Commission reports on partner countries’ compliance with visa-free travel requirements

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission adopted its eighth report under the Visa Suspension Mechanism, monitoring the EU’s visa-free regimes. While most partner countries have taken steps to address the recommendations issued under previous Visa Suspension Mechanism reports, significant challenges persist. Visa liberalisation is an important part […]

Commission extends nitrates derogation for Ireland

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission extended Ireland’s derogation under the Nitrates Directive for a further three years, starting 1 January 2026. This decision follows the approval of the Commission’s proposal by Member States on 9 December. It is subject to additional conditions, including the evaluation of […]

EU companies increase research and development investments in key sectors

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. EU companies drove strong research and development (R&D) growth in energy, health, aerospace and defence in 2024, according to the 2025 EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard published today. While the report highlights Europe’s leadership in key industries, it also underscores the intense pressure from […]

EU and Japan successfully conclude Horizon Europe negotiations

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission and Japan have successfully concluded negotiations on Japan’s association to Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship €93.5 billion research and innovation funding programme. The agreement, expected to be signed in 2026, represents the closest form of collaboration offered by the EU to […]

Commission approves €61 million Belgian rescue aid for Lineas Group

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a Belgian €61 million rescue loan to rail freight operator Lineas Group SA/NV. In parallel, following a complaint the Commission received from a stakeholder, it has concluded that two past measures relating to Lineas […]

Commission partially greenlights Cyprus’s fifth payment request for €70.5 million under NextGenerationEU

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission assessed Cyprus’s fifth payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU. The Commission found that Cyprus satisfactorily completed 10 out of 11 milestones and all 8 targets set out in the Council Implementing Decision for the […]

Commission proposes to extend Interim Regulation allowing providers to continue voluntary detection and reporting of child sexual abuse

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission proposed an extension of the Interim Regulation, laying down a derogation from certain provisions of the e-Privacy Directive for the purpose of combating online child sexual abuse. This will allow providers of certain number-independent interpersonal communication services to continue voluntary detection and reporting of […]

Commission welcomes agreement on the Retail investment Strategy

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission welcomes the political agreement reached yesterday between the European Parliament and EU Member States on the Retail Investment Strategy. The new measures will empower retail investors to make informed decisions that match their individual needs and preferences, while ensuring that they […]

Commission renews decisions to allow for the free and safe flow of personal data with the UK

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the Commission renewed the two 2021 adequacy decisions for the free flow of personal data with the United Kingdom. The decisions ensure that personal data can continue flowing freely and safely between the European Economic Area (EEA) and the United Kingdom, as the […]

Parliament denounces continuous Belarusian hybrid attacks against Lithuania 

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday, Parliament condemned Belarus for conducting an escalating campaign of coordinated hybrid attacks against Lithuania and the EU. The text, adopted by 438 votes in favour, 37 against with 48 abstentions, points to Belarus’s repeated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and balloon incursions into […]

EU institutions define priorities for 2026: A Joint Declaration on EU legislative priorities for 2026 was signed today by the European Parliament, Council and Commission

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Given the speed and complexity of challenges faced by the European Union, unity, urgency and ambition are key. That is also the spirit behind which President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, representing the Danish Presidency of the Council […]

Stronger protection for workers with new asbestos guidelines and updated list of occupational diseases

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has adopted new measures to better protect workers from asbestos, a dangerous cancer-causing substance. These measures contain: These new measures come on top of the revised asbestos at work Directive of 2023, which set lower occupational exposure limits and other measures […]

Commission approves Vandemoortele’s acquisition of Délifrance, subject to conditions

Commission approves Vandemoortele's acquisition of Délifrance, subject to conditions

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition by Vandemoortele Group of Délifrance. The approval is conditional upon full compliance with the commitments offered by the companies. The Commission’s investigation Vandemoortele Group and Délifrance are both global manufacturers and […]

Asylum: Parliament and Council reach a deal to update safe third country rules  

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament.

