Israel is a key and strategic ally of the European Union. Political, economic and social cooperation - as well as trade, cultural and scientific exchanges - with Israel date almost to the origins of the EU itself. The respect for human rights and democratic principles is an essential element of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and the basis of the bilateral relationship. Israel is also gradual being integrated into European policies and programmes through the Action Plan of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).

EU - Israel

MEPs elected Roberta Metsola (EPP, MT) 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 will lead 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, 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.

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

The EU and NATO have founded their long-standing partnership, in an environment shaped by common principles and values. The European Parliament and NATO engage frequently in active dialogue in order to deepen mutual understanding and consolidate cooperation.

In an increasingly volatile and unstable geopolitical context, the dynamic of cooperation has intensified to face new threats ranging from terrorism to climate change to hybrid warfare.

On 12 May, Finland’s Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto discussed with the Foreign Affairs Committee the implications for the EU and Finland of the war in Ukraine as well as the country’s possible bid to join NATO. Also the committee
adopted a series of recommendations to Council and EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell to further strengthen the EU’s response to global security threats and its ability to keep citizens safe

EU - NATO relations

During their meeting on 30-31 May 2022,  EU leaders meet to discuss priority topics, including the war in Ukraine, defence, energy and food security.

Special meeting of the European Council, 30-31 May 2022

Have a look at the latest stockshots of 2021 and 2022 with illustrative pre-edited broadcast quality video footage. These editable stockshots are clean (raw), with natural sound (no voice-over), produced to illustrate priority EU dossiers and parliamentary work. They are intended to help audiovisual media produce their own programs, for example, editing of news reports or documentaries.

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Infoclips - Illustrative footage

The Delegation for relations with Palestine is concerned with developments in the Middle East Peace Process and the European Union's policy and actions concerning the establishment of the two state-solution. The European Parliament has repeatedly expressed its strong support for the two-state solution, with the State of Israel and an independent, sovereign, free, contiguous and viable Palestinian State with living side-by-side in peace.

Delegation Members assess the situation in Palestine regularly, meeting with Palestinian authorities, Palestinian Legislative Council counterparts, and political and community leaders as well as NGOs.

EU - Palestine

The European Parliament supports media professionals reporting on parliamentary activities, providing both content and technical facilities for video, radio, multimedia and photo production. The EP Audiovisual teams coordinate state of the art studios for TV broadcast, multimedia, and radio in Strasbourg and in Brussels.

EP Audiovisual Services

Observing Election Day is one of the principal ways the European Parliament supports democracy.

Because MEPs are the EU's only directly elected representatives, their contribution is essential. With personal experience of campaigns, issues of financing and the work of representing citizens, MEPs bring political legitimacy to observation missions.

Over more than three decades, the European Parliament has observed several hundred elections. Every year, MEPs travel to as many as a dozen countries across the world.
Observing Election Day is one of the principal ways the European Parliament supports democracy.

Election Observation Missions

With increasing population growth, rapid urbanization, climate change and environmental degradation, a growing number of people and resources are exposed to natural disasters. MEPs have supported different initiatives to help member states respond faster and more effectively to emergencies and disasters. The European Parliament is also impelled to aid and supervise reconstruction efforts in regions affected by natural disasters both within the EU and abroad.

Natural disasters

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.

REGI - Committee on Regional Development

On 24 February 2022,&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;began a&nbsp;military invasion&nbsp;of Ukraine, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict that had begun in 2014. Shortly before, on 21 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized&nbsp;two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine&nbsp;as independent.&nbsp;On 1&nbsp;March&nbsp;the European Parliament held an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels to assess Russia’s military assault on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Speaker of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada (parliament) Ruslan Stefanchuk spoke live from Kiev.&nbsp;

The European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was in Kyiv on 1 April&nbsp;to express the European Union´s support of&nbsp;the Ukrainian people and to condemn the unjustified Russian attack. She travelled on the invitation of the Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Since the beginning of the invasion, the EU has adopted several&nbsp;packages of restrictive measures to Russia’s unprecedented and unprovoked military attack against Ukraine. The measures are designed to weaken the Kremlin’s ability to finance the war and impose clear economic and political costs on Russia’s political elite responsible for the invasion.&nbsp;
During its May session the MEPs greenlit new rules that will allow Eurojust to safely store and analyse evidence related to war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. Eurojust-supported joint EU investigation team has been active in Ukraine since March 2022. In April 2022, the Commission published its proposal to extend Eurojust’s mandate following the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Russian aggression against Ukraine

In a speech to the European Parliament on 18 May 2022, Moldovan President Maia Sandu called on EU countries to rally behind her country’s European aspirations.

