This week, foreign affairs ministers focus on the future of the EU’s external action in light of geopolitical developments, while trade ministers review the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on trade; the Commission holds the Transport Research Arena conference, and the Energy Infrastructure Forum; and MEPs in plenary session hold a final vote on screening of foreign investments to better protect EU strategic sectors, debate the single market and providing certainty and predictability for businesses and quality jobs, EU cybersecurity and preparedness in view of advanced AI systems, and the Commission’s Fertilizers Action Plan. The week’s events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings from 18 to 23 May 2026.
Monday 18 May
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg
Monday 18 May
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Development
Foreign Affairs Council
Brussels
The Foreign Affairs Council, in its Development configuration, will focus on the future of the EU’s external action in light of geopolitical developments. Ministers will also exchange views on the role of the Global Gateway strategy in the EU’s external action, as well as on the impact of the war in Iran on development across the world.
Monday 18 – Thursday 21 May
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Transport research | Transport policy
Transport research arena conference
Brussels
Transport research arena (TRA) is the largest European research and technology conference on transport and mobility.
The mission of TRA is to foster collaboration and exchange among European, national, and regional transport research and innovation stakeholders.
Organised by DG MOVE, this lunchtime session will provide a concise tour of key EU transport policy priorities since the last TRA and their implications for transport research and innovation.
Tuesday 19 May
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg
European Order of Merit ceremony: at a ceremony at 11.30, laureates will receive the inaugural European Order of Merit for their significant contributions to EU integration and values.
Screening of foreign investments: MEPs will vote on an agreement with Council to better protect EU strategic sectors such as defence, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, critical raw materials and financial services from risky foreign investments.
Cyber resilience: MEPs will discuss with Council and Commission representatives the EU’s cyber resilience capabilities in the face of emerging risks relating to advanced AI systems.
Middle East: MEPs will quiz EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas about the EU’s approach to the crises in the Middle East, including the situations in Iran, Israel, and Syria.
Fertilisers action plan: the Commission will present its strategy to tackle rising EU fertiliser prices, followed by a debate with MEPs.
Interinstitutional legislative negotiations
EU-US trade: Parliament and Council will attempt to find an agreement on two trade legislation proposals relating to the EU-US “Turnberry deal” on tariff and trade exchanges announced in July 2025.
Wednesday 20 May
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg
Single market: MEPs will discuss with Commission and Council representatives how to remove barriers in the single market, improve conditions for European businesses and ensure their competitiveness in the global arena.
New revenue sources for the EU budget: MEPs and the Commission will discuss alternative financing possibilities for the EU’s long-term budget, including from online gambling.
Interinstitutional legislative negotiations
Asylum and migration/return regulation: Parliament and Council negotiators will try to reach a deal on an updated EU common system for the return of third-country nationals without the right to stay in the EU.
Thursday 21 May
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg
Hantavirus outbreak: MEPs and the Commission will assess EU preparedness for health emergencies, in the wake of the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak.
Thursday 21 – Friday 22 May
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Maritime affairs | Sustainable blue economy
European Maritime Day
Limassol, Cyprus
European Maritime Day 2026 will be an in-person event with plenary sessions live streamed.
The EMD is the occasion to pay tribute to “maritime Europe” and put all maritime sectors and activities in the spotlight to help European citizens realise the real outreach and variety of sea-related activities going on in Europe and provoke reflection on the crucial role the seas play in our everyday life.
It is the annual event during which Europe’s maritime community meet to network, discuss and outline joint action on maritime affairs and sustainable blue economy.
The EMD is also the place where ‘Ocean Leaders Meet’. It provides an engaging and interactive experience to catch up on the current state of play on a broad range of issues concerning the blue economy and the marine environment and to discuss ways of moving forward.
Thursday 21 – Friday 22 May
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Energy cooperation | Energy union | Energy policy
Energy Infrastructure Forum
Copenhagen, Denmark
The annual Energy Infrastructure Forum is organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities. It gathers representatives of the EU institutions, transmission system operators, project promoters, regulators, energy companies, NGOs and the financing community to discuss the challenges of accelerating the deployment of Europe’s energy infrastructure which will enable the achievement of EU’s decarbonisation targets.
Friday 22 May
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Trade
Foreign Affairs Council
Brussels
During the Foreign Affairs Council, in its Trade formation, EU trade ministers will review the state of play of economic security and the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on trade. Ministers will then exchange views on the state of play of WTO reform and the follow-up to the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14), held in Yaoundé from 26 to 30 March 2026. Over lunch, ministers will discuss the current status of ongoing trade negotiations.
