European Parliament

Céad míle fáilte! 🇮🇪 Starting 1 July, Ireland is holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU for six months, for the eighth time since it joined the Union 🇪🇺 Learn more about what the presidency means, why it matters, and when it is your country's turn next in our infographic below.

Enlargement is one of the EU’s greatest achievements, an investment in a shared future. In its resolutions on the accession reports of candidate and potential candidate countries in the Western Balkans wishing to join the EU, Parliament continues to prioritize a merit-based enlargement process. There are candidate countries in the Western Balkans that are advancing well on their path to join the club. Namely: 🇲🇪 Montenegro: MEPs welcome Montenegro’s steady progress on EU-related reforms, supported by its ambition to complete negotiations by the end of 2026 and become the EU’s 28th member state by 2028. 🇦🇱 Albania: MEPs praise the country's strong progress in recent years and acknowledge its ambition to finish EU membership negotiations by 2027. However, they emphasize that Albania’s path to EU membership will depend on how effectively it implements key reforms, especially in the areas of the rule of law and the fight against corruption. At the same time, there are countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Kosovo in need of further progress. 🇧🇦 With regards to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Parliament urges the country’s political leaders to renew their commitment to EU membership and implement long-overdue reforms without delay. 🇲🇰 On North Macedonia, MEPs regret the lack of progress since 2025’s report, especially on the rule of law, judicial reform and the fight against corruption, and calls it to adopt the constitutional amendments necessary for the opening of the first negotiation cluster. 🇽🇰 Kosovo as a potential candidate country must be able to form a functioning legislature and government, to accelerate EU-related reforms and normalize its relations with Serbia. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ee4-Dkrq

Ireland will be taking over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026! During its Presidency, Ireland will work closely with the European Parliament by:  → Representing the Council in negotiations with the European Parliament and the Commission  → Helping advance EU laws on climate, energy, digital, mobility, and more  → Contributing to shaping the EU agenda as the Parliament and Council co-legislate Learn more about the Irish EU Council Presidency here: https://lnkd.in/ent2z_zz

The EU is a place of stability in a world of geopolitical uncertainty 🇪🇺⚖️ This view is shared by 75% of EU citizens, according to Parliament’s latest Eurobarometer survey published today. This is an increase of 8 percentage points since the autumn of 2025. In addition, citizens want the EU to be equipped to act: 73% want the EU to have more means to face global challenges 🌍 Learn more about EU citizens’ views on the future and their expectations of the EU here: https://lnkd.in/eEq8GGPg

The strongest corporate boards aren't built by chance. They're built on transparency and fair opportunity.   From 30 June 2026, new EU rules on gender balance in corporate boards apply to listed companies. Companies must now meet one of two targets - the underrepresented sex must make up 40% of non-executive directors, or 33% of all directors (executive and non-executive combined).   The objective isn't simply greater representation - it’s stronger business performance. Evidence consistently shows that more gender-diverse boards are associated with better decision-making, increased innovation, and stronger financial outcomes. The EU also estimates that closing gender gaps could increase GDP per capita by 6–10% by 2050.   The new rules keep merit at the heart of recruitment: - Transparent criteria for selection - Preference for the underrepresented sex when candidates are equally qualified - Companies must be able to demonstrate compliance if challenged   More diverse corporate boards aren't just good for equality. They're good for business.   Read more: https://lnkd.in/ew9yjt3A

In an increasingly uncertain and unpredictable world, the mission of the European Parliament is to deepen cooperation so democracies deliver for every person.   Working with national parliaments both inside and outside the EU, interparliamentary cooperation ensures there are ample opportunities to explore, discuss and debate foreign policies and economic governance issues together.   The main objective of these relations is to create a dialogue between the right people, on the right topic, at the right time.

Goodbye halloumi and welcome boxty! Starting 1 July, Ireland will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the next six months.    Many thanks to Cyprus for its work over the past six months in guiding the Council's agenda and steering key negotiations. The Council of the EU is one of the EU's main decision-making institutions where representatives of the governments of member states negotiate and adopt laws together with the European Parliament.    But what does this mean for Ireland? For the next six months, Irish representatives will take charge of:    • Coordinating and leading meetings of the Council of the EU  • Maintaining continuity in the Council's agenda    Want to know more about the rotating EU Council presidency and Ireland’s role? Click here: europa.eu/!kP84BX

What happens when your car reaches the end of the road? 🚗    New EU rules will make manufacturers pay for the collection and treatment of vehicles that reach the end of their life, making scrapping easier and helping ensure cars are recycled responsibly ♻️    This means that drivers can rest easy and benefit from clearer procedures for their old vehicles while valuable materials are recovered and reused instead of going to waste.   It ensures:  • Drivers will benefit from a simpler process when disposing an old vehicle  • Producers will cover the costs of collecting and treating vehicles at the end of their life, once responsibility rules apply • And they'll be required to set up systems to collect them   The rules still need the Council's approval and will then apply in EU countries in two years: https://lnkd.in/evQiyBYh

Big ambitions start small and they deserve support all the way up.   Parliament has agreed with the EU countries to introduce a new category of businesses: small mid-cap companies (SMC).   Various exceptions already available to small and medium-sized enterprises will also be extended to this new category following the formal adoption of the new rules.   This means that smaller companies will keep the same beneficial business environment as they grow.   Today, on the International Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, we celebrate another step to improve European competitiveness. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eTMXpJxM

Farmers put food on our table. They deserve a fair income.   This is why Parliament approved new rules to strengthen farmers' contractual position and help stabilise their incomes. This means: ▪️ fair pricing for agricultural products; ▪️producer organisations get a bigger say when talking business; ▪️more transparent labelling and marketing; ▪️mandatory written contracts, to support dairy producers’ incomes. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/ekgRgxdi