EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Forging a sustainable future together: economic, social and territorial challenges for a competitive, cohesive and inclusive Europe

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - La Hulpe declaration on the future of social Europe

Council and Commission statements - The possible extradition of Julian Assange

Press statement by Kolinda GRABAR-KITAROVIC, President of the Republic of Croatia and by Marijana PETIR following the Opening session of the Inter-parliamentary Committee meeting on the International

Joint press statement by Antonio TAJANI, EP President and by Salome ZURABISHVILI, President of Georgia

Press statement by Antonio TAJANI, Visit of Paul David HEWSON (Bono), Cofounder of ONE

Verklaring van de Voorzitter

Statement by the President

Verklaringen van het voorzitterschap

Statements by the President

Statement by Antonio TAJANI, EP President

UNKN

Verklaringen van de vicevoorzitter van de Commissie/hoge vertegenwoordiger van de Unie voor buitenlandse zaken en veiligheidsbeleid

Statements by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

EP Plenary session -  Council and Commission statements - State of emergency in Ecuador

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Fight against the resurgence of neo-fascism in Europe, also based on the parade that took place in Rome on 7 January

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a permanent ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Keeping commitments and delivering military assistance to Ukraine

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

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Revision of the European Labour Authority mandate

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Ensuring proper functioning of EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Outcome of the UN Climate Change Conference 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (COP28)

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Frontex, building on the fact-finding investigation of the LIBE Working Group for Frontex scrutiny

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - European Defence investment programme (EDIP)

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - One year after Morocco and QatarGate – stocktaking of measures to strengthen transparency and accountability in the European institutions

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Review of the Spanish Presidency of the Council

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Preparation of the European Council meeting of 14-15 December 2023

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - European Economic Security Strategy

EP Plenary session - Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy - Situation in Venezuela

EP Plenary session - Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy - Attempt of coup d’Etat in Guatemala

EP Plenary session - Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy - Need to release all hostages, to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire and prospect of the two-state solution

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Defence of democracy package

Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo speaks to MEPs to outline his vision on Europe’s challenges and future. Before the debate, EP President Roberta Metsola holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Orpo, followed by a press point at 10.20 (still to be confirmed). Thirteen EU heads of state or government have discussed the future of the EU in the plenary in “This is Europe” debates. Opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

This is Europe - Debate with Petteri ORPO, Finnish Prime Minister: Opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo speaks to MEPs to outline his vision on Europe’s challenges and future. Before the debate, EP President Roberta Metsola holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Orpo, followed by a press point at 10.20 (still to be confirmed). Thirteen EU heads of state or government have discussed the future of the EU in the plenary in “This is Europe” debates. Closing statement by Petteri ORPO, Finnish Prime Minister.

EP Plenary session - This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri ORPO: Closing statement by Petteri ORPO, Finnish Prime Minister

MEPs debate on the creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children. Opening statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EP Plenary session - Creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children: Opening statement by the Commission

MEPs debate on the creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children. Closing statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography.

EP Plenary session - Creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children: Closing statement by the Commission

MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission how to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children being forcibly deported to Russia. Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, international organisations have documented a wide range of serious human rights violations affecting children. Reports of children forcibly deported or displaced by Russian authorities, combined in many cases with them being subjected to re-education programmes and forced adoption, have raised concern. According to the Children of War initiative of the Ukrainian National Information Bureau (NIB), more than 19 500 children have been deported or forcibly displaced, and only 388 have been returned. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against President Putin, and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights.

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Need to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia: Closing statement by Commission and Council

MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission how to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children being forcibly deported to Russia. Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, international organisations have documented a wide range of serious human rights violations affecting children. Reports of children forcibly deported or displaced by Russian authorities, and being subjected to re-education programmes and forced adoption, have raised concern. According to the Children of War initiative of the Ukrainian National Information Bureau (NIB), more than 19 500 children have been deported or forcibly displaced, and only 388 have been returned. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against President Putin, and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights.This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Need to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia: Opening statement by Council and Commission

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Need to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia: MEPs debate

MEPs debate on new rules to ensure artificial intelligence is trustworthy, safe and respects EU fundamental rights, while supporting innovation. MEPs are expected to approve on Wednesday an agreement reached with EU countries establishing obligations for AI based on its potential risk and level of impact. AI applications that pose a clear risk to fundamental rights - such as biometric categorisation systems based on sensitive characteristics, social scoring, or AI used to manipulate human behaviour - will be banned in Europe. AI systems considered high-risk, used for example in critical infrastructure, education, healthcare, law enforcement, border management or elections, will have to comply with strict requirements. Fast-expanding general-purpose AI (GPAI) models will also have to comply with transparency obligations and EU copyright rules, while the most powerful models will face additional safety requirements.

