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

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 31/01/2025 - Malti

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.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 30/01/2025 - Malti

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.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 29/01/2025 - Malti

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.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 28/01/2025 - Malti

Jeanne Salomon ħarbet min-Nażisti, tilfet lil żewġha u lil binha, esperjenzat it-tbatijiet ta’ Auschwitz, imxiet il-mixjiet tal-mewt u bniet ħajjitha mill-ġdid fil-Lussemburgu. Binha Henri Juda jgħidilna l-istorja ta’ ommu, mara straordinarja u kuraġġuża.

Ħelsitha minn Auschwitz: l-istorja mqanqla ta’ 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.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 27/01/2025 - Malti

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

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 24/01/2025 - Malti

X’inhu r-rwol tal-Ombudsman Ewropew? F’liema każijiet huwa rilevanti u x’rabta għandu mal-Parlament Ewropew? L-Ombudsman Ewropew huwa korp indipendenti u imparzjali li jassisti lill-persuni, lin-negozji u lill-organizzazzjonijiet li jiltaqgħu ma’ problemi bl-amministrazzjoni tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Għalhekk, dan il-korp għandu rwol essenzjali għall-funzjonament tajjeb tal-Unjoni Ewropea.

Ir-rwol tal-Ombudsman Ewropew

At a glance: MEPs reviewed the outcomes of the last European Council with its President, António Costa, and discussed sustainable development goals; Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk outlines the priorities of Poland’s presidency of the Council of the EU under its motto, ‘Security, Europe!’; the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee debates climate and agricultural policies with Polish environment minister, Hennig-Kloska

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 23/01/2025 - Malti

At a glance: during the plenary session, President Metsola welcomed Gaza ceasefire; MEPs debated use of the Digital Services Act to combat foreign interference and protect democracy; Parliament will vote on a resolution condemning Russian disinformation against Ukraine.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 22/01/2025 - Malti

At a glance: during the plenary session, Polish Prime Minister Tusk will present the ‘Security, Europe!’ programme as Parliament debates the priorities of Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union; MEPs will assess the outcomes of the meeting of the European Council in December, focusing on Ukraine, the Middle East and the EU’s strategic response; Parliament will address the global plastic pollution crisis following the collapse of UN treaty negotiations.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 21/01/2025 - Malti

At a glance: enforcing digital rules to protect democracy; MEPs debate Donald Trump’s second term and EU-US ties; and Bruno Gencarelli selected as top candidate for European Data Protection Supervisor role.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 20/01/2025 - Malti

At a glance: Parliament President Roberta Metsola welcomes ceasefire in Gaza as a turning point; the EU moves towards a greener future with circular economy measures; and the European capitals of excellence for 2025.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 17/01/2025 - Malti

At a glance: Commissioner Marta Kos discusses EU enlargement with MEPs; Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee reviews Europol report on terrorism threats; applications are open for 2025 Charlemagne Youth Prize.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 16/01/2025 - Malti

At a glance: MEPs prepare for plenary debate on Polish presidency of the Council of the EU and Middle East Strategy; in Strasbourg, Parliament will also focus on migrant smuggling and Russia’s disinformation; the Committee on International Trade will discuss EU-Mercosur deal with Commissioner Šefčovič.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 15/01/2025 - Malti

At a glance: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and EU leaders unite to tackle security challenges; President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola met the Austrian Chancellor and the NATO Secretary General; the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development discussed the 2026 budget, wine policy and forest monitoring.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 14/01/2025 - Malti

Luxembourg is a founding member of the European Union

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a member of the eurozone since 1 January 1999 and of the Schengen area since 26 March 1995.

Luxembourg City, together with Brussels and Strasbourg, is one of the three official seats of the European institutions. There are 6 members of the European Parliament from Luxembourg.

EU - Luxembourg

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

January 27 has been designated by the United Nations General Assembly as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Every year, the European Parliament holds a commemoration ceremony to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, along with the millions of other victims of Nazism.

Holocaust Remembrance Day: a story dedicated to its six million victims

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

HOUS - Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union

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

TRAN - Committee on Transport and Tourism

AGRI - Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

ITRE - Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

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

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

Polish Presidency

CULT - Committee on Culture and Education

JURI - Committee on Legal Affairs

INTA - Committee on International Trade

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

SEDE - Committee on Security and Defence

IMCO - Committee on Iternal Market and Consumer Protection

REGI - Committee on Regional Development

AFCO - Committee on Constitutional Affairs

EP President Metsola inaugurates the Europa Experience in Luxembourg

The European Parliament commemorates Holocaust Remembrance Day to honor the victims and reflect on the lessons of the past. Established in 1995, this annual event coincides with the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau on 27 January 1945.

