DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 15 April 2026
Statement by President von der Leyen with Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on the digital age verification app
Good morning,
Last autumn, at the State of the Union address, I committed to making the online world safer for our children. We know that digital technology can give children incredible opportunities. They can learn faster through interactive tools. They can stay connected to their friends and families. They can access a wealth of knowledge and explore the world, far beyond the walls of the classroom. And these technologies can also help them develop valuable life skills. But we are also very aware that these benefits come with risks. When it comes to the safety of children online, the situation is extremely worrying. One child in six is bullied online. One child in eight is bullying another child online. Social media platforms offer highly addictive designs – infinite scrolling that is feeding the addiction, short videos snap attention span, highly personalised content, targeted. The amount of time our children spend looking at screens has never been so high. And this is time they do not spend on the playground with their peers. And the more time they spend online, the more likely it is that they will be exposed to harmful and illegal content, and also to grooming from online predators. This environment does not benefit young developing minds. So I have carefully listened to the parents, who do not have proper solutions to protect their children. I share their concerns. It is for parents to raise their children and not for platforms. And I also heard the concerns of our Member States. And this is why a month ago, I convened the first meeting of the Special panel on children's safety online. Tomorrow, the panel will hold its second meeting. This panel will deliver its recommendations by summer.
It is our duty to protect our children in the online world, just as we do in the offline world. And to do that effectively, we need a harmonised European approach. One core topic is the question: how can we ensure that there is a Europe-wide technical solution for age verification? Today, I can announce that we have the answer. Our European age verification app is technically ready and soon available for citizens to use. This app will allow users to prove their age when accessing online platforms. Just like shops ask for proof of age for people buying alcoholic beverages in a shop.
This is not the first time the Commission comes forward with an innovative solution to a new problem. We all remember the COVID pandemic. Our world came to a complete standstill. But as we came out of lockdowns and as vaccines were available, the Commission developed the COVID app in record time – 3 months –, to help bring us back to normal life, in a safe way. With a scan of our COVID certificates, we could go to a concert or board a plane to travel again, etcetera. 78 countries across 4 continents were using this app, so it was as huge success. And now we have taken this success and applied it to the age verification app. It follows the same principles, the same model.
First, it is user-friendly. You download the app. You set it up with your passport or ID card. You then prove your age when accessing online services. Second, it respects the highest privacy standards in the world. Users will prove their age without revealing any other personal information. Put simply, it is completely anonymous: users cannot be tracked. Third, the app works on any device – phone, tablet, computer, you name it. And, finally, it is fully open source – everyone can check the code. This means that our partner countries can also use it. This is very important that this can be used by our global partners. But more importantly, online platforms can easily rely on our age verification app. So there are no more excuses. Europe offers a free and easy to use solution that can shield our children from harmful and illegal content. And we see more of our Member States making great progress. France, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Spain, Cyprus and Ireland are front runners. They are planning to integrate the app into their national wallets. And I hope more Member States and private sector will follow so that every citizen can soon use the app. This app gives parents, teachers, caretakers a powerful tool to protect children. Because we will have zero tolerance for companies that do not respect our children's rights. And this is why we are moving ahead with full speed and determination on the enforcement of our European rules. We are holding accountable those online platforms that do not protect our kids enough.
The new age verification solution and the enforcement of our rules go hand in hand. Children's rights in the European Union come before commercial interest. And we will make sure they do.
Thank you very much.
Statement by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen with President von der Leyen on the digital age verification app
Protecting minors online is a top priority for both of us. I would like to continue with two specific points of the on-going work we are doing to succeed in this very important task.
First, our crucial enforcement work under the Digital Services Act.
Do you remember how this year has started?
With a platform allowing users to digitally undress women and create child sexual abuse material.
Our response was immediate.
This is why Europe has the DSA: to hold online platforms accountable.
Because Europe will not tolerate that platforms make money at the expense of our kids.
This year, we also took unprecedented action against TikTok for its addictive design:
All of this with one sole objective: keeping our children glued to their screen.
The message is clear: In Europe, TikTok will have to change its fundamental design.
Because we refuse to compromise on our children's wellbeing.
