European Parliament

11/21/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/21/2022 16:04

Opening of 21-24 November plenary session in Strasbourg

President Metsola opened the 21-24 November plenary session in Strasbourg © European Union 2022 - EP

President Metsola called for the protection of women's rights in Afghanistan and human rights in Iran, at the opening of the session.

Despite initial promises to protect women's rights in Afghanistan, years of progress are being rolled back, said the President. The European Parliament is committed to the people of Afghanistan, and not to its rulers, she added. Until women regain their rightful place in society, the Parliament will continue to amplify their voice.

With death sentences imposed on arrested protesters in Iran, President Metsola urged Iranian authorities to "stop, here and now". She welcomed the new EU sanctions and stated that in response to Iran's sanctioning of MEPs, there will be no direct contact between the Parliament and official Iranian counterparts until further notice.

Turkish air strikes in northern Syria and Iraq after the bomb attack in Istanbul are claiming more lives and causing more bloodshed, said the President, calling on the Turkish authorities to exercise restraint and respect for international law and standards.

The explosions in Poland show that we must not let down our guard against Russia, said the President, adding that Parliament stands in solidarity with victims in Poland and Ukraine. The 90th anniversary of Holodomor, the great famine of 1932-33 in which millions of people in Ukraine were intentionally starved by the Soviet regime is poignant when 90 years later, Ukrainians have to fight again to preserve their lives, identity and freedom, she said.

Finally, President Metsola said that Parliament's thoughts are with the families of two police officers in Belgium who were attacked last week, with one losing his life. This reminds us of the risks police forces face daily, she added.

Outgoing MEPs

Linea SØGAARD-LIDELL (Renew, Denmark) as of 14 November 2022

Søren GADE (Renew, Denmark) as of 14 November 2022

Peter KOFOD (ID, Denmark) as of 14 November 2022


Changes to the agenda

Monday

The title of the Commission statement on the "State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government linked to the Conditionality Regulation and the RRP" has been changed into "Assessment of Hungary's compliance with the rule of law conditions under the Conditionality Regulation and the state of play on the Hungarian RRP".

The debate on the Commission statement on the "Situation of human rights in the context of the FIFA world cup in Qatar" will be wound up with a resolution to be put to the vote on Thursday.

Tuesday

The President has received requests for urgent procedure, pursuant to Rule 163, on the following legislative files:

  • Amending Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027,
  • Amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 as regards the establishment of a diversified funding strategy as a general borrowing method, and
  • 'Macro-Financial Assistance+' instrument for providing support to Ukraine for 2023

The vote on these requests will be taken on Tuesday. If adopted, the vote will be held on Thursday.

Information concerning the distribution of votes is available under the section "Priority information".

Requests by committees to start negotiations with Council and Commission

Decisions by committees to enter into inter-institutional negotiations (Rule 71) are published on the plenary website.

If no request for a vote in Parliament on the decision to enter into negotiations is made by Tuesday 12.00 midnight, the committees may start negotiations.

Contacts:

  • Natalie Kate KONTOULIS

    Press Officer
    Contact data:

  • Andreas KLEINER

    Press Officer / Editorial Coordinator
    Contact data:
    • Phone number: (+32) 2 28 32266 (BXL)
    • Phone number: (+33) 3 881 72336 (STR)
    • Mobile number: (+32) 498 98 33 22
    • E-mail: [email protected]

  • Estefanía NARRILLOS

    Press Officer
    Contact data:
    • Phone number: (+32) 2 28 31324 (BXL)
    • Phone number: (+33) 3 881 73661 (STR)
    • Mobile number: (+32) 498 98 39 85
    • E-mail: [email protected]