“Today”, said the President, “Parliament must make it loud and clear that the use of chemical weapons is unacceptable and represents a red line that cannot be crossed with impunity. In view of the seriousness of the situation, Parliament must send out a strong message at the beginning of this sitting, even before tomorrow afternoon’s debate with High Representative Mogherini and the debate tomorrow morning with President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron.

The dramatic situation must dispel any doubts about the need and urgency of building an increasingly incisive common foreign and defence policy. The current debate on the next budget is an essential test of our willingness to provide ourselves with the resources needed to be a real global player."

Leaders of political groups intervened, condemning the use of chemical weapons. Most expressed support for the US, French and British military strikes in order to stop the Assad regime’s “war crimes”, whilst some criticised the military for operating without an international mandate. De-escalation and peace talks involving all actors and led by the UN must start as soon as possible, they said.

President Tajani will share the details of this debate with French President Macron before he takes the floor at the debate tomorrow.

Incoming members

Aleksander GABELIC (S&D, SE) as per 4 April 2018, replacing Jens NILSSON

Dobromir Andrzej SOŚNIERZ (NA, PLI) as of 22 March 2018, replacing Janusz KORWIN-MIKKE (NA, PL)

Outgoing members

Gianni PITTELLA (S&D, IT) as of 23 march 2018

Lorenzo FONTANA (ENF, IT) as of 23 march 2018

Matteo SALVINI (ENF, IT) as of 23 march 2018

No changes to the agenda.

Requests by committees to start negotiations with Council and Commission

Decisions by several committees to enter into inter-institutional negotiations (Rule 69c) are published on the plenary website.

If no request for a vote in Parliament on the decision to enter into negotiations is made by Tuesday 24.00, the committees may start negotiations.