In April 2018 the EU Affairs Committee (SUE) held 6 meetings: no. 194-199. During these meetings the Committee:

• scrutinised 60 EU documents:
  • pursuant to Art. 7(4) of the Cooperation Act – 14 EU draft legislative acts concerning i.a., establishing a multi-annual plan for the fisheries exploiting demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea; providing further macro-financial assistance to Ukraine; persistent organic pollutants,
  • pursuant to Art. 151(1) of the Sejm Standing Orders and Art. 3(2) of the Cooperation Act – 24 EC documents (14 communications, 14 reports) concerning i.a., reform of the administrative structure of the European Schools; mid-term evaluation of the Erasmus+ programme (2014-2020); quality of fiscal data reported by Member States in 2017,
  • pursuant to Art. 11(1) of the Cooperation Act – EU documents, which were to be discussed by Agriculture and Fisheries Council and General Affairs Council,
  • pursuant to Art. 8(2) of the Cooperation Act – 11 EU draft legal acts concerning i.a., corporate taxation of a significant digital presence; mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund following an application from Belgium – EGF/2017/010 BE/Caterpillar; Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations on a Global Pact for the Environment,
• adopted positive opinion on the candidature of Andrzej Sadoś for the position of Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the European Union (opinion no. 31 (PL), mtg no. 195),
• considered, pursuant to Art. 18(4) of the Cooperation Act, information on legislative proceedings relating to the implementation of EU directives for which the transposition deadline has expired or will expire within the next three months, (as of 23.02.2018), presented by the representatives of appropriate ministries (mtg no. 195),
• considered information on the position of Poland in the results of the European Court of Auditors' audit in 2017 (presented by member of ECA Janusz Wojciechowski) (mtg no. 197),
• scrutinized: information on the Foreign Affairs Council meeting held on 19 March 2018, information on the European Council meeting held on 22 March 2018 and information on the Foreign Affairs Council meeting planned for 16 April 2018 (presented by the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Konrad Szymański) (mtg no. 198),
• considered information on the current state of the debate on the role of national parliamnets in the European Union (mtg no. 199),
• adopted positive opinion on the candidature of Piotr Nowak for the position of member of the Board of Directors of the European Investment Bank (opinion no. 32 (PL), mtg no. 199).

***

SUE together with Public Finances Committe and Economy and Development Committe

heard information on the Convergence Program and National Reform Programme prepared by Poland in connection with the implementation of the European Semester in 2018 (presented by: Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Enterprise and Technology Tadeusz Kościński and Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Finance Leszek Skiba) (mtg no. 196).

***

In April 2018 information on and documents of SUE meetings no. 194-195 and 198-199, provided by the EU Affairs Committee secretariat, were published in the EDL-S (European Legislative Documents in the Sejm) and IPEX databases.

• 13.04.2018, considered the information of the Minister of Digitization, Marek Zagórski, on issues related to the implementation into the national legal order of the general EU regulation on the protection of personal data (GDPR) (mtg no. 89)

State Audit Committee

• 12.04.2018, took note of the information presented by the member of the European Court of Auditors, Janusz Wojciechowski, on the most important audits of the European Court of Auditors concerning Poland (mtg no. 84)

In April 2018

• the following bills implementing EU law have been referred to the first reading [paper no.]:
  
  • Government bill on the processing of passenger name record [2461],
  • Government bill amending the act on road transport and some other acts [2459]
  • Government bill on tachographs [2458]
  • Government bill amending the act on public finance [2449]
  • Government bill amending the act on renewable energy sources and some other acts [2412],
  • Government bill amending the act on biocomponents and liquid biofuels and some other acts [2411],
  • Government bill on personal data protection [2410],
  • Government bill amending the act on occupational pension schemes [2391],
• the following acts implementing EU law have been published [paper no.]:
  
  • Act of 1 March 2018 on counteracting money laundering and terrorist financing [2233],
  • Act of 1 March 2018 amending the act on trading in financial instruments and some other acts [2191],
  • Act of 22 March 2018 on the amendment to the act on micro-organisms and genetically modified organisms and some other acts [1424].

In April 2018, 23 draft legislative acts were subject to subsidiarity scrutiny. As of 8 May 2018, the national parliaments submitted 3 reasoned opinions on the non-compliance of the scrutinised draft acts with the subsidiarity principle.

* Reasoned opinions to the documents COM(2017) 753 and COM(2018) 51 were also submitted in March 2018 - see the previous Bulletin OIDE – March 2018. Furthermore, a reasoned opinion to the document COM(2017) 753 adopted by the British House of Commons in March 2018, but uploaded to the IPEX database in April, after the March Bulletin OIDE was published, was not included in the summary.

