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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The Commission approves a Spanish state aid scheme to support the decarbonisation of heat used in industrial processes
The European Commission has approved, in accordance with EU state aid rules, a €50 million Spanish scheme to promote the decarbonisation of heat in industrial processes. This will be done through the ‘Auctions as a Service (AAAS)’ tool of the 2025 heat auction under the Innovation Fund. The Spanish scheme will support projects that decarbonise […]
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The Commission presents the AGILE programme, with a budget of €115 million, to support agile and rapid innovation in the defence sector
The European Commission has launchedAGILE, a new €115 million funding instrumentdesigned to bring disruptive defence technologies from the laboratory to the field at record speed. This pilot programme aims to accelerate the development and testing of disruptive defence innovations, as well as their market uptake, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and drones, with a […]
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The Commission has approved a €5 billion Danish state aid scheme to support offshore wind energy
The European Commission has approved a €5 billion (DKK 37.6 billion) Danish scheme to support offshore wind energy, in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Pact. This measure will contribute to the transition to a net-zero economy and to the achievement ofthe EU-wide 2030renewable energy target. The programme was approvedunder the Clean Industry […]
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EU–African Union Space Dialogue Strengthens Strategic Partnership for Innovation and Sustainable Development
The 2nd EU–AU Space Dialogue, taking place over two days, has brought together high-level representatives from Europe and Africa to advance cooperation in the space sector, underscoring the growing strategic importance of this partnership. The Dialogue is jointly led by European Commissioner for Defence Industry and Space, Andrius Kubilius, and H.E. African Union Commissioner Banyankimbona, […]
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