European Union

Ireland's government and pharmaceutical sector have broadly welcomed the European Council's 'pharma package' agreement, but opposition remains in Dublin over potential delays to affordable drugs.

On Monday, 23 June 2025, from 17:00 to 18:30 in Brussels (room Antall 6Q2), the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) will hold a public hearing on the Geopolitical Aspects of the EU-Mercosur Agreement. The hearing will bring together leading experts to assess the broader geopolitical implications of the agreement. Discussions will cover its strategic relevance for the EU, its impact on Latin American regional dynamics, and its role in strengthening multilateral alliances.
Speakers will include:

• Mario Torres Jarrín, Senior Policy Expert
• Susanne Gratius, Professor of Political Science and International Relations
• Carlos Malamud, Senior Analyst at the Elcano Royal Institute

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On Monday, 23 June 2025, from 17:00 to 18:30 in Brussels (room Antall 6Q2), the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) will hold a public hearing on the Geopolitical Aspects of the EU-Mercosur Agreement. The hearing will bring together leading experts to assess the broader geopolitical implications of the agreement. Discussions will cover its strategic relevance for the EU, its impact on Latin American regional dynamics, and its role in strengthening multilateral alliances.
Speakers will include:

• Mario Torres Jarrín, Senior Policy Expert
• Susanne Gratius, Professor of Political Science and International Relations
• Carlos Malamud, Senior Analyst at the Elcano Royal Institute

Programme
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Next AFET committee meetings will be held on:

• Monday 23 June, room ANTALL (6Q2) and Tuesday 24 2025, room SPINELLI (3E2), Brussels

Meetings are webstreamed with the exception of agenda items held "in camera".

AFET - DROI calendar of meetings 2025
Meeting documents
Webstreaming
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

A delegation of seven Members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), led by Chair David McAllister, travelled to Uruguay and Argentina from 26 to 29 May 2025. Members engaged in high-level discussions regarding the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement which was concluded last December in Montevideo, Uruguay. The findings from this visit will contribute to the preparatory work for the consent procedure on the political and cooperation aspects of the Agreement, for which AFET is responsible.
More broadly, this mission allowed to exchange views on bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation, as well as geopolitical issues such as Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and China's expanding influence in Latin America.
Location : Uruguay and Argentina
Press announcement
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

EU transport ministers reached a political agreement on the revision of the regulation on air passenger rights and the regulation on airline liability. The common position answers to a need for simpler and clearer rules, while aiming at striking a better balance between a high level of protection for passengers and preserving connectivity and level playing field for the aviation sector within the EU’s internal market.

On 4 June 2025, the European Union and the Republic of Moldova held their 9th Association Council Meeting where EU reiterated its unwavering support for Moldova's EU accession process, commending the country’s determination to reform amidst significant challenges.

The EU approves extending the suspension of certain safeguard measures on iron and steel in support to Ukraine's economy amid Russia's war of aggression.

Council gives its final approval to the amendment of the habitats directive that updates the protection status of wolves.

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

Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe issued a statement on today’s positive assessment of Bulgaria’s fulfilment of the criteria for joining the euro in the Convergence Reports published by the European Commission and the European Central Bank.

The Council has agreed its position on new rules that will make the EU’s pharmaceutical sector fairer and more competitive.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/966 of 20 May 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/963 of 20 May 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/960 of 20  May 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2018/1544 concerning restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/957 of 20 May 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Russia.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/936 of 20 May 2025 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/931 of 20 May 2025 amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine.

The President of the Eurogroup, Paschal Donohoe, gave a speech at the Centre for Financial Studies, Goethe University, Germany.

Council reaches provisional agreement with Parliament on updated rules to tackle non-sustainable fishing allowed by non-EU countries.