At a glance: Parliament’s political groups are preparing for next week’s plenary session in Strasbourg; MEPs attend the UN Ocean Conference; and the 2025 edition of the European Youth Event kicks off tomorrow.

Flash Informativo - 12/06/2025 - español

At a glance: Parliament’s political groups are preparing for the next plenary session, which will start on Monday in Strasbourg; a public hearing on media freedom and journalist protection will take place; and the European Youth Event 2025 is just around the corner.

Flash Informativo - 11/06/2025 - español

At a glance: a public hearing on media freedom and the protection of journalists at Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs; a workshop on generative AI and copyright; and the agreement reached between Parliament and the Council to tackle non-sustainable fishing by non-EU countries.

Flash Informativo - 10/06/2025 - español

Aunque cada vez más personas son conscientes de la importancia de reciclar y se esfuerzan por hacerlo, en la Unión sigue sin reciclarse una buena parte de los residuos plásticos. En los últimos años la UE ha dado pasos importantes hacia una economía circular de los plásticos, pero todavía queda un largo recorrido para lograr un futuro libre de este material, por lo que todo el mundo tiene que aportar su granito de arena.

La lucha de la Unión contra la contaminación por plásticos: de la prohibición de artículos desechables a los microplásticos

At a glance: the new EU Preparedness Union Strategy; the first-ever EU Soil Monitoring Law; and MEPs deplore continued democratic backsliding and repression in Georgia.

Flash Informativo - 06/06/2025 - español

At a glance: EU Parliament leaders visited Copenhagen to discuss priorities for the next Danish EU Council Presidency; MEPs approved and extension of  the EU-Ukraine road transport deal to support trade and aid; Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture backed the first-ever EU rules on dog and cat welfare and traceability.

Flash Informativo - 05/06/2025 - español

At a glance: President Metsola and Parliament’s political group leaders were in Copenhagen to prepare for the upcoming Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union; Yulia Navalnaya and leading members of Russia’s opposition will address MEPs; and a public hearing on artificial intelligence at the workplace.

Flash Informativo - 04/06/2025 - español

At a glance: the Foreign Affairs Committee will assess reform efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, and Georgia; a delegation of the Civil Liberties Committee concludes its visit in Slovakia; at the EuroLat in Peru, MEPs push for stronger EU-Latin American ties.

Flash Informativo - 03/06/2025 - español

At a glance: the vote on the first-ever Soil Monitoring Law; The Hungarian Forum Europaeum wins the 2025 European Charlemagne Youth Prize; an exchange of views on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Flash Informativo - 02/06/2025 - español

Mercosur es una alianza regional de países de América Latina y uno de los principales socios comerciales de la Unión Europea. La Unión ha intentado estrechar los lazos con Mercosur, pero no todo el mundo respalda esta idea.

Mercosur: oportunidades y retos para la Unión Europea

At a glance: a Security and Defence Committee delegation is in Norway for talks on Russian security threats; MEPs from the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield conclude their visit to Moldova today; a Culture and Education Committee delegation will be in Los Angeles until tomorrow to meet various film industry associations.

Flash Informativo - 28/05/2025 - español

At a glance: a delegation of the International Trade Committee is in Washington DC to discuss EU-US political, trade and investment relations; a delegation of the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee is in the Canary Islands to learn about the island’s challenges in managing increased arrivals of migrants; MEPs from the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the EU are in Barcelona to gather information on how the city is addressing its housing issues.

Flash Informativo - 27/05/2025 - español

¿Tienes entre 18 y 30 años y estás buscando una oportunidad para ayudar a los demás, dentro y fuera de Europa?

Puedes hacerlo gracias a la financiación y el apoyo del Cuerpo Europeo de Solidaridad, que ayuda a personas jóvenes a participar en proyectos en el extranjero o en su propio país. 

Estos proyectos ofrecen experiencias estimulantes y enriquecedoras, así como la oportunidad de generar un cambio positivo mientras desarrollas tus habilidades y competencias.

Guía para participar en el Cuerpo Europeo de Solidaridad

At a glance: Parliament backs the Commission’s plan to simplify the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism; MEPs approve new tariffs on Russian and Belarusian fertilizers and agricultural products; MEPs from the Foreign Affairs Committee visit Latin America to discuss Mercosur and geopolitics.

