First European Order of Merit ceremony

The ceremony of conferral of the European Order of Merit will take place at 11.30 in Parliament's hemicycle, with thirteen of the first twenty laureates attending. Laureates will receive a badge, a ribbon bar, and a certificate signed by President Metsola. Each of them will make a brief address to plenary. This is the first European distinction of its kind granted by an EU institution, to honour the achievements of individuals who have made significant contributions to European integration and unity, democracy and values. From 16.00 to 17.00, there will be a panel discussion with some of the laureates, open to media representatives.

Estefania NARRILLOS

(+32) 498 98 39 85

Andreas KLEINER

(+32) 498 98 33 22

@EuroParlPress

EU strategy on crises in the Middle East

MEPs will quiz EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on the EU's strategy in the face of the various crises in the Middle East from around 16.00. The debate is expected to cover several hotspots, including Iran, Israel and Syria.

Snjezana KOBESCAK SMODIS

(+32) 470 96 08 19

@EP_ForeignAff

EU cyber-resilience capabilities

At 9.00 MEPs will assess the rapid deployment of advanced AI models and the challenges they pose for EU security with Marilena Raouna, Cyprus's Deputy Minister for European Affairs, and Tech Sovereignty Commissioner Henna Virkkunen. The latest developments in granting EU authorities and companies access to test new AI models, the application of the EU's cybersecurity and artificial intelligence frameworks (NIS2 Directive, AI Act, Cyber Resilience Act) and the broader implications for the EU's economy and critical infrastructure will also be part of the discussion.

Yasmina YAKIMOVA

(+32) 470 88 10 60

@EP_SingleMarket

Screening of foreign investment

MEPs will vote at noon on an agreement with Council to update the EU rules on screening foreign investments. Under the revised legislation, foreign investments in strategic sectors such as defence, semiconductors, AI, critical raw materials and financial services will be subject to mandatory screening by EU countries, in order to identify and address potential risks to security or public order.

Lieven COSIJN

(+32) 473 864 141

@EP Trade

In brief

Steel industry safeguards. MEPs will vote on updated EU steel safeguards agreed with Council to address global overcapacity, and replacing measures that are due to expire on 30 June 2026.

Fertiliser action plan. Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen will present the Commission's new fertiliser action plan at 15.00. The goal is to reduce dependency on imports and increase domestic production, while increasing the use of alternative fertilisers. A debate with MEPs about rising EU fertiliser prices will follow.

Reduced US military deployment. Kaja Kallas will make a statement on the EU response to reduced US military deployment in Europe, particularly at the Eastern flank in light of the latest US decision, at around 17.30, followed by a debate with MEPs.

Cuba. From around 17.00, MEPs will discuss the political repression and dire situation in Cuba with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. The debate will be wound up in a resolution, to be voted during the June plenary session.

EU governance under pressure. Following the votes, from around 13.00, MEPs will hear from Marilena Raouna for the Council and Maros Sefcovic for the Commission on how it might be possible and necessary to adjust the EU's governance structure in response to external challenges.

Modena attack. MEPs will debate on the attack against citizens in Modena and the need to protect public spaces and prevent violence in the EU, with one round of political group speakers, from around 15.00.

Votes

At noon, MEPs will also vote on:

*a regulation on the production and marketing of forest reproductive material

*a regulation on the single European area for rail infrastructure capacity

*requests to waive the immunity of Harald Vilimsky (PfE, Austria), Angelika Niebler (EPP, Germany), Nikos Pappas (The Left, Greece) and Alvise Perez (NI, Spain).

Live coverage of the plenary session can be found on Parliament's webstreaming site and on EbS+.

For detailed information on the session, please also see our newsletter.

Find more information regarding plenary.