Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is not only reshaping the security architecture of Europe, but is also influencing the EU’s position as a global actor. With rising tensions between the US and China, the EU will find itself in an increasingly bipolar world. The rules-based global order is challenged and strategic relations around the world are being redefined. Key states from the so-called ‘Global South’ are becoming more important for ‘the West’ in its move to isolate Russia and to address global challenges.

EPRS Policy podcast - Future shocks 2023: Forging new partnerships in a polarised world

The way most food is produced is harming the planet. A profound change is needed, involving all agri-food actors. As consumers, we sit at the end of the agri-food chain. Our daily dietary choices implicitly support certain food systems, production methods and types of food. What could help us make better choices? In this podcast, we’ll talk about ecolabels and their potential to nudge us towards more sustainable food choices.

EPRS STOA podcast - What if ecolabels could nudge us to choose greener food?

During the plenary sessions MEPs hold debates on foreign affairs and security policy to discuss European Union (EU) action beyond its borders.

The EU Treaties differentiate between common foreign and security policy (CFSP), common security and defence policy (CSDP), external action, and the external dimension of internal policies.

To address new challenges such as climate change, rising insecurity or new migration patterns, the EU has put forward concrete solutions to shape synergy between the actors, in order to use shared expertise more effectively, and to find new sources of funding. The new foreign policy framework (EU global strategy) is intended to map the tools and resources best designed to help society as a whole, in the EU and partner countries, to withstand natural and manmade shocks more effectively. In the years to come, global instability is expected to rise; the challenge for the EU will be to ensure security while upholding the core values of the Treaties – human rights, democracy and the fight against poverty – as its primary objectives on the global stage.

Debates on foreign affairs and security policy

During the plenary sessions MEPs hold debates on foreign affairs and security policy to discuss European Union (EU) action beyond its borders. The EU Treaties differentiate between common foreign and security policy (CFSP), common security and defence policy (CSDP), external action, and the external dimension of internal policies. To address new challenges such as climate change, rising insecurity or new migration patterns, the EU has put forward concrete solutions to shape synergy between the actors, in order to use shared expertise more effectively, and to find new sources of funding. The new foreign policy framework (EU global strategy) is intended to map the tools and resources best designed to help society as awhole, in the EU and partner countries, to withstand natural and manmade shocks more effectively. In the years to come, global instability is expected to rise; the challenge for the EU will be to ensure security while upholding the core values of the Treaties – human rights, democracy and the fight against poverty – as its primary objectives on the global stage.

Ahead of the 17-18 February European Union-African Union summit in Brussels, plenary discussed with Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, about how to work together with African partners for a more strategic and results-oriented partnership. The discussion focused on the common challenges facing both continents, including the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, boosting vaccination and stimulating investments.

EU - Africa

The EU is under growing pressure from disinformation by countries, non-state actors and terrorist groups which promote violence and use pseudo-news agencies and internet trolls to challenge democratic values and divide Europe.

The EU has been increasingly hit by destabilising messagesamounting – in different forms and to different degrees – to coherent hostile ‘strategic communications’ campaigns, or the processes of infusing communications activities with an agenda or plan to impact the behaviour of a target audience.

Anti-EU propaganda - 8th Parliamentary term

During November plenary MEPs approved&nbsp;the deal on next year’s EU budget that addresses the fallout from the Ukraine war and the pandemic recovery process more effectively. The proposal prioritise recovery, health, youth and climate action.

MEPs wanted&nbsp;the 2023 EU budget to be a “future-oriented budget that matches the Union’s political priorities of ensuring a stronger Health Union, making a success of the green and digital transitions, and fostering a fair, inclusive, sustainable and resilient recovery, including increased support for small and medium-sized enterprises. Next year’s budget should also invest in promoting the rule of law, EU values, and fundamental rights and their application, as well as contribute to greater opportunities for all, most notably young people, and ensure a stronger Union as a foreign policy actor".

Parliament fought for and obtained better support - over €1 billion on top of the Commission’s original proposal - for tackling the consequences of the war in Ukraine, energy, climate and the recovery from the pandemic in the 2023 EU budget. The preliminary figures are €186.6 billion in commitment appropriations and €168.7 billion in payment appropriations.

