This week, ministers look to approve Council conclusions on strengthening the competitiveness of the EU and overcoming the fragmentation of the European Research Area; and MEPs in plenary session elect the 2024-2029 European Commission, vote on the 2025 EU budget, support for Ukraine, the escalating violence and the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, Georgia’s democratic crisis after the elections and alleged electoral fraud, the outcome of the COP29 climate talks, and protecting EU citizens from tobacco smoke exposure. The week’s events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings from 25 to 30 November 2024.

Monday 25 November

European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs

European Parliament plenary session

Strasbourg

G20 Leaders’ Summit: MEPs will review the results of the recent G20 summit, where world leaders discussed the incoming US administration, Israel’s war on Gaza and the war in Ukraine, among other topics.

Violence against women: MEPs will discuss on Monday the state of play and emerging trends in the combat against violence against women within the EU and globally.

Weekly agenda

Monday 25 November

Council of the EU | Political meetings | Education and Youth

Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council

Brussels

Ministers for youth and education will meet in Brussels, where they will seek to adopt a recommendation on attractive and sustainable careers in higher education. Other topics on the agenda include ‘glocal’ opportunities for young people living in rural and remote areas.

Agenda and briefing

Tuesday 26 November

Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | the EU’s international role | International cooperation | Global Gateway

Malawi-EU Investment Forum

Lilongwe, Malawi

The Investment Forum aims to promote collaboration and growth between EU and Malawi businesses. Objectives include: identifying incentives to attract EU investment, assessing market trends and opportunities in agriculture, energy, and tourism, and facilitating investment discussions between EU companies and Malawi stakeholders.

More information on the event

Tuesday 26 November

European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs

European Parliament plenary session

Strasbourg

EU Budget 2025: plenary will debate on Tuesday, and is set to approve on Wednesday, a deal with member states on the EU’s 2025 budget. MEPs secured better funding and focus on key EU programmes and policies aimed at improving people’s lives, boosting competitiveness, and addressing challenges like climate, health, migration or defence. Following the vote, EP President Metsola will sign the budget into law.

Middle East: MEPs and the Commission will discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, the essential role of UNRWA, and the need to release all hostages.

Baltic Sea critical infrastructure: the recent cutting of cables in the Baltic Sea, considered likely acts of sabotage, will be discussed with the Commission on Tuesday.

Weekly agenda

Tuesday 26 November

Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Basic research | Professional qualifications

Conference on Research Careers 2024

Online only

Join the Conference on Research Careers 2024 to discover how the European Commission, together with Member States and stakeholders, is working towards guaranteeing more sustainable working conditions (stable pay and pension schemes), healthier working environments, opportunities to develop new skills and to move seamlessly between sectors, incentives and rewards, and is modernising research management.

More information on the event

Tuesday 26 November

Council of the EU | Political meetings | Culture and Sport

Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council

Brussels

Ministers for culture and sport will meet in Brussels, where they will seek to approve conclusions on fostering the lasting legacy of major sporting events. They will also discuss the role of libraries in media literacy development.

Agenda and briefing

Wednesday 27 November

European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs

European Parliament plenary session

Strasbourg

Election of the 2024 – 2029 Commission: on Wednesday, following a debate with President-elect Ursula von der Leyen on her team and programme, MEPs will vote on approving the new College of Commissioners. Between 4 and 12 November, Parliament’s committees assessed the suitability of Commissioners-designate, as well as their ability to carry out the duties linked to their respective portfolios.

COP29 climate talks: MEPs will discuss with the Commission the conclusions of the UN COP29 Climate Change Conference held in Baku from 11 to 22 November.

Weekly agenda

Thursday 28 November

Council of the EU | Political meetings | Internal market and industry

Competitiveness Council

Brussels

The Council will meet to approve Council conclusions on the future of European competitiveness, following the publication of the Draghi report “EU competitiveness: Looking ahead”. Ministers will also hold a debate on “better regulation on Europe”. The Council will start at 09:30 and finish at 15:30. All sessions except the legislative points (adoption of legislative A points and the AOB on the current legislative proposals) will not be public.

Agenda and briefing

Thursday 28 November

Council of the EU | Political meetings | Cohesion

General Affairs Council

Brussels

Ministers will discuss how to strengthen the key assets of cohesion policy and improve the shared management of cohesion funds. The Council will also be invited to approve conclusions on cohesion policy and demographic challenges in the EU.

Agenda and briefing

Thursday 28 November

European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs

European Parliament plenary session

Strasbourg

Russia/North Korea: MEPs are set to reaffirm their strong support for Ukraine and sound the alarm over military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, in a key debate on Tuesday and a vote on a resolution on Thursday.

Georgian election: Parliament will vote on a resolution on the outcome of the contested parliamentary elections in Georgia that took place on 26 October 2024. MEPs are set to demand investigating reported irregularities.

Tobacco smoke exposure: MEPs will outline proposals to improve the protection of EU citizens against exposure to second-hand smoke and aerosols, including from electronic cigarettes. A vote on a resolution is scheduled for Thursday.

Weekly agenda

Thursday 28 – Friday 29 November

Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Social policy

European Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024

Brussels

The annual conference ‘European Day of Persons with Disabilities’ (EDPD) is hosted by the European Commission in partnership with the European Disability Forum.

The conference is part of the EU’s wider efforts to raise awareness and tackle everyday challenges faced by persons with disabilities. This two days of thought-provoking and engaging debate marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and brings together voices from a wide range of backgrounds with different expertise and stories to share, including policymakers, high-level experts, representatives from international and European institutions and disability advocates.

More information on the event

Friday 29 November

Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Startups funding | Research policy

“Funding Done Right for Startups” webinar, in collaboration with Business Angels Europe (BAE)

Online only

Discover the keys to successful funding and elevate your startup! In this session, you’ll learn about:

Choosing the right financing for your stage and budget Insights from Jan Debets on business angels, venture capital, and venture debt Essential considerations for raising external financing.

An overview of angel investing, venture capital, and venture debt The unique opportunities and risks associated with each funding type.

How to make informed decisions based on your specific context.

More information on the event

Friday 29 November

Council of the EU | Political meetings | Research and Space

Competitiveness Council

Brussels

On Friday 29 November Research ministers will meet in the morning (09:30 to 14:00). They are expected to approve three sets of Council conclusions on strengthening the competitiveness of the EU and overcoming the fragmentation of the European Research Area, on a Europe-wide R&I initiative on natural resource management, food security and bioeconomy in Central and Eastern Europe, and on the Commission’s Communication on Advanced Materials. They will also hold a debate on the contribution of research and innovation to the competitiveness of the EU. At lunch they will exchange views on sustainable European research infrastructures.

In the afternoon (14:30 to 17:00), ministers responsible for Space are expected to approve two sets of Council conclusions: the first on the mid-term assessment of the Space Programme, and the second on reinforcing European competencies in the space sector. Finally they will hold an exchange of views on the future of the Union space policy.

Agenda and briefing