A look on the plenary week

Future EU/UK relationship

Debate Tuesday, vote Wednesday

The Council will adopt its negotiating mandate on the future relationship between the EU and the UK on 25 February. The standards set out in the Commission's proposal are ambitious but the Greens/EFA would like to see closer cooperation on sectorial issues, based on EU standards. The Greens/EFA are calling for an association agreement that goes beyond trade and security and should, for example, include comprehensive provisions on citizens' rights, environmental cooperation and level playing field measures on gender equality.

Conclusion Free Trade Agreement EU - Vietnam

Debate Tuesday, vote Wednesday

This is the first Free Trade Agreement (FTA) the European Parliament will ratify since the adoption of the European Green Deal strategy, and falls woefully short of its commitments. The human rights situation in Vietnam has steadily deteriorated since the start of the trade negotiations. The Greens/EFA will request the postponement of the vote on the FTA until the Commission has strengthened the enforceability of sustainable development provisions of the agreement and until Vietnamese authorities make real progress on the civil and political rights situation.

PCI List (Motion of Objection)

Joint debate Monday, vote Wednesday

The Greens/EFA Group have submitted an objection to the fourth Union list of projects of common interest, which prioritises European energy infrastructure projects giving them easier access to funding and faster permitting procedures. The current list contains superfluous gas projects, locking us into a fossil future for decades to come. Greens want the current list to be scrapped and replaced by projects that are in line with our climate goals and the European Green Deal.

Luanda Leaks

Council and Commission Statement Wednesday, no resolution

A plenary debate on the state of play of the EU's fight against money laundering in light of the Luanda Leaks will take place on Wednesday. The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament requested this debate following the revelations coming from the Luanda Leaks scandal unveiled by the ICIJ in January. This new money laundering scandal shows how big consultancy firms from Europe helped the daughter of the former Angolan president to move hundreds of millions of dollars to tax havens. The scandal has clear implications in several EU member states including Portugal and Malta as well as for the stakeholders working in the EU such as PWC or KPMG. New anti-money laundering standards should be presented by the European Commission in March.

US Middle East Plan

Statement by the VP/HR on Tuesday

On the initiative of the Greens/EFA Group, the Parliament will debate the EU response to the US Plan for Israel and Palestine. The Greens/EFA will insist on a firm and resolute response from the EU side that matches its longstanding commitment to a two-state solution in line with international law.

AI: Automated Decision-Making Processes

Oral Question on Monday, with IMCO resolution vote on Wednesday

First initiated by the Greens/EFA Group, MEPs will vote on a resolution on automated decision-making processes, which is the general term to include AI with less developed decision-making systems. The Greens/EFA are calling for the use of non-discriminatory data sets, transparent and explainable algorithms and strict supervision to protect the public from biased decision-making and breaches of our fundamental rights. The Commission will publish a first communication on the topic on 19th February.

Greens/EFA Presidential press briefing

Tuesday 10.30, Daphne Caruana Galizia Press room.

Greens/EFA Presidents Ska Keller and Philippe Lamberts will present the priorities of the group for the week.