DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 16 April 2026
Commission activates emergency funding to shield fisheries and aquaculture from Middle East crisis
Today, the European Commission has activated the crisis mechanism of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), allowing Member States to provide financial compensation to fishers, aquaculture producers, processors and retailers whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the consequences of the conflict in the Middle East. The measure, which applies retroactively from 28 February 2026, reflects the severe impact that the region's hostilities are having on the EU's fishery and aquaculture sector.
The financial support activated under this decision is drawn from each EU country's existing EMFAF allocation under their 2021–2027 national programme, with the EU co-financing a share of the eligible expenditure. Member States may decide to offer this support and are responsible for administering and providing the compensation to operators directly.
The emergency support measures introduced today were pre-allocated under the 2021–2027 EMFAF programme, leaving around €760 million of the initial €1.3 billion still immediately available.
The crisis also highlights the structural vulnerability of a sector dependent on fossil fuels. Accelerating the energy transition remains essential for the long-term competitiveness, resilience and profitability of the EU fishery and aquaculture sector.
Enabling compensation to protect the sector
Hostilities in the Middle East have driven up the price of energy and raw materials, significantly increasing operating costs and squeezing profit margins across the EU's fishery and aquaculture sector. Part of the Union's fishing fleet has already ceased operations due to reduced profitability. The aquaculture and processing sectors are similarly affected.
Under the activated mechanism, Member States may grant two types of crisis support:
The EMFAF crisis mechanism is a temporary measure. The support can be provided for expenditure incurred until the end of 2026.
Complementary economic support through State Aid
The EMFAF crisis support adopted today will shortly be complemented by additional support measures that Member States can offer in the form of State aid.
The Commission is consulting Member States to seek their views on a targeted and temporary framework to address the effects of the crisis on some of the most exposed sectors of the economy, including the primary production of fishery products such as landing, handling or initial processing of fish. The Commission aims to adopt the Temporary Framework by the end of April.
Background
The situation in the Middle East since 28 February 2026 has severely disrupted global energy and commodity markets. Attacks on energy infrastructure and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have caused a sudden and significant increase in global oil prices and disrupted trade flows between the Middle East region and the European Union. These disruptions are having a material and lasting impact on the EU fishery and aquaculture sector.
The Commission may activate the crisis support mechanism when an exceptional event causes a significant disruption of markets. Member States may then decide to provide compensation to operators in their country. A comparable activation was carried out in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
For more information
European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)
Commission consults Member States on proposal for a Temporary Crisis Framework
Statement by President von der Leyen on the impact of the situation in the Middle East on the European Union
Quote(s)
The people who bring seafood to our tables deserve our full support when a crisis beyond their control threatens their livelihoods. I am talking about fishers facing uncertainty at sea, aquaculture producers managing thin margins, and fishmongers keeping coastal communities alive. Today’s decision ensures that they do not face this situation alone. The European Union stands with them.
Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki — Tel.: + 32 2 296 64 83; Anna Wartberger – Tel: +32 2 28 20 54)
Over 10 million workers trained under the Pact for Skills
Over 10 million people, including 3.9 million in 2025 alone, have benefited from upskilling initiatives under the Pact for Skills since its launch in 2020, according to the European Commission annual survey.
Launched in November 2020, the Pact for Skills supports skills-related partnerships that address Europe's skills needs and advance the green and digital transitions. It contributes to the European Pillar of Social Rights and contributes to the EU headline target of 60% of adults participating in training every year by 2030. Through public-private partnerships, the Pact identifies skills gaps among European workers, companies and industries, and aims to fill them, contributing to Europe's green and digital transitions.
The Pact mobilised a network of 4,000 organisations, from industry, social partners, education and training providers, regional and local authorities, to employment services. Together, they have collectively invested more than €1 billion to strengthen skills across the EU, according to the report.
85% of business and workers surveyed appreciate the Pact's benefits and impacts, such as joint action, access to skills intelligence, as well as networking opportunities. The survey also showed that businesses and workers participating continued to scale up their efforts to provide high-quality training and improve access to learning. They prioritised digital, green, and sector specific skills, reflecting Europe's most pressing labour market needs.
