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World leaders are set to adopt 17 Sustainable Development Goals during the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York on 25-27 September. A delegation from Parliament’s Development committee will attend to discuss with a broad range of officials, experts and stakeholders how these goals should then be concretely translated into EU and national policies. (Read more: Development summit: how to translate ambitious goals into concrete proposals )

 

The environment committee on Wednesday adopted an update of EU car emission rules, setting limits on certain pollutants including NOx. They call for a new, real-life, emissions test procedure to be enforced by 2017. They also want fuel consumption meter and gear-change indicators fitted to all new cars by 2019. (Read more: Car emissions: MEPs push for “real-life” test protocol )

 

Rising temperatures, melting glaciers and ever more frequent droughts and floods are all signs that climate change is a very real threat. In December a new international climate agreement will be sought at a special UN summit in Paris. On Wednesday the environment committee adopted a report setting out Parliament's aims for the negotiations. After the Committee vote, EP rapporteur Gilles Pargneaux (S&D, FR) talked to us on the goals agreed upon. The plenary vote is foreseen for October 14. (Read more: Gilles Pargneaux on the UN Climate Summit: "a summit to decide" )

 

EU heads of state and government met this Wednesday 23 September to discuss the migration crisis in the EU and, speaking at the start of the European Council, EP President Schulz said that the European Union "is built on de facto solidarity, out of necessity, not romanticism." "The European Parliament will now engage as a matter of priority with the Council on the proposals presented by President Juncker on 9 September, and present its own further proposals, " he said. (Read more: Martin Schulz: "Compassion and decency must motivate our political decisions" )

 
Press releases (second part)
 

ECB President Mario Draghi painted a somewhat downbeat picture of economic developments in the Eurozone but assured Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee MEPs that the ECB "will not hesitate to act if some of the downward risks weaken the inflation outlook over the mid-term more fundamentally than we project at present". He hinted at the possibility of adjusting the size, composition and duration of the ECB’s asset purchase programme, to add monetary policy impetus if necessary. (Read more: "We will not hesitate to act if inflation outlook weakens", Draghi tells MEPs )

 

The environment committee said on Wednesday that Parliament's delegation to the COP 21 climate talks in Paris must call for a 40% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, a 40% energy-efficiency target and a binding 30% target for renewable energy. (Read more: COP 21: environment MEPs adopt mandate for Paris climate talks )

 

During a first debate the state of play on Volkswagen's emission "defeat devices" with the European Commission in the Environment Committee, many MEPs highlighted the need to speed up the introduction of automotive test procedures that better reflect vehicle emissions in real driving conditions, while others compared the EU's decentralized “type-approval” system unfavourably with the US one. (Read more: MEPs discuss Volkswagen emission "defeat devices" with EU Commission )

 

The EU military operation against people smugglers in the Mediterranean is about to enter its next phase. After gathering intelligence and setting up the structure, the operation will now focus on arresting traffickers and disabling smugglers vessel. The details of the operation were discussed by MEPs during a meeting of the security and defence subcommittee on 22 September. (Read more: Refugee crisis: present and future EU military operations in the Mediterranean )

 

Tax competition as such cannot be avoided, but today’s system has reached its limits and led to unwanted side effects. Small firms should not have to bear the tax burden of multinationals that pay very little. Action is needed to harmonise corporate tax practices across Europe, so as to make tax competition clearer and fairer. This was the key sentiment voiced at Tuesday’s meeting of the Special Committee on Tax Rulings with finance ministers from Luxembourg, Italy, France, Spain and Germany. (Read more: Corporate taxation system has reached its limits, say ministers and MEPs )

 

Goods or substances that may be misused for torture or execution should not be promoted for export, so as to prevent their spread, said the International Trade Committee, voting on Tuesday to strengthen EU “Anti-torture” rules. MEPs want to widen today’s EU ban to include services, e.g. marketing in expos or online catalogues, but also finance, transport and insurance. They also want to ban transit of prohibited goods via the EU and add a “catch-all” clause to allow checks on dubious new ones. (Read more: Anti-torture rules: Trade MEPs call for bans on goods marketing and EU transit )

