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| | | Την Τρίτη, σε τελετή στο Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο, οι πρώτοι βραβευθέντες του Ευρωπαϊκού Τάγματος Αξίας τιμήθηκαν για τη σημαντική συμβολή τους στην ολοκλήρωση και τις αξίες της ΕΕ. | Στην τελετή στην αίθουσα της ολομέλειας (Ημικύκλιο) του Κοινοβουλίου στο Στρασβούργο παρέστησαν 13 από τους 20 πρώτους βραβευθέντες με το Ευρωπαϊκό Τάγμα Αξίας, όπου απευθύνθηκαν στους ευρωβουλευτές, έχοντας προηγουμένως παραλάβει τις διακρίσεις τους από την πρόεδρο του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου Roberta Metsola και την πρόεδρο της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής Ursula von der Leyen. Στο Στρασβούργο βρίσκονταν επίσης μέλη της επιτροπής επιλογής του Τάγματος, καθώς και η υφυπουργός Ευρωπαϊκών Υποθέσεων της Κύπρου, Μαριλένα Ραούνα, εκπροσωπώντας την Προεδρία του Συμβουλίου της ΕΕ.
«Η Ευρώπη δεν μας χαρίστηκε. Χτίστηκε από συνθήκη σε συνθήκη, από κρίση σε κρίση, από ανθρώπους που επέλεξαν την αλληλεγγύη αντί της διαίρεσης και την συνεργασία αντί της ιδιοτέλειας. Με το Ευρωπαϊκό Τάγμα Αξίας, τιμούμε όλους όσοι, από κάθε τομέα της ζωής, επιλέγουν να οικοδομήσουν την Ευρώπη — εκείνους που ηγήθηκαν σε δύσκολες στιγμές και κράτησαν την Ένωσή μας σε πορεία προόδου. Επειδή η Ευρώπη θα αντέχει μόνο όσο κάθε γενιά επιλέγει να την υπερασπιστεί», δήλωσε η πρόεδρος Metsola κατά την έναρξη της τελετής. Η Angela Merkel, πρώην ομοσπονδιακή καγκελάριος της Γερμανίας, και ο Lech Wałęsa, πρώην ηγέτης της «Αλληλεγγύης» (Solidarność) και πρώην πρόεδρος της Πολωνίας, που έγιναν δεκτοί ως διακεκριμένα μέλη του Τάγματος, παρευρέθηκαν στο Στρασβούργο. Αξιότιμα μέλη του Κοινοβουλίου που παρευρέθηκαν στο Στρασβούργο: | • | Jerzy Buzek, πρώην πρωθυπουργός της Πολωνίας και πρώην πρόεδρος του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου | | • | Aníbal Cavaco Silva, πρώην πρόεδρος και πρωθυπουργός της Πορτογαλίας | | • | Pietro Parolin, καρδινάλιος και υφυπουργός της Αγίας Έδρας | | • | Maia Sandu, πρόεδρος της Δημοκρατίας της Μολδαβίας | | • | Wolfgang Schüssel, πρώην καγκελάριος της Αυστρίας | | • | Javier Solana y de Madariaga, πρώην ύπατος εκπρόσωπος της ΕΕ για την κοινή εξωτερική πολιτική και πολιτική ασφάλειας | | • | Jean Claude Trichet, πρώην πρόεδρος της Ευρωπαϊκής Κεντρικής Τράπεζας |
Μέλη του Τάγματος που παρευρέθηκαν στο Στρασβούργο: | • | Marc Gjidara, ομότιμος καθηγητής νομικής | | • | Sandra Lejniece, ιατρός, επιστήμονας και ανώτατη πανεπιστημιακός | | • | Oleksandra Matviichuk, δικηγόρος ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων | | • | Viviane Reding, πρώην αντιπρόεδρος της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής, πρώην βουλευτής του Λουξεμβούργου, πρώην ευρωβουλευτής |
Στο Τάγμα έγινε επίσης δεκτός ο πρόεδρος της Ουκρανίας Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ως διακεκριμένο μέλος. Άλλα αξιότιμα μέλη του Τάγματος είναι οι Valdas Adamkus, πρώην πρόεδρος της Λιθουανίας, Sauli Niinistö, πρώην πρόεδρος της Φινλανδίας και πρώην πρόεδρος του φινλανδικού κοινοβουλίου, και Mary Robinson, πρώην πρόεδρος της Ιρλανδίας. Οι José Andrés (σεφ και ιδρυτής της ΜΚΟ «World Central Kitchen»), Γιάννης Αντετοκούνμπο (πρωταθλητής μπάσκετ), και Bono, από κοινού με τους The Edge, Adam Clayton και Larry Mullen Jr (γνωστοί συλλογικά ως συγκρότημα U2), ορίστηκαν μέλη του Τάγματος. Η πλήρης τελετή απονομής είναι διαθέσιμη στο διαδίκτυο, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των ομιλιών των βραβευθέντων, μαζί με πρόσθετο οπτικοακουστικό υλικό