(AGENPARL) – gio 09 febbraio 2023 [Go to the page](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room)
Press service
European Parliament
09-02-2023
In this press kit, you will find a selection of the European Parliament’s press releases that show MEPs’ priorities in relation to topics on the summit agenda.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will represent the European Parliament at the summit and address the heads of state or government and hold a press conference after her speech.
When: Press conference at around 16.15 on 9 February
EU leaders will meet to discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine and the EU’s continued support for the country, the reform of the EU’s migration and asylum rules as well as the EU’s economic competitiveness and the reaction to the US Inflation Reduction Act.
Additional information can be found on the [European Parliament’s website](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/contacts).
Russia’s war against Ukraine
[Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed MEPs in a formal sitting this morning.](https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-237062) He stressed how Russia is trying to annihilate not only sovereign Ukraine, but also the European “way of life”. He outlined how he sees Europe as a continent steeped in rules, values, equality and fairness, and (…) a place where Ukraine is firmly at home. The Kremlin, on the other hand, is doing its utmost to destroy European values, President Zelenskyy said, stressing how Ukraine is fighting for and protecting Europe from this anti-European force.
He thanked all Europeans who have supported Ukraine in the fight against the Russian invader and all those who have helped Ukrainian refugees arriving in the EU. Looking ahead, President Zelenskyy called on Europe and Ukraine to walk together and define a common European future. However, he underlined that, for our dreams for our children and grandchildren to come true, we need peace and security. These dreams will not be possible if we do not overcome this anti-European force trying to steal our Europe from us, he concluded.
In a debate and a [resolution adopted on 2 February](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2023-0029_EN.html) ahead of the EU-Ukraine summit, MEPs demand the EU “work towards the start of accession negotiations and to support a roadmap outlining the next steps to enable Ukraine’s accession to the EU single market”. Restating their commitment to Ukraine’s future EU membership following the country’s formal application on 28 February 2022, MEPs stress that accession is a merit-based process involving respect for relevant procedures, and the fulfilment of EU-related reforms and accession criteria. They also invite the Ukrainian authorities to introduce substantial reforms to effectively align with EU membership criteria as soon as possible.
Parliament also urges EU member states to increase and accelerate their military assistance to Kyiv, in particular the provision of weapons, but also essential political, economic, infrastructural, financial and humanitarian support.
[On 19 January, MEPs adopted a resolution](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2023-0015_EN.html), demanding that the Russian political and military leadership be held accountable for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. Parliament says the atrocities committed by Russian forces in Bucha, Irpin and many other Ukrainian towns reveal the brutality of the war and underscore the importance of coordinated international action to bring those accountable to justice under international law. MEPs urge the EU, in close cooperation with Ukraine and the international community, to push for the creation of a special international tribunal to prosecute Russia’s political and military leadership and its allies.
Establishing a tribunal would, MEPs argue, fill a vacuum in international criminal justice and complement the investigative efforts of the International Criminal Court, as it currently cannot investigate the crime of aggression when it comes to Ukraine.
In the annual [2022 reports on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_ATA(2023)739288)
and on the [Common Foreign and Security Policy report](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_ATA(2023)739295), adopted on 18 January, MEPs stress that the EU and its member states need to increase their military, political and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and strengthen their defence in countering Russian threats to European security. They also call for the immediate deployment of modern weapons and a next-generation air defence system, stressing that Ukraine is defending its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and urgently needs military aid and heavy weaponry to win the war.
Following the atrocities carried out by Vladimir Putin’s regime against Ukrainian civilians, MEPs recognised Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, in a [resolution adopted on 23 November](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2022-0405_EN.html). They highlight that the deliberate attacks committed by Russian forces and their proxies against civilians in Ukraine, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and other serious violations of international and humanitarian law amount to acts of terror and constitute war crimes. In light of this, they recognise Russia as a state that “uses means of terrorism”.
