European Parliamentary Research Service

Tomorrow 28/2 is #RareDiseaseDay

#RareDiseases affect over 36 mln people in the EU
Challenges remain such as:
☑️fragmented #research
☑️lengthy diagnosis times
☑️limited access to innovative treatment
☑️the overall quality of life for patients

👉 link.europa.eu/4VBrfp

Illustration showing migration of food contact materials and chemicals in a yoghurt pot

🥫 Food contact materials are any materials touching food from production to storage. Some may release chemicals into food.

🔎 EU law sets general safety rules, but enforcement gaps remain.

Read more 👉 link.europa.eu/NCMRMB

@sant.europarl.europa.eu @tillymetz.bsky.social @stinebosse.bsky.social

EPRS briefing summary 'Understanding EU counter-terrorism policy' (February 2025)

Today, the Commission proposed a new EU Agenda for preventing and countering #terrorism & violent #extremism

Read our briefing on the EU counter-terrorism policy 👉 link.europa.eu/8MjH9C

@libe.europarl.europa.eu @estrellagalan.bsky.social

Official Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to London (United Kingdom) - Meeting with Sir Keir STARMER, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

President Metsola went to London to strengthen the EU-UK partnership

ICYMI read this:
Next steps after the EU-UK 2025 Leaders' Summit
link.europa.eu/3rMkQw
EU security & defence partnership with the #UK
link.europa.eu/pxndXb

@president.europarl.europa.eu
@bernd-lange.bsky.social @masz.bsky.social

The results of the 2025 #EPAcademicFreedom Monitor are out:

👉 #AcademicFreedom is under pressure in almost all of EU: link.europa.eu/b7H9dn

👉Next Wednesday 4/3: #STOA’s High-Level Conference: link.europa.eu/FKxfq8

@eua.eu @guildeu.bsky.social @scholarsatrisk.bsky.social @linagalvez.eu

ESMH Summer School 2026 - Call for young journalists and content creators - ESMH Are you a young journalist writing about science and technology? Do you have questions about the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on newsrooms,

🗓️22-25 June 2026 Brussels:

#ESMHSummerSchool for young journalists on #Science #Communication in the age of #AI

👉You can now apply: wp.me/panTdn-4vj

#SciComm @linagalvez.eu @europeanjournalists.org @wfsj25.bsky.social @stinaborchers.bsky.social @pierregirard.bsky.social @josecepeda.bsky.social

EPRS briefing first page on 'Firearms Trafficking Directive' (January 2026)

The European Commission is set to propose a Firearms trafficking directive.

What issues are at stake?

Our briefing highlights the choices which may shape the initiative 👉 link.europa.eu/Hqh9fp

@libe.europarl.europa.eu @estrellagalan.bsky.social

What is the 28th regime, and is the Parliament supporting it? Across the EU, the definition of a start-up varies. However, characteristics frequently mentioned across a number of sources describe start-ups as new, innovative, technology-driven companies that hav...

The 28th regime would create a single set of rules for businesses in the EU to simplify laws & strengthen the single market. Commission is set to discuss it today.

Read 👇

@juri.europarl.europa.eu @repasi.bsky.social @pcanfin.bsky.social @kiramph.bsky.social @arashsaeidi.bsky.social

🔎 #ArtificialIntelligence changes the way we search online.

But this also raises questions around:
🔹#copyright
🔹content quality
🔹potential informational dependency

Read 👉 link.europa.eu/YmKH3r

@imco.europarl.europa.eu @libe.europarl.europa.eu @mcnamaramep.bsky.social

EPRS briefing context section on 'European Competitiveness Fund' (November 2025)

The proposed European competitiveness fund aims to:
🔸 support sectors critical to EU #competitiveness
🔸 simplify procedures
🔸 coordinate funding

Read more 👉 link.europa.eu/gqJJK8

@itre.europarl.europa.eu @yvanverougstraete.bsky.social @botengam.bsky.social

United States Supreme Court with US flag

The US Supreme Court's ruling invalidates all #tariffs that President Trump imposed under #IEEPA on US trading partners 

What to expect after this landmark ruling?

