EU Parliament Tackles Key Issues

European Parliament spokespersons announced a last-minute briefing will be held today to discuss the pivotal topics of this week’s plenary session, taking place from 9 to 12 February. The briefing is scheduled for 16:30 at the Daphne Caruana Galizia Press room and will also be available via Interactio.

The agenda for this week’s session is packed with significant debates and votes that aim at shaping the future of the European Union. Topics include enhancing the EU’s defence capabilities, boosting competitiveness based on the Draghi report, and establishing a list of safe countries of origin for asylum seekers. Additionally, the Parliament will vote on a critical agreement targeting a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, and finalize a safeguard clause in the EU-Mercosur agreement to protect European agriculture.

Furthermore, the session will address the necessity of fortifying EU readiness against extreme weather events and discuss the European Central Bank’s priorities with its President, Christine Lagarde. A formal sitting with UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock is also scheduled. The session promises comprehensive debates and strategic decisions intended to bolster the EU’s internal and external policies.

For media participation, journalists can join the briefing via Interactio, and are advised to connect 30 minutes prior for a connection test. The briefing will be interpreted in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Polish, ensuring accessibility for a diverse audience. The session can also be followed live via Parliament’s webstreaming and EbS.