European Commission - Daily News Daily News 06 / 03 / 2026 Brussels, 6 March 2026 Commission suspends visa-free travel for Georgian holders of diplomatic, service or official passports under the revised Visa Suspension Mechanism Today, the European Commission is suspending visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic, service, and official passports . They are now required to be in possession of a visa when en...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 06 / 03 / 2026 Brussels, 6 March 2026 Commission suspends visa-free travel for Georgian holders of diplomatic, service or official passports under the revised Visa Suspension Mechanism Today, the European Commission is suspending visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic, service, and official passports . They are now required to be in possession of a visa when entering the Schengen area for official purposes. It is the first time that the new reinforced visa suspension mechanism is applied. This decision follows the approval by Member States. The visa suspension mechanism is activated in response to Georgia's deliberate and persisting violation of the commitments taken under its visa-free regime in key areas of democracy and fundamental rights. Visa liberalisation aims to foster people-to-people contacts and promote shared values, including respect for human rights and democratic principles. The actions of the Georgian authorities since October 2024, including crackdown on protesters, opposition politicians, and independent media, have negatively impacted the situation in Georgia and resulted in breaches of several fundamental rights and international legal standards. Georgia has also refused to align with the EU visa policy , which is an essential condition of maintaining visa-free travel. The Commission considers that the actions of Georgian authorities undermine the principles on which visa liberalisation is based. In addition, the Commission adopted today guidelines for Member States' consulate authorities and border guards , to support Member States in an effective implementation of the decision to suspend visa-free travel . More information is available in the press release . (For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Elettra Di Massa - Tel.: +32 2 298 21 61) Commission announces €60 million under Creative Europe to promote cooperation in cultural and creative sectors The European Commission published the 2026 call for European Cooperation Projects under Creative Europe , the EU's flagship programme for culture and creative sectors. With a budget of €60 million, the call will support around 150 projects carrying out a wide range of cultural and creative activities, promoting, among others, cross-border cooperation, capacity-building, artistic talent, and innovative practices. These projects will involve artists and organisations across all sectors of the culture strand of Creative Europe, including theatre, dance, music, heritage, architecture, literature, design, and fashion. Applicants from countries participating in Creative Europe have until 5 May 2026 to submit their proposals. Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef , said: " The 2026 call for European Cooperation Projects , worth €60 million, represents a powerful commitment to strengthening cooperation across Europe's vibrant cultural and creative sectors. Guided by the Culture Compass for Europe, this funding will support projects that celebrate cultural diversity, foster inclusion, and promote intergenerational fairness, contributing to a more sustainable, resilient and connected cultural ecosystem.” Further information on application procedures and eligibility criteria can be found on the Creative Europe website. (For more information: Eva Hrnčířová — Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65) Commission seeks views on how to promote affordable housing The European Commission is seeking feedback on measures to alleviate pressure on the housing market which will feed into the preparations of the Affordable Housing Act . Interested parties are invited to provide their views via a questionnaire by 29 March 2026, and to answer a call for evidence by 3 April 2026. The lack of affordable housing is the most urgent concern for Europeans living in cities . The biggest cities and most popular tourist destinations in the EU face the strongest pressure. The Affordable Housing Act will contribute to realise the objectives of the European Affordable Housing Plan presented in December 2025. The initiative aims to provide a clear and stable regulatory framework allowing public authorities to identify areas under housing stress. It will also include measures to protect and promote housing affordability in such areas, in particular through a legislative proposal on short-term rentals. Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen said: “Certain areas of Europe are particularly affected by the housing crisis, with people struggling to pay for their rent or even to find a place where they can live a decent life. This is why we want to give local authorities the tools they need to act and to make a real difference in the daily lives of their citizens, including when it comes to the growing impact of short-term rentals. But we cannot solve this challenge alone. I call on everyone with an interest in this issue to contribute to our work. Only by working together can we begin to turn the tide on this crisis.” As part of the consultation process, the Commission is organising various workshops and meetings with Member States and local authorities. More information is available online. (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Cristiana Marchitelli – Tel: +32 2 298 94 07) Commission seeks input to shape new European islands strategy The European Commission has launched a four-week public call for evidence to help design a comprehensive new strategy for the EU's islands. Announced in the cohesion policy mid-term review of 1 April 2025 and highlighted in the European Ocean Pact of June 2025, this strategy will strengthen resilience, boost competitiveness and address the specific socio-economic challenges faced by islands across the