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EUROPEAN DEBATES IN THE SEJM |
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6 February 2015 - the Sejm accepted the information on the Republic of Poland's participation in the activities of the European Union in July-December 2014 (Italian Presidency of the EU Council) - resolution. The information was earlier debated in plenary on 5 February 2015, with participation of the Secretary of State in Foreign Affairs Ministry, Rafał Trzaskowski (verbatim record/PL, point 14).
6 February 2015 - the Sejm adopted the statute granting consent for ratification by the President of the Republic of Poland of the Association Agreement between the EU, EAEC and their Member States, and Georgia (Legislative process /PL).
4 February 2015 - the Sejm held a debate on the report of EU Affairs Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Government bill on ratification of the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part, drawn up at Brussels on 27 June 2014 (papers no. 3059 and 3120, verbatim record /PL point 10).
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EU DOCUMENTS IN THE SEJM |
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In February 2015 the EU Affairs Committee (SUE) held 7 meetings: no. 314-320. During these meetings the Committee:
- scrutinised 25 EU documents:
- pursuant to Art. 7(4) of the Cooperation Act – 6 EU draft legislative acts concerning i.a.: draft amending budget to the general budget 2015, Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code), macro-financial assistance to Ukraine or multiannual financial framework 2014-2020,
- pursuant to Art. 151(1) of the Sejm Standing Orders and Art. 3(2) of the Cooperation Act – 6 European Commission documents (2 reports, 4 communications) concerning i.a. progress by Turkey in fulfilling the requirements of its visa liberalisation roadmap, enlargement strategy and main challenges 2014-15 or Commission work programme for 2015,
- pursuant to Art. 11(1) of the Cooperation Act – EU documents, which were to be discussed by Economic and Financial Affairs Council, General Affairs Council and Competitiveness Council,
- pursuant to Art. 8(2) of the Cooperation Act – 9 EU draft legal acts concerning i.a. the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, authorisation for the United Kingdom to apply differentiated levels of taxation to motor fuels in certain geographical areas or restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Ukraine,
- heard information on the introduction on 01.01.2015 by the German Ministry of Labour of the minimum wage regulations that oblige all carriers to raise the minimum wage for drivers who pass through Germany to 8,5 euro/h, presented by Maria Wasiak, Minister of Infrastructure and Development (mtg no. 314),
- together with Foreign Affairs Committee held the first reading of Government bill on the ratification of the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part, drawn up at Brussels on 27 June 2014 (paper no. 3059, mtg no. 315),
- together with Economic Committee heard information on the trade agreement between the European Union and the United States, presented by Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Economy, Andrzej Dych (mtg no. 317),
- heard information on European Digital Agenda, presented by Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Administration and Digitalisation, Bogdan Dombrowski (mtg. no 320).
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In February 2015 information on and documents of SUE meetings no. 314, 316, 318-320, provided by the EU Affairs Committee secretariat, were published in the EDL-S (European Legislative Documents in the Sejm) and IPEX databases.
MEETINGS OF THE EU AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
02.02.2015 – the representatives of SUE met with Maroš Šefčovič, EC Vice-President for Energy Union,
20.02.2015 – Chairs of SUE and Infrastructure Committee met with Violeta Bulc, Commissioner for Transport. The meeting concerned issues of rail transport and the development of this sector of transport in Poland,
26.02.2015 – the representatives of SUE, Local Self-Government and Regional Policy Committee and Public Finance Committee met with Corina Creţu, Commissioner for Regional Policy. The meeting concerned the implementation of cohesion policy funds for 2014-2020.
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WORK IN COMMITTEES |
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IMPLEMENTATION OF EU LAW - UST DATABASE |
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In February 2015
- the following bills implementing EU law have been referred to the first reading [paper no.]:
- Government bill on scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading [3151],
- Government bill amending the act on the functioning of cooperative banks, their affiliations and affiliated banks and some other acts [3150],
- Government bill amending the act on chemical substances and mixtures thereof [3149],
- Government bill amending the act on forests and some other acts [3147],
- Government bill on local development with the participation of local community [3138],
- Government bill on support for rural development with the participation of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development in the framework of the Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020 [3130],
- Government bill amending the act - Road traffic law [3110],
- Government bill on substances that deplete the ozone layer and on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases [3106].
