ECR Group talks priorities with Danish Council presidency; Promoting the best of Europe’s farm produce; Indonesia as a trade and investment partner for the EU; Focus on the fringes — regional policy can revitalise outermost areas; European Ocean Pact; Seafood substitutes — consumers first!; Event: New perspectives after the NATO Hague Summit; Event: A day with Father Jerzy Popiełuszko

ECR Group talks priorities with Danish Council presidency

Throughout this committee week, ministers from the Danish government will be addressing MEPs to discuss the priorities of the Danish presidency of the Council during 2025. Our group’s members will be contributing to the discussions by underlining our own priorities across a broad range of policy sectors – whether on proportionate environmental legislation that safeguards industrial capacity, on a flexible medium-term EU budget adapted to evolving challenges, on the need to support Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s war of aggression, on opportunities to strengthen Europe’s defence and security capabilities or on the consolidation of the EU single market as a driver of growth, competitiveness and jobs.

When: Monday - Thursday

Promoting the best of Europe’s farm produce

Europe’s agri-food industry is one of the crown jewels of the continent’s economy, producing items of exceptional quality and heritage that add value to the EU’s exports globally. On Monday, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development will hold a hearing on the challenges and opportunities of promoting EU farm products, both in the internal market and in third countries. For the ECR Group, ensuring a level playing field for European farmers in trade agreements is an essential element of successful promotion of food products in external markets. We also want to see more enforcement of provisions in such agreements that protect Europe’s unique range of products with geographical indications - a system that adds long-term value and supports farm incomes.

When: Monday @ 15:00 - 18:30

Where: SPINELLI 3E2

Indonesia as a trade and investment partner for the EU

On Monday, MEPs on the Committee on International Trade will discuss the latest progress towards an EU-Indonesia free trade accord. The ECR Group welcomes the Commission’s efforts to diversify and deepen commercial relations with partners around the world, provided that such agreements take account of our overarching concerns about a level playing field on standards that ensures fair competition. We are therefore supportive of the EU-Indonesia free trade agreement in principle and look forward to scrutinising the final text as part of an eventual ratification procedure.

When: Monday @ 15:00 - 18:30

Where: SPINELLI 1G3

Focus on the fringes — regional policy can revitalise outermost areas

The ECR Group supports the long-term viability and prosperity of the EU’s outermost and island regions. On Tuesday, the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) will hold a hearing entitled ‘Enhancing Cohesion Policy for Outermost Regions and Islands: Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities Post-2027’. Our group’s coordinator on the REGI committee, Denis Nesci MEP, is a leading champion for these areas, which face challenges such as poverty, underdevelopment, depopulation and lack of infrastructure. In his recent report on cohesion funding and rural areas, Mr Nesci focused in particular on peripheral and insular regions as guardians of Europe’s fundamental character and tradition, calling for reinforced policy instruments to ensure they are not left behind in the next programming period.

When: Tuesday @ 14:30 - 17:15

Where: SPINELLI 3G2

European Ocean Pact

The European Ocean Pact has the potential to make our coastal waters a more sustainable and cleaner asset for the communities that depend on the sea. On Wednesday in the Committee on Fisheries, Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, will participate in an exchange of views on the pact. We welcome the element of the pact, Vision 2040, that focuses on fisheries and aquaculture, and we believe it could help to secure a competitive fisheries sector and food security. We support the Maritime Industrial Strategy, which could promote synergies between the blue economy and sustainable growth. And we want to see the commitment to strengthen the social and economic role of fisheries for communities in coastal areas turned into tangible action.

When: Wednesday @ 14:30 - 18:30

Where: SPINELLI 1G2

Seafood substitutes — consumers first!

Ensuring consumers know what they’re eating is at the heart of our approach to plant-based substitutes, and it applies as much to seafood substitutes as to plant-based meat. On Wednesday, the Committee on Fisheries will consider the labelling of plant-based seafood substitutes. We want to ensure labels clearly differentiate plant-based substitutes from seafood, avoiding misleading names and seafood-related terms that could confuse consumers.

When: Wednesday @ 14:30 - 18:30

Where: SPINELLI 1G2

Event: New perspectives after the NATO Hague Summit

The European Conservatives and Reformists Group has long championed NATO as the cornerstone of European security and the strongest deterrent against global threats. We believe that any future EU defence and security initiatives must complement NATO and uphold national sovereignty. In the aftermath of the recent Hague Summit, the ECR Group will host a strategic debrief and discussion on the future of transatlantic defence cooperation. This event will highlight the importance of NATO–EU complementarity and the value of interparliamentary diplomacy in strengthening our shared security. The Hon. Theo Francken, Belgian Minister of Defence will deliver the keynote address.

When: Monday @ 18:30

Where: SPINELLI 00G

Event: A day with Father Jerzy Popiełuszko

The ECR Group, in cooperation with the Institute of National Remembrance, will reflect on the life and legacy of Blessed Father Jerzy Popiełuszko—a Polish priest who paid the ultimate price in the struggle against Communism. Through his faith and courage, Father Jerzy became a symbol of resistance and spiritual strength under totalitarian oppression.

This commemorative event will feature the “Decalogue of Father Jerzy” exhibition, highlighting the values that guided his mission, as well as a personal testimony from Sister Krystyna Włodarska, who accompanied him during the final years of his life.

Exhibition opening: Tuesday @ 13:00–13:45, ANTALL, Floor 3, Area Q3

Discussion with Sister Krystyna Włodarska (with English translation): 14:00–15:30, SPAAK 7C50