierry Breton delivers a keynote speech at the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (IMEC) Technology Forum (ITF World), in Antwerp; participates in the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Ministerial meeting and the stakeholder meeting, in Brussels; receives Mr Piyush Goyal, Minister for Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Textiles of India.
• Commissioner Ylva Johansson, together with Mr Josep Borrell, hosts a High-Level meeting with Western Balkans on the Implementation of the Specific Actions for South East Europe of the EU Action Plan on Firearms Trafficking 2020-2025.
• Commissioner Ylva Johansson, together with Mr Filip Adžić, Minister of the Interior for Montenegro, signs an agreement between the European Union and Montenegro on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in Montenegro.
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius participates in the Beyond Growth Conference and delivers a speech on the unsustainable interdependence of resource consumption, GHG emissions and GDP growth; holds a bilateral meeting with Mr Francesc Rubiralta Rubio, Chairman and CEO of CELSA Group and President of EUROFER (European Steel Association).
• Commissioner Didier Reynders receives Mr. Gunnar Strömmer, Minister of Justice of Sweden.

Wednesday 17 May

Council of the EU- Swedish Presidency

• Coreper I
• Coreper II
• Political and Security Committee

European Commissioners’ Activities

• College Meeting
• President Ursula von der Leyen in Reykjavik, Iceland: participates in the Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe.
• Commissioner Margrethe Vestager and Mr Nicolas Schmit participate in the first meeting of the EU-US Talent for Growth Task Force, a group set up under the EU-US Trade and Technology Council.
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas, together with Ms Stella Kyriakides, participates in a working lunch with Xavier Becerra, US Health State Secretary.
• Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni delivers a video message at the Beyond Growth 2023 Conference for the ‘Plenary 6 – The power of economic models on decision-making and society at large', organised by the European Parliament.
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski receives business delegation from Lithuania, led by Mr Vidmantas Janulevičius, President of the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists.
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides receives Mr Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services for an EU-US Health Dialogue of the United States.
• Commissioner Helena Dalli gives a keynote speech at the IDAHOT Netherlands Embassy event.
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič in Washington, United States: meets Ms Anna Bjerde, World Bank's Managing Director for Operations; Ms Uzra Zeya, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights; Ms Samatha Power, Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson in Valletta, Malta (until 18/5): participates in the EU/MED9 Ministerial Meeting.
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius meets with a business delegation of the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, in Brussels.

Thursday 18 May

European Commissioners’ Activities

• Commission holiday
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans in Lodz, Poland: meets with Polish Mayors of the Union of Polish Metropolises; gives an opening speech at the Lodz Climate Congress 2023; and holds a youth dialogue.
• Commissioner Frans Timmermans in Konin, Poland: visits the ZE PAK electrolyser facility; and meets with local representatives.
• Commissioner Thierry Breton in Cannes, France: meets with Ms Rima Abdul-Malak, Minister for Culture of France; meets with Ms Delphine Ernotte, CEO of France TV and President of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU); delivers a keynote speech at the European Film Forum; participates in the high-level roundtable meeting with CEOs of the European Audiovisual industry on: ‘How to foster the autonomy of the EU Audiovisual Industry'; participates in the opening event of the ‘Immersive Installation Murals: Banksy in Ukraine'.
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides delivers a speech, via videoconference, for the European Cancer Nursing Day.
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič in New York, United States: participates in the United Nations High-Level Meeting on the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, meets Mr Bill Blair, Canadian Minister for Emergency Preparedness; holds several other bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the event.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson in Valletta, Malta: participates in the EU/ MED9 Ministerial Meeting.
• Commissioner Didier Reynders in Lisbon, Portugal: meets with members of the parliament, with Mr. Tiago Antunes, State Secretary in charge of EU Affairs, and with Mr. Catarina Sarmento e Castro, Minister of Justice.

Friday 19 May

European Commissioners’ Activities

• Commission holiday
• President Ursula von der Leyen in Hiroshima, Japan: participates in the G7 Summit, hosted by Japan, Presidency of the G7.
• Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni in Lisbon, Portugal (until 20/05): meets with Mr Fernando Medina, Minister of Finance; participates in the Bilderberg Meetings.
• Commissioner Didier Reynders in Lisbon, Portugal: participates in the Bilderberg Meeting.

