DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 08 June 2026
EU disburses nearly €2.8 billion to support Ukraine's financial stability and reform efforts
The European Commission has released nearly €2.8 billion to Ukraine today to support its financing needs and maintain public administration, as it continues to defend itself against Russia's war of aggression.
This is the seventh disbursement under the Ukraine Facility, the EU's key instrument to support Ukraine's recovery, reform agenda and progress towards EU membership. With this latest payment, total EU support provided under the Ukraine Plan reaches €29.5 billion, equivalent to almost 77% of the funding available under the Facility's first pillar, which provides a direct support to the State budget
The disbursement follows Ukraine's successful implementation of reforms across several strategic sectors, including public financial management, the judiciary, financial markets, human capital, business environment, energy, agriculture, critical raw materials, digitalisation, and green transition.
Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said: “Ukraine's speed and commitment to delivering meaningful reforms has merited this payment, and we are now also paving the way for further progress in the accession negotiations.”
Ukraine submitted a partial payment request on 14 April. On 28 May, Member States the Council of the EU endorsed the Commission's assessment that Ukraine had successfully fulfilled eleven reforms linked to this payment, together with three outstanding reforms from the fifth and sixth payments, as well as four reforms brought forward from future instalments.
More information on EU's overall support to Ukraine is available in our factsheet.
(For more information: Guillaume Mercier — Tel. + 32 2 298 05 64; Yuliya Matsyk – Tel. +32 2 296 27 16)
EU and Kenya strengthen partnership
The European Union and Kenya are deepening their strategic partnership on trade, digital transformation and sustainable investment to drive mutual economic growth for the benefit of businesses and citizens on both sides. This reinforced cooperation reflects Kenya's pivotal role as a key partner for the EU in Africa and at multilateral level.
These commitments were set out today in Brussels, where Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, welcomed President of the Republic of Kenya William Ruto.
As part of this cooperation under the Global Gateway, the EU and Kenya will invest in clean transport and trade facilitation along the strategic Northern Corridor in East Africa and in the roll-out of high-speed connectivity to over 3,000 public offices, schools, health centres and digital hubs across Kenya.
Discussions advanced cooperation under the EU-Kenya Strategic Dialogue across key priority areas and welcomed progress in the EU-Kenya data adequacy process, which would facilitate safe data flows between the partners and support digital trade and innovation. The EU noted the positive assessment so far and its intention to conclude the process as soon as possible.
Unlocking trade and business opportunities
The EU reaffirmed its strong commitment to the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement. Both the EU and Kenya stressed the importance of resolving outstanding trade issues and moving towards full implementation of the agreement, so that businesses in the EU and Kenya can benefit fully.
On digital policy, the EU proposed deepening cooperation, especially in artificial intelligence, digital identity and secure connectivity.
Finally, the EU also highlighted its reinforced investment in Kenya under the Global Gateway strategy. In this context, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen made a series of announcements:
Background
The European Union and Kenya have a deep and long-standing partnership. Today, the EU is the largest market for Kenya's exports. It is also a major partner in regional security, investment and development cooperation.
The EU and Kenya concluded negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement on 19 June 2023. The agreement was signed on 18 December 2023. The European Parliament gave its consent on 29 February 2024.
On 7 May 2024, the European Union and Kenya launched an adequacy dialogue to facilitate the free flow of personal data from the EU to Kenya. This would help boost digital trade and give Kenya access to Europe's growing data economy, expected to be worth over €800 billion by 2025.
On 18 March 2026, the EU and Kenya launched the EU–Kenya Digital Dialogue. This was an important step in strengthening cooperation on digital policy and technological innovation. The dialogue focuses on shared priorities, including telecommunications and digital networks infrastructure, artificial intelligence innovation and ecosystems, and eGovernance including Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
The EU and Kenya have a shared interest in building resilient value chains and strengthening strategic autonomy in critical sectors. Kenya's innovation ecosystem and its role as a regional logistics and financial hub make it a natural anchor for Global Gateway in East Africa.
