European Commission - Daily News Daily News 02 / 06 / 2026 Brussels, 2 June 2026 Commission disburses €7.2 billion to Poland under NextGenerationEU Today, the European Commission disbursed €7.2 billion to Poland, marking the fourth payment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The RRF, the cornerstone of NextGenerationEU , is the Commission's flagship post-pandemic programme supporting Member States' reco...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 02 / 06 / 2026 Brussels, 2 June 2026 Commission disburses €7.2 billion to Poland under NextGenerationEU Today, the European Commission disbursed €7.2 billion to Poland, marking the fourth payment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The RRF, the cornerstone of NextGenerationEU , is the Commission's flagship post-pandemic programme supporting Member States' recovery, economic growth, and competitiveness. Measures linked to this payment include improvements in healthcare services, digitising administrative processes, strengthening cybersecurity, expanding broadband infrastructure, reforming labour law, and advancing green initiatives—including hydrogen infrastructure, railway modernisation, and better access to sustainable transport. Today's disbursement follows Poland's fourth payment request, submitted on 23 December 2025 and greenlighted by the Commission on 23 April 2026 . Following the Council's approval to proceed with this disbursement, the Commission adopted a payment decision and released the funds today. With this payment, Poland has received €34.15 billion or 62.4% of its total €54.71 billion allocation (€25.27 billion in grants and €29.44 billion in loans), with 61% of all milestones and targets under its national recovery and resilience plan now fulfilled. As with all Member States, payments to Poland 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 is available online. Further details on the RRF payment claim process are also available online (For further information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 28 20 54) EU agri-food trade surplus expands in February 2026 The latest EU agri-food trade report published by the European Commission showed that in February 2026, the EU agri-food trade surplus grew to €4.4 billion, marking a 43% increase compared with January. The cumulative EU agri-food trade surplus remained stable at €7.4 billion, in line with the same period in 2025, despite softer performance in some sectors. On balance, the EU agrifood trade remains stable with a solid trade balance offsetting softer performance in some product categories. While both exports and imports saw slight declines compared with 2025, lower import values contributed to an improved monthly trade balance. The EU agri-food exports reached €18.8 billion, up 6% month-on-month but down 4% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the January–February 2026 period stood at €36.5 billion, a 5% decrease (−€2.1 billion) compared with the same period in 2025. The UK remained the top export destination, though shipments declined by €336 million (−4%), driven by lower values and volumes in pigmeat and cereals. In general, fruit and nut exports rose by 8%, led by apples and pears, while non-edible products saw a 10% increase. EU agri-food imports fell to €14.5 billion in February 2026, down 1% month-on-month and 5% year- on-year, with cumulative imports for the period January–February 2026, declining by 7% (−€2.2 billion) compared with 2025. The biggest import declines were in cocoa products, cereals, and oilseeds. Whereas imports of beef and veal, fruits and nuts, as well as margarine and other oils and fats recorded increases. The largest drop came from imports from Côte d'Ivoire falling by 29% (−€498 million). By contrast, imports from Vietnam increased by €214 million (+31%), largely due to higher coffee imports. More insights as well as detailed tables are available online . (For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 2 296 97 76; Kateřina Horáková - Tel.: +32 2 299 93 10) EU and Moldova strengthen cooperation on jobs, skills and social rights The European Commission and the Republic of Moldova have reiterated their commitment to strengthening collaboration in the areas of education, employment, and social policies, which are crucial for Moldova's reform efforts and its aspirations to join the EU. This was confirmed during the second High Level Dialogue on Labour, Skills, Education, Social and Child policies between Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu , Moldovan Minister of Labour and Social Protection Natalia Plugaru, and Moldovan Minister of Education and Research, Dan Perciun. The EU currently supports Moldova in the areas of employment, social policy and education through the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) with over €27 million allocated to projects relevant to these policies. This includes assistance for improved school curricula, helping more women and young people find jobs, and improve primary healthcare services. Moreover, reforms under the Growth Plan's social pillar can unlock €236 million of funding until 2027. Moldova is already increasingly benefitting from the Erasmus+ programme support, with €16 million received since 2021, and there is a strong commitment to progress towards the full association of Moldova to Erasmus+. As part of today's discussions, the Commission will also share advice on how Moldova can implement the Youth Guarantee to ensure young people are in employment, education or training. EU-Moldova's cooperation will continue under the Union of Skills to bring Moldova's education and employment frameworks up to EU standards. As the EU and Moldova share common challenges, including on education, labour and skills shortages, today's discussions will help set next steps to address these issues together, building on the conclusions of the first High-Level Dialogue held in Chi ș inău in June 2025. Executive Vice-President Mînzatu said: “Moldova is advancing steadily on its European path, with concrete progress in education, employment and social rights. Through our cooperation, the EU is investing in people: in better skills, quality jobs, equal opportunities, and stronger support for children and families. This is about alignment with EU standards and moving forward, because a stronger Moldova also means a stronger Europe." (For more information: Eva Hrnčířová — Tel.: +32 229-88433; Eirini Zarkadoula – Tel.: +32 460- 765713) Commission issues opinions on temporary internal border controls in Schengen Area Today, the European Commission issued opinions on the temporary reintroduction of internal border controls by Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden . While EU law allows for the temporary reintroduction of internal border controls under certain conditions, it also requires the Commission to issue an opinion when such controls last more than 12 months. The opinions issued today assess the necessity and proportionality of the notified internal border controls, as well as available alternative and mitigating measures taken by Member States to limit negative consequences on cross-border travel. The Commission remains committed to upholding the principles of free movement and security across the Schengen area. The opinions issued today include recommendations to enable Member States to work towards phasing out and gradually lifting internal border controls . More information is available in the press release . (For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Fiorella