MINUTES. 12 January 2017

Transcription

1 PE-8/CPG/PV/ EUROPEAN PARLIAMT CONFERCE OF PRESIDTS MINUTES of the ordinary meeting of Thursday 12 January 2017 Paul-Henry SPAAK, Room 06B01 Brussels PE /CPG/Rev

2 CONFERCE OF PRESIDTS MINUTES of the ordinary meeting of Thursday, 12 January 2017 from 11:00 to 13:00 hours Paul-Henry SPAAK, Room 06B01 Brussels CONTTS Page 1. Adoption of the draft agenda Approval of the draft Minutes of the meetings of 14 December Adoption of the final draft agenda for the January part-session (from 16 to 19 January 2017) and the draft agenda for the February I part-session (from 1 to 2 February 2017) Scheduling of key debates in plenary European Political Parties - committee of independent eminent persons Final Report of the High-Level Group on Own Resources Request from the S&D Group for an extraordinary meeting with Mr DIJSSELBLOEM, President of the Eurogroup Change of portfolio of Commissioner OETTINGER Commission proposal to amend the Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the European Commission Calendar of parliamentary activities for amendment Attribution of competence for an own-initiative report entitled European Agenda for the collaborative economy Attribution of competences for the legislative report on financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union Attribution of competence for the legislative reports on applicants for international protection and beneficiaries of international protection Delegated and implementing acts - Screening of current files Overview of delegated acts and draft RPS measures currently under EP scrutiny PE /CPG/Rev 2/39

3 13. First reading agreements - Overview and state of play Request from the Committee on International Trade to send a delegation to Malta, from 2 to 3 March Request from the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection to include Mumbai in its mission to India, from 20 to 24 February Request from the Committee on Women s Rights and Gender Equality to increase the number of Members participating in the 61st session of the United Nations on the Status of Women, in New York, USA, from 20 to 24 March Request from the Committee on Legal Affairs to send an ad hoc delegation to Chisinau, Moldova, from 18 to 20 April Request from the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection to send an ad hoc delegation to Tel Aviv, Israel, from 22 to 24 May Request from the Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee to postpone the 13th meeting in Strasbourg to 15 and 16 February Request from the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group for authorisation for one Member to travel to Abuja, Nigeria, from 6 to 7 February Request from the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group for authorisation for one Member to travel to Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, Tanzania, from 9 to 10 February Request to send a delegation to the meeting of COSAC Chairpersons to be held in Valletta, Malta, from 22 to 23 January Urgent matters and any other business Allocation of appropriations for the political groups under item 400 of Parliament's budget for Numerical composition of parliamentary committees EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement The President s farewell Internal correspondence Inter-institutional correspondence External correspondence Date and place of next meetings /39 PE /CPG/Rev

4 CONFERCE OF PRESIDTS MINUTES of the meeting of Thursday 12 January 2017 from 11:00 to 13:00 hours Brussels The meeting opened at 11:08 hours with Mr Martin SCHULZ, President of the European Parliament, in the chair Present Mr SCHULZ, President Political Group Chairs Political Group Chairs Mr WEBER (EPP) Ms RODRIGUES (Acting) (S&D) Mr LEGUTKO (Acting) (ECR) Mr VERHOFSTADT (ALDE) Mr DE JONG (Acting) (GUE/NGL) Mr LAMBERTS (Co-Chair) (Greens/EFA) Mr FINCH (Acting) (EFDD) Mr DE GRAAFF (Co-Chair) (F) Ms DODDS 1 (NI) Also Present Mr Mr WELLE, Secretary-General WINKLER, Deputy Secretary-General 1 Present pursuant to Rule 26 (2) of the Rules of Regulations of Procedure PE /CPG/Rev 4/39

5 Invited: Mr BUZEK, Chair of the Conference of Committee Chairs The Council 1 represented by Ms TUTS Mr KERLEROUX The Commission 1 represented by Mr FORTI Mr PINE The Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy 1 represented by Mr VISTIN Mr SPANIER The Economic and Social Committee 1 represented by Ms ADAMISOVA Mr DELEANU Office of the President Office of the Secretary-General Ms Mr Ms Ms Mr Mr Ms Ms BLAU DREUTE NOYON BOVEINGTON-FAURAN MANGOLD SORS FERNANDEZ PERLES KOSTIDOU Office of the Deputy Secretary-General Mr JAVELLE Secretariat DG Presidency (PRES) Mr LANE/Ms ROBSON/Ms GANDOLFO/ Ms SAILIS 1 / Ms FERGER/Mr NATSCHERADETZ 1 DG Internal Policies (IPOL) Ms VANDBOSCH/Mr CHIOCCHETTI/Ms FONTANILI 1 1 Present for items 1-3 5/39 PE /CPG/Rev