This year, the Parliament highlights the story of Hungarian-born cellist Pál Hermann, who was murdered in the Holocaust. His Gagliano cello, saved from the Nazis and rediscovered decades later, symbolizes resilience and the enduring power of art. The ceremony includes a speech by Hermann’s daughter, Corrie Hermann, and a performance of his music by cellist Sam Lucas.

Through remembrance and education, the European Parliament reaffirms its commitment to fighting anti-Semitism, promoting tolerance, and ensuring such atrocities are never repeated.

Solemn Ceremony on the International Holocaust Commemoration Day 2025

EP President Roberta Metsola receives His Majesty King Abdulla II of Jordan

The UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Volker Türk comes to the EU Parliament for the first time in this legislature. In an exchange of views with AFET - DROI MEPs in committee meeting, they discuss news topics in the field of geopolitics and human rights, before the adoption of the annual report on Human rights by the EP in plenary session, tentatively in March 2025.

AFET/DROI- Debate with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk

MEPs discuss the programme of Poland’s six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 January, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

The Polish government has stated that its second EU Presidency comes “at a time of uncertainty and concern” with regard to the consequences of Russia’s three-year-long war against Ukraine, rising geopolitical tensions, migration pressure and declining European competitiveness. The presidency’s slogan "Security, Europe!" expresses Poland’s objective to strengthen European security in all dimensions: external, internal, information, economic, energy, food and health.

Debate on the priorities of the Polish Presidency

EP President Roberta Metsola meets with Polish PM,  Donald Tusk at the European Parliament in Strasbourg

EP President Roberta Metsola meets with Polish Prime Minister,  Donald Tusk

MEPs assess the results of the 19 December EU summit with European Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

In their gathering in Brussels, EU Heads of State or Government reviewed the latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s support to Kyiv, alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The European Council also assessed the situation in the Middle East, including Lebanon, Gaza and Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime.

In her address to the European Council, EP President Roberta Metsola called on leaders to step up their efforts to assert Europe’s place on the world stage, stressing that Europe has a role to play in Ukraine, in our European neighbourhood, in the Middle East, in Latin America and around the world.

Other topics on the agenda of the leaders included the EU’s geopolitical role, crisis prevention and response, and migration management. The December European Council was the first chaired by President António Costa. The debate on Wednesday will be his first with MEPs since he took office.

Debate on the conclusions of December European Council

The day after Donald Trump’s inauguration on  20 January, MEPs discuss the implications of his second term for transatlantic relations, with representatives from the Polish Council Presidency and the Commission . The debate is expected to focus on support for Ukraine, relations with Russia, China, the Middle East, climate change, and trade. MEPs are also expected to bring up  security issues, in light of Donald Trump’s repeated demands that Europe spend more on defence. Speaking in the Committee on Foreign Affairs recently, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned MEPs that “NATO’s current two percent defence spending target is not nearly enough (...) to stay safe.”

Debate on the geopolitical and economic implications under Trump administration

MEPs discuss the need to enforce the Digital Services Act (DSA) to safeguard democracy from foreign interference and algorithmic manipulation. 
The debate with Council and Commission representatives will focus on the compliance of major social media companies with the DSA, which sets clear obligations for digital service providers to tackle the spread of illegal content, online disinformation, and other societal risks. 
MEPs are expected to express concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability of platforms’ recommender systems and their failure to tackle risks, like disinformation and foreign interference. This follows a plenary debate on 17 December 2024, which addressed the issue of online disinformation in European elections. During that discussion, many MEPs urged the Commission to actively enforce the DSA and impose sanctions on platforms that violate EU rules.  
MEPs are also likely to bring up the future of the transatlantic partnership on technology, particularly in the context of the inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump on 20 January, Elon Musk’s involvement in the US government and Meta’s recent decision to end its fact-checking programme. 
Background 
While the DSA does not regulate personal views or opinions, it introduces measures to tackle illegal content - such as terrorist material and child sexual abuse - in full compliance with the principles of freedom of expression and information. The legislation ensures users have a right to challenge unlawful or arbitrary content moderation decisions by online platforms. At the same time, online platforms are required to be more transparent about their operations, including about their “recommender systems”.

Debate on the need to enforce DSA to protect democracy

Parliament will hold a press briefing on the plenary session, which starts at 17.00

Last-minute briefing

The EP’s Press Service holds a press briefing with the Parliament’s political group spokespersons at 11.00 on Friday

Pre-session briefing

EP President Roberta Metsola, meets the Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mustafa

EP President meets with Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mustafa

The Committee on International Trade meets with Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič to discuss the trade aspects of the EU-Mercosur deal on which a political agreement was reached on 6 December 2024.

INTA- Debate with Maros SEFCOVIC, Commissioner for EU-Mercorsur Agreement

MEPs in the Foreign Affairs Committee meet Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. The discussion is expected to focus on the state of play and the progress made by the ten enlargement countries.

