At a glance: the European Parliament hosts the sixth annual Gender Equality Week; a delegation from the Employment and Social Affairs Committee concludes its visit to Cyprus; and the Commissioner for Enlargement presents the 2025 enlargement package to the Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

News in Brief – 30/10/2025 - English

At a glance: the Committee on Foreign Affairs to vote on EU security and defence policies, focusing on relations with Ukraine, Russia and China and on enlargement; the Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Budgets are set to vote on a Reform and Growth Facility of around EUR 1.8 billion to support Moldova’s reforms aimed at EU membership; a new parliamentary committee on the EU housing crisis will hold its first meeting.

News in Brief – 29/01/2025 - English

At a glance: Commissioner Marta Kos discusses EU enlargement with MEPs; Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee reviews Europol report on terrorism threats; applications are open for 2025 Charlemagne Youth Prize.

News in Brief – 16/01/2025 - English

At a glance: the latest Eurobarometer survey shows growing support for the EU’s common agricultural policy; a public hearing explores how tax policies affect gender equality; the new Commissioner for Enlargement is set to address MEPs.

News in Brief – 13/01/2025 - English

At a glance: in Strasbourg, the European Parliament will elect its new President; MEPs will form committees, sub-committees and delegations; the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement.

News in Brief – 15/07/2024 - English

At a glance: the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement; the approaching European elections; and the 2024 Europe Day celebrations.

News in Brief – 02/05/2024 - English

In this episode, we dive into European history to celebrate a key milestone: the 20th anniversary of the largest-ever EU enlargement. On 1 May 2004, ten countries in the heart of Europe joined the EU, adding nine new official EU working languages. It was a moment of celebration, unity and limitless opportunity.

The 20th anniversary of the biggest EU enlargement

At a glance: the 20th anniversary of the biggest EU enlargement; President Metsola visit to Malta and Europe’s Days.

News in Brief – 30/04/2024 - English

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

State of the European Union 2023

Addressing MEPs, Prime Minister of Luxembourg Luc Frieden stressed Europe must recommit to its core values of liberty, democracy, and the rule of law. In his ‘This is Europe’ address to the European Parliament Luc Frieden said Europe is at a pivotal moment, facing the international turmoil of technological revolution, economic shifts, climate change, and migratory flows. For 80 years Europe’s success and way of life have been built on an international order of rules, treaties and institutions, he said, adding that “today, that system is under pressure like never before.

Too few defend it, too many have lost faith in it. But Europe cannot give up on the rules-based system and international law. We must remain the voice of these values.” The Prime Minster highlighted the need to “revive hope and show that accession to the EU is realistic and close” and called for a shorter and clearer timeline for countries that want to join the EU, with a decision on Montenegro’s accession needed in 2026. Enlargement is a question of strategic interests, he said, and keeping countries in an “eternal waiting room will push them away from Europe”. He also expressed his support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Parliament initiated the ‘This is Europe’ debates in the 2019-2024 term to discuss the future of the EU. Fourteen EU heads of state or government have since held plenary debates with MEPs. Luc Frieden is the first leader to do so in this current term.

This is Europe Debates

Candidate countries include Montenegro, Albania, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are considered potential candidates.

In order to apply for EU membership a country has to be European and respect the EU’s democratic values. It also needs stable institutions guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law; a functioning market economy; and the ability to take on and carry out the obligations of EU membership.

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans (2019-2020)

The EU has developed a policy to support the gradual integration of the Western Balkan countries with the Union. The EU aims to promote peace, stability and economic development in the region&nbsp;and open up the prospect of EU integration.

In order to apply for EU membership a country has to be European and respect the EU’s democratic values. It also needs stable institutions guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law; a functioning market economy; and the ability to take on and carry out the obligations of EU membership.

Parliament is fully involved in the Stabilisation and Association Process &nbsp;and must also consent to any new accession to the EU. In addition, through its budgetary powers, it has direct influence over the amounts allocated to the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance. Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs appoints standing rapporteurs for all candidate and potential candidate countries. Parliament expresses its positions on enlargement in the form of annual resolutions responding to the Commission’s latest annual country reports.

On 1&nbsp;July&nbsp;2013, Croatia became the first of the seven countries to join, and Montenegro, Serbia, the Republic of North Macedonia and Albania are official candidates. Accession negotiations and chapters have been opened with Montenegro and Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidate countries.

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans

MEPs in the Foreign Affairs Committee meet Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. The discussion is expected to focus on the state of play and the progress made by the ten enlargement countries.

AFET debate with Marta KOS, Commissioner  for Enlargement

Marta Kos is self-employed, working through Kos Consulting and Coaching since 2021. From 2017 to 2021, she was the Slovenian Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and the Ambassador to Germany and Latvia (2013-2017). She is now the European Commissioner-designate for Enlargement, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Marta KOS, Commissioner-designate, Enlargement

Olivér Várhely was European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement in the von der Leyen Commission I. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Health and Animal Welfare, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designated, Health and Animal Welfare

MEPs discuss with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán the programme for Hungary’s six-month Council Presidency that started on 1 July 2024.The Hungarian government has announced the following priorities for its six month Presidency: A new European competitiveness deal; Boosting European defence policy; A consistent and merit-based enlargement policy; Stemming illegal migration; Shaping the future of cohesion policy; A farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy; Addressing demographic challenges.