We are taking similar action against Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Shein.
This year, we also took action against four pornographic platforms.
All on the same grounds: They simply do not have proper age verification tools in place to keep our children away from their adult content.
And this brings me to my second point: as platforms do not have proper age verification tools in place, we came up with the solution ourselves.
As just mentioned by the President, our European age verification app is technically ready as of today.
Let me briefly re-emphasise the privacy aspects of our app.
Our solution builds on zero-knowledge proof: this means that when users want to access an age-restricted service, you remain in full control of your data.
And this is extremely important. Because we do not want platforms to scan our passport or face.
The seven front-runner countries are showing how it can be done. Either as a free-standing app, or as part of the national digital wallet.
But we need to make sure that all the children in the EU are protected.
This is why, still this month, I will set up an EU-wide coordination mechanism.
We need a structured approach for EU accreditation of national solutions. And for Member States to ensure that age credentials can be issued easily and across the whole EU.
And above all to ensure that we continue to build one solution for the EU, not 27 different ones.
We are also open to business. Our blueprint is open source, and any private company is free to use the blueprint to develop innovative solutions.
We only have two conditions: respect the privacy standard. And make sure we have the same technical solution everywhere in the EU.
The coordination mechanism will help to deliver this important Digital Public Infrastructure in the EU. We will update you with more details very soon.
The internet must be a safe place for our kids. One where they can learn, grow and connect.
And we are deeply committed to making it a reality.
Commission to invest €1.07 billion in 57 defence projects supporting European Readiness Flagships
Following the evaluation of the 2025 calls for the European Defence Fund (EDF), the European Commission will invest €1.07 billion in 57 new EDF projects. These investments will support the goals set out in the Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030 and provide essential funding for the EU's four major defence flagships: the European Drone Defence Initiative, the Eastern Flank Watch, the European Air Shield and the European Space Shield.
EDF 2025 call results
The 57 projects selected under the 2025 EDF cover a wide range of critical sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), cyber defence, drones and counter-drone systems. These investments are designed to ensure the EU remains a leader in advanced defence technology.
More than 15 projects will support the four European Readiness Flagships. For example, project AETHER will develop propulsion and thermal management systems to support the Drone Defence Initiative. All flagship initiatives will also benefit from cross-cutting projects focused on sensors, digital transformation or cyber technologies.
The EU is also deepening its cooperation with the Ukrainian defence industry, supported by the EU Defence Innovation Office in Kyiv. This partnership aims to better integrate Ukraine into the European industrial base. One key initiative, Project STRATUS, will develop an AI-powered cyber defence system for drone swarms. It includes a Ukrainian subcontractor, ensuring the project benefits from direct battlefield experience.
To attract new talent, several projects focused on mass-producing affordable drone munitions will launch ‘sub-calls' for start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These smaller companies can receive up to €60,000 each to integrate new innovations, helping those without previous defence experience enter the market. Ukrainian entities can also apply. The selected projects involve 634 entities from 26 EU Member States and Norway, reflecting a strong commitment to European defence cooperation. SMEs are central to this round, making up over 38% of participants and receiving more than 21% of the total funding.
In the calls, €675 million will support 32 capability development initiatives and €332 million will go to 25 research projects.
Next steps
Following the selection of the successful proposals, the Commission will now enter into the grant agreement preparation with the consortia, with the goal of signing agreements before the end of the year.
Background
The EDF is the EU's primary instrument to support defence research and development cooperation, with a budget of €7.3 billion for 2021-2027. It fosters collaboration among companies of all sizes and research institutions across the EU and Norway. Additionally, the EDF is driving the transformation and expansion of the EU defence ecosystem with the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) at its core.
The fifth round of EDF calls has attracted a record 410 proposals representing a 37% increase from last year.
For more information
EDF results 2025 factsheet and projects factsheets
Factsheet 2025 European Defence Fund Work Programme and calls
The European Defence Fund webpage
(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel: +32 2 299 10 99; Marine Strauss – Tel: +32 2 298 91 03)
Commission approves new geographical indication from Finland
Today, the European Commission has approved the registration of ‘Savolainen talkkuna / Savolainen talakkuna' from Finland as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).
