DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 01 April 2025
President Ursula von der Leyen in Uzbekistan to take the EU-Central Asia partnership to the next level
President Ursula von der Leyen, together with President António Costa, will attend the first ever EU-Central Asia Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Friday 4 April. This visit is a strong signal of the EU's political commitment to a deeper and stronger partnership with Central Asia.
European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen said: “We are heading to Samarkand to take our partnership with Central Asia to the next level. In these uncertain times, Europe stands for openness and engagement. For Europe, Central Asia is a partner of choice. At the Summit, we will deepen trade ties and expand cooperation in transport, critical raw materials, digital connectivity, water, and energy. All of this will be backed by a new Global Gateway investment package, turning our commitment into action.”
The Summit sets the ground to elevate our partnership to the next level, fostering more connectivity between the two regions, with a special focus on the Trans Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC). The EU and Central Asia will also explore stronger cooperation on security issues.
As part of her visit, on Thursday, President von der Leyen will meet with the leaders of the five Central Asia countries. Furthermore, on Friday, together with President Costa, she will participate in the plenary session of the Summit and deliver an address at the inauguration of the Samarkand Climate Forum. Follow the visit on Europe by Satellite.
Background
In 2019, the EU adopted a new Strategy on Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan), which highlights the growing strategic relevance of the region.
Since 2019, cooperation between the EU and Central Asia has further advanced in many areas and serves as an example of a partnership for resilience, prosperity and sustainability. New initiatives, including the EU's Global Gateway, provide a framework for the green and digital transitions while increasing trade, investment and connectivity.
In October 2023, the EU and Central Asia adopted a Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia that sets out five key areas to enhance overall EU-Central Asia relations through dialogue and practical cooperation. This Roadmap further demonstrates the commitment of the EU and Central Asia to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual benefit.
Commission launches consultation to promote industry cooperation to procure and recycle critical raw materials in line with EU competition rules
The European Commission has published today a Call for Input seeking feedback from market participants on how European companies procure and recycle certain critical raw materials and the interplay with EU competition rules. This fact-finding exercise was announced in the Clean Industrial Deal Communication and aims to assess the need for greater industry cooperation in that field.
Critical raw materials are vital to the EU's industrial competitiveness and its strategic objectives. To address the challenges in securing access to and recycling critical raw materials, the Commission calls for input from stakeholders to support greater cooperation between those companies in line with EU competition rules.
The Commission invites in particular EU companies involved in the extraction, processing and recycling of critical raw materials to share their views. The project will initially focus on 14 critical raw materials of critical importance for sectors such as renewable energies, digital technologies, aerospace and defence technologies.
This initiative builds on the objectives of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). The CRMA underscores the significance of securing a sustainable and diversified supply of critical raw materials. On 25 March 2025, the Commission adopted a list of 47 Strategic Projects to boost domestic strategic raw material capacities. This initiative is complementary to the system for demand aggregation of critical raw materials, to be set-up this year under the CRMA.
Call for Input
The Commission is inviting stakeholders to share insights, in particular on challenges in sourcing, processing, recycling and re-using critical raw materials and on collaboration opportunities to address these challenges. Stakeholders can submit their contributions to ~COMP-RAW-MATERIALS@ec.europa.eu by 31 May 2025.
Next steps
The next steps of the initiative will be assessed on the basis of the contributions that the Commission will receive. Ultimately, the Commission could provide companies with guidance on compatibility with EU competition rules of cooperation projects in this field.
For More Information
More information will be available on the Commission's competition website.
Quote(s)
The clean, just, and competitive transition relies on critical raw materials. We want to hear from European industry and beyond about access through recycling of these materials. Together, we can build sustainable supply chains and transform challenges into opportunities for prosperity, innovation and resilience.
Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition
Commission fines car manufacturers and association €458 million over end-of-life vehicles recycling cartel
The Commission has fined 15 major car manufacturers and the European Automobiles Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) a total of around €458 million for participating in a long-lasting cartel concerning end-of-life vehicle recycling. Mercedes-Benz was not fined, as it revealed the cartel to the Commission under the leniency programme. All companies admitted their involvement in the cartel and agreed to settle the case.
An End-of-Life Vehicle (‘ELV') is a car that is no longer fit for use, either due to age, wear and tear, or damage. These vehicles are dismantled and processed for recycling, recovery, and disposal.
