News

The Artificial Intelligence Days with national parliaments, 14-15 April, European Parliament, Brussels

On 14-15 April, the European Parliament will host the first Artificial Intelligence Days with national parliaments (AI Days).

The event is organised by the Directorate-General for Parliamentary Democracy Partnerships (DG PART), in cooperation with several EP Committees (AFCO, EMPL, IMCO, and LIBE).

This two-day programme aims to offer a comprehensive look at the challenges and opportunities of AI to members and staff of EU national parliaments.

The AI Days begin on Tuesday, 14 April, with a Staff Seminar on Digital and AI Policies, where staff from national parliaments working on legislation, implementation and scrutiny of digital and AI-related policies will be able to exchange best practices and share common challenges. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage with the European Commission on its proposal for a Digital Omnibus.

On the same day, Members of national parliaments are invited to take part in the Interparliamentary Committee Meeting on "The institutional aspects of Artificial Intelligence in the context of the European integration." This meeting, co-organised with the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO), will discuss parliamentary cooperation and the impact of AI on elections in the context of European integration. Members will be able to offer their views on the AFCO own-initiative report on this topic.

On Wednesday, 15 April, the consequences of the spread of AI on the labour market in the EU will be discussed in the Interparliamentary Committee Meeting: "Human Work in the Digital Age", co-organised with the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL). This meeting will examine the impact of AI on human work and will consider the role of regulation in ensuring that the digital transformation goes hand in hand with quality jobs.

The AI days will close with a meeting of the Joint IMCO-LIBE Working Group on the Implementation and Enforcement of the AI Act, titled "The AI Act: State of Implementation of National Sandboxes and Real-World Testing", Members of national parliaments will have the opportunity to discuss with the Co-Chairs of the Working Group the use of national AI regulatory sandboxes as tools to foster both innovation and legal certainty in their countries, as well as the hurdles faced in implementation.

The AI Days with national parliaments reflect the European Parliament's commitment to ever more integrated interparliamentary relations.

AFCO ICM on "The Institutional Aspects of Artificial Intelligence in the Context of European Integration", 14 April 2026

The Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO), in cooperation with the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments, will organise an Interparliamentary Committee Meeting (ICM) entitled: “The Institutional Aspects of Artificial Intelligence in the Context of European Integration.”

The meeting will take place at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, from 15:30 to 18:30. It will bring together Members of the European Parliament, members of national parliaments, representatives of the European Commission, and other relevant stakeholders.

EMPL ICM on "Human Work in the Digital Age - artificial intelligence, new forms of working, and work-related stress"

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) in cooperation with the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments will hold an Interparliamentary Committee Meeting (ICM) entitled:"Human Work in the Digital Age - artificial intelligence, new forms of working, and work-related stress".

The meeting will take place at the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday, 15 April 2026 (09:00-12:45), bringing together Members of the European Parliament, Members of national parliaments, the European Commission, the Cyprus Presidency of the Council, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and social partners.

Joint IMCO-LIBE AI Working Group "The AI Act: State of Implementation of National Sandboxes and Real-World Testing"

The EP’s Joint IMCO-LIBE Working Group on the the AI Act (AIAWG), in cooperation with the Directorate-General for Parliamentary Democracy Partnerships, will hold a meeting with national parliaments entitled: "The AI Act: State of Implementation of National Sandboxes and Real-World Testing".

The meeting will take place at the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday, 15 April 2026 (13:00-14:30), bringing together Members of the European Parliament, Members of national parliaments, and representatives of relevant stakeholders to exchange on the implementation and enforcement of the Artificial Intelligence Act.

EU TAX SYMPOSIUM - The future of taxation: Inequality and growth in the global economy, 17 March 2026

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 took place under the headline "The future of taxation: inequality and growth in the global economy".

This event brought 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.

We had 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 Mr Pasquale Tridico, Chair of FISC Subcommittee, the programme included 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 took place in each panel.

FEMM ICM on Women’s rights and democracy, 5 March 2026, Brussels

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, 23–24 February 2026, Brussels

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.

A Recap of the Meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC in Nicosia, 11-12 January 2026

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.

Meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC in Nicosia, 11-12 January 2026

Logo of the Cyprus Council Presidency
Cyprus Council Presidency © European Union (2025)
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 LXXIV COSAC - A recap from Copenhagen

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 Belgian Presidency organised the LXXI Plenary Meeting of COSAC from 24 to 26 March 2024 at the European Parliament, in Brussels.

The Meeting of Chairpersons of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for European Union Affairs (COSAC) convened on 14-15 January 2024, in Namur, Belgium.

The Belgian Presidency will host the COSAC Chairpersons’ meeting in Namur on Sunday 14 January and Monday 15 January.