European Union

Written by Vasco Guedes Ferreira with Oona Lagercrantz.

Quantum technologies have transformative potential and are already exerting a significant impact on global economies and society. The European Union (EU) supports the development of these technologies through initiatives such as the Quantum Flagship and Horizon Europe, as well as through national initiatives and programmes. However, the specific role of quantum technologies in supporting the EU’s energy and climate goals has so far received limited and fragmented policy attention. This briefing explores how the emerging quantum ecosystem could help accelerate decarbonisation and address the existing innovation gap that must be bridged to achieve climate neutrality (i.e. net-zero emissions) by 2050. Achieving this goal requires technological breakthroughs in sectors that are currently difficult to decarbonise.

Quantum computing has the potential to transform these areas by, for example, simulating complex molecular interactions that classical computers cannot handle efficiently. Such capabilities could fast-track the development of more efficient batteries, green hydrogen catalysts and carbon capture materials. Quantum sensing is already providing precise tools for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, and quantum communication has the potential to secure the critical digital infrastructure of future electricity grids. Available evidence indicates that, while the EU is investing seriously in quantum research, it currently lacks a coordinated strategy linking these technologies explicitly to decarbonisation. With the European Commission expected to adopt a quantum act in 2026, policymakers have a unique window of opportunity to address this gap. By integrating long-term decarbonisation objectives into the research and innovation framework, the EU can leverage its scientific leadership to drive the next generation of clean technologies.

Read the complete briefing on ‘Quantum technologies: Can they boost Europe’s decarbonisation?‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Structural separation inadvertently reduces alliance accountability at precisely the moment when regional great power rivalry is intensifying. 

Sri Lanka is no longer simply attracting Indian tourists. It is increasingly being shaped around them.

China’s linguistic assimilation campaign continues to advance.

This is the closest Islamabad has come so far to yielding to Beijing’s demands for Chinese security forces to be stationed in Pakistan.

Currently, GE, Safran, and Rolls-Royce are all in contention for engine development for India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft and Twin-Engine Deck-Based Fighter.

Pyongyang is pruning its diplomatic network to concentrate on the partners where sanctions enforcement is weakest and digital evasion infrastructure is already in place.

With the Parseria Foun ba Era Foun declaration, Australia and Timor-Leste hope to build a partnership grounded in equality, shared regional interests, and respectful cooperation between neighbors.

Political friction and logistical barriers limit India’s integration into the evolving connectivity landscape, even as the broader promise of Eurasian integration remains contingent on its inclusion.

To understand what may emerge from the Ninth Party Congress, it is worth examining what these meetings are and how their functions have evolved.

The world has shifted focus away from Afghanistan, much as it did in the lead-up to September 2001, giving dangerous networks room to rebuild.

The NCP was born of revolution, then aligned with Jamaat-e-Islami. Will that partnership outlast the election?

The former president challenged judicial neutrality, and conservative leaders continue to back him, with an eye toward appeasing the increasingly hardline base.

Are the new ties that bind Central Asian countries strong enough to weather drought? 

The war helped secure an election victory for Anutin and Thai conservatives. And that was almost certainly by design.

DRAFT REPORT on the 2025 Commission report on Georgia
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Rasa Juknevičienė

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Extraordinary plenary session and committee meetings, Brussels

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Five decades after his prescient wartime exposé of the Khmer Rouge, Ith Sarin resurfaces to shed new light on his life ahead of the publication of a new translation.

We replied to those who took the time to write to the President.

Main elements of our reply Violence in north‑east Syria may amount to war crimes

In its resolution of 12 February 2026 on the situation in north‑east Syria, the European Parliament expresses concern over credible reports of human rights violations, particularly against the Kurdish population – which may constitute war crimes.

Parliament calls for swift investigations into crimes against civilians by government forces and militias, and urges the Syrian authorities to grant full access to UN bodies.

The European Parliament welcomes the agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian transitional government, calling on all parties to respect the ceasefire. It denounces Turkey’s continued military intervention in north‑east Syria.

Parliament recalls the decisive contribution of Kurdish forces against Daesh and expresses grave concern over Daesh fighters who have escaped from detention.

It calls on Syrian authorities to protect all ethnic and religious communities, ensuring full recognition, participation and rights for Kurds.

A press release about this resolution is available on the European Parliament’s website. Parliament also adopted resolutions on Syria and the Kurdish community in May 2025, July 2025 and January 2026, during its current mandate.

European Union foreign policy

Although the European Parliament takes political positions on world developments, it is the governments of EU countries that decide the EU’s common foreign and security policy in both the European Council (heads of government) and the Council of the EU (government ministers). The European External Action Service, led by High Representative Kaja Kallas, implements the EU’s foreign and security policy.

Background

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

While Beijing publicly advocates restraint, sustained tensions between the U.S. and Iran serve its strategic interests.