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

From the 1st of July 2021, Slovenia is holding the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. However, the country&nbsp;has also been the subject of discussions about the “rule of law” within the EU, a concept referring to respect for due process, plurality in politics and media and the upholding of civic freedoms such as free speech.

In its last 2021 Rule of Law report the EC mentioned that the situation of media in the country has been deteriorating.&nbsp;Online harassment of and threats against journalists are a growing source of concern, and several lawsuits against journalists with intimidating effects have been reported as well as&nbsp;instances of political interference in media.

Attacks on media&nbsp;have been criticized by international, European and national journalists and editors associations. The European Commission intervened various times to express its concerns.

A delegation of the Civil Liberties Committee travelled&nbsp;to&nbsp;Slovenia between 13 and 15 October to&nbsp;take stock of the latest developments in the country as regards the situation of the rule of law, media freedom and the fight against corruption including the question of Slovenian delegated prosecutors to the European Public Prosecutors Office.

Their agenda included&nbsp;exchanges with: NGOs; the Human Rights Ombudsman; academics; journalists and press freedom organisations;the Supreme State Prosecutor and former president of the Association of Public Prosecutors of Slovenia; the Data Protection Commissioner; officials of the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Culture; representatives from the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption; members of the National Assembly; the President of the National Council; and the Presidents of the Constitutional Court and the Court of Auditors.

At the end of the mission, Sophie in ‘t Veld, the Chair of the Civil Liberties Committee delegation, said: "“We observed that the public institutions overall work well. At the same time, the delegation experienced a climate of hostility, distrust and deep polarisation in the country, which erodes trust in and between various public bodies."

Rule of law in Slovenia

Over the past years, there has been some progress in EU-Belarus relations.

The bilateral relationship will be strengthened through the EU-Belarus Partnership Priorities, which are currently being negotiated. This will set the strategic framework for cooperation in the coming years. Tangible steps taken by Belarus to respect universal freedoms, the rule of law, and human rights, including the freedoms of speech, expression and of media, and labour rights, will remain fundamental criteria for shaping the EU’s policy towards Belarus.

On 9 August 2020, presidential elections took place in the Republic of Belarus. Credible reports from domestic observers show that the process did not meet the international standards expected of a participating state of the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe).

EU - Belarus (2019-2020)

Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, will deliver her first State of the European Union Address on 16 September 2020.

Every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers his State of the European Union Address before the European Parliament, taking stock of achievements of the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead. The President also sets out how the European Commission will address the most pressing challenges the European Union is facing. The speech is followed by a plenary debate.

State of the European Union 2020

The Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) is an initiative of the European Union to reform its policies and institutions following large-scale consultations across the continent between May 2021 and Spring 2022.

The goals, principles, governance and methodology of the Conference are laid down in a Joint Declaration co-signed by the Presidents of the European Parliament, European Commission and Council on 10 March 2021.

The CoFoE inauguration event took place on 9 May 2021 in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

The programme featured a welcome speech by French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as speeches by Presidents Sassoli, von der Leyen and Prime Minister Costa, representing the EU Institutions alongside short interventions by the Conference Executive Board’s co-chairs. Contributions via video link from citizens and civil society were also broadcasted, as well as musical performances by Violinist Renaud Capuçon and Karski quartet. The launch was linked to Europe Day events across the Member states.

Erasmus students from all member states were present in the Parliament’s hemicycle, and around 300 citizens were invited to attend remotely through large TV screens. Ministers for European affairs and other VIP guests also joined remotely.

Conference on the Future of Europe – Inaugural Event

On certain occasions, David SASSOLI, President of the European Parliament, gives a speech during plenary sessions highlighting the news, a special event or pays tribute to a personality and asks for a minute of silence.

Statements of David SASSOLI, EP President in Plenary

The Schuman Declaration was presented by French foreign minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950.

It proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community, whose members would pool coal and steel production.
The ECSC (founding members: France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg) was the first of a series of supranational European institutions that would ultimately become today's "European Union".
On 9 May 1950, the Salon de l’Horloge in the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs building on Quai d’Orsay in Paris was transformed into a press room and Robert Schuman gave his speech. Since 1985, Europe Day has been celebrated on 9 May every year.

