European Union

Israel is doing the "dirty work" for the entire West in Iran, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in an interview with German broadcaster ZDF during the G7 summit in Canada. He went on to praise the Israeli leadership and army for their "courage" in taking military action against Iran as an active sponsor of terrorism. Merz's harsh words have provoked an equally harsh discussion in the media.

Nato member states will convene for a two-day summit in The Hague next week. The main topic will be to asses the strength of alliance and how its members can achieve the target of five percent of GDP for defence spending, as demanded by US President Donald Trump. Commentators debate how much sense such an increase makes in view of the tight budgets - and how acute the threat is.

After the early departure of US President Donald Trump, the G7 summit in Canada ended without a joint final declaration. The leaders did, however, call for de-escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict, while at the same time stressing Israel's right to self-defence and that Iran must never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. In addition, six states, without the US, assured Ukraine of their continued support.

EU agriculture ministers meet next week, but the controversial trade deal is still opposed by France and Poland.

Eight museums across Europe have joined forces with a single goal: making cultural venues accessible to all. They are part of an innovative project aimed at breaking down the barriers that prevent people from disadvantaged backgrounds from enjoying exhibitions.

In response, China accused the EU of "double standards" over protectionism.

Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.

One focus of the June 2025 plenary session was the situation in the Middle East, with Members debating statements from Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, on the risk of further instability in the Middle East following the Israel-Iran military escalation, and the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan addressed Parliament in a formal sitting, and spoke in particular on the implications of the crisis in the Middle East.

Members held further debates on international questions, including debating with Kallas on the upcoming NATO summit, on 24-26 June 2025. They also debated the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression, the rise in violence and the deepening humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, and the assassination attempt on Senator Miguel Uribe and the threat to the democratic process and peace in Colombia.

Inside the EU, Members debated the state of play on illegal use of spyware and the follow-up two years after the PEGA inquiry committee recommendations, freedom of assembly in Hungary and the need for the Commission to act, safeguarding the rule of law in Spain, the institutional and political implications of the EU enlargement process, and the latest developments on the revision of the air passenger rights and airline liability regulations.

Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament, opened the session with a statement marking the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Area agreement.

Revision of the Child Sexual Abuse Directive

Today’s criminal law rules on child sexual abuse and exploitation are no longer fit for purpose. Members debated the proposed directive on combating child sexual abuse and endorsed the report from the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) which urges increased maximum penalties for such offences, including recruiting children for prostitution and possessing or distributing child sexual abuse material, and proposes to remove limitation periods so that victims can claim compensation indefinitely. The committee also calls for criminalising the use of artificial intelligence systems for child sexual abuse. The vote sets Parliament’s negotiating mandate on the legislative proposal.

Welfare of dogs and cats

Members adopted the Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) Committee report on a proposal for new rules on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats, setting the mandate for trilogue negotiations. The initiative would establish EU-wide minimum standards for the first time, covering – among other things – the accommodation, care, and treatment of these animals. It puts forward uniform EU rules for the welfare of dogs and cats in breeding establishments, pet shops, and shelters, introducing minimum standards for their housing, care, and handling. It also includes strict traceability requirements and automated checks to control the breeding and trade of these animals.

Implementation report on the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF)

The main investment tool underpinning the EU’s Next Generation EU (NGEU) response to COVID-19, the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), finances reform and investment in EU countries. Members held a debate and adopted a joint report from the Committees on Budgets (BUDG) and Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), which looks at how the RRF has been implemented to date. The report acknowledges the RRF’s stabilising effect and notes that the Member States even exceeded their green and digital targets. However, implementation delays are a key concern, particularly in the impact on repaying NGEU debt. To boost transparency and traceability, the report calls for improved data on the use of RRF funding, and greater Parliament involvement in ensuring scrutiny and accountability.

Strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy

Home to a quarter of Europe’s population and occupying the majority of the EU’s territory, rural areas face economic, social, demographic and structural challenges that affect their economic growth and development. Members debated an own-initiative report from the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) on strengthening rural areas through cohesion policy. The report underlines the demographic and structural challenges facing these regions, vital for food and water supplies. It emphasises the need for investment in transport, digital connectivity, agriculture, tourism and essential public services. It also underlines that young people, and women in particular, need more support to thrive in rural areas. The report urges the Commission to prepare a new rural strategy and to secure sufficient funding for rural areas.

Commission’s fifth rule of law report

Members adopted a resolution drafted by the LIBE committee on the Commission’s fifth annual rule of law report, which looks at the state of the rule of law in all Member States plus four candidate countries. The LIBE report on the Commission’s work highlights gaps on prison conditions and the quality of administrative justice. It also regrets that some non-governmental organisations face restrictions, and urges all Member States to support media freedom and implement the Anti-SLAPP Directive and Parliament’s PEGA inquiry committee recommendations. The report highlights the continued need for EU governments to act on LGBTIQ rights, anti-Semitism, islamophobia, and equality and non-discrimination for third-country nationals legally residing in the EU.

Commission reports on Montenegro and Moldova

Members debated and adopted reports from the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) on the Commission’s 2023 and 2024 reports on EU accession prospects for Montenegro and Moldova. Montenegro’s EU accession negotiations began in 2012, and AFET’s report welcomes the country’s ambitious plan to join the EU in 2028, recognising its commitment to EU accession and confirming Parliament’s full support for future EU membership. To ensure progress however, the report stresses the need for political stability and the effective implementation of adopted reforms. While the report underlines Montenegro‘s full alignment with EU common foreign and security policy, it also outlines malign foreign interference, destabilisation efforts, hybrid threats and disinformation campaigns as central concerns. Moldova also faces significant challenges, not least the impact of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and interference in its democratic processes. AFET’s report on Moldova underlines the need for authorities to deal with fundamental issues such as money laundering and corruption, and calls for EU support for justice reform. While Moldova‘s EU accession negotiations began more recently, in 2024, the AFET report nevertheless emphasises the country’s steady progress on its reforms.

The United Kingdom’s accession to the Hague Judgments Convention

Members posed an oral question to the Commission on the United Kingdom’s planned accession to the 2019 Hague Judgments Convention. Parliament adopted a resolution welcoming the UK’s accession, recognising its benefit for citizens and companies alike by ‘simplifying the recognition and enforcement of judgements in civil and commercial matters’.

Opening of trilogue negotiations

One decision to enter into interinstitutional negotiations, from the LIBE committee on a proposal on enhancing police cooperation in relation to the prevention, detection and investigation of migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings; and enhancing Europol’s support to preventing and combating such crimes, was approved without vote.

Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘Plenary round-up – June II 2025‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

In today’s edition of The Capitals, read about Belgium leading a push to pressure the EU to end trade with Israeli settlements, the Commission sending Athens to the Court of Justice for failing to implement noise action plans, and so much more.

Europe can no longer afford to outsource critical components of its digital future, including the training of its digital workforce. Digital skills are not just about employment – they are about power.