Despite the Commission’s assurances that the long-term work on the European Green Deal will continue in parallel to the coronavirus firefighting… the COVID-19 emergency and the need to deal with its socio-economic consequences is raising concerns that decarbonisation strategies could be derailed… But is this a real threat or could it also be an opportunity? There’s no lack of voices arguing that green investments need to play a central role in any economic recovery plan.

EPRS policy podcast - European Green Deal Investment Plan: Main elements and possible impact of the coronavirus pandemic

Some investigative journalists working in Europe have experienced violence, threats and other forms of direct and indirect pressure due to the nature of their job. Here’s how the EU protects them.

This is what Europe does for investigative journalists

Since the launch of its first research programme in 1982, the EU has invested over 190 billion euro in research and innovation. From 2005 to 2015, the number of researchers grew by a third to the equivalent of nearly two million full-time posts.

This is what Europe does for researchers

Are you someone who’s keen to invest your own money? Here’s how the EU is making buying securities safer for you

This is what Europe does for small investors

The decline of Europe’s heavy industries has left many areas facing a range of challenges such as high unemployment, pollution and problems with urban development and infrastructure. This is how European structural and investment funds help depressed industrial areas overcome these challenges.

This is what Europe does for people living in depressed industrial areas

Did you know that the European Union is investing in public libraries? Here are a few examples.

This is what Europe does for librarians

The draft EU budget for 2019 includes two amounts for each programme to be financed – commitments and payments. "Commitments" refers to the funding that can be agreed in contracts in a given year; "payments" to the money actually paid out. The proposed budget amounts to €166 billion in commitments (+3% over 2018) and €149 billion in payments (+3% over 2018).

Generally speaking, the EU budget is primarily an investment budget. Amounting to roughly 1% of EU GNI, and representing around 2% of all EU public spending, it aims to complement national budgets and implement priorities which all EU members have agreed upon.

About 94% of the EU budget funds real activities on the ground in EU countries and beyond. It goes to citizens, regions, cities, farmers, researchers, students, NGOs and businesses. The EU's administrative expenses account for about 6% of the total EU budget.

EU Budget 2019

The REPowerEU Plan is the EU's response to the global energy market disruption caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. There is a double urgency to transform Europe's energy system: ending the EU's dependence on Russian fossil fuels and tackling the climate crisis.

The measures in the REPowerEU Plan&nbsp;respond to this ambition, through energy savings, diversification of energy supplies, and accelerated roll-out of renewable energy to replace fossil fuels in homes, industry and power generation.

MEPs reached a deal with Council on the inclusion of REPowerEU measures in national recovery plans to support independence from Russian fossil fuels and the green transition on 14 Decembre 2022.&nbsp;

The deal provides that EU countries applying to receive additional funds through an amended recovery and resilience plan will be required, after the entry into force of this proposal, to include measures to save energy, produce clean energy and diversify energy supplies, as foreseen in the EU’s REPowerEU plan.

Negotiators agreed that the new rules will cover measures retroactively from 1 February 2022, with some limited exceptions. MEPs made sure that these measures are designed to support investments to tackle energy poverty for vulnerable households, SMEs and micro-enterprises.

REPowerEU

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

Relations between the European Union and Guinea go back over 40 years.

Today, the framework for these relations is defined by the June 2000 Cotonou Agreement, concerning political and economic issues, trade, development co-operation, dialogue with civil society and humanitarian aid. 
 
The EU remains committed to supporting Guinea in promoting a stable and democratic political environment that can contribute to regional peace and security. The consolidation of democracy, the rule of law, good governance and human rights is indispensable for the creation of a favourable setting for private investment and sustainable economic development in Guinea.

EU - Guinea

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed MEPs during the plenary session on 24 March. On Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he stressed that NATO and the EU are more resolved and united than ever and that pressure on Putin must be increased. Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Canada was an ally and precious partner of the EU. “Our relationship has withstood the test of time”, she said. 
Canada´s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the first Canadian PM to address the European Parliament on February 2017, one day after the European Parliament approved the EU-Canada trade agreement.

The collaboration between the EU and Canada, based on shared values, a long history of close cooperation, and strong people-to-people ties, has been considerably strengthened in the last few years. 

