EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,update

 

Press service European Parliament

Available in                              23-04-2026 Plenary session Briefing Newsletter - 27-30 April 2026 - Strasbourg plenary session      2028-2034 EU budget: MEPs to vote on Parliament’s position Following a debate on Tuesday, Parliament will set out its mandate for talks with the member states on the EU’s next long-term budget in a vote later that day. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    EU strategy for the Middle East and energy security On Wednesday morning MEPs, the Council and the Commission will discuss how to respond to the ongoing Middle East crisis and its implications for energy prices. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Accountability and justice for Ukraine On Thursday, MEPs will vote on a resolution about ensuring accountability and justice for Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukrainian civilians. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    New EU legislation to protect dogs and cats On Tuesday plenary is set to approve new EU rules to protect dogs and cats, banning abusive and cruel practices. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Time for the EU to define rape based on lack of consent MEPs are set to call on the Commission to table legislation establishing a common definition of rape based on the absence of freely given, informed and revocable consent. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    EU values: MEPs take stock of fundamental rights and the rule of law Parliament will vote on two reports assessing the state of fundamental rights and the rule of law in the EU, citing concerns over justice, media freedom, and civic space. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Renewing the EU’s primary trade tool to support developing countries On Tuesday, Parliament will vote to endorse an update to the generalised scheme of preferences. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Digital Markets Act: push for stronger enforcement amid external pushback In the lead up to the review of the Digital Markets Act, MEPs are set to call for quicker compliance proceedings and closer scrutiny of AI-driven search tools and cloud services. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Fighting cyberbullying and online harassment through criminal law On Wednesday, MEPs will debate with the Commission the need for targeted criminal provisions and increased platform responsibility to tackle harmful online behaviour. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Final vote on proxy voting rights for MEPs during pregnancy and early motherhood On Wednesday, Parliament is set to conclude the legislative process to enable MEPs to delegate their vote while absent during pregnancy and after childbirth. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    ETS2: Changes to market stability reserve for buildings and road transport To better shield households from price fluctuations, MEPs are set to amend the market stability reserve of the EU Emissions Trading System for buildings and road transport (ETS2). ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Single EU method to measure transport sector emissions On Tuesday, MEPs are expected to greenlight a single EU methodology for calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport to help tackle greenwashing. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Sudan’s abandoned humanitarian crisis after three years of conflict On Wednesday MEPs and the Commission will debate the catastrophic situation in Sudan, the largest humanitarian crisis in the world with more than 30 million people affected. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Supporting democratic resilience in Armenia On Thursday, MEPs will vote on a resolution on EU support for Armenia’s democratic resilience, against the backdrop of the upcoming elections. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Parliament’s priorities for the 2027 EU budget On Tuesday, plenary will vote on guidelines for the EU’s 2027 budget, setting out what MEPs would like to see in the Commission’s annual budget proposal. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Discharge: MEPs to assess EU budget management in 2024 In a series of votes on Wednesday, MEPs will decide whether to approve the way the Commission and other EU institutions managed the EU budget in 2024. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Protecting EU companies against unfair foreign competition MEPs are set to demand stronger EU action to protect companies, jobs, and consumers from unfair competition by non-EU operators. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    More sustainable tourism in the EU The EU and its countries should help relieve pressure on tourism hot spots, nudge travellers to visit under-explored regions, and improve the connectivity of emerging destinations. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Finfluencers: setting standards in a high-risk environment MEPs are set to call for minimum standards for financial influencers - so-called “finfluencers” - to tackle aggressive marketing practices and online fraud. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Combating antisemitism and protecting Jewish life in Europe On Wednesday, MEPs, the Council and Commission will debate how the EU can tackle antisemitism following attacks in the Netherlands and Belgium. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Resolutions on human rights and democracy Parliament will hold urgent debates on the following human rights, democracy and rule of law topics on Wednesday afternoon, followed by votes on Thursday. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Other topics on the agenda Other topics on the agenda ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   Further information  Draft agenda  Follow the plenary live  Press conferences and other events  EP Multimedia Centre  European Parliament Press Tool Kit   Andreas KLEINER Press Officer / Editorial Coordinator (DE) +32 228 32266 (BXL) +33 3881 72336 (STR) +32 498 98 33 22 andreas.kleiner@europarl.europa.eu   Estefanía NARRILLOS Press Officer / Editorial Coordinator (ES) +32 228 31324 (BXL) +33 3881 73661 (STR) +32 498 98 39 85 estefania.narrillos@europarl.europa.eu   Eoghan WALSH Press Officer (IE) +32 228 32591 (BXL) +32 485 39 94 43 eoghan.walsh@europarl.europa.eu     This message was sent to v.ch.maria@gmail.com    Press service European Parliament       Press release 24-04-2026 EU Institutions agree Roadmap to achieve “One Europe, one Market” by end of 2027       The Presidents of the European Parliament, Council and Commission signed a Joint Declaration committing to achieve the “One Europe, One Market” roadmap. On the sidelines of the Informal meeting of Heads of State or Government in Cyprus, the President of the Republic of Cyprus as the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and the Presidents of the European Parliament and the European Commission, signed the “One Europe, One Market Roadmap”. This agreement demonstrates the resolve of the three institutions to move forward together on a clear path. Against the backdrop of sustained geopolitical and economic volatility, this Roadmap represents a decisive step to urgently strengthen Europe's competitiveness, with concrete actions and targets for agreements, at the latest by end 2027. A commitment to delivery The Roadmap is both a political and operational commitment. It includes: Targets for legislative proposals and agreement by the co-legislators Quarterly review to monitor progress Clear institutional responsibilities for all EU institutions in line with their prerogatives Regular stock taking for full transparency Building on the existing monitoring process, the institutions will ensure regular stocktaking to oversee and guide the implementation of this Roadmap. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament said: “This Roadmap reflects what the European Parliament has been calling for: a stronger, more competitive and resilient Europe. It is ambitious, it strengthens our capacity to withstand shocks, and it provides predictability to our citizens and businesses. We said we would take bold decisions and we are doing it. This is Europe responding to what it needs.” Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus as the Rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union said: “This Roadmap marks a turning point in advancing Europe’s competitiveness agenda. Moving forward with its implementation is not merely a regulatory exercise. It is a strategic necessity to reinforce Europe’s competitiveness, resilience, and long-term prosperity, within the framework of a truly integrated Single Market and a stronger, more cohesive European Union.” Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission said: “These actions will boost Europe’s economic growth, guarantee our digital transformation, and strengthen industrial resilience. This is an absolute priority of this Commission and with this Roadmap, we have the way forward.” Further information  One Europe, One Market Roadmap of the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission

