13 – 17 October 2025

EU News

Monday, 13 October 2025

European Commission

Commissioner Šuica participates in the Economic Conference “Croatian Immigration and Economic Development: Peculiarities and Opportunities” via video message (Osijek, Croatia).
Commissioner Zaharieva attends the 45th edition of GITEX GLOBAL 2025 (Dubai, United Arab Emirates).
Commissioner Hansen meets Mr Anton Refalo, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights of Malta, visits a dairy farm with him, and attends the launch ceremony of the Food Safety and Security Authority of Malta (Valletta, Malta).
Commissioner Hansen also meets Mr Robert Abela, Prime Minister of Malta, and members of the Malta Agriculture Consultative Council (Valletta, Malta).
Commissioner Šefcovic participates in the Informal Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) (Billund/Horsens, Denmark).
Commissioner Jørgensen meets with and participates in outreach activities of Projekt Udenfor (Copenhagen, Denmark) and visits the Technical University of Denmark.
Executive Vice-President Fitto meets Mr Tibor Navracsics, Hungary’s Minister for Public Administration and Regional Development, and attends the Opening Ceremony of the European Week of Regions and Cities (Brussels, Belgium).
Executive Vice-President Séjourné receives Mr Jérôme Durain, President of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, and Mr Olaf Lies, Minister-President of Lower Saxony (Brussels, Belgium).
Executive Vice-President Mînzatu participates in the High-Level Policy Conference: Union for the Mediterranean – Exploring the Future of Jobs and Skills in the Mediterranean Region (Kalkara, Malta) and meets Maltese ministers Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Clifton Grima, Byron Camilleri, and Prime Minister Robert Abela (Valletta, Malta).

European Parliament

President’s Agenda

14:00 – President Metsola addresses the 23rd Edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities.

Press Conferences (Brussels, SPAAK, 0A50)

17:00 – 17:30 – The centenary of Margaret Thatcher’s birth and inauguration of the Margaret Thatcher Awards — Nicola PROCACCINI (ECR, IT), Co-Chair.
17:45 – 18:15 – Air passenger rights — Andrey NOVAKOV (EPP, BG), rapporteur, and shadow rapporteurs.
18:15 – 18:45 – Simplified sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements — Jörgen WARBORN (EPP, SE), rapporteur.

Parliamentary Committees

LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice & Home Affairs) – Judicial independence in Spain; Situation of fundamental rights in the EU (2024–2025); vote on minimum rules to prevent facilitation of unauthorised entry (Brussels, ANTALL, 2Q2).
EMPL & FEMM Joint Meeting – Gender pay and pension gap: state of play and solutions (Brussels, SPINELLI, 1G-3).
ENVI & TRAN Joint Meeting – Presentation of ECA Special Report 06/2025: EU actions tackling sea pollution by ships (Brussels, ANTALL, 6Q2).
REGI (Regional Development) – Modification of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Regulation (Brussels, SPINELLI, 3G-3).
DROI (Human Rights) – International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists and Right to Food on the occasion of World Food Day (Brussels, SPAAK, 4B001).
ECON (Economic & Monetary Affairs) – Public Hearing with Claudia Buch, Chair of the ECB Supervisory Board and Review of the Securitisation Framework (Brussels, SPAAK, 1A002).
FEMM (Women’s Rights & Gender Equality) – Women’s entrepreneurship in rural areas, My Voice, My Choice citizens’ initiative, and Gender Equality Strategy 2025 (Brussels, SPINELLI, 1G-3).
BUDG (Budgets) – General budget 2026 vote; EU Solidarity Fund assistance to Spain and France; European Defence Readiness 2030 opinion (Brussels, SPINELLI, 3G-2).
EUDS (European Democracy Shield) – Online advertising, media resilience, and lessons from Moldovan elections (Brussels, SPAAK, 5B001).
ENVI (Environment, Climate & Food Safety) – State of the Environment Report 2025 presentation by Leena Ylä-Mononen, Executive Director of the EEA (Brussels, ANTALL, 4Q2).
TRAN (Transport & Tourism) – Votes on Air passenger rights reform, Driving licences, and Union-wide disqualifications (Brussels, ANTALL, 6Q2).
JURI (Legal Affairs) – Corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence vote; debates on copyright and AI and 28th Regime for innovative companies (Brussels, SPINELLI, 1E-2).
ENVI & CoR ENVE Joint Meeting – Regions taking action on climate resilience and adaptation (Brussels, ANTALL, 4Q2).
SEDE (Security & Defence) – CSDP annual report 2025 and EU adaptation to new systems of warfare (Brussels, ANTALL, 4Q1).

