European Union

On 3 June 2025, the AFET Committee will host a Structured Dialogue with Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement. As foreseen in the Annex IV of the EP-Commission Framework Agreement, committees should hold exchanges of views with their relevant Commissioners on the state of implementation of the current Commission Work Programme as well as on the priorities to be reflected in the next year’s Commission Work Programme.
During the exchange of views, the AFET Members will have the opportunity to touch upon priority topics such as the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the security situation in Europe and the EU's neighbourhood and enlargement policy.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Because “bear meat can be eaten”, the Slovak government will offer "every" killed bear that meets hygiene standards for sale to the public, a minister said.

Ireland sees a sharp decline in teen substance use, but vaping and gambling raise new concerns.

Next AFET committee meetings will be held on:

• Tuesday 3 June, 9.30-10.30, room SPAAK (1A2), Brussels - Extraordinary committee meeting
• Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 June 2025, room ANTALL (4Q2), Brussels

Meetings are webstreamed with the exception of agenda items held "in camera".

AFET - DROI calendar of meetings 2025
Meeting documents
Webstreaming
Commissioners-designate hearings
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The Czech government is confronting China over a cyberattack linked to state-backed hackers.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday lifted restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western weapons against military targets in Russia, saying that this was necessary for the country to be able to defend itself effectively. With this move Berlin has aligned itself with other allies whose weapons systems have already been approved to this end. However, although it has long-range weapons in the form of Taurus cruise missiles, Germany has refused to deliver them to Kyiv so far.

Poles will head to the polls on Sunday to choose between the liberal Mayor of Warsaw Rafał Trzaskowski and right-wing conservative Karol Nawrocki as their next president. In the first round of voting the two candidates were almost neck and neck, with roughly 31 and 30 percent of the vote, respectively. Several far-right politicians were surprisingly successful and their votes will now be crucial. Commentators see repercussions far beyond Poland.

Twenty EU member states have published a joint declaration calling on the EU to exhaust all sanction options against Hungary if Budapest refuses to withdraw restrictions on LGBT rights adopted in March and April. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also brought sanctions against Hungary and Slovakia into play over their Ukraine and Russia policies, which deviate from those of the majority in the bloc.