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

Blúiríní Nuachta – 13/02/2025 - Gaeilge

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

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

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 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

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

Europe is faced with a significant influx of migrants: hundreds of thousands of people fleeing from war and poverty are travelling to Europe in search of safety and a better life. 

The increase in migration to Europe requires a response from the EU on a number of levels. Firstly, policies to handle regular and irregular immigration, and secondly, common EU-wide rules on asylum. The migrant crisis of late has also resulted in a need for additional measures and reforms to ensure border security as well as a fairer distribution of asylum seekers among EU countries.

Migration - 8th Parliamentary term

The European Council will focus on migration, security and defence, the EU’s long-term budget, the Brexit talks and Eurozone reform. 

 
EU heads of state or government meet in Brussels to discuss the most pressing policy priorities for the European Union, including how to press ahead with the EU’s common asylum system and also to evaluate the progress of the ongoing Brexit negotiations (in a EU27 format).&nbsp; They are also scheduled to debate the next EU long-term budget (multi-annual financial framework - MFF), security and defence, innovation and digital Europe and Eurozone reform (Euro Summit format).

European Council, 28 and 29 June 2018

The EU Heads of state or government of the Member States meet in Brussels on 17 and 18 October 2018 and look at a number of the most pressing issues.

On 17 October, EU27 leaders meet in the European Council (Art.50) to review the state of the negotiations with the UK. Ahead of this meeting, Prime Minister May updated the leaders on the UK perspective of the negotiations.

On 18 October, the agenda of the European Council meeting focuses on migration and internal security. It will be followed by the Euro Summit in an inclusive format.

European Council, 17 and 18 October 2018

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

On 27 June 2014, the EU and Moldova signed an Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), which entered into force in July 2016. In April 2014, Moldova became the first country in the Eastern Partnership to benefit from a visa-free regime. Moldova is the country which is very much affected by the influx of refugees from Ukraine, after the Russian aggression against the country.

In a speech to the European Parliament on 18 May 2022, Moldovan President Maia Sandu called on EU countries to rally behind her country’s European aspirations. In her address to MEPs in Brussels, President Sandu outlined how Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine had echoes of Europe’s troubled past, with its ‘unabashed land grabs, geopolitical conquests and spheres of influence’.&nbsp;

Against the backdrop of the war, Moldova formally applied for EU membership in March 2022 and President Sandu stated her firm conviction that the country is part of the European community.

EU - Moldova

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 European Parliament has repeatedly advocated press freedom and media pluralism in the EU and abroad.&nbsp; World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO's General Conference. Since then, 3 May, the anniversary of the&nbsp;Declaration of Windhoek&nbsp;is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.

Already in 2018 the EP adopted a resolution on media pluralism and media freedom in the EU, noting the political developments in various members states, that have led to increased pressures on and threats against journalists.&nbsp; The European Parliament has also&nbsp;launched the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism.&nbsp;

The prize commends outstanding journalism revolving around the principles and values of the European Union. On the field of legislation, Parliament wants to reinforce protection of journalists and activists in the EU against unfounded and abusive lawsuits aimed to silence them.&nbsp;

MEPs also gave their final green light to new legislation to protect EU journalists and media from political or economic interference during the March Plenary session.

Under the new law, adopted by 464 votes in favour to 92 against and 65 abstentions, member states will be obliged to protect media independence and all forms of interventions in editorial decisions will be banned.

More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240308IPR19014/media-freedom-act-a-new-bill-to-protect-eu-journalists-and-press-freedom">https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240308IPR19014/media-freedom-act-a-new-bill-to-protect-eu-journalists-and-press-freedom</a>

Press freedom

The policies of the EU on climate and energy are described, as well as the challenges that must be faced in order to achieve the Paris Agreement target of keeping the increase in global temperature well below 2°C and to pursue efforts to achieve 1.5°C.

The EU faces major challenges from the increased threats of climate change, with serious consequences in the energy sector, where urgent issues are arising concerning the national production mix of each Member State. The renewable energy share needs to be increased, and energy efficiency needs to be improved.

