There are many examples of AI being used in everyday life: Online shopping and advertising; Web search; Digital personal assistants; Machine translations; Smart homes, cities and infrastructure; Cars; Cybersecurity; Artificial intelligence against Covid-19; Fighting disinformation, etc. &nbsp;

In March Plenary session the Parliament approved the Artificial Intelligence Act that ensures safety and compliance with fundamental rights, while boosting innovation.

The regulation, agreed in negotiations with member states in December 2023, was endorsed by MEPs with 523 votes in favour, 46 against and 49 abstentions.

It aims to protect fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of law and environmental sustainability from high-risk AI, while boosting innovation and establishing Europe as a leader in the field. The regulation establishes obligations for AI based on its potential risks and level of impact.

Robotics and artificial intelligence

The Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) is the first financial instrument of the EU focused on bringing digital technology to businesses and citizens.

How to make Europe greener and more digital are the twin challenges for our generation, and our success in meeting them will define our future.

Digital technology and infrastructure have a critical role in our private lives and business environments. We rely on them to communicate, work, advance science and answer current environmental problems. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted not only how much we rely on our technology to be available to us, but also how important it is for Europe not to be dependent on systems and solutions coming from other regions of the world.&nbsp;

The Digital Europe programme for 2021-2027 should be worth €7.5 billion and fund deployment of European supercomputers and data processing capacities and make supercomputing more accessible in the health, environmental, and security sectors and industry, and in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It will strengthen and support artificial intelligence testing and trials in the health and mobility sectors, and encourage member states to cooperate in this area, with the aim of setting up a European data space. Businesses and public administrations will also be able to use artificial intelligence more. Money should be also dedicated to cybersecurity, to strengthen coordination between member states, boost Europe’s capabilities and support the deployment of cyber-security technology through initiatives such as the EU.&nbsp;

Digital Europe

The problem of disinformation is globally recognised as disruptive to the normal functioning of democratic societies, economies and political systems. In recent years, ‘fake news’ and coordinated disinformation campaigns have an instrument of geopolitical influence.

They have afflicted elections in both established and new democracies, and undermined social and political solidarity in response to global challenges. It is with these and other instances in mind that the European Union (EU) identified ‘the exposure of citizens to large scale disinformation’ as ‘a major challenge for Europe’ in 2018, undertaking an increasingly ambitious programme of action to counter this evolving threat since. The outbreak of the coronavirus has led to disinformation that hampers efforts to contain the pandemic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said false claims “are spreading faster than the virus” and has already termed it an “infodemic of planetary proportions”. The Russian aggression against Ukraine is also a source of many disinformation.&nbsp;

Special Committee for foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU, including disinformation (INGE) was created in the European Parliament to tackle these challenges

Fight against disinformation

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honour of the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Each nominee must have the support of at least 40 MEPs, and each individual Member may support only one nominee. Signed nominations accompanied by supporting evidence are then assessed in a joint meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Committee on Development (DEVE). A shortlist of three candidates is drawn up through a vote by AFET and DEVE committees, and then submitted to the Conference of Presidents for a final vote. The winner is announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place in December at the plenary sitting in Strasbourg.

The nominations for the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought are:

The democratic opposition in Belarus, represented by the Coordination Council, initiative of brave women and political and civil society figures, nominated by EPP, S&amp;D, Renew Europe 
Mgr Najeeb Moussa Michaeel, Archbishop of Mosul, Iraq nominated by ID 
Guapinol activists and Berta Caceres in Honduras, nominated by Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL 
The democratic opposition in Belarus, represented by Sviatlana Tsikhanouska, nominated by ECR 
Polish LGBTI activists Jakub Gawron, Paulina Pajak, Paweł Preneta and Kamil Maczuga, founders of the website Atlas of Hate, nominated by Malin Björk, Terry Reintke, Marc Angel, Rasmus Andresen and 39 other MEPs.

The democratic opposition in Belarus has been awarded the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

Democratic Opposition in Belarus, Sakharov Prize 2020

Have a look at the 2021 and 2022&nbsp;stockshots 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

The European Parliament in April 2024 adopted ten legislative texts to reform European migration and asylum policy as agreed with EU member states. Five separate EU regulations, establishe&nbsp;how to share the management of asylum and migration flows among member states and what to do in cases of sudden migratory crisis.