The goal is to minimise waste and recover valuable materials like metal, plastic, and glass. To further support EU's decarbonisation and recycling ambition, today the Commission has proposed a flexibility measure to help manufacturers comply with their CO2 emission targets between 2025 and 2027 for new cars and vans. It has also proposed, as part of the EU's cohesion policy mid-term review, funding incentives for the deployment of recharging infrastructure. Finally, the Commission has launched a fact-finding exercise on how European companies procure and recycle certain critical raw materials, to support greater industry cooperation in this field in line with EU competition rules.
The infringement
The Commission's investigation revealed that, for over 15 years, 16 major car manufacturers (including Mercedes, which was not fined) and ACEA entered into anticompetitive agreements and engaged in concerted practices related to the recycling of ELVs.
In particular, the Commission found that the parties colluded on two aspects:
they agreed not to pay car dismantlers for processing ELVs. In particular, they agreed to consider the recycling of ELVs to be a sufficiently profitable business, and therefore not to remunerate car dismantlers for their services (so-called “Zero-Treatment-Cost” strategy). The companies also shared commercially sensitive information on their individual agreements with car dismantlers and coordinated their behaviour towards dismantlers;
they agreed not to promote how much of an ELV can be recycled, recovered and reused and how much recycled material is used in new cars. Their goal was to prevent consumers from considering recycling information when choosing a car, which could lower the pressure on companies to go beyond legal requirements.
Under Directive 2000/53/EC on ELVs, the last owner of an ELV must be able to dispose of it at no cost with a dismantler and if needed, car manufacturers are obliged to bear the costs. Moreover, consumers are required to be informed about the recycling performance of new cars.
The investigation found that ACEA was the facilitator of the cartel, having organised numerous meetings and contacts between car manufacturers involved in the cartel.
The Commission's investigation revealed the existence of a single and continuous infringement in the European Economic Area (‘EEA'), spanning over 15 years, from 29 May 2002 to 4 September 2017. The following table details the companies involved in the infringement and the duration of each company's involvement:
Company
Start
End
BMW
29 May 2002
4 September 2017
Ford
Honda
Hyundai / Kai
2 March 2006
Jaguar Land Rover
23 September 2008
- Tata as parent
Mazda
13 September 2006
- Ford as parent
18 November 2008
Mercedes Benz
Mitsubishi
Opel
- General Motors as parent
10 July 2009
31 July 2017
Renault / Nissan
Stellantis
Suzuki
Toyota
Volkswagen
Volvo
2 August 2010
- Geely as parent
3 August 2010
ACEA
The Commission coordinated its investigation with the UK Competition and Markets Authority (‘CMA'). Today, the CMA also adopted a decision concerning the same practice for breaches of UK competition law.
Fines
The fines were set on the basis of the Commission's 2006 Guidelines on fines. In setting the fines, the Commission took into account various elements, including the number of cars concerned by the infringement, the nature of the infringement, its geographic scope and its duration. When setting the fine, the Commission also took into account the lesser involvement in the infringement of Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Suzuki. It also granted a reduction to Renault since evidence showed that Renault had explicitly asked for an exemption from the agreement not to advertise the use of recycled material in new cars.
Four companies cooperated with the Commission under the leniency programme:
Mercedes-Benz received full immunity for revealing the cartel, avoiding a fine of around €35 million;
Stellantis (including Opel), Mitsubishi and Ford benefited from a reduction of the fine for their cooperation with the Commission. The amount of reduction granted depends on the timing of their cooperation as well as to the evidence they provided to prove the existence of the cartel. All three received the maximum reduction that is foreseen under the Leniency Notice in case of multiple leniency applicants.
In addition, under the Commission's 2008 Settlement Notice, the Commission applied a reduction of 10% to the fines on all parties, as they acknowledged their participation in the cartel and their liability.
The fine of ACEA, for its facilitating role, is set as a lump sum. The fine takes into account that all car producers, which are members of ACEA, have been fined individually.
