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Press release 18-09-2025 PECH   Committee on Fisheries - Highlights of the next meeting     MEPs will debate with commissioner Costas Kadis on the European Ocean Pact, learn about funding of fisheries policies under the next MFF and on the state of world marine fishery resources. When: Tuesday 23 September 2025, from 9.00 to 12.30 and from 14.30 to 17.30 Where: Brussels, European Parliament, Altiero SPINELLI building, room 1E2 Livestream / Full agenda / Meeting documents Public hearing Contribution of EU fisheries and aquaculture to food security and healthy diets in the context of climate change adaptation. Guest speakers Lisa Koopman, Manager at Visbureau, the Dutch Fish Marketing Board, The Hague Itziar Tueros, Head of the Food and Health Department at the AZTI marine and food research Center, Derio/ Spain Maximilian Schwarz, International Affairs Officer, European Bureau for Conservation and Development (EBCD), Brussels Vanya Vulperhorst, Campaign Director, Illegal Fishing and Transparency, Oceana in Europe, Brussels Martin Alessandrini, Advocacy and International Cooperation Officer, Fondation Tara Océan / Ocean & Climate Platform, Paris ​Draft programme, from 14.30 to 16.30 Debates Funding of fisheries and ocean policies under the next MFF Presentation by a representative from the European Commission, 9.00 The European Ocean Pact and related fisheries initiatives Presentation by Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, 10.00 EU-Iceland Memorandum of understanding on enhancing cooperation on fisheries and ocean affairs Presentation by the Commission, 11.30 2025 Review of the State of World Marine Fishery Resources Presentation by Manuel Barange, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), 16.30 Next meeting: 16 October 2025 Further information  Committee on Fisheries  Public hearing webpage: Contribution of EU fisheries and aquaculture to food security and healthy diets in the context of climate change adaptation  EPRS briefing: The European Ocean Pact and an ocean act by 2027  Full agenda and meeting documents  Webstreamin

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Available in       Press release 18-09-2025 DEVE   European Parliament delegation concludes fact-finding visit to Timor-Leste       A month ahead of Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN, a delegation from the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly made an official visit to Dili, Timor-Leste, from 15 to 17 September. A delegation of MEPs from the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly has concluded a mission to Timor-Leste, where they stressed the European Parliament’s long-standing solidarity with the East Timorese people and its commitment to strengthening EU–Timor-Leste relations. The visit took place against the backdrop of growing geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific. Timor-Leste is among the few countries to have ratified the Samoa Agreement and is now approaching the final stage of its accession to ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The fact-finding mission’s key findings can be summed up in three areas: Democracy, human rights and social development: Timor-Leste’s democratic transition continues to be a remarkable success story, though further reforms are needed to reinforce institutions and public trust. Challenges remain in education and health investment, gender equality and women’s empowerment, and child protection. Economic diversification: There is an urgent need to reduce dependency on oil revenues and foster a business-friendly environment to attract investment and unlock the country’s economic potential, in particular in the agriculture sector, climate resilience and tourism. Regional engagement: The MEPs welcomed Timor-Leste’s forthcoming accession to ASEAN and will support the country’s efforts to navigate a complex Indo-Pacific environment while safeguarding its sovereignty and a balanced foreign policy. During the visit, MEPs met with José Ramos Horta, President of the Republic and 1996 Nobel Peace Laureate, the Parliament’s Speaker Maria Fernanda Lay, and Vice Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay. They also held meetings with a number of ministers, including the ministers for the