Safe countries of origin; Nurturing the EU's most important alliance; Boosting trade with Gulf countries; Combating child sexual abuse; Strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy; CBAM simplification: striking a balance between climate goals and practicality; Ethics body brings no added value; Event: Exhibition on General Maczek - The armed heart of Polish emigration; Event: The End of World War II and the Crimes of Communism; Visit the ECR Group Stand – European Parliament Open Day in Brussels

Safe countries of origin

The ECR Group is Parliament’s leading voice in seeking pragmatic and effective responses to the migration challenges facing the European Union. On Monday, 12 May, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs will consider the Commission’s proposal to strengthen the practical application of the safe country of origin concept as an essential tool to support the swift examination of asylum applications that are likely to be unfounded. The ECR Group recognises that the EU should work steadily towards comprehensive reform of the rules managing migration and the common asylum system at EU level. However, as the Commission’s proposal accepts, Member States retain the right to apply or introduce legislation that allows for the national designation as safe countries of origin of third countries other than those designated as safe countries of origin at Union level. We believe it’s important that the Commission respects Member States’ prerogative in this matter.

When: Monday @ 14:30

Where: SPAAK 1 A 002

Nurturing the EU’s most important alliance

On Tuesday, MEPs in the Committee of Foreign Affairs will hold a public hearing to discuss EU-US political relations. The ECR Group is committed to the transatlantic alliance as the cornerstone of the West’s security and prosperity. We have long called for a dedicated EU-US summit to address the many common challenges that the transatlantic alliance faces, and we regret the Polish Council’s presidency’s refusal on this matter, which undermines dialogue and understanding at a crucial moment for Western unity. The ECR also rejects the knee-jerk anti-Trump populism that characterises other groups in the European Parliament and endangers progress with our American partners. Separately, the Committee on International Trade will discuss the current situation in EU-US trade relations on Thursday. Our position is to prioritise negotiations that lead to a full zero-tariff transatlantic trade agreement, and we deprecate the self-defeating alarmism that risks causing lasting damage to the EU. We strongly support multilateralism and development of new commercial opportunities but the EU-US trading relationship is irreplaceable and to suggest otherwise only weakens Europe.

AFET Committee meeting:

When: Tuesday @ 9:30

Where: ANTALL 2 Q 2

INTA Committee meeting:

When: Thursday @ 9:00

Where: ANTALL 4 Q 1

Boosting trade with Gulf countries

On Wednesday, the Committee on International Trade will hear from the Commission on its evolving plans for free trade agreements with the United Arab Emirates and with the Gulf Cooperation Council states. The ECR supports the diversification of the European Union’s commercial relationships and welcomes the Commission’s moves towards comprehensive trade partnerships could bring new opportunities for EU exporters, stronger investment flows from the Gulf and greater market access for European companies in the tertiary sector of the dynamic Gulf region.

When: Wednesday @ 15:00

Where: ANTALL 4 Q 1

Combating child sexual abuse

On Tuesday, 13 May, members of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs will vote on a Commission proposal to strengthen EU-wide laws against child sexual abuse and online content. The revised rules expand the definitions of offences to include new forms of online child sexual abuse, including AI-generated material. The proposal also introduces higher penalties and more specific requirements for prevention and assistance to victims, and they set minimum statutes of limitations to effectively allow victims to seek justice. For the ECR Group, the added value of EU action is important as part of a Europe-wide effort to maximise punishment of those who commit and incite child abuse, protect our children and engage digital services to deliver on their responsibilities.

When: Tuesday @ 09.30

Where: SPAAK 1A002

Strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy

Rural communities are the lifeblood of the European Union and if they thrive, the EU thrives with them. However, our countryside areas face multiple challenges: demographic decline, brain drain, disparities with urban areas, structural changes in the agricultural and forestry sectors, a lack of services and infrastructure, falling employment and incomes and a persistently large digital gap. On Tuesday, 13 May, ECR MEP Denis Nesci’s report on this subject will be voted on in the Committee on Regional Development. The report outlines ways in which the EU’s cohesion policy can support rural areas and focuses in particular on youth, infrastructure, high-quality agri-food production, access to education, quality services, healthcare, digital opportunities, skills training and transport connectivity.

