The winner of the LUX - European Audience Film Award 2025 is ’Flow’.
The LUX Award puts a spotlight on films that deal with social and political themes. It aims to encourage debate and reflection and uses films to help build a stronger European identity.

LUX - The European Audience Film Award 2025

The five films in the running for the 2025 LUX Audience Award are:  Animal, Dahomey, Flow, Intercepted and Julie Keeps Quiet.
The LUX Award puts a spotlight on films that deal with social and political themes. It aims to encourage debate and reflection and use films to help build a stronger European identity.

Electrification is gaining momentum across many sectors, including transport, buildings and industry, driven by the EU's climate ambition and security of supply. As the cost of renewable energy technologies like solar and wind continues to fall, electrification presents an opportunity to reshape the European economy, enhancing competitiveness and promoting sustainable growth.

EPRS Science and Technology podcast - What if electrification transformed the EU economy?

Everyone should be free to be themselves and love who they want to love without fear. 
Yet lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people still face discrimination in many parts of the world, including Europe. 
The EU is strongly committed to fighting against discrimination. Listen to find out more about how the EU is trying to build a more inclusive society where everyone can feel safe.

Fighting discrimination against LGBTIQ people

At a glance: landmark buildings across the EU will be lit up in blue on Europe Day; there is one month to go until the European elections; entries can now be submitted for the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism.

News in Brief – 07/05/2024 - English

At a glance: the 74th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration; Europe Day celebrations in all EU buildings in Brussels; and the online survey ‘Democracy and You’.

News in Brief – 03/05/2024 - English

The winner of the  LUX - European Audience Film Award 2024 is  ‘The Teachers’ Lounge’
The LUX Award is an instrument for highlighting and reflecting on films that deal with social and political themes. It aims at encouraging debate and reflection and using films to help build a stronger European identity.

The European Audience Film Award 2024

At a glance: during the plenary session, MEPs outlined their priorities for the next European Council meeting; the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive; and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola commemorates the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in Madrid.

News in Brief – 13/03/2024 - English

At a glance: the plenary session is under way; Parliament is voting on plans to decarbonise the buildings sector; MEPs are looking ahead to the March European Council and Parliament is commemorating International Women’s Day.

News in Brief – 11/03/2024 - English

At a glance: energy performance of buildings in the EU; the extension of trade liberalisation measures to support Ukraine and Moldova; and International Women’s Day.

News in Brief – 08/03/2024 - English

At a glance: Parliament’s political groups prepare for the next plenary session in Strasbourg. On the agenda: the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Artificial Intelligence Act. The deal to ban products made with forced labour from the EU market.

News in Brief – 06/03/2024 - English

The world is not on track to keep the global temperature rise below 2°C. Even under the most optimistic scenarios, the temperature rise is expected to overshoot 1.5°C for a while, before falling back below 1.5°C thanks to large-scale carbon removals. While action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and scale up carbon dioxide removal remains crucial, there is an urgent need to reinforce efforts to adapt to climate change, in order to avoid losses and build resilience.

EPRS Policy Podcast - Climate overshoot and adaptation: Issues to watch in 2024

The EU is committed to continuous improvement in learning opportunities, and addressing educational challenges. In this frame, the European Education Area (EEA) initiative aims to create a more interconnected education system. The EEA's primary goals include enhancing cooperation and mobility in education and building inclusive systems. A significant aspect is the focus on learning mobility, aiming to overcome barriers for students and educators.

Advancing Education: Exploring EU Learning Mobility Initiatives

The winner of the 2023 LUX Audience Award is ‘Close’. LUX – the European Audience Film Award’ is an instrument for highlighting and reflecting on films that deal with social and political themes. It aims at encouraging debate and using films to help build a stronger European identity.

LUX – The European Audience Film Award 2023

According to the European Commission, buildings consume 40% of the EU’s energy and are responsible for 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. While the entire European Union is trying to limit its energy consumption, urgent measures must be taken to address this situation. In March 2023, Parliament adopted draft measures to increase the rate of renovations and substantially reduce both energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions.

