As Europe is fighting wildfires in several Member States, the Commission is swiftly mobilising assistance via the EU civil protection mechanism (UCPM). Over the weekend, Portugal and France have activated the UCPM due to devastating wildfires, with several of them active simultaneously and burning thousands of hectares. France activated the UCPM on 5 July. The European Commission […]
The Commission is proposing five joint defence projects to strengthen Europe’s industrial capabilities
The European Commission has proposed five new large-scale projects, known as European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI),to help EU countries strengthen their defence capabilities through the joint development of key military systems. The industrial projects focus on five priority areas: drones and anti-drone systems; maritime and seabed defence; space; air and missile defence; and […]
Specialist prosecutors step up the fight against human trafficking
On 17 and 18 June, the Working Group of Prosecutors Specialising in Human Trafficking met at Eurojust’s headquarters in The Hague. The meeting was co-chaired by the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator and focused on recent developments in the fight against human trafficking. This fifth meeting of the Working Group addressed the practical challenges of applying the […]
The Commission clarifies the rules on the recycling of plastic bottles
The European Commission has today adopted new rules on the recycling of single-use plastic beverage bottles, made mainly from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These rules establish, for the first time, a methodology for calculating, verifying and reporting on chemically recycled content. This forms part ofthe Commission’s December 2025 plastics package. The new rules will ensure transparency […]
New analysis on the EU’s most threatening criminal networks
Last June 26, the European Commission, Europol and the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU are presenting a new Europol analysis of the EU’s most threatening criminal networks. While law enforcement action has disrupted criminal networks across the EU, the report shows that the threat from organised crime remains strong, adaptive and deeply embedded across Europe. The report analyses […]
The Commission proposes to extend the temporary protection for people fleeing Ukraine for a further year
On 26 June, the European Commission proposed extending temporary protection for one further year for people fleeing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, taking into account Ukraine’s overall capacity to defend itself. With this measure, the Commission reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary. Russia has continued its unprovoked war […]
Commission welcomes political agreement to protect workers from cancer-causing chemicals
The European Commission welcomes the provisional agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council on the sixth revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic substances Directive (CMRD). Once formally adopted, the strengthened Directive can avert around 1,700 cases of lung cancer and 19,000 work-related illnesses over the next 40 years, while generating up to €1.16 billion in healthcare savings across the […]
29 scientists conducting research at Spanish institutions will receive funding
On 23 June, the European Research Council (ERC) announced the winners of its latest call for Advanced Grants. The funding, totalling 838 million euros, will go to 319 leading researchers from across Europe. Advanced grants offer the most experienced researchers the opportunity to carry out ambitious, curiosity-driven projects that could lead to significant scientific breakthroughs. […]
The Commission is making €1.1 billion available to improve Europe’s transport infrastructure
The European Commission has launched a final call for proposals under the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), worth 1,100 million euros, to build and modernise the transport infrastructure of the EU’sTrans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). The selected projects will contribute tothe EU’s plan to connect Europe via high-speed railand strengthen maritime connectivity, in line with the […]