European Parliament sets stage for key talks on Middle East, energy prices - EXCLUSIVE

On Wednesday morning from 09.00 CET, MEPs will hold a debate with the Council (represented by Deputy Minister Marilena Raouna on behalf of the Cypriot presidency) and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on how to respond to the ongoing Middle East crisis.

This was said by James Maher, Deputy Spokesperson of the European Parliament, in an exclusive interview with CE Report.

This is a key debate for the views of Parliament’s political groups on the EU strategy on the situation, not least its implications on energy prices and the availability of fertilisers. The EU response is also likely to be addressed by the chairs of the political groups in their press conferences today.

On the same matter, at the informal summit of EU leaders on Friday last, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola called for “a swift and lasting end to the war - one that secures rights, dignity and liberty for the Iranian people, that addresses concerns over Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme and their support of proxies, and that puts an end to the obstructions in the Strait of Hormuz”.

In the same speech, the President outlined the measures already taken by Parliament to address energy prices (including in relation to gas storage rules and work on the Grids Package, which is expected to be completed in the second half of the year).

Opening Parliament’s plenary sitting in Strasbourg in the last couple of minutes, President Metsola again raised the situation in Iran – including arbitrary executions and the detention of dissidents.

On the MFF, Parliament debated the next EU long-term budget yesterday and voted on its negotiating position just after midday. After its position has been adopted, Parliament will be ready to start negotiations with the Council on the regulation setting the structure and main figures for the 2028-2034 budget. Talks can begin once the Council agrees on its common position. Approval of the regulation on the long-term budget requires Parliament’s consent. Following Parliament’s vote on its MFF negotiating mandate, there will be a press conference today at 14.00 CET with the lead MEPs along with President Metsola.

Photo: Wikipedia

This interview was prepared by Julian Müller