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Parliament’s co-rapporteurs for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) will brief journalists on the expectations for the next EU budget ahead of the Commission’s proposal.
Committee on Budgets

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Parliament’s co-rapporteurs for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) will brief journalists on the expectations for the next EU budget ahead of the Commission’s proposal.
Committee on Budgets

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.

The European Parliament’s July 2025 plenary session featured a debate on Parliament’s expectations for the EU’s post-2027 long-term budget ahead of the Commission’s proposal. Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen presented the programme of activities of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU, which began on 1 July 2025. Members then discussed the conclusions of the 26 June European Council meeting with António Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Members also considered and voted to reject a motion of censure of the Commission.

Roberta Metsola, President of Parliament, made a statement commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. Debates on external policy addressed, among other things, EU-China relations; EU-US trade negotiations; the situation in the Middle East; and the Democratic Republic of the Congo-Rwanda peace agreement. Debates also covered post-2027 common agricultural policy; the chemicals package, the European Media Freedom Act, revision of the European Climate Law, and preparedness for wildfires and drought.

Bulgaria to adopt the euro on 1 January 2026

On its path to becoming the 21st euro-area Member State, Bulgaria has demonstrated solid foundations for medium-term convergence and met the requirements for accession to the euro area, despite still tackling corruption, money laundering and governance issues. As Parliament is consulted, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) prepared a report on the country’s readiness to adopt the euro. Members overwhelmingly voted in favour of Bulgaria’s euro-area membership.

Amendment of the Gas Storage Regulation

The EU Gas Storage Regulation has helped counter strong demand and supply disruption, reducing the need for additional gas imports and stabilising energy prices, so it is proposed to extend the measures for two years, until the end of 2027. Members adopted the text agreed between negotiators for the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and the Council, to make the filling targets more flexible and to oblige Member States to track the amount of gas originating in Russia. The amended Gas Storage Regulation now goes to the Council for formal approval.

EU fisheries agreement with Greenland

The EU has had a fisheries agreement with Greenland since 1985, allowing EU vessels to fish in Greenlandic waters in the north-east Atlantic and enabling quota swaps with Norway. Following a recommendation from the Committee on Fisheries (PECH), Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the new protocol to the fisheries agreement with Greenland. It also underlined the importance of the agreement in today’s geopolitical context, while expressing concern over the lack of data on the state of certain fish stocks.

Measures against countries that do not cooperate on shared fish stocks

For greater sustainability in fisheries shared with non-EU countries, and to protect EU fishers from unfair competition, Members adopted a text agreed with the Council on tackling the issue of non-EU countries that do not cooperate on sustainable management of shared fish stocks. In line with Parliament’s demands to clarify the scope of the legislation, the agreed text refers specifically to regional management organisations, and sets rules for penalising third countries.

Product safety and regulatory compliance in e commerce and non-EU imports

Increasingly people are buying online and sourcing goods from outside the EU, goods that do not always conform to EU standards. Customs and other public authorities find it challenging to check large numbers of low-value imports. Members debated a report from the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), on tackling regulatory compliance in e-commerce and non-EU imports. The report emphasises the need for enforcement of existing legislation and reform under the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation. It also urges the Commission to assess the impact of proposed controls for bulk shipments, to evaluate the proposed handling fee and investigate product safety compliance.

Draft amending budget 1/2025

Members endorsed the Council’s position on draft amending budget No 1/2025. It would enter the €1.35 billion surplus from implementation of the 2024 budget as revenue in the 2025 budget. This would reduce Member States’ contributions to the 2025 budget accordingly. While noting the surplus is low, the report from the Committee on Budgets underlines that financing needs remain high, and regrets the absence of progress in the Council on the reform of the own resources system.

Reports on Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Georgia

Members debated and adopted four Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) reports on the European Commission’s 2023 and 2024 reports on Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Georgia. AFET endorses Albania‘s progress and ambition to complete accession talks by 2027 yet underlines an urgent need to ensure judicial independence, fundamental rights, media pluralism and to tackle corruption and organised crime. In the face of political polarisation and malign foreign influence, AFET calls on Albania to enhance political dialogue. AFET’s report on Bosnia and Herzegovina also reaffirms support for the country’s accession aspirations. However, while acknowledging the reforms undertaken, it also underlines stalled progress and weak implementation, and condemns divisive rhetoric and secessionist policies. AFET’s report on North Macedonia‘s accession negotiations notes the country is a fully aligned and trustworthy partner. It welcomes the €750 million in grants and loans which will become available to North Macedonia under the new Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, but underlines that political parties must engage in constructive dialogue. Regarding Georgia‘s accession prospects, stalled for some years, AFET’s report calls for new parliamentary elections, solidarity with the Georgian people and coordinated sanctions against key regime enablers.

