European Commission - Daily News Daily News 23 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 23 February 2026 Commission seeks input to shape its strategy for coastal communities The European Commission has launched a four-week public call for evidence to help design the EU's first-ever strategy for coastal communities, a key commitment under the European Ocean Pact . This strategy aims to support, drive sustainable economic growth, and add...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 23 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 23 February 2026 Commission seeks input to shape its strategy for coastal communities The European Commission has launched a four-week public call for evidence to help design the EU's first-ever strategy for coastal communities, a key commitment under the European Ocean Pact . This strategy aims to support, drive sustainable economic growth, and address the challenges faced by the millions of people living and working along Europe's coastlines. Running until 23 March 2026, the Commission invites citizens, businesses, local and regional authorities, NGOs, and experts to share their perspectives on the most pressing issues affecting coastal communities. With it, the Commission aims to identify key policy priorities, assess the effectiveness of existing EU measures, and explore new solutions to support economic vitality, environmental protection, and quality of life in these communities. Contributions will help shape the dedicated strategy, which will focus on unlocking the potential of the blue economy through innovation, decarbonisation, generational renewal and improved connectivity , while reinforcing climate resilience against threats such as rising sea levels, erosion, and biodiversity loss. Additionally, the strategy will seek to foster inclusive and vibrant communities by addressing challenges like housing shortages, overtourism, and depopulation, ensuring access to essential services and preserving the cultural heritage that defines coastal life. The Commission encourages broad participation to ensure the final strategy reflects diverse needs and delivers tangible benefits for communities along Europe's shores. More information , including how to participate in the call for evidence, is available online. (For more information: Maciej Berestecki — Tel.: + 32 2 299 66483; Anna Wartberger – Tel: +32 2 28 20 54) Commission approves Cypriot State aid measures for the Limassol football stadium The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, Cypriot measures for the public financing of the construction of the new Limassol football stadium and the subsequent use at preferential conditions by three professional football clubs. The first measure concerns the public financing of the construction of a football stadium, which was completed in 2022. It replaced a former stadium, which no longer met modern safety and technical standards and could not be upgraded to host international competitions. The public financing of €44.5 million was granted to the Cyprus Sports Organisation (‘CSO'), which owns and manages the stadium. The new stadium will provide a modern and safe facility for professional football and accommodate events of public interest, such as educational or cultural happenings. This will strengthen regional sports infrastructure, support the development of professional and grassroots sport, and sustain broader cultural life in the city. As a second measure, the CSO concluded a 20-year user licence agreement granting football clubs Apollon Limassol, AEL Limassol and Aris Limassol the right to use the stadium for their home matches. The clubs will pay a fixed annual rent set below market level to allow for the effective and continuous use of the stadium, subject to certain obligations relating to its operation, maintenance, safety and public access. The Commission assessed both measures under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The Commission found that the measures are appropriate to achieve the objective pursued, namely the provision and effective use of modern sports infrastructure serving social, educational and cultural purposes. In addition, the Commission found that the measures are necessary given the absence of private financing. Finally, the Commission found that the aid is proportionate , as it is limited to what is required to achieve the project's objectives, while its effects on competition and trade between Member States remain limited. On this basis, the Commission approved the Cypriot measures under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.113461 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774) Commission approves Greek State aid measure to restore Athens Olympic stadium The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €77 million Greek measure to support the restoration and modernisation of the main Olympic stadium of the Olympic Athletic Centre of Athens (‘OAKA'). The measure will enable the restoration of the stadium's structure and the upgrade of its energy performance. It will address serious structural deficiencies that were discovered in the steel roof structure as well as in the electromechanical and lighting systems. The total budget of the investment amounts to approximately €77 million and is financed under Greece's National Recovery and Resilience Plan , combining support from the Recovery and Resilience Facility with national co- financing. The restored stadium will continue to serve as a multifunctional public infrastructure hosting national and international sporting events, as well as cultural and other public activities. The Commission assessed the measure under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. It found that the public financing is appropriate and necessary to ensure the continued safe operation of a major sports infrastructure of public interest, in light of a confirmed structural funding gap and the absence of viable private financing. The measure ensures the effective use of modern sports infrastructure serving social, educational and cultural purposes. The Commission also concluded that the aid is proportionate and limited to what is necessary to achieve the project's objectives, while any potential distortions of competition remain limited. On this basis, the Commission approved the Greek measure under EU State aid rules The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under case number SA.118613 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774) Commission clears acquisition of Neo Next Energy by TotalEnergies, Repsol and HitecVision The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Neo Next Energy Limited of the UK by TotalEnergies S.E. of France, Repsol S.A. of Spain and HitecVision A.S. of Norway. The transaction relates primarily to the upstream oil and gas business in the UK Continental Shelf. 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.12282 . (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 EQUANS IM by Aberdeen and DigitalBridge The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of EQUANS Infra & Mobility B.V (‘EQUANS IM') of the Netherlands by abrdn Investments Limited (‘Aberdeen') of the UK and DigitalBridge Acquisitions LLC (‘DigitalBridge') of the US. The transaction relates primarily to EV charging infrastructure in the Netherlands. 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.12329 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Announcements President von der Leyen travels to Kyiv to mark four years since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine * Today, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen travels to Kyiv with President of the European Council António Costa on the eve of the four-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Despite meagre territorial gains and huge losses, Russia continues waging its illegal and unprovoked war causing sufferance to the innocent civilian population. As winter tightens its grip on the country, Russia is once again trying to freeze Ukraine into submission, systematically targeting energy infrastructure, leaving millions in the dark and cold. More than ever, Europe stands by Ukraine, and this visit will also highlight our extensive support to our brave partner and neighbour. The EU's support to Ukraine has been steadfast. Since Russia's invasion in 2022, Europe has provided €194.9 billion of support to Ukraine , including €70 billion for the military. In addition, the €90 billion loan proposed by the Commission, and based on the agreement reached by the European Council , will secure continuous financial support to Ukraine for 2026 and 2027. Further, Ukraine's defence is a pillar of the Commission's flagship €150 billion defence instrument – Security Action for Europe (SAFE) . Most of the 19 Member States that have joined this initiative have included joint projects with Ukraine in their defence plans. Ukraine has received from the EU almost €3 billion for energy security purposes. Ahead of this winter, the Commission mobilised more than €900 million for emergency gas purchases in Ukraine, and the electricity export capacity from the EU to Ukraine is currently at a maximum level. The EU has also offered over 157,000 tonnes of aid so far, including 1,000 generators in the past month. Tomorrow, Presidents von der Leyen and Costa will participate in the official memorial ceremony, commemorating the four years of war. They will also visit an energy infrastructure site damaged by Russian missile strikes. The two presidents will then hold a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The leaders will also attend a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, taking place in Kyiv. The meeting reaffirms the commitment of the 35 participating countries to support Ukraine in achieving a lasting and robust peace, ensuring the security of both Ukraine and Europe. Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen , will travel together with President von der Leyen to Kyiv. Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius , and Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos , will also travel to Kyiv. Follow their updates on their online calendars . You can follow the visit of President von der Leyen on her social media . Audiovisual material will be available on EBS . Updated factsheets and a summary of our solidarity with Ukraine are available online. (For more information: Paula Pinho – tel.: +32 2 292 08 15; Olof Gill - Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66) Executive Vice-President Mînzatu hosts dialogue on combating poverty in the EU Tomorrow, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, will host an implementation dialogue in Brussels focused on addressing poverty and social exclusion across the EU. The dialogue will bring together representatives from Member States, regional and local authorities, social partners, and civil society organisations. Poverty and social exclusion remain persistent challenges across the EU. In 2024, 93 million people in the EU, including 19.3 million children, were at risk of poverty or social exclusion, representing 21% of the population. This threatens social cohesion, undermines equal opportunities, and weakens the EU's long-term growth and competitiveness potential. The Commission is committed to building a fairer, more equal Europe and reducing poverty is key to this. In the 2025 State of the Union address , President von der Leyen reaffirmed the Union's long- term vision, underlining that the EU will set out its plan to help eradicate poverty by 2050. The policy measures to combat poverty build on the European Pillar of Social Rights and its 2021 Action Plan , whereby the Commission established the target to reduce the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by at least 15 million by 2030, including at least 5 million children, compared with 2019 levels. The implementation dialogue aims to help address these challenges and find practical ways to improve the implementation of two of the key policy instruments to tackle poverty, namely the Council Recommendation on adequate minimum income ensuring active inclusion and the Council Recommendation on the European Child Guarantee . The Executive Vice-President will take stock of progress towards existing policy objectives and identify barriers that hinder effective delivery and opportunities to facilitate implementation, and enhance simplification of EU relevant policies to combat poverty. The outcomes of the dialogue could also feed into the preparation of the forthcoming EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, the first of its kind at EU level, and strengthened Child Guarantee, planned for this spring. Implementation Dialogues are part of the Commission's commitment to seek feedback from society for the implementation and simplification of EU policies. As outlined in the Commission's Communication on Implementation and Simplification for the 2024-2029 mandate, all Members of the College of Commissioners must host such Dialogues annually. More information on this dialogue will be available online. (For more information: Eva Hrnčířová — Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Eirini Zarkadoula – Tel.: +32 460 76 57 13) 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/26/452
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