24 April 2018, Brussels, Interparliamentary Committee Meeting on "Towards the CAP after 2020: the Future of Food and Farming"

• The priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
• Session I - The future Agriculture Policy: A modernised and results based policy for sustainable growth, environmental protection, quality food, health and jobs in the EU
  
  • Debate with national Parliamentarians and MEPs
• Session II - Implementing the future agriculture policy: how to improve synergies in a multi-level governance process with a strengthened subsidiarity, including the role of Parliaments
  
  • Debate with national Parliamentarians and MEPs
• Closing remarks

23-24 April 2018, Brussels, Conference of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments (EUSC)

• Meeting of Speakers of Parliaments of the Presidential Troika (Slovakia, Estonia, Austria, European Parliament) 
• Opening session
  
  • Welcome address by Mr E. Nestor, President of the Riigikogu
  • Adoption of the agenda
  • Keynote speaker: Mr A. Tajani, President of the European Parliament
• Session I - The future of the European Union
  
  • Keynote speakers:
    - M. Kuchciński, Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland
    - A. Danko, Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic
    - F. De Rugy, President of the French National Assembly
  • Debate
• Session II – European security and defence
  
  • Keynote speakers:
    - I. Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia
    - W. Schäuble, President of the German Bundestag
    - W. Sobotka, President of the Austrian National Council
  • Debate
• Session III - Debate and adoption of the Conclusions
  
  • Closing remarks by Mr Eiki Nestor, President of the Riigikogu

NEW ON THE OIDE WEBSITE

In the section OIDE Notes:

Citizens' consultation on the future of Europe; Common Agricultural Policy after 2020

In the section  Bibliographies:

Citizens' consultation on the future of Europe

Following sections have been updated:

OIDE Notes: Brexit - documents; Green and White Papers; EU-Western Balkans strategy

Bibliographies: BREXIT – selected publications (since 2016), The national parliaments’ position in the EU under the Lisbon Treaty

LATEST DEBATES - COMMENTS

Selected articles on the current political and economic issues in the EU from the specialist periodicals available on-line (accessed 04.05.2018)

• Angerer J., Hradisky M., Zoppé A.: How could the Stability and Growth Pact be simplified?, „W skrócie", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 25.04.2018.
• Apalaki E., Drachenberg R.: Outcome of the EU leaders' meetings on 22 and 23 March 2018, „Briefing", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 09.04.2018.
• Apap J.: Przyszłość Europy: Zarys bieżącej debaty, „Briefing", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 12.04.2018.
• Bendiek A.: The EU as a Force for Peace in International Cyber Diplomacy, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, "SWP Comment" 2018/C 19, April 2018.
• Bilotta N.: Reforming the European Monetary Union: The Challenge of Reconciling Risk Sharing with Market Discipline, „IAI Commentaries", Istituto Affari Internazionali, April 2018.
• Biscop S.: L'Europe de la défense: donnons une chance à «PESCO», „In Commentaries", EGMONT – The Royal Institute for International Relations, 18.04.2018.
• Cliza M.-C.(i.in.): Règlement Général de l'Union européenne sur la Protection des Données: tout le monde est-il prêt?, „CIFE Policy Paper" N°70, Centre international de formation européenne (CIFE), 27.04.2018.
• Corman M.-R., Băluțel A.: Between a rock and a hard place: the EU and the Eastern Partnership after the 2017 Brussels Summit, „CEPOB - College of Europe Policy Brief series", College of Europe, April 2018.
• Dobreva A.: Media pluralism and media freedom in the EU, „W skrócie", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 25.04.2018.
• Ferguson C., Sochacka K.: Plenary round-up – Strasbourg, April 2018, „W skrócie", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 20.04.2018.
• Fouéré E.: The three important messages from the European Commission's 17 April communication on the EU's Enlargement Policy, „CEPS Paper in Liberty and Security", Centre for European Policy Studies, 19.04.2018.
• Gasparotti A., Zoppé A.: European Stability Mechanism – Main Features, Instruments and Accountability, „Briefing", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 27.04.2018.
• Gasparotti A., Zoppé A.: The ESM and the EIB: comparison of some features, „Analiza", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 25.04.2018.
• Gros D.(i.in): The European Dimension of Regional and Cohesion Policies, Centre for European Policy Studies, 11.04.2018.
• Gros D.: Convergence in the European Union: Inside and outside the euro, Centre for European Policy Studies, 27.04.2018.
• Grosek K.: Status i finansowanie europejskich partii politycznych i europejskich fundacji politycznych, „W skrócie", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 11.04.2018.
• Giuliani J.-D.: European Momentum, European Issue n°469, Fondation Robert Schuman, 09.04.2018.
• Korenica F.: The Establishment of the European Public Prosecutor's Office: A note on its legal and policy perspective, and its possible role in the Western Balkans, „CEPS Paper in Liberty and Security", Centre for European Policy Studies, 24.04.2018.
• Lehne S.: The EU remains unprepared for the next migration crisis, Carnegie Europe, April 2018.
•  Luukas I.: Removing the secrecy in EU decision-making, „E!Sharp", April 2018.
• Mańko R.: Absolutorium z wykonania budżetu za rok 2016 – zdecentralizowane agencje UE i wspólne przedsięwzięcia, „W skrócie", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 11.04.2018.
• Mańko R.: Sprawozdanie za rok 2016 dotyczące ochrony interesów finansowych UE – zwalczanie nadużyć finansowych, „W skrócie", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 25.04.2018.
• Munta M.: The empty taste of Macron's citizens' consultations, „Euractive", 11.04.2018.
• Nevin M.: Eurozone Stabilisation Fund Revisited, The Federal Trust, 30.04.2018.
• Parry M., Sapala M.: Post-2020 MFF and own resources: Ahead of the Commission's proposal, „Briefing", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 27.04.2018.
• Sabbati G.:European Parliament: Facts and Figures, „Briefing", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 11.04.2018.
• Svasek M.: Absolutorium z wykonania budżetu za rok 2016 – instytucje UE oprócz Komisji Europejskiej, „W skrócie", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 11.04.2018.
• Svasek M.: Absolutorium z wykonania budżetu za rok 2016 – Komisja Europejska i agencje wykonawcze, „W skrócie", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 11.04.2018.
• Svasek M.: Europejski Bank Inwestycyjny – sprawozdanie finansowe za rok 2016, „W skrócie", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 25.04.2018.
• Szczepanski M. (i.in.): Adapting to new digital realities: Main issues and policy responses, „Briefing", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 19.04.2018.
• Szuleka M.:First victims or last guardians? The consequences of rule of law backsliding for NGOs: Case studies of Hungary and Poland, „CEPS Paper in Liberty and Security", Centre for European Policy Studies, 24.04.2018.
• Thirion E.: An EU intellectual property policy to boost innovation, „Briefing", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 03.04.2018.
• Vurmo G.: The Western Balkans' EU Dream: Ambition calls for a new process, „CEPS Paper in Liberty and Security", Centre for European Policy Studies, 24.04.2018.

