The week of 16–20 February will see MEPs engaged in external activities in their constituencies. In Brussels, the Council of Ministers for Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) will convene. The European Commission is also expected to publish its Communication on the Eastern border regions.
Tuesday 17 February. The Council, meeting in its Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) configuration, will gather in Brussels to address a wide-ranging agenda.
Ministers will begin by examining the Supplementary Pensions Package — a set of legislative and non-legislative measures presented last November aimed at strengthening Member States’ pension systems in light of the demographic changes in Europe.
ECOFIN is also expected to adopt a recommendation to activate the so-called national escape clause pursuant to art. 26 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1263 on multilateral budgetary surveillance. The request was submitted by Austria, following a recommendation from the Commission. If approved, it would allow for a temporary deviation — for a period of four years — from the fiscal rules established under the Stability and Growth Pact, permitting additional expenditure of up to 1.5% of GDP. The activation of this clause is contingent upon the occurrence of exceptional circumstances. Between July and October 2025, sixteen Member States invoked the clause — most recently Germany — in order to increase defence spending in response to geopolitical tensions and the threat posed by Russia to the European continent.
Maria Luís Albuquerque, European Commissioner for Financial Services, will take part in the ECOFIN Council meeting too. Over the course of the same day, she is also scheduled to meet Aurore Lalucq (S&D), Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, as well as Nicolas Guillou, Judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Wednesday 18 February. Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President of the Commission for Cohesion and Reforms, will present the Communication on the Eastern border regions, outlining a support and assistance plan for Countries located along the EU’s eastern borders. The initiative forms part of the Union’s broader enlargement policy framework and is expected to introduce targeted measures addressing national security and economic development, in line with the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034 proposal.
Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 February. The European Economic and Social Committee will hold its plenary session in Brussels. Members are set to discuss the war between Russia and Ukraine and its devastating impact on children and young people, the EU Affordable Housing Plan, and developments relating to sodium batteries.
