At a glance: MEPs and MPs gathered to tackle Europe’s economic, budgetary and social challenges; MEPs discuss EU-US trade tensions in light of new US tariffs on European steel and AI export restrictions; and Polish Health Minister to outline public health priorities under Poland’s EU Council Presidency.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 19/02/2025 - suomi

At a glance: this week, Poland will continue to present its Presidency priorities to Parliament’s committees; the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs will hold the first economic dialogue with the President of the Eurogroup; according to the latest Eurobarometer survey, young Europeans’ biggest concerns are the cost of living and the climate, and they rely on social media for news.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 18/02/2025 - suomi

At a glance: European Parliament President Metsola visited Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank to reaffirm Europe’s commitment to regional peace; Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Michael O’Flaherty will debate key issues, including Ukraine and migration, with MEPs; EIB Vice-President Robert De Groot will discuss the bank’s role in strengthening European defence with the Committee on Security and Defence.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 17/02/2025 - suomi

Turvallisemman internetin päivää vietetään joka vuosi helmikuussa ympäri maailmaa. Se perustettiin vuonna 2004 osana EU:n ensimmäistä internetin turvallisuutta koskevaa toimintasuunnitelmaa. Siitä on sittemmin tullut maailmanlaajuinen aloite, jolla lisätään tietoisuutta internetin turvallisuudesta. Päivän teemana on ”Yhdessä paremman internetin puolesta”. Vuosittaisen tapahtuman tarkoituksena on tuoda ihmisiä yhteen ja tehdä internetistä parempi ja turvallisempi paikka kaikille.

Turvallisemman internetin päivä: suojellaan ihmisten digitaalista identiteettiä

At a glance: Parliament approved VAT reform to ensure fair taxation and combat fraud; MEPs and the Commission reviewed EU-Mercosur trade deal amid agriculture concerns; and the Committee on Budgetary Control will assess revamped EU long-term budget.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 14/02/2025 - suomi

At a glance: the Commission’s 2025 work programme and new EU competitiveness strategy; the Chair of the Verkhovna Rada, or Ukrainian Parliament, addresses MEPs in Strasbourg; Parliament urges the European Central Bank to address geopolitical risks to price stability.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 13/02/2025 - suomi

At a glance: EU vows firm response to new US tariffs on steel and aluminium; MEPs reaffirmed strong EU support for Ukraine amid ongoing war; and the European Parliament observed a minute of silence for Örebro shooting victims.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 12/02/2025 - suomi

At a glance: During this week’s plenary session, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will unveil the Commission’s 2025 work programme; MEPs will debate repression in Russia one year after Alexei Navalny’s murder; Parliament will also discuss the US’s exit from the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 11/02/2025 - suomi

At a glance: During the plenary session, MEPs will mark three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; debate the EU’s planned Middle East strategy; and assess risks to EU trade amid US tariff threats.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 10/02/2025 - suomi

At a glance: MEPs to discuss Ukraine support and Russia’s repression of democratic opposition in plenary; experts briefed MEPs on climate and biodiversity challenges; and the EU affirms its commitment to ending female genital mutilation.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 07/02/2025 - suomi

At a glance: Parliament’s political groups are preparing for the upcoming plenary session; Next week, MEPs will discuss the EU’s support for Ukraine, the Commission’s work programme for 2025 and the consequences of the US’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 06/02/2025 - suomi

At a glance: Metsola calls for more investment and unity in European defence; Polish ministers outline justice and home affairs goals; European Parliament and Commission will host the third EU Tax Symposium.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 05/02/2025 - suomi

At a glance: delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection to visit the United States to strengthen transatlantic digital cooperation; key policy talks between Parliament’s Subcommittee on Tax Matters and Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra; World Cancer Day: Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan bolsters the EU’s commitment to fighting cancer.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 04/02/2025 - suomi

At a glance: European Parliament President Metsola will address geopolitical challenges at the 2025 EU Ambassadors’ Conference; the Subcommittee on Tax Matters will explore reforms for EU financial sector integration and digitalisation; and MEPs discussed digital sovereignty and cybersecurity with European Commission Executive Vice-President Virkkunen.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 03/02/2025 - suomi

Ainakin miljardin aterian verran syömäkelpoista ruokaa haaskataan joka päivä kotitalouksissa ympäri maailmaa. Määrästä saisi yhden aterian päivässä maailman jokaiselle nälänhädästä kärsivälle henkilölle. Kun heitämme ruokaa roskiin, kaikki sen tekemiseen käytetty energia ja resurssit menevät myös hukkaan. Ympäristövaikutukset, kuten kasvihuonekaasupäästöt, ovat edelleen olemassa, mutta siitä ruoasta ei kukaan saa ravintoa. Siksi EU:n jätehuoltopolitiikalla pyritään vähentämään jätteiden ympäristö- ja terveysvaikutuksia.

