Return rates across the EU stand today at around 20 percent. Persons ordered to leave an EU country frequently escape the authorities. The European Commission has now proposed to help EU countries increase return rates while fully respecting fundamental rights by establishing a common EU return system. This will complement the EU Pact on Migration […]
New headquarters for civilian security and defense missions.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) has unveiled the new Civilian Operations Headquarters for all EU civilian crisis management missions deployed under the umbrella of the Common Security and Defence Policy. Following a decision by the High Representative Kaja Kallas, the new Civilian Operations Headquarters (CivOpsHQ) aims to enhance the impact of the 13 EU […]
Commission proposes to align the protection status of the wolf in EU legislation to the Bern Convention
Today, the Commission is proposing a targeted amendment of the annexes of the Habitats Directive. This will align the Habitats Directive to the changed protection status of the wolf from ‘strictly protected’ to ‘protected’ under the Bern Convention, which entered into force today. The Commission’s proposal will give additional flexibility to Member States in managing their local wolf […]
Europol’s work and developments in European security, new meeting in Warsaw
The Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group (JPSG) on Europol met in Warsaw today, bringing together Members of the European Parliament to discuss Europol’s work and the evolving security landscape. With serious and organised crime posing an increasing threat to communities across Europe, discussions focused on the Agency’s operational impact, strategic direction and future […]
College of Commissioners travel to New Delhi to boost EU-India relations
On 27 and 28 February, President Ursula von der Leyen will visit New Delhi, accompanied by the College of Commissioners, to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Government. The unprecedented visit, one of the first by the College of Commissioners at an early stage of the new mandate, underlines the strong momentum in […]
What will the Commission do in 2025? Discover its work programme
The Commission has outlined plans to boost competitiveness, enhance security and strengthen economic resilience this year, with the announcement of its 2025 work programme. This is accompanied by a plan to reduce administrative burdens and simplify EU rules. Every year, the Commission sets out a list of actions it will take in the following year. This time around, the […]
Today, the Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, will visit Madrid.
Today, Dubravka Šuica, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, will visit Madrid for the first time during this mandate to participate in a series of high-level meetings with Spanish national authorities to strengthen cooperation on key issues for the Mediterranean region. The Commissioner will be received in audience by His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain […]
Counter-Terrorism: The European Union and the UK hold second Dialogue in London
The second EU-UK Counter-Terrorism Dialogue took place in London on 4 February 2025, strengthening the UK and EU’s strategic cooperation on counter-terrorism. The United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) discussed a wide range of counter-terrorism issues, including assessments of the evolving terrorist threat landscape, and an exchange of best practice on the UK […]
“We must be better, stronger and faster”: European leaders’ defence conclusions
On 3 February a meeting took place at the Egmont Palace (Brussels, Belgium) between António Costa (President of the European Council), Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission), Mark Rutte (NATO Secretary General) and Keir Starmer (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom). At the event, several relevant aspects of current political affairs were […]