6 DG External Policies (EXPO) Mr AGUIRIANO DG European Parliamentary Research Services (EPRS) Mr BASSOT DG Communication (COMM) DG Personnel (PERS) DG Infrastructures and Logistics Ms LAHOUSSE/Mr DUCH GUILLOT Mr KNUDS Ms LINNUS DG Interpretation and Conferences (INTE) Ms WALTER-DROP DG Finance (FINS) DG Innovation and Technological Support (ITEC) DG Security and Safety (SAFE) Legal Service (SJ) Mr MANNELLI Mr PETRUCCI Mr CAROZZA Mr DREXLER/Ms MARTINEZ IGLESIAS Directorate for relations with political groups Mr SCHWETZ Secretariat of the Bureau Mr TZIORKAS PE /CPG/Rev 6/39

7 Political groups Mr KAMP/Mr RYNGAERT/Ms SCRIBAN/Ms LASKAVÁ Mr MORO SANCHEZ/Mr BURU/Ms PEREIRA Mr BARRETT/Mr BOYD Mr BEELS/Ms COLERA-GARZÓN/Mr RASMUSS/McLAUGHLIN Ms LEPOLA Ms TSETSI/Mr DKINGER/Mr LINAZASORO Ms LALOUX Mr DE DANNE/Mr HOLZFEIND Mr BORDEZ (EPP) (S&D) (ECR) (ALDE) (GUE/NGL) (Greens/EFA) (EFDD) (F) (NI) Ms WOLLNY, Mr ROHLJE, Ms BERTULESSI and Mr VAUGIER acted as secretaries to the meeting. 7/39 PE /CPG/Rev

8 1. Adoption of the draft agenda The Conference of Presidents - noted and adopted the draft agenda (PE /CPG). PE /CPG/Rev 8/39

9 2. Approval of the draft Minutes of the meetings of 14 December 2016 The Conference of Presidents - noted and approved the draft Minutes of the ordinary meeting of 14 December 2016 (PE /CPG and annex). 9/39 PE /CPG/Rev

10 3. Adoption of the final draft agenda for the January part-session (from 16 to 19 January 2017) and the draft agenda for the February I part-session (from 1 to 2 February 2017) Scheduling of key debates in plenary The Conference of Presidents - noted the following documents: the final draft agenda for the January part-session (from 16 to 19 January 2017) in Strasbourg, as adopted by the Conference of Presidents on 14 December 2016 in Strasbourg, and the draft agenda for the February I part-session (from 1 to 2 February 2017) in Brussels; a provisional table dated 12 January 2017 summarising committee and delegation meetings planned for the January part-session (from 16 to 19 January 2017) in Strasbourg (PE /CPG); - held an exchange of views with the participation of Mr WEBER, Chair of the EPP Group, Ms RODRIGUES, acting Chair of the S&D Group, Mr VERHOFSTADT, Chair of the ALDE Group, and Mr DE JONG, acting Chair of the GUE/NGL Group, and adopted the final draft agenda for the January 2017 part-session with the following modification: Wednesday, 18 January decided that the first and a possible second ballot for the election of Parliament s Vice- Presidents be held by means of paper ballot; - decided that the Council and Commission statements on the emergency aid for refugees and migrants facing severe weather conditions in European camps be moved to the morning of Thursday, 19 January 2017, to follow the debate on the report on a European Pillar of Social Rights; - noted and adopted the draft agenda for the February I 2017 part-session with the following modification: Wednesday, 1 February 2017 PE /CPG/Rev 10/39

11 - decided that the short presentations of the report on possible evolutions of and adjustments to the current institutional set-up of the European Union, of the report on improving the functioning of the European Union building on the potential of the Lisbon Treaty, and of the report on budgetary capacity for the Eurozone be postponed to the February II 2017 part-session. 11/39 PE /CPG/Rev

