Parliament Sets Agenda on EU Security

The European Parliament will address Middle East crises, cybersecurity, foreign investment and European security during its plenary session on Tuesday, 19 May. Members of the European Parliament are also scheduled to vote on updated rules for screening foreign investments in strategic sectors.

The day will begin with a ceremony awarding the first European Order of Merit to 20 laureates, 13 of whom are expected to attend. The distinction recognizes contributions to European integration, democracy and European values. A panel discussion with several laureates will follow in the afternoon.

At 9 a.m., lawmakers will discuss the EU’s cyber-resilience capabilities amid the rapid deployment of advanced artificial intelligence models. The session will examine the implementation of the NIS2 Directive, the AI Act and the Cyber Resilience Act, as well as risks to critical infrastructure and the economy. Later, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will face questions on crises in Iran, Israel and Syria, and will address the implications of reduced U.S. military deployment in Europe.

Parliament is also expected to vote on measures covering steel safeguards, forest reproductive materials and rail infrastructure capacity. Commissioners will present a plan to reduce the EU’s dependence on imported fertilisers, while debates are scheduled on political repression in Cuba, violence in public spaces following an attack in Modena, and possible changes to EU governance in response to external challenges.