The European Union's outermost regions (ORs) qualify for special treatment owing to structural difficulties – such as remoteness, difficult topography and economic dependence on a few products – that can severely hamper their development. In addition, the coronavirus pandemic has hit their economies particularly hard. While these regions are quite different from one another, they have levels of unemployment and GDP significantly worse than EU and national averages. Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides for specific measures to support the ORs, including the tailored application of EU law and access to EU programmes.

EPRS policy podcast - Outermost regions of the EU

Culture plays a fundamental role in human life. It is also an essential source of identity, at local, regional, national and European levels, while making a significant contribution to the EU economy. EU cultural policy relates to cultural heritage, but also to the cultural and creative sector. The EU supports culture through a variety of initiatives, including the European Capitals of Culture scheme. A number of EU programmes also offer funding for cultural projects, for instance the Creative Europe programme, Horizon Europe and New European Bauhaus. As one of the sectors of the economy worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU included culture in its coronavirus response investment initiatives and the REACT-EU programme aimed at dealing with the consequences of the pandemic. The European Parliament has called for increased support for culture as part of the post-pandemic recovery efforts.

EPRS policy podcast - Culture and regional development

SDG 14 on 'life below water' focuses on the sustainability of the oceans, recognising their essential role in life on our planet. Oceans contain 80 % of all life forms, produce more than 50 % of the Earth's oxygen and play a central role in regulating the climate. In addition, the 'blue economy' provides 4.5 million direct jobs in the EU. To manage maritime activities sustainably and cope with different environmental pressures, the EU has implemented a wide range of policies, such as the common fisheries policy, the marine strategy framework directive and the maritime spatial planning directive, as well as specific legislation related to marine litter. Other new initiatives under the European Green Deal also play an important role in relation to ocean governance and sustainable blue growth, such as the 2030 biodiversity strategy, the offshore renewable energy strategy, the 'Fit for 55' package and the new guidelines on aquaculture.

EPRS podcast - Policy: EU action on ocean governance and achieving SDG 14

The European Commission has announced 'right to repair' legislation, with the objective of cutting consumer costs and promoting a circular economy. 'Right to repair' legislation can refer to a variety of issues and circumstances: for example, the right to repair during the legal guarantee, the right to repair after the legal guarantee has expired, and the right for consumers to repair products themselves.

Right to Repair - English

La Commission européenne a annoncé une législation sur le droit à la réparation pour réduire les coûts pour les consommateurs et promouvoir une économie circulaire. Cette législation peut concerner plusieurs situations: par exemple, le droit à la réparation pendant la garantie légale ou après expiration de celle-ci et le droit des consommateurs à réparer eux-mêmes leurs produits.

Le droit à la réparation - français

De Europese Commissie heeft aangekondigd dat zij wetgeving zal voorstellen rond het recht op reparatie. Het doel is de kosten te verlagen voor consumenten en een circulaire economie te bevorderen. Wetgeving over het recht op reparatie kan verband houden met een hele waaier aan thema’s en omstandigheden: zo is er het recht op reparatie tijdens de wettelijke garantieperiode, het recht op reparatie nadat die periode is verstreken en het recht op reparatie voor consumenten, die zelf hun producten repareren.

Recht op reparatie - Nederlands

On 17 November 2021, the European Commission tabled a proposal to revise EU rules governing shipments of waste. The proposed regulation aims at easing shipments of waste for reuse and recycling in the EU, to support the transition to a circular economy; ensuring that waste exported from the EU is managed in an environmentally sound manner in the destination countries; and stepping up enforcement to counteract illegal shipments of waste. While supporting the proposed streamlining and digitalisation of procedures, stakeholders have stressed the need for significant improvements to ensure that the new regulation fulfils its objectives, in particular as regards exports of waste.

EPRS policy podcast - Revision of the EU's Waste Shipment Regulation

Over the past decade, space has gained increasing importance as an economic sector offering opportunities for established and emerging markets. Space policies and their applications have also gained in political relevance due to their capacity to tackle global challenges, such as the climate and biodiversity crises, but also due to the growing reliance of the EU economy and society on space infrastructure, services and data. This briefing focuses on the state of play in regard to the EU's space economy, while also examining the EU's reliance on space services. Specifically, it highlights the relevance of the EU in the global space market and looks at the ways the EU could boost its use of space data and services to deliver on its main political priorities.

