European Commission - Daily News Daily News 18 / 05 / 2026 Brussels, 18 May 2026 Commission proposes €144 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund to help Spain, Romania, and Cyprus recover from climate disasters The European Commission has proposed the mobilisation of €144 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to aid Spain, Romania and Cyprus in their recovery from devastating climate- relate...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 18 / 05 / 2026 Brussels, 18 May 2026 Commission proposes €144 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund to help Spain, Romania, and Cyprus recover from climate disasters The European Commission has proposed the mobilisation of €144 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to aid Spain, Romania and Cyprus in their recovery from devastating climate- related disasters in 2025. This financial support underscores the EU's commitment to standing by its Member States in times of crisis, ensuring that affected communities receive the necessary assistance to rebuild and restore essential services. When determining these amounts, the Commission took into consideration the magnitude of the damage caused by each disaster, as reported by each country, in line with the EUSF rules , as well as its financial availability. In 2025, Spain endured a series of extreme weather events, including prolonged drought, intense heatwaves, and three major wildfire outbreaks. The most destructive wave of fires began on 8 August, forcing mass evacuations and tragically claiming eight lives. The Commission is proposing a total of €120.4 million, including an advance payment of over €30 million already granted, to support recovery efforts, including the restoration of critical infrastructure such as water, wastewater, telecommunications, education, transport, and cultural heritage. Funds will also be allocated for temporary accommodation and emergency rescue services. In May and June 2025, Romania faced severe flooding in the Centru, Sud Muntenia, and Nord Est regions after several days of heavy rainfall. The Praid Salt Mine suffered significant damage when floodwaters from the Corund River eroded part of the riverbed, compromising hydrotechnical infrastructure and causing widespread power outages. The Commission is proposing €14.3 million to help restore the affected areas, ensuring that essential services are reinstated as quickly as possible. Cyprus experienced two catastrophic wildfires in July 2025, primarily in the Limassol and Paphos regions. Thousands of residents were displaced, two lives were lost, and nearly 900 private properties were destroyed. Schools and healthcare facilities were forced to reduce services due to the fires. The Commission is proposing a total of €9.2 million, which includes an advance payment of €2.3 million already paid to Cyprus, to support the restoration of energy, water, wastewater, telecommunications, and transport infrastructure. A press release is available online. (For more information: Maciej Berestecki - Tel: +32 229-66483; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – Tel: +32 229-52117) Commission greenlights Lithuania's sixth payment request for €178 million under NextGenerationEU Today, the European Commission positively assessed Lithuania's sixth payment request for €178 million in grants under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU . The RRF, the cornerstone of NextGenerationEU, is the Commission's flagship post-pandemic programme supporting Member States' recovery, economic growth, and competitiveness. Following its assessment of the payment request, the Commission found that Lithuania has satisfactorily completed the ten milestones and eight targets set out in the Council Implementing Decision . Measures linked to this payment request include reforms and investments aimed at enhancing digitalisation, transparency and efficiency in Lithuania's public sector, strengthening the social protection system, improving healthcare service monitoring, and advancing tax and customs analytics. Today's positive assessment follows Lithuania's sixth payment request, submitted on 31 March 2026. Lithuania's recovery and resilience plan is financed by €3.85 billion, including €2.3 billion in grants and €1.55 billion in loans. With this payment request, the funds paid out to Lithuania under the RRF would reach €2.8 billion, corresponding to 73.7% of all funds in the Lithuanian plan, with 65% of all milestones and targets in the plan assessed. As with all Member States, payments to Lithuania under the RRF are performance-based, contingent upon the successful implementation of milestones and targets included in its recovery and resilience plan. With a view to the closure of the Facility at the end of 2026, Members States must implement all outstanding milestones and targets by August 2026 and submit their last payment requests by the end of September 2026. An interactive map showcasing examples of reforms and investments supported by the RRF, and further details on the RRF payment claim process are available online. A press release is available online. (For more information: Maciej Berestecki - +32 2 296 64 83; Isabel Arriaga E Cunha - +32 2 295 21 17) Commission report shows Schengen area continues to be resilient and ready for future challenges The Commission published its fifth State of the Schengen report, reviewing developments in the Schengen area over the past year and setting priorities for the year ahead. The Schengen area continues to demonstrate resilience, underpinned by collective efforts at both EU and national level. The Schengen area is one of the European Union's most tangible and valued achievements, enabling a more than 450 million EU citizens to travel, work, study and live freely across borders while supporting trade, tourism and freedom of movement of goods vital to the European economy, alongside strong cooperation to protect the Union's external borders. The 2026 State of Schengen Report highlights significant achievements during the past year. These include a better protected external border and a decrease of 26% in illegal border crossings in 2025 compared to 2024. Joint efforts also resulted in more effective returns of persons without a right to stay in the EU, with a 28% return rate in 2025 – the highest return rate in the past 10 years. A key