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.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 12/02/2025 - Gaeilge

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.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 11/02/2025 - Gaeilge

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.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 10/02/2025 - Gaeilge

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.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 07/02/2025 - Gaeilge

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.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 06/02/2025 - Gaeilge

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.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 05/02/2025 - Gaeilge

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.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 04/02/2025 - Gaeilge

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.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 03/02/2025 - Gaeilge

Tá ar a laghad billiún béile de bhia inite á gcur amú gach lá i dteaghlaigh ar fud an domhain. Is leor sin chun béile amháin in aghaidh an lae a chur ar fáil do gach duine aonair atá thíos leis an ocras ar fud an domhain. Nuair a chaithimid bia amach, cuirtear an fuinneamh agus na hacmhainní ar fad a úsáideadh chun é a réiteach amú freisin. Mar sin, imrítear tionchar ar an gcomhshaol, mar shampla astaíochtaí gás ceaptha teasa, ach ní chuireann an bia cothú ar fáil do dhuine ar bith. Dá bhrí sin, tá sé mar aidhm le beartais bainistithe dramhaíola an Aontais an tionchar atá ag cur amú bia ar an gcomhshaol agus ar an tsláinte a laghdú.

Cur amú bia san Aontas Eorpach: dúshláin agus cuspóirí

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

Blúiríní Nuachta – 31/01/2025 - Gaeilge

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.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 30/01/2025 - Gaeilge

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.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 29/01/2025 - Gaeilge

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.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 28/01/2025 - Gaeilge

Theith Jeanne Salomon ó na Naitsithe, chaill sí a fear céile agus a leanbh, tháinig sí slán as Auschwitz agus máirseáil an bháis, agus chuir sí tús le saol nua i Lucsamburg. Insíonn a mac, Henri Juda scéal a mháthar, bean neamhghnách agus chróga, dúinn.

Marthanóir ó Auschwitz: scéal corraitheach 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.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 27/01/2025 - Gaeilge

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.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 24/01/2025 - Gaeilge

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

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

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

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

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

Israel is a key and strategic ally of the European Union. Political, economic and social cooperation - as well as trade, cultural and scientific exchanges - with Israel date almost to the origins of the EU itself.&nbsp;

President of the EP Roberta Metsola reacted to the attacks launched by Hamas on Israel&nbsp;during the first weekend of October by stressing that the EP condemned&nbsp;&nbsp;the terror and violence waged against innocent people.

In the statement by MEPs David McAllister and Antonio López-Istúriz White declared:

“We follow with utmost concern the news of terrible violence in Israel. We strongly condemn the heinous attack launched against Israel by Hamas terrorists on this Sabbath morning. We affirm the right of Israel to defend itself, and express our solidarity with Israel in these difficult moments.

We must not let opponents of peace ruin the chances of reconciliation and peaceful co-existence in Israel and Palestine. We call on all partners for peace to be present and active in order to bring the peace process back on track.”

EU - Israel

The Delegation for relations with Palestine is concerned with developments in the Middle East Peace Process and the European Union's policy and actions concerning the establishment of the two state-solution. The European Parliament has repeatedly expressed its strong support for the two-state solution, with the State of Israel and an independent, sovereign, free, contiguous and viable Palestinian State with living side-by-side in peace. Delegation Members assess the situation in Palestine regularly, meeting with Palestinian authorities, Palestinian Legislative Council counterparts, and political and community leaders as well as NGOs.

EU - Palestine

The European Parliament’s Conference of Presidents (President and political groups’ leaders) welcomed&nbsp;the recent ceasefire in Gaza and the progress it represents for the phased release of hostages. This development is a significant step in reducing the immense suffering endured by civilians on both sides over the past months.

US and Qatari mediators announced that Hamas and Israel agreed to a ceasefire, which began&nbsp;on 19 January. The deal includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Palestinians that have fled&nbsp;parts of Gaza will also be able to return home.

It is estimated that Israel has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians since October 2023, in response to the attack by Hamas in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and around 250 people abducted.&nbsp; MEPs have adopted a number of resolutions since the October 2023 Hamas attack, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and expressing serious concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Commission President von der Leyen has also said that EU should actively engage with all actors in the Middle East region to work towards a two-state solution to the conflict.

