European Commission - Daily News Daily News 11 / 10 / 2025 Brussels, 11 February 2026 Commission seeks views on updating shareholders rights across the EU* Today, the European Commission launched a public consultation and a call for evidence to gather feedback on a possible update of the Shareholder Rights Directive . The Directive protects and empowers shareholders in listed companies ensuring they have a say in the...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 11 / 10 / 2025 Brussels, 11 February 2026 Commission seeks views on updating shareholders rights across the EU* Today, the European Commission launched a public consultation and a call for evidence to gather feedback on a possible update of the Shareholder Rights Directive . The Directive protects and empowers shareholders in listed companies ensuring they have a say in the companies they invest in, and that their interests are represented and respected. In doing so, it aims to improve conditions for investing across the EU. A potential revision of this legislation would contribute to reducing fragmentation across capital markets and drive cross-border investment by making it easier and cheaper for investors, intermediaries, and issuers to operate across Member States. Today's consultation seeks views from companies, shareholders, and investors on obstacles to cross- border investment stemming from the exercise of shareholder rights and how revised rules can help unify EU capital markets. They are also invited to share their views on how shareholder rights could be modernised to effectively address changes in market practices and technological developments. The consultation is a key deliverable of the Savings and Investments Union strategy . Henna Virkkunen , Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, said: “ Shareholders are essential to the companies they invest in. On top of providing an essential leg up to innovators seeking to establish themselves in the market, they also provide expertise, guidance, and long-term vision. Their direct insight is crucial for us to identify where we can best support them and continue to ensure good and sustainable governance in companies in the EU”. Michael McGrath , Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, said: “Shareholders are the engines of growth, providing the capital, confidence, and long-term support companies need to expand and drive cross-border investment across the EU. This is why a clear and effective system for shareholder rights is essential; we want to hear directly from investors, innovators, and all stakeholders - what still holds our markets back, how can we break down barriers, and how can we build a simpler, fitter and more efficient system to boost the competitiveness of the EU.” Following the public consultation, the Commission will assess the necessity to simplify shareholder rights across the EU. The public consultation and the call for evidence will run for 12 weeks, until 6 May 2026. (For more information: Markus Lammert - Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33 ; Antoine Lomba – Tel: +32 2 299 32 33 ) Commission launches call for experts to shape EU ocean policy The European Commission has established the European Ocean Board , a high-level expert group tasked with advising on implementation of the European Ocean Pact . Today, the Commission opened a four-week call for applications , inviting professionals and organisations to contribute to the future of sustainable ocean governance in the EU . Twenty-five experts will be appointed for a five-year term , with the first meeting scheduled for March 2026. Professionals and organisations with a stake in ocean sustainability, maritime industries, or coastal policy are encouraged to apply and help shape the future of EU ocean strategy. The Board will advise the Commission on the effective roll-out of the European Ocean Pact, providing expert opinions on specific ocean-related challenges, while ensuring policy coherence across EU initiatives and private-sector actions. In this context, the Board will play a key role in the upcoming ocean observation initiative, supporting ocean knowledge, research and innovation, ocean literacy and the maritime economy. The European Ocean Pact, adopted in 2025, sets out a shared vision for healthy, resilient, and sustainably managed seas. The Pact aims to protect marine ecosystems; promote a sustainable blue economy; advance ocean research, knowledge, skills and innovation; enhance maritime security and defence; and strengthen international ocean governance. More information on the call of application is available online. (For more information: Maciej Berestecki — Tel.: + 32 2 299 66483; Anna Wartberger – Tel: +32 2 28 20 54) Commission welcomes the adoption by the European Parliament of the safe third country concept and the first safe countries of origin list The European Commission welcomes the adoption by the European Parliament of the new rules facilitating Member States' application of the safe third country concept and the first EU list of safe countries of origin . The new rules will further strengthen the EU asylum system, making asylum processing faster and more efficient for Member States. Part of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, they will contribute to a system that is fair and firm, while ensuring the protection of fundamental rights. The Commission will continue to support Member States in advancing with the Pact's implementation as its operationalisation and further development require a continued focus in the next years. The first EU list of safe countries of origin will allow Member States to pursue a more uniform approach to asylum applications of nationals from countries on the EU list whose claims are likely to be unfounded. By means of accelerated procedures based on an individual assessment, Member States will be able to process such asylum claims faster and more efficiently. The safe third country concept allows Member States to consider an asylum application inadmissible when applicants could receive effective protection in a third country that is considered safe for them. With the new rules, a connection between the applicant and the safe third country will no longer be mandatory to apply the concept. Under EU law, third countries can be considered safe only when their national systems can process applications and provide effective protection where needed, ensuring protection