EU countries have designated *the Iranian regime's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.*   Parliament was one of the first and strongest voices to call for this and has repeated this call in more than ten resolutions since 2023.     Standing in full solidarity with Iran’s protesters, Parliament recently barred representatives of the Iranian regime from the Parliament premises.

_Free hand luggage when you fly? 🤩_ _Free check-in and name correction? 😍😍_ _And more?? 🤯🤯🤯_ The European Parliament is fighting for air passenger rights to make this possible. Parliament members said _*no!*_ to EU ministers who are pushing to weaken air passenger rights. Instead, they want the rules to stay – or even to become stronger. ⏰ *Compensation* after a 3-hour delay with *a pre-filled form* 🧳 One *free personal item* _and_ *hand luggage* 👨‍👩‍👧 Seats next to each other for people accompanying *children or people with reduced mobility,* at no extra cost ✍️ *Free* name corrections and check-in ♿ Compensation if passengers with reduced *mobility miss a flight due to airport assistance failures* _🔗 Find out more: https://link.europa.eu/9f77Rj_ *Have you had to use your air passenger rights recently?* ❤️ Yes, they came in handy 👍 No, I’ve been lucky so far

🚨 *Drones are reshaping warfare, and pose a hybrid threat* - EU energy grids, airports and daily life are all exposed. Europe needs to move fast. Last week, the European Parliament passed a plan urging EU countries to: * start building *more affordable drones and systems* that can stop enemy drones * build *a shield of drones and defence systems* along the EU’s eastern and southern borders * *reduce dependency on Chinese parts* like batteries, sensors, and rare earth materials * *Support small businesses and start-ups* working on defence tech * Work more closely with Ukraine to learn from real battlefield experience and build equipment together * Make sure EU defence systems work smoothly with NATO standards *Why it matters to Europe* *Military drones* have become *a defining feature of modern warfare*, as seen in Ukraine where they have caused more casualties than any other weapon. Hybrid drone attacks already hit airports, energy grids & shipping routes. Russia produces millions yearly; we need resilience now to *protect critical infrastructure, support Ukraine, and ensure EU technological independence.* It isn't just military – it's about *civil protection, jobs in high-tech SMEs, and keeping Europe safe* from asymmetric threats. _🔗 Read the full text here: https://link.europa.eu/7gPq68_

🙈 Hidden consent. 🤫 Silent data breaches. 📬 Endless newsletters. Thankfully, those days are _(mostly)_ over. And it’s because 10 years ago, the EU said “enough!” – and introduced the *General Data Protection Regulation* (known more commonly as GDPR), setting a global benchmark for data protection. Parliament pushed hard for *clear rights, real enforcement and rules that protect people.* *📅 Happy EU Data Protection Day!* _🔗 Read more about data protection: https://link.europa.eu/xV6vYX_

*A bigger EU means a safer Europe 🇪🇺💪* A country can only join the EU if it respects and promotes the *EU's democratic and peaceful values,* alongside other criteria. So, *helping countries reform and join the EU is an investment in European security and stability 🇪🇺* Currently, an _"arc of instability"_ has formed around Europe, Parliament says, pointing to recent events in Ukraine, the Caucasus, the Middle East and others. That's why the EU cannot afford to turn inwards. It needs to remain *open and engaged with the world, strengthening its economic and diplomatic ties,* Parliament members state in their annual review of the EU's common foreign and security policy 🤝 _🔗 Read a summary of the report: https://link.europa.eu/38DGqm_

> An autonomous union open to the world.   That is what the *Republic of Cyprus* will work for as it holds the *Presidency of the Council of the EU*🇨🇾🇪🇺   For the next six months, the Cypriot presidency will focus on: 🛡️ Working on solutions in area of security and defence 📈 Helping European companies compete 💪 Strengthening Europe's autonomy 🤝 Building partnerships with countries neighbouring the EU   Addressing the European Parliament, the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, emphasised that the Cyprus Presidency begins at a *defining moment* for the EU and that _"force cannot redraw borders."_   _🔗 Read about the priorities here: https://link.europa.eu/DD7J6y_