Today: the thirteenth ‘This is Europe’ plenary debate with Romanian president Iohannis;  new rules to ensure that euro money transfers arrive within ten seconds; and Parliament’s concerns about very serious threats to EU values in Greece.

News in Brief – 09/02/2024 – English

Today: the plenary session is under way in Strasbourg with MEPs due to discuss the demands of farmers and rural communities across Europe; a resolution on threats to the rule of law and media freedom in Greece and the thirteenth ‘This is Europe’ plenary debate with Romanian president Klaus Iohannis.

News in Brief – 06/02/2024 – English

In December 1989, Romania was experiencing violent civil unrest which culminated in the events that changed the country forever. Follow Otilia’s footsteps through the streets of Bucharest and relive the decisive moments of the Romanian revolution. Hundreds of stories, documents, photos and videos published by people from all over Europe. This is ‘My History’, a collaborative project of the European Parliament, where history and the lives of European citizens coincide.

I felt that I was making history – my memories from the Romanian Revolution.

The winner of the LUX - European Audience film Award 2021 is the Romanian documentary Colectiv - Collective. The other two finalists were: the Polish Boże Ciało - Corpus Christi and the Danish Druk - Another Round. The new LUX Audience Award champions inspiring films that shine a light on what it means to be European. For the first time, European citizens, together with Members of the European Parliament, chose the winner.

LUX - European Audience Film Award 2021

The European Parliament already discussed the rule of law in Romania in February 2018, following massive street protests after the Romanian Parliament approved an overhaul of how the judicial system is organised and changes to rules about conflicts of interest. The criminal code and the criminal procedure code have also been modified, but these changes are currently being reviewed by the Constitutional Court.

Rule of law in Romania

From January to June 2019, Romania holds the Presidency of the EU Council, following the Austrian and preceding the Finnish Presidency.

The Presidency of the Council rotates among the EU Member States every 6 months. During the 6-month period, the presidency chairs meeting at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU's work in the Council.

Romanian Presidency

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From July to December 2018, Austria holds the Presidency of the EU Council for the third time (1998 and 2006 also), following the Bulgarian and preceding the Romanian Presidency.

 
The Austrian government priorities for the upcoming presidency are security (the fight against illegal immigration by securing external borders), maintaining Europe’s competitiveness through digitization, and stability in Austria’s neighboring countries (working towards EU accession for Western Balkan countries).

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Austrian Presidency

From July to December 2019, Finland holds the Presidency of the EU Council for the third time, following the Romanian and preceding the Croatian Presidency.

The Presidency of the Council rotates among the EU Member States every 6 months. During the 6-month period, the presidency chairs meeting at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU's work in the Council.

Finnish Presidency

This storybook is about a little girl, Anna, who is starting school in a new country and learning the local language through immersion. The audiobook and e-book versions are available in the 24 EU official languages. While the target audience is 3-6 year olds, this storybook could also be useful for older children learning to read, whether in their first EU language or in another one.

<a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/anna-learns-new-language-all-versions_15508_pk">See the other language versions</a>

Anna learns a new language (Romanian version)

Adina-Ioana Valean, born on 16 February 1968 in Băicoi, is a Romanian politician and has been serving as a Member of the European Parliament since 2007.

After the hearing by the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) of the European Parliament, the committee prepares an evaluation letter on the candidate.

Hearing of Adina-Ioana VĂLEAN, Commissioner-designate, Transport

From the second we come into this world, we’re in it together. Each of us can leave a mark, but together we can make a real difference. Choose your future. European elections 23-26 May.

It is available in the following sign languages: Austrian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Cypriot, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finland Swedish, Finnish, Flemish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian and international sign language.

Choose your future - Sign language versions

Established for a period of at least five years, a multiannual financial framework or MFF must ensure that the Union’s expenditure develops in an orderly manner and within the limits of its own resources, and sets out provisions with which the annual budget of the Union must comply, thus laying down the cornerstone of financial discipline.

Both the Parliament and Commission signalled that they were ready to make an effort to reach agreement on the package before the May 2019 European elections. Meeting this deadline would have enabled the new programmes to start without delay on 1 January 2021. However, on 13-14 December 2018, having conducted the first substantial exchange of views on the matter, the EU leaders called on the Romanian presidency to continue work at the level of the Council with a view to achieving an agreement only in autumn 2019.

