DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 12 October 2026
Commission to grant temporary trade preferences to support Armenian exports to the EU
The European Union is granting temporary trade preferences to Armenia to support its producers and exporters following trade restrictions recently imposed by Russia.
The measures, which will enter into force tomorrow for a period of two years, temporarily liberalise almost 80% of Armenian exports to the EU, including almost all exports of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers affected by the Russian measures, as well as over 91% of exports of beverages and spirits.
The temporary trade preferences will help alleviate the difficult situation faced by Armenian producers and exporters and support the resilience of Armenia's economy by facilitating access to the EU market.
The preferential arrangement is subject to conditions and includes safeguard measures to protect the EU market should imports adversely affect EU producers.
These trade preferences are part of a broader support package for Armenia announced by President von der Leyen, in solidarity with the country which has suffered from Russia's trade restrictions.
More information on EU trade with Armenia is available here.
(For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Marta Perez-Cejuela Romero - Tel.: +32 2 296 37 70)
Zaragoza, Benidorm and Estarreja win 2028 European Green Cities Awards
The winners of the European Green Cities 2028 Awards were announced yesterday evening in Guimarães, Portugal, the current European Green Capital. Zaragoza (Spain) will be the European Green Capital in 2028. The European Green Leaf, the award for smaller cities, went to Benidorm (Spain) and Estarreja (Portugal).
The expert jury crowned Zaragoza as the 2028 European Green Capital winner for strong governance and long-term commitment, helping the city respond successfully to growing climate challenges. The jury was also impressed by the city's approach that demonstrates how ambitious environmental action can go hand in hand with social resilience and community.
Both Green Leaf winners, Benidorm and Estarreja, impressed the jury with their strong commitment to creating greener, healthier and more sustainable places to live. Benidorm was praised for successfully managing mass tourism pressures while also maintaining environmental protections and sustainable development. The jury recognised Estarreja as a compelling example of green transformation, successfully moving beyond its industrial legacy through collaborative action.
The winners will receive a grant for further support in their green efforts: a prize of €600,000 for the Green Capital Zaragoza, and €200,000 each for the Green Leaf cities Benidorm and Estarreja.
This year, a total of 27 cities competed for the awards. An international expert panel of independent urban sustainability experts evaluated each application and shortlisted eight finalist cities.
More information on 2028 European Green City awards is available online. A website on the European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards is also available.
You can find more information on this year's Green Cities Award online.
(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)
EU updates its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes
Today, the EU updated its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. The list is intended to tackle tax fraud, evasion, and avoidance worldwide. It is based on a process of screening, assessment, and monitoring according to objective, clear and internationally accepted tax good governance criteria.
EU finance and economy ministers, gathering for today's Council of the EU, decided to remove Panama and Viet Nam from Annex I (list of non-cooperative jurisdictions) after both jurisdictions took significant steps to address outstanding issues. Both were moved to Annex II pending an in-depth review by the Global Forum of their exchange-of-information frameworks. The update also reflects progress by Vanuatu on tax transparency, although the jurisdiction remains in Annex I due to outstanding concerns in fair taxation.
The Council also decided to record a new deficiency for Anguilla in Annex I due to its failure to address issues related to its exchange of information framework. The Council regrets this development and has invited the jurisdiction to engage with the EU's Code of Conduct Group and the Global Forum to resolve the identified issues. Following these changes, Annex I comprises 8 jurisdictions: American Samoa, Anguilla, Guam, Palau, the Russian Federation, Turks and Caicos, US Virgin Islands and Vanuatu.
Additionally, changes were made to Annex II (list of cooperative jurisdictions), which reflects the ongoing EU cooperation with its international partners and lists pending commitments. Belize is being removed from Annex II after taking the necessary steps to ensure compliance with the international standard on exchange of information on request. Montenegro fulfilled its commitment to go through an in-depth review by the Global Forum. Still, it will remain under monitoring pending publication of the outcome. In view of the steps already taken, Brunei Darussalam has been granted additional time to bring its tax framework in line with the principles of fair taxation. As a result, Annex II currently includes 10 jurisdictions: British Virgin Islands, Brunei Darussalam, Eswatini, Greenland, Jordan, Montenegro, Morocco, Panama, Türkiye and Viet Nam. The EU will closely monitor relevant developments in each jurisdiction. The EU list is updated twice a year, to reflect changes in jurisdictions' tax policies and cooperation levels. This ensures that it remains relevant and accurate over time.
(For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 229-69776; Thérèse Lerebours – Tel.: +32 460 76 33 03)
The EU announces a Team Europe investment in health of almost €170 million in Africa
The European Commission and Member States announced €169 million in investments to support stronger and more resilient health systems in Africa ahead of the World Health Summit in Berlin this weekend. These investments aim to support health sovereignty, health security and equitable access to health products and services on the continent. The announcements contribute to the African Union – EU Health Partnership and are an important component of putting into practice the EU Global Health Resilience Initiative.
The planned investments include €6.5 million from the European Commission to expand sustainable pathogen genomics capacity across Members of the African Union and more than €30 million for research supporting areas including clinical research and pandemic preparedness. The European Commission also confirms its investment of €7.5 million to strengthen health resilience in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
EU Member States are also stepping up their investments. France extends its support to epidemic threat surveillance with €2.5 million. Germany is providing €20 million to catalyse investment in African small medium enterprises active in the health sector and value chains, including local manufacturing of medicines and vaccines. Sweden is providing €3.4 million to support continued access to sexual and reproductive health products, while the Netherlands is investing €99 million in an HIV/AIDS programme covering six Southern African countries and neighbouring areas.
Since 2021, Africa and Europe have accelerated their partnership on health through five interconnected thematic areas: manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies (MAV+), sexual and reproductive health and rights, sustainable health security, digital health, and support for public health institutes
(For more information: Guillaume Mercier – Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Bridget Moylan – Tel.: +32 2 298 28 44)
Commission approves €40.5 million French State aid to support agricultural, fishery and transport companies facing increased fuel prices
The European Commission has approved two French State aid schemes to support companies affected by increased fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. €23.3 million will be allocated to support transport companies, and €17.2 million to support agricultural, fishery and aquaculture companies, for a total maximum budget of €40.5 million. The schemes were approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026.
The two schemes aim to mitigate the impact of the increase in fuel prices and will be open to companies whose expenditure on fuel represents at least 5% of their annual turnover. The aid will take the form of soft loans, with a fixed rate of 3.8% and backed by a state guarantee. The amount that eligible beneficiaries will be able to borrow at favourable conditions is set between €5,000 and €50,000, for a maximum duration of 3 years, including a 12-month deferral of principal repayments.
The Commission assessed the two schemes under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions, as well as Sections 1, 2.1 and 2.2 of the METSAF. The Commission found that the two schemes are in line with the conditions set out in the METSAF. In particular, the aid will be granted based on schemes with a clear estimated budget and will be provided to temporarily support the development of companies active in the agricultural, fishery, aquaculture and transport sectors. The Commission concluded that the schemes are necessary, appropriate and proportionate to facilitate the development of economic activities and do not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. On this basis, the Commission approved the two French schemes under EU State aid rules.
More information on the METSAF can be found online. The non-confidential versions of the decisions will be made available under case numbers SA.124159 (for agricultural, fishery and aquaculture) and SA.124290 (for transport) 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; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission clears creation of joint venture by Posco Flow and LX Pantos
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by Posco Flow Europe D.o.o. (‘Posco Flow') of Slovenia and LX Pantos Poland Sp. z o.o. (‘LX Pantos') of Poland.
The transaction relates primarily to logistics and supply-chain management services in Poland and the wider central European region.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the joint venture has negligible activities in the European Economic Area and the companies' limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12537.
Commission clears acquisition of Eaton's mobility business by Dana
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Eaton Corporation plc's mobility business (‘Eaton's mobility business') by Dana Incorporated (‘Dana'), both of the US.
The transaction relates primarily to the automotive parts sector.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited market positions resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12550.
Commission holds special meeting of Scientific panel on frontier AI safety and risks
Today, the Commission holds a special meeting of the Scientific Panel on artificial intelligence (AI). The panel has been investigating recent loss-of-control incidents, and together with the Commission's AI Office, has worked on a set of questions for the companies that developed the models involved. Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, will attend the meeting.
