At a glance: Parliament’s committees will hold the last confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate; the hearings will conclude tomorrow; evaluation letters will then go to the Conference of Committee Chairs, then to the Conference of Presidents.

Kratke vijesti – 11/11/2024 - hrvatski

Europa se nalazi na dosad neviđenoj demografskoj prekretnici. Gotovo trećina europskih građana do 2050. imat će 65 godina ili više. Posljedice starenja europskog stanovništva osjetit će se u raznim područjima uključujući zdravstvenu i socijalnu skrb, tržište rada te gospodarstvo. Europske politike za starije osobe usmjerene su na nekoliko ključnih područja: aktivno starenje, socijalnu uključenost, zdravstvenu i dugotrajnu skrb te financijsku sigurnost. Sljedeći korak je donošenje sveobuhvatne strategije za starije osobe.

Prijedlog Europske strategije za starije osobe

At a glance: Parliament’s committees are holding the confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate, which will conclude on 12 November 2024; a workshop has been held on the post-2027 EU long-term budget.

Kratke vijesti – 08/11/2024 - hrvatski

At a glance: The European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola, has congratulated the newly elected US President, Donald Trump; Parliament’s committees are holding the confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate, which will conclude on 12 November 2024.

Kratke vijesti – 07/11/2024 - hrvatski

At a glance: the European Parliament’s committees are holding confirmation hearings for the candidates for the new Commission. The hearings will conclude on 12 November.

Kratke vijesti – 06/11/2024 - hrvatski

At a glance: the European Parliament’s committees are carrying out confirmation hearings for the candidates for the new Commission; European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has congratulated Maia Sandu on her re-election as President of Moldova.

Kratke vijesti – 05/11/2024 - hrvatski

At a glance: European Commissioner to present annual Anti-Fraud report to Budgetary Control Committee; Parliament hearings underway for proposed candidates for the new Commission; experts convene in Brussels to shape priorities for Post-2027 EU budget.

Kratke vijesti – 04/11/2024 - hrvatski

The need for accountability and increased scrutiny of the European Council has been a constant theme in the European Parliament's resolutions throughout the 2019-2024 legislative term. The increased need to scrutinise the European Council also results from the changing role of the institution over recent years. In this podcast, we analyse the need for democratic oversight of the European Council and outline the different tools at Parliament's disposal to do so. We also look at the content of Parliament's resolutions addressing the European Council and the messages it sends to the EU leaders.

EPRS policy podcast - European Parliament's scrutiny of the European Council: The use of Parliament resolutions

Dana 7. veljače 1992. 12 država članica Europskih zajednica potpisalo je Ugovor iz Maastrichta, službeno poznat i kao Ugovor o Europskoj uniji. Stupio je na snagu 1. studenoga 1993. nakon što su ga države članice ratificirale.
Njime je službeno utemeljena Europska unija, kohezivnija i povezanija inačica Europske ekonomske zajednice. Uz to, uvedeno je i europsko državljanstvo.

Ugovor iz Maastrichta: od potpisivanja do današnjih dana

At a glance: the European Parliament is about to start confirmation hearings for candidates for the von der Leyen Commission; members of the Public Health Subcommittee  concluded their visit to the EU Disease Prevention Centre and an EU delegation attended COP16 in Colombia.

Kratke vijesti – 31/10/2024 - hrvatski

At a glance: following Georgia’s elections, MEPs call for investigations into alleged vote manipulation; MEPs push for more support to Ukraine; and European Parliament delegation meets with representatives of international legal bodies in The Hague.

Kratke vijesti – 30/10/2024 - hrvatski

At a glance: MEPs of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee are in Colombia to attend the UN Conference on Biological Diversity; a delegation of the Committee on Transport and Tourism is in France, to take stock of major EU funded transport projects and MEPs of the Committee on Development are in Guatemala to review the EU development portfolio in the country.

Kratke vijesti – 29/10/2024 - hrvatski

At a glance: MEPs from the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs are visiting Poland; a delegation from the Committee on International Trade is in the UK; and Parliament denounces violations of human rights and international law by Azerbaijan.

