EP Plenary session - EU support for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace in Ukraine

EP Plenary session - Presentation of the proposal on a new common approach on returns

EP Plenary session - Competitiveness Compass

EP Plenary session- The need to enforce the Digital Services Act to protect democracy on social media platforms against foreign interference and biased algorithms

EP Plenary session - Ousting of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region

EP Plenary session - Presentation by the Commission President-elect of the College of Commissioners and its programme

EP Plenary session - EU-US relations in the light of the outcome of the US presidential elections

EP Plenary session - Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency

Delegations for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Constitutive meeting

EP Plenary session - The reintroduction of internal border controls in a number of Member States and its impact on the Schengen Area

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Global measures towards social media platforms - Strengthening the role of DSA and protecting the democracy and freedom in the online sphere

Belgian MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term.

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Joint Debate - Migration and Asylum package

EP Plenary session - European Council and Commission statements - Conclusions of the special European Council meeting of 1 February 2024

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Presentation of the programme of activities of the Belgian Presidency

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Need for a speedy adoption of the asylum and migration package

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 focus 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 underline the importance of long-term commitment to Ukraine and the need for international coordination in building a lasting peace.

EU support for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace in Ukraine: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs and the Commission debate changes to EU rules on the returns of people who have no legal right to remain in Europe. The proposal for a new legal framework on so-called “returns”, announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in July 2024, is formally unveiled by the European Commission. During the plenary debate, MEPs scrutinise the proposal, which is intended to increase the return rate of third-country nationals not entitled to stay in the EU. Parliament emphasises the importance of cooperation with third countries, including on the readmission of their own nationals, as well innovative measures such as the establishment of return hubs in third countries. MEPs debate (part 2).

Presentation of the proposal on a new common approach on returns: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs discuss with Commission and Council representatives the recently tabled EU strategy to regain competitiveness and secure sustainable prosperity. This so-called “Competitiveness Compass” contains three core areas for action: innovation, decarbonisation, and security. It also identifies five so-called horizontal enablers for competitiveness: simplification, lowering barriers to the Single Market, financing competitiveness, promoting skills and quality jobs, and better coordination of policies at the EU and national levels. First part of MEPs debate.

Competitiveness Compass: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs discuss the need to enforce the Digital Services Act (DSA) and tackle the spread of illegal content, online disinformation, and other societal risks to safeguard European democracy from foreign interference and algorithmic manipulation.

Need to enforce the Digital Services Act to protect democracy on social media platforms including against foreign interference and distorted algorithms: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Second part of MEPs debate.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: MEPs Debate (part 2)

MEPs debate with European Commission President-elect von der Leyen on her team and programme. Any political group or at least one-twentieth of MEPs (low threshold) may table a motion for a resolution. Once elected by Parliament and after its formal appointment by the European Council via a qualified majority, the new European Commission is expected to take up its duties on 1 December 2024. MEPs debate (part 3)

Presentation by the Commission President-elect of the College of Commissioners and its programme: MEPs debate (part 3)

Following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, which sees Donald Trump and JD Vance defeating Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, the European Parliament debates the future of EU-U.S. relations under the new administration. With Trump set to be inaugurated in January 2025, MEPs assess how this shift affects shared priorities. As the EU seeks stable transatlantic relations, MEPs consider how to engage with the new administration to address challenges and leverage opportunities for both regions. MEPs debate.

EU-US relations in the light of the outcome of the US Presidential elections: MEPs debate (Part 2)

MEPs discuss with the European Commission potential changes to EU legislation on the return of third-country nationals with no legal right to stay in Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls for a common approach to returns and stresses the importance of cooperation with third countries on readmitting their nationals. As the EU prepares to implement the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, the debate focuses on securing external borders, strengthening screening processes, and improving return procedures. Poland’s proposal to temporarily suspend asylum requests and Italy’s plan to process asylum seekers in Albania are also discussed.

Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs discuss with Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister, 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; and addressing demographic challenges. MEPs debate (part 2)

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate on lobal measures towards social media platforms - Strengthening the role of DSA and protecting the democracy and freedom in the online sphere. MEPs are discussing global social media platform regulations, focusing on the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and its role in protecting democracy and online freedom. The DSA, in effect since February 2024, applies to all platforms, and MEPs question the Commission on its enforcement measures, including ongoing investigations into potential violations by TikTok, Meta, X, and AliExpress. There may also be calls for stricter scrutiny of Telegram following recent developments. Since the DSA's adoption, countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and the US are considering similar laws to hold platforms accountable for user safety.

Global measures towards social media platforms - Strengthening the role of DSA and protecting the democracy and freedom in the online sphere: MEPs debate (1)

Parliament gives its final green light to the reform of the EU’s asylum and migration rules. The new rules ensure responsibility sharing among Member States in the management of migrant arrivals, a more efficient response in case of crisis, and respect of fundamental rights. Before the vote, MEPs review the ten legal acts in a debate with Council and Commission. First part of MEPs debate.

Joint Debate - Migration and Asylum package: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs discuss the outcome of the Special European Council of 1 February, with Charles Michel, President of the European Council and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. The special summit was about finding an agreement on the mid-term review of the EU’s long-term 2021-2027 budget (multiannual financial framework, MFF) and a €50 billion financial aid package for Ukraine. First part of the debate.

Conclusions of the special European Council meeting of 1 February 2024: MEPs debate (part 1)

As President of the Council, Belgium leads the European agenda and promote cooperation among the Member States in the following six months. Their aim is to strengthen the European Union and make progress in several areas, such as rule of law, democracy, green and just transition or social and health agenda. MEPs discuss with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo the programme of Belgium’s six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 January. MEPs debate

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Belgian Presidency: MEPs debate

The Plenary discusses the need for a speedy adoption of a comprehensive European pact on asylum and migration as well as challenges in member states. In the context of continued arrivals of refugees and migrants to the EU by sea, MEPs will debate with the Spanish Council Presidency and the Commission the state of play of negotiations on the new European rules on migration and asylum. The situation in some countries, such as Italy –and particularly on the island of Lampedusa- could feature prominently. MEPs debate (part 2)

The need for a speedy adoption of the asylum and migration package: MEPs debate (part 2)

In the context of the high human toll of migrant casualties at sea and the recent tragic shipwreck off the Greek coast, MEPs discuss the EU’s capabilities for search and rescue operations of migrants at sea and prospect of more EU action to support rescue naval operations on the Mediterranean migration routes. They also debate the role of NGO sea rescue boats, disembarkations in designated places of safety, alleged pushbacks by Member States, the implementation of an action plan announced by Commissioner Johansson in November 2022, and cooperation with third countries like Tunisia and Libya. First part of MEPs debate.

The need for EU action on search and rescue in the Mediterranean: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs take stock of solidarity and responsibility sharing in Europe as regards migration and asylum policy. The debate focuses on how to advance on the reform of the common EU migration and asylum rules, following the November 2022 action plan by the Commission for the Central Mediterranean route and the February extraordinary European Council. First part of the debate.

Deaths at sea - a common EU response to save lives and action to ensure safe and legal pathways: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs present their migration and asylum priorities ahead of the 9th-10th February special European Council. The focus of this debate is on the progress of the legislative proposals included in the Asylum and Migration Pact, as well as the recently proposed strategy to ease the return of migrants asylum-seekers without the right to remain in the EU. First part of the debate.

Preparation of the Special European Council meeting of February, in particular the need to develop sustainable solutions in the area of asylum and migration: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate with the Council and the Commission on what is being done to keep energy bills down and to help EU citizens deal with the social and economic consequences of the war in Ukraine. Second part of the debate.

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