EPRS policy podcast - EU space policy: Boosting EU competitiveness and accelerating the twin ecological and digital transition

European industry is central when it comes to achieving the twin green and digital transition of the EU's economy and society, and making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. While European industry has strengths (for instance in green tech), it has lagged behind in some key strategic sectors. Common weaknesses in strategic European industrial sectors include high dependency on critical raw materials – for instance around half of the materials needed in aircraft production come from third countries. Other weaknesses are insufficient research and development funding, technology gaps, market fragmentation, underinvestment, and lack of skills. The pandemic has, meanwhile, highlighted the broader vulnerabilities of global supply chains. #FutureShocks2022

EPRS policy podcast - Future shocks: Establishing greater strategic autonomy for European industry

The most serious risks are both complex and complicated. Multiple risks can also arise together. We have recent examples of risks that became reality, and that had an impact on society, economy and political life together. This strengthens the case for cross-sectoral monitoring and cross-sectoral strategies. In this podcast, we’ll give you an overview of the most serious risks facing the EU, from health and security ones, to climate change, energy and economic risks. Governance is key for facing future risks as a society. Effective governance needs to be holistic and strategic analytical capacity. So, risk monitoring should be conducted as part of a broader effort to develop strategic foresight and anticipatory governance.

EPRS policy podcast - Future shocks: Overview of risks for Europe in 2022 and beyond

European Parliament 23 March 2022 - One month after Russia attacked Ukraine, MEPs during the plenary session unanimously condemned the brutal invasion and urged the EU to further sanction Moscow and protect the European economy.

War in Ukraine: keep the pressure up on Russia and aim for energy independence

Green bonds are committed to financing or re-financing investments, projects, expenditure or assets helping to address climate and environmental issues. Both governments and companies use them to finance the transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon economy. Since the EIB inaugurated the green bond market in 2007 with its Climate Awareness Bond, the market has grown very fast, but it still represents only about 3 to 3.5 % of overall bond issuance. The green bond market needs to grow more quickly to achieve the targets in the Paris Agreement. In this podcast, we’ll talk about European green bonds, a tool for financing green investments that can help us make the transition to a low-carbon economy, and how a European standard could be become global.

EPRS policy podcast - European green bonds: A standard for Europe, open to the world

The European Commission has announced the establishment of a 'right to repair', with a view of saving costs for consumers and facilitating the development of a circular economy. The right to repair may refer to different issues and situations: repair during the legal guarantee, the right to repair after the legal guarantee has expired, and the right for consumers to repair products themselves. Rates of repair depend on the type of a product, with the cost of repair being the most important reason consumers avoid repair. Research shows that consumers favour products that are easily repaired, but their willingness to pay for such products depends on the type of product and the way information on the reparability is presented to them...

EPRS policy podcast - Right to repair

The growing importance of global supply chains has fundamentally changed the way the global economy and goods manufacturing are organised. While trade conducted through global supply chains has fallen somewhat as a share of total trade since the 2008-2010 global financial and economic crisis, more than two-thirds of international trade still involves transactions made possible by such chains. In this podcast, we’ll focus on global supply chains. We’ll analyse how dependent we are on them, the impact of the pandemic and what can be done –at the European and the global level- to make these chains more resilient in the future.

EPRS policy podcast - Resilience of global supply chains: Challenges and solutions

Payment systems are of vital importance for today's economies and are the core activity of central banks. To adapt to recent trends – including the decline in cash usage, the surge in online commerce and contactless forms of payment, and the creation of cryptocurrencies – central banks have, in recent years, explored the possibility of issuing digital currencies themselves. In this podcast, we’ll talk about digital currencies issued by central banks. We’ll look at the different design choices and examine the potential benefits and risks of such crypto-currencies.

EPRS policy podcast - Central bank digital currencies: Evolution or revolution?

