Europäische Union

ÄNDERUNGSANTRÄGE 1 - 148 - Entwurf einer Stellungnahme Zwischenbericht über den Vorschlag für den Mehrjährigen Finanzrahmen 2028-2034
Ausschuss für Sicherheit und Verteidigung
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

Addressing the F-35’s operational independence from the U.S. amid tensions between Europe and the Trump administration, Secretary Gijs Tuinman made the claim to Dutch radio station BNR Nieuwsradio.  The bold claim, the veracity of which is unverifiable from an outside perspective, came as part of a wider dialogue over the operational independence of the F-35 […]

The Boeing 757 Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft began its latest series of test flights last week sporting a brand new radome grafted onto its nose, along with new fuselage fairings.  The Boeing 757-200, formerly a passenger aircraft for a number of airlines, completed its first modification phase in late 2024 and undertook a short program […]

Mission autonomy software by Collins and Shield AI was integrated on the YFQ-42 and YFQ-44 CCAs by using the government-owned A-GRA architecture. The U.S. Air Force has reached a new milestone in its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, demonstrating that government-owned Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA) can be successfully integrated with mission autonomy software. As part […]

The U.S. Navy’s newest supercarrier is heading back towards the Middle East having already been recalled across the Atlantic to station off Venezuela. Already in its eighth month at sea, this new assignment – which will require the third Atlantic transit of its current deployment – in the midst of heightened tensions between the U.S. […]

Speaking at a geopolitics and aerospace conference in Rome, the Commander of the Italian Air Force’s Operational Forces said the service is evaluating the possibility of operating F-35s from highway strips if conventional airfields are threatened. Italy is assessing the possibility of landing and operating its F-35A Lightning II 5th generation aircraft from selected highway […]

MISSION REPORT following the ad hoc mission to Serbia from 22 to 24 January 2026
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.

Members debated several Commission and Council statements, including on the European response to extreme weather events, particularly in Portugal, southern Italy, Malta and Greece; building a stronger European defence in an increasingly volatile international environment; as well as urgent action to revive EU competitiveness, deepen the single market and reduce the cost of living, following up on the Draghi report. Debates also covered the rule of law, fundamental rights and the misuse of EU funds in Slovakia, and Spain’s large-scale regularisation policy and its impact on the Schengen Area and EU migration policy. Further debates concerned the presentation of the action plan against cyberbullying, the International Day of Education and the fight against inequalities in access to education, as well as the need to tackle economic inequalities within the EU and globally. Members also adopted a Parliament statement to mark World Cancer Day.

Parliament held several debates on external relations, in particular on the European response to the attacks on the Ukrainian energy system and the resulting humanitarian crisis; the situation in north-east Syria, including violence against civilians and the need to maintain a sustainable ceasefire; the urgent need to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan and achieve lasting peace; and the violence in the Great Lakes Region, particularly in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Finally, Members heard a formal address by Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly.

EU-Mercosur Agreement: Bilateral safeguard clause

Members adopted a provisional agreement on a regulation implementing the bilateral safeguard clause for agricultural products incorporated into the trade pillar of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement. The safeguard clause allows the EU to temporarily suspend Mercosur agreement tariff preferences and reinstate most-favoured nation duties under stricter and faster procedures should imports undercut EU prices or represent a danger to EU producers. In the provisional text, Parliament succeeded in lowering the thresholds for triggering a safeguard investigation from 10 % to 5 % and extending the reference period to three years. The Commission may also, upon a request from EU industry, extend monitoring to products or sectors not listed in the regulation.

European Climate Law

Parliament adopted a provisional agreement reached between Parliament and the Council on proposals to amend the European Climate Law, introducing an intermediate climate target for 2040. The amendment would include a binding 90 % net emissions reduction target for 2040, compared to 1990, and a capped potential contribution of international carbon credits towards meeting this target.

Cross-border enforcement of rules on unfair trading practices in the agri-food supply chain

Late payment, last-minute order cancellations, and unilateral contract changes on the part of large buyers in a different country can considerably harm EU farmers’ businesses. While the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Directive seeks to protect farmers from such activities, Parliament proposed extending the rules to operators based outside the EU whose commercial activities target the EU internal market. It also suggested establishing alerts on cross-border UTPs. Members adopted a provisional agreement on strengthening the directive. National authorities will be required to act on their own initiative to stop cross-border UTPs, even in the absence of a formal complaint.

