On 2 July, the European Commission celebrated the inauguration of the electricity interconnector between Spain and Portugal. The commissioning of this new infrastructure project linking northern Portugal and Galicia, in north-western Spain, marks a key milestone in the energy sector. The project increases cross-border electricity transmission capacity by 1,000 MW, bringing the total to 4,200 MW […]
2.5 billion euros of revenue from the EU Emissions Trading Scheme is being invested in cleaner energy systems in 11 EU countries
The European Commission and the European Investment Bank have announced the disbursement of 2,500 million euros fromthe Modernisation Fund to support 51 energy-related projects in 11 EU Member States. Financed by revenue fromthe EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), today’s disbursement brings the total funding available from the Modernisation Fund to €23,200 million since January […]
The EU and Armenia are strengthening their partnership, boosting resilience, trade and connectivity
Today, 2 July, in Yerevan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, together with Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, met with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. The visit follows the recent general elections that showed the strength of Armenia’s democracy and its commitment to continuing the path of reform and closer partnership with the EU. As the […]
EU institutions receive the Ombudsman’s award for their tool for tracking EU legislation
The EU institutions have been awarded the 2026 Ombudsman’s Prize for Excellence in Open Government for their user-friendly tool, the EU Law Tracker. On Tuesday 30 June, the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission won the award for ‘excellence in open administration’ at the 2026 Ombudsman’s Award for Good Administration […]
The new tariff for small parcels in e-commerce will improve fairness for EU businesses
The EU is scrapping an outdated customs duty exemption for e-commerce parcels worth less than €150. This measure will help ensure a level playing field for EU businesses and safe options for consumers, in response to the exponential rise in billions of low-value e-commerce goods entering the EU. Goods from third countries, purchased online and […]
The Council and the Parliament reach an agreement to strengthen the European Chemicals Agency
The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement to strengthen the management and funding of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The new rules will create an independent legal framework to help ECHA manage its growing number of responsibilities efficiently. Since its establishment in 2007, ECHA and its scientific […]
The Commission presents a financial package for Montenegro’s accession to the EU
The European Commission has approved a financial package setting out the budgetary arrangements that will apply to Montenegro following its accession to the European Union. Montenegro is making progress in the accession process, and this proposal represents a significant step on its path towards integration into the Union, following the recent agreement reached by the […]
New rules come into force to protect the EU steel industry from the harmful effects of global overcapacity
Today, 1 July 2026, new legislation will come into force to protect the EU steel sector from the harmful effects of global overcapacity. This represents a crucial step towards ensuring the long-term viability of a European industry of vital strategic importance. Under these new rules,the European Commission has today published the implementing regulation setting out […]
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 […]