EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

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RELATIONS BETWEEN

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND

EU NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

PARLIAMENTS

IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

The functioning of the European Union is

founded on representative democracy.

705 seats*

Member States are represented in the European Council by

their Heads of State or Government and in the Council by their

governments, themselves democratically accountable either to

their national Parliaments, or to their citizens.

Citizens are directly represented at

Union level in the European Parliament.

National Parliaments contribute actively to

the good functioning of the Union by...

Council of the

European Union

... being informed by the EU insti-

tutions and having draft EU laws

forwarded to them.

... ensuring that the principle of

subsidiarity is respected.

... taking part in the evaluati-

on mechanisms for the area of

freedom, security and justice and

being involved in the political

monitoring of Europol and the

evaluation of Eurojust.

...taking part in the revision pro-

cedures of the EU Treaties.

... being notified of applications

for accession to the EU.

... taking part in interparliamentary

cooperation between national

Parliaments and with the Euro-

pean Parliament.

The European Parliament and national

Parliaments shall together determine

the organisation and promotion of ef-

fective and regular interparliamentary

cooperation within the EU.

A conference of Parliamentary Committees for Uni-

on Affairs (COSAC) may submit any contribution it

deems appropriate for the attention of the European

Parliament, the Council and the Commission. That

conference shall in addition promote the exchange

of information and best practice between national

Parliaments and the European Parliament.

* As from 1 February 2020, the European Parliament has 705 seats following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU on 31 January 2020.

Sources: Article 12 of the Treaty on European Union and Articles 9 and 10 of the Protocol on the role of National Parliaments in the European Union (No 1) annexed to the Treaties.

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

DIRECTORATE FOR RELATIONS

WITH NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS

Relations between the European Parliament

and the EU national Parliaments

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

The annual activity report of the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments provides an

overview of the activities and main political developments in interparliamentary cooperation with

national Parliaments in 2022 in the area of institutional cooperation, legislative dialogue and joint

parliamentary scrutiny. This cooperation involved 39 national Parliaments and Chambers across the

27 Member States and the European Parliament.

This is a publication of the European Parliament’s Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments,

which constitutes part of the European Parliament’s Directorate-General for Parliamentary

Democracy Partnerships.

Katrin RUHRMANN

Director

[email protected]

Jesús GÓMEZ

Head of Unit, Legislative Dialogue Unit

[email protected]

Ms Anne Louise MCLAUCHLAN

Head of Unit, Institutional Cooperation Unit

[email protected]

Manuscript completed by:

Zsuzsanna BALÁZS

Administrator, Legislative Dialogue Unit

[email protected]

Manuscript closed on 31 March 2023.

[email protected]

Relations with National Parliaments

(http://www.europarl.europa.eu/relnatparl/en/home.html)

All photos and illustrations © European Union, unless otherwise stated.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INSTITUTIONAL INTERPARLIAMENTARY BODIES

1.1. Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC)

1.2. Conference of Speakers of EU Parliaments (EUSC)

2. INTERPARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCES (IPCs)

2.1. European Parliamentary Week (EPW), the Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic

Coordination and Governance in the EU and the European Semester Conference (IPC SECG)

2.2. Interparliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common

Security and Defence Policy (IPC CFSP/CSDP)

3. INTERPARLIAMENTARY OVERSIGHT IN THE AREA OF FREEDOM, SECURITY AND JUSTICE

3.1. Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol

3.2. Interparliamentary Committee Meeting on the Evaluation of Eurojust

4. INTERPARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND OTHER INTERPARLIAMENTARY

COOPERATION

4.1. Interparliamentary Committee Meetings (ICMs)

4.2. National Parliament Speakers Meeting with the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine and Meeting

of the Women Speakers of Parliaments of the European Union

4.3. Interparliamentary cooperation in the field of EU external action and multilateral parliamentary

assemblies

4.4. Bilateral visits and other bilateral exchanges

5. LEGISLATIVE COOPERATION WITH EU NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS

5.1. Early Warning System and Protocol N

2 to the Treaties

5.2. Informal Political Dialogue and Protocol N

1 to the Treaties

6. NETWORKS AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION

6.1.

6.2.

6.3.

6.4.

6.5.

7.1.

7.2.

7.3.

7.4.

7.5.

Interparliamentary EU Information Exchange (IPEX)

European Centre for Parliamentary Research and Documentation (ECPRD)

Presidency Parliament Support Programme

Network of EU national Parliaments’ representatives in Brussels

Staff seminars

Organisation of remote meetings and videoconferencing

CONNECT – the European Parliament’s database of national Parliaments’ submissions

Directory of Corresponding Committees (CorCom)

National Parliaments’ Submission Tool (NPS Tool)

Publications of the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments

7. TOOLS AND SUPPORT ACTIVITIES

8. DIRECTORATE FOR RELATIONS WITH NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS

ANNEXES

ANNEX I – COSAC meetings – Topics and keynote speakers 2022

ANNEX II – Interparliamentary Committee Meetings and Interparliamentary Conferences

organised by the European Parliament in Brussels in 2022 - number of participants

ANNEX III – Visits of EU national Parliaments to the European Parliament in 2022 (including

videoconferences facilitated by the Directorate)

ANNEX IV – Early Warning System Data

ANNEX V – Contributions under Protocol N

1 – Informal Political Dialogue

ANNEX VI – European Centre for Parliamentary Research and Documentation (ECPRD)

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ACRONYMS

NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS OF THE EU MEMBER STATES

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Foreword by the European Parliament’s Vice-Presidents responsible for

relations with EU national Parliaments

Othmar Karas, EP First Vice-President and Dita Charanzová, Vice-President.

EP premises in Strasbourg © EU 2021 – EP/Andrea Adriani

The Russian Federation’s unprovoked, illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine was

a central issue and concern in interparliamentary cooperation in 2022. The terrible war being waged

by the Kremlin against the Ukrainian population has upended the European and global security

order. In these times of war, the European Union has been resolutely united in its unwavering

support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and in defending

European values, democracy, freedom and the rule of law.

The war in Ukraine, being waged at the border of the EU, also had a strong impact on the post-

COVID-19 economic recovery in the Member States of the European Union. Growing inflation and

increasing food and energy prices have affected the lives of citizens in all EU Member States. As

parliamentarians, we need to come up with answers to these enormous challenges and to the

concerns of European citizens.

Interparliamentary meetings in 2022 provided the opportunity for Members of national Parliaments

and the European Parliament to exchange views, ideas and best practices on these issues.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact also remained on the agenda of many interparliamentary

meetings. The discussion and analysis of a complex situation, ranging from health issues to social

and economic challenges and post-pandemic recovery plans, and the question of how to deal with

these challenges were often discussed during interparliamentary events.

Following the work conducted in 2020-2021, the Conference on the Future of Europe completed its

mandate in 2022. Both national Parliaments and the European Parliament cooperated closely in the

Conference and played a key role in the debate on shaping Europe’s future. They worked together

to defend the interests of citizens to play their part in reshaping the EU’s policies and institutions, as

well as the role of Parliaments as the elected representatives of their citizens.

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Interparliamentary activities were finally able to fully resume in 2022, with most meetings being

held in person once again after the pandemic, although for practical reasons some were held in

a hybrid format. Bilateral personal contacts again became an essential part of interparliamentary

meetings and, more than ever before, the war in Ukraine made us aware of how important the role

of Parliaments is in defending our common values, democracy and the rule of law as the foundation

of peace and stability in both Europe and the wider world. Parliaments will also play an important

role in reconstructing Ukraine, as well as in supporting its path towards joining the European Union.

As Vice-Presidents for relations with national Parliaments, we are strongly committed to developing

further interparliamentary dialogue in challenging times. We are convinced that the European

Parliament and the EU’s national Parliaments remain key partners in shaping the future of Europe as

a peaceful and prosperous place for its citizens.

Othmar Karas

EP First Vice-President

Dita Charanzová

Vice-President

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KEY DEVELOPMENTS AND MAIN TOPICS ON THE

INTERPARLIAMENTARY AGENDA IN 2022

The work of the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments in 2022 was conducted under

the political leadership and guidance of Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament,

Othmar Karas, First Vice-President, together with Vice-President Dita Charanzová, both responsible

for relations with national Parliaments, and Antonio Tajani, Chair of the Committee on Constitutional

Affairs (AFCO) and the Conference of Committee Chairs. Following his election as Member of the

Italian Parliament, and his subsequent appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime

Minister of Italy, Antonio Tajani was replaced by the new AFCO Chair Salvatore de Meo on 17 October

2022.

The major recurrent topics discussed at numerous interparliamentary meetings included the

EU’s security and external action in response to the war in Ukraine, the post-COVID-19 pandemic

recovery, the state of the rule of law in the Member States and the EU’s NextGenerationEU and

economic recovery plans.

The war in Ukraine featured prominently on the agendas of the main interparliamentary activities in

2022. Extraordinary meetings were held with the Parliament of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Government,

and specific points on Ukraine were included on the agendas of all relevant interparliamentary

meetings through the year such as the Speakers Conferences, the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation

(IPC) for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy

(CSDP), COSAC, the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group (JPSG) on Europol and other IPCs.

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament in the EP hemicycle on 24 March 2022 showing solidarity with Ukraine

by displaying the Ukrainian flag and the EU flag.

As the first partially post-COVID-19 year, 2022 was expected to be a politically challenging one. The

post-pandemic recovery and the question of how to deal with its economic and social aftermath,

while achieving a green, digital and sustainable recovery, and ensuring parliamentary scrutiny, have

been major political challenges in the EU and the Member States. During the course of the year,

Parliaments exchanged views, experiences and best practices of post-COVID-19 social, economic

and healthcare measures, as well as on the developments of rising food and energy prices, and their

serious consequences for businesses and consumers alike.

The outcome and the Conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe were also recurrent

topics on the agendas of interparliamentary meetings. National Parliaments were fully involved in

the Conference and the topic was discussed intensively in interparliamentary meetings.

In 2022, many, though not all, interparliamentary meetings could be held in person again, for the first

time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the pandemic accelerated the use of

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digital tools, which will of course remain available and may still be very useful for organising certain

meetings in hybrid or remote formats. Overall, the return to face-to-face and in-person meetings

was very much welcomed and lent a new dynamic to interparliamentary activities in 2022.

The return to meetings with participants present in person also allowed the adoption of political

texts, which are usually the subject of intense negotiations during meetings, to resume. In COSAC,

written conclusions were adopted. The Speakers Conference was held again in person, and written

‘Conclusions of the Presidency’ were adopted by consensus.

The European Parliament continued to intensify its relations with national Parliaments through

formal and informal exchanges by Othmar Karas, its First Vice-President responsible for relations

with national Parliaments and for COSAC. The visit of a delegation of COSAC Chairs and the First Vice-

President of the European Parliament to Ukraine in September 2022, which strongly signalled their

support for the Ukrainian people, was possible as a result of the resumption of interparliamentary

cooperation and the revival of personal contacts.

Bilateral visits from EU national Parliaments to the European Parliament’s premises were also fully

relaunched in 2022 with 29 visiting delegations.

In the aftermath of the health crisis, the intensity of online and electronic (written) exchanges of

information between Parliaments, in particular within the framework of the European Centre for

Parliamentary Research and Documentation (ECPRD), has remained stable at a high level. The

ECPRD network was also able to start meeting again in person. Of the 12 meetings organised in

2022 – 4 statutory meetings and 8 webinars – 2 were held in person, 1 was a hybrid meeting and

the others were held remotely.

2022 marked the first full year of activity for the new Interparliamentary EU Information Exchange

platform (IPEX v3), which now enables Parliaments to upload new types of documents, and not

only those linked to the subsidiarity parameter (reasoned opinions or contributions under the

informal political dialogue). The IPEX network reached a final compromise on the revision of the

IPEX Guidelines, finalised the baseline follow-up study and questionnaire for users and adopted the

Visual Identity Packs.

Following the major increase in the number of submissions received under Protocol N

2 of the

Treaties in 2021, once the EU institutions and the national Parliaments had adapted to the impact of

the COVID-19 pandemic and were working at their full legislative capacity, there was a comparative

lull in 2022. However, national Parliaments still made quite a large number of contributions under

Protocol N

2, notably in response to a number of legislative proposals mainly on the environment

and in the area of justice and home affairs. Statistics confirm that EU national Parliaments still use

the Protocol as a means to express their views on the substance of proposals more often than

on subsidiarity. This could reflect their desire to be more closely involved in the substance of the

legislative process.

Traditionally, interparliamentary cooperation focuses on political and institutional issues and

discussions. The Early Warning System, linking national Parliaments to the EU legislative process

through the subsidiarity check, has sparked an extensive legislative dialogue that goes well beyond

subsidiarity.

During recent years, attention has also been given to parliamentary scrutiny and oversight of

European executive action and agencies, in particular in the field of justice and home affairs.

Parliamentary cooperation is also developing in the field of the EU’s external policies, mainly in the

framework of CFSP/CSDP, but also in parliamentary diplomacy, democracy support and cooperation

in multilateral and even global forums, to promote European values and interests.

In 2022, the following recurrent topics were raised in several interparliamentary forums and bilateral

discussions:

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i. The war in Ukraine – supporting the Parliament of Ukraine and the Ukrainian

people

The Russian Federation launched a military attack and illegal invasion of Ukraine on 24 February

2022, which coincided with the first day of the CFSP/CSDP IPC held in the French Senate. The co-

organisers reacted swiftly to this international situation, modifying the agenda which had been

drawn up in advance to focus on different aspects of the events unfolding in Ukraine. The holding

of a Special Session on the situation in Ukraine, with the contribution of the Ukrainian Ambassador

to France, and the adoption of a Declaration on Ukraine were key developments in this IPC.

Subsequently, the war in Ukraine occupied a prominent place on the agendas of all main

interparliamentary events in the first half of 2022.

On the initiative of the EP President, Roberta Metsola, and shortly after the Russian aggression had

commenced, the Speakers of the national Parliaments held a remote meeting online with Ruslan

Stefanchuk, Chairman of the

Parliament of Ukraine

on 4 March 2022.

Roberta Metsola, EP President, during her visit to Marseille, participating in the extraordinary online meeting of European

national Parliaments’ Speakers with the Chairman of the Parliament of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, on 4 March 2022

At the COSAC Plenary meeting from 3 to 5 March 2022 in Paris, an urgent debate session on

Ukraine was added to the programme and a Troika statement was adopted. At committee level,

at the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) Interparliamentary Committee

Meeting (ICM) entitled ‘An ambitious future for Europe’s women after COVID-19’, held online in the

EP on 3 March 2022, participants expressed their solidarity with the Ukrainian people and Ivanna

Klympush-Tsintsadze, Parliament of Ukraine’s Committee for Ukraine’s Integration into the European

Union, provided the latest news on the situation in Ukraine.

The Speakers conference from 28 to 29 March 2022 in Slovenia heard a special address by Ruslan

Stefanchuck, who was connected via videoconference from Kyiv. In the

Conclusions of the Presidency,

the Speakers condemned ‘in the strongest possible terms Russia’s military aggression against the

sovereign state of Ukraine’, considering it an attack on the international order of democracy, the rule

of law and human rights. The Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) dedicated an ICM on 27 June

2022 to ‘EU Enlargement Policy in the Aftermath of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine’.

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A joint ICM organised by FEMM, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)

and the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) on ‘The rights of Ukrainian women

fleeing the war’ was held on 12 July 2022.

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Chair of the Parliament of Ukraine’s Committee for Ukraine’s Integration

into the European Union, was invited to the COSAC Chairpersons meeting in Prague on 11 July. She

expressed her thanks for the support given to Ukraine against the Russian aggression and for the

European Council’s decision to grant Ukraine EU candidate country status.

In addition, she invited the COSAC Chairs to pay a solidarity visit to Kyiv, which took place on 30

September 2022, with Othmar Karas, First Vice-President of the European Parliament, as Head of

Delegation. Participants adopted a

joint press statement

reiterating their unequivocal support for

Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised

borders.

Othmar Karas, First Vice-President of the EP during a meeting with Yevhen Perebyinis, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine, in

Ukraine on 30 September 2022 during the COSAC Chairpersons’ visit to Kyiv.

The CFSP/CSDP IPC in Prague from 4 to 5 September 2022 dedicated a session to ‘Ukraine: modes

of political support and reconstruction’. The joint statement by the Co-Chairs also focused on the

war in Ukraine among other issues.

At the informal meeting of the Women Speakers of Parliaments of the EU on 12 October 2022, a

Co-Chairs’ statement was adopted on the situation in Ukraine.

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The JPSG on Europol in the framework of the LIBE ICM in Brussels held a thematic debate on the

‘Impact of the war in Ukraine on the area of security’ on 25 October 2022. Session IV of the LXVI

COSAC Plenary Meeting in Prague, 13-15 November 2022 was entitled ‘Ukraine – state of play,

reconstruction, migration’.

The Third Annual ICM on Eurojust’s Activities took place on 30 November 2022 in the European

Parliament. The discussion centred around the fact that further to the extraordinary circumstances

linked to the war in Ukraine, the Eurojust Regulation had been swiftly amended with new provisions,

which extended the mandate, giving the agency the legal possibility to collect, preserve and share

evidence on war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. On the same day, 30 November

2022, a second ICM was organised by AFET in Brussels with the title ‘Europe in the world – Supporting

Ukraine’.

ii. The EU’s response to the pandemic and the post-COVID-19 recovery plans

In 2022, EU parliamentarians debated the EU’s response on how to address the social and economic

fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The main focus of the exchanges of views was on how to deliver

a sustainable and green recovery. This issue dominated discussions at the European Parliamentary

Week in Brussels as well as the 18th session of the IPC on Stability, Economic Coordination and

Governance in Prague. Exchanges focused on the impact of a defined exit strategy from the crisis,

creating new own resources, strengthening Europe’s economic resilience and response as a result of

the war in Ukraine and its spillover effect on the EU’s economies. The cost of energy independence,

the creation of the Social Climate Fund 2025-2032 and preparedness for future crises were also high

on the agenda.

European Parliamentary Week

- EU Economic Governance from a Parliamentary Perspective, Interparliamentary Conference

on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the European Union, keynote speech by Antonio Costa, Prime Minister

of Portugal on 16 March 2022.

iii. The green and digital transitions, inflation and the impact of the conflict on

the gas supply

The green and digital transitions were a key priority of the French Presidency and were one of the

main subjects of the debates in interparliamentary meetings, not least during the 2022 European

Parliamentary Week. As the EU sanctions against Russia were adopted and implemented as a result

of the war in Ukraine, the reduction in the supply of Russian gas was used as a countermeasure.

The EU had to adapt quickly and efficiently in 2022 to secure its supplies from alternative sources

and suppliers, as well as to introduce measures to decrease gas consumption in order to achieve

independence from Russian fossil fuels.

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The main negative effect on the EU economy was rising inflation and energy prices, which

generated a fear of recession for the EU economy. The REPowerEU initiative was a response to tackle

the developments on the global energy markets and their disruption. This was discussed in detail

at both the European Parliamentary Week 2022 and the Article 13 IPC in Prague. The main objective

was to incorporate REPowerEU into the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). It was designed in a

such a way as to help reduce dependence on fossil fuels through reforms and investment in the

green transition and the creation of a more resilient energy system.

iv. The rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights in the EU

As respect for the rule of law became a cross-cutting priority in all EU policies, this was also reflected

in various interparliamentary debates, taking into account the crucial role of national Parliaments in

the protection and enforcement of the EU’s values and laws.

COSAC Chairpersons’ meetings have also put this topic high on the agenda. At their meeting in

Prague on 10 and 11 July 2022, the second session was dedicated to ‘Media and Democracy: Current

Challenges’. They also held a videoconference on 27 October 2022 on the Rule of Law report and

the Media Freedom Act with Věra Jourová, European Commission Vice-President for Values and

Transparency.

Chair of the LIBE Committee, Juan Fernando López Aguilar and Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice at the

LIBE

Interparliamentary Committee Meeting

on the situation of the rule of law in the EU.

In this perspective, on 1 December 2022, the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties,

Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) organised the second annual ICM on the situation of the rule of law

in the EU. The meeting, which has permitted a regular exchange between national Parliaments

and the European Parliament since 2020, aims to promote and safeguard the EU’s common values

in order to further the debate about the role of the EU, the Member States and of the national

Parliaments in this respect.

v. The EU’s role in the world

As the dire economic, social, political and geopolitical consequences of the war in Ukraine and the

pandemic continued to have an impact on key aspects of the EU’s CFSP and CSDP, the EU’s security

environment also continued to deteriorate in 2022 and was one of the most keenly debated topics

in interparliamentary forums on foreign policy issues.

In the framework of IPC CFSP/CSDP, the exchanges focused on the strategic autonomy of the EU.

Members stressed the fundamental importance of the EU’s internal resilience, of developing new

partnerships and of strengthening the EU’s multilateral vision worldwide. Their main request was

that the autonomous EU energy supply and defence structure be speeded up and built without

delay. Members advocated that strong sanctions against Russia, in particular targeted sanctions

against its main leaders, be adopted and implemented.

