At a glance: NATO chief Mark Rutte meets Parliament committees to discuss NATO-EU cooperation, Ukraine and global security threats; Parliament President Metsola in Egypt for regional dialogue; EU aims for climate neutrality by 2050.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 10/01/2025 - Malti

At a glance: Poland takes over EU Council Presidency; Germany’s Chemnitz and Slovenia’s Nova Gorica celebrate European cultural heritage and diversity as Capitals of Culture; 30 years of EU membership for Austria, Finland and Sweden.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 09/01/2025 - Malti

At a glance: MEPs visit India to boost digital and consumer ties; tax policies and gender equality under scrutiny; and improving the enforcement of EU laws to benefit citizens.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 08/01/2025 - Malti

At a glance: Poland takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union; MEPs visit India to boost digital and consumer ties; Parliament calls for leadership on women’s rights.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 07/01/2025 - Malti

At a glance: President Metsola at the EU-Western Balkans summit: ‘It is time to grow’; Parliament sets up new committees on defence, health, democracy and housing; on 1 January, Poland will take over the EU Council presidency from Hungary.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 20/12/2024 - Malti

At a glance: Georgian President Salomé Zourabichvili warns MEPs of high stakes for EU if Georgia falls under Russian influence; Parliament approves faster disaster recovery funding; MEPs elect Teresa Anjinho from Portugal as European Ombudsman.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 19/12/2024 - Malti

At a glance: Romania and Bulgaria will officially join the Schengen free-movement area on 1 January 2025; the geopolitical implications of the toppling of the Assad regime in Syria; the European Parliament awarded the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia from Venezuela.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 18/12/2024 - Malti

At a glance: in Strasbourg tomorrow, MEPs will outline their priorities for the upcoming EU summit on Ukraine, the Middle East and migration and will debate collective bargaining and abusive subcontracting practices; Parliament is also set to establish new committees on defence, health, democracy and housing.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 17/12/2024 - Malti

Permezz tal-metafora tal-linji ferrovjarji, il-ferroviji u l-vaguni, is-sit tat-Tren Leġiżlattiv jippermetti lill-utenti jiġifieri l-Membri, il-persunal tal-Parlament u l-pubbliku ġenerali – isegwu l-evoluzzjoni tal-fajls leġiżlattivi matul il-leġiżlaturi attwali u preċedenti tal-Parlament Ewropew.

X’inhu t-tren leġiżlattiv?

At a glance: Sakharov Prize to honour Venezuelan democracy leaders; MEPs to debate the impact of the Assad regime’s collapse in Syria; Parliament to elect the next European Ombudsman.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 16/12/2024 - Malti

In recent years an increasing number of attacks and threats against journalists have been documented and reported in Europe. Physical attacks against journalists as well as online threats and harassment in reprisal for journalists' work are on the rise in several EU countries. Around the world, the number of dead and wounded journalists is still too high, as is the number of journalists who are detained, imprisoned and mistreated. The most recent Council of Europe assessment of press freedom in Europe reports that war remains a threat to press freedom and the safety of media workers. Reporters without Borders confirms that the situation is particularly dangerous for journalists, who are sometimes deliberately targeted by military fire despite displaying 'Press' identification.

EPRS policy podcast - Protection of journalists in the European Union

At a glance: Gender Equality Week wraps up with a digital focus; the 2024 Gender Equality Index reveals slow progress across the EU; MEPs discuss the future of EU cohesion policy beyond 2027.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 13/12/2024 - Malti

At a glance:  MEPs are preparing for the next plenary session. In Strasbourg, Parliament will award the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2025 to María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia; MEPs will debate misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms and vote on EU aid for member states affected by natural disasters.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 12/12/2024 - Malti

At a glance: the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs to address ‘sticky floor’ in labour market; European Commissioner for Equality to discuss gender and health with MEPs; the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development to host a discussion on gender equality in farming.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 11/12/2024 - Malti

At a glance:  The European Parliament highlights women’s safety in digital spaces during European Gender Equality Week; the Subcommittee on Human Rights marks Human Rights Defenders Day with a high-level conference; and Parliament President Roberta Metsola to meet with the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 10/12/2024 - Malti

Tnejn minn kull tliet żgħażagħ fl-Ewropa jixtiequ jikkontribwixxu għat-tranżizzjoni ekoloġika permezz tal-impjiegi tagħhom. Madankollu, 45% taż-żgħażagħ Ewropej m’għandhomx il-ħiliet ekoloġiċi biex jagħmlu dan. Iż-żgħażagħ għandhom ikunu mgħammra bil-ħiliet u l-għarfien rilevanti biex jaġixxu fuq l-isfidi ambjentali u tat-tibdil fil-klima. L-idea ta’ skema ta’ “bliet ekoloġiċi Erasmus” tkun li tipprovdi liż-żgħażagħ b’opportunitajiet ta’ volontarjat u traineeships imħallsa fi proġetti ekoloġiċi lokali.

