The European Commission has proposed five new large-scale projects, known as European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI),to help EU countries strengthen their defence capabilities through the joint development of key military systems. The industrial projects focus on five priority areas: drones and anti-drone systems; maritime and seabed defence; space; air and missile defence; and […]
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The Commission has approved Spain’s sixth payment request, worth EUR 5,700 million, under the NextGenerationEU programme
On 2 July, the European Commission gave partial approval to Spain’s sixth payment request, worth EUR 5,700 million, under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU. At the same time, it has approved a payment for two milestones that had previously been suspended under the fifth payment request. This is an important step […]
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The new tariff for small parcels in e-commerce will improve fairness for EU businesses
The EU is scrapping an outdated customs duty exemption for e-commerce parcels worth less than €150. This measure will help ensure a level playing field for EU businesses and safe options for consumers, in response to the exponential rise in billions of low-value e-commerce goods entering the EU. Goods from third countries, purchased online and […]
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New rules come into force to protect the EU steel industry from the harmful effects of global overcapacity
Today, 1 July 2026, new legislation will come into force to protect the EU steel sector from the harmful effects of global overcapacity. This represents a crucial step towards ensuring the long-term viability of a European industry of vital strategic importance. Under these new rules,the European Commission has today published the implementing regulation setting out […]
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The Commission approves €402 million in Spanish state aid for road haulage companies
The Commission has approved Spanish state aid worth 402 million euros for road haulage companies affected by rising fuel prices due to the crisis in the Middle East. The scheme has been approved under the Temporary Framework for Aid in Response to the Crisis in the Middle East (METSAF), which the Commission adopted on 29 […]
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Simplifying EU regulations to support competitiveness.
Simple and clear rules are vital for a strong European economy. They help businesses attract investment, grow and create quality jobs, while also saving citizens time and money. The European Commission has presented two new omnibus proposals as part of its wider efforts to cut red tape and boost Europe’s competitiveness: Energy products: this proposal […]
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The Convergence Report examines Member States’ progress towards joining the euro area
On 24 June, the European Commission published the 2026 Convergence Report, which assesses the progress made by Member States outside the euro area towards adopting the euro. More than 27 years after the introduction of the single currency, the euro has become a powerful symbol of Europe’s identity in the world. It is now the […]
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The Commission’s reports highlight the growth of European SMEs and the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs.
On 22 June 2026, the European Commission published the Annual Report on European Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) 2025/2026 and a new report on women entrepreneurs in Europe. Both reports provide new data to support future policies, initiatives and funding measures for small and medium-sized enterprises. The Annual Report shows that Europe’s 34 million SMEs […]
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Regions call on the EU to take measures to unlock the full potential of SMEs in the defence sector
SMEs must play a much greater role in the European defence industry. This is the main conclusion of the meeting held by the European Committee of the Regions’ (CoR) Working Group on Defence on 16 June in Cartagena, its first meeting outside Brussels. Its members called for simpler procedures, better access to funding and public […]
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