This week, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen presents the State of the Union address to MEPs; MEPs in plenary session debate and vote on strengthening resilience against foreign interference and other threats to European democracies, strengthening Europe’s defence readiness, Russia’s hybrid attacks and how to protect the EU’s territorial integrity and critical security and defence infrastructure; MEPs also debate the urgent need for EU support for Ukraine against Russia’s mounting war of aggression, the instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect the EU’s external borders, and vote on how to address the negative impact of social media on young people; and we have European Mobility Week. The week’s events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings from 14 to 19 September 2026.
Monday 14 September
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg, France
Monday 14 – Tuesday 15 September
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Cohesion
Informal meeting of ministers responsible for cohesion policy
Dublin, Ireland
The informal meeting will provide Ministers with a forum to facilitate dialogue on initiatives linked to the future design, funding, and implementation of Cohesion Policy beyond the current budgetary period.
Monday 14 – Wednesday 16 September
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Energy policy | Nuclear energy
50 years of Euratom – IAEA cooperation, bringing stability in a changing world
Vienna, Austria
The European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), represented by the European Commission, takes part in the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) 70th General Conference which brings together representatives of IAEA Member States to consider key issues related to nuclear safety, security, safeguards, as well as nuclear science and non-power applications.
Tuesday 15 September
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg, France
Safeguarding European democracy: MEPs will debate and vote on recommendations to strengthen the EU’s resilience against foreign interference and other threats in an increasingly hostile global environment. A press conference with EP President Roberta Metsola, the rapporteur, and the chair of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield will take place after the vote.
Russia’s hybrid attacks: MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will debate the recent escalation of Russia’s hybrid attacks against member states and how to protect the EU’s territorial integrity, and critical security and defence infrastructure. A vote on a resolution on hybrid warfare will take place on Wednesday.
Escalation in the Middle East: MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will debate the latest flare up in fighting across the Middle East.
Heatwaves and wildfires: MEPs, the Commission and the Irish Council Presidency will take stock of lessons learnt from a record number of extreme climate events in summer 2026.
Situation in Ceuta: with the Irish Presidency and the Commission, MEPs will discuss the recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect EU’s external borders. A resolution will be put to a vote on Thursday.
Tuesday 15 – Thursday 17 September
Other bodies and agencies | Exhibitions | Common agricultural policy | EU quality schemes
National Ploughing Championships 2026
Screggan, Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland
The European Commission will have a stand at the 95th National Ploughing Championships, Ireland’s largest outdoor agricultural event. Held during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Championships bring together farmers, rural communities, businesses, researchers and policymakers to celebrate Irish and European agriculture.
Wednesday 16 September
European Commission | Political meetings | EU priorities
State of the Union speech
Live streaming available
The State of the Union (SOTEU) address is an annual speech by the president of the European Commission to the European Parliament, setting the priorities for the Union for the year ahead.
In this year’s address, Ursula von der Leyen will share her vision and major initiatives for the year ahead, building on the EU’s achievements so far.
Wednesday 16 September
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg, France
State of the European Union debate: from 9.00, Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and MEPs will debate the State of the European Union (SOTEU) in 2026. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney will attend as guest of honour.
EU aid for Ukraine: in a debate on Wednesday afternoon, MEPs are set to urge the Council and Commission to provide more support to Ukraine.
Defence readiness: Parliament will hold final votes on legislation to accelerate defence investment and improve the EU’s security challenge responsiveness. The debate will take place on Tuesday.
Wednesday 16 – Tuesday 22 September
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Cities | Transport
European Mobility Week
Europe-wide
This year’s theme continues to champion Mobility for Everyone, ensuring that all people can access sustainable transport, regardless of their income, location, gender or abilities. In 2026, the campaign places a special focus on intergenerational fairness, recognising that people of all ages – from children and young people to adults and older people – experience different mobility needs and challenges throughout their lives.
Thursday 17 September
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg, France
Mark Carney/formal sitting: addressing plenary at 11.30, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to speak about EU-Canada relations at a time of growing geopolitical tension.
Impact of social media on young people: MEPs are set to call on social media platforms to ban their most harmful addictive practices and to mitigate the impact of so-called “persuasive design”.
Thursday 17 September
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Youth policy
An EU Strategy on livestock
Dublin
The third edition of the Youth Policy Dialogue (YPD) will once again bring together young people and Commissioner Christophe Hansen to exchange views on the future of agriculture, food systems and rural areas.