Elintarvikejäte EU:ssa: haasteet ja tavoitteet

At a glance: the European Parliament marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day; a meeting on the performance of InvestEU; and the future of EU agriculture.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 31/01/2025 - suomi

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on the week from 27th to 31st january 2025. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate.

SEDE - Committee on Security and Defence

The EU and NATO have founded their long-standing partnership, in an environment shaped by common principles and values. The European Parliament and NATO engage frequently in active dialogue in order to deepen mutual understanding and consolidate cooperation. In an increasingly volatile and unstable geopolitical context, the dynamic of cooperation has intensified to face new threats ranging from terrorism to climate change to hybrid warfare.&nbsp;

EU - NATO relations

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on 10 July 2019, following the appointment of their members in the plenary sitting of 3-4 July. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate. The newly set up committees will then start holding their regular meetings during the week of 22 July.

JURI - Committee on Legal Affairs

IMCO - Committee on Iternal Market and Consumer Protection

FEMM - Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality

TRAN - Committee on Transport and Tourism

The European Parliamentary Week (EPW) brings together Parliamentarians from all over the European Union to discuss economic, budgetary and social matters.

The European Parliamentary Week has been held since 2015. In line with the established practice, the European Parliamentary Week consists of the European Semester Conference and the Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the European Union. This event also includes three interparliamentary committee meetings organised by the European Parliament’s Committees on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) and on Budgets (BUDG).

European Parliamentary Week

Mario&nbsp;Draghi, formerly the President of the European Central Bank and Prime Minister of Italy, was tasked by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with presenting ideas on the future of European competitiveness. The report calls the challenge facing policy makers an “existential” one and warns that procrastination will lead to hard choices having to be made. It proposes far-reaching changes to numerous areas such as an “unprecedented” boost to public investment, including through the issuance of new EU common debt, a reform of the EU’s cohesion policy, an overhaul of competition policy, and a new industrial policy with at its core a strategy for reducing Europe’s high energy prices.

European competitiveness

MEPs elected Roberta Metsola (EPP, MT) on January 2022 as President of the European Parliament until 2024.

Roberta Metsola won the election in the first voting round, where she received an absolute majority of 458 votes out of 690 cast in the remote secret vote, among three candidates.&nbsp;

President Metsola is leading the Parliament in the second half of the current legislative term, until a new Parliament is constituted following the 2024 European Elections.

Born in Malta in 1979,&nbsp; Roberta Metsola who has been an MEP since 2013, is the youngest EP President ever elected. She became First Vice-President in November 2020, and was Parliament’s acting President after President Sassoli passed away on 11 January 2022.

She is the third female President of the European Parliament, after Simone Veil (1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999- 2002).

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament 2022-2024

In July 2024&nbsp; MEPs re-elected Roberta Metsola (EPP, MT) as President of the European Parliament until 2027, with 562 votes in the first round. Roberta Metsola won the election in the first round of voting, where she received an absolute majority of 562 votes cast out of 699 by secret paper ballot, among two candidates. She will continue to lead Parliament for the first two and a half years of the 10th legislative term.

Born in Malta in 1979, Roberta Metsola has been an MEP since 2013.&nbsp;She was elected First Vice-President in November 2020, and was Parliament’s acting President after President Sassoli passed away on 11 January 2022. On 18 January 2022,&nbsp;she was elected President&nbsp;for the second half of the 9th legislative term. She is the third female President of the European Parliament, after&nbsp;Simone Veil&nbsp;(1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999-2002).

Addressing the House after she was elected, President Metsola said: “Together, we must stand up for the politics of hope, for the dream that is Europe. I want people to recapture a sense of belief and enthusiasm for our project. A belief to make our shared space safer, fairer, more just and more equal. A belief that together we are stronger and we are better. A belief that ours is a Europe for all.”

