This week, farm ministers discuss agriculture and food and trade-related issues; the European Commission launches the call for applications for the 2028 European Green Capital and European Green Leaf Awards, and holds a webinar on the EU Ecolabel; and European Parliament delegations travel to China, to discuss digital and e-commerce challenges and fostering fair EU-China competition; Poland and Lithuania, to discuss how to strengthen the EU response to hybrid threats, the instrumentalisation of migrants at their borders, foreign interference, disinformation, and cybersecurity threats; Seoul and Tokyo to discuss strengthening the EU’s strategic partnerships with South Korea and Japan; and Argentina, to discuss strengthening EU ties. The week’s events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings from 30 March to 4 April 2026.
Monday 30 March
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament delegations
Hybrid threats/Poland and Lithuania: MEPs from the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield will go to Poland and Lithuania to discuss how to strengthen the EU response to hybrid threats, the instrumentalisation of migrants at their borders, foreign interference, disinformation, and cybersecurity threats. MEPs will meet with the relevant secretaries of state and ministers, as well as parliamentarians, cybersecurity experts, and representatives from the EU border agency Frontex (Monday to Wednesday).
Housing crisis/Portugal: a delegation from the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis will travel to Portugal to discuss the country’s affordable housing programme and European Investment Bank investments. They will meet the Secretary of State for Housing and for Planning and Regional Development as well as representatives of public housing institutions and experts involved in social and cooperative housing (Monday to Wednesday).
Mercosur/Argentina: MEPs from the delegation for relations with Mercosur will travel to Buenos Aires and Salta to discuss strengthening EU ties with Argentina, weeks before the provisional application of the trade agreement with Mercosur countries set for 1 May. MEPs will meet, among others, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, the president of Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies, as well as with members of the foreign affairs and Mercosur committees (Monday to Wednesday).
Monday 30 March
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Agriculture | Food
Agriculture and Fisheries Council
Brussels
Ministers will exchange views on agriculture and food and on trade-related issues. They will also discuss the energy transition in the EU fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
Monday 30 March – Wednesday 1 April
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | The EU’s international role | International cooperation | Global Gateway
EU Regional Business Forum – West Africa Corridors
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Discover strategic investment opportunities in transport and logistics across West Africa.
Join key stakeholders in Abidjan to explore projects, partnerships, and financing along the Abidjan–Lagos and Abidjan–Ouagadougou corridors.
Tuesday 31 March
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament delegations
E-commerce and consumer protection/China: MEPs from the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee will travel to Beijing and Shanghai to discuss digital and e-commerce challenges and fostering fair EU-China competition. MEPs are expected to convey the EU’s stance on digital regulation and safe markets, particularly regarding breaches of EU law and the high-volume of non-compliant small parcels coming from China. In Beijing, MEPs will meet, among others, chairperson of the legislative affairs commission of the standing committee of China’s Congress and the Minister of State Administration for Market Regulation. In Shanghai, MEPs will continue their discussions on compliance with EU digital market rules with Temu representatives (Tuesday to Thursday).
Strategic partnerships/South Korea and Japan: a delegation from the Committee on Foreign Affairs will travel to Seoul and Tokyo to discuss strengthening the EU’s strategic partnerships with South Korea and Japan, two key partners in the Indo-Pacific region. MEPs will meet with key parliamentary and government representatives, researchers from think tanks and academia, as well as EU member state representatives (Tuesday to Thursday).
Tuesday 31 March
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | EU Ecolabel | Circular economy
Webinar – The EU Ecolabel as a tool boosting circular economy & competitiveness
Online only
Join us for a dynamic EU Circular Talk exploring how the EU Ecolabel acts as a ready-to-use tool helping businesses deliver circularity, meet rising legislative expectations, and gain a competitive edge across EU markets.
Wednesday 1 April
Other bodies and agencies | Competitions and award ceremonies | Participatory democracy | Innovation | Health policy | Quality of life | Environmental policy | Climate change policy
Launch of the 2028 edition of the European Green Capital and Leaf awards
Brussels
The European Commission has launched the call for applications for the 2028 European Green Capital (EGC) and European Green Leaf (EGL) Awards. These titles recognise European cities that show outstanding commitment to sustainability, environmental innovation, and improving quality of life. Winning cities will receive a financial prize – EUR 600 000 for the Green Capital and EUR 200 000 for each Green Leaf winner – to implement high-impact environmental initiatives during their title year.