Kratke vijesti – 28/10/2024 - hrvatski

Nagrada Daphne Caruana Galizia za novinarstvo za 2024. dodijeljena je neprofitnom prekograničnom novinarskom projektu „Izgubljeni u Europi”. U njihovom istraživanju otkriveno je da je od 2021. do 2023. više od 51 000 maloljetnih migranata bez pratnje nestalo nakon dolaska u Europu. Nagrada nazvana po malteškoj istraživačkoj novinarki, blogerici i antikorupcijskoj aktivistici Daphne Caruani Galiziji, koja je ubijena 2017., doprinosi promicanju načela i vrijednosti Unije sadržanih u Povelji Europske unije o temeljnim pravima.

agrada Daphne Caruana Galizia za novinarstvo za 2024.

At a glance: during the plenary session, Parliament proposed an overall budget for 2025 of almost EUR 201 billion; María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia win the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought; and MEPs expressed their solidarity with Taiwan.

Kratke vijesti – 25/10/2024 - hrvatski

María Corina Machado i Edmundo González Urrutia dobitnici su Nagrade Saharov za slobodu mišljenja Europskog parlamenta za 2024. Nagrada se dodjeljuje od 1988. pojedincima i organizacijama koji brane ljudska prava i temeljne slobode.

Nagrada Saharov za slobodu mišljenja za 2024.

The alleged attempts to influence MEPs unveiled loopholes in Parliament’s internal rules, alongside other issues, says&nbsp;Special Committee on Foreign Interference. Interference attempts are a “widespread phenomenon that must be countered as vigorously as possible”, warn MEPs, expressing their “deep shock and condemnation of the allegations of corruption, money laundering and participation in a criminal organisation” by three MEPs, one former MEP and one parliamentary assistant.

The committee has identified “numerous loopholes in Parliament’s integrity and transparency rules” and calls for President Metsola’s&nbsp;14-point proposal to&nbsp;reform Parliament’s rules to be put into concrete actions as soon as possible.

MEPs demand also that compliance with the six-month cooling-off period for former MEPs should be monitored by the new&nbsp;EU ethics body. Parliament should introduce a monitoring system and rules for revoking access for former MEPs who lobby on behalf of high-risk countries beyond the cooling-off period.

Parliament has also reacted to corruption&nbsp;allegations &nbsp;with immediate changes and demands for measures to close loopholes in existing transparency rules. In&nbsp;&nbsp;December 2022,&nbsp;Parliament&nbsp;adopted a resolution on the suspicions of corruption by Qatar and the broader need for more transparency in the EU institutions.

Fight against corruption, corruption and money laundering

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

The EU has developed a policy to support the gradual integration of the Western Balkan countries with the Union. The EU aims to promote peace, stability and economic development in the region&nbsp;and open up the prospect of EU integration.

In order to apply for EU membership a country has to be European and respect the EU’s democratic values. It also needs stable institutions guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law; a functioning market economy; and the ability to take on and carry out the obligations of EU membership.

Parliament is fully involved in the Stabilisation and Association Process &nbsp;and must also consent to any new accession to the EU. In addition, through its budgetary powers, it has direct influence over the amounts allocated to the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance. Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs appoints standing rapporteurs for all candidate and potential candidate countries. Parliament expresses its positions on enlargement in the form of annual resolutions responding to the Commission’s latest annual country reports.

On 1&nbsp;July&nbsp;2013, Croatia became the first of the seven countries to join, and Montenegro, Serbia, the Republic of North Macedonia and Albania are official candidates. Accession negotiations and chapters have been opened with Montenegro and Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidate countries.

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans

Mr TAJANI was elected President of the European Parliament on 17 January 2017. 

The President chairs the plenary sittings of Parliament, the Conference of the Presidents of Political Groups and the Bureau of Parliament. The President is responsible for the application of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, and, to this end, oversees all the activities of Parliament and its bodies. The President represents Parliament in all legal matters. He addresses the European Council prior to each of its meetings, stating Parliament's viewpoint on the subjects on the agenda in the framework of a debate with the heads of state and government. The President represents Parliament in its international relations, and, in this connection, undertakes official visits within and outside the EU. The President signs the EU budget into being following Parliament's vote on it at second reading. During the procedure, the President chairs the EP/Council conciliation delegations. The President may, under the EP/Council codecision procedure, chair the EP/Council conciliation committee.

