In the European Union, democracy may seem obvious to us today. But this has not always been the case. Not so long ago, millions of Europeans lived through times when they could not vote or even speak up freely. When their very lives could be in danger simply for being different, for holding different beliefs or for wanting a different life. Democracy is a precious gift passed on to us from previous generations. They aspired towards it and fought for it. Now it is up to us to maintain it, to make it stronger and pass it on to the generations to come. The most effective way to do so is by voting - because the more people vote, the stronger democracy becomes. On June 6-9 2024: Use your vote or others will decide for you.

© ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Dutch (Belgium)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Turkish

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Swedish (Finland)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Luxembourgish

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - French (Belgium)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - German (Luxembourg)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - German (Austria)

At a glance: the 20th anniversary of the biggest EU enlargement; President Metsola visit to Malta and Europe’s Days.

News in Brief – 30/04/2024 - English

In the European Union, democracy may seem obvious to us today. But this has not always been the case. Not so long ago, millions of Europeans lived through times when they could not vote or even speak up freely. When their very lives could be in danger simply for being different, for holding different beliefs or for wanting a different life. Democracy is a precious gift passed on to us from previous generations. They aspired towards it and fought for it. Now it is up to us to maintain it, to make it stronger and pass it on to the generations to come. The most effective way to do so is by voting - because the more people vote, the stronger democracy becomes. On June 6-9 2024: Use your vote or others will decide for you. © ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Valencian

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Galician

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Basque

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Catalan

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot

At a glance: the first ever EU rules on combating violence against women; the EU Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities; and a new law to improve air quality.

News in Brief – 29/04/2024 - English

At a glance: Europe Day at the European Parliament in Strasbourg; Parliament’s final plenary session before the European elections; and celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement.

News in Brief – 27/04/2024 - English

It’s time to vote! Between 6 and 9 June this year, millions of EU citizens will help shape the future of the European Union by voting in the European elections. The European Parliament is the only directly elected EU body and the European elections are one of the biggest democratic events in the world. Join us in this episode as we take a closer look at how the seats are divided amongst member states.

The European elections explained: how are the seats divided?

From July to December 2017, Estonia holds the Presidency of the EU Council for the first time, following the Maltese and preceding the Bulgarian Presidency.

The&nbsp; Presidency of the Council rotates among the EU Member States every 6 months. During the 6-month period, the presidency chairs meeting at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU's&nbsp; work in the Council.

Estonian Presidency

Since the onset of the economic crisis, the EP has strongly supported the creation of a Youth Guarantee scheme, which was finally adopted in April 2013 as the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI).

The Youth Guarantee is a commitment by all Member States to ensure that all young people under the age of 25 years receive a good quality offer of employment, continued education, apprenticeship, traineeship, within a period of four months of becoming unemployed or leaving formal education.

The Youth Guarantee has become a reality across the EU and has helped to improve the lives of millions of young Europeans.

Youth Employment

EU citizens are becoming increasingly concerned that all kinds of production systems and other activities should be sustainable.Animal welfare is an important aspect of sustainability,and also of product quality, and may result in consumers refusing to buy products. 

The welfare of an individual is its state as regards its attempts to cope with its environment. Welfare includes feelings and health and can be measured scientifically. It is a biological concept, quite different from rights, and refers only to living animals.

Animal welfare (2019 - 2020)

<center>Image: ©Clara</center>

 

International Women’s Day is held every year on 8 March. Equality between women and men is one of the objectives of the European Union.

Over time, legislation, case-law and changes to the Treates have helped shore up this principle and its implementation in the EU. The European Parliament has always been a fervent defender of the principle of equality between men and women.

On this occassion, Ivana Andrés and Alba Redondo from the Spanish women’s national football team, which won the 2023 World Cup addressed the EP Plenary in Strasbourg on 12 March 2024.

