DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 04 June 2026
Commission adopts its June infringement procedures
To help citizens and businesses benefit fully from the European Union's legislation, the European Commission maintains a constant dialogue with Member States to ensure compliance with EU law. It can initiate infringement procedures against Member States in the event of non-compliance. The decisions taken today, as part of this infringement package, include 34 letters of formal notice and 12 reasoned opinions.
The Commission also decided to refer 6 cases to the Court of Justice of the European Union. Finally, the Commission decided to close 59 cases in which the Member States concerned, in cooperation with the Commission, have brought an infringement to an end and ensured compliance with EU law.
The decisions and the corresponding press releases are available online. More information on the EU infringement procedure can be found in the following questions and answers.
Commission urges again Cyprus to fully transpose EU rules accelerating permitting procedures for renewable energy projects
Today, the European Commission decided to send an additional reasoned opinion to Cyprus (INFR(2024)0213) for failing to fully transpose into national law the provisions of the revised Renewable Energy Directive (Directive (EU) 2023/2413) related to the simplification and acceleration of permitting procedures. The revised Directive (EU) 2023/2413 amending Directive (EU) 2018/2001 entered into force in November 2023 and certain provisions had to be transposed into national law by the Member States by 1 July 2024. These provisions include measures to simplify and accelerate permitting procedures both for renewable energy projects and the infrastructure projects which are necessary to integrate the additional capacity into the electricity system. They also include clear time limits for permit-granting procedures targeted to specific technologies or types of projects, the strengthening of the role of the single contact point for applications, and the presumption that renewable energy projects and the related grid infrastructure are of overriding public interest. In September 2024, the Commission sent letters of formal notice to 26 Member States for failing to fully transpose the Directive into national law. In February 2025, Cyprus received a reasoned opinion for the complete lack of transposition given the country had not notified any transposition measures. After having examined the transposition measures notified thereafter and the explanations provided by Cyprus in the notified correlation table, the Commission has concluded that the Member State has not yet fully transposed the Directive. Therefore, the Commission has decided to issue an additional reasoned opinion to Cyprus, indicating which specific provisions are not considered transposed. Cyprus has now two months to respond and complete the transposition. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union with a request to impose financial sanctions.
Commission calls on Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Slovakia to adopt national penalty schemes under ReFuelEU Aviation
The European Commission has decided to open infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice to Belgium (INFR(2026)2058), Germany (INFR(2026)2060), Ireland (INFR(2026)2063), Spain (INFR(2026)2061), Croatia (INFR(2026)2062), Cyprus (INFR(2026)2059), Latvia (INFR(2026)2065), Luxembourg (INFR(2026)2064), Austria (INFR(2026)2057), Poland (INFR(2026)2066), Portugal (INFR(2025)2067), Slovenia (INFR(2026)2068) and Slovakia (INFR(2026)2069) for failing to establish national rules on penalties for breaches of Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 (ReFuelEU Aviation). The ReFuelEU Aviation framework provides long-term regulatory certainty to scale up the production and uptake of sustainable aviation fuels across the EU. Under the ReFuelEU Aviation, Member States are required to lay down the rules on penalties for aviation fuel suppliers, aircraft operators and EU airport managing bodies in the event of non-compliance, and to adopt necessary measures to ensure full implementation. Despite continued calls from the Commission to the Member State authorities, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Slovakia failed to submit this information to the Commission by 31 December 2024, as required by the Regulation. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to these Member States, which now have two months to respond and address the shortcomings. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue reasoned opinions.
2026 Justice Scoreboard highlights importance of effective justice systems for EU competitiveness and Single Market
Today, the European Commission published the fourteenth edition of the EU Justice Scoreboard, an annual report providing comparative data on the efficiency, quality, and independence of the justice systems among EU Member States.
The 2026 edition shows an improved perception of the independence and efficiency of justice systems. It also highlights the essential role of effective justice systems and independent authorities in fostering a fair and competitive environment, including data on key actors of the Single Market. For the first time, the Scoreboard also includes an overview of the competences of Member States' highest administrative courts and ordinary courts in business-related cases.
The findings of this year's Scoreboard will feed into the Commission's 2026 Rule of Law Report, including its Single Market dimension.
Key findings of 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard
Independent Single Market authorities
For the first time, the Scoreboard provides information on the term of office of the bodies responsible for reviewing public procurement decisions. The findings are positive, showing that in most Member States, the members and presidents of such bodies are appointed for a limited and renewable term. The 2026 edition also presents an updated overview on the way that national competition authorities are appointed and dismissed and shows that the executive plays an important role in nearly all Member States.
