The European Union's relations with the world topped the agenda for the April 2025 plenary session, with several debates on statements by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP), Kaja Kallas. These covered Russia's war crimes in Ukraine; safeguarding access to democratic media; the crackdown on democracy in Türkiye; the dramatic situation in Gaza; and targeted attacks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Members held a debate on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 20 March 2025, and other debates on Council and Commission statements covered: the savings and investment union, recent legislative changes in Hungary, a European steel and metals action plan, and the new European internal security and preparedness union strategies. Members also heard statements on academic freedom; the European cultural compass; democratic pluralism and strengthened integrity, transparency and anti-corruption policies; the outcome of the recent COP16 biodiversity negotiations; post 2027 cohesion policy; an action plan on rare diseases; and health tourism. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP Read more