European Commission - Daily News Daily News 04 / 05 / 2026 Brussels, 4 May 2026 Commission publishes simplification review of EU Deforestation Regulation Today, the Commission published a report on the simplification of the revised EU Deforestation Regulation and a set of further measures for a smooth and effective implementation following the agreement of co-legislators last December. These measures will provide add...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 04 / 05 / 2026 Brussels, 4 May 2026 Commission publishes simplification review of EU Deforestation Regulation Today, the Commission published a report on the simplification of the revised EU Deforestation Regulation and a set of further measures for a smooth and effective implementation following the agreement of co-legislators last December. These measures will provide additional clarity to economic operators, Member States, third countries, and other stakeholders, while guaranteeing legal stability and predictability. With today's package, the Commission delivers on its commitment to the European Parliament and the Council to carry out a simplification review of the revised Regulation and prepares for the entry into application of the regulation by end of this year. The measures include a report to the European Parliament and the Council, an updated guidance document and Frequently Asked Questions , and a draft delegated act on the product scope of the EUDR. In addition, the Commission is presenting an updated implementing act on the Information System to Member States. Further details can be found in our press release . (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Anni Juusola - Tel.: +32 2 296 09 86) Commission publishes guidelines for the closure of its multi-billion recovery and resilience fund The European Commission published today guidelines on the closure of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) – the €723.8 billion centrepiece of NextGenerationEU . They provide further technical guidance to Member States on the operational handling of final payment requests in view of the applicable deadlines. It also covers the handling of cases where milestones and targets have not been satisfactorily fulfilled or where reversals – when a milestone or target is initially deemed fulfilled but is subsequently found to be unmet – may occur in the RRF's final phase. Additionally, the guidance provides detailed explanations on certain post-2026 obligations, including reporting, monitoring, control, audit, and data retention, to ensure continued protection of the EU's financial interests. While the RRF's funding phase will conclude in 2026, Member States must maintain robust oversight to ensure accountability and compliance with EU financial rules. The RRF was established in 2021 to bolster the EU's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen Member State's long-term resilience, economic growth and competitiveness. Access to RRF funding is conditional on Member States implementing agreed reforms and investments from their Recovery and Resilience Plans. The final deadline for meeting milestones and targets is 31 August 2026, as provided by the RRF Regulation , in line with the European Union Recovery Instrument and the Own Resources Decision. Member States need to submit final payment requests by September 2026 and all payments by the Commission must be executed by 31 December 2026. (For further information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 28 20 54) Commission clears acquisition of ME Kobiernice by EDF Renewables Polska and Eurus Energy Europe The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of ME Kobiernice sp. z o.o. by EDF Renewables Polska sp. z o.o., both of Poland, and Eurus Energy Europe B.V. of the Netherlands. The transaction relates primarily to the creation and operation of a Battery Energy Storage System in Poland. 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 . 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.12331 . (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 Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann by Salzgitter Mannesmann The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann GmbH by Salzgitter Mannesmann GmbH, both of Germany. The transaction relates primarily to the manufacture of semi-finished carbon steel products. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the limited impact on the market structure. 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.12296 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) ANNOUNCEMENTS Commission and European Parliament join forces to tackle housing affordability crisis Tomorrow, 5 May, the European Commission and the European Parliament will co-host a high-level event on the housing crisis in the EU . Millions in Europe are struggling because of lack of access to affordable and decent housing. The event provides an opportunity for policymakers, civil society representatives, financial institutions and citizens to discuss concrete solutions to this crisis. The Commission is advancing its work on the Affordable Housing Act which will provide a European framework to mitigate the negative effects of short-term rentals and promote housing affordability. Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen will participate in the event, alongside the Chair of the European Parliament's HOUS committee, Irene Tinagli. They will deliver closing remarks at around 11:50 CEST. Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will address participants by video message in the morning. The event marks an important step forward in the implementation of first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan , which the Commission presented in December 2025, as well as the resolution on the EU housing crisis that the European Parliament adopted in March 2026. You can follow the event on the European Parliament's website . (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Cristiana Marchitelli – Tel: +32 2 298 94 07) Commissioner Šuica in Algiers to discuss EU-Algeria cooperation Today and tomorrow, 4-5 May, Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica is in Algiers, a key strategic partner for the EU, to discuss EU-Algeria bilateral and regional cooperation. Discussions will include potential cooperation under the Pact for the Mediterranean across areas such as trade and investment, energy, migration, and security. Commissioner Šuica will hold high-level meetings. Today, she will meet with Algerian and EU stakeholders including diplomatic, business community, young people and civil society, and with Algerian Minister of Oil and Gas, Mohamed Arkab. The latter meeting will focus on the longstanding EU-Algeria energy partnership and advancing the green transition together. Tomorrow, she will meet with Algerian Minister of Interior, Local Communities and Transport, Saïd Sayoud; Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf; and Algerian Minister of Higher Education, Kamel Baddari. She will also give a press statement, which will be available on EBS . This visit will be an important opportunity to engage with the Algerian authorities as well as with the local and European business community, young people, civil society and other stakeholders. More information on EU-Algeria cooperation is available on this factsheet . (For more information: Markus Lammert - Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Luca Dilda - Tel.: +32 2 295 21 53) Commissioner Brunner in the United States to discuss global migration governance Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner , is in Washington DC today, 4 May, and will be in New York on Tuesday, 5 May, to attend the International Migration Review Forum. This visit underscores the EU's commitment to continue actively engaging in relevant multilateral fora to build reliable partnerships and improve global migration governance, as announced in the European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy . In Washington DC, the Commissioner meets with FBI Director, Kash Patel, as well as think tanks and media. He will also visit the Capital Jewish Museum and the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. In New York, he participates in the International Migration Review Forum . The forum will discuss the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration . Commissioner Brunner will also hold bilateral meetings with representatives from partner countries to strengthen cooperation on migration management. The Commissioner will also co-host a roundtable on a route-based approach with the Director-General of the International Organization for Migration, Amy Pope, and participates to a high-level event on Syria. (For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Elettra Di Massa – Tel.: +32 2 298 21 61) 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/26/954
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