At a glance: Mark Rutte confirmed as new NATO Secretary General; the meeting between European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini; and the drop in agricultural prices in the EU.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 28/06/2024 - Malti

At a glance: Parliament’s political groups hold their constitutive meetings, the EU officially opens accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, and the world marks International MSME Day.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 27/06/2024 - Malti

At a glance: the constitutive meetings of Parliament’s political groups; EU organic agricultural production is continuing to expand; and the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 26/06/2024 - Malti

At a glance: the constitutive meetings of Parliament’s political groups; the agenda for this week’s European Council meeting; and the Olympic torch will pass by the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 25/06/2024 - Malti

At a glance: the constitutive meetings of Parliament’s political groups; the agenda for this week’s European Council meeting; and the deadline to submit your story for the Multilingualism Day competition is fast approaching.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 24/06/2024 - Malti

At a glance: the constitutive meetings of Parliament’s political groups; the draft laws that have yet to be finalised by the new Parliament; and the deadline to submit your story for the Multilingualism Day competition is fast approaching.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 21/06/2024 - Malti

At a glance: negotiations on EU top jobs are ongoing; today is World Refugee Day; and the deadline to submit your story for the Multilingualism Day competition is fast approaching.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 20/06/2024 - Malti

At a glance: the informal European Council meeting in Brussels; EU Environment Council adopts the Nature Restoration Law; and International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 19/06/2024 - Malti

At a glance: the constitutive meetings of Parliament’s political groups; the first plenary session; and the Commission’s draft budget for 2025.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 18/06/2024 - Malti

At a glance: an informal European Council meeting; the constitutive meetings of Parliament’s political groups; and World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 17/06/2024 - Malti

With the European Elections now behind us, the process to kick-start the formation of the new European Parliament has begun. And a lot needs to happen between now and the official start of the new legislature on the 16th of July, in Strasbourg. So, if you’re a new Member of the European Parliament, and you’re listening to us, welcome to the European Parliament! Here’s what to expect next...

EPRS policy podcast - New European Parliament: First key tasks

One of the most important roles of the European Parliament, next to legislating, is to hold the European Commission accountable. As the newly elected 720 Members of the European Parliament take their seats, one of their first and most important tasks will be to elect the next President of the European Commission, and, shortly after, to greenlight the Commissioners’ designate put forward by the Member States. Find out how this process works with us.

EPRS policy podcast - The role of the Parliament in appointing the new European Commission

Exposure to 'forever chemicals', air pollution, stress and many other factors depends on where a person lives and their lifestyle choices. These exposures combine over the course of a lifetime, affecting human biology and health. The 'exposome' concept offers a framework for understanding and analysing this complex reality, and ultimately for informing the shaping of evidence-based policy on chemicals, food and the workplace, as well as on pollution, public health and the environment more generally.

EPRS Science and Technology podcast - What if focusing on the system, not just the symptoms, were key to health?

At a glance: the informal European Council meeting; commemorating the victims of the 1941 mass deportations by the Soviet authorities; and the statistics on poverty and social exclusion in the EU.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 14/06/2024 - Malti

At a glance: the newly elected MEPs; official turnout in the European elections; and the first plenary session of the new legislative term.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 13/06/2024 - Malti

At a glance: the European elections results; commemorating the victims of the 1941 mass deportations by the Soviet authorities; and World Day Against Child Labour.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 12/06/2024 - Malti

In June 2023 Parliament adopted its position for negotiations with member states on rules to integrate human rights and environmental impact into companies’ governance. Companies will be required to identify, and where necessary prevent, end or mitigate the negative impact of their activities on human rights and the environment such as on child labour, slavery, labour exploitation, pollution, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.

They will also have to monitor and assess the impact of their value-chain partners including not only suppliers but also sale, distribution, transport, storage, waste-management and other areas.

The European Parliament has consistently called for more corporate accountability and mandatory due diligence legislation. The European Commission proposal was introduced on 23 February 2022. It complements other existing and upcoming legislative acts, such as the deforestation regulation, conflict minerals regulation and draft regulation prohibiting products made with forced labour.

Corporate Responsibility

Since its creation in 1993, the single market has helped to make everyday life easier for people and businesses, fuelling jobs and growth across the EU. In 2023, the EU commemorated&nbsp;the 30th anniversary since its creation.&nbsp;

Three decades since its creation,&nbsp;&nbsp;MEPs called for renewed commitment and political will from member states and EU institutions, as well as a specific action plan for 2030 and beyond, in order to further strengthen and develop the single market, especially in areas such as services, energy, telecommunications and the digital single market.