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They called for the Member States to show genuine political will to push on with EU foreign policy

goals and counter non-EU countries’ attempts to divide the EU. In most of the meetings, Members

requested the EU to strengthen its role in its neighbourhood, particularly in the Western Balkans,

advocating a clear roadmap towards granting EU membership to the Western Balkan countries.

In 2022, representatives of the Parliaments of Ukraine and Moldova were invited as observers to

several interparliamentary meetings, as countries that were granted EU candidate status on 23 June

2022 by the European Council.

vi. The Conference on the Future of Europe

Members of the European and national Parliaments continued to reflect on the future of Europe

in the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFE), which concluded its work in

2022. The development of the ‘sense of belonging to European values’ with the finalisation of the

CoFE was an important priority of the French Presidency, which was discussed both at the COSAC

Chairpersons’ and at the COSAC Plenary meetings in Paris. Věra Jourová, European Commission

Vice-President for Values and Transparency also took the floor at the COSAC Plenary meeting on 14

November 2022 in Prague during the session on the ‘Future of the EU’.

Speech by Guy Verhofstadt, EP Co-Chair of the CoFE Executive Board at the

AFCO Interparliamentary Committee Meeting

26 October 2022 on the ‘Conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe and the Role of National Parliaments in the EU’

The AFCO Committee held a first ICM specifically dedicated to the CoFE on the ‘First results of the

Conference on the Future of the European Union’ remotely on 17 May 2022 and a second AFCO ICM

on the ‘Conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe and the role of national Parliaments’

on 26 October 2022. In both ICMs Members discussed the follow-up and the implementation of the

proposals of the Conference. During the ICM in October, Members of the EP with Members from

national Parliaments and the three Co-Chairs of the Executive Board of the CoFE agreed on the

important role of national Parliaments in the EU, as well as on the promotion of citizens’ participation

through involving citizens in the EU policy-making process.

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1. INSTITUTIONAL INTERPARLIAMENTARY BODIES

1.1. Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs

(COSAC)

COSAC, or the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs, was established in

November 1989 in Paris. It is unique in that it is the only interparliamentary forum enshrined in the

Treaties (Protocol N

1 on the role of national Parliaments in the European Union). The national

Parliament of the Member State holding the rotating Council Presidency plays a leading role in

defining the direction and work of COSAC. A Presidential Troika, of which the European Parliament is

a permanent member, supports it. The Presidency relies on the organisational backing of a small

secretariat, hosted by the European Parliament and led by an official seconded from a national

Parliament (‘Permanent Member’). See

www.ipex.eu.

1.1.1. After two years of fully remotely organised videoconference meetings, the

COSAC Chairpersons’

meeting

during the French EU Council Presidency took place on 13 and 14 January 2022 in Paris, in

a hybrid format. The hybrid format was chosen because of the health crisis caused by the COVID-19

pandemic, which had continued in early 2022. The meeting was hosted by the French Senate at its

premises. The meeting began with a tribute to President David Sassoli, who had passed away on 11

January 2022, followed by an address from Clément Beaune, Secretary of State to the Minister for

Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, responsible for European Affairs. He focused on the priorities

of the French Presidency, such as strengthening the sovereignty of Europe; the ‘European model

of climate, social and digital transition’ and of the ‘sense of belonging to European values’ with the

finalisation of the Conference on the Future of Europe. Christine Lagarde, President of the European

Central Bank, was also invited to the meeting to speak about the ‘Twentieth anniversary of the euro:

achievements and future of the euro’. Among other things, she announced the launch of a phase

of work with a view to introducing the digital euro within five years, in response to the increasing

dematerialisation of payments and the proliferation of cryptocurrencies.

COSAC Chairpersons’ meeting, Paris, France, 13-14 January 2022

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During the Chairpersons’ meeting of January 2022, the French Presidency also proposed the

creation of two Working Groups with a view to giving more visibility to the work of COSAC, which

was approved by consensus. While it was agreed that these Working Groups would not involve

any obligations for the forthcoming Czech or other Presidencies, each national Parliament and the

European Parliament was invited to nominate up to two members to represent it in each Working

Group on a voluntary basis. The first Working Group was on ‘The role of national Parliaments in the

EU’ and the second on ‘The place of European values at the heart of the feeling of belonging’. The

proceedings began in February 2022 and were finalised in June 2022. They both adopted reports

and conclusions, summarising the exchanges that took place during the first semester of 2022.

1.1.2.

The LXVII COSAC Plenary meeting in Paris,

France, 3-5 March 2022, took place at the premises

of the Assemblée Nationale (French National Assembly). The meeting was scheduled at a relatively

early stage in the French Presidency semester owing to the French Presidential elections on 10 and

24 April 2022. The atmosphere and discussions were heavily impacted by the invasion of Ukraine

by Russia, which had taken place the previous week. An urgent debate on Ukraine was added to

the programme and a Troika statement was adopted with the support of the other delegations.

All parliamentary delegations condemned the Russian aggression and expressed their solidarity

with the democratically elected authorities of Ukraine and with the Ukrainian people. The rest of

the programme focused on the initial assessment of the French Presidency, with a contribution by

Prime Minister Jean Castex on the recovery plan for Europe and emerging from the crisis, on climate

change and the energy transition and on the Conference on the Future of Europe. Another brief

session gave an opportunity to present a first progress report on the outcome of both Working

Groups set up by the COSAC Chairpersons.

Opening session of the

COSAC Chairpersons’ meeting in Prague,

Czechia at the Senate of Czechia on 11 July 2022

1.1.3. The parliamentary dimension of the Czech EU Council Presidency began with the

COSAC

Chairpersons’ meeting in Prague,

Czechia, on 11 July 2022, hosted by the Czech Senate. Jan Lipavsky,

the Czech Minister for Foreign Affairs, presented the priorities of the Czech Presidency, under the

motto ‘Europe as a Task: Rethink, Rebuild, Repower’, inspired by former President Václav Havel. Věra

Jourová, Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency, introduced the

second session on ‘Media and Democracy: Current Challenges’ with a video message, while the

First Vice-President of the European Parliament, Othmar Karas, gave the keynote speech, along with

Michal Klíma, Commissioner for Media and Counter-Disinformation of the Czech Government.

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Contribution of Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Chair of the Parliament of Ukraine’s Committee for Ukraine’s Integration into the

European Union, at the

COSAC Chairpersons’ meeting

on 11 July 2022 in Prague, at the Senate of Czechia

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Chair of the Parliament of Ukraine’s Committee for Ukraine’s Integration

into the European Union, and Adrian Băluțel, Member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Policy

and European Integration of the Parliament of Moldova, were also invited to the meeting, for the

first time, as representatives of Parliaments from countries which were granted EU candidate status

by the European Council on 23 June 2022. They expressed their thanks for the support given to

their countries against the Russian aggression and for the European Council’s decision to grant each

of them EU candidate country status. In addition, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze invited the COSAC

Chairs to pay a solidarity visit to Kyiv in the following weeks.

Welcome address at the

LXVIII COSAC Plenary meeting

by Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies,

Parliament of Czechia, in Prague on 14 November 2022

The fourth plenary session of the LXVIII COSAC Plenary on ‘Ukraine – state of play, reconstruction, migration’ on 15 November

2022

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1.1.4.

The LXVIII COSAC Plenary meeting

in Prague, 13-15 November 2022 took place in full in-presence

mode. Mikuláš Bek from the Czech Ministry for European Affairs presented the results of the Czech

Presidency of the Council of the EU. During a session on the Future of the EU, First Vice-President of

the European Parliament, Othmar Karas, and Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová both stressed

the importance of following up on the Conference on the Future of Europe. Parliamentarians also

had the opportunity to discuss the strategic autonomy of the EU, the state of play in Ukraine and

the European perspective for the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership countries. The Plenary

also adopted a Contribution and Conclusions for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Othmar Karas, First Vice-President of the European Parliament and Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Parliament of Ukraine,

during a meeting with Chairpersons of several committees of the Parliament of Ukraine of Ukraine on 30 September 2022.

As an important sign of support, the Chairs of Committees on European Affairs of EU national

Parliaments and the First Vice-President of the European Parliament paid a

solidarity visit to Ukraine

on 30 September 2022. Participants adopted a

joint press statement

reiterating their unequivocal

support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally

recognised borders. It was highly appreciated by the Ukrainian side, as it signalled clearly that COSAC

was ‘determined to stand for freedom and democracy in Europe, in accordance with the purpose of

inter-parliamentary cooperation’.

Othmar Karas, First Vice-President of the European Parliament and the delegation of COSAC Chairpersons during a meeting

with Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv, on the right, in Ukraine on 30 September 2022.

In addition, the traditional informal videoconferences between COSAC delegates and members of

the Commission, which began during the pandemic, continued in 2022, offering ‘an opportunity

for timely and detailed discussions about concrete European initiatives and enhancing the political

dialogue and inter-parliamentary cooperation’. It was agreed that the practice would continue, as

confirmed by the Conclusions adopted at the LXVIII COSAC Plenary.

See Annex I for the detailed list of COSAC events and meetings.

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Main developments in 2022:

•

The COSAC meetings in 2022 began in hybrid format and returned during the Czech

Presidency semester to their ‘full in person’ traditional format.

•

Political texts, such as a Contribution and Conclusions, were adopted for the first time in three

years by the LXVIII COSAC Plenary.

•

The first ever visit of a group of Chairs of COSAC and of the European Parliament to a non-EU

country, took place in Kyiv, in Ukraine, in September 2022.

•

Two COSAC Working Groups were set up during the first semester of 2022 at the initiative of

the French Presidency.

•

COSAC exchanges further increased in number in 2022: the informal exchanges of views with

high-level speakers (from the Commission) continued to take place and additional exchanges

were held in the framework of the two COSAC Working Groups.

•

The European Parliament maintained a consistent and relevant presence at the COSAC

meetings.

1.2. Conference of Speakers of EU Parliaments (EUSC)

The Stockholm Guidelines for the Conference of Speakers of EU Parliaments were adopted in 2010.

They provide for one annual meeting of the Speakers, organised by the Member State holding the

second semester Presidency in a given year, to take place during the spring Presidency of the following

year. This Conference adopts non-binding Presidency conclusions. It also has the task of overseeing

the coordination of interparliamentary EU activities.

The EUSC agenda is prepared by the Meeting of the Secretaries-General of the EU Parliaments. See

www.ipex.eu

Group photo of the

Conference of Speakers of the EU Parliaments,

Slovenia, 28-29 March 2022

Following the cancellation of the 2020 EU Speakers Conference and a shortened half-day conference

held remotely in 2021, both as result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 saw a return to normal

business with a full-length

Speakers Conference

organised in person in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia on

28-29 March 2022.

The conference opened with a welcome address by Igor Zorčič, President of the National Assembly

of Slovenia, and Alojz Kovšca, President of the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia. The

European Parliament was represented by President Roberta Metsola, who gave a keynote speech at

the opening session, which was followed by an address by Borut Pahor, President of Slovenia.

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In her keynote speech, President Metsola confirmed the European Parliament’s support for Ukraine

against Russian aggression, which was formalised in a resolution and also demonstrated by practical

measures of solidarity with the Parliament of Ukraine, stepping up the cooperation that had begun

in 2014.

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament at the Speakers Conference in Slovenia on 29 March 2022.

Among other forms of support, the European Parliament had created the

‘Stand with Ukraine’

website, in both English and Ukrainian, with news and podcasts as well as legislation and resolutions,

enabling the Parliament of Ukraine to share content. Stressing the need to act decisively in order

to preserve clarity and hope within the European Union and beyond, particularly in times of crisis

where parliamentary democracy and the rule of law must be protected. President Metsola also

announced her willingness to visit Kyiv to demonstrate the extent of the European Parliament’s

support for Ukraine’s democratic process. Her visit took place shortly after the Speakers Conference,

on 1 April 2022.

As a support tool, the European Parliament has set up the ‘Stand

with Ukraine’

(https://ukraine.europarl.europa.eu)

Following the opening session, the Speakers proceeded to Session I on ‘The Role of Parliaments

in Emergency Politics – Building Resilience for Democratic Governance’, which concentrated on

the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Keynote speaker Meritxell Batet

Lamaña, President of the Congress of Deputies of Spain, expressed the view that the in-person

presence of legislators is critical to coordinate diverse political perspectives, to permit oversight

of the executive branch and to attain consensus. Roberto Fico, President of the Chamber of

Deputies of Italy, underlined the ability of national Parliaments and the European Parliament to

respond adequately in emergencies for the sake of citizens. Lastly, the third keynote speaker, Tomasz

Grodzki, Marshal of the Senate of Poland, emphasised the mission of Parliaments to ensure a proper

legislative process and to be the guardians of shared common values such as the rule of law and

the free media. The following debate stressed that the role of Parliaments as guardians mandates

them to demonstrate resilience and effectiveness in the event of emergency situations such as the

COVID-19 pandemic or the war in Ukraine.

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Speech by Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Parliament of Ukraine via videoconference at the second session of the

Conference of Speakers of the EU Parliaments, Slovenia, 29 March 2022

The second debate of the Conference was on ‘the European Union as the Guarantor of Stability,

Security and Prosperity in the Region (and Beyond)’. In this session, the Speakers shared their

views on the security strategy the EU should adopt, while condemning Russia’s aggression and

expressing support for Ukraine. After an opening speech by guest speaker Talat Xhaferi, President of

the Sobranie (Parliament) of North Macedonia, the Speakers Conference heard a special address by

Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Parliament of Ukraine, who was connected by videoconference

from Kyiv. Describing the Russian aggression as a war against Europe and the democratic world, he

paid tribute to those who had lost their lives and the 44 % of Ukrainians who had been displaced and

forced to leave family members behind. He characterised the shelling of civilian targets, including

schools, as war crimes and genocide against the Ukrainian nation and called for stronger sanctions

and for war materiel to be provided.

Further keynote speeches were given by Miloš Vystrčil, President of the Senate of Czechia, Constantine

An. Tassoulas, President of the Hellenic Parliament of Greece and Wolfgang Sobotka, President of

the National Council of Austria. In the ensuing debate, the Speakers not only condemned Russia’s

violation of the international law of armed conflict, its prevention of the delivery of humanitarian aid

and its violation of agreed ceasefires, but also expressed condolences to the Ukrainian people, and

to both the civilian and the military victims of the aggression. On the changing geopolitical context,

a strong European Neighbourhood Policy in the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood was considered

key to addressing the governance, security, economic, social and environmental challenges in the

Mediterranean, including in North Africa and the Middle East. A call was issued for more ambitious

EU action, both to the east and to the south of its borders, in order to guarantee security, stability

and peace on the European continent.

The fact that the Speakers Conference in 2021 had been held remotely did not allow for the adoption

of conclusions, so the 2022 Conference was the first since 2019 to adopt a text.

In the

Conclusions of the Presidency,

which were adopted by general consensus, the Speakers

condemned ‘in the strongest possible terms Russia’s military aggression against the sovereign state

of Ukraine’, considering it an attack on the international order of democracy, rule of law and human

rights. They called for Europe to strengthen its role in its neighbourhood, particularly the Western

Balkans, advocating a clear roadmap towards granting EU membership to the Western Balkan

countries and calling for improved cooperation between the EU and Turkey.

The conclusions also referred to the importance of Parliaments in emergency situations, such as

the COVID-19 pandemic, when extraordinary measures in particular require democratic oversight.

The Speakers welcomed the ‘tremendous amount of commitment and innovation’ shown by

Parliaments in adapting their work to the exceptional circumstances of the pandemic. Finally, the

Speakers adopted a few paragraphs on the Interparliamentary EU Information Exchange (IPEX),

including encouraging Parliaments to upload the texts of their resolutions on Ukraine.

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Main developments in 2022:

•

The Speakers Conference was held in person in for the first time since 2019 (the 2020

Conference was cancelled and the 2021 Conference was held remotely).

•

Full conclusions were adopted for the first time since 2019 (the Conference in 2020 adopted

the ‘Conclusions of the Presidency’, as the remote format did not allow for the negotiation of

a text).

•

The Conference examined the ongoing conflict in Ukraine in depth, with the remote

participation of Ruslan Stefanchuck, Chairman of the Parliament of Ukraine.

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2. INTERPARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCES (IPCs)

2.1. European Parliamentary Week (EPW), the Interparliamentary

Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance

in the EU and the European Semester Conference (IPC SECG)

The Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the EU

(established in accordance with Article 13 of the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance

in the Economic and Monetary Union [Fiscal Compact]) provides a framework for debate and

exchange of information and of best practices in implementing the relevant provisions and for

cooperation between EU national Parliaments and the European Parliament.

The European Semester Conference provides an opportunity to exchange information on best

practices in implementing the European Semester cycles and to strengthen cooperation in order to

scrutinise the actions of the executives at national and European level.

Together they make up European Parliamentary Week (EPW), bringing together parliamentarians

from all over the EU to discuss economic, budgetary and social matters. The two conferences have

earned a regular place in the calendar of interparliamentary activities and are consolidated forums

for interparliamentary debate in these important policy areas.

European Parliamentary Week

poster, 2022.

The European Parliament, together with the French Parliament, organised for the second consecutive

year the

European Parliamentary Week 2022.

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the meeting was held

remotely via videoconference from the European Parliament’s premises in Brussels on 15 and 16

March 2022.

It was the 11th occasion on which the European Parliamentary Week had been organised and was

attended by approximately 90 parliamentarians from the 24 EU Member States and two candidate

and observer countries to discuss economic, budgetary, environmental and social matters. More

than 60 Members represented the European Parliament. The large number of participants is

testament to the success, relevance and need for parliamentary exchange on the proposed topics

in today’s difficult times.

The programme included keynote addresses by Roberta Metsola, President of the European

Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission and Antonio Costa, Prime

Minister of Portugal. This year’s debates were dominated by the war in Ukraine and the impact of

the COVID-19 crisis on EU economies, the recovery and the next steps.

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European Parliamentary Week

– EU Economic Governance from a Parliamentary Perspective, Interparliamentary Conference

on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the European Union, 15-16 March 2022.

@ European Union 2022 EP/ Alain Rolland

The first plenary session was dedicated to the

EU own resources.

During the debate, Members from

national Parliaments and the European Parliament stressed that the introduction of the recovery plan

‘NextGenerationEU’ represented a turning point. In the contributions to the debate, the participants

highlighted that the huge support package for Member States, mainly financed through borrowing

on the financial markets and which has to be reimbursed eventually, had created an impetus for the

creation of new sources of revenue for the EU. They therefore pointed out that not having new own

resources from 2027 onwards would imply a cut in the budget by an average of EUR 15 billion per

year to repay the debt accrued from the recovery plan. The main conclusions drawn were that this

would be not acceptable and it would be against the interests of future generations.

The motto of

NextGenerationEU,

the EU’s EUR 800 billion temporary recovery instrument to support the economic recovery

from the coronavirus pandemic and build a greener, more digital and more resilient future.

The second plenary session was dedicated to

the reform of the Stability and Growth Pact.

MEPs

and national MPs discussed the forthcoming review of the Stability and Growth Pact and listened

to the introductory remarks from the responsible European Commissioners, Valdis Dombrovskis

(Trade) and Paolo Gentiloni (Economy). The exchange of views between the European and national

parliamentarians once again reaffirmed that the Russian invasion of Ukraine made it even more

important for EU countries to act in a coordinated way when faced with the changing circumstances

which are expected in the future. Members noted that in the review of the pact, an important aspect

would be to strike a balance between adopting rules which deliver stable budgets and at the same

time allowing for the necessary transitions. During the session, it was highlighted that the review of

the macroeconomic legislative framework must build on the lessons learnt from NextGenerationEU

and that the deactivation of the general escape clause should be carefully reconsidered, as new

investment programmes, such as the

REPowerEU Plan,

are in the pipeline by way of an addition to

the already agreed investment programmes.

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Main objectives of

REPowerEU,

a plan to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels by 2027 and fast-forward the green

transition.

The third plenary session

‘High-Level Conference on the Recovery and Resilience Facility:

Lessons for the future’

took place on the second day. The Co-Chairs from the EP and the French

Parliament both stated that the Ukrainian crisis had worsened the EU’s economic and social

outlook and introduced numerous new challenges, including inflation and distorted supply chains.

They reiterated the necessity of an efficient and coordinated usage of the RRF, as it constituted a

coordinated, rapid and bold response to the crisis and had resulted in an EU economic recovery and

low unemployment. Panellists expressed the view that the Russian invasion, together with surging

energy prices and distorted supply chains, required the right decisions to be taken in the future. The

discussion pointed out that it had to be ensured that the reduction of deficits and debts was carried

out in a politically and socially sustainable way.

The banner of the

Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF),

which is the key instrument at the heart of NextGenerationEU to help

the EU emerge stronger and more resilient from the current crisis.

