Brussels (Brussels Morning) This week, the European Parliament’s agenda will focus on the Digital Single Market, discussions on tax transparency and country-by-country reporting, a joint Health Technology Assessment proposal, ongoing inter-institutional discussions dealing with the marine environment, artificial intelligence, plus a survey of EU citizens’ views about the handling and the impact of COVID-19.
Digital Single Market
On Monday, the Parliament’s Internal Market Committee discusses how the Digital Single Market and the digital revolution in general can contribute to the ecological transition. MEPs are assessing how to adapt the Digital Single Market and help both European businesses and consumers to achieve green and digital policy objectives.
Tax transparency
On Tuesday, Parliament, Council and Commission negotiators try to agree on new EU rules that will require multinational companies to disclose how much tax they pay in each EU country, the so-called country-by-country reporting. These new regulations will provide the public and tax authorities with more transparency on what —and where — taxes are being paid.
HTA
MEPs in the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee (ENVI) review the status of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) proposal, on Wednesday, following ongoing discussions and negotiations among the EU institutions.
On 24 March, EU countries agreed to begin negotiations with the Parliament for legislation to promote a collaborative approach on HTA for the benefit of patients.
The proposed legislation seeks especially to establish a coordination group among national health authorities in order to collaborate on joint clinical assessments and joint scientific consultations related to health technologies.
Artificial Intelligence
The Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence (AIDA) will exchange views on Wednesday with the Executive Vice President of the European Commission for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age, Margrethe Vestager, about the EU executive-backed, initiative to introduced legislation to regulate artificial intelligence in Europe.
Recently, the AIDA Committee published two policy papers focusing on the challenges of an open source approach to AI and the role of AI in the European Green Deal.
Marine environment
On Wednesday, the ENVI Committee and the Commission discuss the upcoming International Maritime Organisation session that will address the status of marine environment protection and the work ahead.
Survey on COVID-19’s impact
The results of the latest Eurobarometer, conducted between March and April 2021, are due to be issued on Thursday. The survey reflects public views about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on citizens’ personal lives and the financial situation, and takes account of the EU’s response.