σχετικά με το Ευρωπαϊκό Τάγμα Αξίας στο Κέντρο Πολυμέσων του Κοινοβουλίου. Σχετικές πληροφορίες Πέρυσι, ενόψει της 75ης επετείου της Διακήρυξης Σουμάν, το Προεδρείο του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου αποφάσισε να καθιερώσει την πρώτη ευρωπαϊκή διάκριση αυτού του είδους που χορηγείται από θεσμικό όργανο της ΕΕ, για να τιμήσει τα επιτεύγματα ατόμων που θεωρείται ότι έχουν συμβάλει σημαντικά στην ευρωπαϊκή ολοκλήρωση και στην προώθηση και προάσπιση των ευρωπαϊκών αξιών. Συζήτηση με τους βραβευθέντες Αργότερα σήμερα, από τις 16:00 έως τις 17:00 (ώρα Γαλλίας), η Sandra Lejniece, η Oleksandra Matviichuk και η Viviane Reding θα συμμετάσχουν σε συζήτηση στρογγυλής τραπέζης στο χώρο «La Rotonde», στο κτίριο Churchill του Κοινοβουλίου, η οποία θα είναι ανοικτή σε εκπροσώπους των μέσων ενημέρωσης. |
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| | | | • | Securing availability of forest reproductive material suitable for future challenges | | | | • | Supporting the conservation and sustainable use of diverse plant and forest genetic resources | | | | • | Enabling the uptake of new scientific and technical developments and innovative production processes | | |
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On Tuesday, Parliament adopted a deal on new rules to ensure the supply of high-quality forest reproductive material. |
The text approved seeks to improve the quality, availability and traceability of forest reproductive material as well as remove obstacles to its trade within the EU internal market.
According to the agreement, member states may seek technical support from the Commission when drawing up voluntary contingency plans to ensure the sufficient supply of forest reproductive material to reforest areas affected by extreme weather events or disasters. Forest reproductive material will have to be traceable from collection to marketing. New scientific and technical developments such as digital traceability as well as innovative production processes will be enabled and implemented.
Closer cooperation and common modern standards
The regulation will provide higher standards with rules that will ensure that only approved and certified seeds and plants will be placed on the EU market, while at the same time strengthening their traceability. Member states will now have to cooperate to ensure a supply of forest reproductive material for cross-border affected areas. Producers of forest reproductive material will have to notify national authorities of their intention to harvest forest reproductive material prior to the beginning of the harvesting, to allow for the organisation of controls.
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European Parliament rapporteur, Herbert Dorfmann, (EPP, IT) said: “Europe needs a functioning European single market for forest reproductive material, too. This is the only way we can meet the growing demand for high-quality young trees, which are needed to meet the increasing demand caused by climate change and the growing bioeconomy. The agreement improves the quality of our young trees, as it creates the possibility to bring more high-quality reproductive material onto the single market, while at the same time ensuring the burden on national administrations and control authorities is as light as possible. A win for Europe and its forests!”
Next steps
The date of application of the regulation has been set to five years, to provide time for the necessary adaptation of national practice and to implement the new control system.