• What is Europe doing for its citizens? European Parliament Open Days 2018, „W skrócie", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 26.04.2018.

BREXIT

• Bárd P.: The Effect of Brexit on European Arrest Warrants, „CEPS Paper in Liberty and Security", Centre for European Policy Studies, 24.04.2018.
• Besch S.:Plugging in the British: EU defence policy, Centre for European Reform, Policy brief, 26.04.2018.
• Bond I.: Don't be a stranger! EU-UK foreign policy cooperation after Brexit, „E!Sharp", April 2018.
• Donnelly B.: Brexit: Anything could happen in the next half year, The Federal Trust, 23.04.2018.
• Gordon N.: The EU budget after Brexit: Reform not revolution, Centre for European Reform, Policy brief, 24.04.2018.
• Highman L.: Redefining a Post-Brexit EU-UK Partnership in Research and Higher Education, „CEPOB - College of Europe Policy Brief series", College of Europe, April 2018.
• Merritt G.: The bigger EU problems hidden by Brexit, Friends of Europe, April 2018.
• Tardy T.: What third-country role is open to the UK in defence?, „CEPS Paper in Liberty and Security", Centre for European Policy Studies, 24.04.2018.

EU CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES

Selected articles and papers
(available in the Sejm Library or on-line, accessed 04.05.2018)

• Anghel S., Dinan D. i Drachenberg R.:From Rome to Sibiu – The European Council and the Future of Europe debate, EPRS – Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, Parlament Europejski, kwiecień 2018.
• Bárd P.: Saving EU Criminal Justice: Proposal for EU-wide supervision of the rule of law and fundamental rights, „CEPS Paper in Liberty and Security", Centre for European Policy Studies, 24.04.2018.
• Ciucci M.: The role of national parliaments in the European Semester for economic policy coordination, „Analiza", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 05.04.2018.
• Hillion Ch.: 'Withdrawal under Article 50 TEU: An integration-friendly process', „Common Market Law Review" 2018, Iss. 2/1, s. 29.
• Hughes J. M.: "Sleeping Beauty" Unleashed: Harmonizing a Consolidated European Security and Defense Union, „ZEI Discussion Paper" 2018, C 248, Zentrum für Europäische Integrationsforschung.
• Salm Ch: The added value of the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI), and its revision, „Analiza", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 13.04.2018.
• Shara M.:Rules for EU institutions' processing of personal data, „Briefing", Biuro Analiz Parlamentu Europejskiego, 23.04.2018.
• Sterck J.: Sameness and selfhood: The efficiency of constitutional identities in EU law, „European Law Journal" iss. 4, 25 April 2018.