Economic issues and welfare will steal the limelight at the plenary session of the European Parliament that is opening in Strasbourg today. Four days’ meetings, during which the MEPs will discuss the results of the 15th November summit with the delegates of the Council of Europe and the EU Commission in Washington. In addition, Parliament will discuss the results of the introduction of the euro, ten years after the launch of the single currency, and the "blue card" for "highly skilled" foreign labour’s entering Europe. The assembly will then deal with funds for dismissed workers in the textile industry, the mean rise in the retirement age to make "the social-security systems sustainable" in the 27 EU member states, as well as making the reform of the common agricultural policy more gradual. The opening discussion will concern Bauer’s report, asking the EU Commission "to submit legal proposals before the end of 2009, for a better implementation of the regulations on equal salaries for men and women". Other items on the agenda include a debate on the situation in Congo and EU’s response to humanitarian aids and cooperation for development.” ” ” “