12 4. Communications by the President 4.1 European Political Parties - committee of independent eminent persons The Conference of Presidents - heard the President report that the Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations had invited Parliament to appoint two members to the committee of independent eminent persons pursuant to Article 11(1) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014; - heard him note that, under the Regulation, the committee should consist of six members, with the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission each appointing two members who should neither be Members of the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission, nor hold any electoral mandate, be officials or other servants of the European Union or be current or former employees of a European political party or a European political foundation; - heard the President note that, under Parliament s Rules of Procedure, the Conference of Presidents should appoint two members to the committee of independent eminent persons, on the basis of a proposal from the responsible parliamentary committee; and heard him undertake to invite the Committee on Constitutional Affairs to submit such a proposal; - endorsed the President s approach Final Report of the High-Level Group on Own Resources The Conference of Presidents - heard the President report that he had met Mr MONTI, Chair of the High-Level Group on Own Resources, and that he had received the final report and recommendations of the High- Level Group on Own Resources, which Mr MONTI had presented at an extraordinary meeting of the Committee on Budgets, on 12 January 2017; PE /CPG/Rev 12/39

13 - heard the President note the important role that Parliament had played in establishing the High-Level Group; further heard him note that the Conference of Presidents had followed closely the progress of that Group with Mr MONTI giving a debriefing when a first Assessment Report was made available at the end of 2014; - heard the President note that he had thanked Mr MONTI for the work of the High-Level Group; further heard him undertake to forward the report to the Group Chairs and propose that Mr MONTI be invited for an exchange of views at a subsequent meeting; - agreed with the President s proposal. 4.3 Request from the S&D Group for an extraordinary meeting with Mr DIJSSELBLOEM, President of the Eurogroup The Conference of Presidents - heard the President note that the S&D Group had requested an extraordinary meeting with Mr DIJSSELBLOEM, President of the Eurogroup, in view of the suspension of debt-relief measures for Greece; - held an exchange of views with the participation of Mr WEBER, Chair of the EPP Group, Ms RODRIGUES, acting Chair of the S&D Group, and Mr LAMBERTS, Co-Chair of the Greens/EFA Group; - agreed to return to the matter at a subsequent meeting. 13/39 PE /CPG/Rev

14 5. Change of portfolio of Commissioner OETTINGER The Conference of Presidents, - took note of the following documents: a letter dated 28 October 2016 from Mr JUNCKER, President of the European Commission, on the resignation of Vice-President GEORGIEVA, and on the transfer of the portfolio of Budget and Human Resources to Commissioner OETTINGER (PE /CPG); a letter dated 19 December 2016 from Mr ARTHUIS, Chair of the Committee on Budgets, Ms GRÄSSLE, Chair of the Committee on Budgetary Control, and Mr SVOBODA, Chair of the Committee on Legal Affairs, on the arrangements for the appearance of Mr OETTINGER before their respective committees (PE /CPG); a letter dated 11 January 2017 from Mr ARTHUIS, Chair of the Committee on Budgets, Ms GRÄSSLE, Chair of the Committee on Budgetary Control, and Mr SVOBODA, Chair of the Committee on Legal Affairs, on the exchange of views with Mr OETTINGER on 9 January 2017 (PE /CPG and annex); - heard the President note that Mr ARTHUIS, Chair of the Committee on Budgets, Ms GRÄSSLE, Chair of the Committee on Budgetary Control, and Mr SVOBODA, Chair of the Committee on Legal Affairs, had submitted a letter on the exchange of views with Mr OETTINGER, Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources, on 9 January 2017; - heard Mr DE JONG, acting Chair of the GUE/NGL Group, propose that the item be postponed; - heard Mr WEBER, Chair of the EPP Group, note that a postponement of the item was not possible because, as in previous cases and under established practice, the only procedural requirement was for the Conference of Presidents to take note of the letter sent by the Committees, and that it had already taken note of the letter at that meeting; PE /CPG/Rev 14/39

15 - held an exchange of views with the participation of Mr WEBER, Chair of the EPP Group, Ms RODRIGUES, acting Chair of the S&D Group, Mr VERHOFSTADT, Chair of the ALDE Group, Mr DE JONG, acting Chair of the GUE/NGL Group, and Mr LAMBERTS, Co-Chair of the Greens/EFA Group; - decided, after a vote, to reject a postponement of the item and to conclude its exchange of views; - heard the President undertake to forward the letter submitted by the three committee chairs to Mr JUNCKER, President of the European Commission. 15/39 PE /CPG/Rev

