EP Plenary session - Pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Joint debate - Reform of the energy and electricity markets

EP Plenary session - Type-approval of motor vehicles and engines with respect to their emissions and battery durability (Euro 7)

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - State of play of the corporate sustainability due diligence directive

EP Plenary session - Artificial Intelligence Act

EP Plenary session - EU-Chile agreements

EP Plenary session - Deepening EU integration in view of future enlargement

EP Plenary session - Debate - Statement by the VPC/HR - Closer ties between the EU and Armenia and the need for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market. Second part of MEPs debate.

Reform of the energy and electricity markets: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate and vote on new EU rules to reduce emissions from passenger cars, vans, buses, trucks and trailers and to set battery durability requirements for them. The regulation governing the type-approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles (Euro 7) aims to support the EU’s transition towards clean mobility and improve air quality.

Type-approval of motor vehicles and engines with respect to their emissions and battery durability (Euro 7): MEPs debate

MEPs debate on new rules to ensure artificial intelligence is trustworthy, safe and respects EU fundamental rights, while supporting innovation. MEPs are expected to approve on Wednesday an agreement reached with EU countries establishing obligations for AI based on its potential risk and level of impact. AI applications that pose a clear risk to fundamental rights - such as biometric categorisation systems based on sensitive characteristics, social scoring, or AI used to manipulate human behaviour - will be banned in Europe. AI systems considered high-risk, used for example in critical infrastructure, education, healthcare, law enforcement, border management or elections, will have to comply with strict requirements. Fast-expanding general-purpose AI (GPAI) models will also have to comply with transparency obligations and EU copyright rules, while the most powerful models will face additional safety requirements.

Artificial Intelligence Act: MEPs debate

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. One round of political leaders.

Conclusions of the special European Council meeting of 1 February 2024: one round of political leaders

MEPs debate the impact of the announced reform of the criminal code on Slovakia’s efforts to fight corruption. On 6 December, the new Slovak government tabled a draft law to overhaul the country’s penal code. If approved by its parliament, the special prosecutor’s office dealing with the most serious crimes and corruption would be dismantled. The government also intends to soften penalties for corruption offences. Several investigators and police officers looking into corruption charges have already faced repercussions from the new government, such as being dismissed, suspended or sidelined from these investigations.

Planned dissolution of key anti-corruption structures in Slovakia and its implications on the Rule of Law: MEPs debate

Parliament debates the dire situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, following Azerbaijan’s recent military seizure of the mountainous South Caucasus enclave. Azerbaijan’s latest offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September saw Baku regain military control of the long-disputed region and has resulted in a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians from their homes. First part of the debate.

Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s attack: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs ask the Commission about allegations that Member States are issuing visas in return for bribes in the Schengen area. In a debate with the European Commission, MEPs discuss recent allegations that Polish overseas consulates are accepting bribes in return for issuing Schengen visas, and their impact on the EU’s common visa policy and the Schengen free-travel area. Second part of the debate.

Commission statement - Corrupt large scale sale of Schengen visas: MEP's debate (part 2)

MEPs debate on new rules to incentivise EU countries to jointly procure defence products and support the EU’s defence industry. The new regulation, already agreed with member states, establishes a short-term instrument to boost the European defence industry through common procurement (EDIRPA) through to 2025. The tool should help member states address their most urgent and critical defence needs, especially those which have been exacerbated by the transfer of defence products to Ukraine, in a voluntary and collaborative way.

LACAPELLE, Jean-Lin (ID, FR)

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