Anti-Corruption
The 2026 Scoreboard introduces new and updated figures on anti-corruption, such as the length of judicial proceedings in bribery cases. In addition, it presents new figures on the functioning of national transparency registers, which help prevent corruption by ensuring transparent lobbying. The Scoreboard shows that 16 Member States have such a register in place, presenting an overview of how they work, and which officials are subject to transparency requirements in their interactions with lobbyists. These tools are crucial for good governance and accountability.
Digitalisation of justice systems
Digitalisation continues to progress across the EU: all 27 Member States now provide online information on their judicial systems, while 23 Member States allow online access to civil, commercial and administrative cases. The Scoreboard also highlights where more work is needed, with only six Member States having fully digital-ready procedural rules.
Efficiency and independence of justice
The Scoreboard shows that citizens in 17 Member States and companies in 18 Member States perceive judicial independence as having improved or remained stable, compared to last year. Many Member States continued improving the efficiency of their justice systems, building on reforms introduced in recent years to ensure effective access to justice. Similar to last year, eight Member States have recorded shorter proceedings across all categories (civil, commercial, administrative and other cases).
Access to justice
Most Member States are using digital technology in their first instance courts to make access to justice easier for persons with disabilities. Access to justice can also be improved through the involvement of other judicial authorities. This can alleviate the work of Courts and contribute to a more efficient justice system. This is illustrated in the 2026 Scoreboard, which presents for the first time the different types of authorities involved in consensual divorce proceedings. All Member States now have specific arrangements to make judicial proceedings more child-friendly and better adapted to children's needs.
Next steps
The EU Justice Scoreboard findings contribute to the monitoring carried out within the framework of the Annual Rule of Law Cycle and the European Semester. They will inform the Commission's 2026 Rule of Law Report, as well as the final stages of the national Recovery and Resilience Plans.
Background
Launched in 2013, the EU Justice Scoreboard serves as an analytic tool to monitor reforms related to the efficiency, quality and independence of justice systems across EU Member States. It is part of the EU's Rule of Law toolbox.
The 2026 edition answers the call for more detailed comparative data, including on the accessibility of justice for children, the digitalisation of justice, probationary periods for judges, and powers of Prosecutors General. The new indicators on the Single Market include how certain independent authorities contribute to the Single Market's proper functioning.
With a budget of around €305 million for 2021-2027, the Justice Programme supports the development of the European area of justice based on the rule of law, including the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, on mutual recognition and mutual trust, and on judicial cooperation.
In 2025, around €40.7 million were provided to fund projects and other activities under the three specific objectives of the programme: (i) promotion of judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters; (ii) training of legal professionals on EU civil, criminal and fundamental rights law, legal systems of the Member States and the rule of law; (iii) promotion of access to justice (including e-Justice); protection of victims' rights and the rights of persons suspected or accused of crime; and support to the development and use of digital tools and the maintenance and extension of the e-Justice portal.
For more information
2026 EU Justice Scoreboard
Q&A on 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard
2026 EU Justice Scoreboard Factsheet
2026 EU Justice Scoreboard quantitative data factsheet
CEPEJ Studies
2026 Rule of Law Report - targeted stakeholder consultation
Factsheet EU's rule of law toolbox
EU Justice Scoreboard website
Quote(s)
Independent and efficient justice systems make for strong democracies, and for strong economies. The Justice Scoreboard keeps tab on the quality and accessibility of our justice systems, so that we can improve them and continue delivering justice efficiently for our citizens.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
Justice is the foundation of a prosperous and democratic Europe. It ensures fairness, strengthens legal certainty, and fosters trust in a virtuous cycle. These are the hallmarks of a healthy society and a thriving economy, and they depend on justice systems that are swift, fair, and effective. By providing comparative data and helping identify both strengths and areas for improvement, the EU Justice Scoreboard is an essential tool for strengthening justice systems and upholding the rule of law across the Union.
Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection
(For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Cristina Torres Castillo — Tel.: + 32 2 299 06 79)
EU Justice Scoreboard 2026 highlights the importance of independent bodies and effective justice systems
Today, the European Commission has published the fourteenth edition of the EU Justice Scoreboard, an annual overview providing comparative data on the efficiency, quality and independence of justice systems across the EU, as well as other indicators relevant for the functioning of the Single Market.
What is the EU Justice Scoreboard?
The EU Justice Scoreboard is designed to support the EU and Member States in improving the effectiveness of national justice systems. It provides objective and reliable data on the efficiency, quality and independence of justice systems, as well as on other indicators. It is one of several instruments in the EU's Rule of Law toolbox and supports the Commission's monitoring of justice reforms undertaken by Member States. For the second time, this year's Scoreboard also provides data relevant for the functioning of the Single Market in all Member States.
The Scoreboard contributes to identifying good practices and areas where improvements may be needed. It shows trends in the functioning of national justice systems over time, providing an overview of how they perform without presenting an overall ranking. This is based on various indicators that are of common interest to all Member States.
The Scoreboard does not promote any particular justice model, and puts all Member States on an equal footing. Across all national justice systems and legal traditions, timeliness, independence and accessibility are some of the essential features of an effective justice system, which are presented in the Scoreboard.
Why are national justice systems important for the EU?
Effective justice systems are essential for the application and enforcement of EU law and for upholding the rule of law. They also help safeguard the values on which the EU is founded and which are shared by the Member States. Effective justice systems ensure that individuals and businesses can fully enjoy their rights, strengthen mutual trust, and help build a business- and investment-friendly environment in the Single Market. They are also crucial for the implementation of EU law, because national courts act as EU courts when applying EU law.
Are the Scoreboard and the Rule of Law Report linked?
The Justice Scoreboard and the Rule of Law Report complement each other: The EU Justice Scoreboard is part of the EU's rule of law toolbox and one of the sources of information used for the Rule of Law Report. The Scoreboard provides comparative data on the functioning of national justice systems, while the Report presents a qualitative assessment of significant developments related to the rule of law in all 27 Member States.
Following the 2024 Political Guidelines of President von der Leyen, the 2025 edition of the EU Justice Scoreboard introduced new data relevant for the Single Market, highlighting the essential role of efficient and independent justice systems in fostering a fair and competitive market environment.
This year, the Scoreboard has been further developed to reflect the need for additional comparative information identified during the preparation of the 2025 Rule of Law Report by including, for example, access to information for Supreme Audit Institutions, and mapping of transparency registers across all Member States.
The additional comparative information provided by the Scoreboard will feed into the 2026 Rule of Law Report.
What are the main innovations in the fourteenth edition of the EU Justice Scoreboard?
The 2026 edition of the Scoreboard contains 12 new or updated figures that enhance our understanding of three key aspects of an effective justice system: efficiency, quality and independence.
This year's Scoreboard also further develops indicators relevant to the functioning of the Single Market by introducing new and updated measures highlighting how independent authorities —including supreme audit institutions, national competition authorities, first instance public procurement review bodies, and preventive anti-corruption bodies— contribute to its proper functioning.
How can justice systems have an impact on the economy?
Effective justice systems that uphold the rule of law have a positive economic impact. Where judicial systems guarantee the enforcement of rights and fight corruption effectively, creditors are more likely to lend, businesses are dissuaded from opportunistic behaviour, transaction costs are reduced, and innovative businesses are more likely to invest.
The EU Justice Scoreboard helps monitor progress in implementing justice reforms under national Recovery and Resilience Plans across Member States.
How does the 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard examine the effectiveness of justice?
The Scoreboard uses indicators that examine the three main features of an effective justice system: efficiency, quality and independence.
Efficiency
The indicators related to the efficiency of proceedings include: caseload, estimated length of judicial proceedings (disposition time), clearance rate (the ratio of the number of resolved cases to the number of incoming cases) and the number of pending cases. The Scoreboard also presents the average length of proceedings in specific fields where EU law is involved.
Quality
Easy access to justice, adequate resources, effective assessment tools and the use of information and communication technologies are key factors that contribute to the quality of justice systems. The Scoreboard uses various indicators to evaluate digitalisation, such as access to online information and to court judgments, digital-ready procedural rules, use of digital technology by courts and prosecution services, and secure electronic tools for communication or online access to case files.
Independence
The Scoreboard examines the perception of judicial independence, both among the general public and in companies. Additionally, it presents key indicators relevant to evaluating the structure and effectiveness of justice systems in protecting judicial independence. In particular, the 2026 edition includes indicators related to the processes of withdrawal and recusal of judges, as well as the roles of various authorities in the appointment and dismissal of heads of prosecution offices.