The Scientific Panel brings together 60 world-leading independent experts who advise the EU AI Office and national authorities on systemic risks, model classification, evaluation methodologies, and cross-border market surveillance. During the meeting, the panel will present recommendations to the Commission on frontier AI safety and security risks.
Executive-Vice President Henna Virkkunen said: “The EU has the first law in the world that addresses systemic risk from AI, and we need state-of-the-art scientific input. AI capabilities are advancing rapidly, but with a strong legal framework, decisive enforcement and the best scientific minds supporting this work, Europe can lead in ensuring safe and secure AI.”
(For more information: Thomas Regnier — Tel. + 32 2 299 10 99; Nika Blazevic — Tel. + 32 2 299 27 17)
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
EU Week of Regions and Cities convenes 5,000 participants to discuss the future of cohesion policy
The 24th European Week of Regions and Cities opens today in Brussels, bringing together nearly 5,000 participants from across Europe under the motto 'Strong Regions, Strong Europe'.
Convened by the European Commission and hosted by Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, Raffaele Fitto, in partnership with the European Committee of the Regions, the three-day event is bringing together local and regional authorities, policymakers, project promoters and practitioners, researchers and journalists to discuss the future of Europe's regions and cities.
This year's opening ceremony will feature high-level speakers, including European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola, European Council President, António Costa, and the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Kata Tüttő.
Participants from all over Europe will exchange views on the role of EU Cohesion Policy in strengthening regional development, supporting the 'Right to Stay' for every EU citizen in the place they call home, and boosting the Union's competitiveness.
Supporting the ‘Right to Stay'
Many regions across Europe are facing the challenge of population loss, due to natural population decline or people moving away. Over the past two decades, one in three Europeans – a total of 149 million people – have lived in a region that has lost population. Supporting the ‘Right to Stay' means creating the conditions for people and communities to prosper where they live, with access to economic opportunities, quality public services, education and skills, and the infrastructure they need, including good transport and digital connectivity.
Discussions during the week, including a high-level session with Executive Vice-President Fitto on Tuesday, and a series of partner sessions on the same day will feed into the preparation of a strategy on the 'Right to Stay' planned for adoption in early 2027. It will follow the Commission's territorial strategies, which address the specific needs and challenges of different types of territories including cities, the eastern regions bordering Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, islands and coastal communities and the outermost regions.
Cohesion and competitiveness, two sides of the same coin
On Wednesday, discussions will focus on how cohesion policy can help build a more competitive Europe. In the 2021-2027 programming period, €220 billion in cohesion funds are already contributing to the priorities of the Competitiveness Compass. The recent mid-term review of cohesion policy also showed how regions and Member States are adapting investments to Europe's emerging priorities. In total, regions and Member States voluntarily reallocated €34.6 billion to areas such as competitiveness, housing, defence, water and energy resilience. Of this amount, €15.2 billion was redirected specifically to strengthening Europe's competitiveness, including by providing vital support for technologies that are essential for Europe's future.
Showcasing results and recognising excellence
The European Week of Regions and Cities is also an opportunity to highlight concrete results on the ground and recognise the people behind projects that are making Europe more cohesive.
This year, a record number of 274 applications have been submitted for the REGIOSTARS Awards, which celebrate the best projects supported by cohesion policy. 25 finalist projects have been selected and will be presented during the Week. The winners will be announced by the Commission at the REGIOSTARS Awards ceremony on Wednesday 14 October at 19:00, which can also be followed via web stream.
The Commission will also award the Megalizzi-Niedzielski Prize to three talented young aspiring journalists. The prize honours the memory of Antonio Megalizzi and Bartek Niedzielski, two young journalists who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Strasbourg in December 2018. The ceremony can be followed via web stream on the same day at 17:30.