Flash Informativo - 26/05/2025 - español

At a glance: during Parliament’s plenary session MEPs discussed the EU’s response to Israel's plan to seize Gaza; the initiative, called “Choose Europe for Science” and the fifth edition of the Daphne Caruana Prize for Journalism.

Flash Informativo - 23/05/2025 - español

At a glance: MEPs from the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee warn that the rule of law in the EU remains in peril; Parliament and the Council have reached a deal to improve worker consultation on transnational matters; President Metsola will travel to the United States for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Flash Informativo - 22/05/2025 - español

The European Union’s relations with South Africa focus mainly on respect for human rights, freedom, equality, justice, democracy and the rule of law.

A range of dialogues between the EU and South Africa allow us to share experiences in areas of common interest, or where we face common challenges. In addition to the areas of cooperation mentioned in the following sections, the following are also covered by these dialogues: Peace and Security, Human Rights, Good Governance, Migration, Social Cohesion, Energy, Innovation.

EU - South Africa

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on 10 July 2019, following the appointment of their members in the plenary sitting of 3-4 July. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate. The newly set up committees will then start holding their regular meetings during the week of 22 July.

FEMM - Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality

Until the UK withdraws from the EU, all rights and obligations deriving from EU membership continue to apply in the UK.

 
The United Kingdom (UK) consists of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The UK is not a member of the Schengen Area. There are 73 members of the European Parliament from the UK.

EU - United Kingdom

INTA - Committee on International Trade

BUDG - Committee on Budgets

MEPs and UK MPs met&nbsp;in Brussels on 3 and 4 July for the third EU-United Kingdom Parliamentary Partnership Assembly to discuss, among other issues, the state of play within the Partnership Council, EU-UK common efforts to support Ukraine, and cooperation on trade and industrial policy - including responses to the US Inflation Reduction Act.&nbsp;

EU-UK relations are changed&nbsp;following Brexit and the deal reached at the end of 2020. The United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020, after 47 years of EU membership. The UK has lost all the rights and benefits it had as an EU Member State and is no longer a part of the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union.

The EU-UK withdrawal agreement in force since 1 February 2020, ensured that the UK’s withdrawal from the EU happened in an orderly manner, and protects the rights of EU citizens and UK nationals, the EU’s financial interests, and peace and stability on the island of Ireland.

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK sets out preferential arrangements in areas such as trade in goods and in services, digital trade, intellectual property, public procurement, aviation and road transport, energy, fisheries, social security coordination, law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, thematic cooperation and participation in Union programmes.&nbsp; In April 2021 the European Parliament voted with a large majority in favour of granting also its consent to the agreement.

EU - UK relations

2025&nbsp; EU budget was signed into law by European Parliament’s President Metsola during the plenary in November. In February 2024, during the revision of the EU's long-term budget, Parliament secured substantial increases for key priorities, such as support for Ukraine, additions which MEPs were able to maintain for 2025’s budget. They also ensured the financing of the repayment costs for the European Recovery Instrument (EURI), which are almost twice the amount initially forecast for 2025, while at the same time protecting funding for essential programmes like Erasmus+ or research.

MEPs also obtained further funding for essential programmes in the 2025 annual budget. They successfully negotiated an additional €230.7 million beyond the Commission's initial draft proposal, focusing on key initiatives including research, health, education, young farmers, coordination of social security schemes, crisis response to natural disasters, climate action, humanitarian aid, military mobility and border management. On top of this extra funding, major increases sourced from previous savings will benefit the 2025 budget, including €422 million for Erasmus+ and €20 million for Horizon Europe.

EU Budget 2025

Poland is a member of the EU since 1st of May 2004 and member of the Schengen area since 21st December 2007.

Poland is a parliamentary republic with a Head of government - the Prime Minister - and a Head of state - the President. The government structure is centred on the council of Ministers. The country is divided into 16 provinces, largely based on the country’s historic regions. Administrative authority at provincial level is shared between a government-appointed Governor, an elected regional Assembly and an executive elected by the regional Assembly.

There are 51 members of the European Parliament from Poland.

EU - Poland

The European Commission found that Apple breached its anti-steering obligation under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), and that Meta breached the DMA obligation to give consumers the choice of a service that uses less of their personal data. Therefore, the Commission has fined Apple and Meta.