A climate neutral building sector by 2050 - English

The five films that are running for the 2023 LUX Audience Award are: ‘Alcarràs’, ‘Burning days’, ‘Close’, ‘Triangle of Sadness’ and ‘Will O’-The-Wisp’. The LUX Award’ is an instrument for highlighting and reflecting on films that deal with social and political themes. It aims at encouraging debate and using cinema to help build a stronger European identity.

LUX - The European Audience Film Award 2023

From 1 July to 31 December 2025 Denmark will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.&nbsp;Under the slogan ‘A strong Europe in a changing world’, the Danish Presidency will work for a secure Europe as well as a competitive and green Europe.

The EU is facing a new international order marked by uncertainty, global strategic and economic competition, and rising levels of conflict. That is why the EU must be able to act in its own right. The EU’s strength lies in European unity, a solid economic foundation, stable democracies, and socially balanced societies, among other things. This strength must be developed further and used to promote and defend both European interests and the international legal order. The Danish EU Presidency will work for a strong and resolute EU that takes responsibility for its own security and for strengthening its competitiveness. This calls for the EU to match words with action and deliver on the challenges it faces. The green transition is essential to building a more secure and competitive Europe. &nbsp;

The Conference of Presidents, political group leaders as well as President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, were in Copenhagen on 3 June&nbsp;to discuss priorities ahead of the Danish Presidency of the Council.

Danish presidency

Equality and non-discrimination are core EU values and fundamental rights, enshrined in the Treaties and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. However, research by the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) shows that discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people persists across the EU.

The Commission presented the 'LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025' on 12 November 2020. This was&nbsp;the first ever full EU strategy in this area and is intended to build on the lessons learned from the European Commission's previous actions to advance LGBTI equality from 2015-2019.

In recent years, social acceptance of LGBTIQ people has declined in some Member States. Gaps remain in the EU's legislative framework for combating discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. Combating discrimination has become part of EU internal and external policies, and is the subject of numerous resolutions of the European Parliament. In response to the backsliding of LGBTIQ rights in some EU countries, notably Poland and Hungary, MEPs&nbsp;declared the EU an “LGBTIQ Freedom Zone”.

In 2021 Parliament “condemned&nbsp;in the strongest possible terms” the anti-LGBTIQ legislation and denounced&nbsp;the dismantling of democracy and the rule of law in Hungary.&nbsp;In a resolution&nbsp;MEPs described the Hungarian law as being in clear breach of fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter of fundamental rights, the Treaties and EU internal market legislation.

LGBTIQ freedom in the EU

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

The European Parliament has its seat in Strasbourg in France where the 12 monthly part-sessions, including the session at which the decision on the annual EU budget is taken, should be held.

Find in this package, audiovisual content of the activities of the European Parliament in Strasbourg such as atmosphere inside and outside the buildings and parliamentary work.

The European Parliament in Strasbourg

The energy union strategy aims at building an energy union that gives EU consumers - households and businesses - secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy.&nbsp;The five pillars of the Energy Union are:&nbsp;accelerating decarbonisation with the EU Emission Trading System (ETS) and renewables at is core; scaling up energy efficiency; enhancing energy security and safety; strengthening the internal market; research, innovation and competitiveness.&nbsp; Since 2021, Europe has experienced a hike in energy prices that is part of a global surge. The&nbsp;Russian invasion of Ukraine&nbsp;in 2022 has further affected the energy markets, causing new increases of energy prices and concerns over the EU’s ability to secure its energy supply. &nbsp;

Energy union

Colombia is a key partner for the European Union in Latin America.

The EU's relations with Colombia are based on political dialogue, trade cooperation, joint efforts to achieve sustainable development and support to peace-building.

In particular, the European Union has supported peace negotiations between the Colombian authorities and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) since the very beginning. The fight against organised crime, the respect for human rights, climate change and the protection of biodiversity are common challenges that the European Union and Colombia wish to address. However, the highest priority for both parties now is the pursuit of stable and lasting peace.

