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Press release 16-10-2025 AFET   Committee on Foreign Affairs       Next week’s highlights Monday 20 October 2025, 19.30 – 20.30 Room: WEISS (S1.5) Strasbourg Homepage of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Meeting agendas and documents THE MEETING WILL BE WEBSTREAMED Presentation of the Joint Communication on the Pact for the Mediterranean by Dubravka Šuica, Commissioner for the Mediterranean The Pact for the Mediterranean aims at establishing comprehensive partnerships between the EU and Southern Neighbourhood countries with a focus on investment, economic stability, jobs, energy, transport, security, migration and other areas of mutual interest. The Pact was approved by the College of Commissioners on 16 October and reflects a strategic EU’s ambition to step up and have a more focused approach to the Mediterranean. The Pact should establish a practical framework for cooperation through the implementation of joint initiatives in priority policy areas of mutual interest. FOLLOW US ON X and on Bluesky! Highlights, all press releases, important dates, new documents and much more are published on @EP_ForeignAff @afet.europarl.europa.eu Next meeting: 3 November 2025, 15.00 – 18.30 (Brussels) 4 November 2025, 9.00 – 12.30 and 14.30 – 18.30 (Brussels) Further information  Committee on Foreign Affairs  Subscribe to news and press releases from AFET Press release 17-10-2025 CULT   Committee on Culture and Education - Highlights of the next meeting       MEPs will discuss the Commission work on the audiovisual and media policy, Artificial Intelligence and AgoraEU, with the Vice-President Virkkunen and the Commissioner Micallef. When: Monday 20 October 2025, from 19.00 to 21.30 Where: Strasbourg, European Parliament, building DE MADARIAGA, room S5 Webstream | Agenda   Structured dialogue with the Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkunnen, 19.00 Debate on AgoraEU with the Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef, 20.15 Next meeting 5-6 November 2025 (Brussels) FOLLOW US! Highlights, all press releases, important dates, new documents and much more are published on @EPCulture (X) and @cult.europarl.europa.eu (BlueSky). Further information  Committee on Culture and Education  Agenda and meeting documents  Webstreaming 17-10-2025 Σύνοδος Ολομέλειας Ενημέρωση Νέα της Ολομέλειας - Στρασβούργο, 20-23 Οκτωβρίου 2025      Η ειρηνευτική συμφωνία στη Μέση Ανατολή και ο ρόλος της ΕΕ Οι ευρωβουλευτές θα συζητήσουν παρουσία της Επιτροπής την πρόσφατη ειρηνευτική συμφωνία για τη Μέση Ανατολή και τον ρόλο της ΕΕ. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Οι προτεραιότητες του Κοινοβουλίου ενόψει της συνόδου κορυφής της ΕΕ του Οκτωβρίου Οι ευρωβουλευτές θα συζητήσουν με την Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή και τη Δανική Προεδρία ενόψει της συνόδου του Ευρωπαϊκού Συμβουλίου. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Εκσυγχρονισμός των ευρωπαϊκών αδειών οδήγησης Με σκοπό την βελτίωση της οδικής ασφάλειας, οι ευρωβουλευτές πρόκειται να εγκρίνουν νέους ευρωπαϊκούς κανόνες για τις άδειες οδήγησης. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Βραβείο Ζαχάρωφ 2025: ανακοίνωση των βραβευθέντων Η πρόεδρος του Κοινοβουλίου Roberta Metsola θα ανακοινώσει σε ποιους θα απονεμηθεί το Βραβείο Ζαχάρωφ 2025 για την ελευθερία της σκέψης το μεσημέρι της Τετάρτης στην σύνοδο της ολομέλειας. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Ουκρανία: ενίσχυση χρηματοδότησης και χρήση δεσμευμένων ρωσικών περιουσιακών στοιχείων Τα σχέδια για «δάνειο αποζημιώσεων» για τη χρηματοδότηση της ανασυγκρότησης και της άμυνας της Ουκρανίας θα τεθούν υπό συζήτηση με εκπροσώπους της Επιτροπής και του Συμβουλίου. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Τερματισμός όλων των εισαγωγών ενέργειας από τη Ρωσία Πιθανά πρόσθετα μέτρα για τον τερματισμό όλων των εισαγωγών ενέργειας από τη Ρωσία και την κάλυψη των κενών μέσω τρίτων χωρών θα συζητηθούν. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Λευκορωσία: o Sergey Tihanovski και η Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya στο Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο Οι δύο εξέχουσες προσωπικότητες της αντιπολίτευσης της Λευκορωσίας θα μιλήσουν στην ολομέλεια του ΕΚ. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Προτεραιότητες της ΕΕ για το 2026: ερωτήματα προς την Επιτροπή για το πρόγραμμά της Οι ευρωβουλευτές θα συζητήσουν με την Επιτροπή σχετικά με τις προτεραιότητές της για το επόμενο έτος, οι οποίες θα ανακοινωθούν νωρίτερα την ίδια ημέρα. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Καταγγελίες περί ουγγρικής κατασκοπείας Το Κοινοβούλιο θα συζητήσει με εκπροσώπους της Επιτροπής και του Συμβουλίου πρόσφατα δημοσιεύματα που αναφέρουν ότι η ουγγρική κυβέρνηση κατασκοπεύει τα θεσμικά όργανα της ΕΕ. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Καταπολέμηση της βίας κατά των γυναικών και των κοριτσιών Οι ευρωβουλευτές θα αξιολογήσουν ληφθέντα μέτρα και την πρόοδο που έχει σημειωθεί για την καταπολέμηση της έμφυλης βίας, εστιάζοντας στην εκμετάλλευση της μητρότητας. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Εποχική αλλαγή ώρας: εξηγήσεις από το Συμβούλιο και την Επιτροπή Οι ευρωβουλευτές θα ζητήσουν από το Συμβούλιο και την Επιτροπή απαντήσεις για τη μη ανταπόκρισή τους στην έκκληση των πολιτών για τερματισμό της εποχικής προσαρμογής της ώρας. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Google: συζήτηση για καταχρηστικές πρακτικές στο πλαίσιο της ελευθερίας των ΜΜΕ Το Κοινοβούλιο θα αξιολογήσει την πρόσφατη ανακοίνωση της Επιτροπής για επιβολή προστίμου στην Google. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    COP30: οι προσδοκίες του ΕΚ για τις φετινές παγκόσμιες διαπραγματεύσεις για το κλίμα Οι ευρωβουλευτές θα συζητήσουν και θα ψηφίσουν σχετικά με τα αιτήματα του Κοινοβουλίου για τη διάσκεψη των ΗΕ για την κλιματική αλλαγή COP30. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Δολοφονία Daphne Caruana Galizia: καθυστερήσεις στην απονομή δικαιοσύνης στη Μάλτα Οκτώ χρόνια μετά τη δολοφονία της Μαλτέζας δημοσιογράφου, μπλόγκερ και ακτιβίστριας κατά της διαφθοράς, οι ευρωβουλευτές θα εξετάσουν τις εξελίξεις και την οπισθοδρόμηση του κράτους δικαίου. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Προϋπολογισμός της ΕΕ για το 2026: ψηφοφορία για τη θέση του ΕΚ Το Κοινοβούλιο αναμένεται να εγκρίνει τη θέση του σχετικά με τον ετήσιο προϋπολογισμό του επόμενου έτους πριν από την έναρξη των συνομιλιών με τις κυβερνήσεις της ΕΕ. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Σερβία: πόλωση και αύξηση της καταστολής Ένα χρόνο μετά την τραγωδία στο Νόβι Σαντ, οι ευρωβουλευτές θα πάρουν εκ νέου θέση για την κρίση στη Σερβία με την Επιτροπή και το Συμβούλιο. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Παρακολούθηση της κατάστασης των δασών της ΕΕ: ψηφοφορίες για δύο νομοθετικές προτάσεις Το Κοινοβούλιο θα ψηφίσει επί δύο πράξεων για τη θέσπιση ενός πλαισίου παρακολούθησης των δασών για τη συλλογή και ανταλλαγή πληροφοριών της Ευρώπης. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Αναθεωρημένοι κανόνες για τα ευρωπαϊκά πολιτικά κόμματα και ιδρύματα Οι ευρωβουλευτές θα ψηφίσουν επί των επικαιροποιημένων κανόνων, συμπεριλαμβανομένων διατάξεων σχετικά με τις εξωτερικές παρεμβάσεις, τη διαφάνεια και την προστασία των αξιών της ΕΕ. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Χημικές ουσίες: απλούστεροι και διαφανέστεροι κανόνες αξιολόγησης Η δέσμη μέτρων «μία ουσία, μία αξιολόγηση» αποσκοπεί στην αύξηση της απλότητας και της διαφάνειας των κανόνων της ΕΕ για τα χημικά προϊόντα. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Προστασία της κινηματογραφικής βιομηχανίας της ΕΕ και σχέσεις με τις ΗΠΑ Οι ευρωβουλευτές θα συζητήσουν με την Επιτροπή σχετικά με σχεδιαζόμενα μέτρα για την προστασία της κινηματογραφικής βιομηχανίας της ΕΕ, τα οποία επικρίθηκαν από την κυβέρνηση Trump. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Άλλα θέματα που θα συζητηθούν στην ολομέλεια  Κατά τη διάρκεια της ολομέλειας θα συζητηθούν και θα ψηφιστούν και άλλα θέματα, τα σημαντικότερα εκ των οποίων παρατίθενται παρακάτω. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   Σύνδεσμοι  Το σχέδιο της ημερήσιας διάταξης  Απευθείας μετάδοση της Συνόδου μέσω του EbS+  Απευθείας μετάδοση των Συνεντεύξεων Τύπου και άλλων γεγονότων  Κέντρο Πολυμέσων του ΕΚ  Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο - Φάκελος για τα ΜΜΕ

