European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
At a glance
Plenary round-up – April 2021
The April 2021 plenary session featured a debate on the outcome of EU-UK negotiations and the vote on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – March II 2021
The highlight of the March II 2021 plenary session was the joint debate on the preparation of the European Council and Digital Green Certificates. Continue reading
Living in the EU: Circular economy
Circular economy is a production and consumption model that involves reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products to keep materials within the economy. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – March I 2021
The highlight of the March I 2021 plenary session was the official signature of the Joint Declaration on the Conference on the Future of Europe, allowing the Conference’s work finally to get under way. Continue reading
Outcome of the European Council video-conference of 26 February 2021
On 26 February 2021, EU leaders met for a second video-conference session to discuss security and defence and the southern neighbourhood. Continue reading
What if we could engineer the planet to help fight climate change? [Science and Technology podcast]
Efforts to curb carbon emissions are falling short. As climate change impacts become all too clear, geoengineering is again in the spotlight. Continue reading
Outcome of the European Council video-conference of 25 February 2021
For the tenth time since the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis, the European Council met by video-conference, however this time in two separate sessions. Continue reading
Cohesion policy contribution to New European Bauhaus
The New European Bauhaus is a European Commission initiative, which links the sustainability, aesthetics and inclusion dimensions of building design. Continue reading
EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture / Mies van der Rohe Award: A tribute to Bauhaus
The EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture (also known as the EU Mies Award) was launched in recognition of the importance and quality of European architecture. Continue reading
Myanmar: The return of the junta
On 1 February 2021, the Myanmar armed forces seized power and imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi, de facto leader of the country since 2016. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – February 2021
The main debates held during the February 2021 plenary session concerned the state of play of the EU’s Covid‑19 vaccination strategy and the de facto abortion ban in Poland. Continue reading
Navalny vs Kremlin: Latest developments
Alexey Navalny is one of Vladimir Putin’s most outspoken critics. After surviving an assassination attempt and recovering in Germany, he returned to Russia in January 2021 to face arrest and imprisonment. Mass protests over his detention and revelations of high-level corruption show that an increasingly repressive Kremlin has not succeeded in crushing opposition to Putin’s rule. Continue reading
Outcome of the European Council video conference of 21 January 2021
Discussions at the 21 January video-conference meeting of EU leaders largely focused on a coordinated response to the coronavirus pandemic, including the evolving public health situation with the spread of new virus variants coming from the UK and South Africa, vaccination strategies and international solidarity. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – January 2021
The main debates of the January 2021 plenary session were on the inauguration of the new President of the United States, and the presentation of the Portuguese EU Council Presidency. Continue reading
What if AI took care of traffic as well as driving? [Science and Technology podcast]
While public discussion concentrates on the idea of autonomous driving as an added feature in a vehicle, could it turn out that the real advantage lies in interoperability? Continue reading
What if blockchain could guarantee ethical AI?
Blockchain has the potential to promote compliance with traditional ethical principles, especially in the fields of healthcare, supply chain management and food safety. Continue reading
What if AI could improve thermal imaging, to help fight coronavirus? [Science and Technology podcast]
Thermal imaging cameras have been widely installed in recent months in office buildings, hospitals, shopping malls, schools and airports as a means of detecting people with fever-like symptoms. Continue reading
What if technology and culture combined to boost a green recovery? [Science and Technology podcast]
Technological innovation has always been an indispensable part of recovery from economic, social and environmental crises. Continue reading
What if artificial intelligence in medical imaging could accelerate Covid-19 treatment?
Artificial intelligence (AI) solutions can help radiologists with the triage, quantification and trend analysis of patient data. AI-powered medical imaging is already used to detect critical diseases, and medical imaging has played a significant role in the fight against Covid-19, easing the pressure on healthcare systems. Continue reading
What if AI-powered passenger locator forms could help stop the spread of Covid-19?
Asking passengers to complete a passenger locator form (PLF) prior to their flights has been seen in recent months as an efficient way to help public health authorities trace travellers potentially exposed to Covid-19 in airports and ports and at other border check points. Continue reading
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