The single market is generally considered to be the cornerstone of the EU economy and one of the greatest achievements of the European Union. Comprising nearly 450 million people and 20 million enterprises, it constitutes the largest integrated market in the world, worth €14 trillion in 2018.

The free movement of persons, goods, services and capital is the pillar on which the single market is built. The cross-border movement of the first three has been severely affected by the pandemic of Covid-19. Soon after its outbreak, the majority of Member States reintroduced internal border controls on grounds of an immediate threat to public health. These have been accompanied by restrictions or bans on international passenger transport and bans on entry and exit.&nbsp;

Single market

Compared to the rest of the world, Europe has the best levels of social protection and also ranks highly in terms of quality of life and wellbeing. However, it faces a wide range of challenges, including impact of the COVID situation.

The EU has only limited competence when it comes to social issues as most of it is up to national governments. The responsibility for employment and social policies lies mostly with the member states and their governments. This means that national governments - and not the EU - decide on issues such as wage regulations, including minimum wage, the role of collective bargaining, pensions systems and retirement age, and unemployment benefits.

However, over the years, the EU has been working on social issues throughout the European integration process and come up with a series of instruments in the social sector. These include EU laws, funds and tools to better coordinate and monitor national policies. The EU also encourages countries to share best practices on issues such as social inclusion, poverty and pensions.

One of the supporting tools is the European Social Fund+, with a total budget of €88 billion for next 7 years. It will play an important role in the implementation of the action plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights and in countering the socio-economic effects of the pandemic. It integrates the former European Social Fund, the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), the Fund for European Aid to the most Deprived (FEAD) and the EU programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) into one fund.

Social Europe

A propososal for a regulation adopted by the Commission on 19 December 2017 aims to strenghten controls by nationals market surveillance and customs authorities to ensure that products are safe and comply with the Union rules.

The legislation covers a large proportion of products marketed in the EU in more than 20 industrial sectors, including electro-technical products, machinery, radio/telecoms equipment, toys, medical devices, construction products and high speed rail systems.

The package consists of two regulations and a decision designed to remove barriers to the free movement of goods while improving consumer safety.

Goods package and safer products

EU rules on product safety are defined in the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD). Under the directive a product is safe if it meets all statutory safety requirements under European or national law. If there are no regulations or EU standards referenced in the Official Journal of the European Union, the product's compliance is determined according to other reference documents such as other European standards, national or international standards, Commission recommendations, or codes of practice. The General Product Safety Directive applies to consumer products when there are no specific provisions with the same objective in the rules of EU Law governing the safety of the products concerned. That means it applies totally to products such as child care articles or certain COVID-19 related products, such as sanitising gels and certain type of face masks and only residually to products where sectorial legislation exists such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Businesses must: only place products which are safe on the market, inform consumers of any risks associated with the products they supply, make sure any dangerous products present on the market can be traced so they can be removed to avoid any risks to consumers. MEPs want more stringent EU rules to protect children Existing rules and market surveillance activities should be strengthened to ensure the safety of all toys sold on the EU market, including from non-EU countries and online.

In March 2023 MEPs, also endorsed the revised rules on product safety of non-food consumer products. The new regulation aligns the existing General Product Safety Directive with the latest developments in digitalisation and the surge in online shopping.

In this Plenary MEPs are set to vote on their position on a proposal to revamp EU legislation on toy safety. The update of the current directive aims to respond to the increase in online shopping and the use of digital technologies, among other challenges. The proposed regulation extends EU bans on harmful chemicals in toys to include endocrine disruptors and makes it easier for consumers to access safety information, for example via a QR code.

Consumer product safety

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed MEPs in a formal sitting in Brussels on 9th of February 2023.

In his speech, President Zelenskyy stressed how Russia is trying to annihilate not only sovereign Ukraine, but also the European “way of life”. He outlined how he sees Europe as a continent steeped in rules, values, equality and fairness, and (...) a place where Ukraine is firmly at home. The Kremlin, on the other hand, is doing its utmost to destroy European values, President Zelenskyy said, stressing how Ukraine is fighting for and protecting Europe from this anti-European force.

Opening the session, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said to President Zelenskyy: “We understand that you are fighting not only for your values, but for ours.”

