The Week ahead

The EPP Group has been fighting to make the European Union more innovative, competitive and resilient. On Wednesday, 29 January, the European Commission will propose its new 'Competitiveness Compass'. "Closing the innovation gap with the United States and lowering energy prices have long been EPP priorities. The Competitiveness Compass comes at a crucial time for Europe, the EPP Group supports the Commission's efforts to invest in the next generation of technology and energy infrastructure," explains Christian Ehler MEP, EPP Group Spokesman on Industry, Research and Energy.

Journalists are invited to a press briefing on Wednesday with Nicolas Pascual de la Parte MEP, the EPP Group‘s Spokesman in the Parliament‘s new Security and Defence Committee, on the EPP Group‘s priorities in the new Committee. Location: European Parliament, room ASP 5F385, Time: Wednesday 29 January, 10:00. Please confirm participation to pete.pakarinen@europarl.europa.eu

The EPP Group wants to strengthen the protection of the EU’s external borders against hybrid warfare, particularly against threats orchestrated by the regimes in Moscow and Minsk aimed at destabilising Europe. On Monday afternoon, the Parliament‘s Home Affairs Committee will discuss the instrumentalisation of migrants at the EU borders with the Finnish Border Guard and the European Commission. "We must equip Europe with the tools to prevent the exploitation of vulnerable people for geopolitical purposes and safeguard the integrity of the EU’s external borders," says  Lena Düpont MEP, the EPP Group Spokeswoman on Home Affairs.