During the following exchanges with Members of national Parliaments and the European

Parliament, as well as with panellists from the private sector representing energy companies and

independent fiscal institutions, it was emphasised that all of the money from this revolutionary tool

is well spent. They underlined how important it was to have a strong and resilient economy, which

can help minimise the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine. It was stressed that within

the RRF, prominence had been given to projects on energy security and the transition to a greener

economy, as well as the importance of the EU’s strategic autonomy.

As it is customary in the second half of the year, the

18th session of the Inter-Parliamentary

Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the EU

took place on 10 and

11 October 2022 in Prague, the capital of the Council Presidency. It was the first conference in this

format since the COVID-19 outbreak with presence in person. During the conference, Members from

national Parliaments and the European Parliament, together with representatives from the European

Commission, the European Investment Bank and the Presidency, discussed current financial and

economic issues in the light of the war in Ukraine and its spillover effect on the European economies.

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Opening remarks by Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of Czechia at the

18th IPC on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the EU

on 10 October 2022 in Prague.

The first session covered the current

state of implementation and new challenges of the

Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).

Participants highlighted that the path to recovery from the

COVID-19 crisis had been affected by the conflict in Ukraine. Members raised the issue of the effects

of the unjustified war at the EU’s borders, which had exacerbated the negative effect on the EU

economy, which was facing rising inflation and energy prices. During the session, the REPowerEU

initiative was discussed as a response by the European Commission to tackle the developments on

the global energy markets and their disruption. It was noted that incorporating REPowerEU into the

RRF would give even greater incentive to the EU Member States; moreover its design could help

to reduce dependence on fossil fuels through reforms and investment in the green transition and

the creation of a more resilient energy system. It was stressed that adding EUR 20 billion in grants

to the RRF would allow the EU Member States to achieve these new goals and speed up their

transformation to clean energies. This will be done through updating their National Recovery and

Resilience Plans with the new REPowerEU chapters. The biggest concern expressed by Members was

the growing inflation and the fear of recession of the EU economy owing to the energy crisis. Some

points raised during the exchange of views were the problem of the weak energy infrastructure

and the lack of trained specialists in the energy domain. Members also pointed out that greater

emphasis should be placed on finalising the new own resources that would help repay the debt

accrued under NextGenerationEU.

The second session tackled

energy independence costs and the financing of energy and

climate measures.

All panellists highlighted the rise in energy prices. During the discussion it was

pointed out that energy prices had started to increase slightly in the first quarter of 2021, rising

at a faster pace in the second half of the year. The rise in energy prices had mainly been driven

by the COVID-19 crisis and a surge in consumption associated with the economic recovery. They

underlined that following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the uncertainty surrounding gas and

oil supplies had further fuelled the rise in energy prices. During the session, the advantages of

the

Social Climate Fund 2025-2032

were discussed, in particular the fact that establishing the Fund

would help to mitigate the changes, particularly for the most vulnerable citizens and industries.

It was highlighted that the Fund is to be financed by the Union’s own resources and, from 2026

onwards, by revenues from emissions trading from the buildings and road transport sectors (25 %

of the expected revenues). Many contributors to the debate supported the joint energy purchasing

proposed by the EU Energy Platform. It was also stressed that swifter diversification of the resources

and supplies, and the return to and higher usage of nuclear energy could have a high impact on

resolving the energy crisis that EU is currently combating.

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Explanation of the

Social Climate Fund 2025-2032,

which will provide funding to Member States in order to support the most

vulnerable households, transport users and micro-enterprises faced with the higher energy and transport costs expected to

result from the extension of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) to two new sectors, namely those of buildings and road

transport.

The third session dealt with

strengthening Europe’s economic resilience and its preparedness

for future crises.

The speakers pointed out that Europe had barely recovered economically from

the effects of the financial and debt crisis, when it was hit by the coronavirus crisis in 2019. The

post-pandemic economic recovery brought with it the downside of rising prices. Members called

attention to the fact that the negative pressures associated with the economic recovery had been

expected to abate in 2021. However, positive development had been halted by the Russian invasion

of Ukraine. Participants raised the issue that the war in Ukraine was intensifying the existing negative

effects on the economy and slowing down GDP growth. Inflation and rising energy prices were

the biggest challenges the EU was facing today. According to the participants, uncertainty was

holding back investment and resilience would be the vaccine against the next crisis. The main

conclusions were that the EU needed to act in solidarity and to construct a solid EU future with

all instruments, the classical as well as the temporary ones (MFF, RRF, Structural funds, REPowerEU,

Social Climate Fund, etc.). On the other hand, the EU had to utilise the potential of the European

Investment Bank (EIB), which provides funding for projects to meet EU objectives. Together with

the European Investment Fund, of which the EIB is a majority shareholder, it was one of the main

pillars for building a more resilient Europe. During the debate, it was underlined that in addition to

financing innovation, infrastructure or SMEs, the EIB was also a leader in green financing.

These discussions were to be continued at the next European Parliamentary Week scheduled to be

held in Brussels on 27-28 February 2023.

Main developments in 2022:

•

Exchanges during both meetings focused on the impact of the exit strategy from the crisis,

creating new own resources, strengthening Europe’s economic resilience and response as a

result of the war in Ukraine and its spillover effect on the EU’s economies.

•

The relevance of topics enabled key high-level speakers and parliamentarians to debate

the possible solutions to the current complicated situation the EU is facing internally (high

inflation, high energy prices) and externally (war in Ukraine).

•

The 18th session of the IPC on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in Prague

was the first in-person meeting since the outbreak of COVID-19. The national and European

Members warmly welcomed the ‘back to normal’ format.

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2.2. Interparliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and

Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy (IPC

CFSP/CSDP)

Established by a decision of the Conference of Speakers of EU Parliaments in 2012, the Interparliamentary

Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence

Policy (IPC CFSP/CSDP) is the interparliamentary platform for debate on the EU’s foreign, security

and defence policy. Organised twice a year by the Parliament of the EU Member State holding the

rotating Council Presidency, in close cooperation with the European Parliament, the conference is

regularly attended by parliamentarians from across the EU. In addition, the European Parliament’s

AFET Committee frequently invites national Parliaments to its meetings in Brussels, complementing

interparliamentary dialogue in this vital policy area.

Group photo of the

Interparliamentary Conference for the

Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security

and Defence Policy,

24-25 February 2022, Paris

In 2022, the 20th session of the CFSP/CSDP IPC took

place in Paris (24-25 February) and the 21st session

in Prague (4-5 September), both with physical

presence. After two years of remote meetings, the

EP delegations to both meetings were composed

of Members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs

and its Subcommittee on Security and Defence,

and were chaired by David McAllister, Chair of the

Committee on Foreign Affairs.

2.2.1. The

20th session of the CFSP/CSDP IPC

in Paris on 24-25 February 2022 was held in the French

Senate and adopted, by consensus, a ‘Declaration’ on Ukraine. The agenda of the IPC was changed

at the last minute on the first day of the IPC, as the Russian Federation had launched a military attack

and illegal invasion of Ukraine on that very day.

The conference was divided into three sessions, all dealing with different aspects of the situation in

Ukraine: ‘Special session on the situation in Ukraine’, ‘The European Union’s response to the crisis in

Ukraine’ and ‘The European Union’s action in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity’.

The holding of a Special Session on the situation in Ukraine, with the contribution of the Ukrainian

Ambassador to France was a key developments in this IPC. The statement and participation of

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of the democratic opposition in Belarus and the 2020 laureate

of the Sakharov Prize, in the third session was an important contribution to the IPC.

144 parliamentarians from all 27 EU national Parliaments attended the CFSP/CSDP IPC in Paris,

together with an EP delegation of 15 MEPs, as well as Members of two EU candidate countries’

Parliaments (Montenegro and Serbia) and four NATO member countries’ Parliaments (Iceland,

Norway, the UK and Turkey).

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Opening remarks by David McAllister, Chair of the

Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European

Parliament at the CFSP/CSDP IPC in the French Senate

on 25 February 2022 in Paris

For the first time in the history of the IPC, a

joint

Declaration

was adopted by consensus,

without amendments, on the war on

Ukraine, therefore neither conclusions nor a

co-chairs’ statement were adopted. Detailed

minutes of the debates

are available online.

The intensive debates gave the opportunity

to MPs and MEPs to take the floor and

condemn Russia’s military attack on Ukraine;

they called on the Russian forces to cease their military activities, adopt a ceasefire and for Russia to

withdraw its forces. Speakers also expressed their solidarity with the Ukrainian people and called for

the EU and their own governments to support them.

The main conclusions drawn were that this represented a historical moment in Europe, which

required immediate and strong actions; that it was necessary to modify the EU’s defence structures

and increase defence budgets to be more prepared for such challenges. It was stressed that the

strategic autonomy of the EU and the autonomous EU energy supply and defence structure should

be speeded up and built without delay. Strong sanctions against Russia, particularly targeted ones

against its main leaders were requested, including expelling Russia from the SWIFT banking system

and closing down negotiations on the Nord Stream gas pipeline. Imposing a general EU ban on

Russian financial and economic interests was also demanded.

Group photo of the

Interparliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security

and Defence Policy,

4-5 September 2022, Prague

2.2.2.

The 21st session of the CFSP/CSDP IPC

took place on 4-5 September 2022 at the Prague

Congress Centre. The conference was attended by representatives of the national Parliaments of

the EU Member States and the European Parliament, as well as by representatives of the Parliaments

of the candidate countries (Albania, Montenegro, Turkey, Ukraine) and by representatives of the

Parliaments of Iceland, Kosovo

, Norway and the United Kingdom as guests. Altogether the

Conference was attended by 135 parliamentarians from 35 delegations, including 11 MEPs.

Although the format was slightly shorter than previous IPCs, it successfully included all of the

relevant and topical issues with four sessions lasting 90 minutes each on:

This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1244/1999

and the International Court of Justice Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

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CFSP/CSDP priorities, with special emphasis on the EU’s Strategic Compass;

Ukraine: models of political support and reconstruction;

EU enlargement policy in the light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine – Western Balkans and

Eastern Partnership: accelerated pre-accession support of the EU, and

Disinformation and hybrid threats, cyber defence.

The IPC also adopted a

joint statement by the Co-Chairs

focusing on the war in Ukraine, EU

enlargement and reinforcement of the EU’s defence policy.

David McAllister, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament moderating the first session on ‘CFSP/

CSDP priorities and current issues, with special emphasis on the EU’s Strategic Compass’ on 5 September 2022 in Prague.

The first session, a discussion with Josep Borrell, Vice-President of the Commission / High

Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy was moderated by David

McAllister, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament. Members insisted

on the need to implement the Strategic Compass and to strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy,

and underlined the importance of enhancing EU foreign policy and defence policies and capabilities,

as well as of strengthening unity and partnership with NATO.

During the following two sessions, delegations expressed their continuing support to Ukraine, with

some Members reiterating calls for a full ban on visas for Russian citizens and calling for stronger

sanctions against Russia. They also called for the EU to give clear signals to Western Balkan countries,

noting the strategic importance of the region.

Contribution of Karel Řehka, Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces at the fourth session on ‘Disinformation and

hybrid threats, cyber defence’ on 5 September 2022 in Prague.

In the fourth and final session, some Members suggested among other things the creation of

a cyber-Schengen, the repatriation of stolen data to Ukraine, the need to protect the European

underwater cables, the need to develop common cyber defence scenarios, and the need to fight

against the disinformation campaigns in Africa and to ensure global access to accurate and reliable

information.

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Main developments in 2022:

•

The resumption of interparliamentary meetings with in-person participation happened for

the first time at the Paris CFSP/CSDP IPC after the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

•

The IPC demonstrated that it can adapt and react quickly to the challenges of international

relations. It moved from exchanging information, debating and scrutinising the European

foreign and defence policies to actively taking part in them via a very swift reaction to the

military aggression by Russia against Ukraine, including adopting, for the first time, a joint

Declaration by consensus, condemning the war in Ukraine.

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3. INTERPARLIAMENTARY OVERSIGHT IN THE AREA

OF FREEDOM, SECURITY AND JUSTICE

3.1. Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol

Article 88 of the TFEU allows national Parliaments for the first time to scrutinise jointly with the

European Parliament an EU agency operating in the area of freedom, security and justice. On

the basis of the Europol Regulation2, the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group (JPSG) on Europol

was established in 2017 to ensure that Europol is fully accountable and transparent. The main

responsibilities of the JPSG are outlined in Article 51 of the Europol Regulation, which defines its role

in politically monitoring Europol activities with particular focus on the impact of those activities on

the fundamental rights and freedoms of natural persons.

The

Europol Regulation

was subsequently amended3 and Europol’s revised mandate, which entered

into force on 28 June 2022, provides Member States with the tools they need in the fight against

serious and organised crime, and terrorism. With this strengthened mandate came a need to strike

the right balance in ensuring effective safeguards for fundamental rights, including data protection.

A number of new governance provisions relate to the JPSG and will have an impact on its future

work.

The JPSG is an innovative institutional set-up for parliamentary scrutiny and holds two meetings per

year: in the first half of the year, at the Parliament of the country holding the rotating presidency of

the Council of the EU, and in the second half of the year, at the European Parliament.

The 10th meeting of the

Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol (JPSG)

took place on 28

February 2022 via remote participation. It was co-chaired by the French Parliament and the European

Parliament and hosted by the French Assemblée nationale in Paris. It proved possible to secure the

traditional structure of the meeting, the time available for debate and the participation of high-level

speakers, in spite of the remote and more compact format.

Regulation (EU) 2016/794

of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Union Agency for Law En-

forcement Cooperation (Europol)

Regulation (EU) 2022/991

amending Regulation (EU) 2016/794, as regards Europol’s cooperation with private parties,

the processing of personal data by Europol in support of criminal investigations, and Europol’s role in research and

innovation

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Presentation of Catherine De Bolle, Europol Executive Director, remotely online at the 10th meeting of the JPSG on Europol, 28

February 2022.

The agenda included contributions by the Executive Director of Europol, Catherine De Bolle,

and a keynote speech by Gérald Darmanin, French Minister of the Interior. The JPSG also heard a

presentation from the European Data Protection Supervisor, Wojciech Wiewiórowski. Two thematic

debates with experts from the EU and national levels covered the topics ‘Europol’s contribution

in the fight against migrant smugglers’, and ‘Risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence for

Europol’.

As was the case for other interparliamentary meetings, the Russian invasion in Ukraine and its

consequences were discussed by the JPSG. Delegates observed a minute’s silence, expressed

solidarity with and support for the Ukrainian people and inquired about the tangible actions Europol

can take. The EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, who attends every meeting of

the JPSG, had to cancel her participation as the result of an urgent visit to Ukraine’s neighbouring

countries and was replaced by a European Commission senior official.

The full video recording of

the meeting is available online.

The

11th Meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group (JPSG) on Europol

took place on 24-25

October 2022 at the European Parliament in Brussels. It was co-organised and co-chaired by the

European Parliament and the Czech Parliament, and it was a full in-person meeting, the first since

2019.

Poster of the

11th Meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement

Cooperation

on 24-25 October 2022 in the European Parliament in Brussels.

The meeting tackled a number of issues directly arising from the JPSG’s prerogatives according to

Article 51 of the Europol Regulation and featured presentations by Catherine De Bolle, Executive

Director of Europol, Jérôme Bonet, Chair of the Europol Management Board, and Wojciech

Wiewiórowski, the European Data Protection Supervisor.

There was also a thematic debate on the ‘Impact of the war in Ukraine on the area of security’ with

Radek Kaňa, Deputy Minister of the Interior of Czechia, and experts from Europol and the European

Commission. Owing to prior engagements, Vít Rakušan, Minister of Interior of Czechia and Ylva

Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, addressed the JPSG by video messages.

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Opening remarks by Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Co-Chair of the JPSG and Head of the European Parliament Delegation to

the JPSG at the

11th meeting of the JPSG on Europol,

in Brussels on 24 October 2022

The JPSG was consulted on the Europol’s multiannual programming document 2023-2025 and

during her speech, the Executive Director of Europol was asked to react to the written comments

received. These questions and the answers are available at the

IPEX website dedicated to the JPSG.

A session of the 11th Meeting was specifically dedicated to the implementation of the revised

Europol Regulation on matters related to the JPSG. Within Europol’s revised mandate, in force

since 28 June 2022, a number of changes have been made to Europol’s general capabilities, such

as its cooperation with private parties and non-EU countries, and also the data protection and

fundamental rights provisions applicable to Europol.

There are also a number of new governance provisions related to the JPSG:

•

two JPSG representatives will be invited as observers to at least two meetings of Europol’s

Management Board;

•

the reporting obligations for Europol with regard to the JPSG have been strengthened, such

as where the Europol Management Board does not take into account the JPSG’s opinion on

its Multiannual Programming Document;

•

a Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights, attached to the JPSG, is to be established by

the JPSG to assist it by providing independent advice on fundamental rights matters upon

request. The JPSG and the Executive Director may consult the consultative forum on any

matter related to fundamental rights. It will be up to the JPSG to decide on the composition

of the Consultative Forum and on its working methods.

The implementation of the provisions on the Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights requires

the amendment of the JPSG Rules of Procedure and, following the decision of the JPSG Presidential

Troika, the Co-Chairs invited JPSG delegates to submit proposals with a view to launching a Working

Group on the Establishment of the Consultative Forum.

Main developments in 2022:

•

The revision of Europol’s mandate and new governance provisions extending the scope of

scrutiny.

•

The decision to set up a Working Group on the Revision of the Rules of Procedure of the JPSG,

to ensure the proper implementation of the abovementioned provisions.

•

The resumption of meetings with in-person participation, unburdened by technical limitations,

allowing for more thorough exchanges (question time with the Executive Director of Europol,

‘catch the eye’ during the Questions and Answers rounds) and networking.

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3.2. Interparliamentary Committee Meeting on the Evaluation of

Eurojust

Since its creation in 2002, Eurojust has become a central player in judicial cooperation in criminal

matters. In line with Article 85 of the TFEU, the EU regulations governing Eurojust must also ‘determine

arrangements for involving the European Parliament and national Parliaments in the evaluation of

Eurojust’s activities’. In 2018, the European Parliament and the Council adopted a new

Regulation on

Eurojust

with a view to providing a single, renewed legal framework for a new fully-fledged Agency

for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust).

In order to increase the transparency and democratic oversight of Eurojust, the regulation provides

for a mechanism for the joint evaluation of Eurojust’s activities by the European Parliament

and EU national Parliaments

. The evaluation should take place within the framework of an

Interparliamentary Committee Meeting (ICM) organised by the European Parliament at its premises

in Brussels, with the participation of members of the competent committees of the European

Parliament and of EU national Parliaments.

The first ICM on the evaluation of Eurojust’s activities was organised on 1 December 2020 at the

European Parliament in Brussels by the European Parliament’s LIBE Committee, in cooperation with

the German Parliament.

3.2.1. The

Second Annual ICM on the evaluation of Eurojust’s activities

was due to take place at the

end of 2021, but for administrative and logistical reasons it had to be postponed for a few weeks to

1 February 2022.

As a result of the COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting was held at the European

Parliament in Brussels and via videoconference. The event was chaired by Juan Fernando López

Aguilar (LIBE Chair) and approximately 48 MPs from 20 Member States and 26 Chambers, as well as

some 20 MEPs, participated in the event.

Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Chair of the EP Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

(LIBE), Yaël Braun-Pivet, Chair of the Committee on Legal Affairs of the French National Assembly

and François-Noël Buffet, Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Law, Legislation, Universal

Suffrage, Rules of Procedure and General Administration of the French Senate, opened the meeting.

Poster of the Second ICM on the Activities of Eurojust on 1 February 2022

Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 on the European Union

Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust), and replacing and repealing Council Decision 2002/187/JHA (OJ L

295, 21.11.2018, p. 138).

Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 deals with those arrangements in point 62 of its preamble and in Article 67.

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Presentations and Questions and Answers rounds followed the two sessions. The first session on

‘Eurojust current and future activities, especially in the current pandemic’ was inaugurated with a

presentation of the President of Eurojust, Ladislav Hamran. He reported that in the past 10 years,

the casework of Eurojust had increased tremendously. He noted three key areas for Eurojust’s

future activities: modernising the case management system, establishing secure communication

channels between national authorities and continuing to reinforce the global network beyond the

borders of the EU. His presentation was followed by a lively exchange of views between national

parliamentarians and MEPs.

The second session on ‘the cooperation between Eurojust, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office

and national authorities’ was opened by José de la Mata, National Member for Spain and Eurojust

contact point for the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), who compared the different

competences and roles of Eurojust and the EPPO. The next panellist, Frédéric Baab, the French

European Prosecutor, gave an overview of the working arrangements signed with Eurojust. Finally,

Nils Behrndt, acting Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers of

the Commission, addressed two issues with regard to Eurojust: digitalisation and the cooperation

between Eurojust and the EPPO. The second session was again followed by a lively debate by MEPs

and national Parliament Members.

The full video recording of the meeting is available online.

3.2.2. The

Third Annual ICM on Eurojust’s Activities

took place on 30 November 2022, at the European

Parliament’s premises in Brussels, as an in-person meeting.

