EP Plenary session - Situation in the Middle East

EP Plenary session - EU support for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace in Ukraine

EP Plenary session - Safeguarding the access to democratic media, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

EP Plenary session - Wider comprehensive EU-Middle East Strategy

EP Plenary session - The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages

EMPL CULT -  Confirmation hearing of Roxana MÎNZATU, European Commissioner-designate forPeople, Skills and Preparedness

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

EP Plenary session - Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns

Conference ' Holocaust education - Remembering the past, teaching the future! '

D-IL Delegation meeting - Exchange of views on EU - Israel cooperation on water management and climate action in the context of the EU’s Green Deal

Delegation for relations with Israel - Exchange of views on the EU cooperation with Israel in the field of agriculture

Meeting of the Delegation for relations with Israel - Exchange of views on the Open Skies Agreement between the European Union and Israel as a Facilitator for Tourism and People-to-People Exchanges

Meeting of the Delegation for relations with Israel - Exchange of views with Haim Regev, Ambassador of Israel to the EU and NATO

Elena YONCHEVA meets with Ylva JOHANSSON, Commissioner for Home Affairs

Mission to SLOVAKIA - Meeting with Maros Zilinka, Prosecutor General and Daniel Lipsic, Special Prosecutor

SEDE Subcommittee - Gender and disarmament: Engaging women in disarmament and arms control.Exchange of views with Izumi NAKAMITSU, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs

MEPs assess the latest developments in the Middle East, in particular in Iran, and what the EU can do to help restore peace. Parliament reviews the latest events in the region, including the US airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities at the end of June 2025, and Israel’s earlier attacks on Iranian targets, which led to Iran launching missiles at Israeli cities. In a plenary debate on 16 June, the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, said that Iran, as the main source of regional instability, must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. She also defended diplomacy as the best way to address Iran's nuclear programme in the long run. MEPs also repeat their calls for an end to the deplorable humanitarian situation in Gaza, for a new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and for a hostage release agreement.

Situation in the Middle East: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs discuss with the Council and the Commission how the EU can contribute to achieving a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace deal for Ukraine. The debate focus on the EU’s political, financial and military support for Ukraine, and its role in efforts to secure a peace settlement that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is based on international law. MEPs underline the importance of long-term commitment to Ukraine and the need for international coordination in building a lasting peace.

EU support for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace in Ukraine: MEPs debate (part 2)

In summer 2024, while presenting her political programme to Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen said that active EU engagement with the Middle East would be one of her priorities if re-elected as Commission President. In President von der Leyen’s mission letter to Kaja Kallas, published in autumn 2024, she tasked the new EU foreign policy chief with presenting a comprehensive EU Middle East strategy, “with a view to the day after the war in Gaza”. The focus of the strategy should, she said, be the promotion “of all the steps needed for the two-state solution and strengthening partnerships with key regional stakeholders”. MEPs debate (Part 2)

Wider comprehensive EU-Middle East Strategy: MEPs debate (Part 2)

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. During the confirmation hearing, Magnus BRUNNER gives an opening speech and then answer questions by committee members. 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 2)

MEPs discuss with the European Commission potential changes to EU legislation on the return of third-country nationals with no legal right to stay in Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls for a common approach to returns and stresses the importance of cooperation with third countries on readmitting their nationals. As the EU prepares to implement the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, the debate focuses on securing external borders, strengthening screening processes, and improving return procedures. Poland’s proposal to temporarily suspend asylum requests and Italy’s plan to process asylum seekers in Albania are also discussed.

Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs delve into the management of Europe’s external borders and the role of the EU Border and Coast Guard Agency. This debate takes place against the backdrop of the EU and its member states continuing to prepare for the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum and, in particular the screening regulation, to improve security checks for persons arriving in the EU irregularly and speed up asylum and return procedures for those not entitled to international protection.

Strengthening the security of Europe’s external borders - need for a comprehensive approach and enhanced Frontex support: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs discuss Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel, the need for de-escalation and for an EU response and vote on a resolution on Thursday. EP President Roberta Metsola described Iran’s direct drone and missile attack on Israel on 20 and 21 April as a major escalation in the region and warned it risks igniting further chaos across the Middle East. Second part of the debate.

Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel, the need for de-escalation and an EU response: MEPs debate (part 2)

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. Second part of MEPs debate.

YONCHEVA, Elena (NI, BG)

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