At a glance: Parliament opens its doors in Strasbourg for the EYE event; a new plenary session kicks off on Monday; and the multilingualism student competition.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 13/06/2025 - Malti

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.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 12/06/2025 - Malti

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.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 11/06/2025 - Malti

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.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 10/06/2025 - Malti

Minkejja li s-sensibilizzazzjoni u l-isforzi biex nirriċiklaw żdiedu, ammont sinifikanti ta’ skart tal-plastik fl-UE għadu mhuwiex jiġi riċiklat. F’dawn l-aħħar ftit snin, l-UE bdiet miexja lejn ekonomija ċirkolari għall-plastik. Iżda biex naslu għal futur mingħajr plastik għandna triq twila quddiemna, u lkoll irridu nagħmlu l-parti tagħna.

Kif l-UE qed tiġġieled it-tniġġis mill-plastik: mill-projbizzjoni fuq il-plastik li jintuża darba biss għall-mikroplastik

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.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 06/06/2025 - Malti

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.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 05/06/2025 - Malti

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.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 04/06/2025 - Malti

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.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 03/06/2025 - Malti

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.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 02/06/2025 - Malti

Il-Mercosur huwa alleanza reġjonali ta’ pajjiżi fl-Amerka Latina u wieħed mis-sħab kummerċjali ewlenin tal-UE. L-UE ilha tipprova ssawwar rabtiet aktar mill-qrib mal-Mercosur, iżda mhux kulħadd tal-fehma li din hija idea tajba.

Mercosur: opportunitajiet u sfidi għall-Unjoni Ewropea

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.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 28/05/2025 - Malti

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.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 27/05/2025 - Malti

Għandek bejn it-18 u t-30 sena u qed tfittex opportunità biex tgħin lill-komunità usa’, fl-Ewropa u lil hinn minnha?

Tista’ tagħmel dan bis-saħħa ta’ finanzjament u appoġġ mill-Korp Ewropew ta’ Solidarjetà, li jgħin liż-żgħażagħ jieħdu sehem fi proġetti li jsiru jew barra minn pajjiżhom jew f’pajjiżhom stess. 

Dawn il-proġetti joffrulek esperjenza li tispirak u li ttik sens ta’ responsabbiltà. Apparti minn hekk, jagħtuk iċ-ċans li tbiddel ħajtek għall-aħjar filwaqt li tiżviluppa l-ħiliet u l-kompetenzi tiegħek.

Gwida biex tissieħeb fil-Korp Ewropew ta’ Solidarjetà

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.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 26/05/2025 - Malti

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.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 23/05/2025 - Malti

The EYE 2025 will take place on the 13 and 14 of June in Strasbourg. The EYE (European Youth Event) brings together thousands of young people from across the European Union and beyond, right at the heart of European democracy. The event is a unique opportunity for 16- to 30-year-olds to inspire and get inspired, to debate directly with Members of the European Parliament and other European decision-makers, and to exchange views with experts, activists, and content creators.

 

The use, reproduction, copying, or downloading of photos and videos featuring identifiable private person(s) by third parties is strictly prohibited without the prior consent of the person(s) depicted. The European Parliament disclaims any liability for the unauthorised use of such materials by third parties.

EYE2025

Nicole Fontaine (born 16 January 1942 in Grainville-Ymauville, Seine-Maritime) was a French politician. Member of the EPP, she was the President of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2001.

Nicole Fontaine

The obectives of the air transport's market rules are to set up a single air transport market in Europe, ensure its proper functioning, and extend it to certain third countries as far as possible.

More than twenty years after the entry into force of the ‘third package’ (in 1992), the functioning of the Single Aviation Market is, of course, still perfectible, as is illustrated by such factors as: the flaws in the slot allocation system; the fact that the vast majority (80%) of routes departing from EU airports are still served by only one (60%) or two carriers (20%); the financial difficulties that several airlines and secondary airports are facing; or the complicated oversight of air carriers now operating in several Member States. Nevertheless, the primary objective has been fully reached: from 1995 to 2014, while the number of passenger-kilometres within the EU-28 increased by around 23%, for air transport it jumped by about 74%. Over the same period, aviation’s share of total passenger transport increased from 6.5% to 9.2%, which is by far the strongest growth of all modes of transport in the EU. Source: <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/131/air-transport-market-rules">Air transport: market rules</a>.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/air-transport_5203_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Air transport

Have a look at stockshots (from 2021 onwards) with illustrative pre-edited broadcast quality video footage. These editable stockshots are clean (raw), with natural sound (no voice-over), produced to illustrate priority EU dossiers and parliamentary work. They are intended to help audiovisual media produce their own programs, for example, editing of news reports or documentaries.