Delegations

Committee on Public Health (SANT) delegation in Berlin (12–14 October) attending World Health Assembly workshops and visiting the Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center as part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.

Council of the EU

Justice and Home Affairs Council (Justice) and Informal meeting of trade ministers (13–14 October 2025, Danish Presidency). Focus on trade policy developments.

European Central Bank

Claudia Buch delivers an introductory statement at the ECON Committee Hearing (Brussels).

European Investment Bank

EIB at the European Week of Regions and Cities 2025 (13–15 October 2025).
Organised by the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions, the event promotes local governance, cohesion, and innovative solutions for sustainable growth.

Tuesday, 14 October 2025

European Commission

Executive Vice-President Fitto meets President Alberto Cirio and the National Delegation to the European Committee of the Regions (Brussels, Belgium).
Executive Vice-President Fitto meets Sari Essayah, Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry (Brussels, Belgium).
Executive Vice-President Fitto meets Christodoulos Topsidis, Governor of Central Macedonia; José Luis Martínez-Almeida, Mayor of Madrid; and Giovanni Liverani, President of ANIA (Brussels, Belgium).
Commissioner Hansen delivers an opening speech at the Copa-Cogeca, CEPF and Eustafor event on “Boosting Competitive and Resilient Agricultural and Forest-Based Bioeconomy in the EU” (Brussels, Belgium).
Commissioner Hansen delivers a keynote speech at the late summer event of the Boerenbond and Landelijke Gilden (Brussels, Belgium).
Commissioner Hansen receives Mr Álvaro Queipo, President of the People’s Party of Asturias; Mr Fernando López Miras, President of the Region of Murcia; and Mr Jorge Azcón, President of the Region of Aragón (Brussels, Belgium).
Commissioner Šefčovič participates in the Informal Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) (Horsens, Denmark).
Commissioner Jørgensen delivers a keynote speech at the event “Geothermal Energy as a Driver for European Competitiveness, Decarbonisation and Energy Security” (Brussels, Belgium).
Commissioner Jørgensen participates in the Implementation Dialogue on EU Energy Product Legislation and delivers a speech at the Energy Storage Global Conference (Brussels, Belgium).
Executive Vice-President Séjourné participates in a joint hearing of the French Senate and National Assembly (Paris, France).
Executive Vice-President Mînzatu speaks at the High-Level Session “EU Agenda for Cities – Shaping Europe’s Urban Future” and receives Ms Hildegard Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) (Brussels, Belgium).

European Parliament

President’s Agenda

17:15 – President Metsola addresses the Martens Centre Academic Council.

Press Conferences (Brussels, SPAAK, 0A50)

13:30 – 14:00 – Freedom behind bars: standing with Mzia Amaglobeli and Georgia’s pro-democracy movement — Rasa JUKNEVIČIENĖ (EPP, LT), Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS (RE, LT), Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR (S&D, ES), Lena SCHILLING (Greens/EFA, AT).
14:00 – 14:30 – Le Nouveau Pacte pour la Méditerranée — Nikos PAPANDREOU (S&D, GR).

Delegations

Committee on Public Health (SANT) delegation continues its visit to Berlin, Germany (12–14 October), attending World Health Assembly workshops and visiting the Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center as part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.

Council of the EU

Informal meeting of trade ministers (13–14 October 2025).
Justice and Home Affairs Council (Home Affairs) meets to discuss internal security, migration management, and judicial cooperation (Brussels, Belgium).

European Central Bank

President Christine Lagarde participates in the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings (Washington, D.C.).