President Metsola said International Women’s Day is not only a moment to recognise the achievements of women and girls across the world. It should also be a call to action to strengthen gender equality across all spheres of our society. Seeing it as an invitation for societies to do better, President Metsola said: “The time is now for the European Union to lead by example - to set standards in criminalising violence against women, to improve access to justice, and to ratify the Istanbul Convention before the end of this term.

International Women’s Day

The Republic of Estonia obtained it's independence in 1991 and entered the EU on the 1st May 2004

After the signature of a European agreement and the filing of an application in 1995, the accession negotiations began in March 1998. Reforms have been undertaken during all the accession process to improve the national economic performance. The entry of Estonia in the EU was approved by referendum by a large majority on 14th September 2003.

Estonia has 6 MEPs, is represented by 4 voices to the Council and it adopted the Euro on the 1st January 2011. On 15 November 2007, the application of the Schengen acquis to Estonia is approved in plenary session.

EU - Estonia (8th parliamentary term)

The Netherlands is a founding member of the European Union.
The Netherlands is a member of the eurozone since 1 January 1999 and of the Schengen area since 26 March 1995.

The Netherlands is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a head of government - the prime minister - and a head of state - the monarch. There are 26 members of the European Parliament from the Netherlands.

EU - Netherlands

The EU is currently updating its 1995 trade defence law to counter unfair trade practices and reflect the changing needs of European businesses, workers and consumers. 

The proposed measures target unfair trade practices from non-EU countries and complement the recently approved anti-dumping rules focusing on third countries that interfere heavily in the economy - focusing on China.

EU trade defence

Colombia is a key partner for the European Union in Latin America.

The EU's relations with Colombia are based on political dialogue, trade cooperation, joint efforts to achieve sustainable development and support to peace-building.

In particular, the European Union has supported peace negotiations between the Colombian authorities and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) since the very beginning. The fight against organised crime, the respect for human rights, climate change and the protection of biodiversity are common challenges that the European Union and Colombia wish to address. However, the highest priority for both parties now is the pursuit of stable and lasting peace.

EU - Colombia

Taking into account technological developments on telecommunications markets and changes in consumer demands and habits, and in order to stimulate the investment necessary for reaching the connectivity targets for 2025, the European Commission proposed the Electronic Communications Code on 14 September 2016. The Code establishes common EU rules and objectives on regulating the telecom industry. It defines how providers of networks and/or services can be regulated by national authorities.

&nbsp;

The ITRE Committee voted to open trilogue negotiations (a decision confirmed in October II 2017 plenary session) and a first meeting with the Council has taken place. Parliament and Council (EU co-legislators) provisionally agreed on a reform of EU telecom rules that aims to boost the investments needed to make 5G connectivity available for all EU citizens by 2020, enhance protection of users and introduce a cap on disproportionate fees on calls between EU countries. According to the provisional deal, the fees for intra-EU calls are capped to 19 cents for phone calls and 6 cents for text messages.

Telecom

Diplomatic relations between the EU and the U.S. date back to 1953.

 
The relationship between the EU and the United States is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. The EU and U.S. are the biggest economic and military powers in the world, dominate global trade, play the leading roles in international political relations.

EU - USA - 8th Parliamentary term

EU rules are needed to better protect and support whistle-blowers and their role in revealing serious breaches of the public interest, such as corruption, miscarriages of justice, tax avoidance, lack of protection for food safety or the environment and attacks on social, human or workers’ rights.

Whistle-blowers have proved to be a crucial resource in revealing harm to the public interest.

Protection of whistleblowers - 8th parliamentary term

Artificial intelligence (AI) raises a number of ethical and political challenges for the present and near future, with driverless cars and search engines in the news.

Potential issues range from job disruption to privacy violations. Over a longer term, if AI becomes as or more intelligent than humans, other governance issues such as safety and control may increase in importance.

