Trilogue on Regulation on automated data exchange for police cooperation (Prüm II)

Parliament is set to increase the capacity of the agency which polices the EU’s external borders. By 2027, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency will have 10,000 officers, including a rapid reaction pool in the case of emergencies.

10,000 officers for the European Border and Coast Guard Agency

Parliament enters the final leg of its Future of Europe debates before May’s elections, MEPs look back at Austria’s European Council presidency – and forward to Romania’s. And the Euro takes centre stage in Strasbourg, as the single currency celebrates its 20th birthday.

Coming up in Strasbourg: From driverless vehicles to the anniversary of the Euro

Members voted not to start negotiations on the update of copyright rules, and will debate and vote them in September's plenary session. The EP approved a new defence fund,strengthened cooperation between Europol and eight countries in North Africa and the Middle East and referred back to the Transport Committee for reconsideration the proposals on the lorry drivers.

From copyright to defence: 5 numbers to take away from Strasbourg

Parliament is calling for a stricter control on exports of “dual-use goods”,  in particular civilian technologies that could be used by authoritarian regimes to spy on citizens.

Parliament calls for stricter export controls on spyware technology

Committees of the European Parliament are meeting to discuss youth employment in the EU, measures to control the flow of cash, the humanitarian situation in Libya, women and climate change and an EU wide disability strategy.

Coming up: from youth employment to the control of cash in the EU

European lawmakers want to improve the Schengen Information System (SIS II) to step up police cooperation in the fight against terrorism, cross-border crime and illegal immigration.

Strengthening security in the Schengen area

Parliamentary committees are tackling issues from better law enforcement at external borders through alerts and information-sharing to clean energy financing and the rule of law in Poland.

Coming up: from border information-sharing to clean energy financing

Parliament set up a 30-member special committee to find ways of tackling terrorism in Europe and improve cross-border cooperation. The EU is fighting on many fronts, one of which is in the financing of terror. MEPs are zeroing in on money laundering and organised crime to stem the flow of funds.

Fighting terrorism: turning off the money tap

The European Parliament is giving its green light to a new common electronic system to speed up checks at the Schengen area’s external borders. It will also register information on non-EU nationals, in order to facilitate the detection of fraud. Agustín  Díaz De Mera (EPP) explains the main objectives of this new law.

Smarter borders for Europe

The European Parliament wants to criminalise new psychoactive substances. An early warning system will allow a faster assessment and ban of substances suspected to be harmful.

Criminal penalties for new drugs

Five numbers to take away from the plenary in Strasbourg: Brexit talks, cybersecurity, Ryanair's flight cancellations , controversial Catalan referendum and telecoms package.

5 numbers to take away from Strasbourg: from Brexit to Catalonia

At present, there is no legally binding legislation regulating private security companies or PSCs. A parliamentary committee wants to strengthen accountability and oversight of some 40,000 PSCs in the EU.

Private security companies: stricter rules and more oversight

The European Parliament has adopted a set of three resolutions exploring the future development of the European Union. One of the rapporteurs, Elmar Brok, urges the EU to take full advantage of the Treaty of Lisbon, whose political potential has not yet been fully tapped. The EU should move towards more transparency for instance and a common defence policy.

The Future of Europe: Making the most of the Treaty of Lisbon (Elmar Brok)

Today the EU faces the threat of terrorism. Everyone can agree that security should be a top priority. Organisations such as Europol combat terrorism, while others like Fenvac take care of the victims' families. Improving border systems, increasing communications between Member States and criminalising acts associated with terrorism are a few examples of the steps the EU is taking this year.

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