‘Savolainen talkkuna / Savolainen talakkuna' is a ground flour made from roasted barley or a mix of barley and oats, originating from the Savo provinces in the east of Finland. Known for its dark brown colour, rich roasted aroma, and robust texture, it is produced through a traditional process of boiling, drying at high temperatures, and stone-grinding. Traditionally an energy-rich food for forest workers and hunters, it is most commonly enjoyed as a thick porridge eaten both in a savoury version with slow-cooked pork, or in a sweet version paired with berries. Its deep cultural roots are celebrated at festivals like ‘talkkunajuhla', where large crowds eat ‘talkkuna'. It is also a traditional part of Christmas markets in north-west Finland.
This new designation joins the more than 3,900 protected names already listed in the eAmbrosia database. More information is available on the Quality Policy pages.
(For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 2 296 97 76; Kateřina Horáková - Tel.: +32 2 299 93 10)
Executive Vice-Presidents Virkkunen and Mînzatu to discuss the future of Europe's education technology sector
Today, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, and Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu are hosting a High-level Dialogue in Brussels with leaders of European education technology (EdTech) companies.
The meeting will be an opportunity to exchange views on the increasing relevance of technology in education and training, skills development, as well as its contribution to the EU's digital sovereignty and competitiveness. The Dialogue will gather views from industry leaders and further define the role European EdTech can play in both the social and digital policy agendas.
The discussion will also focus on how to strengthen the competitiveness of AI-driven education solutions in the EU, while reducing dependence on non-EU technological ecosystems. Additionally, it will look into how closer cooperation and strategic partnerships between education and business can help European EdTech companies grow and compete in Europe and globally.
The Dialogue will contribute to the preparation of the forthcoming 2030 Roadmap on the future of digital education and skills, expected later this year as part of the Education Package to further improve education in Europe. With the Digital Decade programme, by 2030, the EU aims for 80% of adults to have at least basic digital skills and to have at least 20 million ICT specialists employed, with a balanced participation between men and women.
(For more information: Eva Hrnčířová — Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Thomas Regnier — Tel. + 32 2 299 10 99; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65)
Commissioner Várhelyi hosts health industry roundtable
Tomorrow, Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, will host a roundtable discussion with representatives of the health industry in Brussels, from both the medical technology and pharmaceutical sectors.
They will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing this key strategic industry, as well as major EU initiatives to support the health sector, improve access for patients, and ensure a high standard of safety and care.
Europe is the second largest pharmaceutical market in the world and the European medical technology market is estimated at around €170 billion in 2024. The European Commission presented a Health Package at the end of last year, which included the Biotech Act, the Medical Devices Reform and the Safe Hearts Plan. These initiatives, together with the European Health Data Space, the recently agreed Pharma Reform and the Critical Medicines Act, will bring substantial improvements to the competitiveness, resilience and innovation of the health sector in Europe. This roundtable also builds on the high-level dialogue hosted by President Ursula von der Leyen in 2025.
(For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73)
Commissioner Kubilius continues ‘missile tour' in France
Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, will be in France tomorrow as part of his European ‘missile tour' to address the urgent need to speed-up missile production across the continent. As a major actor of European defence, France's advanced industrial base and leading aerospace and defence companies are vital to the EU's goal of reaching defence readiness by 2030.
Commissioner Kubilius will travel to the site of MBDA Bourges, a leading European missile maker, together with the French State secretary for the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Alice Rufo and French State secretary for European Affairs, Benjamin Haddad. In the afternoon, State secretary Rufo and Commissioner Kubilius will visit the Montluçon site of French aerospace and defence group Safran, a world leader in defence electronics.
The visits will focus on expanding support to Ukraine, securing production capacity and critical supply chains, and deepening industrial cooperation between Member States to ensure the EU can meet its security needs independently and at scale.
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
Commission issues €9 billion in its fourth syndicated transaction of 2026
The European Commission has raised €9 billion of EU-Bonds in its 4th syndicated transaction for 2026.
The dual-tranche transaction concerned a €3 billion tap of the 3-year EU-Bond, maturing on 12 July 2029, and a €6 billion new 20-year EU-Bond, maturing on 12 October 2046.