Lejn “korp ta’ azzjoni klimatika” għaż-żgħażagħ fl-Ewropa

The Czech Republic has been an EU member country since 1st May 2004.

The Czech Republic is a parliamentary republic with a head of government - the Prime Minister - and a head of state - the President. The country was formed in 1993, after Czechoslovakia was split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. There are 21 members of the European Parliament from the Czech Republic.

EU - Czech Republic (2019-2020)

Hungary officially joined the EU on 1 March 2004 and the Schengen Area in December 2007.

The Hungarian EU accession negotiations started on 31 March 1998. Hungary had successfully concluded negotiations on its accession at the Copenhagen European Council in December 2002. Hungary has 22 MEPs, 12 votes in the Council and has chaired the Council of the European Union from January to June 2011.

EU - Hungary

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

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

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

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

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

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament 2022-2024

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

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

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

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament 2024-2027

Situated in the north-eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea and to the south of Turkey, Cyprus is the largest island in the eastern Mediterranean as well as being the third smallest country in the EU, after Malta and Luxembourg. 

Cyprus’s main export partners are Greece, the UK and Israel, while its main import partners are Greece, Israel and the UK. 
There are 6 members of the European Parliament from Cyprus.

EU - Cyprus

The Republic of Estonia obtained it's independence in 1991 and entered the EU on the 1st May 2004

After the signature of a European agreement and the filing of an application in 1995, the accession negotiations began in March 1998. Reforms have been undertaken during all the accession process to improve the national economic performance. The entry of Estonia in the EU was approved by referendum by a large majority on 14th September 2003.

Estonia has 6 MEPs, is represented by 4 voices to the Council and it adopted the Euro on the 1st January 2011. On 15 November 2007, the application of the Schengen acquis to Estonia is approved in plenary session.

EU - Estonia (8th parliamentary term)

Václav Havel, (Czech, born in Prague, 5 October 1936 - died 18 December 2011) was a playwright and essayist, as well as a prominent dissident during the Communist era. He was one of the founders of Charter 77 and of VONS (the Committee for the Defence of the Unjustly Prosecuted). In 1989, he became the last President of Czechoslovakia and, later, President of the Czech Republic (1993 - 2003).

Václav HAVEL, former President of the Czech Republic

From January to June 2022, France holds the Presidency of the EU Council, following the Slovenian&nbsp;Presidency and preceding the Czech Presidency.&nbsp; During January plenary session MEPs discussed&nbsp;with French President Emmanuel Macron the political strategy and aims of France’s six-month helm of the EU. France’s ministers are present their priorities in a series of meetings with parliamentary committees in January.

The motto of the&nbsp;French Presidency&nbsp;is “Recovery, Strength and a Sense of Belonging”, to underline that, in order to fight the health crisis, the rise of aggressive foreign powers and climate disruption, the best response is a European response. In terms of EU legislation, France plans to give priority to negotiations on the new Digital Services and Markets Acts, the establishment of an adjustment system for carbon pricing at the EU’s borders, and on common minimum wages rules. The&nbsp;Conference on the Future of Europe&nbsp;is expected to deliver its proposals in the course of the French Presidency semester in the first half of 2022. The Presidency of the Council rotates among the EU member states every 6 months. During this 6-month period, the Presidency chairs meetings at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU's work.&nbsp;

French Presidency

Georgia has recently experienced massive protests following the government’s decision to pause the country’s EU accession process following the disputed parliamentary elections in October 2024.&nbsp; The President of Georgia Ms Zourabichvili, who has served&nbsp;since 2018, declared that the election in which the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory was fraudulent and effectively stolen. In a resolution adopted on 28 November 2024, MEPs rejected the outcome of the parliamentary elections in Georgia and called for them to be re-run within a year.

EU - Georgia

On 19-20 December, EU Heads of State or Government review the latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s support for Kyiv, amidst the uncertainty of the new US administration’s approach to the conflict. The European Council also assesses the situation in the Middle East, following the recent ceasefire in Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel, while the humanitarian crisis in Gaza persists and there are still dozens of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Other topics for leaders include the EU’s geopolitical role, crisis prevention and response, and migration management.

