The Commission welcomes the adoption by EU Member States of the 20th package of sanctions against Russia. The EU’s commitment to a free and sovereign Ukraine is unwavering. This package puts further pressure on Russia to engage in negotiations and do so on terms acceptable for Ukraine. Every day of further Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian […]
The Parliament gives the green light to the new EU regulations against corruption
On Thursday, the Parliament adopted a new harmonised criminal law framework to prevent and combat corruption in the European Union. The Directive, provisionally agreed between Parliament and the Council in December 2025, establishes common definitions of corruption offences, including bribery, embezzlement, obstruction of justice, trading in influence, the unlawful exercise of functions, illicit enrichment linked […]
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 […]
EU adopts new measures against Russian shadow fleet ecosystem and Belarus
The Commission welcomes last December 15’s decision by EU Member States to adopt supplementary sanctions against key components of the Russian shadow fleet value chain, as well as against Belarus. These new measures aim at further increasing pressure on Russia and Belarus to reinforce and support the EU’s commitment to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Supplementary sanctions on shadow […]
Agreement reached on the first EU-wide criminal law rules against corruption
MEPs secured new EU measures for the more effective prevention and prosecution of corruption, including reinforced cooperation and greater transparency. On Tuesday evening, Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional agreement on the EU’s first ever directive harmonising criminal laws to fight corruption, strengthening efforts to prevent, prosecute and punish offences across the EU. A […]
Council reimposes restrictive measures to Iran
Last September 29, the Council agreed to reimpose a number of restrictive measures in relation to Iran’s nuclear proliferation activities, that had then been suspended with the entry into force of the Joint Plan of Action (JCPoA or Iran nuclear deal) in 2015. The decision was taken after the reintroduction of the UN sanctions, following of the UN […]
Commission proposes suspension of trade concessions with Israel
Following President von der Leyen ‘s announcement in her State of the Union address, the European Commission has submitted to the Council its proposal to suspend certain trade-related provisions of the EU-Israel Association Agreement (hereafter “the Agreement”), as well as proposals for sanctions against Hamas, extremist ministers and violent settlers. The Commission has also suspended […]
EU adopts 18th package of sanctions against Russia
The European Commission welcomes the Council’s adoption of the 18th Russia sanctions package, aimed at further ramping up pressure on the country and supporting EU’s goal of achieving a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. The new measures focus on five building blocks: cutting Russia’s energy revenues, hitting Russia’s banking sector, further weakening its military-industrial […]
The EU announces €175 million to support recovery in Syria
Following the lifting of the EU’s economic sanctions against Syria, the European Commission is proposing €175 million for the social and economic recovery of the country. This new EU funding willn Support Syria’s public institutions with the help of experts from Syria and other countries, including the Syrian diaspora. Support bottom-up and community-driven actions in […]