The breakdown of the fines imposed on each party is as follows:
CompanyReduction under the Leniency Notice
Fine
Mercedes-Benz
100%
€0
50%
€74 934 000
30%
€4 150 000
20%
€41 462 000
€24 587 000
€5 040 000
Hyundai / Kia
€11 950 000
Jaguar Land Rover / Tata
€1 637 000
€5 006 000
- Of which jointly and severally with Ford
€1 034 000
€81 461 000
€24 530 000
- Of which jointly and severally with GM
€13 659 000
GM solely
€17 075 000
€5 471 000
€23 553 000
€127 696 000
€8 890 000
€3 901 000
- Of which jointly and severally with Geely
€4 419 000
€500 000
Article 101 of the TFEU and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement prohibit agreements and other restrictive business practices that may affect trade and prevent or restrict competition within the Single Market.
The Commission's investigation was triggered by an application under the Commission's 2006 Leniency Notice submitted by Mercedes-Benz in September 2019. This was followed, after the inspections in March 2022, by successive leniency applications submitted by Stellantis, Mitsubishi and Ford.
More information on this case will be available under case number AT.40669 in the public case register on the Commission's competition website once confidentiality issues have been resolved. For more information on the Commission's action against cartels, see its cartels website.
The settlement procedure
The settlement procedure for cartels was introduced in June 2008. In a cartel settlement, parties acknowledge their participation in a cartel and their liability for it. They also accept the maximum amount of the fine which the Commission intends to impose. Cartel settlements are based on Regulation 1/2003, and allow the Commission to apply a simplified and shortened procedure. This benefits consumers and taxpayers as it reduces costs. It also benefits antitrust enforcement as it frees up resources. Finally, the parties themselves benefit in terms of quicker decisions and a 10% reduction in fines. Today's decision is the 43rd settlement since the introduction of this procedure for cartels.
Leniency programme
The Commission's leniency programme gives companies the opportunity to disclose their participation in a cartel and cooperate with the Commission during an investigation. A successful leniency applicant will either completely avoid a potentially high fine or receive a substantial reduction from it. Further information about the Commission's leniency programme, including a Frequently Asked Questions document, can be found here.
Whistleblower tool
The Commission has set up a tool to make it easier for individuals or companies to alert it about anticompetitive behaviour while maintaining their anonymity. This tool protects whistleblowers' anonymity through a specifically-designed encrypted messaging system that allows two way communications. The tool is accessible via this link.
Action for damages
Any person or company affected by the anti-competitive behaviour described in this case may bring the matter before the courts of the Member States and seek damages. The case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union and Council Regulation 1/2003 both confirm that in cases before national courts, a Commission decision constitutes binding proof that the behaviour took place and was illegal. Even though the Commission has fined the companies concerned, damages may be awarded by national courts without being reduced on account of the Commission fine.
The Antitrust Damages Directive makes it easier for victims of anti-competitive practices to obtain damages. More information on antitrust damages actions, including a practical guide on how to quantify antitrust harm, is available here.
Today, we have taken firm action against companies that colluded to prevent competition on recycling. These car manufacturers coordinated for over 15 years to avoid paying for recycling services, by agreeing to not compete with each other on advertising the extent to which their cars could be recycled, and by agreeing to remain silent on the recycled materials used in their new cars. We will not tolerate cartels of any kind, and that includes those that suppress customer awareness and demand for more environmental-friendly products. High quality recycling in key sectors such as automotive will be central to meeting our circular economy objectives, not only to cut waste and emissions, but also to reduce dependencies, lower production costs and create a more sustainable and competitive industrial model in Europe.
Commission statement on the LIFE Programme
The LIFE Programme, adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in 2021, plays a key role in implementing environmental, climate and energy legislation and policies. LIFE supports a wide range of beneficiaries in EU Member States, including private companies, local authorities, research foundations and civil society organisations.
The LIFE multiannual work programme 2025-27 provides the framework for its implementation for the years to come. The Commission followed the appropriate procedure for the preparation of and vote on the work programme in the LIFE Committee, consisting of Member States' representatives, which delivered a positive opinion.
Funding for NGOs is explicitly provided for in the LIFE Regulation, with the aim to improve governance of environmental, climate change and energy transition matters, including by enhancing stakeholder involvement at all levels, capacity-building, communication and awareness. The Commission remains fully committed to ensuring a healthy and vibrant civil society, also by supporting its functioning and its involvement in policy making.