AFET debate with Marta KOS, Commissioner  for Enlargement

The Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Subcommittee on Security and Defence and the Delegation for Relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meets NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for the first time. In the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and the incoming US administration, the topics to be discussed will likely include efforts to strengthen NATO defence and deterrence as well as the delivery of military assistance to Ukraine. MEPs are also set to inquire about other regional and global security threats that require close cooperation between the EU and NATO.

AFET/SEDE- Debate with Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of NATO

President meets with Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of NATO

EP President meets with Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of NATO

EP President, Roberta METSOLA, meets with the Chancellor of Austria, Alexander SCHALLENBERG.

EP President, meets with Alexander SCHALLENBERG, Austrian Chancellor

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)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates at the 'Beyond Conference: Our Role in Shaping the Future', organized by Deloitte Lux

Inauguration of the Europa Experience in Luxembourg with the presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President

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

European Parliamentary Week 2025 - Plenary session II

European Parliamentary Week 2025 - Plenary session I

Delegation for relations with the Federative Republic of Brazil

Subcommittee on Tax Matters

FISC

Delegation for relations with the People&apos;s Republic of China Ordinary meeting Exchange of views on EU-China trade relations in the context of geopolitical changes

Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety

ENVI

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

LIBE

New special committee on Housing Crisis - HOUS constitutive meeting - Press point

New special committee on Housing Crisis - HOUS constitutive meeting

AFET Committee - Exchange of views with Miroslav Lajčák, , EU Special representative for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina

ITRE - Presentation of the Polish Presidency of the Council

JURI - Hearing on the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on adapting non-contractual civil liability rules to artificial intelligence (AI Liability Directive)

AGRI - Exchange of views on the Mercosur agreement and its impact on the agri-food sector

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

AGRI - Exchange of views with Commissioners Hansen and Šefčovič on the Mercosur agreement and its impact on the agri-food sector

International Holocaust Remembrance Day - Cello concert by Sam Lucas playing the works of Pál Hermann (1902-1944)

TRAN AGRI joint Committee procedure (Rule 59) - Protection of animals during transport and related operations

JURI - Exchange of views with Mr Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection

TRAN - Presentation of a study on the Role of the Longevity Economy in the tourism

INTA - Exchange of views with Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, on the state of play of EU international trade relations, including EU-US trade relations and the modernised EU-Mexico Global Agreement

TRAN - Presentation of the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council

AGRI - Presentation of the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council

Conference of Committee Chairs

Nikos CHRISTODOULIDES, President of Cyprus, gives his opening statement before the "This is Europe" debate. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

This is Europe - Debate with Nikos CHRISTODOULIDES, President of Cyprus: opening statement by Nikos CHRISTODOULIDES, President of Cyprus

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, gives her opening statement before the "This is Europe" debate with Nikos CHRISTODOULIDES, President of Cyprus. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

This is Europe - Debate with Nikos CHRISTODOULIDES, President of Cyprus: opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA,DE), co-President of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, holds a press conference, to present the priorities of their group for the plenary session.The transcript is the result of an automated process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA,DE), Greens/EFA co-President

Manon AUBRY (The Left, FR), co-President of The Left group in the European Parliament, holds a press conference, to present the priorities of their group for the plenary session. The transcript and the translation are the result of an automated process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Manon AUBRY (The Left, FR), co-President of the Left Group

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and Nikos CHRISTODOULIDES, President of Cyprus, hold a press point with the journalists ahead of the "This is Europe debate" in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and by Nikos CHRISTODOULIDES, President of Cyprus

Nikos CHRISTODOULIDES, President of Cyprus, came to the European Parliament in order to discuss with MEPs his views on Europe’s challenges and future. EP President Metsola and President Christodoulides had a bilateral meeting before his speech in plenary. This is the eleventh “This is Europe” plenary debate, and the fourth in 2023.

Visit of Nikos CHRISTODOULIDES, President of Cyprus to the European Parliament: meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and extracts from the debate "This is Europe"

Pedro MARQUES, (S&D, PT) and Mohammed CHAHIM (S&D, NL), Vice-Presidents of the Socialists & Democrats group in the European Parliament, holds a press conference, to present the priorities of the group for the plenary session.The transcript is the result of an automated process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Pedro MARQUES, (S&D, PT) and Mohammed CHAHIM (S&D, NL), S&D Vice-Presidents

The joint debate will address various topics, focusing on the recent destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam. This dam was located in an area of southern Ukraine controlled by Russian forces and Kyiv and Moscow have been blaming each other for the destruction. Due to the dam collapse and subsequent massive flooding, thousands of people from nearby communities have been evacuated. High-level UN officials have warned of the grave and far-reaching humanitarian and ecological consequences. MEPs will also outline their view on how to sustainably reconstruct Ukraine and integrate it into the Euro-Atlantic community. Closing statements by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC and by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs

Consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam / Reconstruction of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community: closing statements by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC and by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs

The joint debate will address various topics, focusing on the recent destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam. This dam was located in an area of southern Ukraine controlled by Russian forces and Kyiv and Moscow have been blaming each other for the destruction. Due to the dam collapse and subsequent massive flooding, thousands of people from nearby communities have been evacuated. High-level UN officials have warned of the grave and far-reaching humanitarian and ecological consequences. MEPs will also outline their view on how to sustainably reconstruct Ukraine and integrate it into the Euro-Atlantic community. Second part of the debate.

Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam / Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community: MEPs debate (part 2)

The joint debate will address various topics, focusing on the recent destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam. This dam was located in an area of southern Ukraine controlled by Russian forces and Kyiv and Moscow have been blaming each other for the destruction. Due to the dam collapse and subsequent massive flooding, thousands of people from nearby communities have been evacuated. High-level UN officials have warned of the grave and far-reaching humanitarian and ecological consequences. MEPs will also outline their view on how to sustainably reconstruct Ukraine and integrate it into the Euro-Atlantic community. First part of the debate.

Humanitarian and environmental consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam / Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community: MEPs debate (part 1)

Manfred WEBER (EPP,DE), President of the EPP group in the European Parliament, holds a press conference, to present the priorities of the group for the plenary session. The transcript is the result of an automated process. Please check against delivery.

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

The joint debate will address various topics, focusing on the recent destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam. This dam was located in an area of southern Ukraine controlled by Russian forces and Kyiv and Moscow have been blaming each other for the destruction. MEPs will also outline their view on how to sustainably reconstruct Ukraine and integrate it into the Euro-Atlantic community. Consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam / Reconstruction of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community: Opening statements by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Consequences of the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam / Reconstruction of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community: Opening statements by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive VP of the EC

Parliament discusses the latest developments in war-torn Ukraine, as well as future efforts to reconstruct the country sustainably.The joint debate covers several issues, with MEPs zooming in on the recent destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam that crossed the Dnipro river in an area of southern Ukraine controlled by Russian forces, with Kyiv and Moscow so far blaming each other. Extracts from the debate.

Ukraine - destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam/sustainable reconstruction: extracts from the debate

Stéphane SÉJOURNÉ (Renew, FR), President of the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament, holds a press conference, to present the priorities of the group for the plenary session. The transcript is the result of an automated process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Stéphane SÉJOURNÉ (Renew, FR), Renew President

MEPs call on the EU to boost its food security and strategic autonomy. In the light of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the draft text calls for the use of the EU’s strategic food stocks, a protein and feed strategy to allow farmers to become less reliant on third countries, new breeding techniques to decrease the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, and investments in digital technologies in agriculture. It also demands a dedicated EU programme for water management, the reduction of food waste and reciprocity in trade of agricultural products with third countries. MEPs also ask for safeguards to ensure that agricultural activity in the EU is maintained during the implementation of the Green Deal. MEPs debate.

EP Plenary session Ensuring food security and the long-term resilience of EU agriculture

The COVI Committee (Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic) votes on its final report, adopted by 23 votes in favour, 13 against and one abstention. Extracts from the vote and statements by Dolors MONTSERRAT (EPP,ES), Rapporteur and by Kathleen VAN BREMPT (S&D,BE), COVI Chair. The report which concludes the year and three months a half long intensive work of the Committee on collecting the evidence and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it had on citizens and their fundamental rights, the businesses, the health sector and international community.

COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future: extracts from the vote (12/06) and statements by Dolors MONTSERRAT (EPP, ES), Rapporteur and by Kathleen VAN BREMPT (S&D, BE), COVI Chair

From 2020 to 2022, the European Union has faced a public health threat with the COVID-19 pandemic. On 10 March 2022, the European Parliament established a new special committee on the COVID-19 pandemic, composed of 38 members. After more than a year of work, the final report is voted and presents its recommendations for the future, based on the lesson learned. This clip illustrates two years of pandemic through footages of lockdowns, testings, masks distributions, vaccinations, digital certificates but also comes back on the work of the COVI Committee with extracts of past meetings.

Memoclip: COVID-19 pandemic - lessons learned and recommendations for the future

MEPs debate on the current situation on the child labour and how to protect and guarantee children's rights on the occasion of the World Day against Child Labour during the plenary session in Strasbourg. The European Parliament has condemned child labour and its various forms within and outside the EU in a number of resolutions over the years. During the current term, Parliament has issued, inter alia, a resolution on children's rights in view of the EU strategy on the rights of the child (March 2021), calling on the Commission and Member States to end, in law and in practice, all child labour and all other forms of work likely to harm children's health and safety. One round of political group speakers

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