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is the result of the positive developments in EU-Canada trade relations that have taken place over the past decade. It has considerably improved the economic, trade and investment relationship between the EU and Canada, opening up the markets to one another’s goods, services and investments, including public procurement.

EU - Canada

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

The October plenary vote on Budget 2024 kicks off three weeks of “conciliation” talks with the Council, with the aim of reaching a deal between the two institutions in time for next year's budget, to be voted on by Parliament and signed by its President before the end of the year MEPs boosted the 2024 EU budget to tackle the fallout from Russia’s war against Ukraine, support SMEs, young people and research, and bolster the EU’s strategic autonomy.

MEPs say that the new geopolitical and economic context, “coupled with the worsening climate and biodiversity crisis”, has given rise to “new policy needs”. They recalled the limits of the EU’s current financial setup and align their position on the 2024 budget with their stance on the proposed mid-term revision of the EU’s long-term budget (MFF, multiannual financial framework), which Parliament expects to inject up to €75.8 billion into the EU budget over the period 2024-2027.

Drawing from this planned top-up, MEPs bolster initiatives to improve the EU’s strategic autonomy in 2024, but also humanitarian aid, migration and external assistance. They say that the “revised MFF regulation must provide the framework for the 2024 budget”.

Member states have yet to agree on a common position on the revision. More than 90% of the EU budget funds activities on the ground in EU countries and beyond. It goes to citizens, regions, cities, farmers, researchers, students, NGOs and businesses. The EU budget is unique. Unlike national budgets, which are used in large part to provide public services and funding social security systems, the EU budget is primarily an investment budget.

EU budget 2024

Every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU) address before the European Parliament, taking stock of the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, delivered&nbsp;her speech for 2021&nbsp;on 15 of September. It&nbsp;was&nbsp;followed by a plenary debate with members of the European Parliament.

The&nbsp; 2021 SOTEU addressed the most pressing questions in challenging times for Europe. The EU reached its goal to have 70% of the population fully vaccinated, but the coronavirus pandemic still continues to impact all aspects of European society. “We have 1.8 billion additional doses secured. This is enough for us and our neighbourhood when booster shots are needed. Let’s do everything possible to ensure that this does not turn into a pandemic of the unvaccinated”, said the President of the European Commission and added:" I am proposing a new health preparedness and resilience mission for the whole of the EU. And it should be backed up by Team Europe investment of EUR 50 billion by 2027. “

She focused also on the economic recovery after the pandemics.&nbsp;She highlighted that, with the Green Deal, the EU was the first major economy to present comprehensive legislation in this area and promised to support developing countries&nbsp;by doubling&nbsp;funding for biodiversity, pledging an additional €4 billion for climate finance until 2027 to support their green transition.

The President of the EC addressed also the situation in Afghanistan and promised to increase&nbsp;" again humanitarian aid for Afghanistan by 100 million euro.” Speaking about foreign and security policy, she called for a European Cyber Defence Policy and a new European Cyber Resilience Act and announced a summit on European defence to be held under the French Presidency. In her speech she&nbsp;touched as well&nbsp;upon rule of law, migration, protection of journalists or young people in the EU.

In their responses the leaders of political groups in the EP and other MEPs challenged the President of the EC on vaccination&nbsp;policy, more ambitious climate legislation, social measures, rule of law, defence plans and other important topics.

The State of the European Union debate is always a key moment to demonstrate the European Commission’s accountability towards the EU’s democratically elected representatives.&nbsp;

State of the European Union 2021

About 93% of the EU budget funds real activities on the ground in EU countries and beyond. It goes to citizens, regions, cities, farmers, researchers, students, NGOs and businesses.

The EU budget is unique. It is primarily an investment budget and, unlike national budgets, the EU Budget cannot run a deficit.

Budgets Committee MEPs demanded an EU budget for 2020 capable of tackling the climate and many other challenges that the EU continues to face.

Parliament as a whole will vote on a proposed budget amounting to €170,971,519,973 in commitment appropriations, representing an increase of €2,699,813,994 compared to the Commission’s draft budget. It sets the overall level of appropriations for the 2020 budget (all Sections) at €159 146 168 195 in payment appropriations.

EU Budget 2020

Following the alleged use of the Pegasus surveillance spyware against journalists, politicians, law enforcement officials, diplomats, lawyers, business people, civil society actors and other citizens, the European Parliament decided in March to establish a new committee of inquiry to investigate the use of Pegasus and other surveillance spyware, and whether this use has breached EU law and fundamental rights.

PEGA committee chair Jeroen Lenaers&nbsp;said: “We have seen many cases where innocent people such as journalists and lawyers have been targeted by spyware, and this is a huge problem for democracy and the rule of law. We will now gather information about the use of Pegasus and other equivalent software, and channel these findings into useful recommendations.”

The Committee is scheduled to submit a final report after 12 months.

PEGA - Committee to investigate the use of Pegasus surveillance spyware

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has put European health systems under enormous strain, revealing gaps in the way public health emergencies are addressed. The European Parliament has consistently promoted a coherent EU public health policy.

The pandemic shows the importance of coordination among European countries to protect people’s health, both during a crisis and in normal times when we can tackle underlying health conditions, invest in strong health systems and train healthcare workers.

The European Commission's proposal for a new EU Health programme, EU4Health, aims to fill these gaps. EU4Health's three main priorities are: tackling cross-border health threats; making medicines available and affordable; and strengthening health systems.

With EU4Health, the EU will invest €5.3 billion in current prices in actions with an EU added value.

EU4Health will pave the way to a European Health Union by investing in urgent health priorities: the response to the COVID-19 crisis and reinforcing the EU’s resilience to cross-border health threats, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, and the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe.

The European Health Union will improve EU-level protection, prevention, preparedness and response to human health hazards.

Coronavirus outbreak: impact on health

The coronavirus crisis is a major shock for the European and global economies. Member States have already adopted budgetary, liquidity and policy measures to increase the capacity of their health systems and provide relief to those citizens and sectors that are particularly impacted.

Among the measures the EU is taking to support the economic recovery are the EU's recovery plan, Next Generation EU, SURE: temporary support for workers, amendments to the EU budget to address urgent issues, re-direction of EU funds to help member states most in need, support to most affected sectors.

On 21 July 2020, EU leaders agreed on a €750 billion recovery effort, Next Generation EU, to help the EU tackle the crisis caused by the pandemic. Alongside the recovery package, EU leaders agreed on a €1 074.3 billion long-term EU budget for 2021-2027. Among others, the budget will support investment in the digital and green transitions and resilience.

Together with the €540 billion of funds already in place for the three safety nets (for workers, for businesses and for member states), the overall EU's recovery package amounts to €2 364.3 billion (source: Council).

Coronavirus outbreak: impact on economic situation

Trade plays a key role in Vietnam’s economic development strategy - and a range of multilateral and bilateral trade agreements under negotiation reflect this importance.

The EU and Vietnam officially launched negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in June 2012. The European Union and Vietnam finished negotiating the FTA in Brussels in December 2015 after 14 rounds of negotiations. In July 2018, the EU and Vietnam concluded the Investment Protection Agreement (IPA).

The EU-Vietnam FTA and the Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) are modern and comprehensive deals. They will remove nearly all tariffs on goods traded between the two economies. They show the shared conviction of the EU and Vietnam that trade is essential to growth, the creation of jobs and sustainable development.

EU - Vietnam Trade relations

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

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InvestEU aims to be a fund that provides support to EU investors by integrating and simplifying the financing, offered under a single budgetary guarantee schem.

The new InvestEU programme follows and replaces the current EFSI&nbsp;(European Fund for Strategic Investments), set up after the financial crisis. It is&nbsp;has been designed to address the challenge of catering for multiple objectives in terms of simplification, flexibility, synergies and coherence across relevant EU policies. It will bring diverse EU financial instruments within a single structure, making EU funding for investment projects in Europe simpler and more efficient and flexible.&nbsp;The programme&nbsp;aims to boost strategic investments into manufacturing pharmaceuticals, medical devices and supplies as well as the production of Information and Communication Technology, components and devices in the EU. Additionally, capital support will be provided to SMEs that have been negatively affected by the crisis caused by the pandemic

InvestEU

The Industry, Research and Energy, and Culture and Education committees questioned Iliana Ivanova, Bulgarian candidate for innovation, research, culture, education and youth. Ms Ivanova was nominated to replace Mariya Gabriel, who resigned on 15 May to become Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister of Bulgaria. During her introductory speech, Commissioner-designate Iliana Ivanova presented her priorities to invest in research and innovation in the EU, boosting skills, promoting the cohesive role of culture and empowering youth.

The EU is a scientific powerhouse, she underlined, however the landscape remains “fragmented” and investments are below the target of 3% of GDP and behind global competitors. She vowed to do the utmost to support the Horizon Europe programme as a tool to ensure that Europe can be “a trailblazer at global level” and attract more resources, including through partnerships, and to facilitate access to funding for SMEs.

The European Parliament during its September session&nbsp;approved the appointment of Iliana Ivanova&nbsp;as Commissioner for innovation, research, culture, education and youth.

Hearing of Iliana IVANOVA, Bulgarian Commissioner-designate

EP Plenary session - The attack on climate and nature: far right and conservative attempts to destroy the Green Deal and prevent investment in our future

Committee of inquiry to investigate the use of the Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware

PEGA

Opening of the sitting

Amendment of the agenda

CO2 emission standards for cars and vans (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Address by Egils Levits, President of the Republic of Latvia

Tribute

Request for waiver of immunity

Voting time

Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence: EU accession (debate)

Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence: EU accession (continuation of debate)

The EU priorities for the 67th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (debate) (debate)

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Question Time (Commission) - Strengthened EU enlargement policy to the Western Balkans

Establishment of an independent EU Ethics Body (debate)

Composition of political groups

Composition of committees and delegations

Response to the situation in Tunisia (debate)

Tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (debate)

Amendments to the European Long-Term Investment Funds (ELTIFs) Regulation (debate)

Explanations of vote

Agenda of the next sitting

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Plenary session

Opening of the sitting


Composition of political groups: see Minutes

Revision of the European Works Councils Directive (debate)

The Global Gateway Initiative (debate)

Extension of the term of office of special committees and committees of inquiry(action taken)

Investment practices of sustainable investment funds (debate)

Report: João Pimenta Lopes (A9-0291/2022) - Small-scale fisheries situation in the EU and future perspectives

Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted

Dates of forthcoming sittings

Closure of the sitting

Adjournment of the session

Request for waiver of immunity: see Minutes

Request for the defence of immunity: see Minutes

Negotiations ahead of Parliament's first reading (Rule 71) (action taken)

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 15 December 2022 (debate)

Announcement by the President 

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 15 December 2022 (continuation of debate)

An EU strategy to boost industrial competitiveness, trade and quality jobs

Extension to the term of office of special committees

Voting time 

Protecting the Rule of Law against impunity in Spain (topical debate) (topical debate)

Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report 2021 (debate) (debate)

Protection of the EU’s financial interests - combating fraud - annual report 2021 (debate)

Terrorist threats posed by far-right extremist networks defying the democratic constitutional order

Verification of credentials

Revelations of Uber lobbying practices in the EU (debate)

Criminalisation of humanitarian assistance, including search and rescue (debate)

Humanitarian consequences of the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh

The storming of the Brazilian democratic institutions

Situation of journalists in Morocco, notably the case of Omar Radi

Small-scale fisheries situation in the EU and future perspectives (debate)

Report: Tom Vandenkendelaere (A9-0296/2022) - Implementation of the common security and defence policy - annual report 2022

TRAN Committee meeting - European Investment Bank's (EIB) Climate roadmap on transport - Exchange of views with EIB's Vice President on transport

EP Plenary session - Amendments to the European Long-Term Investment Funds (ELTIFs) Regulation

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Dublin - Visit to the Memorial of investigative journalist Veronica Guerin, Dublin Castle Gardens

EP Plenary session - Oral Question - Investment practices of sustainable investment funds

EP Plenary session - Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report 2021