More than 277,600 organisations joined skills networks, strengthening cooperation between education, industry and public authorities through the Pact for Skills. They developed or updated nearly 46,500 training programmes, including short courses or longer programmes leading to qualifications.
Regional and large-skills partnerships
The survey also highlighted the effectiveness of Regional Skills Partnerships (RSP), with 93% demonstrating an improvement in aligning regional skills supply and demand, and 86% facilitating the transition to a green and digital economy.
A notable example is the regional skills partnership in Thessaly, Greece, which provides workers with the necessary skills to succeed in areas such as smart agriculture and renewable energy. Furthermore, 79% of RSPs contributed to local economic growth, as seen in initiatives like EURADRIA in Italy and Slovenia, which enhances training and employment opportunities for workers in various sectors.
Additionally, in 2025, Large-Scale Skills Partnerships (LSPs) members trained an average of 26% of their workforce, demonstrating a strong commitment to accelerating skills development. The Pact's Large-Scale Skills Partnerships are collaborative initiatives across industrial ecosystems. They bring together key stakeholders to invest in workforce upskilling and reskilling.
The organisations participating in the Pact for Skills are committed to upskilling and reskilling 25 million people by 2030.
In the Union of Skills, the EU's strategy to boost skills development and strengthen Europe's competitiveness, the Commission called on national, regional and local authorities, companies, social partners, sectoral organisations, chambers of commerce, education and training providers, and employment services to double this pledge.
The 2025 Pact for Skills Annual Survey was open from 7 January to 4 February 2026 and collected 1,534 responses from Pact members across the EU and 11 candidates or EEA countries.
Pact for Skills annual survey 2025
Survey factsheet
Pact for Skills website
Form for organisations interested in joining the Pact for Skills
Subscribe to the Commission's newsletter on employment, social affairs and inclusion
Through the Pact for Skills, companies, training providers and national and local authorities are working hand in hand to bridge the gap between skills demand and supply. The Pact members know exactly which skills the labour market needs. Reskilling workers doesn’t just help people get quality jobs, it also gives employers access to qualified talent. At a time of acute labour shortages, this is more urgent than ever.
Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness
Commission proposes measures to Google on sharing search engine data with third parties under Digital Markets Act
The European Commission has sent preliminary findings to Google outlining proposed measures to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Under these proposed measures, Google should allow third party search engines to access search data, such as ranking, query, click and view data, on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms.
The aim of the measures is to allow third party online search engines, or ‘data beneficiaries', to optimise their search services and contest Google Search's position.
The proposed measures cover the following matters:
To ensure that these proposed measures are effective, the Commission invites interested parties to comment on them through a public consultation.
Interested parties have until 1 May to submit their views on the proposed measures. The non-confidential summary of the preliminary findings and the proposed measures is available on the consultation page.
Next steps
The Commission will carefully assess the feedback provided by interested parties and by Google. The Commission may use the input to adjust the measures that will be included in the final decision, which will be binding on Google. This final decision must be adopted by 27 July 2026.
These proceedings are without prejudice to the Commission's powers to adopt a decision finding non-compliance with any of the obligations laid down in the DMA by a gatekeeper.
These preliminary findings are part of a set of specification proceedings opened on 27 January 2026.
The DMA aims to ensure contestable and fair markets in the digital sector. It regulates gatekeepers, which are large digital platforms that provide an important gateway between business users and consumers, whose position can grant them the power to create a bottleneck in the digital economy.
On 6 September 2023, the European Commission designated Alphabet Inc.'s, i.e. Google services such as Google Search, Google Play, Google Maps, YouTube, Android operating system, Google Chrome, Google Shopping and its online advertising services as core platform services. Google has had to fully comply with all applicable DMA obligations in respect of the designated services since 7 March 2024.
Today’s decision sets out the specifications we expect Google to follow to comply with its obligations under the Digital Markets Act. Data is a key input for online search and for developing new services, including AI. Access to this data should not be restricted in ways that could harm competition. In fast-moving markets, small changes can quickly have a big impact. We will not allow practices that risk closing markets or limiting choice. We now invite stakeholders to share their views, so we can ensure the measures are effective in practice and work for the whole search ecosystem.
Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition
Search engines must be able to innovate and keep pace with evolving user needs. Our work to create opportunities in this sector continues - and comes at a crucial moment of growing interconnection with AI services. With this public consultation, we want to hear from the market on the most effective ways for Google to share search data with competing online search engine providers, to continue our push for innovation and fair competitiveness.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
Commission approves Bulgarian, German and Slovenian State aid schemes providing temporary electricity price relief for energy-intensive companies
The European Commission has approved State aid schemes to provide temporary electricity price relief for energy-intensive companies in Bulgaria, Germany and Slovenia in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. Through the condition to reinvest a significant share of the aid received in decarbonisation measures, these schemes will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy. The schemes were approved under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) adopted by the Commission on 25 June 2025.
The support measures
Bulgaria, Germany and Slovenia notified to the Commission, under the CISAF, schemes to provide temporary electricity price relief for companies in energy-intensive industries. The budgets of the schemes are €334 million for Bulgaria, €3.8 billion for Germany and €90 million for Slovenia.
The purpose of the schemes is to support energy-intensive companies by compensating them for a share of their electricity costs in the coming three years. The measures will be open to companies active in sectors with a significant risk of activities moving outside the EU to locations where environmental measures are absent or less ambitious. This risk depends on the electro-intensity of the sector in question and its openness to international trade. The sectors with a significant risk are listed in the 2022 guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy.
The Commission found that the schemes are in line with the conditions set out in the CISAF. In particular:
The Bulgarian measure will run from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2028. Bulgaria will pay the aid through electricity suppliers via a reduction on the beneficiaries' monthly electricity bill.
The German measure will run from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028. Companies can apply for aid payments after the end of each year, when the electricity consumption and the average wholesale market price are known.
The Slovenian scheme will run from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028 and will pay out the aid twice a year based on expected electricity consumption.
The Commission concluded that the schemes are necessary, appropriate and proportionate to accelerate the transition towards a net-zero economy and facilitate the development of certain economic activities, which are of importance for the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal. This is in line with Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and the conditions set out in the CISAF.
On this basis, the Commission approved the three aid measures under EU State aid rules.
On 25 June 2025, the Commission adopted the CISAF to foster support measures in sectors which are key for the transition to a net-zero economy, in line with the Clean Industrial Deal.
The CISAF allows the following types of aid, which can be granted by Member States until 31 December 2030 in order to accelerate the green transition:
More information on the CISAF can be found online.
On 13 April 2026, the Commission launched a consultation for Member States on a Temporary Crisis Framework to address higher energy prices due to the Middle East crisis. This framework would complement the ample possibilities for Member States to design measures in line with existing EU State aid rules, including those under the CISAF.
The non-confidential versions of today's decisions will be made available under the case numbers SA.120414 (Bulgaria), SA.120495 (Germany), SA.120965 (Slovenia) in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. New publications of State aid decisions on the internet and in the Official Journal are listed in the Competition Weekly e-News.
Commission updates EU competition rules for technology licensing agreements
The European Commission has today adopted the revised Technology Transfer Block Exemption Regulation ('TTBER') and Guidelines on the application of Article 101 of the Treaty to technology transfer agreements ('Guidelines'), following a thorough review of the rules that have been in place since 2014.
Technology transfer agreements are agreements by which a firm that owns technology rights (such as patents, design rights or software copyright) authorises another firm - usually by granting a licence - to use the rights to produce goods or services. Because these agreements facilitate the dissemination of technology and incentivise research and development, they are often pro-competitive, but some (restrictions in these) agreements can also have negative effects on competition.
The TTBER exempts technology transfer agreements from the prohibition of anti-competitive agreements in Article 101(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union ('TFEU'), subject to certain conditions. The Guidelines help businesses to interpret the TTBER and provide guidance on the assessment of technology transfer and other technology-related agreements that fall outside the block exemption.
The revised TTBER and Guidelines provide businesses with up-to-date rules and guidance to help them assess the compliance of their technology licensing and related agreements with EU competition rules. The changes to the rules address two key features of the digital economy: the strategic importance of data and the increased use of standard-essential technologies to enable interoperability between products.
The new rules will enter into force on 1 May 2026.
Main changes
The main changes to the rules concern new market practices:
Further changes have been made to clarify and simplify the application of the rules.
In particular, the application of the TTBER's market share thresholds has been simplified for situations where licensing takes place before a technology has been commercialised. In addition, certain conditions of the safe harbour for technology pools, found in the Guidelines, have been further specified to ensure that the benefit of the safe harbour is reserved for pools that comply with Article 101 TFEU. Technology pools are arrangements under which multiple technology owners contribute their technology rights to a package, which is licensed out to the contributors and to third parties. Pools often support technology standards, such as telecommunications standards.
More detailed information on the changes can be found in an explanatory note accompanying the revised rules.
Article 101(1) TFEU prohibits agreements between companies that restrict competition. However, under Article 101(3) TFEU, such agreements are compatible with the single market, provided they contribute to improving the production or distribution of goods or to promoting technical or economic progress, while allowing consumers a fair share of the resulting benefits and without eliminating competition.
In November 2024, the Commission published a Staff Working Document setting out the results of its evaluation of the 2014 TTBER and the accompanying Guidelines. The evaluation confirmed that these instruments remain useful and relevant, but it also highlighted areas for possible improvement in terms of legal certainty and the need to reflect market developments. In January 2025, the Commission launched an impact assessment to gather evidence on options for revising the rules. This included an open public consultation, a stakeholder workshop, meetings with interested parties and national competition authorities, and an expert study on data licensing.
In September 2025, the Commission published drafts of the revised TTBER and Guidelines for consultation. The consultation feedback was taken into account in the new TTBER and Guidelines.
The results of the various consultation activities are summarised in the Impact Assessment Report.
For More Information
More information is available on the webpage for this review on the Commission's competition website, including summaries of the various consultation activities, stakeholder feedback, studies commissioned from external experts, the Evaluation report and the Impact Assessment report.
Clear and predictable rules are essential for innovation to thrive. With these updated technology transfer rules, we provide businesses with practical guidance for licensing in a fast-moving digital economy. By supporting pro-competitive licensing, we help ensure that technology, including data, can circulate more widely, encourage investment in research and innovation, and reinforce Europe’s competitiveness on a fair and open basis.
EU and Member States pledge over €812 million in response to crisis in Sudan*
Today, as Sudanese citizens continue to suffer the world's most severe humanitarian emergency, the European Union, together with Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States and the African Union, co-hosted the Third International Sudan Conference in Berlin.
As the Sudan war enters its fourth year, the conference aims to mobilise global action in support of Sudan at this critical moment.
The EU, together with its Member States, pledged €812.14 million in aid to urgently respond to the country's ongoing emergency, both within and beyond its borders. Of the total EU pledge, the European Commission's contribution is €360.8 million, of which €215.5 million will support people in need in Sudan, and €145.3 million will help respond to the regional refugee crisis triggered by the war, in countries such as Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Uganda, Egypt and Libya. The remaining Team Europe funding was pledged by Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, and Sweden.
EU aid will address food insecurity through cash assistance, healthcare and nutrition services, water and sanitation, shelter support, protection and education. This funding will also help sustain essential services, support livelihoods, and strengthen resilience, while fostering long-term peacebuilding in Sudan.
Three years since the outbreak of war, Sudan continues to face an unprecedented crisis, with more than 13 million people forcibly displaced, 33.7 million in need of assistance, and famine confirmed in multiple regions. With 30 million requiring food aid and 12 million, including children, at risk of gender-based violence, the conference will rally international support to alleviate suffering, demand an end to hostilities, and chart a path toward a civilian-led democratic and peaceful future for Sudan. It will also give a voice to Sudanese civilians and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) making a difference on the ground
At the 2025 London High-Level Conference for Sudan, the EU and its Member States pledged €522 million in humanitarian aid for the regional Sudan crisis, following €260 million allocated by the Commission in 2024 (including €147 million for in-country response). Today's Berlin conference builds on these efforts to scale up support amid worsening famine and violence.