Other indicators relevant for the Single Market
This year, the Scoreboard also continues to develop indicators of specific relevance for the functioning of the Single Market to which effective justice systems and respect for the rule of law are central. It further strengthens the business and Single Market dimension by presenting new indicators on first instance public procurement review bodies, supreme audit institutions and national competition authorities.
What is the methodology of the EU Justice Scoreboard?
The Scoreboard uses various sources of information. Large parts of the quantitative data are provided by the Council of Europe's European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ), with which the Commission has concluded a contract to carry out a specific annual study. These data range from 2014 to 2024 and have been provided by Member States according to CEPEJ's methodology. The study also provides detailed comments and country-specific factsheets, which give more contextual information and should be considered alongside the figures.
Other sources of data are the group of contact persons on national justice systems, National contact points for anti-corruption, the European Network of Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ), the Network of the Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the EU, the Association of the Councils of State and Supreme Administrative Jurisdictions of the EU (ACA-Europe), the European Competition Network, the Communications Committee, the European Observatory on infringements of intellectual property rights, the Expert Group on Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, Eurostat, the Council of Bar and Law Societies in Europe, the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN), the NADAL Network of Prosecutors, the Contact Committee on Supreme Audit Institutions, Council of the Notariats of the European Union, and the Network of First Instance Review Bodies on Public Procurement.
Why are some data missing?
Although some data are still missing for certain Member States, the data gap continues to decrease. The remaining difficulties in gathering data are often due to insufficient statistical capacity or the fact that the national categories for which data is collected do not exactly correspond to the ones used for the Scoreboard. The Commission will continue to encourage Member States to reduce this data gap further.
How does the EU Justice Scoreboard feed into the European Semester and how is it related to the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF)?
By comparing information on Member States' justice systems, the Scoreboard makes it easier both to identify best practices and shortcomings, and to keep track of challenges and progress made. In the context of the European Semester, country-specific assessments are carried out through a bilateral dialogue with the national authorities and stakeholders concerned. Where the shortcomings identified have macroeconomic significance, the European Semester analysis may lead to the Commission proposing to the Council to adopt country-specific recommendations to improve the national justice systems in individual Member States.
The RRF has made available more than €577 billion in loans and non-repayable financial support, of which each Member State would need to allocate a minimum of 20% to the digital transition and a minimum of 37% to measures contributing to climate objectives. Around 285 milestones and targets are included in Member States' recovery and resilience plans (RRPs) to strengthen the rule of law by increasing the efficiency, quality and independence of the judicial system and the anti-corruption framework including anti-money laundering. Until May 2026, following pre-financing payments as well as payment requests by Member States, a total of €400 billion in RRF grants and loans have been disbursed.
How does the European Commission's Justice Programme support the effectiveness of justice systems?
With a total budget of around €305 million for 2021-2027, the Justice Programme supports the development of a just Europe based on judicial independence, quality and cooperation. In 2025, around €40.7 million were provided to fund projects and other activities under the three specific objectives of the programme:
Press release 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard
Commission launches Simplification Platform to consult experts on administrative burden reduction
The European Commission has launched the Simplification Platform - a high-level expert group, which will work on simplification and burden reduction. The Platform will contribute to assessing progress achieved on simplification efforts and help identify emerging priorities and needs, providing renewed impetus to the EU's broader simplification agenda. It will help the Commission identify where EU rules are too complex in practice, and how they can be made simpler for people, businesses and administrations. It will bring together Member States' national, regional and local authorities, the Committee of the Regions supported by the Network of Regional Hubs, the European Economic and Social Committee, social partners, small and large businesses, consumer and environmental organisations and other non-governmental organisations.
Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification, said: “By listening to experts and stakeholders, we can build a more efficient, competitive and user-friendly Single Market for all. Simplification and burden reduction are not just administrative goals - they are essential to making the EU work better for citizens, businesses, and public administrations alike. In a world of rapid change, our rules must be agile, clear, and fit for purpose. This Platform will help us cut red tape, streamline processes, and ensure that EU legislation delivers on its promises without unnecessary complexity.”
At a time of profound global shifts, an efficient and effective regulatory framework is essential for European competitiveness. Simpler, better-designed, and easier-to-implement rules will therefore help unlock economic potential and promote a more dynamic and integrated Single Market.
The call for applications to select experts to the Simplification Platform representing a common interest shared by stakeholders in various policy areas has been published online. Interested individuals are invited to submit their application to the Simplification Platform Secretariat. Applications can be submitted until 10 July 2026.