PEGA Committee - Discussion with German investigative journalist Andre MEISTER

INTA workshop - Ways forward for EU-Africa trade and investment relations

EP Plenary session - Join debate - European Investment Bank

Press conference on Indo-Pacific strategy in the area of trade and investment

EP Plenary session - Short presentations: Future of the EU international investment policy

SEDE Subcommittee - Exchange of views with Kris PEETERS, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) on the Strategic European Security Initiative (SESI) of the EIB

Press conference - The citizenship and residence by investment schemes

EP Plenary session - Citizenship and residence by investment schemes

SEDE INTA joint Committee - Hearing on Assessing the risks and policy responses to foreign direct investment, including Chinese investments in security and defence

INTA Committee meeting - Public hearing on EU-Africa Trade and investment Relations

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - European Investment Bank

EP Plenary session - Statement - Tackling Covid effects: investment, competitiveness, skills

EP Plenary sessionSustainable Europe Investment Plan - How to finance the Green Deal

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)

&lt;p>Democracy on the move - the motto of a joint initiative between the Liaison Office of the European Parliament, the Representation of the European Commission in Germany, the Land of Saxony and the Office of the European Investment Bank in Germany in cooperation with schools in Saxony and Bohemia. Students engage in a discussion with: Matthias Ecke, MEP (SPD), Committee on Regional Development and Committee on Industry, Energy and Research Dr. Peter Jahr, MEP (CDU), Committee on Regional Development, Petitions and Agriculture Mathias Weilandt, State Secretary and Head of Office at the Saxon State Ministry of Justice and for Democracy, Europe and Equality Heike Freimuth, Head of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Office, Germany Georg Pfeifer, Head of the Liaison Office of the European Parliament, Germany Manica Hauptman, Head of the Political Department of the European Comission Representation, Germany&lt;/p>

Democracy on the Move: Cross-border Youth Dialogue

MEPs debate new trade rules seek to deter foreign powers from bullying the EU or member states into policy changes using economic coercion and enable the EU to take countermeasures. The Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) seeks to protect the EU’s and member states’ sovereignty in a geopolitical environment where trade and investment are increasingly weaponised by foreign powers. The regulation would enable the EU to respond, in line with international law and as a last resort, if the EU or a member state is blackmailed economically by a non-EU country trying to influence a particular policy choice or stance. Closing statements by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights and Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Rapporteur

Economic coercion by third countries: closing statements by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights and Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Rapporteur

MEPs debate new trade rules seek to deter foreign powers from bullying the EU or member states into policy changes using economic coercion and enable the EU to take countermeasures. The Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) seeks to protect the EU’s and member states’ sovereignty in a geopolitical environment where trade and investment are increasingly weaponised by foreign powers. The regulation would enable the EU to respond, in line with international law and as a last resort, if the EU or a member state is blackmailed economically by a non-EU country trying to influence a particular policy choice or stance.

Economic coercion by third countries: MEPs debate

MEPs debate new trade rules seek to deter foreign powers from bullying the EU or member states into policy changes using economic coercion and enable the EU to take countermeasures. The Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) seeks to protect the EU’s and member states’ sovereignty in a geopolitical environment where trade and investment are increasingly weaponised by foreign powers. Opening statements by Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Rapporteur and by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, Markéta GREGOROVÁ (Greens/EFA, CZ), Rapporteur for AFET and by Svenja HAHN (Renew, DE), Rapporteur for IMCO.This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Economic coercion by third countries: opening statements by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Markéta GREGOROVÁ (Greens/EFA, CZ), Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), and by Svenja HAHN (Renew, DE), Rapporteurs

MEPs vote on the following topics: Accession to to Schengen area - Motions for resolution; Situation in Lebanon - Motions for resolutions (debate 13/06/2023); State of the EU-Cuba PDCA in the light of the recent visit of the High Representative to the island - Motions for resolutions (debate 13/06/2023); Establishment of the EU Ethics Body - Motions for resolutions (debate 13/06/2023); COVID-19 pandemic - lessons learned and recommendations for the future - Dolors Montserrat; Relations with the Palestinian Authority - Evin Incir; 2022 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina - Paulo Rangel; 2022 Report on Albania - Isabel Santos; Financial activities of the European Investment Bank - Stefan Heinrich Berger; Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank - Viola Von Cramon-Taubadel.

