Digital trade has become a key element in the EU's trade policy. The EU is the world's largest exporter and importer of digitally deliverable services and has a strong market position. Therefore, the development towards more digital trade provides opportunities for European consumers, for the economy and for the EU’s green and digital transition. The key difference between digital trade and traditional trade is the prominence of cross-border data flows. However, certain data are considered 'sensitive' and require protection and/or specific processing conditions.

EPRS Policy Podcast - The EU's digital trade policy

At a glance: Parliament’s political groups prepare for the next plenary session in Strasbourg. On the agenda: the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Artificial Intelligence Act. The deal to ban products made with forced labour from the EU market.

News in Brief – 06/03/2024 - English

At a glance: the vote on renewing the autonomous trade measures for Ukraine and Moldova, the interparliamentary committee meeting to mark International Women’s Day, and President Metsola’s visit to Romania.

News in Brief – 05/03/2024 - English

The European Disability Card and the European Parking Card are initiatives aimed at tackling the obstacles encountered by people with disabilities while travelling in EU countries other than their own. Designed to provide holders with recognised proof of their disability status, these cards streamline access to services, promote free movement and support equal rights within the EU.

European Disability Card

Європейське посвідчення особи з інвалідністю та Європейська паркувальна картка особи з інвалідністю — це ініціативи, спрямовані на подолання перешкод, з якими стикаються люди з обмеженими можливостями під час подорожей до інших, ніж власна країна, країн ЄС. Ці посвідчення розроблені для того, щоб утримувачі мали при собі визнаний доказ їхнього статусу інвалідності. Вони спрощують доступ до послуг, сприяють вільному пересуванню та підтримці рівних прав всередині ЄС.

Європейське посвідчення особи з інвалідністю

At a glance: a new law to protect the EU energy market; a workshop on humanitarian assistance for persons with disabilities and a study on the future of digitalisation in budgetary control.

News in Brief – 04/03/2024 - English

Be inspired by the story of Dieter Rogalla riding his bike to create a Europe without borders. Let’s listen as his son Frank tells us about Dieter’s dreams of integration and unity, and cooperation and peace across borders.

Eurogalla: Cycling for freedom

At a glance: a resolution to support Russia’s democratic opposition; a new list of environmental crimes and new related sanctions; and updated EU rules on driving licences.

News in Brief – 01/03/2024 - English

At a glance: the new law to restore 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas; Russian anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny commemorated in Strasbourg; and the need to strengthen the EU’s security and defence.

News in Brief – 29/02/2024 - English

At a glance: the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine commemorated in Strasbourg; revising the EU’s long-term budget; and the plenary debate with European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde.

News in Brief – 28/02/2024 - English

At a glance: Russian anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny commemorated in Strasbourg; reforms before the next round of EU enlargement; and new rules to enhance geographical indications.

News in Brief – 27/02/2024 - English

Today: the EU nature restoration law, new EU rules to protect journalists and activists, and Frankfurt’s selection as the seat of the AMLA, the EU’s new Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism.

News in Brief – 26/02/2024 - English

Ever since Russia launched an illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU has supported Kyiv by condemning Russia’s aggression, sanctioning those responsible and providing financial and material support.

Russia’s war against Ukraine

Відколи Росія розпочала незаконне повномасштабне вторгнення в Україну в лютому 2022 року, ЄС підтримує Київ, засуджуючи російську агресію, запроваджуючи санкції проти винних та надаючи фінансову і матеріальну підтримку.

Війна Росії проти України

Today: Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, will address the European Parliament in Strasbourg next week; Parliament’s Conference of Presidents expressed its outrage following the murder of the 2021 Sakharov Prize winner Navalny; and a preview of some of the topics on next week’s plenary session agenda.

News in Brief – 23/02/2024 - English

Today: MEPs are hearing testimonies from the Russian opposition after Alexei Navalny’s death; new rules to improve air quality in the EU; and International Mother Language Day.

News in Brief – 22/02/2024 - English

A European Energy Union will ensure that Europe has secure, affordable and climate-friendly energy.

