European Parliament

COVID-19: Both WHO and Europe must learn from the current pandemic, say MEPs

The need for stockpiling of key protective equipment, solidarity and common indicators to serve as an early warning system for a pandemic where the three key lessons learnt from the…

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EU adopts legislation to boost private sector investment in green and sustainable projects

The European Commission has today welcomed the adoption by the European Parliament of the Taxonomy Regulation – a key piece of legislation that will contribute to the European Green Deal…

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New rules allow EU consumers to defend their rights collectively

The European Union introduced a harmonised model for representative action in all member states that guarantees consumers are well protected against mass harm, while at the same time ensuring appropriate…

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Europe’s recovery needs solidarity and smart spending – EPP

The centre-right EPP Group in the European Parliament is insisting that solidarity and responsibility go hand in hand by addressing both the economic recovery as well as by ensuring Europe…

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Bold measures needed to protect cross-border and seasonal workers in EU, MEPs say

The COVID-19-crisis has further exposed and exacerbated social dumping and the existing precariousness of the situations of many mobile workers employed in the EU’s agri-food, construction and healthcare sectors.…

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COVID-19: Boosting aid for farmers from the EU rural development fund

The European Parliament has approved increased funding for farmers through the EU's rurarl development fund in a bid to support the sector through the current challenging times. The emergency…

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Parliament condemns all forms of racism, hate and violence and calls for action

In a resolution adopted on Friday with 493 votes to 104 and 67 abstentions, the Parliament “strongly condemns the appalling death of George Floyd” in the US, as well as…

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COVID-19 crisis is a potential geopolitical game-changer, warn MEPs

A global pandemic needs global solutions, and the EU has to be at the centre of this response, said High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell…

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MEPs will not back Brexit deal at any cost

Parliament will not back a Brexit deal at any cost, warned several MEPs commenting on the ongoing negotiations about the future relationship between the EU and the UK. They…

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EU Progressives urge swift agreement on recovery financing

Swift adoption of the recovery plan and the revamped financial framework will be vital for our economies and our Union, PES Europe ministers agreed as they met by videoconference to…

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EU-UK talks: MEPs united behind EU stance, rejecting UK cherry-picking

MEPs have reiterated their overwhelming support for the EU position in the talks between the European Union and the UK on their future relationship. In a draft resolution, adopted…

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Health threats: boosting EU readiness and crisis management

The EU is proposing to substantially increase its health funding by €9.4 billion through a new Europe-wide programme, EU4Health, which aims to strengthen Europe’s health systems to respond better to…

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European Parliament revises rules to encourage banks to lend to companies and households

The European Parliament has approved new rules to temporarily ensure favourable conditions for banks in order to support credit flows to companies and households and absorb losses, mitigating the severe…

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COVID-19 and German constitutional court decision top meeting with ECB’s Lagarde

MEPs quizzed ECB President Christine Lagarde for the first time since the pandemic and the German constitutional court’s ruling on the ECB’s bondbuying programme. During the quarterly ‘Monetary Dialogue’ with…

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Carers deserve more than some applause as MEPs propose EU-wide strategy

The centre-right EPP Group in the European Parliament has called for the creation of a Europe-wide strategy focusing on carers, describing it as a priority and calling on the Union…

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Swift return to functional Schengen area key to EU’s economic recovery – MEPs

Civil Liberties Committee MEPs express their concern about the current situation of internal border controls in the Schengen area and their impact on people and businesses, in a resolution adopted on Thursday by…

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Science and space among the industries of the future – EU Council

Space policy can play an important role in achieving a sustainable EU economy. Earth science and European space data, services and technologies may contribute to the European Green Deal, enabling…

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Renew Europe condemns George Floyd murder and calls for the fight against racism to be stepped up

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament condemns the appalling murder of George Floyd in the US and the subsequent police crackdowns on peaceful US protesters and European journalists.…

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EPP calls for European health ‘independence’