Further to the extraordinary circumstances linked to the war in Ukraine, the Eurojust Regulation

had been swiftly amended with new provisions

. This extended mandate entered into force on

1 June 2022 and gave the agency the legal possibility to collect, preserve and share evidence on

war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. This provided a further compelling reason to

hold an exchange between Eurojust and the European and national Parliaments to discuss these

developments.

LIBE Interparliamentary Committee Meeting on the Evaluation of Eurojust’s Activities

on 30 November 2022.

The meeting was opened by the Chair of the LIBE Committee and by a Member of the Committee on

Constitutional and Legal Affairs of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament. In his keynote

address, Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice, commended Eurojust for its accomplishments

and described the Commission’s most recent measures in support of the agency.

In the first session dedicated to the review of Eurojust’s activities and future outlook, Ladislav

Hamran, President of Eurojust, gave a thorough presentation of the work of Eurojust, an agency

at the heart of cross-border cooperation between the judicial authorities in Member States. He

dwelt on its increasing caseload, the challenges for future cross-border judicial cooperation in

Regulation (EU) 2022/838 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2022

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criminal matters and the need to make progress on the Judicial Counter-Terrorism Register and the

collaboration platform for Joint Investigation Teams. The presentation was followed by a Question

and Answer session, with questions ranging from trafficking in human beings or environmental

crimes, to cybercrime and the budgetary and logistical constraints encountered by the agency.

The second session dealt with Eurojust’s reinforced mandate in relation to core international

crimes. In their contributions, the President and two Vice-Presidents of Eurojust, Margarita Šniutyte-

Daugeliene and Boštjan Škrlec, gave detailed accounts of the strengthening of the Eurojust mandate

enacted that year, including the unprecedented mobilisation and activities promptly carried out

with regard to the war in Ukraine in supporting the collection and sharing of evidence relating to

core international crimes. In the ensuing debate, parliamentarians raised the issue of increasing the

efficiency of cooperation of judicial systems with regard to the war in Ukraine and the need for a

more effective response to fight against impunity for serious violations of human rights.

The concluding session provided a retrospective of the agency’s 20 years of experience and gave

a broader outlook on the future of judicial cooperation in the EU.

The full video recording of the

meeting is available online.

Main developments in 2022:

•

The year 2022 was a very exceptional year for Eurojust, as parliamentarians held two meetings

to fulfil their mandate to evaluate its activities jointly, one of which was held fully in person for

the first time since this kind of ICM had been organised.

•

The reinforcement of the agency’s mandate by a revision of the Eurojust Regulation was

symbolic, against the backdrop of Russian aggression of Ukraine, as it strengthened the cross-

border dimension of judicial cooperation, which now extends beyond the EU’s borders;

As the agency celebrated its 20th anniversary, the Third ICM on Eurojust provided the opportunity

to reflect jointly on the course of the 20 years of experience Eurojust had grown through.

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4. INTERPARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE

MEETINGS AND OTHER INTERPARLIAMENTARY

COOPERATION

4.1. Interparliamentary Committee Meetings (ICMs)

Interparliamentary Committee Meetings (ICMs) are the standard type of meeting organised by

the European Parliament for focused exchanges between sectoral committees on key legislative

and political issues under Articles 9 and 10 of Protocol N

1 to the Treaties. The calendar of ICMs is

transmitted by the President of the European Parliament to the Speakers of all national Parliaments

each semester.

The committees of the European Parliament organise up to 20 ICMs per year, inviting the corresponding

committees of the EU national Parliaments to engage in focused debates. ICMs have proven to

be a valuable way for Members of the European Parliament to share views with their national

counterparts. ICMs are not only a forum for exchange on legislative issues, thereby contributing to

better law making, but also a platform on which to discuss political issues of common interest and

to meet with Commissioners and the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security

Policy. ICMs are co-organised on the initiative of one or more committees of the European Parliament

with the support of the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments.

In 2022, 17 ICMs were co-organised by 12 different parliamentary committees

7,8

(11 standing

committees and 1 special committee), providing for debates between 720 Members of national

Parliaments and 463 Members of the European Parliament. The increased number of ICMs in 2022 is

a result of the post-COVID period, as several committees had decided to postpone their meetings

originally scheduled for 2020 or 2021 to 2022.

Most of the ICMs in 2022 took place in person; however the hybrid and remote formats were also

in use. In the hybrid format, some of the MEPs and speakers joined from the European Parliament’s

premises in Brussels, while national Parliament Members and other guest speakers participated

online.

The Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union,

including Disinformation (INGE) invited MPs from the national Parliaments of the three Baltic states,

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, to participate in their committee meeting at the European Parliament

in Brussels on

1 February 2022.

It involved an ‘Exchange of views with the Baltic States on foreign

interference’. Raising awareness of the Chinese and, in particular, Russian interference that the Baltic

countries had been experiencing for many years could lead to concrete measures in the EU. It

was highlighted that the EU would be able effectively counteract foreign interference and hostile

disinformation on the basis of a common approach and cooperation at every level.

On 1

February 2022,

the first

Interparliamentary Committee Meeting on the ‘Evaluation of

Eurojust’

was organised by the

LIBE

Committee, which was also the second annual meeting on the

evaluation of Eurojust. A detailed account of the meeting and its outcome is available in Chapter 3.2.

Calendar of interparliamentary activities with national Parliaments 2022: first semester

(https://www.europarl.europa.

eu/cmsdata/249389/Revised%20calendar%201st%20semester%202022_06.2022.pdf)

Calendar of interparliamentary activities with national Parliaments 2022: second semester:

(https://www.europarl.eu-

ropa.eu/cmsdata/254760/Final%20calendar%20second%20semester%202022_updated0102022%20.pdf)

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FEMM ICM

on the occasion of International Women’s Day on 3 March 2022 – An ambitious future for Europe’s women after

COVID-19: mental load, gender equality in teleworking and unpaid care work after the pandemic – opening speech by

Roberta Metsola, President of the EP.

The FEMM ICM entitled ‘An ambitious future for Europe’s women after COVID-19’, with the subtitle

‘Mental load, gender equality in teleworking and unpaid care work after the pandemic’ was held

online in the European Parliament in Brussels on 3 March 2022.

The main purpose of the meeting

was to discuss gender inequality, in particular the lack of pay transparency and the unequal share

of care work in the light of the pandemic. The Ukrainian crisis, which had only recently begun, had

an impact on the ICM, as many of the participants expressed their solidarity with the Ukrainian

people. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, opened the meeting. Élisabeth

Moreno, Minister for Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal Opportunities of France and Věra Jourová,

Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency, also took part. Following

the keynote speech by Katrín Jakobsdottir, Prime Minister of Iceland, the Chair of the Verkhovna

Rada’s Committee for Ukraine’s integration into the European Union, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze,

provided the latest news on the situation in Ukraine.

European Parliamentary Week

– EU Economic Governance from a Parliamentary Perspective, Interparliamentary Conference

on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the European Union

Three ICMs were organised by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), the

Committee on Budgets (BUDG), and the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) in

the framework of

European Parliamentary Week (EPW) on 15-16 March 2022.

They constitute the

European Semester Conference and provided an opportunity to exchange information on best

practices in implementing the European Semester cycles and to strengthen cooperation in order to

scrutinise the actions of the executives at national and European level. More information about the

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EPW is available in Chapter 2.1.

DROI-JURI ICM on ‘Corporate responsibility for serious human rights abuses in third countries’

was

held remotely on 21 April 2022. It discussed the Commission’s proposal for a directive on corporate

sustainability due diligence and its implications for corporate responsibility for serious human rights

abuses in non-EU countries. Members of national Parliaments were invited to share their views and

experiences on any legislation on due diligence that had been adopted or would be adopted in

their jurisdiction.

ICM-JURI meeting

– The EU’s Subsidiarity mechanism.

The

JURI ICM on ‘The EU’s Subsidiarity mechanism’

was held on 25 April 2022 in the European

Parliament in Brussels, and by videoconference (remote participation). The aim of the meeting was

to discuss the efficiency of the subsidiarity mechanism in the EU with the main actors involved:

parliamentarians, representatives of the European Commission and the European Committee of the

Regions, experts and law practitioners. The agenda contained presentations and exchanges of views

focused on: making reasoned opinions more efficient and improving political dialogue; the role of

the European Committee of the Regions in the subsidiarity check; assessing the proportionality of

EU law; and good practices in avoiding ‘gold plating’ in the implementation of EU law.

AFCO ICM on the ‘First results of the Conference on the Future of the European Union’

took

place remotely via videoconference on 17 May 2022. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the

follow-up and the implementation of the proposals of the Conference. Dubravka Šuica, European

Commissioner for Democracy and Demography and Co-Chair of the Executive Board of the

Conference on the Future of Europe, stressed how the European Parliament is ‘filling the gap’ to

reinforce the ecosystem of democracy and she demonstrated her commitment to continuing this

practice with citizens, local and regional communities and national institutions.

On 14 June 2022, a

DEVE ICM on ‘The debt crisis in developing countries’

took place in the European

Parliament in Brussels via videoconference. The main objective of the meeting was to address the

debt crisis in developing countries and create a space for discussing the topic with experts and

the stakeholders involved. The Committee on Development (DEVE) invited Members of national

Parliaments to share their views and experiences, while providing an essential contribution to the

discussion. The agenda included presentations and exchanges of views on the problems and

solutions in relation to developing countries’ debts, as well as a case study on Zambia.

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Interparliamentary Committee Meeting of the CONT committee

on ‘Common experiences and challenges in exercising

budgetary control functions’.

CONT ICM on ‘Common Experiences and Challenges in Exercising Budgetary Control Functions’

was organised on 16 June 2022. A selected number of national Parliaments were invited to this

ICM. The meeting provided an excellent forum for a debate and an exchange of information and

best practice on how different EU countries exercise budgetary control functions. The meeting

was an opportunity to exchange ideas on how to ensure that public money is spent efficiently and

effectively, and that potential fraud is prevented or detected.

On 27 June 2022, an

AFET ICM on ‘EU Enlargement Policy in the Aftermath of Russia’s Invasion of

Ukraine’

took place. The aim of the meeting was to discuss and exchange information in order

to evaluate the implications of the war in Ukraine for the European Union and the current and

potential EU candidate countries. The exchange was particularly important, as it followed the

European Council meeting of 23-24 June 2022, during which the EU membership applications of

Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia were discussed. Debating the perspective of national Parliaments on

the future of the EU’s enlargement policy was particularly relevant and timely.

Three committees, FEMM-LIBE-EMPL held a

joint ICM on ‘The rights of Ukrainian women fleeing the

war’

on 12 July 2022. This ICM proved to be an excellent forum for the Members of the European

Parliament and of the national Parliaments to debate, exchange information about and evaluate the

implications of the war in Ukraine for the women fleeing the war and for the EU’s policy responses.

The meeting consisted of two panels. The first panel was organised jointly by FEMM and the LIBE

Committee and dealt with the situation of Ukrainian women refugees with regard to reception

conditions, protection measures and safety risks. The second panel was organised jointly by the

FEMM and EMPL Committees and discussed the women’s access to social protection and the labour

market, housing, childcare facilities and education.

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AFCO ICM

– First results of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

AFCO ICM on the ‘Conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe and the role of national

Parliaments’

was held on 26 October 2022. During this second meeting, MEPs, MPs from the national

Parliaments and the three Co-Chairs of the Executive Board of the CoFE discussed the follow-up and

the implementation of the proposals of the Conference, including potential Treaty changes and

the role of national Parliaments in the EU. They agreed on the importance of promoting citizens’

participation and making the citizens a part of the EU policy-making process.

AFCO ICM

– Conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe and the Role of National Parliaments in the EU.

The

DROI-JURI ICM on ‘Universal jurisdiction – improving accountability for serious international

crimes’

was held on 28 November 2022 in a hybrid format. The aim of the meeting was to discuss

to what extent universal jurisdiction can play a role as part of a wider accountability strategy,

complementary to international courts and prosecutions on other jurisdictional bases.

On 30 November 2022, a second ICM was organised by the AFET Committee on the premises of the

European Parliament in Brussels, entitled

‘Europe in the world – Supporting Ukraine’.

The meeting

consisted of two sessions: the first was dedicated to ‘Europe in the world – reinvigorating our global

alliances and partnerships’; the second to ‘Supporting Ukraine – European resilience, commitment

and unity for the challenges ahead’.

The

Third LIBE ICM on ‘Evaluating Eurojust’s activities’

was held on 30 November 2022, as a fully in

person meeting. A detailed account of the meeting and its outcome is available in Chapter 3.2.

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LIBE ICM

– ‘The situation of the rule of law in the EU’.

The following day, on 1 December 2022, the LIBE Committee organised another ICM on ‘The

situation of the rule of law in the EU’. The meeting, a regular annual exchange between national

Parliaments and the European Parliament since 2020, aims to promote and safeguard the EU’s

common values in order to further the debate about the role of the Union, the Member States and

of the national Parliaments in this respect. The ICM was split into two sessions: the first focused on

the resilience of democratic institutions and the second on media freedom and transparency as key

pillars of democracy. Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice presented the Commission’s annual

rule of law report and Mikuláš Bek, Czech Minister for European Affairs, presented the work of the

Czech Presidency within the Council on the rule of law.

The ING2 special committee organised, on 1 December 2022, a hybrid ICM on

‘Legislative Resilience,

Electoral Laws and Information Manipulation Campaigns’.

Attempts by state and non-state actors

to interfere in democratic and political life in the EU and its Member States in the last decade was

discussed. Another issue examined was how foreign actors aim to exploit the vulnerabilities of our

open societies and to undermine confidence in our institutions and in democracy in relation to

legislative and/or presidential elections. The way in which malicious foreign actors use information

manipulation and other tactics to interfere in democratic processes and how they aim to weaken

the democratic governance of the targeted countries formed part of the debate. This meeting

provided a good forum for discussions and an exchange of information and best practices on foreign

interference-related work at EU, national and international levels, and garnered further insights and

expertise on how to address the challenges posed by these acts of interference and how to build

resilient democracies, as well as looking into possible responses to acts of foreign interference.

FEMM ICM on ‘Gender Mainstreaming’.

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The last meeting of the year was a

FEMM remote ICM on ‘Gender Mainstreaming’,

which took place

on 8 December 2022. This encounter provided a forum for the Members of the European Parliament

and of the national Parliaments to debate, exchange information and to evaluate the implications

of gender mainstreaming, particularly in the context of parliamentary life. The exchanges were

held during two panels: on anti-harassment protocols, their implementation and sanctions, and on

gender action plans.

In 2022, there was an increase (+ 36 %) in participation among Members of the European Parliament

– from 340 in 2021 to 463. At the same time, the participation of Members of national Parliaments

in the ICMs decreased (-12 %) from 816 parliamentarians in 2021 to 720 in 2022. A possible reason for

this could be the concentration of ICMs within a short period of time, which could be challenging,

in particular for smaller Chambers.

The years of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use of digital tools; however, returning to

in-person participation meant that participants could benefit from the added value of personal

contacts and exchanges of views. While remote meetings facilitate participation in ICMs without

having to travel, the in-person format provides considerably more interaction between Members.

Debates and exchanges are livelier and there are more informal discussions, bilateral meetings and

networking possibilities at coffee breaks, dinners or lunches.

A list of the ICMs organised by European Parliament committees in 2022 and more detailed statistics

can be found in Annex II.

Main developments in 2022:

•

One possible explanation for the large number of ICMs in 2022 is the postponement of

numerous meetings from 2021.

•

The three meeting formats – in-person, hybrid and remote – have been in place in parallel,

which created extra challenges for the organisation and in the administrative aspects of the

ICMs.

•

The return to in-person meetings increased the number of participating MEPs but decreased

the number of participating national Parliament Members, in particular when there was a

high number of ICMs within a short period of time.

4.2. National Parliament Speakers Meeting with the Speaker of the

Parliament of Ukraine and Meeting of the Women Speakers of

Parliaments of the European Union

National Parliament Speakers meeting with the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine on 4 March 2022

Just a few days after the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia and on the initiative of the President

of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, the Speakers of the EU national Parliaments held a

remote online meeting on 4 March 2022 with Ruslan Stefanchuk, the Speaker of the Parliament of

Ukraine.

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Online contribution of Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine, on 4 March 2022 during the remote online

meeting with the Speakers of National Parliaments in the meeting room of the European Parliament.

Several national Parliaments and Member States had expressed their first generous signs of solidarity

with the Parliament of Ukraine following the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine,

which began on 24 February 2022. (For more information, please see section 4.3. on the Democracy

Support Network and IPEX). One week after the beginning of the armed conflict, the President of

the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, invited the Speakers of all EU national Parliaments to join

her in an extraordinary remote meeting with the Speaker of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan

Stefanchuk.

The extraordinary meeting took place on 4 March 2022. It was attended by over 30 Speakers (or

Presidents of Parliament) and Deputy Speakers (or Vice-Presidents of Parliament). The event was

organised and conducted at short notice. It was a tangible demonstration of the support by EU

national Parliaments and the European Parliament for the Ukrainian fight for freedom in Europe

and for Ukraine’s EU membership. At the same time, it indicated that parliamentary democracy is a

fundamental tool in nurturing common democratic values. It showed how much can be achieved

through promoting it, by consolidating the partnership between Parliaments.

Meeting of the Women Speakers of Parliaments of the European Union on 12 October 2022.

Launched by the Sejm of Poland at the initiative of its Speaker, Elzbieta Witek, the Women Speakers

of Parliaments of the European Union met in April and May 2022 to discuss the plight of Ukrainian

women refugees, as the Russian invasion of the country had triggered a huge wave of refugees, the

vast majority of whom were women and children, who were fleeing Ukraine in fear for their lives.

At the initiative of the Polish and the Czech Speakers, the European Parliament hosted a follow-

up meeting on 12 October 2022. The event was co-chaired by the President of the European

Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of Czechia, Markéta

Pekarová Adamová, representing the Czech Presidency. The event was attended by the Speakers

of the Polish Sejm, of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, of the Lithuanian Seimas, of the

Romanian Senate and the Deputy Speakers of the Latvian Saeima and of the Slovenian National

Assembly (Državni Zbor). The Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine, Ołena Kondratiuk, also

participated in the event.

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Meeting of Women Speakers of Parliaments of the European Union: exchange of views with Roberta Metsola, EP President,

family photo.

This meeting allowed the Women Speakers to discuss issues related to the management of the

arrival of women, children and older people from war-torn Ukraine and their integration, as well

as the management of social issues, such as access to social protection, the labour market and

the education and healthcare systems. Moreover, the meeting also gave the Women Speakers

the opportunity to discuss the barbaric missile strikes by Russia targeting playgrounds, pedestrian

bridges, energy facilities, museums and busy streets in Ukrainian cities that had taken place

immediately before and during the meeting. Participants also had the opportunity during their visit

to exchange views with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of the democratic forces of Belarus and

Sakharov Prize laureate in 2020.

A joint statement was issued by the Co-Chairs condemning unequivocally the Russian attacks against

civilian targets in Ukraine, supporting the establishment of a special international tribunal to hold

the perpetrators to account for their war crimes and calling for continuous support to Ukrainians

in Ukraine and in other countries. The joint statement was unanimously supported by all Speakers.

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4.3. Interparliamentary cooperation in the field of EU external action

and multilateral parliamentary assemblies

In the last few years, parliamentary democracy, support to capacity building and actions in

the area of fundamental rights have acquired strategic importance and have become a focus of

common interest for Parliaments in the EU. The satisfactory outcome of interparliamentary forms

of exchange in these areas encouraged the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments to

promote strategic cooperation between EU Parliaments and the European Parliament in the field

of parliamentary democracy. In cooperation with the Directorate-General for External Policies, the

goal of this three-year project is to create a network of colleagues from EU Parliaments dealing with

programmes with non-EU country Parliaments aimed at strengthening democracy in its various

aspects. By improving and consolidating informal contacts and channels, exchanges of documents

and information, and preparing parliamentary meetings with national Parliament services, the

ultimate goal is to contribute to strengthening the promotion of fundamental EU values through the

external actions of the Union.

Exchanges between the European Parliament and the national Parliaments in the fields of EU

external action have been growing over the years in terms of both frequency and the variety of

events. In response to the growing shared interest and taking into account the promising outcome

of the section of the IPEX platform dedicated to Democracy Support, the Directorate for Relations

with National Parliaments, together with the Directorate-General for External Policies (DG EXPO),

decided to launch a strategic project for 2022-2024 aimed at promoting the creation of a permanent

exchange among Parliaments in the areas of:

•

Multilateral parliamentary assemblies and forums

•

Democracy Support and pre-accession assistance

•

Election Observation Delegations

•

Human Rights Actions

•

Mediation

The shared objective of this strategic exchange between the European and national Parliaments is

to improve synergies and prevent overlap in the work of the national Parliaments and the European

Parliament in this area, as well as to enable better parliamentary oversight and scrutiny of the EU

when dealing with its external dimension.