Read 👉 link.europa.eu/Y8yxq4

@inta.europarl.europa.eu @bernd-lange.bsky.social @manonaubryfr.bsky.social @sophiewilmes.bsky.social

EPRS study cover on 'EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027: Taking stock and the way forward' (January 2026)

The EU Youth Strategy 2019–2027 sets the framework for EU-wide policy cooperation for young people.

Our study supports the CULT committee's implementation report on the EUYS.

Read 👉 link.europa.eu/mjmXMB

@cult.europarl.europa.eu @sabrinarepp.bsky.social

How does Parliament support Ukraine? On 24 February 2026, the European Parliament will hold an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels, to mark the four-year anniversary of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.

Today, the European Parliament holds an extraordinary plenary session marking the 4-year anniversary of Russia's ongoing war of aggression against #Ukraine.

Our article summarises how Parliament supports Ukraine ↓

@press.europarl.europa.eu @afet.europarl.europa.eu @budg.europarl.europa.eu

EPRS briefing summary on 'From values to economic security: The transformation of the EU's economic model 2016-2026' (February 2026)

The European Parliamentary Week 2026 is underway to discuss EU economy, budget & social priorities

Our #foresight briefing puts economic security in context to anticipate future developments

📝 link.europa.eu/BWvrBp

@econ.europarl.europa.eu @budg.europarl.europa.eu @aurorelalucq.bsky.social

EPRS briefing summary on 'From values to economic security: The transformation of the EU's economic model 2016-2026' (February 2026)

Trade is part of the EU's economic security shift.

Our #foresight briefing puts economic security in context to anticipate future EU developments, including in #trade.

📝 link.europa.eu/BWvrBp

@inta.europarl.europa.eu @kvanbrempt.bsky.social @bartgroothuis.bsky.social @annacavazzini.bsky.social

Illustration with text reading 'Scientists have explored fewer than 1000 rare diseases. Source: European Medicines Agency'. Visual by European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS)

🧫Because each condition affects very few people, knowledge is fragmented & research is limited.

This EPRS study identifies areas for further EU action 👉 link.europa.eu/nXYyXv

@sant.europarl.europa.eu @tillymetz.bsky.social @stinebosse.bsky.social

Illustration with text reading '8 in 10 rare diseases have identified genetic origins. Source: European Medicines Agency' Visual by European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS)

🧬 8 in 10 #RareDiseases have genetic origins

What's the potential added value of an EU rare disease action plan? 

Our study identifies 31 EU-level possible measures
👉 link.europa.eu/nXYyXv

@sant.europarl.europa.eu @tillymetz.bsky.social @stinebosse.bsky.social

Illustration with text reading 'Rare diseases affect 36 million people in the EU. Source: European Medicines Agency'. Visual by European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS)

🔬 Rare diseases affect around 36 million people in the EU, around 8% of the EU's population.

The new EPRS study investigates the potential benefits of an EU #RareDisease action plan.

Read 👉 link.europa.eu/nXYyXv

@sant.europarl.europa.eu @tillymetz.bsky.social @stinebosse.bsky.social

YouTube video by MySTOA Planetary health: a critical discipline for the future

7️⃣ of 9️⃣planetary boundaries have now been breached; humanity pushes Earth's support systems beyond safe operating limits

✅Video w/ Prof Rockström @pik-potsdam.bsky.social & @nicogcasares.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxoV...

✅Interview Dr Vanessa Harris: wp.me/panTdn-4ss

#PlanetaryHealth

EPRS briefing summary on 'Private financing of innovation in the EU' (March 2025)

Innovation is central to boost EU #competitiveness.

How does the EU incentivise private #innovation?

Read ahead of the European Parliamentary Week 2026 👉 link.europa.eu/Mx6Wgh

@econ.europarl.europa.eu @katarina-barley.de @aurorelalucq.bsky.social @dboeselager.volteuropa.org

EPRS study cover on 'Evaluation of EU agri-food promotion policy: Insights and lessons learnt' (December 2025)

The EU agri-food promotion policy helps EU producers market their products.

