IT-TNAX-IL LEĠIŻLATURA

Transcription

1 IT-TNAX-IL LEĠIŻLATURA P.L Dokument imqiegħed fuq il-mejda tal-kamra tad-deputati fis-seduta Numru 403 tal-15 ta Ġunju 2016 mill-ispeaker, l-onor. Anġlu Farrugia. Raymond Scicluna Skrivan tal-kamra

2 Official visit to the Trio Speakers meeting June 2016 The Hague Hon Anglu Farrugia, Speaker

3 Parliamentary Delegation Report to the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malta. Date: 12th-I 4 th June 2016 Venue: Maltese delegation: The Hague Honomable Anglu Farmgia, President of the House of Representatives Honourable Luciano Busuttil, Government MP Honomable Frederick Azzopardi, Opposition MP Mr Raymond Scicluna, Clerk of the House of Representatives Ms Eleanor Scerri, Director International Affairs - HoR Mr Ancel Farrugia Migneco, Personal Assistant to the Speaker At the invitation of the President of the Senate of the States-General, Madame Ankie Broekers-Knol and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of States-General of Den Haag, the Speaker of the Hous() ofropr()sentativ()s, the Honourable Anglu Farrugia MP, was officially invited to pmticipate the LV - COSAC plenary meetings in view of the upcoming Malta BU Presidency. Speaker... Houee of Representative

4 ~',, Tweede l<amer DF.R STATEN GCNCRAAL Voorzitter Hon. Mr Angelo Fanugia House of Representatives Parliament of Malta Reptiblic Stt eet Valletta, ],.;!,.,, Ill' ;, '! The Hague, 20 April2016 Dear Mr Farrugia, It gives us great pleasure to issue this official invitation to visit the States General on the and of June, for which you already received a verbal invitation during a previous meeting. As you know, Speaker of the Narodm\ Rada (National Council) of the Slovak Republic, Mr Andrej Danko is receiving the same invitation simultaneously. The reason for this visit is our EU Presidencies: looking forward to your presidencies and looking back on the events during our presidency. The occasion of the final conference "the COSAC plenary meeting- provides an excellent opportunity to exchange thoughts, both officially and informally, on such topics as the collaboration between national parliaments and the European Parliaments and the way our parliaments work.

5 The proposed programme, which will be worked out in further detail during the coming months, will in any case include a dinner (on Monday 13' 11 of June) during which we can discuss these topics. We trust that there will be good contact between the relevant parties during the drawing up of the programme, and we look forward to welcoming you in The Hague in due course. Kind regards,. d ' r.. ' i ~~ /.I"./~ ' "".. ;?!{ /,..~r. '/""v\.. Ankle Broakers-Knol President of the Senate of the States-General 'i '') '. Khadija Arlb Speaker of the House of Representatives of the States-General

6 Sta.ten-Generaa.I Program for the visit of the Presidents of Parliament of Slovakia and Malta Date: June 2016 POC Dutch side Ronald Berghouwer (protocol Senate) Maxim Pas (protocol House of Representatives) Driver Sun day Driver Monday Driver Tuesday Maltese delegation 1. Hon. Angelo Farrugia, Speaker of the House of Representatives 2. Mr Raymond Sciduna, Clerk ofthe House 3. Mr Ancel Farrugia Migneco, PA to the Speaker 4. Eleanor Scerri, Director International affairs Slovak delegation 1. Mr. Bela Bugar- Deputy Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, 2. Mr. Daniel Guspan -Secretary General of the Chancellery of the National Council of the SR, 3. Mr. Marek Lisansky- Foreign Policy Adviser of the Speaker of the National Council of the SR, 4. Mr. Ivan Dzurak- Foreign Relations and Protocol Department of the Chancellery of the National Council of the SR, 5. Mr. Roman Buzek- Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, 6. Mr. lvo Polacek- Interpreter (Siovak/English).

7 Staten-Generaa1 Program Sunday 12 June Time I Activity Delegation Malta Arrival flight: Sunday, 12th June, 2016 Malta- Amsterdam KM :40-10:50 10h15 Arrival at VIP center Schiphol Ronald Berghouwer (Senate) and Maxim Pas {House of Representatives) Meeting with the ambassador of Malta Arrival Maltese delegation at Schiphol airport 1. Hon. Angelo Farrugia, Speaker of the House of Representatives 2. Mr Raymond Scicluna, Clerk of the House 3. Mr Ancel Farrugia Migneco, PA to the Speaker 4. Eleanor Scerri, Director International affairs Transport to the Corona hotel Buitenhof AH The Hague As agreed, the embassy will take care of the transportaion of the ambassador and Speaker and the States-General will ensure the transport for the rest of the delegation (mini van). (A 2nd car of the embassy will he present for the transport to Hotel Novate/ City of 2 other delegates that attend the conference on Monday and Tuesday) Arrival at the Corona hotel Check in at the Corona Hotel, Ronald Berghouwer and Maxim Pos will assist the delegation and then leave. 15h30 The entire number of the rooms booked Is 4. Free time -lunch Guided tour of Mauritshuis Museum (guide Ms Marie-Claire Valk will be in the museum foyer to welcome the delegation)

8 Staten-Generaal Monday 13 June Time 8h40 I Activity Maltese delegation: walk from the Corona hotel to the conference venue- Ridderzaal (2 minutes walk) 8h45 Welcome by Presidents of the Senate, Ankie Broekers-J<nol, and the House of Representatives, l<hadija Arib. Short tete-a-tete with coffee in the conference VIP room 9h00 Plenary COSAC programme (this includes opening by the President of the Senate, speech by the Prime Minister, Session I of conference- best practices of parliamentary scrutiny, which includes speech by the First Vice President of European Commission) The delegation will receive the official program seperote/y. 11h30 Maltese delegation- informal lunch with delegates in the conference venue If possible; bilateral meeting with Frans Timmermans- tbc Gather for the guided tour 13h00 Guided tour Maltese delegation (incluiding Binnenhof and 'behind the scenes' elements of the conference e.g. security, interpreters, press centre, staff centre etc.) 14h30 14h40 Teabreak with delegates Arrival of Slovak delegation at conference venue (Ridderzaal- Binnenhof) Arrival Slovak delegation at Schiphol airport Vip Center. Welcome by the ambassador. Transport (partly) arranged by the States-General. States-General will not be able to be present there to welcome theguests due to the COSAC meeting. 1. Mr. Bela Sugar- Deputy Speal<er of the National Council oft he Slovak Republic 2. Mr. Daniel Guspan- Secretary General of the Chancellery of the

