Belgium, (Brussels Morning) This week, MEPs gather during plenary session to debate car-recharging stations, the consequences of the war in Ukraine, and EU measures to protect critical infrastructure. Ahead of the COP27 in Egypt, MEPs discuss climate change and financing. The Conference of Presidents and the leaders of each political group will select the winner of the Sakharov Prize 2022 and the 2022 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism will be awarded too. Finally, MEPs will debate the upcoming EU Council (20-21 October).
Alternative fuels infrastructure
On Monday, MEPs are set to vote on a report pledging that at least one charging station should be available every 60km along main routes and a hydrogen station every 100 km. The vote on alternative fuels infrastructure also contemplates that greenhouse gas emissions from ships be limited in order to help the EU achieve its climate neutral goal.
War in Ukraine
On Tuesday, MEPs will address the social and economic consequences of the war including the introduction of a windfall tax, migration flows to the EU, and the destruction of cultural heritage in Ukraine.
Protecting critical infrastructure
On Tuesday, amidst fears of possible attacks and after several ruptures of the Nordstream pipelines, MEPs will quiz the Commission on what the EU is doing to protect its critical infrastructure. Last week, during a speech in Tallin, Estonia, Commission’s President Von der Leyen pointed to new legislation which is expected to come into force in 2024 and is aimed at identifying and better protecting infrastructure deemed critical for the entire EU.
Climate change & COP27
MEPs are set to call, on Tuesday, on all countries to step up their 2030 climate targets before the COP27 in Egypt, to limit global warming in line with the Paris agreement. They are also expected to demand that donors start disbursing money for the climate finance goal already in 2022.
Sakharov Prize 2022
On Wednesday, Parliament’s Conference of Presidents will decide on the laureate for the 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Shortlisted this year are Julian Assange, the brave Ukrainian People represented by their president, elected leaders, and civil society, and the Truth Commission in Colombia.
Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism
On Wednesday, Parliament will award the 2022 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism in a ceremony to be opened by President Metsola. The prize rewards outstanding journalism that promotes or defends EU core principles and values. A press seminar analyzing media freedom in the EU will take place in the afternoon. On Thursday, MEPs will also vote on a resolution on the Rule of Law in Malta, five years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
EU October summit
In a debate with the Commission and the Czech Presidency MEPs will outline their expectations for the 20-21 October EU summit, which will focus on the latest developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine, the EU’s continued support for Ukraine, and emergency measures to deal with the energy crisis.
