THIS WEEK: EU turns to Africa, as Middle East burns
EU will sign defence partnership with Ghana, after a series of coups reduced European power in west Africa.
This week (Agenda)
THIS WEEK si EUobserver’s Monday-morning preview that outlines the key political events, meetings and debates expected to shape the European Union over the coming week.
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THIS WEEK: MEPs vote on deportation bill, as Iran war keeps Europe on edge
MEPs prepare to vote on a controversial deportation bill while debates intensify over Europe’s security amid the Iran war. Armenia’s prime minister addresses parliament, ministers tackle labour shortages and EU finances, and tensions rise over Ukraine funding as Hungary threatens a veto ahead of next week’s EU summit.
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THIS WEEK: Iran crisis and Merz to seek clarity in Washington on US tariffs
THIS WEEK offers a weekly snapshot of the key developments in Brussels and across Europe over the next seven days, published every Monday morning.
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THIS WEEK: Clock is ticking for Russian sanctions deal in time for Ukraine war anniversary
Fourth-anniversary Russian sanctions, plans for Gaza under Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, Friedrich Merz in China, and domestic EU curbs on firearms are all on the table this week.
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THIS WEEK: Trade and euro top agenda, while Trump launches ‘Board of Peace’
The EU’s trade diversification agenda will be on the table in Cyprus — but most eyes will be on Donald Trump’s highly-controversial peace board.
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THIS WEEK: EU leaders’ retreat on competitiveness, Munich Security Conference, and Ukraine
This week, EU leaders will meet in Alden Biesen to discuss economic reforms and competitiveness, while the Munich Security Conference takes place from Friday to Sunday. In Strasbourg, MEPs will vote on housing, defence, climate, migration, and Ukraine aid.
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THIS WEEK: Russian sanctions, Ukrainian loan and US trade deal
This week, the EU advances its agenda with new Russia sanctions, a potential deal on the €90bn Ukraine aid package, the EU’s budget amendments, and talks on the US-EU trade deal.
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THIS WEEK: India trade deal, US-EU relations and Amazon hearing
EU Council president António Costa and commission president Ursula von der Leyen are visiting India this week to finalise a trade agreement while MEPs in Brussels will discuss the EU-US trade deal and the next long-term EU budget.
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Greenland trade war hijacks EU agenda This WEEK
Trump will meet EU leaders at Davos after starting a trade war over Greenland, while MEPs vote on €90bn for Ukraine.
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Cyprus presidency, Mercosur signing and cybersecurity update This WEEK
This week, the European Commission visits Nicosia to help launch Cyprus’ EU Council presidency, signs the Mercosur deal, and updates cybersecurity and anti-racism strategies. While transatlantic tensions over Greenland continue, housing plans and budget scrutiny will also dominate Brussels meetings with commissioners.
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EU summit on Russian assets, plus housing crisis and Sakharov Prize This WEEK
EU leaders will meet this week in Brussels to discuss Russian frozen assets, the next EU budget plus the Middle East. Also this week the first-ever housing plan will be presented by the EU Commission and discussed in the plenary session in Strasbourg.
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Migrant returns, Russia assets, car engines on EU’s mind This WEEK
EU ministers will discuss more aggressive deportations of migrants this week and visit Ukraine, amid crunch talks on how to fund Kyiv.
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Macron’s in China, rival Ukraine peace plans and Omnibus This WEEK
This week, Emmanuel Macron will travel to China to meet Xi Jinping, while global attention focuses on discussions around Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine. A new climate Omnibus will also be unveiled on Wednesday. Meanwhile, MEPs and ministers continue their regular work ahead of the year’s final plenary session and the December EU summit.
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Africa summit and Strasbourg plenary on EU agenda This WEEK
An Africa summit with the EU in Angola, followed by an exhaustive MEP plenary session in Strasbourg is driving this week’s agenda amid puzzled questions over latest US efforts to broker a Ukraine peace deal.
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EU budget, tech-rule rollback, and Africa summits This WEEK
The EU budget, UK relations, and enlargement talks will dominate council meetings this week, while digital sovereignty debates intensify ahead of the commission’s “digital omnibus”.
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EU budget, migrants, and climate on EU agenda This WEEK
Budget talks are likely to dominate this week, as the European Parliament holds a mini-plenary session in Brussels. The EU will also be heading to Brazil with a watered-down 2040 climate target as the main formal conference kicks off on Monday.
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Climate, trade, and womens’ rights on EU agenda This WEEK
Climate change, trade, and women’s rights will top the agenda in Brussels next week in the run-up to the COP30 summit in Brazil. MEPs will discuss a change to the European Electoral Act, allowing members to vote by proxy during pregnancy.
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A repeat Dutch election, China rare earth exports and von der Leyen in Nordics This WEEK
Influential. Investigative. Independent. EUobserver is a online non-profit news outlet reporting on the European Union.
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EU summit on Ukraine and defence, plus Belarus and Sakharov prize This WEEK
EU leaders meet in Brussels to discuss defence, Ukraine aid, Russian assets, competitiveness, and climate goals. Also this week, ministers meet to discuss Russian sanctions and energy, while MEPs debate the Middle East, Belarus, and announce the Sakharov Prize.
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Gaza ceasefire, Hungarian spying and migration This WEEK
With Israel and Hamas now etching out a ceasefire amid promises to respect a peace deal carved out by US president Donald Trump, the European Union is eagerly awaiting on the sidelines for what comes next.