DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 23 October 2026
EU Civil Protection Mechanism turns 25
For 25 years, European countries have been joining forces to save lives when disasters strike under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. This is one of the best examples of European solidarity in action.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “Our EU Civil Protection Mechanism turns 25! 25 years of solidarity in action - fighting floods and wildfires to delivering vital medical supplies. More than 900 times worldwide, Europe has answered the call for help. We are strengthening our preparedness so Europe is ready to act whenever disaster strikes.”
From firefighters battling wildfires and rescue teams responding to floods, to medical supplies delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic, citizens repatriated from crisis areas, generators sent to Ukraine, and search dogs looking for survivors after earthquakes, the Mechanism has turned European solidarity into concrete actions and assistance for people facing different crisis.
When an emergency hits, any country in the world can request assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. An activation of the Mechanism triggers the Emergency Response Coordination Centre to mobilise assistance or expertise from European countries. Operating 24/7, the Centre ensures rapid deployment of emergency support and acts as a coordination hub between all EU Member States, the 10 additional participating states, the affected country, and civil protection and humanitarian aid experts.
Today, this European solidarity is more important than ever. Climate change is fuelling more frequent and intense natural disasters. The EU is investing in stronger common resources.
In her 2026 State of the Union address, President Ursula von der Leyen announced that some of Europe's most experienced firefighters and emergency responders would develop proposals to strengthen disaster preparedness and prevention, improve civil-military cooperation and identify new response capabilities, including a future European firefighting fleet.
More information is available in the press release.
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Quentin Cortes - Tel: +32 2 291 32 83)
EU announces an additional €22.5 million to reinforce humanitarian assistance in Yemen
The European Commission is releasing €22.5 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen, in addition to the €87.5 million previously allocated for 2026, to address the consequences of the renewed conflict escalation and the critical needs of millions of people.
The continued military escalation in Yemen caused nearly 230,000 people to be displaced in recent weeks. After more than a decade of conflict, economic collapse, and the deterioration of essential services, 22.3 million people in Yemen need humanitarian assistance and protection. Some 5.2 million people are internally displaced, while over 2.2 million children under five suffer from acute malnutrition.
Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said: “Yemen is once again caught in the violence of war, while its humanitarian crisis remains largely forgotten. Families cannot wait for a ceasefire to put food on the table or find a safe place to sleep. Civilians on all sides are paying a terrible price. Attacks that kill civilians and destroy hospitals, homes and essential services must stop. All parties must respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians. The people of Yemen must not be forgotten. The EU will stand by them for as long as it takes.”
This year, EU-funded assistance has been consistently addressing urgent humanitarian needs, with a focus on food security and nutrition, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, protection and other life-saving interventions.
Commission launches a targeted consultation to prepare for the 2027 Rule of Law Report
The European Commission has launched a targeted consultation to gather input on developments related to the rule of law in the Member States as part of the preparation for the 2027 Rule of Law Report. The consultation is open to judicial associations, civil society, NGOs, international organisations, EU agencies and other interested parties. It is also addressed to business stakeholders, in view of the Single Market dimension, which has been given particular emphasis since the 2025 Report.
The information received will help the Commission assess rule of law developments and track progress since the publication of the last Rule of Law Report in July 2026. This is part of a broad consultation process which also involves close cooperation and consultations with Member States.
The Rule of Law Report is at the centre of the EU's annual rule of law cycle. It is based on a preventive and dialogue-based approach to strengthen the rule of law at both European and national level. For previous editions of the Rule of Law Report, the targeted stakeholder consultations provided valuable insights, both horizontal and country-specific.
The consultation is available online and open until 4 December 2026.
(For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Cristina Torres Castillo – Tel.: +32 2 299 06 79)
EU and Western Balkan partners deepen research and innovation cooperation to support EU integration
The European Union and the Western Balkan partners have endorsed a joint declaration to step up cooperation in research and innovation, reaffirming their shared commitment to the region’s path towards EU membership.
Agreed at the Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Steering Platform on Research and Innovation, in Brussels, the declaration sets out a common ambition to strengthen research careers, boost innovation ecosystems and prepare a new joint Action Plan among the EU and the six Western Balkans partners: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. The meeting was hosted by Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva and co-chaired by Ireland’s Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless.