Look Ahead

• Competitiveness Council, 22-23 May- Agenda
• Foreign Affairs Council, 22 May- Agenda
• Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), 23 May- Agenda
• Foreign Affairs Council (Trade), 25 May- Agenda

8-12 May

Articles and Press Releases of Interest

• Corruption as an obstacle to development: Council approves conclusions Press Release
• Statement by President von der Leyen on the end of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Launch of an alliance to develop a European-wide hydropower strategy Agence Europe
• All hail Queen Ursula! The European Commission president’s likely bid for a second term is looking more like a coronation than a democratic deliberation. Politico
• Iran: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the execution of Mr Habib Chaab Council of the EU Statement
• Prime Minister of Slovakia has resigned, President to appoint a new government Euractiv
• EU steps up efforts to clamp down on Russia sanctions evasion Financial Times
• EU ministers want a “balance between accessibility and affordability” of medicines in EU Agence Europe
• French right-wing MPs want referendum to ‘control’ immigration Euractiv
• Ireland: Politicians and diplomats visit schools to mark Europe Day RTE

Monday 8 May

European Parliament

Plenary Session

Debates

• Resumption of session and order of business
• Methane emissions reduction in the energy sector- Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
• Adoption of the Act in support of ammunition production
• Joint debate - EU Budget and Own Resources- Impact on the 2024 EU budget of increasing European Union Recovery Instrument borrowing costs- Committee on Budgets
• Own resources: a new start for EU finances, a new start for Europe- Committee on Budgets

Short presentations of the following reports:

• Implementation of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive- Committee on Culture and Education
• School's scheme for fruit, vegetables, milk and dairy products- Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
• Co-management of fisheries in the EU- Committee on Fisheries

Parliamentary Committees

• Committee of Inquiry to investigate the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware

European Commissioners’ Activities

• Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis holds a videoconference with Hon Don Farrell, Special Minister of State and Minister for Trade and Tourism of Australia; participates in the reception for the Day of the Restoration of Latvian Independence and Europe's Day, organised by the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Latvia to the European Union. 
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas in Thessaloniki, Greece: delivers remarks at the ‘Students of Thessaloniki for a creative Europe' event organised by the directorate of secondary education of eastern Thessaloniki; delivers remarks at the ‘Discourse on Europe: initiatives-actions-opportunities' event organised by the directorate of secondary education of western Thessaloniki.
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn in Vilnius, Lithuania: meets Mr Gitanas Nausėda, President of the Republic of Lithuania; meets Ms Ingrida Šimonytė, Prime Minister; meets Ms Gintarė Skaistė, Finance Minister.
• Commissioner Mariya Gabriel in Sofia, Bulgaria (until 09/05): participates in the award ceremony of the ‘Car racing championship for people with disabilities'; meets with scientists Ms Nikola Iliev, Ms Bonka Vatchev, Mr Patrick Cnubben, and Ms Carmen Font Espagne, to discuss young researchers and Hydrogen Valleys.
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski in Warsaw, Poland: participates in meeting of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development of the Polish Sejm.
• Commissioner Thierry Breton in Granada and Burgos, Spain: visits ammunition factories.
• Commissioner Helena Dalli in Valletta, Malta: gives a keynote speech at Transform Ed, a European summit on education transformation, gives an interview for Maltese TV programme dotEU.
• Commissioner Ylva Johansson chairs a virtual High Level Resettlement forum.
• Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen visits Oulu, Finland, visits Nokia Networks and holds public Commissioner's Question Hour; visits Kajaani, Finland, visits supercomputer LUMI and Kajaani University of Applied Sciences; holds public Commissioner's Question Hour.
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness in Ireland: visits, in association with European Movement Ireland's Blue Star Programme, St. Ita's School and Aston Village Education Together National School, in Drogheda, Co. Louth, and St. Patrick's National School, in Stamullen, Co. Meath.

Tuesday 9 May

European Parliament

Plenary Session

Debates

• Revision of the Stability and Growth Pact
• Key Debate: This is Europe - Debate with the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz

Votes

• Application of Union tariff rate quotas and other import quotas to certain products transferred to Northern Ireland- Committee on International Trade
• Specific rules relating to medicinal products for human use intended to be placed on the market of Northern Ireland- Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
• Specific rules relating to the entry into Northern Ireland from other parts of the United Kingdom of certain consignments of retail goods, plants for planting, seed potatoes, machinery and certain vehicles operated for agricultural or forestry purposes, as well as non-commercial movements of certain pet animals into Northern Ireland- Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
• Macro-financial assistance to Moldova- Committee on International Trade
• EU/Euratom/Ukraine Association Agreement: temporary trade liberalisation supplementing trade concessions applicable to Ukrainian products- Committee on International Trade
• EU/Brazil Agreement: modification of concessions on all the tariff rate quotas included in the EU Schedule CLXXV as a consequence of the United Kingdom`s withdrawal from the European Union- Committee on International Trade
• Methane emissions reduction in the energy sector- Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
• Accession to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications- Committee on Legal Affairs
• Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2022/003 ES/Alu Ibérica – Spain- Committee on Budgets
• New EU Urban Mobility Framework- Committee on Transport and Tourism
• Critical technologies for security and defence- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
• Co-management of fisheries in the EU Committee on Fisheries Role of cohesion policy in addressing multidimensional environmental challenges in the Mediterranean Basin- Committee on Regional Development
• Implementation of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive- Committee on Culture and Education
• School's scheme for fruit, vegetables, milk and dairy products- Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
• Standardisation strategy for the single market- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Debates (or at the end of the votes)

