Committee and political groups meetings - Brussels

In an effort to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Parliament is reducing the need for physical meetings on its premises, without compromising its role of democratic scrutiny nor its ability to approve the necessary legislative measures to combat the virus and support the public, consumers, businesses and emergency services.

The required social distancing will be respected on EP premises at all times. Any parliamentary activities, like committee and plenary meetings, which are still taking place will be web-streamed and can be followed by the media without requiring their physical presence on EP premises. MEPs, Commissioners and Council representatives will be able to participate remotely.

European Council/Response to COVID-19. EP President David Sassoli will address EU leaders on Parliament’s call for a joint EU action also post-lockdown, “recovery bonds” guaranteed by the EU budget, and an EU Coronavirus Solidarity Fund of at least EUR 50 billion (Thursday).

Eurogroup President Centeno. Ahead of the European Council meeting scheduled on 23 April, the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee will debate policy measures intended to combat the economic, financial and social consequences of the COVID-19 crisis with Eurogroup President Mário Centeno (Tuesday).

Exporting protective masks. MEPs of the International Trade Committee will debate with Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan on extending the obligation to authorise the export of protective masks and on the EU's response to the impact of COVID-19 on trade. (Tuesday)

Democracy, rule of law, and fundamental rights during the pandemic. The Civil Liberties Committee will discuss the situation of the rule of law in Poland with the Secretary of the State in the Ministry of Justice Marcin Warchoł, Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, Ambassador Irena Andrassy for the Council, and Polish Commissioner for Human Rights Adam Bodnar. Later on, they will assess emergency measures taken in all member states in the context of the pandemic, with a focus on Hungary, hear back from the Committee's dedicated working group, and discuss with Commissioner Reynders the annual Rule of Law Report (Thursday).

Impact of COVID-19 on tourism. MEPs of the Transport and Tourism Committee will debate with Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton on the Commission’s response to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the tourism sector (Tuesday).

Long-term budget/Response to COVID-19. The Regional Development Committee will debate with Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis and Cohesion and Reforms Commissioner Elisa Ferreira on the future of EU cohesion policy in the next EU long-term budget (MFF). Discussions should also include the role of SMEs, next steps for reforms and the social consequences of the crisis (Monday).

COVID-19 crisis/EU Green Deal. The Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee will discuss the EU’s response to the COVID-19 crisis with Health and Food Safety Commissioner Kyriakides and Crisis Management Commissioner Lenarčič and the European Green Deal and the EU Climate Law with Executive Vice-President Timmermans (Tuesday).

Impact of COVID-19 for EU external action. Foreign Affairs, Human Rights and Security and Defence MEPs will debate the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the EU’s foreign policy actions with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. Later on, Foreign Affairs and Human Rights MEPs and Mr Borrell will discuss the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy for 2020-2024 (Monday).