Sittings

EC-Pacific States Interim Partnership Agreement: accession of Tonga

✦ AI The European Parliament voted on the accession of Tonga to the Interim Partnership Agreement between the EU and Pacific States. Parliament gave its consent, meaning Tonga can join the agreement, which facilitates its economic growth through regional and global trade integration. The decision will be forwarded to the Council, the Commission, and the governments and parliaments of member states and Tonga.

Foreign affairsTrade & customs

Consent · report by Dariusz Joński · consent procedure · voted 12:20 · A-10-2024-0023 · 2024/0048

EC-Pacific States Interim Partnership Agreement: accession of Niue

✦ AI The draft decision concerns Niue's accession to the Interim Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Pacific States, which sets out trade arrangements. Parliament gave its consent to this accession, meaning it approved the agreement as a whole without amendments. The accession will allow Niue to benefit from full duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market, replacing its current standard GSP arrangement. Parliament's position will be forwarded to the Council, the Commission, and the governments and parliaments of the member states and Niue.

Foreign affairsTrade & customs

Consent · report by Dariusz Joński · consent procedure · voted 12:21 · A-10-2024-0024 · 2024/0010

Conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the United Nations Convention on Transparency in Treaty-based Investor-State Arbitration

✦ AI Parliament gave its consent to the EU concluding the United Nations Convention on Transparency in Treaty-based Investor-State Arbitration. The Convention increases public access to documents and hearings in investor-state disputes and lets civil society participate. It applies transparency rules to investment treaties signed before 1 April 2014, covering about 1,200 agreements involving EU member states. Ratification is a first step towards broader reform of investment dispute settlement, including a possible Multilateral Investment Court.

Economy & single marketForeign affairsTrade & customs

Consent · report by Anna Cavazzini · consent procedure · voted 12:21 · A-10-2024-0021 · 2015/0012

EC-Pacific States Interim Partnership Agreement: accession of Tuvalu

✦ AI The European Parliament voted on the accession of Tuvalu to the Interim Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Pacific States. Parliament gave its consent to Tuvalu's accession, which means the agreement can proceed. Tuvalu is expected to graduate from Least Developed Country status in 2024, and this accession helps maintain its duty-free access to the EU market.

Foreign affairsTrade & customs

Consent · report by Dariusz Joński · consent procedure · voted 12:22 · A-10-2024-0025 · 2023/0456

Amendment of Annex VI – Powers and responsibilities of the standing committees

✦ AI Parliament decided to set up a standing committee on Security and Defence and a standing committee on Public Health, replacing the existing subcommittees on those topics. The Security and Defence committee will handle EU security and defence integration, including CSDP, the European Defence Agency, and defence industry matters, while the Public Health committee will cover pharmaceuticals, health crisis preparedness, and related agencies. The committees on Foreign Affairs and on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety will have their responsibilities adjusted accordingly, and the decision takes effect at the next part-session.

EU institutions & ParliamentDefence & securityHealth

Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 17 ballots · voted 12:11 · B-10-2024-0215 · 2024/2115

Setting up a Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield, and defining its responsibilities, numerical strength and term of office

✦ AI Parliament set up a special committee on the European Democracy Shield to counter foreign interference, disinformation and threats to democracy in the EU. The committee will examine gaps in EU law and policy, and propose measures to protect democratic processes and citizens from such attacks. It will work with other parliamentary committees and may make recommendations for future action.

EU institutions & ParliamentDefence & securityJustice, rule of law & rights

Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 7 ballots · voted 12:15 · B-10-2024-0216 · 2024/2999

Setting up a Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union, and defining its responsibilities, numerical strength and term of office

✦ AI Parliament set up a special committee on the housing crisis in the European Union to propose solutions for decent, sustainable and affordable housing. The committee will map housing needs, analyse policies, assess speculation and short-term rentals, and identify barriers to construction, among other tasks. It will have 33 members and a 12-month term, starting from its constituent meeting, and must present a final report at the end.

EU institutions & ParliamentEconomy & single market

Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 17 ballots · voted 12:17 · B-10-2024-0217 · 2024/3000

Activities of the European Ombudsman – annual report 2023

✦ AI Parliament adopted its position on the European Ombudsman's 2023 annual report, endorsing the report's findings and recommendations. The resolution supports the Ombudsman's work, including inquiries into maladministration, and calls for improved transparency and accountability in EU institutions. It also urges the Commission to address systemic delays in handling public access to documents, as highlighted in the Ombudsman's special report.

EU institutions & Parliament

Resolutions · report by Alex Agius Saliba · 12 ballots · voted 12:59 · A-10-2024-0016 · 2024/2056

Amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards Vanuatu

✦ AI The proposal amends Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 to remove Vanuatu from the list of countries whose nationals are exempt from the visa requirement for short stays in the EU. Parliament adopted its position at first reading, taking over the Commission proposal, which means the visa exemption for Vanuatu will be cancelled. Parliament calls on the Commission to refer the matter back if it substantially amends its proposal, and instructs its President to forward the position to the Council, the Commission, and national parliaments.

Migration & asylumForeign affairs

New laws · report by Paulo Cunha · 1st reading · voted 12:26 · A-10-2024-0015 · 2024/0128

Presentation by the President-elect of the Commission of the College of Commissioners and its programme

EU institutions & Parliament

Other · 5 ballots · voted 12:20

Election of the Commission

EU institutions & Parliament

Other · voted 12:24

Amendment of the EIB’s Statute

✦ AI The European Parliament approved the proposal to amend the Statute of the European Investment Bank (EIB), which aims to remove the statutory lending limit and replace the maximum 250% gearing ratio with a unanimous decision by the Board of Governors. This decision means Parliament supports the change, allowing the EIB's governing bodies full authority over risk and leverage metrics, and it calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it departs from the approved text. Parliament also asks the Council to consult it again if it intends to substantially amend the text, and it will forward its position to the Council, the Commission, the EIB, and national parliaments.

EU institutions & ParliamentEU budget & fundsEconomy & single market

New laws · report by Joachim Streit · consultation · voted 11:27 · A-10-2024-0013 · 2024/0803