President BUZEK chats on facebook

Cell Phone, computer, wireless communication

PETI Committee Meeting

Technical screen in the hemicycle of the EP in Strasbourg.

Mixing table and microphones switchboard of the Strasbourg hemicycle

For more than four years, Europeans travelling in the EU have been able to "roam like at home", making calls from abroad at no extra cost. Whether visiting other countries for work or for pleasure, making calls, sending text messages and using data abroad cost the same as in your country. MEPs want to extend and update the legislation, making it fit for the coming decade.

Mobile communications: keep on roaming!

Cyberattacks are on the rise. At best they are an inconvenience. At worst they put peoples’ lives and livelihoods at risk. Parliament is calling for a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy to protect citizens from cybercriminals.

A robust EU cybersecurity strategy

Next week, Parliament willl discuss the recent surge in energy prices and set out its position on EU-US relations. MEPs will discuss how to tackle domestic violence after a separation and look at enhancing the powers of the EU Agency for Asylum.

Coming up in Strasbourg: Energy prices, EU-US relations & asylum

The first European citizens’ panel has been held in Strasbourg! For three days, 200 Europeans gathered for a historic exercise in participatory democracy. They discussed the economy and how to make it fairer and more resilient to crises, but also issues like the digital transformation and youth unemployment.

Conference on the Future of Europe: Europeans discuss a fairer economy

The European Parliament has a packed schedule when it returns after the summer recess, including key planks of the European Green Deal, agricultural reform, digital legislation and the Sakharov Prize. Parliament will also scrutinise the work of the Commission at the State of the Union debate.

What's coming up in the second half of 2021?

Parliament condemned a new law in Hungary that discriminates against LGBTIQ people and urged the EU to start a sanctions process. MEPs adopted plans to improve connectivity across the EU and to crack down on online child sex abuse material. Parliament voted to extend the mandate of the European Medicines Agency and decided on priorities for the next Environment Action Programme.

Plenary highlights: Hungary’s anti-LGBTIQ law, improving connectivity and the EMA’s role

Aircraft do not always take the shortest route, resulting in longer, more polluting flights. The European Parliament wants to make EU airspace and the aviation sector greener, more resilient, and fairer to consumers.

Shorter, faster, greener flights for the Single European Sky

The European Parliament is set on combatting online child sexual abuse. This means using technology to scan and remove content. But how does this square with EU data protection rules? Learn more from the author of Parliament's report, Birgit Sippel.

Preventing online child abuse, while protecting personal data

Parliament is set to call for the rules to withhold funds from EU countries that do not respect the rule of law to be applied immediately. MEPs will also vote on a facility to improve connectivity in Europe, on EU funds for asylum and migration policies and on a stronger European Medicines Agency. All that and more, coming up in Strasbourg.

Coming up in Strasbourg: rule of law, migration and the European medicines regulator

Euro coins have a common European design on one side,  a flexible national design on the other and anti-counterfeit features, for a secure currency symbolising unity in diversity.

How is a euro coin designed?

Parliament's journalism prize named after Daphne Caruana Galizia will open for submissions. MEPs will vote on the Climate Law and the two funds dedicated to the EU's most deprived regions. All that and more, coming up next week.

Coming up in Brussels: A prize for journalism, the Climate Law and help for regions

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 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.

Coming up in plenary: digital green certificates, UK trade and cooperation, research and innovation.

We are living through a digital revolution. Artificial Intelligence and supercomputing will transform our lives in areas from transport to healthcare. MEPs want the new Digital Europe Programme to ensure the EU is at the forefront of new technologies and on track for 2050 climate-neutrality.

Europe's digital future

Dual-use goods are products, services or technologies with legitimate civilian uses which have the potential to be misused. From chemicals to computers, drones to data encryption, the European Parliament is voting on new rules on exporting dual-use goods to better protect human rights and take into account new technologies.

Dual-use goods: what are they and why the new rules?

The European Parliament wants to make ‘the right to disconnect’ a legal right in the EU. MEPs say workers, when off the clock, should not feel the pressure to answer work-related communication. The need for this bill was increased by the pandemic and the rise of telework.

The right to disconnect from work

After a year dominated by the coronavirus pandemic, Parliament will begin work on the recovery. The next seven-year budget and the recovery fund are set to come into play. MEPs will examine key environmental legislation, put Europe on track to becoming a pioneer in technology and AI, and help prepare the continent for future health crises. All that and more coming up in 2021.

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