According to&nbsp;<a data-analytics-event-attached="true" href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/86793/ANNA_CAVAZZINI/home" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Anna Cavazzini</a>&nbsp;(Greens/EFA, DE), Chair of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection,

"...this&nbsp;&nbsp;decision is by no means the start of a ‘tech war’ in response to Trump's erratic tariff policy. Instead, it is the consistent implementation of existing EU law. This includes, as a last resort, imposing fines on Apple and Meta under the DMA regulation to ensure they comply with EU digital legislation.&nbsp;It is very easy for companies to avoid this: they just have to comply with European law.”

The Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) have two main goals: to create a safer digital space in which the fundamental rights of all users of digital services are protected and to establish a level playing field to foster innovation, growth, and competitiveness, both in the European Single Market and globally.

The&nbsp;Digital Services Act (DSA)&nbsp;aims to create a safer digital space in which users rights are protected, including rules to tackle illegal content online, enhance the accountability and transparency of algorithms, and dealing with content moderation and targeted advertising.

Digital Markets Act&nbsp; (DMA) sets rules on what big online platforms will be allowed to do and not do in the EU. It&nbsp;blacklists certain practices of large platforms acting as “gatekeepers” and enables the Commission to carry out market investigations and sanction non-compliant behaviour.

Digital Services and Digital Markets Act

Václav Havel, (Czech, born in Prague, 5 October 1936 - died 18 December 2011) was a playwright and essayist, as well as a prominent dissident during the Communist era. He was one of the founders of Charter 77 and of VONS (the Committee for the Defence of the Unjustly Prosecuted). In 1989, he became the last President of Czechoslovakia and, later, President of the Czech Republic (1993 - 2003).

Václav HAVEL, former President of the Czech Republic

In September 2018, the Article 7(1) TEU procedure was triggered. In this case, the European Parliament voted a resolution calling the Council to determine the existence of a clear risk of a serious breach of EU values in relation to Hungary. This resolution was preceded by numerous others adopted by the Parliament between March 2011 and May 2017, and it made reference to concerns related mainly to judicial independence, freedom of expression, corruption, rights of minorities, and the situation of migrants and refugees in Hungary.

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights (DRF). Article 7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctions) to enforce EU values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them.

See also the previous <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/rule-of-law-in-hungary-8th-parliamentary-term_5702_pk">package</a> on the rule of law in Hungary.

Rule of law in Hungary (2019-2020)

During their last visit to Budapest (Monday 14 - Wednesday 16 April), MEPs looked into topics related to the state of <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20210325STO00802/eu-values-explained-in-one-minute" rel="noopener" target="_blank">EU values</a>, including the rule of law and fundamental rights - such as independence of the judiciary, checks and balances, media freedom, academic freedom, transparency and anti-corruption measures, the situation of civil society, the rights of LGBTIQ persons and the freedom of peaceful assembly. They met with government representatives, members of the Hungarian National Assembly, representatives of the judiciary, independent and local authorities, unions, liberal professions and stakeholders from civil society across all areas of concern.

Representatives of five political groups representing different political views, managed to receive a first-hand account of the latest developments. It will help to formulate the Parliament’s stance and communicate it to the Council in the ongoing Article 7 TEU procedure. While the delegation is thankful to the participants of the meetings, it expressed regret that several meetings the delegation requested, with the Government (Prime Minister, Ministers of Justice and of the Interior), the judiciary (Constitutional Court, Curia) and the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, did not take place.

Rule of law in Hungary

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

The European Political Community (EPC) is a new platform for political coordination. Initially proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron and supported by EU institutions, the inaugural meeting of the EPC was held in Prague on 6 October. The 'EU+ summit' was hosted by the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU and&nbsp;43 national delegations from the EU-27, Western Balkans and other countries, including the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Turkey attended.

A second meeting of the EPC was scheduled for&nbsp;Thursday June 1st 2023 in&nbsp;Bulboaca, Moldova, where the 47 participants discussed how to foster political dialogue and cooperation and strengthen security, stability and prosperity in Europe.&nbsp; The third took place&nbsp;in Granada on 5 October 2023.

European Political Community

After a series of special committees and a committee of inquiry, created to delve into the various tax leaks and scandals of recent years, Parliament established a more permanent setup to shed light on the matter.

The Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) subcommittee on tax matters, FISC, will be composed of 30 members. It will deal particularly with the fight against tax fraud, tax evasion and tax avoidance, as well as financial transparency for taxation purposes.

The constituent meeting will take place on Wednesday, 23 September 2020.

