DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 08 May 2025
Ukraine receives an additional €1 billion under G7 loan initiative
Today, the European Commission disbursed the fourth tranche of its exceptional macro-financial assistance (MFA) loan to Ukraine, worth €1 billion, reinforcing the EU's role as Ukraine's largest donor since the beginning of Russia's illegal war of aggression. Symbolically, the disbursement coincides with Ukraine's Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II.
In total, the MFA amounts to €18.1 billion and represents the EU's contribution to the G7-led Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loans initiative, which collectively aims to provide approximately €45 billion in financial support to Ukraine. These loans are to be repaid with proceeds from immobilised Russian State assets in the EU. With this payment, the Commission's total lending to Ukraine under this MFA reaches €6 billion since the start of the year.
As agreed by the European leaders in the Special European Council in early March, and reiterated by President Ursula von der Leyen, the Commission stands ready to frontload the EU contribution to the ERA loans initiative, if needed. It remains in close contact with the Ukrainian authorities concerning the upcoming disbursements. Should Ukraine submit a request, the Commission stands ready to respond swiftly. This would enable the EU to support any essential increases in military expenditure in the coming weeks and months, helping to ensure that Ukraine is in a strong position ahead of any potential peace negotiations.
Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Implementation and Simplification, said: “The EU continues to support Ukraine – politically, financially, economically and militarily. Today we are disbursing a further €1 billion under the €45 billion G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration initiative – the 4th disbursement this year. This comes on top of the €6 billion already delivered to Kyiv so far in 2025, with a further €12.1 billion to be distributed later in the year. These loans are to be repaid with proceeds from immobilised Russian State assets in the EU – Russia will pay for the destruction it has caused to Ukraine.”
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Francisca Marçal Santos - Tel.: +32 2 299 72 36)
Commission seeks feedback on the review of EU merger guidelines
The European Commission has launched today a public consultation to seek feedback on its ongoing review of the EU merger guidelines. The merger guidelines describe the framework that the Commission applies when assessing the competitive impact of mergers on markets. The review process will focus on how the Commission's assessment should give adequate weight to innovation, efficiency, resilience, the time horizons and investment intensity of competition in certain strategic sectors, sustainability, the changed defence and security environment and other acute transformational needs of our times.
Any interested citizen, business or association can contribute by replying to the general public consultation questionnaire available here.
In addition, the Commission has published seven focused papers, elaborating on a wide range of current challenges and on the legal and economic parameters used in its merger control assessment. The papers aim at stimulating discussion and cover topics that are key for the EU economy, namely competitiveness and resilience, market power, innovation, decarbonisation, digitalisation, efficiencies, defence and labour considerations. The papers will be the basis for a continued targeted engagement with stakeholders even after the public consultation, including through dedicated events and workshops. Any person wishing to provide technical feedback on any of the focused papers may contribute by replying to the in-depth questionnaire available here.
The deadline to reply to the general and in-depth questionnaires is 3 September 2025.
The merger guidelines review
The review will cover both the guidelines for the assessment of mergers between actual or potential competitors in the same relevant market (i.e., horizontal mergers guidelines of 2004) and those for the assessment of mergers between companies operating at different levels of the supply chain (i.e., non-horizontal merger guidelines of 2008).
Since the introduction of both sets of guidelines, there have been several transformational changes in the economy, ranging from digitalisation and globalisation to decarbonisation, which can impact competitive dynamics in many markets. Many of those changes already surfaced in the enforcement practice of the Commission. After about 20 years, the current review of these guidelines will serve to update the assessment framework for mergers in light of these changes and new market realities, and also enable us to reflect the case practice and the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The aim is to provide a comprehensive, predictable, and lasting framework. The revised guidance should offer a refreshed yet legally and economically sound, predictable, and evidence-based analytical framework, for all types of mergers and all economic sectors. The primary mission of EU merger control will remain the same: preserving a vibrant and competitive internal market which drives companies to offer to their customers and consumers innovative, affordable, and high-quality products.
This review will cover not only the areas highlighted in the Political Guidelines and in the Mission Letter to EVP Ribera – as well as in the Competitiveness Compass – including innovation, resilience, investments, and sustainability. It will also reflect broader trends that are relevant for the productivity and competitiveness of the whole European economy, such as digitalisation and sustainability.