#EUelections2019 - EU’s long-term budget (MFF)

EP President participates in a Town Hall discussion with young people, at the Romanian National Opera. She meets with H.E. Mr. Nicolae Ciuca, President of the Senate of Romania, with H.E. Mr. Alfred Simonis, Acting President of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania, with H.E. Mr. Klaus Iohannis, President of Romania and with H.E. Mr. Marcel Ciolacu, Prime Minister of Romania.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Romania

The Romanian President addresses MEPs on Wednesday at 11.00 to outline his vision on Europe’s challenges and future.

EP President Metsola and President Iohannis have a bilateral meeting before his speech in plenary. A short press point with both is scheduled for 10.50. 

This will be the thirteenth “This is Europe” plenary debate and the first in 2024. In 2023, MEPs heard from Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov (22 November), Cyprus’ President Christodoulides (13 June), Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz (9 May), Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel (19 April) and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda (14 March). The EU leaders who participated in this debate series in 2022 were Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, and Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob.

Plenary debate - This is Europe - Debate with the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis

EP Plenary session  - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

Opening of the sitting

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

Inclusion of the right to abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (debate)

Promised revision of the EU animal welfare legislation and the animal welfare-related European citizens’ initiatives (debate)

Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia (debate)

Deterioration of living conditions in the EU (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Request for waiver of immunity

Voting time (continuation)

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Proposal for a Union act: see Minutes

Healthy lifestyle and active ageing in the EU (debate)

Explanations of vote

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

Dates of forthcoming sittings

Closure of the sitting

Plenary session

Address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to the Romanian Parliament to the joint session of the Romanian Parliament

VodDebate: Adoption of draft agenda

VodDebate: Approval of minutes of the meeting of:

VodDebate: Chair's announcements

VodDebate: Election of the firstVice-Chair of the PETI Committee

VodDebate: Draft Motion for a Resolution on illegal logging in the EU 2022/2523(RSP) Vote in Plenary:tbc Vote on Amendments

VodDebate: Petition 1077/2019 by M.S. (Polish), on behalf of Obserwatorium Wyborcze (the Election Observatory), bearing 154 signatures, on alleged breaches during EU elections in Poland, other irregularities and media propaganda (In the presence of the petitioner by remote connection) Petition No 0432/2021 by Bożena Ferenc (Polish), Piotr Kozioł s (Polish), Makary Wiskirki (Polish), Magda Klim (Polish), Małgorzata Klimowicz (Polish), S.G. (Polish), Sławomir Górak (Polish), Ewa Uminska (Polish), Adam Witas (Polish), bearing four signatures, on the Polish elections to the European Parliament in 2019 (Possibly in the presence of the petitioner by remote connection)

VodDebate: Petition 0468/2019 by Gabriela Ionescu (Romanian) on restricted right to vote for European elections (Possibly in the presence of the petitioner by remote connection)

Committee on Petitions

PETI

Joint press statement by David SASSOLI, EP President and Ludovic ORBAN, Romanian Prime Minister

Resumption of the session

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting : see Minutes

Composition of Parliament : see Minutes

Composition of committees and delegations : see Minutes

Corrigenda (Rule 241): see Minutes

Negotiations ahead of Council's first reading (Rule 72): see Minutes

Implementing acts and measures (Rule 112(4)d and Rule 111(6)): see Minutes

Request for consultation of the European Economic and Social Committee (Rule 145): see Minutes

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

Order of business

Commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Romanian revolution of December 1989 (debate)

Requirements for payment service providers - Measures to strengthen administrative cooperation in order to combat VAT fraud (debate)

Appointment of members of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank - (debate)

Fair taxation in a digitalised and globalised economy - BEPS 2.0 (debate)

Announcement

Macro-financial assistance to Jordan (debate)

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Agenda of the next sitting : see Minutes

Closure of the sitting: see Minutes

Plenary

Statement by the candidate for President of the Commission

Composition of committees and delegations : see Minutes: see Minutes

Review of the Romanian Presidency of the Council (debate)

Election of the President of the Commission

Implementation of the EU Global Strategy (debate)

Situation in Venezuela (debate)

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Romanian Presidency

Reform of the EU asylum and migration policy in light of the continued humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean and Africa

