EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT update

 

The Hemicycle The latest from Strasbourg and Brussels. The Cost of living, the future of Europe European Parliament Read this article on LinkedIn to join the conversation Read on LinkedIn Welcome to our February newsletter! MEPs have put competitiveness and the cost of living at the centre of the February plenary session, shaping a debate that connects structural reforms with citizens’ real-world pressures. Over several days of debate and votes, Parliament focused on strengthening competitiveness, accelerating investment, protecting farmers, setting a 2040 climate target, reforming migration procedures and reinforcing support for Ukraine. The message is clear: Europe must restore growth, protect living standards and build strategic strength in a more volatile world. Parliament President Roberta Metsola at the plenary. Can Europe turn the tide on the cost of living? According to the latest survey by Eurobarometer, rising prices and the cost of living (41%) are the number one issue citizens want addressed. Defence and security follow closely (40%), while competitiveness and the economy rank just behind (32%). Creating jobs (35%) remains central to people’s expectations. Energy bills. Housing costs. Food prices. Stagnant wages. After years marked by the pandemic, Russia’s war against Ukraine, and inflation shocks, the political test has changed. Citizens are no longer asking how Europe manages crises. They are asking whether Europe can restore stability, growth and purchasing power. In plenary, MEPs linked structural reform directly to household pressure: energy independence to lower bills, simpler rules to help companies grow, and investment in innovation to secure better jobs. Voting session. Growth that reaches everyone Competitiveness only works politically if it improves living standards. ... Keep reading on LinkedIn

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Press service European Parliament

Available in       Agenda The Week Ahead 16 – 22 February 2026       Delegations Defence/Poland and Czechia. A delegation from the Security and Defence Committee is visiting Poland and Czechia to assess how their defence industries are adapting to the ongoing war in Ukraine. MEPs will also investigate how the sector is responding to new EU initiatives on strengthening Europe’s defence, technological, and industrial base and their cooperation with their Ukrainian counterparts (Monday to Wednesday). International Trade/Philippines. Members of the International Trade Committee will go to Manila to discuss economic, trade and investment relations between the EU and Philippines. MEPs will meet representatives of the government, lawmakers and other relevant partners and focus on the recent progress made in negotiations on a free trade agreement (Monday to Wednesday). European Democracy Shield/USA. Members of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield will travel to Washington D. C. and New York, to discuss how to address hybrid threats, cybersecurity, espionage, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), among other topics, with representatives of the Department of Justice, the US Congress, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), non-governmental organisations, and media organisations (Monday to Wednesday). Enlargement/Montenegro and Albania. A Committee on Foreign Affairs delegation will travel to Montenegro and Albania, the two most advanced EU candidate countries, to assess progress made and remaining reforms on their respective paths to EU membership. The visit will also feed into the committee’s work on forthcoming reports on the two countries (Monday to Wednesday). Rule of Law/Spain. MEPs from the Civil Liberties Committee will travel to Madrid to meet members of the country’s parliament, the judiciary and civil society organisations to assess the state of European values, with a focus on judicial independence and anti-corruption efforts. The delegation was organised on the recommendation of Parliament’s Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (Monday and Tuesday). Erasmus+ and Creative Europe/UK. A delegation of the Culture and Education Committee will travel to London to review the ongoing re-integration of the UK into EU programmes, particularly Erasmus+ and Creative Europe. MEPs will also discuss youth mobility and touring artists with, among others, representatives of the UK government, Parliament, cultural institutions and creators (Monday to Wednesday). Illegal streaming of live events/Spain. MEPs from the Legal Affairs Committee will travel to Madrid to gather information on how the country is tackling the illegal streaming of live events, including sports. MEPs will meet representatives from the government, Senate and National Court as well as the national police and sports and broadcasters’ organisations. Spain is the first EU country to set a judicial precedent for blocking illegal live streams (Monday to Wednesday). President’s diary. On Monday, EP President Roberta Metsola will be in Vilnius (Lithuania) to meet Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė and speak at the celebrations of Lithuania’s Independence Day in the morning; in the afternoon she will meet President Gitanas Nausėda, after which she will join a press point. EP Press Service contacts Further information  The full agenda     This message was sent to v.ch.maria@gmail.com Press release 13-02-2026 SEDE   MEPs to visit Czechia to examine efforts to ramp up EU defence industry       A Security and Defence Committee delegation will visit Czechia on 18 February for meetings with defence industry representatives on efforts to bolster EU defence capabilities. During the visit, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will tour defence facilities to gain first-hand insight into how the European defence industry is responding to increased demand and stepping up efforts to strengthen Europe’s overall defence preparedness. The delegation will also evaluate the sector’s response to new EU initiatives designed to reinforce the European defence technological and industrial base, including the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument and the European defence industry programme. In addition, MEPs will review examples of cooperation between the European and Ukrainian defence industries, as Ukraine’s technologies and capabilities are being tested and developed in real-time battlefield conditions. The delegation will also assess broader defence readiness across Europe’s eastern flank. MEPs will visit several industrial facilities in Pardubice. On return to Prague, they are scheduled to meet with officials from Czechia’s Ministry of Defence and hold a press point. Contact: Press officer travelling with the delegation - Markéta Žižková: marketa.zizkova@europarl.europa.eu or +420 776 370 716 The delegation will be chaired by Nicolás Pascual de la Parte (EPP, Spain) and also include Hélder Sousa Silva (EPP, Portugal), Ana Catarina Mendes (S&D, Portugal) and Alexandr Vondra (ECR, Czechia). Further information  The European Parliament's Committee on Security and Defence  EP Multimedia Centre: free photos, video and audio material

