European Union

The Council today activated the national escape clause for Spain under the stability and growth pact.  The measure will help Spain transition to higher defence spending at national level while ensuring debt sustainability.

A Tanács a mai napon úgy határozott, hogy lezárja a Máltával szembeni túlzotthiány-eljárást.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming General Affairs Council will take place on Monday, 15 June 2026 at 11.00

Ahead of negotiations with the European Parliament, the Council agreed its position on measures to expand the CBAM’s scope, help address its circumvention, and improve its overall efficacy in fighting carbon leakage.

A csúcstalálkozón – amelynek házigazdája a G7-ek soros elnökségét adó Franciaország – a G7-országok vezetői, valamint az Európai Unió és más meghívott országok képviselői vesznek részt, hogy megvitassák az olyan, sürgető globális kérdéseket, mint a nemzetközi béke és biztonság, a multilateralizmus és a világgazdaság kilátásai. Az Európai Uniót António Costa elnök és Ursula von der Leyen, az Európai Bizottság elnöke fogja képviselni.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 15-21 June 2026.

President of the European Council, António Costa, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, issued a joint statement on the agreement to open the first accession negotiations cluster with Ukraine and Moldova.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

The Council today activated the national escape clause for Spain under the stability and growth pact.  The measure will help Spain transition to higher defence spending at national level while ensuring debt sustainability.

The Council today decided to close the excessive deficit procedure concerning Malta.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming General Affairs Council will take place on Monday, 15 June 2026 at 11.00

Ahead of negotiations with the European Parliament, the Council agreed its position on measures to expand the CBAM’s scope, help address its circumvention, and improve its overall efficacy in fighting carbon leakage.

Hosted by France as the rotating G7 presidency, the summit will bring together the leaders of the G7 countries, as well as the European Union and other invited countries to discuss pressing global issues, including international peace and security, multilateralism and the global economic outlook.The EU will be represented by President Costa and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

Seit Donnerstag brennt in der kalifornischen Stadt Tracy eine grosse Lagerhalle eines Medizintechnikunternehmens. Sie befindet sich in direkter Nachbarschaft zu weiteren grossen Logistikzentren. Die Feuerwehr hat alle Hände voll zu tun.

Trotz angeglichenem Rentenalter bekommen Frauen das Seniorinnen-GA ein Jahr früher als Männer. Letztere zahlen im Alter 64 bis zu 1570 Franken mehr. Zumindest heute noch.

Im Naturschutzgebiet Masai Mara in Kenia wird aus einem Heissluftballon eine seltene Szene gefilmt: Ein Zebra kämpft sich durch den Mara River und entkommt knapp einem Krokodil. Doch am Ufer wartet bereits die nächste Gefahr.

Als 1994 die WM erstmals in den USA stattfand, war auch die Nati mit dabei – erstmals nach 28 Jahren. Die Helden von damals blicken zurück – und sagen, was sie ihren Nachfolgern 32 Jahre später zutrauen.

Im Garten jäten macht niemand gerne! Wie du Unkraut ganz einfach und komplett biologisch loswirst, zeigt euch Blick Gartenexpertin Scarlet Allenspach in dieser Folge von «Im Beet mit Blick».

Written by Clare Ferguson with Áine Feeney.

European Union enlargement and competitiveness are prominent issues on the agenda for the European Parliament’s June plenary session. Jakov Milatović, President of Montenegro is expected to address Parliament in a formal sitting on Tuesday. During the question time session, a European Commissioner will respond to Members’ questions on the state of play on its pledge to reduce the reporting burden, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. The Council and Commission will also make statements ahead of the European Council meeting taking place from 18‑19 June 2026. Andrzej Poczobut, laureate of the 2025 Sakharov Prize for his defence of freedom and democracy in Belarus, is expected to address a formal sitting on Wednesday following his recent release from imprisonment in that country.

The path to accession for[CF1]  new Member States is a key topic at this plenary session, with Members set to debate several own-initiative reports from the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) on enlargement candidates in the Western Balkans on Tuesday. The AFET report on Montenegro welcomes the country’s progress and encourages sustained momentum on accession negotiations. The committee also commends Albania‘s dedication to EU integration, but expresses concern about the impact of corruption and calls for full implementation of anti-corruption reforms. The [AC2] AFET report on Kosovo* reaffirms that the country’s future lies with the EU, and stresses inclusion in EU programmes and policies is vital for gradual integration. AFET’s report on Bosnia and Herzegovina expresses support for EU accession and urges political leaders to renew their commitment to EU membership. Similarly, the AFET report on North Macedonia reaffirms its support for the country’s EU membership aspirations, although it regrets the lack of progress since its 2025 report.

Despite applying for accession as far back as 1999, progress towards Türkiye’s EU membership bid has faced numerous delays since accession talks began in 2005. On Tuesday, Parliament is set to consider an AFET report on Türkiye, which reaffirms Parliament’s appreciation for the majority of Turkish people’s aspiration to EU accession and maintaining Türkiye’s candidate status. It also reiterates Türkiye’s relevance as a NATO ally and a country with which the EU has multi-layered relations. However, AFET regrets that, despite the Turkish government’s repeated statements recommitting to the EU membership goal, serious concerns raised in previous AFET reports regarding shortcomings affecting the accession process remain unaddressed.