FISC - Subcommittee on Tax Matters

TRAN - Committee on Transport and Tourism

The EP’s Press Service holds a press briefing with Parliament’s political group spokespersons

Pre-session briefing on June Plenary session

Parliament welcomes around 8,500 young people to Strasbourg for EYE2025 (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.

European Youth Event 2025

Roberta METSOLA, EP President visits Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital on International Day of Play

President Metsola participates in a Fireside Chat with Business Representatives at the European American Chamber of Commerce. She then delivers a Keynote Speech at the US Council on Foreign Relations. Then the President meets with the Clinton Foundation and then with  the leadership of the NY Stock Exchange.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, official visit to New York (United States)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President delivers a speech at the Commemoration of the Victims of the Soviet Mass Deportations

Roberta METSOLA, EP President receives the Prime Minister of Moldova, Dorin Recean

The European Parliament's Conference of Presidents visit to Copenhagen ahead of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU. The EP group leaders and its President are the political body in Parliament and, among other things, are responsible for the organisation of Parliament’s business and legislative planning, deciding the responsibilities and membership of committees and delegations, relations with other EU institutions, the national parliaments and non-EU countries.

Conference of Presidents in Copenhagen (Denmark)

A delegation of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) visits Bratislava, Slovakia, from 2-3 of June in order to discuss and gain insight into the latest developments as regards the situation of democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights in Slovakia. This is a follow up on two sessions which the Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG) of the LIBE Committee held recently on the situation in Slovakia. The delegation is composed of five political groups in the European Parliament. The LIBE delegation aims to hold meetings with representatives from the Slovak Government, representatives of the Slovak National Assembly, representatives of the judiciary and of other relevant authorities, organisations and stakeholders.

LIBE/DRFMG delegation in Slovakia

During her official visit to Italy, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola engages with key economic, scientific and civic institutions, underlining the European Union’s connection to local innovation, industry, and cultural heritage.

In Bologna, the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola delivers a keynote address at a Confindustria event, highlighting the importance of European support for Italy’s industrial base. Confindustria, representing over 150,000 businesses and 5.3 million workers, plays a crucial role in aligning national enterprise with the EU’s competitiveness, sustainability, and innovation agenda. Metsola’s participation reaffirms the need for ongoing dialogue between political institutions and industry. At the Tecnopolo Bologna CNR, she visits one of Italy’s most advanced research hubs, co-funded by EU regional development resources. Home to the Leonardo supercomputer, the centre showcases Europe’s digital and scientific ambition and its impact on sectors like automation, medical tech, agri-food and environmental monitoring. In Lesignana, Metsola tours the 4 Madonne Cheese Factory, a leading Parmigiano Reggiano cooperative producing over 40,000 wheels annually. Her visit recognises the economic and cultural importance of traditional food production and highlights the link between EU quality standards and regional excellence. Finally, at the Collegio Europeo di Parma, the President of the European Parliament delivers a speech titled “L’Europa è nelle mani degli Europei” and receives the Pico della Mirandola Prize, an award celebrating civic, cultural, and democratic leadership. Her recognition affirms her commitment to European unity and democratic values in a time of evolving global challenges.

In Parma, President Metsola meets local industry leaders. In Turin, she visits the Aerospace District Piemonte, addresses an event at Politecnico di Torino and also addresses the Obama Leadership Network’s inaugural ‘Europe Regional Reunion virtual event’. In Milan EP President participates in a discussion at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. In Bergamo, she visits the Kilometro Rosso innovation distric

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Italy

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta METSOLA, visits Dayton, Ohio (USA) on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May to participate in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meeting. On Saturday she delivers a high-level speech at the Dayton Dialogues followed by a Q&A moderated by the CEO and President of the Atlantic Council, Fred Kempe; while on Sunday she gives a high-level speech at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

EP President Roberta METSOLA participates in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

The president of the European Parliament Roberta METSOLA has been named the 2025 laureate of the Timișoara Award for European Values, an honor established by the Municipality of Timișoara, western Romania. She will receive the award during a gala ceremony on May 22. The jury also praised Metsola's unwavering support for Romania’s Schengen accession, consistently stating that the country belongs in the EU’s free movement zone. Metsola also meets Romanian students during a town hall discussion.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, official visit to Timisoara (Romania)

Israel/Gaza. On Wednesday, MEPs will debate with Council and Commission representatives the EU’s response to the Israeli government's plan to seize the Gaza Strip, and how to provide effective humanitarian support and secure the hostages’ release.

