EU must adapt to address today’s security challenges; Promoting transparency and preventing behind-the-scenes lobbying; Protection of minors online; Safe countries of origin; Phasing out Russian gas; Reducing reporting burdens for businesses; Backing Andrzej Poczobut for the Sakharov Prize; What future for the digital euro?

EU must adapt to address today’s security challenges

On Monday evening, ECR MEP Reinis Pozņaks will present a report to the Committee on Security and Defence titled “On drones and new systems of warfare – The EU’s need to adapt to be fit for today’s security challenges.”

The report addresses one of the most pressing and persistent security threats of our time. It calls on the EU and its Member States to take concrete measures to protect Europe and strengthen our resilience — including equipping our soldiers with ‘hard-kill’ solutions such as anti-drone rifles and acoustic sensors, mandating annual joint training exercises with NATO and the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and establishing a drone pilot academy within the European Defence Agency. It also proposes dozens of red tape–cutting and realignment measures for industry, ensuring a more agile environment where Europe can work effectively with its Allies to deter and defeat hostile drone activity.

When: Monday @ 18:30

Where: ANTALL 4Q1

Promoting transparency and preventing behind-the-scenes lobbying

The ECR Group supports efforts to make third countries’ engagement with the EU institutions more transparent. As recent scandals have shown, some countries seek to influence the development of EU policy in a furtive and surreptitious manner, often by using proxies. On Thursday, the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection will adopt a report that seeks to harmonise internal market rules that relate to the transparency of interest representation carried out on behalf of third countries. The ECR Group broadly welcomes efforts to prevent abuse and ensure citizens and institutions are fully aware of the resources and efforts being deployed by and for third countries to shape EU policy.

When: Thursday @ 9:30

Where: SPINELLI 1G-3

Safe countries of origin

On Monday, ECR MEP Alessandro Ciriani will present his draft report to the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. The report proposes the establishment of a list of safe countries of origin and anticipates certain provisions to make borders more secure and the management of illegal immigration more effective in response to Member States’ needs and citizens‘ concerns. For example, the proposal would enable asylum applications from nationals of third countries with a recognition rate of 20 per cent or less to be processed at the border to avoid abuses and inefficiencies.

When: Monday @ 14:30

Where: ANTALL 2Q2

Phasing out Russian gas

On Thursday, the Industry Committee and the International Trade Committee will hold a joint vote on the regulation to phase out Russian natural gas imports and strengthen the monitoring of potential energy dependencies. Before the war in Ukraine, the EU was heavily dependent on energy imports from Russia. Although this dependence has significantly decreased, imports remain. The ECR Group believes that the European Union must work steadily and permanently towards ending Europe’s reliance on Russian oil and gas, while ensuring our continent’s energy security. The ECR fully supports this proposal, as ending dependence on Russian energy supplies is of the utmost importance.

When: Thursday @ 10:00

Where: ANTALL 2Q2

Reducing reporting burdens for businesses

On Monday, MEPs in the Legal Affairs Committee will vote on the adoption of an omnibus proposal aimed at streamlining obligations under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). The omnibus proposal seeks to partially reduce the reporting burden and to limit, to some extent, the trickle-down of obligations to smaller companies — unfortunately, still falling short of real needs. The ECR Group strives for greater simplification of EU legislation, which could provide much-needed relief for businesses struggling with excessive compliance requirements and legal uncertainty.

When: Monday @ 16:30

Where: SPINELLI 1E-2

Backing Andrzej Poczobut for the Sakharov Prize

Andrzej Poczobut, a Polish-Belarusian journalist and political prisoner under the Lukashenka dictatorship in Belarus, is the ECR Group’s nominee for the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. On Thursday, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, together with the Committee on Development and the Subcommittee on Human Rights, will meet to vote on a shortlist of three candidates for the prize, which will be awarded in December. For the ECR Group, Andrzej Poczobut’s nomionation is not only a reflection of his heroic resistance to the Lukashenka regime but also a demonstration of support to all people in Belarus who dream of a free and democratic future.

When: Thursday @ 09:00

Where: ANTALL 6Q2

What future for the digital euro?

On Tuesday, the ECR Expert Policy Series will kick off with a conference focusing on plans to launch a digital euro. ECR Co-Chair Nicola Procaccini and head of our Croatian delegation Stephen Bartulica will make opening remarks at the event, which will include two panels: the first on the theory and practice of a digital euro, and the second on how the digital euro might work in everyday life. European Central Bank executive board member Piero Cipollone will provide insight through a keynote speech, along with contributions from bankers, academics and industry. This is the first in eight conferences that aim to develop the activities of the ECR Group’s internal working groups on various aspects of policy and society.

When: Tuesday @ 9:30

Where: SPAAK 1A2