European Commission - Daily News Daily News 27 / 01 / 2026 Brussels, 27 January 2026 EU and India advance strategic partnership across trade and defence at their 16 th Summit Today, the European Union and India held their 16th EU-India Summit in New Delhi, opening a whole new chapter in the wider strategic partnership between EU and India. The successful conclusion of an EU-India Free Trade Agreement and the launch o...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 27 / 01 / 2026 Brussels, 27 January 2026 EU and India advance strategic partnership across trade and defence at their 16 th Summit Today, the European Union and India held their 16th EU-India Summit in New Delhi, opening a whole new chapter in the wider strategic partnership between EU and India. The successful conclusion of an EU-India Free Trade Agreement and the launch of an EU-India Security and Defence Partnership underline the determination of both partners to shape one of the defining partnerships of the 21 st century. President Ursula von der Leyen said: “In this increasingly volatile world, Europe chooses cooperation and strategic partnerships. Today, we signed the EU-India Free Trade Agreement – the mother of all trade deals. We are opening an incredible market for seamless trade, investments and drastic reduction in tariffs for two billion people. And our Security and Defence Partnership will increase our resilience against all forms of threats. Today, we move forward together, committed to our truly transformative partnership.” Besides the historical trade agreement and the security and defence partnership, the EU and India launched talks on an agreement to allow the secure exchange of sensitive information. The Summit also reinforced cooperation on innovation, research, skills, and mobility. Both sides equally agreed on new initiatives to support startups, research, and clean energy, including green hydrogen, and endorsed a long-term strategic agenda that will guide EU-India cooperation to 2030. On the sidelines of the Summit, President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Modi met business leaders at the first EU–India Business Forum, to strengthen economic ties between the peoples of Europe and India. Discussions will continue at the India–EU Forum in early February, bringing together policymakers, businesses, and experts to turn these plans into action. President von der Leyen 's statement with President Costa and Indian Prime Minister Modi, following the summit, is available online. A press release , factsheet , and the joint statement following the EU-India 16 th Summit are available online. A press release and questions and answers on the EU-India Free Trade Agreement are also available online. (For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Anouar El Anouni – Tel.: +32 2 291 35 80; Marta Perez-Cejuela Romero – Tel.: +32 2 296 37 70) Commission launches task force to strengthen import controls on food safety The European Commission yesterday established a Task Force to maintain and reinforce the EU's ability to ensure imports meet Union standards, while supporting the jobs and growth of EU producers. The Task Force will focus in particular on food and feed safety, pesticide residues and coordinated EU monitoring actions on specific imported products . It brings together expertise from the Commission and Member States, and will contribute to further harmonising of import controls across the EU, developing recommendations for joint actions between the Commission and Member States and identifying where additional administrative or regulatory measures are needed to strengthen controls. Strict import rules with respect to food and feed hygiene, consumer safety and animal and plant health status aim at assuring that all imports fulfil the same high standards as products from the EU itself. Import controls are crucial in verifying compliance of food and feed products with relevant requirements. EU rules apply to all products sold in the EU, whether produced domestically or imported. The formal launch of the Task Force happened in the margins of yesterday's Council , and builds on the Implementation Dialogue on import controls held last December , when the Commission announced a reinforcement of its actions in this area. More information is available in our press release . (For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73 ) The EU and Brazil conclude agreements to create the biggest area of free and safe data flows in the world Today, the European Commission and Brazil adopted mutual adequacy decisions , confirming that their levels of data protection are comparable. Recognising the high data protection standards that protect consumers and citizens on both sides, these agreements now allow businesses, public authorities and researchers to freely exchange data between the EU and Brazil. By ensuring that personal data can flow freely and securely between the EU and Brazil without any additional requirements, there will be a boost to digital trade between the two jurisdictions. The decisions will save costs and ensure legal certainty and stability for European companies already invested in Brazil and for Brazilian firms expanding into the EU's market. They create the largest area of free and safe data flows in the world, benefitting a combined 670 million consumers across the EU and Brazil. These mutual adequacy decisions come in the backdrop of the historic Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and Interim Trade Agreement (iTA) signed on 17 January between the EU and Mercosur. The decisions will be a building block for strengthening trade between the EU and Brazil and sends yet another strong geopolitical signal, demonstrating the EU and Brazil' shared commitment to multilateralism and the rules-based international order. Henna Virkkunen , Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, said: “ Today, the EU is further deepening its ties with one of its most strategic and like-minded partners. Our mutual adequacy decision is a key step in further integrating our economies. It will create new opportunities for our businesses and advance innovation, to the benefit of millions of consumers across Europe and South America.” Michael McGrath , Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, said: “Brazil has built a strong privacy and data protection framework that safeguards fundamental rights. Together, we have created the world's largest area for safe, cross-border data flows, covering over 670 million people. This agreement boosts digital trade, supports businesses of all sizes, and sets a global benchmark showing that strong privacy protections can coexist with innovation and growth. It sends a clear message: fundamental rights don't stop at borders, giving consumers confidence that their data is respected and protected.” The adoption of the mutual adequacy decisions follows an opinion by the European Data Protection Board, and the EU Member States' greenlight in the so-called comitology procedure . The Commission will review the functioning of its adequacy decision after a period of four years. Later today, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath , will take part in a ceremony in Brasilia, Brazil, to mark this historical milestone. The ceremony will be livestreamed on EBS and will be followed by a press conference at +/- 20:00 CET. A joint statement by Commissioner McGrath and the Director-President of Brazil's National Data Protection Authority will be made available tomorrow morning. More information can be found in our press release . (For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel: +32 2 296 75 33 ; Antoine Lomba – Tel: +32 2 299 32 33 ) Commission delivers €171 million support package for infrastructure and businesses in the Western Balkans The European Commission has announced a €171 million of support to boost infrastructure development and private sector growth across Western Balkans partners. The new support package includes an investment contribution package from different EU funding sources: contributions from the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) for a project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, contributions from WBIF bilateral donors for a project in Montenegro, and contributions from the Reform and Growth Facility (RGF) for projects in Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia. Today's funding package includes investment and technical assistance projects approved today, reinforcing the EU's commitment to sustainable growth and regional connectivity in the Western Balkans. Of the total package, €91.8 million is allocated to infrastructure projects in the four partners. This funding is expected to mobilise €263 million in total investments across seven projects in priority sectors, including digital, clean energy, human capital, transport and environment. In addition, €2.9 million is allocated to four technical assistance projects in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, aimed at supporting future investments in energy, water, innovation, and research sectors. The package also includes €76.3 million in contributions to programmes supporting the private sector. Following approval by the Western Balkans Investment Framework Operational Board, projects can proceed to implementation. This includes finalising the necessary agreements with partner institutions and beneficiaries, launching preparatory studies for technical assistance activities, and completing the procedures required to enable implementation of private-sector projects. Once these processes are completed, implementation of the supported investments can begin. More information is available in our press release . (For more information: Guillaume Mercier – Tel. +32 2 298 05 64; Pedro Fonesca Moniz – Tel. +32 2 291 38 76) Belgium has increased its climate and energy ambition towards 2030 but more efforts are needed, according to Commission assessment The Commission published its assessment of the final updated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) of Belgium . It includes specific guidance for the country to implement its plan and for raising its ambition to meet the EU's climate and energy targets for 2030. While Belgium has increased its ambition compared to the draft updated plan , further effort is necessary particularly in closing the gaps in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The final updated plan indicates Belgium's readiness to meet its 2030 commitments under the Effort Sharing Regulation , with expectations of exceeding its Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) objectives, provided the plan is properly executed. The country is strengthening its energy security through diversifying gas supplies, maintaining stable consumption levels, and exploring alternatives of energy sources such as hydrogen. This assessment complements the EU-wide assessment of the final updated NECPs and its accompanying documents released last year, which highlighted substantial progress by Member States towards the EU's 2030 climate and energy goals . The Commission reiterates its call on Poland, the only Member State that has not yet submitted its final updated plan, to do so without further delay. The Commission will continue supporting EU countries in addressing remaining gaps, securing financing, and refining their climate and energy measures. More information is available online. For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25; Cristiana Marchitelli – Tel: +32 2 298 94 07) EU funds 136 research projects that will quickly benefit citizens and businesses The European Research Council (ERC) has unveiled the results of its final round of the 2025 Proof of Concept Grants – helping the transition from scientific ideas and discoveries into concrete products and solutions – awarding 136 projects a grant of €150,000 each. The funding will help to bridge the gap between groundbreaking discoveries and their practical or commercial use in everyday life, contributing to boost growth and investment. These grants bring the total count under the ERC 2025 programme to an impressive 300, backed by a €45 million budget from Horizon Europe , the EU's framework for research and innovation. In 2025, these grants supported a diverse array of projects, showing how cutting-edge science can pave the way for innovation. Highlights include harnessing satellite images and artificial intelligence to evaluate wartime damage, pioneering