European Union

Remarks by Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe after the Eurogroup meeting on policy priorities for the euro area, innovation in wholesale payments and advancing on the digital euro project.

Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.

The first plenary session of 2025 featured a debate on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 19 December 2024, with António Costa participating for the first time in his new capacity of President of the European Council. A debate on the programme of the Polish Council Presidency followed, with the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, who underlined the Presidency’s focus on prioritising EU security and defence.

Parliament’s President and political group leaders adopted a statement on the ceasefire in Gaza. Members also debated the consequences for Europe of US President Donald Trump’s second mandate. Members debated the need to counter the Russian shadow fleet’s sabotage of critical undersea infrastructure; the critical political situation in Venezuela and in Georgia; and the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. They also debated 2024’s record-breaking heat and the need for climate action; EU energy independence and innovation; the failed negotiations on a United Nations plastic treaty; the need to set global standards for cryptocurrencies; EU funding transparency; and the Hungarian government’s illegal espionage of EU institutions.

Belarus: Continued oppression and fake elections

Parliament has long criticised President Lukashenka’s regime and expressed concern about the human rights situation. As the situation in Belarus has deteriorated, Parliament has also called for the release of political prisoners, and accountability for human rights issues. Following a statement from the Commission, Members held a debate on the continued oppression and fake elections in Belarus, and adopted a resolution calling the presidential ‘elections’ (due to take place on 26 January) a sham.

Addressing EU demographic challenges: Implementing the Demography Toolbox

As the EU’s population ages, increasing mismatch between workers and jobs is beginning to stretch public budgets. Demographic change also has consequences for competitiveness, environmental and technological progress, and communities. Parliament has urged the use of cohesion policy instruments and EU funds to address these challenges. Members debated a Commission statement on the EU’s demographic challenge.

Facilitation of irregular migration by criminal networks

Over 90 % of irregular migrants to the EU pay for the assistance of smugglers. The migrant smuggling business brings considerable profits to the violent criminal groups involved – at great risk to the lives of those who use them. Parliament has consistently called for more cooperation and data-sharing to combat this challenge. Members debated EU measures to tackle criminal networks’ facilitation of irregular migration.

COP 16 desertification conference: Outcomes

Members debated a Commission statement on combating desertification, which follows the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention. While COP16 agreed financial support for land restoration and drought resilience initiatives, no legally binding framework was established to tackle drought.

Opening of trilogue negotiations

One decision to enter into interinstitutional negotiations ahead of Council’s first reading was announced, from the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee on a proposal for a regulation on preventing plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution.

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 – January 2025‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Holocaust Remembrance Day and committee meetings, Brussels

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 29 January at noon, Parliament will commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a special address by Corrie Hermann at a plenary session in Brussels.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 29 January at noon, Parliament will commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a special address by Corrie Hermann at a plenary session in Brussels.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Written by Anita Orav.

In recent years, the European Union has faced a significant number of asylum applications, with over 513 000 applications received in the first half of 2024 alone. Women and girls make up a substantial proportion of asylum seekers, with one in three asylum-seekers being female.

In international law, the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention is the main instrument regulating asylum. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Istanbul Convention provide a framework for protecting the rights of women who seek protection.

The EU has developed a common European asylum system that has gradually incorporated gender-sensitive elements in legal texts such as the Qualification Directive, the Asylum Procedures Directive and the Reception Conditions Directive. These directives offer special protection to vulnerable individuals, including women and children.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has played a crucial role in advancing a gender-sensitive approach in EU asylum law, acknowledging the specific experiences and circumstances of women and other vulnerable individuals seeking protection in the EU. The CJEU has recognised gender-based violence as a form of persecution and grounds for asylum or subsidiary protection. It has also acknowledged the importance of considering the individual circumstances and experiences of asylum seekers, particularly women and girls, who may face persecution or harm owing to their adherence to certain values or lifestyles. This aligns with a more gender-sensitive approach in EU asylum law and policy in recent years. Nevertheless continued progress is needed to address the human rights challenges faced by women and girls in asylum procedures.

Read the complete briefing on ‘The gender dimension of asylum claims‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

First-time asylum applicants in the EU by age and sex (non-EU citizens), 2023, (%)

The regime of Nicolas Maduro is illegitimate and his presidency constitutes an unlawful attempt to remain in power by force, MEPs say in a resolution adopted on Thursday.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The regime of Nicolas Maduro is illegitimate and his presidency constitutes an unlawful attempt to remain in power by force, MEPs say in a resolution adopted on Thursday.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The names of the members of the two upgraded committees and two new special committees were announced by the European Parliament on Thursday.
Committee on Constitutional Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The names of the members of the two upgraded committees and two new special committees were announced by the European Parliament on Thursday.
Committee on Constitutional Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions about the respect for human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran and Algeria.
Subcommittee on Human Rights

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions about the respect for human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran and Algeria.
Subcommittee on Human Rights

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

In a resolution adopted on Thursday, MEPs condemn the Russian regime’s systematic falsification of historical arguments to justify its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

In a resolution adopted on Thursday, MEPs condemn the Russian regime’s systematic falsification of historical arguments to justify its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Thursday, 23 January

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Thursday, 23 January

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Written by Gabija Leclerc.

Natural hazards, armed conflicts, human-induced or amplified disasters, and often, complex crises – a combination of these may result in humanitarian emergencies. Meeting complex humanitarian needs, especially in resource-scarce environments, requires intervention beyond national capacities. Therefore, broader humanitarian action is essential to save lives, preserve the health and dignity of victims, assist recovery, and improve prevention, preparedness and resilience. This action encompasses humanitarian assistance, its financing, advocacy, policy and legal frameworks, coordination, monitoring and evaluation efforts.

The main international humanitarian efforts are run by the United Nations, facilitating resource mobilisation, coordination and consistency of humanitarian action. However, regional and bilateral actions are equally important, especially given that, due to growing humanitarian needs and scarce financial resources, the humanitarian system is facing a severe funding crisis, compromising the delivery of assistance.

The EU is an important humanitarian donor and actor, with its toolbox consisting of humanitarian assistance, both through financing and operational means; international advocacy for more coordinated, efficient and prominent humanitarian assistance and increased resource mobilisation; support for the respect of international humanitarian law; and policy measures, most notably humanitarian exceptions to sanctions.

Since the creation of its humanitarian office in 1992, the EU has provided needs-based humanitarian assistance to more than 110 countries and territories, in line with the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence and with a focus on gender-, age- and environment-sensitive approaches, among other things.

The European Parliament is significantly involved in the EU’s humanitarian action. As a co-legislator and a budgetary authority, as well as through its resolutions, diplomacy, outreach and numerous other activities, the Parliament shapes EU humanitarian policy, decides on the financing, and brings important issues into the spotlight.

Read the complete briefing on ‘Understanding EU humanitarian action‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Euractiv brings you the names of the MEPs who will be on the two new special committees.

The post These are the MEPs put forward for EP’s two special committees appeared first on Euractiv.

In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about a YouTube Journalist announcing plans to run for Polish president, Romania getting a replacement for the Patriot system it donated to Ukraine, and so much more. 

The post Slovakia’s Fico dreams of his ‘Maidan’ appeared first on Euractiv.

"Fossil fuels are now at a historic low."

The post Solar eclipsed coal in EU power mix last year appeared first on Euractiv.