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Co-organised by the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Tax Matters (FISC), with the support of the Legislative Dialogue Unit of the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments (DG PART), and the European Commission (DG TAXUD).

The EU Tax Symposium has become an unmissable moment for decision makers and experts in taxation policy. In 2026 the fourth edition is under the headline "The future of taxation: inequality and growth in the global economy".

This event will bring together representatives of the European and national parliaments as well as high-level representatives of the Commission and the Council of the European Union, tax experts, academics and stakeholders.

This year, we have the honour to welcome two Nobel Prize laureates in economics, Prof. Joseph Stiglitz (Nominated in 2001) and Prof. Philippe Aghion (nominated in 2025).

Besides the conversation with the two Nobel Prize winners presented by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, the programme includes additional high-level keynote speeches and four thematical panel discussions on the role of taxation in contributing to fairness and growth. A lively exchange of views with the audience will take place in each panel.

On the occasion of International Women's Day, the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality held an Interparliamentary Committee Meeting on "Women’s rights and democracy: combating stereotypes, disinformation and violence in the digital age."

The event, organised with the support of the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments, aimed to foster dialogue and critical reflection on the challenges facing women's rights and democratic processes in today's digital landscape. The discussion focused on the impact of stereotypes, disinformation, and online violence, bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise.

European Parliamentary Week 2026 will take place on 23–24 February 2026 at the European Parliament in Brussels, bringing together national parliamentarians from EU Member States, candidate and observer countries, alongside Members of the European Parliament.

At a decisive moment for Europe, the conference will provide a forum for democratic debate on the Union's economic direction, budgetary choices and social priorities. The event is jointly organised by the European Parliament and the Presidency's Parliament, the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus.

Through the Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the EU and the European Semester Conference, participants will engage in a frank exchange of views and best practices, strengthening interparliamentary cooperation and reinforcing democratic accountability at the heart of EU economic governance.

Two high-level plenary sessions will address the strategic choices shaping Europe's future.
The first plenary session, Investing in Europe's Future: Labour Market Resilience and Social Cohesion, will focus on the next Multiannual Financial Framework as a powerful instrument to build resilience, foster social cohesion and strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy. The debate will examine how collective investment and responsible budgetary decisions can secure prosperity and solidarity for future generations.

The second plenary session, Fostering a Business-Friendly Europe in the context of the Next Multiannual Financial Framework: Prospects and Challenges for the Single Market, will explore how Europe can unleash its economic potential in a rapidly changing global landscape. Participants will discuss how innovation, investment and smart regulation can support European businesses, boost competitiveness and create sustainable jobs, ensuring that economic growth goes hand in hand with social progress.

The Meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC, hosted by the House of Representatives of Cyprus, took place on 11-12 January 2026. This meeting marked the official opening of the parliamentary dimension of Cyprus’ Council Presidency.

The European Parliament was represented by Mr Sven Simon, Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO). In addition, Mr Yannis Maniatis (S&D, EL) was invited by the Cyprus Presidency to deliver a keynote speech during one of the sessions.

The meeting began on Sunday, 11 January, with the meeting of the COSAC Presidential Troika. In this context, the troika refers to the representatives from the current, previous, and upcoming Council presidencies, as well as the European Parliament. During this Troika meeting, the outline of the 45th bi-annual COSAC Report was approved and the draft agenda for the LXXV COSAC Plenary to be held in Nicosia from 15 to 17 March 2026 was adopted.

The Chairpersons of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC) will meet in Nicosia on 11 and 12 January 2026, marking the official opening of the parliamentary dimension of Cyprus’ Council Presidency.

The European Parliament will be represented by Mr Sven Simon, Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO).

The meeting will begin on Sunday 11 January, with a meeting of the COSAC Presidential Troika (comprising representatives from the current, previous, and upcoming Council Presidencies, as well as the European Parliament).

On Monday 12 January, the meeting of the COSAC Chairpersons will open with a welcome address by Ms Annita Demetriou, President of the Cyprus House of Representatives, followed by formal opening remarks from Mr Harris Georgiades, Chairman of the Cyprus Parliament's Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, who will address procedural questions and miscellaneous matters.

In the first session Ms Marilena Raouna, Cyprus' Deputy Minister for European Affairs, will present the Cyprus Presidency's priorities. A debate will follow. The second and final session will cover geopolitical challenges and responses, with keynote speeches from Mr Yannis Maniatis, Member of the European Parliament, and Mr Jean-François Rapin, Chairman of the European Affairs Committee of the French Senate, before opening the floor to a debate.

The Danish Parliament hosted the LXXIV Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC) Plenary Meeting in Copenhagen from 30 November to 2 December 2025.

The plenary, which takes place bi-annually, provides a platform for Members of national Parliaments and the European Parliament to exchange views on the key issues shaping the European policy agenda. This plenary session was co-chaired by Ms Brigitte Klintskov Jerkel, Chair, and Mr Henrik Møller, Vice-Chair, of the Danish Parliament's European Affairs Committee, and was divided into five thematic sessions:

1. A Strong Europe in a Changing World - the Course set by the Danish Presidency

2. EU Trade Policy in an Uncertain World

3. The Green Transition of a Competitive European Agri-food Sector

4. Sustainable Growth and Energy

5. Enlargement, Internal Reforms, and Rule of Law

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) with the support of the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments organised an Interparliamentary Committee Meeting (ICM) on “The situation of the Rule of Law in the EU”.