The December 2024 European Council is the first chaired by incoming President António Costa, who on 1 December replaced Charles Michel as President. The new European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen also took office on 1 December, following the confirmation vote in plenary on 27 November.

European Council, 19-20 December 2024

President Metsola presented the Sakharov Prize 2024 to Venezuela’s Edmundo González Urrutia and María Corina Machado at a ceremony on 17th of December&nbsp;in Strasbourg.

Opening the award ceremony of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2024, President Metsola said: "In their quest for justice, democracy and the rule of law, Edmundo González Urrutia and María Corina Machado are fearlessly upholding values that millions of Venezuelans and the European Parliament hold so dear. This award is not just a recognition but also a reminder that the fight for freedom is never in vain. The future of Venezuela belongs to its people and the European Parliament stands proudly with them." 
 
María Corina Machado, represented in the ceremony by her daughter Ana Corina Sosa,&nbsp;was elected opposition candidate for the Venezuelan presidency on behalf of the ‘United Democratic Platform’ in 2023, before being disqualified by the government-controlled National Electoral Council. 
 
Edmundo González Urrutia, a diplomat and politician who succeeded Machado as the main opposition candidate after her disqualification, denounced the failure to publish the official results of the July 2024 presidential elections and contested Nicolás Maduro’s declared victory. He left Venezuela in September 2024, following the issuing of an arrest warrant against him, and was given refuge in Spain.

Sakharov Prize 2024

Following the presidential election in the US, MEPs discuss&nbsp;the future of EU-US relations under the new administration.

&nbsp;The debate with Council and Commission representatives on 13 November 2024 on the implications of Donald Trump’s victory for transatlantic relations is expected to centre on a variety of issues, including future EU-US cooperation on Russia, China, the Middle East and climate change.

On security and military cooperation, the Republican Party demands a reduction in US military assistance to Ukraine and the future US president has criticised Europe for not spending enough on defence. Trade between the US and EU is also expected to be debated as the president-elect wants to impose new tariffs on products coming from Europe.

EU - USA

Valéry Giscard d'Estaing&nbsp;(2 February 1926 - 2 December 2020) was a French politician and President of the French Republic from 1974 to 1981.

He served as a member of the European Parliament from 1989 to 1993, being a Member of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party Group. He was also the President of the European Convention from 2002 to 2003.

On 2nd of December 2021, the European Parliament organised&nbsp;a ceremony in Strasbourg as a tribute to&nbsp;Valery Giscard d'Estaing. This date commemorates the 1st anniversary of his death.

European tribute to Valéry Giscard d'Estaing

Faced with a growing international terrorist threat, the European Union (EU) is playing an ever more ambitious role in counter-terrorism.&nbsp;Even though primary responsibility for combating crime and ensuring security lies with the Member States, the EU provides cooperation, coordination and (to some extent) harmonisation tools, as well as financial support, to address this borderless phenomenon.

EU spending in the area of counter-terrorism has increased over the years and is set to grow in the future, to allow for better cooperation between national law enforcement authorities and enhanced support by the EU bodies in charge of security, such as Europol and eu-LISA.

The action plan to reinforce the fight against the financing of terrorism focuses on two main strands of action: tracing terrorists through financial movements and preventing them from moving funds or other assets and disrupting the sources of revenue used by terrorist organisations, by targeting their capacity to raise funds.

In April the European Parliament adopted a new regulation that will target content such as texts, images, sound recordings or videos, including live transmissions, that incite, solicit or contribute to terrorist offences, provide instructions for such offences or solicit people to participate in a terrorist group. It will also cover material that provides guidance on how to make and use explosives, firearms and other weapons for terrorist purposes.

Hosting service providers will have to remove or disable access to flagged terrorist content in all member states within one hour of receiving a removal order from the competent authority. Member states will adopt rules on penalties, the degree of which will take into account the nature of the breach and the size of company responsible.

Fight against terrorism

With increasing population growth, rapid urbanization, climate change and environmental degradation, a growing number of people and resources are exposed to natural disasters.MEPs have supported different initiatives to help member states respond faster and more effectively to emergencies and disasters. The European Parliament is also impelled to aid and supervise reconstruction efforts in regions affected by natural disasters both within the EU and abroad.

Natural disasters

Malta joined the European Union 1st May 2004 and it has been a member of the Schengen area since 21st December 2007.

Malta is a single-chamber parliamentary republic with a head of government - the prime minister - and a head of state - the president - whose role is largely ceremonial. The country is divided into 5 regions. Each has its own regional committee, which serves as the intermediary between local and national government.

There are 6 members of the European Parliament from Malta.