Robotics and artificial intelligence - 8th parliamentary term

The omnipresence of information systems across all sectors and in human daily life leaves society exposed to numerous types of cyber risks that might have profound impact not only on the digital sphere, but also on the off-line world. Revelations of surveillance activities and cyber incidents have left no doubt about the vulnerability of Europe, both in its use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and in its own supply of technologies and solutions

In September 2017, the Commission adopted a cybersecurity package with new initiatives to further improve EU cyber-resilience, deterrence and defence. As part of these, the Commission tabled a legislative proposal to strengthen the EU Agency for Network Information Security (ENISA).

Cybersecurity - 8th parliamentary term

EU-Russia relations have been strained since 2014 because of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, support for rebel groups in eastern Ukraine, policies in the neighbourhood, disinformation campaigns and negative internal developments.

Russia has adopted assertive international positions and tensions have worsened over Russian intervention in Syria. The EU has regularly renewed sanctions against Russia since 2014. The EU and Russia remain closely interdependent and the EU applies a ‘selective engagement’ approach.

EU - Russia - 8th parliamentary term

This package contains the events of 2019 and 2020. For latest events, see related links.

Diplomatic relations between the EU and the U.S. date back to 1953. 
The relationship between the EU and the United States is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. The EU and U.S. are the biggest economic and military powers in the world, dominate global trade, play the leading roles in international political relations.

EU - USA (2019-2020)

Lord Henry Plumb, former EP President

Plenary discusses the latest ruling by the International Court of Justice regarding Israel and the alleged involvement of UNRWA staff in the 7 October attacks

The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take a series of measures to prevent any acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, after South Africa filed an application against Israel at the court in December 2023. It also ordered Israel to take immediate and effective measures to ensure  aid can reach  people in Gaza.

During the debate with the Council and the European Commission on Tuesday afternoon, MEPs also discuss the  allegations  that 12 staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA ) were involved in the 7 October attacks against Israel. While several donor countries have suspended their UNRWA funding, the EU said it will take a decision in light of the outcome of the investigation announced by the UN and its subsequent  actions. In a statement on 29 January, the Commission said EU humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank will continue uninterrupted through partner organisations.

Plenary debate - War in Gaza

Press conference - Political advertising

Parliament is set to approve new rules aiming to protect the environment in the EU through criminal law.

Following a debate on Monday, MEPs are expected to give their final green light to a new directive on environmental crime, as agreed with the member states in November 2023, on Tuesday. The new law provides an updated list of environmental crimes including illegal timber trade, depletion of water resources or breaches of EU chemicals legislation. It also introduces the so-called qualified offence of causing the destruction of an ecosystem, such as large-scale forest fires, and thus comparable to ecocide.

Individual offenders, including company representatives, can face prison sentences of up to five or ten years depending on the severity of the crime. They will also be required to reinstate the environment they destroyed and compensate for the damage. Companies can also face fines of up to 5% of their worldwide turnover or 40 million euro.

Background

The new legislation aims to tackle the rising number of environmental crimes in the EU. Environmental crime is the fourth largest criminal activity in the world and is one of the main sources of income for organised crime alongside drugs, weapons and human trafficking.

Press conference -  Environmental crime directive

Press conference - Outcome of the MFF revision vote

To improve road safety and support the digital transition, MEPs debate and vote (on Wednesday) on updating driving licence rules, introducing mobile licences and mandatory health checks.

Plenary debate - New rules on driving licences

MEPs debate with European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde inflation, efforts to curb it, and possible interest rate cuts. During the annual plenary debate, MEPs concentrate on what happens next once inflation settles at the ECB’s 2% target and pay particular attention to the continuing significant divergences in inflation rates between member states. This is the last debate in the European Parliament for Ms Lagarde before the 6-9 June  European elections.

Plenary debate - European Central Bank: annual report 2023

Parliament’s Spokesperson holds a press briefing on the plenary session.

Last-minute briefing

EP Press Service organizes a technical briefing for media on how to cover the 6-9 June European elections. It includes information on the Elections Press Tool Kit, “unfinished business” and first milestones of the next legislature, “What Europe Does For Me” database, European election data and the election days and night

100 days to the European elections

EP Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (D-RU) exchange views on the inhuman detention and death of Alexei NAVALNY, 2021 Sakharov Price Laureate.