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament 2024-2027

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed MEPs during the plenary session on 24 March. On Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he stressed that NATO and the EU are more resolved and united than ever and that pressure on Putin must be increased. Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Canada was an ally and precious partner of the EU. “Our relationship has withstood the test of time”, she said. 
Canada´s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the first Canadian PM to address the European Parliament on February 2017, one day after the European Parliament approved the EU-Canada trade agreement.

The collaboration between the EU and Canada, based on shared values, a long history of close cooperation, and strong people-to-people ties, has been considerably strengthened in the last few years. 

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is the result of the positive developments in EU-Canada trade relations that have taken place over the past decade. It has considerably improved the economic, trade and investment relationship between the EU and Canada, opening up the markets to one another’s goods, services and investments, including public procurement.

EU - Canada

The problem of disinformation is globally recognised as disruptive to the normal functioning of democratic societies, economies and political systems. In recent years, ‘fake news’ and coordinated disinformation campaigns have an instrument of geopolitical influence.

They have afflicted elections in both established and new democracies, and undermined social and political solidarity in response to global challenges. It is with these and other instances in mind that the European Union (EU) identified ‘the exposure of citizens to large scale disinformation’ as ‘a major challenge for Europe’ in 2018, undertaking an increasingly ambitious programme of action to counter this evolving threat since. The outbreak of the coronavirus has led to disinformation that hampers efforts to contain the pandemic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said false claims “are spreading faster than the virus” and has already termed it an “infodemic of planetary proportions”. The Russian aggression against Ukraine is also a source of many disinformation.&nbsp;

Special Committee for foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU, including disinformation (INGE) was created in the European Parliament to tackle these challenges

Fight against disinformation

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on the week from 27th to 31st january 2025. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate.

ENVI - Committee on Environment, Climate and Food Safety

On Wednesday 10 July, the Committe on Development (DEVE) met for the first time in its new composition and elected as its Chair Swedish MEP Tomas TOBÉ (EPP). The Committee also elected four Vice Chairs: Pierrette HERZBERGER-FOFANA (Greens/EFA), Norbert NEUSER (S&amp;D), Chrysoula ZACHAROPOULOU (Renew Europe), Erik MARQUARDT (Greens/EFA). The next meeting of the Committee will take place in the morning of 24 July and is set to discuss the state of play of development cooperation, the 2020 budget and the future partnership with ACP countries. The Finish EU Council Presidency will set out its priorities, in particular in humanitarian aid.

DEVE - Committee on Development

The presidency of the Council rotates among the EU member states every six months. During this six-month period, the presidency chairs meetings at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU's work in the Council.

The Polish government has declared that its second EU Presidency arrives "at a time of uncertainty and concern," highlighting the ongoing repercussions of Russia’s three-year war against Ukraine, escalating geopolitical tensions, migration pressure, and weakening European competitiveness. Under the slogan "Security, Europe!" Poland aims to strengthen European security across multiple dimensions, including external, internal, informational, economic, energy, food, health and security.

Polish Presidency

Poland is a member of the EU since 1st of May 2004 and member of the Schengen area since 21st December 2007.

Poland is a parliamentary republic with a Head of government - the Prime Minister - and a Head of state - the President. The government structure is centred on the council of Ministers. The country is divided into 16 provinces, largely based on the country’s historic regions. Administrative authority at provincial level is shared between a government-appointed Governor, an elected regional Assembly and an executive elected by the regional Assembly.

There are 51 members of the European Parliament from Poland.

EU - Poland

Roberta METSOLA, EP President addresses the Meta pan-European Youth Summit

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Polish Marshals of Sejm and Senate

The 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) takes place from February 14 to 16, 2025, at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich. The MSC 2025 offers an unparalleled platform for high-level debates on the key foreign and security policy challenges of our time.

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament participates at the Munich Security Conference 2025

Roberta METSOLA, EP President represents the European Parliament in discussions in Israel and the Palestinian territories at a critical moment in time for the Middle East and the world.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President: Official visit to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories

MEPs review the new US administration’s recent decision to pull back from a number of international organisations and agreements.

Following his inauguration on 20 January 2025, President Trump signed a large number of executive orders setting the priorities of the new US administration, including the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation. Alongside Commission representatives, MEPs will discuss the impact of these decisions internationally and on the EU’s future involvement in these global initiatives.

