European Parliament

Ukrainian citizens will be able to travel to the EU visa free under an informal deal struck by Parliament and Council negotiators on Tuesday. Once the change enters into force, and provided they have biometric passports, they will be able to enter the EU for up to 90 days in any 180-day-period for business, tourist or family purposes.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

General : The inquiry committee investigating the car emissions scandal votes today on its final report and recommendations, which call for stricter controls and implementation at EU level. “We learnt the lessons from the past and we will now do our homework ... so this scandal will never happen again,” said Jens Gieseke, one of the authors of the final report. Watch the video to learn more.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Montenegro is the most advanced EU accession candidate country, which in 2016 had to face Russian attempts to discredit its achievements, noted Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs on Tuesday. They also reviewed last year’s reform efforts in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, urging the future government to step up the pace of reform and stay on the EU track.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

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The recent progress in normalising relations between Belgrade and Pristina, after months of little or none, was welcomed by MEPs on Tuesday. However, in two resolutions they call on both countries to show more commitment and sustained political will to achieve this goal, which is a condition for their accession to the EU.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

EU citizens could access registers of beneficial owners of companies without having to demonstrate a “legitimate interest,” and trusts would have to meet the same transparency requirements as firms, under amendments, agreed by MEPs on Tuesday, to the EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Civil Liberties MEPs voted on Monday for stronger protection and a shorter retention period for data stored in the new EU entry/exit system, which is designed to modernise and step up checks on non-EU nationals travelling to the European Union.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Civil Liberties Committee MEPs discussed the fundamental rights situation in Hungary with Justice Minister László Trócsányi and civil society representatives on Monday afternoon.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

General : Parliament President Antonio Tajani discussed Europe's future and EU-Germany relations during meetings with chancellor Angela Merkel and president Joachim Gauck during a vsit to Berlin on 23-24 February. "It's important to look after the interests of Europeans," said Tajani at the end of his visit. "It is important that Europe stands together and not allows itself to be torn apart."

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

General : The rights of EU citizens living in the UK, access to medicine and visa reciprocity with the US will be dealt with during this week's plenary session in Brussels on Wednesday on Thursday. In addition committees discuss the reform of asylum legislation while the inquiry committee investigating the car emissions scandal presents its findings and recommendations.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

How much does the EU spend in your country and on what? How does it compare to other countries? And where does the money come from? Find out by using our multimedia application, which has been updated with the latest figures from the European Commission's annual financial report for 2015.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

General : Is the EU still fit for purpose in its current form? With no shortage of challenges facing us the European Parliament has looked into how the EU can be improved. On 16 February MEPs adopted three reports setting out how they believe the EU needs to be reformed in order to boost its capacity to act, restore people’s trust and make the economy more resilient.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

General : The Israeli-Palestinian peace process is at a critical juncture and the EU and its member states should recognise Palestinian statehood, according to members of Parliament’s Palestine delegation. Led by delegation chair Neoklis Sylikiotis, the five members visited Jerusalem and the West Bank on 20-24 February. In addition MEPs discussed the Israeli government’s recent decision to retroactively legalise settlements illegally built on Palestinian land during a plenary debate on 14 February,

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : Although fast and effective for plant growth, chemicals pesticides entail potential risks for human health, animals and the environment. About 45% of food we consume contains pesticide residues with 1.6% exceeding legal limits, according to the European Food Safety Authority. MEPs want to promote the use of more natural pesticides and to simplify and speed up the approval process. Check our video for more information.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

General : Ceta passed a crucial hurdle on 15 February when MEPs voted to back the landmark EU-Canada trade deal. The agreement removing more than 99% of tariffs can provisionally enter into force as early as April. Speaking following the vote, Artis Pabriks, Parliament's lead MEP on Ceta, said: “Europe cannot survive without free and fair trade and high-quality interaction with other global players.” He also described Ceta as “the gold standard for future trade deals”.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

General : How well do you know Europe? Find out by taking part in our winter challenge! See how many European capitals you can identify correctly.

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Delegations

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Plenary sessions : MEPs approved Ceta during this week's plenary session followed by a visit by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau telling them how the EU-Canada trade deal was not just about commerce, but also about improving people's lives. Newly-elected Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen also addressed the Parliament, while MEPs adopted new anti-terrorism measures and set out their ideas for the future of the EU.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP