Quote of the Week
We are ending this week in a deeply sad note. Our former colleague, MP Jo Cox has lost her life in an unbearable act of violence.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened at this tragic news. Jo dedicated her life to public service, as an MP, a charity worker and an activist. She is fondly remembered by colleagues who worked with her in the European Parliament and she will be deeply missed. It is simply incomprehensible that something so horrific could happen to Jo while she was working hard to serve her constituents. Our thoughts are with her family at this horrendous time”
MEP Glenis Willmott, leader of the UK Labour Delegation in the European Parliament
Events
While we await for a positive outcome of the referendum in the United Kingdom, we are also getting ready for an important mini-plenary session here, in Brussels. Situation in Eastern Congo, an Inquiry
Committee on tax avoidance and the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund are just a few topics on the agenda.
Conflict minerals is currently on of the Group’s most important issues. Therefore, on Wednesday, June 22nd, we are organising a debate on this topic, chaired by S&D MEP Marie Arena, spokesperson for Conflict Minerals in our Group. This debate will be a chance to exchange opinions with members of European Parliament, journalists who specialise in the field of conflict minerals, and civil society. The event will take place from 16:30 to 18:30 in room ASP 1E1.
The situation in Eastern Congo is on the parliamentary agenda for this week. The S&D Group has lead the fight that has finally concluded in a political agreement among the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, on the regulation to exclude conflict minerals from the EU market. You can read more about our position here.
The S&D negotiators have been crucial in brokering an ambitious agreement to introduce a mandatory system for importers of minerals and metals containing the so-called 3TG (tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold).
On Thursday a vote is scheduled on “Appointments to the Committee of inquiry to investigate alleged contraventions and maladministration in the application of Union law in relation to money laundering, tax avoidance and tax evasion”. Our leading MEP in this matter, Hugues Bayet, emphasizes the need for the elimination of tax havens. More details on our success in this matter can be found here.
Also, this Thursday, we are looking forward to a report by MEP Victor Negrescu, on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, in the Committee on Budgets.
Check our website for all the details on our activity during the upcoming week.