Background

This is the second time the US has initiated the process of withdrawing from both the WHO and Paris Agreement.

During the first Trump administration (2017-2021), the US gave formal notice of withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in November 2019 (which then took 12 months to take effect). Shortly after taking office, President Biden revoked the decision, with the US formally rejoining the agreement in February 2021. President Trump also started the withdrawal process from the WHO in 2020, but it was never finalised and the decision was reversed by the Biden administration.

Debate on the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, WHO and USaid

MEPs examine the Kremlin’s continued repression of Russia’s political opposition a year after the murder of Alexei Navalny. Mr Navalny, one of Russia’s most well-known anti-corruption activists, an opposition politician, and an ardent critic of Vladimir Putin, died under mysterious circumstances in a remote penal colony in the Russian Arctic on 16 February 2024, while serving a long prison sentence on trumped-up charges. After his death, the European Parliament adopted a resolution holding the Russian state, and President Putin in particular, responsible for his death.

Debate on the one year after the murder of Alexei Navalny and the continued repression of the democratic opposition in Russia

Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič presents the Commission’s 2025 work programme, outlining its key policy actions and legislative initiatives planned for this year.

Debate on the Commission’s 2025 work programme with Maroš Šefčovič

Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, addresses MEPs at a formal sitting at noon

Formal siting of Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada

MEPs assess the impact of three years of Russia’s war against Ukraine and its repression of dissent following Alexei Navalny’s murder.

In a debate on Tuesday morning, with representatives of the European Commission and the Council, MEPs will mark three years since Moscow launched its brutal military invasion of Ukraine. A resolution will be put to a vote during the March plenary session.

In a resolution adopted in January 2025, Parliament reiterated its firm support for Kyiv, called on Russia to immediately terminate all military activities, and withdraw from Ukraine. MEPs also called on the EU to expand its sanctions against Russian media outlets conducting disinformation and information manipulation campaigns justifying the Kremlin’s war of aggression.

In a separate debate on Wednesday morning, MEPs will examine the Kremlin’s continued repression of Russia’s political opposition a year after the murder of Alexei Navalny. Mr Navalny, one of Russia’s most well-known anti-corruption activists, an opposition politician, and an ardent critic of Vladimir Putin, died under mysterious circumstances in a remote penal colony in the Russian Arctic on 16 February 2024, while serving a long prison sentence on trumped-up charges. After his death, the European Parliament adopted a resolution holding the Russian state, and President Putin in particular, responsible for his death.

On Wednesday afternoon, Parliament will debate the need for targeted support for EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine with representatives of the Polish Council Presidency and the European Commission.

Debate on the continuing unwavering EU support for Ukraine, after three years of Russia’s war of aggression

MEPs assess the current state of EU-US trade relations, multilateralism and the EU’s potential responses if the US imposes tariffs on European products.

US President Donald Trump has stated that he would “absolutely” introduce tariffs targeting the EU, citing grievances over EU action against US tech firms and a trade deficit in goods. He also threatened to use tariffs to pressure Denmark into handing over Greenland. President Trump recently announced a 25 percent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, which he later delayed by a month, as well as a 10 percent tariff on imports from China.

Parliament is committed to multilateralism and has called for the urgent reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Leading MEPs recently said it is “imperative for the US and the EU to work closely together to defend multilateralism and the rules-based international order”. Meanwhile, the EU has strengthened the tools at its disposal to protect EU trade, which now include the Anti-Coercion Instrument designed to enable the EU to respond, as a last resort, to economic blackmail from a foreign country.

According to the Commission, the EU has a €154 billion trade surplus in goods with the US, while the US maintains a €104 billion surplus in services with the EU, resulting in an overall EU trade surplus of three percent from a total €1.5 trillion trade flow. In 2023, the US was the largest partner for EU exports of goods and the second largest partner for EU imports of goods.

Debate on the  tariff threats from the Trump administration

ECB President Christine Lagarde will brief MEPs on the state of European and global economic affairs and the European Central Bank’s activities, followed by a debate with MEPs. On Tuesday, MEPs will adopt their annual set of recommendations for the ECB on which issues it should prioritise.

Debate on the state of the EU economy and ECB activities with Christine Lagarde

Parliament holds a press briefing on the plenary session.