EU Budget 2023

Following the lessons learned from the pandemic and as a&nbsp;part of&nbsp;building a European Health Union, the Commission proposed a new health security framework on 11 November 2020. The package includes three pieces of legislation: a&nbsp;stronger role for the European Medicines Agency,&nbsp;extending the mandate of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control&nbsp;and a&nbsp;proposal for a regulation on serious cross-border threats to health.

The new legislation aims to strengthen the EU’s capacity to prevent, prepare for and manage communicable diseases outbreaks.The ECDC will cooperate with the European Commission, national authorities, EU bodies and international organisations to ensure their respective activities are consistent and complement each other.&nbsp;

The new rules concerning cross-border threats include improved prevention, preparedness and response planning at EU and national levels. The Commission will be able to formally recognise a public health emergency at EU level, which would trigger stronger intra-EU cooperation and allow for the timely development and stockpiling of medical countermeasures.

EU countries hold primary responsibility for organising and delivering health services and medical care. EU health policy therefore serves to complement national policies, and to ensure health protection in all EU policies.&nbsp; EU policies and actions in public health aim to protect and improve the health of EU citizens, support the modernisation of health infrastructure, improve the efficiency of Europe's health systems.

The Committee for Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety ENVI is Parliament’s main actor on health matters and is responsible for over 10% of Parliament´s total legislative activity.

EU health policy

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 EU first unified the summer-time arrangements in 1980, in order to ensure a harmonised approach to time switching within the single market, as until then, national summer-time practices and schedules were diverging. The current summer-time arrangements directive requires Member States to switch to summer-time on the last Sunday of March and back to standard time (informally known as winter-time) on the last Sunday of October. MEPs voted to end the practice of adjusting clocks by an hour in spring and autumn from 2021 on 26/03/2019

The system of bi-annual clock changes has been increasingly questioned, by citizens, by the European Parliament, and by a growing number of Member States. The Commission has, therefore, analysed available evidence, which points to the importance of having harmonised rules in this area to ensure a proper functioning of the internal market. This is also supported by the European Parliament as well as other actors. In February 2020, the TRAN Committee designated Johan Danielsson (S&D, Sweden) as rapporteur.

Seasonal time change

The EU is under growing pressure from disinformation by countries, non-state actors and terrorist groups which promote violence and use pseudo-news agencies and internet trolls to challenge democratic values and divide Europe.

The EU has been increasingly hit by destabilising messagesamounting – in different forms and to different degrees – to coherent hostile ‘strategic communications’ campaigns, or the processes of infusing communications activities with an agenda or plan to impact the behaviour of a target audience.

Anti-EU propaganda

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According to latest resolution of the EP, Taiwan represents&nbsp;a key EU partner and democratic ally in the Indo-Pacific, one that contributes to maintaining a rules-based order in the midst of an intensifying rivalry between the major geopolitical actors in the region.

To step up cooperation, a first EU-Taiwan relations report adopted by MEPs in October 2021 stresses the urgent need to launch an “impact assessment, public consultation and scoping exercise” for an EU-Taiwan Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA). Members highlight the importance of trade and economic relations between the EU and Taiwan, including on matters relating to multilateralism and the World Trade Organization, technology such as 5G, public health, and essential cooperation on critical supplies like semiconductors.

The European Parliament has called for closer relations with Taiwan guided by the EU’s One China Policy, while issuing warnings over the continued tensions across the Taiwan Strait. MEPs wish to address these tensions, to protect Taiwan’s democracy, and the island’s status as an important EU partner..

Relations with Taiwan

In April 2018, the European Commission adopted a proposal on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the food supply chain.

It stems from the consensus that unfair trading practices occur in the food supply chain, with smaller operators more vulnerable to these practices due to a weaker bargaining power compared to larger operators. The proposal focuses therefore on smaller actors in the food supply chain and aims to protect them from trading practices that are imposed unilaterally. The protection covers small and medium-sized agricultural producers and other SME suppliers in the chain and imposed rules constraining the behaviour of buyers which are not SMEs.

