This week’s agenda will be marked by the resumption of committee work in the European Parliament, with key items in IMCO, ITRE and SANT on cybersecurity, space, ETS, agriculture and health. On the European Commission side, several relevant initiatives are expected, including the European Critical Communication System, the 2040 Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture and the pre-enlargement policy reviews. On the Council side, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, the Foreign Affairs Council in its Defence configuration, and the informal meetings of Energy and Health ministers in Dublin will also be in focus.
DIGITAL
Monday 28 September. In the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), work will continue on the Cybersecurity Act 2, concerning the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), the European cybersecurity certification framework and the security of ICT supply chains. The rapporteur for the opinion is Maria Guzenina (S&D–Finland), while the file is led by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), with Markéta Gregorová (Greens/EFA–Czechia) as rapporteur. On the same day, IMCO will also examine amendments to the related file on the simplification and alignment of the NIS2 Directive with the proposed Cybersecurity Act 2 regulation, with Henrik Dahl (EPP–Denmark) as rapporteur for the opinion.
Monday 28 September. Also in ITRE, MEPs will examine amendments to the file on mobile satellite services and the selection and authorisation of systems using the harmonised 2 GHz frequency band. The rapporteur is Angelika Winzig (EPP–Austria). In the same meeting, ITRE will also examine the draft report on the European Union Agency for the Space Programme and the amendment of the regulation on the EU Space Programme, with Christophe Grudler (Renew–France) as rapporteur.
Wednesday 30 September. The European Commission is expected to present the European Critical Communication System initiative, under the responsibility of Executive Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkkunen. The initiative is expected to contribute to strengthening Europe’s critical communications, with the aim of improving resilience, security and coordination in emergency and crisis situations.
SUSTAINABILITY
Monday 28 September. Under the joint ITRE–IMCO procedure, a discussion is expected on the file concerning the EU Emissions Trading System and the market stability reserve, with a focus on competitiveness and cost-effective decarbonisation. The rapporteur for the opinion is Jüri Ratas (EPP–Estonia), while the file is led by ENVI with Peter Liese (EPP–Germany) as rapporteur.
Monday 28 – Tuesday 29 September. The Agriculture and Fisheries Council will meet. On Monday, ministers will discuss the state of play of the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy proposal, with a focus on the main outstanding issues. The new framework is expected to aim for greater simplicity and flexibility, support for farmers’ income, better targeting of payments, generational renewal, risk management and resilience. Ministers will also address the agricultural market situation, including in light of Russia’s war against Ukraine, with the participation of Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotskyi in the first part of the discussion. During the working lunch, an exchange on the Fertiliser Action Plan is expected.
Tuesday 29 September. In the fisheries session, the Council is expected to aim for a partial general approach on the regulation setting out the conditions for EU support to the Common Fisheries Policy, maritime and aquaculture policies and the Ocean Pact for the 2028–2034 period, in the framework of the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Ministers will also discuss the amendment of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, as well as consultations with the United Kingdom, Norway and coastal states on fishing opportunities for 2027.
Monday 28 – Tuesday 29 September (Dublin). The informal meeting of EU Energy ministers will take place, bringing together the relevant ministers, European Commission representatives and invited partners. The meeting will offer an opportunity for a strategic exchange on the priorities of the energy transition and European cooperation on energy policy, in preparation for the formal Energy Council meetings scheduled for the autumn.
Wednesday 30 September. The European Commission is expected to present the 2040 Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture, under the responsibility of Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms Raffaele Fitto. The initiative is expected to set out long-term guidelines to strengthen the sustainability, competitiveness and resilience of the EU fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
HEALTH
Monday 28 September. In the Committee on Public Health (SANT), an event dedicated to World Heart Day will take place, with the presentation of the EU Screening Week by Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi. On the same day, a hearing is expected on the influence of healthy lifestyles on disease prevention. SANT will also vote on the draft report on Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, with Vlad Vasile-Voiculescu (Renew–Romania) as rapporteur, and on the EU Action Plan on Rare Diseases, with Nicolás González Casares (S&D–Spain) as rapporteur.
Wednesday 30 September – Thursday 1 October (Dublin). The informal meeting of EU Health ministers will take place, chaired by Irish Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The meeting will bring together ministers from Member States and EFTA countries, the European Commissioner responsible for Health and Animal Welfare, the WHO Regional Director for Europe and the Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency. The exchange will focus on population health, innovation, life sciences and health competitiveness, with attention to reducing inequalities, strengthening health systems, access to innovative care and the role of European cooperation in the resilience of health services.
OTHER EVENTS
Monday 28 September. The Foreign Affairs Council in its Defence configuration will meet in Brussels, chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. The meeting will open with a discussion on military support for Ukraine, following an informal videoconference address by Ukrainian Minister of Defence Evgeniy Khmara. Ministers will discuss air defence, EUMAM Ukraine, industrial cooperation and countering Russia’s shadow fleet. Other items on the agenda include hybrid threats, the situation in the Middle East and public procurement in defence. The meeting will be preceded by the European Defence Agency Steering Board, chaired by Kaja Kallas in her capacity as Head of the EDA.
Wednesday 30 September. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will present the pre-enlargement policy reviews, aimed at assessing the adaptation of EU policies ahead of future enlargements and their institutional, financial and strategic implications.
