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

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

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

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

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

Fight against terrorism

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

On 24 February Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Shortly before&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized&nbsp;two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine&nbsp; as independent.&nbsp;The Conference of Presidents of the EP condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. "Ukraine is an independent and sovereign nation and its territorial integrity is non-negotiable. The invasion is unjustified and illegal. It is a threat to European and regional stability, as well as to the rules-based world order. The attack targets our model of democratic society. It cannot go unanswered, " says declaration of the COP.

"The Russian invasion into Ukraine is part of President Putin’s destabilisation agenda. It is a path that will bring the Kremlin in direct confrontation with Europe and the rule-based world-order. It is a path that pits authoritarianism against democracy. It is a path that we cannot allow him to walk unchallenged," said EP President Roberta Metsola.

European Union leaders met for a special European Council in Brussels on 24 February&nbsp;and adopted a set of sanctions related to the the financial sector, the energy and transport sectors,dual-use goods, exports, Russian individuals etc.&nbsp;

Ukraine is a priority partner for the European Union (EU). The EU supports Ukraine in ensuring a stable, prosperous and democratic future for its citizens and is unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Association Agreement (AA), including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) signed in 2014, is the main tool for bringing Ukraine and the EU closer together. Since 2014, the EU and the Financial Institutions have mobilised more than €15 billion in grants and loans to support the reform process in the country, with strong conditionality on continued progress.

As a result of the cooperation with Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada in the field of democracy support, European Parliament launched on 11 March the website “<a href="https://ukraine.europarl.europa.eu/en/home.html" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">The EU stands with Ukraine</a>” (in English and Ukrainian) provides the latest news, videos and podcasts, relevant legislation and resolutions to show how the EU is helping Ukraine. Content from the Ukrainian Parliament could also be shared on the site. Actively supporting EU efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the world is one of Parliament's core responsibilities.

EU - Ukraine

As co-legislator, Parliament has long been supportive of EU biodiversity protection and climate change policies.

The EU has played an important international role in seeking solutions to biodiversity loss, deforestation and climate change. The 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change notes the importance of ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems and the protection of biodiversity. As part of the European Green Deal, the Commission has proposed a new biodiversity strategy that aims to put Europe’s biodiversity on the path to recovery by 2030, for the benefit of people, the climate and the planet.

Biodiversity Strategy 2030

Launched in 1962, the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) is a partnership between agriculture and society, and between Europe and its farmers. It aims to: support farmers and improve agricultural productivity, ensuring a stable supply of affordable food; safeguard European Union farmers to make a reasonable living; help tackle climate change and the sustainable management of natural resources; maintain rural areas and landscapes across the EU; keep the rural economy alive by promoting jobs in farming, agri-food industries and associated sectors.

The CAP is a common policy for all EU countries. It is managed and funded at European level from the resources of the EU’s budget. CAP 2023-27 To consolidate the role of European agriculture for the future, the CAP has evolved over the years to meet changing economic circumstances and citizens’ requirements and needs.

The CAP 2023-27 entered into force on 1 January 2023.&nbsp;Support for farmers and rural stakeholders across the 27 EU countries is based on the CAP 2023-27 legal framework and the choices detailed in the&nbsp;CAP Strategic Plans, approved by the Commission. The approved Plans are designed to make a significant contribution to the ambitions of the&nbsp;European Green Deal,&nbsp;Farm to Fork Strategy&nbsp;and&nbsp;Biodiversity Strategy.

Common agricultural policy (CAP)

Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. Therefore in December 2019 the Commission presented a communication on a European Green Deal that sets out a detailed vision to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, safeguard biodiversity, establish a circular economy and eliminate pollution, while boosting the competitiveness of European industry and ensuring a just transition for the regions and workers affected.

Parliament has played an important role in pushing for more ambitious EU climate legislation and declared a climate emergency on 28 November 2019.&nbsp; The European Climate Law writes&nbsp;into law the goal to become climate neutral by 2050 and attain the intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels).&nbsp;After 2050 the EU will aim for negative emissions. In July&nbsp;2021 the European Commission presented its “Fit for 55 in 2030” package-the legislative tool to deliver on the targets agreed in the European Climate law.

The EP adopted the new Nature restoration law during its February plenary. The new law sets a target for the EU to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. The EU nature restoration law, agreed with member states, will restore degraded ecosystems in all member states, help achieve the EU’s climate and biodiversity objectives and enhance food security.