For more information
24th European Week of Regions and Cities
Official Opening of the European Week of Regions and Cities
REGIOSTARS Awards
Megalizzi-Niedzielski Prize
Cohesion policy 2021-2027
Mid-term-review of cohesion policy
Quote(s)
Europe is a great place to live, work and build a future. But we are also living through a period of profound change, facing economic pressures, global uncertainty, demographic change and the need to strengthen our competitiveness. Strong regions are essential to responding to these challenges, addressing citizens’ concerns and creating the conditions for people and businesses to thrive. The European Week of Regions and Cities brings together experience, expertise and political perspectives from across the EU. It gives regions a strong voice in shaping Europe’s future. Because strong regions are essential to a strong Europe.
Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms
Commission welcomes adoption of €115 million ‘AGILE' programme for rapid defence innovation
The European Commission welcomes the adoption of the Regulation establishing Programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE) which will bring disruptive defence technology from the lab to the field at record speed. The new €115 million funding tool will provide dedicated support to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), including start-ups and scale ups to develop innovative defence solutions and support their uptake.
The programme will operate with an unprecedented time-to-grant of just four months and for technologies to reach defence forces between 1-3 years. It will support between 20 and 30 projects, providing up to 100% funding for all eligible costs. To facilitate quick innovation, the funding will also allow companies to retroactively claim expenses claimed up to three months prior to the closing of the call for applications.
The work programme will cover two main types of activities: mission-driven development of disruptive defence products and technologies and market delivery by helping defence solutions reach the actual markets.
AGILE has been adopted in record time, in less than seven months after the Commission tabled its proposal in March 2026. The swift adoption reflects EU's commitment to strengthen Europe's capacity to innovate.
Russia's war in Ukraine has demonstrated that success on the battlefield relies on new technologies, from drones and autonomous systems to artificial. Europe's ability to develop, test, and deploy new technologies and cost-efficient solutions in weeks or months rather than years is now being tested.
AGILE responds to this need by giving innovative smaller players the support and speed they need to bring promising defence solutions to the armed forces. In practice, the programme will support startups and tech innovators with faster, more flexible funding and allow innovations to be deployed as quickly as possible.
Next steps
The AGILE programme is expected to become fully operational as of early 2027. The Commission is currently preparing the programme's implementation, which will be monitored and assessed by the Council and the European Parliament.
Background
AGILE complements existing EU instruments supporting defence innovation and industrial development, including the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS), the European Defence Industrial Programme (EDIP) and the European Innovation Council (EIC). Together, these instruments provide support across different stages of the defence innovation cycle, from research and development to the scaling and uptake of innovative solutions. With entities from Ukraine and EFTA-EEA countries also eligible to participate, AGILE will help bring together a wider range of expertise and experience in defence innovation.
Proposal for a Regulation on establishing AGILE
White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030
Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030
EU Defence Industry Transformation Roadmap
European Defence Fund Framework
European Defence Innovation Scheme Framework
AGILE shows that Europe is eager to lead in defence innovation. I thank the Council and the European Parliament for a swift adoption, which maintains the pace set by the Commission. Helping our SMEs and innovators bring technologies to market more quickly helps not only to bolster Europe’s technological sovereignty but importantly, it keeps Europeans safe. Innovation is key. And we trust that European companies and start-ups can be at the forefront of defence development.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
Innovation is at the core of EU defence readiness. Ukraine shows us every day that modern warfare is won by those who innovate fast. We need to bring new players into defence industry and help them turning disruptive ideas into cost-effective solutions that can reach the battlefield quickly. AGILE is designed precisely for this. It makes our defence base stronger and better prepared to address the threats of tomorrow.
Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space
Read-out by President von der Leyen following her call with President Zelenskyy
Good call with President Zelenskyy.
Fully supported the call of President Zelenskyy for a ceasefire that would protect global food supplies and energy infrastructure in Ukraine and Russia
The war has entered a new, grimmer phase. Russia is stalling on the battlefield and striking civilians far behind the front lines.
I conveyed our solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
And my full support for President Zelenskyy as he leads the fight for his people's freedom.
Ukraine will be front and centre at this week's European Council.
We will discuss its funding needs for the year ahead and how to mobilise fresh global support.
This week, the EU will also provide further funding for drones and missiles to strengthen Ukraine's defences and protect its skies.
We are also due to open two further clusters of chapters in the negotiations. The momentum is real.
Statement on the International Criminal Court following announcement of US sanctions
The European Union has been a constant supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC). It is deeply regrettable that the United States has announced intentions to impose sanctions.
