The week of December 2-6 in Brussels will feature a busy schedule of meetings focused on digital issues, sustainability and health. Key events include the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (TELCO), the Energy Community Parliamentary Plenary, and the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO).
DIGITAL
Monday December 2. In Brussels, as part of the regular meetings of the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE), the annual discussion with the outgoing President of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) will take place. This meeting will provide an important opportunity to assess progress toward the achievement of the EU’s Digital Decade 2030 goals.
On the same day, the ITRE Committee will also engage in a discussion with R. Nikolay, Deputy Director-General of DG Connect, on the impact of digitalization and artificial intelligence on gender equality.
Tuesday December 3. During the ITRE Committee meeting, there will be a discussion with J. Lepassaar, Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), focused on the biennial report on the state of cybersecurity in the EU.
On the same day, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) will discuss the European Court of Auditors’ Special Report 8/2024 on the EU Artificial Intelligence ambition. The report aims to assess the effectiveness of the 2018 Commission plan to increase AI investments and adapt the regulatory environment.
Thursday December 5 and Friday December 6. The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (TELCO) will hold a two-day meeting in Brussels. Among the main topics on the agenda will be the approval of conclusions on the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and the Commission’s White Paper titled “How to Address Europe s Digital Infrastructure Needs?”. European ministers will also discuss the objectives of the Digital Decade 2030 and meet informally to evaluate the effectiveness of actions within the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Finally, the incoming Polish Presidency will present its priorities for the future.
SUSTAINABILITY
Tuesday December 3. The ITRE Committee will host the Energy Community Parliamentary Plenary, an international organization that brings together EU countries and neighboring states to create an integrated pan-European energy market. The main topics of the meeting will include accelerating electricity integration with the EU and addressing energy poverty.
HEALTH
Tuesday December 3. The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) will meet to adopt a recommendation on smoke- and aerosol-free environments, discuss the progress of the ongoing revision of EU pharmaceutical legislation, approve conclusions on improving cardiovascular health within the EU, and enhance organ donation and transplantation efforts. Finally, an important discussion will take place on health in the European Union in light of the Draghi Report.
OTHER EVENTS
Tuesday December 3. The International Trade Committee (INTA) will hold a public hearing on the Draghi Report titled “The Draghi Report: Competitiveness and Economic Security from a Trade Angle.” The agenda includes an address by Committee Chair B. Lange (S&D), two panels discussing security enhancement, reducing dependencies, and using trade as a tool for more sustainable competitiveness, followed by a final response from the European Commission.