Press release 16-10-2025 SEDE   ITRE   European defence industry programme: MEPs reach deal with Council

The agreed draft law is designed to strengthen the EU defence industry, foster joint European defence procurement, ramp-up defence manufacturing and increase support for Ukraine. Measures to speed up EU defence industry integration “Buy European” approach Strengthened support to Ukraine The informal agreement reached on Thursday by MEPs and the Danish Presidency of the Council will allow for the creation of the first-ever European defence industry programme (EDIP). The scheme seeks to strengthen the European defence technological and industrial base essential for boosting European defence capabilities. During negotiations, MEPs successfully pushed for an increase to the programme’s budget, by providing for additional financial contributions such as through the channelling of additional contributions negotiated under the SAFE instrument. In addition, the programme allows for member states to use the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) to its full potential, by diverting and reallocating unspent RRF-backed funds to support EDIP projects. The overall envelope is worth €1.5 billion of which €300 million would go to the Ukraine Support Instrument. Furthermore, co-legislators agreed on creating a FAST instrument with the aim of reaching an indicative amount of at least €150 million through additional financial contributions. MEPs also secured a “buy European” principle by ensuring that eligible entities obtain the design authority of the product. Furthermore, the agreement allows for the funding of defence products where the cost of components originating in the EU or in participating countries represents maximum 35% of the estimated cost of components. The programme will set up a legal framework for European Defence Projects of Common Interest, which should involve at least 4 Member States to be eligible for funding, and Ukraine will be able to participate. A European ‘military sales mechanism’ will act as a centralised catalogue of defence products and services to bolster EU-wide demand, alongside a voluntary European armament programme designed to support member states' cooperation throughout the defence equipment lifecycle. Finally, the programme will set up an EU security of supply regime to gradually guarantee continuous access to essential defence products to tackle future supply crises. Military support for Ukraine The legislation will set up a Ukraine Support Instrument (USI) to help modernise the Ukrainian defence industry and ease its integration with the European defence industry. EU funding of up to €300 million should scale up direct investment in Ukraine’s defence industry, facilitate partnerships between EU and Ukrainian defence actors and increase EU procurement of defence capacities produced in Ukraine, including for Ukraine itself. Quotes “The agreement on the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) marks an important step towards a more efficient, faster and genuinely European approach to defence procurement and strengthening European defence capabilities. EDIP is designed to have a lasting impact. It can serve as a reference point for future initiatives and help shape the way European cooperation in defence production is organised beyond 2027”, said Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (Renew, Germany), the Security and Defence committee Chair. "This agreement represents a major step forward for the security of the European continent and the development of our defense industry. After decades of dangerous dependencies that threatened the sovereignty of our democracies and the protection of our countries, the EDIP program will reverse the logic of imports that prevailed in Europe. It will concretely support the strengthening of our industrial base and autonomously ensure that our armed forces have the means to fulfill their mission”, said François-Xavier Bellamy (EPP, France), co-rapporteur from the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. "Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its ongoing hybrid attacks on EU countries remind us that Europe can no longer afford to hesitate. We must be able to defend ourselves with strength, unity, and purpose. The European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) was created precisely for this — to build a resilient, sovereign Europe through joint investment, common procurement, and the full integration of Ukrainian and European industries” said Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D, France), co-rapporteur from the Committee on Security and Defence. “Today’s agreement marks real progress — a concrete step toward greater autonomy, stronger capabilities, and the protection of our democracies” he added. Next steps The agreement will now have to be endorsed by both Parliament and Council to become law. The ITRE and SEDE parliamentary committees will jointly hold their vote on the 20th of October. Background The Commission put forward a proposal for a European defence industry programme (EDIP) regulation on 5 March 2024. The EDIP – with a proposed budget of €1.5 billion – seeks to achieve defence industrial readiness by bridging the gap between short-term emergency measures, such as the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) and the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA), with a more structural, long-term approach. The European defence industrial base comprises a number of large multinational companies, mid-caps and over 2,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, with an estimated combined annual turnover of €70 billion.

Further information  Committee on Security and Defence  Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Press release 16-10-2025 SEDE   ITRE   European defence industry programme: MEPs reach deal with Council

The agreed draft law is designed to strengthen the EU defence industry, foster joint European defence procurement, ramp-up defence manufacturing and increase support for Ukraine. Measures to speed up EU defence industry integration “Buy European” approach Strengthened support to Ukraine The informal agreement reached on Thursday by MEPs and the Danish Presidency of the Council will allow for the creation of the first-ever European defence industry programme (EDIP). The scheme seeks to strengthen the European defence technological and industrial base essential for boosting European defence capabilities. During negotiations, MEPs successfully pushed for an increase to the programme’s budget, by providing for additional financial contributions such as through the channelling of additional contributions negotiated under the SAFE instrument. In addition, the programme allows for member states to use the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) to its full potential, by diverting and reallocating unspent RRF-backed funds to support EDIP projects. The overall envelope is worth €1.5 billion of which €300 million would go to the Ukraine Support Instrument. Furthermore, co-legislators agreed on creating a FAST instrument with the aim of reaching an indicative amount of €150 million through additional financial contributions. MEPs also secured a “buy European” principle by ensuring that eligible entities obtain the design authority of the product. Furthermore, the agreement allows for the funding of defence products where the cost of components originating in the EU or in participating countries represents maximum 35% of the estimated cost of components. The programme will set up a legal framework for European Defence Projects of Common Interest, which should involve at least 4 Member States to be eligible for funding, and Ukraine will be able to participate. A European ‘military sales mechanism’ will act as a centralised catalogue of defence products and services to bolster EU-wide demand, alongside a voluntary European armament programme designed to support member states' cooperation throughout the defence equipment lifecycle. Finally, the programme will set up an EU security of supply regime to gradually guarantee continuous access to essential defence products to tackle future supply crises. Military support for Ukraine The legislation will set up a Ukraine Support Instrument (USI) to help modernise the Ukrainian defence industry and ease its integration with the European defence industry. EU funding of up to €300 million should scale up direct investment in Ukraine’s defence industry, facilitate partnerships between EU and Ukrainian defence actors and increase EU procurement of defence capacities produced in Ukraine, including for Ukraine itself. Quotes "This agreement represents a major step forward for the security of the European continent and the development of our defense industry. After decades of dangerous dependencies that threatened the sovereignty of our democracies and the protection of our countries, the EDIP program will reverse the logic of imports that prevailed in Europe. It will concretely support the strengthening of our industrial base and autonomously ensure that our armed forces have the means to fulfill their mission”, said François-Xavier Bellamy (EPP, France), co-rapporteur from the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. "Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its ongoing hybrid attacks on EU countries remind us that Europe can no longer afford to hesitate. We must be able to defend ourselves with strength, unity, and purpose. The European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) was created precisely for this — to build a resilient, sovereign Europe through joint investment, common procurement, and the full integration of Ukrainian and European industries” said Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D, France), co-rapporteur from the Committee on Security and Defence. “Today’s agreement marks real progress — a concrete step toward greater autonomy, stronger capabilities, and the protection of our democracies” he added. “The agreement on the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) marks an important step towards a more efficient, faster and genuinely European approach to defence procurement and strengthening European defence capabilities. EDIP is designed to have a lasting impact. It can serve as a reference point for future initiatives and help shape the way European cooperation in defence production is organised beyond 2027”, said Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (Renew, Germany), the Security and Defence committee Chair. Next steps The agreement will now have to be endorsed by both Parliament and Council to become law. The ITRE and INTA parliamentary committees will jointly hold their vote on the 20th of October. Background The Commission put forward a proposal for a European defence industry programme (EDIP) regulation on 5 March 2024. The EDIP – with a proposed budget of €1.5 billion – seeks to achieve defence industrial readiness by bridging the gap between short-term emergency measures, such as the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) and the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA), with a more structural, long-term approach. The European defence industrial base comprises a number of large multinational companies, mid-caps and over 2,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, with an estimated combined annual turnover of €70 billion.