Antonio TAJANI, EP President's Agenda

On 24 February Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Shortly before&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized&nbsp;two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine&nbsp; as independent.&nbsp;The Conference of Presidents of the EP condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. "Ukraine is an independent and sovereign nation and its territorial integrity is non-negotiable. The invasion is unjustified and illegal. It is a threat to European and regional stability, as well as to the rules-based world order. The attack targets our model of democratic society. It cannot go unanswered, " says declaration of the COP.

"The Russian invasion into Ukraine is part of President Putin’s destabilisation agenda. It is a path that will bring the Kremlin in direct confrontation with Europe and the rule-based world-order. It is a path that pits authoritarianism against democracy. It is a path that we cannot allow him to walk unchallenged," said EP President Roberta Metsola.

European Union leaders met for a special European Council in Brussels on 24 February&nbsp;and adopted a set of sanctions related to the the financial sector, the energy and transport sectors,dual-use goods, exports, Russian individuals etc.&nbsp;

Ukraine is a priority partner for the European Union (EU). The EU supports Ukraine in ensuring a stable, prosperous and democratic future for its citizens and is unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Association Agreement (AA), including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) signed in 2014, is the main tool for bringing Ukraine and the EU closer together. Since 2014, the EU and the Financial Institutions have mobilised more than €15 billion in grants and loans to support the reform process in the country, with strong conditionality on continued progress.

As a result of the cooperation with Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada in the field of democracy support, European Parliament launched on 11 March the website “<a href="https://ukraine.europarl.europa.eu/en/home.html" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">The EU stands with Ukraine</a>” (in English and Ukrainian) provides the latest news, videos and podcasts, relevant legislation and resolutions to show how the EU is helping Ukraine. Content from the Ukrainian Parliament could also be shared on the site. Actively supporting EU efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the world is one of Parliament's core responsibilities.

EU - Ukraine

As co-legislator, Parliament has long been supportive of EU biodiversity protection and climate change policies.

The EU has played an important international role in seeking solutions to biodiversity loss, deforestation and climate change. The 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change notes the importance of ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems and the protection of biodiversity. As part of the European Green Deal, the Commission has proposed a new biodiversity strategy that aims to put Europe’s biodiversity on the path to recovery by 2030, for the benefit of people, the climate and the planet.

Biodiversity Strategy 2030

On 24 February 2022,&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;began a&nbsp;military invasion&nbsp;of Ukraine, in a major escalation of the conflict that had begun in 2014. Shortly before, on 21 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent.&nbsp;

Since then, the EU and its international allies have rallied firmly behind the Kyiv government. This support has resulted in unprecedented levels of financial aid, assistance, weapons deliveries to Ukraine, sweeping sanctions against Moscow, and the granting of EU candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova.

On 1&nbsp;March&nbsp;the European Parliament held an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels to assess Russia’s military assault on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky&nbsp;and the Speaker of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada (parliament) Ruslan Stefanchuk spoke live from Kiev.&nbsp;The European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was in Kyiv on 1 April&nbsp;to express the European Union´s support of&nbsp;the Ukrainian people and to condemn the Russian attack. On&nbsp;8 June&nbsp;Stefanchuk adressed Parliament in the Strasbourg hemicycle.

Following the atrocities carried out by Vladimir Putin’s regime against Ukrainian civilians, the European Parliament has&nbsp;recognised Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism in a resolution on November 2022.

On 9th February 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy&nbsp;addressed the European Parliament during an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels.

In March 2024, &nbsp;MEPs voted to to amend the Commission’s proposal to suspend import duties and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU for another year, from 6 June 2024 to 5 June 2025.&nbsp;

Russian aggression against Ukraine

Launched in 1962, the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) is a partnership between agriculture and society, and between Europe and its farmers. It aims to: support farmers and improve agricultural productivity, ensuring a stable supply of affordable food; safeguard European Union farmers to make a reasonable living; help tackle climate change and the sustainable management of natural resources; maintain rural areas and landscapes across the EU; keep the rural economy alive by promoting jobs in farming, agri-food industries and associated sectors.

The CAP is a common policy for all EU countries. It is managed and funded at European level from the resources of the EU’s budget. CAP 2023-27 To consolidate the role of European agriculture for the future, the CAP has evolved over the years to meet changing economic circumstances and citizens’ requirements and needs.