EU - Malta

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola meets with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as well as with Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.

Discussions are likely to focus on the EU-Egypt Strategic and Comprehensive partnership, EU macro-financial assistance, human rights and the geopolitical situation in the region, including the need to reinvigorate the Middle East Peace Process and the situation in Gaza, as well as recent developments in Syria.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Official visit to Cairo (Egypt)

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola meets with the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Egypt Hanafy El Gebaly and the President of the Senate of Egypt Abdel-Wahab Abdel-Razeq.

The visit takes place against the background of strengthening relations between the European Union and Egypt, ongoing discussions on EU macro-financial assistance and the geopolitical situation in the Middle East and the neighbouring region.

The meetings provides an opportunity to discuss interparliamentary relations, including the organisation of the next EU-Egypt Inter-Parliamentary Meeting (IPM) in Cairo, the EU's macro-financial assistance to Egypt, currently under discussion in the European Parliament, migration flows and asylum.

EP President participates at European Council

EP President meets with the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković

MEPS debate on the EU-Western Balkans summit of 18 December 2024

Debate on EU-Western Balkans summit

MEPs outline their demands of European leaders ahead of the December EU summit (19-20 December) , which is set to focus on Ukraine and the Middle East, crisis prevention, migration.

Debate on December European Council

MEPs and EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas debate Russia’s manipulation of history and use of false narratives to justify its war in Ukraine.

The debate is likely to focus on Russian historical disinformation narratives to discredit and undermine international support for Ukraine, efforts which are intended to hurt Ukrainian independence and sovereignty.

Debate on Russian disinformation on Ukraine

MEPs discuss misinformation and disinformation circulating on social media, and the dangers they pose to free and fair elections in Europe.

Debate on disinformation on social media

EP President Metsola awards the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to María Corina Machado, the leader of Venezuela’s democratic forces, and Edmundo González Urrutia, the President-elect of Venezuela. Press conference with EP President Metsola and the laureates takes place after the ceremony, Ahead of the ceremony.

Award of the 2024 Sakharov prize

MEPs debate with EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas and take stock of the street protests rocking Georgia following the recent disputed elections.

Debate ongoing protests in Georgia

Debate on the latest developments in Syria

MEPs debate a report evaluating the work of the outgoing EU Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, in 2023. 

O’Reilly’s term ends in February 2025. On Tuesday, Parliament will elect the new European Ombudsman, with six candidates vying for the position. The European Ombudsman is an independent and impartial body, tasked with holding the EU institutions and agencies to account and promoting good administration.

Debate on the activities of the European Ombudsman with Emily O'Reily

Last minute briefing on December Plenary session

Last minute briefing on Plenary session

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates in a series of events to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. She participates in the commemoration at American Military Cemetery of Hamm (Luxembourg), meets with Belgian and Luxemburgish authorities at Senningen Castle (Luxembourg) and joins the ceremony in Bastogne (Belgium).

The Battle of the Bulge, or Ardennes Offensive, was the final significant German offensive on the Western Front in World War II, occurring from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945. It was launched in the heavily forested Ardennes area, situated between Belgium and Luxembourg. The goal of the offensive was to disrupt the Allies' use of the Belgian port of Antwerp and to divide their lines, enabling the Germans to encircle and defeat the four Allied armies, ultimately forcing the western Allies to negotiate a peace treaty favorable to the Axis powers.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates in the ceremony for the commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Official visit to Madrid (Spain)

EP's Press Service briefing with the Parliament’s political group spokespersons

EP's Press Service briefing ahead of December EP Plenary

High-Level Conference - Standing with the People of Belarus

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, receives the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia SANDU

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Cairo (Egypt) - Meeting with Badr Ahmed Mohamed ABDELATTY, Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Cairo (Egypt) - Meeting with Abdel Fattah AL-SISSI, President of Egypt

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Cairo (Egypt) - Meeting with Abdel-Wahab ABDEL-RAZEG, President of the Senate

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Cairo (Egypt) - Meeting with Abdel-Wahab Abdel-Razeq, President of the Senate.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Cairo (Egypt) - Meeting with Hanafy EL GEBALY, Speaker of the House of Representatives

European, German, French and Croatian flags at half-mast in Brussels and in Strasbourg, as a sign of European solidarity and out of respect for the victims of the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, Germany, the Chido Cyclone in Mayotte, France and the knife attack at an elementary school in Zagreb, Croatia