Background
On 5 July 2023, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a regulation on the production and marketing of forest reproductive material (FRM) that would replace the current FRM Council Directive. FRM includes seeds, parts of trees (such as stem or leaf cuttings, explants, buds, layers, roots and scions) and planting stock (plants raised from seeds or parts of plants). Good quality FRM, planted in the right conditions and the right climate, can help ensure the future resilience of forests, and help the EU achieve its sustainability, biodiversity and climate goals. EU forests cover around 160 million hectares and account for 39% of the total EU land area. Although the area under forests has been declining globally, in the EU it has been on the increase, growing by more than 5% over the past 30 years. Six member states (Sweden, Spain, Finland, France, Italy and Germany) account for more than two thirds of the total EU area covered by forests, while five member states (Finland, Sweden, Slovenia, Estonia and Latvia) have more than half of their national territory covered by forests. |
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Press release 19-05-2026 TRAN | | | |
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After Tuesday’s trilogue, rapporteur Andrey Novakov and TRAN vice-chair Virginijus Sinkevičius will brief journalists on ongoing negotiations on EU air passenger rights. |
In January 2026, Parliament adopted its position on the revision of EU air passenger rights rules. MEPs voted against a push by EU ministers to weaken air passenger rights that have been in force since 2004 and whose purpose is to ensure passengers are sufficiently protected against travel disruptions. MEPs are seeking to maintain the right for air travellers to be reimbursed or re-routed and to claim compensation if a flight is delayed by more than three hours, if it is cancelled, or if they are denied boarding.
However, in March 2026 EU ministers rejected Parliament’s proposals, following which the Conciliation Committee between the Parliament and the Council began working, with the aim of reaching a deal by mid-June 2026.
To facilitate a possible future agreement, the negotiators from the European Parliament and the Council are holding interinstitutional negotiations on Tuesday afternoon.
When: Tuesday 19 May 2026, 18.15 CET. Where: European Parliament in Strasbourg, press area on the 1st floor of the WEISS building, on the right-hand side of the hemicycle. Who: Parliament’s rapporteur Andrey Novakov (EPP, BG) and Transport and Tourism Committee vice-chair Virginijus Sinkevičius (Greens, LT). How: Accredited media representatives are invited to attend the press point in person. It will also be webstreamed live on Parliament’s Multimedia Centre website. You can follow it here. |
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| | The Chair of the International Trade committee will hold a press conference tomorrow after tonight's negotiations between Members and Council on the work on the deal around EU-US trade relations | Mr Bernd Lange (S&D, DE), Chair of the International Trade committee and rapporteur for the two files related to the agreement reached between the EU and the US (the Turnberry agreement) last Summer, will hold a press conference on Wednesday.
When: Wednesday 20 May 2026 at 10.00 am Where: Daphne Caruana Galizia Press Conference Room, Strasbourg (room WEISS N -1/201)
How: Accredited media representatives are invited to attend the press conference in person. Journalists can also join the press conference and ask questions remotely via the Interactio platform
When connecting, enter your name and the media organisation you are representing in the first name/last name fields. For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for interventions with video. The press conference is also available via webstreaming. |
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Press release 13-05-2026 LIBE FEMM | | | |
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Ahead of Thursday’s final vote, lead MEPs will brief journalists on the revised Victims’ Rights Directive, aimed at strengthening victim protection and support
| Co-rapporteurs Lucia Yar (Renew, SK) and Javier Zárzalejos (EPP, ES) chair of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, together with Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality chair Lina Gálvez (S&D, ES), will discuss key outcomes of negotiations on the revised Victims’ Rights Directive ahead of the plenary debate on Wednesday afternoon and the final vote on Thursday. When: Wednesday 20 May 2026, 11.15 CEST. Where: European Parliament in Strasbourg, Daphne Caruana Galizia press conference room (WEISS N -1/201) and via webstream on Parliament’s Multimedia Centre website. How: Accredited media representatives are invited to attend the press conference in person. Journalists can also join the press conference and ask questions remotely via the Interactio platform. When connecting, enter your name and the media organisation you are representing in the first name/last name fields. For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for interventions with video. Background The updated rules, provisionally agreed by Parliament and Council in December 2025, improve support and protection measures for victims of crime and reinforce their rights in criminal proceedings across the European Union. The text introduces a victim-centred approach to assessing victims’ needs and expands access to support services, including emotional support, legal aid and specialised assistance for victims of sexual violence and vulnerable groups. It also envisages the establishment of helplines accessible online, via apps and through the EU-wide 116 006 phone number. The agreement facilitates the reporting of crimes both in person and online, including through third parties such as civil society organisations, and introduces stronger safeguards for child victims through child-friendly procedures and support services. The directive also refers to access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for survivors of sexual violence. |
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| | | | | | Press release 20-05-2026 INTA | | | |
| | | | • | Sunset clause: tariff preferences set to expire on 31 December 2029, unless renewed | | | | • | Clear conditions set on reduction of tariffs on steel and aluminium derivatives | | | | • | Safeguard mechanism to protect EU industry and agricultural sector | | |
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| | On Wednesday morning, Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on two pieces of legislation implementing EU tariff commitments under the August 2025 EU-US Joint Statement. | The agreement reached by the two EU co-legislators strengthens several elements of the Commission proposals.