The CAP 2023-27 entered into force on 1 January 2023.&nbsp;Support for farmers and rural stakeholders across the 27 EU countries is based on the CAP 2023-27 legal framework and the choices detailed in the&nbsp;CAP Strategic Plans, approved by the Commission. The approved Plans are designed to make a significant contribution to the ambitions of the&nbsp;European Green Deal,&nbsp;Farm to Fork Strategy&nbsp;and&nbsp;Biodiversity Strategy.

Common agricultural policy (CAP)

Candidate countries include Montenegro, Albania, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are considered potential candidates.

In order to apply for EU membership a country has to be European and respect the EU’s democratic values. It also needs stable institutions guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law; a functioning market economy; and the ability to take on and carry out the obligations of EU membership.

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans (2019-2020)

Croatia officially joined the EU on 1 July 2013.&nbsp;Croatia became&nbsp;the 20th&nbsp;member of the eurozone on January 1, 2023&nbsp;with the adoption fo the euro.

Croatia borders Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia and has been an independent country since 1991. Croatia is a parliamentary republic in which the prime minister and the president represent the executive power and the state at home and abroad.

Croatia has 11 MEPs in the European Parliament.

EU - Croatia

Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. Therefore in December 2019 the Commission presented a communication on a European Green Deal that sets out a detailed vision to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, safeguard biodiversity, establish a circular economy and eliminate pollution, while boosting the competitiveness of European industry and ensuring a just transition for the regions and workers affected.

Parliament has played an important role in pushing for more ambitious EU climate legislation and declared a climate emergency on 28 November 2019.&nbsp; The European Climate Law writes&nbsp;into law the goal to become climate neutral by 2050 and attain the intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels).&nbsp;After 2050 the EU will aim for negative emissions. In July&nbsp;2021 the European Commission presented its “Fit for 55 in 2030” package-the legislative tool to deliver on the targets agreed in the European Climate law.

The EP adopted the new Nature restoration law during its February plenary. The new law sets a target for the EU to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. The EU nature restoration law, agreed with member states, will restore degraded ecosystems in all member states, help achieve the EU’s climate and biodiversity objectives and enhance food security.

To reach the overall EU targets, member states must restore at least 30% of habitats covered by the new law (from forests, grasslands and wetlands to rivers, lakes and coral beds) from a poor to a good condition by 2030, increasing to 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050. In line with Parliament’s position, EU countries should give priority to&nbsp;Natura 2000 areas&nbsp;until 2030. Once in a good condition, EU countries shall ensure an area does not significantly deteriorate. Member states will also have to adopt national restoration plans detailing how they intend to achieve these targets.

European Green Deal

Minimum wages in all EU countries should allow for decent living and working standards, and member states should promote collective bargaining for pay.&nbsp; With 505 votes in favour, 92 against and 44 abstentions, Parliament adopted&nbsp;new legislation&nbsp;on adequate minimum wages in the EU during September plenary.

The EU law, agreed with the Council in June, aims to improve working and living conditions for all workers in the EU, as well as promoting economic and social progress. To this end, it establishes minimum requirements for the adequacy of statutory minimum&nbsp;wages as provided by national law and/or collective agreements, and enhances the effective access of workers to minimum wage protection.

The new directive will apply to all EU workers who have an employment contract or employment relationship. The EU countries in which the minimum wage is already protected exclusively via collective agreements will not be obliged to introduce these rules nor to make these agreements universally applicable.

EU wants to improve workers’ rights and working conditions across Europe, from working hours and parental leave to health and safety at work. The EU has put in place a set of labour rules to ensure strong social protection. They include minimum requirements on working conditions - such as working time, part-time work, workers’ rights - to information about important aspects of their employment and the posting of workers. They have become one of the cornerstones of Europe's social policies.&nbsp;

Working conditions

Toppled Syrian president Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow after Syrian rebels captured Damascus over the weekend of 7-8 December, ending decades of the Assad dynasty’s reign. Before armed fighters launched an offensive in November 2024, Syria’s territory was divided between regime forces (supported by Russia and Iran) and rebel factions – some backed by Turkey and the USA. After a 13-years-long civil war, Syria’s armed opposition said it ultimately plans to form a government based on functioning institutions and a “council chosen by the people”.