During 2022, which started with the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the existing forms of

exchange proved their usefulness. From the days immediately following the invasion, both the EP

and national Parliaments activated several formats of exchange to monitor and track all institutional

actions and the adoption of documents in relation to the war and to the support to Ukraine. A

section dedicated to Ukraine was immediately activated on the IPEX platform. Since the invasion

could also be considered as a declaration of war against the fundamental values of the EU and its

candidate countries, it resulted in strengthening even further the already strong awareness of the

need for structured parliamentary exchanges.

Democracy Support Network

EU national Parliaments and the European Parliament engaged in several democracy support

activities with Parliaments of non-EU countries, with different levels of engagement, tools and

priorities. The aim of this network between the staff of the European Parliament and EU national

Parliaments is to improve mutual understanding through knowledge sharing and the exchange of

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best practices.

IPEX allows Parliaments’ staff members involved in the Democracy Support Network to share their

activities. The aim is to facilitate cooperation, at administrative and political level, by allowing all

actors to have a comprehensive overview of activities in a given Partner Parliament, which are

in preparation, ongoing or have concluded. Each EU national Parliament has selected a person

responsible for the network in each Chamber.

A special

webpage on the IPEX website is dedicated to the democracy support activities

of the Democracy Support Network of

EU National Parliaments and of the European Parliament.

Several meetings took place during 2022, including the first in-person meeting of the

Democracy

Support Network, held in Brussels on 1 December 2022.

The meeting was organised in cooperation with the Parliamentary Support and Capacity Building

Unit of the Directorate for Democracy Support of DG EXPO. It was attended by representatives of

22 national Parliaments/Chambers at staff level.

It was divided into three panels and, following the opening remarks, an exchange of views on

‘activities in the Western Balkans’ took place, in which selected national Parliaments: Czechia,

Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Croatia and Germany, which are particularly active in the field of

democracy support in the Western Balkans, presented their work experience. A very detailed and

fruitful discussion among the participants led to reiterated willingness to further cooperate in the

Democracy Support Network, based on a common and pragmatic understanding, which should

allow for concrete results in the future.

The new institutional reality, reflected by the creation of the Directorate-General for Parliamentary

Democracy Partnerships in the European Parliament, will positively influence the development of

multilateral parliamentary structural exchanges.

The objectives for 2023 are to assess and address the opportunities and challenges of the existing

tools and networks for interparliamentary cooperation in the field of parliamentary democracy; to

contribute to the drawing up of a joint calendar of interparliamentary events related to the selected

specific areas and to promote continued regular exchanges within the Democracy Support

Network, in particular by supporting the organisation of annual in-person meetings hosted by one

of the participating Parliaments.

Main developments in 2022:

•

The first in-person meeting of the Democracy Support Network took place in Brussels on 1

December 2022, confirming the willingness of all participants to continue developing and

strengthening cooperation on the basis of a tangible, pragmatic approach.

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4.4. Bilateral visits and other bilateral exchanges

Bilateral visits from EU national Parliaments to the European Parliament are a constantly evolving

tool and format for interparliamentary dialogue. This format is highly focused, tailor-made, flexible

and cost- and time-efficient. It allows for discussions on issues of concern to individual national

Parliaments.

In addition, other bilateral exchanges of views can be a useful form of small-scale interparliamentary

cooperation when parliamentarians need to initiate collaboration, concentrate on specific topics or

deepen collaboration in concrete areas of mutual interest.

Bilateral visits are traditionally an important form of interparliamentary cooperation. Meetings take

place at various levels and in various formats, from the highest-level political discussions to technical

staff level study visits.

In 2022, after a long break, in-person bilateral visits and exchanges resumed, and 26 visits from

national Parliaments took place. Even if their number was significantly lower than the pre-pandemic

rate, this was nevertheless a highly positive development. By comparison, due to the COVID-19

situation and the conditions applying in the European Parliament, virtually no incoming delegations

or in-person visits took place in 2021.

The visits were both political, including high-level visits (Parliament Speakers or Ministers) and visits

of Members, and administrative in nature. National parliamentarians exchanged views with their

counterparts from the corresponding select committees of the European Parliament, particularly

in the field of internal policies. Staff visits brought together officials from various services, including

but not limited to, committee secretariats. The Swedish and Spanish Parliaments participated in

study visits aimed at the optimal preparation of the parliamentary dimension of the incoming

presidencies.

In contrast to 2021, no remotely organised bilateral exchanges were set up between Members of

the European Parliament and of the national Parliaments in 2022; however, for COSAC events and for

interparliamentary committee meetings, videoconferencing was frequently used.

A comprehensive list of the bilateral visits and exchanges can be found in Annex III.

Main developments in 2022:

•

Due to the improvement of the epidemiological situation and the easing of access restrictions

to the European Parliament, bilateral visits from EU national Parliaments to the European

Parliament’s premises could finally resume, even if their number was lower than in pre-

pandemic years.

•

Videoconferencing, which had been the principal format of bilateral exchanges in 2021, was

no longer resorted to, even if it remains an important means of communication for direct and

targeted bilateral exchanges.

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5. LEGISLATIVE COOPERATION WITH EU NATIONAL

PARLIAMENTS

5.1. Early Warning System and Protocol N

2 to the Treaties

Under the principle of subsidiarity (enshrined in Article 5 of the TEU), in areas which do not fall within

its exclusive competence the Union must act only if and in so far as the objectives of the proposed

action cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States, but can be better achieved at Union

level. Under the principle of proportionality, the content and form of Union action must not exceed

what is necessary to achieve the objectives of the Treaties.

National Parliaments ensure compliance with the principle of subsidiarity in accordance with

the procedure set out in Protocol N

2 to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the

Functioning of the European Union on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and

proportionality. This Protocol sets out a review mechanism, the Early Warning System (EWS). Under

this mechanism national Parliaments may, within eight weeks from the date of transmission of a

draft legislative act, send to the Presidents of the institutions a reasoned opinion stating why they

consider that the draft in question does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity.

5.1.1 Early Warning System

With regard to the EWS, submissions from EU national Parliaments are considered under the

following categories

Reasoned opinion: if submitted under that heading and received within the eight-week

deadline referred to in Article 6 of Protocol N

2 to the Treaties

, and raising the issue of non-

compliance with the principle of subsidiarity.

Contribution: where the submission does not fulfil the above criteria.

When reasoned opinions represent at least one third of the votes allocated to the national

Parliaments, the draft legislative act must be reviewed (yellow card). The institution that produced

the draft act may decide to maintain, amend or withdraw it, giving reasons for that decision. For

draft acts relating to police cooperation or judicial cooperation in criminal matters, the threshold is

lower (one quarter of the votes).

See Conference of Committee Chairs document of 15 December 2010: ‘Common approach for the treatment at com-

mittee level of national Parliaments’ reasoned opinions and all other contributions of national Parliaments’.

Article 6 of Protocol N

2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality: ‘Any national Parlia-

ment or any chamber of a national Parliament may, within eight weeks from the date of transmission of a draft legisla-

tive act, in the official languages of the Union, send to the Presidents of the European Parliament, the Council and the

Commission a reasoned opinion stating why it considers that the draft in question does not comply with the principle

of subsidiarity. It will be for each national Parliament or each chamber of a national Parliament to consult, where appro-

priate, regional parliaments with legislative powers’.

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If, in the context of the ordinary legislative procedure, national Parliaments with at least a simple

majority of the votes challenge the compliance of a legislative proposal with the principle of

subsidiarity, the Commission must review its proposal and decide whether to maintain, change

or withdraw it. If it decides to maintain its proposal, the matter is referred to the legislator (the

European Parliament and the Council) and the Commission must justify its decision (orange card

procedure). If the legislator considers that the legislative proposal is not compatible with the

principle of subsidiarity, it may reject it subject to a majority of 55 % of the Members of the Council

or a simple majority of the votes cast in the European Parliament. To date, the yellow card procedure

has been triggered three times

, while the orange card procedure has never been triggered.

Within the European Parliament, the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) is the committee responsible

for monitoring compliance with the principle of subsidiarity of reasoned opinions

. Every six months

a member of the committee is appointed as standing rapporteur for subsidiarity on the basis of

rotation among the political groups.

Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D) MEP and Karen Melchior (Renew)

MEP fulfilled the role of standing

rapporteurs for subsidiarity for the year 2022. The JURI Committee also regularly draws up a report

on the Commission’s annual report on subsidiarity and proportionality.

5.1.2 EU national Parliaments’ submissions

In 2022, the European Parliament formally received

250 submissions

from national Parliaments

under Protocol N

2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. Of these

250 submissions,

34 (14 %) were reasoned opinions

and 216 (86 %)

contributions

(submissions

not raising concerns about subsidiarity).

By comparison, in 2021 there had been 227 submissions, of which 24 were reasoned opinions and

203 contributions.

In 2022, 13 out of 39 Parliaments/Chambers submitted reasoned opinions and 18 submitted

contributions.

The yellow card procedure was used in 2012 with regard to a Commission proposal for a regulation concerning the

exercise of the right to take collective action within the context of the freedom of establishment and the freedom

to provide services (‘Monti II’). The Commission ultimately withdrew its proposal, though it took the view that the

subsidiarity principle had not been infringed. It was used again in 2013 following the submission of the proposal for

a regulation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. The Commission decided to

maintain

the proposal,

arguing that it was in line with the subsidiarity principle. It was further used in 2016 against the

proposal

for a revision of the Directive on the Posting of Workers.

The Commission gave extensive

reasons

for maintaining its

proposal, given that it did not infringe on the principle of subsidiarity, the posting of workers being, by definition, a

transnational issue.

Section XVI of Annex VI to the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament stipulates that the Committee on Legal

Affairs is responsible for ‘the interpretation, application and monitoring of Union law and compliance of Union acts

with primary law, notably the choice of legal bases and respect for the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality’.

‘Socialists and Democrats’ (S&D) and ‘Renew Europe Group’ (Renew) are political groups in the European Parliament.

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Number of reasoned opinions received from eu national Parliaments under Protocol 2 in 2022 - by Chamber

Riksdag

Poslanecká

sněmovna

Sénat

Senát

Folketinget

Narodno

Sabranie

Bundesrat

Eduskunta

Országgyűlés

Houses of

Oireachtas

Houses of

Oireachtas

Tweede

Kamer

Eerste

Kamer

The most active Parliaments in sending reasoned opinions were the Swedish Riksdag with 13

reasoned opinions, the Czech Chamber of Deputies with 5 and French Senate with 4.

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Number of contributions received from EU national Parliaments under Protocol 2 in 2022 - by Chamber

Country

Parliaments/Chambers

Riksdag

Országgyűlés

Eduskunta

Narodno Sabranie

Sénat

Camera deputatilor

Assemblée nationale

Folketinget

Bundesrat

Houses of Oireachtas

Senato

Sénat

Camera dei deputati

Senat

Eerste Kamer

Bundesrat

Poslanecká snemovna

Senát

Cortes

Contributions

As for contributions, the most active Parliaments/Chambers were respectively: the Spanish

Parliament with 58 submitted contributions, the Czech Senate with 56 and the Czech Chamber

with 21. More detailed statistics for 2022 can be found in Annex IV.

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Number of Reasoned opinions from eu national Parliaments under Protocol 2 in 2022 - by Committee

ENVI

ITRE

AFCO

CULT

ECON2

IURI

TRAN

BUDG

EMPL

FEMM

IMCO

The committees that received the most reasoned opinions (six reasoned opinions each) were the

Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, the Committee on Constitutional

Affairs and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.

Number of contributions received under Protocol 2 from EU national Parliaments in 2022 - by Committee

LIBE

ECON2 ENVI

ITRE

IMCO

JURI

TRAN

AFCO

EMPL

CULT

BUDG FEMM

AGRI

REGI

INTA

The committees that received the most contributions were the Committee on Civil Liberties,

Justice and Home Affairs (53 contributions), the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (34

contributions) and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (27 contributions).

Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009, a total of 1 176 draft legislative acts have

been transmitted to national Parliaments for examination under the terms of Protocol N

2 to

the Treaty of Lisbon. In response, the European Parliament has received 3 936 submissions from

national Parliaments. Of these, 545 (14 %) are reasoned opinions, while the remaining 3 393 (86 %)

are contributions.

These statistics confirm that EU national Parliaments use Protocol N

2 as a means to express their

views on the substance of proposals more often than on subsidiarity. This could reflect their wish to

be involved more closely in the substantive legislative process.

The Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments ensures that all submissions transmitted

by national Parliaments are made available to Members, political bodies and European Parliament

services. The Directorate provides them, in particular rapporteurs, with specific expertise and

briefings on EU national Parliaments’ submissions throughout the legislative cycle, which have been

used as input for drafting committee reports and for trilogue negotiations with the Council. The

Directorate provides facts, figures and statistics on the number and nature of these documents on

a monthly basis via its State of Play Note on Protocol N

2 of the Lisbon Treaty, and also manages

the CONNECT database

, which contains all reasoned opinions and contributions received from

national Parliaments.

See more under Chapter 7.2.

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Main developments in 2022:

•

The number of submissions from national Parliaments increased by 10 %, from 227 in 2021 to

250 in 2022.

•

The majority of these submissions (86 %) were contributions not raising concerns about

subsidiarity. This number proves the willingness of the national Parliaments to express their

concerns and opinions on the substance of the proposals. This early warning mechanism is

used primarily as a tool for legislative dialogue with the EU co-legislators.

5.1.3 Monthly State of Play Note

The Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments produces a monthly State of Play Note on

reasoned opinions and contributions submitted within the scope of Protocol N

2. This Note,

transmitted to Members, the relevant services of the European Parliament and national Parliaments,

gives an overview of all submissions received since the previous Note and refers to all legislative files

which are on the agenda of the upcoming European Parliament plenary session. The Note is also

included in the meeting file for the European Parliament’s Conference of Committee Chairs. The

State of Play Note is also published on the Directorate’s website ahead of each European Parliament

plenary session.

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5.2. Informal Political Dialogue and Protocol N

1 to the Treaties

Protocol N

1 to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European

Union provides that EU national Parliaments may comment on legislative files falling under the

exclusive competence of the EU as well as on non-legislative documents, for example relating to

ongoing debates at European level, Commission Green/White Papers or communications from the

Commission. These contributions are handled under the Informal Political Dialogue (IPD).

Contributions under Informal Political Dialogue in 2021 - by Chamber

Country

Parliaments/Chambers

Sénat

Camera Deputatilor

Poslanecká snemovna

Bundesrat

Sénat

Assemblée Nationale

Senat

Sénat

Camera dei deputati

Tweede Kamer

Nationalrat

Országgyűlés

Erste Kamer

Senat

Bundestag

Seimas

Chambre des Députés

Sejm

Assembleia de República

Národná rada

Contributions

In 2022, EU national Parliaments continued to make active use of this tool, sending in 144 contributions

under the Informal Political Dialogue. In this context, the three most active Parliaments/Chambers in

2022 were the Czech Senate (35), the Romanian Chamber of Deputies (34) and the Czech Chamber

of Deputies (17).

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Contributions under Informal Political Dialogue in 2022 - by Committee

ITRE

ENVI

LIBE

CULT

TRAN

EMPL

AFET

AGRI

AFCO

ECON

BUDG

INTA

JURI

FEMM

REGI

OWN

The four committees that received the most IPD contributions were the Committee on Industry,

Research and Energy (ITRE) with 23, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food

Safety (ENVI) with 19, and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) with 15.

‘OWN’ means that this type of submission sent by a national Parliament was not attributed to any

specific committee in the EP.

Since 2009, the European Parliament has received around 2 810 contributions from EU national

Parliaments under Protocol N

1, which have also been published in the CONNECT database.

Detailed statistics on the contributions received under the IPD in 2022 are available in Annex V.

Main developments in 2022:

•

The number of contributions submitted under the Informal Political Dialogue decreased by

36 %, from 222 in 2021 to 143 in 2022. The most likely reason for this is that in 2021, the

Commission was very active in proposing new legislation in response to the COVID 19

pandemic, but the need for new legislation became less acute in parallel with the decrease

in the severity of the pandemic..

•

National Parliaments provided more summaries in English with their submissions under both

Protocol N

2 and Protocol N

1, facilitating the work of the legislators.

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

6. NETWORKS AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION

6.1. Interparliamentary EU Information Exchange (IPEX)

The EU Information Exchange (IPEX) supports interparliamentary cooperation by providing a

platform and a network for the electronic exchange of EU-related information between Parliaments

in the EU. IPEX was launched as an initiative of EU national Parliaments and was developed with the

technical assistance of the European Parliament. Today, 39 Chambers of 27 national Parliaments

and the European Parliament are using IPEX in their daily activities. IPEX is subject to continual

improvement to meet the changing needs of its users. The ultimate goal is to make IPEX ‘the one

stop shop’ for interparliamentary activities.

IPEX has been characterised variously as a ‘tool’, a ‘platform’ and a ‘network’. These three definitions

show that the instrument has evolved. Its development from a tool to a network has been slow but

is now achieving its aim.

2022 marked the first full year of activity for the new IPEX platform (IPEX v3). Five main releases

occurred during the year with the objective of increasing the reliability and accessibility of the

platform. These releases were monitored by the Steering Group chaired by the Slovenian Parliament.

The core business of the Steering Group was to address adaptations and review any technical errors

that might occur during the phase of development and testing.

Apart from addressing the technical aspects of the platform, the IPEX network, comprising its

correspondents, the Working Groups and the Board, dedicated their energies to the implementation

of the tasks set out in the IPEX Rolling Work Programme 2021-2023. As a result of these efforts, by the

end of the year the

Working Group on Content

finalised the follow-up to the baseline study, focusing

on new insights into the use of IPEX and the strengthening of interparliamentary networks.

In parallel, the

Working Group on Promotion and Social Media

worked on a users’ analysis aimed

at gaining a better understanding of users’ needs and at identifying new IPEX functions to be

developed. Combining the approach of these two Working Groups, the various chapters of the

draft questionnaire and the timeline for the follow-up study were discussed with the Board, which

approved the way forward. Following the aspiration expressed by the Secretaries-General at their

meeting in Ljubljana, a specific part of the baseline study questionnaire was dedicated to the

scientific community, in order to benefit from studies on the activities of national Parliaments at EU

level in research work.

The

Working Group on Training

mainly focused on providing support to the National Correspondents,

updating the existing training materials in order to make them more user-friendly and discussing

the best way to assess Correspondents’ training needs. The Working Group worked on training

material on own new content and started addressing an issue affecting the

Democracy Support

Network section on IPEX,

where the lack of complete and timely uploads by some correspondents

appeared to reveal specific training needs.

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

It is also worth mentioning, among the results achieved during 2022, the adoption of

Visual Identity

Packs

to be used by IPEX Correspondents, IPEX Chairs, the IPEX Information Officer, the organisers

of the IPEX Correspondents Meeting and Users Conference, and the Presidency of the Council of

the EU. Meanwhile, campaigns were launched on Twitter on various interparliamentary meetings,

(COSAC, CFSP/CSDP) and on Europe Day.

One of the year’s most significant achievements was the adoption of a final compromise on the

revision of the IPEX Guidelines.

The launch of the new IPEX v3 platform made it necessary to adopt

new guidelines in line with the new functionalities offered by the platform. The positive results of

this delicate and difficult process were in themselves an achievement in terms of interparliamentary

cooperation.

Main developments in 2022:

•

Reaching a final compromise on the revision of the IPEX Guidelines.

•

Finalisation of the baseline follow-up study and questionnaire to the users.

•

Adoption of the Visual Identity Packs.

6.2. European Centre for Parliamentary Research and Documentation

(ECPRD)

Managed jointly by the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of

Europe, the ECPRD counts 64 parliamentary Chambers (including 39 in the European Union) from 53

countries and EU institutions among its members.

The Council of Europe’s decision to exclude the Russian Federation on 16 March 2022 meant that

the Duma and Council of the Russian Federation are no longer part of the ECPRD and cannot

participate in its activities. As a result, the Russian correspondents’ access to the ECPRD network has

been disabled. Almost 119 correspondents and deputy correspondents represent their respective

Parliaments in the network and contribute to the main objectives of the ECPRD: promoting the

exchange of information and good practice on subjects of common interest. The ECPRD promotes

cooperation between member Chambers by initiating ECPRD comparative requests and holding

seminars.

In times when the need to exchange, cooperate and learn from each other is growing, the ECPRD

is a success story that owes much to the dedication and professionalism of the correspondents in

each national Parliament.

The two pillars of ECPRD’s activities remained

comparative requests

on the one hand and

seminars

on the other.

In 2022, the ECPRD network gradually returned to normality after two years of the pandemic,

which had profoundly affected its functioning. However, the year appears to have confirmed that

the new working methods put in place to maintain activities during the COVID-19 crisis will have

a long lifespan. While in-person meetings slowly resumed, notably at the Annual Conference of

Correspondents held in November in Yerevan, Armenia, the majority of meetings were still held

virtually.

