In the annual State of the European Union debate, MEPs quizzed President von der Leyen on the Commission’s work in the past and its plans until the June 2024 elections.



Opening the debate, EP President, Roberta Metsola&nbsp;said: “The European Union today is stronger, and more united than ever before. The world is changing and Europe must adapt and change with it too. We must keep striving to make our Europe a place of equality of opportunity, of access, of prosperity - where everyone can reach their potential. We must keep reforming. We should always keep people’s concerns at the centre of all our actions.“



Commission President von der Leyen said that the EU has undergone a substantial transformation since she first presented her programme in 2019, adding: ”We have delivered over 90% of the political guidelines I presented” back then. 



On the Green Deal, the decarbonisation of Europe’s industry while maintaining its competitiveness, she announced an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles. ”We must defend ourselves against unfair practices” she said. 



President von der Leyen stressed the importance of a fair transition for farmers, families and industry and that “Europe will do ’whatever it takes’ to keep its competitive edge.” She announced a competitiveness check by an independent board for every new legislation.



With regard to Artificial Intelligence, Ms von der Leyen said that AI will improve healthcare, boost productivity and help to address climate change. The Commission’s “number one priority is to ensure AI develops in a human-centric, transparent and responsible way” she said, also calling for an international panel of experts similar to the IPCC on climate change to steer its development. 



On Ukraine, she announced that the Commission will propose the extension of the EU’s temporary protection to Ukrainians and an additional 50 billion euros over four years for investment and reforms. “Our support to Ukraine will endure.” 



The Commission President also referred to the rule of law, enlargement, migration, EU-Africa relations, the Global Gateway initiative, climate change, food security, and an upcoming Social Partner Summit.

State of the European Union 2023

The EU and China are two of the biggest traders in the world, with China being the EU's second trading partner.&nbsp; 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.

Over the past year, EU-China bilateral relations have deteriorated, notably related to a growing number of irritants (i.e., China’s counter-measures to EU sanctions on human rights, economic coercion and trade measures against the single market, and China’s positioning on the war in Ukraine).

During his recent visit to China, Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis told his counterparts that “competition must be fair” and urged Beijing to address the lack of reciprocity in economic relations, as the EU’s trade deficit with China in 2022 reached almost 400 billion euro. Mr Dombrovskis said that the EU and China are at a significant political and economic crossroads, and warned that China’s stance on the war in Ukraine could jeopardise its relationship with the EU.

His visit came after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced during her State of the European Union address that the Commission would launch a probe into whether China's electric vehicle industry is receiving unfair subsidies

EU - China

Threats to bee health and market competition make the economic viability of apiculture a critical matter.

Profitability is crucial for the sustainability of the apiculture sector. Like other agricultural producers, beekeepers must cope with production and market challenges. When it comes to production, various factors can affect productivity in a eekeeping enterprise. Outbreaks of animal diseases, exposure to chemicals, losses in plant diversity, adverse climatic conditions or the deterioration of bees' natural habitats owing to natural or human factors can all threaten the productive capacity of beehives. These factors can also be among the causes of the bee health problems and high bee mortality rates registered in recent decades.

EU apiculture sector

EU leaders met&nbsp;for a European Council summit on 23-24 March 2023. The main items on the agenda were&nbsp;the ongoing war in Ukraine, the competitive of the European single market and the economy, as well as energy prices and logistics.

In the conclusions the leaders stated that the European Union stands firmly and fully with Ukraine and will continue to provide strong political, economic, military, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes.

The European Union and Member States are increasing their efforts to help meet Ukraine’s pressing military and defence needs. The European Council welcomed&nbsp;the agreement in the Council to urgently deliver ground-to-ground and artillery ammunition to Ukraine and, if requested, missiles, including through joint procurement and the mobilisation of appropriate funding including through the European Peace Facility.

“We need to strengthen our solidarity with Ukraine, and boost Europe’s investments and competitiveness”, said&nbsp;&nbsp;European Parliament President Roberta Metsola at the European Council.&nbsp;Peace must remain the ultimate goal and the EU is uniquely placed to help that. But in order for there to be peace there must be a Ukraine. And there will not be without our support.”, she added.