Wiser energy use while fighting climate change is both a spur for new jobs and growth and an investment in Europe's future.

The state of the Energy Union shows progress made since the Energy Union Framework Strategy was adopted to bring about the transition to a low-carbon, secure and competitive economy. 
The “Clean Energy for all Europeans” package consists of several legislative proposals and three communications on the energy market, energy efficiency, renewables, eco-design and governance of the Energy Union.

Energy union -  8th parliamentary term

In line with the EU economic governance framework, Economic dialogues between the President of the Eurogroup and the European Parliament take place twice a year, at the beginning of the year and in the autumn.

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Mário Centeno, President of the Eurogroup, has been invited to a regular Economic Dialogue, in particular, in accordance with Article 2ab of Regulation 1466/97 as amended. This briefing provides an overview of the ongoing work of the Eurogroup as regards public finances, macro-economic imbalances, financial adjustment programmes and the banking union. Mário Centeno has been the Eurogroup President since January 2018. As the President of the Eurogroup, he is also chairing the Board of Governors of the European Stability Mechanism.

Economic dialogue - 8th Parliamentary term

Geo-blocking and other geographically-based restrictions undermine online shopping and cross-border sales. Proposed in May 2016 as part of the Digital Single Market, the Regulation to end unjustified geoblocking was identified as a legislative priority for 2017.

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For citizens this means they will be able to buy their new electrical goods online, rent a car or get their concert tickets across borders the same as they do at home. It will ensure that they no longer face barriers such as being asked to pay with a debit or credit card issued in another country. For businesses, this means more legal certainty to operate cross-border.

Geo-blocking - 8th parliamentary term

Mário Soares was a Portuguese lawyer and Socialist politician. He was President of Portugal when the country entered the European Union in 1986. Mário Soares was President of the European Movement International from 1997 to 1999, and Member of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2004.

Mario Soares

The Annual Report describes the tasks and activities of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and reports on the Eurosystem’s monetary policy.

It is usually published in April of the following year and is presented by one of the ECB’s Executive Board members to the European Parliament at a public hearing.

The Annual Report includes the Annual Accounts of the ECB. These are also published as a separate document several weeks before the Annual Report.

European Central Bank annual report - 8th parliamentary term

The setting up of the Single Aviation Market in the late 1990s has profoundly transformed the air transport industry and has greatly contributed to the strong growth in air transport in Europe over the past twenty years.

In numerous reports, and also particularly in its resolution of 14 February 1995 entitled ‘The way forward for civil aviation in Europe’, Parliament has emphasised the need for a common policy on air transport providing for greater and fairer competition among airlines. Parliament’s support for the establishment and proper functioning of the Single Aviation Market has therefore been constant. In so doing, however, Parliament has continuously stressed that the liberalisation of air transport must be implemented cautiously and gradually and must balance the interests of both consumersand the industry.

Air Transport - 8th parliamentary term

The Treaty of Lisbon has enhanced the importance of health policy, stipulating that ‘a high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community policies and activities’. This objective is to be achieved through Community support to Member States and by fostering cooperation. 
Primary responsibility for health protection and, in particular, the healthcare systems continues to lie with the Member States. However, the EU has an important role to play in improving public health, preventing and managing diseases, mitigating sources of danger to human health, and harmonising health strategies between Member States. The EU has successfully implemented a comprehensive policy, through the Health Strategy ‘Health for Growth’ and its action programme (2014-2020) and a body of secondary legislation.

Healthcare safety - 8th Parliamentary term

The war in Syria has taken 400 000 Syrian lives, thousands more have been injured and millions have been displaced

The conflict in Syria has its roots in structural and economic problems that were already widespread in Syria in the early 2000s. The Syrian regime, and its allies Russia and Iran are responsible under international law for the heinous crimes they continue to commit in Syria and the economic consequences of their military interventions.&nbsp;

Repeated regional and international attempts to end the war have failed. Efforts to find a political solution through the UN-led Geneva process must be renewed.