At the same time, the Commission has recognised that in some cases work programmes submitted by the NGOs and annexed to the operating grant agreements contained specific advocacy actions and undue lobbying activities. The Commission has taken action to prevent such cases in the future and will take further measures to strengthen transparency and include appropriate safeguards. In particular:
The Commission already published guidance on the type of activities that should not be included when receiving funding as part of policy and legislation development, implementation, monitoring and enforcement. The grants should comply with the LIFE objectives and support the participation of civil society in European policy-making and democratic debate, while avoiding lobbying that targets specific policies or MEPs. This guidance is applicable to all EU funding and is already implemented by all Commission services and relevant agencies.
In the multiannual work-programme 2025-2027, the Commission has included further safeguards to ensure that operating grants do not require specific and detailed activities that directly target Union institutions or their staff or members, and that clarify that beneficiaries retain full responsibility for their views and for presenting these views to Union institutions. The Commission is working closely with the Court of Auditors – which is currently finalising its recommendations on how to further improve the transparency of NGO funding in the implementation of EU funding programmes – including through appropriate mechanisms.
The Commission will review the transparency arrangements for beneficiaries of grants funded by the EU budget, including in relation to the disclosure requirements under the EU transparency register.
The Commission is committed to ensure that the LIFE evaluation committee members are independent and free from conflicts of interest. It is mandatory for the members to sign declarations on absence of conflict of interest before engaging with the assessment of proposals, and mitigation measures are in place in case conflicts of interest are identified. CINEA will review the selection procedure for members of the LIFE evaluation committee and will implement any necessary steps to ensure full transparency.
While working on a possible review, the MoU between CINEA and the Commission services responsible for LIFE will be implemented rigorously to ensure clarity in the respective responsibilities in the grant award procedure.
The Commission is committed to maintaining an open and collaborative dialogue with the European Parliament and stands ready to provide further clarifications on any remaining issues.
Commission unveils ProtectEU – a new European Internal Security Strategy
Today, the European Commission is presenting ProtectEU – a European Internal Security Strategy to support Member States and bolster the EU's ability to guarantee security for its citizens. The strategy sets out an ambitious vision and workplan for the years to come, with a sharper legal toolbox, increased information sharing and deeper cooperation.
In a changed security environment and an evolving geopolitical landscape, where hybrid threats by hostile foreign states and state-sponsored actors are growing, where powerful organised crime networks are proliferating and criminals and terrorists are operating increasingly online, Europe needs to review its approach to internal security. Announced by President von der Leyen in the political guidelines, the Strategy will upgrade the Union's response to new and traditional threats to internal security.
The Strategy aims to foster a change of culture on internal security, with a whole of society approach involving citizens, businesses, researchers and civil society. Security aspects will be mainstreamed in the development of new initiatives, and a new European internal security governance framework will support the implementation of the Strategy.
As Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission said: “Safety is one of the key prerequisites for open, vibrant societies and a flourishing economy. That's why we are launching today an important initiative to better tackle security threats like terrorism, organised crime, surging cybercrime and attacks against our critical infrastructure. We will strengthen Europol and give law enforcement up-to-date tools to fight crime. But also researchers, businesses and even citizens can contribute to greater safety for all.”
The European Internal Security Strategy complements the Preparedness Union Strategy and the European Defence White Paper. Together with the forthcoming European Democracy Shield, they form a comprehensive framework for a safe, secure and resilient EU.
Key objectives and actions
A new European internal security governance
The new threat landscape requires a change in mindset and an upgraded EU approach to internal security:
Identifying security and preparedness implications of Commission initiatives from the start and throughout the negotiation process,
Regular threat analyses related to internal security to support the work of the Security College and exchanges in the Council,
Regular reporting to the European Parliament and the Council to track and support the implementation of key initiatives.
Anticipating security threats through new ways of sharing intelligence
As security starts with effective anticipation, the EU must rely on high-quality situational awareness and threat analysis:
Develop regular overviews of the EU internal security threat landscape, building on various risk and threat assessments done notably by EU agencies,
Enhance intelligence-sharing by Member States with the EU's Single Intelligence Analysis Capacity (SIAC),
Ensure better information sharing by Member States with EU agencies and bodies.
More effective tools for law enforcement and stronger JHA agencies
Law enforcement needs the right tools to be effective. And with 85% of criminal investigations relying on digital information, this includes lawful access to data:
A new mandate for Europol to turn it into a truly operational police agency to reinforce support to Member States,
Strengthening Frontex, Eurojust and ENISA and ensuring close cooperation between agencies,
Enhancing operational capabilities with a new Critical Communication system to allow for cross border communication between different authorities,
A Roadmap on lawful and effective access to data for law enforcement,
A Technology Roadmap on encryption, and an impact assessment with a view to updating the EU's data retention rules.