To reach the overall EU targets, member states must restore at least 30% of habitats covered by the new law (from forests, grasslands and wetlands to rivers, lakes and coral beds) from a poor to a good condition by 2030, increasing to 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050. In line with Parliament’s position, EU countries should give priority to&nbsp;Natura 2000 areas&nbsp;until 2030. Once in a good condition, EU countries shall ensure an area does not significantly deteriorate. Member states will also have to adopt national restoration plans detailing how they intend to achieve these targets.

European Green Deal

Minimum wages in all EU countries should allow for decent living and working standards, and member states should promote collective bargaining for pay.&nbsp; With 505 votes in favour, 92 against and 44 abstentions, Parliament adopted&nbsp;new legislation&nbsp;on adequate minimum wages in the EU during September plenary.

The EU law, agreed with the Council in June, aims to improve working and living conditions for all workers in the EU, as well as promoting economic and social progress. To this end, it establishes minimum requirements for the adequacy of statutory minimum&nbsp;wages as provided by national law and/or collective agreements, and enhances the effective access of workers to minimum wage protection.

The new directive will apply to all EU workers who have an employment contract or employment relationship. The EU countries in which the minimum wage is already protected exclusively via collective agreements will not be obliged to introduce these rules nor to make these agreements universally applicable.

EU wants to improve workers’ rights and working conditions across Europe, from working hours and parental leave to health and safety at work. The EU has put in place a set of labour rules to ensure strong social protection. They include minimum requirements on working conditions - such as working time, part-time work, workers’ rights - to information about important aspects of their employment and the posting of workers. They have become one of the cornerstones of Europe's social policies.&nbsp;

Working conditions

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

EU - Georgia

The problem of disinformation is globally recognised as disruptive to the normal functioning of democratic societies, economies and political systems. In recent years, ‘fake news’ and coordinated disinformation campaigns have an instrument of geopolitical influence.

They have afflicted elections in both established and new democracies, and undermined social and political solidarity in response to global challenges. It is with these and other instances in mind that the European Union (EU) identified ‘the exposure of citizens to large scale disinformation’ as ‘a major challenge for Europe’ in 2018, undertaking an increasingly ambitious programme of action to counter this evolving threat since. The outbreak of the coronavirus has led to disinformation that hampers efforts to contain the pandemic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said false claims “are spreading faster than the virus” and has already termed it an “infodemic of planetary proportions”. The Russian aggression against Ukraine is also a source of many disinformation.&nbsp;

Special Committee for foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU, including disinformation (INGE) was created in the European Parliament to tackle these challenges

Fight against disinformation

The United Nations defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life."

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, also known as the Istanbul Convention, is the first legally binding international instrument on this issue. It establishes a comprehensive framework of measures for preventing such violence, supporting victims and punishing perpetrators.&nbsp;

MEPs have voted during May 2023 plenary to approve the European Union’s accession to the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, concluding Parliament’s role in the process. Six years after the EU signed the Istanbul Convention - it has still not been ratified because of the refusal of a few member states, despite&nbsp;Parliament’s multiple calls to this end.

However, the EU&nbsp;Court of Justice’s opinion of 6 October 2021&nbsp;confirmed that the European Union can ratify the Istanbul Convention without having the agreement of all member states. The Court found that the appropriate scope for the EU’s accession is asylum, judicial cooperation in criminal matters, and obligations of the EU institutions and public administration.

The EU’s accession to the Istanbul Convention does not exempt member states from ratifying it themselves, MEPs have repeatedly said, urging the remaining six countries - Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia - to ratify the Convention without delay, so that it can protect women to the full extent of the Convention’s intended scope

Violence against women

Parliament holds debates on human rights, democracy and rule of law topics.

Human rights are fundamental values of the entire international community. More than 70 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first comprehensive international human rights document to set common standards to which all UN members should aspire, human rights have become a cornerstone of the international system and have reached almost universal recognition. However, much remains to be done in practice so that every human being can enjoy their fundamental rights.

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

The Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) have two main goals: to create a safer digital space in which the fundamental rights of all users of digital services are protected and to establish a level playing field to foster innovation, growth, and competitiveness, both in the European Single Market and globally.

The&nbsp;Digital Services Act (DSA)&nbsp;aims to create a safer digital space in which users rights are protected, including rules to tackle illegal content online, enhance the accountability and transparency of algorithms, and dealing with content moderation and targeted advertising.

Digital Markets Act&nbsp; (DMA) sets rules on what big online platforms will be allowed to do and not do in the EU. It&nbsp;blacklists certain practices of large platforms acting as “gatekeepers” and enables the Commission to carry out market investigations and sanction non-compliant behaviour.