16 6. Commission proposal to amend the Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the European Commission The item was postponed. PE /CPG/Rev 16/39

17 7. Calendar of parliamentary activities for amendment The Conference of Presidents, without debate - took note of the calendar dated 19 January 2016 on the activities and sessions of the European Parliament for 2017 (other than the plenary sessions) as adopted by the Conference of Presidents on 21 January 2016 and confirmed on 7 July 2016 (PE /CPG); - recalled that, at its meeting on 21 January 2016, it had approved the draft calendar for Parliament's activities (other than the plenary sessions) in 2017, on the understanding that the decision would be reviewed before the summer break, in the light of the experience of the operation of the 2016 calendar; - recalled that, at its meeting on 7 July 2016, it had confirmed the 2017 calendar as adopted on 21 January 2016 for Parliament's activities (other than the plenary sessions) in 2017, on the conditions set out in its decision of 21 January 2016; - decided that 9 May 2017 would be considered as a day set aside for political group activities so that political groups might meet, and that Parliament s services and infrastructure be made available to them on that day. 17/39 PE /CPG/Rev

18 8. Attribution of competence for an own-initiative report entitled European Agenda for the collaborative economy The Conference of Presidents, without debate - took note of a letter dated 7 December 2016 from Mr BUZEK, Chair of the Conference of Committee Chairs (CCC), on a request for association under Rule 54 by the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) and the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) regarding a proposed own-initiative report under Rule 52 of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) entitled European Agenda for the collaborative economy (COM(2016)0356) (PE /CPG and annexes); - noted that it had not been possible to find a solution acceptable to all the committees concerned; - noted and endorsed the agreement reached between the ITRE and IMCO Committees on the above-mentioned own-initiative report, whereby ITRE would be associated to the IMCO report under Rule 54 with shared competences over issues related to innovation and monitoring the obstacles to innovation and emergence of new business models; - took note of the recommendation from the Chair of the CCC that: - the IMCO Committee be authorised to draft a non-legislative own-initiative report entitled European Agenda for the collaborative economy ; - the EMPL Committee s request for association under Rule 54 be granted with shared competences for section 2.4 of the relevant Commission s Communication; - the TRAN Committee s request for association under Rule 54 be dismissed and TRAN be invited to contribute to the IMCO report with an opinion under Rule 53; - endorsed the recommendation from the Chair of the CCC. PE /CPG/Rev 18/39

19 9. Attribution of competences for the legislative report on financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union The Conference of Presidents, without debate - took note of a letter dated 14 December 2016 from Mr BUZEK, Chair of the Conference of Committee Chairs, submitting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among several committees attributing competences under Rules 55 and 54 of Parliament s Rules of Procedure in relation to the proposal for a Regulation on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and amending several Regulations ( FinReg/Omnibus proposal ) (COM(2016) /0282(COD)) (PE /CPG and annexes); - noted that the agreement had been reached by means of a MoU on the attribution of competences on the Financial regulation/omnibus proposal among BUDG and CONT, as lead committees, and REGI, EMPL, AGRI, ITRE and TRAN, as associated committees; - endorsed the agreement defined in the MoU whereby: - the BUDG and CONT Committees would cooperate under Rule 55 as lead committees, - the REGI, EMPL, AGRI, ITRE and TRAN Committees would be associated under Rule 54 to Part II of the legislative proposal with exclusive competences and with enhanced elements of cooperation, as set out in detail in the MoU. 19/39 PE /CPG/Rev

20 10. Attribution of competence for the legislative reports on applicants for international protection and beneficiaries of international protection The Conference of Presidents, without debate - took note of a letter dated 20 December 2016 from Mr BUZEK, Chair of the Conference of Committee Chairs (CCC), on a request for association under Rule 54 by the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) regarding two legislative reports of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) on the Directive laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection (recast) (2016/0222(COD)) and on the Regulation for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection, and for the content of the protection granted and amending Council Directive 2003/109/EC of 25 November 2003 on the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents (2016/0223(COD)) (PE /CPG and annexes); - noted that it had not been possible to find a solution acceptable to the committees concerned; - noted the recommendation from the Chair of the CCC that the EMPL Committee s request for association under Rule 54 be dismissed for both legislative proposals, and decided that the EMPL Committee contribute with an ordinary opinion under Rule 53 to the LIBE reports. PE /CPG/Rev 20/39

