European Commission - Daily News Daily News 04 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 4 February 2026 Commission marks five years of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan with strengthened actions to fight cancer and statement on ‘right to be forgotten' Ahead of World Cancer Day on 4 February, the European Commission has unveiled an update of the European Code Against Cancer . The revised Code sets out practical ways to help prevent the disea...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 04 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 4 February 2026 Commission marks five years of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan with strengthened actions to fight cancer and statement on ‘right to be forgotten' Ahead of World Cancer Day on 4 February, the European Commission has unveiled an update of the European Code Against Cancer . The revised Code sets out practical ways to help prevent the disease and is the result of four years of work by over 60 European public health experts. The guidance is based on scientific evidence and is tailored to the EU population and health systems. Cancer is a significant public health challenge in the EU, with an estimated 2.7 million new cancer cases and 1.3 million cancer-related deaths occurring in 2024. Beyond the emotional toll cancer puts on the everyday lives of millions of people and their loved ones, cancer also has considerable economic consequences, estimated at €100 billion a year in Europe. World Cancer Day 2026 also marks the 5 th anniversary of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan , which has had a significant positive impact across Europe. Under the Plan, more than €2.7 billion has been invested in actions to improve prevention, early detection, treatment and care across Europe, as well as to improve the quality of life for cancer patients. The Commission now works with almost 630 organisations under the Cancer Plan. Together with the EU Cancer Mission, the Plan also helps deepen our understanding of - and strengthen scientific research into - what drives cancer, be that biological processes, risk factors or health determinants. Today, the Commission also published a joint statement on behalf of Commissioners Várhelyi and Albuquerque on the ‘right to be forgotten' and how the Cancer Plan has brought cancer organisations, the medical community and the insurance sector together to engage in dialogue on a code of conduct on cancer patients' fair access to financial services. Further information is available in our press release and statement . ( For more information: Eva Hrncirova – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33 ; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73 ) Commission greenlights Czechia's fifth payment request for €614 million under NextGenerationEU Yesterday, the European Commission positively assessed Czechia's fifth payment request for €614 million under the Recovery and Resilience Facility , the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU. This is an important step in the delivery of reforms and investments tied to this payment request, in the areas of affordable housing, sustainable mobility, energy efficiency in buildings, railway infrastructure, environmental research and digital transformation of businesses. The Commission has now sent its preliminary assessment of Czechia's fulfilment of the milestones and targets required for this payment to the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC), which has four weeks to deliver its opinion. The payment to Czechia can take place following the EFC's opinion, and the adoption of a payment decision by the Commission later. A press release is available online . (For more information: Maciej Berestecki — Tel.: + 32 2 299 66483; Anna Wartberger – Tel: +32 2 28 20 54) Commission clears acquisition of One Foods by BRF and HPDC The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of One Foods Holdings Limited (‘One Foods') of the UAE by BRF GmbH of Austria and Halal Products Development Company (‘HPDC') of Saudi Arabia. The transaction relates primarily to the production of and investment in halal products. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the joint venture has negligible activities in 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.12233 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioner Brunner visits Montenegro and Albania to strengthen cooperation on security, migration and border management From 4 to 6 February, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner , will travel to Montenegro and Albania to engage with national authorities on cooperation in the areas of internal affairs, migration management, border security, the fight against organised crime and the rule of law. This marks his second visit to the Region after attending the Western Balkans Ministerial meeting last year in October. The Commissioner's visit underlines the European Union's strong commitment to deepening cooperation with the Western Balkans and to supporting both countries in strengthening security and their European integration path. In Montenegro, Commissioner Brunner will meet with Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Defence, the Fight Against Crime and Internal Policy, Aleksa Bečić, Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Filip Ivanović, Minister of Interior Danilo Šaranović, as well as the Director of the Montenegrin police. Discussions will focus on key security challenges, migration management, visa alignment, anti-smuggling efforts and operational cooperation with EU Agencies. The Commissioner will also take part in an aerial inspection, including with the use of drones of Montenegro's borders with Albania and Kosovo, and meet with Montenegrin border guards and Frontex officers. In Albania, Commissioner Brunner will meet with Prime Minister, Edi Rama, and Minister of Internal Affairs, Albana Koçiu, to exchange views on cooperation on migration management, border security and the fight against organised crime, as well as Albania's progress in aligning with EU standards. He will also be briefed about the work of the Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). The Commissioner will conclude his visit by meeting Frontex border guards and observing operational cooperation on border management in the Port of Durrës. The visit is an important part of the Commission's work in the context of the EU Ports Alliance. (For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Elettra Di Massa + 32 229 82161) Commissioner Kubilius travels to Slovenia to discuss Europe's defence readiness Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius , will travel to Ljubljana, Slovenia, on February 5–6 to discuss European defence readiness and defence industry ramp up and how to turn security goals into concrete industrial actions. The visit starts on Thursday with a series of meetings including with members of the Slovenian and European Parliaments and with Prime Minister Robert Golob. Later that morning, Commissioner Kubilius will address a joint parliamentary session where he is expected to emphasise the urgency of moving from fragmented national spending to a unified European defence pillar. That day, the Commissioner will also hold talks with Minister of Defence Borut Sajovic and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon. On Friday, the Commissioner will visit the Edvard Peperko Barracks to see the local Slovenian military facilities and will meet with defence studies students and civil society representatives at Ljubljana's Faculty for Social Studies. ( For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel: +32 2 299 10 99; Marine Strauss – Tel: +32 2 298 91 03) 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/26/326
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