This was&nbsp;the first time that President Zelenskyy came to the European Parliament in person, after addressing MEPs remotely during an&nbsp;extraordinary session on 1 March, shortly after Russia started its war against Ukraine, and on&nbsp;14 December&nbsp;when Parliament’s 2022 Sakharov Prize was awarded to the brave people of Ukraine.

Visit of President Zelenskyy to the European Parliament

Portugal entered the European Economic Community on 1 January 1986, together with Spain. In the following years the economy of the Portugal progressed considerably as a result of the EU structural and cohesion funds.

On 1 December 2009, the Treaty of Lisbon, signed by European Member States on 13 December 2007 in the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon, entered into force. Portugal has 21 MEPs in the EP and has 12 votes in the European Council.

EU - Portugal

The EU is a long-term partner of Iraq, cooperating in the field of stabilisation, security and the political reform agenda.

 
In response to the challenges Iraq is facing following the territorial defeat of Da'esh, including ongoing humanitarian, stabilisation, early recovery, reform and reconciliation needs, the EU adopted on 22 January 2018 a new EU strategy for Iraq. The strategy demonstrates the EU's continued commitment to support the Iraqi people and their government as they seek to tackle these key challenges.

EU - Iraq

Restrictions: © The material of this package may not be edited and single videos must be shown in its entirety.

DG ITEC: Directorate-General for Innovation and Technological Support

EU heads of state or government met at the 17-18 April special European Council and&nbsp;adopted conclusions on Ukraine, the Middle East, Türkiye and a new European competitiveness deal.

Special European Council, 17-18 April 2024

Following the lessons learned from the pandemic and as a&nbsp;part of&nbsp;building a European Health Union, the Commission proposed a new health security framework on 11 November 2020. The package includes three pieces of legislation: a&nbsp;stronger role for the European Medicines Agency,&nbsp;extending the mandate of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control&nbsp;and a&nbsp;proposal for a regulation on serious cross-border threats to health.

The new legislation aims to strengthen the EU’s capacity to prevent, prepare for and manage communicable diseases outbreaks.The ECDC will cooperate with the European Commission, national authorities, EU bodies and international organisations to ensure their respective activities are consistent and complement each other.&nbsp;

The new rules concerning cross-border threats include improved prevention, preparedness and response planning at EU and national levels. The Commission will be able to formally recognise a public health emergency at EU level, which would trigger stronger intra-EU cooperation and allow for the timely development and stockpiling of medical countermeasures.

EU countries hold primary responsibility for organising and delivering health services and medical care. EU health policy therefore serves to complement national policies, and to ensure health protection in all EU policies.&nbsp; EU policies and actions in public health aim to protect and improve the health of EU citizens, support the modernisation of health infrastructure, improve the efficiency of Europe's health systems.

The Committee for Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety ENVI is Parliament’s main actor on health matters and is responsible for over 10% of Parliament´s total legislative activity.

EU health policy

The European Parliament has regularly called for ambitious measures reducing greenhouse gas emissions in road transport.

The EP has been pushing for the implemention of its 2030 goals to be in line with the targets set by the Paris Agreement. MEPs managed to push through a higher target for reducing EU fleet-wide emissions for new cars by 2030 (40% compared to the EU Commission’s 30%; year of reference 2021). There is an intermediate target of 20% by 2025.&nbsp; Similar targets are set for new vans as well.

Car emissions

Parliament is pressing for measures to increase the use of alternative fuels as well as to improve road safety and to tackle unfair competition and the exploitation of workers.

In line with its Work Programme 2017, the European Commission proposes a set of initiatives to make traffic safer, encourage smart road charging, reduce CO2 emissions, air pollution and congestion, cut red-tape for businesses, fight illicit employment and ensure proper conditions and rest times for workers. These initiatives are linked to the strategy for a Resilient Energy Union, Europe's transition to a low-carbon economy and the strategy for low-emission mobility.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/mobility-8th-parliamentary-term_6507_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Mobility

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bosnia and Herzegovina - along with other Western Balkans countries – was identified as a potential candidate for EU membership during the Thessaloniki European Council summit in June 2003.

Since then, a number of agreements between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina have entered into force - visa facilitation and readmission agreements (2008), Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-related issues (2008). The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) has been ratified and entered into force on 1 June 2015.