In March 2018, the EU introduced a legislative package on the fair taxation of the digital economy. It contained proposals for an interim and a long-term digital tax. However, there was no immediate political agreement in the Council. As finding a global solution at the OECD level or a coordinated EU approach was not yet feasible at the time, some Member States started designing or implementing their own digital taxes, which gave rise to trade tensions. In this podcast, we talk about taxing the digital economy. We analyse the main challenges, look at EU proposals and new developments to make international tax regimes fit for the digital age.

EPRS policy podcast - Taxing the digital economy: New developments and the way forward

The dramatic consequences of climate change and environmental degradation have brought the need for a more sustainable economy to the top of the agenda. Transforming the EU economy to make it more sustainable requires large investments, especially for enabling a green and low-carbon transition. Given that the public sector alone cannot cover this financial need, solutions have been sought to bring the private sector on board.

EPRS policy podcast - Green and sustainable finance

The pandemic has highlighted the risk involved, including for the EU, in relying heavily on external suppliers. The EU's 30 critical raw materials (CRMs) combine two characteristics: they are strategically important for its industry and economy, and there are high risks associated with securing their supply. The twin transition to a green and digital future relies particularly on the safe and diverse supply of CRMs.

EPRS policy podcast - Critical raw materials for the EU: Enablers of the green and digital recovery

In line with EU’s 2050 climate neutrality goal under the Green Deal, the European Commission proposed a new Circular Economy Action Plan in March 2020, focusing on waste prevention and management and aimed at boosting sustainable growth, competitiveness and EU global leadership in the field. MEPs want the EU to adopt an ambitious circular economy model to achieve environmentally and economically sustainable growth by maintaining the value of products, materials and resources in the economy for as long as possible. Modernising the EU's legislative framework for batteries is an integral part of the Green Deal. It builds on commitments and reports adopted by the European Commission, including the action plans on batteries and the new circular economy, the new industrial strategy for Europe and the sustainable and smart mobility strategy aiming to deliver a 90% reduction in transport-related GHG emissions by 2050. The European Commission has announced the establishment of a 'right to repair', with a view of saving costs for consumers and facilitating the development of a circular economy. The right to repair may refer to different issues and situations: repair during the legal guarantee, the right to repair after the legal guarantee has expired, and the right for consumers to repair products themselves. In a resolution adapted in April, MEPs say that a&nbsp;new “right to repair” must cover designing long-lasting products that can be fixed, as well as more informative labelling and extended guarantee rights.

Circular economy

&nbsp;Arelatively recent phenomenon, the collaborative economy has become to the centre of the interest&nbsp;a decade in some areas of activities, such as car-sharing or short-term lets. Although it is now a well-known term – with alternative names from the 'sharing' to 'gig' to 'peer-to-peer' economy – it remains difficult to grasp precisely, beyond the central feature that potential consumers and providers are connected via a digital platform that matches demand and supply, providing cheap access to information on a very large scale.

These 'match-makers' make it possible for non-professional providers to offer goods and servicesin a wide range of activities, generating value and with the potential for further development.

The success of collaborative platforms has raised concerns regarding workers’ rights and unfair advantages these firms might enjoy over traditional companies that are bound by stricter legal regulations. Taxation issues in the collaborative economy increasingly highlight the need for an in-depth look into taxation, focusing on the link between the value created and tax, and the need for a level playing field for incumbent business facing competition from these new entrants to the market.

See more on this topic by visiting our package&nbsp; for the 8th parliamentary term.

Collaborative economy

The collaborative economy is based on the sharing of human and physical resources like creation, production, distribution, trade and consumption of goods and services. 

A 2016 Eurobarometer showed that 17% of European consumers have used services provided by the collaborative economy, and 52% are aware of the services offered. Peer-to-peer accommodation is the largest collaborative economy sector on the basis of generated commerce, while peer-to-peer transportation is the largest measured by platform revenue.