Climate change (2019-2020)

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

Climate change remains a key challenge. The EU and the European Parliament are working to ensure a more sustainable society and economy through ambitious policies at home and close cooperation with international partners. It is already on track to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2020, and has put forward a plan to further cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

By 2050, Europe aims to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent. Alongside reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the EU is also taking action to adapt to the impacts of climate change. By 2050, Europe aims to be a climate-resilient society. Climate action is at the heart of the European Green Deal – an ambitious package of measures ranging from drastically cutting greenhouse gas emissions, to investing in cutting-edge research and innovation, to preserving Europe’s natural environment.

Climate change

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Debate on the  tariff threats from the Trump administration

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

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

Parliament holds a press briefing on the plenary session.

Last-minute briefing ahead of EP Plenary

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

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

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

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

Pre-session briefing

Roberta METSOLA, EP President visits Malta

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Official visit to Malta

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 Pieter DANKERT meets with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Nicos Rolandis.

EP President Pieter DANKERT meets with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Nicos ROLANDIS, in Strasbourg, France, April 26, 1982.

EP President Pieter DANKERT (L) meets with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Nicos ROLANDIS (C), in Strasbourg, France, April 26, 1982.

EP President Pieter DANKERT (C) and Fernand HERMAN meet with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Nicos ROLANDIS (R), in Strasbourg, France, April 26, 1982.

EP President Pieter DANKERT meets with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Nicos ROLANDIS (R), in Strasbourg, France, April 26, 1982.

Conciliation meeting on budget with, between others, EP President Pieter DANKERT and Leo TINDEMANS in Strasbourg.

Conciliation meeting on budget with, between others, EP President Pieter DANKERT, Leo TINDEMANS, Erwin LANGE, Christopher TUGENDHAT, in Strasbourg, France, April 19-23, 1982.

Conciliation meeting on budget with, between others, EP President Pieter DANKERT, Leo TINDEMANS, Erwin LANGE, Christopher TUGENDHAT (R), in Strasbourg, France, April 19-23, 1982.

Conciliation meeting on budget with, between others, EP President Pieter DANKERT, Leo TINDEMANS (2R), Erwin LANGE, Christopher TUGENDHAT, in Strasbourg, France, April 19-23, 1982.

Conciliation meeting on budget with, between others, EP President Pieter DANKERT (2R), Leo TINDEMANS, Erwin LANGE (2L), Christopher TUGENDHAT, in Strasbourg, France, April 19-23, 1982.

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

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

DAND

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs Ordinary meeting

ECON

Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting

AFET

Committee on International Trade Ordinary meeting

INTA

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy Ordinary meeting

ITRE

Committee on Budgets Ordinary meeting

BUDG

Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

PETI

Committee on Public Health Ordinary meeting

SANT

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories - Meeting with Isaac HERZOG, President of Israel

EP Plenary session - Cross-border recognition of civil status documents of same-sex couples and their children within the territory of the EU

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories - Visit to the Site of the Nova Festival, in Re'im

EP Plenary session - Voting Session

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories - Crossing into Gaza and Visit to the Border-Crossing Point & to Humanitarian Operations at Kerem Shalom Border

EP Plenary session - Threats to EU sovereignty through strategic dependencies in communication infrastructure

Intergroup on Resilience, Disaster management, and Civil protection - Constitutive meeting

16th Meeting of the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee - Voting session

Minority Intergroup

Trilogue on the Reform and Growth Facility for the Republic of Moldova

EP Plenary session - EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories: meeting with Amir OHANA, Speaker of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) and Gideon SA'AR, Israeli Minister for Foreign Affairs

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

EP Plenary session - Silent crisis: the mental health of Europe’s youth

EP Plenary session - Honouring the memory of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová

EP Plenary session - US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organisation and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid

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

16th Meeting of the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee

President Metsola is on an official visit to Israel and the Palestinian occupied territory, where she is holding talks with the political authorities. She exchanges with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog at the Presidencial residence Beit HaNassi in Jerusalem.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories: meeting with Isaac HERZOG, President of Israel - Jerusalem

