Virkamatkat

The ITRE mission to Tokyo focused on industrial policy, digital transformation, and energy. It provided Members with first hand insights into Japan’s perspective on strategic technologies and economic security, as well as EU-Japan cooperation in key sectors such as semiconductors, hydrogen, batteries, and quantum computing.

The ITRE mission to France focused on industrial policy, digital sovereignty, and the energy transition, with particular attention to aerospace, artificial intelligence, industrial decarbonisation, hydrogen, and nuclear research.

A delegation of six ITRE Members visited Chile (Punta Arenas, Calama and San Pedro de Atacama) from 5 to 8 January 2026.

The ITRE mission to Sweden explored several key areas of the committee’s work: mining, space, steel, hydrogen and batteries productions. A delegation of six Members, led by MEP Christophe Grudler, visited Esrange Space Center, where the rocket prototype Themis was displayed. Further visits included the world's largest underground iron ore mine in Kiruna, LKAB’s fossil-free steel manufacturing plant in Lulea, Stegra’s site for green hydrogen and iron and Talga’s advanced materials production.

The ITRE mission to Ontario, Canada, primarily focused on energy policy and research. It provided Members with first hand insights into Canada’s clean energy transition, the deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMR), and opportunities for research and industrial cooperation between the EU and Canada. Discussions also covered innovation in nuclear technology, education and training, and the role of hydropower in ensuring grid stability.

The 20th annual IGF meeting took place in Lillestrøm, Norway, from 23 to 27 June 2025 under the overarching theme Building Digital Governance Together. This was the last meeting under the current IGF mandate. The European Parliament ad hoc delegation was composed of seven MEPs.

The EP ITRE committee visited Slovakia from May 26 to 28, exploring opportunities and possible hurdles towards tapping the still under-utilised potential of the geothermal energy. A delegation of five members from 3 political groups discussed the topic from various angles, political as well as technical and engineering, enriched by feedback from practical experience from industries present at several geothermal sites in Eastern Slovakia.

The ITRE mission to Munich explored key sectors relevant to the committee, such as research, innovation, fusion energy, aerospace, defence, and automotive industry. The delegation of Members visited a range of institutions and (startup) companies representing Munich’s diverse technology landscape, highlighting the connection between basic research, innovation, and commercial application to inform the committee's ongoing and upcoming work in these areas.

The ITRE visit to the industrial regions of Veneto and Lombardy covered a wide range of topics within ITRE’s remit. These include aerospace, shipbuilding, steel and automotive. It explored the vibrant industrial landscape of the Veneto region, which is well-known for its strong network of small and medium-sized enterprises and its economic activity in several industrial and technological sectors.