During the 2019-2024 legislative period, Parliament repeatedly denounced the Hungarian government’s deliberate and systematic efforts to undermine EU values and the threat it poses for EU institutions and funds. MEPs have expressed serious concerns about the Orbán government’s ability to credibly fulfil its role leading the Council. According to Parliament, the situation has worsened since the activation of the Article 7(1) procedure - to the point that Hungary can no longer be considered a full democracy.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency

LIBE - Proposal for a Council decision determining, pursuant to Article 7(1) of the Treaty on European Union, the existence of a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the Union is founded

Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting Presentation of the 2025 Enlargement Package by Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement

AFET

Committee on Foreign Affairs Extraordinary meeting Structured dialogue with Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement

Press point by Marta KOS, Commissioner-designate for Enlargement

Press point by David MCALLISTER (EPP, Germany), Chair of AFET, following the confirmation hearing of Marta KOS, Commissioner-designate for Enlargement

CONFIRMATION

HEARING

Interinstitutional Body for Ethical Standards (debate)

Pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews (debate)

Framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act) (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Statements by the President

Voting time

Plenary session

AFET - Presentation of the 2025 Enlargement Package by Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement

EP Plenary session - Institutional consequences of the EU enlargement negotiations

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Oliver VÁRHELYI, Commissioner for Neigbourhood and Enlargement

EP Plenary session.- 2023 and 2024 reports on North Macedonia

EP Plenary session - 2023 and 2024 reports on Bosnia and Herzegovina

EP Plenary session - 2023 and 2024 reports on Albania

CONT - Public Hearing on Two Decades of progress: Evaluating the successes and lessons in implementing the EU budget from the Enlargements since 2004

EP Plenary session - Institutional and political implications of the EU enlargement process and global challenges

MEPs vote on the following files: Gozi (A10-0177/2025) - Institutional consequences of the EU enlargement negotiations; Polarization and increased repression in Serbia, one year after the Novi Sad tragedy; and on Situation in Belarus, five years after the fraudulent presidential elections.

Voting Session on motions for resolutions on EU enlargement negotioations, situations in Serbia and Belarus

Closing statements of the debate on criminal intimidation against investigative journalists in the EU, the attempted attack to Sigfrido Ranucci. Closing statement by Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement.

Criminal intimidation against investigative journalists in the EU - the attempted attack to Sigfrido Ranucci: closing statement by Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement

Opening statements by Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement of the debate on criminal intimidation against investigative journalists in the EU, the attempted attack to Sigfrido Ranucci. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Criminal intimidation against investigative journalists in the EU - the attempted attack to Sigfrido Ranucci: opening statements by Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement

Closing statements by Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement, Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, and by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission guarantees and a just peace for Ukraine, as well as the country’s path towards EU membership. During the debate on EU action to ensure security guarantees for Ukraine, speakers take stock of the outcome of US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska during the summer, and the continued Russian bombardment of Ukrainian cities following the summit. MEPs also discuss a report prepared by Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, which encourages the Ukrainian government to keep up the momentum on implementing reforms along the path towards EU membership.

EU action to ensure security guarantees and just peace for Ukraine: Closing statements by Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement, Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, and by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs

In their remarks, EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja KALLAS, Rapporteur Michael GAHLER, and Enlargement Commissioner Marta KOS reaffirmed the European Union’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine as it faces Russia’s continued aggression. KALLAS announced the 19th sanctions Package against Russia and underscored the EU’s extensive support for Ukraine, totaling more than €169 billion since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Gahler and Kos both stressed Ukraine’s determination to join the European Union, emphasizing that EU membership represents the most robust guarantee of the country’s long-term security in light of Russia’s persistent hostility. The discussion also centered on Ukraine’s reform achievements, as acknowledged in the Commission’s Enlargement report. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EU action to ensure security guarantees and just peace for Ukraine: Opening statements by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs, Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, and by Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement

Following the release of Siarhei Tsikhanouski, MEPs discuss the situation in Belarus and its political prisoners. Siarhei Tsikhanouski, the prominent Belarusian political prisoner and husband of opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, was unexpectedly freed alongside 13 other political prisoners in Belarus last month. Arrested in 2020 after launching his candidacy to run in the country’s presidential elections against Aliaksandr Lukashenka, he was sentenced to 18 years for, among other trumped-up charges, leading anti-regime protests. His wife, Tsikhanouskaya, ran in his place, fuelling massive protests against Lukashenka’s eventual disputed victory; she subsequently fled into exile. In a statement issued after Tsikhanouski’s release, several MEPs said the U.S-brokered release offers hope for the more than 1,150 political prisoners who remain incarcerated in Belarus. This transcription is a result of an automated process. Please check against delivery.

Council and Commission statements - Situation in Belarus, in particular the release of political prisoners :Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement, and Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs

Council and Commission statements - Situation in Belarus, in particular the release of political prisoners :Opening statements by Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs, and Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement

MEPs discuss the human cost of Russia’s war on Ukraine with representatives of the Polish Council Presidency and the Commission. The plenary debate is expected to focus on the latest developments in Ukraine, amid international pressure on Russia to negotiate a peace deal, and Moscow’s relentless drone attacks and bombing of civilians in major Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv. Opening statements Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression: the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians - Opening statements by Marta KOS, Adam SZŁAPKA

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, is participating in the 2025 Dayton Dialogue Forum, where U.S. and European representatives are reflecting on thirty years of peace in the Western Balkans and discussing NATO’s value. Held alongside the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s spring session in Dayton, Ohio (May 22–25), the forum also explores future transatlantic strategy and shared security challenges.

5,947 results

Topics (19)

Events (8)

Streaming (34)

Videos (419)

Photoset (253)

Photos (5,196)

Audios (18)