Debate with Presidents Costa and von der Leyen on the challenges facing the EU
From 9.00, MEPs will assess the outcome of the 20 March European Council meeting with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The summit focused on the EU’s competitiveness, Ukraine, defence and security, the Middle East, the EU’s next long-term budget, migration, and multilateralism.
Andreas KLEINER
(+32) 498 98 33 22
EuroParlPress
Estefania NARRILLOS
(+32) 498 98 39 85
EuroParlPress
Debate with Kaja Kallas on the EU’s foreign, security and defence strategies
From around 13.00, MEPs and the High Representative will discuss the EU’s common foreign, defence, and security policy objectives for 2025. MEPs are set to demand more investment in defence, including more military and political support for Ukraine. They are also aiming for greater EU presence in the Middle East, closer ties with like-minded partners, and support for EU candidate countries. The two related reports – one on foreign and security policy and another on security and defence policy – will be put to a plenary vote on Wednesday, followed by a press conference at 14.30.
Snjezana KOBESCAK SMODIS
(+32) 470 96 08 19
EP_ForeignAff
Viktor ALMQVIST
(+32) 470 88 29 42
EP_ForeignAff
EP_Defence
Plans to improve the EU’s safety and preparedness
From 15.00, MEPs will question Internal Affairs and Security Commissioner Magnus Brunner on the new EU internal security strategy to be unveiled today. Immediately afterwards, plenary will react to the proposal tabled last week to enhance crisis preparedness in the EU, in a debate with the Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib.
Janne OJAMO
(+32) 470 89 21 92
EP_Justice
EP_Regional
Sustainability and due diligence: vote on fast-tracking the “stop-the-clock” proposal
In a vote at noon, MEPs will decide whether to implement the urgent procedure for the proposal to delay application of new sustainability reporting and due diligence measures for certain companies. If MEPs agree to fast-track the draft legislation, the vote on the delay will take place on Thursday.
Martina VASS
(+32) 477 99 11 57
EP_Legal
In brief
Russian war crimes in Ukraine. From around 10.45, MEPs and Kaja Kallas will discuss the need to hold Russia accountable for its war crimes in Ukraine.
Türkiye. MEPs will discuss the latest developments in Türkiye with Comissioner Marta Kos, including the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, starting at around 19.00.
Gaza. In a debate with Kaja Kallas from 20.00, MEPs are expected to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the continuation of the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. From 18.00, in a plenary debate with Kaja Kallas, parliamentarians will discuss how to safeguard access to democratic media in light of the uncertainty surrounding continued US funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Human rights in the world. From around 14.00, MEPs will review the EU’s human rights and democracy policy with Kaja Kallas. They will vote on Parliament’s annual report on the matter on Wednesday.
Votes
At 12.00, MEPs will vote, among other matters, on:
- financial aid for Jordan and Egypt,
- the “one substance, one assessment” chemicals package, and
- the appointment of the Romanian candidate for the European Court of Auditors.
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.