Situation in Israel and Gaza

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

The European Union and the United States have the largest bilateral trade and investment relationship and enjoy the most integrated economic relationship in the world. EU and US investments are the real driver of the transatlantic relationship, contributing to growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

Although overtaken by China in 2021 as the largest EU import source for goods, the US remains the EU’s largest trade and investment partner by far. It is estimated that a third of the trade across the Atlantic actually consists of intra-company transfers.

The transatlantic relationship also defines the shape of the global economy as a whole. Either the EU or the US is the largest trade and investment partner for almost all other countries in the global economy. Taken together, the economies of both territories amount to more than 40% of world GDP and more than 40% of global trade in goods and services.

In June 2021 both entities agreed to take decisive steps to end the longest running dispute in the history of the World trade organisation: dispute on Large Civil Aircraft (also known as Airbus-Boeing dispute).

See more on the topic of EU-US trade relations by visiting our package for the 8th parliamentary term.

EU - US Trade relations

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

Have a look at stockshots (from 2021 onwards) with illustrative pre-edited broadcast quality video footage. These editable stockshots are clean (raw), with natural sound (no voice-over), produced to illustrate priority EU dossiers and parliamentary work. They are intended to help audiovisual media produce their own programs, for example, editing of news reports or documentaries.

Infoclips - Illustrative footage

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

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

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

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

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

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.
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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

Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting ICM

AFET

European Parliamentary Week 2025 - Plenary session II

European Parliamentary Week 2025 - Plenary session I

Delegation to the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly Ordinary Meeting

DAFR

Panel for the Future of Science and Technology panel

Delegation to the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly INTER-PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION DACP Delegation Meeting

DACP

Delegation to the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee INTER-PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION 16th EU-Serbia SAPC (part 2)

Plenary session

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 '

EP Plenary session - The need to address urgent labour shortages and ensure quality jobs in the health care sector

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Formal sitting with Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada

Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Leaders of the Political Groups meet with Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

Roberta METSOLA, EP President and MEP meet with Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

Press briefing The Left

Η οικογένεια Diaconescu έφτασε στα όρια των αντοχών της: σχέδια για διακοπές που ανατρέπονται από το αυστηρό λοκντάουν, κοινωνικές σχέσεις στο ναδίρ και δύο έφηβοι στο σπίτι.

Μαζί από μακριά | Η ιστορία της οικογένειας Diaconescu: «Τα παιδιά μας μπορούσαν να επικοινωνήσουν με τους φίλους τους μονάχα χάρη στην ψηφιακή τεχνολογία»

Plany wakacyjne zrujnowane przez obostrzenia, relacje społeczne w całkowitym zastoju, a w domu dwoje nastolatków – pandemia wystawiła rodzinę Diaconescu na ciężką próbę. Co stanowiło ich oparcie? Jak zdołali sprostać wyzwaniom, jakie postawiła przed nimi pandemia COVID-19? Poznaj ich historię, którą opowiedzieli w wywiadzie z serii „Połączeni rozłąką” w lipcu 2021 roku.

Połączeni rozłąką | Historia rodziny Diaconescu: „Nasze dzieci mogły kontaktować się z przyjaciółmi wyłącznie przy pomocy technologii cyfrowej”

Kútba esett nyaralás, a társas kapcsolatok teljes hiánya, két kamasz gyerek otthon – a szigorú kijárási korlátozás a végletekig próbára tette a Diaconescu család tűrőképességét. Mibe kapaszkodtak, hogy legyőzzék a koronavírus-járvány viszontagságait? Tekintse meg az „Egyedül, mégis együtt” sorozatban 2021 júliusában velük készített riportunkat.

Egyedül, mégis együtt | A Diaconescu család története: „A gyerekeink csak a digitális technológia segítségével tudták tartani a kapcsolatot a barátaikkal”

Semesterplanerna gick i stöpet på grund av en ordentlig nedstängning, de sociala kontakterna var obefintliga och med två tonåringar hemma sattes familjen Diaconescus uthållighet på hårda prov. Vilka knep använde de sig av för att hantera coronapandemin? Se intervjun med familjen Diaconescu som gjordes i juli 2021 för Together apart-projektet.

