The lifting of Chinese sanctions against Members of the European Parliament marks a step in restoring parliamentary dialogue with China. Last April 30, President Metsola informed the Conference of Presidents of the decision of the Chinese authorities to lift the sanctions against any Member (as well as their families) and Committees of the European Parliament. […]
MEPs advocate storage refill flexibility to bring down prices
The draft law adopted on Thursday seeks to address speculation on the gas market and bring down prices, by introducing greater flexibility in rules on gas storage refilling. The Industry, Research and Energy Committee has backed the Commission proposal to extend the EU’s 2022 gas storage scheme until 31 December 2027; it was otherwise set to end […]
MEPs endorse gradual roll-out of Entry-Exit System
On Wednesday, the Civil Liberties Committee endorsed plans to gradually roll out the Entry-Exit System (EES) at the EU’s external borders. Civil Liberties Committee MEPs adopted a draft position on the proposed gradual launch of the Entry-Exit System (EES) at EU external borders by 54 votes in favour, 2 against and with 10 abstentions. Once […]
Budgets Committee sets out priorities for next long-term EU budget
MEPs in the Budgets Committee have backed the first report outlining Parliament’s vision for the next long-term EU budget. In the report adopted on Wednesday by 23 votes in favour, 9 against and with 2 abstentions, MEPs emphasise the need for a significantly more ambitious long-term EU budget (multiannual financial framework – MFF) that can […]
Protecting children from unsafe toys
The agreed draft legislation comes in response to a number of emerging challenges, such as risks relating to digital toys and the surge in online shopping. On 10 April evening, Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional agreement on new EU toy safety rules to enhance the protection of children’s health and development. The deal […]
Agreement on new EU law with better support for farmers
The informal agreement between EU co-legislators will ensure soil is monitored in all EU countries and farmers get better support to improve soil health. On Wednesday evening, Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional political agreement on the Commission’s proposal for a soil monitoring law. The overall objective is to have healthy European soils by 2050, in […]
New screening rules for foreign investment in the EU
On Tuesday, the International Trade Committee adopted revised rules for screening foreign investments in the EU. Under the new rules, more sectors, such as media services, critical raw materials and transport infrastructure, will be subject to mandatory screening by Member States, in order to identify and address foreign investment-related security or public order risks. The […]
MEPs and Ukrainian parliamentarians discussing a common European future
Meeting on Tuesday, leading members of the European Parliament and of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada signalled their strong support for Ukraine’s EU accession process. At their second meeting, held remotely on Tuesday, European Parliament and Verkhovna Rada parliamentary committee chairs, MEPs and Ukrainian parliamentarians discussed the ongoing cooperation between the two institutions to prepare Ukraine […]
Three Spanish petitions to be discussed at the Petitions Committee
The European Parliament’s Petitions Committee in Brussels on 8 April examined three Spanish petitions on the transposition of the European directive on the common VAT system in the European Union, the alleged non-compliance with the directive on flood risks in Spain and the working conditions of doctors in the public health system in Ceuta and […]