I would like to wish you a safe, healthy, and prosperous new year! It is also my pleasure to invite you to the 557th EESC Plenary Session, which will take place on 27-28 January in a hybrid form.
The first half of 2021 is dedicated to the Portuguese Presidency of the EU, which is why on Wednesday 27 January at 2.45 p.m., we will hold a debate on its priorities, with Prime Minister António Costa.
On the same day, at 4 p.m., Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission, will give a presentation of the 2021 Commission work programme and the Strategic Foresight Report. He will be followed, at 5.30 p.m., by Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs, who will take part in a debate on A New Pact on Migration and Asylum.
On Thursday 28 January at 10.30 a.m., Michel Barnier, Head of the European Commission's Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, will be our keynote speaker in a debate on the new EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Afterwards, at 12.00, Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, will present the UN's official mission to the EU institutions.
I will be glad to welcome you at our plenary session. To that end, I invite you to use webstreaming, which will allow you to follow all the votes and discussions remotely.