Collaborative economy - 8th parliamentary term

As part of a shift in EU policy towards a circular economy, the European Parliament worked on four legislative proposals introducing new waste-management targets regarding reuse, recycling and landfilling. The proposals also strengthen provisions on waste prevention and extended producer responsibility, and streamline definitions, reporting obligations and calculation methods for targets.

#EUelections2019 - Circular economy

This package contains the events between 1st July 2019 and 31 December 2020. For latest events, see related links.

In its resolution on the European Green Deal, Parliament called for an ambitious new circular economy action plan aiming to reduce the total environmental and resource footprint of EU production and consumption, with resource efficiency, zero pollution and waste prevention as key priorities.

Circular economy (2019 - 2020)

Unlike the traditional linear economic model based on a 'take-make-consume-throw away' pattern, a circular economy is based on reuse, repair, refurbishment and recycling, in an (almost) closed loop.

Although waste management in the European Union (EU) has improved considerably in the past decades, almost a third of municipal waste is still landfilled and less than half is recycled or composted, with wide variations between Member States. Improving waste management could deliver positive effects for the environment, climate, human health and the economy. As part of a shift in EU policy towards a circular economy, the European Commission made four legislative proposals introducing new waste-management targets regarding reuse, recycling and landfilling. The proposals also strengthen provisions on waste prevention and extended producer responsibility, and streamline definitions, reporting obligations and calculation methods for targets.

Circular economy - 8th parliamentary term

Paolo Gentiloni, born on 22 November 1954 in Rome, is an Italian politician.

After the hearing by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) of the European Parliament, the committee prepares an evaluation letter on the candidate. Parliament is expected to vote on the new Commission as a whole on 23 October.

Hearing of Paolo GENTILONI, Commissioner-designate, Economy

Plastics pervade modern life. Global plastics production has been multiplied by 20 since the 1960s and is expected to double by 2036.

In May 2018, the European Commission put forward a legislative proposal seeking to address the issue of marine litter from plastics. The proposal builds on the 2015 circular economy action plan, which announced 'action to fulfil the objective of significantly reducing marine litter', and on the Strategy for plastics in a circular economy published in January 2018.

EU Strategy for Plastics - 8th parliamentary term

Angola's partnership with the EU is based on the ACP-EU Cotonou Partnership Agreement which aims to reduce poverty by developing the Angolan economy and gradually integrating it into the global economy.

The Joint Way Forward promotes more active political cooperation, especially Angola's active involvement in the different regional and multilateral fora, and prioritises key areas of common interest from the 2007 Joint Africa-EU Strategy (security, governance, human rights, economic growth, energy, transport, environment, science and technology, training and education).

EU - Angola

Bilateral negotiations with Singapore were launched in March 2010 and the trade and investment agreements reached with Singapore are the first to have been concluded between the EU and a Southeast Asian economy and represent a stepping stone to a greater engagement between the EU and the region.

EU - Singapore

The European Union and the United States have the largest bilateral trade and investment relationship and enjoy the most integrated economic relationship in the world. 

EU and US investments are the real driver of the transatlantic relationship, contributing to growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. It is estimated that a third of the trade across the Atlantic actually consists of intra-company transfers. 
The transatlantic relationship also defines the shape of the global economy as a whole. Either the EU or the US is the largest trade and investment partner for almost all other countries in the global economy.

EU - US Trade relations - 8th parliamentary term

Parliament wants all workers to benefit from minimum rights on working conditions, including those on non-traditional contracts.

On 16th April 2019 MEPs approved minimum rights for workers with on-demand, voucher-based or platform jobs, like with Uber or Deliveroo. The new rules include: minimum rights agreed for workers in casual or short-term employment; working conditions that must be made clear to workers on their first day on the job, and probationary periods that may not be longer than six months.

How is the EU fighting youth unemployment? With more than 26 million Europeans out of work, unemployment is one of the biggest issues that Europe is facing today.

#EUelections2019 - Employment

The plenary discussed with the Commission and the Council the outcome of the EU-China summit. EU and Chinese leaders met via video conference on 1 April 2022 to discuss the Russian aggression against Ukraine as well as the state of bilateral relations and areas of shared interest such as climate change, biodiversity and health, as well as ways to ensure a more balanced and reciprocal trade relationship. The EU and China established diplomatic relations in 1975. Today, there are more than 60 sectoral dialogues between the EU and China. Main issues for the bilateral cooperation were agreed in the EU-China Strategic Agenda for Cooperation 2020. In recent months mutual relations were marked by disputes over sanctions.

The EU and China are two of the biggest traders in the world, with China being the EU's second trading partner. But in recent years the balance of challenges and opportunities in the bilateral relationship has shifted on issues such as market access obstacles and unfair trade practices.

The EU-China Human Rights Dialogue was launched in 1995.&nbsp;Parliament strongly condemns the Chinese government-led system of forced labour – in particular the exploitation of Uyghur, ethnic Kazakh and Kyrgyz, and other Muslim minority groups – in factories within and outside internment camps in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

The Chinese sanctions imposed in March on several European entities and political representatives, including five Members of the European Parliament and&nbsp;the Subcommittee on Human Rights, were a retaliatory act in response to the&nbsp;EU decision to enact restrictive measures&nbsp;against four Chinese officials over human rights abuses against the Muslim Uyghur minority in the Xinjiang region.

The EP responded with a&nbsp;resolution emphasising&nbsp;that any consideration&nbsp;of the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI), as well as discussion on its mandatory ratification by MEPs, have “justifiably been frozen” because of the Chinese sanctions.

EU - China

The EU is currently updating its 1995 trade defence law to counter unfair trade practices and reflect the changing needs of European businesses, workers and consumers. 

The proposed measures target unfair trade practices from non-EU countries and complement the recently approved anti-dumping rules focusing on third countries that interfere heavily in the economy - focusing on China.

EU trade defence

The European Union and the United States have the largest bilateral trade and investment relationship and enjoy the most integrated economic relationship in the world. EU and US investments are the real driver of the transatlantic relationship, contributing to growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

Although overtaken by China in 2021 as the largest EU import source for goods, the US remains the EU’s largest trade and investment partner by far. It is estimated that a third of the trade across the Atlantic actually consists of intra-company transfers.

The transatlantic relationship also defines the shape of the global economy as a whole. Either the EU or the US is the largest trade and investment partner for almost all other countries in the global economy. Taken together, the economies of both territories amount to more than 40% of world GDP and more than 40% of global trade in goods and services.

In June 2021 both entities agreed to take decisive steps to end the longest running dispute in the history of the World trade organisation: dispute on Large Civil Aircraft (also known as Airbus-Boeing dispute).

See more on the topic of EU-US trade relations by visiting our package for the 8th parliamentary term.

EU - US Trade relations

Candidate countries include Montenegro, Albania, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are considered potential candidates.

In order to apply for EU membership a country has to be European and respect the EU’s democratic values. It also needs stable institutions guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law; a functioning market economy; and the ability to take on and carry out the obligations of EU membership.

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans (2019-2020)

EP Plenary session - Topical debate : More Europe, more jobs: we are building the competitive economy of tomorrow for the benefit of all

Press conference by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, EC Executive Vice-President, Paolo GENTILONI, Commissioner for Economy and Nicolas SCHIMIT, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights on the Autumn 2023 European

Press conference by Kadri SIMSON, Commissioner for Energy on the proposal for a market correction mechanism to protect citizens and the economy against excessive gas prices

Plenary session

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary - Stronger economy, social justice and jobs

Conference on the Future of Europe - workgroup: A stronger economy, social justice and jobs

Press conference by Angelika NIEBLER, rapporteur on the Data Governance Act - EU initiatives towards a European Data Economy

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary II : Panel 1, Stronger economy, Social justice and jobs, Education and culture, Digital transformation

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary 3: Stronger economy, social justice and jobs

Conference on the Future of Europe – European Citizen’s Panels : Panel 1, Stronger economy, social justice and jobs/ Education, culture, youth and sport/ Digital transformation

Conference on the Future of Europe - workgroup on A Stronger Economy, Social Justice and Jobs

Conference on the Future of Europe - European Citizens' Panels - session 2: Stronger economy, social justice, jobs/ education, youth, culture, sport/ digital transformation

