European Union

On Monday, 16 December, the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Development and the Subcommittee on Human Rights will hold a joint exchange of views with the 2024 Sakharov Prize laureates María Corina Machado, leader of the democratic forces in Venezuela and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia, representing all Venezuelans inside and outside the country fighting to restore freedom and democracy.
In 2023, Ms Machado was selected as the opposition's candidate for the 2024 presidential election but was later disqualified by Maduro's regime. Mr González Urrutia, a diplomat and politician who succeeded her as the opposition's candidate, contested Mr Maduro's fraudulent victory. Mr González Urrutia left the country in September after a warrant was issued to arrest him. Facing persecution, Ms Machado went into hiding.
Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Length of video : 66'

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, 2024 - EP

The next meeting of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) is scheduled to take place on Monday, 27 January 2025 from 15:00-18:30 and on Tuesday, 28 January 2025 from 9:00-12:30 and 14:30-18:30 in Brussels (room TBC).

Further information about the meeting can be found here.

_______________________

SEDE missions 2024:

• Ukraine - 25-26 October 2024
• United Kingdom - 28-30 October 2024
  

SEDE missions 2023:

• India - 17-21 December 2023
• Israel and OPT - 8-10 December 2023
  
• Germany and Poland - 24-26 July 2023
  
• Armenia - 19-22 June 2023
  
• Romania and Moldova - 15-18 May 2023
  
• Djibouti and Somalia - 1-4 April 2023
  
• Bosnia and Herzegovina - 20-23 February 2023
  

SEDE meetings' calendar 2025
SEDE meetings' calendar 2nd half of 2024 - 10th legislature
EP calendar 2024
Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

The EU and the Gates Foundation will co-host the 2025 Gavi 6.0 Pledging Summit in Brussels, which will gather global leaders from governments, partner organizations, vaccine manufacturers, civil society, and the private sector to secure essential funding and investments for vaccination programmes.

To reinforce the application of passenger rights across the EU, the Council has adopted its negotiating position (general approach) on two Commission proposals, which form part of the so-called ‘passenger mobility’ legislative package.

To improve road safety across Europe, the Council has adopted its negotiating position (general approach) on a Commission proposal regarding certain driving disqualifications forming part of the so-called ‘road safety’ legislative package.

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

European Council President António Costa highlighted the importance of social dialogue as well as the need to boost competiteveness at the 592nd plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee.

The Council today reached an agreement on a proposed framework for Financial Data Access (FIDA) that aims to open the access of financial institutions to each other’s customer data.

Press briefings ahead of the upcoming Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 10 December 2024 and the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 12 and 13 December 2024 will take place on 9 December 2024 at 11.00.

The Council reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on a proposed targeted amendment of the EU deforestation regulation, postponing its date of application by 12 months.

The Council has approved conclusions on improving cardiovascular health and combating cardiovascular diseases through prevention, early detection, treatment and rehabilitation.

The press briefings ahead of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Transport and Telecommunications) and the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of 9-10 December 2024 will take place on Wednesday 4 December 2024 starting at 17.00.

The Council has adopted a non-binding recommendation that will encourage member states to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke and aerosols and achieve a tobacco-free generation in Europe by 2040 as set out in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.

Press briefing ahead of the Eurogroup meeting will take place on 5 December 2024 at 15.00. 

The Council has approved conclusions on fostering the social inclusion of persons with disabilities through employment, reasonable accommodation and rehabilitation.

The Council has approved conclusions on labour and skills shortages in the EU with a focus on mobilising untapped labour potential.