EU - Colombia

The European Parliament has its seat in Strasbourg in France but the bulk of its political work is done at its site in Brussels where the parliamentary committees should meet as well as additional part-sessions.

Find in this package, audiovisual content of the activities of the European Parliament in Brussels such as atmosphere inside and outside the buildings or&nbsp;parliamentary work.

The European Parliament in Brussels

EP President Metsola made&nbsp;a statement at the opening of the February session, followed by a full debate on the emergency humanitarian aid the EU can provide to Türkiye and Syria after the catastrophic earthquake, which cost the lives of more than 30 000&nbsp;people and destroyed tens of thousands of buildings, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.

Turkey has been candidate for EU membership since 1999. Accession negotiations started in 2005. In recent years the EU is often criticizing the backsliding of the country in certain areas. As a major emerging economy and a member of NATO and G20, Türkiye&nbsp;is recognised as an active regional foreign policy player, with a strategic location, including for the EU's energy security. Turkey is a key strategic partner of the EU on issues such as migration, security, counter-terrorism, and the economy, but according to the EU has been backsliding in the areas of democracy, rule of law and fundamental right.

EU - Türkiye

The film “Flow”, directed by Latvian Gints Zilbalodis, was awarded the 2025 LUX Audience Award at a ceremony&nbsp;&nbsp;in the European Parliament in Brussels. “Flow”, a Latvian, French and Belgian co-production, tells the story of Cat, a solitary animal whose home is devastated by a great flood. In his efforts to adapt to a new world, Cat finds refuge on a boat populated by other animals. The film deals with issues that are central in the European Parliament’s work: climate change, migration, displacement, and resilience.

The four other films shortlisted for the award were: “Animal” by Greek director Sofia&nbsp;Exarchou, “Dahomey” by French director Mati&nbsp;Diop, “Intercepted” by Ukranian director Oksana&nbsp;Karpovych, and “Julie keeps quiet” by Belgian director Leonardo&nbsp;van&nbsp;Dijl. The winning film was chosen by combining a public vote and a vote by MEPs, each weighted at 50%.

The LUX Audience Film Award is presented every year by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas. A symbol of the European Parliament’s commitment to culture, the Lux award continues to build cultural bridges across Europe, by putting the spotlight on films that go to the heart of the European public debate. The award aims to strengthen ties between politics and citizens, by inviting European audiences to become active protagonists and cast their vote for their favourite films.

Lux Audience Award 2025

The LUX Audience Film Award is presented every year by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas. A symbol of the European Parliament’s commitment to culture, the Lux award continues to build cultural bridges across Europe, by putting the spotlight on films that go to the heart of the European public debate.

The award aims to strengthen ties between politics and citizens, by inviting European audiences to become active protagonists and cast their vote for their favourite films.

“The Teachers’ Lounge” by German director Ilker Çatak won the 2024 LUX European Audience Film Award, in a ceremony in Parliament’s hemicycle in Brussels.

The film, produced in Germany, tells a story about Carla, a young high school teacher, distinguished from her colleagues by her idealism. When a series of unsolved thefts sour the atmosphere among the teaching staff, Carla decides to investigate. With the help of a hidden camera and to everyone’s surprise, she exposes the thief but her revelation unleashes forces that slide steadily out of control and presents Carla with an unsolvable dilemma.

The five films shortlisted for the 2024 LUX European Audience film award were&nbsp;unveiled at the Venice film festival on Friday 1st of September.&nbsp; 20 000 Species of Bees, Fallen Leaves, On the Adamant, Smoke Sauna Sisterhood and The Teachers’ Lounge&nbsp;competed for the 2024 LUX Audience Award.

Lux Audience Award 2024

In March 2021, the European Commission adopted the Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030. The Strategy builds on the results of the previous European Disability Strategy 2010-2020, which paved the way to a barrier-free Europe and to empower persons with disabilities so they can enjoy their rights and participate fully in society and economy.

Despite the progress made in the past decade, persons with disabilities still face considerable barriers and have a higher risk of poverty and social exclusion.

The objective of this Strategy is to progress towards ensuring that all persons with disabilities in Europe, regardless of their sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age or sexual orientation enjoy their human rights, have equal opportunities, equal access to participate in society and economy, are able to decide where, how and with whom they live, move freely in the EU regardless of their support needs and no longer experience discrimination.

The EU and its Member States are committed to improving social and economic situation of disabled people building on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and on the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. The European Union and all its Member States are party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

European Disability Strategy

As part of the European Green Deal, with the European Climate Law, the EU has set itself a binding target of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This requires current greenhouse gas emission levels to drop substantially in the next decades. As an intermediate step towards climate neutrality, the EU has raised its 2030 climate ambition, committing to cutting emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

On 18 April 2023, MEPs&nbsp; adopted the reform of EU´s Emissions Trading System including for aviation and the maritime sector, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and a new Social Climate fund. The&nbsp;deal on the reform of the Emissions Trading System (ETS)&nbsp;increases the ambition for 2030, phases out free allowances to companies and creates a separate new ETS II for fuel for road transport and buildings that will put a price on emissions from these sectors by 2027.

According to the&nbsp;agreement with EU countries, an EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will be set up to ensure that importers of goods covered by the EU ETS would have to pay any price difference between the price paid for carbon in the country of production and the price of carbon allowances in the EU ETS. This will incentivise non-EU countries to increase their climate ambition and ensure that EU and global climate efforts are not undermined by production being relocated from the EU to countries with less ambitious policies.

A separate deal with member states&nbsp;sets up an EU Social Climate Fund to ensure that the climate transition will be fair and socially inclusive. Vulnerable households, micro-enterprises and transport users who are particularly affected by energy and transport poverty will benefit from the fund. When fully in place, it will be funded from auctioning ETS II allowances up to an amount of €65 billion, with an additional 25% covered by national resources (amounting to an estimated total of €86.7 billion).

As part of the "Fit for 55 " package, thePArliamnet has also adopted during MArch 2024, plans, already agreed upon with Council, to help reduce energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the buildings sector.

The proposed revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive aims to progressively reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sector, and make it climate neutral by 2050. It also aims to have more worst-performing buildings renovated and improve information-sharing on energy performance.

More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240308IPR19003/energy-efficiency-of-buildings-meps-adopt-plans-to-decarbonise-the-sector">https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240308IPR19003/energy-efficiency-of-buildings-meps-adopt-plans-to-decarbonise-the-sector</a>

Fit for 55

Plastics are everywhere in our daily life: they are used in packaging, buildings, cars, electronics, agriculture and other sectors. On 3 July 2021, the EU ban on disposable plastics comes into effect. This will concern straws, cups, cutlery, plates, but also balloon rods.

Single-use plastic products are used once, or for a short period of time, before being thrown away. The impacts of this plastic waste on the environment and our health are global and can be drastic. Single-use plastic products are more likely to end up in our seas than reusable options.

The 10 most commonly found single-use plastic items on European beaches, alongside fishing gear, represent 70% of all marine litter in the EU. According to the directive on single-use plastics where sustainable alternatives are easily available and affordable, single-use plastic products cannot be placed on the markets of EU Member States. This applies to cotton bud sticks, cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers, and sticks for balloons.

It will also apply to cups, food and beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene, and on all products made of oxo-degradable plastic. The EU aims to become a forerunner in the global fight against marine litter and plastic pollution. EU rules aim to reduce the volume and impact of certain plastic products on environment.

Plastics production is 20 times higher than in 1960s, and is forecast to almost quadruple by 2050. Although there are thousands of types of plastics, 90% of plastics are derived from virgin fossil fuels. About 6% of global oil consumption is used to produce plastics; by 2050, this share could reach 20%. In Europe, about 40% of post-consumer plastic waste is incinerated with energy recovery, and the rest is either landfilled or recycled. About half of the plastic waste collected and recycled is treated in the European Union; the other half is exported, mainly to China.