EP Plenary debate on the EU's response to the Israeli government's plan to seize the Gaza Strip

Nataša Pirc Musar, President of the Republic of Slovenia, meets with Roberta METSOLA, EP Preside, and addresses plenary in a formal sitting after the opening of the session. President of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, will outline her vision for the EU, in a formal sitting starting immediately after the opening. Born in 1968, Ms Pirc Musar has been President of Slovenia since December 2022. After graduating in law, she worked as a journalist for several years and was appointed as Slovenia’s Information Commissioner in 2005, a post she held for two five-year terms. Before becoming President, Pirc Musar also worked as an attorney.

Nataša PIRC MUSAR, President of the Republic of Slovenia, meets with Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and addresses the plenary

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Italian President Sergio MATTARELLA. He an Italian politician and jurist who has served as the president of Italy since 2015. He is the longest-serving president in the history of the Italian Republic.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Italian President Sergio MATTARELLA

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Metsola meets with President of Czechia, Petr PAVEL. He has been president of the Eastern European Country since 2023. Prior to this, he held the position of Chairman of the NATO Military Committee from 2015 to 2018, and served as the Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces between 2012 and 2015.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meets with President of Czechia Petr PAVEL

The presidents of the European Parliament and the European Commission attend the inauguration mass of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV at the Holy See in Vatican CIty State.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President attends the mass marking the beginning of the pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in Rome

The European Parliament celebrates the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia by standing in solidarity with LGBTIQ+ communities around the world and promote equal rights and dignity for all. The 2025 theme is “No one left behind: equality, freedom and justice for all.”

International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) 2025

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates in the meeting of the European Political Community, in Tirana (Albania). The sixth meeting of the European Political Community brings together leaders from across the continent in Tirana, Albania under the theme ‘New Europe in a new world: unity – cooperation – joint action’. Leaders meet in a plenary session dedicated to security challenges and a shared vision for the future of Europe. Three high-level roundtables take place around the following topics: Europe’s security and democratic resilience, including Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, competitiveness and economic security, mobility challenges and youth empowerment.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates in the European Political Community Summit in Tirana

Annual Gala 2025 of the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union - Keynote speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

ENVI trilogue - One substance, one assessment package

The widespread use of military drones spans reconnaissance, strikes, logistics and naval operations, with both state and non-state players increasingly relying on unmanned systems. The European Union (EU) has prioritised drone development and countermeasures, funding and coordinating research and capability development through the European Defence Fund and Permanent Structured Cooperation. The EU is also fostering synergies between the civilian and the defence sectors, addressing strategic dependencies and collaborating with NATO. Meanwhile, drone regulation remains fragmented: civilian drones are subject to comprehensive EU rules, while military drone use falls under international law. The European Parliament has called for transparency, adherence to international law and a ban on LAWS, while supporting defence innovation and proposing an EU drone package to stimulate joint procurement and industry participation.

Most common drone uses

Pollination is a fundamental process for the survival of our ecosystems and ultimately, of our planet. Nearly 90 % of the world's wild flowering plant species depend on pollination, along with more than 75 % of the world's food crops and 35 % of global agricultural land. Without pollination, many interconnected species and processes functioning within the ecosystem would collapse.

Bees and pollinators

EU competence does not extend to recognition of marital or family status. In this area, national regulations vary, with some Member States offering same-sex couples the right to marry, some allowing alternative forms of registration, and others not providing any legal status for same-sex couples. Same-sex couples may or may not have the right to adopt children and to access assisted reproduction. Combating discrimination has become part of EU internal and external policies, and is the subject of numerous resolutions of the European Parliament.

Same sex unions and adoption rights

For the European Union to compete globally while continuing to ensure progress in environmental, social and fundamental rights, more strategic and collective action is imperative. EU businesses could harness the full potential of the single market and economic and monetary union and challenge competitors in fast-growing and future-oriented economic activities such as digital and clean energy production. This study finds that, compared to a situation where Member States act alone, a coordinated approach at EU level could bring an additional 0.9 % of GDP in 2035. A more ambitious integrated approach could be even more positive, with a benefit estimated at 2.6 % of additional GDP in 2035.

