This week, farm ministers discuss the EU’s vision for agriculture and food; environment ministers discuss the environmental dimension of the clean industrial deal; and the the Commission and European Parliament host a debate on the Housing Crisis in the EU. The week’s events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings from 24 to 29 March 2025.
Monday 24 March
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament committee and political group meetings
Brussels
EU housing crisis: at a conference entitled “Affordable Housing – addressing the housing crisis in the European Union”, the Special committee on the Housing Crisis in the EU will launch the debate on the causes of this crisis, how the EU can help EU countries tackle it and what measures could be taken at European level. The event, hosted jointly by Parliament and the Commission will gather experts and representatives of EU institutions, and national and regional authorities.
Plenary preparations: the political groups are preparing for the 31 March – 3 April plenary session, where MEPs will assess the outcome of the 20 March European Council, which focused on competitiveness, Ukraine, defence and security, migration and the EU’s long-term budget. MEPs will also be debating and adopting their position on the EU’s common foreign, security and defence policy, and scrutinising the new EU internal security strategy. Other items on the April 2025 plenary agenda include a vote on the action plan for the automotive industry, a discussion on how to support energy-intensive industries, and a debate on the importance of the EU’s trans-European transport infrastructure for economic growth and security. In addition, MEPs will outline their priorities for the EU’s 2026 budget, consider the EU Roma strategy, and vote on whether to fast-track postponement of new social and environmental reporting and due diligence requirements.
Monday 24 March
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Agriculture | Food | Fisheries
Agriculture and Fisheries Council
Brussels
The Council will hold an exchange of views on the Commission’s Communication on a Vision for agriculture and food. Over the course of an informal lunch, fisheries ministers will discuss the future of the Common fisheries policy. The Council will also tackle a number of ‘other business’ items.
Monday 24 March
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Energy policy | Housing
Conference on affordable housing – addressing the European housing crisis
Brussels and online
The conference co-organised by the European Commission and the European Parliament marks the beginning of a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to affordable housing policy, ensuring inclusive engagement with all relevant stakeholders and levels of governance.
The high-level opening session will be followed by debates with Members of the European Parliament and interactive panel discussions with stakeholders. All interested parties are invited to attend, subject to space availability.
Tuesday 25 March
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament committee and political group meetings
Brussels
Eurobarometer survey: Parliament is publishing its winter 2025 Eurobarometer survey, which puts the spotlight on EU citizens’ priorities for the future and their expectations of the EU to protect them against global crises, strengthen security and defence, and enhance competitiveness.
Tuesday 25 – Wednesday 26 March
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Radicalisation
Launch of Thematic Panel 6 – Management of Foreign Terrorist Fighters, Volunteers, and their Families
Brussels
The launch of the Thematic Panel 6 (Management of Foreign Terrorist Fighters, Volunteers, and their Families) will take place on March 25-26th in Brussels. This event will focus on the objectives of the panel and the introduction of its members.
Wednesday 26 March
Other bodies and agencies | Expert meetings | Climate change
EU Carbon Removals Expert Group meeting on permanent removals and carbon storage in buildings
Online
In March, the next Expert Group meeting will take place online to discuss the following: BioCCS; DACCS; Biochar; Carbon Storage in Buildings
Wednesday 26 – Thursday 27 March
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Radicalisation
Launch of Thematic Panel 3 – New Technologies and the Online Dimension
Brussels
The launch of Thematic Panel 3 (New Technologies and the Online Dimension) will take place on March 26-27th in Brussels. The launch event will focus on the objectives of the panel and the introduction of its members.
Thursday 27 – Friday 28 March
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Regional policy
Interreg GO 2025
Gorizia and Nova Gorica
Interreg GO! conference will take place in a highly symbolic location for cross – border cooperation – the twin cities of Gorizia and Nova Gorica on the Italian-Slovenian border which jointly hold the title of European Capital of Culture in 2025.
The conference will be a key milestone in the preparation of the future Interreg programmes under the EU’s 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework. Discussions will focus on the role of Cohesion Policy Interreg territorial cooperation programmes in addressing shared challenges, such as border security, coordinated responses to migration, environmental threats, and natural disasters. Cooperation with candidate countries and the challenges faced by border regions will also be key topics.
Thursday 27 March
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Agriculture | Food | Fisheries
Environment Council
Brussels
Environment ministers will gather in Brussels to discuss the environmental dimension of the clean industrial deal and to exchange views on global environmental policies. The environmental impacts of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the outcome of COP16 will also feature on the agenda.
Thursday 27 March
Other bodies and agencies | Partner meetings | Settlement of disputes
Stakeholder meeting on the establishment of a multilateral investment court
Online only
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.
Friday 28 March
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Cohesion
General Affairs Council
Brussels
Ministers responsible for cohesion policy will meet in Brussels to discuss a more dynamic and strategic cohesion policy and ways to deliver change in the current and next perspective. The Council will be also invited to approve conclusions on cohesion and cohesion policy post-2027.