Last-minute briefing ahead of EP Plenary

EP President Roberta METSOLA, meets with President of  the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde

EP President Roberta METSOLA, meets with Micheál MARTIN, Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach)

EP President Roberta METSOLA meets with Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA Leader of Belarusian democratic opposition

Plenary preparations. Political groups will prepare for the 10 - 13 February plenary session in which MEPs will debate the EU’s continued support for Ukraine after three years of Russia’s war of aggression, providing support to EU regions that border Russia, as well as the continued repression of the democratic opposition in Russia one year after the murder of Alexei Navalny. Plenary will also vote on a resolution on the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia, debate the Commission work programme for 2025, the recent proposals to boost the EU’s competitiveness, the consequences of the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and from the World Health Organisation, as well as the threats that strategic reliance on third countries in communication infrastructure pose to EU sovereignty.

Pre-session briefing

Roberta METSOLA, EP President visits Malta

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Official visit to Malta

SEDE -  Exchange of views with Marcos Perestrello, President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

JURI - Exchange of views with Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification

Batteries are vital to the EU’s clean energy transition, industrial future, and strategic autonomy. While the sector benefits from strong R&D support, it faces challenges such as reliance on third countries, high costs, and competition from regions with lower environmental standards. Sustainable value chains and recycling could help, but uncertainty remains over the EU’s ability to meet future demand. Rising costs, market slowdowns, and gigafactory setbacks, including Northvolt’s collapse, raise concerns. To secure a resilient battery supply chain, the EU focuses on strategic coordination, regulatory frameworks, and funding, offering key lessons for industrial policy.

Battery supply chain

The digital information sphere has become the main space for public debate, shaping opinions and access to information. In the past decade, it has also become a geostrategic battleground, with authoritarian states manipulating public opinion to weaken democracies. At the same time, corporate rivalry over emerging technologies, particularly AI, has intensified. AI-driven disinformation poses growing risks to democratic information ecosystems. Strengthening information integrity is crucial to safeguarding human rights and freedom of expression. Multilateral efforts to enhance resilience align with the EU’s planned European Democracy Shield, building on existing measures and fostering new partnerships.

Information Manipulation and the EU response

The European elections are the largest transnational elections in the world. There are some common rules that apply in all EU countries but many details vary by country.


Election days range from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 9 June and it is up to each country to decide when and how they organise the vote.


The number of MEPs elected varies between countries: bigger countries get more seats than smaller ones. Due to changes in the size of the population, some EU countries will get extra seats in the upcoming elections compared to the outgoing Parliament. In total 15 seats will be added.


There are also differences in other aspects of voting, for example regarding the minimum voting age or the rules about voting from abroad.

EU Elections 2024

The European elections are the largest transnational elections in the world. There are some common rules that apply in all EU countries but many details vary by country.


Election days range from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 9 June and it is up to each country to decide when and how they organise the vote.

Map European elections 2024

Online shopping, take-away food, coffee to go... Packaging waste is growing. Find out how much is being produced and how the EU wants to reverse the trend

How to reduce packaging waste in the EU

With war having returned to the European continent, measuring the level of threats to peace, security and democracy around the world – as the 'Normandy Index' does – is more important than ever. The annual Index was presented for the first time at the Normandy Peace Forum in June 2019, as a result of a partnership between the European Parliament and the Region of Normandy. The Index has been designed and prepared by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), in conjunction with and on the basis of data provided by the Institute for Economics and Peace. This paper sets out the findings of the 2023 exercise, which draws on data compiled in 2022, and explains how the Index can be used to compare peace – defined on the basis of a given country's performance against a range of predetermined threats – across countries and regions. It is complemented by 61 individual country case studies, derived from the Index. The paper forms part of the EPRS contribution to the 2023 Normandy World Peace Foru

Mapping threats to peace and democracy worldwide: Normandy Index 2023

Discover key figures about the repatriation of migrants and proposed changes to EU law.
The EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum includes new rules and the revision of existing legislation, such as the Return Directive.
In a draft resolution on the Return Directive adopted in December 2020, MEPs stressed the importance of protecting individual fundamental rights as well as respect for procedural safeguards.

Repatriation: how many migrants in the EU are sent back?

Over the past 30 years the single market has brought unity and opportunities to Europeans.

30 years of EU single market: benefits and challenges

Find out about the top cyber threats in 2022, the most affected sectors and the impact of the war in Ukraine.