EU Strategy for Plastics and packaging

Since the beginning of the pandemic COVID-19, the EU has developed a wide range of health policy responses, exemplified by the common approach to vaccines through the EU Vaccines Strategy and initiatives across a range of other policies.

A common approach to assessing infection rates in different regions made testing and quarantining much more consistent. EU Digital COVID Certificates were agreed on and implemented in record time, paving the way for the safe resumption of tourism and travel during summer, and beyond.

At the same time, the EU took decisive action to tackle the economic fallout of the pandemic with funds and special economic aid for&nbsp;Member states, entreprises and citizens.

The EU Health Union is underway with&nbsp;reinforcing the mandates of the European Medicines Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, addressing cross-border threats to health and creating a future-proof EU pharmaceutical policy. MEPs obtained better support for the EU4Health programme in the 2022 EU budget, with an additional €51 million to build up a strong Health Union and to make national health systems more resilient.

Effective coordination of national measures as well as solidarity among member states together with the importance of&nbsp;making national health systems more sustainable and resilient are the main challenges of the EU, learned from&nbsp;the&nbsp;COVID-19 pandemic.

EU's response to COVID-19

<div style="padding-top: 10px;">House of European History - a place to debate, question and reflect on Europe's history: opening on 6 May. 
Its exhibits are available in all 24 official European Union languages and entrance is free. Tailored resources are available for schools, families and groups, offering a fascinating experience for all. </div>

&nbsp;

The House of European History is located in Parc Léopold, in the heart of the European district, close to the European Parliament in Brussels. The 25-acre park is on the site of the former Royal Zoological Garden and was opened to the public in 1880. The building itself has been painstakingly renovated in line with its 1930s origins, when it was a dental clinic for disadvantaged children.

House of European History

Environment Committee MEPs assessed&nbsp;the skills, experience and suitability of Commissioner-designate for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra on 2 October. He is set to replace Frans Timmermans, who resigned on 22 August to run as a candidate in the forthcoming general elections in the Netherlands.

During his&nbsp;introductory speech, Mr Hoekstra stressed that the Green Deal lays the foundation for the EU’s green transition and underlined that it is of utmost importance to maintain continuity in the EU’s climate ambitions. He hopes to ensure this by swiftly concluding pending climate negotiations and by proposing an ambitious climate target for 2040 in the first quarter of 2024, he said. Mr Hoekstra emphasised that the EU “cannot reach climate neutrality alone”. Global cooperation and climate finance are key during the upcoming UN climate change conference&nbsp;COP28, he stressed, vowing to work “non-stop for success in Dubai”.

He underlined that building a global “Loss and Damage coalition” is crucial to raise finance for developing countries and build trust. Finally, Mr Hoekstra stressed the importance of phasing out fossil fuels, as well as fossil fuels subsidies. “The sooner fossil fuels become history, the better”, he said, as they are “counterproductive for the EU’s energy transition”.

Based on the committee’s recommendations and the assessment by the Conference of Committee Chairs, the Conference of Presidents will conduct the final evaluation and decide whether to close the hearing process and hold a plenary vote.

Hearing of Wopke HOEKSTRA 2023

MEPs discuss with the Council and the Commission how the EU can contribute to achieving a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace deal for Ukraine.

The debate focuses on the EU’s political, financial and military support for Ukraine, and its role in efforts to secure a peace settlement that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is based on international law. MEPs aunderline the importance of long-term commitment to Ukraine and the need for international coordination in building a lasting peace.

EU support for peace in Ukraine

EU flags at half mast at the EP buildings in Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg following the death of Pope Francis

The Commission unveils its internal security strategy at the plenary, and discuss with MEPs its latest proposals to enhance crisis preparedness in the EU.