The EU has been supporting the humanitarian response in Sudan with over €1 billion in humanitarian assistance since 2013. The EU's humanitarian funding in Sudan is implemented by trusted humanitarian partners like the UN agencies, the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, and international NGOs.
The EU also supports projects focused on human rights, livelihoods, health and school feeding in displacement-affected areas, while also helping neighbouring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia and the Central African Republic address the spillover effects of the crisis. The EU's approach is to maintain essential services to build long-term resilience and sustainable recovery.
EU humanitarian aid in Sudan
EU humanitarian aid in Central African Republic
EU humanitarian aid in Chad
EU humanitarian aid in Ethiopia
EU humanitarian aid in South Sudan
EU humanitarian aid in Uganda
EU humanitarian aid in Egypt
EU humanitarian aid in Libya
*updated on 16/04/2026, at 11:08 CEST
Sudan is the worst humanitarian disaster of our time. Every day, families face unimaginable horrors: hunger, violence, and displacement. Today’s pledge sends a clear message: Europe stands with the Sudanese people to save lives now and support a future of recovery and democracy. I thank all Member States for their strong Team Europe solidarity. As violence continues to sweep across Sudan, all warring parties must respect international humanitarian law. Attacks on civilians must stop. Those responsible must be held accountable. There is no military solution to this war, only a political one. Let this be the last conference where we speak of such suffering. The Sudanese people deserve peace.
Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management
Commission sends Meta fresh charge sheet on possible interim measures to reverse exclusion of third-party AI assistants from WhatsApp
The European Commission has sent a Supplementary Statement of Objections to Meta setting out the Commission's intention to order Meta to reinstate third-party AI assistants' access to WhatsApp under the same conditions as before its policy change of 15 October 2025. This is despite modifications announced by Meta on 4 March 2026.
This is a further step in the Commission's interim measures procedure in the context of its investigation into a potential abuse of dominant position by Meta through restricting access of third-party AI assistants to its messaging app, WhatsApp. It follows a Statement of Objections sent on 9 February 2026, in which the Commission set out its preliminary view that Meta breached EU antitrust rules by excluding third-party assistants from accessing and interacting with users on WhatsApp.
In today's Supplementary Statement of Objections, the Commission assessed Meta's decision to re-instate access to WhatsApp for third-party AI assistants subject to the payment of a fee. The Commission has preliminarily found that this policy is in effect equivalent to the previous access ban. Meta's conduct risks blocking competitors from entering or expanding in the rapidly growing market for AI assistants.
Therefore, the Commission intends to impose interim measures to prevent these policy changes from causing serious and irreparable harm on the market, subject to Meta's reply and rights of defence. The interim measures would remain in place until the Commission finishes its investigation and reaches a final decision on Meta's conduct.
In a separate opening decision, in cooperation with the Italian competition authority, the Commission has today expanded its investigation also to Italy and therefore the findings of the Commission will now cover the whole of the EEA. Italy was previously excluded from the Commission's investigation, as the Italian competition authority had opened its own investigation on the matter.
The Commission's investigation
On 15 October 2025, Meta announced an update of its WhatsApp Business Solution Terms, effectively banning third-party general-purpose AI assistants from the application as of 15 January 2026.
On 4 December 2025, the Commission opened formal proceedings in the context of this ongoing investigation and on 9 February 2026 sent a Statement of Objections notifying Meta that its conduct appears at first sight to be in breach of EU competition rules and of the Commission's intention to impose interim measures. On 2 March 2026, Meta submitted its response to the Statement of Objections.
On 4 March 2026, Meta published a revised policy, reversing the ban but introducing a pricing framework applicable to third-party general purpose AI assistants.
In today's Supplementary Statement of Objections, the Commission notified Meta that the revised policy seems to have the same effect of excluding third-party AI assistants from WhatsApp and thus appears at first sight to be in breach of EU competition rules. To prevent serious and irreparable harm to competition, the Commission intends to order Meta to reinstate access for third-party AI assistants under the same conditions as before 15 October 2025, until it reaches a final decision on Meta's conduct.
The sending of this Supplementary Statement of Objections on interim measures does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation. Meta now has the possibility to reply to the Commission's concerns.