Digital Services and Digital Markets Act

Worldwide, forests are being lost at the alarming rate of 800 football fields per hour. With deforestation being a critical contributor to climate change and a leading cause of biodiversity loss, it is becoming increasingly clear that a sustainable future cannot be achieved without tackling deforestation and taking measures to protect- and sustainably manage forests.&nbsp; The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)&nbsp;estimates&nbsp;that 420 million hectares of forest — an area larger than the EU — were lost to deforestation between 1990 and 2020. It is estimated that&nbsp;EU consumption represents around 10% of global deforestation.

&nbsp;In October 2020, Parliament made use of its&nbsp;prerogative in the Treaty&nbsp;to ask the Commission to&nbsp;come forward with legislation to halt EU-driven global deforestation.

MEPs have already called for strengthening the overall climate benefits from forests and the forest-based value chain, namely CO2 absorption and carbon storage in wood-based products. Parliament also emphasises the need to increase funding for research into the substitution of fossil fuels and fossil-fuel materials. Forests and the entire forest-based value chain are fundamental to further develop of the circular bio-economy, which delivers important climate change mitigation and adaptation services.Parliament wants binding targets to protect and restore forest ecosystems, especially primary forests (those that have not been been affected by people's actions in recent times).

Forest protection

The European Parliament has its seat in Strasbourg in France where the 12 monthly part-sessions, including the session at which the decision on the annual EU budget is taken, should be held.

Find in this package, audiovisual content of the activities of the European Parliament in Strasbourg such as atmosphere inside and outside the buildings and parliamentary work..

The European Parliament in Strasbourg

The President of the European Central Bank (ECB) takes part four times a year in a monetary dialogue with Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) to report on monetary policy and answer question from MEPs.&nbsp;Although guaranteed independence under the Treaty, the ECB is accountable for its actions towards the European Parliament, and more precisely the ECON Committee.

The European Central Bank is the central institution of the Economic and Monetary Union and has been responsible for conducting monetary policy for the euro area since 1 January 1999 The ECB and the national central banks of all EU Member States constitute the European System of Central Banks.

Monetary dialogue

Since the beginning of the pandemic COVID-19, the EU has developed a wide range of health policy responses, exemplified by the common approach to vaccines through the EU Vaccines Strategy and initiatives across a range of other policies.

A common approach to assessing infection rates in different regions made testing and quarantining much more consistent. EU Digital COVID Certificates were agreed on and implemented in record time, paving the way for the safe resumption of tourism and travel during summer, and beyond.

At the same time, the EU took decisive action to tackle the economic fallout of the pandemic with funds and special economic aid for&nbsp;Member states, entreprises and citizens.

The EU Health Union is underway with&nbsp;reinforcing the mandates of the European Medicines Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, addressing cross-border threats to health and creating a future-proof EU pharmaceutical policy. MEPs obtained better support for the EU4Health programme in the 2022 EU budget, with an additional €51 million to build up a strong Health Union and to make national health systems more resilient.

Effective coordination of national measures as well as solidarity among member states together with the importance of&nbsp;making national health systems more sustainable and resilient are the main challenges of the EU, learned from&nbsp;the&nbsp;COVID-19 pandemic.

EU's response to COVID-19

Euroscola

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Verona (Italy) - G7 Speakers conference

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Verona (Italy) - G7 Speakers conference - Bilateral Meeting with Mike JOHNSON, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Verona (Italy) - G7 Speakers conference - Bilateral Meeting with Ruslan STEFANCHUCK, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada

Medal Award Ceremony for Outgoing Members

Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates at the French National Day at the Bozar, Brussels

Meeting of the Conference of Presidents

Adress by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at the EESC Plenary Debate

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Dick SCHOOF, Prime Minister of the Netherlands

Meeting of the Conference of Presidents with Ursula von der Leyen

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Milojko SPAJIC, Prime Minister of Montenegro

Roberta Metsola, EP President at the European Council Meeting

IDAHOBIT event - Being a fully inclusive workplace: welcoming all new LGBTIQ+ staff’

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Drone views - Buildings in Brussels by night

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Use your vote

President Sassoli once addressed the EP staff saying that every single person is crucial to building a healthy democracy. He embodied this principle not only in his political activity, but also in his daily relationship with people, by gifting everyone with the same care, warmth and regard. The tribute film to President Sassoli was the occasion for the EP staff to respond with the same warmth and to remember him beyond his political persona. Through a series of anonymous interviews, the staff depicts President Sassoli’s portrait, dwelling on his extraordinary warmth and humanity. Beyond remembering him, the film presents President Sassoli as an inspiration and an example for the present (some of his words on Ukraine were prophetic) and the future.