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament.

Deal on new measures to boost citizens’ investments in financial markets 

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Parliament has struck an informal deal with Council on new rules to help retail clients invest in quality financial products and protect them from misleading or biased information. On Thursday morning, Parliament and Council negotiators agreed on a series of changes to several EU […]

Record 2026 EU funding boosts agri-food promotion as Commission launches new food campaign

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission will allocate €205 million in 2026 to co-fund promotion activities for sustainable and high-quality EU agri-food products within the European Union and globally. That’s according the 2026 promotion policy work programme adopted this week, marking the highest allocation ever dedicated to enhancing […]

Commission approves €1.6 billion German State aid to help roll-out of fast-charging stations for electric trucks on motorways

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a German scheme of up to €1.6 billion to support the deployment of publicly accessible fast-charging stations for electric heavy-duty vehicles (e-HDVs) at non-serviced rest sites along the German motorways. The measure contributes to […]

EU boosts funding to protect aid workers with €4.35 million

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Union is significantly reinforcing its efforts to protect humanitarian personnel operating in high-danger zones by allocating an additional €4.35 million to the ‘Protect Aid Workers‘ initiative. The decision comes at a time when the work of humanitarian personnel is becoming more and […]

Mercosur: Parliament backs safeguard measures to protect EU agriculture 

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Tuesday MEPs approved a safeguard clause for the EU-Mercosur agreement to prevent imports from Mercosur countries harming Europe’s agriculture sector. Parliament’s position was adopted by 431 in favour, 161 against and 70 abstentions. Negotiations with the Council on the final form of the […]

Parliament endorses simpler rules and more support for farmers 

Parliament endorses simpler rules and more support for farmers 

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs adopted new rules on Tuesday introducing more flexibility and support for farmers in complying with the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP). The preliminary agreement, reached by Parliament and Council negotiators on 10 November 2025, was adopted by 629 votes to 17 and with […]

Simpler food and feed safety rules while upholding high health standards and boosting competitiveness of EU producers

Simpler food and feed safety rules while upholding high health standards and boosting competitiveness of EU producers

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has today proposed a package of measures to streamline and simplify EU food and feed safety legislation. This cross-cutting food and feed safety package will simplify rules and procedures across the EU’s applicable legislation, from plant protection products and biocidal products, […]

