“The wind is back in Europe’s sails”, said Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker during the annual State of the Union debate at the Parliament on Wednesday. Juncker announced proposals for a European finance minister, legal migration pathways, cybersecurity, international trade and the defence union. He also proposed that the European Council and Commission presidency be combined.

Opening the debate, Parliament President Antonio Tajani said: “We are convinced that this Parliament can really contribute in a decisive way to the growth of the Union.”

Youth unemployment

Also on Wednesday, Parliament approved an additional €500 million from the EU budget to tackle youth unemployment.

Arms exports

MEPs called for tougher control over EU arms exports in a resolution adopted on Wednesday.

Wifi

In a vote on Tuesday, MEPs approved a new EU scheme to support free Wi-Fi in public spaces. The funds will be used in more than 6,000 communities across the EU.

Earthquake repairs in Italy

In the largest single sum approved under the EU Solidarity Fund to date, Parliament approved €1.2 billion in funding to repair damage caused by earthquakes in central Italy in 2016 and 2017.

New terrorism committee

On Tuesday, Parliament approved the list of full members of the new special committee on counter-terrorism measures. The committee held its first meeting on Thursday and elected French ALDE member Nathalie Griesbeck as its chair.

EU gas supplies

Under new rules approved on Tuesday, if a member states faces an urgent gas shortage it can rely on supplies from other EU countries. The EU imports two-thirds of its natural gas, its main suppliers being Russia, Norway and Algeria.

Protecting forests

MEPs approved plans on Wednesday to make EU countries compensate increases in emissions caused by deforestation. Forests are crucial in fighting climate change, as they absorb CO2 emissions.

Accessibility

People with disabilities should have access to key products and services, such as phones, ticketing machines and banking under a draft EU law approved in Parliament on Thursday. About 80 million people in the EU have some form of disability and this number is expected to grow.

Whaling in Norway

Norway must halt its whale hunting and the EU must ensure that no whale meat transits through its ports, MEPs insisted in a resolution passed on Tuesday. Norway has killed more than 13,000 whales since an international moratorium came into effect in 1986.

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