21 11. Delegated and implementing acts - Screening of current files The Conference of Presidents, without debate - took note of a note dated 13 December 2016 from Mr BUZEK, Chair of the Conference of Committee Chairs, forwarding the results of screening files in view of the January 2017 partsession (PE /CPG); - recalled its decision of 19 April 2012 requesting the competent services to carry out an ongoing screening procedure of upcoming legislative proposals in order to avoid placing on the plenary agenda any vote(s) leading to a first-reading agreement on dossiers where such decisions might be legally questionable; - recalled its decision of 27 November 2014 requesting a monthly overview of the delegated acts (and draft RPS measures) under scrutiny, indicating also any possible action taken by committees; - noted that no legal concerns were raised in relation to any of the dossiers scheduled for vote during that part-session. 21/39 PE /CPG/Rev

22 12. Overview of delegated acts and draft RPS measures currently under EP scrutiny The Conference of Presidents, without debate - took note of a note dated 6 January 2017 from the Secretary-General, providing an overview of the state of play on delegated and implementing acts at 5 January 2017; - recalled the horizontal guidance that it had adopted on 19 April 2012 on the inclusion of delegated acts in the basic legislative act; consequently, maintained its request to the Conference of Committee Chairs to carry out a monthly screening of the agreements reached; - recalled its decision of 27 November 2014 to request a monthly overview of the delegated acts (and draft RPS measures) under scrutiny, indicating also any possible action taken by committees. PE /CPG/Rev 22/39

23 13. First reading agreements - Overview and state of play The Conference of Presidents, without debate - took note of a letter of 19 December 2016 from Mr BUZEK, Chair of the Conference of Committee Chairs, forwarding an overview of recent mandates adopted by committees for first reading negotiations (PE /CPG and annex); - recalled its decision of 12 March 2015 requesting the competent services to ensure the greatest possible degree of transparency in the legislative process and requesting that an overview of negotiating mandates for first reading agreements be made available to it on a regular basis; - noted that the Conference of Committee Chairs would continue to provide systematic information to the Conference of Presidents on all legislative files under negotiation in first, early second and second reading, in accordance with the decision of the Conference of Presidents of 10 March /39 PE /CPG/Rev

24 14. Request from the Committee on International Trade to send a delegation to Malta, from 2 to 3 March 2017 The Conference of Presidents, without debate - took note of a letter dated 13 December 2016 from Mr LANGE, Chair of the Committee on International Trade (INTA), requesting authorisation to send a seven Member delegation, plus the Chair, to Valletta, Malta, for a two-day mission (including travel time (PE /CPG, and financial statement); - recalled that the request from INTA for the mission to Valletta, Malta, had been included in the draft six-month programme of committee missions within the EU during the first semester of 2017; - recalled that, at its meeting on 21 November 2016, the Bureau had considered the request, together with other requests from committees for missions to Member States taking over the rotating Council Presidency or holding the Council Presidency in 2017 (Malta and Estonia); - recalled that the Bureau took the view that visits to these countries were not always justified and that committees should favour meetings with the relevant representatives within the framework of regular committee meetings instead; - recalled that, in the light of the above, the Bureau, following a recommendation from the Conference of Presidents of 17 November 2016, had declined to authorise the INTA mission to Valletta, Malta; - noted that the dates proposed for the mission coincided with a day set aside for Parliament s part-session in Brussels and for parliamentary committee activities (Thursday), and with one day without parliamentary activities (Friday); - recommended that the request be authorised and forwarded its recommendation to the Bureau for final decision. PE /CPG/Rev 24/39

