Freedom of assembly in Hungary and the need for the Commission to act: opening statement by Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection

Upcoming NATO summit on 24-26 June 2025: extracts from the debate

Situation in the Middle East: extracts from the joint debate

Formal sitting: address by ABDULLAH II, King of Jordan

Combating the sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material : Opening statements by Jeroen LENAERS (EPP, NL), Rapporteur, Magnus BRUNNER, European Commissioner and Heléne FRITZON (S&D, SE), FEMM Committee

In a debate held today ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague (24–26 June), Members of the European Parliament and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the urgent need to reinforce Europe’s defence. With NATO leaders expected to discuss increased military spending amid Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and renewed calls from former US President Donald Trump for Europe to take greater responsibility, Kallas warned of Russia’s global threat and underscored the importance of unity and shared commitment. MEPs echoed calls for stepped-up support to Ukraine and a stronger European role within NATO. This news item features key excerpts from the plenary debate in Strasbourg.

MEPs, Council and Commission discuss risk of further instability in the Middle East following the Israel-Iran military escalation and the launch of a review of the agreement that forms the basis of EU-Israel political and economic cooperation. Israel's compliance with human rights and democratic principles is an essential element of the country’s association agreement with EU, enshrined in article two of the agreement. Reacting to Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, EU foreign policy chief Kaja KALLAS announced the launch of a review of article two of the agreement on 20 May 2025. This is the first step in a procedure that could eventually lead to the suspension of the agreement. This news item shows extracts from the joint debate.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for the European Union and President in office of the Council of the EU, participate in a LEX signing ceremony, signatures of 5 LEX COD: Equivalence of seeds, Customs duties on imports from Russia and Belarus, Status of the wolf, CO2 emissions from cars 2025-2027, NSFR Quick Fix.

LEX Signing ceremony in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for the European Union and President in office of the Council of the EU

ABDULLAH II, King of Jordan, addresses MEPs during a formal sitting in Strasbourg. This is King ABDULLAH II’s sixth visit to the European Parliament, following his previous visits in 2002, 2007, 2012, 2015 and 2020. Arrival and meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and extracts from the address.

Formal sitting with ABDULLAH II, King of Jordan: arrival and meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and extracts from the address

The EU's passport-free travel space, known as the Schengen area, celebrates this year the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Schengen Agreement. It now applies to 30 countries within the EU and beyond. Permanent internal border controls have been lifted between 29 countries. A revised Schengen Borders Code entered into force last year to adapt Schengen to the evolving geopolitical security landscape. Extracts from the plenary debate. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

40th anniversary of the Schengen area: extracts from the debate

Exterior and interior shots of the European Parliament during the EP Plenary session, with illustrations of buildings, flags, corridors with internal staff before the session, hemicycle with European Members.

EP Plenary session (16-19 June): editing shots (exterior and interior shots of the EP)

This video shows the activities at the EYE village of the European Youth Event (EYE) 2025. The European Parliament hosts around 8,500 young people from 153 countries in Strasbourg for the European Youth Event. Young citizens are able to engage in discussions with MEPs, Commissioners and other EU decision-makers as well as with experts, activists, and content creators.

The EYE 2025 - Day 2: activities at the EYE village

This video shows activities inside the European Parliament during the European Youth Event (EYE) 2025 with Daria NAVALNYA as VIP guest in the chamber, several stands and EYE volunteers welcome young citizens and give them opportunity to talk with MEPs, Commissioners and other EU decision-makers as well as with experts, activists, and content creators.

