The European Union's outermost regions (ORs) qualify for special treatment owing to structural difficulties – such as remoteness, difficult topography and economic dependence on a few products – that can severely hamper their development. In addition, the coronavirus pandemic has hit their economies particularly hard. While these regions are quite different from one another, they have levels of unemployment and GDP significantly worse than EU and national averages. Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides for specific measures to support the ORs, including the tailored application of EU law and access to EU programmes.

EPRS policy podcast - Outermost regions of the EU

Culture plays a fundamental role in human life. It is also an essential source of identity, at local, regional, national and European levels, while making a significant contribution to the EU economy. EU cultural policy relates to cultural heritage, but also to the cultural and creative sector. The EU supports culture through a variety of initiatives, including the European Capitals of Culture scheme. A number of EU programmes also offer funding for cultural projects, for instance the Creative Europe programme, Horizon Europe and New European Bauhaus. As one of the sectors of the economy worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU included culture in its coronavirus response investment initiatives and the REACT-EU programme aimed at dealing with the consequences of the pandemic. The European Parliament has called for increased support for culture as part of the post-pandemic recovery efforts.

EPRS policy podcast - Culture and regional development

Fabrica produtos alimentares típicos da sua terra ou segundo uma determinada tradição? Vejamos de que forma a União Europeia protege a sua arte.

Saiba o que a Europa faz pelos fabricantes de produtos regionais e tradicionais

Se é um amante de comida e aprecia especialidades europeias, já deve ter deparado com produtos que ostentam logótipos como «denominação de origem protegida», como, por exemplo, a «Pêra Rocha» e o «Queijo Serra da Estrela». Estes rótulos significam que a União protege os nomes dos produtos e as suas qualidades únicas.

Saiba o que a Europa faz pelos consumidores de produtos regionais e tradicionais

Enquanto funcionário público da administração local ou regional, desempenha um papel crucial para a União e as suas políticas. Vejamos como a UE o apoia.

Saiba o que a Europa faz pelos funcionários públicos da administração local e regional

Vive numa região periférica ou mal servida? Então, poderá estar interessado na forma como a UE liga regiões como a sua à rede de transporte aéreo.

Saiba o que a Europa faz pelos passageiros dos transportes aéreos de e para regiões periféricas e mal servidas

Apesar de serem locais atrativos para viver, as regiões montanhosas enfrentam desafios em termos de acesso a equipamentos e a serviços. Mora numa dessas regiões? Eis três coisas que a Europa faz por si.

Saiba o que a Europa faz pelos habitantes das regiões montanhosas

Vive perto de uma fronteira interna da UE? Em caso afirmativo, saiba que faz parte de um grupo de 150 milhões de pessoas. A União adota medidas destinadas a facilitar a travessia de fronteiras. Vejamos três exemplos.

Saiba o que a Europa faz pelas pessoas que vivem em regiões fronteiriças

Flooding, heatwaves and droughts are the most common natural disasters in the EU, but millions of people also live in areas at risk of earthquakes or near active volcanos. So it’s good to know that when disaster strikes, the EU is there to help.

This is what Europe does for residents in disaster stricken regions

Nem todos os europeus vivem no continente ou perto do mesmo. Pode viver num território ultramarino francês, na Madeira ou nos Açores, ou até nas ilhas Canárias, se tiver sorte. No entanto, por muito belas que possam ser estas regiões ultraperiféricas, todas elas têm de fazer face a desafios específicos. Eis três exemplos de como a UE proporciona apoio:

Saiba o que a Europa faz pelos cidadãos que vivem nas regiões ultraperiféricas da UE

Gostaria de criar uma nova empresa ou talvez já o tenha feito? Está a pensar pedir dinheiro emprestado a uma instituição financeira? Saiba que pode solicitar financiamento à UE. Vejamos dois aspetos em que pode beneficiar como proprietário de uma empresa ou como intermediário financeiro.