Bosnia and Herzegovina applied for EU membership in February 2016.&nbsp;The European Council granted the&nbsp;candidate status to the country on December 2022.

EU - Bosnia and Herzegovina

Moldova formally applied for EU membership on 3 March. The European Commission concluded&nbsp;that the country has a solid foundation in place to reach the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities; macroeconomic policies have been reasonably sound and progress has been made in strengthening the financial sector and business environment but key economic reforms remain to be undertaken; the country has established a solid basis to further alignment with the EU acquis. On this basis, the Commission recommended&nbsp;that Moldova be given the perspective to become a member of the European Union.&nbsp;The European Council has decided to grant the status of candidate country&nbsp; to the Republic of Moldova in June 2022.

Moldova's application for EU membership

EP President Roberta Metsola, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, former EP President Pat Cox, and former Commission President Romano Prodi participates in a formal sitting of Parliament to mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement round along with representatives from the ten countries, that joined the EU 20 years ago.

During the ceremony, the guests answer questions from a group of young people born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, who are invited to attend the sitting.

Formal sitting commemorating the 20th anniversary of the EU's biggest enlargement

MEPs discuss Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel, the need for de-escalation and for an EU response and vote on a resolution on Thursday.

EP President Roberta Metsola described Iran’s direct drone and missile attack on Israel on 20 and 21 April as a major escalation in the region and warned it risks igniting further chaos across the Middle East.

Plenary debate- Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel

In a plenary debate, MEPs discuss the EU’s response to the repeated killing of humanitarian aid workers, journalists and civilians by the Israel Defence Forces in Gaza.

In March, Parliament adopted a resolution warning about the desperate food insecurity and impending starvation in Gaza. MEPs deplored the catastrophic impact of attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries and civilians in Gaza, particularly on children, urged all parties to immediately cease these attacks, and demanded an independent international investigation.

More than 33 000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes on Gaza since 7 October 2023 as part of Israel’s response to the attack during which Hamas militants killed some 1 200 people, mainly civilians, in southern Israel and kidnapped around 250 others.

Plenary debate -   EU’s response to the continuous killing of civilians in the Gaza Strip

Following the final vote on the new rules promoting the right to repair for consumers, rapporteur René Repasi briefs media on its scope and answer questions.

Press conference on the right to repair

Following a final plenary vote, rapporteurs Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques (S&D, PT) and Samira Rafaela (Renew, NL) discuss new rules banning products made with force labour.

Press conference on Forced labour regulation

EP Plenary- Voting session

MEPs evaluate the results of the most recent European Council meetings, including the Special European Council of 17-18 April 2024.

Plenary debate- Outcome of European Council meeting

MEPs debate on Monday evening and vote on Tuesday on the provisional agreement reached with member states on the so-called “right to repair” for consumers, which aims to promote the repair of goods within and beyond the legal guarantee period. Beyond the legal guarantee, consumers will have a new right to claim repair for products that are technically repairable under EU law (e.g. washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and smartphones). To encourage repair and to revitalise the EU repair market, the rules put in place a European online platform to find local repair shops or sellers of refurbished goods. They also allow access to spare parts, tools, and maintenance information, and ban the use of hardware and software practices that obstruct repairs.

Plenary debate on Right to Repair

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

Last minute briefing

Political groups prepare for the 22-25 April plenary, the last session of this legislature. 
MEPs hold debates and final votes on, among other things, the right to repair, prohibiting products made with force labour, fighting violence against women, new “ecodesign” rules, combating trafficking in human beings and protecting victims, a new EU Ethics Body, economic governance, establishing the European Disability Card, and on anti-money laundering. 
They hold final votes on packaging and packaging waste, working conditions for platform workers, due diligence rules for companies, ambient air quality and clean air for Europe, plants obtained with new genomic techniques, the European Health Data Space and on the Net Zero Industry Act. MEPs also debate the 20th anniversary of the largest ever round of EU enlargement in 2004 with Council and Commission.

Pre-session briefing

President Metsola meets the President of the Assembleia da República of Portugal, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco? the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro and they hold a press conference. President Metsola also meets the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Portugal

The special European Council is expected to discuss the new European competitiveness deal and relations with Türkiye.

Parliament publishes its last Eurobarometer survey before the 6-9 June elections, covering, among other issues, citizens’ interest in and awareness of the elections as well as their likelihood to vote. The survey will also report on the image citizens have of the EU and Parliament, their priorities for the electoral campaign, and the core values they want to defend (Wednesday at 7.00).