Review of the Austrian Council Presidency

Formal sitting - Twentieth anniversary of the euro

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

Voting time

Corrections to votes and voting intentions

European Central Bank Annual report 2017 (debate)

Banking Union - Annual report 2018 (debate)

Establishing the InvestEU Programme (debate)

Implementation of the EU-Colombia and Peru Trade Agreement - Implementation report on the trade pillar of the Association Agreement with Central America (debate)

Composition of political groups : see Minutes

European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) (debate)

European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) (debate)

Specific provisions for the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) (debate)

Opening speeches Antonio Tajani, President European Parliament &  Viorica DĂNCILĂ, Prime Minister of Romania during the Opening ceremony of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU, in Buchare

Future of EU - Klaus Iohannis - Romanian President

Threats to the rule of law by the Romanian justice system reform (debate)

Free movement of workers - temporary restrictions affecting Romanian and Bulgarian citizens on the European Union labour market (debate)

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Bucharest (Romania) - Town Hall Discussion with Young Romanians

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Ion-Marcel CIOLACU, Romanian Prime Minister

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Romania - Townhall Discussion with Romanian Youth

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Romania - Address to the joint session of the Romanian Parliament

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Romania - Meeting with Alina GORGHIU, President of the Romanian Senate

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Romania - Meeting with Nicolae-Ionel CIUCÃ, Romanian Prime Minister

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Nicolae CIUCA, Romanian Prime Minister

COVI Special Committee - lessons learned and recommendations for the future - Exchange of views with Professor Alexandru Rafila, Romanian Minister of  Health

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Marcel CIOLACU, President of the Romanian Parliament

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Klaus IOHANNIS, Romanian President

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Anca DRAGU, President of the Romanian Senate

David SASSOLI, EP President in video meeting with Marcel CIOLACU, Romanian President of the Chamber of Deputies

Official visit of Florin CITU, Romanian Prime Minister

Dacian CIOLOS meets with Florin CITU Romanian Prime Minister

Renew Europe, Romanian delegation group photo

&lt;p>Democrația poate părea firească azi în Uniunea Europeană, dar nu a fost mereu la fel. În vremuri nu foarte îndepărtate, milioane de europeni nu puteau vota și nici măcar nu puteau să se exprime liber. Simplul fapt că erau diferiți, că aveau alte convingeri sau că își doreau o viață diferită îi putea pune în pericol de moarte. Democrația e un dar prețios, primit de la generațiile anterioare. Predecesorii noștri au aspirat la democrație și au luptat să o obțină. Acum este de datoria noastră să o păstrăm, să o facem mai puternică și să o transmitem generațiilor viitoare. Cel mai eficient mod de a consolida democrația este votul – cu cât votează mai mulți oameni, cu atât democrația devine mai puternică. Între 6 și 9 iunie 2024: Folosește-ți votul sau alții vor decide pentru tine.&lt;/p>&lt;p>© ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.&lt;/p>

Folosește-ți votul – European elections 2024 video – Romanian (International Sign) 16:9

&lt;p>Democrația poate părea firească azi în Uniunea Europeană, dar nu a fost mereu la fel. În vremuri nu foarte îndepărtate, milioane de europeni nu puteau vota și nici măcar nu puteau să se exprime liber. Simplul fapt că erau diferiți, că aveau alte convingeri sau că își doreau o viață diferită îi putea pune în pericol de moarte. Democrația e un dar prețios, primit de la generațiile anterioare. Predecesorii noștri au aspirat la democrație și au luptat să o obțină. Acum este de datoria noastră să o păstrăm, să o facem mai puternică și să o transmitem generațiilor viitoare. Cel mai eficient mod de a consolida democrația este votul – cu cât votează mai mulți oameni, cu atât democrația devine mai puternică. Între 6 și 9 iunie 2024: Folosește-ți votul sau alții vor decide pentru tine.&lt;/p>&lt;p>© ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.&lt;/p>&lt;p> &lt;/p>

Folosește-ți votul – European elections 2024 video – Romanian (audiodescription) 4:5

Folosește-ți votul – European elections 2024 video – Romanian (dubbed) 4:5

Folosește-ți votul – European elections 2024 video – Romanian (audiodescription) 16:9

