European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will represent the European Parliament at the summit, where she will address the heads of state or government at 11.00 and hold a press conference after her speech.
When: Press conference at around 11.45 on 20 March
Where: European Council press room and via Parliament’s webstreaming or EbS.
At their meeting in Brussels, the heads of state or government will focus on ways to bolster the EU’s competitiveness. They will also discuss how the EU can continue supporting Kyiv against Russia’s aggression – with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, how to strengthen the EU’s defence capabilities, and the EU’s response to the situation in the Middle East. Leaders will also have a first exchange of views on the EU’s next long-term budget (multiannual financial framework – MFF) and discuss migration.
Competitiveness
On 12 March, MEPs adopted two resolutions outlining their priorities for the next cycle of economic and social coordination between member states.
On economic policy coordination, MEPs focus on the need to increase public and private investment, to address the investment gap, improve competitiveness and entrepreneurship, and continue fiscal consolidation. They say the EU should pursue these objectives while ensuring social cohesion and a high standard of living. MEPs are worried about slow growth and that more turbulent economic times are on the horizon. They call on member states to reduce excessive government deficits. They also warn about rising house prices.
In the resolution on the EU’s employment and social priorities, MEPs emphasise the importance of reducing the administrative burden for companies, whilst safeguarding labour and social standards. They believe better support for small and medium-sized enterprises can foster innovation and better-quality jobs, and that stronger social economy enterprises can promote quality employment opportunities and the circular economy. The resolution states that fiscal policies under the European Semester must ensure investments align with sustainable growth and the European Pillar of Social Rights, in particular on affordable housing, healthcare, and education.
During the 10-13 March plenary session, MEPs held debates on three recent Commission proposals on the clean industrial deal, the action plan for affordable energy and the automotive industry action plan.
The clean industrial deal, announced by the Commission on 26 February 2025, is about enhancing EU competitiveness and decarbonisation by addressing high energy costs and fostering global cooperation. It includes measures to boost demand for clean products, mobilise funding for clean manufacturing, secure critical raw materials, and strengthen global partnerships. It also focuses on developing skills for a low-carbon economy, creating quality jobs, cutting red tape, and improving EU policy coordination. You can watch the debate here.
The recently proposed automotive industry action plan, announced on 5 March 2025, is intended to support the European automotive sector as it deals with high manufacturing costs, the low-carbon transition, and increased competition from China. A resolution will be put to a vote during the April plenary session. You can watch the debate here.
The action plan for affordable energy, which addresses high energy costs experienced by EU citizens and businesses, seeks to make electricity bills more affordable by reducing network charges and taxes, promoting energy efficiency, and improving the functioning of gas markets. You can watch the debate here.
On 10 March, MEPs reviewed the Commission’s recent proposals to cut red tape and simplify legislation for EU businesses and citizens. The Commission is proposing to ease the administrative burden for all EU businesses, in particular for small and medium-sized companies. The main focus of compliance with EU rules will shift to the EU’s largest companies – those more likely to have a disproportionate impact on the climate and environment – while all businesses will continue to have access to sustainable finance for their clean transition. Areas covered under these ‘omnibus’ proposals include sustainability reporting, due diligence rules, the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), and InvestEU. You can watch the debate here.
Further reading
MEPs call for a more competitive EU that respects social and labour standards
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
In a resolution adopted on 12 March, Parliament says the EU is now Ukraine’s primary strategic ally and must help the country uphold its right to self-defence.
Following an “apparent shift” in the US position on Russia’s war of aggression, “which has included openly blaming Ukraine for the ongoing war”, the EU and its member states are now Ukraine’s primary strategic allies and must maintain their role as its largest donor, according to MEPs. To uphold Ukraine’s right to self-defence, the EU and its member states must ramp up their much-needed assistance to the country.
The resolution also states there can be no negotiations on European security without the presence of the EU, and MEPs welcome the launch of a ‘coalition of the willing’ for the potential Europe-led enforcement of an eventual peace agreement. MEPs are dismayed by the US administration’s appeasement of Russia and targeting of its allies.
On 24 February 2025, the President of the European Parliament, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission issued a joint statement, saying “Russia and its leadership bear sole responsibility for this war and the atrocities committed against the Ukrainian population. We continue to call for accountability for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed. We welcome the recent steps made towards the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.”
The three presidents stressed that “Ukraine is part of our European family” and that “the future of Ukraine and its citizens lies within the European Union.” They emphasised “the need to ensure the international community’s continued focus on supporting Ukraine in achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on the Ukrainian peace formula. We stand firm with Ukraine, reaffirming that peace, security, and justice will prevail.”
Further reading
The EU must contribute to robust security guarantees for Ukraine
Joint statement on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
EP Conference of Presidents’ statement on EU support for Ukraine
How the EU is supporting Ukraine
European defence and security
In a resolution adopted on 12 March, Parliament calls on the EU to act urgently and ensure its own security. This will mean, MEPs say, strengthening relationships with like-minded partners, and strongly diminishing reliance on non-EU countries.
The EU needs “truly ground-breaking efforts” and actions “close to those of wartime”, say MEPs, also welcoming the recently tabled ReArm plan.