Sunset clause The main regulation on industrial and agri-food imports will expire on 31 December 2029. Before this date, the Commission will make a comprehensive assessment of its trade effects on EU industry, agriculture and small and medium-sized enterprises, and of changes in trade patterns with third countries. The Commission may present a legislative proposal to extend the regulation’s duration.
Steel and aluminium derivatives In August 2025, the US added 407 product categories to the list of derivative steel and aluminium products subject to tariffs. Parliament considered that these new tariffs increased the level of trade instability and pushed for this issue to be addressed in the main regulation. The Commission will be able to suspend tariff preferences if by 31 December 2026 the US continues to apply a tariff rate higher than 15 percent on EU steel and aluminium derivatives. Furthermore, the Commission will report to the European Parliament and to the Council, by 1 December 2026, on the tariff treatment of steel and aluminium derivatives.
Strengthened suspension clause The Commission will also be able to suspend tariff preferences if the United States fails to address the Union’s concerns regarding the tariff treatment of Union exports which until 24 February 2026 benefitted from the 15% all-inclusive tariff ceiling.
Safeguard mechanism The co-legislators also agreed to establish a safeguard mechanism in the event that the tariff preferences granted to the US lead to increases in imports that threaten to cause serious injury to EU industry, including the agricultural sector. The Commission will be able to start an investigation on its own initiative, or on the basis of information provided by one or more member states or by the European Parliament. The Commission will also report to the Parliament and the Council on a quarterly basis on changes in trade volumes and values of US exports of the goods covered by this legislation.
Customs duties on lobster Concerning the second proposal on lobsters, Parliament and Council agreed on the Parliament's proposal for a five-year extension of tariff-free imports of lobster until 31 July 2030. This will apply retroactively from 1 August 2025. Quote
Bernd Lange (S&D, DE), International Trade Committee Chair and standing rapporteur for the US, said: “It’s been a rocky journey, but it was worth it. By setting the commitments under the joint statement into law, this regulation becomes part of the EU’s toolkit to improve EU-US relations but also responds to pressure. This agreement is an important step towards greater predictability in transatlantic trade relations. With the introduction of the sunset clause and a strong suspension clause Parliament has substantially improved the Commission proposal. The agreement also foresees stronger review and safeguard mechanisms, and clearer and regular democratic oversight. A stable transatlantic partnership can only succeed if both sides remain committed to reliability, restraint and mutual trust “ Press conference
Today at 10.00, Bernd Lange will hold a press conference on the outcome of the negotiations in the press conference room in Strasbourg. Next steps The International Trade Committee (INTA) will organise an extraordinary committee to discuss and vote on the outcome of negotiations after having received the Coreper letter confirming Council support for the two texts. The extraordinary meeting will likely take place on Tuesday, 2 June 2026 at 9.00. Following the vote in committee, the file can be tabled for a vote at the following plenary in June (15-18 June). It will then be the turn of Council to approve the agreed text. Once the text has been formally approved by the co-legislators, the new legislation will enter into force on the day after its publication in the EU’s official journal. Background The President of the European Commission and the President of the United States reached a political agreement on 27 July 2025, reflected in the Joint Statement on a European Union – United States Framework Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair and Balanced Trade of 21 August 2025. The Commission put forward the two legislative proposals implementing the EU commitments under the Joint Statement on 28 August 2025. The main proposal for a regulation eliminates tariffs on all US industrial goods and provides preferential market access for a wide range of US seafood and agricultural goods. The second proposal for a regulation concerns the prolongation of tariff-free imports of lobster, and now also includes processed lobster. The INTA committee had originally planned to vote on the two files in January 2026, but it twice postponed the vote: on 21 January 2026 following the US trade threats against European partners over Greenland and on 23 February 2026 following the ruling of the US Supreme Court on the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Committee adopted the reports on both files on 19 March 2026. Plenary adopted the reports on 26 March 2026. The two legislative acts were adopted by 417 votes in favour and 154 against, with 71 abstentions (main proposal) and 437 votes in favour and 144 against, with 60 abstentions (Lobster proposal). |
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