Together apart | Familjen Diaconescus historia: ”Det enda sättet för våra barn att behålla kontakten med sina vänner var med hjälp av digital teknik”

Holiday plans ruined by a strict lockdown, social relationships at a total standstill, and two teenagers at home – the Diaconescu family’s resilience was tested to the limit. What did they rely on to overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic? Watch the Diaconescu family tell their story in the interview they gave for ‘Together apart’ in July 2021.

Together apart | The Diaconescu Family’s story: ‘The only way our kids could connect with friends was with the help of digital technology’

Lomasuunnitelmat pilalla tiukan sulkutilan takia, sosiaaliset suhteet jäissä ja kotona kaksi teini-ikäistä – Diaconescun perheen sietokyky oli äärirajoilla. Mikä auttoi heitä selviämään koronapandemian aiheuttamista haasteista? Katso video, jossa Diaconescun perhe kertoo tarinansa. Heitä haastateltiin ”Yhdessä erillään” -sarjaan kesäkuussa 2021.

Yhdessä erillään | Diaconescun perheen tarina: ”Lapsemme saattoivat pitää yhteyttä ystäviinsä vain digiteknologian avulla”

Rikutud puhkuseplaanid, ranged liikumispiirangud, pea täielikult katkenud sotsiaalne suhtlus ja kaks koju jääma sunnitud teismelist – Diaconescu perekonna kannatus pandi pandeemia ajal korralikult proovile. Mis aitas neil väljakutsed seljatada? Vaata Diaconescu perekonna 2021. aasta juuni intervjuud sarjast „Kõik eraldi“.

Kõik eraldi | Diaconescu perekonna lugu: „Meie lapsed said sõpradega suhelda ainult digitaalselt.“

Vakantieplannen die in het water vielen door een strenge lockdown, een sociaal leven dat tot stilstand kwam en twee tieners in huis ... De veerkracht van de Diaconescu’s werd tot het uiterste gedreven. Hoe wisten zij de uitdagingen als gevolg van de coronapandemie het hoofd te bieden? Bekijk het volledige verhaal van het gezin Diaconescu in het interview dat zij in juli 2021 gaven voor “Gescheiden, maar niet alleen”.

Gescheiden, maar niet alleen | Het verhaal van het gezin Diaconescu: “De enige manier waarop onze kinderen in contact kunnen komen met hun vrienden is digitaal”

Počitniški načrti so zaradi strogega zaprtja splavali po vodi, družabni stiki so bili popolnoma prekinjeni, najstnika pa sta bila ves čas doma – družina Diaconescu je bila na preizkušnji. Kaj jim je pomagalo premagati izzive pandemije covida-19? Oglejte si intervju z družino Diaconescu in poslušajte njeno zgodbo. V okviru projekta „Sami, a povezani“ smo se z njenimi družinskimi člani pogovarjali julija 2021.

Sami, a povezani | Zgodba družine Diaconescu: „Otroka sta se s prijatelji lahko družila le s pomočjo digitalne tehnologije.“

Entre les projets de vacances compromis par un confinement strict, les relations sociales à l’arrêt et deux adolescents coincés à la maison, les nerfs des membres de la famille Diaconescu ont été mis à rude épreuve. Comment ont-ils surmonté les défis posés par la pandémie de COVID-19? Découvrez l’histoire de la famille Diaconescu en regardant la vidéo de l’entretien qu’elle nous a accordé pour le projet «Isolés ensemble», en juillet 2021.

Isolés ensemble | L’histoire de la famille Diaconescu: «C’est uniquement grâce aux appareils numériques que nos enfants ont pu rester en contact avec leurs amis.»

Ferieplaner spoleret af nedlukning, stagnerede sociale relationer og to teenagere lukket inde i samme hus. Der blev trukket store veksler på familien Diaconescu under covid-19-pandemien. Hvad støttede de sig til for at komme igennem den svære tid? Hør dem fortælle deres historie i det interview, de gav som en del af serien "Sammen i adskillelsen" i juli 2021.

Sammen i adskillelsen | Familien Diaconescus historie: "Den eneste måde, vores børn kunne være i kontakt med deres venner på, var ved hjælp af digital teknologi"

Plány na dovolenku zmarené, spoločenský život na mŕtvom bode a doma dvaja tínedžeri – pandémia koronavírusu a s ňou spojený zákaz vychádzania postavili rodinu Diaconescuovcov pred ťažkú skúšku. Ako si s touto výzvou poradili? Pozrite si príbeh rodiny Diaconescuovcov v rozhovore, ktorý nám poskytli v rámci projektu „Vzdialenosť nás nerozdelí“ v júni 2021.

Vzdialenosť nás nerozdelí | príbeh rodiny Diaconescuovcov: „Naše deti mohli byť v kontakte s kamarátmi len vďaka digitálnym technológiám“

Prázdninové plány zmařené přísnými lockdownovými pravidly, nedostatek kontaktu s jinými lidmi a dva teenageři doma – rodina Diaconescu si prožila své. Co je během pandemie drželo nad vodou? Celý příběh rodiny Diaconescu si můžete poslechnout v rozhovoru, který v červenci 2021 poskytli ve videu z cyklu „Spojeni v odloučení“.

Spojeni v odloučení | Příběh rodiny Diaconescu: „Naše děti se s kamarády mohly spojit jen přes internet“

What was it like for Petter, a young supermarket worker from Sweden, having to provide an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic? Every day, he had to work in close contact with customers and his co-workers, trying to keep himself and everyone else safe. What were his biggest challenges and how did he overcome them? Watch Petter tell his story in the interview he gave for ‘Together apart’ in June 2021.

Together apart | Petter’s story: Confrontations with customers were just the beginning

Cik viegli gados jaunajam Peteram bija strādāt pārtikas veikalā Zviedrijā Covid-19 pandēmijas laikā? Ik dienas, strādājot ciešā saskarē ar pircējiem un kolēģiem, viņam bija jārūpējas par to, lai pasargātu gan sevi, gan visus apkārtējos. Kas bija visgrūtākais, un kā viņš tika ar to galā? Lai uzzinātu visu Petera stāstu, noskaties interviju, ko viņš sniedza 2021. gada jūnijā projektam “Kopā arī nošķirtībā”.

Kopā arī nošķirtībā | Petera stāsts: “Neapmierināti pircēji vēl nebija tas trakākais”

Petter je mladý prodavač ze Švédska, který během pandemie pracoval v supermarketu. Jaké pro něj bylo pohybovat se každý den v blízkosti zákazníků a kolegů a přitom chránit sebe i ostatní. Co mu přišlo nejhorší? Celý Petterův příběh si můžete poslechnout v rozhovoru, který v červnu 2021 poskytl ve videu z cyklu „Spojeni v odloučení“.

Spojeni v odloučení | Petterův příběh: „Střety se zákazníky nebyly to nejtěžší“

Cum s-a simțit Petter, un tânăr angajat dintr-un supermarket din Suedia, în perioada pandemiei de COVID-19, când a trebuit să furnizeze servicii esențiale? A fost nevoit să lucreze zilnic în contact apropiat cu clienții și colegii săi, încercând să rămână în siguranță atât el, cât și cei din jur. Care au fost cele mai mari provocări și cum le-a depășit? Urmăriți povestea lui Peter în interviul pe care l-a acordat pentru proiectul „Împreună de la distanță” în iunie 2021.

Together apart | Povestea lui Petter: Confruntările cu clienții au fost doar începutul

Wie war es für den jungen Supermarktangestellten Petter aus Schweden, während der Coronapandemie in diesem so unverzichtbaren Bereich zu arbeiten? Jeden Tag hatte er in der Arbeit engen Kontakt zur Kundschaft und zu seinen Kolleginnen und Kollegen, und versuchte dabei, sich selbst und alle anderen zu schützen. Was war das Schwierigste daran und wie hat er das alles geschafft? Petter erzählt seine Geschichte in dem Video-Interview, das er im Juni 2021 für „Gemeinsam getrennt“ gab.

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