• Joint debate - Discharge 2021- Committee on Budgetary Control
• Joint debate - EU accession to the Istanbul Convention on violence against women- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
• Situation in Sudan
• 2022 Report on Serbia- Committee on Foreign Affairs
• 2022 Report on Kosovo- Committee on Foreign Affairs
• Start of the European Year of skills
• Empowering consumers for the green transition- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Press Conferences

• Briefing Renew Europe
• Briefing EPP
• Briefing S&D
• Briefing The Left
• Briefing Greens/ EFA
• The adoption of the PEGA report and recommendations in committee
• The report on the cohesion policy in the Mediterranean basin
• EurHope: a participatory engagement campaign by JEF and Make.org for the European Elections

European Commissioners’ Activities

• Commissioner Frans Timmermans in Paris, France: delivers closing remarks and participates in the fireside chat of the Conference on the Future of Finance 2023; meets bilaterally with Michael R. Bloomberg, Co-Chair of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Energy and Climate.
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas in Athens, Greece: meets with Mr Manos Logothetis, Secretary General of the Ministry of Migration; delivers training awards to volunteer firefighters; delivers remarks via videoconference to the ‘Attracting Talent' event; delivers a keynote speech at the event on skills organised by the European Commission Representation in Athens at the occasion of the 9^th of May.
• Commissioner Mariya Gabriel in Sofia, Bulgaria: participates in a Citizens' Dialogue on: ‘Education and Innovation - Synergies and Challenges', on the occasion of Europe Day.
• Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni delivers a video message at the event: ‘Festival dello Sviluppo Sostenibile 2023' organised by the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development (ASviS, by its acronym in Italian).
• Commissioner Stella Kyriakides in Nicosia, Cyprus: participates in an event organised by the Municipality of Nicosia on Europe Day; delivers a keynote speech at the House of Representatives on the Future of Europe; delivers a keynote speech at the event organised by the Representation of the European Commission on Europe day.
• Commissioner Helena Dalli gives an online speech for Europe Day.
• Commissioner Janez Lenarčič in Ljubljana, Slovenia: opens the Europe Day celebrations together with Ms Nataša Pirc Musar, President of Slovenia at Kongresni trg; participates at a round table with students of Faculty of Social Science about the functioning of the EU crisis mechanism in practice.
• Commissioner Adina-Ioana Vălean in Chisniau, Moldova: meets with Ms Maia Sandu, President of Moldova; meets with Mr Dorin Recean, Prime Minister of Moldova; participates in the signing ceremony of the Affiliation of Moldova to Connecting Europe Facility; participates in the signing ceremony of the Bridges Agreement between Romania and Moldova; meets with Ms Lilia Dabija, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development of Moldova; holds a public conference titled "Connecting Moldova to Europe" at the Academy of Economic Studies.
• Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen visits Kuopio, Finland, gives a speech at the Puijo Summit and visits Karelia Air Command.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson in Tallinn, Estonia: attends the Europe Day seminar and the announcement of the European of the Year award winner ceremony; participates in the panel discussion about Estonia's achievements in the European Union with Ms Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia, Mr Urmo Soonvald, Delfi news portal editor-in-chief and Mr Taavi Madiberk, Skeleton Technologies OÜ CEO; participates in the GreenFest dedicated to biodiversity; delivers an opening remarks at the Europe Day concert on Freedom Square.
• Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius in Vilnius, Lithuania: participates in Europe's Day commemoration and opening of the exhibition in Vilnius Town Hall; participates in the raising of flags ceremony; participates in the Europeans of the Year Awards; participates in Europe's Day official reception.
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness in Dublin, Ireland: delivers an address to Seanad Éireann (Upper House of the Oireachtas), to mark Europe Day 2023 and Ireland's 50 years of membership in the EU.