The EPP Group wants to bring back part of the production of medicines to Europe to make it medically independent from third countries such as India and China. Also, stockpiling…

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Austria, Italy, Portugal, Spain receive €279m after natural disasters in 2019

On Thursday, Budgets Committee Members approved €279 million in EU aid following extreme weather events in Austria, Italy, Portugal and Spain in 2019. The draft report by rapporteur José Manuel Fernandes, (EPP,…

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Supporting the recovery: MEPs adopt budget priorities for 2021

The 2021 budget priorities should be to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and support the recovery, building on the Green Deal and digital transformation. In the resolution by…

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PES: The recovery cannot wait, Member States must put EU plan into action

European Socialists welcomed the European Commission recovery plan announced yesterday, defining it as "a historic opportunity to kickstart the reconstruction of the Union and move towards a more progressive and…

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EP budget negotiators: recovery plan crucial, but do not trade long-term for short-term

The European Parliament's budget negotiators welcomed yesterday's proposals by the European Commission, though expressing regret that the original proposed was reduced. "We positively acknowledge the reinforcement of the current MFF…

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European citizens want stronger role for EU, especially at times of crisis

An independent survey commissioned by the European Parliament found that nearly seven out of ten respondents (69%) want a stronger role for the EU in fighting this crisis. In parallel,…

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MEPs raise alarm on rule of law in Poland

The attacks on the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights in Poland need to be addressed urgently, say a majority of MEPs in the Civil Liberties Committee. In…

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EU Parliament to look into precarious situation of cross-border and seasonal workers

The Employment and Social Affairs Committee is set to delve into alleged breaches of EU law on working time, health and safety of cross-border workers, later on today. Following disturbing…

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No agreement with UK without fisheries deal – EPP

"Fisheries must not be an adjustment variable or a political symbol in the Brexit equation. No fisheries agreement means no post-Brexit agreement. The European Parliament has shown that it wants…

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Farm to Fork policy changes should not be hurried at time of insecurity – EPP

The centre-right European grouping in Parliament expressed its concern that in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Commission is pushing for deep changes to the EU's food production…

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European Parliament demands €2 trillion recovery chest

Members of the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for a €2 trillion ‘recovery and transformation’ fund to revive European economies. The document, which was approved by 505 votes…

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MEPs call for stronger financial outlay and quick action to avoid huge recession

European Members of Parliament welcomed the recent proposal for a €500 billion recovery fund brought forward earlier this week by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, calling…

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EU Partner countries get €3bn in loans to prop up economies affected by pandemic

The European Parliament approved €3 billion in loans to help EU neighbours and partner countries deal with the fallout of COVID-19. The loans, which will be given on highly favourable…

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European Parliament urges EU Commission to set up €2 trillion investment package

The European Parliament on Friday urged the European Commission to set up a €2 trillion investment package to tackle the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic that would provide “mostly” grants…

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EP wants data protection guaranteed before allowing fingerprint exchange with UK

MEPs urge the Council not to take any decision on the topic until the UK gives guarantees on full reciprocity and data protection and to wait until the new legal…

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EU seeks new revenue sources to finance economic recovery

The European Union executive will ask member states to allocate new sources of revenue to the EU's long-term budget to help finance an economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic, its…

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A COVID-19 vaccination should be made available to everyone without discrimination – David Casa

Maltese MEP David Casa has called on the European Union to ensure that once available, the vaccination for the COVID-19 virus should be provided to every citizen, without discrimination. David…

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EP approves increased water reuse

To prevent water shortages in the European Union, the European Parliament has approved a resolution allowing increased levels of water re-use. The new law defines minimum requirements at European…

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Covid-19 recovery fund must be embedded in EU long-term budget – EP budget chair

MEPs are today discussing plans to reboot Europe’s economy in light of Covid-19 and will be voting on a resolution later in the week. Ahead of a vote on…

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EPP urges strong action to save Europe’s Summer