European Citizens’ Initiative – Cohesion policy for the equality of the regions and sustainability of regional cultures

Members debated a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) stating that EU cohesion policy should focus on regions with national, ethnic, cultural, religious or linguistic aspects that differ from their surrounding regions. Several committees held a joint public hearing on the ‘Cohesion policy for the equality of the regions and sustainability of the regional cultures’ ECI in June 2025. The hearing emphasised the need to preserve cultural and linguistic elements of EU ethnic minority regions, and to address specific challenges. The Commission must examine the claims and provide a response by September.

Opening of trilogue negotiations

Several decisions to enter into interinstitutional negotiations were approved without vote. These came from the Committees on: Budgets (BUDG) and Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), on a proposal on increasing the efficiency of the EU guarantee under the InvestEU Programme Regulation and simplifying reporting requirements; Transport and Tourism (TRAN), on proposals on passenger rights in the context of multimodal journeys, and enforcement of passenger rights in the Union; Legal Affairs (JURI), on proposals on the protection of adults in cross-border cases, and on harmonising certain aspects of insolvency law; Employment (EMPL), on a proposal on reviewing the European Social Fund (ESF+); and the Committee on Regional Development (REGI), on a proposal on amending the European Regional Development Fund, Cohesion Fund and Just Transition Fund at mid-term.

Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘Plenary round-up – July 2025‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

La «taxe SUV» ne freine pas l’attrait pour ce type de voiture, selon AutoScout24. Les motorisations alternatives progressent tout de même.

Le Libéria a été fondé par des esclaves affranchis et le pays entretient des liens historiques de longue date avec les États-Unis.

Le Libéria a été fondé par des esclaves affranchis et le pays entretient des liens historiques de longue date avec les États-Unis.

The court says there are "reasonable grounds" to believe claims of war crimes in western Sudan.

A coal plant in Lamma Island, Hong Kong. Credit: Unsplash/Ben Tatlow

By Maximilian Malawista
UNITED NATIONS, Jul 11 2025 (IPS)

Global investments in energy exceeded USD 3 trillion in 2024, with at least USD 2 trillion being invested in clean energy technology and infrastructure. Infrastructure. Despite that progress, fossil fuel consumption continues to rise with little sign of slowing.

China led in energy transitions investments, accounting for 48 percent, followed by the United States (17 percent), Germany (5 percent), the United Kingdom (4 percent), and France (3 percent). These investments have opened the doors to green technologies like solar panels, electric vehicles, and battery storage, at an affordable rate. However, these advancements have been confined to high-income countries. Emerging markets and least developed countries (LDCs), excluding China, remain dependent on coal and fossil fuels to meet their energy needs.

The crossroads of the Asia-Pacific

The Asia and Pacific region has faced the greatest challenge in its transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy. In 2023, the Asia-Pacific region accounted for 47 percent of global energy demand, with China, India, Korea, Japan, and Indonesia making up most of this share.

Consider that China occupies a unique position in that it contributes to energy transition as the largest investor in clean energy, while also being the most coal-reliant nation as a major producer and consumer. In perspective, investment in clean energy per capita globally it is at 131 dollars, while Asia and the Pacific is at 115 dollars. However, when excluding China and other high-income countries, that number drops to just 18 dollars a person.

The gaps in investment come heavily from the ten LDCs in the region. Together, these nations account for 1.4 percent of global energy transition investments from 2020 to 2023. However, at COP29, these countries announced plans aimed at increasing their renewable energy capacity from 20 gigawatts (GW) in 2023 to 58 GW by 2030, a 290 percent jump. Meanwhile in South-east Asia, the energy demand is expected to grow to 25 percent between 2024 and 2035, and it is estimated that by 2050 their energy demand may overtake the European Union.

The coal paradox

In 2023, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) reported that 81 percent of new renewable energy sources were offering cheaper alternatives to fossil fuels. Even with this margin of difference, coal continues to dominate the Asia-Pacific region without slowing down. In 2023, the Asia-Pacific region generated 45 percent of its energy from coal, which was more than any other region, using the most carbon intensive resource available. The region holds 79 percent of the world’s operating coal plants, generating 1.69 terawatts (TW) of the global 2.13 TW of coal powered energy.