9 Staten-Generaa.I National Council ofthe SR, 3. Mr. Marek Lisansky- Foreign Policy Adviser of the Speaker of the National Council of the SR, 4. Mr. Ivan Dzurak- Foreign Relations and Protocol Department of the Chancellery of the National Council of the SR, 5. Mr lvo Polacek -Interpreter (Siovak/English). 15h00 Directly to Corona hotel for check in and lunch. Session for delegation members of Malta, Slovakia and with delegations of Estland and United l<ingdom with secretaries general of the conference. (Speakers & SGs are welcome). MR ANCEL FARRUGIA MIGNECO, PA to the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta MS ELEANOR SCERRI, International Affairs of the House of Representatives of Malta MR ARJEN WESTERHOFF, Projectmanager Parliamentary dimension EU-Presidency 2016 MR STEPHAN DEVOS, Projectmanager Parliamentary dimension EU-Presidency 2016 Also will be present: MR BENET HISCOCK, Director of External Communications of the House of Lords, United Kingdom MR LEE BRIDGES, Director of External Communications of tl1e House of Commons, United Kingdom MS LIBBY HAMMOND, Projectleader of the House of Commons, United Kingdom MS KRIST! SOBER, Estonian Parliament MS SIIRRI SILLAJOE, Estonian Parliament MR MORTEN KOPPEL, Estonian Parliament MS LIISA OJAVEER, Estonian Parliament 17h00-18h00 Meeting with Presidents and Secretary-Generals of Senate and House of Representatives with Slovak and Maltese delegation (Speakers & SG). H.E. ANGELO FARRUGIA, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta MR RAYMOND SCICLUNA, Cieri< of the House of Representatives of Malta H. E. MR JOSEPH COLE, Ambassador of Malta MR BELA BUGAR, Deputy Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic MR DANIEL GUSPAN, Secretary General of the Chancellery of the National Council of the Slovak Republic H.E. MR ROMAN BUZEK, Ambassador of Slovakia MR IVO POLACEK, Interpreter MS ANKlE BROEKERS-KNOL, President of the Senate MS KHADIJA ARIB, Speaker of the House of Representatives MR GEERT-JAN HAMILTON, Secretary General of the Senate MS RENATA VOSS, Secretary General ofthe House of Representatives L l ~

10 19h15 Staten-G eneraal Departure from hotel to l<urhaus for evening programme: (standing) dinner hosted by Presidents of Senate and House of Representatives and Mayor of the Hague and performance by the Residentie Orkest. Transport arranged by States-General. (Seperate cars for Speaker and deputy speaker, mini van for rest of delegation. Maltese delegates residing in Novate/ City can use the conference transport.) Tuesday 14 June 7h15 10h00 Departure to Schiphol Airport for Slovak delegation (dept. 9h30 from Amsterdam to Slovakia) Departure to Schiphol Airport for Maltese delegation (dept. 11h50 to Malta)

11 Report on the Visit of Trio Speakers- LV COSAC The Hague, June 2016 f' t ',</t~):f.!; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PARLIAMENT OF MALTA REPUBLIC STREET, VALLEHA, MALTA

12 The Speaker of the Maltese Parliament was invited by the two Speakers of the Dutch Parliament to participate in a number of meetings organised for the Trio Presidency Speakers in the margins of the LV COSAC Conference in The Hague, which was the last interparliamentary meeting organised within the framework of the parliamentary dimension of the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The same invitation was also extended to the Slovak Parliament. The delegations were composed as follows: Maltese House of Representatives 1. Hon. Anglu Farrugia, Speaker of the House of Representatives 2. Mr Raymond Scicluna, Clerk of the House 3. Ms Eleanor Scerri, Director International affairs 4. Mr Ancel Farrugia Migneco, PA to the Speaker Slovak National Council 1. Mr Bela Sugar- Deputy Speaker of the National Council oft he Slovak Republic, 2. Mr Daniel Guspan- Secretary General oft he Chancellery oft he National Council 3. Mr Marek Lisansky- Foreign Policy Adviser of the Speaker oft he National Council 4. Mr Ivan Dzurak- Foreign Relations and Protocol Department of the Chancellery of the National Council The Maltese delegation was invited to attend the morning sessions of the LV COSAC meeting on Monday, 13 June. The meeting was opened by Ankie Brokers-l<nol, Speaker of the Dutch Senate. In her address she recalled her experience during previous COSAC meetings as Member of the Dutch COSAC delegation. She also remarked on the growing relevance and importance of the parliamentary dimension of the EU Presidency and the importance of democratic legitimacy of EU decisions. The meeting was then addressed by the Chair of the Committee on European Affairs of the Senate Tuur Elzinga. In his introductory remarks, he outlined the main events of the parliamentary dimension of the Dutch Presidency, and also highlighted the various innovations which characterised the meetings of the Dutch Presidency, including the use of an App to which all the Conference documents were uploaded. Following these opening remarks the Agenda of the LV COSAC, as proposed by the troika, was adopted. A number of procedural issues, including the correspondence received by the

13 Report on the Visit of Trio Speakers - LV COSAC The Hague, June 2016 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PARLIAMENT OF MALTA REPUBLIC STREET, VALlETTA, MALTA