Υπηρεσία Τύπου Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο

Διαθέσιμο στα                              23-04-2026 Σύνοδος Ολομέλειας Ενημέρωση Νέα της Ολομέλειας - Στρασβούργο, 27-30 Απριλίου 2026      Προϋπολογισμός ΕΕ 2028 - 2034: η θέση του Κοινοβουλίου Οι ευρωβουλευτές θα συζητήσουν και θα ψηφίσουν την εντολή του Κοινοβουλίου για τις επικείμενες συνομιλίες με τα κράτη μέλη για τον επόμενο μακροπρόθεσμο προϋπολογισμό της ΕΕ. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Η στρατηγική της ΕΕ για τη Μέση Ανατολή και την ενεργειακή ασφάλεια Οι ευρωβουλευτές θα συζητήσουν με το Συμβούλιο και την Επιτροπή τρόπους αντιμετώπισης της εξελισσόμενης κρίσης στη Μέση Ανατολή και των επιπτώσεών της στις τιμές της ενέργειας. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Λογοδοσία και δικαιοσύνη για την Ουκρανία Την Πέμπτη, το Κοινοβούλιο αναμένεται να εγκρίνει ψήφισμα για τη διασφάλιση της λογοδοσίας και την απόδοση δικαιοσύνης για τις αδιάκοπες επιθέσεις της Ρωσίας κατά Ουκρανών αμάχων. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Νέα νομοθεσία της ΕΕ για την προστασία των σκύλων και των γατών Την Τρίτη, η ολομέλεια αναμένεται να εγκρίνει τους νέους κανόνες για την προστασία των σκύλων και των γατών, απαγορεύοντας σε ευρωπαϊκό επίπεδο τις κακοποιητικές και βάναυσες πρακτικές. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Ώρα η ΕΕ να ορίσει τον βιασμό με βάση την απουσία συναίνεσης Το ΕΚ αναμένεται να καλέσει την Επιτροπή να καταθέσει νομοθετική πρόταση για τη θέσπιση κοινού ορισμού του βιασμού, βασισμένου στην απουσία ελεύθερης, ενημερωμένης και ανακλητής συναίνεσης. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Ευρωπαϊκές αξίες: αποτίμηση της κατάστασης θεμελιωδών δικαιωμάτων και κράτους δικαίου Το ΕΚ θα ψηφίσει επί δύο εκθέσεων που αξιολογούν τις εξελίξεις στην ΕΕ, εκφράζοντας ανησυχίες για τη δικαιοσύνη, την ελευθερία των ΜΜΕ και την κοινωνία των πολιτών. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Αναθεώρηση του βασικού εμπορικού μηχανισμού της ΕΕ για στήριξη αναπτυσσόμενων χωρών Την Τρίτη, το Κοινοβούλιο θα ψηφίσει για την έγκριση της επικαιροποίησης του Συστήματος Γενικευμένων Προτιμήσεων της ΕΕ. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Πράξη για τις ψηφιακές αγορές: ενισχυμένη εφαρμογή εν μέσω εξωτερικών αντιδράσεων Ενόψει της αναθεώρησης της νομοθεσίας, το ΕΚ αναμένεται να ζητήσει ταχύτερες διαδικασίες και αυστηρότερο έλεγχο για εργαλεία αναζήτησης με βάση την τεχνητή νοημοσύνη και υπηρεσιες νέφους. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Το ποινικό δίκαιο στη μάχη κατά του «cyberbullying» και της διαδικτυακής παρενόχλησης Το ΕΚ αναμένεται να ζητήσει από την Επιτροπή στοχευμένες ποινικές διατάξεις και αυξημένη ευθύνη των πλατφορμών στην αντιμετώπιση της επιβλαβούς διαδικτυακής συμπεριφοράς. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Ψήφος δια πληρεξουσίου για ευρωβουλευτές στην εγκυμοσύνη και μετά τον τοκετό Το ΕΚ πρόκειται να ολοκληρώσει τη νομοθετική διαδικασία που θα επιτρέψει σε ευρωβουλευτές να ψηφίζουν δια πληρεξουσίου αν απουσιάζουν λόγω εγκυμοσύνης και μετά τον τοκετό. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    ΣΕΔΕ2: αλλαγές στο αποθεματικό σταθερότητας αγοράς για κτίρια και μεταφορές Προκειμένου να προστατευθούν καλύτερα τα νοικοκυριά από διακυμάνσεις τιμών, το ΕΚ αναμένεται να τροποποιήσει κανόνες του συστήματος εμπορίας εκπομπών για τα κτίρια και τις οδικές μεταφορές. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Μεταφορές: ενιαία μέθοδος της ΕΕ για μέτρηση των εκπομπών αερίων Αποσκοπώντας στην αντιμετώπιση της ψευδοοικολογικής ταυτότητας («greenwashing»), το ΕΚ αναμένεται να εγκρίνει κοινή ευρωπαϊκή μεθοδολογία για τον υπολογισμό εκπομπών αερίων του θερμοκηπίου. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Σουδάν: μια «ξεχασμένη» ανθρωπιστική κρίση μετά από τρία χρόνια σύρραξης Οι ευρωβουλευτές θα συζητήσουν με την Επιτροπή την καταστροφή στο Σουδάν, την μεγαλύτερη ανθρωπιστική κρίση παγκοσμίως, που έχει επηρεάσει περισσότερους από 30 εκατομμύρια ανθρώπους. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Στήριξη της δημοκρατικής ανθεκτικότητας στην Αρμενία Το Κοινοβούλιο θα εγκρίνει ψήφισμα σχετικά με τη στήριξη της ΕΕ για τη δημοκρατική ανθεκτικότητα της Αρμενίας, ενόψει των επικείμενων εκλογών. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Προϋπολογισμός ΕΕ 2027: οι προτεραιότητες του Κοινοβουλίου Η ολομέλεια θα ψηφίσει τις κατευθυντήριες γραμμές του ΕΚ για τον προϋπολογισμό της ΕΕ για το 2027, καθορίζοντας τις προσδοκίες των ευρωβουλευτών για την πρόταση της Επιτροπής. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Προστασία εταιρειών της ΕΕ από αθέμιτο ανταγωνισμό τρίτων χωρών Το ΕΚ αναμένεται να ζητήσει ισχυρότερη δράση της ΕΕ για την προστασία εταιρειών, θέσεων εργασίας και καταναλωτών από τον αθέμιτο ανταγωνισμό από φορείς εκτός ΕΕ. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Ένας πιο βιώσιμος ευρωπαϊκός τουρισμός Η ΕΕ πρέπει να συμβάλει στην αποσυμφόρηση δημοφιλών τοποθεσιών, να ενθαρρύνει ταξιδιώτες να επισκέπτονται λιγότερο γνωστές περιοχές και να βελτιώσει τη συνδεσιμότητα νέων προορισμών. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    «Finfluencers»: καθιέρωση προτύπων για ένα περιβάλλον υψηλού ρίσκου Το Κοινοβούλιο είναι έτοιμο να ζητήσει ελάχιστα πρότυπα για «influencers» στα χρηματοοικονομικά, προκειμένου να αντιμετωπιστούν επιθετικές πρακτικές μάρκετινγκ και ηλεκτρονική απάτη. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    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  Παρακολουθήστε ζωντανά την ολομέλεια (EbS+)  Συνεντεύξεις Τύπου και άλλες εκδηλώσεις  Κέντρο Πολυμέσων του ΕΚ  Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο - Φάκελος για τα ΜΜΕ   Κυριάκος ΚΛΩΣΙΔΗΣ Press Officer (EL) +32 228 32357 (BXL) +32 470 96 47 35 kyriakos.klosidis@europarl.europa.eu typos-EL@europarl.europa.eu     Το μήνυμα αυτό στάλθηκε στη διεύθυνση v.ch.maria@gmail.com   23-04-2026 European Parliament press kit for the informal EU summit of 23-24 April 2026       This press kit includes a selection of European Parliament press releases outlining key priorities regarding the issues on the agenda of the informal meeting of heads of state or government in Cyprus. Representing the European Parliament at the informal summit, President Roberta Metsola will address heads of state or government on 24 April. At their meeting, the heads of state or government are expected to focus on the next EU long-term budget 2028-2034 (Multiannual Financial Framework). Leaders are also set to address the situation in the Middle East and Europe’s response to the subsequent geopolitical and economic fall-out. They will also discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, and Europe’s ongoing efforts to secure a just and lasting peace, with President Zelenskyy. Multiannual Financial Framework 2028 - 2034 On April 15, the Budget Committee adopted its draft interim report on the 2028-2034 EU Budget. The Committee is proposing a €1.78 trillion budget (2025 constant prices, €2.01 trillion in current prices) for the seven-year period, representing a nominal increase of €175.11 billion compared with the Commission’s July 2025 proposal (€197.30 billion in current prices). This means that the long-term budget would be set at 1.27% of EU GNI, with debt servicing for the NextGenerationEU recovery fund (0.11% of GNI) over and above the multiannual financial framework (MFF) ceilings. MEPs want this increase of approximately 10% to be allocated to key EU programmes, with no extra money for administration or decentralised EU agencies. MEPs say their proposal is the minimum amount of money the EU needs to meet its commitments, respond to citizens’ expectations, and address the major challenges it faces. Plenary will debate the next EU long-term budget on 28 April and vote on its negotiating position on 29 April. Once its position has been adopted, Parliament will be ready to start negotiations with the Council on the regulation setting the structure and main figures for the 2028-2034 budget. Talks can begin once the Council agrees on its common position. Approval of the regulation on the long-term budget requires Parliament’s consent. On 14 April, the co-rapporteurs of the draft interim report Siegfried Mureşan (EPP, RO) and Carla Tavares (S&D, PT) held a press conference on Parliament's negotiation position. Further reading Vote in the Budget Committee on the EU long-term budget Press Conference on Parliaments negotiation position National and Regional Partnership Plans: statements by lead MEPs The EU’s long-term budget explained Middle East On April 15, Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee discussed the ongoing events in Iran with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi and representatives from Iranian democratic parties and other