- the following acts implementing EU law have been adopted [paper no.]:
- Act of 20 February 2015 on local development with the participation of local community [3138],
- Act of 20 February 2015 on support for rural development with the participation of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development in the framework of the Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020 [3130],
- Act of 20 February 2015 amending the act on road transport and some other acts [2959],
- Act of 20 February 2015 on renewable energy sources [2604],
- Act of 5 February 2015 on payments under the direct support schemes [3080].
- the following acts implementing EU law have been published [paper no.]:
- Act of 15 January 2015 on genetically modified organisms and some other acts [2394],
- Act of 15 January 2015 on the protection of animals used for scientific and educational purposes [2709],
- Act of 19 December 2014 on sea fisheries [2919].
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SUBSIDIARITY CHECK IN NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS |
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INTERPARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION |
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26 February 2015, Brussels, Workshop "Cross-border activities in the EU - Making life easier for citizens"
- Less paper work for mobile citizens
- Cross-border families and families crossing borders
- Business and consumers' concerns
24-25 February 2015, Bratislava, Meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committees from parliaments of the Visegrad Group countries
- Geopolitical situation and security threats – Russia, Ukraine, Europe
- Joint session of the Foreign Affairs Committees and the Committees on Economic Affairs: Energy security in the EU and the V4 countries. Completion of the interconnections in the sector of gaz, oil and electricity
- The Middle East – security threats exceeding the region of Europe; refugees and Europe
24-25 February 2015, Bratislava, Meeting of the Committees on Economic Affairs from parliaments of the Visegrad Group countries
- EU Energy Framework after the year 2020
- Joint session of the Foreign Affairs Committees and the Committees on Economic Affairs of the V4 Parliaments: Energy security in the EU and the V4 countries. Completion of the interconnections in the sector of gas, oil and electricity
- The future and support of research, innovations and technological development
- Establishment of an integrated system of transport among the V4 countries
23-24 February 2015, Brussels, Interparliamentary Committee Meeting "Smart Borders Package: European challenges, national experiences, the way ahead"
- The need for smart borders
- Smart borders' proof of concept exercise
- Characteristics of and challenges for different types of borders
- Law enforcement access
- The way ahead
22–23 February 2015, Riga, Meeting of the Chairpersons of the Committees on Employment and Social Affairs
- Promoting inclusion of the most vulnerable groups into the labour market
- Social entrepreneurship – a tool to achieve social objectives
- Youth Guarantee Initiative – the first year of implementation
3-4 February 2015, Brussels, European Parliamentary Week 2015
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European Semester
- Plenary session: The European Economic Governance framework: stock taking and future challenges
- Interparliamentary committee meetings organised by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the Committee on Budgets of the EP
- Plenary session: The review of the EU 2020 strategy and priorities for the 2015 European Semester Cycle
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Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Economic and Financial Governance of the EU
- A European New Deal: stimulating public and private investment for growth and jobs in Europe
- Fiscal consolidation and structural reforms: state of play and best practices in implementing the fiscal compact
- Strengthening the social dimension of the EMU
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RECENT PUBLICATIONS |
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ON THE OIDE WEBSITE
In the section Bibliographies
National parliaments in the EU - new publications
Following sections have been updated:
OIDE Notes - Digital Agenda for Europe, TTIP - Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership oraz European Year of Citizens 2013
***
LATEST DEBATES - COMMENTS
Articles on the current political and economic issues in the EU from the specialist periodicals available on-line (accessed 05.03.2015)
- Blockmans S.: The EU and its Neighbours: Predictions for 2015, "Commentary", Centre for European Policy Studies, 05.01.2015.
