This week, farm ministers discuss the role of agriculture and forest management in preventing wildfires; European Parliament and Council negotiators try to reach a deal on postponing certain EU rules on high-risk systems using artificial intelligence; the Commission holds a Reality check on the revision of eInvoicing Directive; MEPs in plenary session vote on the 2028-2034 EU budget, revised rules for the EU’s preferential trade arrangement with developing countries and welfare of dogs and cats; and it’s still European Youth Week. The week’s events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings from 27 April to 2 May 2026.
Monday 27 April
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
Plenary Session of the European Parliament
Strasbourg, France
Monday 24 April – Friday 1 May
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Youth
European Youth Week
Brussels
European Youth Week is organised by the European Commission every second year to celebrate and promote youth engagement, participation and active citizenship all over Europe and beyond.
This edition will be dedicated to ‘Solidarity and Fairness’. We will celebrate 30 years of volunteering.
Monday 27 April
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | CAP | Wildfires
Agriculture and Fisheries Council
Luxembourg
Ministers will discuss the role of agriculture and forest management in preventing wildfires, the post-2027 CAP proposals, and the current market situation.
Monday 27 April
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Health | Research
Understanding cancer in the digital age: data, innovation and equity
Nicosia, Cyprus
In 2021 the EU launched an unprecedented Mission to prevent cancer, advance care, and improve 3 million lives by 2030.
Researchers, innovators, patients, medical professionals, charities, funders, and policymakers: your expertise, experience, and voice are essential to make this transformation possible.
Monday 27 April
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | E-invoicing | Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
Reality check on the revision of eInvoicing Directive
Online only
This event is part of the preparatory work for revising the eInvoicing Directive, announced in the Single Market Strategy in May 2025. The Commission plans to adopt the revised rules in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The ‘reality check’ will gather input from stakeholders, in particular businesses, on how eInvoicing is implemented across the EU.
Tuesday 28 April
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
Plenary Session of the European Parliament
Strasbourg, France
EU long-term budget: MEPs will debate and vote on their negotiating position on the 2028-2034 EU budget (multiannual financial framework – MFF), including a breakdown of the amounts they want to allocate to each EU funding programme. The vote will be followed by a press conference with EP President Metsola and lead MEPs.
Defining rape based on absence of consent: Parliament will vote on a draft report calling on the Commission to propose legislation establishing a common definition of rape based on the concept of freely given, informed and revocable consent.
Digital Markets Act: in the lead up to the Digital Markets Act review, MEPs are set to call for quicker compliance proceedings and closer scrutiny of AI-driven search tools and cloud services in a debate on Tuesday. They will vote on a resolution on Thursday.
Welfare of dogs and cats: to protect the health of cats and dogs, MEPs are set to approve the first ever EU standards for their breeding, housing, traceability, import and handling on Tuesday.
EU trade instrument for development: MEPs are set to approve revised rules for the EU’s preferential trade arrangement with developing countries, which allows them to export goods to the EU with low or zero tariffs.
Committees
Artificial intelligence: Parliament and Council negotiators will try to reach a deal on postponing certain EU rules on high-risk systems using artificial intelligence (the “digital omnibus” proposal). The talks will also cover a possible ban on “nudification” apps. In the event of a deal, there will be a press conference with lead MEPs on Wednesday at 11.00.
Tuesday 28 April
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Translation | Language skills | Multilingualism
From technical writing to translation: an integrated approach to technical communication
Online only
This workshop explores how technical writing, technical communication and technical translation are closely connected in today’s global and multidisciplinary environment.
Tuesday 28 April
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | European internal security | Security research | Scientific research | Research | Public safety
CERIS Workshop on innovative approaches to combating the trafficking of goods
Brussels
Organised by the Community for European Research and Innovation for Security (CERIS) , this Workshop will be presenting and discussing European research and innovative solutions, as well as capability needs, for fighting illicit trafficking of goods across the external borders of the European Union. The solutions presented will address capability needs for identification and detection, as well as market intelligence and data analytics, for any type of trafficked material.
Tuesday 28 April
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Environment | Research
Accelerating the green transition through research and innovation – Insights from the Horizon 2020 Green Deal Call-funded projects
Brussels
The Green Deal Projects Support Office event on “Accelerating the green transition through R&I” is a one-day open event aimed at promoting the results and impacts of 73 projects funded under the Horizon 2020 Green Deal Call (GDC).
The event will highlight how these projects support the implementation of the European Green Deal and related EU policy priorities, while fostering dialogue between projects, policymakers, and key stakeholders.
Wednesday 28 April
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
Plenary Session of the European Parliament
Strasbourg, France
Middle East/energy security: MEPs, the Council and the Commission will discuss how to respond to the ongoing Middle East crisis, and its implications for energy prices and fertiliser availability. In a separate debate on Wednesday afternoon, MEPs will discuss with the Commission the situation in southern Lebanon and the need to maintain a sustainable ceasefire and increased humanitarian access.
Proxy voting rights for MEPs during pregnancy and after giving birth: Parliament is set to conclude the legislative process to enable MEPs to delegate their vote while absent during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Cyberbullying and online harassment: MEPs will debate with the Commission the need for targeted criminal provisions and increased platform responsibility to tackle harmful online behaviour. A resolution will be put to a vote on Thursday.
Wednesday 29 April
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Biotechnology | Bioeconomy | Cosmetics industry | Chemical industry
Stakeholder Workshop on Biotech Act 2
Online
This workshop will gather stakeholders’ perspectives on challenges and policy options for Biotech Act 2, focusing on removing barriers for the EU industrial biotechnology and biomanufacturing sector within the single market.
Thursday 30 April
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
Plenary Session of the European Parliament
Strasbourg, France
Accountability and justice for Ukraine: MEPs will vote on a resolution about ensuring accountability and justice for Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukrainian civilians. The debate with the Council and the Commission will take place on Tuesday. On Wednesday, MEPs and the Commission will discuss the danger of normalising relations with Russia, including its participation in major cultural and sports events.
Thursday 30 April
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Coal | Steel | Research
Clean steel roundtable discussion on research and innovation needs in Europe
Online only
The purpose of the event is to inform about the reform of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, expected to take effect from the beginning of 2027.
Thursday 30 – Friday 1 May
Other bodies and agencies | Expert meetings | Energy policy | Energy union
40th European Gas Regulatory Forum
Madrid, Spain
The European Gas Regulatory Forum, also known as the Madrid Forum, gathers key stakeholders across the European energy sector to discuss opportunities and challenges related to the further development and decarbonisation of the internal EU gas market and to its integration with other energy sectors.
Thursday 30 April
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Social security harmonisation | Free movement of workers
MoveS Webinar: Equal Treatment in Social Security: Tackling Reverse Discrimination under EU Regulation 883/2004
Online
This webinar explores the role of equal treatment in EU social security coordination from both legal and practical perspectives.
Thursday 29 April
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Circular economy | Waste management | Waste recycling | Raw material
Contributing to the Circular Economy Act
Brussels
As the European Commission moves to the final phase of consultations on the Circular Economy Act (CEA), this workshop provides a timely opportunity for stakeholders to exchange views on the policy directions shaping the proposal ahead of its expected adoption later this year.