In her address to MEPs in Brussels, President Sandu outlined how Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine had echoes of Europe’s troubled past, with its ‘unabashed land grabs, geopolitical conquests and spheres of influence’. At the same time, she underlined how Moldova and its citizens have responded to the shock, agony and disbelief of the war with kindness, generosity and compassion, hosting large numbers of Ukrainian refugees and providing humanitarian support to Ukraine.

Against the backdrop of the war, Moldova formally applied for EU membership in March 2022 and President Sandu stated her firm conviction that the country is part of the European community. 

On 27 June 2014, the EU and Moldova signed an Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), which entered into force in July 2016. In April 2014, Moldova became the first country in the Eastern Partnership to benefit from a visa-free regime. Moldova is the country which is very much affected by the influx of refugees from Ukraine, after the Russian aggression against the country.

EU - Moldova

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee debated the future impact of the EU rules regulating online platforms with Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen on Wednesday 18th of May.

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.

Digital Markets Act&nbsp;&nbsp;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.

The&nbsp;Digital Services Act&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 Services and Digital Markets Act

To mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on 17 May, EP President Metsola, together with the Chairs of the EP’s LGBTI Intergroup Marc Angel and Terry Reintke joined a Facebook Live on Parliament’s support and work on LGBTIQ issues. The Human Rights Subcommittee held a debate with LGBTIQ rights activists.

Equality and non-discrimination are core EU values and fundamental rights, enshrined in the Treaties and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. However, research by the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) shows that discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people persists across the EU.

The Commission presented the 'LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025' on 12 November 2020. This is&nbsp;the first ever full EU strategy in this area and is intended to build on the lessons learned from the European Commission's previous actions to advance LGBTI equality from 2015-2019.

In recent years, social acceptance of LGBTIQ people has declined in some Member States. Gaps remain in the EU's legislative framework for combating discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. Combating discrimination has become part of EU internal and external policies, and is the subject of numerous resolutions of the European Parliament.

In response to the backsliding of LGBTIQ rights in some EU countries, notably Poland and Hungary, MEPs&nbsp;declared the EU an “LGBTIQ Freedom Zone”. In 2021 Parliament “condemned&nbsp;in the strongest possible terms” the anti-LGBTIQ legislation and denounced&nbsp;the dismantling of democracy and the rule of law in Hungary.&nbsp;In a resolution&nbsp;MEPs described the Hungarian law as being in clear breach of fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter of fundamental rights, the Treaties and EU internal market legislation.

LGBTIQ freedom in the EU

The Environment and Public Health Committee voted on 11 May on draft legislation to strengthen the CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles in line with the EU’s increased climate ambition. The proposal is part of the so-called “Fit for 55” package to fight climate change

Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. Therefore, on 11 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.

These goals should be achieved mainly by cutting emissions, investing in green technologies and protecting natural environment. The law also aims to give European citizens and businesses the legal certainty and predictability they need to plan for the transition.

On 14 July 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. These proposals&nbsp;combine: application of emissions trading to new sectors and a tightening of the existing EU Emissions Trading System; increased use of renewable energy; greater energy efficiency; a faster roll-out of low emission transport modes and the infrastructure and fuels to support them; an alignment of taxation policies with the European Green Deal objectives; measures to prevent carbon leakage; and tools to preserve and grow our natural carbon sinks.

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European Green Deal

The European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was in Kyiv on April 1 to express the European Union´s support to the Ukrainian people and to condemn the unjustified Russian attack. She travelled on the invitation of the Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

The European Parliament President said Europe will not let this aggression unchallenged. She also confirmed the support of the European Parliament to the Ukrainian aspiration to become a candidate for EU accession. Finally, Metsola promised that “we will take care of the Ukrainian families that have been forced to flee until the day they can safely return to their homes”.&nbsp;

The EU and its international partners are united in condemning Putin's aggression on Ukraine and providing support to those seeking shelter and fleeing war. The EU intends to offer strong political, financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and its people. During March session the Parliament gave the green light to redirect EU regional and asylum funding to EU countries sheltering people fleeing from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and MEPs adopted the Cohesion's Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE). Following the activation on 3 March of the temporary protection status for refugees from Ukraine -which gives them temporary residence rights and access to education and the labour market-, the EU is working on a 10-point plan to enhance the European common response.

On Monday, 16 May, the International Trade Committee is voting a proposal to lift all import duties on any product coming from Ukraine, with the aim of supporting the country’s economy. MEPs will adopt this file using the fast-track procedure, so that the final vote can take place already during this week’s mini plenary sitting.

Solidarity with Ukraine

On 5 April Ursula von der Leyen announced in the European Parliament that EU Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn had&nbsp;informed the Hungarian authorities about the Commission’s plans to “move on to the next step” and formally “launch the <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220304IPR24802/rule-of-law-conditionality-commission-must-immediately-initiate-proceedings" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">rule of law conditionality mechanism</a>” to protect the EU budget, mainly over corruption concerns.

