European Union

A technical team from the European Commission – which leads on trade for the 27-country bloc – had already travelled to Washington this week for more talks with US officials.

Jean-Marie Le Pen died in January 2025, but the case was taken up by his daughters, including far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

Can you spot disinformation? Dive into our fun quiz!

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

In this podcast episode, part of our Project EUYou, Euractiv's host Christoph Schwaiger speaks with Dr. László Andor, former EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

Parliament and Council teams have reached an agreement on new priorities for and modifications to the current cycle of EU cohesion funding.
Committee on Regional Development

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Parliament and Council teams have reached an agreement on new priorities for and modifications to the current cycle of EU cohesion funding.
Committee on Regional Development

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Le Pen and Others v Parliament
The General Court of the European Union upholds the decision of the European Parliament to recover sums unduly received by Jean-Marie Le Pen
The General Court of the European Union upholds the decision of the European Parliament to recover sums unduly received by Jean-Marie Le Pen

Citizens are calling on the European Parliament to ensure that academic Igbal Abilov’s detention and court case in Azerbaijan proceed according to internationally recognised standards of due process.

Igbal Abilov is a lecturer at the Belarusian State University and conducts research into the history and culture of the Talysh people. Azerbaijani authorities have detained him since he travelled to the country in August 2024, to visit relatives.

Many citizens have written to the President of the European Parliament on this subject since May 2025. We replied to those who took the time to write to the President:

Main elements of our reply

The European Parliament has called on Azerbaijan to release Igbal Abilov and all political prisoners. In a resolution adopted in October 2024, the European Parliament strongly condemns the Azerbaijani regime’s repression and its arbitrary detention of Igbal Azilov and others. It urges the country to release all those detained because of their views.

Parliament calls on European Union (EU) leaders to address the country’s human rights record in their relations with Azerbaijan. It underlines that these relations are based on respect for democracy and human rights, which Azerbaijan is systematically violating.

The European Parliament also demands that EU sanctions be imposed on Azerbaijani officials who have committed serious human rights violations and that the EU Special Representative for Human Rights request meetings with political prisoners in Azerbaijan.

Parliament insists that Azerbaijan must release all political prisoners before a new partnership agreement with the EU can be concluded.

A press release about this resolution is available on Parliament’s website.

In addition, Parliament adopted resolutions on human rights violations by Azerbaijan in April 2024, December 2024 and March 2025.

While the European Parliament takes political positions on developments in the world, it is not directly involved in deciding the EU’s foreign policy or imposing sanctions.

The governments of EU countries decide the EU’s common foreign and security policy in the European Council (where heads of government are gathered) and the Council of the EU (foreign ministers). Likewise, the EU imposes sanctions by unanimous decision in the Council of the EU.

Citizens often send messages to the President of the European Parliament expressing their views and/or requesting action. The Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (AskEP) within the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) replies to these messages, which may sometimes be identical as part of wider public campaigns.

In today’s edition of The Capitals, read about Macron’s MEPs changing leader after infighting, keffiyeh chaos in the European Parliament, and the ECR keeping hold of the migration files.

Italy debates Kremlin-linked conductor Gergiev’s upcoming state-backed concert, as critics warn it risks normalising Russian propaganda.

Commission plan sidelines regions from EU funding decisions.

Europe can't decarbonise the world on its own. But it must develop policies that work so that other nations can copy and adapt them.

Document seen by Euractiv suggests a larger overall budget between 2028 and 2034, worth €1.717 trillion.

Parliament and Council negotiators have reached a provisional agreement on changes to the European Social Fund+ to boost skills in the defence and decarbonisation industries.
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Parliament and Council negotiators have reached a provisional agreement on changes to the European Social Fund+ to boost skills in the defence and decarbonisation industries.
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The Council imposed restrictive measures against nine individuals and six entities responsible for Russia’s hybrid activities against the EU and its member states and Ukraine.

The Council extended the mandates of the EU Special Representatives for the Great Lakes region, and for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia until 31 August 2027.

The Council imposed restrictive measures on five individuals responsible for serious violations or abuses of human rights and for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Russia.

The Council listed seven individuals and three entities responsible for actions destabilising the Republic of Moldova and undermining or threatening its sovereignty and independence,democracy and rule of law.

The Council renewed its sanctions regime in view of the situation in Haiti until 29 July 2026, and further listed three gang leaders.