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.

Brèves – 12/02/2025 - français

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.

Brèves – 11/02/2025 - français

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.

Brèves – 10/02/2025 - français

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.

Brèves – 07/02/2025 - français

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.

Brèves – 06/02/2025 - français

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.

Brèves – 05/02/2025 - français

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.

Brèves – 04/02/2025 - français

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.

Brèves – 03/02/2025 - français

Chaque jour, dans le monde, les ménages gaspillent plus d’un milliard de repas comestibles. Cette quantité suffirait pour fournir un repas par jour à chaque personne touchée par la faim dans le monde. Lorsque nous jetons de la nourriture, c’est toute l’énergie et les ressources qui ont servi à sa production que nous jetons aussi. Et ce gaspillage a aussi un coût environnemental, notamment sous la forme d’émissions de gaz à effet de serre. En revanche, ces montagnes d’aliments gaspillés ne nourrissent personne. C’est pourquoi les politiques de gestion des déchets de l’Union européenne visent à réduire les conséquences de ce gaspillage sur l’environnement et sur la santé.

Le gaspillage alimentaire dans l’Union européenne: défis et objectifs

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

Brèves – 31/01/2025 - français

At a glance: Poland sets its priorities for its presidency of the Council of the EU, with ‘Security, Europe!’ as its motto; MEPs discuss an EU water resilience strategy and an EU blue deal in a public hearing; the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality examine social media’s impact on young girls’ mental health.

Brèves – 30/01/2025 - français

At a glance: the Committee on Foreign Affairs to vote on EU security and defence policies, focusing on relations with Ukraine, Russia and China and on enlargement; the Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Budgets are set to vote on a Reform and Growth Facility of around EUR 1.8 billion to support Moldova’s reforms aimed at EU membership; a new parliamentary committee on the EU housing crisis will hold its first meeting.

Brèves – 29/01/2025 - français

At a glance: a special plenary session commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day; Parliament President Roberta Metsola attends ceremony marking 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz; and a debate on healthy ageing and the urgent need to address health workforce shortages across Europe.

Brèves – 28/01/2025 - français

Jeanne Salomon a fui les nazis, perdu son mari et son enfant, enduré Auschwitz, survécu aux marches de la mort et refait sa vie au Luxembourg. Son fils Henri Juda nous raconte l’histoire de sa mère, une femme extraordinaire et courageuse.

Miraculée d’Auschwitz: l’histoire bouleversante de Jeanne Salomon

At a glance: the Subcommittee on Human Rights will discuss truth, justice and accountability in Syria with victims and international experts; MEPs will assess Syria’s humanitarian crisis and explore ways to improve aid delivery; the European Parliament condemned Maduro’s regime and called for expanded sanctions against Venezuela.

Brèves – 27/01/2025 - français

At a glance: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk outlines the priorities of Poland’s presidency of the Council of the EU, focusing on unity and security; Parliament condemns Russian disinformation and calls for tougher sanctions on propaganda outlets; and MEPs denounce the Belarusian presidential election as a sham and demand stronger sanctions.

Brèves – 24/01/2025 - français

On 24 February Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Shortly before&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized&nbsp;two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine&nbsp; as independent.&nbsp;The Conference of Presidents of the EP condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. "Ukraine is an independent and sovereign nation and its territorial integrity is non-negotiable. The invasion is unjustified and illegal. It is a threat to European and regional stability, as well as to the rules-based world order. The attack targets our model of democratic society. It cannot go unanswered, " says declaration of the COP.

"The Russian invasion into Ukraine is part of President Putin’s destabilisation agenda. It is a path that will bring the Kremlin in direct confrontation with Europe and the rule-based world-order. It is a path that pits authoritarianism against democracy. It is a path that we cannot allow him to walk unchallenged," said EP President Roberta Metsola.

