The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament welcome the measures by the European Commission to decarbonise buildings, support measures in favour of renewables and low carbon gases and to reduce methane emissions. This comes after earlier today, the Commission adopted a set of legislative proposals to decarbonise the EU gas market and to ensure energy security throughout the European Union.

Mohammed Chahim MEP, S&D vice-president responsible for the energy aspects of the Green Deal, said:

While urging for immediate military de-escalation and a return to diplomacy, the Socialists and Democrats called to prepare severe sanctions against Russia, that should already be agreed at the European Summit this Thursday, in efforts to prevent the Kremlin from using force against Ukraine.  At the same time, they insisted that political dialogue remains the sole basis for solving the conflict in eastern Ukraine and that this dialogue must and will always involve Ukraine.

The plenary of the European Parliament will today debate an S&D report on democracy at work, with a vote tomorrow.

Another important step to shape the European Health Union has been taken. Today, the European Parliament has endorsed the agreement with the EU Council on the Health Technology Assessment (HTA). This new European tool will strengthen the cooperation among member states allowing the setting up of a permanent structured framework to facilitate the joint work on, and uptake of, the HTA. This will also contribute to better access to safe, effective and high quality health technologies.