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


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


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


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

EU Elections 2024

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


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

Map European elections 2024

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

How to reduce packaging waste in the EU

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

Mapping threats to peace and democracy worldwide: Normandy Index 2023

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

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

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

30 years of EU single market: benefits and challenges

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

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

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

Cybersecurity: main and emerging threats

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

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

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

The impact of textile production and waste on the environment

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

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

Gender pay gap in Europe: facts and figures

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

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

Waste management in the EU: infographic with facts and figures

Euroscola

Pre-session briefing

Delegations for relations with the countries of the Andean Community

DAND

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

EMPL

Committee meeting on International Trade

INTA

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

ECON

Committee on Budgets

BUDG

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Victoria Gozo ( Malta ) - Meeting with the Gozo Business Chamber

EP Plenary session - Commission’s plans to include the revision of the outstanding proposals on animal welfare in its work plan for 2025

EP Plenary session - Voting session

European Council meeting (19/12) - Press Conference

EP Plenary session -  EU priorities for the upcoming session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

European Council meeting (19/12)

OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly

EP Plenary session - Need to update the European strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities

Pre- summit EPP

EP Plenary session - The urgent need for EU action to preserve nature and protect biodiversity to avoid the extinction of species

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

EP Plenary session - The need to ensure swift action and transparency on corruption allegations in the public sector to protect democratic integrity

EU-Western Balkan Summit

The European Parliament has awarded the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia.

During the ceremony at December’s plenary session in Strasbourg, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola paid tribute to their fight to restore democracy in Venezuela.

Parliament recognises the opposition as the legitimate winners of Venezuela’s July 2024 presidential election, and condemns the electoral fraud and rights violations carried out by the Maduro regime that stayed in power despite mass protests.

The Sakharov Prize is the EU’s highest award for human rights defenders. The other finalists from 2024 were Azerbaijani anti-corruption activist Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and the Women of the Sun and Women Wage Peace movements, which promote reconciliation and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians.

Read more on the 2024 Sakharov Prize winners: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20240913STO23909/sakharov-prize-2024-goes-to-venezuelan-opposition-leaders

Parliament hands 2024 Sakharov Prize to Venezuelan opposition

Il-Parlament Ewropew ta l-Premju Sakharov 2024 għal-Libertà tal-Ħsieb lill-kap tal-oppożizzjoni Venezwelana María Corina Machado u lill-President elett Edmundo González Urrutia.

Waqt iċ-ċerimonja fis-sessjoni plenarja ta’ Diċembru fi Strasburgu, il-President tal-Parlament Ewropew Roberta Metsola tat ġieħ lill-ġlieda tagħhom biex terġa’ tinkiseb id-demokrazija fil-Venezwela.

Il-Parlament jirrikonoxxi l-oppożizzjoni bħala r-rebbieħa leġittimi tal-elezzjoni presidenzjali tal-Venezwela ta’ Lulju 2024, u jikkundanna l-frodi elettorali u l-ksur tad-drittijiet imwettqa mir-reġim ta’ Maduro li baqa’ fil-poter minkejja l-protesti tal-massa.

Il-Premju Sakharov huwa l-ogħla premju tal-UE għad-difensuri tad-drittijiet tal-bniedem. Il-finalisti l-oħra mill-2024 kienu l-attivist tal-Ażerbajġan kontra l-korruzzjoni Dott. Gubad Ibadoghlu u l-movimenti Women of the Sun u Women Wage Peace, li jippromwovu r-rikonċiljazzjoni u l-fehim bejn l-Iżraeljani u l-Palestinjani.

Aqra aktar dwar ir-rebbieħa tal-Premju Sakharov 2024: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/mt/article/20240913STO23909/il-premju-sakharov-2024-jinghata-lill-mexxejja-tal-oppozizzjoni-tal-venezwela

Il-Parlament jagħti l-Premju Sakharov 2024 lill-oppożizzjoni Venezwelana 9:16

The European Parliament has awarded the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia.

Parliament recognised the opposition as rightful winners of July 2024’s presidential election and rejected the widespread electoral fraud and the proclaimed victory of Nicolas Maduro.

With the EU’s highest honour for human rights defenders, Parliament pays tribute to Ms Machado and Mr González Urrutia’s fight to restore democracy, and stands with those defending freedom against authoritarian regimes worldwide.