European Council, 23-24 March 2023

Every year, the EU's 600 000 beekeepers and their 16 million beehives produce 200 000 tonnes of honey. 

This is not however sufficient to cover demand on the EU market, and the shortfall is made up by imports, above all from China. Threats to bee health and market competition make the economic viability of apiculture a critical matter. EU policies aim therefore to address these issues and promote beekeeping, an activity that is of vital importance to the environment.

EU apiculture sector - 8th parliamentary term

Parliament is pressing for measures to increase the use of alternative fuels as well as to improve road safety and to tackle unfair competition and the exploitation of workers.

In line with its Work Programme 2017, the European Commission proposes a set of initiatives to make traffic safer, encourage smart road charging, reduce CO2 emissions, air pollution and congestion, cut red-tape for businesses, fight illicit employment and ensure proper conditions and rest times for workers. These initiatives are linked to the strategy for a Resilient Energy Union, Europe's transition to a low-carbon economy and the strategy for low-emission mobility.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/mobility-8th-parliamentary-term_6507_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Mobility

The Creative Europe programme is the flagship instrument in support of the cultural and creative sectors – and the only one designed by the EU to support them specifically.

The new programme will continue to promote cultural and linguistic diversity, heritage and competitiveness, and will allow cultural and creative organisations and professionals to co-create and cooperate across borders and to reach wider audiences, tackling current societal questions and supporting emerging artists.

The new programme will invest 2.2 billion euro in the cultural and creative sectors, recognising the importance of culture and helping the sector recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from a 36% budget increase, MEPs have managed to secure more of a focus on inclusion and gender equality, as well as special support for contemporary and live music sectors that are among those hit hardest by the pandemic.

Creative Europe

Two consecutive meetings at the highest political level take place in Granada, Spain. On October 6,&nbsp;an informal meeting of the European Council is scheduled, after a meeting of the European Political Community on October 5.

EU leaders are gathered in Granada, Spain, to launch discussions on priorities for the years ahead, including the EU's crisis preparedness, multilateralism and global partnerships, long-term competitiveness and the EU single market,&nbsp;security, defence and cyber resilience

Photo ©Taiga

Informal EU Summit in Granada

Horizon Europe is the framework programme for research and innovation.

In the 2021-2027 period, Horizon Europe will have a total budget allocation of of €95.517 billion (in current prices), which equals €84.9 billion (in constant 2018 prices). Horizon Europe will be implemented through three pillars: the Open Science pillar; the Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness pillar; and the Open Innovation pillar. The main aims are to strengthen science and technology, to foster industrial competiveness, and to implement the sustainable development goals in the EU.

The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated that research and innovation are drivers for economic recovery. Hundreds of millions of euros have been mobilised in coronavirus research projects under the previous EU funding programme, Horizon 2020. The new programme will continue to support health research and help the EU´s health systems to prepare for future crises.

Horizon Europe

The European Parliament together with the French Parliament organised&nbsp;a virtual European Parliamentary Week 2022 on 15-16 March 2022.&nbsp;The European Parliamentary Week consists of the European Semester Conference and the Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the European Union.

This year the conference was dominated by the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on EU economies, its recovery and next steps. The parliamentarians will debated on the implementation of the national recovery and resilience plans as well as on the reform of the Stability and Growth Pact and the new own-resources.&nbsp;Roberta Metsola, EP President, opened&nbsp;the event which counts with several Prime Ministers and European Commissioners&nbsp;among the high-level speakers.

The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is intended to be the Union's main tool in support of economic and social recovery from the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;The RRF entered into force on 19 February 2021 It will provide €672.5 billion in grants and loans as financial support over the coming years. The Facility is the flagship instrument of Next Generation EU and aims to offer large-scale financial support for public investment and reform, in order to mitigate the economic and social consequences of the pandemic in the Member States and to make EU economies more sustainable. The scope of application refers to policy areas related to economic, social and territorial cohesion, the green and digital transitions, health, competitiveness, resilience, productivity, education and skills, research and innovation, smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, jobs and investment, and the stability of the financial systems. In order to receive support through the Facility, Member States are required to produce recovery and resilience plans proposing a congruent set of reforms and public investment projects that could be implemented up until 2026. Currently 22 of the 26 submitted national recovery plans&nbsp;have been approved. The Commission has not yet approved the Hungarian, Polish, Swedish and Bulgarian plans. Requested pre-financing of €52.3 billion has already been disbursed to 17 Member States.