More information is available on the dedicated webpage.
(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Quentin Cortès – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 35)
EU-Moldova Investment Conference announces up to €641 million in strategic investments
At the EU-Moldova Investment Conference, EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos announced investment plans and project initiatives worth up to €641 million in coordination with international financial institutions, private sector partners and public stakeholders.
The initiatives will support strategic sectors, including energy, digital infrastructure, education and sustainable agriculture. The aim is to strengthen Moldova's economic resilience, improve infrastructure, expand access to finance, and accelerate the country's integration into European value chains.
Mobilising up to €433 million through international financial institutions
Building on the Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova, up to €433 million were committed through a combination of EU grants, guarantees and loans in cooperation with key international financial institutions. New investment projects were announced with:
Up to €208 million in private sector investments
Under the Call for Expressions of Interest for private investments in Moldova, eight projects representing up to €208 million in planned investments were selected. In the presence of Commissioner Kos, President Maia Sandu and Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu, Letters of Intent were signed with:
On 22 June, the EU and Moldova will hold the second EU-Moldova Summit, reaffirming the strategic importance of Moldova's future within the EU and the strength of our cooperation.
The EU will continue to work closely with the Government of Moldova, international financial institutions, private sector partners and other stakeholders to advance the announced initiatives and support their successful implementation, with a view to delivering tangible benefits for Moldova's economy, businesses and citizens.
In October 2024, the European Commission proposed a Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova, worth €1.9 billion and underpinned by a Reform and Growth Facility for 2025-2027. It is the largest EU financial support package for the country. To this day, Moldova has received €504 million under the Growth Plan.
To help deliver the Growth Plan's priorities, a Call for Expressions of Interest was launched for private sector investments. The Call was open to companies, joint ventures and consortia established in the European Union, the European Economic Area or Moldova. Projects had to be located in Moldova, with a minimum investment of €10 million and at least 15% equity or own-resources contribution from promoters. The submission window ran from 4 September 2025 to 4 June 2026.
The investment projects announced today demonstrate that Moldova is not only strongly supported by the European Union, but is also a country that is contributing to Europe's competitiveness, security, digital transformation and industrial development.
Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement
(For more information: Guillaume Mercier — Tel. + 32 2 298 05 64; Yuliya Matsyk – Tel. +32 2 296 27 16)
Commission adopts temporary adjustments to Basel III Market Risk Rules to safeguard EU banks' competitiveness
To ensure that the EU banking sector benefits from a level playing field with international competitors, the European Commission has today introduced targeted, time-limited amendments to its implementation of the new market risk capital framework for banks. The measures will apply for three years from 1 January 2027.
The Fundamental Review of the Trading Book (FRTB), part of the global Basel III banking standards set by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, strengthens risk measurement in banks' trading activities and ensures that capital requirements more accurately reflect actual market risks. While the EU has fully implemented all other Basel III standards since 1 January 2025, delays in the FRTB implementation by major jurisdictions have raised concerns over competitive distortions faced by EU banks operating in global financial markets.
To address these challenges, the Commission had already postponed the market risk rules for two years, exhausting the full deferral period under the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR). Today, the Commission has exercised its empowerment under CRR to introduce adjustments to the FRTB through a delegated act, including a multiplier to temporarily offset capital impacts for EU banks adversely affected by the FRTB implementation.
The Commission's decision aligns with the objectives of the Savings and Investments Union, which emphasises the need to safeguard the competitiveness of EU banks — particularly those active in global capital markets — vis-à-vis third-country institutions. Given that other major jurisdictions are expected to delay FRTB implementation for at least a year, today's measures help maintain the playing field for EU banks and support EU capital market development.
The delegated act was drafted following a public consultation and technical assessment. It ensures a smooth, coherent implementation of the FRTB in the EU, while allowing further monitoring of its implementation globally.
The delegated act will now be reviewed by the European Parliament and the Council, with a three-month scrutiny period (extendable by a further three months). If no objection is raised, the measures will enter into application on 1 January 2027, for a period of three years.
Europe’s banks must be able to compete on equal terms with their international peers. These targeted and time-limited measures help preserve a level playing field in global financial markets while maintaining our commitment to the Basel standards. They provide certainty for EU banks, support the objectives of the Savings and Investments Union, and give us the necessary time to monitor developments in other major jurisdictions before determining the most appropriate long-term approach.