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

Current practice appears to be moving towards a balance of virtual and in-person meetings, in order

to benefit from the advantages of both options: organising a larger number of webinars on topics

of common interest, allowing for the participation of a greater number of colleagues from national

Parliaments, and maintaining regular face-to-face seminars, permitting personal interactions, which

are crucial for a network aimed at promoting the exchange of information and good practice.

1. Comparative requests

In 2022, ECPRD member Parliaments submitted 342 comparative requests to the network, which

resulted in 9 154 replies. Compared with the 2021 figure, there was a slight decrease in the number

of requests (356 comparative requests in 2021), but an increase in the number of replies (8 928

replies in 2021).

356 ECPRD requests launched in 2022

MAR

APR

JAN

JUN

JUl

agu

FEB

MAY

nov

The requests for information covered many sectors, with a particular focus on topics concerning

social,

health and migration issues,

as well as on the organisation of work in a

parliamentary administration.

A substantial number of requests were sent on legal and financial issues, and on parliamentary

issues in general. The Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments also provided support to

several European Parliament services by facilitating and transmitting their requests to the ECPRD

network. In total, the European Parliament submitted 16 requests to the ECPRD network in 2022.

This represents a slight increase from 2021, which saw 14 European Parliament requests, and from

2020, which saw 12.

In 2022, the

European Parliament provided 88 replies

to requests from other ECPRD Parliaments, with

a 94.2 %, response rate, a slight decrease compared to the 89 replies it provided in 2021, with a

response rate of 97.8 %, but more than the 79 replies in 2020, with a response rate of 88.7 % and

even more compared to the 27 replies it provided in 2019, and the 30 it provided in 2018.

dec

sep

oct

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

8928 ECPRD replies sent on 2022

MAR

MAY

APR

JUN

JAN

agu

nov

FEB

630

828

960

945

905

599

634

554

759

793

724

598

2. Final summaries

Final summaries are the best way to highlight the immense number and usefulness of ECPRD

requests and answers. Solutions to encourage the drafting of final summaries have been under

consideration for some time. In this regard, the new version of the ECPRD website, put online

in October 2020 with the support of the European Parliament’s IT services, aimed to

modify the

correspondents’ dashboard in order to invite them to submit their final summaries

and to give visibility

to those uploaded to the ECPRD website. Following this reflection, in 2020, the

ECPRD final summary

rate

increased considerably, with 41 % of requests leading to the publication of a reply analysis

(compared to 16 % in 2019 and 11.3 % in 2018). Unfortunately, this figure fell back down to 21 % in

2021; however,

in 2022, there was a slight increased to 27.5 %.

Word cloud of the main ECPRD-related keywords.

3. Statutory meetings

The three Executive Committee meetings in 2022 were organised remotely on 31 March, 9 June

and 8 September from the European Parliament. The main objective of these meetings was the

preparation of the forthcoming Annual Conference. Taking into account the progressive lifting of

restrictions on meetings and travel, the

2022 ECPRD Annual Conference of Correspondents

was held in

person after two years of virtual meetings due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Annual Conference

was held in

Yerevan on 10-11 November 2022

at the invitation of the National Assembly of the Republic

of Armenia.

The pre-conference session focused on the topic of ‘Legislative monitoring and research as

parliamentary oversight tools’. The Conference itself offered an opportunity to welcome and

guide the new ECPRD correspondents and focused on the

follow-up on the ECPRD guidelines for

requests and the replies adopted by the London Annual Conference

the previous year. It was followed

by a presentation of the new online survey and the requests and replies functionality of the ECPRD

website.

dec

sep

oct

JUl

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4. Seminars

ECPRD seminars represent important occasions for very productive exchanges of information and

good practices between the participants. Before 2020, all seminars were held in person and hosted

by the national Parliaments interested in the specific topics under discussion. In 2022, the COVID-19

outbreak still affected the organisation of ECPRD seminars. While in-person meetings slowly

resumed, notably the Berlin seminar held in July and the ECPRD/European Parliamentary Research

Service (EPRS) seminar organised in Brussels in a hybrid format in June, the majority of meetings

were still held virtually.

The front page of the ECPRD network’s website is public, while access to the requests and to the replies is restricted to

correspondents from the participating Parliaments.

In 2022, the ECPRD Secretariat was involved in the organisation of eight ECPRD webinars and

seminars. Detailed statistics on ECPRD events can be found in Annex VI. C.

In the ‘ICT in Parliaments’ Area of Interest, a webinar was hosted remotely by the Knesset

Jerusalem on 28 March 2022

on ‘ICT2022

Fit for a rapidly changing IT environment – How to involve

staff’.

As the digital transformation needs to be supported by members and staff who have the

knowledge of existing processes and the skills to use the new digital tools, this seminar offered

the opportunity to share thoughts and showcase projects on digital transformation, relevant

professions, knowledge communities and digital learning.

In the ‘Economic and budgetary affairs’ Area of Interest, a

webinar on ‘Parliamentary involvement

in the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plans’

was hosted remotely

Rome on 18 May 2022

by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic of Italy.

It was organised with the cooperation of the Economic Governance Support Unit (EGOV)

of the European Parliament. It was organised as a follow-up to the ECPRD meeting held on

23 April 2021, which focused on the role played by the national Parliaments in shaping the

abovementioned plans. Building upon the previous discussion, the webinar aimed to promote

an exchange of information on how Parliaments were organising their activities and exercising

their functions, while monitoring the current implementation of the plans.

Also in the ‘Economic and budgetary affairs’ Area of Interest, a

seminar on ‘Budgetary autonomy

and sovereignty of Parliaments’,

was hosted by the Bundesrat in cooperation with the Bundestag

in Berlin on 30 June and 1 July 2022.

After more than two years of virtual meetings, this seminar

was the first face-to-face event since November 2019. The aim of the seminar was to analyse

to what extent Parliaments can influence the preparation and adoption of their own budgets

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

and to what degree they enjoy budgetary autonomy. Other subjects discussed included the

financing of parliamentary groups and political parties through parliamentary budgets and

the scrutiny of parliamentary budgets by courts, auditing committees and audit offices.

In the ‘Libraries, research services and archives’ Area of Interest, a seminar was hosted by the

European Parliament

in Brussels

in hybrid format

on 23-24 June 2022

‘Parliamentary research

enters a new age: Foresight, Strategy and Innovation’.

This seminar was the first seminar organised

by ECPRD in a hybrid format. Jointly organised by the EPRS and the EP Directorate for Relations

with National Parliaments, it provided a forum for exchange between parliamentary research

services and libraries on the strategies they had developed during the COVID-19 crisis to ensure

business continuity and on the innovations they had made in order to deliver such strategies

effectively. In addition, the seminar focused on the challenges and opportunities this new era

had opened up and on the growing importance of strategic foresight in the area of research.

Othmar Karas, First Vice-President of the European Parliament, gave a welcome message.

Four webinars were held in the ‘Parliamentary practice and procedure’ Area of Interest:

A webinar on

‘Mainstreaming EU Affairs in Parliamentary Administrations’

was hosted remotely

by the Austrian Parliament

in Vienna on 21 February 2022.

This meeting was the second in a new

series of webinars with the participation of leading academics in the area of democratic and

parliamentary studies. Political scientist Anna-Lena Högenauer (University of Luxembourg)

took the floor on the subject in the webinar’s title and presented her study on how EU affairs

are handled by a multitude of experts and departments in parliamentary administrations.

Another

webinar

‘Parliaments and the whistleblowing directive’

was hosted remotely by the

Belgian Chamber of Deputies

in Brussels on 6 October 2022.

Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of 23 October

2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law had to be transposed

into national law by 17 December 2021. Nevertheless, many EU Member States in general, and

parliaments in particular, are concerned about its implementation and are seeking a model that

respects the autonomy of parliaments and the various concepts of the separation of powers.

The webinar provided a chance to exchange views and approaches from various perspectives

and to learn how different parliaments have dealt with the implementation process so far.

webinar

‘Parliaments and the General Data Protection Regulation’

was hosted remotely by

the Austrian Parliament

in Vienna on 7 November 2022.

This webinar discussed the application

of Article 15 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the context of committee

proceedings, the practice of the ‘right to be forgotten’ in parliaments and the use of restrictions

in accordance with Article 23 of the GDPR.

The final

webinar

in 2022 was hosted remotely by the Austrian Parliament

in Vienna on 12

December 2022

‘Parliaments and Coordination Committees in Parliaments’.

Professor Sieberer

gave a short overview of the most recent developments on coordination committees in

parliaments and discussed the matters and questions which participants felt were the most

important for their practices. This was followed by an exchange of views with practitioners

and parliamentary experts.

Main developments in 2022:

•

Enhanced cooperation between the EP EGOV Unit and the ECPRD Economic and Budgetary

Area of Interest, as well as between the EPRS and the ECPRD Parliamentary Libraries, Research

and Archives in fields of common interest and investigation.

•

Increased organisation of in-person face-to-face meetings.

•

Increased participation in webinars.

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

6.3. Presidency Parliament Support Programme

The European Parliament has constantly promoted close cooperation between its own administration

and those of national Parliaments, in particular in the preparatory phase of the parliamentary

dimension of each EU Council Presidency. The European Parliament offers each incoming Presidency

Parliament the opportunity to participate in a programme organised for staff in Brussels with a view

to preparing activities in the context of the parliamentary dimension of the Presidency. The European

Parliament can provide the Presidency Parliament with a tailor-made support programme, on the

basis of specific requests, needs and priorities. This initiative offers an opportunity to network and

build personal contacts with all those involved and allows for the effective sharing of information

and expertise, thus facilitating further work and ensuring consistency. The European Parliament

may contribute to the cost of the programme on a shared basis with the corresponding national

Parliament.

The European Parliament’s ‘Presidency Parliament Support Programme’ was originally created as a

tool to assist Parliaments from EU Member States that were due to hold the EU Council Presidency

for the first time. However, since it proved a helpful tool during the Presidencies’ preparatory phase,

and in view of the continuous developments in interparliamentary cooperation, the Directorate

for Relations with National Parliaments decided to extend the Presidency Parliament Support

Programme to all future Presidencies. In recent years, EU Council Presidencies have laid extra

emphasis on and invested more in the parliamentary dimension, to increase the number of events,

meetings and initiatives they hold during their Presidency semester, as compared to a decade ago.

The Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments once again welcomed future Presidency

Parliaments on the European Parliament’s premises in Brussels in 2022, after a hiatus of more than

two years. In 2020 and in 2021, this had not been possible in the particular circumstances under

which travel and in-person meetings were restricted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The

Directorate organised two meetings in 2022: one for the Czech national Parliament and one for the

Swedish Parliament.

The programme for the officials from the Czech Senate and the Czech Chamber of Deputies took

place on 12 May 2022. The colleagues who came from Prague held exchanges with a number of

colleagues from the Secretariat of the European Parliament, who shared their experiences in the

organisation of the full range of interparliamentary events and activities: the Conference of Speakers

of the EU Parliaments. The events covered were the visit of the Conference of Presidents to the

Presidency capital, the IPC on Stability, Economic Cooperation and Governance, COSAC meetings,

the CFSP/CSDP IPC, the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol and the ICM on Eurojust.

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

Likewise, the programme for the officials from the Swedish Riksdag offered the opportunity to

colleagues from the Swedish Parliament involved in the preparations for the parliamentary

dimension of the Swedish EU Council Presidency to meet several colleagues from the Secretariat of

the European Parliament, mainly those working in the committee secretariats.

In addition to the discussions on the standard, traditional interparliamentary meetings (Conference

on Stability, Economic Cooperation and Governance; Conference on CFSP/CSDP; the Joint

Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol; visit of the Conference of Presidents to the Presidency

capital), a series of exchanges were also organised on topics which would be addressed by the

Swedish Parliament in thematic conferences to be organised in 2023. These conferences will be

held on ‘challenges and opportunities for the EU’s future energy supply’, on ‘democracy in Europe

(the rule of law, transparency, etc.)’ and on ‘the European Green Deal with a focus on the circular

bio-economy’.

The aim of these meetings was to establish the necessary contacts between officials from the

Presidency country and European Parliament staff and to provide the opportunity for initial

exchanges of information on procedures, topics and agendas for future events and activities.

In addition to the main programme, as described above, the Directorate also facilitated the

organisation of bilateral meetings, which had been requested for a limited number of visitors from

the Presidency Parliaments. Subjects covered by the bilateral meetings included:

•

the organisation of remote and hybrid meetings, in particular those that involve a high

number of connections and participants, and the use of a large number of languages;

•

protocol procedures and high-level visits;

•

communication and security.

Main developments in 2022:

•

The Presidency Support Programme was offered, for the first time after two years, as an

in-person meeting in Brussels. Limited remote connections in some cases allowed for the

participation of colleagues who could not travel to Brussels.

•

In the first semester of 2022, a Presidency Parliament Support Programme was devised

and offered to the Czech Parliament, in order to prepare it for the Presidency in the second

semester of 2022.

•

In the second semester of 2022, a Presidency Parliament Support Programme was devised

and offered to the Swedish Parliament, in order to prepare it for the Presidency in the first

semester of 2023.

6.4. Network of EU national Parliaments’ representatives in Brussels

The Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments welcomes and hosts the administrative

representatives designated by the EU national Parliaments/Chambers to the European Parliament.

Since 1991, with a view to strengthening interparliamentary cooperation within the EU, the European

Parliament has offered representatives complimentary office space and other in-house facilities upon

request, in its Brussels and Strasbourg premises.

EU national Parliaments send national officials to Brussels to facilitate relations with the EU.

Currently, 55 staff from the 27 national Parliaments in the EU are occupying 43 offices in the

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

European Parliament’s premises

. These representatives are national officials who, in addition

to administrative assignments, are tasked with mutual information sharing (in a two-way flow

between the European Parliament and the EU national Parliaments), as a key factor in EU affairs.

The representatives work in the same building housing the Directorate. This creates numerous

synergies and promotes easy exchanges. In 2022 contact became easier, as the restrictions put in

place owing to the coronavirus pandemic were gradually lifted and it became possible to hold

social events and in-person meetings again.

A list of the national Parliaments’ representatives is available

at:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/relnatparl/en/networks/representatives-of-national-parliaments.

html

Main developments in 2022:

•

Meeting on 10 February 2022 between the national Parliaments’ representatives and

Othmar Karas, the newly elected First Vice-President for relations with national Parliaments

and with COSAC.

•

Meeting on 16 November 2022 between the national Parliaments’ representatives and

Klaus Welle, the Secretary-General of the European Parliament, before the end of his term

of office.

6.5. Staff seminars

As the European Parliament affirmed in its 2018 resolution on the implementation of the Treaty

provisions concerning national Parliaments

, ‘better interaction and improved exchange of

information between MEPs and MPs and also between national Parliaments’ civil servants could

help to improve scrutiny of the European debate at national level and thus foster a genuinely

European parliamentary and political culture’. In 2019, the Directorate for Relations with National

Parliaments organised a series of seminars for staff from EU national Parliaments/Chambers. Their

aim was to bring together staff from national Parliaments and the EP in order to present and

discuss relevant European topics, learn from each other and exchange best practices.

In addition to interparliamentary cooperation at political level, an important development in

recent years was the organisation of staff seminars in order to facilitate technical exchanges at

staff level. Staff seminars provide an important platform for Parliaments’ administrations to hold

more specific and focused exchanges on areas of common interest. They are a dynamic element

of the work of both the EP and the EU national Parliaments.

6.5.1 Staff seminar on Gender Equality and Diversity on 16 June 2022:

A good example of the success of staff seminars with EU national Parliaments was the event

organised jointly by the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments and the colleagues

of the Unit for Equality, Inclusion and Diversity in DG Personnel. Following a request from the

EP High-Level Group on Gender Equality and Diversity, an interparliamentary staff seminar took

place on 16 June 2022 in Brussels. The event allowed the related services of the EP and of several

national Parliaments to examine inclusion and diversity best practices in their internal human

resources policies.

Situation as of 17 January 2022, including COSAC Secretariat and IPEX information officer.

European Parliament resolution of 19 April 2018 on the implementation of the Treaty provisions concerning national

Parliaments (OJ C 390, 18.11.2019, p. 121).

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6.5.2 Staff seminar with Medical Services on 29-30 September 2022:

In 2022, there was a significant new development when a staff seminar was organised remotely to

bring together colleagues from the European Parliament and national Parliament administrations,

who are responsible for providing medical attention and emergency response to Members and

staff. The Medical Service of the EP hosted the seminar. The planning of the event had originally

started in early 2020, but it had been delayed when restrictions on travel and in-person meetings

were imposed to control the COVID-19 pandemic. The seminar was finally held as an in-person event

on 29-30 September 2022. Workshops were included in the programme to ensure all participants

were able to make an active contribution and the seminar resulted in a valuable exchange of best

practices.

6.5.3 European Semester staff seminars:

The Economic Governance Support Unit, in cooperation with the Directorate for Relations with

National Parliaments, continued to organise staff seminars to share the latest information on the

European Semester. This included topics such as economic priorities and strengthening cooperation

on and improving understanding of the European Semester cycle through knowledge sharing, and

the exchange of best practices. In 2022, six seminars of this kind were organised, two of which took

place in person, in Berlin and Prague. and four virtually, including a webinar on the war in Ukraine.

It is also worth mentioning that interparliamentary staff exchanges covering specific areas of

administrative life, which had begun with staff seminars in the past, continued their activity. An

example of such a network, which held an event in 2022, was for parliamentary staff working on

dealing with the environmental footprint of the operations of Parliaments, in which the EP was

represented by the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) Unit.

Main developments in 2022:

•

The organisation of the staff seminar on Gender Equality and Diversity on 16 June 2022 and

the staff seminar with Medical Services on 29-30 September 2022.

•

Continuation of activity by the networks established at past staff seminars, such as the

network for staff dealing with the environmental footprint of the operations of Parliaments.

•

Virtual meetings have proved to be a useful tool to strengthen the exchange of best

practices between the European Parliament and national Parliaments in the field of economic

governance.

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7. TOOLS AND SUPPORT ACTIVITIES

7.1. Organisation of remote meetings and videoconferencing

The European Parliament had already begun using videoconferencing as a tool to facilitate

interparliamentary cooperation a few years ago. For a long time, the European Parliament has

possessed technical solutions to enable videoconferencing with very high image and sound quality,

as well as interpretation into several languages. However, before 2020 the use of videoconferencing

was limited. At the start of the health crisis in 2020, the need to adapt and improve the new ways of

working and cooperating from a distance led to a huge digital and technical leap in the organisation

of remote parliamentary meetings. In 2022, videoconferencing continued to be used, although the

major health crisis had passed and the working methods had begun to return to the pre-COVID

reality. Videoconferencing has become an integral part of the work in the European Parliament.

The European Parliament, because of its specific composition of Members from 27 different

countries, has long been aware of the benefits of videoconferencing, such as enabling more regular

contacts between parliamentarians while reducing travel time, costs and carbon footprint. Above

all, videoconferencing is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly tool for organising meetings,

therefore adequate resources were invested in supporting it. In recent years and, in particular, owing

to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, considerable progress was made in digital technologies

and their use in the workplace.

The epidemiological situation in 2022 improved sufficiently to allow for a general resumption of

travel and the organisation of large meetings in person. However, for interparliamentary cooperation,

remote meetings were still the most commonly used format, in particular in the first half of the year.

In 2022, the European Parliament continued to use a platform – Interactio – for multilingual meetings

with interpretation provided for committee meetings and interparliamentary conferences. This new

way of organising exchanges continued for many of the meetings and activities organised.

During the years of the public health-related restrictions, when remote debates and hybrid meetings

were widely used, Members of both the national Parliaments and of the European Parliament missed

the more interactive face-to-face exchanges and personal contacts. Resuming in-person meetings

in the second half of the year was welcomed with enthusiasm and satisfaction.

Main developments in 2022:

•

As in previous years, remote meetings held via videoconferencing were still the preferred

channel for interparliamentary exchanges in the first half of the year in 2022, ranging from

informal bilateral video meetings to complex high-level conferences involving numerous

participants. Remote or hybrid meetings became the alternative to the in-person meetings

in the European Parliament.

•

Participation by MPs, MEPs and high-level speakers in remote meetings remained high, with

the latter seemingly more readily available to take part in meetings held remotely rather than

in in-person exchanges.

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7.2. CONNECT – the European Parliament’s database of national

Parliaments’ submissions

The Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments provides MEPs (in particular rapporteurs)

and political bodies and services of the European Parliament with specific expertise on national

Parliaments’ submissions under Protocol Nos 1 and 2 throughout the legislative cycle. In this context,

the Directorate manages the

CONNECT

database, which includes all documents received from

national Parliaments since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty under Protocols N

1 and N

Reasoned opinions related to the Early Warning System are available in all EU official languages.