25 15. Request from the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection to include Mumbai in its mission to India, from 20 to 24 February 2017 The Conference of Presidents, without debate - took note of a letter dated 13 December 2016 from Ms FORD, Chair of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), requesting authorisation to include Mumbai, India, in the visit of a seven Member ad hoc delegation to New Delhi, India, for a three-day programme (excluding travel time), from 21 to 23 February 2017 (PE /CPG, annex and financial statement); - recalled that, at its meeting on 17 November 2016, the Conference of Presidents had authorised the sending of an ad hoc delegation of seven AFET Members plus the Chair of the Delegation for relations with India, and the sending of an ad hoc delegation of seven Members from IMCO, from 20 to 24 February 2017, on the understanding that AFET, IMCO and the Delegation would closely coordinate their programmes and travel plans and provided that the missions did not exceed five days including travel time; - recalled that the request had been included in the draft six-month programme of committee missions outside the EU, candidate countries and the EEA countries during the first semester of 2017, with New Delhi as only destination; - took note of the draft mission programme, which coincided with 3 days set aside for parliamentary committee activities; - authorised the request to include Mumbai in the mission, provided that the mission programme and travel plans remained coordinated with other missions on the ground, that the mission did not exceed five days including travel time, and that the security situation on the ground allowed for the mission to go ahead. 25/39 PE /CPG/Rev

26 16. Request from the Committee on Women s Rights and Gender Equality to increase the number of Members participating in the 61st session of the United Nations on the Status of Women, in New York, USA, from 20 to 24 March 2017 The Conference of Presidents, without debate - took note of a letter dated 7 December 2016 from Ms GARCIA-PEREZ, Chair of the Committee on Women s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), requesting an increase in the number of Members authorised, to eight Members plus the Chair, to participate at the United Nations 61st session of the Commission on the Status of the Women (CSW), in New York, United States of America, from 20 to 24 March 2017 (including travel time) (PE /CPG and financial statement); - further noted that the request had been included in the draft six-month programme of committee missions outside the EU, candidate countries and the EEA countries during the first semester of 2017; - recalled that, at its meeting on 17 November 2016, the Conference of Presidents had authorised the sending of an ad hoc delegation of seven Members for up to five days (including travel time) and recalled that a limited language regime of interpretation into one language only applied during a committee week; - noted that the dates proposed coincided with four days set aside for parliamentary committee activities and one day without parliamentary activities; - authorised the request, on an exceptional basis. PE /CPG/Rev 26/39

27 17. Request from the Committee on Legal Affairs to send an ad hoc delegation to Chisinau, Moldova, from 18 to 20 April 2017 The Conference of Presidents, without debate - took note of a letter dated 8 December 2016 from Mr SVOBODA, Chair of the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI), requesting authorisation to send a four Member ad hoc delegation, plus the Chair, to Chisinau, Moldova, from 18 to 20 April 2017 (excluding travel time) (PE /CPG and financial statement); - recalled that, at its meeting on 17 November 2016, it had withheld authorisation for an ad hoc delegation to Israel from 18 to 20 April 2017 which had been included in the draft programme for travel by committees outside the three places of work and outside the European Union, candidate countries and EEA countries during the first half of 2017, pending further information on the objective of the visit and the programme; - noted that the JURI Committee had subsequently decided to modify its mission requests, adding Chisinau, Moldova, as a new request; - noted that the dates proposed coincided with three days set aside for external parliamentary committees activities; - authorised the request. 27/39 PE /CPG/Rev

28 18. Request from the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection to send an ad hoc delegation to Tel Aviv, Israel, from 22 to 24 May 2017 The Conference of Presidents, without debate - took note of a letter dated 5 December 2016 from Ms FORD, Chair of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), requesting authorisation to send a six Member ad hoc delegation to Tel Aviv, Israel, from 22 to 24 May 2017 (including travel time) (PE /CPG, annex and financial statement); - recalled that the request had been included in the draft six-month programme of committee missions outside the EU, candidate countries and the EEA countries during the first semester of 2017; - further recalled that, at its meeting on 17 November 2016, it had withheld authorisation for the request and had invited IMCO to provide further information on the objective of the visit and the programme; - took note of the tentative outline of the visit proposed; - noted that the dates proposed coincided with three days set aside for external parliamentary activities; - declined the request. PE /CPG/Rev 28/39

29 19. Request from the Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee to postpone the 13th meeting in Strasbourg to 15 and 16 February 2017 The Conference of Presidents, without debate - took note of a letter dated 8 December 2016 from Ms DODDS, Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC), requesting authorisation to postpone the 13th SAPC meeting, in Strasbourg, to 15 and 16 February 2017(PE /CPG and financial statement); - recalled that, at its meeting on 4 May 2016, it had authorised the 13th SAPC meeting to take place in Strasbourg, on 14 and 15 December 2016, on the condition that the meetings would be held in line with the applicable Rules; - noted that the new dates proposed coincided with two days set aside for Parliament s partsession in Strasbourg; - authorised the request on the condition that meetings were held on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning and provided that they did not coincide with a key debate. 29/39 PE /CPG/Rev

