European Commission - Daily News Daily News 04 / 06 / 2026 Brussels, 4 June 2026 Commission adopts its June infringement procedures To help citizens and businesses benefit fully from the European Union's legislation, the European Commission maintains a constant dialogue with Member States to ensure compliance with EU law. It can initiate infringement procedures against Member States in the event of non-compliance. Th...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 04 / 06 / 2026 Brussels, 4 June 2026 Commission adopts its June infringement procedures To help citizens and businesses benefit fully from the European Union's legislation, the European Commission maintains a constant dialogue with Member States to ensure compliance with EU law. It can initiate infringement procedures against Member States in the event of non-compliance. The decisions taken today, as part of this infringement package, include 34 letters of formal notice and 12 reasoned opinions. The Commission also decided to refer 6 cases to the Court of Justice of the European Union. Finally, the Commission decided to close 59 cases in which the Member States concerned, in cooperation with the Commission, have brought an infringement to an end and ensured compliance with EU law. The decisions and the corresponding press releases are available online. More information on the EU infringement procedure can be found in the following questions and answers . (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Kristyna Eeckels – Tel.: +32 2 295 10 65) Commission disburses €12.8 billion to support Italy's economic growth and competitiveness, under NextGenerationEU Yesterday, the European Commission disbursed €12.8 billion to Italy, marking the ninth payment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The Facility is the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU – the Commission's post-pandemic programme to support Member States' recovery, economic growth, and competitiveness. This payment supports a range of measures, including reforms and investments in key areas such as: public administration, tax governance, justice, and public procurement; education, employment, and tackling undeclared work; research, healthcare, tourism, and culture; as well as sustainable mobility, energy, agriculture, and the transition to a circular economy. Yesterday's disbursement follows Italy's ninth payment request, submitted on 30 December 2025 and greenlighted by the Commission on 29 April 2026 . Following the Council's approval to proceed with this disbursement, the Commission adopted a payment decision and released the funds today. Italy's overall recovery and resilience plan is financed by €194.4 billion (€71.8 billion in grants and €122.6 billion in loans). As with all Member States, payments to Italy under the RRF are performance- based, contingent upon the successful implementation of its recovery and resilience plan. With this ninth payment, Italy reaches 85% of its funds earmarked of Italy's RRP. 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 Recovery and Resilience Facility is available online. Further details on the RRF payment claim process can be found online. (For further information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 28 20 54) 2026 Justice Scoreboard highlights importance of effective justice systems for EU competitiveness and Single Market Today, the European Commission published the fourteenth edition of the EU Justice Scoreboard , an annual report providing comparative data on the efficiency, quality, and independence of the justice systems among EU Member States. The 2026 edition shows an improved perception of the independence and efficiency of justice systems. It also highlights the essential role of effective justice systems and independent authorities in fostering a fair and competitive environment, including data on key actors of the Single Market. For the first time, the Scoreboard also includes an overview of the competences of Member States' highest administrative courts and ordinary courts in business-related cases. The EU Justice Scoreboard findings contribute to the monitoring carried out within the framework of the Annual Rule of Law Cycle and the European Semester . They will inform the Commission's 2026 Rule of Law Report, as well as the final stages of the national Recovery and Resilience Plans. More information is available online in a press release and a questions and answers . (For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Cristina Torres Castillo — Tel.: + 32 2 299 06 79) Commission launches Simplification Platform to consult experts on administrative burden reduction The European Commission has launched the Simplification Platform - a high-level expert group, which will work on simplification and burden reduction. The Platform will contribute to assessing progress achieved on simplification efforts and help identify emerging priorities and needs, providing renewed impetus to the EU's broader simplification agenda. It will help the Commission identify where EU rules are too complex in practice, and how they can be made simpler for people, businesses and administrations. It will bring together Member States' national, regional and local authorities, the Committee of the Regions supported by the Network of Regional Hubs, the European Economic and Social Committee, social partners, small and large businesses, consumer and environmental organisations and other non-governmental organisations. Valdis Dombrovskis , Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification, said: “By listening to experts and stakeholders, we can build a more efficient, competitive and user-friendly Single Market for all. Simplification and burden reduction are not just administrative goals - they are essential to making the EU work better for citizens, businesses, and public administrations alike. In a world of rapid change, our rules must be agile, clear, and fit for purpose. This Platform will help us cut red tape, streamline processes, and ensure that EU legislation delivers on its promises without unnecessary complexity.” At a time of profound global shifts, an efficient and effective regulatory framework is essential for European competitiveness. Simpler, better-designed, and easier-to-implement rules will therefore help unlock economic potential and promote a more dynamic and integrated Single Market. The call for applications to select experts to the Simplification Platform representing a common interest shared by stakeholders in various policy areas has been published online. Interested individuals are invited to submit their application to the Simplification Platform Secretariat . Applications can be submitted until 10 July 2026. More information is available on the dedicated webpage. ( For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Quentin Cortès – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 