While analysts warn of an extremely challenging transition due to the “diverse coalition” of armed fighters, an end to the war could allow millions of refugees scattered across camps in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan to return home after more than a decade.

Situation in Syria

Parliament holds debates on human rights, democracy and rule of law topics.

Human rights are fundamental values of the entire international community. More than 70 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first comprehensive international human rights document to set common standards to which all UN members should aspire, human rights have become a cornerstone of the international system and have reached almost universal recognition. However, much remains to be done in practice so that every human being can enjoy their fundamental rights.

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

The European Ombudsman is an independent and impartial body, tasked with holding the EU’s institutions and agencies to account and promoting good administration. The Ombudsman conducts inquiries about maladministration, following complaints by citizens or on their own initiative.

The Ombudsman is elected by the Parliament for the duration of a parliamentary term from a list of nominees. &nbsp;The new European Ombudsman will take office following an oath-taking ceremony on 27 February 2025 at the EU Court of Justice, for a five-year mandate.

The European Ombudsman

Worldwide, forests are being lost at the alarming rate of 800 football fields per hour. With deforestation being a critical contributor to climate change and a leading cause of biodiversity loss, it is becoming increasingly clear that a sustainable future cannot be achieved without tackling deforestation and taking measures to protect- and sustainably manage forests.&nbsp; The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)&nbsp;estimates&nbsp;that 420 million hectares of forest — an area larger than the EU — were lost to deforestation between 1990 and 2020. It is estimated that&nbsp;EU consumption represents around 10% of global deforestation.

&nbsp;In October 2020, Parliament made use of its&nbsp;prerogative in the Treaty&nbsp;to ask the Commission to&nbsp;come forward with legislation to halt EU-driven global deforestation.

MEPs have already called for strengthening the overall climate benefits from forests and the forest-based value chain, namely CO2 absorption and carbon storage in wood-based products. Parliament also emphasises the need to increase funding for research into the substitution of fossil fuels and fossil-fuel materials. Forests and the entire forest-based value chain are fundamental to further develop of the circular bio-economy, which delivers important climate change mitigation and adaptation services.Parliament wants binding targets to protect and restore forest ecosystems, especially primary forests (those that have not been been affected by people's actions in recent times).

Forest protection

Raffaele Fitto was a Member of the European Parliament (1999-2000, 2014-2022) and became Co-Chair of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) of the European Parliament in 2019. He was the Italian Minister for European Affairs, Southern Italy, Cohesion Policy and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) from 2022 to present, and he is now Executive Vice-President-designate of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President-designate, Cohesion and Reforms

Kaja Kallas was Member of the EP from 2014 to 2018, Estonian Prime Minister since 2021 and she is now High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, in the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President designate

EU Leaders meet in Budapest for an informal European Council meeting. Competitiveness is on top of the agenda and is discussed in depth during an informal meeting of Heads of State or Government on 8 November 2024, which is expected to result in a ‘Budapest Declaration’.

Informal European Council in Budapest

Piotr Serafin became Head of cabinet of Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, in 2014 and Acting Permanent Representative of Poland to the EU in 2023. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Piotr SERAFIN, Commissioner-designate, Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration

Valdis Dombrovskis was Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade in the von der Leyen Commission I. He was also Vice-President of the EC in charge of the Euro and Social Dialogue, and in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union in the Juncker Commission and he is a former Member of the EP. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Economy and Productivity, and European Commissioner-designate for Implementation and Simplification, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commisioner-designate for Economy and Productivity Implementation and Simplification

Marta Kos is self-employed, working through Kos Consulting and Coaching since 2021. From 2017 to 2021, she was the Slovenian Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and the Ambassador to Germany and Latvia (2013-2017). She is now the European Commissioner-designate for Enlargement, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Marta KOS, Commissioner-designate, Enlargement

Wopke Hoekstra was Dutch Minister for Finance from 2017 to 2022, Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2022 to 2023 and European Commissioner for Climate Action and acting Commissioner for Transport in the von der Leyen Commission I. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Wopke HOEKSTRA, Commissioner-designate for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth

The European Political Community (EPC) is a political platform designed to foster cooperation among European countries that share the European Union's fundamental values. Proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron during the closing ceremony of the Conference on the Future of Europe in May 2022, the EPC held its first meeting in Prague in October 2022.