To achieve peace and stability in Europe, the EU must support Ukraine and become more resilient itself, MEPs argue. The resolution states, “Europe is today facing the most profound military threat to its territorial integrity since the end of the Cold War”. It calls on member states, international partners, and NATO allies to lift all restrictions on the use of Western weapons systems delivered to Ukraine against military targets on Russian territory.
The text says the EU must enable its administration to “move much faster through the procedures”, in the event of war or other large-scale security crises. While stressing the importance of EU-NATO cooperation, MEPs also call for the development of a fully capable European pillar in NATO that is able to act autonomously whenever necessary.
At the special European Council meeting on 6 March, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola reassured leaders that the EP can move quickly and efficiently to meet today’s unprecedented security challenges. She called on the EU to invest more in defence: “Our ambition must match the unprecedented threat, the boldness of our proposals, and the speed at which they are put into action.” She reassured leaders that the European Parliament can adjust to demanding circumstances by moving quickly, efficiently and effectively. President Metsola highlighted that “our ambition must match the unprecedented threat, the boldness of our proposals, and the speed at which they are put into action.”
During the 31 March to 3 April plenary session, MEPs will discuss with High Representative Kaja Kallas the EU’s common foreign, defence, and security policy objectives for 2025. MEPs are set to urge the EU to invest more in its defence sector, including an increase of military and political support for Ukraine. They are also expected to call on the EU to expand its presence in the Middle East, foster closer ties with like-minded partners, and support enlargement countries in their efforts to advance towards EU membership. The draft texts on the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy and on EU Common Security and Defence Policy will be voted on by MEPs on 2 April.
Further reading
MEPs urge the EU to ensure its own security
“We cannot afford to depend on others to keep us safe”, Metsola tells EU leaders
“Europe must be responsible for its own security”, Metsola tells EU leaders
MEPs call on Europe to strengthen its defence capacity
Rutte to MEPs: “We are safe now, we might not be safe in five years”
The EU’s long-term budget and new own resources
Parliament is working on a draft report outlining its priorities for the next long-term EU budget post-2027, also known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The Committee on Budgets is expected to vote on this draft report at a meeting on 23-24 April, and plenary is set to vote on it during the 5-8 May plenary session.
Parliament’s consent is needed (with an absolute majority) for the adoption of the MFF. MEPs may approve or reject the Council’s position (which is adopted by unanimity) but they may not make amendments to it. Parliament’s two co-rapporteurs, Siegfried Mureşan (EPP, Romania) and Carla Tavares (S&D, Portugal), expect MEPs to be involved from the start of the process, that during the negotiations, in its adoption, and in the implementation phase of the long-term EU budget.
So-called EU own resources are the main sources of revenue for the EU budget. During the previous long-term budget negotiations, EU institutions agreed on a legally binding roadmap for the introduction of new sources of EU revenue. In 2023, the Commission proposed three new sources, linked to greenhouse gas emissions, company profits, and money generated by the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism. However, their adoption has stalled due to the reluctance of EU governments – right when new revenue streams are more important than ever, as debts accrued through the Next Generation EU (NGEU) recovery instrument will have to be repaid by 2058. The total costs for capital and interest repayments of the NGEU are projected to reach around €20-30 billion a year from 2028. The co-rapporteurs have argued that their repayment should come at the expense of existing EU policies.
The own resources decision also requires a unanimous decision in Council, an opinion of Parliament, and ratification by every member state before it enters into force.
Further reading
Parliament’s draft report on the long-term EU budget
Recording of the presentation of the draft report in the Budgets Committee (19.02.2025.)
Recording of a press conference by the MFF co-rapporteurs (18.12.2024.)
EPRS Briefing: Future of EU long-term financing (February 2025)
Press release: “Own Resources”: Parliament’s position on new EU revenue
Migration
On 11 March, MEPs and the Commission debated changes to EU rules on the return of people who have no legal right to remain in Europe. The proposal for a new legal framework on “returns”, announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in July 2024, was formally unveiled by the European Commission on 11 March.
During the plenary debate, MEPs scrutinised the proposal, which is intended to increase the return rate of third-country nationals not entitled to stay in the EU. Parliament emphasised the importance of cooperation with third countries, including on the readmission of their own nationals, as well innovative measures such as the establishment of return hubs in third countries. You can watch the debate here.
Middle East
In a resolution adopted on 12 March, Parliament urges the EU and members states to support Syria’s transitional forces and calls on Damascus to end historical alliances with Tehran and Moscow. Concerned about stability in Syria and in the Middle East, MEPs want the EU to “seize this historic opportunity to support a Syrian-led political transition in order to unite and rebuild the country”. They call on the EU and member states to help Syria’s authorities in the country’s reconstruction. MEPs also want the EU to explore the use of frozen assets of the Assad regime to fund reconstruction, rehabilitation, and the compensation of victims.
MEPs want Syria’s new authorities in Damascus “to break free from its notorious long-standing alliances with Tehran and Moscow, which “have brought suffering to the Syrian people and destabilisation to the Middle East and beyond”. They appeal to the Syrian authorities to revoke Russia’s military presence in Syria and condemn Moscow for hosting Bashar al-Assad and his family, shielding them from justice.
Further reading
The EU must support the political transition and reconstruction of Syria
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