The agenda for the plenary session includes debates on:
- review of the results of the COVID-19 summit with European Council President Michel,
- long-term EU budget revision and recovery plans with Commission President von der Leyen,
- COVID-19 emergency measures in Hungary and their impact on the rule of law,
- use of smartphone apps in managing the spread of the pandemic,
- the development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, and
- the 70th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration.
As well as votes on:
- MEPs’ position on the revision of the long-term EU budget,
- a contingency plan to guarantee continuity of EU funding,
- €3 billion in loans to help EU neighbours and partner countries deal with COVID-19, and
- new tyre labels with information on energy consumption and grip.
Find all information on EP plenary in our newsletter
How to follow the briefing online
Parliament will be using an interactive virtual press environment (with interpretation) based on Skype TX, in conjunction with the traditional EbS and web-streaming services.
If you wish to ask a question:
- You will need a SKYPE account.
- Connect to VOXBOXEP and write your name and media organisation in the chat box
Please use headphones and a microphone for better sound quality.
The system will be managed by Parliament’s media services and you will be placed in a queue (virtual waiting room) before being invited to ask your question(s).
If you have any trouble connecting, you can contact: +32 22834220.
After asking a question / listening to the reply (and any follow-up), you should then disconnect from Skype so that the next journalist in line can be connected to the press briefing room.
You should only connect through Skype if you wish to ask a question.
REMINDER: working conditions in Parliament for journalists in light of Coronavirus
It is mandatory as of 13 May to wear a community mask that covers mouth and nose at all times while in Parliament’s buildings. This is to continue to ensure Parliament’s operational capacity, while at the same time avoiding health risks for Members, staff and other persons working in and visiting the European Parliament.
Journalists, who have to come to Parliament in person, are therefore asked to bring a mask and wear it in order to access Parliament’s premises. There is no requirement as to the type of mask, as long as it covers both nose and mouth.
The wearing of a mask for journalists is now compulsory and necessary at all times. However, journalists could exceptionally and for the limited duration of a recording (stand-ups, interviews, studio recordings) remove their mask, if the social distancing measures are respected. This exception also applies to taking the floor in press conferences. Please note that masks should be put on again immediately after the recording. The exceptions do not apply to bilateral conversations or interviews that are not recorded.
To allow for this exception, journalists are required to keep a distance of 2 meters preventively.
Please refrain from coming to EP premises if you present any symptoms of a respiratory infection, if you have knowingly been in contact with an infected person in the last 14 days or if you have been to regions with very high transmission rates.
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