Description:

The European Parliament adopts the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act, which aim to regulate big tech platforms and create safer digital space.

The Digital Markets Act lays down clear rules for big platforms, which aim to stop them from imposing unfair conditions on businesses and consumers.

The Digital Services Act seeks to protect users from harmful and illegal content and establish safer online marketplaces and transparent platforms.

Description:

The presidents of the European Parliament, Council and Commission receive the final report of the Conference on the Future of Europe and pledge to act on it.

At a ceremony in Strasbourg the presidents of the EU institutions are handed the document, which includes 49 proposals with more than 300 measures adopted by the Conference plenary,based on citizens’ ideas and recommendations.

In the following weeks, Parliament’s plenary calls for a revision of the EU treaties so that the EU can act more quickly and decisively in a range of areas. MEPs urge the European Council to start the process of treaty change.

Description:

Russian troops invade Ukraine, following weeks of military build-up and futile diplomatic attempts by world leaders to prevent the return of war in Europe.

The European Parliament denounces the attack as unprovoked and unjustified. MEPs call for support for Ukraine, including the provision of defensive weapons, and argue for tough sanctions against Russia.

The invasion provokes a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and a huge wave of refugees towards the EU.

Description:

MEPs adopt the European climate law, which binds the EU to lowering greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

The law sets a new, more ambitious target, for the reduction of emissions by 2030, a drop of at least 55% compared to 1990 levels rather than 40%. The Commission should propose an interim target for 2040 at a later stage.

Description:

The Conference on the Future of Europe is officially launched with a ceremony at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Over the next months, Europeans have the opportunity to propose ideas for EU action through an online platform or by taking part in events.

European citizens’ panels meet in Strasbourg, online and in cities across the EU to prepare recommendations. Representatives of the panels then present and debate the ideas with members of the EU institutions, national parliaments, regional authorities and civil society organisations. The EU institutions commit to following up on the Conference conclusions.

Description:

The European Parliament consents to the agreement setting the rules for the future EU-UK relationship following the UK withdrawal from the EU.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement was concluded in December 2020 and applied provisionally as of 1 January 2021. Parliament’s consent is necessary for the agreement to enter into force.

In an accompanying resolution, MEPs express regret about the UK withdrawal, calling it a “historic mistake”, but welcome the deal, as it minimises the risk of trade disruption and helps preserve peace on the island of Ireland.

Description:

The European Parliament approves legislation establishing a mechanism that would allow the suspension of budget payments to an EU country violating the rule of law.

MEPs argue that the act is necessary to protect the EU’s financial interests and its fundamental values. The Parliament is increasingly concerned that democracy and the rule of law are under attack in some member states.

Description:

Following months of negotiations, the European Parliament and the Council reach an agreement on the 2021-2027 EU budget, which, combined with a separate recovery plan known as Next Generation EU, provides €1.8 trillion in EU support for the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

MEPs secure an increase of funds for key EU programmes, including the Horizon Europe research programme, the InvestEU investment plan, the Erasmus+ exchange programme and the new EU4Health programme, which aims to improve coordination in health care and the availability of medical products and equipment across the EU.

MEPs and member states also agree on a binding calendar for the introduction of new sources of EU revenue to help repay the debt the EU incurs to finance the Next Generation EU recovery plan.

Description:

Following the alarming global spread of a coronavirus, first registered in Wuhan, China, the World Health Organisation declares a pandemic. The Covid-19 virus, as it becomes known, is airborne, making it highly contagious. It causes flu-like symptoms.

The number of infections and deaths, especially among elderly people, rises quickly, leading countries around the world to introduce containment measures and travel restrictions. Economic activity drops sharply and working from home becomes the norm for many.

The European Parliament switches to remote working, but continues to hold plenary sessions and committee meetings. MEPs adopt measures that offer short-term relief to affected sectors and workers and repeatedly call for an ambitious EU support package to pave the way for a sustainable recovery.

Description:

After the European Parliament ratified the withdrawal agreement on 29 January, the UK leaves the EU about three and a half years after voters supported the move in a referendum.

As of 1 February, the number of EU member states is 27 and the term of office of UK MEPs ends. The number of MEPs is 705 (previously 751), as some of the UK seats are allocated to existing member states to reflect demographic changes, while others are kept in reserve for when another country joins the EU.

Description:

MEPs elect the European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen. The plenary vote brings to an end the long process of careful examination by Parliament of the proposed team of commissioners to ensure that the EU’s executive body has the democratic legitimacy to act in the interests of all Europeans.