The EPP Group in the European Parliament is calling for unified European health checks and sanitary protocols for travelling and tourism, the non-discriminatory re-opening of internal European borders and targeted…

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Europe must emerge stronger from this crisis

By the President of the European Parliament David Sassoli, the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen In…

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European Parliament opens its doors online to mark Europe Day

Tomorrow 9 May, the European Parliament will mark the 70th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, with a live programme broadcast directly from the Hemicycle in Brussels. Due to the current…

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Sassoli to EU institutions: “Be brave on EU recovery plan”

EU President David Sassoli has called on the EU institutions to find consensus and back their commitment with a sizeable financial committment to help Europe emerge from the current health…

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Vaccines must be available for all, not just for one country – EPP

The centre-right European People’s Party insisted that once approved, the COVID-19 vaccine must be available for all, not just for one country. In a statement, the EPP said that “to…

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European Socialists say EU must uphold values and live up to global ambitions as we tackle pandemic

The EU must reinforce the resilience of our democratic model and values - inside and outside Europe - and take on a global role as we overcome COVID-19. European…

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EU top diplomat denies giving China a pass

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament raised concerns with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell over allegations that the EU’s diplomatic arm toned down criticism…

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Long-term EU budget: MEPs demand safety net for beneficiaries

On Monday, Members of the Committee on Budgets of the European Parliament adopted a legislative initiative report by 37 votes in favour, 1 against and 3 abstentions, requesting that the European…

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National authorities should do more to raise awareness of EU action on COVID-19 – EP

The European Parliament has called on member states to do more to inform the public about EU action and solidarity in combatting COVID-19. “Information and communication are crucial in tackling…

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Save European culture and values, MEPs tell Commission

Rebuilding the hard-hit cultural and media sectors in post-COVID-19 Europe must be a major objective in the EU’s recovery plan, MEPs said in a debate on Monday. In their discussion…

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EPP calls for stronger EU migration policy based on solidarity

In the wake of recent migratory crisis, particularly in the Mediterranean, the EPP Group in the European Parliament has insisted for a stronger, more efficient EU migration policy that is…

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Asylum and Migration Pact: MEPs push for legal and safe avenues

In a letter to Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas and Commissioner Ylva Johansson sent by Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, ES), Chair of the Civil Liberties Committee, on behalf of…

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Covid-19: fundamental rights must be upheld, warn MEPs

Crisis situations call for crisis measures and emergency measures have been put in place in member states to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. This has often resulted…

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EPP calls on SME focus in Europe’s recovery plan

The Group of the European People's Party (EPP Group) called on the European Commission to be particularly attentive to small businesses in designing Europe's recovery plan. "Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis…

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Coronavirus – Not just a health emergency – David Casa

Our citizens are depending on us to rise to the occasion during this challenging time. We must not let them down. Together we must strive to secure employment, protect workers…

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MEPs call for concrete details and novel tools to address the economic crisis

MEPs on Monday quizzed Commissioners Dombrovskis and Gentiloni on planned measures to tackle the looming economic crisis due to COVID-19. Opening the discussion held within the Economic and Monetary Affairs…

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Stop cooperation with and funding to the Libyan coastguard, MEPs ask

The EU should stop channeling funds to Libya to manage migration and to train its coastguard, as the violation of human rights of migrants and asylum-seekers continues. In a…

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MEPs push for support to culture sector

MEPs underlined the special nature of the creative sector and the difficulties faced by artists and called on the EU to provide support in a resolution adopted on 17 April. The pandemic…

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We can’t relaunch economies unless we act together – EP President

Europe’s economies can only be relaunched by member states acting together, Parliament President David Sassoli warned EU leaders. Speaking at the start of an EU Summit on 23 April on…

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€100 billion from the EU to keep people in jobs

The European Parliament said in a statement this morning that when taking into consideration all the initiatives launched at European level to safeguard employment, the total assistance will be reaching…

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