For more information
EU-Kenya relations
EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement
EU-Kenya Digital Dialogue
Kenya - International Partnerships - European Commission
Quote(s)
Kenya is a dynamic and strategic partner for the EU. Today, we agreed to take our cooperation further, creating jobs, driving innovation, and supporting sustainable growth. Our focus is on delivering concrete results for both EU and Kenyan businesses and citizens.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
With Kenya, we are investing in new opportunities for local communities as well as for European companies. The strategic Northern Corridor will increase trade and improve the region’s connection to global markets. High-speed connectivity will open up new access to education and help improve basic local services. That is what Global Gateway is about: strategic partnerships delivering concrete benefits for our partners and for Europe alike.
Jozef Síkela, Commissioner for International Partnerships
(For more information: Thomas Regnier - Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Guillaume Mercier - Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Nika Blazevic - Tel.: +32 2 299 27 17; Jennifer Sanchez Da Silva - Tel.: +32 2 295 83 16)
Almost 41,000 18-year-olds set to experience Europe thanks to DiscoverEU
Today, the European Commission reveals the results of the DiscoverEU March 2026 round, an initiative under the Erasmus+ programme. 40,912 young people aged 18 will receive a travel pass to explore the continent's diversity, learn about its cultural heritage and history, and connect with people from every corner of Europe. Successful applicants will travel alone or in a group of up to five, mainly by rail, between July 2026 and September 2027.
Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, said: “A DiscoverEU pass is not just a ticket but an invitation to experience the cultural richness and beauty of Europe firsthand. To the thousands of young people selected today, I would like to say: Europe is waiting for you. Pack your curiosity, bring your ambition, and turn this trip into a story worth telling.”
This application round was open to young people born between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2008 from EU Member States as well as those from Erasmus+ associated countries and attracted 220,501 applicants. DiscoverEU also includes a learning dimension, with pre-departure information trainings and meet-ups throughout Europe. Participants can join the #DiscoverEU Official Facebook Group to connect with the DiscoverEU community. More information on DiscoverEU is available in the dedicated factsheet.
Since its launch in 2018, more than 2 million young people have applied for travel passes over the course of fourteen DiscoverEU application rounds.
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova - Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65)
Commission calls for equal pay rules to become a reality across the EU
On 7 June, the deadline for transposing the Pay Transparency Directive across the EU was reached. Fairness is not just a value. It is also an economic strength: the countries that champion gender equality are also the most competitive. EU treaties are clear that equal work deserves equal pay, regardless of whether it is performed by a woman or a man. Furthermore, nearly nine out of ten Europeans agree that it is unacceptable for women to be paid less than men for the same work.
Yet, the gender pay gap persists across the Union, with the latest Eurostat data showing that, on average, women's gross hourly earnings were 11.1% below those of men in the EU. This is due to a complex range of factors, such as the undervaluation of roles traditionally occupied by women and gender stereotypes which have an impact on education, hiring, promotions and wages.
In force since 2023, the Pay Transparency Directive helps make the right to equal pay a reality. The Directive helps employers assess whether their pay structures comply with the principle of equal pay in practice, and supports workers by establishing a clear framework for the application of the concept of 'work of equal value' based on criteria that include skills, effort, responsibility, and working conditions. Furthermore, it will help employers attract and retain talent by establishing clearer and fairer remuneration practices. Pay transparency will empower workers and help tackle discrimination, whilst giving European companies a competitive edge.
Since the preparation stages of the proposal, the Commission has worked closely with Member States and key stakeholders to promote equal pay. After the adoption of the proposal in 2023, the Commission has been supporting implementation of the Directive with more than €3.8 million dedicated under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme (CERV) to support pay transparency measures in Member States, as well as a further €5 million under the recently closed 2026 call for proposals to promote gender equality. The Commission will continue to support national authorities, companies and workers to make equal pay a reality across our Union.
(For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73)
Statement by Commissioner Várhelyi ahead of the World Food Safety Day
World Food Safety Day is a moment to recognise what Europe has built: one of the safest food systems in the world – and we are making it even stronger.