Press conference by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, and Paolo GENTILONI, Commissioner for Economy

Forbundne produkter, lige fra smartphones til intelligente byer, genererer stadig mere data. Europa-Parlamentet vil gerne frigøre dens potentiale. Data er nøglen til innovation inden for sektorer lige fra teknologi til sundhed, transport og landbrug. Det bekymrer MEP’er, at så meget data forbliver uudnyttet eller i hænderne på teknologigiganter. De vil indføre nye regler til at hjælpe mindre virksomheder og offentlige organer med at levere bedre produkter og tjenesteydelser. Dataforordningen vil fastlægge rammen for fremtidens økonomi.

Hvilken betydning har den nye EU-dataforordning for virksomheder, innovatører og europæere?

MEPs debate with the presidents of the European Council and Commission the conclusions of the Special European Council meeting of 9 February and preparation of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023. EU's Heads of state or government focus on the latest developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine and the EU’s continued support for Ukraine, on competitiveness, the Single Market, how to boost the EU economy, and on energy related issues. Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight and by Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council.

Conclusions of the European Council of 9 February and preparation of the European Council of 23-24 March 2023: closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of the European Commission and by Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council

MEPs debate with the presidents of the European Council and Commission the conclusions of the Special European Council meeting of 9 February and preparation of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023. EU's Heads of state or government focus on the latest developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine and the EU’s continued support for Ukraine, on competitiveness, the Single Market, how to boost the EU economy, and on energy related issues. Second part of the debate.

Conclusions of the European Council of 9 February and preparation of the European Council of 23-24 March 2023: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate with the presidents of the European Council and Commission the conclusions of the Special European Council meeting of 9 February and preparation of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023. EU's Heads of state or government focus on the latest developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine and the EU’s continued support for Ukraine, on competitiveness, the Single Market, how to boost the EU economy, and on energy related issues. First part of the debate.

Conclusions of the Special European Council meeting of 9 February and preparation of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate with the presidents of the European Council and Commission the conclusions of the Special European Council meeting of 9 February and preparation of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023. EU's Heads of state or government focus on the latest developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine and the EU’s continued support for Ukraine, on competitiveness, the Single Market, how to boost the EU economy, and on energy related issues. One round of political group leaders.

Conclusions of the Special European Council meeting of 9 February and preparation of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023: one round of political group leaders

In a debate with Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council and Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, MEPs present their demands and expectations ahead of the EU summit on 23-24 March. The next European Council meeting will mainly focus on economy, competitiveness and migration. Extracts from the debate. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023: extracts from the debate

MEPs debate with the presidents of the European Council and Commission the conclusions of the Special European Council meeting of 9 February and preparation of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023. EU's Heads of state or government focus on the latest developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine and the EU’s continued support for Ukraine, on competitiveness, the Single Market, how to boost the EU economy, and on energy related issues. Opening statements by Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, and by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Conclusions of the European Council of 9 February and preparation of the European Council of 23-24 March 2023: opening statements by Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der LEYEN, President of EU Commission

Parliament adopt its position on rules to boost the availability and exchange of industrial digital data, to unlock their potential for the European economy. The debate is followed by a press conference by Pilar del CASTILLO VERA (EPP, ES), Rapporteur and by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market in the European Parliament, in Strasbourg.

Press conference by Pilar del CASTILLO VERA (EPP, ES), Rapporteur and by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market on the Data Act

European Parliamentary Week/Economic, social and budget concerns. MEPs and national MPs are meeting in Brussels for their annual conference on social, economic and budgetary issues affecting the EU. The parliamentarians’ discussions are set against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and high inflation, which will necessitate a change in focus from previous years. Key opening remarks by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade and Mathias CORMANN, Secretary General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

European Parliamentary Week 2023 Opening session - Economic and social challenges in times of geopolitical uncertainty: Key opening remarks by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS and Mathias CORMANN