Recovery and resilience facility (RRF)

In June 2018, the European Commission presented the new Space Programme. It aims to ensure investment continuity in EU space activities, encourage scientific and technical progress, and support the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the European space industry.

The 14.8 billion euro programme should improve flagship initiatives such as Galileo, Copernicus and the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS). The 2021-2027 EU space programme will fund projects that provide high-quality space-related data as well as services with key socio-economic benefits and potential to create jobs. It also aims to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy, its security and its role in the space sector. With more than 30 satellites currently in orbit and over 25 planned for the next 10 to 15 years, the EU is the largest institutional customer for launch services in Europe. According to the European Commission, the strategic importance of the space sector for the Union has increased, as has the need for the European space sector to adapt to the changing global environment. Space technology, data and services have become indispensable to the daily lives of the public and to the EU's strategic interests. Space can play a crucial role in tackling new challenges such as climate change, sustainable development, border control, maritime surveillance and security.

EU space programme

At its party meeting on 21 March in Brussels, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) party nominated its team of seven lead candidates (Team Europe) for the presidency of the European Commission. Margrethe Vestager is the candidate taking part in the May 15 Eurovision debate. Other members of Team Europe are Nicola Beer, Emma Bonino, Violeta Bulc, Katalin Cseh, Luis Garicano and Guy Verhofstadt.

Margrethe VESTAGER, 51 (Radikale Venstre, Denmark), since 2014 serves as the European Commissioner for Competition. Previously, she was the Minister for Economic and Interior Affairs (2011) and the Minister for Education (1998) in Denmark. The candidate obtained her degree in Economics at the University of Copenhagen (1993).

#EUelections2019 - Margrethe VESTAGER, lead candidate for ALDE as member

EP Plenary session - Topical debate : A truly interconnected Energy Single Market to keep bills down and companies competitive

Othmar KARAS meets with Nathalie HARSDORF-BORSCH, Federal Competition Authority.

EP Plenary session - Striving for a sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture: the way forward

EP Plenary session - Competition policy - annual report 2021

Subtainable tourism

INGE, ITRE, IMCO, LIBE, AIDA Committees - Exchange of views with Margrethe VESTAGER, Executive Vice-President of the EC in charge of Europe fit for the Digital Age, and Commissioner for Competition

Plenary session - Competition policy - annual report 2020

INLO - Design Competition and Jury weeks- Kick-off meeting group 1

TRAN Committee meeting - Exchange of views  on tourism industry in the light of recent difficulties of Thomas Cook

Plenary session - Effects of the bankruptcy of Thomas Cook Group

TRAN Committee - Tourism Task Force : achievements & future perspectives

Plenary session - Annual Report on Competition Policy

Antonio TAJANI - EP President meets with Facebook and election competition winners.

EU Commissioner for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness delivers a keynote speech at the event “Marine litter: What role for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?” of the European Parliament Intergroup on ' Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development '

EU Commissioner for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness delivers a keynote speech at the Globe EU High-Level Conference on Sustainable Finance

EP plenary session - Empowering competition authorities and ensuring the proper functioning of the internal market

Workshop for Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee members on Strengthening Competitiveness of the Internal Market by Developing the EU Customs Union and its Governance

Opening of the sitting

Negotiations ahead of Parliament's first reading (Rule 69c) (follow-up): see Minutes

Climate change (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21 and 22 March 2019 and UK’s withdrawal from the EU (debate)

Voting time

Explanations of vote

EU-Afghanistan Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development (A8-0026/2019 - Anna Elżbieta Fotyga)

Corrections to votes and voting intentions : see Minutes

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting : see Minutes

Recommendations for opening of negotiations between the EU and the US (debate)

European Semester for economic policy coordination: Annual Growth Survey 2019 - European Semester for economic policy coordination: employment and social aspects in the Annual Growth Survey 2019 (debate)

Minimum loss coverage for non-performing exposures (debate)

