The European Commission has approved amendments — as well as a budget increase of €65 million — to two Spanish state aid schemes aimed at agricultural and fisheries businesses facing rising fuel prices due to the crisis in the Middle East. The amendments have been approved under the Temporary Framework for Aid in Response to […]
The Commission adopts simpler rules for the EU’s agri-food promotion policy
The European Commission has adopted simpler rules for the EU’s agri-food promotion policy, reducing the administrative and financial requirements for beneficiaries and Member States. These changes will make it easier to implement the programmes and will benefit organisations applying for EU funding. Drawing on 10 years’ experience in managing these programmes, the amendment streamlines administrative […]
The Commission and the United Kingdom sign the EU–UK Agreement on Gibraltar
The European Commission and the United Kingdom have signed on July 14th the EU–UK Agreement on Gibraltar. This Agreement, which will enter into force provisionally on 15 July 2026, is the result of more than four years of negotiations and completes the legal framework for relations between the EU and the UK following the UK’s […]
The Commission publishes guidelines for sustainable tourism in Natura 2000 sites
The European Commission has published new guidelines on how the European network of protected areas, Natura 2000, can act as a powerful driver of sustainable tourism, whilst safeguarding resilient ecosystems that protect habitats and species. Tourism accounts for a significant share of the EU’s economy: it generated around 807,000 million euros in 2024 and employs […]
The Commission is updating the scope of digital products and tools to support the implementation of the EU Regulation on deforestation
On 13 July, the Commission adopted two measures to support the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which will begin to apply by the end of December. A Delegated Act updates and simplifies the list of products covered by the Regulation, while an Implementing Act sets out the functioning of the Information System for submitting due diligence statements […]
The EU begins accession negotiations with Ukraine on foreign policy
The EU and Ukraine took another important step in the accession process by launching negotiations on the so-called ‘external relations’ thematic group (Group 6). This is a key thematic group within the EU’s accession negotiation framework, which sets out the parameters for how candidate countries must align their international, trade and defence policies with those […]
The EU is stepping up its international support for the Palestinians through an initiative for the swift recovery of Gaza and greater international coordination
On 13 July, the European Commission held the second meeting of the Donors’ Group for Palestine, co-chaired by the Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, and the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Mohammad Mustafa. Sixty-five delegations gathered in Brussels to launch a new early recovery initiative in Gaza and discuss the Palestinian Authority’s reform […]
Europeans are calling for stronger measures on online child safety, democratic resilience, defence and the energy transition
A newly published Eurobarometer survey reveals that Europeans are extremely concerned about the risks children face on social media. Given the growing reliance on these platforms, the public believes that greater protection and more robust measures are needed to combat disinformation. Furthermore, in light of global challenges, Europeans are calling for greater democratic participation, stronger […]
Hungary joins the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, further strengthening the protection of EU funds
Today, the European Commission adopted a decision confirming Hungary’s participation in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), following Hungary’s application to join it in May 2026. With this decision, Hungary becomes the twenty-fifth Member State to join the EPPO, reflecting its renewed commitment to restoring the rule of law in the country. The EPPO will […]