EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 16 May 2025
The Commission reinforces its commitment against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
The European Commission marks tomorrow, 17 May, the international day against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia (IDAHOT), to raise awareness of the violence and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) persons. The date marks 35 years since the World Health Organisation declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder. The EU remains committed to ensure progress and end discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and sex characteristics, both within and beyond European borders.
In recent decades, legislative developments, case law and policy initiatives have improved many people's lives and the Commission remains committed to building equal and welcoming societies for all. Recent data from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights revealed that LGBTIQ people are more open about themselves in their social circles. Yet, there has been a worrying escalation of violence because of being LGBTIQ people in recent years, including hate-motivated harassment and of physical and sexual attacks, particularly targeting trans, non-binary, gender-diverse and intersex people.
By the end of this year, the Commission will put forward the LGBTIQ equality strategy post-2025, building on the first-ever Commission Strategy for LGBTIQ equality 2020-2025. The new strategy will address discrimination and hatred based on sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and sex characteristics. It will also tackle intersecting forms of discrimination and address conversion practices and hate-motivated harassment and violence – both online and offline. A public consultation is open until the 24 June 2025 to gather insights and opinions.
Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said: “We will leave no one from the LGBTIQ community behind. We are dedicated to ensuring that violence, hate, and discrimination have no space in the EU, and the new LGBTIQ equality strategy will be a crucial step in this direction. Progress continues.”
(For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73)
Celebrating European Union Prize for Literature at Book World Prague 2025
Commissioner Glenn Micallef will honour exceptional literary talent during the European Union Prize for Literature award ceremony at Book World Prague 2025. Supported by Creative Europe, the Prize recognises emerging fiction authors from 40 participating countries, extending their reach beyond national borders and promoting Europe's rich and diverse contemporary literary scene.
This year's edition highlights emerging authors from 13 countries, reflecting the Prize's commitment to amplifying diverse voices and connecting stories across Europe. The Grand Prix laureate and two special mentions will be announced tonight at 18:00 CEST.
Commissioner Micallef said: “My wholehearted congratulations to this year's laureates of the European Union Prize for Literature. They are flag bearers of Europe as a global cultural powerhouse, they enhance our shared European identity, and they exemplify the richness of European talents, diversity and values. The prize is a testament to Europe's rich linguistic and cultural tapestry fostering literary diversity and bring emerging voices into the spotlight. I am confident that it will positively contribute to their success. With the new Culture Compass that I will deliver later this year, I am determined to maintain our support to European authors as well as to the book and publishing sector at large, and to keep on placing culture at the heart of European policies.”
The Grand Prix laureate will receive €10,000 and funding for two translations (80%). Each of the two special mentions will receive €5,000 and funding for one translation (80%), while the other shortlisted authors will receive a financial contribution for one translation (60%). All shortlisted authors will be actively promoted at European level.
More information on the winner and the two special mentions will be available online.
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Quentin Cortès - Tel.: +32 2 291 32 83)
EU agri-food trade kicked off 2025 with rising exports and imports
The latest agri-food trade report published by the European Commission shows that EU agri-food trade picked up in January 2025, with exports reaching €19 billion and imports rising to €16 billion. The trade surplus narrowed to €3 billion, reflecting increased import costs.
EU agri-food exports reached €19 billion in January 2025, 4% higher than in January 2024. The UK remained the top destination, with exports increasing by 3%. Exports to Switzerland also rose by 16%, mainly driven by cocoa products. Exports of coffee, tea, cocoa and spices rose by €396 million (+55%) in January 2025 compared to January 2024, mainly driven by higher prices for cocoa and coffee. Confectionery and chocolate exports increased by €150 million (+18%), while dairy product exports grew by €119 million (+8%).
EU agri-food imports rose to €16 billion in January 2025, up 7% from December and 19% higher than January 2024, largely due to high prices for cocoa and coffee. Imports from Côte d'Ivoire (+€438 million, +77%) and Ghana (+€233 million, +153%) recorded the largest increases in value, driven by soaring cocoa prices. EU imports of coffee, cocoa and spices rose by €1.4 billion (+66%) in January 2025, driven by soaring cocoa and coffee prices. Imports of fruit, nuts and non-edible products also increased, mainly due to higher prices.
More insights as well as detailed tables are available in the latest edition of the monthly EU agri-food trade report.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2295 45 78; Thérèse Lerebours - Tel.: +32 2 296 33 03)
Montenegro joins the EU LIFE programme for environment and climate action
Montenegro joined the EU LIFE programme for environment and climate action. This offers the country the opportunity to benefit from LIFE's support for mobilising public and private (financial) resources for climate action, biodiversity protection, circular economy and clean energy transition. The LIFE programme will foster projects in Montenegro, for example to improve waste management, increase energy efficiency, enhance water resilience, and support the development, monitoring, and enforcement of laws and strategies that contribute to the implementation of EU environmental, energy and climate policies.
Montenegro joining the EU LIFE programme follows yesterday's signature of an agreement between Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, and the Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Region development of Montenegro, Damjan Ćulafić. This makes Montenegro the fifth non-EU country to join the programme following Iceland, Ukraine, Moldova and North Macedonia.
Commissioner Roswall said: “We are delighted to welcome Montenegro to the LIFE family. This association marks an important step forward in our cooperation on environmental and climate issues. We look forward to working together to address the challenges that Montenegro faces to meet EU environmental standards, an essential part of its path towards accession, and to advance the country's clean energy transition.”
Applicants from Montenegro can submit proposals under the LIFE calls for proposals 2025.
You can find more information on participation of Montenegro to the LIFE programme online.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki — Tel.: + 32 2 296 64 83; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)