In a report adopted on Wednesday, MEPs call for deeper cooperation between the EU and Canada to address security threats and boost trade amid growing geopolitical tensions. Given the current turmoil in the international order, the EU must take its strategic partnership with Canada to a new level, MEPs say, pointing to shared interests and […]
EU and Canada launch negotiations for a Digital Trade Agreement
Last March 5th in Toronto, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič, and Canada’s Minister for International Trade Maninder Sidhu launched negotiations for an EU-Canada Digital Trade Agreement (DTA). Building on nine years of successful implementation of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), this new deal will upgrade EU-Canada trade by making […]
EU strengthens science diplomacy and research security to support global research cooperation
As geopolitical competition intensifies, research and innovation are becoming fundamental to economic strength and global influence. The European Commission today presented a new set of measures to strengthen Europe’s international engagement through research and innovation. The initiative seeksto strengthen Europe’s global partnerships while protecting its strategic interests, keeping international cooperation open and secure, and enhancing […]
EU and Switzerland signed a broad package of agreements to deepen its relationship
On 2 March 2026, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin signed a broad package of agreements aiming to deepen and expand the EU-Switzerland relationship. The package establishes a modern framework for the EU and Switzerland, enabling frictionless access to a market of […]
Commission proposes EU-wide rules against the trafficking of illicit firearms
The European Commission has presented a proposal for a directive to combat firearms trafficking and other firearms-related offences in the EU. This is the first legislative initiative to be adopted under the European Internal Security Strategy, ProtectEU. Illicit firearms pose a serious threat to public security, enabling terrorism, organised crime, gang violence and other serious offences. […]
Commission presents new counterterrorism agenda
Last February 26, the European Commission presented a new agenda to prevent and counter terrorism, setting out the way forward to reinforce Europe’s collective response to evolving terrorist and violent extremist threats. The EU has strengthened its response to terrorism and violent extremism over the past decade. However, the evolving nature of these threats requires […]
Council gives green light to signing of package of agreements with Switzerland
On 24 February, the Council gave the green light to the signing of a comprehensive package of agreements between the EU and Switzerland aimed at deepening and broadening their bilateral relationship. This comprehensive package of bilateral agreements with Switzerland includes a wide variety of elements: the updating of four agreements that already give Switzerland access […]
The new European Centre for Democratic Resilience begins its work
At the meeting of the General Affairs Council on February 24, the Commission and the Council Presidency invited EU ministers to celebrate the launch of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience. The aim of the Centre, a flagship initiative of the European Democracy Shield, is to facilitate a consolidated approach involving the whole of society […]
The EU and Nigeria open negotiations on a bilateral agreement on cooperation in science and technology
The European Commission, on behalf of the EU, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria have started negotiations for a bilateral Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement. The aim is to boost cooperation in research and innovation, in line with the conclusions of the 2023 EU-Nigeria Strategic Dialogue and the 2024 EU-Nigeria Summit. A bilateral agreement on […]