Brussels briefing, Jan. 13

 European Council President Charles Michel will participate in the G5 Sahel meeting in France on Monday to address the French military presence in the region as well as the fight against jihadist organizations.

The European Parliament’s (EP) plenary sessions will take place in Strasbourg this week.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will address the EP plenary on the beginning of the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU on Tuesday. Additionally, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovicc will present the priorities of the rotating Council presidency for the next six months in the EP.

MEPs will debate the consequences of the latest confrontation between the U.S. and Iran with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell on Tuesday.

They will also debate with the Commission on Tuesday legislative proposals on the Just Transition Mechanism and Fund which seeks to help EU communities succeed in making the transition to low carbon. The EP will also outline its views on the overall package of the Green Deal in a vote on a resolution on Wednesday.

King of Jordan, His Majesty Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein, will address MEPs during a formal sitting in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, Von der Leyen will visit Dublin to meet with the Taoiseach of Ireland, Leo Varadkar.

MEPs will assess progress made by EU ministers in determining whether the rule of law and European values are at risk in Hungary and Poland. A resolution will be put to the vote on Thursday.