 
 
Weekly agenda
 
Schedule by day Thursday 24 Sep 2015
Delegation of CULT Committee to Florence, Italy - Delegations (24-09-2015): 09:00
 
Legal Affairs committee delegation to Alicante (Spain) - Delegations (24-09-2015): 09:00
 
Women's Rights delegation to Dublin (Ireland) - Delegations (24-09-2015): 09:00
 
EP delegation to the inter-parliamentary conference on public service media and the Parliaments in the enlargement countries Zagreb, Croatia - Delegations (24-09-2015):
 
Euronest MEPs to discuss press freedom in Belarus (Chisinau, Moldova) - Delegations (24-09-2015):
 
SEDE Mission to Northwood HQ - Delegations (24-09-2015):
 
Two EP committees to assess situation in Ukraine (Kiev, Ukraine) - Delegations (24-09-2015):
 
The President's Agenda - The President's diary (24-09-2015):
 
MEPs to meet counterparts from Kazakhstan Parliament (Astana, Kazakhstan) - Delegations (24-09-2015):
 
Delegation to Belgrade, Serbia and Pristina, Kosovo - Delegations (24-09-2015):
 
 
Schedule by day Friday 25 Sep 2015
Delegation of CULT Committee to Florence, Italy - Delegations (25-09-2015): 09:00
 
Women's Rights delegation to Dublin (Ireland) - Delegations (25-09-2015): 09:00
 
MEPs to meet counterparts from Kazakhstan Parliament (Astana, Kazakhstan) - Delegations (25-09-2015):
 
EP delegation to the inter-parliamentary conference on public service media and the Parliaments in the enlargement countries Zagreb, Croatia - Delegations (25-09-2015):
 
Delegation to Belgrade, Serbia and Pristina, Kosovo - Delegations (25-09-2015):
 
Two EP committees to assess situation in Ukraine (Kiev, Ukraine) - Delegations (25-09-2015):
 