Wine sector package

The EU wine sector is facing change, both in growing conditions and drinking habits, leading to a risk of surplus production. Parliament calls for a higher EU co-financing rate for vineyard restructuring. Members adopted a provisional agreement reached with the Council on amending several EU rules governing the sector. The provisional agreement will harmonise labelling, particularly regarding alcohol content and increase EU and national support to promote high-quality European wines outside the EU.

New EU anti-poverty strategy

With a Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) report calling for stronger EU coordination, Members debated the development of the EU’s first-ever anti-poverty strategy, calling for greater effort to eradicate poverty, particularly for children. The report highlights the multidimensional nature of poverty, particularly among children, people with disabilities, older people and those in precarious employment. It also stresses the need to improve minimum income schemes, and the importance of quality jobs, effective social protection and access to public services. Finally, the report calls for adequate funding, including through the 2028–2034 multiannual financial framework (MFF), to support implementation of the strategy, improve coherence across existing initiatives and contribute to the goal of eradicating poverty by 2035.

Protecting workers’ rights

Workplace incidents remain a significant challenge in the EU, particularly in the construction, transport, and manufacturing sectors. Parliament has urged action, particularly on contractor and subcontractor liability, and Members debated and adopted an EMPL committee own-initiative report reiterating this call. The report calls for a comprehensive strategy against labour exploitation, including tackling illegal work, organised crime and abusive business practices such as some subcontracting activities. It highlights the need for effective enforcement through closer cooperation between the European Labour Authority, Europol, national authorities and social partners.

Action plan against cyberbullying

Members held a debate on the cyberbullying action plan, following a Commission statement. Parliament has consistently highlighted the need to protect children online, addressing issues such as cyberbullying, hate speech, child sexual abuse and mental health risks. The Commission’s EU action plan against cyberbullying aims at protecting children, young adults and others at particular risk online. The plan addresses the lack of a common definition of cyberbullying along with proposals for prevention and awareness-raising measures.

EU priorities for the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

The 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) in March is expected to focus on access to justice for women and girls. Parliament adopted recommendations to the Council on the EU’s priorities for the 70th session. An own-initiative report from the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) urges the Council to lead efforts against the global backlash on gender rights and calls on the EU to defend diversity, equality and inclusion, safeguard the UNCSW‘s mandate, and address funding shortfalls.

Accession of third countries to Hague conventions

Members debated the accession of third countries (in this case Albania and Montenegro) to the Hague conventions (specifically the Hague Judgments Convention). There are various procedures for handling the effects of ratification of an acceding state on existing parties in Hague Conventions. In one scenario, if existing parties do not oppose the accession by submitting a declaration within a set time limit, their agreement to the accession is tacit. However, when the Commission raises no objection to a third country’s accession and does not submit a declaration of opposition, the Council and Parliament cannot give their consent. Parliament’s position is therefore that the Commission must present a proposal for acceptance in such cases, even where not required by the convention itself. Members adopted two resolutions on the matter.

Opening of trilogue negotiations

One decision to enter into interinstitutional negotiations from Parliament’s International Trade (INTA) Committee on the negative trade-related effects of global overcapacity on the Union steel market was approved without vote.

This ‘at a glance’ note is intended to review some of the highlights of the plenary part-session, and notably to follow up on key dossiers identified by EPRS. It does not aim to be exhaustive. For more detailed information on specific files, please see other EPRS products, notably our ‘EU legislation in progress’ briefings, and the plenary minutes.

Read this ‘at a glance note’ on ‘Plenary round-up – February 2026‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2025 - EP

Progress on SDG 6 — ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all — remains critically off-track. With none of its eight targets on course to be met by 2030, this commentary argues that the shortfall reflects not merely implementation failures, but a deeper conceptual problem: water governance frameworks rely on a homogeneous, techno-centric understanding of water that ignores its multiple social, cultural, political, and ecological dimensions. We introduce the concept of "waterS" (plural, capitalised) to foreground this multiplicity. Drawing on the Spanish aguas, the term captures the diverse forms, values, and meanings water holds across different communities and contexts — from a measurable substance (H₂O) to a spiritual entity, a living being, or the foundation of social and hydrosocial relations. This stands in contrast to SDG 6's universalist framing, rooted in Western modernist traditions, which reduces water governance to engineering, hygiene, and risk management. Through empirical examples — from peri-urban water use in India, desalination conflicts in Antofagasta, Chile, and infrastructure-led rural water projects in Telangana, India — we demonstrate how standardised technical approaches perpetuate inequities in access, marginalise Indigenous and local governance systems, and reproduce power imbalances in participation and decision-making. We further critique the commodification of water, the limits of market-based governance, and the inadequacy of current monitoring frameworks that rely on aggregate national data while overlooking lived local realities. Looking ahead to the post-2030 agenda and the 2026 UN Water Conference, we propose a paradigm shift toward power-sensitive, pluralistic governance frameworks. Key recommendations include community-led participatory planning, legal recognition of customary water rights, equity-based financial models, citizen-science data collection, and rights-based approaches that centre marginalized groups — especially women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples — in water decision-making.