Establishment of the European Monetary Fund (debate)

Safeguarding competition in air transport (debate)

Guidelines for the 2020 Budget – Section III (debate)

Situation in Nicaragua (debate)

Jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of decisions in matrimonial matters and matters of parental responsibility, and international child abduction (debate)

Agenda of the next sitting : see Minutes

Closure of the sitting

Plenary

Protection of animals during transport within and outside the EU (debate)

Strengthening the competitiveness of the Internal Market by developing the EU customs union and its governance (debate)

The situation in Chechnya, and the case of Oyub Titiev

Zimbabwe

Women's rights defenders in Saudi Arabia

G-000008/2018 (debate)

A Europe that protects: Clean air for all (debate)

Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted: see Minutes

Dates of forthcoming sittings : see Minutes

Adjournment of the session

Resumption of the session

Formal sitting - International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Statements by the President

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Announcement by the President : see Minutes

Composition of Parliament : see Minutes

Verification of credentials : see Minutes

Composition of committees and delegations : see Minutes

Negotiations ahead of Parliament's first reading (Rule 69c): see Minutes

Signature of acts adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 78): see Minutes

Order of business

The UK’s withdrawal from the EU (debate)

Combatting the climate of hatred and physical violence against democratically elected mandate holders (debate)

The rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary, developments since September 2018 (debate)

Situation in Venezuela (debate)

Latest developments in the cross-strait relations between China and Taiwan (debate)

State of the US-EU trade negotiations (debate)

Implementation and functioning of the .eu top level domain name (debate)

Annual report on competition policy (debate)

Annual report 2017 on the protection of the European Union’s financial interests- fight against fraud (debate)

Roma integration strategies (debate)

Amendments to Parliament's Rules of Procedure (debate)

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Plenary session

Interim report on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 – Parliament's position with a view to an agreement (debate)

Debate with the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, on the Future of Europe

Request for waiver of immunity: see Minutes

Implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement - Implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement (debate)

Arms export: implementation of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (debate)

Empowering competition authorities and ensuring the proper functioning of the internal market (debate)

Regulating virtual currencies and initial coin offerings (debate)

EU Member States support for the UN Global compact for migration (debate)

Humanitarian visas (debate)

Towards a sustainable and competitive European aquaculture sector (short presentation)

Annual Report on Competition Policy (debate)

Internet connectivity for growth, competitiveness and cohesion: European gigabit society and 5G - Digitising European industry (debate)

Jyrki KATAINEN, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness / Doorsteps ahead of the EP Plenary session presentation of the White paper on the Future of Europe

UNKN

Annual report on EU competition policy (debate)

EU strategy for the Alpine region - Enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs - Cohesion Policy and Research and Innovation Strategies for smart specialisation (RIS3) - European territorial cooperation - best practices and innovative measures (debate)

Competitiveness of the European rail supply industry (debate)

Annual report on EU Competition Policy

Valdis DOMBROVSKIS - Vice-President EU Commissioner for the Euro & Social Dialogue - and Jyrki KATAINEN - Vice-President EU Commissioner for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness

Creating a competitive EU labour market for the 21st century - Social entrepreneurship and social innovation in combatting unemployment - Precarious employment

Margrethe VESTAGER, European Commissioner for Competition

J-C. JUNCKER - President of EU Commission - J. KATAINEN - Vice-President of EU Commission for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness - and W. HOYER - President of the EIB

Infringements of competition law (debate)

Launch of the 20 KM of Brussels race

Fottball tournament with player Amadou Onana

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister hold a press conference on the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The key priorities of the Belgian Presidency are defending the of the rule of law, strengthening EU competitiveness, a green and just transition, and finally address address all remaining legislative files associated with the new European pact on migration and asylum. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister on the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

MEPs vote on the following topics: Objection pursuant to Rule 112(2) and (3), and (4)(c): Maximum residue levels for fipronil; Objection pursuant to Rule 112(2) and (3), and (4)(c): Maximum residue levels for tricyclazole; Tsvetelina Penkova (ITRE A9-0383/2023) - Increasing innovation, industrial and technological competitiveness 159 No amendments; Motions for resolutions - Young researchers; Objection pursuant to Rule 112(2) and (3): Genetically modified maize Bt11 × MIR162 × MIR604 × MON 89034 × 5307 × GA21 and thirty sub-combinations; Objection pursuant to Rule 112(2) and (3): Genetically modified oilseed rape Ms8, Rf3 and Ms8 × Rf3; and Robert Hajšel (ITRE A9-/2023) - European Hydrogen Bank 159.