Maria Luís Albuquerque, Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union
(For more information: Siobhan McGarry - Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Marta Perez-Cejuela Romero - Tel.: +32 2 296 37 70)
Commission announces winners of LIFE Awards 2026
Yesterday, the European Commission announced the winners of this year's LIFE Awards. These are projects that make a significant contribution to environmental and climate action. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the LIFE Awards recognise the most innovative, inspirational and impactful projects financed by the EU's LIFE Programme in three categories: nature protection and biodiversity; circular economy and quality of life; and climate action.
The following projects were awarded during the EU Green Week. First, the LIFE Award for Nature went to LIFE Danube floodplains. This project from Slovakia and Hungary successfully restored and managed threatened and degraded Danube floodplain habitats, providing a practical model for sustainable floodplain restoration across the region. Winning the LIFE Award for Circular Economy and Quality of Life, LIFE Turn to e-circular built awareness and created supporting infrastructure for a circular economy for household electrical and electronic equipment in Slovenia. This project also strengthened local communities and provides a model for sustainable electronic waste management across Europe. The LIFE Award for Climate Action went to the Spanish LIFE WetLands4CLIMATE project, which successfully demonstrated that properly managing, restoring and conserving Mediterranean wetlands is an effective way to mitigate the consequences of climate change and preserve biodiversity.
The LIFE Citizens' Prize went to Egyptian Vulture New LIFE, coordinated between Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Jordan, Kenya, Nigeria, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom. Described as one of the most ambitious vulture conservation initiatives ever undertaken, this project successfully halted the decline in the Balkan population of Egyptian Vultures and mounted an awareness raising campaign which reached 25 million people in 14 countries across Europe, Asia and Africa.
The 2026 Special Award, which in this edition focuses on how investment in nature and healthy ecosystems can strengthen Europe's economy, security and long-term prosperity, was awarded to the Spanish LIFE Olivares Vivos project. Its work centres on the protection and restoration of biodiversity in olive groves across southern Spain.
You can find more information on the LIFE Award winners online.
(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)
Commissioner Roswall meets young Europeans to discuss resilient nature-based future for Europe
In the margins of the ongoing EU Green Week, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, hosted a Youth Policy Dialogue yesterday. The focus of the discussion was on how restoring ecosystems can help Europe become more resilient and competitive, while supporting innovation, investment and local jobs.
The dialogue brought together 13 young participants from across the EU to exchange views on how investments in nature can support both environmental protection and economic resilience. Participants from diverse backgrounds addressed broader questions such as nature restoration, biodiversity, pollinators, bioeconomy, nature credits and circular economy. Commissioner Roswall also highlighted the important role that young Europeans play in building Europe's future when they bring new ideas for connecting nature, economy and society.
Youth Policy Dialogues are part of the Commission's broader effort to integrate the views of young people in the EU's political agenda, as set out in President Ursula von der Leyen's Political Guidelines for 2024-2029. By focusing on pressing policy issues and through open discussions, these dialogues aim to strengthen youth participation and foster engagement in democratic life.
More information on Youth Policy Dialogues can be found on the dedicated webpage.
President von der Leyen at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Montenegro to reaffirm EU's commitment to the region
Today and tomorrow, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola will be in Tivat, Montenegro, to participate in the EU-Western Balkans Summit. The Summit will bring together leaders from EU Member States and the six Western Balkans partners. High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas will also take part.
This is the second EU-Western Balkans Summit in six months, following the Summit in Brussels last December. The Summit comes at a moment when enlargement is more than ever a geostrategic investment in Europe's stability, prosperity and security. It also reaffirms that the EU accession of the region remains at the top of our political agenda.
In her discussions with leaders, President von der Leyen will focus on the implementation of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which supports key reforms, unlocks funding and draws the region closer to the European Union.
Following the Summit, President von der Leyen, President Costa and President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović will hold a joint press conference at 15:30 CEST, livestreamed on EBS.
Follow the updates on the President's social media channels. Audiovisual material of the Summit will be available on EBS.
(For more information: Guillaume Mercier — Tel. + 32 2 298 05 64; Anitta Hipper – Tel.: +32 2 298 56 91; Yuliya Matsyk – Tel. +32 2 296 27 16)
Commissioner Dombrovskis attends the EastInvest Facility meeting in Latvia
Today, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification Valdis Dombrovskis will be in Riga to participate in the first local meeting to make the EastInvest Facility operational.
