DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 04 May 2026
Joint statement following a meeting between President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer
At the European Political Community summit in Armenia today we met to discuss our joint commitment to improving the relationship between the EU and UK to deliver for consumers, businesses and collective European security.
We also reflected on the UK's plan to participate in the EU's €90 billion (£78 billion) loan for Ukraine, and agreed it would be a major step forward in the EU-UK defence industrial relationship.
We underlined our unwavering support for the Ukrainian people and applauded their resilience and courage in recent weeks and months.
We also agreed to commence negotiations on UK participation in the European Innovation Council Fund, including the Scaleup Europe Fund, which will provide support for promising high-growth tech businesses to scale up and support EU and UK ambitions to keep the most promising innovators in Europe.
We looked ahead to the EU-UK summit and agreed on the importance of being ambitious in what we could achieve together for the benefit of both sides.
Commission publishes simplification review of EU Deforestation Regulation
Today, the Commission published a report on the simplification of the revised EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and a set of further measures for a smooth and effective implementation following the agreement of co-legislators last December. These measures will provide additional clarity to economic operators, Member States, third countries, and other stakeholders, while guaranteeing legal stability and predictability. With today's package, the Commission delivers on its commitment to the European Parliament and the Council to carry out a simplification review of the revised Regulation and prepares for the entry into application of the regulation by end of this year.
The measures include a report to the European Parliament and the Council, an updated guidance document and Frequently Asked Questions, and a draft delegated act on the product scope of the EUDR. In addition, the Commission is presenting an updated implementing act on the Information System to Member States.
The report to the European Parliament and Council describes the simplification measures that have been implemented since the entry into force of the EUDR in June 2023, as well as those introduced in today's package. These measures together will lead to a substantial reduction in administrative burden. They are expected to reduce annual compliance costs for companies subject to EUDR obligations by about 75%, compared to the original EUDR. It also presents planned trade facilitation tools, such as repositories of legislation of producing countries and certification schemes for commodities under the EUDR, to facilitate risk assessment and due diligence. In addition, the report shows that the EUDR is already contributing to structural changes in global supply chains, with increased investment in traceability and more transparency, thereby supporting more sustainable and competitive production practices.
The updated guidance document and Frequently Asked Questions address the topics most frequently raised by stakeholders. Both documents provide further clarification on obligations for the downstream supply chain, and the very simplified specific regime applicable to micro and small primary operators. Explanations are provided on issues such as e-commerce and geolocation modalities. The updated EUDR supply chain infographics also provide user-friendly practical examples illustrating the various supply chain scenarios. These documents have been extensively discussed with Member States for a harmonised enforcement of the law across the EU.
The draft delegated act incorporates targeted amendments to the EUDR product scope. It updates the draft delegated act of last year and incorporates feedback from stakeholders during the consultation phase. The draft includes proposed additions of certain downstream products, such as soluble coffee and certain palm oil derivatives. It also proposes several exclusions of the scope, such as leather or retreaded tyres, as well as exemptions such as product samples, certain packing materials, used and second-hand products, and waste. The draft Delegated Act is open for public feedback until 1 June 2026.
In parallel, the Commission is updating the Information System to reflect the changes introduced by the revised Regulation and enhance the user friendliness of the system. The updated draft implementing act on the Information System will now be submitted to Member States before its adoption. Main developments will include a simplified declaration form for micro and small primary operators, aligned with the existing due diligence statement format; updated specifications for the automated application interfaces; a contingency plan for unplanned unavailability; and a voluntary grouping feature introduced in response to requests from the business sector.
The Commission is also working closely with Member States to make use of available information from national databases to be directly reflected in the Information System in order to support companies fulfilling their EUDR obligations. This is expected to further reduce the burden on micro and small primary operators.
The Commission is focused on facilitating implementation, and ensuring a successful entry into application of the law by 30 December 2026.
Background
The EU Deforestation Regulation aims to ensure that key goods placed on the EU market do not contribute to deforestation and forest degradation, both within the EU and globally as they are among the most significant contributors to climate change and biodiversity loss. The main driver of deforestation is the expansion of agricultural land linked to the production of seven commodities covered by the regulation – cattle, wood, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee, rubber, and some of their derived products.
Under the Regulation, any operator or trader who places these commodities on the EU market, or exports from it, must be able to prove that the products do not originate from recently deforested land or have contributed to forest degradation.
In December 2025, the European Parliament and Council adopted the revised text of the EUDR, providing the legal stability needed for successful implementation. The Regulation will apply from 30 December 2026 for large and medium companies, as well as for micro and small enterprises from the timber sector, and from 30 June 2027 for other micro and small enterprises.