30 20. Request from the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group for authorisation for one Member to travel to Abuja, Nigeria, from 6 to 7 February 2017 The Conference of Presidents, without debate - took note of a letter dated 20 December 2016 from Mr BROK and Ms McAVAN, Co-Chairs of the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, requesting authorisation to send Mr FISAS AYXELÀ, in his capacity as lead Member guiding Parliament's democracy support activities for Nigeria as a priority country, to Abuja, Nigeria, from 6 to 7 February 2017, excluding travel time (PE /CPG, annex and financial statement); - took note of a letter dated 20 December 2016 from Mr BROK and Ms McAVAN, Co-Chairs of the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, submitting the selection of priority countries and the lead Members for these countries, with a view to the implementation of the Comprehensive Democracy and Support Approach for 2017 (PE /CPG); - recalled that, at its meeting of 11 June 2015, it had noted that all requests to travel to priority countries should be submitted by the DEG to the Conference of Presidents for prior authorisation; - recalled that, as a general rule, all requests to travel to priority countries should be specific, duly justified and submitted in good time; - noted that the mission proposed coincided with a day set aside for parliamentary committee activities (Monday) and a day set aside for political group activities (Tuesday); - authorised the request, the approval being subject to the security situation on the ground not precluding the sending of such a mission. PE /CPG/Rev 30/39

31 21. Request from the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group for authorisation for one Member to travel to Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, Tanzania, from 9 to 10 February 2017 The Conference of Presidents, without debate - took note of a letter dated 20 December 2016 from Mr BROK and Ms McAVAN, Co-Chairs of the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG), requesting authorisation to send Mr MARTIN, in his capacity as lead Member guiding Parliament's democracy support activities for Tanzania as a priority country in 2016, to Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, Tanzania, from 9 to 10 February 2017, excluding travel time (PE /CPG, annex and financial statement); - took note of a letter dated 20 December 2016 from Mr BROK and Ms McAVAN, Co-Chairs of the DEG, submitting the selection of priority countries and the lead Members for these countries, with a view to the implementation of the Comprehensive Democracy and Support Approach for 2017(PE /CPG); - recalled that, at its meeting of 11 June 2015, it had noted that all requests to travel to priority countries should be submitted by the DEG to the Conference of Presidents for prior authorisation; - recalled that, as a general rule, all requests to travel to priority countries should be specific, duly justified and submitted in good time; - noted that the mission proposed coincided with a day set aside for parliamentary committee and political group activities (Thursday) and a day without parliamentary activity (Friday); - noted that the dates had been chosen as they coincided with the session of the National Assembly of Tanzania; - authorised the request, the approval being subject to the security situation on the ground not precluding the sending of such a mission. 31/39 PE /CPG/Rev

32 22. Request to send a delegation to the meeting of COSAC Chairpersons to be held in Valletta, Malta, from 22 to 23 January 2017 The Conference of Presidents, without debate - took note of a letter dated 14 December 2016 from Ms HÜBNER, Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, forwarding the report of the 56th COSAC meeting in Bratislava, Slovak Republic, from 13 to 15 November 2016, and requesting that Parliament nominate a delegation of up to two Members to take part in the meeting of COSAC Chairpersons in Valletta, Malta, from 22 to 23 January 2017(PE /CPG, annexes and financial statement); - took note of the draft programme for the COSAC Chairpersons' meeting in Valletta; - noted that the meeting coincided with one day without parliamentary activity (Sunday), and one day set aside for parliamentary committee activities (Monday); - authorised the request to send a delegation of up to two Members, composed of the Vice-President with responsibility for relations with national parliaments and COSAC, and the Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, in line with Rule 143 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure. PE /CPG/Rev 32/39

33 23. Urgent matters and any other business Allocation of appropriations for the political groups under item 400 of Parliament's budget for 2017 The Conference of Presidents, without debate - took note of a letter dated 9 January 2017 from Mr WEBER, Chair of the EPP Group, submitting a proposal for the allocation of budget item 400 appropriations for the year 2017 (PE /CPG); - endorsed the proposal and forwarded it to the Bureau for final decision. 33/39 PE /CPG/Rev

