Newsletter 14/02 – 18/02 Plenary session in Strasbourg

MEPs and Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell will debate European security, Russia’s threat to Ukraine and the latest diplomatic attempts to de-escalate the situation. They will also discuss two reports on how to strengthen the EU as a global foreign policy and security actor, and are set to approve €1.2 billion in financial assistance to Ukraine. (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)

Parliament will debate and vote on measures and actions to fight cancer in the EU. Key recommendations by the Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA) include facilitating access to cross-border health care and clinical trials, managing shortages of cancer medicines more efficiently, and ensuring equal access to innovative drugs and treatments. (debate Tuesday, vote Wednesday)

MEPs will debate with Commission President von der Leyen on Wednesday afternoon the EU Court’s decision -expected that same day in the morning- on the requests filed by Hungary and Poland to annul the regulation that links disbursement of EU funds with respect for the rule of law. A press conference by lead MEPs is scheduled for 11.30. (Wednesday)

MEPs will discuss with European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde the ECB’s work and the state of the EU economy. They are expected to focus on inflation and economic recovery. Just before the debate, MEPs will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Euro. (debate Monday, vote Tuesday)

Members from the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) and the Security and Defence Subcommittee (SEDE) travel to Ukraine, to Kyiv and the administrative boundary line with illegally occupied Crimea, to gather information on the ground on the current security crisis and show their support to Ukraine. This clip illustrates the visit of the EP delegation to the Port authorities in Mariupol.