European Union leaders met for a special European Council in Brussels on 24 February&nbsp;and adopted a set of sanctions related to the the financial sector, the energy and transport sectors,dual-use goods, exports, Russian individuals etc.&nbsp;

Ukraine is a priority partner for the European Union (EU). The EU supports Ukraine in ensuring a stable, prosperous and democratic future for its citizens and is unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Association Agreement (AA), including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) signed in 2014, is the main tool for bringing Ukraine and the EU closer together. Since 2014, the EU and the Financial Institutions have mobilised more than €15 billion in grants and loans to support the reform process in the country, with strong conditionality on continued progress.

As a result of the cooperation with Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada in the field of democracy support, European Parliament launched on 11 March the website “<a href="https://ukraine.europarl.europa.eu/en/home.html" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">The EU stands with Ukraine</a>” (in English and Ukrainian) provides the latest news, videos and podcasts, relevant legislation and resolutions to show how the EU is helping Ukraine. Content from the Ukrainian Parliament could also be shared on the site. Actively supporting EU efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the world is one of Parliament's core responsibilities.

EU - Ukraine

Since October 2020, the EU has&nbsp;progressively imposed restrictive measures&nbsp;against Belarus in response to the fraudulent nature&nbsp; presidential elections in&nbsp;2020, and the&nbsp;intimidation and violent repression&nbsp;of peaceful protesters, opposition members and journalists.&nbsp;

The democratic opposition, including the opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, was awarded the&nbsp;2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

The Belarusian regime has became an ally&nbsp;with Russia’s illegal war on Ukraine. This includes the so-called referendum reinstating the country’s nuclear status, but also that Belarus has allowed Russian troops and weapons to move through its territory, use its airspace, refuel and store military ammunition.

Therefore, the EU has extended the sanctios package against Russia to Belarus. The EP has recently called that "all EU sanctions issued against Russia must be strictly mirrored for Belarus and implemented appropriately".

EU - Belarus

On 24 February 2022,&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;began a&nbsp;military invasion&nbsp;of Ukraine, in a major escalation of the conflict that had begun in 2014. Shortly before, on 21 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent.&nbsp;

Since then, the EU and its international allies have rallied firmly behind the Kyiv government. This support has resulted in unprecedented levels of financial aid, assistance, weapons deliveries to Ukraine, sweeping sanctions against Moscow, and the granting of EU candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova.

On 1&nbsp;March&nbsp;the European Parliament held an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels to assess Russia’s military assault on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky&nbsp;and the Speaker of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada (parliament) Ruslan Stefanchuk spoke live from Kiev.&nbsp;The European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was in Kyiv on 1 April&nbsp;to express the European Union´s support of&nbsp;the Ukrainian people and to condemn the Russian attack. On&nbsp;8 June&nbsp;Stefanchuk adressed Parliament in the Strasbourg hemicycle.

Following the atrocities carried out by Vladimir Putin’s regime against Ukrainian civilians, the European Parliament has&nbsp;recognised Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism in a resolution on November 2022.

On 9th February 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy&nbsp;addressed the European Parliament during an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels.

In March 2024, &nbsp;MEPs voted to to amend the Commission’s proposal to suspend import duties and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU for another year, from 6 June 2024 to 5 June 2025.&nbsp;

Russian aggression against Ukraine

On 24 February 2022,&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;began a&nbsp;military invasion&nbsp;of Ukraine, in a major escalation of the conflict that had begun in 2014. Shortly before, on 21 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent.&nbsp;

The Russian aggression has brought destruction to Ukraine and its people, but also a wide range of economic and social consequences across Europe and the European Union. MEPs regularly debate on how to respond to the current cost of living crisis,&nbsp;bolstered by&nbsp;inflation and&nbsp;hikes in energy prices.

In the annual&nbsp;&nbsp;2022 report on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy, MEPs called the EU and its member states need to increase their military, political and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and strengthen their defence in countering Russian threats to European security.

