It looks set to be a busy 12 months for MEPs with the economic crisis continuing, a raft of energy and transport issues on the agenda and negotiations on reforming the Common Agriculture Policy.

EP President Jerzy Buzek announced 27 October that five Arab Spring activists will be awarded the 2011 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought for their contribution to historic changes in the Arab world and as a "symbol for all those working for dignity, democracy and fundamental rights in the Arab world and beyond". The prize was awarded on 14 December during a formal sitting in Strasbourg.

The European Parliament is almost half way through its seventh term and it has been quite a turbulent two and a half years with the economic crisis. As we reach the mid-point between elections we look back at some of the key legislation approved by MEPs, including the economic governance 6-pack, financial supervision, wide-ranging consumer protection rules and passenger rights.

The European Parliament's October vote on next year's EU budget marked the beginning of the final stage of negotiations. With the agreement on the size and priorities of the 2012 budget, reached on the evening of 18 November, it took a concrete step towards a final agreement. The EP and Council agreed that the 2012 budget should rise 1.86%.

This year's LUX film prize went to French move "Les neiges du Kilimandjaro". Jerzy Buzek awarded the prize during a ceremony on 16 November during the plenary ceremony in Strasbourg. Director Robert Guédiguian couldn't attend and producer Marc Bordure attended on his behalf.