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

At a glance: Europe Day at the European Parliament in Strasbourg; Parliament’s final plenary session before the European elections; and celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement.

News in Brief – 27/04/2024 - 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

The European Union's enlargement policy is based on established criteria and fair and rigorous conditionality.

Progress along the European path is an objective and merit-based process which depends on the concrete results achieved by each individual country, with the rule of law, justice and fundamental rights being an utmost priority. A credible enlargement perspective requires sustained efforts and irreversible reforms. The EU Enlargement is an investment in peace, security and stability in Europe: a prospect of EU membership has a powerful transformative effect on the partners in the process, embedding positive democratic, political, economic and societal change.

Albania, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey are candidate countries.The European Council has decided to grant the status of candidate country to Ukraine and to the Republic of Moldova in June 2022.

Negotiations are held with each candidate country to determine their ability to apply EU legislation (acquis) and examine their possible request for transition periods.

Enlargement

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

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

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

AFET

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

Proposals for Union acts

Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel, the need for de-escalation and an EU response (debate)

Formal sitting – 20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

The attack on climate and nature: far right and conservative attempts to destroy the Green Deal and prevent investment in our future (topical debate)

Amending Directive 2013/36/EU as regards supervisory powers, sanctions, third-country branches, and environmental, social and governance risks - Amending Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 as regards requirements for credit risk, credit valuation adjustment risk, operational risk, market risk and the output floor (joint debate - Banking Union)

The sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive - Anti-Money Laundering Regulation - Establishing the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (joint debate - Anti-money laundering)

The European Parliament's right of inquiry (debate)

Voting time (continuation)

La Hulpe declaration on the future of social Europe (debate)

Forging a sustainable future together: economic, social and territorial challenges for a competitive, cohesive and inclusive Europe (debate)

Recent attempts to deny dictatorships and the risk of Europe returning to totalitarianism (debate)

Azerbaijan, notably the repression of civil society and the cases of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and Ilhamiz Guliyev

The proposed repeal of the law banning female genital mutilation in The Gambia

The new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John

The anti-LGBTIQ bill passed by the Ghanaian parliament with implications for human rights, freedom of expression and democratic principles (debate)

Advance passenger information: enhancing and facilitating external border controls - Advance passenger information: prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime (joint debate - Advance passenger information)

Explanations of vote

Agenda of the next sitting

20240424-0900-PLENARY

Closure of the sitting

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

Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates at the Dayton Dialogue

AFET Working group on Western Balkans  - Exchange of views with Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement on the state of play of the enlargement process with regard to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia

AFET - Exchange of views with Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement

EU-Western Balkan Summit

EP Plenary session - Parliament’s statements - Preparation of the EU-Western Balkans Summit

AFET - Confirmation hearing of Marta KOS, European Commissioner-designate for Enlargement.- Press point

AFET - Confirmation hearing of Marta KOS, European Commissioner-designate 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 :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.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates at the Dayton Dialogue: extracts from the keynote speech

During the 2025 Dayton Dialogue Forum, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola engaged in a discussion with Frederick Kempe, President and CEO of the Atlantic Council. This high-level forum brought together U.S. and European officials to commemorate 30 years of peace in the Western Balkans and to underscore NATO’s continued relevance to the American public. Held alongside the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s spring session in Dayton, Ohio (May 22–25), the event focused on shaping future transatlantic strategy and tackling today’s most pressing security challenges.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates at Dayton Dialogues: Q&A, moderated by Frederick KEMPE, President and CEO of the Atlantic Council

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is taking part in the 2025 Dayton Dialogue Forum, a high-level gathering of U.S. and European officials focused on marking three decades of peace in the Western Balkans and highlighting NATO’s relevance to the American public. Coinciding with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s spring session in Dayton, Ohio (May 22–25), the forum aims to shape future transatlantic strategy and address today’s key security challenges. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates at Dayton Dialogues: Keynote Speech

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, delivers a press statement during the European Political Community (EPC) meeting in Tirana, Albania, addressing EU enlargement, partnerships with the United Kingdom and the United States, and the European Union’s support for Ukraine. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates to the European Political Community (EPC) meeting in Tirana (Albania): arrival and doorstep

Riho TERRAS (EPP, ET) and Tonino PICULA (S&D, HR), Rapporteurs, hold a press conference on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Kosovo and on Serbia. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Riho TERRAS (EPP, ET) and Tonino PICULA (S&D, HR), Rapporteurs, on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Kosovo and on Serbia

The European Parliament will vote on the report on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Türkiye on 07/05. Before the vote, Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR (S&D, ES), Rapporteur, answers questions from journalists during a press conference. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR (S&D, ES), Rapporteur, on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Türkiye

MEPs discuss the latest developments in Türkiye, including the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Thousands of people in Türkiye have been demonstrating since 19 March 2025 when Turkish authorities arrested Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on corruption charges. İmamoğlu , who is considered as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival, said the allegations against him are politically motivated. In a joint statement, the EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos urged Türkiye’s authorities to provide full transparency on their actions. Closing statement by Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement on behalf of HRVP

Crackdown on democracy in Türkiye and the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu: closing statement by Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement on behalf of HRVP

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