Schuman Declaration - 9 May 1950

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

José Manuel Barroso, President of the EC, delivers the last State of the Union speech - SOTEU - to Parliament for this legislature on 11 September. 

 

Political group leaders take the floor to set out the priorities which they feel Commission should address in the coming months. They stressed the need to restore trust in the EU, pointing out that the May 2014 European elections offer voters a real chance to choose its future.

State of the Union 2013

Ingrid Betancourt is a former Colombian presidential candidate who was freed in July 2008 after six years in captivity at the hands of FARC guerrillas. Ms Betancourt, who has frequently spoken out against terrorism, had decided to campaign in an area with a strong guerrilla presence despite warnings not to do so. Along with 14 other hostages, she was rescued by Colombian security forces on 2 July 2008 in Operation Jaque, having spent a total of 2,321 days in captivity.

Addressing a formal sitting of the EP, in a passionate speech, Ingrid Betancourt spoke in depth about others around the world incarcerated against their will and the task of raising awareness of human rights violations globally. Ms Betancourt's key message was one of the power of discourse; "the only weapon we can believe in, is the force of words, there is nothing stronger than words." Ms Betancourt expressed her thanks to the EP's efforts in creating a public consensus for her plight.

Ingrid Betancourt is one of the eight women highlighted at the occasion of the International Women’s Day (IWD) which is held every year on 8 March.

Discover also the other portraits:

#IWD2019 - Ingrid Betancourt

Open Day at the European Parliament in Brussels - Jaume DUCH speech

Open Days at the European Parliament in Strasbourg - Jaume DUCH speech

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Composition of Parliament

Verification of credentials

Request for waiver of immunity

Composition of committees and delegations

Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 71)

Signing of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 79)

Corrigendum (Rule 241)

Proposals for Union acts

Announcement

Order of business

Resumption of the sitting

Industrial Emissions Directive - Industrial Emissions Portal - Deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure - Sustainable maritime fuels (FuelEU Maritime Initiative) - Energy efficiency (recast) (joint debate - Fit for 55 and Industrial Emissions)

Protection of journalists and human rights defenders from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings (debate)

European Citizens' Initiative Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics - Commit to a Europe without animal testing' (debate)

Management, conservation and control measures in the area covered under the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) (debate)

Protection of workers from extreme heat and other extreme weather phenomena resulting from the climate crisis (debate)

Implementation of passerelle' clauses in the EU Treaties (short presentation)

Banking Union - annual report 2022 (short presentation)

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 (short presentation)

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Agenda of the next sitting

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Closure of the sitting

Plenary session

Resumption of the session

Opening of the sitting

Statements by the President

Approval of the minutes of the previous sittings

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

Request for the defence of immunity: see Minutes

Calendar of Parliament’s part-sessions – 2024

Marking the World Day against Child Labour (debate)

Electronic evidence in criminal proceedings: legal representatives directive - Electronic evidence regulation: European production and preservation orders for electronic evidence in criminal matters (debate)

EU Day for the victims of the global climate crisis (debate)

Commission statement - EU Day for the victims of the global climate crisis

Competition policy - annual report 2022 (debate)

Report: René Repasi (A9-0183/2023) - Competition policy - annual report 2022

Report: Andrey Novakov (A9-0181/2023) - Large transport infrastructure projects in the EU

Large transport infrastructure projects in the EU (debate)

Report: Isabel Santos (A9-0289/2022) - European Union Drugs Agency

Report: Álvaro Amaro (A9-0156/2023) - Assessment of the new Commission communication on outermost regions

European Union Drugs Agency (short presentation)

Report: Loránt Vincze (A9-0182/2023) - Implementation of the Regulations on the European citizens' initiative

Assessment of the new Commission communication on outermost regions (short presentation)

Implementation of the Regulations on the European citizens' initiative (short presentation)

10 year anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh

Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (debate)

Breaches of the Rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds (debate)