 
Twitter
 
Press release: "We will not hesitate to act if inflation outlook weakens", #Draghi tells MEPs: http://t.co/SpX7DF8TCa @EP_Economics
Press release: #COP21: environment MEPs adopt mandate for Paris climate talks:http://t.co/4p6oGbTcvS
MEPs discuss #Volkswagen emission "defeat devices" with EU Commission: http://t.co/4Cb8FUjPas
#Moldova: more reforms to fight #corruption. restore trust in banks, say MEPs and Moldova MPs http://t.co/96JDYhpMbF
#INTA #JURI MEPs to assess trade and judicial reforms in #Ukraine on 24-25 September: http://t.co/W2syABuKmY
#Libya : how could the EU help in case of a deal on national unity government? Watch @EP_ForeignAff now http://t.co/avcTQwpSLa
.@EP_HumanRights MEPs debated w/NGOs on #deathpenalty, universal abolition, drugs & future EP resolution. Read more: http://t.co/F6O175ESYc
.@EP_HumanRights now debating intnl day agst #deathpenalty w/ @amnestyeurope, @Reprieve, @AssociationECPM
Hearing on international day agst #deathpenalty in 15 min .@EP_HumanRights. Follow live http://t.co/Bo2b2hJP2J
.@EP_Defence w/ @eu_eeas DSG #Popowski debriefing 2-3 Sept informal meeting of EU defence ministers: http://t.co/UQrOEsvVd0
.@EP_Defence turns to debate future of European #drone programmes w/ @EUDefenceAgency & @EU_Commission now: http://t.co/Nb2IpZtg0H
EU military missions and operations: @EP_Defence exchanges w/EU Military Staff DG #Wosolsobe : http://t.co/Z08Bxf0dXd
RT @beatrizbecerrab: This weekend we will adopt #post2015 #development agenda in New York, #GA high-level plenary http://t.co/shxpyN8Cvv h…
Debate on EU humanitarian response to #refugee crisis has just started. Follow live: http://t.co/9rAPPBAAiM
#Ebola :A permanent EU rapid response mechanism to tackle future crises say @EP_Development @CharlesGoerens More info http://t.co/Dz0qxnMboy
soon @EP_Trade:debate on #gender equality in #trade,based on study by EP policyanalysts http://t.co/ew2BEWI1cS live http://t.co/ctOLAITaum
Press release: #Antitorture rules: @EP_Trade calls for bans on marketing and EU transit: http://t.co/7hAyMiKlsn …rapp @MarietjeSchaake
Trade talks w/#Tunisia, #gender balance in #trade &other; items on #INTA pm agenda: http://t.co/oPMDYjMW2C live now http://t.co/ctOLAITaum
How 2 check what #EUbudget has achieved? @KGeorgievaEU @EP_Budgets @EP_Budgcontrol on performance budgeting. Live: http://t.co/ezpX7muxDR
.@EP_Budgets approved €16.3m disaster aid to @Bulgaria @Greece . #EPlenary in Oct. Read more : http://t.co/JN1QdcnFLS
Debate on #EUbudget '16 @JMFernandesEU @gerardeprez , vote on #Bulgaria #Greece disaster aid. Watch live 16:00: http://t.co/g2kPG3NONO
Workshop on financial consequences of #harassment in the #EU institutions @EP_BudgControl starting now. Follow live: http://t.co/y2OcGaRyVK
.@EP_BudgControl in favour of #discharge2013 for #EIT, ARTEMIS & ENIAC. Vote in plenary in October.
.@EP_BudgControl refuses to grant #discharge2013 to #EUCO & #Council. Final vote in plenary in October
"We will not hesitate to act if inflation outlook weakens", #Draghi tells @EP_Economics MEPs. Press release: http://t.co/82KZHlOY84 #ECB
RT @EP_Trade: This summer's drama in #China stock markets: what does it really tell us? what EP in-house policy analysts say: http://t.co/V…
.@EP_Economics chair @gualtierieurope & @ECB Mario #Draghi Monetary Dialogue has started: http://t.co/q723BsqK8B http://t.co/IXfhZWf9fn
.@EPSocialAffairs Public hearing on re-shoring EU starts at 15:00 JAN 6Q2. Programme http://t.co/F6fGMxYkeY EPLive http://t.co/NtGv7O8shh
.@EPSocialAffairs Public hearing on re-shoring EU Wed 15.00-17.30; JAN 6Q2. Programme http://t.co/F6fGMxYkeY EPLive http://t.co/NtGv7O8shh
.@EPSocialAffairs next meeting on Wednesday, 23 September 9.00-12.30 &15.00-18.30 in JAN 6Q2. Follow EP Live http://t.co/EEIrdKhyy2
#COP21 - ENVI position (report by @gillespargneaux) adopted with 55 votes to 5 and 8 abstentions.
Report by Albert #Dess on the reduction of certain pollutants from #cars adopted 66/1/0. Negotiations w. @EUCouncil opened 64/1/0
RT @gillespargneaux: Vote ce matin en @EP_Environment de mon rapport sur #COP21 #climatechange #PE