More information and next steps
The public consultation process launched today is part of a broader Call for evidence, elaborating on the practical details of the initiative.
In the context of the review of the EU merger guidelines, on 25 March 2025 the Commission launched a Call for tender for an economic study on the dynamic effects of mergers. The deadline to submit proposals is 20 May 2025.
Any interested person can respond to the general public consultation (here) and to the in-depth questionnaire (here), launched today, until 3 September 2025.
The Commission will analyse the responses to the public consultation and publish a summary of the main points and conclusions on the Commission's ‘Have Your Say' portal and on the dedicated webpage of the Commission's competition website. The Commission will also publish the contributions in the language in which they were submitted.
The results of the public consultation and of the broader stakeholder engagement will feed into the ongoing review of the EU merger guidelines. More generally, the Commission will continue engaging with both citizens and businesses before finalising its review process.
Background
The main objective of the merger control system is to preserve a vibrant and competitive internal market, with dynamic competition. It allows companies to gain scale, to innovate, to invest, and to offer better products. At the same time, merger control prevents the accumulation of market power in the hands of one or a small number of companies, which can harm consumers and businesses, and damage the EU's productivity and economic growth.
The legal basis for EU merger control is the EU Merger Regulation. In assessing proposed mergers, the Commission considers whether they can be expected to significantly impede effective competition in the EU. If they do not, they are approved unconditionally. If they do, the merging companies may offer remedies, i.e., propose certain modifications to the deal that would guarantee continued competition on the market. If no adequate remedies to the competition concerns have been proposed by the merging parties, the Commission may prohibit the transaction, to prevent harmful effects on businesses and consumers in terms of higher prices, lower quality or a more limited choice of goods or services. Over the last 10 years, about 95% of mergers notified to the Commission were cleared unconditionally.
For more information
More information on the upcoming steps of the review process is available on the dedicated webpage of the Commission's competition website.
Quote(s)
This comprehensive and ambitious review of the EU merger guidelines is a unique opportunity to modernise the Commission’s framework for assessing the impact of mergers on competition. It will allow us to account for disruptive changes in our societies and our economies over the past 20 years, such as digitalisation, and enable us to ensure that innovation, resilience, and the investment intensity of competition are given adequate weight in light of the European economy’s acute needs. This is a pivotal moment for Europe, and it is only by evolving that we can ensure that our merger control policy continues to serve people, drive innovation, and strengthen Europe's resilience and leadership. We count on your help. We stand ready to hear the views of consumers and businesses all across Europe on how our merger review framework can be made fit for the future.
Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition
Culture unites, latest Eurobarometer shows
Culture gives citizens a sense of community and integration. According to a new Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission, citizens strongly support cultural exchange, artistic freedom and fair working conditions for artists. They also call for a stronger EU role to protect heritage and respond to the impact of new technologies.
Culture, our life and our history
87% of respondents agree that culture and cultural exchange should have a very important place in the EU, so that citizens feel more European. 86% say cultural heritage is important for Europe, confirming that culture is valued not only in current life but also as part of the past. A similar percentage of respondents say that culture and the arts are important for welfare and economic development.
Artistic freedom is valued, but perceptions vary
Artistic freedom remains a pillar of democratic societies, and 88% of Europeans said that it matters to them. 77% believe that artists can freely express their ideas and opinions without fear of censorship or retaliation by their government. However, perceptions of artistic freedom vary across Member States.
Almost half of Europeans engage in artistic activities
49% of respondents indicated that they participated in artistic activities in the previous 12 months. This is a significant increase compared to 2013, when the figure stood at 37%.
Citizens express concern about the impact of AI and artists' pay
At the same time, 73% of surveyed Europeans are concerned that the rise of generative AI may have an impact on employment or earnings for artists. Less than half of Europeans (48%) said they could tell the difference between an AI piece of art and one crafted by a human. More broadly, fair pay remains an issue: just 51% say that they believe artists in their country generally receive fair and appropriate remuneration for their work.