The subsidiarity check page of the CONNECT website, where it is possible to search for submissions sent to the European

Parliament under Protocol N

2 TFEU.

As of 2017, the CONNECT database can be consulted on the Directorate’s website. All information

in CONNECT, including reasoned opinions and contributions received from national Parliaments,

is directly available in e-Committee, the common working space of DGs IPOL and EXPO, under

the procedure to which they relate. This applies not only to reasoned opinions but also to all

contributions received from EU national Parliaments under Protocols 1 and 2.

CONNECT enables rapporteurs, Members, assistants and staff of the committee secretariats, as

well as all external stakeholders, to have an up-to-date and complete overview of all submissions

received from national Parliaments at any moment of a given legislative procedure. In 2022

, a total

of 394 submissions were received: 250 (63 %) were submitted within the framework of the Protocol

2 subsidiarity checks and 144 (37 %) under the Informal Political Dialogue (Protocol N

1).

On 1 January 2022, a total of 6 740 submissions (reasoned opinions and contributions) from EU

national Parliaments could be found in the CONNECT database. 3 930 (58 %) were submitted within

the framework of the Protocol N

2 subsidiarity checks and 2 810 (42 %) were submitted under the

Informal Political Dialogue.

Main development in 2022:

•

The CONNECT database is in the process of being updated to make it compatible with

automatically receiving submissions via the new National Parliaments Submissions (NPS) tool

platform.

The total number of submissions might differ (within the statistical margin of error) from the number reflected in CON-

NECT. This is due to the technical maintenance of the database and bugs in the system.

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

7.3. Directory of Corresponding Committees (CorCom)

The Directory of Corresponding Committees (CorCom) is an information resource on national

Parliaments’ committees corresponding to the committees of the European Parliament. It also

provides information about the different committee secretariats of EU national Parliaments and

the EP. The information included in the Directory is provided by the Brussels-based permanent

representatives of EU national Parliaments.

CorCom is a useful tool for establishing links between European Parliament committees and the

corresponding committees of the national Parliaments. It also serves to identify the chairperson

and secretariat of the committees, which is always particularly useful for enhancing cooperation

between the European Parliament and the national Parliaments.

Following the adoption of a resolution in May 2009

on the development of the relations between

the EU national Parliaments and the European Parliament under the Treaty of Lisbon (rapporteur:

Elmar Brok), the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament were revised accordingly. They now

state that ‘a committee may directly engage in dialogue with national Parliaments at committee

level within the limits of the budgetary appropriations set aside for that purpose. This may include

appropriate forms of pre-legislative and post-legislative cooperation’ (Rule 150(3)).

The CorCom application is continuously being improved and updated to meet the changing needs

of its users. Within the past couple of years, it has been converted into a web-based application,

which is for internal use only, with restricted access for users. It is available on the intranet of the

European Parliament. It has become much more user-friendly and comes with a whole range of

new features. In 2022, there were 436 visits to the application, with 420 643 application hits and 118

276 individual hits on its web pages.

7.4. National Parliaments’ Submission Tool (NPS Tool)

The National Parliaments’ Submission Tool (NPS Tool) is a user-friendly EP online platform specifically

created for the transmission of EU national Parliaments’ contributions on Protocol N

1 and Protocol

Its aim is to secure, simplify and officialise the procedure of sending a submission to the European

Parliament by any national Parliament.

The development of the NPS Tool project started in 2019 in the framework of the Parliamentary

Project Portfolio of the European Parliament. Following the pilot and test phases, as well as a series

of training sessions organised in 2022 with the participation of colleagues from national Parliaments,

the tool was expected to be launched in the first half of 2023.

The aim of the project was to create an automated online user-friendly registration tool for the

submission of reasoned opinions and contributions from EU national Parliaments. By filling in an

online form, national Parliaments would be able to provide information about the submission

(filling in the data needed) and upload it. It would then automatically be sent to the EP responsible

services and be attributed and forwarded to an internal pre-defined distribution list.

The benefit of the NPS Tool is that it is a user-friendly, rapid and a more secure system for sending

the submissions of national Parliaments on Protocol N

1 and Protocol N

2. It is safer in terms of

hacking and data phishing.

This development helps to obtain proper and accurate data on the submissions. It will provide

European Parliament resolution of 7 May 2009 on the development of the relations between the European Parliament

and national Parliaments under the Treaty of Lisbon (OJ C 212 E, 5.8.2010, p. 94).

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

immediate confirmation of the official receipt of the submission by the European Parliament.

Speeding up the process will result in the submission reaching the responsible EP committee and

the rapporteur in due time, when the file is still on the agenda of the committee. It will increase

the efficiency of the legislative dialogue between the EP and EU national Parliaments, as well as

intensify interparliamentary cooperation.

7.5. Publications of the Directorate for Relations with National

Parliaments

The Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments produces a number of publications.

The Annual Report on relations between the European Parliament and EU national Parliaments

contains all activities and developments in interparliamentary cooperation in the EU in a given year,

with detailed statistics. The Spotlight on Parliaments in Europe summarises information on certain

topical issues and is circulated among Parliaments in the ECPRD network. The Weekly Agenda

provides information about activities involving national Parliaments with a view to increasing the

transparency and visibility of the numerous interparliamentary activities undertaken. The State of

Play Note provides information on the submissions received from national Parliaments. The Calendar

of Interparliamentary Activities is published each semester. The Factsheet on each EU national

Parliament is a concise document containing a description of each Parliament. The Directorate’s

website is the online space where all updated information can be found.

7.5.1 Annual Report on relations between the European Parliament and EU

national Parliaments

Reports on EU interparliamentary relations are available as of 2010. Moreover, Annual Reports as of

2017 are available at the following

website of the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments:

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/relnatparl/en/home/annual-reports

7.5.2 Spotlight on Parliaments in Europe

The Spotlight publication summarises information on certain topical matters. It is disseminated

among Parliaments in the ECPRD network.

In 2022, the Directorate prepared one issue:

•

Spotlight No 37 – February 2022 – Governmental obligation to provide adequate information

on draft bills.

This publication, as well as previous ones, are available on the

Directorate’s website.

7.5.3 Weekly Agenda

The

Weekly Agenda

is sent on Fridays by email to all Members and services of the European

Parliament. In 2022, 39 Weekly Agendas were sent out. The publication covers interparliamentary

events for the upcoming two weeks, such as bilateral visits, interparliamentary conferences and

ICMs. Information is given on the date, location and EP services involved.

7.5.4 State of Play Note

The Directorate produces a monthly

State of Play Note

on reasoned opinions and contributions

submitted by national Parliaments. Further information on the State of Play Note can be found in

Chapter 5.1.3.

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7.5.5 Calendar of Interparliamentary Activities

The

Calendar of Interparliamentary Activities

is published each semester. It covers interparliamentary

events organised by the Presidency Parliament and by the European Parliament, such as

Interparliamentary Conferences, High-Level Conferences and ICMs.

7.5.6 Factsheets on EU national Parliaments

Each of the 39

EU national Parliament/Chamber’s individual Factsheet

publications is available on

the Directorate’s website. Each factsheet is a concise document containing a description of each

Parliament/Chamber.

7.5.7 Website

The Directorate also operates its own

website

(https://www.europarl.europa.eu/relnatparl) providing

information on its upcoming activities and publications.

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

8. DIRECTORATE FOR RELATIONS WITH NATIONAL

PARLIAMENTS

The year 2022 was the first post-COVID year when life and activities started

to return to normal, step by step. The Directorate for Relations with National

Parliaments sought to return to the normal continuity of its activities in

order to provide high-quality support to the Members of the European

Parliament and its various partners, to continue to pursue institutional

cooperation and legislative dialogue with the EU’s national Parliaments,

and to assist with numerous interparliamentary events.

The Directorate organises and provides support for interparliamentary

activities, contributes to the implementation of the Treaty provisions

on interparliamentary cooperation and acts as a knowledge centre

for information on EU national Parliaments. It represents the European

Parliament in the administrative networks of interparliamentary

cooperation. It manages relations with the officials who represent EU

national Parliaments in Brussels and maintains close links with their

administrations.

The Directorate is grateful for the continuous support of the Secretary-

General and the Deputy Secretary-General and all services in the European Parliament Directorates-

General with which it cooperates.

On 1 November 2022, following an internal reorganisation of the European Parliament administrative

establishment plan structure, a new Directorate-General was created: the Directorate-General for

Parliamentary Democracy Partnerships, with Saanaleena Lepola-Honig as Director-General. The

Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments has become one of the Directorates of this new

DG. This has created new opportunities to build synergies and increase cooperation in a variety of

areas.

The Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments

Director: Katrin Ruhrmann

The Directorate consists of two units:

Legislative Dialogue Unit

The Legislative Dialogue Unit is mainly responsible for political and legislative dialogue with national

Parliaments. It plans, coordinates and organises interparliamentary meetings at committee level,

including ICMs, European Parliamentary Week and the JPSG on Europol. It also ensures monitoring

of the subsidiarity check and follow-up with rapporteurs and committees of the implementation

of Protocol N

2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. The Unit

also organises thematic seminars bringing together European Parliament and national Parliament

administrations, and is responsible for the CONNECT and CorCom databases.

Head of Unit: Jesús Gómez

Institutional Cooperation Unit

The areas of responsibility of the Institutional Cooperation Unit include multilateral regulated

cooperation, i.e. the EU Speakers Conference, meetings of Secretaries-General of EU Parliaments

and COSAC. The Unit also deals with established networks, in particular IPEX and the ECPRD, as

well as handling cooperation with DG EXPO and coordinating the Presidency Parliament Support

Programme and capacity-building visits.

Head of Unit: Anne Louise McLauchlan

This report, as well as further information related to the European Parliament’s relations

with EU national Parliaments, can be found on the

European Parliament’s website:

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/relnatparl/en/home/annual-reports.html

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

ANNEXES

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

ANNEX I – COSAC meetings – Topics and keynote speakers 2022

For more detailed information on the agendas of COSAC meetings as published by the Presidencies, please

consult the IPEX website:

www.ipex.eu

COSAC event

Extraordinary meeting of the COSAC Presidential

Troika

Place, date

Videoconference, 10 January

2022

Topics

I. Presentation of the two

working groups intended by

the Presidency

II. Discussion on the COSAC

Chairpersons’ meeting voting

arrangements

COSAC Chairpersons’ Meeting

Paris, 13-14 January 2022

I. Presentation of the priorities

of the French Presidency

II. New working methods

within COSAC

III. 20th anniversary of the euro:

achievements and future of

the euro

Plenary Meeting of the LXVII COSAC

Paris, 3-5 March 2022

I. Initial assessment of France’s

Presidency of the Council of

the European Union

II. Recovery plan for Europe

and the end of the crisis

III. Climate change and energy

transition

IV. Conference on the Future

of Europe

V. Progress reports from the

working groups

VI. Debate on Ukraine

COSAC Chairpersons’ Meeting

Prague, 10-11 July 2022

I. Presentation of the priorities

of the Czech Presidency

II. Media and Democracy:

Current Challenges

Visit of a group of Chairpersons of the Committees Kyiv, 30 September 2022

on European Affairs of EU national Parliaments

and the European Parliament to the Verkhovna

Rada of Ukraine

Exchange of views between Margrethe Vestager,

Commission Executive Vice-President for a Europe

Fit For The Digital Age, and the Chairpersons

of the Committees on European Affairs of EU

national Parliaments and the European Parliament

Exchange of views between Věra Jourová,

European Commission Vice-President for Values

and Transparency, and the Chairpersons of the

Committees on European Affairs of EU national

Parliaments and the European Parliament

Exchange of views between Maroš Šefčovič,

European Commission Vice-President for

Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, and the

Chairpersons of the Committees on European

Affairs of EU national Parliaments and the

European Parliament

Videoconference, 6 October

2022

The situation in Ukraine in the

context of the ongoing Russian

aggression

Europe Fit for the Digital Age

The European Parliament was represented by its First

Vice-President, Othmar Karas

Othmar Karas, First Vice-President of the European

Parliament

Othmar Karas, First Vice-President of the European

Parliament

Guy Verhofstadt, Member of the European

Parliament, Co-chair of the CoFE Executive Council

European Parliament keynote

speakers/panellists

Videoconference, 27 October

2022

Rule of Law Report and Media

Freedom Act

Videoconference, 24

November 2022

State of Play of EU-UK Relations

and the Role of National

Parliaments

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

COSAC event

LXVI COSAC Plenary Meeting

Place, date

Prague, 13-15 November 2022

Topics

I. The Czech Presidency of the

Council of the EU

II. Future of the EU

III. Strategic autonomy of the

IV. Ukraine – state of play,

reconstruction, migration

V. European perspective of the

Western Balkans and Eastern

Partnership countries

European Parliament keynote

speakers/panellists

Othmar Karas, First Vice-President of the European

Parliament

Salvatore De Meo, Chair of the Committee on

Constitutional Affairs of the European Parliament

Meetings of the COSAC Working Group on

‘the role of national Parliaments in the EU’

8 February 2022

24 February 2022

9 March 2022

20 March 2022

27 April 2022

16 May 2022

31 May 2022

14 June 2022

Videoconference

Hybrid – Paris and

videoconference

Meetings of the COSAC Working Group on

‘the place of values at the heart of the feeling of

belonging to the EU’

8 February 2022

25 February 2022

8 March 2022

22 March 2022

12 April 2022

26 April 2022

24 May 2022

31 May 2022

1 June 2022

Videoconference

Hybrid – In-person visit

to the Court of Justice

of the European Union

and exchange of views

with its President, Koen

Lenaerts, in Luxembourg,

and videoconference

Videoconference

Hybrid – Paris and

videoconference

9 June 2022

14 June 2022

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

ANNEX II – Interparliamentary Committee Meetings and

Interparliamentary Conferences organised by the European Parliament

in Brussels in 2022 - number of participants

Date

European

Parliament

committee

LIEBE

FEMM

PRES

CABINET

ECON-

BUDG-

EMPL

Event

Type of meeting

Interparliamentary

Committee Meeting

Interparliamentary

Committee Meeting

Interparliamentary

Committee Meeting

Title of meeting

Evaluation on the activities of Eurojust

National Parliaments

Members

Parliaments

Chambers

Members

1 February 2022

3 March 2022

4 March 2022

International Women’s Day 2022: an ambitious

future for Europe’s women after COVID-19

Meeting of the EU NPs’ Speakers with the

Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine, organised

with President Metsola

Interparliamentary Conference on Stability,

Economic Coordination and Governance in the

European Union

High-Level Conference on the Recovery and

Resilience Facility: Lessons for the future

Corporate responsibility for serious human

rights abuses in third countries

The EU’s Subsidiarity mechanism

First results of the Conference on the Future of

the European Union

The debt crisis in developing countries

Common Experiences and Challenges in

Exercising Budgetary Control Functions

EU Enlargement Policy in the Aftermath of

Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

The rights of Ukrainian women fleeing the war

Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group (JPSG)

on the European Union Agency for Law

Enforcement Cooperation (Europol)

Conclusions of the Conference on the Future

of Europe and the role of national Parliaments

Universal jurisdiction – improving

accountability for serious international crimes

Europe in the world – supporting Ukraine

Evaluation of Eurojust’s activities

The situation of the rule of law in the EU

Legislative Resilience, Electoral Laws

And Information Manipulation Campaigns

Gender mainstreaming

15 March 2022

16 March 2022

21 April 2022

25 April 2022

17 May 2022

14 June 2022

16 June 2022

27 June 2022

12 July 2022

24-25 October 2022

26 October 2022

28 November 2022

30 November 2022

1 December 2022

European

Parliamentary Week:

Interparliamentary

Committee Meeting

European

ECON-

Parliamentary Week:

BUDG-

Interparliamentary

EMPL

Committee Meeting

Interparliamentary

DROI-JURI

Committee Meeting

Interparliamentary

JURI

Committee Meeting

Interparliamentary

AFCO

Committee Meeting

Interparliamentary

DEVE

Committee Meeting

Interparliamentary

CONT

Committee Meeting

Interparliamentary

AFET

Committee Meeting

FEMM-LIBE- Interparliamentary

EMPL

Committee Meeting

LIBE

AFCO

DROI

AFET

LIBE

INGE

FEMM

Joint Parliamentary

Scrutiny Group

Interparliamentary

Committee Meeting

Interparliamentary

Committee Meeting

Interparliamentary

Committee Meeting

Interparliamentary

Committee Meeting

Interparliamentary

Committee Meeting

Interparliamentary

Committee Meeting

Interparliamentary

Committee Meeting

Total number of participants

720

352

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

ANNEX III – Visits of EU national Parliaments to the European

Parliament in 2022 (including videoconferences facilitated by the

Directorate)

Dates

6-8.4.2022

Country and Chamber

HUNGARY Országgyűlés

Visitor

Staff

Whom the visitor

met with at the EP

Directorate for

Relations with National

Parliaments (DG PRES)

Urmas Paet, MEP, Vice-

Chair of the Committee

on Foreign Affairs

Staff of EP

Administration

MEP Cristian-Silviu Buşoi

MEP Christian Ehler

MEP Dan Nica

MEP Sabine Verheyen

ME Petra Kammerevert

MEP Monica Semedo

MEP Niyazi Kizilyürek

MEP Christine Anderson

Staff of EP

Administration

MEP Cristian-Silviu

BUŞOI, ITRE Chair

MEP Jerzy Buzek

MEP Łukasz Kohut

MEP Christophe Grudler

MEP Ladislav Ilčić

MEP Henna Virkkunen

Members of the

Committee on

International Trade

(INTA)

MEP Axel Voss

MEP Barry Andrews

MEP Heidi Hautala

MEP Manon Aubry

MEP René Repasi

MEP Samira Rafaela

MEP Kira Marie Peter-

Hansen

MEP Marc Angel

MEP Helmut Geuking

MEP Dennis Radtke

MEP Katrin

Langensiepen

MEP Özlem Demirel

MEP Klára Dobrev

Members of the ENVI

and ITRE Committees

MEP Raphael

Glucksmann

MEP Javier Zarzalejos

MEP Morten

Løkkegaard

MEP Dace Melbārde

MEP Włodzimierz

Cimoszewicz

MEP Pina Picierno

Type of visit

Staff

Number of

participating

MPs

Number of

participating

staff members

19.5.022

NORWAY Stortinget

Foreign Affairs Committee

MPs

19.5.2022

13-14.6.2022

FRANCE Assemblée

Nationale

GERMANY Bundestag

Seminar for officials

Education Committee

Staff

MPs

17.6.2022

22.6.2022

FRANCE

Sénat

NORWAY Stortinget

Commission des Affaires

européennes

Energy and Environment

Committee

Staff

MPs

23.6.2022

THE NETHERLANDS

Tweede Kamer

Committee on Trade and

Development

MPs

27-28.6.2022

GERMANY – Bundestag

Committee for Employment

and Social Affairs

MPs

27.6.2022

27-28.6.2022

THE NETHERLANDS

Tweede Kamer

ITALY – Senato

Committee on Economic

Affairs and Climate

Comitato COPASIR

MPs

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

Dates

6.9.2022

Country and Chamber

NORWAY – Stortinget

Visitor

Secretaries to the Standing

Committees

Whom the visitor

met with at the EP

Asger Christensen,

MEP, member of

the Committee on

Agriculture (AGRI)

MEP Fabienne Keller

MEP Anne Sander

MEP Pierre Karleskind

MEP Nathalie Loiseau

MEP Raphaël

Glucksmann

MEP François-Xavier

Bellamy

MEP Sylvie Guillaume

MEP David Cormand

MEP Antonio Tajani

MEP Guy Verhofstadt

National Parliament

Representative

MEP Daniel Freund

MEP Damien

Boeselager

MEP Miapetra Kumpula-

Natri

MEP Eero Heinäluoma,

MEP Heidi Hautala,

MEP Silvia Modig

MEP Kira Marie Peter-

Hansen

Jüri Laas, spokesperson

of the President of the

European Parliament

Roberta Metsola

MEP Niklas Herbst

MEP Łukasz Kohut

MEP Marc Angel

MEP Christel

Schaldemose

MEP Eero Heinäluoma

MEP Erik Bergkvist

MEP Mauro Pekkarinen

MEP Peter Lundgren

MEP Robert Roos

MEP Kira Marie Peter-

Hansen

DG Presidency (PRES)

Staff of EP

Administration

National Parliament

Representative

Directorate-General

for Parliamentary

Democracy

Partnerships (DG PART),

DG IPOL

National Parliament

Representative

Type of visit

Staff

Number of

participating

MPs

Number of

participating

staff members

14.9.2022

FRANCE – Assemblée

Nationale

Commission des Affaires

européennes

MPs

22-23.9.2022

26-27.9.2022

SWEDEN – Riksdagen

FINLAND – Eduskunta

Swedish Parliament staff

preparing for the Presidency

Grand Committee

Staff

MPs

27-28.9.2022

28.9.2022

DENMARK –Folketinget

ESTONIA – Riigikogu

Staff members

Members of Parliament

Staff

MPs

28-29.9.2022

NORWAY Norwegian

Parliament Stortinget

Visit of political groups

Staff

29.9.2022

11.10.2022

21.10.2022

7-8.11.2022

THE NETHERLANDS

Tweede Kamer

IRELAND – House of the

Oireachtas

NORWAY Norwegian

Parliament Stortinget

SPAIN Cortes Generales

European Affairs Committee

(EAC)

Oireachtas Staff Visit

Staff members of the Mission

of Norway to the EU

Joint Committee on

European Affairs

Staff

MPs

8.11.2022

NORWAY Norwegian

Parliament Stortinget

State Secretary of the

Ministry of Finance, three

ministry staff members, two

Councillors from the Mission

of Norway to the EU

EU adviser on migration

Staff

8-10.11.2022

THE NETHERLANDS

Tweede Kamer

MEP Malik Azmani, LIBE

Committee, MEPs

Staff

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

Dates

14.11.2022

Country and Chamber

CZECHIA Chamber of

Deputies

THE NETHERLANDS

Tweede Kamer

IRELAND – House of the

Oireachtas

Visitor

Budget Committee

Whom the visitor

met with at the EP

Members of the

Subcommittee on Tax

Matters (FISC)

DG Presidency (PRES)

Staff of EP

Administration

Type of visit

MPs

Number of

participating

MPs

Number of

participating

staff members

28.11.2022

5-6.12.2022

Speaker

Office of the Superintendent

House of the Oireachtas

MPs

Staff

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

ANNEX IV – Early Warning System Data

The Committee on Legal Affairs, which is responsible for issues in relation to compliance with the

principle of subsidiarity within the European Parliament, has provided the following definitions for

submissions from national Parliaments:

•

‘Reasoned opinions’

are submissions which indicate the non-compliance of a draft legislative

act with the principle of subsidiarity and have been communicated to the European Parliament

within the eight-week deadline referred to in Article 6 of Protocol N

2 to the Treaties.

