Thank you Madam President, Mr President, Honourable Members, Every day we watch in horror the images coming from besieged Ukrainian cities, the devastation of Mariupol, Kharkiv, and the outskirts of Kyiv. But let me take you for a moment beyond the frontline, into occupied Ukraine. After the siege and the shelling, the reality of occupation […]
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Joint Statement by President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Trudeau
We strongly condemn President Putin’s unjustifiable and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and stand unwavering in our support of Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are determined to defend our shared values and the rules-based international system. We are committed to the advancement of human rights, gender equality and inclusion, and the protection of fundamental […]
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EU support to Ukraine: Council doubles funding under the European Peace Facility
Yesterday the Council adopted two assistance measures under the European Peace Facility (EPF) that will allow the EU to further support the capabilities and resilience of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, and protect the civilian population against the ongoing Russian military aggression. The assistance measures will increase the original budget announced […]
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Report by President Charles Michel to the European Parliament plenary session
One month of war. One month of death, destruction, and suffering. One month of Russian terror against the people of Ukraine. And one month of the democratic world rising up, with full force, to condemn Russia and to stand against this barbaric and immoral war. Mariupol. Like other cities, Mariupol will forever be engraved in […]
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Main messages from the Tripartite Social Summit, 23 March 2022
EU leaders and social partners met, via video conference, at the tripartite social summit to discuss “a united tripartite response to the social and economic impact of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine”. The summit participants intervened on the following questions: How to ensure long-term investment, growth and employment in Europe, while addressing the impact […]
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War in Ukraine: keep the pressure up on Russia and aim for energy independence
One month after Russia attacked Ukraine, MEPs unanimously condemned the brutal invasion and urged the EU to further sanction Moscow and protect the European economy. In a plenary debate with Presidents Michel and von der Leyen on the Versailles informal summit (10-11 March) and the upcoming European Council (24-25 March), MEPs praised EU member states […]
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Justin Trudeau: “Canada, the EU, and our partners are facing a defining moment”
Addressing MEPs, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, stressed that NATO and the EU are more resolved and united than ever and that pressure on Putin must be increased. Opening the debate on Wednesday afternoon, Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Canada was an ally and precious partner of the EU. “Our relationship has withstood the test of time”, […]
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MEPs demand more action to protect EU budget from misuse
The EU needs tougher measures to protect its budget from misuse by political elites serving their own interests, according to a report to be voted on by MEPs. The report by Parliament’s budget control committee says there are more political elites than ever misdirecting public funds from the EU budget to serve their own interests. The report […]
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A Strategic Compass for a stronger EU security and defence in the next decade
Today the Council has formally approved the Strategic Compass, at a time when we witness the return of war in Europe. The Compass gives the European Union an ambitious plan of action for strengthening the EU’s security and defence policy by 2030. The more hostile security environment requires us to make a quantum leap forward and increase our capacity and willingness to […]
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