- Andoura S., Vinois J: De la Communauté Européenne de l'énergie à l'union de l'énergie, "Tribune", Institut Jacques Delors, 25.02.2015.
- Bąkowski P., Puccio L.: 'Foreign fighters'. Member States' responses and EU action in an international context, "Briefing", European Parliament, European Parliamentary Research Service, February 2015.
- Bertoncini Y., Vitorino A.: "Schengen", terrorism and security, "Tribune", Jacques Delors Institute, 12.02.2015.
- Blockmans S., Saverio Montesano F.: Mogherini's first 100 days: Not the quiet diplomat, "Commentary", Centre for European Policy Studies, 12.02.2015.
Boonstra J.: Reviewing the EU's approach to Central Asia, "Policy Brief" no. 34, EUCAM, Fride, 25.02.2015.
- Collovà C.: How does ex-ante Impact Assessment work in the EU?, "Briefing", European Parliament, European Parliamentary Research Service, February 2015.
- D'Alfonso A.: 'Monti' Group's first assessment of EU own resources, "Briefing", European Parliament, European Parliamentary Research Service, February 2015.
- Dullien S. i inn.: A Fresh Start for TTIP, "Policy Brief", European Council on Foreign Relations, 02.02.2015.
- Gros D.: The Greek Austerity Myth, "Commentary", Centre for European Policy Studies, 10.02.2015.
- Gros D.: A Greek way out?, "Commentary", Centre for European Policy Studies, 05.02.2015.
- Gros D.: The end of fiscal waterboarding?, "Commentary", Centre for European Policy Studies, 23.02.2015.
- Haas J.: Grexit? Beware of slippery slopes, "Policy paper" no. 126, Jacques Delors Institut, 16.02.2015.
- Hagelstam K., Forgacs A.: The economic governance framework of EMU: Stocktaking of building blocks, "Briefing", European Parliament, 19.02.2015.
- Harari D.: Greek debt crisis: developments in 2015, "Commons Library Standard Note", House of Commons, 27.02.2015.
- Hradiský M. i inn.: Economic Dialogue with the President of the Eurogroup, 23 February 2015.
- Kaca E.: Przed szczytem Partnerstwa Wschodniego w Rydze: postęp w polityce wizowej, „Biuletyn PISM" nr 22 (1259), Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych, 25.02.2015.
- Kałan D.: Trójkąt sławkowski: konkurencja dla Wyszehradu?, „Biuletyn PISM" nr 18 (1255), Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych, 16.02.2015.
- Lannoo K.: Which Union for Europe's Capital Markets?, "ECMI Policy Brief" no. 22, European Capital Markets Institute, Centre for European Policy Studies, 13.02.2015.
- Paul A.: The Eastern Partnership, the Russia-Ukraine War, and the Impact on the South Caucasus, "IAI Working Paper" no. 15/06, Istituto Affari Internazionali, February 2015.
- Rękawek K.: Polityka antyterrorystyczna w relacjach Wielkiej Brytanii z UE, „Biuletyn PISM" nr 12 (1249), Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych, 02.02.2015.
- Siddi M.: Rome and Athens allied against austerity? Prospects for cooperation between Italy and Greece in the EU, "FIIA Comment" no. 7 (2015), The Finnish Institute of International Affairs, 19.02.2015.
- Sobják A.: Schengen za walkę z korupcją? Zamiast podwójnych standardów czas na szczerą dyskusję o Rumunii, „Biuletyn PISM" nr 19 (1256), Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych, 18.02.2015.
- Tindale S.: State aid for energy: Climate action is more important than the single market, "Policy brief", Centre for European Reform, 23.02.2015.
- Vanden Broucke J. i inn.: Outcome of the informal European Council meeting of 12 February 2015, "Briefing", European Parliament, European Parliamentary Research Service.
- Wolff G., Sapir A.: Euro-area governance: what to reform and how to do it, "Policy Brief" iss. 2015/01, Bruegel, February 2015.
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