#EUelections2019 - Helping farmers, ending unfair trading practices

LUX European Audience Film Award 2024 - Finnish MEPs meet with actors of 'Kuolleet lehdet' (Fallen Leaves) Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen

ING2 Special Committee - Discussion on a  first set of proposals on how to prevent interference by malign foreign actors

Park Leopold Day

Interview - LUX Audience Award 2021-BIELENIA, Bartosz - lead actor Corpus Christi

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Mark RUFFALO, actor and environmental activist

Screening of the movie ' Au nom de la Terre ' (In the name of the land) in the pesence of Film Director Edouard BERGEON and French actor Guillaume CANET

LIBE public hearing on ' Towards a common EU Strategy to fight corruption and organised crime - strengthening instruments and enhancing cooperation between relevant actors '

EP plenary session - Increasing EU resilience against the influence of foreign actors on the upcoming EP election campaign

European Parliament dialogue seminar with Churches and religious communities on: ' The External Policies of the EU ' - Panel 2: EU Engagement with faith-based development actors on the ground

EP Delegation to UN Climate Conference COP23 in Bonn, Germany - Meeting with NGO representatives about ' Increasing and improving climate finance: the role of non-state actors '

Express yourself  Music dance theatre and more circus performances

SEDE Public Hearing ' The crisis in Syria and the role of international and regional actors: Security implications for Europe '

Actors, producers and MEps attend a meeting focusing on cinema in the EU in Strasbourg

ROHRIG, Geza - Hungarian actor and poet; SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: live talk with EP President and the main actor of Son of Saul

Actors, producers and MEPs attend a meeting focusing on cinema in the EU in Strasbourg

European retail action plan for the benefit of all actors,roundtable discussion

Press conference. As result of the mobilization of MEPs, a delegation of artists and actors come to Parliament to bring the claims of the sector against the EU-US agreement.

Fifth EUVP Alumni Webinar “EU as a Global Actor Protecting Human Rights”

Fourth EUVP Alumni Webinar “EU as a Security and Peace Actor”

Press conference on LUX Award 2021 by Sabine VERHEYEN, Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education, Sisse Graum JØRGENSEN, Producer, Bartosz BIELENIA, Lead Actor, Alexander NANAU, Director, and Mike DOWNEY, director of European Film Academy

Europe Day 2021: The EU as a global actor

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

European Electronic Communications Code - Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (debate)

CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Formal sitting

Announcement by the President

Composition of Parliament : see Minutes

Voting time

Explanations of vote

Corrections to votes and voting intentions : see Minutes

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting : see Minutes

Increasing EU resilience against the influence of foreign actors on the upcoming EP election campaign (topical debate)

Rail passengers' rights and obligations (debate)

Persistent organic pollutants (debate)

Independence of statistical authorities in the European Union and the case of Andreas Georgiou (debate)

European security and the future of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (debate)

Response to the caravan of Central American migrants at the Mexican border (debate)

The extraterritorial effects of US sanctions on Iran for European companies (debate)

Agenda of the next sitting

Closure of the sitting

Plenary

CMI conference "Regional Actors as Vectors of Peace. What role for the EU?"

UNKN

Main aspects of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy - Situation in Syria and in Camp Ashraf - Report: Albertini - Annual report from the Council to Parliament on the main aspects of CFSP in 2009 - Report: Gualtieri - Development of CSDP following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty - Report: Muñiz De Urquiza - The EU as a global actor: its role in multilateral organisations (debate)

In times of polarised ideas, widespread disinformation and cross border conflicts, how are we protecting the integrity of European institutions and democracy? Researchers and NGOs all over Europe are studying ways to make societies more resilient to crises and to foreign actors trying to interfere in our democratic processes.  

Two such researchers are Julia from the Clingendael Institute for International Relations in the Netherlands and Katarina from the Centre for Democracy & Resilience at the GLOBSEC Policy Institute in Slovakia. They specialise in the Western Balkan states and EU accession countries like Ukraine. 

The European Parliament backs legislation helping promote this kind of research and recognises the importance of independent bodies. Learn more about how Parliament is fighting the threats to EU democracy here: https://europa.eu/!rg6kY7.

Maintaining EU independence and democracy: meet Julia and Katarína 9:16 EE24

Maintaining EU independence and democracy: meet Julia and Katarína EE24

Statement by LUX Audience Award 2024 finalists Alma PÖYSTI and Jussi VATANEN actors of Fallen Leaves. Parliament and the European Film Academy award the LUX prize to help the distribution of European films with significant artistic merit that reflect cultural diversity in Europe and beyond.