To add to the coal fire, 96 percent of all planned coal capacity, or 553 GW out of 578 GW are solely in the Asia-Pacific. Of that percentage, China accounts for 53 percent of the current capacity, and 71 percent of the future capacity. India, Indonesia and Bangladesh make up the rest of the energy demand for coal. Coal is not just energy, it is money.

Three of the world’s top exporters of coal — Indonesia, Australia, and Mongolia — are in the Asia-Pacific. Indonesia is the largest exporter of coal globally, with China and India as its largest clients. Australia follows closely behind, exporting over USD 91 billion worth of coal during 2023 through 2024, and its coal mining industry employing 50,000 workers. In Mongolia, coal briquettes were their top export, amassing USD 8.43 billion in wealth.

Coal for these countries represents a vital economic tool, one which will make the transition ever more difficult.

Existing solutions

To turn around this deficit and make the world greener, we already have this technology. We have battery storage, nuclear power, low-carbon hydrogen, and even limited carbon capture technologies. The challenge is implementing these technologies and scaling them at a level which produces tangible results.

Without these shifts in investment and policy, the Asia-Pacific region risks global progress towards energy security, economic stability, and SDG compliance. Leaving many left behind, and in the stifling warm air.

To align with global net-zero carbon emission targets and SDG7, which calls for access to affordable and sustainable energy for all, the annual investment in energy must increase to between USD 2.2 and 2.4 trillion by 2030. At least 90 percent of this investment needs to be focused on clean energy.

A dangerous future

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Credit: Unsplash/Sarvesh Phansalkar

Despite the urgency of this matter, coal demand among ASEAN economies is projected to rise 5% annually, moving from 491 million metric tons in 2024 to 567 million metric tons by 2027.

This continued reliance on coal as a primary energy will only make energy diversification harder and more expensive. The time to change these outlooks is now, before diversification becomes too difficult. In consequence of these actions, some of the most polluted cities in the world, such as Delhi (India), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Lahore (Pakistan), and Hotan (China), have reported air pollution levels 10 to 20 times higher than what the World Health Organization (WHO) identifies as safe limits. Simply breathing air in these cities can pose a significant health risk, and yet millions do it.

The International Energy Agency Director Faith Birol warns: “Today’s energy world is moving fast, but there is a major risk of many countries around the world being left behind.”

An eye on the Asia-Pacific region

The Asia-Pacific region hosts two-thirds of the global population and account for 46 percent of the world’s GDP exists in the Asia-Pacific. This means that this region is crucial to achieving progress towards SDGs, and without their help, completion is near to impossible.

“Nowhere is this challenge – and opportunity – more urgent than in Asia and the Pacific,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP. She added, “This is our chance to build a more resilient, equitable and sustainable economy for all. We aim to foster solutions that are regionally grounded, technically sound and financially viable. Unless Asia and the Pacific can lead boldly, the global transition will fall short of expectations.”

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

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Aujourd’hui dans Les Capitales : l’accord migratoire France-Royaume-Uni inquiète, quand l’aide au développement devient un outil stratégique, les agriculteurs bientôt de retour dans les rues de Bruxelles, sommet sur la reconstruction de l’Ukraine à Rome, et la Commission aurait injustement sanctionné la Pologne au sujet de la mine de Turow.

The post Les Capitales : Entre Paris et Londres, cet accord migratoire qui inquiète au sud de l’UE appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Critics warn the deal could distort market competition and breach Spanish and EU competition law.

Un incendie dans le canton de Fribourg a provoqué des perturbations sur les lignes IC1, IR15 et S40. La circulation reprend progressivement sur une voie.

Committees

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Find out the format, fixtures, kick-off times, venues and favourites for the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.

The motion of no-confidence against EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, tabled by members of far-right parties, has failed. Only 175 MEPs voted in favour of the initiative – while more than twice that number voted against. Two-thirds of those present would have had to support the motion for it to pass. Europe's media draw varying conclusions.

Shortly after Ukraine was hit by the heaviest airstrikes since the start of Russia's large-scale invasion in 2022, the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference is taking place in Rome on 10 and 11 July. The EU has advocated a reconstruction fund for critical sectors, to be supplemented by private investment, while President Zelensky has called for assistance with drone production, energy supplies and air defence, as well as the release of frozen Russian funds for reconstruction.