European Economic and Social Committee

EU Cities of Tomorrow: Towards a Holistic and Inclusive European Affordable Housing Plan for EU Citizens (Brussels, Belgium).
The debate focuses on shaping the upcoming European Affordable Housing Plan 2026, addressing affordability, inclusion, and sustainability in EU housing policy.

Wednesday, 15 October 2025

European Commission

Commissioner Šuica meets Mr Danijel Marušić, Prefect of Brodsko-Posavska County, and Mr Igor Andrović, Prefect of Viroviticko-Podravska County of Croatia (Brussels, Belgium).
Commissioner Šuica participates via video message in the 5th World Congress of Entrepreneurs (Rogaška, Slovenia).
Commissioner Šuica meets General Sean Clancy, Chair of the EU Military Committee (Brussels, Belgium).
Commissioner Šuica delivers a keynote speech at the Committee of the Regions titled “New Pact for the Mediterranean: Challenges and Perspectives between Cohesion and Enlargement” (Brussels, Belgium).
Commissioner Šefčovič receives Mr Bertram Kawlath, President of the VDMA (Mechanical Engineering Industry Association) (Brussels, Belgium).
Commissioner Šefčovič receives Mr Mario Lubetkin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay (Brussels, Belgium).
Commissioner Hansen receives Mr Fernando Clavijo, President of the Canary Islands, and Mr Narvay Quintero Castañeda, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fishing and Water of the Canary Islands (Brussels, Belgium).
Commissioner Jørgensen meets Mr Derek Vaughan, Welsh Government Representative on Europe (Brussels, Belgium).
Commissioner Jørgensen meets with representatives of the Končar Group (Brussels, Belgium).
Executive Vice-President Séjourné participates in a Roundtable on Cosmetics (Paris, France).
Executive Vice-President Fitto meets Mr Mario Lubetkin, Foreign Minister of Uruguay, and Mr Emilio Braghi, CEO of Novelis (Brussels, Belgium).
Executive Vice-President Fitto attends the High-Level Session “Fostering Vibrant and Resilient Regions – Ensuring an Effective Right to Stay” (Brussels, Belgium).
Executive Vice-President Virkkunen delivers a keynote speech at the seminar “Citizens, Technology and Democracy – Europe’s Response to Authoritarian Threats.”
Executive Vice-President Virkkunen meets Mr Karsten Wildberger, German Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation; Ms Sari Essayah, Finnish Minister for Agriculture and Forestry; and Mr António Leitão Amaro, Portuguese Minister of the Presidency.

European Parliament

President’s Agenda

10:00 – President Metsola addresses Coldiretti’s International Forum on Agriculture and Food via video connection.
15:00 – President Metsola addresses an event marking the 40th Anniversary of the Schengen Agreement via video.
16:00 – President Metsola presides over the Conference of Presidents meeting.

Press Conferences (Brussels, SPAAK, 0A50)

10:30 – 11:00 – Leaving home for Gaza — Ana MIRANDA PAZ (Greens/EFA, ES).

Parliamentary Committees

LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs) – 40th Anniversary of the Schengen Agreement (Brussels, SPINELLI, 5G3).
- Opening remarks by LIBE Chair Javier Zarzalejos (EPP, ES) and Commissioner Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration.
- Panel discussion with:
  - António Vitorino, former European Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs
  - Nicholas Ioannides, Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection, Cyprus
  - MEP Lena Düpont (EPP, DE), Chair of the Schengen and Borders Scrutiny Working Group
  - Michel Gloden, Mayor of Schengen
  - Samo Turel, Mayor of Nova Gorica (Slovenia)
  - Rodolfo Ziberna, Mayor of Gorizia (Italy)
  - Fulvio Origo, Country Director Italy, Global Business Travel Association
  - Gabriel Marti, President, European Law Students’ Association
(Watch webstreaming live – Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs)

Council of the EU

Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) – Ministers discuss European defence cooperation, capability development, and coordination within the framework of the Strategic Compass (Brussels, Belgium).

European Ombudsman

International Conference (15–16 October 2025)
“Upholding Good Governance in Challenging Times: The Role of the Ombudsman”
The event gathers ombuds institutions, EU bodies, and civil society representatives to explore the importance of transparency, accountability, and citizens’ rights in public administration.