interior, justice, agriculture, petroleum, and state administration, and with the vice minister of parliamentary affairs and vice minister of ASEAN affairs. There were also meetings with the main opposition party, representatives of civil society, representatives of international organisations, the private sector, and ASEAN diplomats, where the MEPs raised topics such as the G7+ initiative. The delegation also met with Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, the Archbishop of Dili, to discuss peace and reconciliation in a fragile context. Field visits to European projects such as the and a coffee farm, allowed the MEPs to assess potential maritime development, trade investment, exports to international markets, and job creation. The MEPs stressed that the EU’s partnership with Timor-Leste is based on shared values, democracy and multilateralism, and extends beyond development to include programmes that foster governance capacity building, youth opportunities, digital innovation, trade, connectivity, education and people-to-people ties. The EU must remain an engaged and reliable partner, including through a strong presence in the country, they said. Concluding the visit, Delegation Chair Francisco ASSIS (S&D, Portugal) said: “With my colleagues we leave Timor-Leste encouraged by the determination of its leaders, the vibrancy of its civil society, and above all, the energy of its young people. The European Union and the European Parliament will remain close partners at bilateral and multilateral level including within the OACPS Joint Parliamentary Assembly, as Timor-Leste continues to build a democratic, peaceful, and prosperous future.” The European Parliament’s delegation to the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, as established by the Samoa Agreement, was led by Francisco Assis and included the following MEPs: Dariusz JOŃSKI, Vice-Chair (EPP Poland) Niels HANSEN (EPP, Denmark) Bogdan ZDROJEWSKI (EPP, Poland) Sérgio HUMBERTO (EPP, Portugal) Hannes HEIDE (S&D, Austria) Marit MAIJ (S&D, The Netherlands) Klara DOSTALOVA (PfE, Czech Republic) Michal WIEZIK, Vice-Chair (Renew, Slovakia) Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, Germany) Further information  Committee on Development Press release 17-09-2025 President Metsola in Kyiv reaffirms European Parliament’s continued support to Ukraine       European Parliament President Roberta Metsola met in Kyiv on 17 September President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk, and addressed the Verkhovna Rada. She also met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, the faction and group leaders of the Verkhovna Rada and opened the new European Parliament’s liaison office in Kyiv. This marks the President’s fourth visit to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s illegal war of aggression. Meeting with President Zelenskyy Presidents Metsola and Zelenskyy discussed advancing on Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations, the European Parliament’s continued steadfast support, more targeted sanctions against Russia and the use of profits from Russian frozen assets for Ukraine’s defence, recovery and reconstruction. After their meeting, Presidents Zelenskyy and Metsola addressed the press. President Metsola said: “Europe will not back down in its support to Ukraine. We will continue to weaken Russia’s war machine through coordinated and strong sanctions. We will boost our humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support for Ukraine, and we will further intensify our cooperation with international partners and invest in Ukraine’s own production. We are committed to completely move away from Russian oil and gas and look to reliable and secure partners as we also tackle Russia’s shadow fleet. This is how we move closer to peace.” You can watch a recording of the joint statement to the press. Meeting with Chairman Stefanchuk and Rada address In the morning, President Metsola met with Ruslan Stefanchuk, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, before addressing the plenary session in Kyiv. After their meeting, President Metsola and Chairman Stefanchuk addressed members of the press. President Metsola said: “We discussed about strengthening the ties between our two Parliaments. Ours is a partnership built on mutual trust, respect