Commissioner Zaharieva said: “With the endorsement of this joint declaration, we are opening a new chapter in EU-Western Balkans cooperation in research and innovation. Together, we will develop concrete actions to strengthen research excellence, support innovation and bring the region closer to the European Union.”
Held under the theme 'Research and Innovation as accelerators for EU integration', the meeting focused on how closer research cooperation can support the Western Balkans partners' EU integration. Discussions centred on two key areas: research careers and innovation ecosystems. Commissioner Zaharieva also presented a dedicated innovation award to young innovators from the region.
“The research and innovation cooperation is an excellent example of gradual integration for EU candidate countries. It is a win-win for both sides already ahead of EU membership”, said Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos.
This year’s meeting also marked the 20th anniversary of the Steering Platform on Research and Innovation, a forum that since 2006 has brought together the European Commission, the representatives from six Western Balkans partners, EU Member States and the wider research and innovation community. Over two decades, it has helped build trust, deepen cooperation and support the full association of six Western Balkans partners to successive EU research programmes.
The partnership is already producing results. The Western Balkan partners have secured around €237 million under Horizon Europe across more than 1,000 projects involving the region.
(For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 2 296 97 76; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 298 20 54)
Commission proposes stronger recognition of European heritage sites
The European Commission has proposed to renew and reinforce the legal framework of the European Heritage Label. The scheme was adopted in 2011 aiming to offer a recognition awarded by the European Union to sites - buildings, monuments, documents - of exceptional symbolic value that have played a key role in shaping Europe’s history, culture, and integration. The proposal aims to give the initiative new impetus and strengthen its European dimension, showcasing a living network of sites that together tell the story of Europe giving greater recognition to the cultural experiences that these sites offer. As part of this, the proposal includes the renewal of the action’s name, from European Heritage Label to European Heritage List. Under the proposal, a prize would reward selected and monitored sites for their impact on the ground, alongside measures providing greater visibility, support and coordination. The new framework would make it easier for sites to take part and work together, give young people a stronger voice, and bring changes to the selection and monitoring process, with clearer criteria and procedures.
Commissioner for intergenerational fairness, youth, culture and sport, Glenn Micallef, said: “Present and future generations deserve to engage with Europe’s shared heritage, history, and values. These sites reflect our common long journey of European integration, as well as the challenges we overcame along the way. The European Heritage List will build on the action’s original vision, while strengthening its network and establishing a new trusted mark of high-quality and excellence. These changes will raise the action’s profile and create new cultural experiences for all generations.”
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova - Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65)
Commission opens investigation into possible anticompetitive conduct by Omya in the supply of calcium carbonates to the paper industry
The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation to assess whether Omya has breached EU competition rules.
The Commission is investigating whether Omya may have abused a dominant position in the supply of calcium carbonates, in particular by pursuing an exclusionary strategy through two types of practices: exclusive purchasing obligations, requiring its customers to purchase all or most of their calcium carbonates from Omya; and exclusivity rebates, providing customers with financial incentives to source all or most of their calcium carbonates from Omya.
The Commission is concerned that these practices may have limited the ability of other suppliers of calcium carbonates to effectively compete for customers in the European paper industry.
If proven, the practices under investigation may breach EU competition rules that prohibit the abuse of a dominant position (Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union ('TFEU')) and Article 54 of the EEA Agreement.
The Commission will now carry out its in-depth investigation as a matter of priority. The opening of a formal investigation does not prejudge its outcome.
Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, said: “Calcium carbonates are key to Europe’s paper and cardboard industry. As Europe increasingly turns to paper-based packaging as an alternative to single-use plastics, ensuring a competitive paper supply chain is more important than ever. This is why we are investigating whether Omya has used exclusivity practices to shut out competing suppliers and restrict customers.”
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Dr. Kezban AKANSOY
Press Officer / Political Reporter
European Commission
Representation in Cyprus
EU House, 30 Byron Avenue, 1096 Nicosia
Tel: +357 22817770 or 22817837 (direct)
Mobile: +90 533 8672030 or +357 99689521
kezban.akansoy@ec.europa.eu
https://cyprus.representation.ec.europa.eu