Threat to democracy and the rule of law in Poland, in particular through the creation of an investigative committee (debate)

Social and economic costs of climate change in light of the floods in Emilia Romagna, Marche and Toscana and the urgent need for European solidarity (debate)

Geographical Indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products (debate)

Sexual harassment in the EU and MeToo evaluation (debate)

Strengthening social dialogue (debate)

Methane emissions reduction in the energy sector (debate)

Establishing the Act in support of ammunition production (debate)

Impact on the 2024 EU budget of increasing European Union Recovery Instrument borrowing costs - Own resources: a new start for EU finances, a new start for Europe (debate)

Implementation of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (short presentation)

School's scheme for fruit, vegetables, milk and dairy products (short presentation)

Co-management of fisheries in the EU (short presentation)

Report: Clara Aguilera (A9-0119/2023) - Co-management of fisheries in the EU

Request for waiver of immunity: see Minutes

Composition of political groups

Interpretation of the Rules of Procedure(action taken)

Deforestation Regulation (debate)

Revision of the EU Emissions Trading System - Monitoring, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport - Carbon border adjustment mechanism - Social Climate Fund - Revision of the EU Emissions Trading System for aviation (debate)

Institutional relations between the EU and the Council of Europe (short presentation)

Sustainable carbon cycles (short presentation)

eGovernment accelerating digital public services that support the functioning of the single market (short presentation)

The implementation of civilian CSDP and other EU civilian security assistance (short presentation)

Formal sitting - Ceremony on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement

Interpretation of the Rules of Procedure

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023 (debate)

Fluorinated gases regulation - Ozone depleting substances (debate)

General Product Safety Regulation (debate)

The Rights of children in Rainbow Families and same sex parents in particular in Italy (debate)

The Rights of children in Rainbow Families and same sex parents in particular in Italy (continuation of debate)

Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 72)

Delegated acts (Rule 111(6))(action taken)

Energy performance of buildings (recast) (debate)

Activities of the European Ombudsman - annual report 2021 (debate)

Binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States (Effort Sharing Regulation) - Land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) - Revision of the Market Stability Reserve for the EU Emissions Trading System (debate)

Policy Coherence for Development (short presentation)

The functioning of the EEAS and a stronger EU in the world (debate)

Corrigendum (Rule 241)(action taken)

EU response to the humanitarian situation following the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria (debate)

REPowerEU chapters in recovery and resilience plans (debate)

Electoral rights of mobile Union citizens in European Parliament elections - Electoral rights of mobile Union citizens in municipal elections (debate)

EU funding allocated to NGOs incriminated in the recent corruption revelations and the protection of EU financial interests (debate)

Following up on measures requested by Parliament to strengthen the integrity of European institutions (debate)

Union Secure Connectivity Programme 2023-2027 (debate)

Preparation of the Special European Council meeting of February, in particular the need to develop sustainable solutions in the area of asylum and migration (debate)

Transparency and targeting of political advertising (debate)

Need for urgent update of the EU list of high-risk third countries for anti-money laundering and terrorist financing purposes (debate)

Situation in Afghanistan (debate)

Resumption of the session 

Opening of the session 

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Election of a Vice-President of the European Parliament (deadline for submitting nominations)

Ceremony on the 30th Anniversary of the Single Market

30th Anniversary of the Single Market (debate)

Rules to prevent the misuse of shell entities for tax purposes (debate)

Shipments of waste (debate)

The creation of a European Capital of Local Trade (short presentation)

The creation of a European Capital of Local Trade

Statement by the President

Composition of political groups: see Minutes

Composition of the Advisory Committee on the Conduct of Members

Council positions at first reading (Rule 63)

Towards equal rights for persons with disabilities (debate)

Outcome of COP27 (debate)

A long-term vision for the EU's rural areas

Addressing persistent challenges in the aviation sector and the impacts on passengers, workers, capacity and safety (debate)

Action plan to boost long-distance and cross-border passenger rail (short presentation)

Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly - Welcome Speech by President Metsola

DLAT

Delegated acts (Rule 111(6))

