European Union

Citizens called on the European Union to take action to ensure the release and safe return of Europeans detained by Israel for their participation in the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla. Many citizens wrote to the President of the European Parliament on this subject from October 2025 onwards. They asked her to take the necessary action to guarantee that European citizens are protected and receive full consular assistance.

We replied to citizens who took the time to write to the President:

English

The European Parliament has been closely monitoring the situation and has been in contact with the relevant national authorities. However, the responsibility to provide consular assistance to citizens of the European Union (EU) lies with individual EU countries.

Opening the Parliament’s sitting on 6 October 2025, President Metsola spoke of the need to ‘finally bring about an end to the intergenerational cycle of bloodshed, terror and violence’ in the Middle East.

The President welcomed the agreement on the first phase of the Gaza peace deal and called for the deal to now be respected and implemented.

The protection and wellbeing of Members of the European Parliament, anywhere in the world, is and will always be of the utmost priority for this Parliament. Please see the Parliament Spokesperson’s June statement on this.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution in September 2025 on the situation in Gaza. Moreover, on 7 October 2025, the European Parliament held a debate on the EU’s role in supporting the recent peace efforts for Gaza and a two-state solution.

French

Le Parlement européen suit la situation de près et est en contact avec les autorités nationales compétentes. Toutefois, la responsabilité de fournir une assistance consulaire aux citoyens de l’Union européenne incombe aux différents États membres.

Lors de l’ouverture de la séance du Parlement le 6 octobre 2025, la Présidente Roberta Metsola a souligné la nécessité d’«enfin mettre un terme au cycle intergénérationnel d’effusions de sang, de terreur et de violence» au Moyen-Orient.

La Présidente a accueilli favorablement l’accord sur la première phase du plan de paix pour Gaza et a demandé son respect et sa mise en œuvre.

La protection et le bien-être des députés au Parlement européen, partout dans le monde, sont et seront toujours la priorité absolue de ce Parlement. Veuillez consulter la déclaration de la porte-parole du Parlement à ce sujet.

Le Parlement européen a adopté en septembre 2025 une résolution sur la situation à Gaza. En outre, le 7 octobre 2025, il a tenu un débat sur le rôle de l’UE dans le soutien aux efforts de paix en faveur de Gaza et une solution fondée sur la coexistence de deux États.

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.

The Western Balkans region stands at a critical crossroads for democracy, challenged by rising disinformation campaigns that exploit social divisions and fuel political polarisation, ultimately undermining democratic institutions and sowing scepticism toward European integration.

In the morning of 2 December, the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS) will hold a joint public hearing and discuss ways to effectively counter disinformation and FIMI in the Western Balkans, strengthen its democratic institutions, build public trust, and focus on the role the EU can play in this process.

Location : Brussels
Programme
Poster
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The Western Balkans region stands at a critical crossroads for democracy, challenged by rising disinformation campaigns that exploit social divisions and fuel political polarisation, ultimately undermining democratic institutions and sowing scepticism toward European integration.
In the morning of 2 December, the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS) will hold a joint public hearing and discuss ways to effectively counter disinformation and FIMI in the Western Balkans, strengthen its democratic institutions, build public trust, and focus on the role the EU can play in this process.
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AFET Hearings
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On Thursday, Parliament adopted resolutions on the human rights situation in Tanzania, Iran and Tunisia.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On Thursday, Parliament adopted resolutions on the human rights situation in Tanzania, Iran and Tunisia.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On Thursday, Parliament called on the EU to assume more responsibility for European security and to support peace in Ukraine in the most proactive way.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On Thursday, Parliament called on the EU to assume more responsibility for European security and to support peace in Ukraine in the most proactive way.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On Thursday, Parliament called on the EU to assume more responsibility for European security and to support peace in Ukraine in the most proactive way.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On Thursday, Parliament adopted its priorities for the EU’s strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities beyond 2024.
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On Thursday, Parliament adopted its priorities for the EU’s strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities beyond 2024.
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The new rules aim to enhance transparency and democratic accountability in third-country interest representation without restricting legitimate civic engagement.
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The new rules aim to enhance transparency and democratic accountability in third-country interest representation without restricting legitimate civic engagement.
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Length of video : 60'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Heßler v Commission
Staff Regulations of Officials
EU officials: entitlement to a tax abatement for a child receiving training ends at the latest on the child’s 26th birthday

Today, the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional political agreement to bolster EU legislation on payment services to better fight payment fraud, boost transparency on fees, and increase consumer protection in this area.

Council agrees position on simplification package to boost Europe’s defence industry and readiness.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

The press briefing ahead of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Employment, social policy and health) will take place on Thursday, 27 November 2025 at 14.30.

The Council agreed its negotiating mandate on a draft law preventing and combating child sexual abuse online.