Roberta Metsola, EP President, visits the Nova Festival Victims Memorial commemorating the victims of the massacre. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip. During this assault, 364 people, mostly civilians, were killed, and many others were injured at the Supernova Sukkot Gathering, an open-air music festival held near kibbutz Re'im.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories: visit to the Site of the Nova Festival, in Re'im

President Metsola travelled to the Kerem Shalom Border Crossing Point to visit the humanitarian operations. From there, President Metsola entered into Gaza where she was able to witness humanitarian aid entering from the Israeli side. President Metsola is the first European leader to enter Gaza in more than a decade. Her crossing of the border at a crucial moment in time is meant to highlight the EU’s critical role in supporting humanitarian efforts in Gaza (notably through the EUBAM operation) and the EU’s commitment to continue supporting the ceasefire and hostage exchange deal.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories: crossing into Gaza, visit to the border-crossing point and the humanitarian operation station

Votes on motions for resolution - Recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye - Repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular - Continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu - Further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia (debate: 21/01/2025) - Escalation of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Voting Session

Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparence opens the debate on EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement. The European Union and four Mercosur countries – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – reached a political agreement on 6 December 2024 for a ground-breaking partnership agreement. MEPs will review the recently concluded EU-Mercosur free-trade deal, amidst a new geopolitical context of increasing unilateralism, and concerns over the deal’s potential effects on European agriculture. If ratified, the deal would gradually phase out duties on 91% of EU exports to Mercosur and 92% of Mercosur exports to the EU. Parliament must give its consent before the agreement can enter into force. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Closing statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Opening statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency

Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparence opens the debate on EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement. The European Union and four Mercosur countries – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – reached a political agreement on 6 December 2024 for a ground-breaking partnership agreement. MEPs will review the recently concluded EU-Mercosur free-trade deal, amidst a new geopolitical context of increasing unilateralism, and concerns over the deal’s potential effects on European agriculture. If ratified, the deal would gradually phase out duties on 91% of EU exports to Mercosur and 92% of Mercosur exports to the EU. Parliament must give its consent before the agreement can enter into force.

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: MEPs debate (part 2)

The European Union and four Mercosur countries – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – reached a political agreement on 6 December 2024 for a ground-breaking partnership agreement. MEPs will review the recently concluded EU-Mercosur free-trade deal, amidst a new geopolitical context of increasing unilateralism, and concerns over the deal’s potential effects on European agriculture. If ratified, the deal would gradually phase out duties on 91% of EU exports to Mercosur and 92% of Mercosur exports to the EU. Parliament must give its consent before the agreement can enter into force.

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: MEPs debate (part 1)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, receives an official welcome at the Knesset in Jerusalem where she meets with Amir Ohana, Speaker of the Knesset, and Gideon Sa’ar, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel.

The European Parliament honours the memory of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová, murdered in February 2018. The killing shocked Slovakia and led to the fall of Prime Minister Robert Fico of the Smer-SD party and later, in the February 2020 parliamentary elections, to the landslide victory of the opposition, which ran on an anti-corruption platform. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Honouring the memory of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová: Closing statements

Honouring the memory of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová: Opening statements

The European Parliament honours the memory of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová, murdered in February 2018. The killing shocked Slovakia and led to the fall of Prime Minister Robert Fico of the Smer-SD party and later, in the February 2020 parliamentary elections, to the landslide victory of the opposition, which ran on an anti-corruption platform.

Honouring the memory of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová: MEPs debate

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 discuss the impact of these decisions internationally and on the EU’s future involvement in these global initiatives. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organisation and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid: Closing statement by Hadja LAHBIB, European Commissioner for Equality, and European Commissioner for Preparedness

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 discuss the impact of these decisions internationally and on the EU’s future involvement in these global initiatives.

US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organisation and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid: MEPs debate (part 2)

US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organisation and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid: Opening statement by Hadja LAHBIB, European Commissioner for Equality, and European Commissioner for Preparedness

US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organisation and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid: MEPs debate (part 3)

US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organisation and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid: extracts from the debate

US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organisation and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid: MEPs debate (part 1)

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