Saiba o que a Europa faz pelos operadores bancários locais e regionais

<p>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.</p>

REGI - Committee on Regional Development

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Catanzaro (Italy) - Attendance to a simulation of the Emergency System 112 with Antonio TAJANI, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Roberto OCCHIUTO, President of the Region of Calabria

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Catanzaro (Italy) - Visit to the Control Room of Operation Zero Tolerance with Roberto OCCHIUTO, President of the Region of Calabria

REGI committee meeting

AFET - Hearing on the EU sanctions regime - implementation, expansion, efficiency and deterring impact including the presentation of a study on the 'Implementation and monitoring of EU sanctions regimes'

EP Plenary session - Strengthening the right to participate: legitimacy and resilience of electoral processes in illiberal political systems and authoritarian regimes

Exhibition of War-damaged Ukrainian ambulance from the Kharkiv region”, at Station Europe.

REGI Interparliamentary Committee Meeting - The Future of Cohesion Policy post 2027: Opportunities, Challenges and Next Steps

AGRI public hearing with the Committee of the Regions: Territorial implementation of the CAP

REGI - Exchange of views with Marko Pavić, Chairperson of the Croatian Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development and EU Funds

AFET - Exchange of views on the terrorist attack against Israel, the response and the consequences in the region

REGI -  Presentation of the Spanish Presidency of the Council programme

REGI Committee

REGI - Votes on Amending the proposed mechanism to resolve legal and administrative obstacles in a cross-border context

REGI Committee - Presentation of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) with Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms

REGI Committee - Presentation of the mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework.(MFF) 2021-2027 with Stéphanie Riso, Director-General, DG Budget

REGI mission to Marseille, France

REGI - Exchange of views with Laura Kövesi, European Chief Prosecutor, on frauds linked to ESI funds and on the cooperation with EU institutions

Committee on Regional Development

REGI

Reinício da sessão

Abertura da sessão

Declarações da Presidente

Aprovação das actas das sessões anteriores

Composição do Parlamento

Composição das comissões e delegações

Proposta de ato da União: Ver Acta

Negociações antes da primeira leitura do Parlamento (artigo 71.º do Regimento)(seguimento dado)

Negociações antes da primeira leitura do Parlamento (artigo 71.º do Regimento)

Assinatura dos atos aprovados em conformidade com o processo legislativo ordinário (artigo 79.º do Regimento)

Ordem dos trabalhos

As crianças primeiro - Reforçar a Garantia Europeia para a Infância, dois anos após a sua adoção - Redução das desigualdades e promoção da inclusão social em tempos de crise para as crianças e as suas famílias

Conferência das Nações Unidas sobre as Alterações Climáticas de 2023 no Dubai, Emirados Árabes Unidos (COP 28) (debate)

Quadro de medidas para reforçar o ecossistema europeu de fabrico de produtos com tecnologia de impacto zero (Regulamento Indústria de Impacto Zero) (debate)

Regras comuns para promover a reparação de bens

Quadro de certificação da União relativo às remoções de carbono

Aplicação do regulamento que estabelece medidas para a recuperação da unidade populacional de enguia-europeia (breve apresentação)

Intervenções de um minuto sobre questões políticas importantes

Ordem do dia da próxima sessão

Aprovação da ata da presente sessão

Encerramento da sessão

Plenary session

Committee on Regional Development - Interparliamentary committee meeting

Aprovação da acta da sessão anterior

Composição dos órgãos políticos do Parlamento

Composição das comissões e das delegações

Retificações (artigo 241.º do Regimento)

Comunicação da Presidente - Prémio Sakharov

Criação do Mecanismo para a Ucrânia (debate)

Criação da Plataforma de Tecnologias Estratégicas para a Europa («STEP») (debate)

Controlo das pescas (debate)

As implicações das operações de pesca chinesas nas pescas da UE e o caminho a seguir (breve apresentação)

Estado da União (debate)

Sessão solene - Discurso de Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

Negociações antes da primeira leitura do Parlamento (artigo 71.º do Regimento) (seguimentos dados)