On Wednesday, Members are also due to consider an AFET report on the status of Georgia’s EU accession status. The report deplores the continued democratic backsliding in the country and echoes Parliament’s position of non-recognition of the legitimacy of the Georgian parliament. It also reiterates calls for the EU to impose sanctions against key officials and regime enablers.

On Monday evening, Parliament is due to consider the trilogue agreement reached on the proposal for two regulations to implement the EU’s tariff commitments under the EU-US Joint Statement. The Committee on International Trade (INTA) adopted its reports in March 2026. The agreement empowers the Commission to suspend the application of the regulation if the US fails to meet its commitments and introduces additional safeguards, including stronger suspension mechanisms and protections against import surges that could harm domestic producers. If adopted, a comprehensive review of the measures will be conducted in 2029, with the possibility of extension.

Parliament is committed to ensuring that there are robust legal frameworks to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) in the EU. On Monday evening, Members are expected to consider adoption of a provisional text on the ‘Digital Omnibus on AI‘, a set of amendments to the AI Act. Parliament favours fixed deadlines for applying high-risk AI rules, and proposes a ban on AI systems that generate non-consensual sexual content. The co-legislators reached a provisional agreement in May 2026, since approved by the Committees on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) jointly. The agreed text upholds Parliament’s position on the generation of non-consensual sexual content and prohibits AI practices generating child sexual abuse material. If adopted, application of certain parts of the AI Act will be postponed, without impacting the act’s core provisions and risk-based approach.

Despite playing an important role in the food-supply chain, farmers have faced mounting difficulties in recent years. On Tuesday, Parliament is expected to consider a provisional text on a regulation strengthening farmers’ position in the food-supply chain. Based on a report by the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI), Parliament reached agreement with the Council in March 2026. The agreed text aims to ensure that food prices better reflect the production costs borne by farmers and includes support for the dairy sector, such as the introduction of mandatory written contracts. It also reinforced the bargaining power of producer organisations and includes clarification on labelling to ensure consumer protection and fair competition.

Similarly, on Wednesday, Members are due to consider regulations on horticulture. A provisional agreement reached with the Council on the Commission’s proposal on plants obtained by new genomic techniques, aims at aligning existing EU legislation on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with new scientific developments. Parliament’s negotiators supported the simplification of rules for low-risk genetically modified plants (NGT1), provided they are similar to conventionally bred plants and do not have certain excluded traits. The agreement also includes provisions intended to address concerns related to market concentration and access to seeds for breeders and farmers. The Committee on Environment (ENVI) is expected to vote on the provisional agreement on 15 June 2026, which could be put to a plenary vote during the same week if it is approved without amendment.

Water scarcity and water bankruptcy are serious global issues, and mitigating violations of the human right to water remains crucial for regional stability and sustainable development. On Wednesday, Members are set to consider a recommendation to the Council, Commission and High Representative regarding transnational water governance. An AFET committee report notes the importance of transnational water governance for conflict prevention and peace, underscoring the growing political and security dimensions of water issues. The report calls on Parliament to condemn the weaponisation of water in conflicts and urges the EU to increase funding for transboundary water management and to take the lead in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goal on clean water.

The improper management of end-of-life vehicles can damage the environment and lose millions of tonnes of material that could be recycled to the benefit of the EU economy instead. On Thursday morning, Parliament is due to consider a provisional agreement on circularity requirements for vehicle design and end-of-life vehicles. The agreement sets out requirements for passenger, commercial, and heavy-duty vehicles. Each vehicle type must include recycled plastic, in line with progressively rising targets and minimum recycled content requirements. Manufacturers and producers will also be obliged to clearly label refurbished parts and provide information regarding safe access to, removal, and replacement of parts.

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

Further reading:

European Parliament Plenary Session June 2026 – agenda

• Question time: State of play on the European Commission’s pledge to reduce the reporting burden, in particular for SMEs
• Digital Omnibus on AI: Adoption in plenary
• EU-US tariffs agreement
• Strengthening farmers’ position in the food supply chain
• Circularity requirements for vehicle design and end-of-life vehicles
• Promoting transnational governance on water in the interests of conflict prevention and peace
• Plants obtained by new genomic techniques
• 2025 Commission report on Georgia
• 2025 Commission report on Montenegro
• 2025 Commission report on Albania
• 2025 Commission report on Türkiye
• 2025 Commission report on Kosovo
• 2025 Commission report on North Macedonia
• 2025 Commission report on Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Laureates of the 2025 Sakharov Prize
• Supporting democracy in Belarus
• Current membership of the European Council

Leah Ray ist grosser Fussball-Fan und möchte sich die WM 2026 nicht entgehen lassen. In einem Video erzählt sie, wie viel sie der Spass auf der anderen Seite des Atlantiks kosten wird.