Meta, headquartered in the US, is a multinational technology company. Its flagship products are its social networks, such as Facebook and Instagram, and consumer communication applications, such as WhatsApp and Messenger. It also operates online advertising services and virtual and augmented reality products. Meta provides a general-purpose AI assistant, Meta AI, and recently acquired another similar product, Manus AI.
Article 102 TFEU and Article 54 of the European Economic Area ('EEA') Agreement prohibit the abuse of a dominant position that may affect trade and prevent or restrict competition within the Single Market. The implementation of Article 102 TFEU is defined in Regulation 1/2003.
Pursuant to Article 8(1) Regulation 1/2003, interim measures may be imposed if, at first sight, there is an infringement of competition law rules, as well as an urgent need for protective measures due to the risk of serious and irreparable harm to competition.
A Supplementary Statement of Objections is a formal step in the Commission's investigations into the necessity of imposing interim measures. The Commission informs the parties concerned of its preliminary findings in writing. The parties can then examine the documents in the Commission's investigation file, reply in writing and request an oral hearing to present their views on the case before representatives of the Commission and national competition authorities.
If the Commission concludes, after the parties have exercised their rights of defence, that the conditions for interim measures are met, it can adopt a decision imposing such measures. The adoption of an interim measures' decision does not prejudge the final findings of the Commission on the substance of the case.
More information will be made available under the case number AT.41034 in the public case register on the Commission's competition website.
Pushing out competitors in fast-evolving markets like AI is exactly the type of conduct that interim measures are designed to address. Replacing the legal ban with pricing that has a similar effect does not change our preliminary view that Meta’s conduct appears to be an abuse of its dominant position, that may seriously harm competition on the market for AI assistants. This is why we continue our proceedings towards interim measures, which would reinstate full access for rival AI assistants to WhatsApp until we have analysed the matter in full.
(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83)
Commission invests €16 million in pan-European reporting
Today, the European Commission launched a call for proposals to support independent audiovisual and digital pan-European reporting on EU affairs by European media outlets.
This annual call is worth €16.6 million. It will connect EU citizens with news of their interest, by supporting the quality and impact of such reporting, in as many languages and EU countries as possible, particularly in the ones where this offer is scarce.
The call is split into three topics: €8.5 million is available for a project to increase the coverage and availability of audiovisual news on EU affairs; €3.1 million for a proposal to develop international, audiovisual news media offers in specific EU countries to enhance media pluralism, market plurality and content diversity; and a further €5 million is available for reporting that increases access to trustworthy and professionally-produced online information.
The call is open until 2 June 2026 and invites both single applicants and consortia. The organisations and activities must be established in EU member states. All media beneficiaries must operate in full editorial independence.
This call for proposals is part of the Commission's Multimedia Actions, which fund EU information, news and programmes from a European perspective. Read more information about the call online.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier - Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Patricia Poropat - Tel.: +32 2 298 04 85)
5,000 patients medically evacuated from Ukraine for urgent treatment
The European Commission has facilitated the safe transfer of over 5,000 from Ukraine patients to hospitals in 22 countries across Europe for specialised medical care under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. This figure was reached last week, while the latest flights happened yesterday, bringing patients to Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway.
Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, said: “Reaching 5,000 medical evacuations under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism shows Europe at its best, saving lives through solidarity and swift cooperation. This achievement was made possible by the unwavering commitment of all countries involved: from Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway, who welcomed patients just yesterday, to the 18 other European countries that have taken in patients for treatment and care. We will continue to strengthen our collective response to protect those most in need.”
Since the start of Russia's war of aggression, the EU has worked around-the-clock with Member States and partners to ensure that Ukrainian patients in urgent need of treatment can access care beyond the country's borders.
Coordinated through the Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre in close collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, evacuations have enabled patients suffering from severe injuries, chronic illnesses and complex conditions to receive timely and often life-saving treatment. Hospitals in EU Member States have stepped forward to offer highly specialised care, while medicalised transport and logistics have been rapidly mobilised to ensure safe transfers under challenging circumstances.
This is the largest medical evacuation operation ever coordinated under the European Civil Protection Mechanism. The EU remains committed to supporting Ukraine's healthcare system and ensuring that those most vulnerable receive the care they need. Further information on our civil protection and humanitarian aid support for Ukraine can be found on the Commission website.