Voting session

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. Closing statement Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, and Commissioner for Competition (ad interim) and Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union.

Planned dissolution of key anti-corruption structures in Slovakia and its implications on the Rule of Law: Closing statement Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the EU

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.Opening statement by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, and Commissioner for Competition (ad interim). This transcription is a result of an authomatic process. Please check against delivery.

Planned dissolution of key anti-corruption structures in Slovakia and its implications on the Rule of Law: opening statement by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the EU and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

Have you ever asked yourself: Why the EU? What’s it for? Why does it matter?   
 
In an increasingly fractious world, the EU is a powerful bloc representing 450 million Europeans, making sure your voice is heard on the world stage. 

What it means to be part of the EU can be summed up in a few words – we are stronger together!    
 
What’s the point of the EU? Find out in our short explainer!

The importance of the EU

This infoclip shows The Malta Life Sciences Park (MLSP). It offers 13 5002 square meters of space, including state-of-the-art laboratories, offices, seminar and meeting rooms and a range of shared facilities, all adjacent to some of the country’s leading hospitals and universities. Here, nearly 30 companies of all sizes have access to experienced and professional business and financial advice, as well as assistance for taking their products and services to the global market. Over 25 pharma and medical device companies use the centre to successfully build their product portfolios. Total investment for the project “BioMalta – Setting up a Life Sciences Centre” is EUR 18 000 000 with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 15 300 000 through the “Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life” Operational Programme for the 2007-2013 programming period.

Infoclip: Malta Life Sciences Park - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Msida (Malta)

This infoclip shows the Malta’s Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre. It offers advanced diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Opened in 2013, it has tripled the number of beds available for cancer patients on the island. The Centre is part of the new acute general hospital in Msida, close to the island's capital Valletta. It aims to treat 60 % of all Malta's cancer patients and is in keeping with Malta's National Cancer Plan that aims to reduce waiting times for patients and provide better therapeutic practice. Total investment for the project “Mater Dei Hospital Oncology Centre” is EUR 48 802 700, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 41 482 300 from the Operational Programme “Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.

Infoclip: Sir Antony Mamo Oncology centre - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Msida (Malta)

MEPs discuss with Commission and Council representatives whether the EU’s sanctions against Russia are working, and how to prevent their circumvention by Moscow. Following Russia's illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union swiftly adopted unprecedentedly tough sanctions against Moscow. There have since been 11 sanctions packages in total, Moscow has however found ways to bypass these measures, including through loopholes in trade restrictions and with the help of third-country intermediaries. Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, and Commissioner for Competition (ad interim) and Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union.

The effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia: closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, and Commissioner for Competition and Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union

MEPs discuss with Commission and Council representatives whether the EU’s sanctions against Russia are working, and how to prevent their circumvention by Moscow. Following Russia's illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union swiftly adopted unprecedentedly tough sanctions against Moscow. There have since been 11 sanctions packages in total, Moscow has however found ways to bypass these measures, including through loopholes in trade restrictions and with the help of third-country intermediaries. Opening statements by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, and Commissioner for Competition (ad interim). This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia: opening statements by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, and Commissioner for Competition (ad interim)

MEPs of the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) vote their position on the Euro 7 proposal to reduce air pollution from new motor vehicles sold in the EU to meet the European Green Deal's zero-pollution ambition, while keeping vehicles affordable for consumers and promoting Europe's competitiveness. The new standards would ensure cleaner vehicles on our roads and improved air quality, protecting the health of our citizens and the environment. Euro 7 standards and CO2 emission standards for vehicles work hand-in-hand to deliver air quality for citizens, as notably the increased uptake of electric vehicles also creates certain air quality benefits. The footage shows extracts from the vote and statement by Alexandr VONDRA (ECR, CZ), Rapporteur.