•

‘Contributions’

indicate any other submissions which do not fulfil the criteria listed above for

a reasoned opinion.

Submissions received from national Parliaments in 2022

Member State

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czechia

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Ireland

Italy

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Latvia

Malta

The Netherlands

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Parliament/Chamber

Nationalrat

Bundesrat

Chambre des

Représentants

Sénat

Narodno Sabranie

Hrvatski Sabor

Vouli ton Antiprosópon

Poslanecká sněmovna

Senát

Folketinget

Riigikogu

Eduskunta

Assemblée Nationale

Sénat

Bundestag

Bundesrat

Vouli ton Ellinon

Országgyűlés

Seanad Éireann

Dáil Éireann

Houses of the Oireachtas

Camera dei deputati

Senato

Seimas

Chambre des Députés

Saeima

Kamra tad-Deputati

Tweede Kamer

Eerste Kamer

Sejm

Senat

Assembleia da República

Camera Deputaților

Reasoned

opinions

Contributions

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

Member State

Romania

Spain

Sweden

Slovenia

Slovakia

Parliament/Chamber

Senat

Congreso / Senado

Riksdag

Državni Zbor

Državni Svet

Národná rada

Reasoned

opinions

Contributions

Total

216

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

ANNEX V – Contributions under Protocol N

1 – Informal Political

Dialogue

This table lists EU national Parliaments’ documents sent in response to draft legislative acts falling under the

exclusive competence of the EU, as well as to a large variety of non-legislative documents, such as Green/

White Papers or communications from the European Commission falling under Protocol N

1 to the TFEU.

Contributions received from national Parliaments in 2022

Member State

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czechia

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Ireland

Italy

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Latvia

Malta

The Netherlands

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Spain

Sweden

Slovenia

Slovakia

Parliament/Chamber

Nationalrat

Bundesrat

Chambre des Représentants

Sénat

Narodno Sabranie

Hrvatski Sabor

Vouli ton Antiprosópon

Poslanecká sněmovna

Senát

Folketinget

Riigikogu

Eduskunta

Assemblée Nationale

Sénat

Bundestag

Bundesrat

Vouli ton Ellinon

Országgyűlés

Houses of Oireachtas

Camera dei deputati

Senato

Seimas

Chambre des Députés

Saeima

Kamra tar-Rappreżentanti

Tweede Kamer

Eerste Kamer

Sejm

Senat

Assembleia da República

Camera Deputaților

Senat

Congreso de los Diputados / Senado

Riksdag

Državni Zbor

Državni Svet

Národná rada

Contributions

TOTAL

143

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

ANNEX VI – European Centre for Parliamentary Research and

Documentation (ECPRD)

A. Issues on which political bodies and administrative services of the

European Parliament consulted the ECPRD network in 2022 through

comparative requests:

Date

18.1.2022

28.1.2022

9.2.2022

Title of request

Question time in the French Assemblée Nationale

Biometric identification in Parliament

Questionnaire on the implementation of the

NextGenerationEU (NGEU) programmes and the Recovery

and Resilience Facility (RRF)

Allocation of leadership positions in parliaments

Urgent: remote voting

Measures against financial irregularities, fraud, corruption,

conflicts of interest regarding budget allocated to Members

of Parliament

Role of ushers in national Parliaments

Impact of the legislative initiative on European elections on

Member States’ legal orders

Reducing plastic waste in Parliaments

Parliamentary control of governments’ response to the

COVID-19 pandemic: core documents drawn up by national

Parliaments

Survey on the powers and competences of national

Parliaments’ committees – current modus operandi and

recent changes

Induction sessions for new Members of Parliament – ECPRD

update of request 3916

Parliamentary oversight of governments’ response to the

COVID-19 pandemic – extending ECPRD request 5134 to the

Parliaments of Canada, Switzerland, the UK and the US

Use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware

Termination/withdrawal and suspension of the mandate of

Members of the European Parliament and Members of the

national Parliaments

Termination/withdrawal and suspension of the mandate of

Members of non-EU national Parliaments

Request number

4965

4979

4986

14.3.2022

7.4.2022

24.5.2022

5029

5048

5100

15.6.2022

21.6.2022

22.6.2022

29.6.2022

5124

5129

5130

5134

14.7.2022

5144

18.7.2022

19.9.2022

5148

5195

13.10.2022

21.12.2022

5218

5289

21.12.2022

5290

B. The European Parliament provided replies to requests from other ECPRD

Parliaments on the following topics:

Title of request

Municipalities’ sports policy documents

Financing of political groups in Parliament

Dual practice among health workers

Regulations on the use of the Parliament building’s

façade

Reporting on plenary and committee meetings

Request number

5287

5280

5279

5267

5263

Update of request 5203

Comments

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

Title of request

The election of political party leaders or ballot heads as

Members of Parliament

PACE questionnaire on good practices in public policy

evaluation

Parliamentary associations

Material scope of the GDPR and additional questions

Procedure for voting on the legislative initiatives of MPs

Questionnaire for ECPRD members on data analysis and

data visualisation

Support for the return to work of former MPs

Dress code for MPs in the Chamber

Questionnaire of the President of the National Assembly:

The relationship between the citizen and their

Parliament

Financing of political groups in Parliament

Regulation of breeding and seeding activity

Organisation of the reception of visitors to the

Parliament

How are educational institutions coping with the energy

crisis?

Status of Members of Parliament

Advance information to journalists about court decisions

Operation/use of the press conference rooms

Measures to promote the return to work of former

parliamentarians

Professional development of parliamentary and judicial

mandate holders

Committees and social cohesion issues

MPs being investigated for, charged with or convicted of

sexual misconduct

Increase in compensation for parliamentary staff owing

to inflation

MPs’ salaries, expenses and other benefits

Parliamentary oversight

Remote electronic voting

Bilingual education

Funding and management of parliamentary staff

Media asset management systems used in Parliament

Oath-taking and its legal consequences

Induction sessions for new Members of Parliament

Voting in plenary sittings

Use of neutral language in the rules of procedure of the

regional parliaments

Attributing authorship of research publications

Constitutional protection of the right to voluntary

interruption of pregnancy

Support for an association of former MPs

Reducing plastic waste in Parliaments

High-ranking public officials’ drug tests

Role of ushers in national Parliaments

Request number

5255

5248

5247

5241

5227

5223

5217

5216

5204

Comments

Update of request 4673

5203

5202

5201

5200

5199

5198

5196

5194

5191

5190

5186

5182

5179

5176

5163

5161

5153

5152

5149

5148

5147

5140

5138

5136

5133

5130

5125

5124

Update of request 2968

Update of request 3916

Urgent

Urgent – Update of request 4508

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

Title of request

The need to re-sign electronic files in parliamentary

administrations

Interaction between Parliament and civil society

organisations

State policy on multilingual education

Broadband price regulation

Supreme Judicial Council – structure, composition,

function, powers

Use of speech-to-text solutions

Parliamentary decorations, awards, honours

Letter from the Finance Committee of the Parliament of

Ukraine

Legal act on the organisation of Parliament

Prohibiting Russian fishing vessels from entering EU

ports

Powers of MPs to question any state agencies

Conference and voting systems in Parliament – plenary

and committee rooms

Seizure of benefits obtained from the sale of food which

is unsafe / injurious to health (foodstuffs)

Budgetary sovereignty of Parliaments

Parliament building insurance questionnaire

Monitoring of the professional activity of

parliamentarians after the end of their mandate

Test – Next elections

Children’s property rights and parents’ responsibility

Online survey: Solidarity of the Parliaments with Ukraine

Language used on police and military uniforms

Electronic voting in parliamentary committees

EDI initiatives in Parliament

Bilingual Parliaments

Distinctions/decorations/honours granted by

Parliaments

Indexation of documents

Public engagement in Parliament and effective

communication with citizens

Display of flags on the site of Parliament and in the

Chamber

How do citizens of countries without diplomatic

relations visit each other’s countries?

Regulation of the pharmaceuticals market

Construction companies’ solvency and methods of

submitting notices

MPs’ access to national banks’ confidential information

Extreme sports licence/permit

Parliament’s security service

Status of the spouses of the Speaker of Parliament and

the President of the State

Recreational plan

Daily allowance (per diem rate) for MPs, officials,

employees and third parties participating in

parliamentary missions, domestic and abroad

Request number

5112

5104

5099

5098

5094

5092

5089

5086

5081

5079

5074

5072

5070

5066

5065

5064

5055

5043

5038

5032

5025

5024

5017

5013

5012

5011

5010

5008

5007

5006

5001

5000

4994

4985

4972

4969

Comments

Update of request 5016

Update of request 4123

Urgent

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

Title of request

Employment and termination of employment of civil

servants

Relief procedures for withholding tax

Status of Members of Parliament who have completed

their term of office

Combating false information (disinformation)

Submission of lists of candidates for political elections

and measures to encourage participation of voters

Present for outgoing Members; materials and training for

newly elected MPs

Transcription of the minutes of the plenary session and

parliamentary committees

Request number

4966

4963

4961

4953

4951

4950

4338

Comments

Secretary-General of Parliament – roles and appointment 4952

C. ECPRD seminars and statutory meetings in 2022

Date

31 March 2022

21 February 2022

Meeting type

Statutory Meeting

Webinar

Event

Executive Committee

Mainstreaming EU

Affairs in Parliamentary

Administrations

Parliamentary Practice

and Procedure

Area of interest

Place

Brussels

European Parliament

Vienna Austrian

Parliament

Jerusalem

Knesset

Rome

Camera dei deputati

Mode

Remote

28 March 2022

Webinar

Fit for a rapidly changing ICT in Parliaments

IT environment – How

to involve staff

Parliamentary

involvement in the

implementation of the

National Resilience and

Recovery Plans

Parliamentary research

enters a new age:

Foresight, strategy and

innovation

Budgetary autonomy

and sovereignty of

Parliaments

Executive Committee

Implementation of

the Whistleblowing

Directive in Parliaments

On Data Protection and

Parliaments

Annual Conference of

Correspondents

On parliamentary

coordination

committees

Parliamentary Practice

and Procedure

Parliamentary Practice

and Procedure

Economic and

Budgetary Affairs

Remote

18 May 2022

Webinar

Remote

23-24 June 2022

Seminar

Libraries, Research

Services and Archives

Brussels

European Parliament

Hybrid

30 June - 1 July 2022

Seminar

Economic and

Budgetary Affairs

Berlin

Bundesrat in cooperation

with Bundestag

Brussels

European Parliament

Brussels

European Parliament

Brussels/Vienna

Belgian Chamber of

Representatives, Austrian

Parliament

Vienna

Austrian Parliament

Yerevan

National Assembly of the

Republic of Armenia

Vienna

Austrian Parliament

In person

10 June 2022

8 September 2022

6 October 2022

Statutory Meeting

Webinar

Remote

7 November 2022

10-11 November 2022

Webinar

Statutory Meeting

Parliamentary Practice

and Procedure

Remote

In person

12 December 2022

Webinar

Remote

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

Glossary of terms and acronyms

AFCO:

Committee on Constitutional Affairs, European Parliament.

AFET:

Committee on Foreign Affairs, European Parliament.

BUDG:

Committee on Budgets, European Parliament.

CoFE:

Conference on the Future of Europe. This was a citizen-led series of debates and discussions that ran

from April 2021 to May 2022 and enabled people from across Europe to share their ideas and help shape

their common future.

CONT:

Committee on Budgetary Control, European Parliament.

CORCOM:

The Directory of Corresponding Committees. An information source on national Parliaments’

committees corresponding to the committees of the European Parliament. Provides information about the

different committee secretariats of EU national Parliaments and the European Parliament.

COSAC:

Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs. Treaty-based conference of Members of

the European Parliament and Members of national Parliaments from parliamentary committees responsible

for European Union affairs.

DEVE:

Committee on Development, European Parliament.

DG EXPO:

Directorate-General for External Policies of the Union, European Parliament Secretariat.

DG IPOL:

Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the Union, European Parliament Secretariat.

DG ITEC:

Directorate-General for Innovation and Technological Support, European Parliament Secretariat.

DROI:

Subcommittee on Human Rights, European Parliament.

ECPRD:

European Centre for Parliamentary Research and Documentation. Information exchange network

for the administrations of Parliaments in Europe, functioning on the basis of comparative requests.

ECON:

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, European Parliament.

EIB:

European Investment Bank.

EMPL:

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, European Parliament.

EP:

European Parliament.

EPW:

European Parliamentary Week. The Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic

Coordination and Governance in the European Union (IPC SECG) and the European Semester Conference

bring together parliamentarians from all over the European Union to discuss economic, budgetary and

social matters.

Eurojust:

European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation.

Europol:

The European Union’s law enforcement agency.

EUSC:

European Union Speakers’ Conference. Annual meeting of the Speakers of the Parliaments of EU

Member States, organised by the Parliament of the previous autumn’s EU Council Presidency.

EWS:

Early Warning System. A review mechanism set out in Protocol N

2 to the Treaties on the application

of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. It provides for national Parliaments to send a reasoned

opinion to the Presidents of the institutions.

FEMM:

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, European Parliament.

ICM:

Interparliamentary Committee Meeting. Meetings co-organised by committee secretariat(s) and

the Legislative Dialogue Unit of the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments of the European

Parliament. ICMs function as a forum for dialogue between Members of national Parliaments and MEPs.

INGE:

Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union,

including Disinformation, European Parliament. Its mandate ended on 23 March 2022.

INGE2 / ING2:

Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European

Union, including Disinformation, European Parliament. It was created on 24 March 2022 with the mandate

to follow-up on the INGE report.

IPC CFSP/CSDP:

Interparliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

Common Security and Defence Policy. Interparliamentary platform for debate on the EU’s foreign, security

and defence policy. Organised twice a year by the Parliament of the EU Member State holding the EU

Council Presidency, in close cooperation with the European Parliament.

IPD:

Informal Political Dialogue. The contributions of the EU national Parliaments under Protocol No 1 to

the Treaties that comment on legislative files falling under the exclusive competence of the EU as well as on

non-legislative documents such as white papers or communications of the European Commission.

IPEX:

Interparliamentary EU Information Exchange. Platform for the mutual exchange of EU-related

documents and information between national Parliaments and the European Parliament.

JPSG:

Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol. Interparliamentary scrutiny group that ensures that

Europol is fully accountable and transparent. The JPSG holds two meetings per year: one at the Parliament

of the country holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU, and one at the European Parliament.

JURI:

Committee on Legal Affairs, European Parliament.

LIBE:

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, European Parliament.

MPs:

Members of (national) Parliament.

MEPs:

Members of the European Parliament.

NextGenerationEU (NGEU):

The EU’s economic recovery package of EUR 800 billion to support the EU

Member States’ recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular those that were particularly hard hit.

NPS:

National Parliaments’ Submissions Tool. An online platform for EU national Parliaments to submit

reasoned opinions and contributions to the European Parliament.

PESCO:

Permanent Structured Cooperation in the area of security and defence policy, established by a

Council decision on 11 December 2017 with 25 Member States. It offers a legal framework to jointly plan,

develop and invest in shared capability projects, and enhance the operational readiness and contribution

of armed forces.

REPowerEU:

EU plan to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels by 2027 and fast-forward the

green transition.

RRF:

Recovery and Resilience Facility, an EU flagship initiative aimed at mitigating the economic and social

impact of the COVID-19 crisis and make European economies and societies more sustainable, resilient and

better prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the green and digital transitions.

SEDE:

Subcommittee on Security and Defence, European Parliament.

Spotlight:

Publications related to summaries on parliamentary procedures or practices and based on

replies to requests sent to the ECPRD network.

TEU:

Treaty on European Union.

TFEU:

Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS

directly elected

NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS OF THE EU

OF THE EU MEMBER STATES

MEMBER STATES

December

2022

Country

Belgium

Belgique/België/

Belgien

belgium

Kamer van volksvertegen-

150

woordigers/ Chambre des

Belgium

représentants/ Abgeordnetenkammer

indirectly elected / appointed / other

2022

Indirectly elected/

appointed/other

Chamber

Kamer van volksvertegen-

България

woordigers/ Chambre

des représentants/

bulgaria

Abgeordnetenkammer

Народ�½о събра�½ие

(Narodno sabranie)

Poslanecká sněmovna

Senát

Directly elected

150

Česká republika

czech republic

Danmark

denmark

Народ�½о събра�½ие

Senaat/ Sénat/ Senat

(Narodno sabranie)

240

Poslanecká sněmovna

200

Folketinget

179

Bulgaria

240

Senát

200

179

736

Senaat/ Sénat/ Senat

Czech Republic

Deutschland

Denmark

Deutscher Bundestag

Germany

Bundesrat

Estonia

Ireland

Greece

germany

Germany

Eesti

Folketinget

Riigikogu

Bundesrat

Riigikogu

Éire/Ireland

ireland

160

Ελλάδα

greece

estonia

Deutscher Bundestag

736

101

160

300

349

Dáil Éireann

101

Seanad Éireann

Βουλή τω�½ Ελλή�½ω�½

(Vouli ton Ellinon)

300

Dáil Éireann

Seanad Éireann

Βουλή τω�½ Ελλή�½ω�½

(Vouli ton Ellinon)

Congreso de los

france

Diputados

España

Spain

spain

France

Hrvatska

croatia

348

Italia

italy

Congreso de

Spain

los

Diputados

France

Senado

France

Croatia

Italy

349

207

Assemblée nationale

Senado

Sénat

Assemblée nationale

Sénat

Hrvatski sabor

Camera dei Deputati

577

348

207

577

151

400

200

Hrvatski sabor

151

Camera dei Deputati

400

Senato della Repubblica

200

Κύπρος

Italy

cyprus

Cyprus

Βουλή τω�½

Α�½τιπροσώπω�½

Saeima

Seimas

Latvija

Senato della Repubblica

latvia

Βουλή τω�½

Lietuva

lithuania

Luxembourg

luxembourg

(Vouli ton Antiprosopon)

100

Seimas

100

141

199

141

Chambre des Députés

(Vouli ton Antiprosopon)

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Latvia

Chambre des Députés

Magyarország

Hungary

hungary

Malta

Országgyűlés

malta

Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati

Nederland

150

Österreich

austria

the netherlands

The

Országgyűlés

Netherlands

199

The Netherlands

Austria

Poland

Polska

Portugal

poland

Tweede Kamer

Il-Kamra Tad-Deputat

Eerste Kamer

Nationalrat

Bundesrat

Sejm

Senat

Portugal

Assembleia da

portugal

República

Senat

150

Tweede Kamer

183

460

100

230

Nationalrat

Bundesrat

183

Eerste Kamer

România

romania

Slovenija

slovenia

Sejm

Senat

Romania

Slovenia

Slovakia

460

100

Assembleia da

Camera Deputatilor

República

Državni zbor

Državni svet

Národná Rada

Eduskunta

finland

Riksdagen

230

330

150

200

349

Camera Deputatilor

330

Državni zbor

Državni svet

136

Senat

136

Slovensko

Národná Rada

Finland

slovakia

Sweden

Suomi/ Finland

200

Sverige

sweden

150

Eduskunta

Riksdagen

349

Source: Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments in cooperation with the Representatives of the EU National Parliaments in Brussels.

EUU, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 613: Europa-Parlaments rapport for 2022 om relationerne til nationale parlamenter (engelsk)

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