Deense ministers spreken in Europees Parlement (en)

Met dank overgenomen van Deens voorzitterschap Europese Unie 1e helft 2012 i, gepubliceerd op maandag 13 februari 2012.

This week the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Economics and the Interior, and the Minister for European Affairs will participate in debates during the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

The Danish Presidency will participate in six debates during the plenary session of the European Parliament which opens today. The Minister for Economics and the Interior, Margrethe Vestager, will have an exchange of views with the MEPs regarding the Commission’s Annual Growth Survey, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Villy Søvndal will, on behalf of the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, discuss the situation in Syria and the upcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council.

On Tuesday, the Minister for European Affairs, Nicolai Wammen, will recommend the European Parliament to vote in favour of an important agreement between the EU and Morocco on trade liberalisation in agricultural and fishery products and will on the same day reply to questions from the MEPs concerning the common European fisheries policy.

Finally, on Wednesday, Minister Wammen will account for the preparation of the upcoming meeting in the European Council on 1-2 March 2012 which will focus on economic policy but also on enlargement. Nicolai Wammen will in addition have a number of meetings with key members of the European Parliament, including one concerning the Energy Efficiency Directive.

Nicolai Wammen says: “It is an important task for the Danish Presidency to ensure close cooperation with the European Parliament so that we together can create results to the benefit of Europe. This concerns increased economic responsibility, growth and employment as well as for reinforced efforts in combating climate change.”

Wammen finds it particularly important to discuss the preparation of the upcoming meeting of the European Council with the European Parliament: “In two weeks the European Heads of State or Government will focus on the economic situation in the EU. I believe it is important that the European Parliament is involved and is given the opportunity to provide its input and views on the matter”.

On Wednesday, the Minister for European Affairs will travel from Strasbourg to Brussels where he on Thursday will present the Presidency priorities to the Committee of Regions. Nicolai Wammen will hold bilateral talks with the German Minister for European Affairs on Friday in Berlin.

The plenary session takes place in Strasbourg from 13 to 15 February and will be live-streamed from the European Parliament's website.