Commission takes action for clean and competitive automotive sector

The Commission today presented the Automotive Package to support the sector's efforts in the transition to clean mobility. It sets an ambitious yet pragmatic policy framework to ensure 2050 climate neutrality and strategic independence while providing more flexibility to manufacturers. It also responds to calls by EU industry to simplify rules. The automotive sector has been key to Europe's industrial strength for decades, sustaining millions of jobs and driving technological innovation. As the world is changing, the car industry is transforming through new technologies and actors. Today's package maintains a strong market signal for zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) while giving the industry more flexibility to achieve CO2 targets, and supports vehicles and batteries made in the European Union. The corporate vehicles initiative will support the uptake of zero- and low-emission vehicles. The automotive omnibus enhances competitiveness by saving costs, expected to be approximately €706 million per year, and cutting red tape, while providing greater investment certainty. Commission President von der Leyen said: “Innovation. Clean mobility. Competitiveness. This year, these were top priorities in our intense dialogues with automotive sector, civil society organisations and stakeholders. And today, we are addressing them all together. As technology rapidly transforms mobility and geopolitics reshapes global competition, Europe remains at the forefront of the global clean transition.” Staying the course towards clean mobility with pragmatism The Commission presents a package that addresses both supply and demand of the automotive sector's transition: on the supply side, it presents a review of the existing CO2 emission standards for cars and vans and a targeted amendment to those for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs). On the demand side, it proposes an initiative to decarbonise corporate vehicles with binding national targets for zero- and low-emission vehicles. The CO2 standards now provide further flexibilities to support the industry and enhance technological neutrality, while providing predictability to manufacturers and maintaining clear market signal towards electrification. From 2035 onwards, carmakers will need to comply with a 90% tailpipe emissions reduction target, while the remaining 10% emissions will need to be compensated through the use of low-carbon steel Made in the Union, or from e-fuels and biofuels. This will allow for plug-in hybrids (PHEV), range extenders, mild hybrids, and internal combustion engine vehicles to still play a role beyond 2035, in addition to full electric (EVs) and hydrogen vehicles. Prior to 2035, car manufacturers will be able to benefit from “super credits” for small affordable electric cars made in the European Union. This will incentivise the deployment on the market of more small EV models. For the 2030 target for cars and vans, additional flexibility is introduced by allowing “banking & borrowing” for 2030-2032. An additional flexibility is granted for the vans segment, where the electric vehicle uptake has been structurally more difficult, with a reduction of the 2030 CO2 vans target from 50% to 40%. The Commission is also proposing a targeted amendment to the CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles with a flexibility easing the compliance with the 2030 targets. Regarding corporate vehicles, mandatory targets are set at the Member State level to support the zero- and low-emission vehicle uptake by large companies. Having more zero- and low-emission vehicles on the market, both first- and second-hand markets – will benefit all customers. As companies' cars cover higher yearly mileages, it also means more emission reductions. It will also make zero- or low- emissions and “Made in the EU” a pre-requisite for vehicles benefitting from public financial support. Strengthening Europe's own battery industry With €1.8 billion, the Battery Booster will accelerate the development of a fully EU-made battery value chain. As part of the Battery Booster, €1.5 billion will support European battery cell producers through interest-free loans. Additional targeted policy measures will support investments, create a European battery value chain and foster innovation and coordination across Member States. These measures will enhance the cost competitiveness of the sector, secure upstream supply chains and support sustainable and resilient production in the EU, contributing to the derisking from dominant global market players. Less red tape and stronger enabling conditions for the transition The Automotive Omnibus will ease administrative burden and cut costs for European manufacturers, boosting their global competitiveness, and freeing up resources for decarbonisation. Businesses are expected to save approximately €706 million per year, bringing the administrative savings thanks to all omnibuses and simplification initiatives the Commission has presented so far to around €14.3 billion per year. Among other things, it proposes to reduce the number of secondary legislation that will be adopted in the upcoming years and to streamline testing for new passenger vans and trucks. This will reduce costs while maintaining highest environmental and safety standards. The roll-out of electric vans in domestic transport is supported by measures that place them on an equal footing with internal combustion vans regarding drivers' rest times and rules. The Omnibus also introduces a new vehicle category under the Small Affordable Cars initiative, covering electric vehicles up to 4.2 meters in length. This will enable Member States and local authorities to develop targeted incentives, stimulating demand for small EVs made in the EU. The Commission is also updating and harmonising car labelling rules, for customers to have complete information about the cars' emissions when making purchases. Background Today's proposals build on the Automotive Action Plan, and input from industry and key stakeholders gathered during the Strategic Dialogue under President von der Leyen's leadership since January 2025. In January 2025, President von der Leyen launched a Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the Automotive Industry, bringing together industry representatives, social partners, Member States, regions and civil society. Three Dialogue meetings have taken place to date, providing a platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities the sector faces. For more information Questions and answers Factsheet - Taking action for a clean and competitive European automotive sector Factsheet – Revision of the CO2 standards and Corportate vehicles Proposal Automotive Package – webpage (all proposals will be available) Automotive Action Plan – webpage Clean Industrial Deal Net-Zero Industry Act

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission today presented the Automotive Package to support the sector’s efforts in the transition to clean mobility. It sets an ambitious yet pragmatic policy framework to ensure 2050 climate neutrality and strategic independence while providing more flexibility to manufacturers. It also responds to […]

Parliament to fast-track the reparations loan for Ukraine 

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament.

