On 20 July, the European Commission fined AliExpress €550 million for failing to fulfil its obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to diligently assess and mitigate risks associated with the sale of illegal, unsafe or counterfeit products on its e-commerce platform. The Commission has ordered the platform to take action in this regard. Failure […]
Commission provides clarity on how to effectively implement EU rules to reduce methane emissions
The conflict in the Middle East has forced the EU to compete for supplies on global oil and gas markets, which have seen a significant reduction in supply and increased prices. Against the backdrop of such global uncertainty and energy markets tightness, the European Commission is working with Member States and industry to ensure that […]
The Commission publishes guidelines on transparency obligations for providers and operators of certain AI systems
On 20 July, the European Commission published guidelines to help providers and those implementing artificial intelligence (AI) systems to comply with the transparency obligations under the AI Act, which will come into force on 2 August 2026. The transparency obligations will help people recognise when they are interacting with AI or when content has been […]
Commission registers two European Citizens’ Initiatives on education and housing
Last July 17, the European Commission registered two European Citizens’ Initiatives (ECIs) entitled: ‘All On Board – For your right to citizenship without borders’ and ‘Right to Housing! Now and Forever’. The initiative ‘All On Board – For your right to citizenship without borders‘ calls for ‘an all-of-society approach for a democratic Europe, resting on education and […]
The Commission is launching the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance with the aim of promoting drone and anti-drone technology
The European Commission officially launched the EU-Ukraine Alliance for Drone Development during the third EU-Ukraine Defence Industry Forum, held in Kyiv. This Alliance will enable the EU and Ukraine to collaborate more closely on the development and use of drones and systems to intercept hostile drones. It forms part of the EU’s wider efforts to […]
Commission boosts Europe’s competitiveness, decarbonisation and independence with Electrification Action Plan and ETS review
The Commission presented last July 17 an Electrification Action Plan to make Europe the first electro-powered continent, and a stronger carbon market to support EU’s industry in the clean transition and electrification. Europe’s reliance on imported fossil fuels has repeatedly exposed it to geopolitical shocks. These have driven up energy prices for both households and companies, and dragged down our competitiveness. […]
2026 Rule of Law Report strengthens Europe’s prosperity, security and democratic resilience
Last July 17, the European Commission published its seventh annual Rule of Law Report, assessing the state of the rule of law across all EU Member States, as well as four candidate countries: Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. The rule of law underpins Europe’s prosperity, democracy and security. Independent justice systems, effective anti-corruption frameworks, […]
The Commission has approved X’s action plan to comply with the Digital Services Regulation
The European Commission has accepted X’s action plan to comply with transparency obligations and ensure researchers’ access to data, in accordance with the Digital Services Regulation. The approved measures represent an important step towards providing researchers, civil society and the general public with greater transparency regarding X’s systems, in particular to monitor X’s systemic risks […]
The EU’s trade relations with developing countries continue to drive sustainable economic growth
On 16 July, the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy published anew joint report on the implementation of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), the EU’s main trade policy instrument for supporting exports from developing countries to the bloc. The report confirms that the scheme continues to contribute to […]