MEPs also discuss the state of Russia’s democratic opposition movement ahead of the country’s presidential elections scheduled for 15-17 March 2024, as well as the situation of all those Russian opposition voices currently behind bars.

The following guests give testimonies to MEPs: Leonid Volkov, Chief of staff of Alexei Navalny, Anti-Corruption Foundation: Evgenia Kara-Murza, Advocacy Director at the Free Russia Foundation, wife of political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza: Vladimir Milov, Vice-President of the Free Russia Foundation, former Vice-Minister of Energy of Russia

AFET/DROI debate on Alexei Navalny´s death

EP President Metsola meets the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze

EP President Roberta Metsola, meets with Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic and they speak to the press. She meets with Ms Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of the Hellenic Republic and Mr Constantine Tassoulas, President of the Hellenic Parliament. She delivers the keynote speech "The EU ahead of the European Elections" at the Hellenic Parliament and holds a Town Hall Discussion with young people, at the Athens Conservatory.

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Athens (Greece)

Roberta Metsola, EP President, visits to ARQ group in Birkirkara and the Atelier del Restauro in Naxxar.

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta

EP President Roberta Metsola meets the Mayor of Gdansk, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, participates in a Town Hall discussion with young people and visits the European Solidarity Centre. The President also  meets Lech Wałęsa, former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and lays flowers at the Monument of Fallen Shipyard Workers.

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Gdansk)

ECON debate with ECB President Christine Lagarde

EP President Roberta Metsola visits the Warsaw Rising Museum,meets the Prime Minister of Poland and jointly speak to the press. She also meets the Marshal of the Senate of Poland, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska,  addresses the Senate of Poland,  meets the Marshal of the Sejm of Poland, Szymon Hołownia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Radoslaw Sikorski and participates in a Town Hall discussion with young people.The President also inaugurates the Europe Experience in Warsaw and delivers the Keynote Address of the Academic Year at the College of Europe in Natolin.

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland (Warsaw)

President Metsola meets the President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic, Markéta Pekarová Adamová and they jointly speak to the press. She then meets the President of the Senate of Czech Republic, Miloš Vystrčil, the President of Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala and they hold a press point. She also participates in a Town Hall discussion with young people

Official visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Czech Republic

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee votes on an update to EU rules on the safety of toys to better protect children and tackle the new challenges brought about by e-commerce and new technologies such as AI. The proposed regulation introduces new bans on the most harmful chemicals such as endocrine disruptors and a digital product passport to facilitate safety checks

IMCO vote on Toy safety

AGRI Committee MEPs debate with EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on the impact of trade in EU agriculture.

AGRI debate on the impact of trade in EU agriculture

EP Plenary session - Need to update the European strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities

Press point by Adrian-Dragoş BENEA (S&D, Romania), Chair of REGI, following the confirmation hearing of Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms

Press point by David MCALLISTER (EPP, Germany), Chair of AFET, following the confirmation hearing of Kaja KALLAS, Executive-President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Euroscola

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

LIBE

President Metsola addresses a conference on bringing home Ukrainian children

Committee on Budgetary Control

CONT

Confirmation hearing of Kaja KALLAS, Commissioner-designate, Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

DROI

AFET

INTA

FEMM

DEVE

SEDE

Confirmation hearing of Raffaele FITTO, Commissioner-designate, Cohesion and Reforms

ECON

TRAN

BUDG

EMPL

PECH

REGI

AGRI

Joint committee on Budgetary Control and committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

Press point by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification

Press point by Aurore LALUCQ (S&D, France), Chair of ECON, following the confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification

Press point by Piotr Arkadiusz SERAFIN, Commissioner-designate for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration

Press point by Johan VAN OVERVELDT (ECR, Belgium), Chair of BUDG, and Niclas HERBST (EPP, Germany), Chair of CONT, following the confirmation hearing of Piotr SERAFIN, Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration

Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification

FISC

AFCO

JURI

IMCO

Confirmation hearing of Piotr Arkadiusz SERAFIN, Commissioner-designate, Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration

Press point by Marta KOS, Commissioner-designate for Enlargement

Press point by David MCALLISTER (EPP, Germany), Chair of AFET, following the confirmation hearing of Marta KOS, Commissioner-designate for Enlargement

Pre- summit EPP

EP Plenary session - Rise of energy prices and fighting energy poverty

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Joakim STRAND, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering of Finland

LEX signing ceremony in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and János BÓKA, Minister for European Affairs, on behalf of the Hungarian Presidency

EP Plenary session - Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea

EP Plenary session - Stepping up the fight against and the prevention of the recruitment of minors for criminal acts

EP and EC joint press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission following the Parliament’s vote on the College of Commissioners

EP Plenary session - The New European Competitiveness Deal - A future for the farming and manufacturing sectors in the EU

EP Plenary session - Voting session - General Budget 2025

New College of Commissioners family photo.

EP Plenary session - Voting session - Election of the College of Commissioners

EP Plenary session - Presentation by the Commission President elect of the College of Commissioners and its programme

Meeting of the Conference of Presidents

EP Plenary session - Urgent need to tackle the gender pay gap

EP Plenary session - Political and humanitarian situation in Mozambique

EP Plenary session - Prison condition in the EU

EP Plenary session - Full accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area: the urgent need to lift controls at internal land borders

EP Plenary session - Outcome of COP 29 and challenges for international climate policy

EP Plenary session - The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages

1000 days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. European, Ukrainian flags at the EP buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg to show support to Ukraine

1000 days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine - European, Ukrainian flags at the EP buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg to show support to Ukraine

Closing remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President of the extraordinary session to mark 1000 days of the bravery and courage of the people of Ukraine. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is intervening remotely with a special address from Ukraine.

1000 days of Russia´s invasion of Ukraine - Extraordinary Plenary Sitting : Closing remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President opening an extraordinary session to mark 1000 days of the bravery and courage of the people of Ukraine. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is intervening remotely with a special address from Ukraine.

1000 days of Russia´s invasion of Ukraine - Extraordinary Plenary Sitting : Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Address by Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine to the EP during the extraordinary session to mark 1000 days of the bravery and courage of the people of Ukraine. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is intervening remotely with a special address from Ukraine.

1000 days of Russia´s invasion of Ukraine - Extraordinary Plenary Sitting : Address by Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine - FULL

This Infoclip shows rescue services after Russia's air strike in Kharkiv.

Infoclip: Rescue services after Russia's air strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine

One round of political group leaders during the extraordinary session to mark 1000 days of the bravery and courage of the people of Ukraine. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is intervening remotely with a special address from Ukraine. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

1000 days of Russia´s invasion of Ukraine - Extraordinary Plenary Sitting : One round of political group leaders

1000 days of Russia´s invasion of Ukraine - Extraordinary Plenary Sitting : Address by Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine

To mark 1000 days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Parliament holds an extroardinary plenary session in Brussels. The video clip showcases images of Ukraine and looks back at the EP's full support.

1000 days of Russia´s invasion of Ukraine - Extraordinary Plenary Sitting : Video-Clip: 1000 Days of War in Ukraine

This news item contains extracts from the speeches of Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine as well as EP political group speakers. The Members of the European Parliament gather in Brussels in an extraordinary session to mark 1000 days of the bravery and courage of the people of Ukraine. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is intervening remotely with a special address from Ukraine. In its last resolution in July, the EP has reaffirmed that the EU must continue to support Kyiv for as long as it takes until victory. The text restates the continued support of MEPs for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

1000 days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine: extracts from the EP extraordinary plenary session