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Following the decision to apply its so-called urgency procedure, MEPs will vote on the proposal for a reparations loan to Ukraine at the January 2026 plenary session. On Tuesday Parliament backed, by a show of hands, a request to fast-track its legislative processes on […]

Commission to issue €90 billion in EU-Bonds in the first half of 2026

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has announced its intention to issue up to €90 billion of EU-Bonds in the first half of 2026, bringing outstanding EU-Bonds close to €800 billion by the end of June 2026. The proceeds will be used to fund loans to EU […]

Critical medicines: new measures to strengthen security of supply 

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Monday evening, Parliament’s public health committee adopted its proposals to enhance the availability of key medicines in the EU. The draft bill, adopted with 27 votes in favour, one against and eight abstentions, aims to ensure a high level of public health protection […]

MEPs back new measures to strengthen Europe’s defence readiness 

Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Objective is to facilitate up to €800 billion in defence investment over four years EU-wide time limit for the issuing of permits for defence projects Easier procedures for intra-EU transfers and procurement Simplified eligibility procedures for the European Defence Fund and specific measures for testing projects and actions in Ukraine On Monday, MEPs from four committees approved new proposals to accelerate defence investment and improve the EU’s responsiveness in the face of security challenges. The set of legislative files, part of the so-called “Omnibus V” package of EU simplification measures, aims to speed up the approval of permits for defence projects and the export of defence equipment between EU countries, simplify security and defence procurement and EU cooperation on defence contracts, ensure that EU chemical regulations accommodate defence needs, and simplify the implementation of the European Defence Fund. These proposals also aim to facilitate up to €800 billion in defence investment over the next four years under the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030, allowing member states and the industry to react more effectively in response to escalating security challenges. Acceleration of permit-granting for defence readiness projects Agreeing on the need to accelerate permit-granting procedures for defence projects, such as the construction of new industry plants or expansion of existing facilities, MEPs want an EU-wide default time limit for permit decisions to be set at 50 working days. They say, however, that member states must be able to grant extensions of up to 25 working days for large projects and by 50 working days if a project is of exceptional complexity, raises exceptional risks for health, safety or environment, or specific national security clearance is required. Such extensions will be communicated to the project promoter, accompanied by an explanation of their reasoning and an expected decision date. If national authorities do not follow up by the applicable deadlines, the principle of tacit approval should apply, MEPs argue. The report also calls on EU countries to establish single points of contact for defence project promoters, with the digital tracking of applications, annual reporting to the Commission on permit activity and SME support, and EU monitoring of tacit approvals to ensure transparency and consistent implementation. Intra-EU transfers of defence-related products and simplified procurement MEPs back the Commission's approach to simplify intra-EU transfers and procurement of defence-related products. To speed up intra-EU transfers of defence products, EU countries should introduce more exemptions to often complex transfer licensing schemes, in particular transfers concerning the same company, and use simpler licensing arrangements (so-called general transfer licenses) to support innovation and the emergence of disruptive technologies. MEPs also stress the importance of facilitating transfers of defence products needed to implement EU funded projects. Members support a proposal to use the simpler so-called negotiated procedure (direct talks with suppliers, often bypassing open tenders, for urgent needs) for certain common procurements and innovative products and services, e.g. replenishing depleted stocks more quickly. When it comes to this procedure, MEPs want the use of components originating outside EU, EEA EFTA countries, Ukraine and countries that are part of a security and defence partnership with the EU to be limited to 35% of the estimated cost of the final product They also favour changing the rules so that only larger contracts are subject to existing EU procurement rules, allowing countries to focus their resources on the most critical contracts, and of relaxing the rules so that a contracting authority from one EU member state can join the procurement process of another. Facilitating defence investments and conditions for defence industry In the text, MEPs agree with proposals to simplify the management and implementation of the European Defence Fund (EDF). The committees backed reducing reporting and documentation requirements to boost the participation of SMEs and mid-sized businesses in the fund. They also propose simplifying the list of actions which can be eligible for EU funding and clarify that projects and actions funded by the EDF can be tested in Ukraine. MEPs further clarify how EU’s environmental and chemicals legislation, such as REACH, can apply to defence activities, saying that EU countries already enjoy flexibility in the use of existing exemptions to achieve defence readiness objectives. The have also added provisions for projects where production lines are used for both defence and civilian purposes. Quotes Quotes from committee chairs and co-rapporteurs are available here. Votes results The text on the acceleration of permit-granting for defence readiness projects was approved by 62 votes in favour, 6 against with 11 abstentions. The text on intra-EU transfers of defence-related products and simplified procurement was approved by 59 votes in favour, 13 against with 7 abstentions. The text on facilitating defence investments and conditions for defence industry was approved by 137 votes in favour, 30 against with 21 abstentions. Next steps Parliament’s plenary will have to endorse the adopted positions during a forthcoming session before negotiations with the incoming Cypriot Presidency of the Council can start on the final shape of the legislations. Background The EU’s Defence Readiness Omnibus package of proposals was presented by the Commission in June 2025. It is designed to simplify regulations and remove administrative hurdles to boost the European defence industry. It aims to speed up defence investments, enhance cooperation, and strengthen the European defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB) by making rules for procurement, financing, cross-border collaboration and permitting more flexible and efficient. It includes proposals for two regulations and one directive, as well as drafts of delegated regulations.