The EU will work closely with the ICC to ensure it continues to operate effectively. And we remain committed to working with all 125 States that are parties to the Rome Statute to preserve and respect its independence so that it can continue its vital mission.
As there is a six-month delay before the measures are applicable, there is room for dialogue.
The EU stands ready to take any necessary measures to enable the Court to carry out its work both in investigating and prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity, and to protect the interests of EU operators within the Single Market.
International Criminal Court: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU following the announcement of US sanctions
The EU reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the rules-based international order, of which the ICC is a fundamental part, based on respect for international law. International criminal justice plays a crucial role in holding to account those who violate international law by committing the most serious crimes of international concern.
The ICC does not target sovereign states. Under its foundational principle of complementarity, the ICC only acts if a state is unwilling or unable genuinely to investigate or prosecute individuals responsible for the most serious crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. The US has a proud history and tradition of pursuing justice and accountability. The complementarity provisions of the ICC are designed to cater for and recognise the primacy of competent national judicial systems and processes such as the US legal system.
Attacks or threats against the Court, elected officials, personnel and those cooperating with the Court, including civil society representatives and service providers, are not acceptable. This is why the EU deeply regrets the announcement by the United States to impose sanctions against the Court as an institution. While we urge the US also to reverse these latest measures, we welcome its readiness to discuss its concerns with the State Parties to the Rome Statute and take note of the US decision to delay the entry into force of its latest measures. This creates space for diplomacy, with a view to securing their prompt reversal and preventing any further measures that seek to undermine the independence and integrity of the ICC.
The ICC must be able to operate independently, free from pressure or external interference. The EU will continue to provide its full support and contribute to ensure the protection of the Court, its staff and those cooperating with it. The EU stands ready to take all the necessary measures to ensure that the Court continues to operate effectively and fulfills its indispensable mandate.
European and World Day against the Death Penalty, 10 October 2026: Joint statement by the High Representative of the European Union and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe
The European Union and the Council of Europe are unequivocally opposed to the death penalty, in all cases and in all circumstances.
Progress towards the global abolition continued over the past year. Lebanon abolished the death penalty in August 2026. The Gambia and Vietnam reduced the number of crimes punishable by death and Sierra Leone ratified the second optional protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ruling out execution within the jurisdiction of the State Party. Cambodia, the Central African Republic and Chad all took steps towards ratification. These examples serve as a reminder that change is always possible.
Only 17 countries are known to have carried out executions in 2025, but the sharp increase of executions is alarming. Recorded executions have risen by 78% compared with 2024. Most took place in Iran but there were significant increases in Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Yemen. Executions continued in the United States. The executions carried out in China are not reflected in global statistics because of state secrecy, although it is estimated that thousands of death sentences were carried out in the country last year. Belarus remains the only country in Europe applying the death penalty.
Moreover, the continued use of the death penalty for drug-related offences is particularly concerning. Under international human rights law, capital punishment is restricted to the most serious crimes, understood as crimes of extreme gravity involving intentional killing. Using the death penalty to punish drug production and trafficking does not meet this threshold, nor is it effective. Evidence shows it does not deter crime better than other sentences. The death penalty also removes any hope of rehabilitation and will always carry the risk of fatal miscarriages of justice.
On this European and World Day against the Death Penalty, the European Union and the Council of Europe call on all States that retain the death penalty to immediately establish a moratorium on executions as a first step towards abolition. A moratorium should lead to existing death sentences being commuted and the full compliance with international human rights law and standards, pending abolition.
The European Union and the Council of Europe remain resolute in opposing any attempt to reintroduce or expand the death penalty, including in Europe. Alongside international partners, civil society, and legal professionals, we will continue to promote democratic debate grounded in human rights and the rule of law, with the goal of achieving universal abolition. In this respect, the recent World Congress against the death penalty in France demonstrated the pivotal role that the judiciary can play in abolition, as well as the importance of engaging young people. We welcome Morocco’s decision to host the 10th World Congress in 2029.
The death penalty—including the process leading to execution—constitutes inhumane and degrading treatment. We call on all States to embrace restorative justice and join the growing global movement rejecting capital punishment.