European Parliament Eurobarometer - Spring 2024

The LUX European Audience Film Award ceremony takes place in Parliament’s hemicycle in Brussels. 

Press conference with the winner takes place immediately afterwards. 

Parliament and the European Film Academy award the LUX prize to help the distribution of European films with significant artistic merit that reflect cultural diversity in Europe and beyond.

2024 LUX European Audience Film Award and Press conference with the winner

Voting session

MEPs discuss the EU’s role in protecting the Roma language and culture, following a statement by President Roberta Metsola.

Statement of EP President on International Roma Day

Parliament quizes the Council and the Commission about how they intend to address the controversial reform proposals made by Robert Fico’s government. 

MEPs are expected to reiterate concerns about the Slovak government’s plans for criminal code reform and changes in the functioning of the country’s public-service media. MEPs say the ongoing reform, which led to the dissolution of Slovakia’s Special Prosecutor’s Office on 20 March and reduces penalties and limitation periods for financial crimes, threatens Slovakia’s ability to fight corruption and protect the EU budget. They are also likely to stress that the plans for the public broadcaster will have to be assessed in light of the EU’s recently-adopted Media Freedom Act. The proposed Act on Slovak Television and Radio is facing widespread criticism for giving the government direct control over public media, and curtailing their independence.

Plenary debate - Rule of Law in Slovakia

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market.

Plenary debate - Reform of the energy and electricity markets

European Council meeting (19/12)

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

OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly

Press conference by Victor NEGRESCU (S&D, RO), general rapporteur for the EU budget 2025 (for section III - Commission), and Niclas HERBST (EPP, DE), rapporteur for the other sections ahead of the vote on the EU budget 2025 agreement

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

Briefing Greens/EFA by Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA,NL) and Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA,DE), Co-Presidents

Briefing Renew Europe by Valérie HAYER (Renew,FR), President

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

Briefing EPP by Manfred WEBER (EPP,DE), President

Rettifiki (Artikolu 251 tar-Regoli ta' Proċedura)

It-tisħiħ tal-appoġġ konsistenti tal-UE lill-Ukrajna kontra l-gwerra ta’ aggressjoni tar-Russja u ż-żieda fil-kooperazzjoni militari bejn il-Korea ta’ Fuq u r-Russja

Tkomplija tas-seduta

Ħin tal-votazzjonijiet

Proċedura baġitarja 2025: abbozz konġunt

It-Tbassir Ekonomiku tal-Ħarifa 2024: irkupru gradwali f’kuntest sfavorevoli

Approvazzjoni tal-Minuti tas-seduti preċedenti

Ħin għall-mistoqsijiet (Kummissjoni) - L-isfidi għall-implimentazzjoni tal-politika ta’ koeżjoni 2021-2027

Eskalazzjoni kontinwa fil-Lvant Nofsani: il-kriżi umanitarja f’Gaża u fix-Xatt tal-Punent, ir-rwol essenzjali tal-UNRWA fir-reġjun u l-ħtieġa li l-ostaġġi kollha jinħelsu, u l-mandati ta’ arrest reċenti tal-QKI

Rettifiki (Artikolu 251 tar-Regoli ta' Proċedura) (azzjonijiet meħuda)

L-eżitu tal-COP29 u l-isfidi għall-politika internazzjonali dwar il-klima

Adeżjoni sħiħa tal-Bulgarija u tar-Rumanija maż-Żona Schengen: il-ħtieġa urġenti li jitneħħew il-kontrolli fil-fruntieri interni fuq l-art

Il-kundizzjonijiet fil-ħabsijiet fl-UE

Il-ħtieġa urġenti li tiġi indirizzata d-differenza fil-pagi bejn il-ġeneri

Is-sitwazzjoni politika u umanitarja fil-Mozambique

L-aġenda tas-seduta li jmiss

Approvazzjoni tal-minuti tas-seduta li għaddejja

Għeluq tas-seduta

Plenary session

Joint committee on Employment and Social Affairs and committee meeting on Regional Development

EMPL

REGI

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

ENVI

Tkomplija tas-sessjoni

Ftuħ tas-seduta

Dikjarazzjoni tal-President

Kompożizzjoni tal-kumitati u tad-delegazzjonijiet

Iffirmar tal-atti adottati skont il-proċedura leġiżlattiva ordinarja (Artikolu 81 tar-Regoli ta' Proċedura)

