European Parliamentary Research Service

🎓 Ever heard of the European Universities alliances? This initiative helps build transnational alliances between higher education institutions to develop cooperation in education, with links to research and innovation. 🔎 Let's take a look at the figures! As of January 2025, the European Universities initiative includes 65 alliances from 35 countries, including all EU countries. 📈 Together, the alliances include: - more than 570 higher education institutions - education provided collectively to more than 11 million students 📍 This week in plenary, MEPs adopted a resolution noting that the initiative has surpassed expectations for participation and providing recommendations on the future of the European Universities initiative. Read more in our briefing ↓ https://europa.eu/!vBCNbN

🔜 Mid-September, the Council of the European Union is expected to formally adopt its position on the draft 2026 EU budget and forward it to the European Parliament. This week, the Council presented its position in plenary session on the draft 2026 general budget. 📆 What are the next steps in the 3 key EU budgetary procedures until the end of the year? Save this timeline for later ↓ 📝 Read more on the 2026 EU budget in our article ↓ https://lnkd.in/erky3gGP

🔒 Where are Russia's €289.5 billion in frozen assets? Most assets held in the EU are managed by Euroclear, a large international securities depository and clearing house registered in Belgium, and therefore subject to Belgian and EU law. A smaller part is held in a similar organisation, Clearstream, registered in Luxembourg. 🔎 However, determining the exact value of assets under each jurisdiction is not straightforward, as official data remain inconsistent. The debate on how to use those immobilised assets to sustain Ukraine's reconstruction efforts has evolved, a cost estimated at US$524 billion as of December 2024. A growing number of international legal experts and prominent political figures have defended the lawfulness of confiscating Russian central bank assets to sustain Ukraine, both for financing reconstruction efforts and military expenses, despite those assets being protected by state immunity under international customary law. Read more in our briefing on frozen Russian assets ↓ https://europa.eu/!qyFpF7

⏰ The European Parliament plenary session starts today in Strasbourg. Stay up to date with our notes on: 🔸 Public procurement Rapporteur: MEP Piotr Müller 🔹 Revising rules on food and textile waste Rapporteur: MEP Anna Zalewska 🔸 The role of cohesion policy in supporting the just transition Rapporteur: MEP Ciaran Mullooly 🔹 The role of cohesion policy in resolving the housing crisis Rapporteur: MEP Marcos Ros Sempere 🔸 Simplification of cohesion funds Rapporteur: MEP Vladimir Prebilič 🔹 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Ukraine Rapporteur: MEP Michael Gahler 🔸 Future of agriculture and the post-2027 CAP Rapporteur: MEP Carmen Crespo Díaz 🔹Taxation of large digital platforms in light of international developments Find all our #EPlenary notes in our article, available in six languages ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/escnKSAH

📣 The European Parliament is set for its first plenary session after the summer break. Next week, Members meet in Strasbourg, where the agenda covers many points, with a particular focus on the annual State of the European Union address #SOTEU by the President of the European Commission. Prepare for the session with our notes and briefings on: 🔸 The policy priorities of the von der Leyen II Commission: State of play ahead of the 2025 State of the Union address 🔹 2025 State of the Union address: Purpose, historical significance and overview of addresses since 2010 🔸 Public procurement 🔹 Revising rules on food and textile waste 🔸 The role of cohesion policy in supporting the just transition 🔹 The role of cohesion policy in resolving the housing crisis 🔸 Simplification of cohesion funds  🔹 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Ukraine 🔸 Future of agriculture and the post-2027 CAP 🔹Taxation of large digital platforms in light of international developments 📬 Find all our #EPlenary notes and briefings in our article. Notes are available in six languages ⤵️

❓How is the European Commission delivering on its policy agenda? As September begins, we take stock of how the von der Leyen II Commission has delivered on its seven priorities since taking office in December 2024. Some key inputs so far: 📋 255 initiatives announced ☑️ 163 initiatives submitted 🗓️ 90 initiatives still to come 📊 Almost 50 % of these initiatives fall under the first priority on prosperity and competitiveness At this early stage of the 10th legislative term, many monitored initiatives are continuations of work carried over from the previous term. So, what about now? 📆 On 10 September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to deliver the 2025 State of the Union address #SOTEU in plenary, the first of the current legislative term. She is expected to set the key initiatives for the year ahead, and build on the state of play of these seven priorities. Want to be prepared? 🔸Explore our analysis on the Commission's priorities ↓ https://europa.eu/!6JPdJW 🔹Read our briefing on the State of the Union address ↓ https://europa.eu/!8wKMJF

📊 What are the economic trends between the EU and the Mercosur countries Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay? This infographic provides insight into the economic performance of these four countries and their trade relations with the EU. 🔎 Some key facts: - Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay's GDP growth exceeded 3% - Argentina continues to face hyperinflation at a rate of 219.9% - The EU is their second-largest trade partner after China - Collectively, these countries are the EU's 10th largest trading partner 📥 Explore the full infographic on #Mercosur ↓  https://europa.eu/!KBc6bf 📚 Find all our recent publications on international trade and trade and investment Agreements in our topical digest ↓  https://europa.eu/!vWkFHD