Período de votação

Revisão do estatuto de proteção dos lobos e de outros grandes carnívoros na UE (debate de atualidade)

Apresentação pelo Conselho da sua posição sobre o projeto de orçamento geral – exercício de 2024 (debate)

Quadro para garantir um aprovisionamento seguro e sustentável de matérias-primas críticas (debate)

Abertura de negociações com vista à celebração de um acordo com os Estados Unidos da América sobre o reforço das cadeias de aprovisionamento internacionais de minerais críticos (debate)

Alteração do mecanismo proposto para remover os obstáculos jurídicos e administrativos num contexto transfronteiriço (debate)

Pacote de medidas de apoio às PME (debate)

Guatemala: a situação após as eleições, o Estado de direito e a independência do poder judicial (debate)

O caso de Gubad Ibadoghlu, detido no Azerbaijão (debate)

A situação dos direitos humanos no Bangladexe, em particular o caso da Odhikar (debate)

Regulamentação da prostituição na UE: as suas implicações transfronteiriças e o seu impacto na igualdade de género e nos direitos das mulheres (debate)

O futuro do setor livreiro europeu (debate)

Declarações de voto

Verificação de poderes

Pedido de levantamento da imunidade

Retificação (artigo 241.º do Regimento)

Propostas de atos da União

Comunicação

Diretiva Emissões Industriais - Portal das Emissões Industriais - Criação de uma infraestrutura para combustíveis alternativos - Combustíveis marítimos sustentáveis (Iniciativa FuelEU Transportes Marítimos) - Eficiência Energética (reformulação) (debate conjunto - O Objetivo 55 e as emissões industriais)

Proteção de jornalistas e defensores dos direitos humanos envolvidos em processos judiciais manifestamente infundados ou abusivos (debate)

Iniciativa de Cidadania Europeia «Cosméticos sem crueldade - Por uma Europa sem testes em animais» (debate)

Medidas de gestão, de conservação e de controlo aplicáveis na Zona abrangida pelo Acordo de Pesca para o Oceano Índico Sul (SIOFA) (debate)

Proteção dos trabalhadores de condições de calor extremo e outros fenómenos meteorológicos extremos decorrentes da crise climática (debate)

Aplicação de cláusulas-ponte nos Tratados da UE (breve apresentação)

União Bancária - relatório anual de 2022 (breve apresentação)

Promoção e adaptação da formação profissional enquanto instrumento para o sucesso dos trabalhadores e elemento fundamental da economia da UE na nova indústria 4.0 (breve apresentação)

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, attends a simulation of the Emergency System 112 and gives a statement to the press with Antonio TAJANI, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Matteo PIANTEDOSI, Italian Minister for the Interior and Roberto OCCHIUTO, President of the Region of Calabria, during her official visit to Catanzaro (Italy). This news item shows extracts from the attendance of the European President to the Emergency System 112 and from the meeting with Antonio TAJANI, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Roberto OCCHIUTO, President of the Region of Calabria.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Catanzaro (Italy): visit to a simulation of the Emergency System 112; and meeting with Antonio TAJANI, Italian Deputy Prime Minister, and Roberto OCCHIUTO, President of the Region of Calabria

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, pays a visit to Catanzaro (Italy). The footage shows her visit to the Control Room of "Operation Zero Tolerance" at Calabria Region headquarters, a project that has been launched to fight against environmental crimes. Metsola also has a roundtable meeting and a press statement with Roberto OCCHIUTO, President of the Region of Calabria.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Catanzaro (Italy): extracts from the visit to the Control Room of "Operation Zero Tolerance", and extracts from the statement to the press with Roberto OCCHIUTO, President of the Region of Calabria

An ambulance from Kharkiv region, damaged by bullets and shrapnel, has gone on display in front of the Station Europe of the European Parliament in Brussels. Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates in the opening of the exhibition with Iryna YEFREMOVA, Deputy Head of the Mission and other members of the Ukrainian civil society. This footage shows the extracts of the opening of the exhibition.