The EYE 2025 - Day 2: activities inside the European Parliament

Ana Catarina MENDES (S&D, PT), rapporteur on the Commission's 2024 Rule of Law report, holds a press conference. The report prepared in the Committee in Civil Liberties (LIBE) takes stock of the Commission’s findings in its 2024 Rule of Law Report, as well as recent developments in EU Member States. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Ana Catarina MENDES (S&D, PT), rapporteur on the Commission's 2024 Rule of Law report﻿

Jordan BARDELLA (PfE, FR), Group Leader of Patriots for Europe, and Kinga GÁL (PfE, HU), Vice-President of Patriots for Europe (PfE) hold a press conference. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press briefing by Jordan BARDELLA, Group Leader of Patriots for Europe, and Kinga GÁL, Vice-President of Patriots for Europe

MEPs quiz the Commission on its stance on respect for European values in Hungary in light of the government’s ban of the Budapest Pride march. During the debate, MEPs are set to demand that the Commission apply for interim measures as part of the ongoing trial, so that the Court of Justice of the EU can order the suspension of the legislation. They are also expected to point to the recent opinion of the EU Court of Justice’s Advocate General, who considers Hungary’s Child Protection Act incompatible with EU law. Closing statement by Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection

Freedom of assembly in Hungary and the need for the Commission to act: closing statement by Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection

Political group speakers quiz the Commission on its stance on respect for European values in Hungary in light of the government’s ban of the Budapest Pride march. During the debate, MEPs are set to demand that the Commission apply for interim measures as part of the ongoing trial, so that the Court of Justice of the EU can order the suspension of the legislation. They are also expected to point to the recent opinion of the EU Court of Justice’s Advocate General, who considers Hungary’s Child Protection Act incompatible with EU law.

Freedom of assembly in Hungary and the need for the Commission to act: MEPs debate (part 2)

Freedom of assembly in Hungary and the need for the Commission to act: MEPs debate (part 1)

Freedom of assembly in Hungary and the need for the Commission to act: one round of political group speakers

Victor NEGRESCU (S&D, RO) and Siegfried MUREŞAN (EPP, RO), co-rapporteurs, give a press conference on the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility. On 17 and 18 June, MEPs debate and vote on whether Recovery and Resilience Facility (RFF) funding should be extended to allow the completion of key investment projects. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Victor NEGRESCU (S&D, RO) and Siegfried MUREŞAN (EPP, RO), co-rapporteurs, on the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility

MEPs quiz the Commission on its stance on respect for European values in Hungary in light of the government’s ban of the Budapest Pride march. During the debate, MEPs are set to demand that the Commission apply for interim measures as part of the ongoing trial, so that the Court of Justice of the EU can order the suspension of the legislation. They are also expected to point to the recent opinion of the EU Court of Justice’s Advocate General, who considers Hungary’s Child Protection Act incompatible with EU law. Opening statement by Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

On 14 June 1985, five European ministers gathered on a riverboat to sign the Schengen Agreement and pave the way to passport-free travel in Europe.
29 countries are now part of the Schengen area, which allows people to cross internal borders without checks.
Let’s take a look at the evolution of one of the pillars of the European project, a symbol of EU unity and integration.

How Schengen opened up borders and opportunities for Europeans (16:9)

How Schengen opened up borders and opportunities for Europeans (short - 9:16)

How Schengen opened up borders and opportunities for Europeans (9:16)

How Schengen opened up borders and opportunities for Europeans (short 16:9)

The EU long-term budget drives investment in Europe’s future, improving citizens’ lives. It funds common projects and delivers on priorities from economic competitiveness to agriculture.
Learn more: https://eubudget.europarl.europa.eu/

EU long term budget – explainer video (16:9)

EU long term budget – explainer video (9:16)

Europe Day 2025

The European Parliament has awarded the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia.

During the ceremony at December’s plenary session in Strasbourg, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola paid tribute to their fight to restore democracy in Venezuela.

Parliament recognises the opposition as the legitimate winners of Venezuela’s July 2024 presidential election, and condemns the electoral fraud and rights violations carried out by the Maduro regime that stayed in power despite mass protests.

The Sakharov Prize is the EU’s highest award for human rights defenders. The other finalists from 2024 were Azerbaijani anti-corruption activist Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and the Women of the Sun and Women Wage Peace movements, which promote reconciliation and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians.

Read more on the 2024 Sakharov Prize winners: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20240913STO23909/sakharov-prize-2024-goes-to-venezuelan-opposition-leaders

Parliament hands 2024 Sakharov Prize to Venezuelan opposition

This infoclip illustrates the European Union’s aspects that enhance its global competitiveness. The EU is working to boost its global competitiveness, its ability to grow sustainably, innovate, and create quality jobs. From digital finance to green industry and cutting-edge research. This infoclip highlights the key sectors and values driving a strong, resilient European economy fit for the future.

