Cel puțin un miliard de mese constând în alimente comestibile se irosesc zilnic în gospodăriile din întreaga lume. Ar fi suficient pentru a oferi o masă zilnică fiecărei persoane afectate de foamete. Când aruncăm mâncare, toată energia și resursele care au fost folosite pentru a o prepara se irosesc, iar impactul asupra mediului, cum ar fi emisiile de gaze cu efect de seră, persistă, deși alimentele nu servesc nimănui. Prin urmare, politicile Uniunii Europene de gestionare a deșeurilor urmăresc să reducă impactul deșeurilor asupra mediului și sănătății.

Risipa alimentară în Uniunea Europeană: provocări și obiective

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

Scurt buletin de știri – 31/01/2025 - română

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.

Scurt buletin de știri – 30/01/2025 - română

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.

Scurt buletin de știri – 29/01/2025 - română

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.

Scurt buletin de știri – 28/01/2025 - română

Jeanne Salomon a fugit de naziști, și-a pierdut soțul și copilul, a îndurat ororile de la Auschwitz, a supraviețuit marșului morții și și-a refăcut viața în Luxemburg. Fiul ei, Henri Juda, ne spune povestea mamei lui, o femeie curajoasă extraordinară.

Jeanne Salomon: povestea cutremurătoare a unei supraviețuiri miraculoase din lagărul de la Auschwitz

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.

Scurt buletin de știri – 27/01/2025 - română

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.

Scurt buletin de știri – 24/01/2025 - română

Care este rolul Ombudsmanului european? În ce situații poate interveni și care este legătura sa cu Parlamentul European? Ombudsmanul european este un organ independent și imparțial care ajută persoanele, companiile și organizațiile atunci când acestea întâmpină probleme în relațiile lor cu administrația Uniunii Europene. Rolul său este, așadar, esențial pentru buna funcționare a Uniunii Europene.

Rolul Ombudsmanului european

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

Scurt buletin de știri – 23/01/2025 - română

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.

Scurt buletin de știri – 22/01/2025 - română

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.

Scurt buletin de știri – 21/01/2025 - română

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.

Scurt buletin de știri – 20/01/2025 - română

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.

Scurt buletin de știri – 17/01/2025 - română

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.

Scurt buletin de știri – 16/01/2025 - română

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.

Scurt buletin de știri – 15/01/2025 - română

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

Every five years, EU citizens choose who represents them in the European Parliament, the directly-elected institution that defends their interests in the EU decision-making process.

The European elections took place from 6th to 9th of June 2024.

The elections take place every five years and are the largest transnational elections in the world. By voting in the European elections, people living in the EU get to choose the 720&nbsp;members that will represent them in the European Parliament until 2029.

Following the elections, Parliament votes to elect the new head of the European Commission, which is the EU’s executive body, and to approve the full team of commissioners.

Alegeri europene 2024

In March 2021, the European Commission adopted the Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030. The Strategy builds on the results of the previous European Disability Strategy 2010-2020, which paved the way to a barrier-free Europe and to empower persons with disabilities so they can enjoy their rights and participate fully in society and economy.

Despite the progress made in the past decade, persons with disabilities still face considerable barriers and have a higher risk of poverty and social exclusion.

The objective of this Strategy is to progress towards ensuring that all persons with disabilities in Europe, regardless of their sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age or sexual orientation enjoy their human rights, have equal opportunities, equal access to participate in society and economy, are able to decide where, how and with whom they live, move freely in the EU regardless of their support needs and no longer experience discrimination.

The EU and its Member States are committed to improving social and economic situation of disabled people building on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and on the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. The European Union and all its Member States are party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

European Disability Strategy

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

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

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

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

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

Stockshot of EP Buildings in Luxembourg

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

MEPs debate on the creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children. MEPs debate.

EP Plenary session - Creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children: MEPs debate

MEPs debate on the creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children. Opening statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EP Plenary session - Creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children: Opening statement by the Commission

MEPs debate on the creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children. Closing statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography.

EP Plenary session - Creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children: Closing statement by the Commission

This clip highlights the "This is Europe" debate with Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland.

Clip "This is Europe" with Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland

MEPs will vote on new rules to ensure artificial intelligence is trustworthy, safe and respects EU fundamental rights, while supporting innovation. MEPs debated on Tuesday 12.03 and approved on Wednesday an agreement reached with EU countries establishing obligations for AI based on its potential risk and level of impact. AI applications that pose a clear risk to fundamental rights - such as biometric categorisation systems based on sensitive characteristics, social scoring, or AI used to manipulate human behaviour - will be banned in Europe. AI systems considered high-risk, used for example in critical infrastructure, education, healthcare, law enforcement, border management or elections, will have to comply with strict requirements. Fast-expanding general-purpose AI (GPAI) models will also have to comply with transparency obligations and EU copyright rules, while the most powerful models will face additional safety requirements.

