Parliament marks 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs today commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, which brought 30 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland to an end. Opening the commemorative ceremony, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola hailed the Good Friday agreement (GFA) as one “which has […]

Equal pay: Commission statements ahead of the European Parliament’s vote on pay transparency rules

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Tomorrow the European Parliament is set to vote on the Commission’s proposal on pay transparency. The new Directive aims to ensure the effective enforcement of equal pay for men and women; bring more transparency in setting of pay; and improve access to justice for […]

Single Market at 30: Statement by IMCO Chair on Commission communication

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The Chair of Parliament’s committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection reacts to the new EC communication on the 30th anniversary of the Single Market. Today, European Commission published two communications celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Single Market and setting out how […]

Parliament ready to negotiate with Council for an EU-wide digital wallet

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The new digital identity framework would provide EU citizens with digital access to key public services across EU borders. Parliament on Thursday confirmed -with 418 votes to 103, with 24 abstentions- the negotiating mandate for talks with the EU member states on the revision […]

Parliament slams repression and show trials in Belarus

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs are alarmed about the ongoing crackdown in Belarus, including the jailing of Nobel laureates and journalists, and call for further sanctions against the country. On Wednesday, Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the Belarusian regime’s continued systematic repression of the country’s people and dissenting […]

EU-UK relations: Parliament assesses Windsor Framework and citizens’ rights

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs welcome the deal on the Protocol on Northern Ireland and raise concerns about citizens’ rights, including “pre-settled status” for EU citizens. Assessing how the UK Withdrawal Agreement has been implemented in the three years since Brexit, MEPs note that important improvements are needed […]

We need a new Bretton Woods moment, says António Guterres. What was the original Bretton Woods and what did it achieve?

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Ian Shine, Senior Writer, Forum Agenda “It is time for a new Bretton Woods moment,” according to United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres in his briefing to the UN’s General Assembly on Priorities for 2023 last month. Why? Because […]

Commission provides support for 124 researchers from Ukraine who fled the war

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission officially announced the selection results of the MSCA4Ukraine initiative, which supports displaced researchers from Ukraine. 13 doctoral candidates and 111 postdoctoral researchers from Ukraine will be able to continue their work in EU Member States and countries associated to Horizon Europe. […]

Latvian President to MEPs: Europe must be on the right side of history

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Tuesday, Latvian President Egils Levits called on Europe to find the political will to try Russia for its crimes and give Ukraine a future in Europe. In a formal address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Mr Levits echoed Parliament’s demand to establish […]

Group leaders endorse first steps of parliamentary reform

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. European Parliament group leaders endorsed the reform plan, proposed by President Metsola, at the Conference of Presidents in Brussels today. The reforms aim at strengthening the Parliament’s integrity, independence and accountability, while protecting the free mandate of Members. Other medium and long-term measures will […]

Swedish Presidency debriefs EP committees on priorities

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Ministers outlined the priorities of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU to parliamentary committees, in a series of meetings. Sweden holds the Presidency of the Council until June 2023 included. A first set of hearings took place between 23 and 26 […]

5 reasons why sustainable timber must become a core global building material

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Stephanie Burrell, Community Lead, Forest Economy Program, World Economic Forum When sourced from sustainably managed, climate-smart forests, biobased buildings can be hugely instrumental in combating climate change, driving investment back into forests while simultaneously creating a carbon sink in […]

Corruption scandal: MEPs insist on reforms for transparency and accountability

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Parliament has reacted to recent allegations with immediate changes and demands for measures to close loopholes in existing transparency rules. Following Tuesday’s debate, Parliament has adopted a resolution on the suspicions of corruption by Qatar and the broader need for more transparency in the […]

Parliament agrees to adapted €18 billion loan to Ukraine

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Wednesday, MEPs agreed to a modified regulation allowing the €18 billion support package to be transferred to Ukraine after Hungary had vetoed the original proposal. Parliament accepted, through the so-called urgent procedure, the Council-proposed change in the Macrofinancial Assistance Plus regulation that allows […]

Energy crisis: MEPs back plans to boost the deployment of renewables

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The proposed law will accelerate the procedure to grant permits for new renewable energy power plants, such as solar panels or windmills, or to adapt existing ones. In their amendments to the Commission proposal, MEPs shortened the maximum period to approve new installations from […]

Parliament approves €18 billion loan for Ukraine for 2023

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday, MEPs approved an €18 billion loan to support Ukraine during Russia’s war against the country. The €18 billion will cover roughly half of the estimated €3-4 billion monthly funding Ukraine needs in 2023. The money will go to supporting essential public services […]

Cybersecurity: Parliament adopts new law to strengthen EU-wide resilience

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Rules requiring EU countries to meet stricter supervisory and enforcement measures and harmonise their sanctions were approved by MEPs on Thursday. The legislation, already agreed between MEPs and the Council in May, will set tighter cybersecurity obligations for risk management, reporting obligations and information […]

President Metsola condemns Iranian sanctions on Members of the European Parliament

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. EP President Roberta Metsola has condemned the decision of the Iranian regime to sanction several MEPs, as well as journalists, human rights defenders and institutions. “On behalf of the European Parliament, I strongly condemn the decision of the Iranian regime to sanction members of […]

Burkina Faso: MEPs demand immediate return to constitutional order

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. In a resolution adopted on Thursday, MEPs condemn the military coup in Burkina Faso and express concern about allegations of human rights violations. The military coup of 30 September 2022, the second one in a year, undermines the recent progress made towards an orderly […]

Parliament approves €5 billion loan to Ukraine

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday, MEPs gave the green light to a €5 billion macro-financial loan to help Ukraine cover its acute financing needs caused by Russia’s invasion. This is the second, and largest, tranche of a €9 billion EU support package, of which €1 billion has […]

Parliament backs boost for renewables use and energy savings

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. By 2030, the European Parliament wants renewable energy to be used much more, and energy consumption to be greatly reduced. On Wednesday, MEPs voted to raise the share of renewables in the EU’s final energy consumption to 45% by 2030, under the revision of […]

Parliament adopts new rules on adequate minimum wages for all workers in the EU

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Minimum wages in all EU countries should allow for decent living and working standards, and member states should promote collective bargaining for pay. With 505 votes in favour, 92 against and 44 abstentions, Parliament adopted new legislation on adequate minimum wages in the EU, […]

Fit for 55: Parliament pushes for greener aviation fuels

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Used cooking oil, synthetic fuel or even hydrogen should gradually become the norm as aviation fuel to help EU become climate neutral by 2050, said MEPs on Thursday. Parliament adopted its position on new draft EU rules to increase the uptake of sustainable fuels […]

2022 Strategic Foresight Report: twinning the green and digital transitions in the new geopolitical context

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission has today adopted the 2022 Strategic Foresight Report – “Twinning the green and digital transitions in the new geopolitical context”. As we prepare to accelerate both transitions, the report identifies ten key areas of action with the objective of maximising synergies and […]

National recovery plans: MEPs assess the performance of crisis funding

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Parliament calls for recovery funding to be transparent, conditional on the respect for the rule of law, and for ensuring a maximum return on the EU’s investment. With their report, adopted with 420 votes in favour, 90 against and 83 abstentions, MEPs intend to […]

President Metsola thanks Secretary-General Klaus Welle for his dedication to EP

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The Bureau has decided today to accept the request of European Parliament Secretary-General, Mr Klaus Welle, to hand over his function, after nearly 14 years in office, on 1 January 2023. “I want to thank Secretary-General Klaus Welle for his dedication to the European […]

EU-US Trade and Technology Council: strengthening our renewed partnership in turbulent times

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The EU and the US have today reaffirmed their close cooperation to address global trade and technology challenges in line with their shared commitment to democracy, freedom and human rights. Meeting at the second Ministerial Meeting of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in […]

EP inquiry committee for Pegasus and other spyware launched

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Tuesday, Parliament’s new inquiry committee investigating the use of Pegasus and other spyware had its first meeting, electing a Chair and three Vice-Chairs. The new committee is tasked with investigating the use of Pegasus software and other equivalent spyware, and held its constitutive […]

MEPs lift restrictions on the cross-border hire of trucks without their drivers

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Under new rules adopted on Tuesday, there will be fewer restrictions on the use of hired vans or trucks without drivers from another EU country. Parliament gave a final green light to an agreement with EU governments on the update of the EU rules […]

MEPs held a minute of silence in memory of victims of war in Ukraine

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. President Metsola updated the house on her visit to Ukraine and appealed for more logistical, humanitarian and military support, at the opening of the session. Updating MEPs on her visit to Ukraine and her meeting with the Verkhovna Rada and President Zelenskyy, President Metsola […]

Women on boards: committees give green light for negotiations with member states

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Wednesday, the Women’s Rights and Legal Affairs Committees backed talks with the Council of the EU on a bill to increase gender balance on corporate boards. Once confirmed by plenary, negotiations can move forward on the draft legislation aimed at ensuring gender parity […]

European Parliament launches website in cooperation with Ukrainian Parliament

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. As a result of the cooperation with Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada in the field of democracy support, the new website shows how the EU has supported Ukraine since 2014. “The EU stands with Ukraine”: the website (in English and Ukrainian) set up by Parliament, provides […]

Rule of Law conditionality: Commission must immediately initiate proceedings

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The European Commission must take urgent action and immediately apply the Rule of Law Conditionality Mechanism by notifying the member states concerned in writing. In a resolution adopted on Thursday by 478 votes to 155 and 29 abstentions, MEPs welcomed the European Court of […]