(For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73)
Commission finds Dutch compensations to two coal plant operators do not constitute State aid
The European Commission has concluded that the compensation of €331.8 million to be granted to RWE Eemshaven Holding II BV ('RWE') and of €165.3 million to be granted to Uniper Benelux N.V. ('Uniper') by the Netherlands for loss of profits caused by a cap on CO2 emissions are not State aid within the meaning of EU rules.
In December 2019, the Netherlands adopted a law prohibiting the use of coal in electricity production as of 1 January 2030. After a 2019 Dutch court ruling ordered CO2 emission reductions by 2020, the Dutch government also introduced a temporary emissions cap for all coal-fired power plants, applicable from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024. However, energy market disruptions caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to the suspension of that cap after 20 June 2022. Under the Dutch law, affected operators could claim compensation for the period between 1 January and 20 June 2022. The Dutch government approved compensations to RWE for its Eemshavencentrale plant and to Uniper for its MPP3 plant, subject to the Commission's approval under State aid rules.
The Commission assessed the compensations to RWE and Uniper under EU State aid rules. First, the Commission concluded that the emissions cap restricted the operators' property rights, entitling them to compensation under Dutch law. Second, the compensation was awarded based on independent expert assessments and a realistic and appropriate methodology, aligning with what national courts would likely have awarded. Therefore, the compensations did not provide an advantage which the operators could not have obtained under normal market conditions. On this basis, the Commission concluded that the measure does not constitute State aid.
The non-confidential version of today's decisions will be made available under the case numbers SA.109564 and SA.121044 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74)
Commission approves prolongation of Swedish State aid scheme to promote sustainable biofuels in transport
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, the prolongation of a Swedish scheme to promote the use of sustainable biofuels in transport until 31 December 2032.
The scheme was originally approved by the Commission in November 2003 and prolonged several times, the last time in December 2022, with an expiry date of 31 December 2026. It aims at increasing the use of sustainable biofuels and reducing the use of fossil fuels in the transport sector. Under the scheme, the aid takes the form of a tax reduction for pure and high-blended sustainable biofuels, which can amount to a full exemption from CO2 and energy taxes. Sweden notified to the Commission the prolongation of the scheme until 31 December 2032, with an estimated budget of €1.3 billion (SEK 14.2 billion).
The Commission assessed the prolongation of the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular the 2022 Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy. The Commission found that the scheme continues to be necessary and appropriate to stimulate the production and consumption of pure and high-blended sustainable biofuels in line with the objectives of the clean transition, without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market. On this basis, the Commission approved the prolongation of the Swedish scheme under EU State aid rules.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.120516 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
EU and Iceland advance ocean cooperation at high-level dialogue in Reykjavik
The European Union and Iceland will hold tomorrow a High-Level Dialogue on ocean cooperation in Reykjavik, Iceland, reinforcing their shared commitment to sustainable fisheries, Arctic governance, and the blue economy.
Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, will meet with Iceland's Minister of Industry, Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, to review progress under the EU-Iceland Memorandum of Understanding, signed in July 2025. The agreement builds on decades of collaboration, including a bilateral fisheries partnership dating back to 1993, and sets out a framework for deeper cooperation on marine sustainability, scientific research, and the energy transition in the fishing sector.
The discussions will focus on several key areas such as arctic cooperation, addressing shared regional challenges; fisheries management, with an emphasis on strengthening stock conservation and quota agreements; and ocean governance, enhancing multilateral engagement in Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) while advancing global initiatives for marine protection and a sustainable blue economy.
During his stay, Commissioner Kadis will travel to Grindavík, the coastal town severely impacted by volcanic eruptions since 2023, to meet with local fishers and assess the resilience of Iceland's fishing communities. He will also visit the Iceland Ocean Cluster, a leading innovation hub for the circular blue bioeconomy, whose work aligns closely with the EU's European Ocean Pact.
The High-Level Dialogue underscores the EU and Iceland's shared vision for healthy oceans, thriving coastal communities, and a sustainable blue economy.
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