Secretary of State Olivier Chastel’s Mission at the European Parliament
Secretary of State for European Affairs Olivier Chastel will represent the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU during the next plenary session of the European Parliament.
Olivier Chastel will attend, among other things, the debates on the multiannual financial framework for 2007-2013, on pharmacovigilance, and the sessions on the voting package relating in particular to financial supervision. With President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek, the Secretary of State will sign, in the name of the Council, the laws concerning the draft directive relating to the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, the draft regulation relating to the European railway network for competitive rail freight, etc.
Secretary of State Olivier Chastel will represent High Representative Cathy Ashton during the debates on the protection of Human Rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and on the World Day against the Death Penalty.
The Secretary of State’s mission will end with the “question time” addressed to the Presidency of the Council. On behalf of the Council, Olivier Chastel will respond to ten questions relating to the European External Action Service, the reduction of poverty and exclusion, the accession negotiations with Croatia, etc.
The Secretary of State will also continue his bilateral contacts with representatives of the policy groups in order to progress on the legislative dossiers under the Belgian Presidency.
A press debriefing is planned for Wednesday 22 September (time to be specified).