democracy advocates. MEPs expressed their solidarity with the Iranian people and their concern for their safety. Watch the full debate here. On 11 March, MEPs debated the US-Israeli military operation against Iran, its consequences, and the need to support Iranians. On the day the first US-Israeli strikes were launched on 28 February, Roberta Metsola said that the “events unfolding in Iran must not lead to a spiral of escalation that could threaten the Middle East, Europe and beyond". At the opening of Parliament’s plenary session on 9 March, President Metsola reminded MEPs in a statement of the 47 years of brutal repression the Iranian people have suffered, and of Parliament’s proud history of standing with those people. Condemning Iran’s indiscriminate and desperate attacks on the Gulf States, she said Parliament would “continue to push for people in Iran to live in liberty and to choose their own destiny”. On 12 February, MEPs adopted a resolution condemning the Iranian regime’s violence against its own people, in particular its targeting of civil society actors, protesters, women, minorities and certain communities. MEPs reaffirmed their solidarity with the Iranian people, underlining that Iranians are the sole legitimate source of sovereignty in Iran. They called on the Council and the Commission to expand targeted sanctions. The resolution is available here. In a statement issued on 29 January, leading Foreign Affairs committee MEPs welcomed the Council’s confirmation of the designation of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. Parliament had been calling for designating the IRGC as a terrorist organisation for a long time. The IRGC is now treated in the same way as other EU-listed terrorist organisations. Further reading Debate with Iranian opposition voices Debate on the situation in the Middle East Statement by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola at the opening of the March plenary session David McAllister’s statement on avoiding war in the Middle East Resolution on the human rights situations in Iran, Türkiye and Uganda Leading MEPs welcome EU terror listing of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps Parliament condemns Iran’s brutal repression of protesters Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine On 24 February, Parliament held an extraordinary plenary session, marking four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed MEPs during the session. Opening the sitting, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: “Ukraine's security is Europe’s security, Ukraine's freedom is Europe’s freedom, and Ukraine's future is in Europe.” In a video message from Kyiv, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the European Parliament’s continued support for Ukraine, also pointing out the need for further support from the European Union. He stressed the need for credible security guarantees for Ukraine to prevent Russia from advancing its aggression in Europe. He called for strong sanctions, an end to Europe’s reliance on Russian energy, the shutting out of Russian banks from Europe, a clamp-down on sanctions evasion and Moscow’s shadow fleet, and refused entry to Europe for Russian war criminals. Also on 24 February, the presidents of the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission issued a joint statement on the fourth anniversary of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. They reiterated that the European Union stands firmly with Ukraine and its citizens and stressed that the EU will continue to provide comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support for Ukraine and its people. The three presidents also highlighted that “the future of a secure and prosperous Ukraine lies in the European Union. Ukraine can count on our full support on its EU accession and on its post-war reconstruction.” On 11 February, MEPs approved a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine to address urgent financing needs amid the ongoing war with Russia. Of the loan, €30 billion will be made available for macro-financial assistance or budget support, delivered through the EU’s Ukraine Facility. €60 billion will be allocated to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities and support the procurement of military equipment, ensuring timely access to critical defence products. On Thursday 23 April, Council adopted the last piece of legislation allowing for the loan to be disbursed. Further reading Fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Parliaments