EP this week: Ukraine, tax avoidance, inter-religious dialogue
MEPs vote this week on a financial grant to Ukraine, debate the results of last week’s European Council summit as well as discuss new legislation to tackle corporate tax avoidance. They will also take part in a meeting on the importance of inter-religious dialogue.
On Monday, the economic affairs committee meets Mario Draghi, president of the Economic Central Bank, to discuss, among other issues, the bank’s new quantitative easing policy, meaning it will buy government bonds and private sector assets to help stimulate the economy.
Denis Mukwege, the Congolese gynaecologist who won the 2014 Sakharov Prize, meets the human rights subcommittee on Thursday to discuss how his work helping rape victims in his country can be supported. He also meets EP President Martin Schulz on Wednesday.
The budgetary control committee votes on Monday and Tuesday on how EU institutions spent their funds in 2013.
During Wednesday’s plenary session, MEPs discuss the results of the European Council meeting on 19-20 March, which looked at plans for an energy union, relations with Russia, the Eastern Partnership and the coordination of economic policies within the EU, known as the European Semester. They also vote on €1.8 billion worth of EU funds to help out with the economy, political stabilisation and reform.
MEPs also debate during the plenary session on Wednesday tax transparency, especially how to tackle corporate tax avoidance and unfair tax competition in the EU. In addition they vote on a resolution on the EU’s national tax systems and ways to improve coordination and the fight against tax fraud.
On Wednesday, the Parliament marks International Roma Day with a debate on discrimination against the Roma people and EU recognition of the WWII Roma genocide
On Tuesday, MEPs together with Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders discuss the necessity of inter-religious dialogue to promote tolerance and respect for human dignity.
