Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.
The highlight of the February 2025 plenary session was the presentation of the European Commission’s long-awaited 2025 work programme and the subsequent debate. The session also saw a debate on Council and Commission statements on continued EU support for Ukraine, followed by an address by Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada. Members took part in several debates linked to preparing the EU for a new trade era: on multilateral cooperation on tariffs, the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement, and protecting the system of international justice and its institutions. A debate and vote on the 2024 European Central Bank annual report took place in the presence of Christine Lagarde,President of the Bank.
Parliament held a debate on media freedom, in honour of the memory of journalists Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová; another debate marked the anniversary of the murder of Alexei Navalny. Members also debated the political crisis in Serbia, the escalating violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and resolving humanitarian crises following war and conflict. Finally, Parliament debated the escalation of violence in Sweden, the mental health crisis among Europe’s youth, and cross-border recognition of same-sex couples and their children’s civil status documents.
An EU competitiveness compass
Members heard and debated the Commission’s recently launched ‘competitiveness compass’. The compass sets the direction for many of the initiatives planned in the work programme for the coming two years – some 47 legislative and non-legislative proposals to come by the end of 2026. It focuses on boosting productivity through innovation, accelerating the green transition while maintaining industrial competitiveness, and reducing foreign dependencies in sectors such as raw materials. The ‘competitiveness compass’ also stresses the importance of simplifying legislation, improving access to venture capital, and introducing a competitiveness fund.
US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the WHO
Parliament is monitoring the implications for transatlantic relations of Donald Trump’s second term as US President. Members therefore debated a Commission statement on the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the WHO, and the suspension of US aid. The Council and Commission also made statements on preparedness for a new trade era.
A wider comprehensive EU Middle East strategy
Members debated Council and Commission statements on the need for a wider comprehensive EU strategy towards the Middle East. With ongoing instability in the region, including fragile ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon and heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, the Commission has announced a stronger, more coherent approach. Parliament has acknowledged the complexity facing such a strategy, given the multidimensional challenges.
EU regions bordering Russia: Targeted support
As we approach three full years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine itself, face economic decline, job losses, and migration challenges due to the war and border closures. Following Council and Commission statements, Members held a debate on the need to extend critical targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
Strategic dependencies: Threats to communications infrastructure
The EU currently depends on foreign providers for some key elements of its communications infrastructure. Rising concern over foreign influence, particularly from China and Russia, have led Parliament to call for greater technological sovereignty, stricter ICT supply chain security and reduced reliance on high-risk vendors. Members debated a Commission statement on threats to EU sovereignty in communications infrastructure, focusing on strategic dependencies in submarine cables, 5G networks, and satellite connectivity, among other things.
Healthcare in the EU: Addressing urgent labour shortages and ensuring quality jobs
Tackling labour shortages in the EU is a cornerstone of the efforts to increase competitiveness. Parliament has long sounded the alarm regarding worsening shortages in the healthcare sector, with an estimated deficit of 1.2 million healthcare workers in 2022, driven by an ageing population and frequent burnout. Members held a debate on urgent labour shortages in the healthcare sector following a Commission statement. The Commission is expected to propose solutions to ensure quality healthcare jobs, including improved retention strategies, and better working conditions, with a focus on attracting third-country nationals and digital transformation for healthcare efficiency.
Boosting vocational education and training in a changing labour market
To tackle labour market shortages more generally, the Council and Commission made statements on boosting vocational education and training (VET). Parliament has previously called for VET to be modernised to help people match their skills to new developments, especially in technology, in 2022.
Fisheries agreement with Cabo Verde: Conclusion of a new protocol (2024‑2029)
Members gave consent to the conclusion of a new protocol to the EU fisheries agreement with Cabo Verde, ensuring continued tuna fishing access for EU vessels while supporting Cabo Verde’s fisheries sector. The agreement provides fishing opportunities for 56 vessels from Spain, Portugal, and France, alongside an annual €780 000 financial contribution for access rights and to support the sector.
Opening of trilogue negotiations
One decision by the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Budget (AFET/BUDG) to enter into interinstitutional negotiations on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova was approved without a vote.
The decision of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) to enter negotiations on the proposal on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes was also announced, with the position adopted by Parliament at first reading as the mandate for negotiations.
Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘Plenary round-up – February 2025‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.
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