European Investment Bank

The EIB at the European Week of Cities and Regions 2025 concludes today (13–15 October).
The initiative, co-organised with the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions, focuses on local governance, green transitions, and innovation for regional growth and cohesion.

Thursday, 16 October 2025

European Commission

Commissioner Šefcovic meets Ms Denisa Saková, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Slovakia, and Slovak business stakeholders (Bratislava, Slovakia).
Commissioner Šefcovic meets Mr Juraj Blanár, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia (Bratislava, Slovakia).
Commissioner Šefcovic participates in the EU Export Day event (Bratislava, Slovakia).
Commissioner Jørgensen holds a videoconference call with Mr Stavros Papastavrou, Minister for Environment and Energy of Greece, and Mr Giorgos Papanastasiou, Minister for Energy, Commerce and Industry of Cyprus (Brussels, Belgium).
Commissioner Šuica participates via video message in the European Microfinance Network Annual Conference 2025 (Cagliari, Italy) and in the MED Dialogues (Naples, Italy).
Executive Vice-President Séjourné participates in a Trilogue on End-of-Life Vehicles (Brussels, Belgium).
Executive Vice-President Fitto meets Madeleine Johnson, Swedish Chair of the Environment and Regional Development (Brussels, Belgium).
Executive Vice-President Fitto delivers a keynote speech at the Annual Joint REGI–COTER meeting and makes closing remarks at the Covenant of Mayors’ Ceremony 2025 (Brussels, Belgium).
Executive Vice-President Fitto meets Michele De Pascale, President of the Emilia-Romagna Region (Brussels, Belgium).
Executive Vice-President Virkkunen delivers a keynote speech at the seminar “Technology and Security Cooperation in the Arctic” and participates in Friends of Europe’s State of Europe High-Level Roundtable.
Executive Vice-President Mînzatu receives Ms Yolanda Díaz, Second Vice-President and Minister of Labour and Social Economy of Spain, and Mr Bogdan Gruia Ivan, Minister of Energy of Romania (Brussels, Belgium).
Executive Vice-President Mînzatu delivers the keynote address at the Endorsement Ceremony of the Roadmap for Women’s Rights (Brussels, Belgium).
Commissioner Micallef meets Mr Clint Camilleri, Minister for Gozo and Planning of Malta (Brussels, Belgium).
Commissioner Roswall participates in the G20 Climate and Environmental Sustainability Working Group Ministerial Meeting (Cape Town, South Africa, 16–17 October 2025).

European Parliament

President’s Agenda

09:00 – President Metsola addresses the Covenant of Mayors Ceremony 2025.
10:20 – President Metsola receives Jörg Stratmann, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems.
13:00 – President Metsola receives Angus Campbell, Australian Ambassador to the EU.
13:30 – President Metsola receives Markus Villig, CEO and Founder of Bolt.
15:15 – President Metsola receives Stéphane de La Faverie, President and CEO of Estée Lauder Companies.

