European Parliament

Opening: MEPs hold minute of silence for lives lost at sea and in train crash

Published

3 months ago

March 15, 2023

President Metsola led MEPs in a minute of silence in memory of the recent lives lost at sea and in the train crash in Greece, at the opening of the session in Strasbourg, Plenary session.

With more lives lost at sea in the past few weeks, the president called on all those involved to match Parliament’s ambition and address this issue.

Speaking of the train crash that shook Greece, President Metsola said the Parliament mourns with the people of Greece and the families of the victims. The EU stands ready to assist as required, she said.

The UN Black Seas Grain Initiative, which could expire next week, has given millions access to food and basic supplies from Ukraine, said the President. The Parliament is calling for it to be renewed as quickly as possible - the situation is urgent and dire, she added.

Changes to the agenda

Wednesday

The title of European Council and Commission statements - Preparation of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023 is changed into Conclusions of the Special European Council meeting of 9 February and preparation of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023.

The debate on the Oral questions on Combating discrimination in the EU - the long-awaited horizontal anti-discrimination directive will be wound up with a resolution to be voted on at the April part-session.

A Commission statement on The failure of the Silicon Valley Bank and the implications for financial stability in Europe is added as the second point in the afternoon.

Council and Commission statements on Strengthening the EU Defence in the context of the war in Ukraine: speeding up production and deliveries to Ukraine of weapons and ammunitions are added as the third point in the afternoon after the topical debate.

A Commission statement on the Need for immediate reform of the internal rules of the Commission to ensure transparency and accountability in light of alleged conflicts of interests (no resolution) is added as the fifth point in the afternoon.

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

Request by several 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.

More information