The discussions will be on the security challenges, followed by four breakout sessions on the topics of migration and economic security. The session on migration will cover all aspects of migration, while the one on economic security will also discuss connectivity in terms of energy, transport, IT and also global trade.

5th European Political Community Summit

Olivér Várhely was European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement in the von der Leyen Commission I. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Health and Animal Welfare, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designated, Health and Animal Welfare

Andrius Kubilius was Lithuanian Prime Minister (1999-2000, 2008-2012), Member of the European Parliament since 2019 and he is now European Commissioner-designate for Defence and Space, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Andrius KUBILIUS, Commissioner-designate, Defence and Space

Costas Kadis was Cypriot Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment from 2018 to 2023. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Fisheries and Oceans, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Costantinos KADIS, Commissioner-designate, Fisheries and Oceans

Jozef Síkela has been Czech Minister for Industry and Trade since 2021. He is now the European Commissioner-designate for International Partnerships, in the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Jozef SÍKELA, Commissioner-designate, International Partnerships

Hadja Lahbib was Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions since 2022. She is now European Commissioner-designate for Preparedness and Crisis Management, and European Commissioner-designate for Equality, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Hadja LAHBIB, Commissioner-designate, Preparedness and Crisis Management

Maria Luís Albuquerque was the Portuguese Minister for Finance from 2013 to 2015. She is now European Commissioner-designate for Financial Services and the Savings and Investment Union, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Maria Luís ALBUQUERQUE, Commissioner-designate, Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union

Jessika Roswall was Swedish Minister for EU Affairs since 2022. She is now European Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner-designate, Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy

Magnus Brunner was Secretary of State at the Austrian Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology from 2020 to 2021 and Austrian Federal Minister for Finance since 2021. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Internal Affairs and Migration, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Magnus BRUNNER, Commissioner-designate, Internal Affairs and Migration

Dan Jørgensen was Member of the EP (2004-2013), Danish Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries (2013-2015), Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities (2019-2022) and Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy since 2022. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Energy and Housing, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Dan JØRGENSEN, Commissioner-designate, Energy and Housing

Dubravka Šuica was Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography in the von der Leyen Commission I and Member of the European Parliament from 2013 to 2019. She is now European Commissioner-designate for the Mediterranean, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Dubravka ŠUICA, Commissioner-designate, Mediterranean

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Andrej PLENKOVIC,  Prime Minister of Croatia

EP Plenary session - Tackling abusive subcontracting and labour market intermediaries

EP Plenary session - Promoting social dialogue and collective bargaining and the right to strike in the EU

Press briefing on the next EU long-term Budget (The Multiannual Financial Framework)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with António COSTA, President of the European Council

Press conference on setting up a standing committee on Security and Defence

EP Plenary session - Restoring the EU’s competitive edge - the need for an impact assessment on the Green Deal policies

Sakharov Prize 2024 - Meeting with Venezuelan diaspora

EP Plenary session - Voting session

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

Sakharov Youth Seminar

Civil society organisations meet with the European Parliament’s 2024 Sakharov Prize laureates and finalists

MEPs who lead the parliamentary work on Georgia, meet with Salome ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia

EP Plenary session - Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024

EP Plenary session - Formal sitting with Salome ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Salome ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia

EP Plenary session - Towards a shared vision for European tourism, its sustainable growth and brand Europe

EP Plenary session - The situation in Mayotte following the devastating cyclone Chido and the need for solidarity

Press conference opening remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President following her participation at the European Council meeting

Delegation to the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly

DACP

Panel for the Future of Science and Technology

Potreba za ažuriranjem Europske strategije o pravima osoba s invaliditetom

Preporuka Vijeću o prioritetima EU-a za 69. sjednicu Komisije UN-a o statusu žena - Prioriteti EU-a za 69. sjednicu Komisije o statusu žena

Nastavak zasjedanja

Glasovanje

Usvajanje zapisnika s prethodne dnevne sjednice

Planovi Komisije da u svoj plan rada za 2025. uključi reviziju preostalih prijedloga o dobrobiti životinja

Obrazloženja glasovanja

Usvajanje zapisnika s današnje dnevne sjednice i prosljeđivanje usvojenih tekstova

Kalendar sljedećih dnevnih sjednica

Zatvaranje dnevne sjednice

Prekid zasjedanja

Plenary session

Delegations for relations with Palestine

DPAL

Press Briefing on the next EU long-term Budget

Press conference by Andreas SCHIEDER (S&D, AT), Evin INCIR (S&D, SE), Per CLAUSEN (The Left, DK) and Leoluca ORLANDO (Greens/EFA, IT) on the Current situation in Syria and Rojava.

