The European Commission has published last April 2 its evaluation of the EU tobacco control framework. It assesses the effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of the Tobacco Products Directive and Tobacco Advertising Directive in protecting public health and ensuring the smooth functioning of the internal market. The findings show that the EU rules on tobacco control have […]
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Commission takes preparatory steps on financial support for Ukraine and boosting drone production
Last April 1st, the European Commission took preparatory steps for the implementation of the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, aimed at securing necessary budgetary support and accelerating urgent defence procurement for Ukraine in 2026 and 2027. The package adopted today includes a proposal for the Council to approve the overall amount of the EU’s support […]
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The EU is strengthening the stability and predictability of its carbon market
The Commission has announced a first concrete step to strengthen the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). Last April 1st’s proposal, which follows President von der Leyen’s announcement at the March European Council, adapts the EU ETS’s Market Stability Reserve (MSR) to improve stability and predictability. The Commission has proposed an amendment to the […]
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The Parliament gives the green light to the new EU regulations against corruption
On Thursday, the Parliament adopted a new harmonised criminal law framework to prevent and combat corruption in the European Union. The Directive, provisionally agreed between Parliament and the Council in December 2025, establishes common definitions of corruption offences, including bribery, embezzlement, obstruction of justice, trading in influence, the unlawful exercise of functions, illicit enrichment linked […]
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The EU is strengthening space cooperation with Norway and Iceland through a secure connectivity agreement
The European Union has signed an agreement with Norway and Iceland enabling both countries to join GOVSATCOM and the Secure Connectivity Programme, IRIS². The agreement underlines the EU’s commitment to cooperation with these countries. Secure, uninterrupted and rapidly deployable satellite connectivity is essential for security, resilience and emergency response in remote regions. In areas with […]
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The Commission welcomes the historic agreement to reform the EU Customs Union
The Commission welcomes the agreement reached last Thursdaybetween the European Parliament and the Council, which marks ahistoricreformofthe EU Customs Union. Thisreform, the most ambitious overhaul of EU customs rules since 1968, introduces new measures for e-commerce and establishes a modern, data-driven customs architecture that simplifies procedures and improves efficiency.Withthese fundamental improvements,Europeancustomswill beready toadapttothechanginglandscapeof international trade. […]
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The Commission has registered the European Citizens’ Initiative on accessible and sustainable transport
The European Commission has registered a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) entitled ‘Fast, comfortable, affordable and, above all, climate-friendly transport for all Europeans’. The initiative calls on the Commission to“make rail travel a genuine alternative to air travel by creating a robust continental network and organisation and by eliminating market imbalances”. Specifically, the organisers propose the […]
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The Commission welcomes the choice of Lille as the headquarters of the EU Customs Authority
The Commission welcomes the agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council to establish Lille as the seat of the European Union Customs Authority (EUCA). The Commission received nine applications from Member States interested in hosting the EUCA. It subsequently drew up aneutral and objectiveassessmentof these applications and sent it to the co-legislators on […]
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The Commission is launching a new strategy to tackle the growing threat of forest fires
As forest fires become larger, more frequent and more destructive, the European Commission is presenting a new integrated approach to forest fire risk management. The strategy covers prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. This holistic approach will improve Europe’s resilience to the growing threat of forest fires and ensure greater protection for Europeans and the environment, […]
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