This week, the Cyprus presidency presents its work programme in the field of economic and financial affairs; the Eurogroup marks the occasion of Bulgaria’s euro accession; the Commission holds Horizon Europe info days; and MEPs in their first plenary session of 2026 debate the EU’s response to President Trump’s claims to Greenland, events in Iran, the situation in Venezuela, the €90 billion Ukraine loan; EU-US relations, air passenger rights, the EU-Mercosur deals and AI deepfakes and sexual exploitation on social media; and celebrate 40 years of the EU membership of Spain and Portugal. The week’s events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings from 19 – 24 January 2026.
Monday 19 January
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg
Monday 19 January
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Economics and finance
Eurogroup
Brussels
The Eurogroup will mark the occasion of Bulgaria’s euro accession, and ministers will exchange views on the policy priorities for the euro area.
Monday 19 January
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Research | Innovation
HaDEA Showcase Event
Brussels and online
EU-funded projects and synergies driving competitiveness and preparedness: Strengthening innovation leadership in digital technology, industry, space and health
This second edition of the HaDEA Showcase Event will highlight EU-funded projects and synergies from across HaDEA’s portfolio, in the context of key EU policy initiatives; the Competitiveness Compass and the EU Preparedness Union Strategy.
Monday 19 January
Other bodies and agencies | Partner meetings | Trade agreement | International trade
CSD on the Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment in support of negotiations on an EU-Thailand Free Trade Agreement: Draft inception report and heatmap
Brussels and online
The purpose of this meeting is to exchange views with EU civil society organisations on the ongoing work on the Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) in support of negotiations on an EU-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Tuesday 20 January
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Economics and finance
Economic and Financial Affairs Council
Brussels
The Cyprus presidency will present its work programme in the field of economic and financial affairs. As part of the European semester 2026, the Council is expected to approve conclusions on the 2026 alert mechanism report. Ministers will be invited to adopt a decision opening a new excessive deficit procedure (EDP) concerning Finland and a recommendation outlining the steps that Finland should follow to put an end to its excessive deficit.
Tuesday 20 January
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg
Greenland: MEPs will discuss the EU’s response to President Trump’s claims on Greenland.
Iran: MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will debate recent events in Iran, where authorities have been responding to nationwide protests with lethal force. A resolution will be put to a vote on Thursday.
Venezuela: the situation in Venezuela following the abduction of Nicolás Maduro and the need to ensure a peaceful democratic transition will be up for a debate with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
Ukraine loan: plenary will vote on whether to fast-track the approval of the enhanced cooperation by 24 member states on the establishment of a €90 billion Ukraine loan, on the setting up of the Ukraine Support Loan for 2026 and 2027, and amendment of the Ukraine Facility.
Air passenger rights: MEPs will debate on Tuesday and vote on Wednesday on an update to the rights of air travellers facing flight disruptions, to ensure compensation after a three-hour delay. A press conference is scheduled to follow the vote.
AI deepfakes and sexual exploitation on social media: in a debate, Parliament is expected to call for stronger and faster enforcement of EU laws to prevent the use of AI tools to create illegal sexual content.
Cyprus Council Presidency: MEPs will discuss the programme of Cyprus’s six-month Council Presidency, which began on 1 January, with the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides. EP President Metsola and President Christodoulides will hold a press conference after the debate.
Tuesday 20 – Wednesday 21 January
Other bodies and agencies | Info days | Research | Funding | Health | Climate | Environment
Horizon Europe info days – EU Missions
Online
The event aims to inform potential applicants about the new 2026 topics included in the EU Missions Work Programme 2026/2027. Learn more about the new 2026 topics in the Missions’ part of the main Work Programme 2026/2027 under Horizon Europe for each Mission: Adaptation to Climate Change Mission; Cancer Mission; 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart cities by 2030 Mission; Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030 Mission; A Soil Deal for Europe Mission.
Tuesday 20 January
Other bodies and agencies | Partner meetings | Settlement of disputes
Stakeholder meeting on the establishment of a Multilateral Investment Court
Live streaming available
The European Commission is holding a stakeholder meeting on the multilateral reform of investment dispute resolution including the establishment of a multilateral investment court. The purpose of the meeting is to update stakeholders on the latest developments in this area at the EU and international level and to exchange views on the latest relevant EU policy developments.
Wednesday 21 January
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg
40th anniversary of Spain and Portugal joining the EU: His Majesty Felipe VI, King of Spain, and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will address MEPs on Wednesday at 12.00 during a formal sitting.
Key debate/December European Council/EU sovereignty: MEPs will debate the results of the 18 December EU summit and the need for a stronger and more sovereign Europe amid rising geopolitical tensions, with Presidents Costa and von der Leyen.
EU-US relations: MEPs will vote on a report assessing EU-US relations. The draft text says the EU must enhance its strategic autonomy and stresses the need for Europe to take on greater responsibility for its security. A press conference is scheduled after the vote.
Mercosur/EU Court opinion/motion of censure: MEPs will decide whether to seek the European Court of Justice’s opinion on the compatibility of the EU-Mercosur deals with the EU Treaties. On Monday, MEPs will hold a debate on a motion of censure against the European Commission, followed by a vote on Thursday.
Thursday 22 – Friday 23 January
Other bodies and agencies | Info days | Research | Food | Bioeconomy | Natural Resources | Agriculture | Environment
Horizon Europe info days – Cluster 6
Brussels and online
Join the Horizon Europe Cluster 6 info days on 22 and 23 January 2026 to learn more about the topics of the forthcoming Work Programme 2026. Learn more about funding opportunities in the Cluster 6 areas.
Thursday 22 – Friday 23 January
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | sustainable finance
9th Sustainable and Impact Investments International Conference
Hamburg, Germany
The Social Impact Investments International Conference is an annual meeting for international scholars, practitioners and policy makers involved in the social impact finance field. The Conference offers publication opportunities and best paper awards, and engages high standing scholars and professionals. The Conference will host several outstanding keynote speakers.