Our high food safety standards are built on strong, science-based rules, rigorous controls and close cooperation between food business operators and public authorities. This framework ensures that the food that reaches European consumers is as safe as it can be. Every day, thousands of professionals across the EU work to keep this system functioning effectively. When risks are identified, unsafe products are swiftly removed from the market, often before they ever reach supermarket shelves.
The EU is one of the world's largest importers of food and our consumers enjoy a wide variety of products from across the world. As they do so, they can rest assured that our standards do not stop at the EU borders. Our strict rules on food and feed hygiene, our high standards for animal and plant health, apply to all products put on our market – whether produced in Europe or not. Import controls are in place to check that our standards are met, and non-compliant products are rejected before they can enter our Union and reach our consumers.
Upholding Europe's high food safety standards is an intrinsic part of our food security. This is what our citizens expect, and deserve.
Since the beginning of this mandate, I have worked to strengthen every link in this food chain and ensure that our world-class food safety system remains robust, effective and fit for the future. I have increased controls on imports and taken firm action to prevent unsafe goods from entering the market. The message is clear: if a product is sold in the European Union, it must meet European standards.
This protects consumers. It ensures fairness for our farmers, producers and food businesses. And it strengthens trust in the food on our shelves and on our tables. We will continue working tirelessly and in coordination with Member States and our partners across the EU to protect the food safety excellence that our citizens rightly expect.
Commissioner Dombrovskis visits Finland to discuss competitiveness, simplification and security
Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification, is in Finland today and tomorrow for meetings with Finnish authorities, policymakers, academics and business representatives to discuss competitiveness, simplification, security, innovation and the conclusions of the European Semester, presented last week.
Today, the Commissioner delivered the opening speech at the Future Circular Collider Week seminar, where he highlighted the importance of science, innovation and strategic investment for Europe's long-term competitiveness. He also visited the Recovery and Resilience Facility-supported Helen Eiranranta heat pump plant in Helsinki, alongside the Mayor of Helsinki, Daniel Sazonov. This project contributes to Finland's clean energy transition and efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
During his visit, Commissioner Dombrovskis will also hold meetings with Alexander Stubb, President of Finland, Riikka Purra, Finland's Minister of Finance, and Olli Rehn, Governor of the Bank of Finland, with discussions focusing on the economic outlook and policy priorities, competitiveness, simplification, support for Ukraine and the EU's Eastern Border Regions, current geopolitical developments and security. The Commissioner will also exchange views with members of the Finnish Parliament's Grand Committee on these issues.
In addition, he will visit IQM Quantum Computers, one of Europe's leading quantum technology companies and one of Finland's most prominent deep-tech success stories, and exchange views with Finnish business leaders on strengthening Europe's innovation capacity and economic resilience.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Francisca Marçal Santos – Tel.: +32 2 299 72 36)
Commissioner Šefčovič hosts Implementation Dialogue on EU Customs Reform
Today, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič will host an Implementation Dialogue in Brussels, which will focus on the rollout of the newly agreed reform of the EU Customs Union.
The dialogue will bring together industry and trade representatives, as well as business and consumer associations from a diverse range of sectors, such as, textile, food, automotive, logistics and online marketplaces. They will discuss how to ensure an efficient delivery, user-friendliness, and effective rollout of the reform for traders, authorities, and consumers alike. Particularly, the dialogue will focus on trade security, supply chain resilience and a data-driven customs environment, in the context of the new EU Customs Data Hub.
With the legislative foundations now in place, the dialogue will feed into the reform's practical success, to facilitate the transition to the new customs framework, aligning implementation with realities on the ground.
This dialogue follows the agreement reached between the European Parliament and Council on 26 March 2026, on the Commission's proposal to deliver a landmark reform of the EU Customs Union. The reform is designed to simplify trade, bolster security, and future-proof customs operations in an era of surging e-commerce and digital transformation. At the core of the reform is the new EU Customs Authority, which will centralise coordination across all Member States through an EU Customs Data Hub, a single digital gateway for all customs procedures. The reform also introduces a revamped Trust & Check system, rewarding compliant businesses with faster clearances, while strengthening the EU's ability to enforce safety, security, and regulatory standards at its borders.