The team of commissioners includes more women than ever before and von der Leyen becomes the first woman to hold the post of Commission President. The priorities include the transition towards a climate-neutral economy, digitisation, security as well as the active involvement of Europeans in the debate on the future of Europe.

Description:

The European elections in May 2019 see about 51% of EU voters go to the polls, the highest turnout in 20 years. The centre-right European People’s Party and centre-left Social Democrats lose seats but remain the two largest groups in Parliament, while other centrist and liberal parties make gains.

Description:

26 March 2019: Copyright for digital age

A directive that aims to protect the copyright of content creators such as musicians, performers and journalists and help them negotiate better remuneration deals for the use of their works online is adopted in Parliament. The rules mirror the arrangements on copyright that exist in the offline world and make internet platforms liable for all content uploaded on their websites.

27 March 2019: Parliament votes to ban single-use plastic products

MEPs approve an EU ban on disposable plastic items such as plates, cutlery, straws and cotton buds that end up as beach litter or an ever-growing mass of plastics floating in the world’s seas. The products covered by the law constitute about 70% of all marine litter items.

Description:

MEPs give their consent to an economic partnership agreement between the EU and Japan that lifts almost all custom duties between the two sides and creates a trade zone covering a third of global GDP. The deal confirms once more the EU’s commitment to free trade that creates jobs and opportunities for businesses.

Description:

New rules capping the prices of phone calls and messages to other EU countries come into effect. The rules follow up on the abolition of roaming charges in Europe and come about after the European Parliament introduces changes in Commission proposals on telecom legislation.

Description:

The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) takes effect, ensuring a high standard of protection of people’s personal data throughout the EU. The rules aim to protect all Europeans from privacy and data breaches in an increasingly data-driven world, while creating a clearer and more consistent framework for businesses.

Description:

Restrictions imposed by online shops based on nationality or place of connection become a thing of the past in the EU following the entry into force of an EU law banning the practice. Retailers are obliged to give people access to goods and services on the same terms all over the EU. This is one of many measures undertaken to build a digital single market across Europe.

Description:

The roaming fees charged by telecom operators on travellers disappear in the EU. This allows people on a short stay in another EU country to enjoy mobile phone calls and data services at the prices they pay at home.

Eliminating roaming fees has been a major issue for the European Parliament.

Description:

Parliament opens a new museum in Brussels, dedicated to the history of Europe. The House of European History aims to encourage reflection and debate on Europe’s past and present. In addition, it expands Parliament’s offering to visitors, which also comprises the modern and interactive visitors centre, known as Parlamentarium. Smaller versions of the Parlamentarium welcome guests in Strasbourg, Berlin and Ljubljana.

Description:

UK voters decide to support leaving the European Union in a closely-fought referendum called by UK Prime Minister David Cameron. The outcome of the referendum triggers the resignation of Cameron. His successor Theresa May pledges to take the UK out of the EU and initiates the process on 29 March 2017.

Description:

Suicide bombers set off explosions at Brussels Airport and at a metro station in Brussels, killing a total of 32 people.

Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack. In the months that follow, the group claims credit for more terror attacks in Nice, Berlin, Istanbul and Barcelona. Terrorists also kill people in Manchester, London, Saint Petersburg, Stockholm and other European cities.

In response, EU countries agree to strengthen border security, improve cooperation among intelligence services and work to prevent radicalisation.

Description:

A global agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions worldwide and thus avert a dangerous increase in the average world temperature is concluded in Paris after years of negotiations.

The European Parliament takes part in the process, as it has an important role to play in adopting subsequent EU legislation.

In 2017 US President Donald Trump announces the US, the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China, will pull out of the agreement, making it more difficult to mitigate climate change.

Description:

Terrorists stage a series of coordinated attacks at different locations in Paris, opening fire and setting off explosions by detonating suicide vests.

A total of 130 people die in the attacks, 89 of them at a music concert in the Bataclan theatre, others at restaurants and cafes.

Islamic State claims responsibility for the attacks carried out by French and Belgian citizens.

French authorities declare a state of emergency, granting extended powers to security forces, which would continue over the next two years.

Description:

The number of people crossing the Mediterranean to seek asylum in Europe steadily climbs throughout 2014 and 2015 to reach a peak in the second half of 2015.

More than 2.5 million people apply for asylum in the EU in 2015 and 2016 - many of them fleeing war and violence in countries such as Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Others are economic migrants looking for a way out of poverty. Greece and Italy receive most of the migrants and struggle to cope with the influx, while disputes arise among EU countries on how to deal with the crisis.

Reforming the asylum system and strengthening border security emerge as key elements of the EU response.