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Consequences of the war in Ukraine on the EU

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

The work programme shows how the Commission plans to give practical effect to the political priorities set out by the President. It provides a multiannual overview to help stakeholders and the other EU institutions plan their work with the Commission.

Commission work programme

Every year the European Central Bank publishes an annual report on how it has carried out its supervisory responsibilities, it describes the tasks and activities of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and reports on the Eurosystem’s monetary policy. The report is usually published in April of the following year. The Chair of the Supervisory Board of the ECB presents the report to the European Parliament at a public hearing and then during a debate in plenary.

European Central Bank - annual report

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 &nbsp;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&nbsp; 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.

EU - USA

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

Ever since Russia launched an illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24&nbsp;February 2022, the EU and the Parliament have supported the country by condemning Russia’s aggression, sanctioning those responsible and providing financial and material aid. Parliament has also been supportive of Ukraine’s efforts to become an EU candidate country and has been calling on EU countries to launch accession talks.

The European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was in Kyiv on 1 April 2022 to express the European Union´s support to the Ukrainian people and to condemn the unjustified Russian attack.&nbsp; On 9 February 2023, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the European Parliament during an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels.

The&nbsp; new EP reconfirmed in July 2024&nbsp; its view that the EU must continue to support Kyiv for as long as it takes until victory. The resolution, which sets out the newly-elected European Parliament’s first official position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, restates the continued support of MEPs for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. It calls on the EU to maintain and extend its sanctions policy against Russia and Belarus, monitor and review its effectiveness and impact, and systematically tackle the issue of sanctions circumvention by EU-based companies, third parties, and third countries.

Parliament held also and&nbsp;extraordinary plenary session on 19th November 2024 with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking 1000 days since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Solidarity with Ukraine

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

Alexei Navalny was&nbsp;a Russian opposition politician, anti-corruption activist and major political opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The European Parliament honoured Navalny’s fight with the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2021.

Alexei Navalny’s daughter, Daria Navalnaya, received European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize on behalf of her imprisoned father. In April 2023, MEPs demanded the unconditional release of Navalny, and reiterated concerns over his deteriorating health and the ill-treatment he was subject to. Navalny&nbsp; died on 16 February 2024 at a Russian corrective colony in the Arctic Circle.

Roberta Metsola, EP President, paid tribute to Navalny stating: “First, they took his freedom. Then, they took his life,” Metsola said. “But his legacy and his struggle will live on in people in Russia and in all of us.”

Following his death&nbsp;the European Parliament’s Conference of Presidents (President and political groups’ leaders) made this statement: "The full responsibility for this murder lays with the Russian state and its President Vladimir Putin in particular. We demand an investigation into the exact circumstances of the death of Alexei Navalny".

"Truth must be told, accountability must be ensured and justice must be served. We demand that the body of Alexei Navalny be returned to his family immediately. Any further delay increases even more the responsibility of the Russian authorities for the death of Alexei Navalny.&nbsp;We demand an international and independent investigation into the exact circumstances of the death of Alexei Navalny", concluded the statement.

Alexei Navalny (1976 - 2024), 2021 Sakharov Prize laureate

To support its publications, the European Parliamentary Research Service is producing a wide range of informative, timely and varied audio-visual products. These products include content-rich videos and animations, and also regular monthly podcasts, such as policy podcasts and science and technology podcasts. They are based on EPRS' independent, objective and authoritative analysis of, and research on, policy issues relating to the European Union, so empowering Members and committees in their parliamentary work and supporting parliamentary outreach to the wider public.

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EPRS Multimedia Centre

In March 2012 Serbia was granted EU candidate status.

On 19 April 2013, after ten rounds of often grueling talks in the EU-facilitated Dialogue in Brussels, the intervenants reached a landmark agreement aimed at normalising relations between Serbia and Kosovo. Concrete results in the implementation of this agreement will bring about a brighter future and lasting stability to the region. In line with the decision of the European Council in June 2013 to open accession negotiations with Serbia, the Council adopted in December 2013 the negotiating framework and agreed to hold the 1st Intergovernmental Conference with Serbia in January 2014. On 21 January 2014, the 1st Intergovernmental Conference took place, signaling the formal start of Serbia’s accession negotiations.