The digital transformation has inevitably led to new cybersecurity threats. During the coronavirus pandemic, companies had to adapt to remote working and this created more possibilities for cybercriminals. The war in Ukraine has also affected cybersecurity.

In response to the evolution of cybersecurity threats, Parliament adopted a new EU directive introducing harmonised measures across the EU, including on the protection of essential sectors.

Cybersecurity: main and emerging threats

With fast fashion, the quantity of clothes produced and thrown away has boomed. Find out more about the environmental impact and what the EU is doing about it.

Fast fashion is the constant provision of new styles at very low prices.

To tackle the impact on the environment, the EU wants to reduce textile waste and increase the life cycle and recycling of textiles. This is part of the plan to achieve a circular economy by 2050.

The impact of textile production and waste on the environment

Find out about the economic inequalities that continue to persist between women and men in the EU.

It has been more than 25 years since the adoption of the UN’s Beijing Declaration, which aims to promote equality between men and women. The same goal lies behind the creation of UN Women - dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women - and the inclusion of gender equality in the Sustainable Development Goals.
s
So where do we stand? Progress has been made, but inequality between men and women persists, including on the labour market. On average, women in the EU are paid less than men.

Gender pay gap in Europe: facts and figures

Every year 2.2 billion tonnes of waste are generated in the EU. More than a quarter of it (27%) is municipal waste: everyday waste collected and treated by municipalities, which is mainly generated by households. Data shows that the amount of waste and the way it is managed varies a lot across EU countries, but there has been a shift to more recycling and less landfilling.

To reduce waste and its impact on the environment, the EU has adopted ambitious targets on recycling and landfill and is working on packaging waste. The goal is to promote the shift towards a more sustainable model known as the circular economy.

Waste management in the EU: infographic with facts and figures

Euroscola

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Ordinary meeting ICM

FEMM

Delegation for relations with the countries of the Andean Community - constitutive meeting election of Vice-Chairs

DAND

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs Ordinary meeting

ECON

Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

AFET

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy Ordinary meeting

ITRE

Committee on International Trade Ordinary meeting

INTA

Committee on Public Health Ordinary meeting

SANT

Committee on Budgets Ordinary meeting

BUDG

Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

PETI

FEMM - Research Results on the Integration of Ukrainian Women in Europe

JURI - Presentation of the annual report 2024 and work programme 2025 of the EP Coordinator on Children’s Rights

IMCO Public hearing ' Housing rentals in the internal market and protection of consumers '

SEDE - The European Investment Bank’s role in strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities:  Exchange of views with Robert de Groot, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank

TRAN - Trilogue meeting on Driving Licence Directive

FEMM - Exchange of views with Ms Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality

SEDE - Hearing on Hybrid War: protection of undersea cables in the Baltic Sea

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Mélanie JOLY, Canadian Minister for Foreign Affairs

Roberta METSOLA, EP President at the Meta Pan-European Youth Summit

European Parliamentary Week 2025 - Plenary session

DEVE - Presentation of the Priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council

ENVI - The European Water Resilience Strategy

European Parliamentary Week 2025 - ECON Interparliamentary Committee Meeting

European Parliamentary Week 2025 - EMPL Interparliamentary Committee Meeting

European Parliamentary Week 2025 - BUDG Interparliamentary Committee Meeting

European Parliamentary Week 2025 - Exhibition prepared by the Polish Parliament

Visit of Juri RATAS, Estonian Prime Minister, to the EP in Strasbourg. Arrival, welcome by Antonio TAJANI, EP President and roundtable

Antonio TAJANI, EP President meets with Jüri RATAS, Estonian Prime Minister: handshake

During the EP plenary session (3-6 July 2017) in Strasbourg, Antonio TAJANI, EP President, is present to the ceremony of inauguration of the Vaclav Havel building.

Inauguration of the Vaclav Havel building: extracts from the ceremony in presence of Antonio TAJANI, EP President

EU ja Turkki ovat ylläpitäneet strategista kumppanuutta vuosikymmenien ajan. Turkin liittymisestä Euroopan unioniin on neuvoteltu vuodesta 2005 lähtien. Viime aikoina suhteet ovat jäähtyneet, ja samalla huoli Turkin demokratian tilasta on kasvanut. Europarlamentaarikot pitävät Turkin kehitystä tarkasti silmällä. Jäsenyysneuvottelut ovat vaakalaudalla, mikäli tilanne heikkenee.