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Monday, MEPs from four committees approved new proposals to accelerate defence investment and improve the EU’s responsiveness in the face of security challenges. The set of legislative files, part of the so-called “Omnibus V” package of EU simplification measures, aims to speed up […]

EU adopts new measures against Russian shadow fleet ecosystem and Belarus

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission welcomes today’s decision by EU Member States to adopt supplementary sanctions against key components of the Russian shadow fleet value chain, as well as against Belarus.    These new measures aim at further increasing pressure on Russia and Belarus to reinforce and support the EU’s commitment to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.  Supplementary sanctions on […]

Commission approves €408 million Spanish State aid scheme to support decarbonisation of industry, in line with Clean Industrial Deal objectives

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved a €408 million Spanish scheme to support the decarbonisation of manufacturing industry, in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. This measure will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy and is funded under the Recovery […]

Commission fines automotive starter battery manufacturers and association €72 million for participating in a cartel

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has fined three automotive starter battery manufacturers, Exide, FET (including its predecessor Elettra)and Rombat, as well as the trade association EUROBAT, a total of around €72 million for participating in a long-running cartel concerning automotive starter batteries, together with Clarios (formerly […]

EU introduces customs duties on low-value e-commerce packages

EU introduces customs duties on low-value e-commerce packages

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission welcomes today’s decision by EU Member States to introduce a €3 customs duty per item on e-commerce parcels valued below €150, starting in July 2026. The new duty will help protect the competitiveness of European businesses by levelling the playing field between e-commerce and traditional retail.   Given the rapid increase in e-commerce goods being imported into the […]

EESC calls for an ambitious and pragmatic implementation of the EU’s strategic approach to the Black Sea region

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. The long-anticipated EU strategic approach to the Black Sea, which recognises the region as a critical hub for security, stability, and economic prosperity, arrives late and with limited ambition, underscores the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), while calling for it […]

Labour rights for journalists: safeguarding independence and truthful Information

This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee.

This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. At its December 2025 plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted an own-initiative opinion calling for urgent action to strengthen labour rights for journalists and media professionals across Europe. The EESC’s message is clear: decent working conditions are […]

Deal on comprehensive reform of EU pharmaceutical legislation 

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Early morning on Thursday, co-legislators reached a provisional agreement on revamping the EU’s pharmaceutical policy framework, to boost competitiveness, innovation and security of supply. Regulatory data and market protection to support innovation Parliament and Council negotiators agreed to a regulatory data protection period (during […]

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