Exhibition of "War-damaged Ukrainian ambulance from the Kharkiv region”, at Station Europe: extracts from the opening with Roberta METSOLA, EP President

This infoclip shows The Malta Life Sciences Park (MLSP). It offers 13 5002 square meters of space, including state-of-the-art laboratories, offices, seminar and meeting rooms and a range of shared facilities, all adjacent to some of the country’s leading hospitals and universities. Here, nearly 30 companies of all sizes have access to experienced and professional business and financial advice, as well as assistance for taking their products and services to the global market. Over 25 pharma and medical device companies use the centre to successfully build their product portfolios. Total investment for the project “BioMalta – Setting up a Life Sciences Centre” is EUR 18 000 000 with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 15 300 000 through the “Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life” Operational Programme for the 2007-2013 programming period.

Infoclip: Malta Life Sciences Park - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Msida (Malta)

This Infoclip show the St. Thomas Tower in Malta. The project consists of the restoration of two historical coastal forts situated along the South Eastern coast of Malta which will be restored to their former glory for the enjoyment of cultural enthusiasts. The scope of the project, which also consists of the conversion of St. Thomas Tower into a Piracy Museum which will exhibit the piracy era in the Mediterranean, is to restore and conserve these cultural assets with the scope of enhancing the cultural tourism portfolio which Malta has to offer to visiting tourists.

Infoclip: St. Thomas Tower - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Wied il-Ghajn (Malta)

This infoclip shows the Malta’s Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre. It offers advanced diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Opened in 2013, it has tripled the number of beds available for cancer patients on the island. The Centre is part of the new acute general hospital in Msida, close to the island's capital Valletta. It aims to treat 60 % of all Malta's cancer patients and is in keeping with Malta's National Cancer Plan that aims to reduce waiting times for patients and provide better therapeutic practice. Total investment for the project “Mater Dei Hospital Oncology Centre” is EUR 48 802 700, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 41 482 300 from the Operational Programme “Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.

Infoclip: Sir Antony Mamo Oncology centre - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Msida (Malta)

After the terrorist attack against Israel by Hamas on 8th October, MEPs discuss and condemn this act of terrorism and hatred during an extraordinary AFET committee meeting. Extracts of the arrival and the exchange of views on the terrorist attack against Israel and the consequences in the region. David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), gives a statement after the meeting, reaffirming the EU support to Israel.

Exchange of views on the terrorist attack against Israel, the response and the consequences in the region: arrivals and statement by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Chair of AFET

MEPs debate on the Fit for 55 package. The new law on new energy saving targets requires an 11.7% reduction in primary and final energy consumption by 2030 (relative to 2020 projections). Every year until 2030, 1.5% of energy savings must be made, starting at 1.3% until 2025 and increasing to 1.9% by the end of 2030. Opening statements by Alexandr VONDRA - ENVI Committee; Bas EICKHOUT - ENVI Committee; Michael BLOSS - ITRE Committee; Tom BERENDSEN - TRAN Committee; Niklas NIENASS - REGI Committee; Alice KUHNKE - FEMM Committee; Sara SKYTTEDAL - ITRE Committee. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Joint debate - Fit for 55: Opening statements by the Alexandr VONDRA - ENVI; Bas EICKHOUT- ENVI; Michael BLOSS - ITRE; Tom BERENDSEN - TRAN; Niklas NIENASS - REGI; Alice KUHNKE - FEMM; Sara SKYTTEDAL - ITRE

O princípio do «poluidor-pagador» está no cerne do Regime de Comércio de Emissões (ETS) da União Europeia. Em abril de 2023, o Parlamento Europeu aprovou leis ambiciosas para atualizar o ETS e reduzir as emissões de gases com efeito de estufa. O novo sistema assegura que mais indústrias pagam pelas suas emissões e incentiva um maior investimento na tecnologia verde. O ETS revisto faz parte das leis do pacote «Apto para 55» da UE para enfrentar a crise climática. Saiba mais na nossa breve sessão animada de Perguntas e Repostas

Atualização do Regime de Comércio de Emissões explicada

EP Budgetary Control committee (CONT) visit Budapest in order to look into the ongoing issues with the protection of EU budget. The Members of the Fact-finding mission meet with Tibor Navracsics, Minister for Regional Development and János BÓKA, State Secretary for European Union Affairs of the Ministry of Justice.