Read more on the 2024 Sakharov Prize winners:

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20240913STO23909/sakharov-prize-2024-goes-to-venezuelan-opposition-leaders

European Parliament honours María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia

Wara li rrevedew il-kandidati bir-reqqa, ir-rappreżentanti tiegħek fil-Parlament Ewropew approvaw il-Kummissjoni tal-UE li jmiss, il-korp eżekuttiv tal-blokk.
Ursula von der Leyen ressqet it-tim il-ġdid tagħha wara li ġiet eletta mill-ġdid bħala l-President tal-Kummissjoni f’Lulju. Il-Membri tal-Parlament approvawha wara dibattitu fi Strasburgu fis-27 ta’ Novembru.
Aktar kmieni f’Novembru, il-MPE għamlu mistoqsijiet lill-Kummissarji prospettivi f’seduti ta’ smigħ ta’ konferma speċjali biex jevalwaw il-ħiliet u l-esperjenza tagħhom.
Il-Kummissjoni taħdem biex tipproponi politiki u liġijiet ċentrali għall-ħajja ta’ 450 miljun Ewropew. Il-Parlament issa se jżomm għajnejh fuq il-membri tagħha, biex jaċċerta li jeżegwixxu l-bżonnijiet u l-aspettattivi tal-votanti.

Kif il-Parlament Ewropew approva l-Kummissjoni l-ġdida tal-UE 9.16

Kif il-Parlament Ewropew approva l-Kummissjoni l-ġdida tal-UE 16.9

Buying or renting a decent, affordable home is a growing struggle for many Europeans. 

House prices in the EU in the second quarter of 2024 were over 50% higher than in 2010. Rents increased by nearly 25% over the same period. (EUROSTAT). Recent high prices for energy and goods have placed additional pressure on people’s budgets. 

The European Commission says tackling the housing crisis is a top EU priority. 
In October 2024, Members of the European Parliament debated solutions with its representatives

How the European Parliament is tackling the housing crisis  9:16

How the European Parliament is tackling the housing crisis

Skopri l-ħames films nominati għall-Premju LUX tal-Udjenza 2025. Dan il-premju jixħet dawl fuq l-impenn tal-Parlament Ewropew lejn il-kultura u l-edukazzjoni billi jappoġġja ċ-ċinema Ewropew u jippromwovi d-diversità kulturali.
 
Animal (direzzjoni ta' Sofia Exarchou) 
Dahomey (direzzjoni ta' Mati Diop) 
Flow (direzzjoni ta' Gints Zilbalodis) 
Intercepted (direzzjoni ta' Oksana Karpovych) 
Julie Keeps Quiet (direzzjoni ta' Leonardo Van Dijl) 
 
Uri mħabbtek għall-films Ewropej billi tara u tikklassifika l-films fuq www.luxaward.eu
Meta tikklassifika l-films, tidħol fiċ-ċans li tirbaħ vjaġġ għall-Parlament Ewropew biex tattendi ċ-ċerimonja tal-Premju LUX tal-Udjenza 2025 u tiltaqa' mad-diretturi tal-films.

Il-Premju LUX tal-Udjenza: il-finalisti tal-2025

Fl-UE, pjattaformi online kbar għandhom responsabbiltà li jħarsuna minn diżinformazzjoni, kontenut illegali u prattiki mhux ġusti. 
Jeħtieġu jobdu r-regoli stabbiliti fl-Att dwar is-Servizzi Diġitali, l-ewwel leġiżlazzjoni komprensiva fid-dinja mmirata biex tiżgura dinja diġitali sigura u ġusta u li ssostni l-libertà u d-demokrazija. 
F’dibattitu plenari f’Settembru 2024, il-Membri tal-Parlament Ewropew iddiskutew mal-Kummissjoni Ewropea dwar l-infurzar tagħha.   
Aqra aktar dwar l-Att dwar is-Servizzi Diġitali: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/mt/article/20211209STO19124/eu-digital-markets-act-and-digital-services-act-explained

Ir-regoli diġitali tal-UE, kif qed jitħaddmu fil-prattika?

Fl-UE, pjattaformi online kbar għandhom responsabbiltà li jħarsuna minn diżinformazzjoni, kontenut illegali u prattiki mhux ġusti. 
Jeħtieġ li jobdu r-regoli stabbiliti fl-Att dwar is-Servizzi Diġitali, l-ewwel leġiżlazzjoni komprensiva fid-dinja mmirata biex tiżgura dinja diġitali sigura u ġusta u li ssostni l-libertà u d-demokrazija. 
F’dibattitu plenari f’Settembru 2024, il-Membri tal-Parlament Ewropew iddiskutew mal-Kummissjoni Ewropea dwar l-infurzar tagħha.   
Aqra aktar dwar l-Att dwar is-Servizzi Diġitali: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/mt/article/20211209STO19124/eu-digital-markets-act-and-digital-services-act-explained

