European Union

The Hungarian prime minister is blocking a €90 billion loan to Ukraine

When Iranian-supplied drones strike Ukrainian cities, when advanced Russian engines enhance Iran’s missile reach, when energy routes are threatened, European security is directly implicated

The Spanish PM is betting his confrontation with Donald Trump will rally the country's left behind him

Trump threatened to cut all trade with Spain

The issue is set to feature in the Commission's upcoming EU equality strategy

Les États-Unis en Algérie ont désormais un nouveau chef de mission par intérim. Désigné chargé d’affaires par le président américain Donald Trump, Mark Shapiro est […]

L’article États-Unis – Algérie : le chargé d’affaires Mark Shapiro de retour à Alger est apparu en premier sur .

OPINION on the Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law report – annual report 2025
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Adrián Vázquez Lázara

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

More than 10,000 pro‑regime Iranians reside in the Turkey-occupied part of Cyprus, Euractiv has learned

Written by Ivana Katsarova.

Food contact materials (FCMs) include all materials that come into physical contact with food during its production, processing, packaging and storage. They contain thousands of chemicals, some of which can migrate into food, especially at high temperatures, during long contact times or with certain food types.

Scientific evidence shows that such migration is common and may contribute to human exposure to hazardous substances, including endocrine disruptors, carcinogens and reproductive toxicants. Well-known examples include phthalates, bisphenols and PFAS, which remain authorised in some applications despite links to adverse health effects. Current risk assessments often consider substances individually and may underestimate combined or cumulative exposure.

The EU’s core legislation is Regulation (EC) 1935/2004, which sets out general safety and labelling rules, supported by the Good Manufacturing Practice Regulation (EC) 2023/2006. However, only four material types – plastics, ceramics, regenerated cellulose film and active/intelligent materials – are subject to fully harmonised EU rules. The remaining materials (paper, inks, coatings, rubber, metal, etc.) rely mostly on national rules, leading to regulatory fragmentation, uneven safety standards and unclear requirements for industry. In addition, existing rules focus largely on known intentionally added substances, while non‑intentionally added substances (NIAS), impurities and degradation products remain insufficiently addressed.

A 2022 Commission evaluation found the framework only partially effective, with gaps in enforcement, control of NIAS and harmonisation. The Commission has recently reiterated its commitment to further harmonising EU legislation on FCMs.

The European Parliament has pushed for stronger rules, contributing to recent EU‑wide bans on BPA and PFAS in food packaging.

Citizens and stakeholders broadly support a comprehensive revision establishing clearer standards, harmonised testing and stronger consumer protection.

Read the complete briefing on ‘Food contact materials in the EU: State of play‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

So far, EU defence projects remain more buzzwords than action

Incoming tech sovereignty package could also set minimum performance standards for new data centres by 2030, per a draft strategy obtained by Euractiv

OPINION on the proposal for a Council regulation laying down the Multiannual Financial Framework for the years 2028 to 2034
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Dan Barna

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The forthcoming Industrial Accelerator Act proposal is expected to target public procurements and state aid

Four battlefield lessons Europe cannot afford to ignore

L’organisation Actions pour la protection civile et le développement (APCD) tire la sonnette d’alarme sur la situation qu’elle qualifie de préoccupante du VIH/Sida dans le territoire de Rutshuru, au Nord-Kivu. D’après les données compilées par l’APCD, près de 1 000 cas de décès liés au VIH ont été enregistrés en l’espace de sept mois, entre février et août 2025, dans le territoire de Rutshuru.

Berlin committed to increasing its military force to around 260,000 active soldiers and 200,00 reservists

Le projet Promotion de la santé de la mère et de l’enfant, (PROMIS) a octroyé vendredi 27 février, des bourses d'études à huit élèves filles de l'Institut technique médical (ITM) de Yangambi, dans la Tshopo, lors d'une cérémonie solennelle en présence des autorités locales. Cette initiative cible l'éducation des filles dans une école technique, pariant sur leur future indépendance économique.

Written by Liselotte Jensen.

CONTEXT

The carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) is being implemented to create a level playing field on carbon pricing of specific goods within the EU single market. For CBAM-covered goods, free allowances under the EU′s emissions trading system (ETS) will be progressively phased out by 2034.

With the phase-out of free allowances in CBAM-covered goods, EU operators producing goods for export will be at a disadvantage in markets without similar carbon pricing.

The European Commission is proposing a temporary decarbonisation fund to support certain goods in the aluminium, fertilisers, iron and steel sectors. Other energy-intensive industries at continued risk of carbon leakage could also benefit. The fund would provide short-term support as a temporary bridge solution, pending a review in the context of the forthcoming revision of the EU ETS due in 2026.

Legislative proposal

2025/0418(COD) – Proposal for a regulation establishing the temporary decarbonisation fund – COM(2025) 990, 17 December 2025.

NEXT STEPS IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

For the latest developments in this legislative procedure, see the Legislative Train Schedule: 2025/0418(COD)

Read the complete briefing on ‘Temporary decarbonisation fund‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Iran has one of the largest missile arsenals in the Middle East and can easily strike European targets

EU governments can do little but monitor the situation