Plenary Flash 14-17 February 2022

EU-RUSSIA RELATIONS, EUROPEAN SECURITY AND RUSSIA'S MILITARY THREAT AGAINST UKRAINE

Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for foreign affairs and security policy

In view of continuing tensions and a massive deployment of Russian troops at the Russian-Ukrainian border, the Greens/EFA Group stands by Ukraine against Russian aggression. We call for de-escalation and emphasise that Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity are indisputable. We urge the High Representative and all EU Member States to take this stance clearly vis-à-vis the Russian President and authorities. Any intervention by Russia is a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty. The EU, US and other like-minded partners must immediately respond with tough and targeted sanctions, including sanctions against Russian banks, and impeding or stopping the refinancing of Russian debt. Sanctions must also include preventing the use of Nord Stream 2. The feasibility of a SWIFT shutdown should be further examined. The EU needs to coordinate well with the US and with NATO and speak with one voice, strengthening the transatlantic partnership and cooperation within the OSCE framework.

The Greens/EFA call for negotiating nuclear disarmament and advancing on arms controls in order to reduce the risk of a nuclear weapon detonation and conventional military confrontation.

Debate: Wednesday morning
Greens/EFA MEPs: Sergey Lagodinsky, Heidi Hautala, Viola von Cramon, Mounir Satouri
More: Resolution on the situation at the Ukrainian border and in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine (16 December 2021)
 

EMPOWERING EUROPEAN YOUTH: POST-PANDEMIC EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL RECOVERY SECOND STORY HEADLINE

On 15th February, the European Parliament will vote on the post-pandemic employment and social recovery of European Youth. This resolution describes the impact that unemployment, climate change, insecure housing and isolation have had on young people's mental health. It emphasizes the need for immediate measures to support the social and mental health of young people in the EU and the need to involve young people, youth organisations and representatives in decision-making processes.

Crucially, the report calls for paid, quality and inclusive traineeships and apprenticeships, and condemns the practice of unpaid internships. Young people who do not have the privilege of financial security, parental support or cheap housing cannot take up unpaid internships, making it even harder to begin their working life.

The Greens/EFA Group has called on the European Commission and the Member States to propose a common legal framework for an effective and enforceable ban on unpaid internships. Employing interns to work without pay is a form of exploitation of young workers and a violation of their rights.

Greens/EFA MEP: Kim Van Sparrentak
Debate/ Vote: Monday, 14 February

More:  Ban unpaid internships - Greens/EFA
This year has to be the year that we end unpaid internships and traineeships in Europe

EUROPEAN CROSS-BORDER ASSOCIATIONS AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

On Tuesday, MEPs will debate and vote on common EU rules for the formation, transparency, accountability and minimum safeguards for cross-border associations and non-profit organisations. In a legislative own-initiative report, the JURI Committee presents two legislative proposals to the Commission: a draft regulation calls for establishing a new legal form of European Association, and a draft directive calls for improvements and harmonisation for all kinds of non-profit organisations (including an EU-wide recognition of what constitutes ‘public benefit’). The proposals aim to guarantee minimum safeguards and an EU-wide level playing field.This includes simplifying the formation of associations and non-profit organisations, eliminating legal uncertainty and setting up safeguards against discrimination. EU-wide rules and safeguards would contribute to fostering the Europeanisation of civil society and would particularly support civil society under attack.

Greens/EFA MEP: Sergey Lagodinsky, European Parliament Rapporteur
Debate: Tuesday, 15 February, afternoon
Vote: Wednesday, 16 February, announcement of voting results Thursday morning

COUNCIL & COMMISSION STATEMENTS - THE RULE OF LAW AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE ECJ RULING

On Wednesday, the European Court of Justice will rule on a complaint against the Rule of Law Conditionality Mechanism, brought to the court by the Hungarian and Polish governments. The Greens/EFA Group have repeatedly called for the Commission to finally activate the tool for breaches against the rule of law. Our Group pushed for the Parliament to take the Commission to court over its inaction on the Conditionality Mechanism.

Wednesday’s ruling will require the Commission to set out its next steps in the ongoing rule of law crisis, including for the approval of Next Generation EU national plans for Poland and Hungary. The Parliament will debate the outcome of the ruling and the next steps MEPs can take to defend the rule of law in Europe, on Wednesday.

Greens/EFA MEP: Daniel Freund, Sergey Lagodinsky, Terry Reintke, Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield.
Debate: Wednesday
More: Parliament sues Commission before the European Court of Justice

MORE

• Offshore Renewable Energies
  MEPs: Jutta Paulus
  Date: Monday, 14 February 17:00 - 22:00, Debate
  More: Report
• Report on the Activities of the European Ombudsman in 2020
  MEPs: Eleonora Evi
  Date: Monday, 14 February 17:00 - 22:00, Vote only
  More: Report
• Annual Report on human rights and democracy in the world and the EU’s policy on the matter 2021
  MEPs: Jordi Solé
  Date: Debate Tuesday, 15 February, vote Wednesday 16 February
  More: Report
• Post pandemic funding for cities
  MEPs: Niklas Nienaß
  Date: Debate Monday, 14 February, vote Tuesday, 15 February
  More: Report
• eCharging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures/Eurovignett
  MEPs: Anna Deparnay-Grunenberg
  Date: Debate Wednesday, 16 February, vote Thursday, 17 February
  More: Text
  Amendments of the Greens/EFA group
• European Central Bank Annual Report for 2021, with Christine Lagarde
  MEPs: Ernest Urtasun, Henrike Hahn, Ville Niinistö
  Date: Debate Monday 
   

PRESS MOMENTS

• Greens/EFA Presidential press briefing
  MEPs: Ska Keller, Philippe Lamberts
  Date: 15/02 10:40-11:00
  Location: Daphne Caruana Galizia Press Room, Strasbourg and online via Interactio
• When will Poland and Hungary face the first rule of law sanctions?
  MEPs: Daniel Freund
  Date: 15/02 14:00
   

GREENS/EFA PRESS CONTACTS

• Simon McKeagney (Head of Communication) Simon.mckeagney@europarl.europa.eu
• Alex Johnson (EN press officer) Alex.Johnson@europarl.europa.eu
• Pia Kohorst (DE press officer) pia.kohorst@europarl.europa.eu
• Guendalina De Sario (FR press officer) guendalina.desario@europarl.europa.eu
• Helena Hellström Gefwert (EN press assistant) helena.hellstrom@europarl.europa.eu  
• Mia Müller (DE press assistant) Mirjam.Muller@europarl.europa.eu
• Valentina Chiarini (FR press assistant)valentina.chiarini@europarl.europa.eu