Turkin EU-jäsenyysneuvottelut tarkastelussa

MEP Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso speaks in plenary on the forest fires in Portugal and Spain and the EU response instruments and procedures on prevention and civil protection.

MEP Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso - Plenary debate on the recent forest fires in Portugal and Spain: the EU response instruments and procedures on prevention and civil protection.

During the EP plenary session (3-6 July 2017) in Strasbourg, a ceremony in honour of Simone VEIL, former EP President (1979-1982) takes place in the hemicycle. Statements y Antonio TAJANI, EP President, and Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE).

Tribute to Simone VEIL, former EP President (1979-1982): extracts from the ceremony

Visit of Josef MUSCAT, Maltese Prime Minister, to the EP in Strasbourg. Arrival, welcome by Antonio TAJANI, EP President,&nbsp;and roundtable

Antonio TAJANI, EP President meets with Josef MUSCAT, Maltese Prime Minister: arrival and roundtable

During the EP plenary session (3-6 July 2017) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on Cuba. Statements by Elena VALENCIANO (S&amp;D, ES), Rapporteur, and Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the EC.

Cuba: extracts from the joint debate

During the EP plenary session (3-6 July 2017) in Strasbourg, MEPs&nbsp;debate on&nbsp;Saudi Arabia's election as Member of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Statements by Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Teresa JIM&Eacute;NEZ-BECERRIL BARRIO (EPP, ES) and Iratxe GARC&Iacute;A P&Eacute;REZ (S&amp;D, ES).

Saudi Arabia's election as Member of the UN Commission on the Status of Women: extracts from the debate

During the EP plenary session (3-6 July 2017) in Strasbourg, MEPs vote the nomination of Mariya GABRIEL as Member of the European Commission. The result of the vote are: 517 in favour, 77 against and 89 abstentions. The nomination is confirmed.

Nomination of Mariya GABRIEL as Member of the European Commission: extracts from the vote

Debate on the review of the Maltese Presidency, during the EP plenary session (3-6 July 2017) in Strasbourg. Statements by David CASA (EPP, MT), Alfred SANT (S&amp;D, MT), Helga STEVENS (ECR, BE), Maite PAGAZAURTUNDUA RUIZ (ALDE, ES), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE) and Rolandas PAKSAS (EFDD, LT).

Review of the Maltese Presidency: extracts from the debate

Opening statements on the review of the Maltese Presidency, during the EP plenary session (3-6 July 2017) in Strasbourg. Statements by Joseph MUSCAT, Maltese Prime Minister, Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, and Antonio TAJANI, EP President.&nbsp;

Review of the Maltese Presidency: extracts from the opening statements

Live replay of EP Plenary session: Review of the Maltese Council Presidency. Round of political group speakers.

(03) EP Plenary session: Review of the Maltese Council Presidency. Statement by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC (09:17 - 09:19)

Clip to pay tribute to Simone VEIL, former EP President (1979-1982)

Clip : Homage to Simone VEIL

Euroopan unionin suhteet Kuubaan palautuvat normaaleiksi kaikkien aikojen ensimmäisen kahdenvälisen sopimuksen myötä. Tavoitteena on käynnistää poliittinen vuoropuhelu ja helpottaa kauppaa ja yhteistyötä.

Uusi alku EU:lle ja Kuuballe

Ceremony of inauguration of the new Parlamentarium in Strasbourg in the presence of Antonio TAJANI, EP President.

Inauguration of the new Parlamentarium in Strasbourg: extracts from the ceremony in the presence of Antonio TAJANI, EP President

iAntonio TAJANI, EP President, opens the EP plenary session (3-6 July 2017) in Strasbourg and MEPs make one minute of silence in honour of Simone VEIL, former EP President.

Introductory remarks by Antonio TAJANI, EP President - Minute of silence in honour of Simone VEIL

Exterior and interior shots of the European Parliaments' buildings during the EP plenary session (3-6 July 2017) in Strasbourg.

EP plenary session (3-6 July): editing shots

During the EP plenary session (3-6 July 2017) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on HIV, TB and HCV epidemics in Europe on the rise. Statements by KONECNA Katerina (GUE/NGL, CZ), Vytenis ANDRIUKAITIS, Member of the EC in charge of Health and Food Safety, Françoise GROSSETETE (EPP, FR) and Claudiu Ciprian TANASESCU (S&D, RO).

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