Quote of the week by S&D Group vice-president, Tanja Fajon
"Visa free travel does not only enable people-to-people contacts, cultural, educational and professional exchange; it also helps to curb irregular immigration by putting criminals out of business. Finally, let us not forget that the European Union unequivocally committed itself to the European perspective for all the Western Balkans countries. Visa liberalisation is one of the most tangible step in this process."
Upcoming activities
The European Parliament is back to work and intensively preparing for the first crucial plenary of the autumn. At the committee level, a number of important votes will take place.
On Monday, our MEPs Mady Delvaux from the economic and monetary affairs committees and Juan Fernanando Lopez Aguilar from the civil liberties, justice and home affairs committee will lead a vote on the controls on cash entering and leaving the European Union.
The same day, S&D MEP Nicola Danti will lead a vote in the internal market and consumer protection committee to guarantee the safety and mutual recognition of products across the EU.
Also on Monday, the economic committee will vote on a report laying down the foundations to offer consumers a new pan-European option to save for retirement. Currently, there is a patchwork of rules at both EU and national levels.
On the 5th of September, 15-18h, room A3G-3, at the European Parliament will be held the first Progressive Society Conference of the autumn. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss with S&D President, Udo Bullmann, and many other key speakers, including EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and Cristina Gallach, High Commissioner for Agenda 2030, how to shift the European economic model from the growth paradigm to a sustainable development paradigm. Register here.
On 7 September our #EuropeTogether goes to Carcassonne, France, for an open debate on the challenges of social progress today. We will be joined by a number of high-level speakers, including Olivier Faure, First Secretary of the Parti Socialiste, as well as the Susanna Diaz Pacheco, President of the Region of Andalusia. Our vice-presidents and MEPs, Sylvie Guillaume, Eric Andrieu and Cristine Revault d’Allonnes Bonnefoy will discuss employment, migration and social inclusion with mayors and practitioners on the field. Our our #EuropeTogether team will be delighted to welcome you from 17:00 to 20:00 at the Centre de congrès «Le Dôme», 18 Rue des 3 Couronnes, 11000 Carcassonne, France. Additional info and registrations here.
Finally, from the 5th to 9th of November we will be hosting the 4th edition of the Africa week. Our MEPs will engage over seminars, exhibitions and conferences with stakeholders from Europe and Africa to help build a stronger EU-Africa partnership. Registrations will open on Monday 03 September. For more info see here.
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