Rule of law is laid down in the EU treaties as one of the values on which the Union is based. It means that governments should be bound by law&nbsp;not to take arbitrary decisions, and that citizens should be able to challenge their actions in independent courts.

It also enshrines the fight against corruption, which unfairly favours some to the detriment of others, and the safeguarding of media freedom, thus ensuring that the public is properly informed about the work of government.

The EU has existing tools at its disposal to protect the rule of law. In&nbsp;September 2020, the European Commission published the first annual rule of law&nbsp;report monitoring both positive and negative developments with regard to the rule of law in all member states. In July 2021 the second edition of the report was published.

There is also&nbsp;dialogue on the rule of law in the Council.

If the Commission deems that a member state is violating EU law, it can start infringement proceedings that may lead to financial sanctions determined by the European Court of Justice. Another procedure, under Article 7 of the Treaty of the European Union, allows the Council to make recommendations or decide by unanimity on sanctions against a member state, including the suspension of membership rights.&nbsp;MEPs have argued that existing tools are insufficient.

​Under the new regulation, effective from January 2021, EU budget payments can be witheld from countries where established breaches of the rule of law compromise management of EU funds. At the same time, the EU ensures that final beneficiaries do not end up paying the bill.

Rule of law

A Digital Single Market (DSM) is one in which the free movement of persons, services and capital is ensured and where the individuals and businesses can seamlessly access and engage in online activities under conditions of fair competition, and a high level of consumer and personal data protection, irrespective of their nationality or place of residence.

Digital single market

On 17 May, members of Constitutional Affairs Committee will hold a an Interparliamentary Committee Meeting (ICM), European Parliament – National Parliaments on "First results of the Conference on the Future of Europe".

Almost one year after the launch of the Conference on the Future of Europe, its Plenary met to conclude its work on 29 and 30 April. A consensus was reach a consensus on the final set of proposals prepared by the nine Working Groups.

The Conference on the Future of Europe is a citizen-led series of debates and discussions enabling&nbsp;people from across Europe to share their ideas and help shape a common European future.

In April 2021 the multilingual digital platform was launched, available in 24 languages, allowing citizens from across the Union to share and exchange their ideas and views through online events. The key ideas and recommendations from the platform will be used as input for the European citizens' panels and the Plenaries, where they will be debated to produce the Conference&nbsp;conclusions.

The first sessions of the four European Citizens' Panels took place at the European Parliament in Strasbourg in September and October 2021. In each Panel, around 200 citizens from across the Member States (a third of them younger than 25) debated topics within their respective remit.&nbsp;80 representatives of the European Citizens’ Panels&nbsp;have been selected.

The&nbsp;recommendations of the Citizens´Panels are&nbsp;presented to the Conference Plenary-composed by the representatives of the EU institutions, national parliaments, civil society and citizens.&nbsp;

The inaugural plenary session took place on 19 June in Strasbourg. More sessions&nbsp;follow to discuss the proposals coming from the Citizens’ Panels.&nbsp; Between 22-23 October the Conference Plenary&nbsp;discussed&nbsp;reports from the&nbsp;Citizens’ Panels, national panels and events:&nbsp;the EYE and the Platform.

The executive board is responsible for the functioning of the Conference. It consists of representatives of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, as well as observers.&nbsp;The final report will be drawn up by the executive board based on proposals approved by the Conference Plenary. It will then be submitted for follow-up to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.

Conference on the Future of Europe

On Tuesday, 17 May, AGRI Committee Members will discuss the situation of global food markets with FAO s Chief Economist; Mr Máximo Torero, to discuss the situation of global food markets.

The EU strategy related to food security aims to build resilience to food crises in the production chain. The EU is working towards increasing the resilience of individuals, communities and countries to cope with, adapt and recover quickly from the impact of a disaster, violence or conflict. A resolution on the need for an urgent EU action plan to ensure food security in and outside the EU following the Russian invasion of Ukraine was adopted during March plenary session. In the text, MEPs call for immediate help in the form of food supplies for Ukraine, and for a reboot of the EU’s food production strategy. Given the severe impact the Russian attack on Ukraine will have on food security for Ukrainians, Parliament calls for robust long-term humanitarian food aid for Ukraine from both the EU and at the international level. MEPs say the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have made it apparent that the EU needs to reduce its dependence on imports from too few suppliers. They call for a diversification of supply from third countries, and demand in the short term that the Commission assess how to cushion the impact of high fertiliser prices on farmers. To reduce the dependence on fertiliser imports in the long term, Parliament proposes a switch to alternative organic sources of nutrients for agriculture and support for agricultural innovation.

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