Euro 7 emission standards for cars, vans, lorries and buses: extracts from the vote and statement by Alexandr VONDRA (ECR, CZ), Rapporteur

Roberta METSOLA, EP President helds a press conference after the Informal Meeting of Heads of State or Government in Granada (Spain). EU leaders are gathered in Granada, Spain, to launch discussions on priorities for the years ahead, including the EU's crisis preparedness, multilateralism and global partnerships, long-term competitiveness and the EU single market, security, defence and cyber resilience

Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, following the Informal meeting of Heads of State or Government in Granada, Spain

Nine months before the next European Parliament elections on 6 - 9 June, President Ursula von der Leyen outlines her Commission’s priorities from now until the end of its mandate. During the fourth part of her speech she focuses on the major economic challenges for our industry in the year ahead, on Europe’s social market economy and on competitiveness. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

State of the European Union 2023: Statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission (part 4)

Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. Therefore in 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. This infoclip shows factories and emission of polluting gases, consequences of drought, fires and floods, wind farms and natural ecosystems.

Infoclip: Fight against climate change and Green deal

This infoclip shows the project "Quantum Austria" (funded with 107 million euros by the Recovery and Resilience Facility) aims to support excellent, transformative, and innovative basic research in the field of quantum physics, quantum computing, as well as next generation high performance computing to ensure continued competitiveness globally. The footage illustrate ongoing research projects: "Preqursor" which aim to perform machine learning on photonic platforms, and probing optical nonlinearities of material and "QuBELT" for the investigation of 2D materials (University of Vienna); "Quantum Klystron" and "Quantum Optics with Electron Photon Pairs" (Technical University of Vienna) which goal is respectively to employ a spatially modulated electron beam as method of manipulation of quantum systems, and to develop novel quantum technology for electron microscopy. License for using the footage: CC BY-NC-ND.

Infoclip: Projects for quantum research and technologies, "Quantum Austria" - Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) - Vienna (Austria)

Following the appointment of Fiona Scott Morton as Chief Competition Economist at the Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP), the members of the EP Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) exchange with Margrethe VESTAGER, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Europe fit for the Digital Age, and Commissioner for Competition. Questions and answers, second round of political group speakers

Exchange of views with Margrethe VESTAGER, Executive VP of the European Commission in charge of Europe fit for the Digital Age, and Commissioner for Competition: Questions and answers, second round of political group speakers

Following the appointment of Fiona Scott Morton as Chief Competition Economist at the Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP), the members of the EP Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) exchange with Margrethe VESTAGER, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Europe fit for the Digital Age, and Commissioner for Competition. Questions and answers, first round of political group speakers

Exchange of views with Margrethe VESTAGER, Executive VP of the European Commission in charge of Europe fit for the Digital Age, and Commissioner for Competition: Questions and answers, first round of political group speakers

Following the appointment of Fiona Scott Morton as Chief Competition Economist at the Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP), the members of the EP Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) exchange with Margrethe VESTAGER, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Europe fit for the Digital Age, and Commissioner for Competition. Opening by Chair of ECON, Irene TINAGLI (S&D, IT) and statement by Margrethe VESTAGER. The transcript is the result of an automated process. Please check against delivery.

Exchange of views with Margrethe VESTAGER, Executive VP of the EC in charge of Europe fit for the Digital Age, and Commissioner for Competition: opening by Chair of ECON, Irene TINAGLI (S&D, IT) and statement by Margrethe VESTAGER

MEPs debate the EU’s international commitments and the risks of compromising the EU’s green transition. The European Green Deal was presented by the EC in 2019. Its purpose is to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, ensuring zero net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050, economic growth decoupled from resource consumption, and with no one and nowhere left behind. Parliament debates the risks of compromising the EU’s green transition and the EU’s international commitments including those under the Paris Agreement on climate change and the UN Biodiversity Agreement, the latter of which seeks to protect 30% of the earth’s lands, oceans, coastal areas and inland waters. Opening statement by Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive VP-EC in charge of the European Green Deal, and Commissioner for Climate Action Policy. T

Delivering on the Green Deal: risk of compromising the EU path to the green transition and its international commitments: Closing statements by Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal

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