Building resilience against hybrid threats
The EU must enhance its resilience against hybrid threats by protecting critical infrastructure, reinforcing cybersecurity and combatting online threats:
Member States to fully implement the CER and NIS2 Directives,
A new Cybersecurity Act, and new measures to secure cloud and telecom services and developing technological sovereignty,
Measures to reduce dependencies on single foreign suppliers and de-risk our supply chains from high-risk suppliers including revision of procurement rules,
Reinforce the security of transport hubs, with an EU Ports Strategy, and new reporting systems to strengthen aviation security, transport and supply chains,
An Action Plan against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats.
Fighting serious and organised crime
Stronger rules are needed to fight organised crime networks. Law enforcement must be able to go after their money. Children must be better protected from organised crime:
A new legal framework on organised crime, with stronger rules on investigations,
A new Strategy and Action Plan on Drugs and Drugs Trafficking,
An Action Plan on the Protection of Children against Crime,
Strengthening the ‘Follow the Money' approach, including by full transposition of the new rules on asset recovery and confiscation,
New legislation against firearms trafficking; new EU Strategies on Trafficking in Human Beings and on Victims' Rights.
Combatting terrorism and violent extremism
With the terrorist threat level in the EU remaining high, the EU needs to be well equipped to anticipate threats, prevent radicalisation, protect citizens and respond to attacks:
A new EU Agenda on preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism,
A new toolbox to prevent radicalization,
Feasibility study for a new EU-wide system to track terrorist financing.
The EU as a strong global player on security
To counteract the impact of global instability, the EU needs to actively defend its security interests beyond its borders, by boosting international cooperation on security and:
Strengthening partnerships with key regions such as Latin America and the Mediterranean region,
Concluding international agreements by Europol and Eurojust including to establish joint operational teams with local law enforcement authorities,
Strengthening information exchange with trusted third countries,
Completing the revision of the Visa Suspension Mechanism and addressing security considerations in the upcoming Visa Strategy.
The Commission, together with Europol, ensured that the Internal Security Strategy actions are backed by evidence from the EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (EU-SOCTA). The assessment presented on 18 March highlights priority crime areas and key threats that the EU faces for the next four years.
The European Internal Security Strategy
Factsheet
Questions and answers
DG Migration and Home Affairs – Internal Security
Safety is one of the key prerequisites for open, vibrant societies and a flourishing economy. That's why we are launching today an important initiative to better tackle security threats like terrorism, organised crime, surging cybercrime and attacks against our critical infrastructure. We will strengthen Europol and give law enforcement up-to-date tools to fight crime. But also researchers, businesses and even citizens can contribute to greater safety for all.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Security is a pre-condition for our democracy and prosperous economies. The EU must be bold and proactive in addressing the complex security challenges we face. We will make the EU more secure by reinforcing our capabilities, leveraging technology, enhancing cybersecurity, and combatting security threats decisively. This Strategy, together with the Preparedness Union, the Defence White Paper and the forthcoming Democracy Shield, sets out the vision for a safe, secure and resilient Union.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
In a rapidly evolving threat landscape, security is the task of our times. This demands a change in our mindset. The ProtectEU Strategy will help foster a new EU security culture and equip us with better means of anticipating, preventing and responding to threats to our internal security.
Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration
Growing demand for seamless multimodal travel, but significant challenges remain
A new Eurobarometer survey released by the European Commission shows a growing demand for seamless travel, and especially for online booking services, which are already used by 76% of respondents. The majority of respondents also consider the sustainability aspects of traveling. However, passengers still have difficulties in combining different transport modes and finding reliable booking options online. The Commission is advancing efforts to improve digital traveling services, and the survey's results will feed into this work.
Difficulty in booking complex journeys
The survey reveals that 36% of Europeans struggle to book tickets that combine different transport modes, such as air-to-rail or train-to-bus connections. Additionally, 31% of respondents did not book such journeys, due to the complexity of the booking process and the absence of clear, user-friendly options. When it comes to rail journeys, 25% of the respondents declared facing difficulties when booking train tickets involving multiple operators, and 43% do not book these trips at all.
Challenges in online ticket booking
Despite the convenience of digital platforms, 22% of travellers report that online ticketing systems do not always present all available fares or travel options. Hidden costs remain a concern for 19% of respondents, making transparency in digital booking platforms a crucial issue. While 76% of respondents book tickets online, the lack of a streamlined, all-in-one booking solution discourages many from exploring multimodal travel options.
Digital solutions and the future of booking alternatives
In response to these challenges, the Commission is advancing efforts to improve digital mobility services. The survey's results will feed into the ongoing preparatory work for the Single Digital Booking and Ticketing Regulation (SDBTR) and the Multimodal Digital Mobility Service Initiative (MDMS), which respectively aim to tackle the challenges posed by rail operators and digital mobility platforms, such as the practices of major rail operators to restrict their ticket sales on third-party platforms and exclude competing operators' tickets from their own platforms.
The survey also indicates that sustainability remains a key concern for travellers. While 78% of respondents consider the environmental impact of their trips important, only 21% adjust their behaviour accordingly. A key obstacle is the lack of visibility into eco-friendly options, with 22% of respondents citing difficulty in finding such alternatives.
The survey was conducted between 28 August and 4 September 2024, gathering responses from 25,805 EU citizens. They survey covered regional, long-distance, and international travel, including specific questions on train travel.
You can find the full results of the Eurobarometer survey on Multimodal Digital Mobility Service online.
While the demand for seamless travel across the EU grows, significant barriers remain in booking multimodal journeys, revealing the urgent need for a more integrated, transparent, and user-friendly digital booking system. Only through innovative solutions can we make sustainable and multi-operator travel a reality for all.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism
Commission proposes flexibility to help manufacturers comply with 2025 CO2 emission targets for new cars and vans
Today, the European Commission proposed a targeted amendment to the Regulation setting CO2 emission performance standards for new cars and vans. The amendment introduces a flexibility measure with their CO2 targets between 2025 and 2027.
This proposal was announced as part of the Commission's Industrial Action Plan for the European automotive sector, adopted on 5 March 2025. This followed the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the Automotive Industry launched by President von der Leyen on 30 January 2025 and involving an open public consultation and multiple discussions and engagement with industry leaders, social partners and stakeholders to address the most pressing challenges facing the sector.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “Our highly innovative automotive industry is decarbonising to contribute to the fight against climate change, but also to maintain its competitive edge on the world markets. With today's initiative, we grant more flexibility to this key sector, and at the same time we stay the course of our climate goals. Together, we want to prove that decarbonisation and competitiveness can go hand in hand.”
The proposed flexibility measure allows manufacturers' compliance with the CO2 targets for 2025, 2026 and 2027 to be assessed over the entire three-year period averaging their performance, rather than annually. This approach allows manufacturers to balance any excessive annual emissions by outperforming the target in the remaining year(s).
This additional flexibility will help safeguard the industry's capacity to invest in the clean transition, while maintaining the 2025 target and keeping the industry on track for the next round of emissions reductions. The EU wide targets intend to make the EU's transport system more sustainable and put road transport on a firm path to zero-emission mobility in 2050.
The Commission calls on the co-legislators to reach an agreement on this amendment without delay to ensure predictability and certainty for the automotive industry and investors.
Targeted amendment to the CO2 emission performance standards for new cars and vans
CO2 emission performance standards for cars and vans
Press release - Commission boosts European automotive Industry's global competitiveness
Communication: Industrial Action Plan for the European automotive sector
CO₂ standards for cars and vans – policy page
Our highly innovative automotive industry is decarbonising to contribute to the fight against climate change, but also to maintain its competitive edge on the world markets. With today’s initiative, we grant more flexibility to this key sector, and at the same time we stay the course of our climate goals. Together, we want to prove that decarbonisation and competitiveness can go hand in hand.
Since the launch of the Automotive Strategic Dialogue at the end of January, we have worked closely with the industry on the road to the sector’s clean transition. Today’s additional compliance flexibility shows that we have listened, understood the concerns, and are taking action to address them, while maintaining our zero-emission targets. Predictability in the sector is crucial for long-term investments.
Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth
Europe is committed to supporting the automotive sector in its transition and today’s compliance flexibility will help ensure the industry can invest, while keeping the overall ambition of the CO2 emission targets. We will continue to work closely together with the industry on the Action Plan presented last month, to keep Europe’s carmakers, suppliers and related service sectors innovative, competitive, and firmly anchored in Europe.
