Tackling terrorism
Europol, the EU's law enforcement agency, will get additional powers to tackle terrorism and international crime after MEPs approved on Wednesday new governance rules. These will allow the agency to respond to new threats faster and set up specialised units more easily. The new powers will be accompanied by strong data protection safeguards and democratic oversight tools. For more about Europol, check out our infographic.
Aslym reform
Any reform of the EU's asylum system should be based on solidarity among member states as this will ensure the effective management of asylum applications, MEPs said in a debate on Wednesday with commissioners Frans Timmermans and Dimitris Avramopoulos. Currently asylum demands need to be dealt with by the first EU country the applicant entered.
Schengen
The EU's external borders need to be properly secured in order to restore the normal functioning of the Schengen zone of passport-free travel, MEPs said in a debate on Wednesday.
Turkey visa liberalisation
MEPs voiced serious concerns about Turkey's lack of progress in meeting the EU’s conditions for liberalising its visa regime for Turkish nationals in a debate on Wednesday.
Greece
Parliament's centre-left groups - S&D, GUE/NGL, Greens/EFA - as well as the conservative group ECR called on Greece's creditors and the International Monetary Fund not to impose more reforms on the country and advocated debt relief whereas the centre-right group EPP stressed the need for reforms during a debate on Tuesday.
Parental leave
EU countries should ensure that both mothers and fathers are able to take properly paid parental leave to encourage more men to take the leave and prevent women from damaging their career prospects, MEPs said in a resolution adopted on Thursday.
Human trafficking
Member states should do more to protect the victims of human trafficking, especially women and children as the are the most vulnerable, MEPs said in a resolution adopted on Thursday. Read our interview with Catherine Bearder, the MEP who drafted the resolution.
Corporate taxes
MEPs welcomed on Thursday plans for EU countries to exchange tax reports by multinationals in order to help tackle aggressive tax planning, but insisted that the European Commission should have full access to the information.
China
China's export prices for products sent to the EU should be investigated until the country has fulfilled the EU's criteria for market economy status in order to counter dumping, MEPs said in a resolution adopted on Thursday. This should happen in compliance with the EU's and China's obligations in the World Trade Organization.
Gas pipeline
Nord Stream 2, a project by Gazprom to build new pipelines from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea, goes against the objectives of the EU's energy union, MEPs said in a debate on Monday. Some MEPs argued that the project is not justified economically or in climate action terms and instead reflects geopolitical motives. The idea behind the energy union is to make it easier to transfer energy between EU countries and make Europe less dependent on fossil fuels. Read more about it in our top story on the energy union.
Picture perfect
A group of popular Instagram users were invited by the Parliament to capture memorable plenary moments. Check out what pictures they took on the Parliament's Instagram account.
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