Hearings

27-11-2018 14:30
The Constitutional Perspective of EU's social dimension (Future of Europe)

Brussels, Altiero Spinelli A1G3
EP AFCO PH
fiche L012968-IPOL.jpg © EP

On 27 November 2018, AFCO Committee organized a public hearing entitled "The Constitutional Perspective of EU's social dimension in the context of the debate on the future of Europe". Three experts have been invited to speak: 1/ Mr Frank Vandenbroucke, Professor at the University of Amsterdam 2/ Mr Francesco Costamagna, Associate Professor of European Union law and lecturer in international public law at the Law Department of University of Turin 3/ Ms Esther Lynch, Confederal Secretary, ETUC.

This subject is one of the most discussed in the "debate on the future of Europe", notably at the light of the developments occurred during the financial and economic crisis and the way forward at Treaties level, which also has been the subject of a specific reflection paper of the Commission in the framework of the White Paper on the future of Europe.

You may find the programme, poster and the speeches of the experts below.

10-10-2018 10:00
Parliament's powers of political control over the Commission after Lisbon

Brussels
The 2017 State of the Union debate focusses on the future of the EU. MEPs will discuss with Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker the best way to tackle the challenges facing the EU.
State of the Union debate 2017: Shaping our future (INT) © European Parliament

On Wednesday 10 October, AFCO is organising a public hearing on "Parliament's powers of political control over the Commission after Lisbon: lessons learnt and the way forward".

Two experts have been invited:
- Olivier Costa, Director of the Department of European Political and Administrative Studies, College of Europe, Brugge;
- Eva-Maria Poptcheva, PhD in Constitutional Law, author of "Parliamentary oversight: challenges facing classic scrutiny instruments and the emergence of new forms of 'steering' scrutiny".

24-09-2018 15:30
The withdrawal agreement between the EU and the UK

Paul-Henri Spaak building - P5B001, Brussels
AFCO Brexit hearing
L012005-A3PO-IPOL-The withdrawal agreement.jpg © EP

This hearing, that took place on 24 September, aimed at providing Members with a preliminary legal-technical analysis and assessment of the draft Withdrawal Agreement. On 19 March 2018, the Draft Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (“draft withdrawal agreement”) was published.

On 19 June 2018, the negotiators have adopted a joint statement on progress of negotiations under Article 50 TEU on the United Kingdom's orderly withdrawal from the European Union, in which a number of provisions were further agreed. If the calendar of the negotiations is complied with, the negotiations on the draft withdrawal agreement will be concluded in Autumn 2018, after which the European Parliament will be asked to give its consent in accordance with Article 50 TEU.

Two experts have been invited to discuss the topic: Mr René Repasi, Scientific Coordinator of the European Research Centre for Economic and Financial Governance (EURO-CEFG) of the Universities of Leiden, Delft and Rotterdam; and Mr Christophe Hillion, Professor of European Law, University of Oslo and University of Leiden.

20-06-2018 16:45
Legality and legitimacy in the EU integration process

Brussels, Paul-Henri Spaak building (P4B001)
Different people bring together puzzle pieces
Reintegration of workers.jpg © European Parliament (2018) European Union

This hearing, that took place on 20 June, aimed to facilitate the gathering of expertise on the relationship between legality and legitimacy in the EU integration process, set against the current backdrop of discussions on the future of the Europe. The goal was to reflect on regaining citizens’ trust, fighting populism and the possible evolution of European integration, based on respect for the founding values of the Union.

Three experts have been invited to discuss the topic: Julian Plottka from the Institute for European Politics in Berlin; Warren J. Newman, Senior General Counsel in the Constitutional, Administrative & International Law Section of the Department of Justice of Canada; and Eleanor Spaventa, Professor of EU Law at the University of Bocconi in Milan.

25-04-2018 15:30
Globalisation “trilemma”: how to reconcile globalisation, democracy and welfare

Brussels
Illustration map of Europe ©AP Images/European Union-EP
Illustration map of Europe ©AP Images/European Union-EP © AP Images/European Union-EP

On 25/04/2018, AFCO is organising a hearing on "Globalisation “trilemma”: how to reconcile globalisation, democracy and welfare - lessons for the EU", with 4 invited experts: Davide Cadeddu, professor of political theory at the University of Milan; Susan George, President of the Transnational Institute in Amsterdam; Ingolf Pernice, Research Director on Global Constitutionalism from the Humboldt Institute in Berlin and Daniel Gros, Director Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels.

