<p>Maroš Šefčovič, born on 24 July 1966 in Bratislava, is a Slovak diplomat and politician. He has been a European Commissioner since 2009. He is EC's Vice-President-designate and Commissioner-designate for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight.</p>

<p>After the hearing by the Committees on Constitutional affairs (AFCO) and on Legal affairs (JURI), the committees prepare an evaluation letter on the candidate.</p>

Hearing of Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, EC's Vice-President-designate

Maroš Šefčovič was Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, and Acting Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries in the von der Leyen Commission I. He was also Vice-President of the EC in charge of the Energy Union in the Juncker Commission and has been a Member of the European Commission since 2009. He is now the European Commissioner-designate for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner-designate for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Commissioner-designate, Trade, Economic Security, and Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency

EP Plenary session - EU-US trade negotiations

EP Plenary session - Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 26-27 June 2025

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

AFET INTA - EU-UK Summit debriefing

IMCO Committee meeting - Exchange of views with Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security

PETI Committee meeting - Exchange of views with Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioner for
Trade and Economic Security and for Interinstitutional
Relations and Transparency

AFCO Committee meeting - Exchange of views in the frame of the Structured Dialogue with Mr. Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency

INTA - Exchange of views with Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency

Conference Enhancing Public Participation: The Role of Parliaments in Public Engagement and Outreach - Key Lessons for the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

5th EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly

ENVI Committee - Exchange of views with Leena Ylä-Mononen, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency

EP Plenary session - European Council meetings and European Security

EP Plenary session - Commission Work Programme 2025

AGRI - Exchange of views on the Mercosur agreement and its impact on the agri-food sector

AGRI - Exchange of views with Commissioners Hansen and Šefčovič on the Mercosur agreement and its impact on the agri-food sector

INTA - Exchange of views with Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, on the state of play of EU international trade relations, including EU-US trade relations and the modernised EU-Mexico Global Agreement

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

INTA - Exchange of views with Maroš ŠEFCOVIC, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, on the trade aspects of the EU-Mercosur Agreement

New College of Commissioners family photo.

MEPs assess the latest developments in EU-US trade relations with Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Danish Minister Marie Bjerre for the Council during the plenary session in Strasbourg. Council and Commission are seeking a negotiated solution with the US to restore stability and predictability in transatlantic trade relations, but has also prepared for potential countermeasures if no agreement is reached. They are also pursuing trade diversification by negotiating new agreements with other partners like Mercosur, Mexico, and others. Closing statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency.

Council and Commission statements - EU-US trade negotiations: Closing statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency

MEPs assess the latest developments in EU-US trade relations with Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Danish Minister Marie Bjerre for the Council during the plenary session in Strasbourg. The EU is seeking a negotiated solution with the US to restore stability and predictability in transatlantic trade relations. The EU is engaging constructively with the US, but has also prepared for potential countermeasures if no agreement is reached. Opening statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Council and Commission statements - EU-US trade negotiations: opening statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency

MEPs assess the outcome of the 26 June European Council meeting with António COSTA, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission. At their summit in Brussels, EU heads of state or government focussed on ways to bolster EU competitiveness. They also discussed how the EU can continue supporting Kyiv against Russia’s aggression, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, how to strengthen the EU’s defence capabilities, and the EU’s response to the escalation in the Middle East. Leaders also discussed migration and the situation in the Western Balkans. Closing statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency.

Council and Commission statements - Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 26-27 June 2025: Closing statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations

MEPs discuss Denmark’s six-month Council Presidency agenda, which started on 1 July, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The Danish government says the EU is facing new international challenges, geopolitical and economic competition, and rising levels of conflict. The presidency’s slogan, ‘A strong Europe in a changing world’, expresses Denmark’s plan to work towards a resilient EU that takes responsibility for its own security. Closing statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and for Interinstitutional Relations

Council and Commission statements - Presentation of the programme of activities of the Danish Presidency: closing statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and for Interinstitutional Relations

MEPs discuss Denmark’s six-month Council Presidency agenda, which started on 1 July, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The Danish government says the EU is facing new international challenges, geopolitical and economic competition, and rising levels of conflict. The presidency’s slogan, ‘A strong Europe in a changing world’, expresses Denmark’s plan to work towards a resilient EU that takes responsibility for its own security. Opening statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Danish Presidency: opening statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency

MEPs discuss Denmark’s six-month Council Presidency agenda, which started on 1 July, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The Danish government says the EU is facing new international challenges, geopolitical and economic competition, and rising levels of conflict. The presidency’s slogan, ‘A strong Europe in a changing world’, expresses Denmark’s plan to work towards a resilient EU that takes responsibility for its own security. Denmark wants the EU to work closely and harmoniously with NATO, and support Ukraine’s fight for peace and freedom. It also wants to push for a competitive Europe, which improves conditions for businesses while simultaneously driving growth through the green transition necessary to combat climate change.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Danish Presidency with Mette FREDERIKSEN, Danish Prime Minister: arrival and meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and extracts from the debate

In a second debate with Council and Commission, MEPs outline their expectations for the upcoming EU-China summit, set to take place in China in July and which will mark 50 years of bilateral diplomatic relations. They also discuss how to tackle China’s critical raw materials export restrictions. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Council and Commission statements - EU-China Relations: closing statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency

MEPs discuss with the Commission and the Council a unified EU response to US trade measures, and global trade opportunities for the EU. The debate in Parliament follows the global reaction to the US government’s decision to increase existing tariffs and impose new ones – and its subsequent postponement of their imposition. MEPs consider the countermeasures adopted by the EU – which were later suspended as well. Plenary also review EU trade opportunities elsewhere in the world. The EU has concluded deals with a number of countries and regional groupings, and talks are ongoing on several more potential trade deals.

A unified EU response to unjustified US trade measures and global trade opportunities for the EU: closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs

MEPs discuss with the Commission and the Council a unified EU response to US trade measures, and global trade opportunities for the EU. The debate in Parliament follows the global reaction to the US government’s decision to increase existing tariffs and impose new ones – and its subsequent postponement of their imposition. MEPs will consider the countermeasures adopted by the EU – which were later suspended as well. Plenary will also review EU trade opportunities elsewhere in the world. The EU has concluded deals with a number of countries and regional groupings, and talks are ongoing on several more potential trade deals.

US trade measures and global trade opportunities for the EU: extracts from the debate

Conclusion speeches of Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for the European Union Affairs, and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, on the debate on the preparations for the first EU-UK summit on British soil since Brexit. EU and UK leaders will meet in London on 19 May for the first institutional bilateral gathering in Britain since the UK left the EU in 2020. Among other topics, they will discuss defence cooperation, opportunities for young people, and trade issues – the latter in the wake of the new US tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on trade partners. In particular, this includes a potential EU-UK security pact that could see the UK participate in the EU’s joint arms procurement scheme.

Preparation of the EU-UK summit: closing statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, and by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade, Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency

This video contains the speeches of Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for the European Union Affairs, and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, as they open the debate on the preparation of the first EU-UK summit on British soil since Brexit. EU and UK leaders will meet in London on 19 May for the first institutional bilateral gathering in Britain since the UK left the EU in 2020. Among other topics, they will discuss defence cooperation, opportunities for young people, and trade issues – the latter in the wake of the new US tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on trade partners. In particular, this includes a potential EU-UK security pact that could see the UK participate in the EU’s joint arms procurement scheme. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Preparation of the EU-UK summit: opening statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade, Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, and by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs

MEPs, together with the European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Council representatives, debate the preparations for the first EU-UK summit since Brexit. EU and UK leaders will meet in London on 19 May for the first institutional bilateral gathering in Britain since the UK left the EU in 2020. Among other topics, they discuss defence cooperation, opportunities for young people, and trade issues – the latter in the wake of the new US tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on trade partners. In particular, this includes a potential EU-UK security pact that could see the UK participate in the EU’s joint arms procurement scheme.

Preparation of the EU-UK summit: extracts from the debate

MEPs evaluate the outcome of the 20 March European Council in a plenary debate with Presidents António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen. At their meeting in Brussels, the EU’s heads of state or government focused on how the EU can continue supporting Kyiv against Russia’s aggression, how to strengthen the EU’s security and defence capabilities, how to respond to the situation in the Middle East but also ways to bolster the EU’s competitiveness and discussed migration and multilateralism. Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency and António COSTA, President of the European Council.

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 20 March 2025: closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency and António COSTA, President of the European Council

In a joint debate on European security, MEPs assess the results of the 6 March special European Council convened by President António Costa and attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss Ukraine and the need to bolster Europe’s security. At a critical time for Ukraine and European security, as President Donald Trump’s new US administration has paused support for Kyiv and raised questions about future US defence engagement in Europe, MEPs will hear from Ursula von der Leyen, EC President on how the EU plans to strengthen its defence capabilities. MEPs also outline their expectations for the 20 -21 March EU summit, which is expected to focus - besides Ukraine - on the Middle East, Europe’s competitiveness, trade policy, and migration management.

European Council meetings and European Security: closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, and António COSTA, President of the European Council

Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparence opens the debate on EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement. The European Union and four Mercosur countries – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – reached a political agreement on 6 December 2024 for a ground-breaking partnership agreement. MEPs will review the recently concluded EU-Mercosur free-trade deal, amidst a new geopolitical context of increasing unilateralism, and concerns over the deal’s potential effects on European agriculture. If ratified, the deal would gradually phase out duties on 91% of EU exports to Mercosur and 92% of Mercosur exports to the EU. Parliament must give its consent before the agreement can enter into force. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Opening statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency

Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency presents the Commission’s 2025 work programme, outlining its key policy actions and legislative initiatives planned for this year. The work programme sets out in detail how the Commission intends to implement the political guidelines presented by Ursula von der Leyen to the European Parliament in July 2024. They focused on sustainable prosperity and competitiveness, defence and security, strengthening the EU’s social model, quality of life, protecting democracy and upholding EU values, a global Europe, and future-proofing the EU.

Commission Work Programme 2025: extracts from the debate

Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, presents the Commission’s 2025 work programme, outlining its key policy actions and legislative initiatives planned for this year. The work programme sets out in detail how the Commission intends to implement the political guidelines presented by Ursula von der Leyen to the European Parliament in July 2024. They focused on sustainable prosperity and competitiveness, defence and security, strengthening the EU’s social model, quality of life, protecting democracy and upholding EU values, a global Europe, and future-proofing the EU. At the end of his statement, Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ answers the question by Gerben-Jan GERBRANDY (Renew, NL). This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Commission Work Programme 2025: opening statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency

Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, makes a closing statement after the debate on the presentation of the Commission’s 2025 work programme, outlining its key policy actions and legislative initiatives planned for this year. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Commission Work Programme 2025: closing statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency

220 results