During their joint visit to Beirut, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and President of the European Council, António Costa, met with President of the Republic of Lebanon Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. On the first anniversary of President Aoun’s nomination, President von der Leyen and President Costa welcomed the decisive steps taken to […]
Commission hosts the G7 meeting on global health security
From 12 to 14 January, the European Commission is hosting a meeting ofthe Global Health Security Initiative (an informal network of G7 countries and organisations) in Brussels, with the aim of strengthening public health preparedness and addressing new global health risks. The meeting will discuss new and emerging health threats, as well as the group’s […]
Commission proposes to support dismissed workers in the car industry in Belgium
The European Commission has proposed to mobilise €7.5 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to help 3,414 workers dismissed after the closure of carmaker Audi’s plant in Brussels. In February 2025, Audi stopped producing the Q8 e-tron car model in Brussels and closed its plant. As a consequence, several suppliers of Audi […]
EU and Jordan deepen partnership with first-ever Summit
Last January 8, the EU and Jordan are marking a key milestone in their long-standing relationship with a first-ever bilateral Summit. The EU was represented by President von der Leyen and President Costa, and Jordan by His Majesty King Abdullah II. The leaders took stock of the implementation of the EU-Jordan Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership (SCP) […]
EU agriculture ministers meet to focus on securing EU food security and sovereignty
Last January 7, EU agricultural ministers met in an extraordinary meeting, on the invitation of the European Commission and Minister Maria Panayiotou for the Cypriot Presidency of the Council. The Commission was represented at this meeting by Commissioners Hansen, Šefčovič and Várhelyi. Recognising that agriculture is crucial for European sovereignty and that the EU agri-food sector is key […]
Bulgaria have joined euro area from 1 January
On 1 January 2026, Bulgaria have adopted the euro as its currency, marking an important milestone for the country, for the history of the euro, and for the EU as a whole. This follows a period of intensive preparation and effort by Bulgaria to meet all the necessary requirements. The euro will deliver practical benefits […]
Spain and Portugal celebrate 40 years in the European Union
1 January 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Union. Both countries have enriched the EU culturally, politically and economically. Their accession has offered European citizens more trade and travel opportunities, reinforced solidarity between peoples and strengthened our Union internationally, boosting our links with partner countries in […]
Commission renews decisions to allow for the free and safe flow of personal data with the UK
Last December 19, the Commission renewed the two 2021 adequacy decisions for the free flow of personal data with the United Kingdom. The decisions ensure that personal data can continue flowing freely and safely between the European Economic Area (EEA) and the United Kingdom, as the UK legal framework contains data protection safeguards that are […]
Parliament awarded Sakharov Prize 2025 to Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli
President Metsola presented the Sakharov Prize 2025 to representatives of the journalists, imprisoned in Belarus and Georgia, at a ceremony in Strasbourg on Tuesday. Parliament’s President Roberta Metsola said: “I am proud to award this year’s Sakharov Prize to journalists Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli in recognition of their courageous struggle for freedom of expression […]