On 11 May, representatives of the European Union, together with Ukraine and Canada, organised a ‘High-Level Meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children’. This initiative was announced by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in her 2025 State of the Union address. President von der Leyen stated: […]
The Commission is coordinating the European response to the hantavirus outbreak
The European Commission is taking steps to coordinate and support the responses of national authorities to the hantavirus outbreak. Currently, theEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Controlconsiders the risk to the general public in Europeto be very low, given that appropriate infection prevention and control measures are being implemented and that hantaviruses are not easily […]
A new law strengthening water protection in the EU comes into force
The EU directiverevising the lists of pollutants in surface water and groundwater came into force today (11 May), ensuring that the lists are brought into line with the latest scientific recommendations and that new substances are subject to more comprehensive monitoring and stricter controls. Three pieces of EU legislation will be amended: theWater Framework Directive, […]
A Spanish state aid scheme worth €1.5 billion has been approved to support farmers affected by the 2025/26 floods in Andalusia and Extremadura
The European Commission has approved, in accordance with EU state aid rules, a €1.5 billion Spanish scheme to support farmers affected by various adverse weather events that occurred in the regions of Andalusia and Extremadura between 10 November 2025 and 9 February 2026. The aid scheme aims to prevent farm closures and preserve agricultural production. […]
Rubén Amón, Ángeles Blanco and María Paz López, winners of the Salvador de Madariaga European Journalism Prize in 2026
This year marks the 32nd edition of the Salvador de Madariaga European Journalism Prize. The jury has just announced the winners of the 2026 edition, which coincides with the 40th anniversary of Spain’s accession to the European Union. The winner in the radio category is Rubén Amón, from Onda Cero; the winner in the television […]
Eurobarometer shows great majority of Europeans see benefits from EU membership and the EU as a pillar of stability and security
Published ahead of Europe Day, the new Eurobarometer survey shows nearly three quarters of Europeans believe their country has benefited from being a member of the EU. In a challenging global context, Europeans increasingly see the EU as a source of stability, alongside record-high backing for a common defence and security policy. Three quarters of respondents (75%) say they feel they […]
The EU is coordinating a response to address the situation regarding jet fuel supplies caused by the conflict in the Middle East
The meeting of the Oil Coordination Group brought together experts from the European Commission, EU member states and the Energy Community Secretariat to discuss the state of oil supply security in Europe and how best to coordinate at EU level whilst the conflict in the Middle East continues. Whilst there is currently no fuel shortage […]
Europeans celebrate unity, values and democracy on Europe Day 2026
Today, 9 May, Europeans are celebrating Europe Day. This year marks the 76th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundations for the European Union as we know it and ushered in an unprecedented era of peace, democracy, prosperity, integration and cooperation across the continent. In 2026, Europe Day will also mark two important […]
The Commission is proposing new measures to tackle poverty and improve the lives of people with disabilities
The European Commission has presented an ambitious social plan aimed at helping to eradicate poverty and promote the rights of people with disabilities across the EU. The package includes thefirst European strategy against poverty—the Commission’s plan to help eradicate poverty in the EU by 2050—; a proposal for a Council Recommendation oncombating housing exclusion; and […]