Progress on SDG 6 — ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all — remains critically off-track. With none of its eight targets on course to be met by 2030, this commentary argues that the shortfall reflects not merely implementation failures, but a deeper conceptual problem: water governance frameworks rely on a homogeneous, techno-centric understanding of water that ignores its multiple social, cultural, political, and ecological dimensions. We introduce the concept of "waterS" (plural, capitalised) to foreground this multiplicity. Drawing on the Spanish aguas, the term captures the diverse forms, values, and meanings water holds across different communities and contexts — from a measurable substance (H₂O) to a spiritual entity, a living being, or the foundation of social and hydrosocial relations. This stands in contrast to SDG 6's universalist framing, rooted in Western modernist traditions, which reduces water governance to engineering, hygiene, and risk management. Through empirical examples — from peri-urban water use in India, desalination conflicts in Antofagasta, Chile, and infrastructure-led rural water projects in Telangana, India — we demonstrate how standardised technical approaches perpetuate inequities in access, marginalise Indigenous and local governance systems, and reproduce power imbalances in participation and decision-making. We further critique the commodification of water, the limits of market-based governance, and the inadequacy of current monitoring frameworks that rely on aggregate national data while overlooking lived local realities. Looking ahead to the post-2030 agenda and the 2026 UN Water Conference, we propose a paradigm shift toward power-sensitive, pluralistic governance frameworks. Key recommendations include community-led participatory planning, legal recognition of customary water rights, equity-based financial models, citizen-science data collection, and rights-based approaches that centre marginalized groups — especially women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples — in water decision-making.

Progress on SDG 6 — ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all — remains critically off-track. With none of its eight targets on course to be met by 2030, this commentary argues that the shortfall reflects not merely implementation failures, but a deeper conceptual problem: water governance frameworks rely on a homogeneous, techno-centric understanding of water that ignores its multiple social, cultural, political, and ecological dimensions. We introduce the concept of "waterS" (plural, capitalised) to foreground this multiplicity. Drawing on the Spanish aguas, the term captures the diverse forms, values, and meanings water holds across different communities and contexts — from a measurable substance (H₂O) to a spiritual entity, a living being, or the foundation of social and hydrosocial relations. This stands in contrast to SDG 6's universalist framing, rooted in Western modernist traditions, which reduces water governance to engineering, hygiene, and risk management. Through empirical examples — from peri-urban water use in India, desalination conflicts in Antofagasta, Chile, and infrastructure-led rural water projects in Telangana, India — we demonstrate how standardised technical approaches perpetuate inequities in access, marginalise Indigenous and local governance systems, and reproduce power imbalances in participation and decision-making. We further critique the commodification of water, the limits of market-based governance, and the inadequacy of current monitoring frameworks that rely on aggregate national data while overlooking lived local realities. Looking ahead to the post-2030 agenda and the 2026 UN Water Conference, we propose a paradigm shift toward power-sensitive, pluralistic governance frameworks. Key recommendations include community-led participatory planning, legal recognition of customary water rights, equity-based financial models, citizen-science data collection, and rights-based approaches that centre marginalized groups — especially women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples — in water decision-making.

Applauded for its eloquence and timeliness, Carney’s speech at Davos may be bookmarked as a defining moment that marks the end of the liberal world order as we know it and signals a new global order looming on the horizon, with stronger emphasis on “value-based realism.” I disagree with pessimistic accounts that dismiss such a foreign policy, that is both principled and pragmatic, as a contradiction. My research shows that transparent communication of strategic interests may pay off in the Global South countries and increase trust in the West again. Also, accounts that underestimate the leading role middle powers can play in establishing a new global order are missing the mark. It was, after all, not just the US hegemony, but middle powers like Canada that helped build the liberal institutional order brick by brick.

