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In her work, Oleksandra Matviichuk fights to protect human rights and build a lasting democracy in Ukraine. She is the founder and head of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Center for Civil Liberties, and a laureate of the Sakharov Prize and the European Order of Merit.

On a recent visit to the European Parliament, Matviichuk spoke of the need to support those fighting for freedom, justice, and human dignity across the world. Their struggle is our struggle, and only by defending and spreading freedom can we make the world safer for everyone, she said.

EU citizens also want the EU to be equipped to act: 73% of respondents want the EU to have more means to face global challenges.

Learn more about Europeans’ views on the future and their expectations of the EU.

Dr Denis Mukwege is a gynaecologist who has helped thousands of survivors of sexual violence in conflicts.

Drug use can harm people and communities, and affect public health and safety. Drug trafficking is also a major source of income for organised crime.

The EU action plan against drug trafficking focuses on disrupting criminal networks and targeting their routes and methods, as part of the broader EU Drugs Strategy.

Starting in June, a more unified EU migration system leaves fewer opportunities for criminal smuggling networks to exploit security gaps.

The EU's new migration rules include biometric screening (fingerprints & facial recognition), security checks against EU databases, faster and coordinated screening procedures, more efficient return procedures and crisis-response measures.

Fair borders protect everyone.

The adopted pieces of legislation substantially improve the European Commission’s original proposals and aim to support fair trade while safeguarding key European industries and farmers. Find out more.

After complex negotiations, the adopted rules complete the greater reform of the EU migration management system.

There will be faster and simpler return procedures and people ordered to leave will be legally obliged to do so. In 2025, only 28% of migrants ordered to leave the EU actually did so.

Some migrants may be detained, if courts or other authorities decide they pose flight or security risks.

It will be possible to transfer migrants with a return decision to another country that agrees to accept them, provided such agreements uphold human rights and international law.

The European Parliament ensured human rights were protected while taking a firm stance against those who don’t follow the rules.

Milatović said the EU's enlargement is an investment in stability and security of the European continent.

Accession negotiations with Montenegro began in 2012, and on 17 June, members of the European Parliament will vote on a report assessing the country's progress in joining the EU.

Parliament passed a law for the EU to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions with net 90% by 2040 and reach climate neutrality by 2050. It also approved a ban on a single-use plastics that pollute EU beaches (straws, cutlery, etc.). Members of the European Parliament called for widespread action against invasive species in EU waters and for urgent measures to stop the decline of fish stocks in the Baltic Sea. Read about EU rules against plastic in the ocean.

Half of all smokers die prematurely from tobacco use, losing about 14 years of life on average.

This World No Tobacco Day, the EU aims to achieve a Tobacco-Free Generation by 2040, where less than 5% of the population use tobacco.

Read more on how EU tobacco rules are helping to reduce smoking and save lives across Europe.

An update to existing EU laws will make it easier and safer to report crime, ensure helplines for victims online, emotional and practical support in court and free legal aid for those who need it. Children and vulnerable victims will also get specialised support. Offenders will not be able to access to victims' personal data (address, phone or email).

Parliament backed mandatory screening across all EU countries for investments linked to areas such as defence, AI, critical raw materials, semiconductors (microchips and chip technology) and financial services. 

The new rules strengthen cooperation between EU countries and the European Commission, streamline procedures and help address security risks linked to foreign-controlled investments in the EU.

The European Parliament will discuss the situation in the Middle East, assess plans to tackle the challenges advanced AI models pose and adopt rules on screening potentially risk foreign investments and protecting the rights of crime victims.

The first laureates of the European Order of Merit will be honoured for their contribution to European integration.

Find out more about these topics by following the links in the visuals.

A recent Parliament resolution condemned the repeated brutal and deliberate Russian strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine and said Russia’s war of aggression constitutes a blatant violation of international law. The European Parliament voiced firm support for the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine and said all those who direct or enable crimes, including senior political, military and judicial actors, should face justice.

If you as a country want to join the EU, you will have to meet some conditions and there are rules to follow. This is how we get along despite our differences.

But being part of the EU is an investment in stability and prosperity across Europe.

Across the EU, people’s rights are under growing pressure, including discrimination against vulnerable groups, the erosion of democratic participation, and threats to equality before the law. 

Parliament calls for a safer digital space, stronger action against gender-based violence, the protection of LGBTIQ+ rights, an end to the ill-treatment of migrants, and much more.

Applicants must have good knowledge of EU languages and should carefully review eligibility criteria. For the first time, a limited number of traineeships will be open to candidates with vocational education and training (VET) qualifications (EQF levels 3, 4 and 5) alongside the positions available for university graduates. 

Browse all traineeship offers and learn more about the programme. Check out also our previous AMA on traineeships.