MEPs also backed new rules to make it easier for people to successfully submit a Citizens’ Initiative.

Ahead of the European elections on 23-26 May, Parliament approved rules to penalise European political parties whose members infringe data protection rules to influence the outcome of elections. MEPs also called for the EU to respond more robustly to hostile propaganda. (Find out more in our interview with defence committee chair Anna Fotyga.)

To ensure a better EU response to security and migratory challenges, on Wednesday MEPs approved a reform of the EU’s visa information system.

“It is obvious that isolationism, protectionism and nationalism are not a solution,” said Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini in Parliament on Tuesday. He was the 18th EU leader to address MEPs on the future of Europe.

On Tuesday, Parliament also approved a new EU directive to better protect farmers and small food businesses against unfair trading practices by large operators ,such as supermarket chains.