​ 11-02-2026 Plenary session EP TODAY

Wednesday 11 February Vote on €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine In a vote at noon, MEPs are set to greenlight a financial aid package for Ukraine. The package consists of a €90 billion EU support loan to Ukraine, changes to the EU’s Ukraine Facility and an amendment to the EU’s 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework to allow the use of its headroom as a loan guarantee and to handle the related debt servicing costs. Eszter ZALÁN (+32) 477 99 20 73 @EP_Budgets Viktor ALMQVIST (+32) 470 88 29 42 @EP_ForeignAff Reviving EU competitiveness First on today’s agenda, at 9.00, is a debate on the need for urgent action to boost EU competitiveness, deepen the EU single market and reduce the cost of living. With Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Marilena Raouna, Cyprus’s Deputy European Affairs Minister, in attendance, MEPs will outline their priorities for transforming the recommendations made in the 2024 Draghi report into reality. John SCHRANZ (+32) 498 98 14 02 @EP_Economics Defending the rule of law in Slovakia In a debate starting at around 14.00, MEPs will discuss the rule of law, fundamental rights and the misuse of EU funds in Slovakia, with Marilena Raouna, Cyprus’s Deputy Minister for European Affairs, for the Council presidency, and Michael McGrath, for the Commission. MEPs are expected to sound the alarm at Slovakia’s decision to abolish the Whistleblower Protection Office, a move that has been criticised as incompatible with the EU Whistleblower Directive. Martina VASS (+32) 477 99 11 57 @EP_Legal Combating poverty >From around 16.00, MEPs will discuss the Commission’s forthcoming anti-poverty strategy with Roxana Mînzatu, Commissioner responsible for social rights and skills, quality jobs and preparedness. They will vote on a report tomorrow. A press conference is scheduled at 9.30 this morning. Arianne SIKKEN (+32) 477 99 19 34 @EP SocialAffairs In brief Strategic defence partnerships. MEPs will vote at noon on an own-initiative report on EU strategic defence and security partnerships as a means to bolster joint efforts in security and defence between the EU and key bilateral partners. State violence in Minneapolis. Requested by the S&D group, this session’s topical debate, with Commissioner Kostas Kadis, concerns state violence in Minneapolis and the rule of law in the United States. It will start after the votes, at around 13.00. Human rights, democracy and the rule of law. From around 19.30, MEPs and Commissioner Marta Kos will discuss the cases of: the post-election situation in Uganda and threats against opposition leader Bobi Wine; systemic oppression, inhumane conditions and arbitrary detentions by the regime in Iran; and the targeted expulsions of foreign journalists and foreign Christians in Türkiye under national security pretexts. The votes on the related resolutions will be held tomorrow. Votes At noon, MEPs will vote, among others, on: - a decision to mobilise the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for workers made redundant following the closure of the Brussels Audi plant; - an interim report regarding the association agreement between the EU and the Principality of Andorra and the Republic of San Marino. Live coverage of the plenary session can be found on Parliament’s webstreaming site and on EbS+. For detailed information on the session, please also see our newsletter. Find more information regarding plenary.