Infoclips - Illustrative footage

Situation in the Middle East

Mário Soares was a Portuguese lawyer and Socialist politician. He was President of Portugal when the country entered the European Union in 1986. Mário Soares was President of the European Movement International from 1997 to 1999, and Member of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2004.

Mario Soares

David McAllister (EPP, DE) will continue as the Chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee for the coming two and a half years. He was re-elected by acclamation on Wednesday, 10 July. During its constituent meeting, the Committee also elected Witold Waszczykowski (ECR, PL) as the Committee’s First Vice-Chair. The remaining three Vice-Chairs will be elected at a future meeting. Together, the Chair and Vice-Chairs will form the Bureau of the Committee.

AFET - Committee on Foreign Affairs

Marie Arena will serve as Chair of Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) for the coming two and a half years. She was elected by acclamation by Subcommittee members on Wednesday. “I would like to express my thanks to all of you for your trust in electing me as Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights”, Ms Arena said after the vote.

MEPs also elected the four Vice-Chairs that will form, together with Marie Arena, the Subcommittee's bureau:

Ms <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197625/IRINA_VON+WIESE/home" target="_blank">Irina Von Wiese</a> (Renew Europe, UK) will be first Vice-Chair,

Ms <a href="http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197464/HANNAH_NEUMANN/home" target="_blank">Hannah Neumann</a> (Greens/EFA, DE) will be second Vice-Chair,

Ms <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197643/KAROLINE_EDTSTADLER/home" target="_blank">Karoline Edtstadler</a> (EPP, AT) will be third Vice-Chair, and

Mr <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197694/RAPHAEL_GLUCKSMANN/home" target="_blank">Raphaël Glucksmann</a> (S&amp;D, FR) will be fourth Vice-Chair.

DROI Subcommittee on Human Rights

MEPs elected Roberta Metsola (EPP, MT) on January 2022 as President of the European Parliament until 2024.

Roberta Metsola won the election in the first voting round, where she received an absolute majority of 458 votes out of 690 cast in the remote secret vote, among three candidates.&nbsp;

President Metsola is leading the Parliament in the second half of the current legislative term, until a new Parliament is constituted following the 2024 European Elections.

Born in Malta in 1979,&nbsp; Roberta Metsola who has been an MEP since 2013, is the youngest EP President ever elected. She became First Vice-President in November 2020, and was Parliament’s acting President after President Sassoli passed away on 11 January 2022.

She is the third female President of the European Parliament, after Simone Veil (1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999- 2002).

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament 2022-2024

In July 2024&nbsp; MEPs re-elected Roberta Metsola (EPP, MT) as President of the European Parliament until 2027, with 562 votes in the first round. Roberta Metsola won the election in the first round of voting, where she received an absolute majority of 562 votes cast out of 699 by secret paper ballot, among two candidates. She will continue to lead Parliament for the first two and a half years of the 10th legislative term.

Born in Malta in 1979, Roberta Metsola has been an MEP since 2013.&nbsp;She was elected First Vice-President in November 2020, and was Parliament’s acting President after President Sassoli passed away on 11 January 2022. On 18 January 2022,&nbsp;she was elected President&nbsp;for the second half of the 9th legislative term. She is the third female President of the European Parliament, after&nbsp;Simone Veil&nbsp;(1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999-2002).

Addressing the House after she was elected, President Metsola said: “Together, we must stand up for the politics of hope, for the dream that is Europe. I want people to recapture a sense of belief and enthusiasm for our project. A belief to make our shared space safer, fairer, more just and more equal. A belief that together we are stronger and we are better. A belief that ours is a Europe for all.”

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament 2024-2027

The European Union has paused its countermeasures on unjustified US trade tariffs to allow time and space for EU-US negotiations.&nbsp;

The decision – which puts on hold for up to 90 days the EU's&nbsp;planned countermeasures&nbsp;against US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium imports - was made in response to the US delaying by 90 days its so-called reciprocal tariffs.&nbsp; In total, the suspended EU countermeasures cover €21 billion of US exports.&nbsp;

As part of the EU's push to find a negotiated outcome with the US, EU Trade Commissioner&nbsp;Maroš&nbsp;Šefčovič was&nbsp;in Washington DC to hold meetings with his US counterparts in order to explore the ground for a negotiated solution.&nbsp;&nbsp; According to the Commission, the EU has a €154 billion trade surplus in goods with the US, while the US maintains a €104 billion surplus in services with the EU, resulting in an overall EU trade surplus of three percent from a total €1.5 trillion trade flow. In 2023, the US was the largest partner for EU exports of goods and the second largest partner for EU imports of goods.