Boigner – Tel.: +32 2 299 37 34) Commission welcomes political agreement on the Return Regulation The European Commission welcomes yesterday's political agreement between the European Parliament and the Council on the Regulation establishing a new Common European System for Returns . Proposed by the Commission in March 2025, the new rules on returns are a key deliverable under this Commission's political guidelines and the European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy. It is a core element of the EU's comprehensive approach on migration, complementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum. The Return Regulation will give Member States the tools necessary to make returns more efficient, with swifter, simpler and more effective procedures across the European Union, in full respect of fundamental rights. The new common rules include a truly European system in the form of a Regulation, mutual Recognition of return decisions, stronger rules on forced return, stricter rules against absconding , stronger rules for people posing a security risk , the possibility to set up return hubs in third countries, and strong safeguards throughout the entire return process. More information is available in the press release . (For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Fiorella Boigner – Tel.: +32 2 299 37 34) European Research Council launches landmark grants worth over €200 million for visionary science in Europe The European Research Council (ERC) launched today the inaugural competition for its groundbreaking ERC Plus Grants designed to boost ambitious and transformative research in Europe. With a dedicated budget of €210 million under the ‘ Choose Europe' initiative, the new grants aim to reinforce Europe's position as a global center for scientific excellence, attracting and retaining the world's top scientific talent. The grants will provide up to €7 million per project over a maximum of seven years, supporting exceptional researchers of any nationality whose pioneering ideas have the potential to redefine entire fields of study. Approximately 30 grants are expected to be awarded in this first competition, marking a significant investment in Europe's scientific future. Since its establishment by the European Union in 2007, the ERC has been at the forefront of funding frontier research across all disciplines, based solely on scientific excellence. So far, 15 ERC-funded researchers have been awarded Nobel Prizes, while many others have received the world's most prestigious scientific honours. ERC-supported research has also led to over 250,000 highly cited publications and more than 2,400 patents, underscoring its profound impact on global innovation. Ekaterina Zaharieva , Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, said: “Europe has all the ingredients to remain a global leader in science: world-class researchers, strong institutions, and a commitment to academic freedom. With the new ERC Plus Grants and the broader ‘Choose Europe' initiative, we are ensuring that Europe not only retains its brightest minds but also becomes the destination of choice for the best scientific talent worldwide.” The ERC Plus Grants form part of a broader €874 million package for 2025-2027 under the ‘Choose Europe' initiative, aimed at strengthening Europe's attractiveness for researchers and reinforcing the continent's long-term competitiveness through excellent research. More information on the grants can be found online. (For more information: Maciej Berestecki - Tel: +32 229-66483; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – Tel: +32 229-52117) Commission approves €54 million Spanish State aid for agricultural companies facing increased fuel prices The European Commission has approved a €54 million Spanish State aid scheme to support agricultural companies facing increased fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. The scheme was approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026 . The aid will take the form of direct grants. Companies can receive €0.20 for each litre of diesel purchased from 22 March 2026 until 30 June 2026. The aid can cover up to 70% of the additional fuel costs resulting from the Middle East crisis. 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 the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions, as well as Sections 1 and 2.1 of the METSAF. The Commission found that the scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the METSAF. In particular, aid will be granted based on a scheme with a clear estimated budget, and aid will be provided to temporarily support the development of companies active in primary production of agricultural products. The Commission concluded that the scheme is necessary , appropriate and proportionate to facilitate the development of an economic activity and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. A press release is available online . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: + 32 2 298 01 00 ; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74) ANNOUNCEMENTS President von der Leyen and Commissioner Zaharieva launch Europe's flagship deep tech event The European Innovation Council (EIC) will host its annual Summit on 3-4 June, welcoming nearly 2,000 participants – including entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and policymakers – to Europe's leading deep tech gathering: the EIC Summit. The event will explore critical themes shaping European competitiveness and technological sovereignty. It will also mark the official launch of the €5 billion Scaleup Europe Fund designed to support Europe's most promising strategic companies. The EIC Summit will open tomorrow with an opening address by President Ursula von der Leyen via video message. Immediately after, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, will officially launch the Scaleup Europe Fund and present the Fund's manager , which was chosen after a rigorous and highly competitive selection process. As one of the EU's largest deep-tech investors, the EIC and its EIC Fund have played a pivotal role in fostering innovation. Since its launch, the Fund has completed nearly 350 investment rounds in start- ups and small and medium-sized enterprises, while mobilising over €5 billion in private and co- investments, and delivering €3.5 from private investors for every €1 invested from the EU budget. On the second day of the Summit, Commissioner Zaharieva will also present the European Prize for Women Innovators , recognising outstanding women founders. Ensuing discussions will focus on the future of the EIC and the EU Inc. proposal. Financing of Europe's future will also be on the agenda, featuring Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, Maria Luis Albuquerque . Lastly, the event will see the presentation of the latest EIC Impact Report highlighting the EIC's significant achievements, as well as the launch of a brand-new EU Innovation Platform – the single digital entry point for EU funded innovators, investor community, and service providers to find, compare and access funding, services and clients. Further information, including the full programme and livestreaming of the main stage sessions, is available on the EIC Summit 2026 website. (For more information: Maciej Berestecki - Tel: +32 229-66483; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – Tel: +32 229-52117) 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/26/1229
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