European Union

Syria's new interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa has visited Ankara, where he was officially received by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. An inaugural visit to Paris is also under discussion. Commentators describe a rapidly changing situation with both winners and losers.

Written by Guillaume Ragonnaud.

Batteries, widely used in the transport and energy sectors, are central to the global energy system. They will be key to the EU’s clean energy transition, industrial future and strategic autonomy. Boosting the industrial base for battery production is therefore a key task for the EU.

While the EU battery sector enjoys strong support for its research and development activities, it also faces significant challenges such as dependencies on third countries and high energy and labour costs. Developing battery recycling or implementing more sustainable value chains could help address some of these challenges. However, significant threats, such as competition from countries with lower environmental standards, may hinder progress and require strategic action.

Projections around battery manufacturing in the EU remain highly uncertain. Many reports claim that the EU is on track to meet its future battery needs, yet also highlight significant risks that could prevent this from happening. Factors such as rising energy and labour costs, incentives offered by third countries, slower-than-expected market developments, or difficult access to critical raw materials, could undermine the sector’s competitiveness. Mastering the complexities of battery manufacturing technologies remains another major challenge. Delays or cancellations of gigafactory projects have already been announced across Europe. The recent collapse of Northvolt, once hailed as Europe’s flagship home-grown battery manufacturer, has raised serious concerns about the future of batteries ‘made in Europe’.

The EU has long recognised batteries as one of its strategic technological sectors. To make its battery supply chains secure, resilient and sustainable, the EU uses three approaches. First, it seeks to inject strategic impetus into the sector, using its convening power to improve cooperation among stakeholders. Second, it is working on a comprehensive regulatory framework. Third, it provides the sector with funding. The development of the battery sector provides an instructive case study for shaping an effective EU industrial policy.

Read the complete briefing on ‘Powering the EU’s future: Strengthening the battery industry‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

In today's edition of the Capitals, read about the gunshots that changed Robert Fico, how Germans are not turned off by Merz's far-right collaboration, and so much more.

Moldova moves further to counter Russia’s Energy blackmail.

The government announced it had received €174m from Denmark as part of two Ukranian military aid contracts.

A political assassination attempt, like the one on Trump, may have a similar boosting effect.

The BornToGetThere project has been set to advance early detection, surveillance, and intervention for infants at high risk of cerebral palsy. Coordinated by the University of Pisa, it brought together global partners to implement evidence-based practices, empowering families and strengthening health systems worldwide.

And EU countries tiptoe towards a unified approach to resilient telecoms infrastructure.

The head of the PiS-dominated Constitutional Court, announced an investigation into an alleged coup, targeting Tusk and top lawmakers.

Gaza will be a key topic after Israel suggested Spain, Ireland, and Norway take in Gazans.

The Hague-based court will look into Italy's deportation the head of Libya's judicial police.

Minimum wage and national insurance contributions increases have added to the uncertainty.

Szijjártó met with Patriots for Europe allies instead of engaging with the Czech government.

The evaporation of US humanitarian funding – on top of cuts by many EU capitals – means NGOs are already feeling the squeeze.

Labour groups fear consequences for workers' rights from the EU's push to slash red tape.

In this episode, host Giada Santana talks to Euractiv's news editor Owen Morgan and Brexit expert Joël Reland about the future of EU-UK relations.

This initiative seeks to support the integration of effective, safe, and accessible psychedelic therapies into European healthcare systems.