Weekly European Agenda 19/05/2025

This week, multiple European Parliament’s committee meetings will take place in Brussels along with a two-day plenary session, which will be held on Wednesday and Thursday. On Monday, the first EU-UK summit since the UK’s withdrawal from the EU will take place in London. On Tuesday, the Foreign Affairs Council will gather ministers to discuss EU military support for Ukraine, after an informal exchange of views with the Minister of Defence of Ukraine Rustem Umerov, via videoconference, and in the presence of the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. On Wednesday, EU Commissioners will gather in Brussels to unveil the Single Market Strategy and the Fourth Omnibus on small mid-caps.

European Parliament

On Monday, the Special committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS) will receive a presentation by Sauli Niinistö, former President of the Republic of Finland, Special Adviser to the President of the European Commission, of the report: Safer Together – Strengthening Europe’s Civilian and Military Preparedness and Readiness. On Tuesday, the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and Committee on International Trade (INTA) will hold a debriefing of the EU-UK Summit of 19 May 2025 in association with the Delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (D-UK). On Thursday, MEPS will discuss the EU's response to the Israeli government's plan to seize the Gaza Strip, ensuring effective humanitarian support and the liberation of hostages. 

Council of Ministers

On Thursday, ministers in the Competitiveness Council will hold a policy debate on how to make tailor made industrial policies for traditionally strong industries. On Friday, they will discuss the mid-term evaluation of 'Horizon Europe: lessons learned and looking forward to the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP 10)' which was adopted on 30 April 2025. Ministers are also expected to approve Council conclusions on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in science that calls for a comprehensive strategy to boost the uptake of AI in science, with an ethical, sustainable, inclusive and human-centric approach. 

European Commission and High Representative

On Monday, Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič will participate in the EU-UK Summit, in London. On Tuesday, President Ursula von der Leyen will receive Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in Brussels. On Friday, Commissioner Andrius Kubilius will receive Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space of Germany, in Brussels.