In response to the current global threat landscape, the EU wants to improve intelligence-gathering to build a comprehensive threat picture, improve preparedness against hybrid threats, building on already-announced measures on protecting undersea cable infrastructure, and enhance measures against serious and organised crime. These may include new actions against drug and firearms trafficking, a deepening of the European Ports Alliance, and a new counter-terrorism agenda.

Internal Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner presented an outline of the strategy to the Civil Liberties Committee on 19 March 2025.

In a separate debate on the same day, MEPs will react to the EU’s Preparedness Union strategy, presented by the Commission on 26 March. It contains a wide range of proposals to step up EU preparedness throughout society, including better crisis response coordination, protecting essential services, stockpiling critical materials, and improved civil-military cooperation.

EP Plenary debate on plans to improve the EU’s safety and preparedness

Women in defence, security and peace building. A special meeting of the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality with members of national parliaments and invited panellists – including women in leadership roles in the military, academics, and activists – is scheduled in the run-up to the International Women's Day (8 March). The meeting will include introductory remarks by the European Commissioner for Equality, Hadja Lahbib, and will focus on 'Strengthening the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda – Upholding Women's Rights in Defence, Security, and Peacebuilding. (Thursday) A media seminar is organised on Wednesday afternoon, with EP President Roberta Metsola, MEPs, and guests from Ukraine, Israel, Palestine and international organisations.

Inter-parliamentary committee meeting on "Strengthening the Women on the occasion of the International Women's Day 2025

As a sign of European solidarity and support for Ukraine, 3 years since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, the European Parliament displays a special set-up of EU-Ukraine flags in front of its buildings in the 3 working places.

3 years anniversary of Russian aggression against Ukraine

As a sign of European solidarity and out of respect for the victims of the attack at the education centre in Örebro, Sweden, the President of the European Parliament, Ms Roberta Metsola, has decided that the European and Swedish flags should be flown at half-mast in front of all the Parliament buildings and in the EPLO in Stockholm, from today 05 February at 12:00 p.m. until tomorrow, 06 February at 08:00 a. m.

EU-Swedish flags at half mast at the European Parliament buildings

The EU’s recent report on strengthening Europe’s civilian and defense preparedness addresses the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising geopolitical tensions, and climate impacts. It emphasizes a unified approach to crisis management, with stronger cooperation across EU member states and greater integration of civilian and military roles. To enhance security across Europe, the report recommends improving cross-border coordination, speeding up crisis response, and increasing public awareness and engagement. It also stresses the importance of partnerships, particularly with NATO and allies like Ukraine, in facing multifaceted threats. Citizens and private sectors are crucial in building resilience, whether through voluntary involvement or the provision of critical infrastructure. The EU must also balance efficiency with readiness, ensuring resources are in place for future crises. By investing in crisis-resilient supply chains and security infrastructure, the EU aims to create a stronger, unified front for enduring security.

Enhancing Europe’s civilian and defence preparedness and readiness

Roberta Metsola European Parliament President meets with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, during his official visit to the European Parliament in Brussels. The meeting marks a significant moment as both leaders discuss ongoing support for Ukraine amid Russia's aggression. The visit includes a formal welcome ceremony with national anthems and high-level talks on strategic cooperation between Ukraine and the EU.

Prior to his visit to the European Parliament, Zelenskyy participated in the European Council summit, where EU leaders focused on key issues, including Ukraine's defense and security strategy. During his Brussels visit, Zelenskyy presents his "plan for victory," a comprehensive strategy that emphasizes Ukraine’s NATO membership, strengthening defense, deterring future Russian aggression, fostering economic growth, and building a robust security architecture post-war. This visit underscores the continued European commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and long-term security.

Roberta Metsola, EP President meets with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine

On August 24th, 2024, the European Parliament marked Ukraine's 33rd Independence Day with a series of symbolic events in Brussels. The "Station Europe" building on Place du Luxembourg was lit up in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, showing solidarity with Ukraine.

