DEVE - The humanitarian situation in Lebanon - Exchange of views with the Commission and humanitarian partners

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Escalation of violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon

EP Plenary session - One year after the 7 October terrorist attacks by Hamas

Delegation to the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly Connstitutive meeting

MEPs present their demands and expectations one day ahead of the EU summit on 14-15 December. At their meeting in Brussels, heads of state or government focus on the latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and continued EU support for the country and its people, on the situation in the Middle East and on EU enlargement policy, including the stabilisation and association process. They also discuss the EU’s long-term 2021-2027 budget with a view to reaching an agreement, security and defence issues as well as external relations.

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 14-15 December 2023: MEPs debate

After the opening statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, MEPs debate on the need to release all hostages, to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire and prospect of the two-state solution.

Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union - Need to release all hostages, to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire and prospect of the two-state solution: MEPs debate part 1

Following Hamas’ deadly attack against Israel on 7 October 2023, which claimed the lives of around 1,200 people and resulted in more than 200 people being taken hostage, Israel declared war against the terrorist group. It began striking the Gaza Strip from the air, later sending ground forces into the sealed-off coastal enclave. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 11,000 Palestinians, including a large number of civilians, have so far been killed. MEPs take stock of the latest developments, and discuss the regional and global implications of the renewed hostilities as well as the prospects for peace and security in the Middle East.

Key debate - Humanitarian situation in Gaza: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs put forward draft changes to the EU’s core rules, following up on the Conference on the Future of Europe and reacting to unprecedented challenges. The text, prepared in the Committee on Constitutional Affairs by five co-rapporteurs representing a broad majority, includes a more bicameral system, as well as granting Parliament the full right to initiate legislation and the right to co-legislate on the EU’s long-term budget. It also calls for an increase in the number of decisions taken by qualified majority in the Council. Opening statements by Rapporteurs and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Opening statements by Hilde VAUTMANS (Renew, BE), Nils UŠAKOVS (S&D, LV), Margarida MARQUES (S&D, PT), Norbert LINS (EPP, DE), Laurence FARRENG (Renew, FR), Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ (S&D, ES)

During the European Council meeting of 26-27 October 2023, 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. MEPs discuss the results of the latest EU summit with Council and Commission Presidents Charles MICHEL and Ursula VON DER LEYEN. This news item shows extracts from the debate.

Conclusions of the European Council and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for a humanitarian pause: extracts from the 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. First 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 1)

The draft report of the European Parliament on EU strategy for a more effective fight against child sexual abuse welcomes and shares the European Commission's proposal’s main aims. Yet the draft report includes a number of new elements. For instance, it includes in its scope search engines and other artificial intelligence systems and limits CSA scanning in E2E encryption to metadata analysis in order to detect suspicious patterns of behaviour without having access to the content of the encrypted communication. Javier ZARZALEJOS (EPP, ES) Rapporteur, Paul TANG (S&D, NL), Hilde VAUTMANS (Renew, BE), Patrick BREYER (Greens/EFA, DE) and Cornelia ERNST (The Left, DE), shadow rapporteurs, hold a press conference on the proposal for a Regulation laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Javier ZARZALEJOS (EPP, ES) rapporteur, Paul TANG (S&D, NL), Hilde VAUTMANS (Renew, BE), Patrick BREYER (Greens/EFA, DE) and Cornelia ERNST (The Left, DE): Proposal for a Regulation laying down rules to prevent child sexual abuse

On 11 October, Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, lead MEPs and Parliament’s staff in a ceremony to remember victims of the terrorist attacks in Israel. During her speech, she said that Europe stands ready to help broker resolutions. During the plenary session, MEPs debate the terrorist attacks of Hamas against Israel with Council and Commission. First part of the MEPs debate.

The despicable terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, Israel's right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs discuss with Commission and Council representatives whether the EU’s sanctions against Russia are working, and how to prevent their circumvention by Moscow. Following Russia's illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union swiftly adopted unprecedentedly tough sanctions against Moscow. There have since been 11 sanctions packages in total, Moscow has however found ways to bypass these measures, including through loopholes in trade restrictions and with the help of third-country intermediaries. Second part of the debate.

The effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate on the establisment of the Ukraine Facility, a €50 billion package to support Ukraine's recovery, reconstruction and modernisation from 2024 to 2027. MEPs have improved the proposal by strengthening transparency and democratic accountability. One of the key demands is that Russian assets should be used to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction. Second part of MEPs debate.

Establishing the Ukraine Facility: MEPs debate (part 2)

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 2)

The need for a speedy adoption of the asylum and migration package: MEPs debate (part 2)

Parliament debates the dire situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, following Azerbaijan’s recent military seizure of the mountainous South Caucasus enclave. Azerbaijan’s latest offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September saw Baku regain military control of the long-disputed region and has resulted in a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians from their homes. First part of the debate.

Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s attack: 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 2)

MEPs discuss and assess the outcome of the 29 - 30 June European Council during the plenary session. During the summit, Heads of State or government focused on the latest developments in Russia, its war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s continued support for the country, and on EU migration and asylum policy. They also discussed security and defence cooperation, the economic situation in the EU, as well as relations with China and the upcoming leaders’ meeting with Latin American and Caribbean states. First part of MEPs debate.

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 29-30 June 2023, in particular the recent developments in Ukraine and Russia: MEPs debate (part 1)

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)

The joint debate will address various topics, focusing on the recent destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam. This dam was located in an area of southern Ukraine controlled by Russian forces and Kyiv and Moscow have been blaming each other for the destruction. Due to the dam collapse and subsequent massive flooding, thousands of people from nearby communities have been evacuated. High-level UN officials have warned of the grave and far-reaching humanitarian and ecological consequences. MEPs will also outline their view on how to sustainably reconstruct Ukraine and integrate it into the Euro-Atlantic community. Second part of the debate.

Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam / Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate on the current situation on the child labour and how to protect and guarantee children's rights on the occasion of the World Day against Child Labour during the plenary session in Strasbourg. The European Parliament has condemned child labour and its various forms within and outside the EU in a number of resolutions over the years. During the current term, Parliament has issued, inter alia, a resolution on children's rights in view of the EU strategy on the rights of the child (March 2021), calling on the Commission and Member States to end, in law and in practice, all child labour and all other forms of work likely to harm children's health and safety. One round of political group speakers

Marking the World Day against Child Labour: one round of political group speakers

MEPs debate on the European Commission's proposal to help European industry increase its ammunition and missile production capacity. Under the Commission’s proposal, the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) will have a budget of €500 million in current prices. The Commission is encouraging the co-legislators to adopt the proposal by the end of June.

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