21-02-2018 14:30
Hearing: European Citizens' Initiative - Revision of Reg. 211/2011

Brussels - ALTIERO SPINELLI BUILDING - ROOM A1G-3
mass of people in shape of an arrow
citizenship initiative © EP

Together with AFCO, PETI held a public hearing on the European Citizens’ Initiative and the Commission’s legislative proposal for the revision of the ECI Regulation (Reg. (EU) No 211/2011). Members listened to a diversity of stakeholders and experts, including NGOs, academia, the European Commission, the European Ombudsman, as well as representatives from the citizen committees of the previous ECIs ‘Right2Water’ and ‘Minority Safepack’.

21-11-2017 10:30
The Constitutional Implications of Different Scenarios for the Future of the Union

Brussels, Paul-Henri Spaak building - P5B001
Future of Europe
L008347-A3PO-IPOL-The constitutional implications.jpg © EP

On 21 November 2017 from 10.30 to 12.30, the AFCO Committee organised a hearing on the constitutional implications of the different scenarios for the Future of the Union as set out by the Commission in its White Paper and Reflection Papers.

This was a continuation of ongoing discussions and work of the committee on the untapped implementation potential of the Lisbon Treaty (Brok/Bresso report) and possible evolutions of the Treaties (Verhofstadt report) adopted by the Parliament in February 2017 (links below). The three invited experts were Christina Elias Mendez, Miguel Maduro and René Repasi.

28-09-2017 10:30
Origins and development of sub-groups of Member States within the EU

Brussels
Poster for hearing on 'Origins and development of sub-groups of Member States within the EU and its impact in the integration process' with picture of a map of Europe and Member State flags
Origins and development of sub-groups of Member States within the EU and its impact in the integration process © EP

On 28 September the Committee on Constitutional Affairs held a public hearing on 'Origins and development of sub-groups of Member States within the EU and its impact in the integration process'. The Committee heard from three experts on this subject.

The three invited experts were Charles de Marcilly from Robert Schuman Foundation, Anna-Lena Kirch from the German Council on Foreign Relations and Professor Jacques Ziller from the University of Pavia. They focused on the paradoxes of furthering integration by the sub-groups of Member States, on specific experience with Nordic-Baltic and Visegrad cooperation as well on the legal framework set out by the EU constitutional framework for such groups.

20-06-2017 15:00
Brexit: Constitutional Challenges and Implications - Hearing

Image of the poster for the Brexit Hearing on the Constitutional Challenges and Implications
Hearing on 'Brexit: the Constitutional Challenges and Implications' © EP

During the AFCO meeting of 20 June a hearing was held on 'Brexit: Constitutional Challenges and Implications'. The purpose of this hearing is to hear from experts on various constitutional and institutional aspects related to Brexit – ranging from the UK constitutional dimension to the scope of the withdrawal agreement to the nature of the transitional measures.

The Committee heard from the following experts:
  • Professor Sionaidh Douglas-Scott on the negotiation process of the UK exit and UK constitutional dimension
  • Professor Piet Eeckhout on the scope of the withdrawal agreement, institutional set-up in the Treaties, issues related to legal certainty, enforcement and dispute settlement mechanism
  • Professor Christophe Hillion on the process of negotiation, sequencing, connection between withdrawal and the future relationship agreement, nature and legal basis for the transitional measures

20-03-2017 15:00
Public Hearing on "The Development of a European Demos"

Brussels
Hearing
L005450 A3PO Demos.jpg © EP

The main objective of the hearing was to discuss the existence of a "demos" which is typically European and which would thus allow for the construction of a supranational European democracy.

It also allowed to gather evidence from well-known experts on the existence of such an element as well as to hear contrasting theories.
The hearing took place during the regular AFCO meeting of 20 March 2017, from 15.00 until 16:30.
Please see the agenda below, as well as the presentations of three experts and the Ombudsman's Head of Cabinet.