Category: _European Commission News

On 29 January, the Commission adopted its first-ever EU Visa Strategy, setting out a framework for a visa policy that advances the EU’s long-term interests. It makes visa policy more strategic and better equipped to respond to growing mobility, regional instability, and geopolitical competition.   The Strategy aims to:  strengthen the security of the Schengen area; […]

Today, the European Commission and KfW, the German development bank, announced the signature of a guarantee agreement worth up to €135 million to expand access to finance through alternative channels for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Western Balkans, Eastern Neighbourhood, North Africa and the Middle East, and Türkiye. Supported by the European Fund […]

Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen will be in Portugal from Friday 30 January until Monday 2 February to discuss energy and housing policies. Following the power disruptions experienced in some parts of the country due to a storm over the past days, tomorrow morning Commissioner Jørgensen will visit the control centre of the National […]

The European Commission has appointed Ylva Johansson as chair of the European Skills High-Level Board.  The board will play a central role in advancing the Union of Skills, the Commission’s strategy to boost Europe’s competitiveness and address labour shortages through improved education, vocational training and lifelong learning. As Chair, Johansson will steer the board’s mission to strengthen people’s skills […]

Today, the European Union and Azerbaijan agreed to strengthen their partnership under the EU’s Global Gateway initiative and the recently launched Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda. Together, they aim to unlock new economic opportunities and foster long-term shared prosperity, cooperation, and peace through sustainable and resilient links in transport, digital, energy, and trade. Within this framework, the European Union and […]

Today, Silandro/Schlanders in Italy, Caldas da Rainha, in Portugal, and Barcelona, in Spain, have been named as the 2026 European Capitals of Small Retail. The awards recognise small, medium, and large-sized cities that excel in supporting small retailers and vibrant city centres in 4 key areas: sustainability, entrepreneurship/community engagement, digitalisation, and urban vitality.  This important recognition will elevate the role of small retailers as a […]

If you are planning a trip to Europe, you may have heard about two new EU border management systems: the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). Both systems modernise and digitalise the EU borders border checks, but they affect travellers in different ways.  Here is a simple explanation what […]

The European Commission is announcing €153 million in emergency aid to Ukraine and refugee-hosting Moldova, as millions Ukrainians face freezing temperatures without power under sustained Russian bombardment of energy infrastructure. Responding to the urgent needs, the EU is allocating an initial €145 million in humanitarian aid for Ukraine to provide protection assistance, shelter, food, cash […]

On 22 and 23 January, Justice and Interior Ministers from EU Member States and Schengen Associated Countries gathered in Nicosia, Cyprus, for an informal Justice and Home Affairs Council session.   On 22 January, Commissioner Magnus Brunner represented the European Commission, addressing EU Home Affairs issues. Discussions centred on sustainable approaches to returns and reintegration, steered […]

The European Commission, together with the European Investment Bank, has today provided an additional €50 million to Ukraine’s state-owned energy company, Naftogaz. It will support the country’s energy system amidst the harshest winter conditions since the start of the war. In the face of ongoing Russian attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and sharply dropping temperatures, […]