14 The Speaker of the Maltese Parliament was invited by the two Speakers of the Dutch Parliament to participate in a number of meetings organised for the Trio Presidency Speakers in the margins of the LV COSAC Conference in The Hague, which was the last interparliamentary meeting organised within the framework of the parliamentary dimension of the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The same invitation was also extended to the Slovak Parliament. The delegations were composed as follows: Maltese House of Representatives 1. Hon. Anglu Farrugia, Speaker ofthe House of Representatives 2. Mr Raymond Scicluna, Clerk of the House 3. Ms Eleanor Scerri, Director International affairs 4. Mr Ancel Farrugia Migneco, PA to the Speaker Slovak National Council 1. Mr Bela Bugar- Deputy Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, 2. Mr Daniel Guspan- Secretary General of the Chancellery of the National Council 3. Mr Marek Lisansky- Foreign Policy Adviser of the Speaker of the National Council 4. Mr Ivan Dzurak - Foreign Relations and Protocol Department of the Chancellery of the National Council The Maltese delegation was invited to attend the morning sessions of the LV COSAC meeting on Monday, 13 June. The meeting was opened by Ankie Brokers-Knol, Speaker of the Dutch Senate. In her address she recalled her experience during previous COSAC meetings as Member of the Dutch COSAC delegation. She also remarked on the growing relevance and importance of the parliamentary dimension of the EU Presidency and the importance of democratic legitimacy of EU decisions. The meeting was then addressed by the Chair of the Committee on European Affairs of the Senate Tuur Elzinga. In his introductory remarks, he outlined the main events of the parliamentary dimension of the Dutch Presidency, and also highlighted the various innovations which characterised the meetings of the Dutch Presidency, including the use of an App to which all the Conference documents were uploaded. Following these opening remarks the Agenda of the LV COSAC, as proposed by the troika, was adopted. A number of procedural issues, including the correspondence received by the

15 Presidency and the outline of the main results of the Bi-annual report, were dealt with at this stage. The next item on the agenda was a keynote speech by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte wherein he outlined the main achievements of the Dutch Presidency of the Council. He indicated that national parliaments, if they work together, can be important operators in the EU: "National parliaments can play a key role. A single parliament can play a limited role. Together the national parliaments can achieve great things: you can give the parliaments the loudest voice in the EU." The delegates were then given the opportunity to put questions and comments to the prime minister. These included the consequences of the outcome of the advisory referendum on the Association Agreement with Ukraine, the involvement of the national parliaments in the debate about TTIP and the migration issue. The next item on the agenda ofthe LV COSAC meeting was an exchange of best practice on parliamentary scrutiny, with particular reference to the use of rapporteurs and trialogues. Both items were opened with a question for debate: i. Should the use of rapporteurs be limited to the European Parliaments ii. Does more transparency result in too much pressure on the negotiations There was a majority of participants who voted against both the first and second questions put by the Chair. Hon. Luciano Busuttil, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, and member of the COSAC delegation, made a brief intervention at the opening of the debate on the use of trialogues. He argued that in spite of the fact that trialogues do not have a formal basis in the treaties, their use has grown considerably. He argued that the fact that they are held behind closed doors undermines the principles of democracy and transparency which are essential to give democratic legitimacy to EU actions. He concluded by saying that this lack of transparency in the process is even more significant for smaller parliaments which are already not equipped well enough to follow all the developments in the European legislative process. The session on the exchange of practices was followed by an interview with European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans by MP Marit Maij, touching mainly on the developments in the yellow and green card procedures. They discussed the tools available to national parliaments for influencing European policy. Maij asked Timmermans about his ideas on the different card procedures, and how they might be used in political dialogue. Following the recent yellow card regarding the possibility of differences in payment of labour migrants, Timmermans argued that the European Commission should start discussing the underlying political problem and should not adopt a purely formal position. He

16 mentioned his own frustrating experience as a minister, when the EC instantly disregarded a yellow card concerning a European Public Prosecutor's Office. "Of course those cards concern subsidiarity and proportionality, but I believe that, as the Commission, we need to discuss the political problem as well." He ment'1oned that the procedures in Brussels should not be too protracted: more time does not necessarily improve quality: "we take a terribly long time with legislation." In his discourse Timmermans also emphasized several times that openness is important: everybody, including the national parliaments, needs to know what's cooking in Brussels. In the afternoon the Speaker of the House of Representatives, accompanied by Hon. Luciano Busuttil and Hon. Frederick Azzopardi as the Maltese delegation to COSAC, had a courtesy meeting with VP Timmermans. During this meeting Speaker Farrugia outlined the main themes which are expected to feature during Malta's Presidency, namely Migration, the Mediterranean and Maritime issues. The VP remarked that he looks forward to visit the Maltese Parliament towards the end of this year to discuss in more detail Malta's programme for the Presidency, which he described as a tremendous challenge for Malta. The two sides also discussed the situation in the South of the European Union including in Libya and Egypt and its repercussions on Europe. Speaker Farrugia explained his wish to organise an inter-parliamentary meeting in Malta between Israel and Palestine in which cooperation on non-politically divisive issues can be discussed in order to send the message that parliaments can cooperate to provide a better life for people in the region. The VP welcomed this as an interesting initiative and noted that Malta can be viewed as an honest broker for such an initiative. The two sides discussed also the North-South divide which is still being perceived, and which has found limited solutions in the Juncker Investment Plan. With regard to the so-called Brexit issue VP Timmermans remarked that whatever the decision taken by the UK on 23 June, repercussions will be felt in the months to come and are likely to take over Malta's agenda. He remarked that no matter the decision, the engagement of national parliaments will be essential. Later in the afternoon the Maltese and Slovak delegations had a meeting with the Presidents and Secretaries-General of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The hosts welcomed Speaker Anglu Farrugia and Deputy Speaker Bela Bugar to the Dutch Binnenhof, which is the area which amongst others include the buhdings of the States General, comprising both the Senate and the House of Representatives. She stated that the visit was also being organised in the context of the declaration on cooperation signed in Rome in 2015 between the three parliaments. Senate President Ankie Broekers-Knol outlined in detah the programme of the parliamentary dimension of the Dutch Presidency, which would be coming to a formal end with the LV COSAC which was under way. She remarked that as a Presidency they focused on being innovative in the organisation of the meetings, mentioning amongst others a mobile phone app dedicated to the Presidency meetings, the use of moderators during the sessions, the making of short promotional

