This week, farm ministers exchange views on fertilisers in the EU; industry ministers approve conclusions on tourism; research ministers debate Horizon Europe 2028-2034 and the EU Space Act; the annual event on climate-neutral and smart cities takes place in Turin; and MEPs delegations visit Canada over defence cooperation, the USA over energy and space and EU digital legislation, Poland over defence spending and Ireland over the housing crisis. The week’s events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings from 25 to 30 May 2026.
Monday 25 May
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament delegations
Brussels
Canada/defence cooperation: a delegation of the Security and Defence Committee will travel to Canada to hold policy discussions with officials, political counterparts, and experts, on deepening EU-Canada defence cooperation, including the country’s participation in the SAFE programme. MEPs will also discuss Canada’s participation in peacekeeping operations, NATO, support for Ukraine, Arctic security, and the supply of critical raw materials (Monday to Thursday).
Tuesday 26 May
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Internet
European voices for the future of the internet – celebrating 20 Years of .eu
Brussels
On 7 April 2026, the .eu domain name celebrated its 20th anniversary. For two decades, .eu has connected Europe and supported a strong, trusted and recognisable online identity for people, businesses and organisations across Europe. From its launch in 2006 to today, .eu has reflected Europe’s digital ambitions, values and diversity. This anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the community behind .eu, reflect on its journey, and look ahead to the future of Europe’s digital presence.
Tuesday 26 May
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament delegations
USA/energy and space: Industry, Research and Energy Committee MEPs will travel to Houston and Austin in Texas to discuss energy, space and technology cooperation. They will meet key industry leaders in liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and exports, and have discussions on space exploration and international collaboration. MEPs will also visit facilities involved in human spaceflight, satellite technology, and semiconductor manufacturing (Tuesday to Thursday).
USA/EU digital legislation: a Legal Affairs Committee delegation will travel to Washington and Boston to assess the state of EU digital regulation and its impact on US technology firms. MEPs will discuss with US counterparts the protection of intellectual property and copyright, artificial intelligence, and support to business innovation (Tuesday to Thursday).
Mexico/Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (Eurolat): around 40 MEPs will meet with Latin American parliamentarians in Mexico’s capital to discuss reinforcing the bi-regional partnership in an unstable geopolitical landscape, as well as support multilateralism and free trade. The meeting will also mark the 20-year anniversary of Eurolat and will take place after an EU-Mexico summit and the signing of the EU-Mexico Modernised Global Agreement (Tuesday to Thursday).
Poland/defence spending: MEPs from the Budgets Committee will go to Warsaw and Rzeszow to investigate the budgetary implications of enhancing EU preparedness and the increase of defence spending in reaction to recent geopolitical shifts. Their visit will focus on defence spending across various domains, including counteracting hybrid threats (Tuesday to Thursday).
Ireland/housing crisis: MEPs from the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis will travel to Dublin to gather information on Ireland’s and Dublin’s housing accessibility crisis and policy responses at local and national levels. MEPs will also focus on how the housing crisis is preventing skilled and essential workers from living in urban centres (Tuesday to Thursday).
Tuesday 26 May
Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Fertilisers
Agriculture and Fisheries Council
Brussels
Agriculture ministers will exchange views on availability and affordability of fertilisers in the EU. They will also discuss trade-related agricultural issues.
Tuesday 26 May
Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Rule of Law | EU-UK relations
General Affairs Council
Brussels
Ministers for EU affairs will start preparations for the June European Council and hold a policy debate on the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034. The Council will also discuss the state of play of the EU-UK relations. In the context of the annual rule of law dialogue, the Council will hold country-specific discussions concerning France, Croatia, Italy and Latvia. Over an informal breakfast, ministers will exchange views on strategic foresight, with the Commission also briefly presenting its intergenerational fairness strategy.
Wednesday 27 May
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament delegations
EU-China interparliamentary meeting: MEPs from Parliament’s standing delegation for relations with China will travel to Beijing for the 43rd EU-China interparliamentary meeting with counterparts from the National People’s Congress. This is the first such gathering held in China following the lifting of Chinese sanctions against European lawmakers, political bodies, researchers and organisations (Wednesday to Friday).
Wednesday 27 – Friday 29 May
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Affordable housing | Transport policy | Energy policy | Climate change policy | Environmental policy | Natural resources | Innovation | Urban planning | Land use | Local government
Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Annual Event
Turin, Italy
Gathering around 500 participants, the event will focus on delivering and financing climate-neutral cities through high-level dialogue, practical exchanges and mobile workshops, showcasing urban projects and investment solutions across Europe.
Wednesday 27 May
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Batteries
The EU Digital Product Passport: Implications and Practical Guidance for the Battery Industry
Online only
The European Union’s Digital Product Passport (DPP) will introduce new transparency and data requirements across the batteries value chain — from raw materials to end-of-life. Explore and discover upcoming data requirements, industry readiness, support for SMEs, and get answers in a live Q&A. The session will provide practical guidance for the battery value chain.
Wednesday 27 May
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Energy policy | Financing
Investors Dialogue on Energy webinar: Savings and investments union
Online only
The ID-E is a multi-level stakeholder platform that brings together experts from the energy and finance sectors in all EU countries. Their aim is to assess and upgrade financing schemes to mobilise financing in the context of the European Green Deal and REPowerEU.
Thursday 28 May
Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Internal market and Industry
Competitiveness Council
Brussels
Internal market and industry ministers will approve conclusions on tourism and hold political debates on the industrial accelerator act, the 28th regime and the impact of the Middle East crisis on tourism.
Thursday 28 May
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Circular action for climate neutrality | Governance
From trade to transformation: EU–Australia circular economy in action
Online only
Join us for an EU Circular Talk on 28 May, 8:30-10:30, exploring how the evolving EU-Australia partnership — shaped by trade negotiations, climate commitments and shifting geopolitics — is becoming a testing ground for the circular economy as a strategic framework.
Friday 29 May
Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Research and Space
Competitiveness Council (Research and Space)
Brussels
Research ministers will adopt a recommendation on science diplomacy and hold a policy debate on the Horizon Europe 2028-2034 programme. In the afternoon, ministers responsible for space policy will debate the EU Space Act and space for economic security.
