MEPs set out their views on firearms legislation, hear car manufacturers VW, Renault & Mitsubishi on emissions, and explore Slovakia's Presidency priorities.

On the Agenda: Firearms, car emissions, Slovakia EU Presidency

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/11507337/n001-160708-004-en.srt

Carmakers and vehicle emissions  in the spotlight. Again.

Think of gun control and you may naturally  think of the United States

and the frequent deaths  of citizens there.

Here in Europe, gun control  is of an entirely different order,

On Wednesday EP's Internal Market  Committee will vote on amendments

to proposed revisions of  the EU Firearms Directive,

tightening and clarifying the rules under  which citizens can acquire guns and rifles,

effective deactivation of weapons  and information exchange.

Big days for two of Europe's big carmakers,  Volkswagen and Renault.

They're coming for a hearing  to the Emissions Committee

and will be joined by Japan's Mitsubishi.

Thoughts are bound to turn  to VW's diesel emissions-fixing scandal

but also to the way forward  through more rigorous emissions testing.

There'll be a vote on the interim report

on the inquiry into measuring systems  in the car sector.

Talking of emissions,  it's all about the air we breathe.

It’s reckoned 400,000 Europeans die  prematurely every year

from illnesses related to poor air quality.

More ambitious national caps by 2030  are in the pipeline,

controlling pollutants,  much of which come from cars.

Environment Committee  will vote on measures

Not enough of a revolution, say many  MEPs, but improvements nonetheless.

And now for some other items  on the parliamentary agenda.

How to counteract anti-EU propaganda  from third countries, for example Russia?

Foreign Affairs Committee  will consider ways

within the EU's Communication Strategy  on Monday. There's a vote on Tuesday.

There'll be a parade of Slovak ministers  during the week, starting Tuesday,

presenting their priorities for the six-month  EU rotating presidency, which just started.

Not least the informal summit in Bratislava  in September, on the EU post Brexit.

Transport Committee  meet to vote on three key elements

of the 4th Railway Package, transforming,  it’s hoped, Europe's rail network.

It follows negotiations with Member States,  including opening markets

The most recent in Paris,  the next in Morocco in November.

On Monday, Environment Committee  will meet to discuss the EP's position

on advancing the CO2 reduction targets  from Paris.

And finally, where next  for the Eurozone after Brexit?

There were big expectations that  the euro would take a dive

following Britain's referendum decision  to leave the EU.

In the event, the euro remains stable  and the British pound took the dive.

There've been discussions about  a tighter Eurozone, including a budget.

On Monday, Finance Ministers  of six countries will arrive

to discuss the desirability, or advisability,  of a Eurozone budget,

And that's it for some of the highlights  in Parliament's agenda. Enjoy the week.