Even before entering into application, the Regulation has already prompted positive changes in both the public and private sectors, bringing greater transparency to supply chains and opening new market opportunities for deforestation-free products.
For more information
Report to the European Parliament and Council (will be available shortly)
Updated guidance document (will be available shortly)
Frequently Asked Questions
Draft delegated act on the product scope of the EUDR (will be available shortly)
Commission website on EU Deforestation Regulation implementation
EUDR supply chain infographics mapping the roles and responsibilities of operators
(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Anni Juusola - Tel.: +32 2 296 09 86)
Commission publishes guidelines for the closure of its multi-billion recovery and resilience fund
The European Commission published today guidelines on the closure of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) – the €723.8 billion centrepiece of NextGenerationEU.
They provide further technical guidance to Member States on the operational handling of final payment requests in view of the applicable deadlines. It also covers the handling of cases where milestones and targets have not been satisfactorily fulfilled or where reversals – when a milestone or target is initially deemed fulfilled but is subsequently found to be unmet – may occur in the RRF's final phase.
Additionally, the guidance provides detailed explanations on certain post-2026 obligations, including reporting, monitoring, control, audit, and data retention, to ensure continued protection of the EU's financial interests. While the RRF's funding phase will conclude in 2026, Member States must maintain robust oversight to ensure accountability and compliance with EU financial rules.
The RRF was established in 2021 to bolster the EU's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen Member State's long-term resilience, economic growth and competitiveness.
Access to RRF funding is conditional on Member States implementing agreed reforms and investments from their Recovery and Resilience Plans.
The final deadline for meeting milestones and targets is 31 August 2026, as provided by the RRF Regulation, in line with the European Union Recovery Instrument and the Own Resources Decision. Member States need to submit final payment requests by September 2026 and all payments by the Commission must be executed by 31 December 2026.
(For further information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 28 20 54)
Commission and European Parliament join forces to tackle housing affordability crisis
Tomorrow, 5 May, the European Commission and the European Parliament will co-host a high-level event on the housing crisis in the EU.
Millions in Europe are struggling because of lack of access to affordable and decent housing. The event provides an opportunity for policymakers, civil society representatives, financial institutions and citizens to discuss concrete solutions to this crisis.
The Commission is advancing its work on the Affordable Housing Act which will provide a European framework to mitigate the negative effects of short-term rentals and promote housing affordability.
Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen will participate in the event, alongside the Chair of the European Parliament's HOUS committee, Irene Tinagli. They will deliver closing remarks at around 11.50 CET. Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will address participants by video message in the morning.
The event marks an important step forward in the implementation of first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan, which the Commission presented in December 2025, as well as the resolution on the EU housing crisis that the European Parliament adopted in March 2026.
You can follow the event on the European Parliament's website.
(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Cristiana Marchitelli – Tel: +32 2 298 94 07)
Commissioner Šuica in Algiers to discuss EU-Algeria cooperation
Today and tomorrow, 4-5 May, Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica is in Algiers, a key strategic partner for the EU, to discuss EU-Algeria bilateral and regional cooperation. Discussions will include potential cooperation under the Pact for the Mediterranean across areas such as trade and investment, energy, migration, and security.
Commissioner Šuica will hold high-level meetings. Today, she will meet with Algerian and EU stakeholders including diplomatic, business community, young people and civil society, and with Algerian Minister of Oil and Gas, Mohamed Arkab. The latter meeting will focus on the longstanding EU-Algeria energy partnership and advancing the green transition together.
Tomorrow, she will meet with Algerian Minister of Interior, Local Communities and Transport, Saïd Sayoud; Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf; and Algerian Minister of Higher Education, Kamel Baddari. She will also give a press statement, which will be available on EBS.
This visit will be an important opportunity to engage with the Algerian authorities as well as with the local and European business community, young people, civil society and other stakeholders.
More information on EU-Algeria cooperation is available on this factsheet.
(For more information: Markus Lammert - Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Luca Dilda - Tel.: +32 2 295 21 53)
Commissioner Brunner in the United States to discuss global migration governance
Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, is in Washington DC today, 4 May, and will be in New York on Tuesday, 5 May, to attend the International Migration Review Forum. This visit underscores the EU's commitment to continue actively engaging in relevant multilateral fora to build reliable partnerships and improve global migration governance, as announced in the European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy.
In Washington DC, the Commissioner meets with FBI Director, Kash Patel, as well as think tanks and media. He will also visit the Capital Jewish Museum and the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.
In New York, he participates in the International Migration Review Forum. The forum will discuss the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration. Commissioner Brunner will also hold bilateral meetings with representatives from partner countries to strengthen cooperation on migration management.
The Commissioner will also co-host a roundtable on a route-based approach with the Director-General of the International Organization for Migration, Amy Pope, and participates to a high-level event on Syria.