At the same time, the discussion about the future of Syria revolves around questions linked to the future of the Assad regime, territorial integrity of Syria, political accountability, the creation of safe zones, and the reconstruction work that will follow a potential peace agreement.

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Situation in Syria

A new set of rules for Audiovisual media services, including digital platforms, will be approved by the EP after an agreement reached by the EU institutions in April this year.

The revised legislation will apply to broadcasters, but also to video-on-demand and video-sharing platforms, such as Netflix, YouTube or Facebook; as well as to the live streaming on video-sharing platforms. EP negotiators managed to secure enhanced protection for children and at least 30% of European productions (currently at 20%) in the catalogue of TV channels and VOD platforms. Clearer and stricter rules on advertising will apply both for broadcasters and online platforms. Once the revised directive is published, the Member States will have 21 months to implement the directive into national law.

Audiovisual media services in the EU - 8th parliamentary term

Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancellor, is the twelfth EU leader to debate the future of Europe with MEPs and Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the EC, on Tuesday morning.

The Europeans want the EU to change. This is why the European Parliament is taking the leadership over a reform of the EU.

Parliament set out its vision for the future of Europe in three resolutions voted in plenary session on 16 February 2017. MEPs suggested, among other things:

<ul>
	<li>turning the Council of Ministers into a genuine second legislative chamber, and its configurations into preparatory bodies similar to Parliament’s committees,</li>
	<li>appointing an EU finance minister and giving the EU Commission the power to formulate and give effect to a common EU economic policy, backed up by a euro-area budget, and</li>
	<li>creating a fiscal capacity consisting of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and specific additional budgetary capacity for the euro area, funded by its members as a part of the EU budget.</li>
</ul>

Debate on the Future of Europe with Angela MERKEL, German Federal Chancello

EU rules ensure a minimum level of protection for passengers, irrespective of the mode of transport: flight, train, bus, coach or ship.

EU rail passenger rights rules have been in force since 2009. The EP’s Committee on Transport and Tourism responsible for the file, adopted its rapport on 9 October 2018. The report is due to be discussed in plenary during November 2018. Update of existing rules which aim to improve provision of information about passenger rights, clear deadlines and procedures for complaint handling, uniform application of the rules: long distance domestic and cross-border urban, suburban and regional services can no longer be exempted from the application of passenger rights rules.

In 2014, MEPs proposed new rules to improve air passenger rights. The new regulation is currently being discussed in the Council.

Passenger rights - 8th parliamentary term

From childhood to retirement, social policies are important at all stages of our lives.

Compared to the rest of the world, Europe has the best levels of social protection and also ranks highly in terms of quality of life and wellbeing. However, it faces a wide range of challenges.

The effects of the economic crisis are still deeply felt in many member states and, even though things have improved in many countries, great disparities remain within the EU. Unemployment rates are decreasing overall, but vary strongly among EU countries.

Low birth rates and an aging population also challenge the sustainability of welfare systems. Working life is being transformed due by technological innovation, globalisation and the rise of the services sector. New business models in the sharing economy with more flexible forms of working are becoming more important.

Social Europe (2020)

The COP 23 Conference on Climate Change, chaired by the Fiji, is held in Bonn, Germany from 6-17 November 2017. 

The program focuses on the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

COP 23

Road safety in the EU has improved significantly over the past decades, thanks to strong and effective action taken at EU, national and local level to address road user behaviour, vehicles and infrastructure. As a result the EU roads are the safest world-wide.

This increased safety can to a large extent be attributed to EU legislative requirements on safety of vehicles that have been introduced over these years as part of the EU policy on road safety. These vehicle safety requirements were also a boost to European research, development and innovation: when industry was faced with more ambitious requirements it found the ways to respond with innovative technical solutions.

Road safety (2019 - 2020)

In February 2014, with an overwhelming majority, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the Commission to submit legislative proposals aimed at improving the functioning of the European Arrest Warrant. In Parliament’s opinion, revision of the current legislation is needed to prevent miscarriages of justice, long waits in pre-trial detention and other breaches of suspects‘ human rights.

European Arrest Warrant - 8th parliamentary term

Pollution harms our health and our environment. It is the largest environmental cause of multiple mental and physical diseases and of premature deaths, especially among children, people with certain medical conditions and the elderly. It&nbsp;is also one of the main reasons for the loss of biodiversity.

The&nbsp;zero pollution vision for 2050&nbsp;is for air, water and soil pollution to be reduced to levels no longer considered harmful to health and natural ecosystems. It includes a series of 2030 targets to speed up reducing pollution at source.

On 12 May 2021, the European Commission adopted the&nbsp;Zero Pollution Action Plan: "Towards a Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil"&nbsp;- a key deliverable of the European Green Deal.&nbsp;

Air pollution

EP Plenary session - Deplorable escalation of violence around the football match in the Netherlands and the unacceptable attacks against Israeli football fans

Constitutive meeting of Delegation for relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, including the EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee and the EU-Kosovo

DSEE

Subcommittee meeting on Public Health

SANT

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

LIBE

Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

IMCO

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

ITRE

Committee on Fisheries

PECH

Committee on Foreign Affairs

AFET

Constitutive meeting of Delegations for relations with Israel

Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality

FEMM

Committee on Petitions

PETI

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

ECON

Constitutive meeting of Delegations for relations with the Federative Republic of Brazil

Constitutive meeting of Delegation to the Caribbean-EU Parliamentary Assembly

Constitutive meeting of Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

Committee on Development

DEVE

Joint DEVE/AFET/DROI presentation of Sakharov Prize candidates

DROI

EGOV MEM Preparatory meeting for the Monetary Dialogue of September 2024

Official visit to New York (United States) - Clinton Global Initiatives Spotlight Session: keynote speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at the United Nations General Assembly

EP Plenary session - EU-US relations in the light of the outcome of the US presidential elections

EP Plenary session - UN Climate Change Conference 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29)

Nikolaos ANADIOTIS in the EP in Strasbourg

Cesar LUENA in the EP in Brussels

Denis NESCI in the EP in Strasbourg

Delegation to the EU-North Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee Constitutive meeting

Delegation for relations with the Korean Peninsula Constitutive meeting

Delegations for relations with Japan

Friedrich PURNER in the EP in Strasbourg

Delegation to the EU-Türkiye Joint Parliamentary Committee Constitutive meeting

Delegations for relations with the countries of South Asia Constitutive meeting

Silvia SARDONE in the EP in Strasbourg

Delegations for relations with Afghanistan Constitutive meeting

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Wolfgang SOBOTKA, President of the Austrian National Council

Geadis GEADI in the EP in Strasbourg

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Esther LYNCH, ETUC General Secretary

Romana JERKOVIC in the EP in Strasbourg

EPRS vent - How speeches can bring trust in democracy

Delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly Constitutive meeting

The ESF+ aims to invest in people and create a more social and inclusive Europe. Parliament wants to make sure that all children have a fair start, young people get a chance at quality employment through training and apprenticeships and vulnerable populations are supported.

European Social Fund Plus: helping the most vulnerable

After an absence of more than a year due to the pandemic, Parliament will hold its first hybrid plenary in Strasbourg. On the agenda, making EU travel easier, celebrating European cinema with the LUX Audience Award, international cooperation and development and much more.

Coming up in plenary: Digital Covid Certificate, the LUX Award, biodiversity and more

Freedom of movement across Europe has been curtailed over the last year. The European Parliament backs an EU Digital Covid Certificate that will make travelling easier. But what is it, exactly?

EU Digital Covid Certificate: Freedom of movement, safely

The EU is the world’s biggest investor in development. European finance and support transform lives every day. Global Europe is a €79.5 billion programme, which brings together all of the EU’s development funding.

