Press conference on the situation in Hungary and the rule of law

Plenary session in Strasbourg from  the 7th of October to the 10th.

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

MEPs discuss the December European Council, the 1 February Special summit and assess the situation in Hungary with the European Council's and Commission's presidents. During their meeting on 14 - 15 December, heads of state or government agreed, among other things, to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and grant candidate status to Georgia. Second part of MEPs debate.

Joint debate on European Council meetings: MEP debate (part 2)

MEPs vote on the following topics: Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2022 - Agius Saliba; Negotiations on a status agreement on operational activities carried out by Frontex in Mauritania - Strik; Implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement - Kelly, Schieder; Report on better law-making covering 2020, 2021 and 2022 - Rinzema; and Monitoring the application of EU law in 2020, 2021 and 2022 - Rinzema

Voting session

The European Union has found new impetus for enlargement in the wake of Russia’s war on Ukraine, leading to progress in the long-stalled process that was once known as the EU’s most successful policy. A year ago, the EU granted Ukraine and Moldova official EU candidate status, and also opened this possibility for Georgia. MEPs debate on the EU enlargement policy 2023 during the plenary session in Brussels. MEPs debate

Commission statement - EU enlargement policy 2023: MEPs debate

MEPs debate on the conclusions adopted by the European Council meeting of 26-27 October 2023 and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for a humanitarian pause. During their meeting, EU heads of state or government assessed the situation in Israel and Gaza, following Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel on 7 October and the subsequent Israeli military response in the Gaza Strip. Russia’s war against Ukraine and the EU’s continued support for the country, the revision of the EU’s 2024-2027 long-term budget and the economic situation in the EU were also discussed by leaders. The progress in negotiations between Council and Parliament on the reform of the asylum and migration system was also on the table. Second part of the debate.

Joint debate - Conclusions of the European Council and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for a humanitarian pause: MEPs debate (part 2)

The Parliament debates on the current situation in Afghanistan, whereas the human rights situation continues to deteriorate alarmingly, with high levels of human rights violations including torture and killings and attacks against minority groups. Moreover, Afghanistan continues to be the most repressive country in the world for women and girls after the Taliban takeover.

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144): Human rights situation in Afghanistan, in particular the persecution of former government officials

The Plenary discusses the need for a speedy adoption of a comprehensive European pact on asylum and migration as well as challenges in member states. In the context of continued arrivals of refugees and migrants to the EU by sea, MEPs will debate with the Spanish Council Presidency and the Commission the state of play of negotiations on the new European rules on migration and asylum. The situation in some countries, such as Italy –and particularly on the island of Lampedusa- could feature prominently. MEPs debate (part 1)

The need for a speedy adoption of the asylum and migration package: MEPs debate (part 1)

The Parlamentarians discuss the strengthening of EU cooperation with Tunisia on migration. Following an increase in arrivals of migrants by boat from Tunisia via the Central Mediterranean route, MEPs will with the Spanish Council Presidency and the Commission the recent memorandum of understanding between the EU and Tunisia. MEPs are expected to raise questions about the scope of the cooperation and its legal status. They are also interested in the measures to fight smuggling and to improve cooperation on search and rescue at sea.

EU-Tunisia Agreement - aspects related to external migration policy: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs discuss the EU’s capabilities for search and rescue operations of migrants at sea. In the context of the high human toll of migrant casualties at sea and the recent tragic shipwreck off the Greek coast, MEPs debate the prospect of more EU action to support rescue naval operations on the Mediterranean migration routes. Extracts from the debate.

The need on EU action on search an rescue in the Mediterranean: extracts from the debate

In the context of the high human toll of migrant casualties at sea and the recent tragic shipwreck off the Greek coast, MEPs discuss the EU’s capabilities for search and rescue operations of migrants at sea and prospect of more EU action to support rescue naval operations on the Mediterranean migration routes. They also debate the role of NGO sea rescue boats, disembarkations in designated places of safety, alleged pushbacks by Member States, the implementation of an action plan announced by Commissioner Johansson in November 2022, and cooperation with third countries like Tunisia and Libya. First part of MEPs debate.

The need for EU action on search and rescue in the Mediterranean: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate the 2022 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) m by the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET). The report welcomes the European Council's decision to grant candidate status to BiH in the context of a changed geopolitical reality, on the understanding that a number of steps are taken to strengthen the country’s readiness for accession negotiations; reiterates its clear support for BiH’s EU integration, grounded in unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The report also recognises the importance of the Western Balkans in the EU’s enlargement policy, and urges the EU to accelerate the accession process for BiH, based on its own merits. MEPs debate

2022 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina: MEPs debate

The 2023 Rule of Law Report, including its 27 country chapters, examines developments across all Member States, both positive and negative, in four key areas for the rule of law: the justice system, the anti-corruption framework, media pluralism and freedom, and other institutional issues related to checks and balances. The country chapters, which rely on a qualitative assessment carried out by the Commission, analyse new developments since the previous Report and the follow-up to the challenges and developments identified in the 2022 edition.

2023 Annual Rule of law report: MEPs debate

MEPs of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) discuss with Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, and Hans LEIJTENS, Frontex's Executive director, about the migrant boat shipwreck off the coastal town of Pylos (Greece), where on June 14 at least 79 migrants drowned and hundreds more were missing.

Exchange of views on the migrant boat shipwreck off the coast of Greece: extracts

MEPs present their demands and expectations ahead of the EU summit on 29-30 June in a debate with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Commission. At their meeting in Brussels, heads of state or government set to focus on the latest developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine, such as the destruction of the Kakhovka dam over the Dnipro river and the resulting humanitarian and ecological disaster. They are also discuss other topics, such as economic and budgetary policies, migration and EU relations with third countries. MEPs debate (part 2)

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 29-30 June 2023: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. In particular, on the crackdown on the right to education and education rights activists in Afghanistan, including the case of Matiullah Wesa. Closing statement by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

The crackdown on the right to education and education rights activists in Afghanistan, including the case of Matiullah Wesa

MEPs debate on the current situation in Italy regarding the management of migrants who arrived in Italy through the Central Mediterranean route from Northern Africa. First part of the debate.

The need for a European solidarity in saving lives in the Mediterranean, in particular in Italy: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate and vote on the latest Commission report on the respect for core EU values across member states. MEPs are set to confirm that the Commission’s reporting has improved, but that rule of law is deteriorating and that specific concerns persist in several EU countries.

2022 Rule of Law report - the Rule of Law situation in the European Union: MEPs debate

MEPs take stock of solidarity and responsibility sharing in Europe as regards migration and asylum policy. The debate focuses on how to advance on the reform of the common EU migration and asylum rules, following the November 2022 action plan by the Commission for the Central Mediterranean route and the February extraordinary European Council. First part of the debate.

Deaths at sea - a common EU response to save lives and action to ensure safe and legal pathways: MEPs debate (part 1)

The President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda addresses MEPs and shares his views on Europe’s current situation, challenges, and future direction. One round Political group leaders and MEPs debate.

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