Earlier, a ceremony on the Esplanade Solidarność featured the raising of the Ukrainian flag and the unfurling of a 30-meter-long flag. Speeches were delivered by Sophie Wilmès, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, and Serhiy Tereshko, Deputy Head of Mission of Ukraine to the EU. The event also included a performance of the Ukrainian national anthem by Lukiia Apanovych. This commemoration highlighted the ties between the EU and Ukraine and reinforced the EU's ongoing support for Ukraine.

Anniversary of the Ukrainian Independence Day

On 8 and 9 May, landmark buildings across the EU will be illuminated to mark Europe Day and “one month to go” to the last day before voting.

European Elections 2024 - One Month to Go, illumination of landmark buildings across the EU

Elections campaign/”One month to go”. On 8 and 9 May, landmark buildings across the EU will be illuminated to mark Europe Day and “one month to go” to the last day of voting.

Press conference by Ciarán CUFFE (Greens/EFA, IE), rapporteur on the energy performance of buildings directive

Press conference: Energy performance of buildings

Plans to reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the buildings sector are debated by plenary. 

The revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, agreed with the Council in December, aims to substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sector by 2030, and have it achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The new rules also mean more of the worst-performing buildings will undergo renovation, and information-sharing on energy performance will be improved.
New buildings must be zero-emission as of 2030, and new buildings occupied or owned by public authorities must be zero-emission as of 2028. For residential buildings, member states have to put in place measures to ensure a reduction in the average level of primary energy used of at least 16% by 2030 and at least 20-22% by 2035.

Member states also have to adopt measures to decarbonise heating systems and phase out fossil fuels in heating and cooling with fossil fuel boilers being completely phased e out by 2040.

Plenary Debate - Energy performance of buildings

SEDE - Capacity building on security, defence and law-enforcement policies for the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

Aerial View of Konrad ADENAUER building in Luxembourg

The digital information sphere has become the main space for public debate, shaping opinions and access to information. In the past decade, it has also become a geostrategic battleground, with authoritarian states manipulating public opinion to weaken democracies. At the same time, corporate rivalry over emerging technologies, particularly AI, has intensified. AI-driven disinformation poses growing risks to democratic information ecosystems. Strengthening information integrity is crucial to safeguarding human rights and freedom of expression. Multilateral efforts to enhance resilience align with the EU’s planned European Democracy Shield, building on existing measures and fostering new partnerships.

Information Manipulation and the EU response

Subcommittee on Tax Matters Extraordinary meeting EU Tax Symposium 2025 - Strengthening competitiveness and fairness to build prosperity

FISC

Media Seminar – Upholding women rights in Defence, Security and Peace building

Escalation of violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon

Resumption of the sitting

Voting time

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

The crisis facing the EU’s automotive industry, potential plant closures and the need to enhance competitiveness and maintain jobs in Europe

Strengthening Moldova's resilience against Russian interference ahead of the upcoming presidential elections and a constitutional referendum on EU integration

Composition of committees and delegations

Corrigenda (Rule 251) (action taken)

The democratic backsliding and threats to political pluralism in Georgia

Outcome of the Summit of the Future: transforming global governance for building peace, promoting human rights and achieving the sustainable development goals

Situation in Sudan

Explanations of vote

Agenda of the next sitting

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Plenary session

Press conference by Ciarán CUFFE, rapporteur on the energy performance of buildings directive

Statements by the President

Composition of political groups

Composition of Parliament

Follow-up to a request for the defence of immunity

Calendar of part-sessions of the Parliament - 2025

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

Order of business

Horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 (debate)

Substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims (Green Claims Directive) (debate)

Energy performance of buildings (recast) (debate)

Definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of Union restrictive measures (debate)

Liability for defective products (short presentation)

Amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 as regards the digital labelling of EU fertilising products (short presentation)

European Maritime Safety Agency and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 (short presentation)

Amending the Directive on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes (short presentation)

20240311-0900-PLENARY

Closure of the sitting

Opening of the sitting

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Belgian Presidency (debate)

