European Commission - Daily News Daily News 09 / 03 / 2026 Brussels, 9 March 2026 EU steps up civil protection efforts and brings back 356 citizens home amid developments in the Middle East Two repatriation flights chartered directly by the European Commission have safely landed in Romania. The two flights brought back 356 European citizens who were stranded in the Middle East from Oman to Romania. For the first time...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 09 / 03 / 2026 Brussels, 9 March 2026 EU steps up civil protection efforts and brings back 356 citizens home amid developments in the Middle East Two repatriation flights chartered directly by the European Commission have safely landed in Romania. The two flights brought back 356 European citizens who were stranded in the Middle East from Oman to Romania. For the first time ever, the Commission mobilised its own rescEU transport and logistics capacities following a request from the Romanian authorities. This operation marks an important milestone in expanding the response tools of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). RescEU capacities were deployed by the EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre . When no EU Member States and Participating States of the UCPM can offer transport capacities following a request for assistance, rescEU can be mobilised. Under rescEU, the Commission can cover up to 100% of the transport costs. Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib , said: “When crisis strikes, Europe is there for its people. When national capacities reach their limits, the EU steps in with strong support. For the first time, rescEU planes are in the skies to repatriate European citizens stranded in the Middle East. Our Civil Protection Mechanism is working day and night to bring European citizens home. Europe, standing together in times of crisis.” Beyond these rescEU flights, the EU has supported so far 42 flights, bringing over 4,100 European citizens safely back to Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Sweden. More flights are planned in the coming days, as a total of 23 countries have requested EU assistance: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Ireland, France, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. More information is available in our press release . (For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Quentin Cortès – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 35) Commission invests over €103 million in European strategic environment and climate projects Today, the European Commission is investing more than €103 million in seven strategic projects across Europe with funding under the LIFE programme . They will contribute to strengthening the EU's prosperity, reinforcing economic stability, food systems and environmental ecosystems, while also improving public health and quality of life across the continent. The selected projects are located in Finland , France , Greece , the Netherlands , Portugal , Slovakia and Spain . Supporting and accelerating the implementation of EU environmental and climate policies, the projects are focused notably on climate and water resilience, nature restoration, circular economy and sustainable land use. These are expected to mobilise additional national public and private investment. Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra , said: “The cost of inaction keeps rising. Investing in climate is not optional – it is essential for our economy, our security and our independence. The business case for accelerating the clean transition is clear and these Strategic LIFE projects are investments that adds on towards our climate goals.” Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall , said: “Long-term strategic LIFE projects are essential to deliver a secure and sustainable Europe. Today's investment strengthens Europe's natural infrastructure — the foundation of our economic security, competitiveness and resilience.” You can find more information in our press release and project summaries . (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25 ) ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioner Lahbib reaffirms EU commitment to advancing gender equality at UN meeting Tomorrow, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib , will be in New York to represent the European Union at the 70 th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Commissioner Lahbib will reaffirm the EU's unwavering commitment to gender equality and press for urgent action to be taken to tackle the remaining inequalities faced by women and girls, such as the threat of violence against women, harmful online content and narratives, and barriers to equal pay and gender-sensitive healthcare. The Commissioner will also discuss the EU's new Gender Equality Strategy for 2026-2030 , presented last week, and underline the vital importance of the United Nations for advancing women's rights globally. On Tuesday, the Commissioner will also take part in a meeting of EU Ministers on empowering girls in the digital age. The Commissioner will then attend the UN meeting and its general discussion on this year's priority theme: ‘Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, and addressing structural barriers'. On Wednesday, Commissioner Lahbib will deliver opening remarks at the side event organised by the EU on preventing and combatting all forms of cyberviolence against girls. She will also participate in a side event on humanitarian aid, considering what more can be done for women who give their life to save others. The Commissioner will also meet with Alexander De Croo, UN Development Programme Administrator, with Citlali Hernádez, Mexican Minister of Women, and will exchange with representatives from civil society and EU Youth Delegates. On Thursday, the Commissioner will deliver opening remarks at an event dedicated to eliminating violence against women and girls. She will also meet with other senior members of the UN. More information on the UN Commission on the Status of Women can be found online. ( For more information: Eva Hrncirova – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33 ; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73 ) Commissioner Brunner participates in a youth policy dialogue in Austria Today, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner participates in a youth policy dialogue in Vienna, organised together with the Austrian Broadcaster ORF. During the dialogue, Commissioner Brunner will elaborate on his role and priorities, focusing on migration management, internal security and the Schengen area. The event will also give the opportunity to students and young people to raise questions about civic engagement and the role of young people in shaping Europe's future. Youth dialogues are part of the European Commission's commitment to mainstream the voice of young people in EU policymaking, as set out in President von der Leyen 's Political Guidelines for 2024-2029 . These dialogues are important to ensure that the voice of young people's voice is heard and engages them in EU policymaking. (For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Fiorella Boigner - Tel.: +32 2 299 37 34) Commissioner Tzitzikostas travels to the US to strengthen transatlantic transport ties Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas , will today start his mission to the US, where he will engage with the country's top transport officials and business representatives. Upon his arrival, Commissioner Tzitzikostas will meet US Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, to discuss aviation, port security and international cooperation. The Commissioner will also participate in a discussion hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce, where he will exchange views with US business representatives on transatlantic mobility, tourism, logistics, and transport infrastructure, among other matters. During his visit, Commissioner Tzitzikostas will also meet with representatives of the US Coast Guard and discuss the EU's new Ports Strategy and Industrial Maritime Strategy . In discussions with Vice Admiral Thomas Allan, Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Commissioner will also address port cybersecurity and international cooperation on transport matters. On Wednesday, Commissioner Tzitzikostas will deliver a keynote speech at the World Bank's Transforming Transportation conference, which brings together global leaders to examine how transport can drive sustainable development. This year's event coincides with the beginning of the United Nations' Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035). (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Anni Juusola - Tel.: +32 2 296 09 86) 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/26/578
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