Press release 13-02-2026 CULT   Parliament delegation to go to London to discuss Erasmus+ and Creative Europe

From 16 to 18 February, MEPs will be meeting representatives of the UK government, Parliament, cultural institutions and creative sector to discuss Erasmus+ and other matters. A delegation from the Committee on Culture and Education will travel to London from 16 to 18 February to talk about the process of bringing the United Kingdom (UK) back into EU-funded programmes, such as Erasmus+, for the post-2027 period. The MEPs also wish to take stock of negotiations on the EU-UK reciprocal youth experience scheme. On the first day, the MEPs will have a round table with representatives from UK universities, colleges, students and young people, at King’s College. The second day will be devoted to meetings with government and Parliament representatives. The MEPs will meet members of the House of Lords European Affairs Committee and of the EU-UK Partnership Assembly. The delegation will also meet with delegates from the Scottish, the Welsh and the Northern Irish governments. On the last day of the visit, the MEPs will discuss the barriers to cultural collaboration between the EU and the UK with entities such as the British Film Institute, the Arts Council of England and Creative UK, as well as the practical challenges facing touring artists. The UK left the Creative Europe programme on 31 December 2020. Quote “At a time when a new chapter is beginning between the EU and the UK, this mission to London takes on a special significance. The December agreement on the United Kingdom's return to Erasmus+ from 2027 marks a turning point. It is now up to us to go further, to facilitate the mobility of young people and remove the obstacles faced by touring artists. It is in this spirit that the delegation will engage in in-depth dialogue with our British partners," the chair of the delegation Laurence Farreng (Renew, FR) said. List of participants Laurence FARRENG, delegation chair (Renew, FR) Loucas FOURLAS (EPP, CY) Hannes Heide (S&D, AT) Annamária VICSEK (PfE, HU) Ivaylo VALCHEV (ECR, BG) Sandro GOZI, delegation chair for the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (Renew, FR) Background On 17 December 2025, the Commission and the British government announced the conclusion of negotiations for the UK to rejoin the Erasmus+ programme in 2027. The UK’s financial contribution to participate in the programme during the next multiannual financial framework (2028-2034) was one of the main points agreed. The UK government has not expressed any intention to take part in the Creative Europe or AgoraEU programmes

Further information  European Parliament welcomes EU-UK agreement on Erasmus+ (17.12.2025)  Joint statement by Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency Maroš Šefčovič and HM Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, the Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP  Committee on Culture and Education

Press release 13-02-2026 PECH   Fisheries: MEPs to assess the impact of partnership agreements with Seychelles

A Committee on Fisheries delegation will travel to Victoria to review the impact of the fisheries deals between the EU and Seychelles. With the current sustainable fisheries partnership agreement (SFPA) between the EU and the Republic of Seychelles under negotiation, six members of the Committee on Fisheries will be in Victoria, Seychelle, from 17 to 19 February to discuss the progress the country has made towards more sustainable fishing, improvements to fisheries control and data collection, and the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The first day will be devoted to meetings with the President of Seychelles Dr. Patrick Herminie, the Speaker of the National Assembly, members of the International Affairs Committee, as well as the Minister of Fisheries. The second day will be dedicated to on-the-spot visits, including to a purse seiners facility in the Fishing Port North, a cannery for Indian Ocean tuna, a weighing operator, a cold storage facility and the Seychelles Fisheries Authority and its fishing monitoring centre. The intention of these visits is to gain a better understanding of the country’s work to implement the EU Fisheries Control Regulation. MEPs will meet with EU tropical purse seine operators and, on the last of this three-day visit, with the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) executive secretary. MEPs will also have the opportunity to meet with artisanal fisheries organisations during their visits to two fisheries facilities built with the support of the EU-Seychelles SFPA. Quote “The Republic of Seychelles is a key partner of the EU in the Indian Ocean, and a strategic actor in the global tuna industry. We look forward to continue our dialogue on sustainable fisheries management, and to further strengthen our mutually beneficial relationship,” head of delegation Giuseppe Milazzo said. List of participants Giuseppe MILAZZO (Head of Delegation, ECR, IT) Francisco Jose MILLÁN MON (EPP, ES) Paulo DO NASCIMENTO CABRAL (EPP, PT) Sakis ARNAOUTOGLOU (S&D, EL) Emma WIESNER (Renew, SV) Siegbert Frank DROESE (ESN, DE) Background Seychelles is a strategic actor in the sustainable tuna fisheries management globally and plays an important role in the IOTC. The EU-Seychelles SFPA grants access to EU vessels in Seychelles' waters in return for the EU financial contribution of €5,300,000 per year, with €2,800,000 dedicated to supporting the sustainable development of Seychelles’ fisheries policy. It is the most financially significant EU tuna agreement. The EU and Seychelles have also signed an agreement on access for Seychelles fishing vessels to the waters of Mayotte.