17 videos relating to the meetings, a morning run for the delegates and a separate staff party on the Sunday. Mrs Broekers-Knol remarked that we should safeguard the values which form the basis of our European identity. She also noted that Europe was insufficiently prepared for the migration crisis which it has been facing, and she added that Europe has the responsibility to face it jointly. Speaker Broeker-Knol asked about whether the two following Presidencies shall be putting the Migration issue on their agenda. Deputy Speaker Bugar thanked the hosts for the invitation and for the invaluable experience that will be gained from the visit. He remarked that he is thankful for all the cooperation that is going on between the trio parliaments. He also outlined the seven major events that will be organised by the Slovak Presidency in the second half of 2016, saying that the Slovak Parliament is ready to take up the challenge. He remarked that the elections in Slovakia only three months before were a challenge in themselves; he noted however that the party previously in government is in the current governing coalition and this will ensure continuity. With regard to the issue of migration the Deputy Speaker said that the Member States should listen more to each other, adding that compulsory quotas are not the solution. Speaker Anglu Farrugia also thanked the hosts for their generous invitation and the training provided for the accompanying parliamentary officials. He said that this initiative was very important for parliaments of two Member States which will be shortly holding the Presidency for the first time. He then asked the hosts to elaborate on how the agendas of the inter-parliamentary meetings were decided. He also outlined the main themes which are expected to feature during Malta's Presidency, namely Migration, the Mediterranean and Maritime issues. He added that Malta will also be looking closely at what is going on in the countries to the South of Europe which are currently characterised by unrest and are, or are practically, in the case of Libya, failed states. In this respect Speaker Farrugia also referred to the initiative in which he is proposing to bring together parliamentarians from Israel and Palestine, together with parliamentarians from other Member States, in order to discuss non-politically contentious issues with a view to improving the lives of the people living in the region. Speaker Broekers-Knol explained that the agendas of the meetings were decided by a steering group comprising the Speakers, the Secretaries-Generals and the Chairs of the EU Affairs Committees of both Housese, in cooperation with political preparatory groups made up of representatives of all the political parties represented in the Dutch Parliament. She emphasised that also in the case of the Art. 13 Conference, the agenda should be set and organised jointly with the European Parliament and that both sides need to provide their input.

18 The Speaker of the Dutch House of Representatives, Mrs Khadija Arib concluded the meeting by saying that the organisation of these meetings requires an extraordinary effort by parliaments, as it is all work outside its core area of business. Her advice was to start the preparations as early as possible. In the Dutch Parliament it was decided to appoint two external events managers. She advised that in addition to all the logistical preparations which are required, political engagement is crucial to make the meetings a success, both at Speaker and MP level. She concluded by wishing all the best to the delegations of the two forthcoming presidencies and reiterated that their offer for assistance remains open. The officials from the Maltese delegation were also taken for a tour of the facilities which were used during the inter-parliamentary meetings of the Presidency. The main features of this meeting that were observed were: All participants were given a tag with colour coded lanyards. The cards included a QR code which was scanned on their way in. This information fed into the system could be accessed at any point in time in order to provide an updated report of who was in the facility; Security screening was performed on all participants including Members of Parliament and was also in place in venues outside the main conference venue, e.g. dinner venues; VIPs were handed pins instead of tags giving them access through the VIP entrance and were not subjected to security screening; The meeting room was laid out in a level classroom setup; The COSAC Secretariat were seated opposite the delegates; The backdrop of the room included two big screens on which the video of the proceedings were being screened; during intervals the screens showed videos relating to the Dutch presidency; High visibility inside and around the Conference venue; A pack with the Conference merchandise and documentation was handed to the delegates upon registration; Gifts included a tin of biscuits and a battery pack; Each delegate had an electronic device which would included the microphone, a request to speak button and a voting facility, which were tested at the beginning of the Conference; The raised podium area included a high table for an informal interview setup, a long table for the panel and a lectern for keynote speakers; A/V services were subcontracted; A press room with WIFI and a separate wired high speed internet connection for video upload was provided; An office for the conference organisers was provided;

19 Interviews by journalists could be done in the Conference venue as long as proceedings were not under way. A backdrop with the parliamentary dimension logo was also available; Wi-fi was offered throughout the conference venues; Live streaming was offered on web TV and via the website and app of the parliamentary dimension; All conference documents were made available on the app and on the web page of the meeting; The interpreters were in a remote location in the House of Representatives, and sign language interpretation was also provided; All proceedings were carried out in English; A running coffee-break service was offered; and Lunch was offered in two locations as neither area could accommodate all the participants. Following the tour of the facilities the Maltese officials had a meeting with the project managers of the parliamentary dimension of the EU Presidency, and were joined by colleagues from the UK and Estonia, who will be holding the EU Presidency after Malta. The main points- described as 'lessons learnt' by the Dutch team -that came out from these discussions were: The parliamentary dimension had a budget of Eur 2.9 million to organise 6 main conferences. The Dutch colleagues will be forwarding a copy of the budget of the parliamentary dimension; In addition the Dutch Parliament had to organise other smaller meetings including the visit by the EP Conference of Presidents, the visit by the College of Commissioners, a visit by the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue and a vist by former Members of the European Parliament. Approximately Eur 60,000 was budgeted for each of these meetings; The EU Presidency team of the Parliament comprised eight full time officials (including the two external events managers) and an additional number of officials assisting on a part-time basis; It is important to strike the right balance of political involvement, which included a monthly meeting with the EU Presidency steering group; Innovation was the key to the Dutch Presidency, which does not have to be costly e.g. the morning run which was free and the separate staff dinner on Sunday which turned out to be cheaper than the MP dinner; Care must be given to the seating arrangements in the meeting room with the troika parliaments and the EP (usually a large delegation) being seated at the front;

20 An element of flexibility must be retained in the seating arrangements to cater for last minute changes; There was much more security than would usually be present in The Netherlands, which was necessary to cater for the current security threat level; Even the Dutch MPs had to go through security to enter the venue; No questions would have been asked to increase the budget to cater for the implementation of additional security measures in the event of new threats; The events managers handled the registration and accommodation procedures; Up to six additional rooms need to be allocated for meetings of political groups; Travel and accommodation of guest speakers at the meetings are covered by the inviting parliament. On principle no remuneration can be paid to guest speakers; The agenda of the meetings was in the hands of the political preparatory groups which included three MPs from each party in the Parliament working on behalf of the committees that they represent, and included also the clerks of the relevant committees. Discussions were also held with the Steering Committee mentioned above; After a call for interest by committees to organise an IPC during the Presidency the final decision which to accept rested with the Steering Group; The proposals for IPCs had to meet five main criteria including relevance, whether it is current in European politics. The Dutch colleagues agreed to forward us the list of criteria; Very few proposals met all the set criteria; and The experience with the app was a mixed experience as it can never replace paper documents since not everyone has a smart phone. In the evening the Maltese delegation was invited to a dinner hosted by the two Speakers of the Dutch Parliament and the Mayor of The Hague. The dinner included a concert by The Hague Philharmonic which was inspired by the historic facts which took place in 1948 relating to the Congress of Europe where delegates from 26 European States and the United States and Canada met in the Ridderzaal 'm The Hague, with Winston Churchill, who played an important part in this Congress, staying in the same hotel in which the evening was organised.