Cost of non-Europe in strategic innovation

Poverty has many dimensions. Following recent crises, not least the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, some of poverty's known dimensions have evolved while new forms have emerged. Addressing poverty remains mainly the responsibility of EU countries' governments acting in complex national social settings. The EU meanwhile seeks to coordinate Member States' efforts and offers support in the form of funding and data. The new European Commission is stepping up efforts to meet the EU's poverty reduction targets.

EU action against poverty

Rare diseases, though seldom recognised and frequently misdiagnosed, affect approximately 36 million people in the EU. Despite their significant collective prevalence, patients with rare diseases are often overlooked by healthcare systems, facing challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and access to advances in research. Researchers are increasingly using networks to share their findings and make better progress, giving new hope to patients.

Rare Diseases: Advances in research give patients new hope

Batteries are vital to the EU’s clean energy transition, industrial future, and strategic autonomy. While the sector benefits from strong R&D support, it faces challenges such as reliance on third countries, high costs, and competition from regions with lower environmental standards. Sustainable value chains and recycling could help, but uncertainty remains over the EU’s ability to meet future demand. Rising costs, market slowdowns, and gigafactory setbacks, including Northvolt’s collapse, raise concerns. To secure a resilient battery supply chain, the EU focuses on strategic coordination, regulatory frameworks, and funding, offering key lessons for industrial policy.

Battery supply chain

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

The European elections are the largest transnational elections in the world. There are some common rules that apply in all EU countries but many details vary by country.


Election days range from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 9 June and it is up to each country to decide when and how they organise the vote.


The number of MEPs elected varies between countries: bigger countries get more seats than smaller ones. Due to changes in the size of the population, some EU countries will get extra seats in the upcoming elections compared to the outgoing Parliament. In total 15 seats will be added.


There are also differences in other aspects of voting, for example regarding the minimum voting age or the rules about voting from abroad.

EU Elections 2024

The European elections are the largest transnational elections in the world. There are some common rules that apply in all EU countries but many details vary by country.


Election days range from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 9 June and it is up to each country to decide when and how they organise the vote.

Map European elections 2024

Online shopping, take-away food, coffee to go... Packaging waste is growing. Find out how much is being produced and how the EU wants to reverse the trend

How to reduce packaging waste in the EU

With war having returned to the European continent, measuring the level of threats to peace, security and democracy around the world – as the 'Normandy Index' does – is more important than ever. The annual Index was presented for the first time at the Normandy Peace Forum in June 2019, as a result of a partnership between the European Parliament and the Region of Normandy. The Index has been designed and prepared by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), in conjunction with and on the basis of data provided by the Institute for Economics and Peace. This paper sets out the findings of the 2023 exercise, which draws on data compiled in 2022, and explains how the Index can be used to compare peace – defined on the basis of a given country's performance against a range of predetermined threats – across countries and regions. It is complemented by 61 individual country case studies, derived from the Index. The paper forms part of the EPRS contribution to the 2023 Normandy World Peace Foru

Mapping threats to peace and democracy worldwide: Normandy Index 2023

Discover key figures about the repatriation of migrants and proposed changes to EU law.
The EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum includes new rules and the revision of existing legislation, such as the Return Directive.
In a draft resolution on the Return Directive adopted in December 2020, MEPs stressed the importance of protecting individual fundamental rights as well as respect for procedural safeguards.

Repatriation: how many migrants in the EU are sent back?

Over the past 30 years the single market has brought unity and opportunities to Europeans.

30 years of EU single market: benefits and challenges

Find out about the top cyber threats in 2022, the most affected sectors and the impact of the war in Ukraine.

The digital transformation has inevitably led to new cybersecurity threats. During the coronavirus pandemic, companies had to adapt to remote working and this created more possibilities for cybercriminals. The war in Ukraine has also affected cybersecurity.

In response to the evolution of cybersecurity threats, Parliament adopted a new EU directive introducing harmonised measures across the EU, including on the protection of essential sectors.

Cybersecurity: main and emerging threats

With fast fashion, the quantity of clothes produced and thrown away has boomed. Find out more about the environmental impact and what the EU is doing about it.

Fast fashion is the constant provision of new styles at very low prices.

To tackle the impact on the environment, the EU wants to reduce textile waste and increase the life cycle and recycling of textiles. This is part of the plan to achieve a circular economy by 2050.

The impact of textile production and waste on the environment

Find out about the economic inequalities that continue to persist between women and men in the EU.