Applauded for its eloquence and timeliness, Carney’s speech at Davos may be bookmarked as a defining moment that marks the end of the liberal world order as we know it and signals a new global order looming on the horizon, with stronger emphasis on “value-based realism.” I disagree with pessimistic accounts that dismiss such a foreign policy, that is both principled and pragmatic, as a contradiction. My research shows that transparent communication of strategic interests may pay off in the Global South countries and increase trust in the West again. Also, accounts that underestimate the leading role middle powers can play in establishing a new global order are missing the mark. It was, after all, not just the US hegemony, but middle powers like Canada that helped build the liberal institutional order brick by brick.

A delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) will visit Podgorica and Tirana from 16 to 18 February, led by Committee Chair David McAllister (EPP, Germany).
The visit will enable AFET MEPs to evaluate the state of play of accession negotiations and outstanding reform priorities in each country and reaffirm Parliament's commitment to supporting both countries on their European paths.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

A delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) will visit Podgorica and Tirana from 16 to 18 February, led by Committee Chair David McAllister (EPP, Germany).
The visit will enable AFET MEPs to evaluate the state of play of accession negotiations and outstanding reform priorities in each country and reaffirm Parliament's commitment to supporting both countries on their European paths.
AFET Missions
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

We replied to citizens who took the time to write to the President (in French and English):

English Current EU legislation

A 2023 European Union (EU) law ensures that products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are clearly labelled.

Agreement on new genomic techniques

On 4 December 2025, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU reached an agreement on the European law governing products derived from new genomic techniques (NGTs).

The agreement stipulates that products derived from plants considered comparable to natural or conventional plants (known as NGT1) will be exempt from the GMO labelling requirements for consumers. However, labelling will remain mandatory for seeds, allowing farmers to make an informed choice.

Plants with more complex modifications (referred to as NGT2) will remain subject to the existing GMO legislation requirements, including mandatory labelling for all derived products.

Plants that have been modified to tolerate herbicides or produce an insecticidal substance will be classified as NGT2. No NGTs will be allowed in organic production.

The agreement allows NGTs to be patented, except for traits or sequences that already occur in nature or are produced organically. Safeguards will be put in place to prevent the market from being dominated by a few firms and keep seeds affordable and accessible to farmers.

Next steps

The law will enter into force after formal approval by the Parliament and the Council (representing the governments of EU countries).

French Législation européenne en vigueur

Une loi de l’Union européenne (UE) de 2003 assure que les produits contenant des organismes génétiquement modifiés (OGM) soient clairement étiquetés.

Accord sur les nouvelles techniques génomiques

Le 4 décembre 2025, le Parlement européen et le Conseil de l’UE sont parvenus à un accord sur la loi européenne qui régira les produits dérivés des nouvelles techniques génomiques (NTG).

L’accord prévoit que les produits dérivés des plantes considérées comparables à des plantes naturelles ou conventionnelles (dénommées NTG 1) seront exemptés de l’obligation d’étiquetage des OGM pour les consommateurs. Cependant, l’étiquetage restera obligatoire pour les semences, afin de permettre aux agriculteurs de faire un choix éclairé.

Les plantes dont les modifications sont plus complexes (dénommées NTG 2) resteront régies par les règles actuelles applicables aux OGM, ce qui implique un étiquetage obligatoire pour tous les produits dérivés.

Les plantes modifiées pour tolérer les herbicides ou produire une substance insecticide seront considérées NTG 2. Aucune NTG ne sera autorisée dans la production biologique.

L’accord autorise les brevets pour les NTG, à l’exception des caractères ou séquences présents dans la nature ou produits par des moyens biologiques. Des garanties sont prévues pour empêcher la concentration du marché et pour garantir que les semences restent abordables et accessibles aux agriculteurs.

Prochaines étapes

La loi entrera en vigueur après l’approbation formel du Parlement et du Conseil (représentant les gouvernements des pays de l’UE).

Background

Citizens often send messages to the President of the European Parliament expressing their views and/or requesting action. The Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (AskEP) within the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) replies to these messages, which may sometimes be identical as part of wider public campaigns.

Die Abgeordneten fordern die EU auf, ihr politisches Engagement sowie Finanzierung und Koordinierung für die vollständige Umsetzung von Europas Plan gegen Krebs zu erneuern.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

Parliament strongly condemns all violence against civilians in north-east Syria and calls on all parties to abide by the ceasefire.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP