The European Commission has submitted its proposals to the Council for the signing and conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union and India, requesting the Council’s authorisation. If authorised by the Council, this will be the largest trade agreement ever signed between the EU and India. Once adopted and in force, […]
The Commission sets out the next chapter for the European Capitals of Culture following more than 40 years of success
The European Commission is renewing and strengthening the framework for the European Capitals of Culture beyond 2033, applying the lessons learnt from more than forty years of experience to the next generation of the programme. The aim is to simplify the selection process, strengthen the long-term legacy and sustainability planning, and facilitate joint applications from […]
A new strategic vision for the outermost regions, strengthening the EU’s global reach
The European Commission adopted a Communication setting out a new strategic vision for the EU’s outermost regions – French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion, Saint-Martin (France), the Azores, Madeira (Portugal), and the Canary Islands (Spain). From the Atlantic to the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean and South America, the outermost regions are a unique part of […]
The Commission is proposing a new European Innovation Act to promote innovative European ideas and make them globally competitive
The Commission has proposed a new European Innovation Act to help ensure that Europe’s most innovative ideas are developed, funded and scaled up in Europe. A key initiative under the EU Strategy for Start-ups and Scale-ups and the EU Competitiveness Compass, the proposal will strengthen the EU’s long-term competitiveness, prosperity and technological sovereignty. Europe boasts […]
The Commission is granting Spain 114.7 million euros and providing enhanced operational assistance to manage the situation in Ceuta
On 9 September, the Commission decided to grant Spain emergency aid of 114.7 million euros to support the management of the situation in Ceuta, following the large-scale illegal border crossings on 30 and 31 July. This financial support comes on top of the Commission’s immediate response from day one, when it offered Spain both financial […]
The Commission is launching a new strategic approach to boost the agri-food sector
The European Commission has adopted a Communication on a new strategic approach to research and innovation aimed at achieving competitive and resilient agriculture, forestry, rural areas and food systems. The document brings together two closely interlinked frameworks, AgRI 2040and Food 2040, with the aim of guiding future research, innovation, dissemination and the uptake of solutions […]
State of the Union 2026
What is SOTEU? The State of the Union Address (SOTEU) is an annual address delivered by the President of the European Commission to the European Parliament, in which the Union’s priorities for the coming year are set out. It is a key moment in EU democracy: an opportunity to reflect on the past year outline […]
The Commission proposes extending the fishing ban in the Bay of Biscay to protect dolphins until winter 2027
On 4 September, the Commission proposed extending the annual winter closure in the Bay of Biscay for fishing vessels over eight metres in length until the winter of 2027, in order to prevent the by-catch of common dolphins and other small cetaceans, species strictly protected under the EU Habitats Directive. For the fourth consecutive year, […]
The Commission adopts EU Guidelines on abusive exclusionary conduct by dominant undertakings
The European Commission has adopted Guidelines on the application of Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’) to abusive exclusionary conduct by dominant undertakings. The adoption of these Guidelines marks the end of a three-year process during which the Commission held extensive consultations with interested parties. Article 102 TFEU […]