stands firm with Ukraine Eastern Flank defence Parliament approves support loan package Press alert 23-04-2026 Meeting of the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI)       Meeting of the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) Monday 27 April 2026, 19.00 – 21.45, Strasbourg, Room: CHURCHILL (200) VOTES 19.00 – 19.15 Amendments to the Critical Raw Materials Act Procedure file; rapporteur of opinion Jacek Ozdoba (ECR, PL) - Adoption of draft opinion *** DEBATES 19.15 – 20.45 Structured dialogue with Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy - Exchange of views 20.45 – 21.45 The environmental aspects of the EU accession process of Montenegro - Exchange of views with Dejan Đurović, Chair of the Committee on Ecology of the Parliament of Montenegro *** Next meetings 4-5 May 2026 (Brussels) 1-2 June 2026 (Brussels) Follow us on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/envi.europarl.europa.eu or X (Twitter): https://x.com/ep_environment Further information  Agenda and meeting documents  Follow the meeting live  Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety Available in       Press release 22-04-2026 EMPL    Provisional deal to update social benefit rules for EU mobile workers       • Fair access to social security for mobile workers in the EU • Modernised and clearer rules on unemployment benefits and for family and long-term care benefits • Better cooperation between EU countries to ensure access to benefits and to combat letterbox companies The agreed text seeks to clarify social security rules for EU workers who have moved to a different EU country, while fairly distributing obligations among member states. A provisional agreement on modernised rules to coordinate national social security systems was reached between negotiators from the European Parliament and the Council on Wednesday. The new rules focus on facilitating labour mobility within the EU, while safeguarding workers’ social rights in cross-border situations. If confirmed, the provisional agreement would update EU rules for unemployment benefits for mobile workers and for the export of unemployment benefits for jobseekers moving to another EU country. It would also clarify rules regarding long-term care and family benefits, and strengthen rules on the coordination and enforcement of social security for posted workers (i.e. sent by their employer to work in another EU country temporarily). The text also tries to ensure a more equitable distribution of financial burden among EU-countries and provides for strengthened measures to identify and tackle fraud, such as letterbox companies. Member states would also be able to cooperate better to ensure that workers have social security using a notification system, while employers would be able to access information and complete relevant documents online also via the Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information (EESSI). Quote Rapporteur Gabriele Bischoff (S&D, DE) said: “Today is a good day for millions of mobile workers. This reform is long overdue and we have taken an important step forward today on the basis of a difficult but necessary compromise. Nearly ten years after the Commission’s proposal, citizens will benefit from clearer and more predictable rules on the coordination of social security systems, including for unemployment, family and long-term care benefits. At the same time, we are strengthening cooperation between Member States to better prevent abuse and tackle social dumping. Free movement of workers is a fundamental right but it must go hand in hand with fair and enforceable rules.” Next steps Both the Parliament and the Council need to adopt the provisional agreement formally before the rules can enter into force. Background: main principles on coordination of social security systems Citizens are covered by the legislation in one country at a time and only pay contributions in one country only. All EU citizens have the same rights and obligations independent if they are nationals or from another member state (principle of equal treatment or non-discrimination). Previous periods of insurance, work or residence in other countries are taken into account when granting benefits. Further information  Committee on Employment and Social Affairs  Procedural file   Arianne SIKKEN Press Officer +32 228 33126 (BXL) +32 477 99 19 34 arianne.sikken@europarl.europa.eu empl-press@europarl.europa.eu  EPSocialAffairs     This message was sent to v.ch.maria@gmail.com