21 cu 2016 Draft as of6 June 2016 Meeting of the LV COSAC The Hague, June 2016 Draft programme Sunday, 12 June Arrival of delegations and registration for the meeting at the hotels Meeting of the Presidential Troika ofcosac Departure from the hotets Meeting of the Presidential Troilca (House of Representatives, Binnenhof?A, The Nague) Departure for reception and cocktail dinner Departure from the hotels Members' Dinner hosted by the Chairmen of the Committees on European Affairs of the House of Representatives, MrMaUicAzmani and of the Senate, Mr Tuur Elzinga Venue: Het Spaansche Hof(Westeinde 12A, The Hague) Staff dinner Venue: Beach club WI} (Strandweg 1, Scheveningen) Return to the hotels Monday, 13 June 2016 Meeting of the political groups Departure from the hotels Meeting of political groups (Senate, committee meeting rooms, Binnenhof 22, The Hague) o8:15 Departure from the hotels to the Hall of Kn igl1ts (Binnenho{11, The Hague)

22 cu Draft 2016 as of 6 June 20'16 Meeting ofthe LV COSAC The Hague, 12M 14 june Opening of the meeting Welcome address by the President of the Senate, Ms Ankie Broekers-Knol Introductory remarks remarks by the Chairman of the Committee on European Affairs of the Senate, MrTuur Elzinga Adoption ofthe Agenda Procedural issues and miscellaneous matters Information on the results of the Presidential Troika - Letters received by the Presidency Keynote speech by Mr Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, reflection on the Dutch EU Presidency Questions and debate Session 1: Parliamentary scrutiny, an exchange of best practices Introduction Opening by the Chairman of the Committee on European Affairs of the Senate, MrTuur Elzinga and introduction of the moderator for this session, Ms Marit Maij, member of the Dutch House of Representatives Keyiindings from the 25th Bi annual report Presentation by the permanent member of the COSAC Secretariat, Ms Christiana Fryda Combining parliamentary information for scrutiny and effective cooperation between parliaments: The use of Rapporteurs Introduction by the moderator and debate Scrutiny beyond ministerial Councils: Trilogue Introduction by the moderator and debate State of play on the instruments at the disposal of National Parliaments (yellow/green card) Interview with Mr Frans Timmermans, First Vice President of the European Commission , Family photo and lunch Hall of Knights Informal session on the implementation of the Single European Sky (SES) requested by the Dutch rapporteurs SES Venue: Hal! of Knights Informal session on collaborative economy requested by the delegation of the Parliament of Estonia Venue: Senate 2/4

23 cu 2016 Draft as of 6 june 2016 Meeting of the LV COSAC The Hague, 12 ~ 14 june session II: The role of Parliaments in Protecting the Rule of ~aw within the EU Introduction by the moderator, Mr Murray Hunt, VIsiting Professor Oxford University Panel discussion: - Mr Pietervan Dijk, former member Venice commission, expert Rule of Law checl< list of the Venice Commission Ms Sophie in 't Veld, Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur of the legislative owninitiative report on the establishment of an EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights' Debate Closing remari<s by Mr Frans Timmermans, first Vice President of the European Commission Coffee break 15;00-16.$0 Sessioniii:-Ellchange of best practices-andexperiences-ilrparliamentary-oipldmacy Introduction by the moderator, Mr jan Wouters, University of Leuven, research project "lnterparliamentary Cooperation in the EU's External Action- Parliamentary Scrutiny and Diplomacy in the EU and Beyond" Panel discussion: - Ms Lolita l:igane, chairperson European Affairs Committee of the Saeima, Latvia - Mr Andrej Hunko, member of the Bundestag, Germany - Mr Ruben Moreno Pataoques, member of the Congress of Deputies, Spain Debate Return to the hotels Meeting of COSAC Chairpersons Hall of Knights Debate on the Draft Contributions of the LV COSAC Return to the hotels Departure from the hotels for dinner hosted by the President of the Senate, Ms Ankie Broekers-Knol, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ms Khadija Arib and the Mayor of The Hague, Mr jozias van Aartsen Venue: Kurhaus, Grand Hotel Amrdth (Gevers Deynootplein 30, Scheveningen) Return to the hotels 3/4

24 cu 2016 Draft as of 6 June 2016 Meeting of the LV COSAC The Hague, june 2016 Tuesday, 14 June Morning run (departure from the conference hotels) Departure from the hotels Session IV: European Court of Auditors Introduction by the moderator, Mr )oris Backer, member of the Dutch Senate Introduction by Mr Alex Brenninkmeijer and Mr Ville!tala, Members of the European Court of Auditors Debate Session V: Migration Discussion on the state of piay ofthe implementation of the EU-Turkey Agreement Introduction by the moderator, Mr Kamran UUah Introduction by Mr Gerald Knaus, Chairman of the European Stability Initiative Introduction by speaker (tbc) Panel discussion: - Mr Elmar Brok, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament - Ms Marina Berlinghieri, member of the Chamber of Deputies, Italy - MrVadav Hampl, Chairman of the Committee on EU Affairs of the Senate, Czech Republic Debate Coffee break Adoption of the contributions of the LV COSAC Presentation by the winner of the essay contest of the Dutch Parliament on the role of national parliaments in the European Union in 25 years (tbc) Closing remarks by the Chairman of the Committee on European Affairs ofthe House of Representatives, Mr Malik J\%mani Lunch Hall of Knights Return to the hotels and departure of delegations 4/4