It has been more than 25 years since the adoption of the UN’s Beijing Declaration, which aims to promote equality between men and women. The same goal lies behind the creation of UN Women - dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women - and the inclusion of gender equality in the Sustainable Development Goals.
s
So where do we stand? Progress has been made, but inequality between men and women persists, including on the labour market. On average, women in the EU are paid less than men.

Gender pay gap in Europe: facts and figures

Every year 2.2 billion tonnes of waste are generated in the EU. More than a quarter of it (27%) is municipal waste: everyday waste collected and treated by municipalities, which is mainly generated by households. Data shows that the amount of waste and the way it is managed varies a lot across EU countries, but there has been a shift to more recycling and less landfilling.

To reduce waste and its impact on the environment, the EU has adopted ambitious targets on recycling and landfill and is working on packaging waste. The goal is to promote the shift towards a more sustainable model known as the circular economy.

Waste management in the EU: infographic with facts and figures

Euroscola

What does Team Europe’s support look like on the ground in Ukraine?

Committee on Constitutional Affairs Ordinary meeting Interparliamentary Committee Meeting

AFCO

Delegation for Relations with Israel Ordinary Meeting – Meeting with Representative from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung

Panel for the Future of Science and Technology panel

Delegation for relations with the Federative Republic of Brazil INTER-PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION EU-Brazil inter-parliamentary meeting

Inter-Parliamentary Delegation – 19th EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC) Meeting (Session II)

Plenary session

Delegation to the Pacific-EU Parliamentary Assembly Ordinary Meeting

DPAC

Delegation for Relations with the Mashreq Countries Ordinary Meeting

DMAS

Delegation for relations with Mercosur INTER-PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION

DMER

LIBE - Public hearing - Strengthening media freedom, freedom of expression and safety of journalists

Meeting of the EP Conference of Presidents with Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight

Fireside chat with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Ana BOTIN, Executive Director of Banco Santander

Roberta METSOLA, EP President visits Queen Fabiola Children's University Hospital on International Day of Play

European and Austrian flags at half-mast in front of EP buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg, as a sign of European solidarity and out of respect for the victims of the school shooting in Graz, Austria

Lux Audience Award 2026 - Panel selection

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to New York (United States)

ENVI PECH DEVE  Delegation the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice

Jadwiga WIŚNIEWSKA in the EP in Brussels

Conference on Countering Fake Election Observation, Disinformation, and Hybrid Threats - Closing session

ECON trilogue on CMDI package

JURI - Presentation of EFRAG's Work Plan 2025

Handing over of the flame of the FISU World University Games

EMPL - Hearing on ' Artificial intelligence at the workplace '

AFET - Exchange of views with representatives of the Russian democratic opposition on the EU support to Russian pro-democratic forces in the new geopolitical context

JURI - Policy Department Workshop on the 28th Regime: a new legal framework for innovative companies

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament particpates to the Annual Gala 2025 at the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union and gives a keynote speech. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Annual Gala 2025 of the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union: keynote speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Fireside chat with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Ana Botín, Executive Director, Banco Santander, at the "Reskilling Europe: a driver for growth and competitiveness" event

Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates at The "Reskilling Europe" event: fireside chat with Ana Botín, Executive Director, Banco Santander

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, visits the Queen Fabiola Children's University Hospital

Roberta METSOLA, EP President visit to the Queen Fabiola Children's University Hospital: extracts

The European Parliament mourns the 10 victims that have been killed in a armed attack in a school of Graz (Austria). The footage shows Austrian and EU flags that are put at half-mast in front of EP Buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg as a sign of solidarity.

European and Austrian flags at half-mast in front of EP Buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg as a sign of solidarity following the school shooting in Graz (Austria)

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

Roberta METSOLA, EP President visits the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), on Wall Street in New York City. The NYSE is the largest stock exchange in the world by market capitlization. The NYSE plays a crucial role in the global economy by enabling companies to raise capital and investors to buy and sell shares. Extracts from the meeting of Roberta METSOLA, EP President, with NY Stock Exchange leadership, tour of the trading floor, and NYSE closing bell.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to New York (United States) : extracts from the meeting with NY Stock Exchange leadership, tour of the trading floor, and NYSE closing bell

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates to a questions & answers session with Jane Hartley, former Ambassador of the United States to the United Kingdom, France and Monaco.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to New York (United States) : Q&A with Jane Hartley, Former Ambassador of the United States to the United Kingdom, France and Monaco

