Last-minute press briefing at 16:30
The Parliament’s Spokesperson and the Press Service will hold a press briefing on this week’s plenary session at 16:30. You can follow the last-minute briefing live.
Journalists wishing to take part and ask questions should please connect via Interactio.
Boosting EU support for defence investment
Part of the Commission’s ReArm Europe plan, agreed informally with the member states in November, will be discussed in an early evening plenary debate with Commission representatives. The idea is to allow EU funding to be rechannelled towards defence by amending the rules for existing EU programmes, such as the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform, Horizon Europe, the European Defence Fund, Digital Europe and the Connecting Europe Facility. The final vote is tomorrow at noon.
Also this evening, the committees on defence, industry, environment and internal market will adopt their positions on a series of legislative proposals to boost the EU defence industry by simplifying regulations and removing administrative hurdles. These include measures to encourage joint defence procurement, fast-track permitting procedures for infrastructure projects, ensure that chemical regulations accommodate defence needs, and improve access to financing.
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Simplifying rules for farmers
From around 19.00, MEPs and the Commission will debate a draft law, also agreed informally with member states in November, making it easier for farmers to comply with the EU’s common agricultural policy rules. The text frees farmers from the costly and time-consuming compulsory ploughing of land every five to seven years while also protecting biodiversity. It also brings in a “once-only” principle for inspections, whereby farmers should not have to undergo more than one official on-the-spot check in any given year. Parliament will vote on the final text tomorrow at noon.
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In brief
Murder of Mehdi Kessaci and EU action against drug trafficking. Immediately after the opening of the session, MEPs will hear from the Commission on the murder of Mehdi Kessaci and the urgent need for ambitious EU action against drug trafficking. They will vote on a resolution on the subject in January.
Medicine shortages. Later in the evening, plenary will discuss the impact of the geopolitical situation on European patients and their access to medicines, with the Commission.
EU-Saudia Arabia relations. Last on today’s agenda is a debate on relations between the EU and Saudi Arabia. MEPs will vote on a resolution on the subject tomorrow.
Live coverage of the plenary session can be found on Parliament’s webstreaming site and on EbS+.
For detailed information on the session, please also see our newsletter.
Find more information regarding plenary.
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