Parliament’s lead MEP on the reform of the Dublin system, Swedish liberal Cecilia Wikström, will propose ways to remedy the shortcomings of the current asylum system in a draft report to be presented to the Civil Liberties Committee on Thursday morning.

On 6 March in Brussels, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius attended the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting, which focused on issues related to security and defence, migration, Egypt, the Western Balkans, the Middle East peace process, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Parliament President Antonio Tajani was in Slovenia on 3 March where he opened the new Europe House in Ljubljana with European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker. At the opening Tajani said: "We need to strengthen our European identity and sense of belonging. We need to be united if we want to compete at the European level in a globalised world.”

"Brexit will be a particular challenge for Ireland and its people," said Parliament President Antonio Tajani after welcoming Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny to the Parliament on 2 March. Tajani also expressed his "understanding for the deep political and economic ties that link Ireland and the UK”. Describing Ireland “as a small European country that has been transformed by its EU membership”, Kenny stressed the “fundamental role" that the European Parliament would play in any Brexit deal.

On 2 March, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius had a telephone conversation with the new U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. On this occasion, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister once again congratulated the chief U.S. diplomat on assuming office and stressed that the strategic partnership with the U.S. would continue to be a priority of Lithuania’s foreign policy.

Ever since the Brexit referendum EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals living in other EU countries face uncertainty about their ability to stay where they are. The British government has so far refused to guarantee the rights of EU nationals. Following reports of administrative barriers, MEPs are increasingly concerned that EU citizens’ right to stay in the UK are not being fully respected. They held a debate on the issue on 1 March and will also organise hearings to gather evidence.

The EU Commission is legally obliged to take measures temporarily reintroducing visa requirements for US citizens, given that Washington still does not grant visa-free access to nationals of five EU countries. In a resolution approved on Thursday, MEPs urge the Commission to adopt the necessary legal measures “within two months”.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius, who is visiting Geneva on 28 February, held a meeting with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Roberto Azevêdo. Lithuania’s Foreign Minister congratulated Azevêdo on his re-election for the second term and welcomed entry into force of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

Parliament President Antonio Tajani discussed Europe's future and EU-Germany relations during meetings with chancellor Angela Merkel and president Joachim Gauck during a vsit to Berlin on 23-24 February. "It's important to look after the interests of Europeans," said Tajani at the end of his visit. "It is important that Europe stands together and not allows itself to be torn apart."

On 27 February 2017, the Council decided to prolong the restrictive measures against Belarus for one year, until 28 February 2018. These measures include an arms embargo and an asset freeze and a travel ban against four people listed in connection with the unresolved disappearances of two opposition politicians, one businessman and one journalist in 1999 and in 2000. The Council also introduced an exemption to the restrictive measures to allow export of biathlon equipment to Belarus, which will remain subject to prior authorisation by national competent authorities on a case by case basis.