A beloved President - David Sassoli through the eyes of EP staff

This stockshot shows external views of the European Parliament's building in Brussels during spring. Views of the crowd passing by the Solidarność esplanade and the passerelles during rainy days.

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Exterior views of the EP in Brussels during spring (rainy weather)

This stockshot shows external views of the European Parliament's building in Brussels during spring. Views of the crowd passing by the Solidarność esplanade and the passerelles during sunny days.

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Exterior views of the European Parliament in Brussels during spring (sunny weather)

This stockshots shows the election of David SASSOLI, as President of the European Parliament on 3rd July 2019. He was invited to make his first address as EP President in the hemicycle in Strasbourg. As part of his duties, he undertook several official visits abroad, welcomed guest and attending various European events.

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: David SASSOLI, EP President

This stockshot shows external views of the European Parliament's building in Brussels during autumn. Views of the crowd passing by the Solidarność esplanade and the passerelles during rainy days and during the night.

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Brussels - External shots of the EP buildings during autumn

This stockshot shows several debates taking place in the hemicycle in the European Parliament in Brussels. During the debates in plenary session, Political group speakers are invited to give a speech in an order determined by the relative size of those political groups (European People's Party (EPP), Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D), Renew Europe (RE), Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA), Identity and Democracy (ID), European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), European United Left - Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL)).

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Brussels - Internal shots and leaders of Political groups

This stockshot shows MEPs voting during the plenary session in the hemicycle in the European Parliament, in Brussels. Voting is by show of hands or by roll call (electronic voting system).

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Brussels - Votes and ambiance shots in the hemicycle

This stockshot shows several debates taking place in the hemicycle in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. During the debates in plenary session, Political group speakers are invited to give a speech in an order determined by the relative size of those political groups (European People's Party (EPP), Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D), Renew Europe (RE), Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA), Identity and Democracy (ID), European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), European United Left - Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL)).

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Strasbourg - Internal shots and leaders of Political groups

This Stockshots illustrates the removal of the EP from Brussels to Strasbourg: preparation of the canteen, removers at work, loading of the lorries,... 12 times per year, MEPs, assistants and officials are moving to Strasbourg for the plenary session. Movers Removals

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Brussels – Removal

This infoclip shows people walking in parks and streets in Brussels during summer. Views of fountains, streets musicians, tourists, people using electric scooters (trotinettes) and road traffic in the city centre.

Infoclip: Illustrative shots of European citizens walking in parks and streets during summer

This stockshot shows external views of the the Louise Weiss building in Strasbourg during Summer. The building of the European Parliament is located at the intersection of the River Ill and the Marne-Rhine Canal.

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Strasbourg - EP buildings river views during summer

The Members of the EP Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) meeting elect its Chair during their meeting in margins of the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ (ECR, SK) is elected Chair of the Committee by secret ballot.

EMPL Committee Constitutive meeting: arrivals and roundtable

Live Replay of the opening of the first plenary session in the 9th parlimentary term, in Strasbourg (01-04/07/2019). Selection of eight tellers who will oversee the election of the President

EP Plenary session: Selection of eight tellers who will oversee the election of the President

Jaume DUCH GUILLOT, Spokesperson and Director-General for Communication of the EP, opens the press session briefing in the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. He gives a feedback on the results of the European Elections 2019 (23-26 May) and announces the opening of the 9th parliamentary term later in the morning. He explains the process to elect the new EP President and the ongoing talks on the top positions during the European Council.

Pre-session briefing

Graphic presenting the composition of the European Parliament on 2 July 2019. EPP - Group of the European People's Party - 182 seats, S&D - Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats - 154 seats, ECR - European Conservatives and Reformists Group - 62 seats, Renew Europe - Renew Europe group - 108 seats, GUE/NGL - Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left - 41 seats, Greens/EFA - Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance - 74 seats, ID - Identity and Democracy - 73 seats, NI - Non-attached Members, 57 seats.

European Parliament 2019-2024 - Constitutive session: Graphic presenting the composition of the EP on 2 July 2019

Live Replay of the opening of the first plenary session in the 9th parlimentary term, in Strasbourg (01-04/07/2019). MEPs arriving and taking their seats. Opening by Antonio TAJANI. European anthem by the Quatuor "Avena".

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