European Parliament

EU citizens could access registers of beneficial owners of companies without having to demonstrate a “legitimate interest,” and trusts would have to meet the same transparency requirements as firms, under amendments, agreed by MEPs on Tuesday, to the EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Civil Liberties MEPs voted on Monday for stronger protection and a shorter retention period for data stored in the new EU entry/exit system, which is designed to modernise and step up checks on non-EU nationals travelling to the European Union.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Civil Liberties Committee MEPs discussed the fundamental rights situation in Hungary with Justice Minister László Trócsányi and civil society representatives on Monday afternoon.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

General : Parliament President Antonio Tajani discussed Europe's future and EU-Germany relations during meetings with chancellor Angela Merkel and president Joachim Gauck during a vsit to Berlin on 23-24 February. "It's important to look after the interests of Europeans," said Tajani at the end of his visit. "It is important that Europe stands together and not allows itself to be torn apart."

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General : The rights of EU citizens living in the UK, access to medicine and visa reciprocity with the US will be dealt with during this week's plenary session in Brussels on Wednesday on Thursday. In addition committees discuss the reform of asylum legislation while the inquiry committee investigating the car emissions scandal presents its findings and recommendations.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

How much does the EU spend in your country and on what? How does it compare to other countries? And where does the money come from? Find out by using our multimedia application, which has been updated with the latest figures from the European Commission's annual financial report for 2015.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

General : Is the EU still fit for purpose in its current form? With no shortage of challenges facing us the European Parliament has looked into how the EU can be improved. On 16 February MEPs adopted three reports setting out how they believe the EU needs to be reformed in order to boost its capacity to act, restore people’s trust and make the economy more resilient.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

General : The Israeli-Palestinian peace process is at a critical juncture and the EU and its member states should recognise Palestinian statehood, according to members of Parliament’s Palestine delegation. Led by delegation chair Neoklis Sylikiotis, the five members visited Jerusalem and the West Bank on 20-24 February. In addition MEPs discussed the Israeli government’s recent decision to retroactively legalise settlements illegally built on Palestinian land during a plenary debate on 14 February,

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : Although fast and effective for plant growth, chemicals pesticides entail potential risks for human health, animals and the environment. About 45% of food we consume contains pesticide residues with 1.6% exceeding legal limits, according to the European Food Safety Authority. MEPs want to promote the use of more natural pesticides and to simplify and speed up the approval process. Check our video for more information.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

General : Ceta passed a crucial hurdle on 15 February when MEPs voted to back the landmark EU-Canada trade deal. The agreement removing more than 99% of tariffs can provisionally enter into force as early as April. Speaking following the vote, Artis Pabriks, Parliament's lead MEP on Ceta, said: “Europe cannot survive without free and fair trade and high-quality interaction with other global players.” He also described Ceta as “the gold standard for future trade deals”.

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General : How well do you know Europe? Find out by taking part in our winter challenge! See how many European capitals you can identify correctly.

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Delegations

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Plenary sessions : MEPs approved Ceta during this week's plenary session followed by a visit by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau telling them how the EU-Canada trade deal was not just about commerce, but also about improving people's lives. Newly-elected Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen also addressed the Parliament, while MEPs adopted new anti-terrorism measures and set out their ideas for the future of the EU.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : EU-wide rules are needed for the fast-evolving field of robotics, e.g. to enforce ethical standards or establish liability for accidents involving driverless cars, say MEPs in a resolution voted on Thursday.

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General : Europeans becoming radicalised and travelling to fight in Iraq or Syria represent a growing threat to the EU. Most of the recent terrorist attacks in Europe were perpetrated by home-grown terrorists. MEPs adopted on 16 February new rules to ensure stronger checks at the EU's external borders and prevent the preparation of terrorist acts. Check out our infographic for an overview of measures to tackle terrorism Parliament has been working on.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : If the EU is to boost its capacity to act, restore citizens’ trust and make the euro zone economy more resilient to outside shocks, it needs to make full use of the Lisbon Treaty. But to go further, it needs to reform itself more fundamentally. This was the key message of three resolutions exploring the future development of the European Union approved by Parliament on Thursday.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : To counter the growing threats from “foreign fighters” travelling to conflict zones for terrorist purposes and “lone wolves” planning solo attacks, new EU-wide rules were approved by Parliament on Thursday.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : All EU citizens and third country nationals entering or leaving the EU will be systematically checked against databases, e.g. of lost and stolen documents, under a regulation voted on Thursday. The new rules were agreed by Parliament’s negotiators and the Council of Ministers on 5 December 2016.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Plenary sessions : Parliament voices deep concern about the intimidation and harassment of Francesca Ramirez and other human rights defenders in Nicaragua, deplores the recent use of the death penalty in Kuwait and Bahrain, and strongly condemns the murders of human rights defenders and journalists in Guatemala, in three resolutions voted on Thursday.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP