European Parliament News

Lates news and information from the European Parliament.

MEPs call for end to "take-make-dispose" economy

MEPs in committee called for an end to Europe's current "take-make-dispose" economy Wednesday, with binding targets for recycled content and an EU policy on sustainable non-energy-related products.

UK to remain part of Euro-Parliament communication programmes

The European Parliament reaffirmed Tuesday its will to continue to engage with young generations of British citizens as well as EU 27 citizens resident in the UK.

Euroscola

The European Parliament set up the Euroscola project in 1990, thus allowing hundreds of thousands of high-school students to participate in a simulation exercise of the work of MEPs.

MEPs approve 'rule of law conditionality' for access to EU funds

EU states failing to uphold the EU's common values risk losing access to EU funds, following MEPs' approval Wednesday of a regulation to protect EU funds from being misused by governments who bend the rule of law.

MEPs call for EU-wide right to 'disconnect' from work

Disconnecting from work should be a fundamental right, the European Parliament's Employment Committee said Wednesday, with MEPs calling for a bill which would grant this right to all EU workers.

MEPs give approval for drinking water upgrade

New rules on drinking water, approved Tuesday by an EU Parliament committee, will improve the quality of tap water, cut plastic litter, and ensure that all surface and ground waters are in good condition by 2027.

EU agrees deal on long-term budget for post-COVID recovery

The EU Parliament and Member States agreed Tuesday on Europe's long-term budget and extra funding to rebuild a post-COVID-19 Europe centred on jobs, competitiveness, and better climate protection.

Access to EU funds to be conditional on rule of law

EU countries that disrespect the rule of law will risk losing access to EU funds, under a provisional deal on 'budget conditionality' struck by the EU Parliament and Council negotiators on Thursday.

Euro-Parliament awards 2020 Sakharov Prize to Belarus opposition

The European Parliament awarded its Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought Thursday to the democratic opposition in Belarus - in a political crisis since the disputed 9 August presidential elections.

MEPs want to increase 2030 emissions reduction target to 60 pct

All EU Member States must become climate neutral by 2050, the European Parliament said Thursday in a vote on EU climate law, with MEPs calling for ambitious 2030 and 2040 emissions reduction targets.

MEPs approve EUR 6.2 bn to tackle crisis, speed up vaccine deployment

The EU Parliament gave the go-ahead to an increase in the EU budget of EUR 6.2 billion Thursday, to improve the chances of an effective and safe vaccine, and to step up COVID-19-related cohesion funding.

Poland: "overwhelming evidence" of rule of law breaches, say MEPs

After Poland's right-wing presidency retained power last weekend, an EU Parliament committee accused it Thursday of backsliding on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights.

EU extends current CAP rules until end 2022

EU farm ministers reached provisional agreement with the European Parliament Wednesday on continuing farming support under the current legal framework until the new CAP enters into force end 2022.

MEPs display unwavering support for EU position in Brexit talks

With little time left to agree the UK's future relationship with the EU, MEPs on Thursday said a deal on a level playing field and on fisheries would be needed if the European Parliament is to give its consent.

MEPs greenlight criteria for sustainable investments

Financial products that claim to be sustainable will have to prove it, following the European Parliament's green light Thursday to new rules aimed at preventing 'greenwashing' and boosting green investments.

MEPs demand data protection guarantees for fingerprint exchange with UK

The EU Council should not allow fingerprint data exchange between the UK and EU countries without guarantees on reciprocity and data protection in place, the European Parliament said on Thursday.

Euro-MPs give green light to increased water reuse

With a view to preventing water shortages in the EU, Euro-MPs approved Wednesday the Water Reuse Regulation, which defines for the first time minimum requirements at European level for reclaimed water.

MEPs call for ambitious green COVID-19 recovery plan

In a debate with Commission executive vice-president Frans Timmermans Tuesday, a committee of MEPs said the EU must remain firm on climate change and the timetable foreseen for the Climate Law.

MEPs greenlight new EU resources to fight coronavirus

The European Parliament gave its green light Friday to rapid implementation of a number of proposals for redirection of EU policy funds to address the effects of the coronavirus public health crisis.

EU offers Italy "heartfelt apology" over coronavirus

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday expressed "a heartfelt apology" to Italy on behalf of Europe for not being at the country's side from the very beginning of the coronavirus crisis.

MEPs call for UK guarantee of 'level-playing field' after Brexit transition

The EU Parliament called Wednesday for 'dynamic alignment' of EU-UK rules after Brexit transition, and protection for the EU's most sensitive sectors, in the upcoming talks on a new EU-UK partnership.

MEPs give EU-Vietnam trade deal the green light

The European Parliament approved Wednesday the EU-Vietnam trade agreement, described as the "most modern and ambitious agreement ever concluded between the EU and a developing country".

European Parliament approves UK's Brexit deal

Britain's EU withdrawal agreement has cleared its second-to-last hurdle before entering into force, with the European Parliament's overwhelming approval clearing the way for Brexit to take place Friday.

Brexit Withdrawal Agreement passes first EU Parliament hurdle

The Brexit Withdrawal Agreement passed its first EU Parliament test Thursday, when its Constitutional Affairs Committee recommended that the Parliament plenary should approve the UK withdrawal terms.

EP green light for EU-Vietnam free trade deal

The free trade and investment protection agreements between the EU and Vietnam, approved by an EU Parliament committee Tuesday, will remove virtually all tariffs between the two parties over ten years.