Wednesday 10 May

Council of the European Union- Swedish Presidency

• Coreper I
• Coreper II
• Political and Security Committee

European Parliament

Plenary Session

Key Debate- The role of farmers as enablers of the green transition and a resilient agricultural sector

Formal Sitting- Address by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal

Votes

• 2022 Report on Serbia Report: Vladimír Bilčík (A9-0172/2023) [2022/2204(INI)] Committee on Foreign Affairs 2022
• Report on Kosovo Report: Viola von Cramon-Taubadel (A9-0174/2023) [2022/2201(INI)] Committee on Foreign Affairs
• Impact on the 2024 EU budget of increasing European Union Recovery Instrument borrowing costs Report: Johan Van Overtveldt (A9-0163/2023) [2023/2037(BUI)] Committee on Budgets
• Own resources: a new start for EU finances, a new start for Europe Report: Valérie Hayer, José Manuel Fernandes (A9-0155/2023) [2022/2172(INI)] Committee on Budgets
• Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence – EU accession: institutions and public administration of the Union Report: Arba Kokalari, Łukasz Kohut (A9-0169/2023) [2016/0062A(NLE)] Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
• Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence - EU accession: judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement Report: Arba Kokalari, Łukasz Kohut (A9-0170/2023) [2016/0062B(NLE)] Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

Debates (or at the end of votes)

• Externalising asylum applications and making funding to third countries conditional on the implementation of return agreements [2023/2690(RSP)]
• Ukrainian cereals on the European market [2023/2695(RSP)]
• Update of the anti-corruption legislative framework [2023/2685(RSP)]
• Roadmap on a Social Europe: two years after Porto [2023/2586(RSP)]
• Fighting cyberbullying of young people across the EU [2023/2697(RSP)]
• Adequacy of the protection afforded by the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework [2023/2501(RSP)]

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144)

• Media freedom and freedom of expression in Algeria, the case of journalist Ihsane ElKadi
• Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka
• Myanmar, notably the dissolution of democratic political parties
• New Oil Drilling in Alaska – impact on the global climate crisis and the rights of indigenous peoples
• Explanations of votes

Press Conferences

• Commission's discharge for the financial year 2021, including the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF)
• The 2022 Commission Reports on Kosovo and Serbia
• EU-Railways : blood rail tracks of profit or people's fight for secure and affordable railway transports
• EU budget: Repaying the recovery plan, new "Own Resources"

European Commissioners’ Activities

• Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis in Strasbourg, France: participates in the meeting of Conference of Delegation Chairs of the European Parliament.
• Commissioner Josep Borrell and Mr Thierry Breton participate in a joint meeting with representatives of the European defence industry.
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová attends via video conference the Europa Day Online Quiz organized by University of Cork; meets via video conference with Ms Lucie Fukova, Czech Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs; speaks at the event “Integration of Ukraine into the EU and NATO.
• Commissioner Mariya Gabriel in Tokyo, Japan (until 14/05): (Sendai) attends the G7 Science and Technology Ministers' Meeting; (Toyama) attends the G7 Education Ministers' Meeting.
• Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni in Niigata, Japan (until 13 May): participates in the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting.
• Commissioner Elisa Ferreira in Lisbon, Portugal: is the keynote speaker at the event for the presentation of the Digital Financial Literacy Strategy for Portugal organised by the Bank of Portugal; meets with Ms Fabrizia Lapecorella, OECD Deputy Secretary-General.
• Commissioner Adina-Ioana Vălean in Constanța, Romania: meets with Mr Vergil Chițac, Mayor of Constanța, Mihai Lupu, County President, Mr Silviu Cosa, Prefect, Mr Mihnea Drumea, State Secretary and Mr Bogdan Hutuca, Senator at Constanta City Hall; participates in CEF handing over ceremony at the Port of Constanța; visits the Port of Constanta; visits DP World Container terminal in Constanta.
• Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi meets Ms Irena Andrassy Ambassador of Croatia and Mr Vladimir Drobnjak, Consultant for the North Macedonia Government and Croatia's former chief negotiator.

