This week, the EU Council is expected to adopt final legislative acts paving the way for Bulgaria to begin using the euro as its official currency as of 1 January 2026; while MEPs in plenary session hold a debate and vote on a motion of censure against the European Commission, debate the upcoming EU-China summit and the need to tackle China’s export restrictions on critical raw materials, as well as EU-US trade negotiations, the situation in the Middle East, and the new EU 2040 climate target. The week’s events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings from 6 to 12 July 2025.
Monday 7 July
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg
Motion of censure against the Commission: following the tabling of a motion of censure against the European Commission, plenary will hold a debate on Monday and the subsequent vote on Thursday. To be adopted, a motion must secure a two-thirds majority of the votes cast (by roll-call), representing a majority of Parliament’s component members.
Monday 7 July
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Economic affairs
Eurogroup
Brussels
On the agenda are fiscal policy coordination, assessing the international role of the euro, euro area enlargement – Bulgaria, digital euro and the savings and investments union. The Eurogroup will also elect a president for the next term.
Tuesday 8 July
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Economic affairs
Economic and Financial Affairs Council
Brussels
The Council is expected to adopt the final legislative acts paving the way for Bulgaria to begin using the euro as its official currency as of 1 January 2026. It will also be invited to activate the national escape clause under the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) in requesting member states to help facilitate their transition to higher defence spending at national level while ensuring debt sustainability. Ministers will hold a policy debate on the single currency package, including the proposal towards a digital euro. The Council is also expected to take decisions and make recommendations under the excessive deficit procedure.
Tuesday 8 July
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg
Denmark’s Council Presidency: MEPs will discuss Denmark’s agenda for its six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 July, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. A press conference with President Metsola and Prime Minister Frederiksen is scheduled after the debate.
Situation in the Middle East: MEPs will assess the latest developments in the Middle East and what the EU can do to help restore peace.
Post-2027 long-term EU budget: Commission President von der Leyen will exchange views with Parliament’s Conference of Presidents on the next MFF. In a debate in plenary on Wednesday morning, MEPs will outline their priorities ahead of the presentation by the Commission of its proposal on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF).
New EU 2040 climate target: MEPs will debate the Commission’s proposal of a new 2040 greenhouse gas reduction target of 90% compared to 1990 levels, to be included in the EU Climate Law.
Wednesday 9 July
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Data transmission | Data processing | Data collection | Data science
Data-driven innovation for supply chains and eco-friendly design
Brussels
This is the third in a series of workshops organised in the context of the stakeholder consultation activities carried out in preparation for the European Commission’s communication on a digitally powered green transition.
The communication, supported by an action plan, aims to articulate how the Green Deal Data Space (GDDS) will serve as a key enabler for the uptake of digital technologies for the 2030 environmental objectives and raise awareness about the underlying digital enablers, applications, and new pathways for European competitiveness.
The scope of this workshop is to explore the power of global data flows in tracing sustainable supply chains and supporting eco-design.
Wednesday 9 July
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Financing | Energy policy
Investors Dialogues on Energy webinar: the Hydrogen Mechanism
Online only
The Commission will soon launch the Hydrogen Mechanism to support market development of hydrogen, under the European Hydrogen Bank. The main objective of the Mechanism is to accelerate hydrogen market creation to support the industrial and transport decarbonisation. During this webinar, the Commission will present the Hydrogen Mechanism, including a preview of the platform’s prototype and some of its features.
Wednesday 9 July
Other bodies and agencies | Expert meetings | Climate change
Innovation Fund Webinar – IF25 Pilot Heat Auction
Online
the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action will host a webinar to discuss the draft Terms and Conditions (T&C’s) for the Innovation Funds’ upcoming 2025 pilot Industrial Heat Auction. The objective of this webinar is to present the draft T&Cs and answer clarifying questions
Wednesday 9 July
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg
June European Council/EU-China summit: on Wednesday morning, MEPs will assess the outcome of June’s EU summit with Presidents Costa and von der Leyen. On Tuesday morning, they will look ahead to the EU-China summit, set to take place in July, and discuss the need to tackle China’s export restrictions on critical raw materials. A vote on a resolution on the latter will take place on Thursday.
EU-US trade relations: in a debate with Council and Commission representatives, MEPs will assess the state of trade relations and the ongoing negotiations between the EU and the US.
Preparing for this year’s wildfire and drought season: MEPs, with Commission and Council representatives, will debate the EU’s preparations for Europe’s upcoming wildfire and drought season.
Influx of substandard goods into the EU: Parliament will adopt proposals to manage the growing influx into the EU of substandard and potentially dangerous cheap goods from non-EU webshops. The debate will take place on Monday.
Human cost of Russia’s war on Ukraine: MEPs are set to condemn the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, and the execution and torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war, in a vote on Wednesday.
Thursday 10 – Friday 11 July
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Sustainable finance | Climate change policy
JRC Summer School on Sustainable Finance, 7th edition
Ispra, Italy and online
The Sustainable Finance Research Forum, set up by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, will hold the 7th edition of its Summer School on Sustainable Finance. The event will be hybrid (online and in person) and free to attend.
Thursday 10 July
Other bodies and agencies | Expert meetings | Climate change
Carbon Removal Expert Group meeting on permanent removals
Online
In July, the next Expert Group meeting will take place to discuss the draft Delegated Act establishing the certification methodologies for direct air capture and storage (DACCS), biogenic emission capture and storage (BioCCS) and biochar carbon removal (BCR).