EU - USA

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on the week from 27th to 31st january 2025. 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.

ENVI - Committee on Environment, Climate and Food Safety

Greece entered the European Economic Community on 1 January 1981.

Greece is a member of the eurozone since 1 January 2001 and of the Schengen area since 1 January 2000. Greece is a parliamentary republic with a head of government&nbsp; who has the most political power, and the head of state whose duties are largely ceremonial.

&nbsp;

EU - Greece - 8th parliamentary term

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.

EMPL - Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

LIBE - Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

On Wednesday 10 July, the Committe on Development (DEVE) met for the first time in its new composition and elected as its Chair Swedish MEP Tomas TOBÉ (EPP). The Committee also elected four Vice Chairs: Pierrette HERZBERGER-FOFANA (Greens/EFA), Norbert NEUSER (S&amp;D), Chrysoula ZACHAROPOULOU (Renew Europe), Erik MARQUARDT (Greens/EFA). The next meeting of the Committee will take place in the morning of 24 July and is set to discuss the state of play of development cooperation, the 2020 budget and the future partnership with ACP countries. The Finish EU Council Presidency will set out its priorities, in particular in humanitarian aid.

DEVE - Committee on Development

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

3 years anniversary of Russian aggression against Ukraine

Roberta METSOLA, EP President addresses the Meta pan-European Youth Summit

The EP and Poland’s Sejm and Senate organise a conference bringing together European and national MPs, to discuss stability, economic coordination and governance in the EU. The meeting is opened by EP President Roberta Metsola, Marshal of the Polish Sejm Szymon Hołownia and Senate Marshal Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska.

European Parliamentary Week

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Polish Marshals of Sejm and Senate

The 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) takes place from February 14 to 16, 2025, at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich. The MSC 2025 offers an unparalleled platform for high-level debates on the key foreign and security policy challenges of our time.

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament participates at the Munich Security Conference 2025

Roberta METSOLA, EP President represents the European Parliament in discussions in Israel and the Palestinian territories at a critical moment in time for the Middle East and the world.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President: Official visit to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories

MEPs review the new US administration’s recent decision to pull back from a number of international organisations and agreements.

Following his inauguration on 20 January 2025, President Trump signed a large number of executive orders setting the priorities of the new US administration, including the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation. Alongside Commission representatives, MEPs will discuss the impact of these decisions internationally and on the EU’s future involvement in these global initiatives.

Background

This is the second time the US has initiated the process of withdrawing from both the WHO and Paris Agreement.

During the first Trump administration (2017-2021), the US gave formal notice of withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in November 2019 (which then took 12 months to take effect). Shortly after taking office, President Biden revoked the decision, with the US formally rejoining the agreement in February 2021. President Trump also started the withdrawal process from the WHO in 2020, but it was never finalised and the decision was reversed by the Biden administration.

Debate on the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, WHO and USaid

MEPs examine the Kremlin’s continued repression of Russia’s political opposition a year after the murder of Alexei Navalny. Mr Navalny, one of Russia’s most well-known anti-corruption activists, an opposition politician, and an ardent critic of Vladimir Putin, died under mysterious circumstances in a remote penal colony in the Russian Arctic on 16 February 2024, while serving a long prison sentence on trumped-up charges. After his death, the European Parliament adopted a resolution holding the Russian state, and President Putin in particular, responsible for his death.

Debate on the one year after the murder of Alexei Navalny and the continued repression of the democratic opposition in Russia

Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič presents the Commission’s 2025 work programme, outlining its key policy actions and legislative initiatives planned for this year.

Debate on the Commission’s 2025 work programme with Maroš Šefčovič

Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, addresses MEPs at a formal sitting at noon

Formal siting of Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada

MEPs assess the impact of three years of Russia’s war against Ukraine and its repression of dissent following Alexei Navalny’s murder.

In a debate on Tuesday morning, with representatives of the European Commission and the Council, MEPs will mark three years since Moscow launched its brutal military invasion of Ukraine. A resolution will be put to a vote during the March plenary session.

In a resolution adopted in January 2025, Parliament reiterated its firm support for Kyiv, called on Russia to immediately terminate all military activities, and withdraw from Ukraine. MEPs also called on the EU to expand its sanctions against Russian media outlets conducting disinformation and information manipulation campaigns justifying the Kremlin’s war of aggression.

