Monthly Forecast of EU Business: March 2000

March

28 February to 1 March—Lisbon—EuroMed Investment Conference

• —Open Statements
• —Panel Discussion
• —Investing in an Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area
• —Working Groups
• —Doing Business in the Free Trade Area
• —Promoting Investment in a Free Trade Area
• —Investment Financing in the Mediterranean Region
• —Presentation and Discussion of the Conclusions and Recommendations of the Working Group
• —Conclusions and Recommendations
• —Closing Statements
• —Press Conference

1 to 2 March—Brussels—European Parliament Plenary

• CONSULTATION PROCEDURE
• —(poss) Proposal for a Council regulation establishing a Community framework for the collection and management of the fisheries data needed to conduct the common fisheries policy
• —(poss) Proposal for a Council decision on financial contribution from the Community towards the expenditure incurred by the Member States in collecting data, and for financing studies and pilot projects for carrying out the common fisheries policy
• —(poss) Proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 93/53/EEC introducing minimum Community measures for the control of certain fish diseases
• —Proposal for a Council regulation amending for the fourth time Regulation (EC) No. 1626/94 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean and for the fourth time Regulation (EC) No. 850/98 for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms
• —(poss) Initiative of the Republic of Austria with a view to adopting a Council decision to combat child pornography on the Internet

2—Lisbon—EU/Russian Ministerial Meeting

• —EU-Russia relations
• —Developments in Russia, including the Northern Caucasus
• —Developments in the EU
• —Western Balkans
• —Mediterranean region and the Middle East Peace Process
• —Preparation for the EU-Russia Summit

3 to 4—Lisbon—Justice & Home Affairs Council (informal)

• No formal agenda

10—Tokyo—EU/Japan Ministerial Meeting

• No agenda yet available

13—Brussels—Social Affairs Council

• —Preparation of the special European Council in Lisbon
• —Presidency paper on a Europe of innovation and knowledge
• —Commission Communication on Community policies to promote employment (Article 127)
• —Commission Communication on social inclusion
• —Commission Communication on job strategies in the information society
• —First Commission report on the social situation in Europe
• —Commission proposals on Article 13
• —Oral report from the Presidency on progress in negotiations

13—Brussels—ECOFIN Council

• —Adoption of the provisional agenda
• —Approval of the list of "A" items
• —Implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact
• —Preparation of the Lisbon European Council on Employment, Economic Reforms and Social Cohesion
• —Towards a Europe based on Innovation and Knowledge, Lisbon, 23–24 March 2000
• —(a) (poss) VAT: Postal Services
• —Presentation of Commission proposal
• —(b) Taxation of aircraft fuel
• —Presentation of Commission communication
• —Discharge of 1998 budget
• —Presentation of Commission action plan to improve management and financial procedures
• —AOB

13 to 17—Strasbourg—European Parliament Plenary

• No agenda yet available

16—Brussels—Internal Market Council

• No agenda yet available

17—Lisbon—Informal Education Ministers Meeting

• >No formal agenda

17 to 18—Porto—Trade Ministers' Meeting (Informal)

• No formal agenda

20 to 21—Brussels—General Affairs Council

• No agenda yet available

20 to 21—Brussels—Agriculture Council

• No agenda yet available

23 to 24—Lisbon—Special European Council

• No formal agenda

27—Brussels—Justice & Home Affairs Council

• No agenda yet available

28—Brussels—Transport Council

• No agenda yet available

29 to 30—Brussels—European Parliament Plenary

• No agenda yet available

30—Brussels—Environment Council

• No agenda yet available

This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.