EP Plenary session - Strengthening children’s rights in the EU - 35th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

EP Plenary session - Prison condition in the EU

DEVE FEMM ENVI - Confirmation hearing of Hadja LAHBIB, European Commissioner-designate for Preparedness and Crisis Management Equality

LIBE - Confirmation hearing of Magnus BRUNNER, European Commissioner-designate for Internal Affairs and Migration

EP Plenary session - A stronger Europe for safer products to better protect consumers and tackle unfair competition: Boosting EU oversight in e-commerce and imports

EP Plenary session - Prevention of drug-related crimes, their effect on European citizens and the need for an effective European response

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - The crisis facing the EU’s automotive industry, potential plant closures and the need to enhance competitiveness and maintain jobs in Europe

Delegations for relations with New Zealand Constitutive meeting

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Possible extradition of Paul Watson: the danger of criminalisation of environmental defenders and whistle-blowers, and the need for their protection in the EU

EP Plenary session - Topical Debate - Organised crime, a major threat to the internal security of the European Union and European citizens

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return

Saskia BRICMONT in the EP in Brussels

Fair Fashion Day - Conversation with impacted stakeholders

Press Briefing on the Future of EU-Africa Trade Relations

EP Plenary session - Topical debate - Use of the Pegasus Software by EU Member States against individuals including MEPs and the violation of fundamental rights

Saskia BRICMONT in the EP in Brussels.

Saskia BRICMONT and her team in the European Parliament in Brussels

Magnus BRUNNER, Commissioner-designate for Internal Affairs and Migration, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) of the European Parliament. Committee on Development (DEVE) participates as joint committee. During the confirmation hearing, Magnus BRUNNER answers questions by committee members.

Confirmation hearing of Magnus BRUNNER, Commissioner-designate for Internal Affairs and Migration: questions / answers (part 1 - Political groups coordinators)

MEPs address the ongoing crisis in the EU’s automotive industry, focusing on enhancing competitiveness and preventing potential plant closures. This discussion arises as the sector grapples with challenges stemming from the shift to low-carbon technologies, supply chain disruptions, heightened competition from Asia, and a decline in demand for electric vehicles. MEPs engage with representatives from the Commission and the Hungarian Presidency to explore measures aimed at revitalizing the automotive sector. Second part of MEPs debate.

The crisis facing the EU’s automotive industry, potential plant closures and the need to enhance competitiveness and maintain jobs in Europe: MEPs debate (part 2)

European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva JOHANSSON opens the debate amongst the MEPs on preventing security threats by combating illegal migration and effective return. In the wake of a stabbing attack in Solingen, Germany, on MEPs discuss how to address the unauthorised movements of third country nationals within the EU. The plenary debate follows the German government’s announcement that reintroduces border controls on all its land borders for an initial six-month period. This internal security decision is intended to improve the detection of unauthorised attempts by third country nationals to enter Germany.

Need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return: extracts from the debate

MEPs debate on the need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return. After a stabbing attack in Solingen, Germany, MEPs are discussing how to manage unauthorised movements of third-country nationals within the EU. This follows Germany’s decision to reintroduce border controls on all land borders for six months to improve detection of illegal entries. MEPs are raising concerns about the impact of these checks on Schengen free movement and reviewing preparations for the upcoming Pact on Migration and Asylum, set for 2026. The Pact focuses on strengthening security checks and accelerating asylum and return procedures for those not entitled to protection.

Need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return: MEPs debate (part 1)

Parliament gives its final green light to the reform of the EU’s asylum and migration rules. The new rules ensure responsibility sharing among Member States in the management of migrant arrivals, a more efficient response in case of crisis, and respect of fundamental rights. Before the vote, MEPs review the ten legal acts in a debate with Council and Commission. First part of MEPs debate.

Joint Debate - Migration and Asylum package: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs discuss the outcome of the Special European Council of 1 February, with Charles Michel, President of the European Council and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. The special summit was about finding an agreement on the mid-term review of the EU’s long-term 2021-2027 budget (multiannual financial framework, MFF) and a €50 billion financial aid package for Ukraine. Second part of the debate.

Conclusions of the special European Council meeting of 1 February 2024: MEPs debate (part 2)

While international diplomatic efforts are underway to address the Gaza conflict and prevent it from escalating into a regional crisis, the Israeli government has expressed its determination to end Hamas' rule in Gaza. Israeli officials asserted a transition to more targeted warfare, though intense fighting continues. MEPs debate the humanitarian situation, the need to reach a ceasefire, and the risks of escalation in the Middle East. Second part of the debate.

Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a permanent ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation: MEPs debate (part 2)

As President of the Council, Belgium leads the European agenda and promote cooperation among the Member States in the following six months. Their aim is to strengthen the European Union and make progress in several areas, such as rule of law, democracy, green and just transition or social and health agenda. MEPs discuss with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo the programme of Belgium’s six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 January. MEPs debate

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Belgian Presidency: MEPs debate

After the opening statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, MEPs debate on the need to release all hostages, to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire and prospect of the two-state solution.

Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union - Need to release all hostages, to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire and prospect of the two-state solution: MEPs debate part 2

MEPs discuss with Commission and Council representatives whether the EU’s sanctions against Russia are working, and how to prevent their circumvention by Moscow. Following Russia's illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union swiftly adopted unprecedentedly tough sanctions against Moscow. There have since been 11 sanctions packages in total, Moscow has however found ways to bypass these measures, including through loopholes in trade restrictions and with the help of third-country intermediaries. Second part of the debate.

The effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia: MEPs debate (part 2)

The Plenary discusses the need for a speedy adoption of a comprehensive European pact on asylum and migration as well as challenges in member states. In the context of continued arrivals of refugees and migrants to the EU by sea, MEPs will debate with the Spanish Council Presidency and the Commission the state of play of negotiations on the new European rules on migration and asylum. The situation in some countries, such as Italy –and particularly on the island of Lampedusa- could feature prominently. MEPs debate (part 3)

The need for a speedy adoption of the asylum and migration package: MEPs debate (part 3)

In response to growing threats to editorial independence and the industry’s viability, MEPs adopt their position on a draft law to strengthen the independence of EU media. Parliament wants the European Media Freedom Act, on which MEPs debate a to oblige Member States to ensure media plurality and protect media independence from governmental, political, economic, or private interference. Second part of MEPs debate

European Media Freedom Act: MEPs debate (part 2)

Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission gives a statement on New Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean in the aftermath of the EU-CELAC Summit.

New Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean in the aftermath of the EU-CELAC Summit: MEPs

In the context of the high human toll of migrant casualties at sea and the recent tragic shipwreck off the Greek coast, MEPs discuss the EU’s capabilities for search and rescue operations of migrants at sea and prospect of more EU action to support rescue naval operations on the Mediterranean migration routes. They also debate the role of NGO sea rescue boats, disembarkations in designated places of safety, alleged pushbacks by Member States, the implementation of an action plan announced by Commissioner Johansson in November 2022, and cooperation with third countries like Tunisia and Libya. Second part of MEPs debate.

The need for EU action on search and rescue in the Mediterranean: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate on their position on rules to protect journalists, activists, academics, artists and researchers against legal actions aimed at silencing them. The draft directive provides minimum standards of protection from lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) in the EU through early dismissal of these cases, obliging the claimant to cover the costs of proceedings and not recognising third country judgements. The rules should apply in cross-border cases when the claimant and defendant are not based in the same country as the court or when the case is relevant to more than one member state and the disputed work can be accessed electronically. MEPs are also set to call on member states to ensure that SLAPP victims get legal, financial and psychological assistance. MEPs debate

Protection of journalists and human rights defenders from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings: MEPs debate

MEPs are set to adopt recommendations to tackle and prevent spyware abuse in Europe, based on the inquiry into illicit use of Pegasus and other spyware. The recommendations set out a range of proposals, including investigations into suspected abuse; EU standards for the deploy of spyware; legal remedies for people who have been targeted; strict enforcement of the EU’s export control rules; an EU Tech Lab to conduct technical investigations; and co-ordination with third countries. First part of the debate.

Pegasus spyware: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate on the current situation of children in Rainbow Families and same sex parents in Italy.

The rights of children in Rainbow Families and same sex parents in particular in Italy: MEPs debate

MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission the reported cases of illegal surveillance and the use of the Predator spyware in Greece. MEPs express their indignation at the recent revelations of wiretapping by the intelligence services, as well as the use of spyware, targeting politicians, journalists, and other public figures in Greece. Among the targeted individuals is MEP Nikos Androulakis (S&D, EL), the leader of the Greek opposition party PASOK-KINAL

47 results