EU - Serbia

There are many examples of AI being used in everyday life: Online shopping and advertising; Web search; Digital personal assistants; Machine translations; Smart homes, cities and infrastructure; Cars; Cybersecurity; Artificial intelligence against Covid-19; Fighting disinformation, etc. &nbsp;

In March Plenary session the Parliament approved the Artificial Intelligence Act that ensures safety and compliance with fundamental rights, while boosting innovation.

The regulation, agreed in negotiations with member states in December 2023, was endorsed by MEPs with 523 votes in favour, 46 against and 49 abstentions.

It aims to protect fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of law and environmental sustainability from high-risk AI, while boosting innovation and establishing Europe as a leader in the field. The regulation establishes obligations for AI based on its potential risks and level of impact.

Robotics and artificial intelligence

The alleged attempts to influence MEPs unveiled loopholes in Parliament’s internal rules, alongside other issues, says&nbsp;Special Committee on Foreign Interference. Interference attempts are a “widespread phenomenon that must be countered as vigorously as possible”, warn MEPs, expressing their “deep shock and condemnation of the allegations of corruption, money laundering and participation in a criminal organisation” by three MEPs, one former MEP and one parliamentary assistant.

The committee has identified “numerous loopholes in Parliament’s integrity and transparency rules” and calls for President Metsola’s&nbsp;14-point proposal to&nbsp;reform Parliament’s rules to be put into concrete actions as soon as possible.

MEPs demand also that compliance with the six-month cooling-off period for former MEPs should be monitored by the new&nbsp;EU ethics body. Parliament should introduce a monitoring system and rules for revoking access for former MEPs who lobby on behalf of high-risk countries beyond the cooling-off period.

Parliament has also reacted to corruption&nbsp;allegations &nbsp;with immediate changes and demands for measures to close loopholes in existing transparency rules. In&nbsp;&nbsp;December 2022,&nbsp;Parliament&nbsp;adopted a resolution on the suspicions of corruption by Qatar and the broader need for more transparency in the EU institutions.

Fight against corruption, corruption and money laundering

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

As a sign of European solidarity and out of respect for the victims of the attack at the education centre in Örebro, Sweden, the President of the European Parliament, Ms Roberta Metsola, has decided that the European and Swedish flags should be flown at half-mast in front of all the Parliament buildings and in the EPLO in Stockholm, from today 05 February at 12:00 p.m. until tomorrow, 06 February at 08:00 a. m.

EU-Swedish flags at half mast at the European Parliament buildings

New committee on democracy shield. The new special Committee on the European Democracy Shield holds its constitutive meeting to elect their chair and vice-chair and launch their activities. It will deal with the so-called “Democracy Shield” initiative, included in the Commission’s 2024-2029 political guidelines, and other initiatives designed to counter malicious interference in democratic processes (Monday).

EUDS: New committee on democracy shield- Constitutive meeting

EU leaders will discuss European defence during an informal meeting at the Palais d’Egmont in Brussels. 

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola participates in the Informal EU leaders' retreat

The Secretary-General of NATO, Mark Rutte, has been invited to a lunch, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, to a dinner.