LUX Audience Award 2024 - Statements by finalists: Alma PÖYSTI and Jussi VATANEN actors of Fallen Leaves

EU membership means belonging to one of the world’s largest economies and its biggest single market.
 
It contributes to growth and brings more choice for consumers.    
     
The EU tackles inequalities between its regions, supporting agriculture, small businesses and innovation and spurring modern, greener economies.    
     
As a powerful global actor, it secures better access and fairer prices on world markets.

Investment, growth, choice: the economic benefits of EU membership - VT EE24

Investment, growth, choice: the economic benefits of EU membership - 4-5 EE24

Investment, growth, choice: the economic benefits of EU membership -16:9 EE24

Behind the scene of the presantation of the German premiere of the 3rd season of "Parliament" at the European House with the director, actors and politicians from the European Parliament.

MAKING OF: German premiere of the 3rd season of "Parliament" at the European House

Investment, growth, choice: the economic benefits of EU membership

What if your phone turned into a spying device: giving malevolent actors access to your location, photos, contacts, camera and microphone? This is exactly what spyware such as Pegasus and Predator have done to the phones of some journalists, opposition politicians and civil activists.  
On top of being illegal, this practice is dangerous to democracy and human rights. MEPs want to set ground rules on when and how such spyware should be used.  
Your questions on the dangers of spyware, answered by MEP Sophie in ‘t Veld.

Parliament wants to end the illegal use of spyware

Sandra KALNIETE (EPP, LV), Vladimír BILČÍK (EPP, SK) and Nathalie LOISEAU (RE, FR), rapporteurs on the reports on foreign interference and on improving Parliament´s rules on transparency and integrity, hold a press conference in the European Parliament in Brussels to update on the report, made by the Special Committee on Foreign Interference, which includes recommendations for a coordinated EU strategy and addresses issues such as interference on online platforms, protection of critical infrastructure and strategic sectors, interference during electoral processes, covert funding of political activities by foreign actors and resilience to cyberattacks. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Sandra KALNIETE (EPP, LV), Vladimír BILČÍK (EPP, SK) and Nathalie LOISEAU (RE, FR), on the reports on foreign interference and on improving Parliament´s rules on transparency and integrity

MEPs call for a coordinated strategy against foreign interference and information manipulation to protect the European elections and increase the EU’s resilience and discuss the report by the Special Committee on foreign interference. The report includes recommendations for a coordinated EU strategy and addresses issues such as interference on online platforms, protection of critical infrastructure and strategic sectors, interference during electoral processes, covert funding of political activities by foreign actors and resilience to cyberattacks. Closing statements by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency and Sandra KALNIETE (EPP, LV), Rapporteur.

Joint Debate - Foreign interference in democratic processes and election integrity: Closing statements by Věra JOUROVÁ, VP of the EC in charge of Transparency and Sandra KALNIETE, Rapporteur

The Special Committee on Foreign Interference adopt its proposals to fight against malicious foreign actors, particularly Russia and China, using information manipulation to interfere in democratic processes. It is expected that foreign interference and disinformation will continue with increasing intensity in the run-up to the European Parliament elections in 2024. Statement by Sandra KALNIETE (EPP, LV), Rapporteur. This transcription is a result of an atutomatic process. Please check against delivery.

Vote on Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation: extracts from the vote and statement by Sandra KALNIETE (EPP, LV), Rapporteur

The AFET (Foreign Affairs) Committee vote on a report calling for the establishment of a "European Union rapid deployment capacity", equipped with up to 5 000 troops to respond to crises. The European Union supports peace and stability in its neighbourhood and beyond. As a credible and capable actor in international crisis management, the EU needs to be able to react to conflicts quickly, robustly and effectively. To that end, the EU will develop a Rapid Deployment Capacity (EU RDC) consisting of up to 5 000 troops. This EU RDC will be a robust, flexible and scalable military instrument adding to the EU’s broad crisis management toolbox. Extracts from the vote and statement by Javi LÓPEZ (S&D, ES), Rapporteur.