Further information  Committee on Security and Defence  Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

16-10-2025 Plenary session Press briefing on next week’s plenary session

Spokespersons for Parliament and for the political groups will hold a briefing on the 20 - 23 October plenary session, on Friday at 11.00 in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press room. WHEN: Friday 17 October at 11.00 WHERE: Anna Politkovskaya press room in Brussels and via Interactio Key topics next week include: - Debate on the peace agreement in the Middle East and the role of the EU - Debate on the 23 October European Council - Debate on using Russian frozen assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction and defence - Votes on new driving licence rules and on reducing reckless driving while abroad - Announcement of the 2025 Sakharov Prize laureate - Debate on ending all energy imports from Russia - Formal sitting with Sergey Tihanovski and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and debate and vote on the situation in Belarus - Debate on the Commission Work Programme 2026 - Debate on allegations of espionage by the Hungarian Government within the EU institutions Interpretation of the press briefing will be available in English and French. You can follow it live from 11.00 on Friday in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press room or via Parliament’s webstreaming and EbS. Information for the media - Use of Interactio to ask questions Journalists wishing to participate actively and ask questions, please connect via Interactio using this link: https://ep.interactio.eu/link/pressconfp1611820. Interactio is only supported on iPads (with the Safari browser) and Mac/Windows (with the Google Chrome browser). For more details, check the connection guidelines and recommendations for remote speakers. When connecting, enter your name and the media you are representing in the first name / last name fields. For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for questions asked on video. Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press conference to perform a connection test. IT assistance can be provided if necessary. When connected, open the chat window (upper right corner) to be able to see the service messages.

Press release 16-10-2025 INTA   ITRE   Imports of Russian gas and oil to the EU: MEPs back ban

• Gradual ban on pipeline and liquefied natural gas imports from 2026 • Oil and petroleum products also covered • Measures to counter circumvention, e.g. via shadow fleets   Draft legislation adopted on Thursday seeks to protect the Union’s interests from the weaponisation of energy supplies by the Russian Federation. On Thursday, the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy and on International Trade approved draft plans to ban imports of Russian natural gas – both pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) – from 1 January 2026, with limited exceptions for existing short-term contracts (until 17 June 2026) and long-term contracts (until 1 January 2027), provided they were concluded before 17 June 2025 and remain unamended. Under the proposed rules, energy operators will be able to invoke “force majeure” to terminate Russian gas import contracts, since the legally-binding prohibition on further imports, as provided by this new regulation, is explicitly defined as a sovereign act beyond their control. The MEPs propose to prohibit the temporary storage of Russian-origin natural gas in EU facilities as of 1 January 2026. Moreover, to close loopholes and mitigate risk of circumvention, operators would have to provide customs authorities with stricter and more detailed evidence of the gas’ country of production before import or storage, with prior authorisation required depending on the origin of the natural gas. Ban on oil imports also from 2026 From the same date, the MEPs want to prohibit all imports of Russian oil, including petroleum products originating from Russian crude oil, while requiring prior customs authorisation and verification of the country of production for such imports. Additionally, the text explicitly targets circumvention risks – such as re-labelled imports, shadow fleets, and transit via third countries – by mandating origin certification for oil pipelines, quarterly audits, and a list of high-risk LNG terminals, to be managed by the Commission. Finally, the MEPs delete the review clause allowing the Commission to authorise a temporary suspension of the import ban in situations threatening EU energy security. They also strengthen its enforcement by introducing penalties for violations of the regulation. Quotes “The vast majority of the members of the two committees have voted for a strong position to strengthen the exit from Russian fossil fuel imports. I am impressed by the shared understanding of the need for effective legislation that is not just banning imports of Russian gas and oil to the European Union but is also stringent in enforcement and closes the loopholes of the Commission’s proposal” said lead MEP for the Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE), Ville Niinistö (Greens/EFA, Finland). “The almost unanimous support gives me a strong mandate for negotiations with the Council. The ban of Russian fossil fuels is a great achievement for the European Union and a turning point in European energy policy. We have strengthened the European Commission's initial proposal by including oil and its products, ending long-term contracts a year earlier than proposed, adding penalties for non-compliance, and deleting exceptions for landlocked countries,” said Inese Vaidere (EPP, Latvia), lead MEP for the International Trade Committee. Next steps The legislation was adopted by 83 votes to 9, with 1 abstention. MEPs also voted by 84 votes to 7, with 1 abstention, to open negotiations with the Danish Presidency of the Council. Parliament’s plenary chamber will be notified of the decision during its forthcoming session of 20-24 October. Background This legislation comes in response to Russia’s systematic weaponisation of energy supplies, a pattern documented over nearly two decades and escalating with the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The 2022 invasion came with further deliberate market manipulation, including Gazprom’s unprecedented underfilling of EU storage facilities and abrupt halts to pipelines, causing energy prices to spike to up to eight times their pre-crisis levels.

