On a monthly plenary session in Strasbourg held during the first week of October, the MEPs discussed migration policy of the European Union, easing of administrative and bureaucratic borders for foreign professionals, new rules for shale gas extraction and for tobacco products.

A minute of silence was held for the hundreds of victims of the Lampedussa tragedy and a radical change in migration policy as well as in border surveillance should be introduced, according to the EP, to prevent such tragedies in the future.

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom was given to Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager shot by the Taliban for her fight for young women's right to education and who is now a global activist.

MEPs also approved new and tougher rules for tobacco products. The size of the health warnings will be bigger, e-cigarettes should be put under tougher regulations and flavoured cigarettes should disappear from the European market. However, before entering into force, this regulation needs to be approved by each National Parliament as well.

The EP also discussed the activities of neo-Nazi parties across the EU and highlighted an all-important issue of Roma integration strategies. Finally, the EP approved the electronic European Professional Card, making it easier for doctors, pharmacists, architects and other professionals to work in another EU country.

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