Category: _European Commission News

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, […]

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 […]

On 13 January 2026, the 11th Chile–EU Joint Steering Committee Meeting (JSCM) was held in Santiago, Chile, under the Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the European Community and the Republic of Chile. Hosted by Chile in a hybrid format, the meeting was co-chaired by Emilie Rojas, International Affairs Adviser at the Cabinet of […]

A new report highlights the urgent need to halt ‘forever chemicals’ contamination to avoid enormous costs to society. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) pollution significantly impacts human health and the environment, resulting in considerable costs borne by all citizens. This becomes evident when individuals suffer illnesses from exposure, when contaminated water or soil require expensive […]

A review of the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan concludes that Member States must act swiftly and decisively if the EU is to reach its pollution reduction targets by 2030.  The report highlights the strong connection between environmental protection and public health, showing that cutting air, water, soil and noise pollution delivers immediate health benefits, […]

The first Stakeholders’ Forum on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) has taken place in Brussels. Organised by the European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors (Alliance), with the support of the European Commission, the Forum brought together over 100 in-person participants and several hundred online, representing a wide spectrum of stakeholders – EU institutions, international organisations, policy-makers, industry, civil society, research […]