Press conference by Marie-Agnes STRACK-ZIMMERMAN (Renew, DE), Chair of SEDE Subcommittee, on setting up a Standing Committee on Security and Defence

Formal sitting with Salome Zourabichvili, President of Georgia: arrival and welcome by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and extracts from the formal sitting

Pregovori prije prvog čitanja u Parlamentu (článok 72 rokovacieho poriadku) (daljnje radnje)

Potpisivanje akata usvojenih u skladu s redovnim zakonodavnim postupkom (članak 81. Poslovnika)

Priprema sastanka Europskog vijeća 19. i 20. prosinca 2024.

Priprema sastanka na vrhu EU-a i zapadnog Balkana

Sastav klubova zastupnika

Tematska rasprava (članak 169. Poslovnika) – Kako ponovno učiniti EU konkurentnim – potreba za procjenom učinka politika zelenog plana

Promicanje socijalnog dijaloga i kolektivnog pregovaranja te pravo na štrajk u EU-u

Borba protiv zlouporabe podugovaranja i posrednici na tržištu rada

Izazovi s kojima se suočavaju poljoprivrednici i radnici u poljoprivredi u EU-u: poboljšanje radnih uvjeta, uključujući njihovu mentalnu dobrobit

Sastav odbora i izaslanstava

Potreba za brzim djelovanjem i transparentnošću u pogledu navoda o korupciji u javnom sektoru kako bi se zaštitio demokratski integritet

Rasprave o slučajevima kršenja ljudskih prava, demokratskih načela i vladavine prava (članak 150. Poslovnika)

Hitna potreba za djelovanjem EU-a u cilju očuvanja prirode i zaštite bioraznolikosti kako bi se izbjeglo izumiranje vrsta

Dnevni red sljedeće dnevne sjednice

Usvajanje zapisnika s aktualne dnevne sjednice

Briefing The Left by Manon AUBRY (The Left,FR) and Martin SCHIRDEWAN (The Left,DE), Co-Presidents

Press conference by Younous OMARJEE (The Left, FR), Vice-President, and Andrzej BULA (EPP, PL), Co-rapporteurs on the Restore proposal

Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought Award Ceremony

Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and the laureates of Sakharov Prize 2024

Briefing Greens/EFA by Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA,NL) and Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA,DE), Co-Presidents

Briefing Renew Europe by Valérie HAYER (Renew,FR), President

Briefing S&D by Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, (S&D,ES), President

Briefing EPP by Manfred WEBER (EPP,DE), President

Press briefing ECR

EP Plenary session - Geopolitical and economic implications for the transatlantic relations under the new Trump administration

MEPs debate on challenges facing EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their mental well-being.

Challenges facing EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their mental well-being: MEPs Debate

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, receives Andrej PLENKOVIĆ, the Croatian Prime Minister, before the EU-Balkans leaders summit in Brussels. This news item shows extracts from the arrival of the Croatian Prime Minister, family photo, signature of the Distinguished Visitor's book, and meeting.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meets with Andrej PLENKOVIĆ, Croatian Prime Minister: arrival, meeting and signature of the golden book

Marie-Agnes STRACK-ZIMMERMAN (Renew, DE), Chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE), gives a press conference on setting up a Standing Committee on Security and Defence. Responding to citizen's expectations and reflecting EP priorities for the 10th legislature, European Parliament political group leaders (President Metsola and chairs of political groups) have decided to upgrade the subcommittees on Security and Defence and on Public Health as full standing committees, as well as the creation of a special committee on democracy shield and one on housing. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Appointment of the Chair of the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) EC-Pacific States Interim Partnership Agreement: accession of Tonga EC-Pacific States Interim Partnership Agreement: accession of Niue EC-Pacific States Interim Partnership Agreement: accession of Tuvalu

Voting Session

MEPs debate on the preparation of the EU-Western Balkans Summit. The leaders of the two regions meet in Brussels to pursue the new momentum for the strategic partnership between the European Union and the Western Balkans, including a reflection on how to deepen that partnership and move forward together towards a joint future in the European Union.

