In the second week of February, the centre of the EU agenda shifts to Strasbourg for the European Parliament plenary session. One of the key moments will be the debate on urgent action to revive EU competitiveness, deepen the Single Market and reduce the cost of living, “from the Draghi report to reality”. Also on the agenda is the informal EU leaders’ retreat on 12 February in Alden Biesen (Belgium), where the leaders of the 27 Member States will discuss the Union’s strategic priorities.
DIGITAL
Tuesday 10 February. In Strasbourg, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkkunen will present two initiatives: the Action plan against cyberbullying and the Action plan on drone security and counter-drone security, focusing respectively on protecting people from online harassment and on strengthening security and countermeasures against drone-related threats.
SUSTAINABILITY
Tuesday 10 February. In Strasbourg, the plenary will vote on the bilateral safeguard clause of the EU–Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the EU–Mercosur interim trade agreement for agricultural products, based on a report by Gabriel Mato (EPP – Spain). The same day will also see a vote on the framework for achieving climate neutrality, on a report by Jutta Paulus (Greens – Germany), as well as a Commission statement on extreme weather events in Portugal, southern Italy, Malta and Greece, focusing on the European response to strengthen readiness, preparedness and solidarity mechanisms.
Thursday 12 February. In Strasbourg, a debate is scheduled on cooperation among enforcement authorities regarding unfair trading practices in the agri-food supply chain, based on a report by Stefano Bonaccini (S&D – Italy).
HEALTH
Monday 9 February. In plenary, Parliament will deliver statements on World Cancer Day; the vote is expected on Thursday 12 February.
OTHER EVENTS
Monday 9 February. In Strasbourg, MEPs will discuss the European Central Bank’s 2025 annual report in the presence of ECB President Christine Lagarde; the Parliament’s rapporteur is Johan Van Overtveldt.
Tuesday 10 February. Also in Strasbourg, there will be an address in plenary by Annalena Baerbock, President of the UN General Assembly, as well as a Commission statement on the situation in north-east Syria, violence against civilians and the need to maintain a sustainable ceasefire; the vote is scheduled for Thursday 12 February.
Wednesday 11 February. The plenary will open with Council and Commission statements on urgent actions to revive EU competitiveness, deepen the Single Market and reduce the cost of living, “from the Draghi report to reality”.
Wednesday 11 February. In Brussels, the Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) will meet, chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. Ministers will discuss EU military support to Ukraine, with a focus on cooperation in defence innovation, after an informal exchange with Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Mykhailo Fedorov.
Thursday 12 February. In Alden Biesen (Belgium), EU leaders will convene for an informal retreat, focused on a political discussion on the Union’s strategic priorities and key dossiers.