Infoclip: European competitiveness

This infoclip illustrates the financial landscape using images from major European stock exchanges such as Paris, Netherlands and Milan (for images of the stock market of Milan, ©BORSA ITALIANA EURONEXT GROUP). The video also includes footage from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Images free of charge for journalistic purposes using the reference “Deutsche Börse AG”. Use for own advertising purposes is not permitted. For more information, contact media-relations@deutsche-boerse.com), from the money creation process, people withdrawing cash from ATMs, and people paying using mobile phones and contactless cards. It also features the BeTrader academy with interior and exterior shots of people analyzing markets and using trading tools. It includes additional imagery such as banks.

Infoclip: European stock markets and traders

This infoclip illustrates various aspects the rule of law, which is one of the EU’s fundamental values, guaranteeing democracy and citizens’ rights and freedoms. The video includes footage of the Court of Justice in Luxembourg and of several Courts across the EU, but also focuses on press freedom and media pluralism. Other important pillars of the rule of law are the right to vote, to peaceful assembly, and freedom of association. The core meaning of the rule of law can be defined along six principles: legality, legal certainty, prohibition of the arbitrary exercise of executive power, effective judicial protection by independent and impartial courts with effective judicial review including respect for fundamental rights; separation of powers; and equality before the law.

Infoclip: Rule of law in the European Union

This infoclip illustrates research, innovation and science in the EU. The European Commission is investing over €7.3 billion through its newly adopted Horizon Europe work programme for 2025 to strengthen Europe's research and innovation engine and global edge. This will drive cutting-edge science, accelerate the EU's green and digital transitions, and enhance Europe's competitiveness. The programme will help attract and retain top researchers in Europe and offer targeted support to those affected by war and displacement

Infoclip: Research, innovation and science in the EU

This infoclip illustrates different aspects of civil preparedness strategy and civil protection, such as a the national and development medical stockpile in Sweden, the RescEU medical stockpile in Sweden and Belgium, the RescEU emergency shelter stockpile in Sweden and the Emergeny Response coordination Centre in Belgium.The Niinistö Report on Preparedness and Readiness of the EU concluded that strengthening Europe's civilian and military preparedness and readiness to address today's growing security challenges is a matter of urgency. The Commission therefore launched the Preparedness Union Strategy to support Member States and enhance Europe's capability to prevent and respond to emerging threats, among other things by way of enhancing crisis response coordination and continuing to strengthen its response capabilities and strategic crisis reserves, including stockpiles (RescEU).

Infoclip: Civil Preparedness Strategy- RescEU

This infoclip illustrates different aspects of civil preparedness strategy and civil protection, such as a citizen buying a crisis preparedness kit, a municipal safety point where citizens can come to get information and electricity in a crisis situation, and a civil defense shelter in Sweden. The Niinistö Report on Preparedness and Readiness of the EU concluded that strengthening Europe's civilian and military preparedness and readiness to address today's growing security challenges – in health, migration, technology security, climate, defense or the economy – is a matter of urgency. The Commission therefore launched the Preparedness Union Strategy to support Member States and enhance Europe's capability to prevent and respond to emerging threats, among other things by way of promoting population preparedness and encourage the public to adopt practical measures, such as maintaining essential supplies for a minimum of 72 hours in emergencies.

Infoclip: Civil Preparedness Strategy

Passenger Rights apply for delays and cancellations for air, rail, ship or bus passengers when travelling in the EU. This infoclip is illustrating passengers departing from airports and rail stations in Europe (Belgium, France, Italy, Slovenia).

Infoclip: Passenger rights

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) takes place every 17th May. IDAHOBIT commemorates the decision taken in 1990 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to remove homosexuality from its International Classification of Diseases. This infoclip illustrates the importance to still fight for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ people across Europe and around the world. It stages different same-sex couples in their daily-life routines, a protest to defend the LGBTQIA+ community in Hungary and a famous queer bar in Ireland.

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