Further information  Meeting documents  Procedure file  EP Research Service: Phasing out Russian fossil fuel imports

Press release 16-10-2025 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2025: invitation to award ceremony

The award ceremony will take place at 18.00, on Tuesday 21 October 2025, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg (Daphne Caruana Galizia Press Room). Accredited journalists are cordially invited to join the award ceremony, which will be opened by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. The ten finalists have also been invited, and one of them will have been chosen by the Prize’s jury members as the 2025 winner. Discover here the work of the 10 finalists. Programme 18.00 Welcome by Vice-President Pina Picierno followed by opening speech by President Roberta Metsola 18.15 Speech by the President of the Berlin Press Club and member of the jury, Juliane Hielscher 18.30 Announcement of the 2025 winner by the President of the International Press Association and member of the jury, Dafydd Ab Iago, followed by speech by the winner 18.45 Photo opportunity 19.00 Reception at WEISS C 4.1 You can follow the event via webstreaming or by EbS. Press seminar on "The Silencing of journalists' voices around the world" Before the award ceremony, Parliament’s press service is organising a seminar on the continued threats to media and press freedom, focusing on the dangers journalists are facing in the conflict in Gaza. Palestinian and Israeli journalists will explain their experience and Reporters without Borders will put context to this with some data. The seminar will begin at 14:00 in room WEISS S 2.2, with an introduction by EP Vice-President Pina Picierno together with journalist and author Roberto Saviano. This year, finalists of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism, will also pitch their reports to the audience. The programme of the seminar can be found here. Journalists who would like to join the seminar online, please write email to media-seminars@europarl.europa.eu stating the media you work for to get the interactio link. Webstreaming will be only published afterwards in a recorded version. Background The Prize is a tribute to the Maltese investigative journalist and blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was assassinated in October 2017. It rewards, on a yearly basis, outstanding journalism that promotes or defends the core principles and values of the European Union, such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights. The Prize is open to professional journalists and teams of professional journalists of any nationality to submit in-depth stories that have been published or broadcast by a media outlet based in one of the 27 European Union member states. From 21 May to 31 July 2025, more than 300 applications were submitted by journalists from the 27 EU countries for this fourth edition of the Prize. The Prize itself, and the €20,000 prize money, demonstrate the European Parliament’s strong support for investigative journalism and the protection of journalists around the world.

Further information  Website of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism

Press release 16-10-2025 IMCO   New EU measures needed to make online services safer for minors

• EU digital minimum age of 16 for social media and AI companions without parental consent • Rules on persuasive technologies and practices like targeted ads, influencer marketing, addictive design, loot boxes and dark patterns • Default ban on most harmful addictive practices for minors Enforce Digital Services Act quickly and ban harmful practices such as addictive design and gambling-like game features to protect minors, say MEPs. On Thursday, MEPs from the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee adopted a report, by 32 votes in favour, 5 against and with 9 abstentions, in which they express concerns over major online platforms’ failure to protect minors adequately and warn of the risks relating to addiction, mental health, and exposure to illegal and harmful content. Age assurance and minimums The text supports the Commission’s efforts to develop privacy-preserving age assurance systems, while warning that such measures must respect children’s rights and privacy, and do not absolve platforms of the responsibility to make their services safe by design. The MEPs propose an EU-wide digital minimum age of 16 for access to social media, video sharing platforms and AI (artificial intelligence) companions, unless authorised by parents, and a minimum age of 13 to access any social media. Stronger action by the Commission The MEPs urge the Commission to make full use of its powers under the Digital Services Act (DSA), including issuing fines or, as a last resort, banning non-compliant sites or applications that endanger minors. They also call on the Commission to: consider introducing personal liability for senior management in cases of serious and persistent breaches of minor protection provisions, with particular respect to age verification; ban engagement-based recommender algorithms for minors and disable the most addictive design features by default; ensure that recommender systems do not present content to minors based on profiling; ban gambling-like mechanisms such as “loot boxes” in games accessible to minors; prohibit platforms from monetisation or providing financial or material incentives for kidfluencing (minors acting as influencers); address the ethical and legal challenges arising from AI-powered nudity apps (that allow users to generate manipulated images of individuals without their consent); firmly enforce AI Act rules against manipulative and deceptive chatbots. Closing legal loopholes MEPs support the idea that persuasive technologies, such as targeted ads, influencer marketing, addictive design, loot boxes and dark patterns, be tackled under the future Digital Fairness Act. The report calls for EU action to address manipulative features like infinite scrolling, autoplay, disappearing stories, and harmful gamification practices that deliberately exploit minors’ behaviour to boost engagement and spending. Quote Rapporteur Christel Schaldemose (S&D, Denmark) said: "Our report clearly states the need for increased protection of minors online in two respects. Firstly, we need a higher bar for access to social media, which is why we propose an EU-wide minimum age of 16. Secondly, we need stronger safeguards for minors using online services. My report calls for mandatory safety-by-design and for a ban on the most harmful engagement mechanisms for minors. I’m proud that Parliament is taking this progressive step to raise the level of protection for minors." New survey A new Eurobarometer survey published today shows citizens’ attitudes towards social media. It examines themes like information habits, social media patterns, exposure to disinformation, and engagement with influencer content. The findings show that young people use media differently from previous generations and are turning increasingly to digital sources. Next steps Parliament will vote on its recommendations to increase minors’ safety online at the 24-27 November plenary session.

