In 2025, the estimated number of nights spent at tourist accommodation establishments in the EU reached 3.08 billion, exceeding the previous year by 61.5 million, or 2%. The growth in tourism nights was mainly driven by an increase in nights spent by international guests (+46.1 million), while the nights spent by domestic guests saw growth at a slower pace (+15.4 million). […]
Easier mobility for architects as EU-Canada agreement enters into force
EU and Canadian architects wishing to work in each other’s jurisdictions can now easily do so. The Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for architects with Canada – the first such EU deal covering services – has become binding, facilitating professional mobility and expanding opportunities for architects in Europe and Canada. In conjunction with the entry into […]
Cyprus Presidency includes focus on effective migration management and ProtectEU
Cyprus holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU from 1 January to 30 June 2026. Under the slogan “An Autonomous Union. Open to the World,” the Presidency focuses on 5 overarching priorities: Autonomy through Security, Defence Readiness and Preparedness Autonomy through Competitiveness Open to the World, Autonomous An Autonomous Union of Values that Leaves […]
High Seas Treaty enters into force: A milestone for ocean conservation
The High Seas Treaty, formally known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), enters into force on 17 January 2026. The European Union and its Member States are celebrating this significant milestone in ocean conservation and sustainable use of Ocean. This landmark agreement provides a framework for the common governance of about half of our planet’s surface and 95% […]
EU and Mercosur sign historic and ambitious partnership
Last January 17, the European Union and Mercosur signed a Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and an Interim Trade Agreement (iTA), representing a historic milestone between the two regions, and an ambitious platform for strengthening their economic, diplomatic and geopolitical relations. The Agreement signed will create one of the biggest trade zones in the world covering a […]
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Council prolongs restrictive measures for another year
The Council last January 16 decided to extend by one year, until 20 January 2027, the existing restrictive measures against those who support, facilitate or enable violent actions by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from making funds available to them. Individuals […]
Council paves the way for creation of AI gigafactories
On 16 January, the Council adopted an amendment to the Regulation governing the activities of the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC Joint Undertaking), extending its objectives to facilitate the creation of artificial intelligence (AI) gigafactories in Europe and to include a specific pillar on quantum technologies. The amended Regulation enables the development and […]
The EU invests over €307 million in artificial intelligence and related technologies
The European Commission has launched two new calls for proposals under the “Digital World, Industry and Space” cluster of the Horizon Europe work programme, allocating €307.3 million to strengthen Europe’s digital innovation and competitiveness. A total of €221.8 million will be allocated to an initiative focused on developing reliable artificial intelligence (AI) services, innovative data […]
Commission approves first wave of defence funding for eight Member States under SAFE
The European Commission has endorsed the national defence plans of eight Member States, marking a milestone in Europe’s push to strengthen its security. The Commission submitted a proposal to the Council to approve financial assistance for Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Portugal and Romania. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “Last year, the EU has made more progress […]