Thursday 11 May

Council of the European Union- Swedish Presidency

• Political and Security Committee

European Parliament

Plenary Session

Debates

• European Citizens' Initiative "Stop Finning – Stop the trade"

Joint debate - Oceans, biodiversity and fisheries

• Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries
• Agreement of the IGC on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (High Seas Treaty)
• Towards a strong and sustainable EU algae sector

Votes

• Media freedom and freedom of expression in Algeria, the case of journalist Ihsane ElKadi
• Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka
• Myanmar, notably the dissolution of democratic political parties
• Empowering consumers for the green transition
• Objection pursuant to Rule 112 (2) and (3): Genetically modified cotton 281-24-236 x 3006-210-23
• Roadmap on a Social Europe: two years after Porto
• Adequacy of the protection afforded by the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework
• Towards a strong and sustainable EU algae sector

Debates

• Prohibiting chick and duckling killing in EU law

Parliamentary Committees

• Subcommittee on Public Health

Debates

• Exchange of views on 'EU action to combat antimicrobial resistance'
• Exchange of views on 'Non-communicable diseases'

• Joint meeting of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

European Commissioners’ Activities

• Commissioner Frans Timmermans in Rotterdam, The Netherlands: delivers a speech at the World Hydrogen Summit 2023  
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová in Berlin, Germany: meets with Ms Nancy Faeser, Minister of Interior of Germany, Ms Claudia Roth, Minister of State in the Chancellery and Federal Commissioner for Culture and the Media; Members of the German Bundestag; Committees for European Affairs, Legal affairs, Culture and Media and Digital affairs; representatives of NGOs; Russian independent journalists and speaks at the Round table hosted by the Bertelsmann Foundation.
• Commissioner Margaritis Schinas participates in the 5^th European Defence Security Summit.
• Commissioner Johannes Hahn : in Copenhagen, Denmark: meets Mr Nicolai Wammen, Minister for Finance; participates in the Nordea AAA Seminar 2023.
• Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni in Niigata, Japan (until 13 May): participates in the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting; delivers pre-recorded closing remarks at the event: ‘Centralisation vs decentralisation of the EU fiscal framework' at the 5^th annual conference of the European Fiscal Board (EFB).
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski receives Mr Faruk Kaymakcı, Ambassador of Türkiye to the European Union.
• Commissioner Elisa Ferreira in Porto, Portugal (until 12/05): addresses Itechstyle Summit & ETP annual conference, jointly organised by the Technological Centre for the Textile and Clothing Industry of Portugal (CITEVE) and the European Technology Platform in Matosinhos; delivers the closing speech on 'Construir um futuro sustentável e inclusive' at the Fórum de Sustentabilidade e Sociedade, promoted by Global Media Group.
• Commissioner Helena Dalli in Reykjavik, Iceland: gives a keynote speech at the 2023 IDAHOT+ Forum; meets with Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, with Minister for Social Affairs and Labour, Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson and with Rapporteur on Rights of LGBTI Persons of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Ms. Roberta Clarke.
• Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi est à Paris.
• Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen receives Mr Germán Umaña Mendoza, Colombian Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism.

Friday 12 May

Council of the European Union- Swedish Presidency

• Coreper I
• Gymnich- Informal meeting of foreign affairs ministers

European Commissioners’ Activities

• Commissioner Frans Timmermans in Twente, The Netherlands: delivers a keynote speech at the 61st Dies Natalis of the University of Twente on the EU's green transition.
• Commissioner Vĕra Jourová in Berlin, Germany: meets with Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital and Transport of Germany, Mr Wolfgang Schmidt, Head of the Chancellery and Federal Minister for Special Affairs of Germany.
• Commissioner Nicolas Schmit participates via videoconference in a conference organised by the Union of Portuguese Mutual Societies, entitled: ‘The role of Mutualism in the new world order'.
• Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni in Niigata, Japan (until 13 May): participates in the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting.
• Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski in Warsaw, Poland: meets with representatives of the Polish ‘Open Cages' association; meets with farmers from the West Pomeranian Voivodeship.
• Commissioner Elisa Ferreira is the keynote speaker on ‘The Future of Coastal Cities' at the Conference ‘Coastal cities and the climate crisis: between threat and adaption' organized by Publico Azul.
• Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi meets Mr Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia.
• Commissioner Kadri Simson in Lisbon, Portugal: attends a hearing with the National Parliament Members of the European Affairs Committee and Energy and Environment Committee; participates in the roundtable with the key energy stakeholders; visits Inclusive Energy Community by Greenvolt in Cascais.
• Commissioner Mairead McGuinness in Ireland: delivers a keynote address at the event: ‘Ireland and the European Union at 50: politics, policy and transformation' co-organised by Maynooth University, National University of Ireland and the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA), in Maynooth, Co. Kildare; addresses the finalists of the Money Smarts Quiz Challenge, organised for secondary school students by the Bank of Ireland, in Dublin; meets, via video-conference, with Mr Patrick de Cambourg, Chair of the Sustainability Reporting Board of the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG).

Next Week

• G7 summit, Hiroshima, Japan, 19-21 May 2023