Artificial Intelligence Act: Closing statements by Thierry BRETON, Commissioner for Internal Market, Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT) and Dragoş TUDORACHE (Renew, RO), Rapporteurs

MEPs debate on new rules to ensure artificial intelligence is trustworthy, safe and respects EU fundamental rights, while supporting innovation. MEPs are expected to approve tomorrow an agreement reached with EU countries establishing obligations for AI based on its potential risk and level of impact. AI applications that pose a clear risk to fundamental rights - such as biometric categorisation systems based on sensitive characteristics, social scoring, or AI used to manipulate human behaviour. Opening statements by Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT) and Dragoş TUDORACHE (Renew, RO), Rapporteurs, Thierry BRETON, Commissioner for Internal Market, Axel VOSS (EPP, DE), on behalf of JURI Committee, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ (Renew, ES), on behalf of the ENVI Committee, and Rovana PLUMB (S&D, RO), on behalf of the TRAN Committee. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery. MAYDELL Eva

Artificial Intelligence Act: Opening statements by Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT) and Dragoş TUDORACHE (Renew, RO), Rapporteurs, and Thierry BRETON, Commissioner for Internal Market

MEPs are set to give their final green light on Wednesday to new legislation to protect EU journalists and media from political or economic interference. Plenary will discuss the draft European Media Freedom Act, agreed provisionally with the EU ministers in December 2023, on Tuesday afternoon. The new law will oblige member states to protect media independence from governmental, political, economic or private interference. It will ban all forms of interventions in editorial decisions and prevent the external pressuring of journalists to force them to disclose their sources or by targeting them with spyware. To increase media ownership transparency, all outlets regardless of their size will have to publish information about their owners and report on their receipt of state funding.

EP Plenary session - European Media Freedom Act: Closing statements by Commission, Council and Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Rapporteur

MEPs are set to give their final green light on Wednesday to new legislation to protect EU journalists and media from political or economic interference. Plenary will discuss the draft European Media Freedom Act, agreed provisionally with the EU ministers in December 2023, on Tuesday afternoon. The new law will oblige member states to protect media independence from governmental, political, economic or private interference. It will ban all forms of interventions in editorial decisions and prevent the external pressuring of journalists to force them to disclose their sources or by targeting them with spyware. Opening statements by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, Geoffroy DIDIER (EPP, FR), IMCO Committee; Sophia IN ‘T VELD (Renew, NL), LIBE Committee, and Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EP Plenary session - European Media Freedom Act: Opening statements by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, Council and Commission

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day Celebration, two players from the Spanish women’s national football team winner of the 2023 World Cup, Ivana Andrés and Alba Redondo, address the hemicycle in Strasbourg. Spain won the World Cup in 2023 for the first time, but the trophy presentation was marred by harassment. Statement by Ivana ANDRÉS, captain of the national football team of Spain, and Alba REDONDO, player in the national football team. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

International Women’s Day Celebration: Statement by Ivana ANDRÉS, captain of the national football team of Spain, and Alba REDONDO, player in the national football team

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day Celebration, two players from the Spanish women’s national football team winner of the 2023 World Cup, Ivana Andrés and Alba Redondo, address the hemicycle in Strasbourg. Spain won the World Cup in 2023 for the first time, but the trophy presentation was marred by harassment. Statement by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency followed by one round of political group speakers.

Statement by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency followed by one round of political group speakers

In a debate with the Commission and the Belgian Presidency, MEPs outline their expectations for the 21 -22 March EU summit. During their meeting in Brussels, heads of state or government focus on the latest developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine and the EU’s continued support for Ukraine. They also discuss the war in the Gaza Strip and the situation in the Middle East as well as security and defence issues. Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight; and Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions

Council and Commission statements - Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21 and 22 March 2024: Closing statements by Council and Commission

In a debate with the Commission and the Belgian Presidency, MEPs outline their expectations for the 21 -22 March EU summit. During their meeting in Brussels, heads of state or government focus on the latest developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine and the EU’s continued support for Ukraine. They also discuss the war in the Gaza Strip and the situation in the Middle East as well as security and defence issues. In February, Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the EU to support Ukraine with whatever is needed for Kyiv to win its war against Russia, stressing that there should be “no self-imposed restriction on military assistance to Ukraine”.

Council and Commission statements - Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21 and 22 March 2024: one round of political group leaders

Council and Commission statements - Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21 and 22 March 2024: MEPs debate

In a debate with the Commission and the Belgian Presidency, MEPs outline their expectations for the 21 -22 March EU summit. During their meeting in Brussels, heads of state or government focus on the latest developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine and the EU’s continued support for Ukraine. They also discuss the war in the Gaza Strip and the situation in the Middle East as well as security and defence issues. The Commission also wants to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Council and Commission statements - Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21 and 22 March 2024: Opening statements by Council and Commission

Plans to reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the buildings sector is debated on Monday and voted on by plenary on Tuesday. The revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, agreed with the Council in December, aims to substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sector by 2030, and have it achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The new rules also mean more of the worst-performing buildings will undergo renovation, and information-sharing on energy performance will be improved. New buildings must be zero-emission as of 2030, and new buildings occupied or owned by public authorities must be zero-emission as of 2028. Closing statements by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy and Ciaran CUFFE (Greens/EFA, IE), Rapporteur.

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