Further reading
[President Zelenskyy’s speech to the European Parliament](https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-237062) (video)
MEPs to contact:
[David McALLISTER](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/124806/DAVID_MCALLISTER/home), (EPP, DE) Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
[Nathalie LOISEAU](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197494/NATHALIE_LOISEAU/home) (Renew, FR) Chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence
[Michael GAHLER](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/2341/MICHAEL_GAHLER/home) (EPP, DE) Standing Rapporteur on Ukraine
[Andrius KUBILIUS](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197843/ANDRIUS_KUBILIUS/home) (EPP, LT) Standing Rapporteur on Russia
Migration
MEPs wish to see results in the field of migration and asylum policy, after years of discussions among member states in the context of increasing irregular arrivals of persons, a majority of whom do not qualify to remain in the EU. Some speakers called for borders to be protected more effectively, including by setting up fences, which some wish to see financed with European funds. Several MEPs referred to the need to increase the rate of people being returned to their countries of origin or transit.
Others proposed processing asylum applications in the territory of third countries, as a way to reach the most vulnerable persons. They also talked about improving cooperation with non-EU countries and addressing the root causes of migration. Some speakers considered that search and rescue operations at sea by NGOs should be subject to a common code of conduct. Others insisted that, to be credible, EU migration policy must respect human rights and combine responsibility and solidarity towards refugees.
Noting that an aging population in Europe makes labour migration necessary, several MEPs advocated opening legal pathways into the EU. Finally, some underscored that the EU response to the large number of Ukrainian refugees arriving following the war showed that a different approach is possible and that migration can also be seen as an opportunity.
Further reading
MEPs to contact
[Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/96812/JUAN+FERNANDO_LOPEZ+AGUILAR/home)(S&D, ES), Chair of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, rapporteur for the regulation for Crisis and Force majeure
[Tomas TOBÉ](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197402/TOMAS_TOBE/home) (EPP, SE), rapporteur for the [Regulation for Asylum and Migration Management](https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2020/0279(COD)&l=en)
[Birgit SIPPEL](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/96932/BIRGIT_SIPPEL/home) (S&D, DE), rapporteur for the [Screening Regulation](https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2020/0278(COD)&l=en)
[Fabienne KELLER](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/22858/FABIENNE_KELLER/home) (Renew, FR), rapporteur for the [Asylum Procedures regulation](https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2016/0224(COD)&l=en)
Economy
During her speech at the December European Council, EP President Roberta Metsola stressed that “we need to return to growth and focus on Europe’s competitiveness and our role as a global player. This is true of our Transatlantic relationship. The United States ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ is, on the one hand, an effort to reconcile the energy transition and energy security and, on the other hand, a sign of creeping protectionism. It openly discriminates against electric vehicles produced in the EU and complicates transatlantic cooperation regarding critical minerals and battery production.”
She expressed her “hope that trade disputes can be avoided and that this protectionist US act will instead provide a platform for further US-EU leadership in climate action, energy security and for cooperation on the definition of common standards. Fighting climate change should be done together and not at the expense of each other’s industrial base.”
Following a [plenary debate](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-9-2023-01-18-ITM-009_EN.html) on 18 January on “An EU strategy to boost industrial competitiveness, trade and quality jobs”, MEPs will adopt a resolution summarising their views during the 13-16 February session. In it, they are likely to express concern over the provisions of the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which would discriminate against EU companies on the US market. During the same session, MEPs will also comment on the Commission’s Green deal industrial plan for the net-zero age to stimulate development in clean technology in the EU and secure strategic autonomy for the EU by reducing its dependence on third countries.
Three decades since its creation, MEPs call for renewed commitment and political will from member states and EU institutions, as well as a specific action plan for 2030 and beyond, in order to further strengthen and develop the single market, especially in areas such as services, energy, telecommunications and the digital single market.
Adapting to new challenges
Further reading
[President Metsola at European Council: rebuilding trust, leading the Union forward](https://the-president.europarl.europa.eu/home/ep-newsroom/pageContent-area/actualites/president-metsola-at-european-council-rebuilding-trust-leading-the-union-forward.html)
MEPs to contact
[Cristian-Silviu BU?OI](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/38420/CRISTIAN-SILVIU_BUSOI/home)(EPP, RO) Chair of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
[Irene TINAGLI](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197591/IRENE_TINAGLI/home) (S&D, IT), Chair of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
[Anna CAVAZZINI](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/86793/ANNA_CAVAZZINI/home) (Greens/EFA, DE), Chair of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
[Drago? PÎSLARU](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197663/DRAGOS_PISLARU/home) (Renew, RO), Chair of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Jaume DUCH GUILLOT
EP Spokesperson and Director General for Communication
Neil CORLETT
Head of the Press Unit