In a separate debate on Wednesday morning, MEPs will examine the Kremlin’s continued repression of Russia’s political opposition a year after the murder of Alexei Navalny. Mr Navalny, one of Russia’s most well-known anti-corruption activists, an opposition politician, and an ardent critic of Vladimir Putin, died under mysterious circumstances in a remote penal colony in the Russian Arctic on 16 February 2024, while serving a long prison sentence on trumped-up charges. After his death, the European Parliament adopted a resolution holding the Russian state, and President Putin in particular, responsible for his death.

On Wednesday afternoon, Parliament will debate the need for targeted support for EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine with representatives of the Polish Council Presidency and the European Commission.

Debate on the continuing unwavering EU support for Ukraine, after three years of Russia’s war of aggression

MEPs assess the current state of EU-US trade relations, multilateralism and the EU’s potential responses if the US imposes tariffs on European products.

US President Donald Trump has stated that he would “absolutely” introduce tariffs targeting the EU, citing grievances over EU action against US tech firms and a trade deficit in goods. He also threatened to use tariffs to pressure Denmark into handing over Greenland. President Trump recently announced a 25 percent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, which he later delayed by a month, as well as a 10 percent tariff on imports from China.

Parliament is committed to multilateralism and has called for the urgent reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Leading MEPs recently said it is “imperative for the US and the EU to work closely together to defend multilateralism and the rules-based international order”. Meanwhile, the EU has strengthened the tools at its disposal to protect EU trade, which now include the Anti-Coercion Instrument designed to enable the EU to respond, as a last resort, to economic blackmail from a foreign country.

According to the Commission, the EU has a €154 billion trade surplus in goods with the US, while the US maintains a €104 billion surplus in services with the EU, resulting in an overall EU trade surplus of three percent from a total €1.5 trillion trade flow. In 2023, the US was the largest partner for EU exports of goods and the second largest partner for EU imports of goods.

Debate on the  tariff threats from the Trump administration

ECB President Christine Lagarde will brief MEPs on the state of European and global economic affairs and the European Central Bank’s activities, followed by a debate with MEPs. On Tuesday, MEPs will adopt their annual set of recommendations for the ECB on which issues it should prioritise.

Debate on the state of the EU economy and ECB activities with Christine Lagarde

Parliament holds a press briefing on the plenary session.

Last-minute briefing ahead of EP Plenary

EP President Roberta METSOLA, meets with President of  the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde

EP President Roberta METSOLA, meets with Micheál MARTIN, Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach)

EP President Roberta METSOLA meets with Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA Leader of Belarusian democratic opposition

Plenary preparations. Political groups will prepare for the 10 - 13 February plenary session in which MEPs will debate the EU’s continued support for Ukraine after three years of Russia’s war of aggression, providing support to EU regions that border Russia, as well as the continued repression of the democratic opposition in Russia one year after the murder of Alexei Navalny. Plenary will also vote on a resolution on the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia, debate the Commission work programme for 2025, the recent proposals to boost the EU’s competitiveness, the consequences of the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and from the World Health Organisation, as well as the threats that strategic reliance on third countries in communication infrastructure pose to EU sovereignty.

Pre-session briefing

European Youth Event (EYE 2025) - Ambiance shots

European Youth Event (EYE 2025) - Panels, interactive workshops and activities

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

Enforcement of the Digital Markets Act is under way. The European Commission has launched formal proceedings against three major providers of core platform services. The Commission's preliminary findings suggest breaches of EU rules. To date, two of these preliminary findings have been confirmed, resulting in non-compliance decisions and fines for the companies in April 2025.

Digital Markets Act enforcement: Gatekeeper designation

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

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

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

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

Delegation for relations with Belarus Ordinary meeting

European Youth Event (EYE 2025) - Opening Plenary session

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

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

Atmosphere shots and extracts from the opening of the European Youth Event (EYE) 2025. The European Parliament hosts around 8,500 young people from 153 countries in Strasbourg for the European Youth Event. Young citizens are able to engage in discussions with MEPs, Commissioners and other EU decision-makers as well as with experts, activists, and content creators. opening ceremony in EYE 25 Village with Sabine VERHEYEN, EP Vice President and Jeanne BARSEGHIAN , Mayor of Strasbourg city

The EYE 2025 - Day 1: atmosphere shots and extracts from the opening

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

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

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

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. 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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