Voting session on Establishment of the EU Ethics Body, COVID-19 pandemic, lessons learned and recommendations for the future, and Relations with the Palestinian Authority and other topics

MEPs vote on the following subjects: Protection of journalists and human rights defenders from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings - Tiemo Wölken; Management, conservation and control measures in the area covered under the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) - João Pimenta Lopes; European Chips Act - Dan Nica; Protection of journalists around the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter - Isabel Wiseler-Lima; The electoral law, the investigative committee and the rule of law in Poland - Motions for resolutions (debate on 14/06/2023); Implementation of "passerelle" clauses in the EU Treaties - Giuliano Pisapia; Banking Union - annual report 2022 - Kira Marie Peter-Hansen; Fostering and adapting vocational training as a tool for employees' success and a building block for the EU economy in the new industry 4.0 - Anna ZALEWSKA

Voting session: Protection of journalists and human rights defenders from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings; European Chips Act; The electoral law, the investigative committee and the rule of law in Poland

MEPs debate on ways on securing the EU’s supply of chips by boosting production and create emergency measures against shortages. The new law aims to increase the EU’s capacity to produce semiconductors from under 10% to 20%, as the pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, with semiconductor shortages causing rising industry costs and consumer prices, slowing down Europe's recovery. The legislation intends to support projects to enhance the EU's supply security by attracting investment and boosting production and it will help small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in chip design, to stimulate innovation. Closing statements by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Dan NICA (S&D, RO), Rapporteur.

European chips act: closing statements by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Dan NICA (S&D, RO), Rapporteur

MEPs discuss Poland’s revision of its electoral law as well as the new administrative body that threatens civil rights. MEPs had a first discussion during the May II plenary session on the Polish government’s so-called “State Commission for the examination of Russian interference in the internal security of Poland” from 2007-2022. This Commission, created in May 2023, raises serious concerns in terms of conformity with EU law, as it is an administrative body with the power to bar individuals from public office. Furthermore, MEPs focus on the recent judgement of the Court of Justice of the EU, which confirms that Polish justice reform of December 2019 that set up the Disciplinary Chamber for judges infringes EU law - a position that Parliament has repeatedly upheld. Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs

The electoral law, the investigative committee and the rule of law in Poland: Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs

MEPs discuss Poland’s revision of its electoral law as well as the new administrative body that threatens civil rights. MEPs had a first discussion during the May II plenary session on the Polish government’s so-called “State Commission for the examination of Russian interference in the internal security of Poland” from 2007-2022. This Commission, created in May 2023, raises serious concerns in terms of conformity with EU law, as it is an administrative body with the power to bar individuals from public office. Furthermore, MEPs focus on the recent judgement of the Court of Justice of the EU, which confirms that Polish justice reform of December 2019 that set up the Disciplinary Chamber for judges infringes EU law - a position that Parliament has repeatedly upheld. One round of political group speakers

The electoral law, the investigative committee and the rule of law in Poland: one round of political group speakers

MEPs discuss Poland’s revision of its electoral law as well as the new administrative body that threatens civil rights. MEPs had a first discussion during the May II plenary session on the Polish government’s so-called “State Commission for the examination of Russian interference in the internal security of Poland” from 2007-2022. This Commission, created in May 2023, raises serious concerns in terms of conformity with EU law, as it is an administrative body with the power to bar individuals from public office. Furthermore, MEPs focus on the recent judgement of the Court of Justice of the EU, which confirms that Polish justice reform of December 2019 that set up the Disciplinary Chamber for judges infringes EU law - a position that Parliament has repeatedly upheld. Opening statements by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice.

