Clamping down on the derivatives trade
Legislation to make trade over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives safer and more transparent will be put to a vote on Thursday. Derivatives trading is widely believed to have contributed to the global financial crisis. The draft regulation was provisionally agreed by Parliament and Council negotiators on 9 February.
Turkey’s progress: MEPs to call for better treatment of journalists
Turkey’s laws curbing media freedom and numerous trials of journalists will be a key issue in Wednesday’s debate on its EU accession prospects. On Thursday, MEPs will vote a resolution urging it to do more to reform the judiciary and protect civil liberties.
Progress of Serbia, Kosovo and Montenegro towards joining the EU
MEPs will assess the progress of Serbia, Kosovo and Montenegro towards joining the EU in a debate on Wednesday and a resolution to be voted on Thursday.
MEPs to urge Commission to strengthen air passenger rights
Airlines should give stranded passengers clear information and immediate help, MEPs say in a draft resolution to be voted on Thursday. When airlines go bankrupt or cease flying, passengers should be repatriated free of charge, it adds.
EU resettlement programme for refugees
EU countries would get more EU support to resettle refugees on their territory if Parliament approves a new joint resettlement programme on Thursday. Starting in 2013, the programme would focus on vulnerable refugees, such as women at risk and unaccompanied minors.
EP budget 2013 to be frozen in real terms
Parliament votes on its administrative budget for 2013 on Thursday. The Budgets Committee recommends that the increase in the budget should not exceed the EU-wide inflation rate of 1.9%, which means freezing it in real terms. However, €8,5 million should be added to accommodate the arrival of Croatian MEPs, it says.
Parliament to call for more sanctions against Belarus
Parliament is set to call for targeted economic sanctions against Belarus, in response to its execution on 16 March of two men convicted of orchestrating the April 2011 Minsk metro bomb attack and its expulsion of EU and Polish ambassadors. A resolution will be voted Thursday.
Parliament to approve €1.6 million in aid to redundant workers in Spain
European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) aid totalling €1.6 million to help over 1,100 redundant workers in Spain to find new jobs will be voted on Thursday.
Future of food aid for the needy: MEPs to quiz Commission
MEPs will ask the European Commission on Thursday when it will table legislation to keep the EU’s food aid for the needy programme running after 2013.
Special committee on organised crime: membership
Parliament votes Thursday on the membership of a special committee to investigate organised crime, corruption and money laundering, and recommend measures to tackle them. The committee will have a one-year mandate, and is to start work by the end of April 2012.
MEPs to call for better protection for EU citizens’ basic rights
EU Member States and the European Commission must to do more to enforce EU citizens’ basic rights, says a resolution to be voted on Thursday. These include moving to and living in another Member State, standing for and voting in European Parliament and local elections, getting diplomatic and consular protection whilst in third countries and petitioning the European Parliament.
