Relations between the EU and Armenia continue to deepen at a crucial moment in the partnership, underscoring the strong shared commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation on key strategic priorities. In view of Commissioner Marta Kos’s planned visit on 19 and 20 March and ahead of the first EU-Armenia Summit, senior European Commission officials paid a […]
The EC adopts proposals to sign and conclude the Agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom on Gibraltar
On 17 February, the European Commission adopted its proposals for the signing and provisional application, as well as for the conclusion of an agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom on Gibraltar. The main objective of the agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom on Gibraltar is to ensure the future […]
SAFE instrument: Council clears the way for financial assistance to eight Member States and the conclusion of the agreement with Canada
The Council adopted a series of implementing decisions making financial assistance available to eight EU Member States under the SAFE instrument: Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Portugal and Romania. A second batch of Council Implementing Decisions on financial assistance for Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Finland has been authorised by the […]
EU and Viet Nam upgrade ties to comprehensive strategic partnership
The European Union and Viet Nam have agreed to upgrade their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, strengthening ties in areas such as trade, energy, climate and security. This marks an important step forward after 35 years of working together. The EU and Viet Nam will cooperate more closely across a wide range of areas, […]
EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement enters into force
On 1 February, the EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement entered into force. This is the EU’s first independent bilateral agreement on digital trade, marking an important step in the growing network of EU digital trade agreements and digital trade chapters in its free trade agreements. The Digital Trade Agreement strengthens trade between the EU and Singapore […]
EU and Ecuador conclude negotiations for Sustainable Investment Agreement
The European Commission has concluded negotiations with Ecuador on a Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement (SIFA). This SIFA, the first negotiated with a Latin American country, will be instrumental in promoting EU investments in Ecuador. The deal will support the creation of a more transparent and efficient business environment in Ecuador by addressing challenges such as […]
EU-Mercosur: President Costa and President von der Leyen to travel to Brazil and Paraguay
The President of the European Council, António Costa, together with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will attend the EU-Mercosur signature ceremony in Asunción, Paraguay on 17 January 2026. Ahead of the ceremony, on 16 January, President Costa and President von der Leyen will visit Rio de Janeiro to meet President […]
EP and Council reach a deal to update safe third country rules
Parliament and Council negotiators have reached a political agreement on updates to the 2024 Asylum Law regarding the conditions for applying the rules on safe third countries. On Thursday the negotiating team of the Civil Liberties Committee informally agreed with the Council new rules under which member states may decide that a non-EU country is […]
Fishing opportunities for 2026 in EU and non-EU waters: Council secures agreement
Fisheries ministers have reached a political agreement on fishing opportunities in the Atlantic, the North Sea, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and other waters for 2026 and for certain stocks for 2027 and 2028. The deal, reached following two days of negotiations, sets out fishing catch limits, known as ‘total allowable catches’ (TACs), and fishing effort […]