Following the inauguration of US President Joe Biden, on Wednesday David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament issued a statement congratulating him and Vice President Kamala Harris underlying that this new administration marks the beginning of a new era for transatlantic relations.

During the plenary debate on Wednesday, MEPs welcome the inauguration of Joe Biden as an opportunity for Europe to strengthen EU-US ties and tackle common challenges and threats to the democratic system. 

During the week, the EU-UK post-Brexit deal came under scrutiny by the European Parliament. Sectoral policies was discussed with the UK Task Force in various committees. MEPs will take the necessary time before deciding whether to give their consent. The agreement was reached on the Christmas Eve last year and since 1 January it is applied on a provisional basis.

Fully democratic and highly transparent decision-making at European level is indispensable to increase citizens’ trust in the EU institutions, said the Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) MEPs in a non-legislative report adopted with 60 votes to 4. 

In a statement on Thursday, EP President David Sassoli welcomed the fact that a deal has been reached on the future relationship between the EU and UK and assured that the Parliament will scrutinise it in detail.

On Friday, the last day of the plenary session, Parliament adopted the EU 2021 budget and EP President David Sassoli signed it into law. This became possible following approval of Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 two days ago.

A resolution, presenting an overview of current security issues, as identified by the Commission for the period 2020-2025 in the EU Security Union strategy, was adopted by MEPs with 543 votes in favour 64 votes against and 82 abstentions. 

The European Parliament has issued a three-day ultimatum to Brexit negotiators to strike a trade deal, warning that MEPs won’t have time to ratify an agreement this year unless it is ready by Sunday night.

At its plenary session, on Wednesday, MEPs gave the go-ahead for the common long-term budget 2021-2027, which is making possible the fund to get to the economy in the Member States from January next year.

During a ceremony at the European Parliament hemicycle in Brussels on Wednesday, the Belarusian democratic opposition was formally awarded the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.