Parliamentary Committees

IMCO (Internal Market & Consumer Protection)(09:00–13:00, Brussels, SPINELLI, 1G-3)
- Working group on the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) – report by Andreas Schwab (EPP, DE).
- Market surveillance and compliance of products regulation – scrutiny session.
- Directive on empowering consumers for the green transition – scrutiny session.
- Votes:
  - Protection of minors online — Rapporteur: Christel Schaldemose (S&D, DK).
  - Transparency of interest representation on behalf of third countries — Rapporteur: Adina Vălean (EPP, RO).
PECH (Fisheries)(09:45–12:30, Brussels, SPINELLI, 5G-3)
- Vote on Delegated Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 on Venus shells in Italian waters.
- Debates on Ocean diplomacy for EU fisheries competitiveness and Fishing opportunities for the Baltic Sea 2026.
INTA & ITRE Joint Meeting(10:00–10:15, Brussels, ANTALL, 2Q2)
- Vote on Phasing out Russian natural gas imports and improving monitoring of dependencies — Rapporteurs: Inese Vaidere (EPP, LV) and Ville Niinistö (Greens/EFA, FI).
CONT (Budgetary Control)(10:00–11:00, Brussels, SPINELLI, 5E-2)
- Vote on 2024 budget: implementation of gender mainstreaming methodology — Rapporteur: Marit Maij (S&D, NL).
ITRE (Industry, Research & Energy)(10:00–12:30, Brussels, ANTALL, 2Q2)
- Vote on Amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 for achieving climate neutrality — Rapporteur: Niels Fuglsang (S&D, DK).
- Debates on Mission to Sweden (Luleå, Gällivare, Kiruna) and Geothermal energy.
- Presentation of the Horizon Europe 2028–2034 proposal by Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva.
AFET (Foreign Affairs)(10:15–12:00, Brussels, ANTALL, 6Q2)
- Vote on Addressing transnational repression of human rights defenders — Rapporteur: Chloé Ridel (S&D, FR).
AFET & DEVE Joint Hearing(10:30–12:00, Brussels, ANTALL, 6Q2)
- Public hearing on Global Gateway: Past impacts and future orientation.
DEVE (Development)(12:00–13:30, Brussels, SPINELLI, 5G2)
- Presentation of the EXAS report on EU development cooperation addressing irregular migration in Africa.
- UNDP 2025 Human Development Report for Latin America and the Caribbean — presentation by Michelle Muschett, UNDP Regional Director.

Special Events

08:30–11:00 – Annual Joint REGI–COTER Meeting: “Cohesion Policy at a Crossroads – Shaping the Post-2027 MFF” (Brussels, Jacques Delors, JDE 52).

European Ombudsman

International Conference (15–16 October 2025):
“Upholding Good Governance in Challenging Times – The Role of the Ombudsman.”
The second day continues with panels on administrative accountability, citizens’ rights, and the evolution of ombuds institutions in the EU framework.

Friday, 17 October 2025

European Commission

Commissioner Šefčovič meets Mr Richard Raši, Speaker of the National Council of Slovakia, and Mr Peter Pellegrini, President of Slovakia (Bratislava, Slovakia).
Commissioner Šuica participates in the European Citizen Panel on Intergenerational Fairness (Brussels, Belgium).
Executive Vice-President Séjourné meets Mr Nicolas Maes, CEO of Orano (Paris, France).
Executive Vice-President Virkkunen receives Mr Markus Villig, CEO of Bolt, and visits the Belgian Safe Internet Centre to discuss digital protection and online safety (Brussels, Belgium).
Commissioner Dombrovskis participates in a Roundtable Dinner with Ministers of Advanced European Countries hosted by Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF (Washington, United States).
Commissioner Dombrovskis participates in the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) Introductory Session, Breakfast and Plenary (Washington, United States).
Commissioner Dombrovskis meets Mr Kevin Hassett, Director of the U.S. National Economic Council (Washington, United States).
Commissioner Albuquerque attends the World Economic Forum – Leaders for European Growth and Competitiveness (Washington, D.C., United States).
Commissioner Albuquerque attends a working lunch with Ms Aurore Lalucq, Chair of ECON, on “Financing Europe: The Geopolitical Imperative for the Savings and Investment Union” (Washington, D.C., United States).
Commissioner Albuquerque meets Mr Pablo Saavedra, Vice-President of the World Bank Group (Washington, D.C., United States).
Commissioner Micallef meets Mr Marian Bachev, Minister of Culture, and Mr Ivan Peshev, Minister of Youth and Sport of Bulgaria (Sofia, Bulgaria).
Commissioner Micallef participates in the panels “Putting Culture at the Centre: The EU Culture Compass at SoAlive” and “Policy, Power & Popstars: Discussion on Public Affairs in Europe’s Music Ecosystem” (Sofia, Bulgaria).
Commissioner Micallef meets Representatives of the National Youth Forum (Sofia, Bulgaria).
Commissioner Tzitzikostas delivers the opening remarks at the 12th International Congress on Transportation Research (ICTR 2025) (Thessaloniki, Greece).
Commissioner Zaharieva receives Mr Markus Villig, CEO and Co-Founder of Bolt Technology OÜ (Brussels, Belgium).