This Infoclip marks 1000 days of the bravery and courage of the people of Ukraine. Due to Russia's attack, Ukraine has been experiencing a major energy production deficit. Over the course of 2022 and 2023, about half of Ukraine’s power generation capacity was either occupied by Russian forces, destroyed or damaged – and approximately half of large network substations were damaged by missiles and drones. The energy crisis, that was bearable in the summer months, may become unbearable when temperatures start to fall and supplies of heat and water falter, triggering further displacement of affected populations across the country and abroad (Source: IEA)

Infoclip: Energy infrastructure under attack in Kyiv, Ukraine

This infoclip shows views of the city of Lviv (Ukraine) and the Unbroken National Rehabilitation Center, which provides a variety of services including treatment, prosthetics, physical and psychological rehabilitation, housing and reintegration after the Russian aggression to Ukraine.This footage also shows buildings destroyed by shelling and shrapnel, works in progress to rebuild neighbors, Ukrainian citizens walking the streets and the statement of a former soldier who lost his hand. This infoclip marks 1000 days of the bravery and courage of the people of Ukraine.

Infoclip: Rebuilding homes and rehabilitation of injured soldiers in Lviv (Ukraine)

This news items shows ambiances shots of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), which takes place from 11 to 22 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, bringing together global leaders and climate experts to establish a new post-2025 framework for climate finance and advance international climate action. The European Parliament contributes to discussions on EU climate commitments, financial support for sustainable development, and a fair climate finance goal that aligns with the polluter-pays principle and leverages diverse financial resources. The European Parliament underscores the importance of this conference as an opportunity for the European Union to strengthen climate finance, particularly for vulnerable regions, and to support a stable mechanism for reliable, predictable climate funding.

Infoclip: European Parliament delegation to COP 29

This news items shows a statement by Lídia PEREIRA (EPP, PT), Chair of the EP Delegation, and meetings with delegations during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29). It takes place from 11 to 22 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, bringing together global leaders and climate experts to establish a new post-2025 framework for climate finance and advance international climate action. The European Parliament contributes to discussions on EU climate commitments, financial support for sustainable development, and a fair climate finance goal that aligns with the polluter-pays principle and leverages diverse financial resources. The European Parliament underscores the importance of this conference as an opportunity for the European Union to strengthen climate finance, particularly for vulnerable regions, and to support a stable mechanism for reliable, predictable climate funding.

European Parliament Delegation to COP29: statement by Lídia PEREIRA (EPP, PT), Chair of the EP Delegation and meetings with delegations

This News items shows the arrival of Marcel CIOLACU, Romanian Prime Minister at the European Parliament, his welcome by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and the roundtable of their meeting.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Marcel CIOLACU, Romanian Prime Minister: arrival, welcome and roundtable

MEPs vote on the following topics: MRs - UN Climate Change Conference 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29); and MRs - EU actions against the Russian shadow fleets and ensuring a full enforcement of sanctions against Russia (Debate: 23/10/2024).

Voting session part 2

MEPs vote on the following topics: Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 and Regulation (EU) 2021/1057; AGRI - Specific measures under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) to provide additional assistance to Member States affected by natural disasters; ENVI - Deforestation Regulation: provisions relating to the date of application; (A10-0012/2024) LALUCQ ECON - Electronic value added tax exemption certificate; (A10-0011/2024) DORFMANN ECON - Faster and Safer Relief of Excess Withholding Taxes (Vote: 28/02/2024); and (A10-0013/2024) STREIT BUDG - Amendment of the EIB's Statute.

Voting session part 1

Podcast teaser of 'Then and Now', a trip through the history of direct elections to the European Parliament.

Then and Now (podcast)

The EU’s recent report on strengthening Europe’s civilian and defense preparedness addresses the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising geopolitical tensions, and climate impacts. It emphasizes a unified approach to crisis management, with stronger cooperation across EU member states and greater integration of civilian and military roles. To enhance security across Europe, the report recommends improving cross-border coordination, speeding up crisis response, and increasing public awareness and engagement. It also stresses the importance of partnerships, particularly with NATO and allies like Ukraine, in facing multifaceted threats. Citizens and private sectors are crucial in building resilience, whether through voluntary involvement or the provision of critical infrastructure.

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