34 23.2. Numerical composition of parliamentary committees The Conference of Presidents, without debate - noted and endorsed the proposal submitted by the coordination of the political groups on the numerical composition of the parliamentary committees (PE /CPG); - proposed that committee bureaux might consist of up to four vice-chairs; - proposed to accord neutralised status to the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, the Committee on Petitions, the Committee on Budgetary Control and the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality; - decided that the proposal from the Conference of Presidents on the nominal composition of the committees be adopted by written procedure in order to allow for the proposal to be approved by plenary on Thursday 19 January 2017 at the latest; - submitted those proposals to plenary for approval. PE /CPG/Rev 34/39

35 23.3 EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement The Conference of Presidents - heard Mr LAMBERTS, Co-Chair of the Greens/EFA Group, propose that the ECON, AFCO and FEMM Committees also contribute opinions to the recommendation drafted by INTA on the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA); - held an exchange of views with the participation of Mr WEBER, Chair of the EPP Group, and Ms RODRIGUES, acting Chair of the S&D Group; - decided, after a vote, to reject the proposal. 35/39 PE /CPG/Rev

36 23.4 The President s farewell The Conference of Presidents - heard the President note that it was his last meeting of the Conference of Presidents, and heard him look back on his time as President, as Chair of the S&D Group, and as Member of the European Parliament; - heard him express his deep gratitude for having had the opportunity to serve in his various functions, and for the good cooperation with former and current Group Chairs; further heard him thank Mr WELLE, Secretary-General, Parliament s staff, and the members of his cabinet for their tireless work and dedication; - heard the President underline the crucial role of the Conference of Presidents in steering Parliament s work and in guaranteeing its functioning and coherence; - further heard the President underline that cooperation, striving for compromise and building consensus were key to success in a democracy, particularly in a pan-european democracy, and that polarisation along divisive lines would be to the detriment of a multi-national parliament; - heard the President conclude by noting that he would continue to stand by his principles and pursue his European conviction in his future endeavours, and that the European project was a historic achievement that must not be jeopardised; - heard Mr WEBER, Chair of the EPP Group, and Ms RODRIGUES, acting Chair of the S&D Group, thank the President for his excellent work and his outstanding commitment to the advancement of European democracy and of Parliament s role, and for his remarkable results in ensuring Parliament s substantial involvement in EU decision-making. PE /CPG/Rev 36/39

37 24. Items for information 24.1 Internal correspondence The Conference of Presidents - noted the following documents: a letter dated 20 December 2016 from Mr BUZEK, Chair of the conference of Committee Chairs on the organisation of the committees consecutive meetings (PE /CPG); a letter dated 6 January 2017 from Mr MICHEL, Co-Chair of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (PE /CPG) and the response from President SCHULZ dated 12 January 2017 (PE /CPG) Inter-institutional correspondence The Conference of Presidents - noted the following documents: a letter dated 22 December from Mr JUNCKER, President of the European Commission, to President SCHULZ, on proposed operational arrangements following the departure of Denmark from Europol (PE /CPG); a letter dated 22 December from Mr JUNCKER, President of the European Commission, to President SCHULZ, on the temporary transfer of the Digital Economy and Society portfolio to Vice-President ANSIP (PE /CPG); a letter dated 16 December from President SCHULZ to Ms O REILLY, European Ombudsman on the transparency of trilogues (PE /CPG); 37/39 PE /CPG/Rev

38 a letter dated 14 December 2016 from President SCHULZ to Mr TUSK, President of the European Council, on the European Parliament being closely involved in the Brexit negotiation process (PE /CPG); a letter dated 13 December 2016 from Mr ADAM, Director of the Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations, on the establishment of a committee of independent eminent persons pursuant to Article 11(1) of Regulation No 1141/2014 (PE 595/284/CPG) External correspondence There was none. PE /CPG/Rev 38/39

39 25. Date and place of next meetings The Conference of Presidents - noted that the next ordinary meeting would be held on Thursday 19 January 2017 from 10:00 to 12:00 hours in room R1.1, in Louise WEISS Building, in Strasbourg. * * * The meeting closed at hours. 39/39 PE /CPG/Rev