The rules also regulate how to deal with people arriving at the EU’s external borders, the processing of asylum claims, and the identification of those arriving.

Following the deal in trilogue in December 2023 ,&nbsp;EP President Roberta Metsola&nbsp;said: “”Today is a truly historic day, as we have delivered on the Migration and Asylum Pact, possibly the most important legislative package of this mandate. Europe will now get a robust legislative framework that is the same in all Member States. That functions and that protects, an approach that is humane and fair with those seeking protection, that is firm with those who are not eligible, and that is strong with those who exploit the most vulnerable &nbsp;

Refugee movements and migration are at the centre of global attention.&nbsp; The European Parliament is actively involved, in the adoption of new laws on irregular and regular immigration. It is a full co-legislator together with the Council representing member states on these matters since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009.

Migration

In December 2023 , MEPs and national governments reached a long-sought agreement to revamp the EU’s asylum and migration legislation. Parliament and Council negotiators agreed on the final form of five separate EU regulations, establishing how to share the management of asylum and migration flows among member states and what to do in cases of sudden migratory crisis.

The rules also regulate how to deal with people arriving at the EU’s external borders, the processing of asylum claims, and the identification of those arriving. Following the deal, EP President Roberta Metsola said: “”Today is a truly historic day, as we have delivered on the Migration and Asylum Pact, possibly the most important legislative package of this mandate. Europe will now get a robust legislative framework that is the same in all Member States.

That functions and that protects, an approach that is humane and fair with those seeking protection, that is firm with those who are not eligible, and that is strong with those who exploit the most vulnerable

Refugee movements and migration are at the centre of global attention. &nbsp;The European Parliament is actively involved, in the adoption of new laws on irregular and regular immigration. It is a full co-legislator together with the Council representing member states on these matters since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009.

Asylum

Austria has been an EU Member since 1st January 1995. Austria is a federal parliamentary republic with a head of government - the chancellor - and a head of state - the president.

Austria ihas also been a member of the Euro area since 1 January 1999 and a member of Schengen since December 1997.

There are 19 members of the European Parliament from Austria. The country held the EU Presidency in 1998, 2006 and 2018.

Austria consists of 9 states (Bundesländer). Both regional and federal governments exercise executive power. The federal Parliament consists of 2 chambers: the Lower House (Nationalrat) - directly elected - and the Upper House (Bundesrat) - elected by regional parliaments.

EU - Austria

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

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

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

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

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

EU - Ukraine

In 2004 Slovakia joined the European Union as a Member State. It is a member of&nbsp;the Schengen area&nbsp;since 21 December 2007.&nbsp;It is a member of the&nbsp;Eurozone, when the Euro was introduced to replace the Slovak Crown as the national currency.

There are more than 5.4 million people in Slovakia. The country has 14 Members of European Parliament (MEPs). Slovakia has presided the EU between July and December 2016. Slovakia is a parliamentary democratic republic with a head of government - the Prime Minister - who holds the most executive power and a head of state - the President - who is the formal head of the executive, but with&nbsp;limited powers. The country is subdivided into 8 regions, each named after its principal city.&nbsp;

The country was in the centre of attention nad underwent huge political turbulences in&nbsp;2018 when the investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée were murdered.&nbsp;

EU - Slovakia

Lithuania is a parliamentary republic with a head of government - the Prime Minister - and a head of state - the President - who appoints the Prime Minister.

The Parliament is a single-chamber legislative body. The country is divided into 60 municipalities, with directly-elected mayors.

There are 11 members of the European Parliament from Lithuania.

Lithuania joined the EU on 1 May 2004 - and the euro area on 1 January 2015.

EU - Lithuania

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

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

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

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

European Green Deal

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

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

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

Common agricultural policy (CAP)

The European Parliament has its seat in Strasbourg in France but the bulk of its political work is done at its site in Brussels where the parliamentary committees should meet as well as additional part-sessions.

Find in this package, audiovisual content of the activities of the European Parliament in Brussels such as atmosphere inside and outside the buildings or&nbsp;parliamentary work.