Public backs stronger EU role in culture
Europeans also believe their country and the EU should work more closely together on cultural policy matters, with top priorities being:
The results of today's Special Eurobarometer will help prepare the Culture Compass for Europe, the Commission's upcoming strategic framework for EU cultural policy, which is expected still in 2025. In addition, a call for evidence on the Culture Compass is currently open for feedback until 13 May.
The survey was conducted between February-April 2025 and collected responses from more than 26,300 EU citizens. The full, detailed report as well as fact sheets for each of the 27 EU Member States have been published on the Eurobarometer website today.
For More Information
Special Eurobarometer 562: Citizens' attitudes towards Culture
Creative Europe programme
A Culture Compass for Europe – Call for evidence
These results show how deeply culture matters to Europeans, not only as part of their identity but as a shared foundation for Europe’s future. Citizens are clear about their expectations: fair pay for artists, protection of artistic freedom and better access to culture. This feedback will directly shape the Culture Compass for Europe, which I will present later this year.
Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport
Executive Vice-President Virkkunen travels to Japan to lead EU-Japan digital talks
On 12 May, Monday, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen will co-chair the third EU-Japan Digital Partnership Council in Tokyo.
The meeting will be co-chaired on Japan's side by Masaaki Taira, Minister for Digital Transformation, Adachi Masashi, State Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications and Shinji Takeuchi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. A joint press conference will follow the meeting. Detailed outcomes of the Digital Partnership Council will be available next week.
On the same day, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen will also speak at the SEB Nordic CEO Conference and meet with senior government officials, as well as leaders from Japan's semiconductor and technology industry.
On 13 May, Tuesday, the Executive Vice-President will sign a Letter of Intent on strengthening quantum cooperation and travel to Osaka to attend the Expo '25, where she will give a livestreamed keynote speech at the New European Bauhaus event in the Europa Pavilion. The trip will end with a visit of the supercomputing facility Fugaku, currently the sixth most powerful supercomputer worldwide.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier — Tel. + 32 2 299 10 99; Nika Blazevic — Tel. + 32 2 299 27 17)
EU and Japan reaffirm close cooperation on trade and economic security during High-Level Economic Dialogue
Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Šefčovič is in Japan today to further strengthen the deep-rooted and long-standing EU-Japan trade and economic relationship. The cornerstone of the visit is the 6th High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) with Takeshi Iwaya, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Yoji Muto, Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, that took place this morning.
In light of the evolving global trade and security landscape, the two sides recognised the growing intersection between security, economy and technology. They also shared their respective concerns on such challenges as non-market policies and practices as well as the closely linked issue of overcapacity. Here, they concurred that enhanced cooperation among allies and like-minded countries, including at the G7, is essential for addressing joint challenges and promoting an international order grounded in shared values and rules. In addition, the Commissioner had several bilateral meetings, including with the Economic Security Minister Minoru Kiuchi, and other Japanese political as well as business representatives. During these exchanges, particular focus was on the EU-Japan cooperation on economic security, including supply chain resilience as well as the growing strategic importance of critical technologies.
The visit further underscored the strong trade relationships between the EU and Japan. Since entering into force in July 2018, the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has significantly boosted bilateral trade and investment relations and has strengthened cooperation across a wide range of sectors. More than just an economic instrument, the EPA reflects the shared values and commitment of two likeminded partners to the international rules-based order.
Looking forward to building on and advancing EU-Japan trade and investment relations, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening their cooperation, including via the HLED and joint efforts on economic security.
More information is available in a news item online.
(For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Ana Apse-Paese – Tel.: +32 2 298 73 48)
EU and Ukraine to strengthen defence cooperation at second Defence Industry Forum
On Monday, 12 May, the European Union and the Ukrainian government will co-host the second EU-Ukraine Defence Industry Forum in Brussels to strengthen defence industrial cooperation amid Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.
More than 500 participants — including representatives from European and Ukrainian defence industries, government bodies, EU institutions, partner countries, and key organisations — will attend. The forum will feature a high-level conference in the morning, followed by an afternoon business matchmaking session and exhibition.