Roberta METSOLA, EP President gives a keynote speech during her official visit to the United States in New York. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to New York (United States) : keynote speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

During her official visit to New-York (United States of America), Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with business representatives at the European american chamber of commerce. This clip contains illustration shots of the meeting and talks between the EP President and the business representatives.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to New York (United States) : extracts from the fireside chat with business representatives at the European american chamber of commerce

Roberta METSOLA, EP President delivers a high-level, keynote speech and has a Q&A session moderated by Ambassador Jane Hartley, Former U.S. Ambassador to France, Monaco and the United Kingdom, and with audience members at The Council on Foreign Relations, in New-York (United States of America). In her address, EP President speaks about the transatlantic relationship, the aggression in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. This clip contains extracts from the keynote speech and cutaways of the event.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to New York (United States): extracts from the keynote speech and Q&A at the Council on Foreign relations

This news item shows footage exchange of views at the joint meeting between the EP Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) and the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), and from the meeting between Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and Yulia NAVALNAYA, wife of murdered Sakharov Prize laureate Alexei Navalny. MEPs exchange views with prominent members of the Russian democratic opposition. In addition to Navalnaya, are present in person the journalist and former political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza and the opposition politician Ilya Yashin. The debate focuses on EU support to Russian pro-democratic forces in the new geopolitical context.

EU support to Russian pro-democratic forces in the new geopolitical context: extracts from the exchange of views, and from the meeting between Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and Yulia NAVALNAYA

&lt;p>Carmen CRESPO DÍAZ (EPP, ES), Chair of PECH Committee of the European Parliament, reacts to the adoption by the European Commission of the European Ocean Pact today. The European Ocean Pact is a comprehensive strategy to better protect the ocean, promote a thriving blue economy and support the well-being of people living in coastal areas. The Pact brings together EU ocean policies under one single reference framework, addressing the significant threats facing our ocean, our coastal communities, islands and outermost regions.&lt;/p>

European Oceans Pact: statement by Carmen CRESPO DÍAZ (EPP, ES), Chair of PECH Committee

Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates in the 2025 Commemoration of the Victims of the Soviet Mass Deportations. The commemoration takes at the Esplanade Solidarnosc, next to the European Parliament in Brussels.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates in the 2025 Commemoration of the Victims of the Soviet Mass Deportations: extracts

Rasa JUKNEVIČIENĖ (EPP, LT), rapporteur with Georgia's civil society activists leading mass pro-democracy protests across the country, hold a press conference on the occasion of AFET adoption of its annual Georgia report.

Press conference by Rasa JUKNEVIČIENĖ (EPP, LT), rapporteur with Georgia's civil society activists leading mass pro-democracy protests across the country, on the occasion of AFET adoption of its annual Georgia report

Roberta METSOLA President of the European Parliament, meets with Dorin RECEAN, Moldovan Prime Minister, in the European Parliament in Brussels. This news items shows extracts from the arrival of Prime Minister Recean, welcome by President Metsola, handshake, family photo and roundtable.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Dorin RECEAN, Moldovan Prime Minister: extracts from the arrival, meeting and roundtable

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Danish Presidency of the Council. Denmark holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the second half of 2025. This news items shows the boat tour with Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs.

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Danish Presidency of the Council: extracts from the boat tour with Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs

A delegation of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) visits Bratislava, Slovakia, from 2-3 of June in order to discuss and gain insight into the latest developments as regards the situation of democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights in Slovakia. This will be a follow up on two sessions which the Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG) of the LIBE Committee held recently on the situation in Slovakia. The delegation is composed of representatives of five political groups in the European Parliament. The LIBE delegation aims to hold meetings with representatives from the Slovak Government, representatives of the Slovak National Assembly, representatives of the judiciary and of other relevant authorities, organisations and stakeholders. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Javier ZARZALEJOS (EPP, ES), Chair of LIBE Commitee, and Sophie WILMES (Renew, BE), Chair of the DRFMG Working Group, on the LIBE rule of law mission to Bratislava (Slovakia)

A delegation of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) visits Bratislava, Slovakia, from 2-3 of June in order to discuss and gain insight into the latest developments as regards the situation of democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights in Slovakia. The delegation consists in four representatives of political groups in the European Parliament. This news item shows the their meeting with Lucia KURILOVSKA, Slovak State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior. This mission is a follow up on two sessions which the Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG) of the LIBE Committee held recently on the situation in Slovakia.

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