Global Europe: €79.5 billion to support development around the world

Parliament debated whether Covid-19 vaccine patents should be waived and adopted a more inclusive Erasmus+ programme. Climate was also on the agenda: MEPs approved the Just Transition Fund to help regions adapt to the green transition, and urged the EU to do more to protect environmental activists. MEPs also discussed the escalation of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Plenary highlights: Covid-19 vaccine patents, Erasmus+ and the environment

Europe has so much to offer when it comes to culture - be it cinema, grand opera, ballet or music festivals… But the sector has suffered during the pandemic and the European Parliament is set on helping performers, artists and cultural workers beyond the crisis. The Creative Europe programme provides funding for cultural projects with a European added value and ideas that help promote equality.

From ballet to breakbeat: supporting Europe's creativity

Parliament will vote on legislation to support the shift to a carbon-neutral economy and propose strategies for hydrogen and energy systems. The chamber will vote on more support for the cultural sector and two major youth programmes – the European Solidarity Corps and Erasmus+. All that and more, coming up in plenary.

Coming up in plenary: youth programmes, decarbonising the economy and culture

The Conference on the Future of Europe has begun! Over the coming year Europeans of all ages, from all walks of life are being asked to join the biggest participatory process ever held in the European Union.

The Conference on the Future of Europe kicks off in Strasbourg

The European Parliament is inviting people to take part in the Conference on the Future of Europe. Make your voice heard and debate the things that matter to you: climate, human rights, migration, economy... nothing is off limits! MEPs will be helping to steer the Conference. Meet executive board co-chair, Guy Verhofstadt.

Guy Verhofstadt - “The Conference will make Europe stronger”

The European Parliament is inviting people to take part in the Conference on the Future of Europe. Make your voice heard and debate the things that matter to you: climate, human rights, migration, economy... nothing is off limits! MEPs will be helping to steer the Conference. Meet executive board member, Manfred Weber.

Manfred Weber – “The basic principle of the EU is democracy“

The European Parliament is inviting people to take part in the Conference on the Future of Europe. Make your voice heard and debate the things that matter to you: climate, human rights, migration, economy... nothing is off limits! MEPs will be helping to steer the Conference. Meet executive board member Iratxe García Pérez.

Iratxe García Pérez - “The role of the citizens is essential”

The European Parliament is inviting people to take part in the Conference on the Future of Europe. Make your voice heard and debate the things that matter to you: climate, human rights, migration, economy... nothing is off limits! MEPs will be helping to steer the Conference. Meet executive board observer Gerolf Annemans.

Gerolf Annemans – “Enormous potential for real debate”

The European Parliament is inviting people to take part in the Conference on the Future of Europe. Make your voice heard and debate the things that matter to you: climate, human rights, migration, economy... nothing is off limits! MEPs will be helping to steer the Conference. Meet executive board observer Daniel Freund.

Daniel Freund – “No idea is too big”

The European Parliament is inviting people to take part in the Conference on the Future of Europe. Make your voice heard and debate the things that matter to you: climate, human rights, migration, economy... nothing is off limits! MEPs will be helping to steer the Conference. Meet executive board observer Zdzisław Krasnodębski.

Zdzisław Krasnodębski – “An experiment in direct democracy”

The European Parliament is inviting people to take part in the Conference on the Future of Europe. Make your voice heard and debate the things that matter to you: climate, human rights, migration, economy... nothing is off limits! MEPs will be helping to steer the Conference. Meet executive board observer Helmut Scholz.

Helmut Scholz – “A conference in all honesty”

Parliament overwhelmingly approved the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the UK and also discussed the EU Covid-19 certificate. The research programme Horizon Europe and the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism will receive a boost in funding, while members also pushed to make international tax rules fairer.

Plenary highlights: EU-UK agreement, Covid-19 certificates and digital taxation

The EU and the UK have concluded a deal to serve as the basis for trade and cooperation following the country's departure from the Union. But what does this mean in practice? What does it cover? And how does it affect Europeans?

EU-UK: a new partnership

Parliament will set out its position on the Digital Green Certificate and vote on the ratification of the UK trade and cooperation agreement. Members will also examine and vote on the Horizon Europe programme, new rules cracking down on terrorist content online and better rights for train passengers. All that and more, coming up in plenary.

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