12. Request for defence of immunity of Gabriele Albertini (vote)


Petitions: see Minutes


Documents received: see Minutes


Statements by the President
Last Friday in Warsaw we inaugurated the first Polish Presidency of the European Council in the presence of President Van Rompuy and President Barroso. The European Parliament expects that it will be as amenable to our Parliament as the Hungarian Presidency. On Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Donald Tusk will present the Polish Presidency's work programme, so we will meet the Polish Presidency on Wednesday morning.
There are two pieces of news concerning our nearest neighbours. We are following events in the EU's closest neighbours. In a referendum held on Friday, the citizens of Morocco approved amendments to the constitution strengthening the democratic nature of the country's regime. However, these reforms must continue and be farther-reaching, so that they reflect the true aspirations of Moroccans. I would like to add that representatives from the European Parliament were present as observers during the election.
The next issue concerning our neighbours is as follows. During yesterday's peaceful demonstrations which took place in many towns throughout Belarus, hundreds of people were arrested and have been put on trial today. The European Parliament supports the citizens of Belarus in their efforts to enjoy freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all those arrested and sentenced for political reasons.


Restoration of reciprocity in the visa regime - solidarity with the unequal status of Czech citizens following the unilateral introduction of visas by Canada (written declaration): see Minutes


Dates of forthcoming sittings: see Minutes


Lapsed written declarations: see Minutes


Written declarations (tabling): see Minutes


Request for waiver of parliamentary immunity: see Minutes


Welcome
We are pleased to welcome an EFTA delegation to our gallery today, led by Mrs Katrín Júlíusdóttir, with members from Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, along with some observers from Switzerland.
The delegation is visiting the House as part of the 29th session of the European Economic Area Joint Parliamentary Committee, which will be meeting here in Strasbourg on 14 and 15 November.
I wish our colleagues every success with the EEA Agreement, and with the future prospects of the area, energy issues and climate change, as well as their talks with Commissioner Borg on EU maritime policy, which are on the agenda of the discussions.
I am also very pleased they have decided to pay a visit to the European Parliament during our part-session.
I thank you all and welcome you here today.
(Applause)


5. Getting a grip on energy prices (vote)
- Before the vote on Amendment 1
Mr President, I have a genuine point of order with respect to the new Rules of Procedure. We have been told that, because debate has been curtailed, we can now put in more written statements over the single written statement we were able to do before the new Rules came into effect. Today I tried to submit two written statements, and the internet site will not allow it. So my voice in the debate for controlling energy has not been noted anywhere.
Can you make sure the technical problem is solved? The revised Rules of Procedure are not being adhered to.
You can submit a written declaration, Mrs Gacek, but that was not the right time to raise the point.


1. How marketing and advertising affect equality between women and men (


Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (announcement of motions for resolutions tabled): see Minutes


Agenda for the next sitting: see Minutes


Closure of the sitting
(The sitting was closed at 11.50 p.m.)


Corrections to votes and voting intentions: see Minutes


Closure of the sitting
(The President declared the sitting closed at 11.05 p.m.)