Assessment of Hungary's compliance with the rule of law conditions under the Conditionality Regulation and state of play of the Hungarian RRP (debate)

Prevention, management and better care of diabetes in the EU on the occasion of World Diabetes Day (debate)

Situation of human rights in the context of the FIFA world cup in Qatar

Borrowing strategy to finance NextGenerationEU

Implementation report on the European Innovation Council

One-minute speeches (Rule 172)

Closure of the sitting 

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 20-21 October 2022 (debate)

Outcome of the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty (debate)

EU response to the increasing crack-down on protests in Iran (debate)

REPowerEU chapters in recovery and resilience plans (debate) (debate)

Communication on ensuring availability and affordability of fertilisers

Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (debate)

Digital finance: Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) - Digital Finance: Amending Directive regarding Digital Operational Resilience requirements (debate)

Full application of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in Croatia (debate)

Esports and video games (debate)

Announcement by the President: see Minutes

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (debate)

The Rule of Law in Malta, five years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia (debate)

FRONTEX's responsibility for fundamental rights violations at EU's external borders in light of the OLAF report (debate)

Sustainable maritime fuels (FuelEU Maritime Initiative) - Deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (debate)

Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (debate)

Agenda for next sitting

Keynote speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on EU Ambassadors' Conference

Composition of Parliament 

Signing of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 79): see Minutes

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control - Serious cross-border threats to health (debate)

Momentum for the Ocean: strengthening Ocean Governance and Biodiversity

Striving for a sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture: the way forward (debate)

Impact of new technologies on taxation: crypto and blockchain (debate)

The EU's actions in the field of freedom of religion or belief worldwide (debate)

Management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Area of Competence (short presentation)

Flexible Assistance to Territories (FAST-CARE) (short presentation)

Approval of the minutes of the sitting and agenda of the next sitting

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting : see Minutes

New EU Forest Strategy for 2030 – Sustainable Forest Management in Europe (debate)

Surveillance and predator spyware systems in Greece (debate)

Energy efficiency (recast) (debate)

Conservation and enforcement measures applicable in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) - Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Area: conservation and management measures (debate)

The impact of COVID-19 closures of educational, cultural, youth and sports activities on children and young people in the EU (short presentation)

Interim report on the 2021 proposal for a revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (short presentation)

Agenda for next sitting: see Minutes

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to New York (United States) - Keynote Speech and Questions and answers with audience at Columbia University

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to New York (United States) - Speech at the Reception hosted by the World Jewish Congress

Keynote Speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at book presentation ‘La saggezza e l’audacia’ of David SASSOLI, former EP President

Open Days at the European Parliament in Brussels.- Jaume DUCH speech

Othmar KARAS speech  at an event hosted by Mrs. Christa Schweng, President of the EESC

Opening speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at the Summit of Barents Euro-Arctic Indigenous Sámi People

Opening speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at the “Prominent and Promising Women in the EU” exhibition, at the Netherlands Permanent Representation to the EU

Roberta METSOLA, EP President delivers a speech at the Iranian Solidarity Rally in Strasbourg

European Ideas Forum by the Martens Centre : Speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Conference ‘War in Europe - What the EU will be Like’- Speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

EU Ambassadors' Conference 2022  - Speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

EP Plenary session - SOTEU 2022 - State of the Union speech

Visit of Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Cyprus - Speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at the House of Representatives, in the presence of Nicos ANASTASIADES, President of Cyprus

EP Plenary session - One minute speech

Conference ' Freedom of Speech: who still dares? '

EP Plenary session - One-minute speeches

Life Long Learning Interest Group : - Speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Visit Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Italy - Speech at European University Institute - A Europe Fit for the Next Generation

Before the This is Europe debate, Roberta Metsola, EP President, holds a bilateral meeting with Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland. Then, Prime Minister Orpo speaks to the European Parliament and outlines his vision for Europe’s challenges and future. This footage shows extracts from Prime Minister's arrival, the bilateral meeting, and the address to the plenary. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

This is Europe - Debate with Petteri ORPO, Finnish Prime Minister: meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and extracts from the address to the plenary

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