Further information  Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection  Procedure file  EC guidelines on protecting minors online  Adopted compromise amendments (16.10.2025)

Press release 16-10-2025 IMCO   Transparency of third-country lobbying in EU decision-making

• Transparency registers detailing interest representation services, their funding, and the third countries they represent • Strong safeguards introduced by MEPs to prevent negative labelling of registered entities • New rules a response to growing concerns over foreign interference in EU democracies The new rules aim to increase transparency and public trust in policy and decision-making without being unduly burdensome or restricting legitimate civic engagement. On Thursday, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee adopted their position on new transparency requirements for interest representation activities conducted by non-EU countries. The directive aims to address the growing cross-border nature of lobbying and potential foreign influence in democratic processes. MEPs refined the Commission’s original proposal by introducing clearer definitions and safeguards against the stigmatisation of legitimate engagement or financial support provided to entities covered by the rules. Type of activities covered The rules apply to interest representation activities (provided against payment or other kinds of remuneration) aimed at influencing policy, legislation or decision-making in the EU. This can include organising or participating in meetings and conferences, contributing to consultations or hearings, communications campaigns (including the use of influencers on social media), preparing policy papers, proposing draft amendments, and surveys. They do not apply to official government and diplomatic functions, media services, legal advice, and academic research. MEPs also narrowed the scope to protect the activities of civil society organisations (CSOs). Core funding or financial support through a third-country donor grant scheme, are not to be considered remuneration if unrelated to lobbying. Safeguards against stigmatisation In contrast to some countries’ ‘foreign agent’ laws, MEPs reiterate that this directive does not intend to negatively label any entities, including CSOs, nor restrict civic space. It cannot be used to ban any activity or demand transparency for third-country funding unrelated to lobbying. Democratic accountability The new directive establishes mandatory national registers to be set up and maintained by independent national authorities, who will ensure the information is factual. MEPs want these registers to be interconnected via a centralised portal and stress that registration itself should not lead to a climate of distrust Quote Rapporteur Adina Vălean (EPP, Romania) said: “We have not adopted our position on this directive for rhetorical effect, but because citizens demanded it. they want to know whose voices and whose money shapes our laws. 81% of Europeans are concerned about third-country money influencing our decision-making processes. This directive answers that concern. It imposes no guilt, only disclosure. It was adopted with support from different political groups, showing that we have addressed a wide range of technical issues, ideological concerns, and legitimate fears of unintended consequences. In doing so, we have built a tool to protect our democracies, setting the minimum requirements for transparency that every citizen deserves.” Next steps The draft report was adopted with 35 votes in favour, 4 against and 8 abstentions. It will be debated and voted in the 24-27 November plenary session in Strasbourg. Interinstitutional talks can start once Parliament and Council, adopts their respective positions. Background Interest representation activities, known as lobbying, are dealt with by member states differently, often by setting up mandatory or voluntary transparency registers. Currently, only 16 member states have taken steps towards regulating general interest representation activities. This is causing market obstacles and uneven competition. Furthermore, it may push interest representation towards less regulated states to evade stricter rules.