ultrasound techniques for real-time visualisation of the tiniest blood vessels in a human kidney and developing cost-effective methods to safeguard buildings against earthquakes in susceptible regions. Additionally, current projects investigate regenerative treatments inspired by the unique biology of the naked mole-rat to repair damaged hearts, and innovative approaches to reduce machine friction and wear by forming protective carbon layers during regular use. This year's ERC programme featured two rounds of calls, assessing a total of 879 proposals. The 300 new grantees hail from 23 EU Member States and associated countries, with the highest concentration of projects taking place in Germany (51 grants), Spain (42), Italy (33), and the United Kingdom (31). This shows how incentive to research in attracting talent from all over Europe. More information is available online. (For more information: Maciej Berestecki — Tel.: + 32 2 299 66483; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – tel.: 32 229-52117) International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Eurobarometer on perception of antisemitism On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the European Commission published the results of a Eurobarometer survey on the perception of antisemitism. The results show that a growing majority of Europeans (55% in 2025, compared to 50% in 2018) consider antisemitism as a problem in their Member State. 47% of Europeans acknowledge a rise in antisemitism in their Member State over the past five years, an increase by 11 percentage points since 2018. Hostility in public spaces (62%, +11pp), antisemitic graffiti (61%, +10pp), and online antisemitism (61%, +10pp) are most frequently cited manifestations. Almost 7 out of 10 Europeans (69%, compared to 54% in 2018) think that the conflicts in the Middle East have an influence on the perception of Jewish people in their country. Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner , said: “Jewish culture is woven into the fabric of European history. We must protect and nurture this today and well into the future. Remembrance ensures that we never forget historical truth. We remember, together.” The survey also found that half of Europeans (48%, compared to 43% in 2018) think that the Holocaust is sufficiently taught in school. Also, a growing number of Europeans (66%, compared to 61% in 2018) are aware of laws criminalising the incitement to antisemitic violence. Half of Europeans (52%, compared to 42% in 2018) know about laws criminalising Holocaust denial. In October 2024, the European Commission published its progress report on the first-ever EU Strategy on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life , adopted in October 2021. The Strategy steers the fight against antisemitism in the EU, setting out a series of measures to prevent all forms of antisemitism, secure and foster Jewish life in Europe and promote remembrance of the Holocaust. Work on all 90 actions of the strategy is ongoing - most recently a European Network of Holocaust Memorials (ESHEM) was launched to create synergies among the more than 44,000 memorials across Europe. On 20 January, the Commission also presented its new EU Anti-Racism Strategy 2026-2030 , which aims to combat all forms of racism, including antisemitism. The Framework Decision on Combating Racism and Xenophobia ensures that serious manifestations of racism and xenophobia – including publicly condoning, denying or trivialising the Holocaust – are punishable by effective, proportionate and dissuasive criminal sanctions. In 2023, the Commission adopted the Communication “No place for hate: a Europe united against hatred” to step up efforts to fight hatred in all its forms. In this context, the European Citizens' Panel on Tackling Hatred in Society, composed of 150 randomly selected citizens, formulated series of policy recommendations. As part of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme, the Commission will provide over €28 million of EU funding to support projects on European Remembrance in 2026-2027. Priority will be given, among others, to projects that aim to strengthen Holocaust remembrance, education and research or combat Holocaust denial and distortion. With the support of the Erasmus+ programme , and as part of the EU-funded project ‘ Addressing antisemitism through education ', UNESCO is launching a survey of teachers' knowledge and understanding of antisemitism. The full results of the Eurobarometer survey , including the report, factsheets and infographic can be found online. (For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Cristina Torres Castillo — Tel.: + 32 2 299 06 79) EU advances secure satellite communications with GOVSATCOM and IRIS² Last week, EU GOVSATCOM operations began, giving all Member States access to secure satellite communications for government and military use. The system is built and operated in Europe and remains fully under EU control. Henna Virkkunen , Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said: "Our security depends on our ability to stay connected, no matter the circumstances. GovSatCom is now ready to provide that vital link. By building our own secure satellite services, we are breaking our dependencies and taking full control of our digital safety. This is a win for European sovereignty and a major milestone for our Space Programme." Andrius Kubilius , Commissioner for Space and Defence, said: “GOVSATCOM is only the beginning. With it, Europe is moving decisively toward sovereign, secure satellite communications under full European control. By expanding coverage and bandwidth worldwide and advancing toward IRIS², we are laying the foundations of a resilient, trusted satellite infrastructure that will serve Europe's governments, security and strategic autonomy for decades to come.” This is the first step in strengthening EU satellite connectivity. In 2027, coverage and capacity will expand to provide secure communications worldwide, including through trusted commercial partners with strict security requirements. Progress is also being made on Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS² ), the EU's future secure connectivity system. IRIS² military frequencies are now in use, setting