The Week ahead

Over 800 young people aged 18 -35 years, representing all 27 EU Member States, will descend on Brussels for the second EPP Group 'Youth Week' on 4-7 September. Participants will pitch their ideas and voice their priorities and hopes for the future of the Union at various debates and workshop events attended by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola; the Chairman of the EPP Group, Manfred Weber; EU Commissioners; MEPs; and numerous expert speakers. More information here: www.epp4youth.eu

Two new European Commissioners will have to go through the scrutiny of the European Parliament in the next couple of weeks. Iliana Ivanova, who is a former EPP Group MEP and will be responsible for innovation, research, culture, education and youth, will be quizzed on Tuesday 5 September at 9:30. Woepke Hoekstra, who will be in charge of climate action, is expected to be heard early October. The EPP Group supports both candidates and looks forward to how they present their plans.

The EPP Group spearheads support for Ukraine’s future NATO membership. It is in the West’s interest to grant NATO membership to Ukraine after the war in the nearest possible future. EPP Group MEPs will reiterate this position during the debate with NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, which takes place on Thursday in Parliament’s joint Foreign Affairs and Defence committees. “We, the members of NATO and the EU, need Ukraine just as much as Ukraine needs us. We are much stronger together. Ukraine is defending democratic values by its courage and struggle - Ukraine is a de facto NATO member, defending the alliance against Russian aggression on the front lines. Now only formalities remain. Sooner or later they will be agreed upon“ - insists Rasa Juknevičienė MEP, EPP Group Vice-Chair for Foreign Affairs.

The EPP Group firmly believes in the independence of media. Independent media serves as a public watchdog, a crucial pillar of democracy, and simultaneously, a significant part of our economy. Parliament’s Culture and Education Committee will vote on Thursday on the so called European Media Freedom Act, negotiated by Sabine Verheyen MEP, Chair of the committee. “With the European Media Freedom Act, the EU establishes a legal framework for greater cultural diversity, freedom, and independence of media in Europe, in order to preserve the editorial independence of European media outlets, enhance media regulations through transparency measures, and lastly, to protect journalists across Europe,” says Verheyen.