against refoulement and absence of risks of persecution, threat to life, or inhuman or degrading treatment. The Regulations must now be formally adopted by the Council before they enter into force, which will happen 20 days after their publication in the Official Journal of the EU. The new rules are frontloading parts of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, which will apply as of June 2026. More information is available in our press release online. ( For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Fiorella Boigner – Tel.: +32 2 299 37 34) European Commission issues €11 billion in its 2nd syndicated transaction of 2026 Yesterday, the European Commission raised €11 billion of EU-Bonds in its 2 nd syndicated transaction for 2026. The dual-tranche transaction concerned a €6 billion tap of the EU-Bond maturing on 13 December 2032 and a €5 billion tap of the EU-Bond maturing on 12 October 2045. The 7-year bond was priced 99.835% with a re-offer yield of 2.776% and the 20-year bond was priced 98.799% with a re-offer yield of 3.837%. Bids received were in excess of €89 billion on the new 7-year bond and in excess of €83 billion on the 20-year bond. This equals oversubscription rates of approximately 15-times and 17- times, respectively. The Commission has now issued €29.4 billion of its €90 billion funding target for the first half of 2026 . A full overview of all EU transactions executed to date is available online . A detailed overview of the EU's planned transactions for the first half of 2026 is also available in the EU funding plan . The next transaction in the EU's indicative issuance calendar is an EU-Bill auction on 18 February 2026. A press release is available online . (For more information: Maciej Berestecki - Tel: +32 229-66483; Isabel Otero Barderas - Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25) Commission clears acquisition of StarRez by Five Arrows and Vista The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of StarRez Global Pty Ltd (‘StarRez') of Australia by Five Arrows Managers LLP (‘Five Arrows') of Luxembourg and Vista Equity Partners Management, LLC (‘Vista') of the US. The transaction relates primarily to the sector of cloud-based software platforms for the student accommodation market. 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 and 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.12271 . (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 Kartesia by NYLIM The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Kartesia Management S.à r.l (‘Kartesia') of Luxembourg by New York Life Investment Management Holdings LLC (‘NYLIM') of the US. The transaction relates primarily to asset management of private debt and credit. 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.12306 . (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 Bartec by OEP The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of BARTEC Top Holding GmbH (‘Bartec') of Germany by OEP Capital Advisors LP (‘OEP') of the US. The transaction relates primarily to the engineering and manufacturing of explosion-proof equipment, personnel protection solutions, as well as additional equipment in that sector. 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.12169 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) STATEMENTS Joint Statement by High Representative Kallas and Commissioners Šuica and Lahbib on the Israeli Security Cabinet decision to amend the land registration and property acquisition procedures in the West Bank The new steps approved by Israel's security cabinet for the West Bank are counterproductive and incompatible with international law. They risk undermining ongoing international efforts aimed at stabilization and the advancement of peaceful efforts in the region. The EU has a long-standing position of non-recognition of Israel's sovereignty over the territories occupied since June 1967, in line with the relevant UNSC resolutions. Moreover, the decisions affecting the implementation of the Hebron Protocol between Israel and the Palestinian Authority put at risk the sensitive status quo of religious sites. The EU reiterates its unwavering commitment to lasting and sustainable peace in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, on the basis of the two-state solution, with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable State of Palestine living side-by-side in peace, security, and mutual recognition. The EU will continue to work with international partners, including through the Global Alliance for the implementation of the Two State Solution, towards this objective. We urge all parties to refrain from unilateral measures which increase tensions and further erode the chances of a negotiated solution. This is especially important at a time when coordinated international efforts are underway to advance peace and stability in the region. You can read the statement online . (for more information: Anouar El Anouni – Tel. +32 2 291 35 80; Guillaume Mercier – Tel. +32 2 298 05 64; Eva Hrncirova - Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33) ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioner Jørgensen in Algeria to strengthen energy partnership and support diversification Tomorrow, Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen is travelling to Algiers to reinforce the long-standing energy partnership between Algeria and the EU. His visit forms part of the EU's efforts to ensure diversification among suppliers as we phase out Russian gas, aligning with the goals of REPowerEU , while driving forward the clean energy transition globally. Discussions between the Commissioner and Algerian leaders will cover cooperation on natural gas, renewable energy, hydrogen and energy interconnections. Commissioner Jørgensen will participate in the annual `EU-Algeria High Level Energy Dialogue` taking place tomorrow and will hold meetings with the Minister for Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, and with Minister for Energy and Renewable Energies, Mourad Adjal. At the end of the Dialogue, at around 11:00 CET, Commissioner Jørgensen and the ministers will deliver press statements. Watch them live on EBS . (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Cristiana Marchitelli – Tel: +32 2 298 94 07) 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 *Updated on 11 February, at 11:50 CET. MEX/26/381
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