The facility is a new initiative designed to provide easier access to lending support to EU Member States bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. It is at the core of the strategy for the EU's eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine adopted in February 2026 by the Commission to help the regions in Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria most affected by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
The event gathers national and local authorities, stakeholders, business organisations and businesses operating in the Latgale region as well as financing institutions supporting the Facility, including the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Council of Europe Development Bank and the Nordic Development Bank and Altum.
Discussions will explore how to translate EastInvest policy commitments into concrete investment delivery in the Latgale region, with particular attention to the region's significant social and economic challenges resulting from the war, including in terms of access to finance and advisory support.
The EastInvest Facility is designed to make it easier for private and public project promoters in EU eastern regions to access loans and advisory support to boost their economies, develop trade and enhance security. The four participating financial institutions aim to provide at least €28 billion in 2026-2027 in private and public investments in those regions.
Commissioner Dombrovskis said: “The EU eastern border regions and their citizens are facing singular challenges due to Russia's continued war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as direct exposure to security risks and hybrid attacks. We hear you, we see you: by making it easier to access financing and advisory support, we are delivering concrete backing to local communities and businesses, creating new opportunities for growth, investment and job creation. Supporting our eastern border regions is not only an investment in their future, but in Europe's security and prosperity.”
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki - Tel: +32 229-66483; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 28 20 54; Francisca Marçal Santos – Tel.: +32 2 299 72 36)
Commissioner Várhelyi visits Latvia for the twelfth High-Level meeting of Small Countries
Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, is taking part today in a conference titled ‘From Scarcity to Sustainability: Can Small Nations Lead Workforce Innovation?' as part of the twelfth High-level Meeting of the Small Countries Initiative in Riga, Latvia. The Commissioner will deliver high level remarks at the conference, which focuses on finding innovative solutions to health challenges in small countries. Later in the day, he will participate in the panel discussion on the importance of health security and health system resilience to secure the future health workforce. He will emphasise how EU-wide coordination on health can strengthen health systems and deliver for patients.
The WHO/Europe Small Countries Initiative is a network of 12 European countries with 2 million or less inhabitants. The Initiative started in 2013 to ensure health-related needs in small countries are kept high on the international agenda and share best practice.
On the margins of the event, Commissioner Várhelyi will hold bilateral meetings with Hosams Abu Meri, Minister of Health of Latvia, Neophytos Charalambides, Minister of Health of Cyprus and Alma Möller, Minister of Health of Iceland. They will discuss the EU's commitment to ensure high standards of health across the EU, no matter size or population, the importance of prevention for safeguarding citizens' health, and recent Commission proposals such as the Biotech Act which will boost accessibility to medical products across Europe,
As part of his trip to Latvia, Commissioner Várhelyi will also visit Cellbox Labs, which has secured €3.3 million through Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) Tech4Cure-related support and European Regional Development Fund-backed projects, to see first-hand the medical innovation happening across Europe. The Lab produces organ-on-chip technology which, by recreating selected functions of human organs at miniature scale, can help develop new medicines with more precision and at less expense. Their technology is already used by leading European research entities including Leibniz HKI and Institut Pasteur.
(For more information: Eva Hncirova-Tel.+ +32 2 298 84 33, Anna Gray –Tel. +32 2 298 08 73)
Commissioner Kubilius meets with Belgian defence industry in Wallonia
Tomorrow, Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius will visit Belgian ammunition and weapon producers Thales Belgium and FN Herstal to discuss how to strengthen industrial capabilities, building on the success of EU defence industry programmes.
Thales Belgium is scaling up production of 70mm laser-guided rocket systems, supported by EU defence industry initiative ASAP – the Act in Support of Ammunition Production.
FN Herstal specialises in small arms manufacturing, weapon systems integration and ammunition production and is active in several European Defence Fund (EDF) projects for research and development.
The Commissioner's visits highlight the importance of regional defence industry for European defence readiness and for regional jobs and growth.
Increased production of ammunition and weapons in Belgium reduces supply chain vulnerabilities, ensuring reliable flow of equipment to European armed forces. Local defence industry also drives regional investment, high-tech employment, and technological innovation within the Walloon economy.
Commissioner Kubilius and Walloon Minister-President Adrien Dolimont will give a joint press conference at Thales Belgium, which will be livestreamed on EBS.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel: +32 2 299 10 99; Marine Strauss – Tel: +32 2 298 91 03)
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