When: Tuesday @ 14.30

Where: SPINELLI 1G3

CBAM simplification: striking a balance between climate goals and practicality

On Tuesday, the Committee on the Environment will vote on the Commission’s proposal to simplify the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), intended to limit carbon leakage while reducing administrative burdens. ECR Shadow Rapporteur Alexandr Vondra has co-tabled the only compromise amendment to this draft report. It proposes raising the exemption threshold from 50 to 110 tonnes, helping to reduce bureaucracy for smaller and occasional importers, while still maintaining coverage for 98 per cent of CBAM-relevant emissions. The aim is to make the regulation more workable for businesses without compromising environmental objectives — a balance the ECR Group continues to advocate across climate legislation.

When: Tuesday @ 15:30

Where: SPAAK 3C050

Ethics body brings no added value

The proposal for a supposedly independent ethics body encompassing the European Parliament is fundamentally flawed and fails to take account of the already strict ethical framework that applies to MEPs. The ECR Group supports the principle of the separation of powers of the EU institutions and rejects the idea that the proposed body should fall within the institutional framework of the Commission – which itself is regularly faced with questions to answer about its own commitment to transparency and integrity. The proposal infringes the free and independent mandate of MEPs individually and the European Parliament as an institution. On Tuesday, 14 May, the Committee on Constitutional Affairs will vote on a proposal to amend Parliament’s Rules of Procedure to establish such a body, with a plenary vote expected at the June session in Strasbourg.

When: Wednesday @ 10.30

Where: SPINELLI 1G3

Event: Exhibition on General Maczek - The armed heart of Polish emigration

On Tuesday, ECR MEP Bogdan Rzońca will open a new exhibition in the European Parliament honouring General Stanisław Maczek, commander of one of Poland’s most distinguished military units. His forces fought in three major campaigns—from Poland in 1939 to France in 1940, and finally in the Allied liberation of Western Europe in 1944–45. The exhibition highlights General Maczek’s pivotal role in liberating Dutch and Belgian cities such as Ypres, Ghent, and Breda. It also sheds light on the fate of Polish soldiers who, after the war, could not return home due to the communist takeover of Poland. Through rare photographs and historical commentary, the exhibition offers a human perspective on the trials, courage, and camaraderie of soldiers on the Western Front. Links to the event website here.

When: Tuesday @ 12:30

Where: SPINELLI, Distribution Centre Area 3D

Event: The End of World War II and the Crimes of Communism

On Tuesday, ECR MEP Stephen Bartulica will host a conference on the crimes committed by communist regimes after World War II, with a particular focus on former Yugoslavia. Topics will include the Bleiburg massacre, the Way of the Cross, the persecution of Cardinal Stepinac, and the broader repression of nations in the region. The event will provide an opportunity to discuss the consequences of totalitarian regimes and the importance of historical memory.

The conference will be followed by a photo exhibition dedicated to the crimes of communism in Croatia and the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The exhibition will be available to view from May 13 - 16. Link to the event website here.

Conference

When: Tuesday @ 9:15 - 12:15

Where: SPINELLI 1H1

Exhibition

Inauguration: Tuesday @ 12:30

Where: SPINELLI 5G AREA

Visit the ECR Group Stand – European Parliament Open Day in Brussels

On Saturday, 10 May, the European Parliament in Brussels will open its doors to the public to celebrate Europe Day, which falls on 9 May. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the historic moment that laid the foundations for the European Union.

For the ECR Group, it is also a time to reflect on the original vision of voluntary cooperation between sovereign nations. We believe in a Europe that respects national identities, promotes decentralisation, and strengthens democratic accountability.

Come and meet us at the ECR Group stand!

When: Saturday, 10:00 – 18:00

Where: European Parliament, Brussels

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