Informal EU leaders' retreat

EP President Metsola inaugurates the Europa Experience in Luxembourg

EP Plenary session - Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine

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

Avec le retour de la guerre sur le continent européen, il est plus important que jamais de mesurer le niveau des menaces pour la paix, la sécurité et la démocratie dans le monde - comme le fait l’indice de Normandie. L’indice annuel a été présenté pour la première fois à l’occasion du Forum Normandie pour la Paix en juin 2019, à la suite d’un partenariat noué entre le Parlement européen et la région de Normandie. L’indice a été conçu et préparé par le Service de recherche du Parlement européen (EPRS), en collaboration avec l’Institut pour l’économie et la paix et sur la base de données fournies par celui-ci. Le présent document expose les conclusions de l’exercice 2023, qui s’appuie sur les données compilées en 2022, et explique comment l’indice peut être utilisé pour comparer la paix - définie sur la base des performances d’un pays donné par rapport à une série de menaces prédéterminées - entre pays et régions. Il est complété par 61 études de cas consacrées chacune à un pays, sur la base de l’indice. Ce document fait partie de la contribution de l’EPRS au Forum mondial Normandie pour la paix 2023. Il est accompagné de deux documents, l’un sur la contribution de l’Union européenne à la paix et à la sécurité en 2022, l’autre sur les efforts de consolidation de la paix de l’Union européenne en Iraq.

Évaluer les menaces pour la paix et la démocratie au niveau mondial: Indice Normandie 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.
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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 Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

AFET

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs Ordinary meeting

ECON

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy Ordinary meeting

ITRE

Committee on International Trade Ordinary meeting

INTA

Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

CULT

Committee on Public Health Ordinary meeting

SANT

Committee on Budgets Ordinary meeting

BUDG

Meeting of the EP Conference of Presidents

EP Plenary session - Competitiveness Compass

EP Plenary session - Collaboration between conservatives and far right as a threat for competitiveness in the EU

EP Plenary session - Voting Session

EP Plenary session -  One year after the murder of Alexei Navalny and the continued repression of the democratic opposition in Russia

EP Plenary session - Commission Work Programme 2025

EP Plenary session - Protecting the system of international justice and its institutions, in particular the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice

EP Plenary session - Political crisis in Serbia

EP Plenary session - US AI chip export restrictions: a challenge to European AI development and economic resilience

EP Plenary session - Escalation of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

Official launch of the EP Intergroup on the Future of Education and Skills for a Competitive Europe

Conference of Committee Chairs

EP Plenary session - Wider comprehensive EU-Middle East Strategy

Press conference on a Call for a clear EU support for the ICC - crucial for all victims of international crimes and the EU sovereignty

LEX signing ceremony in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Adam SZLAPKA, Polish Minister for the European Union on behalf of the Polish Presidency

EP Plenary session - Boosting vocational education and training in times of labour market transitions

Media Seminar - Roundtable on ' Defending Europe's Digital Integrity: Addressing Social Media Challenges and Foreign Interference '

MEPs discuss how to handle the increasing number of refugees fleeing from the war in Ukraine as a consequence of the Russian invasion. First part of the debate.

The deterioration of the situation of refugees as a consequence of Russian aggression against Ukraine: MEPs debate (Part 1/4)

Plenary debates with Council and Commission representatives the deteriorating situation for refugees as a consequence of the Russian invasion. According to the UNHCR, more than two millions persons have left the country since 24 February, most of them heading to neighbouring countries.

The deterioration of the situation of refugees as a consequence of Russian aggression against Ukraine: extracts from the debate

MEPs discuss how to handle the increasing number of refugees fleeing from the war in Ukraine as a consequence of the Russian invasion. Opening statements by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Brigitte KLINKERT, French Minister Delegate for Integration.

The deterioration of the situation of refugees as a consequence of Russian aggression against Ukraine: opening statements by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Brigitte KLINKERT, French Minister Delegate for Integration

Press conference by Sandra KALNIETE (EPP, LV), Rapporteur and Raphaël GLUCKSMANN (S&D, FR), INGE Chair on foreign Interference, including disinformation. This transcription is a result of an automatic result. Please check against delivery.

Foreign Interference, including disinformation: press conference by Sandra KALNIETE (EPP, LV), Rapporteur and Raphaël GLUCKSMANN (S&D, FR), INGE Chair

MEPs debate a series of recommendations aimed to beef up the EU’s capabilities on foreign interference, including a sanctions regime to fight foreign meddling and disinformation, general information campaigns spreading awareness about its dangers, and tightened rules for social media platforms serving as vehicles for foreign interference. Fourth part of the debate.

Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU: MEPs debate (Part 4/4)

Ahead of the plenary session in Strasbourg from 7th to 10th March, Stéphane SÉJOURNÉ (Renew, FR), President of the Renew group in the European Parliament, holds a press briefing.

Press conference by Stéphane SÉJOURNÉ (Renew, FR), President - Briefing Renew Europe

To mark International Women’s Day, the Ukranian writer Oksana ZABUZKHO addresses MEPs in Strasbourg. Extracts from the address to the Plenary and from the meting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

International Women’s Day Celebration - Address by Oksana ZABUZKHO, Ukranian writer: meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and extracts from the address

MEPs debate a series of recommendations aimed to beef up the EU’s capabilities on foreign interference, including a sanctions regime to fight foreign meddling and disinformation, general information campaigns spreading awareness about its dangers, and tightened rules for social media platforms serving as vehicles for foreign interference. Third part of the debate.

Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU: MEPs debate (Part 3/4)

Ahead of the plenary session in Strasbourg from 7th to 10th March, Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), President of the EPP group in the European Parliament, holds a press briefing.

Press conference by Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), President - Briefing EPP

MEPs debate a series of recommendations aimed to beef up the EU’s capabilities on foreign interference, including a sanctions regime to fight foreign meddling and disinformation, general information campaigns spreading awareness about its dangers, and tightened rules for social media platforms serving as vehicles for foreign interference. Closing statements by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency, by Brigitte KLINKERT, French Minister Delegate in charge of Integration attached to the Minister of Labour, Employment and Integration and by Sandra KALNIETE (EPP,LV), rapporteur.

Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU: Closing statements by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency, by Brigitte KLINKERT, French Minister Delegate for Integration

MEPs debate a series of recommendations aimed to beef up the EU’s capabilities on foreign interference, including a sanctions regime to fight foreign meddling and disinformation, general information campaigns spreading awareness about its dangers, and tightened rules for social media platforms serving as vehicles for foreign interference. Second part of the debate.

Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU: MEPs debate (Part 2/4)

Ahead of the plenary session in Strasbourg from 7th to 10th March, Ska KELLER (Greens/EFA,DE) and Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), Co-Presidents of the Greens group in the European Parliament, hold a press briefing.

Press conference by Manon AUBRY (The Left, FR) and Martin SCHIRDEWAN (The Left, DE), Co-Presidents - Briefing The Left

EUWomen4Future: extracts from the opening speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Press conference by Ska KELLER (Greens/EFA, DE) and Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE) - Briefing Greens/EFA

MEPs debate a series of recommendations aimed to beef up the EU’s capabilities on foreign interference, including a sanctions regime to fight foreign meddling and disinformation, general information campaigns spreading awareness about its dangers, and tightened rules for social media platforms serving as vehicles for foreign interference. First part of the debate.

Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU: MEPs debate (Part 1/4)

Ahead of the plenary session in Strasbourg from 7th to 10th March, Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D,ES), President of the S&D group in the European Parliament, holds a press briefing.

Press conference by Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), President - Briefing S&D

EP President Metsola met the Minister for EU Affairs of Czechia, Mikuláš Bek, before her opening address at the #EUwomen4future event

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Mikuláš BEK, Czech State Secretary for European Affairs

MEPs debate a series of recommendations aimed to beef up the EU’s capabilities on foreign interference, including a sanctions regime to fight foreign meddling and disinformation, general information campaigns spreading awareness about its dangers, and tightened rules for social media platforms serving as vehicles for foreign interference. Opening statements by Sandra KALNIETE (EPP, LV), rapporteur, Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Brigitte KLINKERT, French Minister delegate for Integration and by Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World and by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency.

Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU: opening statements by Sandra KALNIETE (EPP, LV), rapporteur, Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HR/VP of the European Union and by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vicepresident of the European Commission

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23 614 résultats