Further information  Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection  Procedure file  EP briefing  Adopted compromise amendments (16.10.2025)

Press release 16-10-2025 JURI   DROI   Joint JURI-DROI debate: Protection of lawyers worldwide

Meeting on Monday 20 October, 19.00-20.30, Strasbourg, Room: WEISS N1.3. Joint debate of the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) and the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI): Protection of lawyers worldwide During the European Week of Justice, celebrated annually around 25 October, and in the context of the recent adoption of the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, MEPs will discuss this first-ever international treaty aiming to protect the profession of lawyer. The debate takes place amid increasing reports of attacks on the practice of the profession, whether in the form of harassment, threats or interference with the exercise of professional duties. To date, 18 states signed the convention and at least eight countries must ratify it for it to enter into force. Guest speakers Testimony by Ms Ramla Dahmani, sister of Sonia Dahmani, Tunisian Lawyer in detention since July 2024 Ms Margaret Satterthwaite, UN Special rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (online) Mr Gianluca Esposito, Director General for Human Rights and Rule of Law of the Council of Europe Mr Laurent Pettiti, Chair of the working group on the Convention on the protection of lawyers, Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe

Further information  Agenda  Meeting documents and programme  Following the meeting online  Subcommittee on Human Rights  Committee on Legal Affairs

Press release 16-10-2025 DROI   AFET   DEVE   MEPs shortlist three finalists for the 2025 Sakharov Prize

Members of the Foreign Affairs and Development Committees voted on Thursday morning for the three finalists of the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The three finalists for the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought are (in alphabetical order): Imprisoned journalists fighting for your freedom and ours, Andrzej Poczobut from Belarus and Mzia Amaglobeli from Georgia ; Journalists and Humanitarian Aid Workers in Palestine and all conflict zones, represented by the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, the Red Crescent, and UNRWA ; Serbian students Find the biographies of the candidates and finalists by following this link. Next steps The Conference of Presidents, comprising European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the leaders of the political groups, will choose the 2025 laureate from this shortlist.Their decision will be announced in the Strasbourg Hemicycle during the plenary session on 23 October 2025. The award ceremony for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, which includes an allocation of 50,000 euros, will take place on Tuesday 16 December 2025 in Strasbourg. Background The latest Eurobarometer survey shows that EU citizens expect Parliament to prioritise fundamental democratic values. Peace (45%), democracy (32%) and human rights (22%) remain the main values that citizens want the European Parliament to uphold. Named after Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the EU’s highest distinction in the field of human rights. It is awarded by Parliament to individuals, groups or organisations each year in recognition of their work in support of human rights, freedom of expression and democratic values. Numerous laureates have been awarded since 1988, including Nelson Mandela and Anatoly Marchenko in the first edition, but also dissidents, political leaders, journalists, lawyers, civil society activists, the United Nations and Reporters Without Borders. Several Sakharov Prize laureates have also won the Nobel Peace Prize, such as 2024 Sakharov Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado in Venezuela, who was just awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Denis Mukwege or Nadia Mourad. To see the list of previous laureates, click here.

Further information  Subcommittee on Human Rights  Committee on Foreign Affairs  Committee on Development  Sakharov Prize website  Video recording of the statement by committee chairs following the vote (16/10/25)  Multimedia products

Press release 14-10-2025 PECH   Committee on Fisheries - Highlights of the next meeting

MEPs will vote on objecting a derogation on the minimum conservation reference size on Venus shells and debate the role of ocean diplomacy for the competitiveness of EU fisheries. When: Thursday 16 October 2025, from 9.45 to 12.30 Where: Brussels, European Parliament, Altiero SPINELLI building, room 5G3 Livestream / Full agenda / Meeting documents Votes Derogation from the minimum conservation reference size of Venus shells (Venus spp.) in certain Italian territorial waters Vote of draft objection. Procedure file. MEPs Carmen Crespo Díaz (EPP, ES), Gabriel Mato (EPP, ES), Francisco José Millán Mon (EPP, ES) Debates The role of ocean diplomacy for the competitiveness of EU fisheries and aquaculture Consideration of the draft report. Rapporteur Željana Zovko (EPP, HR), at 10.15 Fishing opportunities for the Baltic Sea 2026 Presentation by the European Commission, 11.00 General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) – update on preparations for the Annual meeting Exchange with the Commissio, 11.45 Mission of the Committee on Fisheries to Greenland, 15-19 September 2025 Reporting back to Committee, 12.15 Next meeting: 10-11 November 2025 FOLLOW US! Highlights, all press releases, important dates, new documents and much more are published on @EP_Fisheries (X) and @pech.europarl.europa.eu (BlueSky).

Further information  Committee on Fisheries  European Parliamentary Research Service: Study - Evaluation of the Baltic Sea Multiannual Plan Regulation  Full agenda and meeting documents  Webstreaming

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