Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.
The future of European Union defence unsurprisingly topped the March 2025 plenary session agenda. Members held a debate on Europe’s security architecture and the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine, in the presence of the Presidents of the European Council, and European Commission. Debates also took place on the conclusions of the 6 March special European Council meeting and preparation of the regular meeting on 20‑21 March 2025.
Members marked International Women’s Day with addresses from guests representing European women fighting for freedom and peace: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of Belarus’ democratic forces; Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, a former political prisoner in Belarus; Leniie Umerova, a Crimean Tatar activist; and Tata Kepler, Ukrainian medical volunteer and activist. Members also discussed Council and Commission statements on the Roadmap for Women’s Rights.
Debates followed Council and Commission statements on the deteriorating situation in Gaza and secessionist threats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the clean industrial deal, and action plans for the automotive industry and affordable energy. Debates looked at the Commission’s vision for agriculture and food, and the first ‘omnibus’ simplification proposals, as well as on supporting EU regions vulnerable to the effects of climate change; the social and employment aspects of restructuring processes; EU Consumers Day, and the European Schools Alliance.
Future of European defence
The European Union faces a very different geopolitical landscape than might have been envisaged just a few years ago. In light of shifting alliances, Members held a debate, followed by the adoption of a resolution on Council and Commission statements on the long-awaited white paper on the future of European defence. Expected on 19 March 2025, the paper is likely to build on recent progress such as the Strategic Compass and European Defence Fund. The approach to the future of EU defence is expected to focus on coordinating between EU countries to boost domestic defence capabilities, meeting the industrial defence sector’s investment needs, and ramping-up the EU’s readiness to respond to threats (including an air shield and improved cyber-defence).
Immobilised Russian central bank assets
The initial trigger for the EU strengthening its efforts on defence, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has devastated the latter’s infrastructure. Following Council and Commission statements, Members debated the use of Russian assets – immobilised in response to Russia’s invasion – to help the country’s recovery. The legality of using the frozen €260 billion capital, as opposed to the income from this, to help Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts is hotly debated. While Members welcomed the proposed 30-day ceasefire, they nevertheless underlined that the sovereign assets under EU sanctions must be confiscated and used for Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction.
Phasing-out of Russian gas and other Russian energy commodities in the EU
The European Parliament stands firmly with Ukraine and for maintaining transatlantic and global solidarity for peace. Members held a debate on accelerating the phase-out of Russian gas and other energy commodities, following a Commission statement. While the EU has largely diversified its energy supplies, Russian gas is not currently subject to sanctions. Parliament has previously called for a ban on all Russian fossil fuel and nuclear imports.
European Semester 2025
Europe’s economic and fiscal landscape looks increasingly squeezed between the need to coordinate EU countries’ economic policies and boosting the current sluggish growth projections despite the turbulent times. Members debated and adopted a resolution on the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs’ own-initiative report on economic policy coordination in the 2025 European Semester.
Members also debated and adopted a resolution on a Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) report on the Commission’s Joint Employment Report under the 2025 European Semester. The report focuses on monitoring progress on employment, skills, and poverty reduction in the context of EU headline and national targets. Parliament has long called for better coordination of education and skills initiatives. The EMPL report calls for improvements to the Social Scoreboard to address key challenges for people living in the EU, including childcare, employment of people with a disability and digital skills. The report also highlights the need for the European Semester framework to coordinate effort to tackle housing affordability and mental health, work-life balance, and the EU’s demographic challenges.
Union of skills
Education and training are of course vital to providing EU citizens with the skills they need for the jobs that the digital, green and demographic transitions should provide. Members debated the Commission’s proposed new ‘Union of skills‘ initiative, which aims to help ensure the EU has the skilled people it needs to be competitive.
Reform and Growth Facility for the Republic of Moldova
Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine also affects Moldova’s security, economy, and citizens’ lives. Following interinstitutional negotiations between the Council and Parliament, Members debated and adopted the final text of the Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova. Part of the EU growth plan to help with the country’s EU accession and socio-economic reform, negotiations on the facility led to proposals to increase grant-based support, accelerate access to funding, and to strengthen Moldova‘s administrative capacity (needed for effective management of the EU funding). Parliamentary scrutiny will be reinforced through dialogue between Parliament and the Commission.
Progress on the proposal for a parenthood regulation
Oral questions to the Commission and Council, on behalf of the Legal Affairs (JURI) Committee aimed to update Members on negotiations in the Council towards adoption of the proposed parenthood regulation – which seeks to ensure that parenthood established in one EU country is recognised in all other Member States. Members particularly wished to ascertain whether the Commission and Council are willing to use enhanced cooperation, should there be no unanimity in the Council.
A just transition and reconstruction in Syria
Following Council and Commission statements, Members debated and adopted a resolution on the EU support for measures to ensure a just transition and reconstruction in Syria, following the fall of the Assad regime. While some of the sanctions on the country are being lifted (conditional on protection for minorities and the fight against radicalisation), the European Commission has pledged €7.5 billion in aid and is poised to develop a ‘new approach’, to ensure a just transition and reconstruction for Syria.
Critical Medicines Act
Recent medicine shortages and the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the importance of coordination on medicine supplies to reduce the EU’s reliance on external drug production. Following a Commission statement, Members held a debate on the proposed EU critical medicines act. The proposal seeks to address medicine shortages and critical medicine dependencies, as well as how to ensure medicines are affordable. Parliament has previously urged the Commission to address these issues, and better monitor shortages at national and EU level.
Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘Plenary round-up – March 2025‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.
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