Building on the successful pricing of the March syndication against the EU Bond curve, a differentiated pricing strategy was applied across the two maturities, with the 3-year bond priced against the swap curve and the new 20-year bond priced against a reference point in the EU Bond curve. This approach helped mitigate pricing risks for participating investors in the new long maturity tranche and is reflecting the growing liquidity of the EU Bond curve, which can be used as a reliable reference point pricing of syndicated issuances when deemed desirable.
The transaction is part of the Commission's €90 billion funding target for the first half of 2026 (with €61.3 billion issued since January 2026).
These funds will be used to support the European Union's political priorities, including support for a stronger, more competitive and resilient Europe, support to Ukraine and crucial investments in European defence.
The EU's total outstanding debt now stands at about €792.3 billion, of which €36.9 billion in the form of EU-Bills and €80.4 billion in the form of NextGenerationEU Green Bonds.
EU-Bond transactions (syndications and auctions) executed to date in H1 2026 [EUR billion]
Today's bond syndication
3-year Bond tap
A €3 billion tap of the EU-Bond due on 12 July 2029: this bond carries a coupon of 2.375% and came at a re-offer yield of 2.820%, equivalent to a price of 98.648%. The spread to mid-swap is 2 basis points (bps), which is equivalent to 19.5 bps over the Bond due on 12 April 2029 and 6.4 bps below the OAT due 25 May 2029.
The final order book was over €54 billion, with oversubscription rate of approximately 18-times.
20-year new Bond
A €6 billion new EU-Bond due on 12 October 2046: this bond carries a coupon of 4.000% and came at a re-offer yield of 4.090%, equivalent to a price of 98.787%. The spread to the EU-Bond maturing on 12 October 2045 is 5 bps, which is an equivalent spread to mid-swap of 78.4 bps, and 55.8 bps over the Bund due on 15 August 2046 and 21.4 bps below the OAT due 25 May 2046.
The final order book was over €88 billion with an oversubscription rate of approximately 14.7-times.
Information on the allocation on the investors in this transaction is available in the transactions section of the EU as a borrower website.
The joint lead managers of this transaction were Citi, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Natixis, Nomura.
The Commission is empowered by the EU Treaties to borrow from the international capital markets on behalf of the European Union to finance selected EU policy programmes. This includes the NextGenerationEU recovery instrument, financial support programmes to Ukraine and other neighbourhood countries as well as the EU's Security Action for Europe – SAFE – instrument, helping EU Member States carry out urgent defence investments through common procurement.
Use of proceeds from EU borrowing operations under different programmes [EUR billion]
EUR outstanding amounts per programme, as of 27 March 2026.
Disclaimer: under the Commission's unified funding approach outstanding disbursements may be different to the amount of outstanding EU-Bonds at a specific point of time)
The Commission uses EU-Bonds and EU-Bills as the main funding instruments to raise funds on capital markets. All issuances executed by the Commission are denominated exclusively in euro. Since January 2023, the EU funds its different policy programmes by issuing single-branded EU-Bonds rather than bonds for individual programmes. The Commission also issues green bonds (under the NextGenerationEU Green Bond label), to finance the green component of the Recovery and Resilience Facility of the NextGenerationEU programme.
The European Commission raises funds using both auctions and syndicated transactions as part of its funding strategy. Auctions allocate EU Bills and Bonds through a competitive bidding process among Primary Dealers, ensuring transparency and cost efficiency. In contrast, syndicated transactions involve a group of Primary Dealers placing bonds directly with investors, allowing for broader investor reach and optimized execution, particularly for large or inaugural deals. The two methods are used in a complementary way to support market access and funding flexibility.
EU borrowing is guaranteed by the EU budget, with contributions to the EU budget an unconditional legal obligation of all Member States under the EU Treaties.
For regular updates on the EU's borrowing and lending activities you can subscribe here to the quarterly investor newsletter.
Press release on Commission to issue €90 billion in EU-Bonds in the first half of 2026
Latest EU funding plan
EU as a borrower website
EU debt securities data
Factsheet on Budgetary safeguards protecting investor in EU-Bonds and EU-Bills