EU. Open until 1 April, this consultation invites citizens, businesses, local and regional authorities, civil society organizations, and experts, particularly those based on EU islands, to share their views on the most pressing issues affecting their communities. Through this consultation, the Commission aims to identify key priorities, assess the performance of existing EU policies and legislation, and explore ways to better respond to the needs of islands. Special attention will be given to young people, with the objective of ensuring that islands remain attractive places to live and work. More information, including details on how to participate in the call for evidence, is available via the ‘ Have Your Say' portal . (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – Tel: +32 229- 52117 Commission approves technical support to help Member States implement reforms and modernise public services The European Commission approved today a new package of 176 technical support requests under the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) 2026 , aimed at helping EU countries design reforms, implement EU laws, and modernise their public administrations. The Commission will notably assist all 27 Member States in addressing country-specific recommendations from the European Semester , the EU's annual economic policy coordination process. This support will help prepare the ground for the next multiannual financial framework (2028-2034) , ensuring that National and Regional Partnerships Plans align with EU priorities. Some areas of support involve helping Member States improve their tax systems, implement the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, and adopt AI in public services. It also includes setting up an Energy Regulation Academy in 2026 to assist with changes in the EU electricity market. Additionally, 66 exchanges and study visits will be organised through the Public Administration Cooperation Exchange (PACE) programme to share knowledge and best practices The Technical Support Instrument (TSI) provides tailored expertise to EU countries, helping them implement structural reforms and improve governance. More information about the TSI is available online. (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Anna Wartberger — Tel.: +32 2 29 82054) Commission welcomes political agreement on strengthening of the position of farmers in the food supply chain The European Commission welcomes the political agreement reached yesterday between the European Parliament and the Council on the proposal for targeted changes to legislation that regulates the common market organisation of agricultural products (CMO) and other related provisions of the EU's agriculture policy. These changes will strengthen farmers' position in the food supply chain and restore trust between actors in the agri-food supply chain. In particular, these measures will strengthen farmers' position in negotiations with processors and other actors, ensuring that added value of the products is shared more fairly across the entire supply chain. The agreement also includes the protection of terms related to meat cuts or species that will now only be used to designate meat products and will exclude, amongst others, products derived from cell or tissue culture. Preparations like burgers or sausages that can be meat-based or contain other products of plant origin will not be covered by this protection. The agricultural sector, in particular farmers, faces a range of challenges. This is why the Commission put forward a proposal to amend some of the rules on the common organisation of the markets in agricultural products (CMO), to reinforce the position of farmers in the food supply chain. The political agreement should now be confirmed by co-legislators as soon as possible. More information is available online in the press release . (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Kateřina Horáková - Tel.: +32 2 299 93 10) Commission approves €150 million Romanian State aid scheme for electricity storage The European Commission has approved a €150 million (RON 764 million) Romanian scheme to support electricity storage, in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal . This measure will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy. The scheme was approved under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) adopted by the Commission on 25 June 2025 . The purpose of the scheme is to facilitate the smooth integration of variable renewable energy sources in the national electricity system by increasing electricity storage capacity. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of investment aid through direct grants for new standalone battery energy storage systems. The scheme will be financed by the EU Modernisation Fund . The beneficiaries will be selected through a competitive tendering procedure. The aid is awarded through a competitive bidding process and will be granted before 31 December 2030. The Commission concluded that the Romanian scheme is necessary , appropriate and proportionate to accelerate the transition towards a net-zero economy and facilitate the development of certain economic activities, which are of importance for the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal. Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera , said: “ This is Romania's first scheme under the CISAF. It will help to deploy new electricity storage capacity, which is a key enabler for the large-scale integration of renewable energy into the energy mix. The measure will contribute to a cleaner, more secure and more resilient supply of electricity, in line with the EU's climate objectives and the Clean Industrial Deal ” . A press release is available online. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774) Commission clears acquisition of Sapporo Real Estate by KKR and PAG The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Sapporo Real Estate Co., Ltd. of Japan by KKR & Co. Inc. of the US and PAG of the Cayman Islands. The transaction relates primarily to the real estate 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.12315 . (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/26/567
Speech Brief