The electoral law, the investigative committee and the rule of law in Poland: opening statements by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

MEPs call on the EU to boost its food security and strategic autonomy. In the light of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the draft text calls for the use of the EU’s strategic food stocks, a protein and feed strategy to allow farmers to become less reliant on third countries, new breeding techniques to decrease the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, and investments in digital technologies in agriculture. It also demands a dedicated EU programme for water management, the reduction of food waste and reciprocity in trade of agricultural products with third countries. MEPs also ask for safeguards to ensure that agricultural activity in the EU is maintained during the implementation of the Green Deal. MEPs debate

Ensuring food security and the long-term resilience of EU agriculture: MEPs debate

MEPs call on the EU to boost its food security and strategic autonomy. In the light of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the draft text calls for the use of the EU’s strategic food stocks, a protein and feed strategy to allow farmers to become less reliant on third countries, new breeding techniques to decrease the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, and investments in digital technologies in agriculture. It also demands a dedicated EU programme for water management, the reduction of food waste and reciprocity in trade of agricultural products with third countries. MEPs also ask for safeguards to ensure that agricultural activity in the EU is maintained during the implementation of the Green Deal. The transcript is the result of an automated process. Please check against delivery

Ensuring food security and the long-term resilience of EU agriculture: opening statements by Marlene MORTLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur; Anja HAZEKAMP (The Left, NL), Janusz WOJCIECHOWSKI, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and by Stéphane BIJOUX (RE, FR)

The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is a temporary instrument that is the centrepiece of the NextGenerationEU, the EU’s plan to emerge stronger and more resilient from the current crisis. This program of interventions included in the Italian National RRF for the part under the Ministry of Education's responsibility. Thanks to a total investment of 17.59 billion schools have the opportunity to be able to really play that strategic educational role for the country's growth. It is at school that student accompanied in building competencies and acquiring skills, prepare for the future. This infoclip shows educational robotics, augmented reality and virtual reality, STEM/STEAM disciplines design thinking, modelling and craft 4.0, use of artificial intelligence in education, innovative teaching methodologies, solar-powered system and electrolysis of the last classroom, and pathway to study water cycle.

Infoclip: laboratories to enhance students' skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) – Recovery and Resilience Facility - Brindisi (Italy)

MEPs call on the EU to boost its food security and strategic autonomy. In the light of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the draft text calls for the use of the EU’s strategic food stocks, a protein and feed strategy to allow farmers to become less reliant on third countries, new breeding techniques to decrease the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, and investments in digital technologies in agriculture. It also demands a dedicated EU programme for water management, the reduction of food waste and reciprocity in trade of agricultural products with third countries. MEPs also ask for safeguards to ensure that agricultural activity in the EU is maintained during the implementation of the Green Deal. MEPs debate.

EP Plenary session Ensuring food security and the long-term resilience of EU agriculture

The 'polluter pays' principle is at the heart of the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS).     
   
In April 2023, the European Parliament passed ambitious laws to update the ETS and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.   
   
The new system will make sure more industries pay for their emissions and encourage greater investment in green technology.     
   
The revised ETS is part of the EU’s Fit for 55 laws to tackle the climate crisis.     
       
Find out more in our short, animated Q&A

The updated Emissions Trading System explained

The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is a temporary instrument that is the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU funds - the EU’s plan to emerge stronger and more resilient from the current crisis. Spain has received 69.5 billion euros from these funds, becoming the EU Member State receiving the most funds. The country has invested 796 million euros of the RRF in the acquisition of high-tech equipment in hospitals for the recovery of the National Health System under the Investment Plan for High-Tech Equipment (INVEAT). The incorporation of the equipment has made it possible to improve the diagnostic safety for patients, especially in cardiovascular imaging and nuclear medicine. This infoclip illustrates new equipment purchased at the Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid, financed with the RRF: a MRI, two Spectral CT and an angiography.

Infoclip: Acquisition of equipment in hospitals - Recovery and Resilience Facility - Madrid (Spain)

Under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), Member States can access grants and loans to implement reforms and investments aimed at countering the effects of the COVID-19 crisis and regain sustainable growth. Spain has received some 69512.59 million euro of funding from the RRF. Out of these, some 300 million euro were awarded to FOSSA Systems, in Madrid, Spain. Thanks to the grant, FOSSA Systems has been able to develop, put into orbit and monitor nano satellites. The nano satellites allow their clients to monitor and communicate with their assets outside of terrestrial network coverage at a fraction of the normal cost. This benefits numerous SMEs and helps keep Spain at the forefront of the digital transformation. This infoclip illustrates the production of nano satellites in Spain (Madrid), financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility plan.

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