Folosește-ți votul – European elections 2024 video – Romanian (subtitled) 4:5

Folosește-ți votul – European elections 2024 video – Romanian (dubbed) 16:9

Folosește-ți votul – European elections 2024 video – Romanian (subtitled) 16:9

How does Europe affect our everyday lives? How does it impact on our jobs, our families, our health care, our journeys and our consumer choices? And how is Europe present in our towns, cities and regions? As European citizens, no matter where we live, how we make our living, or how we spend our time, the EU has an impact on our daily lives. The website 'What Europe does for me' presents a wide range of short, easy-to-read texts drawn up by the European Parliamentary Research Service, focusing on what the European Union does and the impact it has on us all. It explores EU actions from the individual’s point of view, with many examples of projects and support.

EPRS - What Europe does for me: Supporting people with disabilities - Romanian (subtitles)

EPRS - What Europe does for me: Supporting women in the workplace - Romanian (subtitles)

Global challenges – including climate change, geopolitical conflict, erosion of democratic principles and social inequalities – affect people's daily lives and future prospects.A collective European response over the next 10 years could help to address these challenges – and offer benefits worth up to €3 trillion a year. This represents around 18 % of EU gross domestic product (GDP), equivalent to €6 700 per citizen per year. Referring to the European Parliament's work during the 2019-2024 term, our research has identified action in 10 policy areas that could unleash Europe's potential – without the need for Treaty change.

EPRS - Mapping the cost of non-Europe: Ten ways that Europe could do more for you - Romanian (subtitles)

EP Plenary session - Voting session, including the resolution regarding the immediate risk of mass starvation in Gaza and the attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries, the resolution regarding the repressive environment in Afghanistan, including public executions and violence against women, and the resolution about the adoption of the Special Measure in favour of Tunisia for 2023. It also includes the vote on the case of Rocío San Miguel and General Hernández Da Costa, the subscription by the European Union to additional shares in the capital of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and amending the Agreement establishing the EBRD, financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, the return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia, the creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children and the ohesion policy 2014-2020 – implementation and outcomes in the Member States

EP Plenary session - Voting session, including the resolutions about Gaza, Afghanistan and Tunisia

Leading up to the European Parliament elections in June 2024, President Metsola intends to tour all EU Member States, urging citizens to participate in the voting process. Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, meets with Marcel CIOLACU, Romanian Prime Minister, during her official visit to Bucharest (Romani). This news item shows extracts from the arrival and meeting between the two leaders.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Bucharest (Romania): arrival and meeting with Marcel CIOLACU, Prime Minister of Romania

EP President Roberta METSOLA meets with Alfred SIMONIS, Acting President of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania at the Chamber of Deputies of Romania in Bucharest.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Bucharest (Romania): arrival and meeting with Alfred SIMONIS, Acting President of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania at the Chamber of Deputies of Romania

Leading up to the European Parliament elections in June 2024, President Metsola intends to tour all EU Member States, urging citizens to participate in the voting process. Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, meets with Nicolae CIUCA, President of the Romanian Senate, during her official visit to Bucharest.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Bucharest (Romania): arrival, signature of the golden book and meeting with Nicolae CIUCA, President of the Senate of Romania at the Senate

In Bucharest, EP President Roberta METSOLA meets with Raluca TURCAN, Romanian Minister of Culture, signs the golden book and exchanges with young people at the Romanian National Opera.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Bucharest (Romania): arrival, meeting with Raluca TURCAN, Romanian Minister of Culture, signature of the golden book and Town Hall Discussion with Young Romanians

Romanian version. Together.eu is a community of people who believe in democracy and who want to give it real meaning as the next European elections approach. It connects people from across Europe to meet, share knowledge and learn new skills, all while encouraging others to vote in 2024.

Together for democracy (Romanian version)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Ion-Marcel CIOLACU, Romanian Prime Minister, in the European Parliament, in Brussels. Extracts from the arrival, welcome and roundtable.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meets with Ion-Marcel CIOLACU, Romanian Prime Minister: arrival, welcome and roundtable

The official announcement has been made: European citizens will elect the new Members of the European Parliament from 6th to 9th June 2024. Roberta METSOLA, EP President, gives a statement in a video message.

Romanian subtitles - Message of the President of the European Parliament Roberta METSOLA on the 2024 European Parliament elections

1,683 results

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

EP Plenary session - Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia