European Commission - Daily News Daily News 16 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 16 February 2026 Commission remains committed to halving road deaths by 2030 The European Commission has published its report to track progress towards the EU's goal of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030. While progress has been made in reducing road fatalities, the report reveals that the current pace is insufficient. 19,940 people we...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 16 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 16 February 2026 Commission remains committed to halving road deaths by 2030 The European Commission has published its report to track progress towards the EU's goal of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030. While progress has been made in reducing road fatalities, the report reveals that the current pace is insufficient. 19,940 people were killed on Europe's roads in 2024. This represents a 12% decrease since 2019 but falls significantly short of the annual 4.6% reduction needed to meet the 2030 targets, as set in the EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 . Road crashes continue to impose enormous costs on the EU economy, estimated at approximately 2% of gross domestic product, while up to 100,000 people sustain life-changing injuries each year. Road safety is a shared responsibility between the EU and Member States. While national and local authorities carry out most day-to-day actions, the EU also plays a key role in strengthening road safety across Europe. Recent EU initiatives include updated requirements for driving licences , better cross-border enforcement of traffic laws , and a comprehensive overhaul of the EU's road safety and vehicle registration rules . Today's report presents more ambitious actions requiring coordinated efforts from EU institutions, Member States, and local authorities. The Commission will take measures across five priority areas, including promoting infrastructure safety and intelligent transport systems; helping to strengthen enforcement of road traffic rules and deterrence of poor road behaviour; advancing with the deployment of vehicle safety technologies; addressing new forms of mobility; and prioritising road safety research. “Every road death is a tragedy. While we have made important progress, we must accelerate our efforts and act faster and with greater determination. The actions we are setting out today will support Member States in saving thousands of lives, reducing the heavy economic and social costs of road crashes, and ensuring that Europe remains a global leader in automotive safety and innovation,” said Apostolos Tzitzikostas , European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Anni Juusola - Tel.: +32 2 296 09 86) Commission closes antitrust investigation following the withdrawal by Edwards Lifesciences of its disputed company policy The European Commission has decided to close its antitrust investigation into allegedly anticompetitive behaviour by Edwards Lifesciences, a producer of medical devices for cardiovascular applications. In September 2023 , the Commission carried out unannounced inspections at Edwards Lifesciences' premises in the EU. The purpose of the inspections was to investigate whether conduct by Edwards Lifesciences could breach EU antitrust rules that prohibit abuses of a dominant market position ( Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union). The Commission has in particular been investigating whether Edwards Lifesciences, through its Global Unilateral Pro-Innovation (Anti- Copycatting) Policy ('UPIP'), may have limited physicians' freedom to participate in clinical trials and other scientific and educational activities sponsored or supported by a competing manufacturer of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation ('TAVI') devices. After thorough analysis and careful assessment of all evidence gathered and in light of Edwards Lifesciences' withdrawal of the UPIP, the Commission has concluded that the investigated concerns have been addressed and further action is no longer considered a priority at EU level. More information on the investigation will be available on the Commission's competition website , in the public case register under the case number AT.40755 . A press release is available online. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioner Tzitzikostas in Finland to discuss icebreakers and the decarbonisation of transport Today, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas , starts his mission in Finland with a visit aboard an icebreaker, accompanied by Finland's Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne. The icebreaker will sail in the Gulf of Finland, providing firsthand insights into the operational capabilities and strategic role of icebreakers. This visit comes at a time of heightened international attention to security and operational readiness in the Arctic. Icebreakers play a critical role in ensuring safe navigation and supporting year-round maritime operations. In her speech in Davos , President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Europe should use its defence spending surge on a European icebreaker capability and other equipment vital to the Arctic security. During his mission, Commissioner Tzitzikostas will meet with Minister of European Affairs Joakim Strand, Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto, and the Parliament's Grand Committee for EU Affairs. He will also host a handover ceremony for the representatives of the Port of HaminaKotka at the Commission Representation in Helsinki. The port was awarded approximately €3 million in EU funding to construct an onshore power supply system for container vessels. The funding was granted through the Connecting Europe Facility Transport - Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility programme, which aims to support the deployment of alternative fuels supply infrastructure, contributing to decarbonising transport. Additionally, the Commissioner will visit the Meyer Turku shipyard, known for building cruise ships, car ferries and special vessels. (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Anni Juusola - Tel.: +32 2 296 09 86) APPOINTMENTS Commission appoints Elina Laurinen as Head of Representation in Helsinki Today, Elina Laurinen takes office as the new Head of the European Commission Representation in Helsinki, Finland. In this function, she will act as the official representative of the European Commission in Finland under the political authority of President Ursula von der Leyen . With almost 30 years of experience in the European Commission, Ms Laurinen brings a strong track record in conducting negotiations and undertaking representation tasks in complex and fast-evolving policy areas, including international trade. She was, for example, part of the EU negotiating teams in charge of trade talks with the US, Australia and New Zealand. Throughout her career, she has also demonstrated strong communication skills, effectively coordinating messaging across EU structures and ensuring clear and coherent presentation of EU policies to both national and international audiences. This background, combined with her extensive experience in coordinating major policy initiatives, equips her to lead the Representation effectively, advance the Commission's priorities, and enhance its visibility at national, regional, and local levels. Ms Laurinen, a Finish national, previously served as Member of the Cabinet of Executive-Vice- President for Cohesion and Reforms, Raffaele Fitto . Before that, she was Member of the Cabinet of Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton. Previously, she served as Team Leader in Interinstitutional Relations, Policy and Briefing Coordination in the Directorate-General for Trade (DG TRADE). Before joining the Commission in 1997, Ms Laurinen worked in national and international institutions. For more information, you can see our dedicated press release . (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Isabel Otero Barderas - Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25) 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/26/416
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