Implementation dialogues underscore the Commission's efforts to promote the EU's competitiveness by directly engaging stakeholders in policy implementation. A summary of the conclusions from today's dialogue will be available online.
(For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83)
Commissioner Šuica hosts dialogue on scaling up renewable energy investments across the Mediterranean
Tomorrow, Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, will host an Implementation Dialogue in Brussels to discuss how to foster investment from the private sector in renewable energy across the Mediterranean.
The Mediterranean region holds vast untapped energy renewable potential – 2,300 GW, representing over twice the EU's current capacity – with solar and wind costs 30-40% lower than in Europe. Strengthened cooperation will help unlock this potential while addressing common shared challenges between the EU and its southern Mediterranean partners, such as rising energy prices, dependence on fossil fuels, lack of competitiveness, supply-chain vulnerabilities and climate change.
The dialogue will bring together industry leaders, policymakers and financial stakeholders, including Mediterranean countries, to join forces in scaling up investments in energy projects in the region. The EU will support these efforts with the upcoming Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean-Tech Cooperation (T-MED) Initiative. This flagship initiative under the Pact for the Mediterranean is designed to strengthen energy collaboration between EU and the southern Mediterranean partners.
The discussions will focus on three key areas: removing investment barriers such as regulatory hurdles and financial risks, making the initiatives under T-MED attractive to private investors by improving incentives and transparency, and ensuring that all projects align with the EU's broader goals for competitiveness and energy security.
Implementation dialogues underscore the Commission's efforts to promote the EU's competitiveness by directly engaging stakeholders in policy implementation. Insights from tomorrow's discussions will shape the development and rollout of T-MED Initiative, helping the EU and its regional partners unlock the vast potential of solar, wind and green hydrogen energy.
(For more information: Guillaume Mercier - Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Luca Dilda - Tel.: +32 2 295 21 53)
Commissioner Kos visits Ukraine to support reforms towards EU accession
Today, Commissioner Kos is in Kyiv. Her visit will focus on supporting Ukraine's EU accession reforms, wartime recovery, and the strengthening of political and societal support for European integration.
Commissioner Kos met with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and senior members of the government to discuss reform progress and EU support priorities, including preparedness for the coming winter. Commissioner Kos also held meetings with the Speaker of Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, First Deputy Speaker of Rada Oleksandr Korniyenko, chairs of parliamentary committees, and leaders of political factions to stress the importance of maintaining broad political consensus on EU-related reforms.
The Commissioner will deliver a keynote speech at the public event on ‘Ukraine's Accession: How to Deliver Europe's Next Enlargement' and meet with women leaders to discuss how women are shaping the political landscape.
Audiovisual material of the visit will be available on EBS.
Commissioner Hansen joins G7 Agriculture Ministers to discuss fertilisers amid geopolitical tensions
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, will participate in today's extraordinary meeting of G7 Agriculture Ministers to discuss the impacts of increased geopolitical tensions on agricultural markets, and particularly, fertilisers.
The meeting will include analysis from experts from UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS), and OECD on the medium and long-term risks for farmers stemming from the crisis in the Middle East. These risks have a direct impact on fertiliser price volatility, non-road fuel shortages, and supply chain bottlenecks – issues that directly affect European farmers. Through closer cooperation with G7 partners, the Commission is taking steps to ease the pressure on farmers by making fertiliser costs more stable.
This meeting aligns with the EU's commitment to global food security and sustainable agriculture, while addressing the immediate threats posed by fertiliser market instability. Maintaining a regular dialogue is key to enhance market transparency and stability, and to keep food and fertiliser supply chains functioning.
To secure Europe's fertiliser supply and food security, Commissioner Hansen put forward measures under the Fertiliser Action Plan last month. The Plan combines immediate support measures aimed at supporting affordability and security of supply, with longer-term action to strengthen domestic fertiliser production, improve supply resilience and accelerate the transition to bio-based, low-carbon and circular fertilisers.
(For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 2 296 97 76; Kateřina Horáková - Tel.: +32 2 299 93 10)
Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.
Upcoming events of the European Commission
Eurostat press releases
Calendar items of the President and Commissioners
Individual calendars of the President and Commissioners