Ir-regoli diġitali tal-UE, kif qed jitħaddmu fil-prattika? 9:16

Il-Membri tal-Parlament Ewropew iddiskutew rapport ewlieni li jagħmel sejħa għal azzjoni rapida biex l-ekonomija tal-UE ssir aktar kompetittiva. 
L-awtur tiegħu, l-eks President tal-Bank Ċentrali Ewropew Mario Draghi, jgħid li l-UE qed taqa’ lura wara l-Istati Uniti u ċ-Ċina fost tkabbir kajman, prezzijiet tal-enerġija għaljin u theddid għas-sigurtà tagħha. 
Huwa qal lill-MPE fi Strasburgu li huma meħtieġa €800 biljun ta’ investiment annwali biex tingħata spinta lill-innovazzjoni, jiġu mħarsa l-istandards tal-għajxien u jiġi ppreservat il-mod tal-ħajja Ewropew. 
Bosta MPE laqgħu s-sejħa tiegħu għall-azzjoni, xi wħud jitolbu aktar appoġġ għall-industriji ewlenin u t-trasformazzjonijiet ekoloġiċi u diġitali. Oħrajn argumentaw għal swieq aktar liberi u wissew li miżuri fil-ġlieda kontra t-tibdil fil-klima jistgħu jagħmlu ħsara lit-tkabbir ekonomu.

Ir-rapport ta’ Draghi: Il-Parlament Ewropew jiddiskuti pjan biex jagħti spinta l-ekonomija tal-UE

Sa minn meta r-Russja nediet l-invażjoni totali tagħha tal-Ukrajna fl-2022, l-Unjoni Ewropea baqgħet tappoġġja l-poplu Ukren, tilqa’ r-refuġjati, u tipprovdi tagħmir għad-difiża u għajnuna finanzjarja. Il-gwerra kellha effetti devastanti fuq is-soċjetà Ukrena u għal ħafna miż-żgħażagħ Ukreni, din fixklet b’mod sever l-edukazzjoni tagħhom. 

Bl-appoġġ tal-finanzjament tal-UE, Kamil, professur tal-IT fiċ-Ċekja, qed jistabbilixxi l-pjattaforma tal-Università Diġitali biex l-istudenti Ukreni jkunu jistgħu jkompli jitgħallmu online.

U Olena kompliet l-edukazzjoni tagħha fl-UE bħala studenta tal-Erasmus+ u Ambaxxatur Żagħżugħ Ewropew f’Gdańsk, fil-Polonja.

Niżguraw l-edukazzjoni għall-Ukreni fiż-żminijiet ta’ gwerra: Dawn huma Kamil u Olena

Sa minn meta r-Russja nediet l-invażjoni totali tagħha tal-Ukrajna fl-2022, l-Unjoni Ewropea baqgħet tappoġġja l-poplu Ukren, tilqa’ r-refuġjati, u tipprovdi tagħmir għad-difiża u għajnuna finanzjarja. Il-gwerra kellha effetti devastanti fuq is-soċjetà Ukrena u għal ħafna miż-żgħażagħ Ukreni, din fixklet b’mod sever l-edukazzjoni tagħhom. 
 
Bl-appoġġ tal-finanzjament tal-UE, Kamil, professur tal-IT fiċ-Ċekja, qed jistabbilixxi l-pjattaforma tal-Università Diġitali biex l-istudenti Ukreni jkunu jistgħu jkompli jitgħallmu online.
U Olena kompliet l-edukazzjoni tagħha fl-UE bħala studenta tal-Erasmus+ u Ambaxxatur Żagħżugħ Ewropew f’Gdańsk, fil-Polonja.

Niżguraw l-edukazzjoni għall-Ukreni fiż-żminijiet ta’ gwerra: Dawn huma Kamil u Olena - 9:16

Il-Parlament Ewropew qed iħeġġeġ lin-nies minn madwar l-UE jinvolvu ruħhom fil-proċess demokratiku.

Together.eu hija komunità mħaddma mill-Parlament Ewropew fejn tista’ tiltaqa’ - online u offline - ma’ nies li tinteressahom id-demokrazija u ssemma’ leħnek fuq kwistjonijiet Ewropej.

Bħal Mireya f’Madrid u Cille fid-Danimarka, il-voluntiera ta’ together.eu minn madwar l-UE jiltaqgħu, jiddiskutu, jiskambjaw ideat u jorganizzaw avvenimenti biex jenfasizzaw x’jagħmlu l-istituzzjonijiet tal-UE għaċ-ċittadini u għaliex il-parteċipazzjoni demokratika hija importanti.