A modernised cohesion policy to boost the EU's strategic priorities
Today, the European Commission is revising the EU's cohesion policy to better support EU competitiveness and decarbonisation, defence and security, the Eastern border regions as well as affordable housing, water resilience, and the energy transition.
The objective of this initiative is to make cohesion policy more effective, by encouraging Member States and regions to invest in the European strategic priorities, while maintaining the focus of cohesion policy on reducing economic, social and territorial disparities. Member States will be invited to reprogramme part of their 2021-2027 cohesion funds to new investments in the context of the ongoing cohesion policy's mid-term review.
Strengthening Europe's competitiveness and closing the innovation gap
Given the role of businesses, regardless of their size, in steering research, innovation, knowledge and technology transfer, the Commission is proposing to extend the support of the European Regional Development Fund to large companies in critical areas, such as defence, strategic technologies, and decarbonisation. In addition, the Commission encourages Member States to increase investments in strategic technologies under the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform, to boost Europe's competitiveness and innovation.
Backing the defence industry and supporting Eastern border regions
Today's proposal will further enable Member States to use current cohesion funding to build resilient infrastructure to foster military mobility. It will also support productive capacities of small and large enterprises in the defence sector across all EU regions.
Moreover, cohesion programmes in the Eastern border regions, disproportionately affected by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, will benefit from a preferential prefinancing level, if they move at least 15% of their overall funds to the new strategic priorities.
More affordable housing
The Commission proposes, in line with the President's political guidelines, to double the amount of cohesion policy funding dedicated to affordable housing. Member States will also be able to leverage private and public financing by using a new financial instrument set up jointly with the European Investment Bank (EIB). The instrument will combine cohesion funding with the resources of the EIB and of other international financial institutions as well as national promotional and commercial banks.
Enhancing water resilience
Member States will be able to increase investments in water resilience, including in digitisation of water infrastructure, mitigation of drought and desertification impacts.
Supporting the energy transition
Cohesion funding will support investments to promote energy interconnectors and related transmission systems, as well as the deployment of recharging infrastructure. This will be crucial to accelerate the energy transition and promote clean mobility. The proposal will also make it easier to fund decarbonisation measures.
Financial incentives under the strategic priorities
While all cohesion projects developed under the EU strategic priorities will be entitled to up to 30% of prefinancing, cohesion programmes, which will move at least 15% of their overall funds to these priorities, will enjoy an even higher level of advanced payment.
In addition, the EU funding for investments in strategic priorities will cover up to 100% of the costs in all regions.
Today's amendments of the cohesion policy legislations, proposed in the context of the 2025 mid-term review, will be discussed by the European Parliament and the Council.
The Commission's objective is to conclude the reprogramming exercise of the mid-term review with Member States and regions in 2025, so that the new programmes can start being implemented in early 2026.
With a budget of €392 billion in the current programming period 2021-2027, cohesion policy is the EU's main investment policy. In line with the legal rules, the current mid-term review allows Member States to assess the implementation of their cohesion programmes and adjust them to the new political priorities in 2025.
More information
Cohesion Data Platform
Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform
Kohesio
Communication, Proposal and Staff Working Document
With today’s proposal, we are making cohesion policy clearer, more targeted, and more effective, aligning it with the EU’s challenges. We must act urgently to strengthen competitiveness, accelerate the energy transition, enhance defence, ensure affordable housing, and improve water resilience. To achieve this, we are reducing bureaucracy, optimizing financing conditions, and expanding investment opportunities. We will work together to redesign programs, delivering tangible benefits to European citizens and unlocking the potential of every territory.
Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms
CALENDAR
Calendrier du lundi 31 mars 2025 au dimanche 6 avril 2025
01/04
Mr Costas Kadis in Paris France; delivers a speech at the SOS Ocean Paris Meeting; in Brittany France: visits along with Ms Agnès Pannier-Runacher an aquaculture site; visits a fish auction; has a discussion with fishers and local representatives.
04/04
Mr Costas Kadis delivers a speech via videoconference at the event 'Climate Change and Environmental Policy: Time is Running Out,' organised by MEP Sakis Arnaoutoglou in Athens, Greece; receives Ms Despina Symons Pirovolidou, Director and founding Member of the European Bureau for Conservation and Development (EBCD).
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