Fact-finding mission of the Budgetary Control Committee (CONT) to Budapest (Hungary): Meeting with Tibor Navracsics, Minister for Regional Development and János BÓKA, State Secretary for European Union Affairs of the Ministry of Justice

This infoclip illustrates the extension of tramway T2 connecting the Florence's city centre (Piazza dell'Unità) with Peretola Airport of Florence. The project consists of a line of 5 km and 483 metres, a total coverage of 12 stops. It has been realised also thanks to the contribution of the Cohesion Policy, born from the synergies between local authorities, the state and the European Union, in which the EU invested € 26 million through the European Regional Development Fund.

Infoclip: Extension of tramway - European Regional Development Fund - Florence (Italy)

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) aims to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion in the European Union by correcting imbalances between its regions. The funding for the period 2014-2020 allowed investments in a smarter, greener, more connected and more social Europe that is closer to its citizens. The specific investment allocated to the Milan's Municipality is of 4 million euros creates a cycling axis that crosses the city from the centre northward, from City Hall 1 to City Hall 8, attractive and safe. This infoclip shows the Eurovelo 5 cycling itinerary in the area of Milan (Italy). In particular, the footage illustrates the construction works of the bicycle line next at Naviglio Pavese, Duomo Sempione, Molino Dorino, and Percorso Nord.

Infoclip: Construction of Eurovelo 5 cycling itinerary - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Milan (Italy)

This infoclip illustrates the extension of tramway line no. 41 in Bucharest (Romania), thanks to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Twelve new, 36 m long, modern trams were purchased, leading to lowering the travel times for commuters, raising the average speed of local public transport during rush hours and transferring a part of private car transport to the public transport sector. The total amount awarded to Romania through ERDF was 363.97 million euros, out of which 25.3 million were used for the acquisition of the trams.

Infoclip: Extension of tramway - European Regional Development Fund - Bucharest (Romania)

Ahead of each new rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (every 6 months), the ministers of the holding country present their priorities in a series of meetings with parliamentary committees related to their political area. On January 2023, the committees of FEMM (Women’s Rights and Gender Equality), REGI (Regional Development) and DEVE (Development) welcomed the Sweden's ministers, including Paulina Brandberg, Minister for Gender Equality and Deputy Minister for Employment, Peter Kullgren, Minister for Rural Affairs, Johan Forssel, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade.

Presentation of the EU Council's priorities by Swedish Ministers: extracts from the EP Committee meetings (FEMM - REGI - DEVE)

This infoclip illustrates the Yellow Ribbon movement accross Kherson region. Likewise, the infoclip shows how the people are facing the Russian invasion through electric generators, charging their phones, feeding themselves and taking water from the water tanks. Each year, the European Parliament awards the Sakharov Prize to honour exceptional individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. The brave People of Ukraine, represented by their President Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, elected leaders, and civil society were nominated as winners for the Sacharov Prize 2022 jointly by EPP, S&D and Renew Europe.

Infoclip: The brave People of Ukraine, 2022 Sakharov Prize laureate - Yellow Ribbon movement in the Kherson region

Closing statement of what the MEPs discussed about the role that Belarus has played in supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. Closing statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on behalf of HRVP Josep BORRELL FONTELLES.

Lukashenko regime's active role in the war against Ukraine: closing statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on behalf of HRVP Josep BORRELL FONTELLES

MEPs discuss the role Belarus has played in supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.