Iltaqa’ mal-komunità tiegħek u ngħaqad magħhom f’together.eu.

Involvi ruħek fit-tisħiħ tad-demokrazija tal-UE! Iltaqa’ ma’ Mireya u Cille

X’hemm aħjar milli titkellem dwar id-demokrazija? Diskursata dwar id-demokrazija waqt li tieħu kafè b’xejn!
Iltaqa’ ma’ Cille, voluntiera ta’ together.eu li waqqfet il-trakk tal-kafè f’Copenhagen biex tħeġġeġ il-parteċipazzjoni demokratika fl-UE. 
Flimkien mat-tim tagħha, organizzat avvenimenti relatati mal-UE matul is-sena biex in-nies jibdew jitkellmu dwar x’tista’ tagħmel l-UE għalihom u kif l-istituzzjonijiet tal-UE għandhom rwol fil-ħajja ta’ kulħadd. 
Together.eu hija komunità ta’ nies li jimpurtaha mill-UE u l-futur tagħha. Billi jappoġġa l-komunità together.eu, il-Parlament Ewropew qed jinkoraġġixxi lin-nies minn madwar l-UE jinvolvu ruħhom fil-proċess demokratiku.

Insaħħu l-parteċipazzjoni demokratika ma’ Cille, voluntiera ta’ together.eu 9:16

L-invażjoni mir-Russja tal-Ukrajna qajmet kriżi enerġetika u inflazzjoni għolja madwar l-Ewropa. Il-Parlament Ewropew irid jiżgura li l-UE tkun reżiljenti biżżejjed biex tiffaċċja kriżijiet oħra fil-futur. Dan huwa għaliex qed issostni proġetti ambizzjużi u b’viżjoni li jagħmlu l-ekonomiji u s-soċjetajiet tagħna aktar b’saħħithom.

Erik għen lill-kumpaniji Żvediżi Amokabel u Bennesveds Akeri jistabbilixxu l-ewwel stazzjon tal-idroġenu awtosuffiċjenti tal-pajjiż: Uppvidinge Vätgas. Dan jipprovdi fjuwil nadif prodott bl-użu tal-enerġija mir-riħ lokali. 

Fl-Irlanda, Hannah hija speċjalista tal-karbonju ma’ Bord na Móna, kumpanija li mill-estrazzjoni tal-pit għall-fjuwil saret mexxejja fil-produzzjoni ta’ enerġija nadifa. Hi qed tgħin bir-riabilitazzjoni tat-torbieri tal-pajjiż, li jistgħu jaħżnu ammonti enormi ta’ karbonju, li se jgħin lill-UE tilħaq l-għanijiet klimatiċi tagħha.
 
Inizjattivi bħal dawn, iffinanzjati mill-Faċilità għall-Irkupru u r-Reżiljenza tal-UE, huma fil-qalba ta’ Ewropa aktar b’saħħitha u aktar risponsiva.

Nibnu l-ekonomija tal-futur tal-UE: iltaqa’ ma’ Erik u Hanna - 9:16

L-invażjoni mir-Russja tal-Ukrajna qajmet kriżi enerġetika u inflazzjoni għolja madwar l-Ewropa. Il-Parlament Ewropew irid jiżgura li l-UE tkun reżiljenti biżżejjed biex tiffaċċja kriżijiet oħra fil-futur. Dan huwa għaliex qed issostni proġetti ambizzjużi u b’viżjoni li jagħmlu l-ekonomiji u s-soċjetajiet tagħna aktar b’saħħithom.

Erik għen lill-kumpaniji Żvediżi Amokabel u Bennesveds Akeri jistabbilixxu l-ewwel stazzjon tal-idroġenu awtosuffiċjenti tal-pajjiż: Uppvidinge Vätgas. Dan jipprovdi fjuwil nadif prodott bl-użu tal-enerġija mir-riħ lokali. 

Fl-Irlanda, Hannah hija speċjalista tal-karbonju ma’ Bord na Móna, kumpanija li mill-estrazzjoni tal-pit għall-fjuwil saret mexxejja fil-produzzjoni ta’ enerġija nadifa. Hi qed tgħin bir-riabilitazzjoni tat-torbieri tal-pajjiż, li jistgħu jaħżnu ammonti enormi ta’ karbonju, li se jgħin lill-UE tilħaq l-għanijiet klimatiċi tagħha.

Inizjattivi bħal dawn, iffinanzjati mill-Faċilità għall-Irkupru u r-Reżiljenza tal-UE, huma fil-qalba ta’ Ewropa aktar b’saħħitha u aktar risponsiva.

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