For its second edition, the Forum will continue to promote the integration of the Ukrainian defence industry into the European defence technological and industrial base, in line with the goals of the Joint White Paper on European Defence Readiness 2030. The aim of the forum is to identify concrete cooperation between companies, contributing to accelerate the innovation cycle based on battlefield experience and the production of the defence systems Ukraine needs to defend itself.
High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas will participate via video address. Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius will participate in person alongside the Ukrainian Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, Herman Smetanin. The opening remarks will be streamed on EBS.
The EU-Ukraine Defence Industry Forum is part of EU's broader support to Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty, freedom and independence against Russia's illegal war of aggression. The EU is the biggest public investor in the Ukrainian defence industry with €1.4 billion from ‘windfall profits' (net profits from immobilised Russian Central Bank assets) channelled to accelerate the production of military equipment, from artillery systems to drones.
The event is organised with the support of the Polish presidency of the Council of the EU and the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe.
(For more information: Anouar El Anouni – Tel.: +32 2 291 35 80; Thomas Regnier – Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99)
Commissioner Kos in Moldova to celebrate Europe Day and showcase the EU's Reform and Growth Plan
From tomorrow to Sunday, 9 to 11 May, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos will start a nationwide tour of Moldova, meeting with citizens, entrepreneurs, and political leaders to discuss the benefits of EU membership and the impact of the Reform and Growth Plan on the country's future.
Tomorrow, Commissioner Kos will meet with President Maia Sandu in Chisinau to discuss Moldova's EU accession path, and the progress made so far. She will also formally sign the Reform and Growth Plan for Moldova.
The tour coincides with Europe Day celebrations, which Commissioner Kos will attend in Chisinau, Ungheni, and Orhei.
On Saturday and Sunday, she will visit several cities and towns, including Edinet, Balti, Comrat and Cahul, where she will engage with local mayors, youth representatives, media, and beneficiaries of EU-funded projects, including an oenological centre in Cahul, digital and environmental services in Edinet, and an ethno-touristic complex in Comrat. These visits will highlight our commitment to bringing the country closer to the EU.
Commissioner Kos will deliver a press statement to the media with President Sandu tomorrow, 9 May, at approximately 8:15 CEST, and a speech with President Sandu for Europe Day Celebrations in Chisinau at 18:00 CEST, which will be available on EBS.
(For more information: Guillaume Mercier – Tel.: + +32 2 298 05 64 Eirini Zarkadoula – Tel.: +32 229-57065)
Commissioners Serafin and Hansen visit Poland as part of their tours
Tomorrow, Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Piotr Serafin, and Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, will visit Poland. As part of his ‘Tour d'Europe', Commissioner Serafin will meet with different EU-supported initiatives, as well as public authorities and beneficiaries of EU funding. Commissioner Hansen will attend the European Congress on Renewal and Rural Development, organised by the Polish Presidency. He will deliver a keynote speech and participate in a panel discussion about the future of agriculture and rural development.
On this leg of the ‘Tour d'Europe', Commissioner Serafin will be visiting a family-owned farm in Łagwy, to talk about the impact of the EU funds in agriculture. Together with Commissioner Hansen, they will visit the processing facility ‘Frąckowiak Sery Smażone', producers of a fried cheese registered with a Geographical Indication.
From there, Commissioner Serafin together with the Minister for European Affairs Adam Szłapka will go to the Poznań Supercomputing and Networking Centre (PSNC), to visit their artificial intelligence (AI) Factory project implemented with the participation of EU funds. In the following day, together with Minister Szłapka, he will be meeting different authortities, including an open meeting with the public in the city of Buk in Wielkopolska Region.
On his side, Commissioner Hansen will meet with the Polish Agriculture Minister, Czesław Siekierski, as well as farmers, and representatives of agricultural organisations to exchange on the Vision for Agriculture and Food. He will also exchange with students of the Poznan University of Life Sciences and representatives of the Polish Bank Association. The visit is part of a tour across the EU to meet farmers on the ground, engage directly with them and highlight the importance of agricultural activity and production, and rural vitality in the EU. Furthermore, a conference organised by the Polish presidency of the Council of the EU will allow to discuss the challenges faced by rural areas, ahead of the preparation of the next common agriculture policy.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Thérèse Lerebours – Tel.: +32 229-63303; Isabel Otero Barderas - Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25)