The AGRI committee's report offers Parliament a chance to review its implementation & ways to improve.

Read our study with recommendations
👉 link.europa.eu/Y6HNjy

@agri.europarl.europa.eu @ciaranmulloolymep.bsky.social

Informal EU leaders' retreat on 12 February 2026

What did EU leaders discuss at the #EuropeanCouncil retreat on #competitiveness on 12 Feb?

The outcome will feed into the conclusions of the March #EUCO meeting.

Read 👉 link.europa.eu/VpkTY9

@imco.europarl.europa.eu @annacavazzini.bsky.social

Russia under Vladimir Putin: His 26-year rule in facts and figures Vladimir (Vladimirovich) Putin has ruled the Russian Federation since the 31 December 1999, inheriting a country in economic, political and social disarray. Out of Putin’s 26-year ruling, Russia has b...

🔎 How has Russia changed over Vladimir Putin's 26 years in power?

Indicators show:
- economic evolution
- surge in military expenditure
- demographic decline
- growing inequality

Read more 👇

@afet.europarl.europa.eu @epdiplomacy.bsky.social @villeniinisto.vihreat.fi @hjalloul.bsky.social

EPRS briefing summary on 'Digital Omnibus on AI' (February 2026)

The Digital Omnibus on AI aims to simplify EU rules and ease the #AIAct's regulatory burden

🔎 What are the key proposals?

Find out 👉 link.europa.eu/HKNrH9

@imco.europarl.europa.eu @libe.europarl.europa.eu @mcnamaramep.bsky.social @svenjahahn.bsky.social @marketkag.bsky.social

EPRS illustration showing a group of young people reading on mobile phones, laptops, and tablets. The text reads: 'Nearly 8 in 10 young people reported exposure to disinformation or fake news over the past week. Source: Eurostat youth survey (2024)'

Rising generative AI fuels harder-to-spot fake content online.

Nearly 8 in 10 young people report exposure to #disinformation in the past week, yet many overestimate their ability to spot it.

Read 👉 link.europa.eu/7drHG6

@imco.europarl.europa.eu @syoncourtin.bsky.social @leilachaibi.bsky.social

Cover page of EPRS study on 'The Near-term Future of the Transatlantic Relationship' (February 2026)

From #NATO to #trade, transatlantic relations face growing strain and Europe reassesses its security & policy priorities.

Yet shared interests in security and innovation still offer room for cooperation.

Full study 👉 link.europa.eu/vHJvrw

@afet.europarl.europa.eu @epdiplomacy.bsky.social

EPRS briefing on 'Capital markets integration and supervision: Master regulation' - context section (February 2026)

EU capital markets remain fragmented.

EU rules are mostly set through directives, giving national supervisors leeway in how they are applied.

The Commission has issued 3 proposals to tackle this issue.

Read 👉 link.europa.eu/kKwmRm

@econ.europarl.europa.eu @ferber.bsky.social

EPRS briefing on 'A reworked Erasmus+ for 2028-2034' - context section (February 2026)

The 2028-2034 #Erasmus+ programme would include:
🔹a €36.2 billion budget in 2025 prices
🔹actions in education & training, youth, sport
🔹opportunities from the ESC

👉​​​​​​​ link.europa.eu/3H73Rt

@cult.europarl.europa.eu @laurencefarreng.bsky.social @hannesheide.bsky.social @sandrogozi.bsky.social

The European Democracy Shield: An overview The communication on the European Democracy Shield (EDS) aims to boost the protection of democracy against attacks, including from foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and disinfor...

The European Democracy Shield aims to protect democracy against attacks, including from foreign information manipulation & interference #FIMI and #disinformation

Learn more 👉 epthinktank.eu/2026/01/15/t...

@euds.europarl.europa.eu @nathalieloiseau.bsky.social @hbrandstaetter.bsky.social

Plenary round-up – February 2026 The February 2026 plenary session saw two key votes: on the Ukraine Support Loan, reaffirming the EU's continued financial support for Ukraine; and on the EU-Mercosur agreement safeguard clause, under...

What did your #MEP decide this week?

Check our Plenary round-up 👇

#EPlenary