(For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Elettra Di Massa – Tel.: +32 2 298 21 61)
EU and Armenia deepen their relations in a first Summit in Yerevan
The first-ever EU-Armenia Summit will take place on 4-5 May, in Yerevan. This marks a significant step forward in their relations, reaffirming the European Union's strong commitment to Armenia's sovereignty, resilience and reform agenda.
The summit will bring together President Ursula von der Leyen and President António Costa, representing the European Union, and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, representing Armenia. EU High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas will also participate.
At the summit, leaders will review recent progress in bilateral relations and strengthen cooperation, particularly in the areas of economy, connectivity and security. They will also discuss joint efforts to enhance stability and sustainable growth in the South Caucasus. The agenda will also cover regional and global developments, including in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Key outcomes of the summit will include the launch of an EU-Armenia Connectivity Partnership, covering cooperation on transport, energy, digital as well as people-to-people contacts, with dedicated high-level dialogues on connectivity and transport. This will be complemented by initiatives to mobilise private EU investment in Armenia.
Both sides will take concrete steps to deepen security and defence cooperation, including through the establishment of the new EU Partnership Mission in Armenia.
Finally, leaders will witness the initialling of a working arrangement between the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (‘Frontex') and the Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The first ever EU-Armenia summit demonstrates the tangible benefits of the EU-Armenia cooperation and EU's commitment to promoting peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus.
A joint press conference by the leaders is expected following the Summit.
Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership
Doorstep by President von der Leyen ahead of the meeting of the European Political Community
I am very glad to be here in Armenia. It is the eighth EPC. We will mainly discuss the topic of an independent Europe. We have to reduce our overdependencies in specifically three areas.
The first is energy. We are too overdependent on imported fossil fuels and therefore always dependent on volatile global markets. We have to increase our assets at home in Europe. These are the renewable energies and nuclear energy because they are homegrown, they are cheaper, and they are reliable.
The second topic where we need more independence is defence and security. We have to step up our military capabilities to be able to defend and protect ourselves. There is a vast amount of money that is available for investments. We now really have to step up and speed up the production process for military capabilities.
And the third element is reliable supply chains. For that, we are reaching out to like-minded countries We have free trade agreements. We just concluded one with Latin America, but also with India, Australia and I will go to Mexico. Because with like-minded friends, you who have stable, reliable supply chains. And Europe has the biggest network of free trade agreements.
Intervention by President von der Leyen at the panel discussion ‘Maintaining European unity and coherence in times of polycrisis' at the European Political Community Summit
President Christodoulides: Dear Ursula, looking at the current very challenging geopolitical situation, what do you see as Europe's main responsibility in the years ahead, also taking into account what you referred to on a number of cases, and where I fully agree, as ‘Europe's independent moment'?
President von der Leyen: First of all, thank you very much, Nikol Pashinyan, for being such a fantastic host. And indeed, the speakers of the opening of the plenary and you, Nikos Christodoulides. In your question, you described the turmoil the world is in. I will not linger on that. But during these last years, since we have the EPC actually, during the last four years, if there is anything we have learnt, then it is how vulnerable we are when we have overdependencies. And it was a painful process to learn about these overdependencies. I want to mention three.
The first one is the overdependency on imported fossil fuels. Energy has always been a stumbling block in the Internal Market of the European Union. But now, with the crisis, the conflict in the Middle East, it has really become a choke hold for us. And this overdependency and the volatility of the global prices of energy is painfully hurting our competitiveness. But we have assets. That is also important. We have assets in the European Union: these are the energies that grow at home; it is the renewable energies – from wind and sun to hydropower to geothermal but also to biomass, you name it; and it is nuclear. And we have to build our energy reliance on these homegrown, cheaper and predictable energy sources that we do have. And for that, it is important that we electrify the European Union. I will not go into detail. But we have to be much more independent here.
The second point is of course security and defence. If there was an eye-opener over the last four years, it is the fact that we need to be able to stand up for ourselves. It is long overdue. This is the reason why we mobilise up to EUR 800 billion until 2030 to fill the gaps that we have in security and defence. It is of utmost importance that we are more independent in this area and that we are able to build a credible deterrence. Because the best prevention of potential military aggression is a credible deterrence. And this is a task where all of us here in the room must deliver; much more credible, stronger – together with Ukraine – and reliable security and defence.
And my third point is that European independence does not mean to be inward-looking, not at all. It is the opposite. It is about reaching out to like-minded partners. Because we also need stable, reliable supply chains with partners. And therefore, you have witnessed over the last years that we have very much intensified our network of free trade agreements with Latin America, with India, with Australia, and I will be travelling with António to Mexico. We have the biggest network of free trade agreements worldwide. And we should really cherish this.
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