The Interparliamentary Committee Meeting (ICM) took place on Thursday 11 December 2025 at the European Parliament premises in Brussels, room ANTALL 6Q2.

On 8 July 2025, the Commission published its sixth annual Rule of Law Report presenting the situation of the Rule of Law in Member States. This year's report included the "single market dimension", which considers how Rule of Law issues affect the functioning of the EU's single market.

The meeting was dedicated to the assessment of the Report, including both an exchange of views on the current situation of the Rule of Law in the European Union, and a panel on the Single Market dimension of the Rule of Law.

LIBE Chair Javier Zarzalejos opened the meeting and keynote addresses were delivered from EP Vice-President Katarina Barley as well as Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection.

The SEDE Committee in cooperation with the Legislative Dialogue Unit of the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments, organised an Interparliamentary Committee Meeting (ICM) on the future of European defence.

The ICM brought together MEPs and members of national parliaments to discuss the future of the EU's security and defence in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine and increased burden shifting towards Europe within the transatlantic alliance.

SEDE Chair Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmerman called for a unified European defence pillar alongside NATO. Her remarks were echoed by President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, who emphasised the need to accelerate support for Ukraine, enhance deterrence, address duplication, and boost recruitment.

During the panel on the Readiness Roadmap 2030 and Europe's defence industry, Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space, called for stronger EU leadership to overcome fragmentation. The discussion showed broad agreement on the need for unity, while also highlighting challenges such as manpower shortages, uneven defence spending, and possible closer cooperation with partners.

In the panel on the new era of warfare, Admiral Pierre Vandier, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, explained that NATO's 5% defence pledge aims to ensure greater resilience, and called for faster military production, particularly of drones. MEPs and members of national parliaments raised concerns about Europe's preparedness for a potential Russian attack.

The panel on strengthening the European pillar of NATO featured Boris Ruge, NATO Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Security Policy. He argued that European allies have been slow to increase defence spending, although supporting Ukraine remains a strategic priority. During the subsequent discussion, participants raised concerns including fears of US-Russia cooperation and questions about the extent to which the EU can or should act independently of NATO allies.

During the panel on 'Europe's Defence at a Turning Point', Benedikta von Seherr-Thoß of the European External Action Service warned that Russia's war of aggression is generating new security risks, including closer ties with hostile states and the spread of sensitive technologies. The discussion reflected divisions over militarisation, the role of non-NATO EU members, and Europe's strategic autonomy.

In her concluding remarks, Ms Strack-Zimmerman warned that maintaining Europe's unity is essential to ensuring our collective security.

On 2 December, from 9:30 to 11:00, the HOUS Special Committee held an online exchange of views with the National Parliaments of EU Member States.

Earlier this year, the Chair of the Special Committee a letter to all National Parliaments requesting to send contributions related to the activities of our committee and in view of our upcoming report.

The purpose of the letter was to share their best practices, ideas, and policy proposals to address the housing crisis.

The meeting was a follow-up invitation to the national parliaments that submitted their contributions in response to the request. National Parliaments had the opportunity to present their contributions directly to the Committee.

As the HOUS Committee finalises its upcoming Report, the input gathered from National Parliaments will be highly valuable, providing Members with important insights and inspiration for their work.

The SANT Committee in cooperation with the Legislative Dialogue Unit of the Directorate for Relations with national Parliaments organised an ICM in the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday, 2 December 2025 from 15.00 to 18.30 in the Antall building, room 4Q1.

With the aim of discussing key policies in the field of cross-border healthcare, the European Parliament's Committee on Public Health (SANT) in collaboration with the Legislative Dialogue Unit of the Directorate for Relations with national Parliaments (DG PART) held an Interparliamentary Committee Meeting (ICM) on " Citizens' access to cross-border healthcare".

The event is organised not only to assess current policies but also with a forward-looking perspective. Considering the ongoing work of the SANT Committee on patients 'rights in cross-border healthcare, the event sought to facilitate a constructive discussion that anticipates legislative developments, ensuring that future policies are well-adapted to the evolving needs and challenges of European citizens when seeking healthcare beyond the border of their Member States.

This meeting brought together representatives from the European Parliament, national parliaments, EU institutions, and relevant officials to explore two key thematic areas:

1. Evaluating the existing policy framework; drawing both on the lessons learned and the challenges that lay ahead;
2. Analysing the citizens' perspective; assessing patients' rights, access and equity.

By fostering direct exchanges between policymakers and experts, this event served as a high-level forum for dialogue, enabling participants to assess the current policy framework and its impact, and explore key complexities of cross-border healthcare provision within the EU.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to hold an exchange of views between Members of European Parliament and Members of national Parliaments from various European Member States, further contributing to informed decision-making in shaping future policy in the field of patients' rights in cross-border healthcare.