Ordni tas-seduta

Il-Jum Internazzjonali għall-Eliminazzjoni tal-Vjolenza kontra n-Nisa

L-eżitu tas-Summit tal-Mexxejja tal-G20

L-eżitu tal-Konferenza tan-NU dwar il-Bijodiversità 2024 f’Cali, il-Kolombja (COP16)

Kundanna tad-dikjarazzjoni ta’ indipendenza unilaterali u illegali tal-entità seċessjonista f’Ċipru u tal-isforzi kollha biex din tiġi leġittimata, u riaffermazzjoni tal-ħtieġa ta’ solidarjetà Ewropea - 41 sena wara

Interventi ta' minuta dwar kwistjonijiet ta' importanza politika

Last minute session briefing

Committee on Budgetary Control

CONT

Official visit to Paris (France) - Speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to the 6th Trilateral Business Forum organised by MEDEF, BDI & Confindustria

Delegation to the EU-Chile Joint Parliamentary Committee

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

LIBE

Delegations for relations with Canada

Euroscola

FISC - Public hearing on  ' National Tax Measures to Support People with Disabilities in the EU '

AFET and inter-parliamentary cooperation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine joint meeting on EU sanctions against Russia and its allies as well as on the use of Russian frozen assets

FISC - Exchange of views with Ms. María José Garde, Chair of the Code of Conduct Group on Business Taxation

PETI - hearing of the candidates for the office ofthe EU Ombudsman - Hearing of Ms Julia LAFFRANQUE

INTA - Public hearing entitled The Draghi report: competitiveness and economic security from a trade angle

EMPL -  Public Hearing on ' Fostering employment for persons with disabilities '

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Rachid TALBI EL ALAMI, Speaker of the Moroccan Parliament

International Day of Persons with Disabilities - Event ' Workplace Accessibility in the European Parliament '

IMCO - TikTok compliance with Digital Services Act (DSA)

PETI - hearing of the candidates for the office of the EU Ombudsman - Hearing of Marino FARDELLI

CULT - Presentations on the European Capitals of Culture 2024

PETI - hearing of the candidates for the office of the EU Ombudsman - Hearing of Mr Emilio DE CAPITANI

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with disability rights advocates on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

AGRI - Exchange of views on the inclusion of people with disabilities in the agricultural sector

EMPL - Exchange of views with Lieve VERBOVEN, Director of the ILO Office for the European Union and the Benelux countries

CULT - Presentation of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council

PETI - hearing of the candidates for the office of the EU Ombudsman - Hearing of Ms Teresa ANJINHO

Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (DLAT)

Commission statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs on Full accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area: the urgent need to lift controls at internal land borders. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Full accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area: Closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

Commission statement on Full accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area: the urgent need to lift controls at internal land borders.

Full accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area: MEPs debate (part 2)

Full accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area: MEPs debate (part 1)

Full accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area: Opening statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

MEPs discuss with the Commission the conclusions of the UN COP29 Climate Change Conference held in Baku from 11 to 22 November. Parliament adopted its demands for the COP29 at the first November plenary session. An EP delegation is in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 18 to 22 November, to participate in this year’s climate change conference. The main aim of the gathering is to provide an overview of current progress on the Paris Agreement and agree on new financial resources to support global climate action.Closing statement by Wopke HOEKSTRA, European Commissioner for Climate Action and acting Commissioner for Transport.

Outcome of COP 29 and challenges for international climate policy: closing statement by Wopke HOEKSTRA, European Commissioner for Climate Action and acting Commissioner for Transport

MEPs discuss with the Commission the conclusions of the UN COP29 Climate Change Conference held in Baku from 11 to 22 November. Parliament adopted its demands for the COP29 at the first November plenary session. An EP delegation is in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 18 to 22 November, to participate in this year’s climate change conference. The main aim of the gathering is to provide an overview of current progress on the Paris Agreement and agree on new financial resources to support global climate action.