Preparation of the EU-Western Balkans Summit: MEPs Debate

Preparation of the EU-Western Balkans Summit: one round of political group speakers

In a debate with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Barna Zsigmond, Hungary’s Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs, MEPs outline their expectations for the European Council meeting taking place on Thursday 19 December, focusing on the situation in the Middle East, the EU’s support to Ukraine in its war against Russia, and crisis prevention and migration management. Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, and Barna ZSIGMOND, Hungarian Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs.

Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024: Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, EC for Trade and Economic Security, and Barna ZSIGMOND, Hungarian Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs

In a debate with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Barna Zsigmond, Hungary’s Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs, MEPs outline their expectations for the European Council meeting taking place on Thursday 19 December, focusing on the situation in the Middle East, the EU’s support to Ukraine in its war against Russia, and crisis prevention and migration management. Second part of MEPs debate.

Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024: MEPs Debate part 2

In a debate with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Barna Zsigmond, Hungary’s Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs, MEPs outline their expectations for the European Council meeting taking place on Thursday 19 December, focusing on the situation in the Middle East, the EU’s support to Ukraine in its war against Russia, and crisis prevention and migration management. First part of MEPs debate.

Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024: MEPs Debate part 1

In a debate with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Barna Zsigmond, Hungary’s Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs, MEPs outline their expectations for the European Council meeting taking place on Thursday 19 December, focusing on the situation in the Middle East, the EU’s support to Ukraine in its war against Russia, and crisis prevention and migration management. Opening statement by Barna ZSIGMOND, Hungarian Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024: Opening statement by Barna ZSIGMOND, Hungarian Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission

MEPs outline their demands of European leaders ahead of the EU summit, which is set to focus on Ukraine and the Middle East, crisis prevention, migration. On 19-20 December, EU Heads of State or Government will review the latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s support for Kyiv, amidst the uncertainty of the new US administration’s approach to the conflict. The European Council will also assess the situation in the Middle East, following the recent ceasefire in Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel, while the humanitarian crisis in Gaza persists and there are still dozens of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024: extracts from the debate

Salome ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia addresses the European Parliament.

Formal sitting with Salome ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia: Address by Salome ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, opens the formal sitting.

Formal sitting with Salome ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia: Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Salome ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia has been invited to address the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Extracts from the welcome by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and from the formal sitting in the chamber. Georgia has recently witnessed massive protests as a result of the government’s decision to pause the country’s EU accession process following the disputed parliamentary elections in October 2024, which according to Ms Zourabichvili were fraudulent and effectively stolen. In a resolution adopted on 28 November, MEPs rejected the outcome of the elections and called for them to be re-run within a year.

Formal sitting with Salome ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia: arrival , welcome by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and extracts from the formal sitting

On the occasion of the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, Ana Corina Sosa (daughter and representative of María Corina Machado, the 2024 laureate), give a statement on the current situation in Venezuela and the significance of the Sakharov Prize. The award is presented to María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia in recognition of their efforts to restore freedom and democracy in Venezuela. In their pursuit of a fair, free, and peaceful transition of power, they have unwaveringly championed the values that millions of Venezuelans, as well as the European Parliament, hold dear: justice, democracy, and the rule of law.

Award of the 2024 Sakharov Prize: statement by Ana Corina Sosa (daughter and representative of María Corina Machado), Sakharov Prize 2024 laureate

Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms, debate Russia’s manipulation of history and use of false narratives to justify its war in Ukraine. The debate focus on Russian historical disinformation narratives to discredit and undermine international support for Ukraine, efforts which are intended to hurt Ukrainian independence and sovereignty. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine: Closing Statement

EPs and EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas debate Russia’s manipulation of history and use of false narratives to justify its war in Ukraine. The debate focus on Russian historical disinformation narratives to discredit and undermine international support for Ukraine, efforts which are intended to hurt Ukrainian independence and sovereignty.

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