Starting now: @EP_industry debate on 10% electricity interconnection target. Watch live http://t.co/dHv7lbBZqy
Starting now: @EP_Industry debates #energy market design with @MAC_europa . Watch live http://t.co/i2Wl9fRRbI
Today's votes in @EP_Industry industry postponed.
#VWGate scandal might be debated at the next #EPlenary https://t.co/3H1vhwsygQ
Single market regulation should be fine-tuned, say @EP_SingleMarket in @anneleenciska report, adopted today http://t.co/3E3AwxXQGa
Voting in @EP_SingleMarket on #BetterRegulation and European Semester about to start. Voting lists http://t.co/mHYemrQ4sz
Draft report on promotion of tourism in Europe adopted in TRAN committee: 42 in favour, 4 against, 1 abstention
Draft report on safe use of drones in civil aviation adopted in TRAN committee this morning: 45 in favour, 1 against, 0 abstentions
Now @EP_Transport: discussion on sustainable urban mobility Webstreaming: http://t.co/akv8DopvWX draft report http://t.co/fVfT1M1KDG
Visita delegazione PE in #Sicilia per valutare utilizzo #FondiStrutturali: https://t.co/YgLHqjdNl9
RT @CorinaCretuEU: At the conference #EUbudget4Results. Reformed for 2014-20, #CohesionPolicy is now clearly performance-oriented. http://t…
REGI MEPs to visit #Sicily on 23-25/09 to assess the use of #StructuralFunds. See the programme: https://t.co/YgLHqjdNl9
#Agriculture #milk & #meat #crisis: MEPs welcome €500m #farmer aid package but want more action. More in PR: http://t.co/uJxj0VgHYJ
#EPlenary debate on #crisis on #agriculture #milk & #meat markets starts now. Live: http://t.co/Jk802oRCm6 & https://t.co/FhCyyt1LUL
EU must step in now to help member states tackle #UnfairTrading practices, @EP_Agriculture MEPs say. More in PR: http://t.co/JHdueeY6z8
#Fisheries committee webstream for this afternoon's session: http://t.co/mREc1EL4Df
Missed Tuesday's hearing on #Fisheries plans? VOD here: http://t.co/55n205DVEE Presentations soon available here: http://t.co/g9x35pYDJr
New study/nouvelle analyse (in French) "Le contrôle de la #pêche européenne: Une vue d'ensemble" http://t.co/ML7nCaRsZE #Fisheries
Online activities of public service media @EuAvObservator, #Interculturaldialogue, #Erasmus+: @EPCulture meeting now http://t.co/rWkQa1Hv0N
CULT meeting live from 15.00 to 18.00 http://t.co/DocUcYOZzB Agenda available here http://t.co/yaQRExjCSj
#UE et #UNESCO: miser sur l'#éducation pour combattre la barbarie culturelle @EPCulture http://t.co/dUH3SeExS1
#GeographicalIndications: Legal Affairs MEPs call for better protection for traditional know-how. Read more: http://t.co/yVLtcVtFzm
RT @VRoziere: Mon rapport sur les indications géographiques artisanales adopté en #JURI (22 +/0 -/3 O) demande une législation à @EU_Commis…
RT @EUCouncilTVNews: Informal #EUCO - Press Conference by @EP_President #Schulz We face a historic challenge #refugees #migrationEU http://…
RT @EP_President: My full #speech at the informal Meeting of Heads of State and Government #refugees : http://t.co/YdSIeLhsIc
.@EP_President press conference in #EUCO #refugeecrisis http://t.co/Lgurzp3NaJ
Missed the workshop on transparency, accountability, integrity EU institutions - VOD here http://t.co/2DfbUkeKCL
28/09 AFCO Members will vote @danutahuebner @jo_leinen Reform EU electoral law report & @schopflinMEP Citizens' initiative report
RT @danutahuebner: .@EPInstitutional Electoral Law Reform does not build #EP identity against the national tradition, we enrich it with Eur…
.@EP_GenderEqual continues at 15.00. Follow live: http://t.co/uBb4ryVThQ
Let's start the female digital revolution @catherinemep @EP_GenderEqual hearing.
.@constancelegrip: "Self-confidence is key for girls to get involved in digital issues" @EP_GenderEqual.
Missed @EP_Petitions meeting last week? Video recording available here: http://t.co/zxAyN4EvZ0
Now @EP_Petitions: petitions on a theft of a newborn at a hospital in Spain and the failure of authorities to investigate the case.
.@EP_Petitions meeting continues at 15h with petitions on rights of people with disabilities. Live: http://t.co/fZmg64G4uZ
The Parliament is on...