Keeping commitments and delivering military assistance to Ukraine (debate)

Announcement

Empowering consumers for the green transition (debate)

Transparency and accountability of non-governmental organisations funded from the EU budget (debate)

Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation (debate)

EU-India relations (debate)

Role of preventive diplomacy in tackling frozen conflicts around the world – missed opportunity or change for the future? (debate)

Activities of the European Ombudsman – annual report 2022 (debate)

Implementation of the Treaty provisions on national parliaments – Implementation of the Treaty provisions on EU citizenship (joint debate – Implementation of the Treaty provisions)

Fight against the resurgence of neo-fascism in Europe, also based on the parade that took place in Rome on 7 January (debate)

State of emergency in Ecuador (debate)

Building a comprehensive European port strategy (short presentation)

Implementation of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) (short presentation)

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

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 14-15 December 2023 (debate)

Review of the Spanish Presidency of the Council (debate)

Appointments to delegations

Voting time (continuation)

EU strategy to assist young people facing the housing and cost of living crisis (topical debate)

One year after Morocco and QatarGate – stocktaking of measures to strengthen transparency and accountability in the European institutions (debate)

Jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition of decisions and acceptance of authentic instruments in matters of parenthood and creation of a European Certificate of Parenthood (debate)

Planned dissolution of key anti-corruption structures in Slovakia and its implications on the Rule of Law (debate)

Planned dissolution of key anti-corruption structures in Slovakia and its implications on the Rule of Law (continuation of debate)

European Defence investment programme (EDIP) (debate)

The unknown status of Mikalai Statkevich and the recent attacks on Belarusian politicians’ and activists’ family members

The Maasai Communities in Tanzania

The abduction of Tibetan children and forced assimilation practices through Chinese boarding schools in Tibet

Frontex, building on the fact-finding investigation of the LIBE Working Group for Frontex Scrutiny (debate)

Verification of credentials

Request for waiver of immunity

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

Corrigendum (Rule 241)

Proposals for Union acts

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

Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation - Election integrity and resilience build-up towards European elections 2024 (debate)

Coordinated action to address antimicrobial resistance (debate)

Closure of procedure for requests for the waiver and defence of Members’ parliamentary immunity

Approval of the minutes of the part-session and forwarding of texts adopted

Dates of forthcoming sittings

Adjournment of the session

Sixth EUVP Alumni Webinar 'Building Partnerships in Defending Parliamentary Democracy'

High level Schuman Security and Defence Partnership Forum - HIGH LEVEL PANEL DISCUSSION:  BUILDING SECURITY AND DEFENCE TOGETHER – LEVERAGING OUR PARTNERSHIPS

Composition of a new subcommittee

Conclusions of the Special European Council meeting of 9 February and preparation of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023 (debate)

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

(International Women's Day)

More Europe, more jobs: we are building the competitive economy of tomorrow for the benefit of all (topical debate)

Failure of the Silicon Valley Bank and the implications for financial stability in Europe (debate)

Strengthening the EU Defence in the context of the war in Ukraine: speeding up production and deliveries to Ukraine of weapons and ammunitions (debate)

Deaths at sea: a common EU response to save lives and action to ensure safe and legal pathways (debate)

Need for immediate reform of the internal rules of the Commission to ensure transparency and accountability in light of alleged conflicts of interests (debate)

Combatting organised crime in the EU (debate)

Women activism - human rights defenders related to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) (debate)

The EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders (debate)

Cross-border adoptions from third countries (debate)

Combating discrimination in the EU - the long-awaited horizontal anti-discrimination directive (debate)

Iran: in particular the poisoning of hundreds of school girls

Tunisia: Recent attacks against freedom of expression and association and trade unions, in particular the case of journalist Noureddine Boutar

Cambodia: the case of opposition leader Kem Sokha

Press conference by Ciarán CUFFE, rapporteur, on energy performance of buildings

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

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

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)

35 results