Artificial Intelligence Act: extracts from the debate (12.03) and the vote

Before the This is Europe debate, Roberta Metsola, EP President, holds a bilateral meeting with Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland. Then, Prime Minister Orpo speaks to the European Parliament and outlines his vision for Europe’s challenges and future. This footage shows extracts from Prime Minister's arrival, the bilateral meeting, and the address to the plenary. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

This is Europe - Debate with Petteri ORPO, Finnish Prime Minister: meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and extracts from the address to the plenary

MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission how to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children being forcibly deported to Russia. Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, international organisations have documented a wide range of serious human rights violations affecting children. Reports of children forcibly deported or displaced by Russian authorities, combined in many cases with them being subjected to re-education programmes and forced adoption, have raised concern. According to the Children of War initiative of the Ukrainian National Information Bureau (NIB), more than 19 500 children have been deported or forcibly displaced, and only 388 have been returned. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against President Putin, and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights.

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Need to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia: Closing statement by Commission and Council

MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission how to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children being forcibly deported to Russia. Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, international organisations have documented a wide range of serious human rights violations affecting children. Reports of children forcibly deported or displaced by Russian authorities, and being subjected to re-education programmes and forced adoption, have raised concern. According to the Children of War initiative of the Ukrainian National Information Bureau (NIB), more than 19 500 children have been deported or forcibly displaced, and only 388 have been returned. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against President Putin, and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights.This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Need to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia: Opening statement by Council and Commission

MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission how to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children being forcibly deported to Russia. Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, international organisations have documented a wide range of serious human rights violations affecting children. Reports of children forcibly deported or displaced by Russian authorities, combined in many cases with them being subjected to re-education programmes and forced adoption, have raised concern. According to the Children of War initiative of the Ukrainian National Information Bureau (NIB), more than 19 500 children have been deported or forcibly displaced, and only 388 have been returned. This news item shows extracts from the MEP's debate in plenary.

Ukrainian children deported to Russia: extracts from the debate

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Need to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia: MEPs debate

MEPs are set to adopt two new laws to improve the enforcement of EU sanctions, and to strengthen the rules on finding and confiscating criminal assets. Following a debate on Monday, Parliament will take a final vote on Tuesday on a directive, already agreed with the Council, introducing a common definition for EU sanctions violations and minimum penalties. Sophie IN 'T VELD (Renew, NL), rapporteur, holds a press conference after the vote. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Sophie IN 'T VELD (Renew, NL), rapporteur, on criminalising the violations of EU sanctions

During Question Time, MEPs quiz Commission Vice-President Jourová about EU governments’ preparedness to combat foreign interference, especially ahead of the European Elections, including from Russia.

Information security of EU governments against foreign interference, in particular by Russia: extracts from the question time with the Commission

During Question Time, MEPs quiz Commission Vice-President Jourová about EU governments’ preparedness to combat foreign interference, including from Russia.

EP Plenary session - Question Time (Commission) - Preparedness of EU governments to combat foreign interference, including from Russia: Questions and answers with Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission (part 1)

EP Plenary session - Question Time (Commission) - Preparedness of EU governments to combat foreign interference, including from Russia: Questions and answers with Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission (part 2)

MEPs debate on new rules to ensure artificial intelligence is trustworthy, safe and respects EU fundamental rights, while supporting innovation. MEPs are expected to approve on Wednesday an agreement reached with EU countries establishing obligations for AI based on its potential risk and level of impact. AI applications that pose a clear risk to fundamental rights - such as biometric categorisation systems based on sensitive characteristics, social scoring, or AI used to manipulate human behaviour - will be banned in Europe. AI systems considered high-risk, used for example in critical infrastructure, education, healthcare, law enforcement, border management or elections, will have to comply with strict requirements. Fast-expanding general-purpose AI (GPAI) models will also have to comply with transparency obligations and EU copyright rules, while the most powerful models will face additional safety requirements.

Artificial Intelligence Act: Closing statements by Thierry BRETON, Commissioner for Internal Market, Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT) and Dragoş TUDORACHE (Renew, RO), Rapporteurs

Artificial Intelligence Act: MEPs debate

MEPs debate on new rules to ensure artificial intelligence is trustworthy, safe and respects EU fundamental rights, while supporting innovation. MEPs are expected to approve tomorrow an agreement reached with EU countries establishing obligations for AI based on its potential risk and level of impact. AI applications that pose a clear risk to fundamental rights - such as biometric categorisation systems based on sensitive characteristics, social scoring, or AI used to manipulate human behaviour. Opening statements by Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT) and Dragoş TUDORACHE (Renew, RO), Rapporteurs, Thierry BRETON, Commissioner for Internal Market, Axel VOSS (EPP, DE), on behalf of JURI Committee, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ (Renew, ES), on behalf of the ENVI Committee, and Rovana PLUMB (S&D, RO), on behalf of the TRAN Committee. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery. MAYDELL Eva

Artificial Intelligence Act: Opening statements by Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT) and Dragoş TUDORACHE (Renew, RO), Rapporteurs, and Thierry BRETON, Commissioner for Internal Market

After the debate and the vote, Ciarán CUFFE (Greens/EFA, IE), rapporteur, holds a press conference on a new directive to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the buildings sector, and make it climate neutral by 2050. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

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