milestone for external border protection was the full launch of the Entry/Exit System (EES) in April 2026, delivering on a stronger, more digitalised Schengen area. Already in the first 6 months of operation, Member States registered over 66 million entries and exits and 32 000 persons, who had no right to enter the EU, were refused. The Commission also adopted the EU's first-ever Visa Strategy in January 2026. At the same time, the report showed that challenges remain requiring actions at EU level and by Schengen States. This is particularly important in the context of today's geopolitical environment which calls for reinforced collective responsibility to ensure that the Schengen area remains secure, united and resilient. The priorities for the fifth Schengen cycle (2026-2027) will focus on consolidating achievements, addressing remaining gaps, and enhancing preparedness to meet current and future challenges. The Commission invites the Schengen Council to discuss the 2026 State of Schengen report and adopt the 2026-2027 priorities at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in June. More information is available in our press release . (For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Fiorella Boigner - Tel.: +32 2 299 37 34) Commission seeks feedback on industrial biotechnology and biomanufacturing The European Commission launched a call to gather views on the potential for industrial biotechnology and biomanufacturing in the EU. Companies, professionals, experts, academics and citizens are invited to share the main challenges and bottlenecks they encounter and suggestions to address them. The feedback will support the preparation of the Commission's proposal for Biotech Act II, an important element of the Commission work programme 2026, complementing other initiatives in this area, in particular the Bioeconomy Strategy and Biotech Act I . The Bioeconomy Strategy is followed by legislative proposals, with Biotech Act I focusing on health already published, Biotech Act II will follow this year. The Biotech Act II proposal aims to create an enabling environment for EU industrial biotechnology and biomanufacturing to build a strong business case. This may include generating demand in lead markets and improving predictability for investors to encourage financial commitments within the EU. Untapped potential of industrial biotechnology and biomanufacturing can support a shift from virgin fossil feedstock the EU is heavily dependent on toward more sustainable inputs, strengthening EU resilience, self-sufficiency, and progress toward climate targets. The transition to a sustainable circular economy is a strategic EU priority. It can future-proof industry and offer consumers a broader choice of products made from sustainable materials. The call for evidence is open until 10 June 2026. More information, including details on how to participate, is available on the ‘Have Your Say' portal . (For more information: Siobhan McGarry - Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Rüya Perincek - Tel.: +32 2 299 49 03) Commission seeks views for the review of EU copyright rules The European Commission has launched a call for evidence to gather feedback on possible targeted measures to modernise the EU copyright framework , as well as on the practical impact and effectiveness of the rules introduced by the 2019 Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market . The Commission will assess whether and how the 2019 Directive facilitated the use of copyright- protected content in the digital environment, improved licensing practices, and fostered a fairer copyright marketplace. The review will be supported by an external study for which a stakeholder survey is ongoing. Rapid market and technological developments are reshaping the creative economy and online landscape. The Commission is also seeking stakeholder's views on challenges raised by generative artificial intelligence for the licensing and enforcement of rights, the fight against online piracy of live events in particular, the remuneration of performers and producers for recorded music played in the EU, and access to and re-use of works for research purposes. The call for evidence is open to contributions until 25 June and invites contributions from all relevant stakeholders on both the review of the 2019 Directive and a potential targeted legislative initiative on copyright. (For more information: Thomas Regnier - Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Patricia Poropat — Tel. + 32 2 299 27 17) First edition of Simone Veil Prize opens, recognising Jewish cultural heritage The European Commission has launched a call for proposals for the first edition of the Simone Veil Prize, a new annual European prize to celebrate Jewish cultural heritage funded under the EU's Creative Europe programme. This prize seeks to highlight how cultural heritage can promote civic engagement and social cohesion, while also reflecting the important contribution of Jewish cultural heritage to Europe's identity. The prize will recognise up to 25 finalists, of which five will be awarded the Grand Prix, one in each prize category. The five Grand Prix winners will receive an award of €10,000. The prize is named after Simone Veil, Holocaust survivor, first female President of the European Parliament, and dedicated advocate for human rights. The Simone Veil Prize will recognise projects across a range of categories covering both local and cross-border initiatives, with a focus on cultural heritage, community participation and dialogue. Applications are open to organisations and individuals from countries participating in the culture strand of the Creative Europe programme. The deadline for applications is 31 July 2026. Further details are available online. (For more information: Eva Hrncirova - Tel.: +32 2 29 88433; Eirini Zarkadoula-Tel.: +32 2 29 57065) Porcelaine de Limoges first to receive protection under new EU and Industrial Geographical Indication scheme The European Union has registered its first geographical indication (GI) for a craft and industrial product under the new Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications (CIGI) scheme , marking a major step in protecting Europe's non-agricultural heritage. France's Porcelaine de Limoges becomes the first product to receive EU-wide protection, safeguarding it against imitation and misuse while recognising the strong link between its quality, reputation and geographical origin. From 1 December 2025, the EU's new GI system has extended to craft and industrial goods the protection long used for wines, cheeses and other agricultural products – a further step in completing the EU's Single Market. The scheme helps preserve traditional know-how, supports local jobs and regional economies, and helps consumers identify authentic, high-quality European products. Interest in the new system has been strong from the outset. Since applications opened, 74 registrations have been submitted by Member States including Czechia, France, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Sweden, covering products such as ceramics, textiles, embroidery and cutlery. Applicants can benefit from dedicated support provided by national authorities and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) , including guidance on requirements, application procedures and use of the CIGI system. (For more information: Siobhan McGarry - Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Rüya Perincek - Tel.: +32 2 299 49 03) Commission seeks feedback on upcoming revision of the EU Tobacco rules The European Commission has launched a consultation on the revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive and Tobacco Advertising Directive , through a call for evidence published today. All feedback is welcome from across society on this important topic, from public authorities and businesses, to academics and researchers. The EU Tobacco Products Directive and Tobacco Advertising Directive set out the EU rules on manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products, as well as their advertising and sponsorship. Today's call for evidence builds on the Commission's recently published Evaluation of the EU tobacco control framework, which highlighted the importance of EU legislation for the protection of public health, as well as the smooth functioning of the internal market for tobacco and related products. The findings of the evaluation show that the EU rules on tobacco control have contributed to a significant decline in smoking and tobacco-related deaths across the EU. At the same time, the evaluation highlights growing challenges linked to the rapid emergence of novel tobacco and nicotine products, particularly among young people. Furthermore, both the Europe's Beating Cancer Plan and Safe Hearts Plan place emphasis on the importance of tobacco control as a key component of disease prevention efforts and safeguarding the health of EU citizens, and resilience of our healthcare systems. The revision of the Directives will also support the EU's objective of achieving a tobacco-free generation by 2040. The call for evidence is a chance for contributors to express their views and share insights on the problems to be solved, the key action areas proposed and the likely impact. The call for evidence will run until 15 June 2026. It will inform the upcoming revision of the legislative framework on tobacco control, planned before the end of 2026. Further information is available online. (For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73) Commission approves €405 million Greek State aid scheme to support energy-intensive companies The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €405 million Greek scheme to lower electricity levies for energy-intensive companies. The scheme aims to reduce the risk of these companies relocating their activities to countries outside the EU with less ambitious climate policies, which would result in an increase in global greenhouse gas emissions. It replaces an earlier similar scheme, approved by the Commission in December 2018 . The new scheme will benefit companies in sectors listed in Annex 1 of the 2022 Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy (‘CEEAG'). Those sectors rely heavily on electricity and are particularly exposed to international trade. Eligible beneficiaries will receive a levy reduction between 75 and 85%, depending on their risk exposure. The applicable reduction may not result in a levy below 0.5 €/MWh. Beneficiaries will have to implement certain energy audit recommendations, invest at least 50% of the aid in projects leading to substantial reductions of the installation's greenhouse gas emissions, or cover at least 30% of electricity consumption with carbon- free sources. The scheme also provides for transitional rules to progressively phase-out the levy reduction for energy-intensive companies that benefitted under the previous scheme but are no longer eligible under the new one. It will apply retroactively from 1 January 2024 and run until 31 December 2026. The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which enables Member States to support economic activities under certain conditions, and the CEEAG , which allow Member States to grant aid in the form of reductions from electricity levies for energy-intensive users. The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to avoid relocation. Furthermore, the scheme is proportionate, as it is limited to the minimum necessary and has limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the Greek scheme under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.120842 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Siobhan McGarry - Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Commission approves €300 million Irish State aid scheme to support renewable heat The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €300 million Irish scheme to support the production of renewable heat. The measure will contribute to Ireland's 2030 targets under the Renewable Energy Directive , reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the renewable energy part in heating by about 3%. The scheme will be open to non-domestic heating and heat users that install and use eligible renewable heating systems. These include biomass and anaerobic digestion heating systems, as well as high efficiency combined heat and power heating systems. The aid will take the form of administratively set tariffs paid per metered unit of useful renewable heat output. The latest date on which aid can be granted under the scheme is 31 December 2030 and payments can be made to beneficiaries until 31 December 2047. The scheme will support only new installations and conversions from fossil fuel or inefficient direct electric heating systems to renewable ones. To avoid overcompensation, the scheme includes project-specific budget caps, annual tariff reviews for new projects, and periodic reviews to address possible windfall gains. In addition, beneficiaries of the scheme may not receive other aid for the same eligible costs, and biomass and biogas fuels used under the scheme have to comply with the sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions saving criteria under the Renewable Energy Directive. The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, and the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework . The Commission concluded that the scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to accelerate the deployment of renewable heat in Ireland and facilitate the development of renewable energy in Ireland without unduly distorting competition. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.106437 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Siobhan McGarry - Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Commission approves €100 million Lithuanian State aid to support investments in agriculture The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €100 million Lithuanian scheme to provide investment aid for companies active in the production, processing and marketing of agricultural products. The investments must be linked to one of the specific objectives of the EU's strategic plans for the agriculture sector ( Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 ), complemented by the cross-cutting aim of reducing the use of resources, improving soil quality, adapting to changing climate conditions, reducing ammonia gas air pollution and strengthening animal welfare standards. Under the scheme, the aid will be provided through loans that will be granted to fill an established market financing gap for the farmers. The scheme will run until 31 December 2028. The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions, and the Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors in rural areas . The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to encourage investments in the specific areas. Furthermore, the Commission found that the scheme is proportionate, as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and will have a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the Lithuanian scheme under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.122686 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Siobhan McGarry - Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Commission approves amendment to 2022-2027 regional aid map for France The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, an amendment to France's map for granting regional aid until 31 December 2027, as part of the Regional Aid Guidelines . Regional aid aims to support economic development in disadvantaged areas of Europe, while ensuring a level playing field between Member States. With the amendment approved today, France will be able to support more areas with regional aid. On 21 January 2022 , the Commission approved the initial regional aid map for France for the period 2022-2027, which included the possibility for France to designate at its discretion additional areas eligible for regional aid under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, as non- predefined ‘c' areas. The map was amended in May 2022 to designate non-predefined ‘c' areas, in 20 November 2023 as part of the mid-term review and September 2024 to allow increased aid intensities for strategic technology investments. The amendment approved today further extends certain non-predefined ‘c' areas already designated by adding additional areas of the following regions: Pas-de-Calais, Bas-Rhin, Doubs, Aude, Hérault, Ille-et-Vilaine, Orne, Val-d'Oise, Côte-d'Or, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Nièvre, Seine-et-Marne, Vienne, Charente-Maritime, Dordogne, Gironde, Côtes-d'Armor, Morbihan, Somme, Finistère, Isère, Ain, Vaucluse, Calvados, Eure, Seine-Maritime, Aisne, Marne, Nord, Oise, Pyrénées-Orientales, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Haute-Garonne, Ariège, Deux-Sèvres, Maine-et-Loire and Savoie. The maximum aid intensity for large enterprises in the non-predefined ‘c' areas already designated on the map remains 10% of the eligible investment costs in Savoie and 15% in the other regions. The non-confidential version of today's decision will be made available under the case number SA.122749 in the State Aid Register on the Commission's competition's website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Siobhan McGarry - Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioner Dombrovskis attends the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Paris Valdis Dombrovskis , Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification is in Paris today and tomorrow to participate in the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meetings. Discussions among G7 partners and international organisations will focus on the global economic outlook, support to Ukraine, global imbalances, financial stability and economic security. The conflict in the Middle East and the work on ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz are also part of the agenda. On Ukraine, discussions are expected to focus on the country's financing needs, continued international support and coordination among G7 partners. The participants are also expected to cover sanctions against Russia, and the Commissioner will update G7 partners on the preparations for the first disbursement under the Ukraine Support Loan , which is expected in June. Commissioner Dombrovskis will also contribute to discussions on the global economy and global imbalances, from the perspective of the EU, including engagement with international partners on macroeconomic developments and energy-related challenges. In addition, he will take part in sessions on economic security, critical minerals, combating illicit financial flows as well as financial stability and the challenges linked to new technologies and extreme weather events. (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Francisca Marçal Santos - Tel.: +32 2 299 72 36) 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/26/1094
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