The European Parliament in Brussels

Since the beginning of the pandemic COVID-19, the EU has developed a wide range of health policy responses, exemplified by the common approach to vaccines through the EU Vaccines Strategy and initiatives across a range of other policies.

A common approach to assessing infection rates in different regions made testing and quarantining much more consistent. EU Digital COVID Certificates were agreed on and implemented in record time, paving the way for the safe resumption of tourism and travel during summer, and beyond.

At the same time, the EU took decisive action to tackle the economic fallout of the pandemic with funds and special economic aid for&nbsp;Member states, entreprises and citizens.

The EU Health Union is underway with&nbsp;reinforcing the mandates of the European Medicines Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, addressing cross-border threats to health and creating a future-proof EU pharmaceutical policy. MEPs obtained better support for the EU4Health programme in the 2022 EU budget, with an additional €51 million to build up a strong Health Union and to make national health systems more resilient.

Effective coordination of national measures as well as solidarity among member states together with the importance of&nbsp;making national health systems more sustainable and resilient are the main challenges of the EU, learned from&nbsp;the&nbsp;COVID-19 pandemic.

EU's response to COVID-19

Equality and non-discrimination are core EU values and fundamental rights, enshrined in the Treaties and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. However, research by the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) shows that discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people persists across the EU.

The Commission presented the 'LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025' on 12 November 2020. This was&nbsp;the first ever full EU strategy in this area and is intended to build on the lessons learned from the European Commission's previous actions to advance LGBTI equality from 2015-2019.

In recent years, social acceptance of LGBTIQ people has declined in some Member States. Gaps remain in the EU's legislative framework for combating discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. Combating discrimination has become part of EU internal and external policies, and is the subject of numerous resolutions of the European Parliament. In response to the backsliding of LGBTIQ rights in some EU countries, notably Poland and Hungary, MEPs&nbsp;declared the EU an “LGBTIQ Freedom Zone”.

In 2021 Parliament “condemned&nbsp;in the strongest possible terms” the anti-LGBTIQ legislation and denounced&nbsp;the dismantling of democracy and the rule of law in Hungary.&nbsp;In a resolution&nbsp;MEPs described the Hungarian law as being in clear breach of fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter of fundamental rights, the Treaties and EU internal market legislation.

LGBTIQ freedom in the EU

Launch of the 20 KM of Brussels race

Fottball tournament with player Amadou Onana

Eurovision Debate 2024 with Lead Candidates.- Press point

Eurovision Debate 2024 with Lead Candidates

Eurovision Debate 2024 with Lead Candidates.- Arrival of the candidates

Press briefing ahead of the Eurovision Lead Candidates Debate

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) - Rainbow flag next to the EP buildings

Eurovision debate draw 2024 (23/05/2024)

EPAS seminar for teachers on 2024 on European Elections

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Oliver ROPKE, EESC President sign a new cooperation agreement

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Vasco ALVES CORDEIRO, Cor President sign a new agreement

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Kerkrade (Netherlands) -  Meeting with young people

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Zaventem (Belgium) - Meeting with young people

Unveiling of four branded airplanes to support the 2024 European Election campaign: extracts from the event with the participation of Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Aerial view of the European Parliament in Brussels

Event Illuminations : One month to go - EP buildings

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, in Kyiv (Ukraine) on Europe Day - Receiving the Honorary Doctorate from the Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, in Kyiv (Ukraine) on Europe Day - Meeting with Denys SHMYHAL, Ukrainian Prime Minister

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Use your vote

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Drone views - Buildings in Brussels by night

President Sassoli once addressed the EP staff saying that every single person is crucial to building a healthy democracy. He embodied this principle not only in his political activity, but also in his daily relationship with people, by gifting everyone with the same care, warmth and regard. The tribute film to President Sassoli was the occasion for the EP staff to respond with the same warmth and to remember him beyond his political persona. Through a series of anonymous interviews, the staff depicts President Sassoli’s portrait, dwelling on his extraordinary warmth and humanity. Beyond remembering him, the film presents President Sassoli as an inspiration and an example for the present (some of his words on Ukraine were prophetic) and the future.

A beloved President - David Sassoli through the eyes of EP staff

This stockshot shows external views of the European Parliament's building in Brussels during spring. Views of the crowd passing by the Solidarność esplanade and the passerelles during rainy days.