and very practical cooperation. We will continue to build bridges between Ukraine and Europe, including through our new European Parliament office.” You can watch the statement to the press ahead of the address to the Rada. Address to the Rada In her address, President Metsola said: On EU standing with Ukraine: “The European Union has already mobilised 169 billion euros, including 63 billion euros in military support. We are moving forward on frozen Russian assets. We are increasing investment in Ukraine’s defence industry, expanding procurement from Ukrainian manufacturers, and moving forward with new joint initiatives like the Drone Alliance.” On peace: “Our position is clear: peace must be permanent; it must be based on justice, and it must be based on dignity. A peace that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence.” On security guarantees and EU membership: “We continue to push for security guarantees, and we are working with our partners to make them real. We are ready, determined and able. Joining the European Union is a security guarantee in itself, and we are moving forward together on that path. Europe must match the progress that Ukraine has already made”. You can read the full speech and watch a recording of the address to the Rada. Programme in Kyiv In Kyiv, President Metsola also met with Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska. Together, they visited Bilhorod Academic Lyceum, which was hit by Russian missile strikes that claimed the lives of three staff members. It is currently being rebuilt with the help of EU funds. President Metsola also visited the EU Delegation to Ukraine, which also hosts the newly opened EP office and one of several buildings impacted by yet another Russian air strike and met with EU staff working there. Further information  EP Multimedia Centre (EU-Ukraine)  Parliament inaugurates permanent presence in Kyiv (17.09.2025) Press release 17-09-2025 Parliament inaugurates permanent presence in Kyiv       Expressing Europe’s continued and unwavering support for Ukraine, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola officially opened the EP’s office in Kyiv. The decision to open an antenna office, co-located with the EU Delegation, in Kyiv sends a strong political signal to Ukrainian authorities and citizens, reaffirming the European Parliament’s solidarity and partnership. Addressing the Members of the Verkhovna Rada, President Metsola underlined: “Know that the European Parliament will remain firmly at your side, every step of the way, until peace is secured, until freedom is restored, and until Ukraine takes its rightful place in our European family. This is why I am here this week, to strengthen our cooperation even further. We are opening a permanent office of the European Parliament here in Kyiv, so that we are present on the ground, working alongside you every day. This was our commitment to you, and we have kept it. We are here with you and we are here to stay. And as we also say, ‘You will never walk alone.’” A long-standing partnership Ukraine is one of the European Union’s closest and most trusted partners, and the European Parliament has built over the years a unique and enduring relationship with the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. When President Metsola and Chairman Stefanchuk signed the renewed Memorandum of Understanding between the European Parliament and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in November 2023, European Parliament leaders welcomed the strengthening of the multidimensional partnership first formalised in 2015, a crucial element in preparing Ukraine’s political institutions for EU integration. They confirmed the intention to establish a permanent European Parliament presence in Kyiv, further reinforcing ties with both the Verkhovna Rada and the Ukrainian people. Since the onset of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Parliament has been leveraging its parliamentary diplomacy to reach out to counterparts across the world. The EP has adopted several solidarity measures to support Ukraine and strengthen cooperation with the Verkhovna Rada. After Ukraine was granted EU candidate status in June 2022, the Parliament intensified its cooperation with the Rada, focusing on capacity building and facilitating direct exchanges