25 DIPARTIMENT TAL INFORMAZZJONI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA Press Release PR STQARRIJA MAHRUGA MILL-UFFICCJU TAL-ISPEAKER L-Ispeaker jippartecipaf'laqgnat tal-ispeakers tat-trio tal-presidenza gewwa The Hague Fuq stedina tal-ispeaker tas-senat Olandiz, Ankie Broekers-Knol u 1-Ispeaker tal-kamra tad-deputati Olandiza, Khadija Arib, 1-Ispeaker Anglu Farrugia se jkun qed jiehu sehem fnmnru ta' laqghat organizzati gewwa The Hague mill-parlament Olandiz ghall-ispeakers tal-parlament tat-trio tal-presidenza tal-unjoni Ewropea. Dawn il-laqghat gew organizzati fil-qafas tal-ftehim ta' Koperazzjoni bejn il-parlamenti tat-trio tal-presidenza li gie ffirmat fruma f April 2015 mill-ispeakers tal-parlament Malti, dak Olandiz u dak Slovaldc. F'The Hague 1-Ispeaker se jkollu opportunita li jkun prezenti ghall-ftut1 u ghall-ewwel sessjoni tal-lv Laqgl1a tal-kumitati gl1all-affarijiet Ewropej tal-parlamenti Nazzjonali tal-cosac (Koorganizzata mill-parlament Olandiz bt1ala parti mil-laqgt1at tad-dimensjoni Parlamentari tal-presidenza. L-Ispeaker Farrugia se jkun ukoll qed jiltaqa' maz-zewg Speakers Olandizi u d-deputy Speaker tal-parlament Slovakk, Bela Bugar sabiex jiddiskutu 1-irwol dejjem akbar li 1-parlamenti nazzjonali qed ikollhom fl-arkitettura Ewropea, kif ukoll dwar ir-relevanza tal-presidenza tal-kunsill tal-unjoni Ewropea ghall-istess parlamenti nazzjonali. Matul iz-zjara fthe Hague, 1-Ispeaker Farrugia se jkun akkmnpanjat mill-iskrivan tal-kamra, mid-direttur tar-relazzjonijiet Internazzjonali ta1-parlament Malti u mill-assistent Personali tieghu, 1i flimkien se jkollhom 1-opportunita 1i jzurn 1-postijiet fejn qed jin2:ammu 1-laqgtmt tad-dimensjoni parlamentari, fosthom dik ta1-cosac, kifukoll i1-facilitajiet 1i qed jigu offruti waqt 1-istess 1aqghat u dan bi thejjija ghal-laqghat simili 1i l-par1ament Malti se jkun qed jorganizza tu1 i1-presidenza Maltija tal-ue fl-ewwel sitt xhur tal Attachments: none 3, CASTILLE PLACE, VALLETTA VLT 1062 Tel +(356) Fax +[356) press.releases@gov.mt Page: 1 of1

26 DIPARTIMENT TAL-INFORMAZZJONI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA Press Release PR PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Speaker of the Parliament of Malta, House of Representatives, meets the President of the International Criminal Tribuna/for the Former Yugoslavia This evening the Speaker of the House of Representatives Anglu Fatrugia held a meeting with the President of the Tribunal Judge Cannel Agius at the official building of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Fonner Yugoslavia. Speaker Anglu Farrugia stated that this visit was of great importance as it is of great honour to have this prestigious institution presided by Judge Cannel Agius, which institution is perfmming noted land mark decisions. The President of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Fonner Yugoslavia, Judge Carmel Agius thanked the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the recognition. Malta's Ambassador to the Netherlands Joseph Cole accompanied Spealcer Anglu Fatrugia. Attachments: photo Page: 1oft 3, CASTILLE PLACE, VALLETTA VLT 2000 Tel +(356) Fax +(356) press.releases@gov.mt

27 DIPARTIMENT TAL INFORMAZZJONI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA Press Release PR STQARRIJA MILL-UFFICCJU TAL-ISPEAKER L-Ispeakerfuq fjaraf'tlte Hague hi preparazzjoni gliall-presidenza Maltija tal-unjoni Ewropea Bi thejjija ghall-presidenza Maltija tal-unjoni Ewropea fl-ewwel sitt xhur tal-2017 l-ispeaker Anglu Farrugia attenda ghal numru ta' laqghat fthe Hague tat-trio tal-presidenza tal-unjoni Ewropea. Bhalissa din tildconsisti mill-parlament Olandiz, dak Slovakk u 1-Parlament Malti. Din iz-zjara sehhet fuq stedina tal-ispeaker tas-senat Olandiz, Ankie Broekers-Knol u 1-Ispeaker tal-kamra tad-deputati Olandiza, Khadija Arib, liema Kmamar ghandhom espe1jenza twila florganizzazzjoni tad-dimensjoni parlamentari tal-presidenza. Minhabba li 1-Ispeaker tal-parlament Slovakjinsab indispost, il-parlament Slovakk kien irrapprezentat mid-deputat Speaker Bela Bugar. F'din il-laqgha 1-Ispeakers tlcellmu dwar ir-rwol dejjem akbar li 1-parlamenti nazzjonali qed ikollhom fl-arkitettura Ewropea, kif ukoll dwar ir-relevanza tal-presidenza tal-kunsill tal-unjoni Ewropea ghall-istess parlamenti nazzjonali. Min-naha taghhom 1-Ispeaker Farrugia u d-deputat Speaker Bngar esprimew ir-ringrazzjament lill-ispeakers tal-parlament Olandiz ghal din 1-istedina. Huma sahqu illi bhala parlamenti li ser ikollhom 1-ewwel espmjenza ta' Presidenza tal-kunsill japprezzaw kull gt1ajnuna li jistghu jinghataw minn parlamenti li ghandhom ferm izjed esperjenza fdan il-qasam. F'dan is-sens huma urew ukolll-apprezzament taghhom gtmll-fatt li bis-saht1a ta' din iz-zjara 1-ufficjali parlamentari rispettivi taghhom ghandhom ikomplujaldcumulaw taghrif dwar x'inhuwa mistenni mid-dimensjoni PaTlamentari tal-presidenza. Fi kliemhom dan ikompli jsatmat1 ir-relazzjonijiet eccelenti li digit jezistu bejn dawn il-parlamenti. Ghal din il-laqgha 1-Ispeaker Farrugia kien assistit mill-ambaxxatur Malti ghall-olanda s-sur Joe Cole, mill-iskrivan tal-kmnra s-sur Raymond Scicluna n mid-direttur ghall-affarijiet Barranin is-sinjorina Eleanor Sce1Ti. Matul din iz-zjm a 1-Ispeaker Farrugia attenda ghal-lv sessjoni tal-cosac li hija konferenza li tlaqqa' c-chairpersons u 1-membri ta' kumitati parlamentari ghall-affarijiet Ewropej tal-istati membri tal-ue u kifukoll stati osservaturi, u li nonnalment tkun 1-atmar laqgha ta' kull Presidenza. Min-naha Maltija ghal din is-sessjoni attendew Luciano Busuttil, Chailperson tal-kumitat Permanenti dwar 1-Affarijiet Barranin u Ewropej u Frederick Azzopardi, Membru fuq 1-istess Kumitat Pennanenti. Fost is-suggetti trattati lcien hemm 1-ahjar prattici mhaddma fil-parlamenti Nazzjonali tal-ue fdak li jinigwarda 1-islautinju parlamentari ta' inizjattivi Ewropej u d diplomazija parlamentari, il-qorti Ewropea tal-awdituri u 1-migrazzjoni. Fl-intervent tieghu dwar 1-ewwelmaterja Busuttil ghan1el referenza ghall-involviment tal-parlamenti nazzjonali fil-process legizlattiv tal-unjoni Ewropea, liema rwol gie msahhah bid-dliul fis-setli1 tat-trattat ta' Lizbona fi tmiem Il-punt li qajjem Busuttillcien jinigwarda dawk li jinefem ghalihom bliala 'trialogi' cioe stadju informali fdan 1-istess process li sar jintuza iktm spiss inlma li m'gliandu ebda bazi formali fit-trattati tal-unjoni Ewropea. Huwa qalli ghalkemm dawn il-laqgliat informali, u li jsiru fil-magliluq, jistgtm jwasslu biex b'mod prattiku jkun henun ftehim aktar malajr bejn il- Attachments: speech+ photo 3, CASTILLE PLACE, VALLETTA VLT 2000 Tel +(356) Fax +(356) press.releases@gov.mt Page: 1 of2

28 kolegi:i:laturi, mhumiex qed jigu mmexxija b'mod li jhaddmu 1-prinCipji tajba tad-demokrazija u t trasparenza, liema pincipji huma essenzjali sabiex ikun hemm legittimita demolaatika taddeci:i:jonijiet kollha mehuda fkull stadju tal-process. (It-test tad-diskors kollu Busuttil jinsab anness) L-Ispeaker Anglu Farrugia kellu 1-opportunita wkoll jiltaqa' mal-vici-president tal-kumissjoni Ewropea responsabbli ghar-relazzjonijiet mal-parlamenti nazzjonali, Frans Timmennans. Flimkien iddiskutew il-preparamenti tal-parlament Malti ghall-presidenza tal-kunsill fl-ewwelnofs tas-sena 2017, kif ukoll ir-relazzjonijiet u 1-koperazzjoni bejn il-parlamenti u 1-Kummissjoni Ewropea. L Ispeaker FaiTugia ITefera wkoll ghat-temi ewlenin li huma mistem1ija jidhru fuq!-agenda tal Presidenza Maltija, Cioe 1-Mediterran, il-kwistjoni tal-migrazzjoni u 1-qasam marittimu. Matul illaqgha gew diskussi wkoll mekkani:i:imi li jistgtm jssahhu r-1wol tal-parlamenti nazzjonali sabiex ikunu jistgtm jigu involuti fi stadju bikri tal-process legi:i:lattiv fl-arkitettura Ewropea. II-Viti President tal-kummissjoni Ewropea ddesk.riva bhal interessanti 1-proposta li ghamel!-!speaker Farrugia li matul il-presidenza Maltija jitlaqqa' working group li jkun!compost mim1 Membri Parlamentari mill-parlament Palestinjan, I:i:raelit u dale Malti sabiex jintbaghat messagg konciljatorju u ta' kif il-parlamenti nazzjonali jistghu jikkontribwixxu ghall-pa6i fejn je:i:isti konflitt. Fl-ahhar nett i-ispeaker Fanugia u 1-Vici-President Tilmnennans qablu li ftit qabel tibda 1- Presidenza Maltija jiltaqghu Malta biex jiddiskutu falctar dettall dawk il-materji li jistghu jigu trattati waqt 1-istess presidenza. PR Page: 2 of2 DIPARTIMENT TAL-INFORMAZZJONI- DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA

29 Sessjoni 1: L-iskrutinju Parlamentari, kondivii:joni tal-ahjar prattici Session 1: Parliamentary scrutiny, an exchange of best practices Intervent tal-onor. Luciano Busuttil Scrutiny beyond ministerial Councils: Trilogue It-trasparenza u 1-qsim ta' informazzjoni bejn il-parlamenti nazzjonali u 1-istituzzjonijiet Ewropej huma elementi essenzjali u utli sabiex il-parlamenti nazzjonali jkunu jistgtm jaqdu d-dmir taghhom fil-mansjoni taghhom li jinfluwenzaw il-legizlazzjoni 1i gejja mill Unjoni Ewropea. L-inizjattiva ta' BmToso fl-2006 mhux hiss tat 1-opportunitit lill-parlamenti nazzjonali li jkunu involuti mill-bidu nett til-process legizlattiv tal-unjoni Ewropea, izda serviet biex inghata sinjal car li henm1 bzonn li 1-parlamenti nazzjonali jkunu involuti aktm fdm1 itprocess ta' legizlazzjoni. Dan ir-rwol gie fformalizzat bid-dtml fis-sehh tat-trattat ta' Lizbona fi tmiem Minkejja li t-trilogi rna ghandhomx bazi formali fit-trattati tal-unjoni Ewropea, jikkostitwixxu fazi importanti fil-process legizlattiv Ewropew waqt li proposta legizlattiva tkun qed tinhema bejn iz-zewg kolegizlaturi. Spiss jigri li fdan 1-istadju 1- proposta tkun inbidlet mhux ftit minn dik kif proposta originmjament mill-kummissjoni, u li tkun giet mghoddija ghall-iskrutinju tal-parlamenti. Ghalkemm dawn il-laqghat informali, u li jsiru fil-maghluq, jistghu jwasslu biex b'mod prattiku jkun hemm ftehim aktar malajr bejn il-kolegizlaturi, zgur ma humiex immexxija b'mod lijhaddmu 1-principji tajba tad-demokrazija u t-trasparenza. Dawn il-pincipji huma essenzjali sabiex ikun hemm legittimitit demokratika tad-decizjonijiet kollha mehuda fkull stadju tal-process. In-nuqqas ta' trasparenza u informazzjoni waqt il-process legizlattiv huwa bla dubju sfida kbira glial kull min jixtieq isegwi mill-qrib il-process legizlattiv, inkluz il-parlamenti nazzjonali. Dan aktar u aktar ghal parlamenti zghar bhalma huwa dale Malti sabiex birrizorsi limitati 1i ghandu jsegwi 1-izviluppi li jkunu qed isehhu fid-diversi stadji talprocess legizlattiv. Jaf wasal iz-zmien li ninghaqdu flimkien, anke fi gruppi zghar ta' hidma, fejn flimkien niddeliberaw dwar 1-izviluppi recenti li rajna fid-dimensjoni Ewropea tax-xoghol pm lamentari sabiex nidentifikaw liema huma 1-oqsma kkm atterizzati minn nuqqas ta' legittimitit demokratika u x'azzjoni nistghu niehdu biex nindirizzaw din is-sitwazzjoni.

30 D IPARTIMENT TAL-INFORMAZZJ ON! DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA Press Release PR STQARRIJA MAHRUGA MILL-UFFICCJU TAL-ISPEAKER Il-Parlament Malti jisltaq fuq 1-importanza li tingltata attemjoni lill-kwistjoni tal-migraujoni ficcentru tal-mediterran Fi tmiem iz-zjara tal-ispeaker tal-kmma tad-deputati Auglu Farrugia gewwa The Hague bi preparazzjoni ghaii-presidenza Maltija tai-unjoni Ewropea, huwa n ingrazzja Iiii-Ispeakers tas Senat u tal-kamra tad-deputati Olandizi ghall-opportunita li taw Iili-Parlament Malti u dak Slovakk sabiex josservaw b'mod dirett l-orgm1izzazzjoni ta' konferenzi interparlamentari. Dan kien possibbli peress illi z-zjara giet organizzata matul 1-ahhar laqgha interparlmnentari tal-progranm1 tai-presidenza Olandiza, Cioe I-LV sessjoni tal-konferenza Ii tlaqqa' 6-Chairpersons u 1-membri ta' Kumitati Parlamentari ghaii-affarijiet Ewropej tal-istati Membri tai-ue (COSAC). F'dan ir-rigward huwa rringrazzjahom ukoll ghall-assistenza u t-ta!rrig li nghataw 1-ufficjali pm latnentari li kienu qed jassistuh tul din iz-zjara dwar 1-arrangatnenti logistici u finanzjmji tal Presidenza Olandiza, kif ukoll dwm il-preparamenti Ii saru u 1-procedura Parlamentari Ii ntuzat sabiex giet stabbilita!-agenda ta'!cull konferenza. Waqt il-laqgt1a mal-ispeakers tal-parlmnent Olandiz u dak Slovakk, qmnet il-kwistjoni dwar jekk ittema tal-migrazzjoni kellhiex tigi estiza u inkluza fil-programm tal-laqgt1at interparlamentari tai Presidenza Slovalcka fl-ahhm sitt xhur ta' din is-sena kif ukoll ghal waqt ii-presidenza Maltija flewwel nofs tal L-Ispeaker Fanugia stqan Ii flimkien mal-oqsma tal-marittimu u tai Mediterran, ma setax jonqos Ii 1-kwisjtoni tal-migrazzjoni tinghata prijorita waqt ii-presidenza Maltija. Filwaqt Ii rrimarka Ii Malta tat u se tibqa' tagtlti 1-appogg taghha biex tigi indirizzata 1- mewga ta' migrazzjoni li laqtet Iill-pajjizi tai-lvant, huwa sahaq Ii ghandha tinghata attenzjoni lil mewga ohra ta' migrazzjoni li qieghda tirritona lejn ic-centru tai-mediterran. Huwa rrefera ghattragedji umm1i kbm Ii sehhew ricentement f din iz-zona u enfasizza Ii hemm bzotm approcc holistiku miii-istati Membri kollha tal-ue sabiex tragedji bhal dawn majerggtmx isetmu. Fl-14 ta' Gunju 2016 giet fi tmiemha I-LV COSAC Ii gt1aliha kienu prezenti Luciano Busuttil, President tai-kumitat Pennat1enti dwar 1-Affm ijiet Bm ranin u Ewropej u Frederick Azzopardi, Membru tal-istess Kumitat. 11-Membru Parlamentari Frederick Azzopardi tkellem dwar il-hames suggett fuq!-agenda tal-lv COSAC Ii kien jirrigwarda propju 1-migrazzjoni. Fl-intervent tieghu l-membru Parlamentari Azzopardi qal Ii Malta tilqa' 1-izvilupp fl-implimentazzjoni tal-ftehim bejn 1-Unjoni Ewropea u t Turkija ghaliex tara Ii din hija inizjattiva importm1ti sabiex titnaqqas il-pressjoni Ii nholqot permezz tas-sitwazzjoni prekarja tal-migrazzjoni fiz-zona tal-balkani. Huwa zied jghid li Malta qed taghti l ghajnuna tagtma fl-implementazzjoni tal-ftehim b'mod logistiku fejn intbaghtu nun1ru ta' ufficjali 1- Attachments: none Page: 1 of2 3, CASTILLE PLACE, VALLETTA VLT 1062 Tel +(356) Fax +(356) press.releases@gov.mt