Russia’s military threat against Ukraine
In a plenary debate with European Council president Charles Michel, Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, MEPs said the Russian military build-up around Ukraine posed a threat to peace in Europe and called for a united response from the EU. Political group leaders also released a statement in support of Ukraine.
Later on Wednesday, Parliament approved a €1.2 billion macro-financial loan to help Ukraine meet its financial needs.
Rule of law
MEPs welcomed on Wednesday afternoon the ruling of the European Court of Justice, which upheld the validity of EU rules providing that member states in breach of the rule of law can face suspension of EU payments. Now that the legal challenges by Hungary and Poland have been dismissed, MEPs expect the European Commission to act quickly to apply the rules and protect the EU budget.
Fight against cancer
MEPs adopted recommendations on Wednesday, prepared by the special committee on beating cancer, which aim to improve prevention, treatment and research of the disease and strengthen the role of the EU in this field. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the EU.
Euro anniversary
A ceremony on Monday marked the 20th anniversary of the release of euro notes and coins into circulation. “The euro is about European integration, unity, stability, identity, solidarity,” said Parliament President Roberta Metsola. The ceremony was followed by a discussion with Christine Lagarde, the president of the European Central Bank, on the state of the EU economy and the bank’s policy.
New rules for toy safety
MEPs proposed on Wednesday an update of toy safety rules to make sure that toys sold on the EU market, including toys imported from other countries, are safe and sustainable. Parliament wants improvements in market surveillance by member states and stricter requirements for the use of chemical substances in toys.
Pegasus spyware
The reported use of the information-harvesting Pegasus software by EU governments to spy on journalists, politicians and others was discussed in a plenary debate on Tuesday. MEPs argued that Parliament should set up an inquiry committee to look into the matter.
Colombia
Speaking in front of the Parliament on Tuesday, Colombian President Iván Duque welcomed the EU’s support for the peace process in his country and called for closer cooperation between Europe and Latin America.
Road charges
Under updated rules approved by Parliament on Thursday, member states should phase out vignettes for lorries travelling on Trans-European Network roads by 2030. Countries will have the choice to either apply no charges at all or shift to a distance-based scheme that takes into account the actual road use by vehicles and is therefore more environment-friendly.
Carcinogens at work
MEPs adopted stricter worker protection rules on Thursday that require limiting exposure at the workplace to substances that might cause cancer, mutations or fertility problems.
Offshore renewables
In a report approved on Tuesday, MEPs set out recommendations on how to deploy offshore renewable energy sources more quickly in order to meet EU emission reduction targets. They argued that offshore wind farms could be beneficial to marine biodiversity if built sustainably and called for shorter procedures to get permits.