EU Rapid Deployment Capacity: extracts from the vote and statement by Javi LÓPEZ (S&D, ES), Rapporteur

Volodymyr Zelenskyy was elected President of Ukraine in May 2019. The former actor, scriptwriter and producer became a war leader when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. A few days after Russia invaded Ukraine, President Zelenskyy addressed the European Parliament. He then went on to address national parliaments worldwideThe latest in a line of historical leaders employing rhetoric in times of war, he has used his words to rally world leaders and call for more support. CONTENT: 00:00:00 Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech before the French Assemblée nationale 00:01:48 Attack on Mariupol maternity 00:03:57 Comparison with Verdun 00:05:43 Hope with the Normandy format 00:07:04 24 February Russian attack on Ukraine 00:09:27 Call to France and Europe Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Speeches that have made Europe: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (2022)

Russia’s war on Ukraine has brought geopolitics, security and defence back to the fore of global conversations. And just like all actors around the world, the European Union is also reflecting on the future of its security and defence policy. Launched in 2020, developing the Strategic Compass entails a complex strategic reflection, threat analysis and strategic dialogue among Member States. It started with unprecedented exercise: a joint threat assessment by the 27 EU Member States. A process aimed at bringing clarity, guidance and incentives to completing the common security and defence policy, the Strategic Compass is a first for the European Union. It aims to set a strategic vision of the entirety of European security and defence policy and the way it will look in the 2030... Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - A Strategic Compass for the EU

MEPs and Josep Borrell also discuss Parliament’s annual reports on the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), MEPs put forward their proposals on how to strengthen the EU as a global foreign policy and security actor. First part of the debate.

Joint debate - Common security and defence policy: MEPs debate (part 1/2)

MEPs and Josep Borrell also discuss Parliament’s annual reports on the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), MEPs put forward their proposals on how to strengthen the EU as a global foreign policy and security actor. Opening statements by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR), Rapporteurs and by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World.

Joint debate - Common security and defence policy: opening statements by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR), Rapporteurs and by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HRVP of the European Union

In the annual report 2021 on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs warn that the EU is facing new threats and call for firm response to the external security challenges. MEPs and Josep BORRELL discuss Parliament’s annual reports and the proposals on how to strengthen the EU as a global foreign policy and security actor. The report, adopted by the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), focuses on the development of the EU's security and defence doctrine through the Strategic Compass, CSDP missions and operations, crisis management, resilience, capabilities, partnerships and parliamentary oversight of CSDP.

CFSP and CSDP (Common foreign and security policy & Common security and defence policy): statement by Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR), Rapporteur and extracts from the debate

29 results

LUX European Audience Film Award 2024 - Finnish MEPs meet with actors of 'Kuolleet lehdet' (Fallen Leaves) Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen

ING2 Special Committee - Discussion on a first set of proposals on how to prevent interference by malign foreign actors

Park Leopold Day

Interview - LUX Audience Award 2021-BIELENIA, Bartosz - lead actor Corpus Christi

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Mark RUFFALO, actor and environmental activist

Screening of the movie ' Au nom de la Terre ' (In the name of the land) in the pesence of Film Director Edouard BERGEON and French actor Guillaume CANET

LIBE public hearing on ' Towards a common EU Strategy to fight corruption and organised crime - strengthening instruments and enhancing cooperation between relevant actors '

EP plenary session - Increasing EU resilience against the influence of foreign actors on the upcoming EP election campaign

EP plenary session - Increasing EU resilience against the influence of foreign actors on the upcoming EP election campaign

European Parliament dialogue seminar with Churches and religious communities on: ' The External Policies of the EU ' - Panel 2: EU Engagement with faith-based development actors on the ground

EP Delegation to UN Climate Conference COP23 in Bonn, Germany - Meeting with NGO representatives about ' Increasing and improving climate finance: the role of non-state actors '

Express yourself Music dance theatre and more circus performances

SEDE Public Hearing ' The crisis in Syria and the role of international and regional actors: Security implications for Europe '

Actors, producers and MEps attend a meeting focusing on cinema in the EU in Strasbourg

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: live talk with EP President and the main actor of Son of Saul

Actors, producers and MEPs attend a meeting focusing on cinema in the EU in Strasbourg

European retail action plan for the benefit of all actors,roundtable discussion

Press conference. As result of the mobilization of MEPs, a delegation of artists and actors come to Parliament to bring the claims of the sector against the EU-US agreement.