This week, finance ministers are set to adopt recommendations on medium-term fiscal-structural plans and member states that are currently under an excessive deficit procedure, also to adopt implementing decisions approving modified recovery and resilience plans, submitted by some member states; MEPs in plenary session debate the spread of illegal content and online disinformation, the implications of Trump’s presidency for EU-US relations and vote on Russia’s manipulation of history and use of false narratives to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine. The week’s events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings from 20 to 25 January 2025.
Monday 20 January
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg, France
Ceasefire agreement in Gaza: MEPs will discuss on Monday the ceasefire in Gaza, the need to release hostages and end the humanitarian crisis, and ways to work towards a two-state solution.
Climate crisis: MEPs will debate the need for climate action to fight global warming in light of the record high temperatures in 2024.
Monday 20 January
Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Economic affairs
Eurogroup
Brussels
Finance ministers engage in a strategic political discussion on the euro area’s key policy priorities. Ministers will also discuss the use of innovative technologies, such as tokenisation and distributed-ledger-technology, in wholesale settlement of transactions.
Tuesday 21 January
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg, France
Enforcing EU digital rules to protect democracy: MEPs will discuss the need to enforce the Digital Services Act (DSA) and tackle the spread of illegal content, online disinformation, and other societal risks to safeguard European democracy from foreign interference and algorithmic manipulation.
Trump presidency/EU-US relations: MEPs will discuss the geopolitical and economic implications for EU-US relations of the new Trump administration.
Repression in Belarus/Unrest in Georgia: MEPs will debate the continuing oppression and fake elections in Belarus, and the political turmoil in Georgia around the investiture of a pro-Russian President, with representatives of the Polish Presidency and the Commission. MEPs will vote on accompanying resolutions on Wednesday (Belarus) and the next plenary (Georgia).
Hungary/Espionage: plenary will assess recent media reports alleging that Hungary’s intelligence services spied on EU officials investigating fraud in the country.
Venezuela: MEPs will debate the critical situation in Venezuela after the investiture of illegitimate President Maduro, followed by a vote on a resolution on Thursday.
Tuesday 21 January
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Energy policy | Financing
Investors Dialogues on Energy webinar: Strategic Energy Technology Plan
Online only
The European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) is a key stepping-stone to boost the transition towards a climate-neutral energy system through the development of low-carbon technologies in a fast and cost-competitive way.
The Communication on the revision of the SET Plan, adopted in October 2023, will help harmonise the original strategic objectives with the European Green Deal, REPowerEU and the Green Deal Industrial Plan, notably the Net-Zero Industry Act. It will ensure a unified approach towards achieving the EU’s decarbonisation goals, supporting strategic net-zero energy technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient energy future.
Tuesday 21 January
Council of the EU | Political Meetings | Financial Affairs
Economic and Financial Affairs Council
Brussels
The Polish Presidency will present its work programme. Ministers will hold a policy debate on competitiveness. Ministers will take note of the state of play of the economic and financial impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The Council is expected to adopt recommendations regarding medium-term fiscal-structural plans and member states that are currently under an excessive deficit procedure. The Council is also expected to adopt implementing decisions approving modified recovery and resilience plans, submitted by some member states.
Wednesday 22 January
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg, France
Polish EU Council Presidency/Donald Tusk: MEPs will discuss the programme of Poland’s six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 January, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Commission President von der Leyen.
December European Council: MEPs will assess the results of the 19 December EU summit, which took stock of the latest events in Ukraine and the Middle East, with European Council President Antonio Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Wednesday 22 January
Other bodies and agencies | Competitions and award ceremonies | Award | Urban habitat
Ceremony for the Green City Accord (GCA)
Vilnius, Lithuania
The Green City Accord Ceremony 2025 celebrates the commitments of mayors dedicated to tracking environmental progress and serves as a rallying call for enhanced collaboration and knowledge-sharing across Europe.
The Green City Accord Ceremony 2025 celebrates the commitments of mayors dedicated to tracking environmental progress and serves as a rallying call for enhanced collaboration and knowledge-sharing across Europe. It will take place during the opening ceremony of the European Green Capital 2025 in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Wednesday 22 – Thursday 23 January
Other bodies and agencies | Competitions and award ceremonies | Award | Urban habitat
Opening Ceremony of Vilnius as European Green Capital 2025 and Networking Meeting
Vilnius, Lithuania
As a new year starts, Vilnius is getting ready to take on the European Green Capital title. On January 22-23, the Lithuanian capital will host its opening ceremony that gathers members of the European Green Capital Network, politicians and environmental experts.
Thursday 23 January
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament plenary session
Strasbourg, France
Russian disinformation on Ukraine: MEPs will vote on a resolution about Russia’s manipulation of history and its use of false narratives to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine, concluding a plenary debate held in December 2024.