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, inaugurate Rome's “Europa Experience”, named in honour of late European Parliament President David Maria SASSOLI in presence of Antonio TAJANI, Vice- President of the Council of Ministers, former EP President, Paolo GENTILONI, Commissioner for Economy, Raffale FITTO, Minister for European Affairs, Samantha CRISTOFORETTI, Astronaut ISS Commander, Pina PICIERNO, Vice-President of the European Parliament and Roberto GUALTIERI, Mayor of Rome. Esperienza Europa - David Sassoli, Piazza Venezia, is an area which offer to the visitors the opportunity to discover Europe and the European Parliament. Ambiance shots, extracts of the Inauguration of the Europa Experience, and visit of the role play game rooms with students.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Italy (Rome): Inauguration of the Europa Experience - David Sassoli: ambiance shots, extracts of the Inauguration of the Europa Experience, and visit of the role play game

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, during an official visit in Rome (Italy): Inauguration of the Europa Experience named after late President David Maria Sassoli. Statements by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Antonio TAJANI, Vice-President of the Council of Ministers, former EP President, Paolo GENTILONI, European Commissioner for Economy, Raffale FITTO, Minister for European Affairs, Samantha CRISTOFORETTI, Astronaut ISS Commander, Pina PICIERNO, EP Vice-President, Roberto GUALTIERI, Mayor of Rome.

Inauguration of the Europa Experience named after late President David Maria Sassoli: statements by Statements by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and other political authorities

Cross-border crime thrives on illegal activities like drugs, precious minerals and human trafficking. These crimes often take place in regions affected by unstable governance, corruption or extreme poverty. Conversely, these activities worsen security, economy and democratic values in these regions. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Peace and security: cross-border crime

European industry is central when it comes to achieving the twin green and digital transition of the EU’s economy and society, and making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Microchips are the engines of the digital transition. They are critical technologies, meaning that they are needed across the civil (including security), defence and space industries. The ‘European chips act package‘ adopted by the Commission in February 2022 includes a proposal for a regulation setting up a framework of measures to strengthen Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem (the ‘chips act’).

EPRS - Strengthening the EU's chip sector

The Covid-19 pandemic left an indelible mark on Europe. While we may no longer live in lockdown or see masks everywhere, the pandemic’s impact is still being felt. Because of the far-reaching effects on our economy and society at large, the European Union's response went far beyond securing enough vaccines. The European Commission rolled out €800 billion in financial relief through the Next Generation EU Recovery Instrument. In this first episode of the chronicle, Alessandro D'Alfonso, the Head of the Next Generation EU Monitoring Service at the EPRS, will delve into the details of this historic package and what it means for the EU. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely. #NextGenerationEU

EPRS - EU Recovery Instrument: What is it?

The amount of clothes bought per person in the EU increased by 40 % between 1996 and 2012. Producing new clothing causes chemical pollution and contributes to climate change. There is a strong push in the EU to make every phase of garment production more sustainable. Some companies and fashion brands are investing in new technologies and business models. So what is the way forward? Even though there is no global one-size-fits-all answer, key trends have emerged, like circular fashion. This model promotes clothing rental, re-use and recycling.

EPRS - Circular fashion

The European Commission’s proposal for a regulation establishing a general framework for setting ecodesign requirements for sustainable products, repeals rules currently in force which concentrate on energy-related products only. The regulation would lay down rules that would apply to all products on the internal market, with the aim of making them more durable, reusable, reparable, upgradable, recyclable and generally less harmful to the environment. The regulation would include rules on a digital product passport, green public procurement and banning the destruction of unsold goods. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Ecodesign for sustainable products

MEPs discuss on recent revelations concerning Uber’s lobbying practices in the EU. In particular, the plenary debate inquires about the situation of Uber drivers in Europe, and the extent to which Uber’s former lobbying activities have affected their labour and social rights. Closing statements by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs.

Revelations of Uber lobbying practices in the EU: closing statements by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs

MEPs discuss on recent revelations concerning Uber’s lobbying practices in the EU. In particular, the plenary debate inquires about the situation of Uber drivers in Europe, and the extent to which Uber’s former lobbying activities have affected their labour and social rights.

Viser 49 lyd resultater for "economy"