the foundations for long-term secure governmental services. This shows the value of public-private partnerships through the use of existing European commercial satellites. Initial IRIS² services are expected by 2029, earlier than planned. Together, these developments aim to ensure secure connectivity for all Member States and strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy, without any dependency on third countries. (For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel: +32 2 299 10 99; Marine Strauss – Tel: +32 2 298 91 03) Commission opens proceedings to assist Google in complying with interoperability and online search data sharing obligations under the Digital Markets Act Today, the European Commission has started two sets of specification proceedings to assist Google in complying with its obligations under the Digital Markets Act (‘DMA'). The specification proceedings formalise the Commission's regulatory dialogue with Google on certain areas of its compliance with two DMA obligations. The first set of proceedings concerns Google's obligation under Article 6(7) of the DMA to provide third-party developers with free and effective interoperability with hardware and software features controlled by Google's Android operating system. The second set of proceedings concerns Google's obligation under Article 6(11) of the DMA to grant third-party providers of online search engines access to anonymised ranking, query, click and view data held by Google Search on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (‘FRAND') terms. The Commission will conclude the proceedings within six months of their opening. These proceedings, which by their nature do not take a position on compliance with the DMA, are without prejudice to the powers of the Commission to adopt a decision finding non-compliance with any of the obligations laid down in the DMA by a gatekeeper, including the possibility to impose fines or periodic penalty payments. A press release is available online (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Thomas Regnier - Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83; Patricia Poropat - Tel.: +32 2 298 04 85) Commission clears acquisition of Club Atlético de Madrid by Apollo Funds The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Club Atlético de Madrid, S.A.D. of Spain by Apollo Capital Management, L.P. (‘Apollo Funds') of the US. The transaction relates primarily to the ownership of football clubs and participation in Spanish and international football competitions. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the companies are not active in the same or vertically related markets. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website , in the public case register under the case number M.12246 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Commission clears acquisition of Vos Logistics by Jacky Perrenot The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Vos Logistics Beheer B.V. (‘Vos Logistics') of the Netherlands by the Jacky Perrenot Group (‘Jacky Perrenot') of France. The transaction relates primarily to the provision of freight forwarding services and contract logistics services in France and the EEA and freight transport services in Belgium, France and the EEA. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website , in the public case register under the case number M.12260 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Commission clears acquisition of Builtech by VDK The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Builtech Group GmbH (‘Builtech') of Germany by VDK Groep B.V. (‘VDK') of the Netherlands. The transaction relates primarily to the provision of technical building and engineering and services in the field of electrical and mechanical installation technology. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited market positions resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website , in the public case register under the case number M.12255 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Commission clears acquisition of NSR by Brookfield and GIC Realty The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of National Storage REIT (‘NSR') of Australia by Brookfield Corporation (‘Brookfield') of Canada and GIC (Realty) Private Limited (‘GIC Realty') of Singapore. The transaction relates primarily to the provision of self-storage in Australia and New Zealand. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the limited impact on the European Economic Area. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website , in the public case register under the case number M.12273 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Commission clears acquisition of YES Communities by Brookfield and GIC Realty The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of YES Communities, LLC of the US by Brookfield Corporation (‘Brookfield') of Canada and GIC (Realty) Private Limited (‘GIC Realty') of Singapore. The transaction relates primarily to the affordable manufactured housing communities sector. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the limited impact on the European Economic Area. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website , in the public case register under the case number M.11277 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Commission clears acquisition of Milione by FIH and Ardian The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Milione S.p.A. by Finanziaria Internazionale Holding S.p.A. (‘FIH'), both of Italy, and Ardian France S.A. (‘Ardian') of France. The transaction relates primarily to airport management and related services. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the companies are not active in the same or vertically related markets. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website , in the public case register under the case number M.12207 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings Note that these items can be subject to changes. Upcoming events of the European Commission Eurostat press releases Calendar items of the President and Commissioners Individual calendars of the President and Commissioners MEX/26/245
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