Outcome of COP 29 and challenges for international climate policy: MEPs debate

MEPs discuss with the Commission the conclusions of the UN COP29 Climate Change Conference held in Baku from 11 to 22 November. Parliament adopted its demands for the COP29 at the first November plenary session. An EP delegation is in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 18 to 22 November, to participate in this year’s climate change conference. The main aim of the gathering is to provide an overview of current progress on the Paris Agreement and agree on new financial resources to support global climate action. Opening statement by Wopke HOEKSTRA, European Commissioner for Climate Action. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Outcome of COP 29 and challenges for international climate policy: opening statement by Wopke HOEKSTRA, European Commissioner for Climate Action

MEPs and the the Commission will discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, the role of UNRWA, and the need to release all hostages. With violence in the Middle East intensifying with Israel’s attacks on Hamas and Hezbollah targets in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, humanitarian organizations are warning of the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. According to UN sources, the number of aid shipments into the Gaza Strip is now lower than at any time over the past year and there is “a strong likelihood that famine is imminent in areas within the northern Gaza Strip”. Closing statements by Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages: Closing statements by Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms

MEPs and the the Commission will discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, the role of UNRWA, and the need to release all hostages. With violence in the Middle East intensifying with Israel’s attacks on Hamas and Hezbollah targets in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, humanitarian organizations are warning of the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. According to UN sources, the number of aid shipments into the Gaza Strip is now lower than at any time over the past year and there is “a strong likelihood that famine is imminent in areas within the northern Gaza Strip.”

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages: MEPs debate (part 2)

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages: MEPs debate (part 1)

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages: Opening statements

Victor NEGRESCU (S&D, RO), general rapporteur for the EU budget 2025 (for section III - Commission), and Niclas HERBST (EPP, DE), rapporteur for the other sections hold a press conference ahead of the vote on the EU budget 2025 agreement. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

MEPs approve a deal on 2025’s EU budget to address current challenges and managing repayment costs for the EU’s recovery plan. During negotiations with member states, Parliament obtained more than €230 million in funding beyond the Commission's initial draft proposal, to better focus on key EU programmes and policies aimed at improving people's lives, boosting competitiveness, and addressing challenges like climate, health, migration or defence. Negotiators also agreed on a solution to cover repayment costs for the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI). The preliminary figures are €199.44 billion in commitment appropriations and €155.21 billion in payment appropriations. Closing statements by Johannes HAHN, János BÓKA and Johan VAN OVERTVELDT.

2025 budgetary procedure: Closing statements by Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration, János BÓKA, Hungarian Minister for European Affairs and Johan VAN OVERTVELDT, BUDG Committee Chair

MEPs approve a deal on 2025’s EU budget to address current challenges and managing repayment costs for the EU’s recovery plan. During negotiations with member states, Parliament obtained more than €230 million in funding beyond the Commission's initial draft proposal, to better focus on key EU programmes and policies aimed at improving people's lives, boosting competitiveness, and addressing challenges like climate, health, migration or defence. Negotiators also agreed on a solution to cover repayment costs for the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI). The preliminary figures are €199.44 billion in commitment appropriations and €155.21 billion in payment appropriations. Opening statements by Johan VAN OVERTVELDT (ECR, NL), Victor NEGRESCU (S&D, RO), Niclas HERBST (EPP, DE), János BÓKA and by Johannes HAHN. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

2025 budgetary procedure: Opening statements by Johan VAN OVERTVELDT, Victor NEGRESCU, Johannes HAHN, János BÓKA and Niclas HERBST

MEPs approve a deal on 2025’s EU budget to address current challenges and managing repayment costs for the EU’s recovery plan. During negotiations with member states, Parliament obtained more than €230 million in funding beyond the Commission's initial draft proposal, to better focus on key EU programmes and policies aimed at improving people's lives, boosting competitiveness, and addressing challenges like climate, health, migration or defence. Negotiators also agreed on a solution to cover repayment costs for the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI). The preliminary figures are €199.44 billion in commitment appropriations and €155.21 billion in payment appropriations.

2025 budgetary procedure: MEPs debate

Csaba Molnár (CONT 21/11): Partial renewal of a member of the Court of Auditors – Motions for a resolution: Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified maize - Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified cotton - Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified maize and eight of its sub-combinations - Objection pursuant to Rule : Genetically modified maize - Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified maize - Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified maize - Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified maize DP202216 115(2-3) - Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified maize

Voting Session

Martin SCHIRDEWAN (The Left, DE), and Manon AUBRY (The Left, FR), The Left Group Leaders, hold a press conference.

Press briefing by Martin SCHIRDEWAN (The Left, DE), and Manon AUBRY (The Left, FR), The Left Group Leaders

Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA, DE), and Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), Greens/EFA Group Leaders, hold a press conference. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

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