Further information  European Commission webpage: Sustainable fisheries partnership agreement with Seychelles  EP Think Tank: EU fisheries agreement with Seychelles (November 2020)  Committee on Fisheries

Press release 13-02-2026 JURI   MEPs travel to Madrid to assess fight against sports event streaming piracy

Four MEPs will be in Spain from 16 to 18 February to learn about best practice in combating the illegal streaming of live events. On Monday 16 February, four MEPs including the chair of the Legal Affairs (JURI) Committee will travel to Madrid, Spain, for a three-day visit. Spain is the first EU country to have established a judicial precedent to combat the illegal streaming of live events. The MEPs will discuss the topic with national authorities, in the search for best practice that could be applied at EU level. They will talk to representatives of the Ministry of Culture and of the Senate to exchange views on legal aspects of the fight against the illegal streaming of live events. They will also discuss practical elements in the fight against live event piracy, including investigations and law enforcement activities, with representatives of the Spanish police force and the Spanish National Court. As they explore possibilities for improved cooperation at EU level, the delegation will also meet representatives of the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights within the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to discuss EU cooperation in the area. Before visiting LALIGA’s facilities in Madrid, the MEPs will discuss current challenges relating to the streaming of live events with sports’ and broadcasters’ organisations, including LALIGA, the Union of European Football Associations and DigitalES, intermediaries such as the European Internet Services Providers Association, and content creators and representatives of the cultural industries. Quote Before the visit, the leader of the delegation and chair of the Legal Affairs Committee Ilhan Kyuchyuk (Renew, BG) said: “The Legal Affairs Committee mission devoted to the fight against online piracy of sports and other live events will benefit from Spain’s standing as a hub of cultural policy, EU engagement, and intellectual property expertise. The mission is designed to strengthen EU coordination, align policy and enforcement and foster practical cooperation among lawmakers, EUIPO, and stakeholders to protect cultural and economic value.” JURI chair Ilhan Kyuchyuk will be joined by three MEPs for this mission: Maravillas Abadía Jover (EPP, ES), Jana Toom (Renew, EE), and Michał Wawrykiewicz (EPP, PL). Background The JURI committee visit to Madrid follows up on the committee’s exchange of views on 9 April 2025 on the Commission recommendation to combat online piracy of sports and other live events, and the Commission’s assessment of its implementation, issued in November 2025. The mission also ties in with the committee’s previous work, for instance its report on the challenges facing sport event organisers in the digital environment.

Further information  Committee on Legal Affairs

Press alert 13-02-2026 EUDS   MEPs go to US to discuss digital challenges, cyber defence and information integrity

A delegation from the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield will be in Washington DC and New York from 17 to 19 February. In Washington DC, the delegation from the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS) will explore possible approaches to hybrid threats, digital policy, and fundamental freedoms with senior officials from the Department of Justice, the US Congress, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as well as representatives of think tanks, non-governmental organisations, and media organisations. The agendas for these meetings will focus on responses to hybrid threats and digital rights issues, including online safety, media freedom, and freedom of expression. The discussions will likely touch on implementation of the EU Digital Services Act and recent regulatory challenges. The delegation will also travel to New York for discussions at the United Nations (UN) headquarters. There, the MEPs will engage with UN experts on democratic resilience, information integrity, digital transformation, and ways to reinforce the EU’s commitment to safeguarding shared democratic values through effective multilateralism. The findings of this mission will help shape the final report of the EUDS, which is expected to be adopted in the summer of 2026. The delegation will be led by EUDS chair Nathalie Loiseau (Renew, FR) and will comprise Lukas Mandl (EPP, AT), Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP, CZ), Christel Schaldemose (S&D, DK), Jaroslav Bžoch (PfE, CZ), Beata Szydło (ECR, PL), and Helmut Brandstätter (Renew, AT). Media inquiries Media who wish to get in touch with the delegation should contact Karolina Wozniak, Head of Press and Media at the EP-US Congress Liaison Office in Washington DC: karolina.wozniak@ep.europa.eu / +1-771-208-91-71. Background The EU and the US face similar challenges from hybrid warfare, notably foreign information manipulation and interference, cybercrime, and attacks on critical infrastructure. In a recent resolution, the European Parliament underlined the importance of transatlantic cooperation in this area, stating that a strong partnership with the US and Canada within NATO remains central to the European security architecture.

Further information  Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield