Nine MEPs from the EP’s Civil Liberties Committee are travelling to the Canary Island to gather first-hand information on the challenges that arrivals from the West African route create for migrant reception centres and authorities, and explore ways to support the affected regions. The delegation will meet with representatives of local, regional and national administrations, […]
MEPs evaluate the security situation in the EU in Barbate and Algeciras.
The EP Petitions Committee delegation, led by its chair Bogdan Rzońca (ECR, Poland), will begin its visit on 26 May in Barbate (Cádiz), where it will meet with petitioners who raised the issue with the committee and the families of the two civil guards killed during an operation to stop a drug boat on 9 […]
China lifts sanctions against MEPs
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 […]
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 […]
Parliament green lights update of VAT rules to make them fit for digital times
The update will notably require that VAT be paid for services provided through online platforms, putting an end to an unfair distortion of competition. It will also fight VAT fraud. On Wednesday, Parliament’s plenary approved the changes to the rules that member states indicated in November they wished to make to the VAT Directive. MEPs […]
Two Spaniards elected as Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament Fourteen Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament elected
On Tuesday MEPs elected the 14 vice-presidents for the first half of the 10th parliamentary term. Eleven vice-presidents, including the Spanish Esteban González Pons (EPP) and Javi López (S&D), were appointed by secret ballot in a first round, and the remaining three in a second round. The new Vice-Presidents are: Sabine Verheyen (EPP, Germany) Ewa […]