between parliamentary committees and their Ukrainian counterparts. Unwavering support Members reiterated in September 2025 their unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and stressed that any peaceful solution must respect the will of the Ukrainian people and not be imposed by any other international actor. Press release 17-09-2025 AGRI   Agriculture MEPs delegation visited Italy       Members of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development learnt about the use of innovation, new technologies and smart farming by Lombardian agricultural producers. A delegation from the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, led by its chair Mrs Veronika Vrecionová (ECR, CZ), visited Italy from 15 to 17 September. The delegation included Members from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Portugal, Romania and Spain. They visited the European Food Safety Authority, the National Rice Authority and the production site of Parmigiano Reggiano. MEPs discussed sustainable production techniques with producers of maize and rice as well as the production of bioenergy with livestock farmers and representatives of the AB Energy company. They concluded their visit by an exchange of views with members of the regional government of Lombardy. Mrs Vrecionová said after the visit: “We are at the beginning of our discussions on the future Common Agricultural Policy, which will shape the future of Europe’s agriculture for the time after 2027. Italy, with its extraordinary agri-food excellence, has provided us with important insights. What we have heard during our mission will help us to better understand the farmers’ needs and the challenges they face.” Further information  Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Διαθέσιμο στα       Δελτίο Τύπου 17-09-2025 FISC   Δήλωση της επικεφαλής της αντιπροσωπείας του ΕΚ για την αποστολή στην Κύπρο       Μετά την ολοκλήρωση της επίσκεψης αντιπροσωπείας της Υποεπιτροπής Φορολογικών Θεμάτων, η επικεφαλής ευρωβουλευτής Kira Marie Peter-Hansen προέβη στην ακόλουθη δήλωση. «Η Κύπρος βρίσκεται εδώ και πολλά χρόνια στο επίκεντρο της προσοχής, έχοντας διευκολύνει τη σύσταση πολύπλοκων εταιρικών δομών, οι οποίες χρησιμοποιήθηκαν καταχρηστικά για φοροδιαφυγή και φοροαποφυγή. Ωστόσο, βλέπουμε ότι υπάρχει πολιτική βούληση να μην είναι η χώρα το μαύρο πρόβατο της Ευρώπης. Πραγματοποιούνται θετικές μεταρρυθμίσεις, ακολουθώντας ευρωπαϊκά και διεθνή παραδείγματα. Ωστόσο, οι νομοθετικές αλλαγές δεν επαρκούν, εάν η Κύπρος δεν διαθέσει επαρκείς πόρους για την επιβολή της νομοθεσίας. Ακόμη, ανησυχώ ότι η χορήγηση φορολογικής κατοικίας χωρίς παραμονή και το σύστημα χορήγησης χρυσής βίζα εξακολουθούν να χρησιμοποιούνται καταχρηστικά. Η Κύπρος πρέπει να βρει τη σωστή ισορροπία μεταξύ της προσέλκυσης ξένων επενδύσεων από τη μία και της καταπολέμησης της φοροδιαφυγής και της νομιμοποίησης εσόδων από παράνομες δραστηριότητες από την άλλη. Στο πλαίσιο μιας συνολικά δύσκολης οικονομικής κατάστασης, η Κύπρος προχωρά σε μια καθολική φορολογική μεταρρύθμιση για να καταστήσει την οικονομία της πιο ανταγωνιστική. Έχουμε λάβει το μήνυμα ότι η νομοθεσία της ΕΕ πρέπει να απλουστευθεί και να εξορθολογιστεί, χωρίς να υπάρξει οπισθοδρόμηση στην ατζέντα για τη φορολογική δικαιοσύνη. Ένα μείζον ζήτημα που πρέπει ακόμη να αντιμετωπιστεί είναι το αυξανόμενο κόστος στέγασης, το οποίο συχνά συνδέεται με φορολογικά μέτρα που προσελκύουν πλουσιότερους ιδιώτες.» Σχετικές πληροφορίες Η αντιπροσωπεία του ΕΚ βρέθηκε στην Κύπρο την Τρίτη 16 και την Τετάρτη 17 Σεπτεμβρίου, αποτελούμενη από τέσσερις ευρωβουλευτές: την επικεφαλής Kira Peter-Hansen (Πράσινοι, Δανία), τον Μιχάλη Χατζηπαντέλα (ΕΛΚ, Κύπρος), την Kinga Kollár (ΕΛΚ, Ουγγαρία) και τον Pierre Pimpie, (Πατριώτες για την Ευρώπη, Γαλλία). Πραγματοποίησε συναντήσεις με την πρόεδρο της Βουλής των Αντιπροσώπων και μέλη της Κοινοβουλευτικής Επιτροπής Οικονομικών και Προϋπολογισμού, καθώς και με τον βοηθό έφορο φορολογίας. Συνομίλησε επίσης με εκπροσώπους της κοινωνίας των πολιτών και ερευνητές, εκπροσώπους συνδικάτων, λογιστικά και φορολογικά συμβουλευτικά γραφεία, αλλά και την Ομοσπονδία Εργοδοτών και Βιομηχάνων και το Κυπριακό Εμπορικό και Βιομηχανικό Επιμελητήριο. Σύνδεσμοι  Υποεπιτροπή Φορολογικών Θεμάτων  Αντιπροσωπεία της FISC στην Κύπρο Το μήνυμα αυτό στάλθηκε στη διεύθυνση v.ch.maria@gmail.com