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Exterior views of the EP in Brussels during spring (rainy weather)

This stockshot shows external views of the European Parliament's building in Brussels during spring. Views of the crowd passing by the Solidarność esplanade and the passerelles during sunny days.

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Exterior views of the European Parliament in Brussels during spring (sunny weather)

This stockshots shows the election of David SASSOLI, as President of the European Parliament on 3rd July 2019. He was invited to make his first address as EP President in the hemicycle in Strasbourg. As part of his duties, he undertook several official visits abroad, welcomed guest and attending various European events.

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: David SASSOLI, EP President

This stockshot shows external views of the European Parliament's building in Brussels during autumn. Views of the crowd passing by the Solidarność esplanade and the passerelles during rainy days and during the night.

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Brussels - External shots of the EP buildings during autumn

This stockshot shows several debates taking place in the hemicycle in the European Parliament in Brussels. During the debates in plenary session, Political group speakers are invited to give a speech in an order determined by the relative size of those political groups (European People's Party (EPP), Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D), Renew Europe (RE), Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA), Identity and Democracy (ID), European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), European United Left - Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL)).

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Brussels - Internal shots and leaders of Political groups

This stockshot shows MEPs voting during the plenary session in the hemicycle in the European Parliament, in Brussels. Voting is by show of hands or by roll call (electronic voting system).

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Brussels - Votes and ambiance shots in the hemicycle

This stockshot shows several debates taking place in the hemicycle in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. During the debates in plenary session, Political group speakers are invited to give a speech in an order determined by the relative size of those political groups (European People's Party (EPP), Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D), Renew Europe (RE), Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA), Identity and Democracy (ID), European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), European United Left - Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL)).

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Strasbourg - Internal shots and leaders of Political groups

This Stockshots illustrates the removal of the EP from Brussels to Strasbourg: preparation of the canteen, removers at work, loading of the lorries,... 12 times per year, MEPs, assistants and officials are moving to Strasbourg for the plenary session. Movers Removals

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Brussels – Removal

This infoclip shows people walking in parks and streets in Brussels during summer. Views of fountains, streets musicians, tourists, people using electric scooters (trotinettes) and road traffic in the city centre.

Infoclip: Illustrative shots of European citizens walking in parks and streets during summer

This stockshot shows external views of the the Louise Weiss building in Strasbourg during Summer. The building of the European Parliament is located at the intersection of the River Ill and the Marne-Rhine Canal.

European Parliament Stockshots 9th Parliamentary Term: Strasbourg - EP buildings river views during summer

The Members of the EP Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) meeting elect its Chair during their meeting in margins of the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Lucia ĎURIŠ NICHOLSONOVÁ (ECR, SK) is elected Chair of the Committee by secret ballot.

EMPL Committee Constitutive meeting: arrivals and roundtable

Jaume DUCH GUILLOT, Spokesperson and Director-General for Communication of the EP, opens the press session briefing in the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. He gives a feedback on the results of the European Elections 2019 (23-26 May) and announces the opening of the 9th parliamentary term later in the morning. He explains the process to elect the new EP President and the ongoing talks on the top positions during the European Council.

Pre-session briefing

Live Replay of the opening of the first plenary session in the 9th parlimentary term, in Strasbourg (01-04/07/2019). Selection of eight tellers who will oversee the election of the President

EP Plenary session: Selection of eight tellers who will oversee the election of the President

Live Replay of the opening of the first plenary session in the 9th parlimentary term, in Strasbourg (01-04/07/2019). MEPs arriving and taking their seats. Opening by Antonio TAJANI. European anthem by the Quatuor "Avena".

EP Plenary session: Opening of the sitting and European anthem by the Quatuor "Avena"

Graphic presenting the composition of the European Parliament on 2 July 2019. EPP - Group of the European People's Party - 182 seats, S&D - Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats - 154 seats, ECR - European Conservatives and Reformists Group - 62 seats, Renew Europe - Renew Europe group - 108 seats, GUE/NGL - Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left - 41 seats, Greens/EFA - Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance - 74 seats, ID - Identity and Democracy - 73 seats, NI - Non-attached Members, 57 seats.

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