35) EU-Moldova Investment Conference announces up to €641 million in strategic investments At the EU-Moldova Investment Conference , EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos announced investment plans and project initiatives worth up to €641 million in coordination with international financial institutions, private sector partners and public stakeholders. The initiatives will support strategic sectors, including energy, digital infrastructure, education and sustainable agriculture. The aim is to strengthen Moldova's economic resilience, improve infrastructure, expand access to finance, and accelerate the country's integration into European value chains. Commissioner Kos said: “The investment projects announced today demonstrate that Moldova is not only strongly supported by the European Union, but is also a country that is contributing to Europe's competitiveness, security, digital transformation and industrial development.” The EU will continue to work closely with the Government of Moldova, international financial institutions, private sector partners and other stakeholders to advance the announced initiatives and support their successful and implementation, with a view to delivering tangible benefits for Moldova's economy, businesses and citizens. More information is available in our press release . (For more information: Guillaume Mercier — Tel. + 32 2 298 05 64; Yuliya Matsyk – Tel. +32 2 296 27 16) Commission adopts temporary adjustments to Basel III Market Risk Rules to safeguard EU banks' competitiveness To ensure that the EU banking sector benefits from a level playing field with international competitors, the European Commission has today introduced targeted, time-limited amendments to its implementation of the new market risk capital framework for banks. The measures will apply for three years from 1 January 2027. The Fundamental Review of the Trading Book (FRTB) strengthens risk measurement in banks' trading activities and ensures that capital requirements more accurately reflect actual market risks. Delays in the FRTB implementation by major jurisdictions have raised concerns over competitive distortions faced by EU banks operating in global financial markets. To address these challenges, the Commission had already postponed the market risk rules for two years, exhausting the full deferral period under the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR). Today, the Commission has exercised its empowerment under CRR to introduce adjustments to the FRTB through a delegated act. Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, Maria Luís Albuquerque , said: “ Europe's banks must be able to compete on equal terms with their international peers. These targeted and time-limited measures help preserve a level playing field in global financial markets while maintaining our commitment to the Basel standards. They provide certainty for EU banks, support the objectives of the Savings and Investments Union, and give us the necessary time to monitor developments in other major jurisdictions before determining the most appropriate long- term approach. ” A press release is available online. (For more information: Siobhan McGarry - Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Marta Perez-Cejuela Romero - Tel.: +32 2 296 37 70) Commission announces winners of LIFE Awards 2026 Yesterday, the European Commission announced the winners of this year's LIFE Awards . These are projects that make a significant contribution to environmental and climate action. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the LIFE Awards recognise the most innovative, inspirational and impactful projects financed by the EU's LIFE Programme in three categories: nature protection and biodiversity; circular economy and quality of life; and climate action. The following projects were awarded during the EU Green Week . First, the LIFE Award for Nature went to LIFE Danube floodplains . This project from Slovakia and Hungary successfully restored and managed threatened and degraded Danube floodplain habitats, providing a practical model for sustainable floodplain restoration across the region. Winning the LIFE Award for Circular Economy and Quality of Life, LIFE Turn to e-circular built awareness and created supporting infrastructure for a circular economy for household electrical and electronic equipment in Slovenia. This project also strengthened local communities and provides a model for sustainable electronic waste management across Europe. The LIFE Award for Climate Action went to the Spanish LIFE WetLands4CLIMATE project, which successfully demonstrated that properly managing, restoring and conserving Mediterranean wetlands is an effective way to mitigate the consequences of climate change and preserve biodiversity. The LIFE Citizens' Prize went to Egyptian Vulture New LIFE , coordinated between Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Jordan, Kenya, Nigeria, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom. Described as one of the most ambitious vulture conservation initiatives ever undertaken, this project successfully halted the decline in the Balkan population of Egyptian Vultures and mounted an awareness raising campaign which reached 25 million people in 14 countries across Europe, Asia and Africa. The 2026 Special Award, which in this edition focuses on how investment in nature and healthy ecosystems can strengthen Europe's economy, security and long-term prosperity, was awarded to the Spanish LIFE Olivares Vivos project. Its work centres on the protection and restoration of biodiversity in olive groves across southern Spain. You can find more information on the LIFE Award winners online. (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73) Commissioner Roswall meets young Europeans to discuss resilient nature-based future for Europe In the margins of the ongoing EU Green Week , Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall , hosted a Youth Policy Dialogue yesterday. The focus of the discussion was on how restoring ecosystems can help Europe become more resilient and competitive, while supporting innovation, investment and local jobs. The dialogue brought together 13 young participants from across the EU to exchange views on how investments in nature can support both environmental protection and economic resilience. Participants from diverse backgrounds addressed broader questions such as nature restoration, biodiversity, pollinators, bioeconomy, nature credits and circular economy. Commissioner Roswall also highlighted the important role that young Europeans play in building Europe's future when they bring new ideas for connecting nature, economy and society. Youth Policy Dialogues are part of the Commission's broader effort to integrate the views of young people in the EU's political agenda, as set out in President Ursula von der Leyen 's Political Guidelines for 2024-2029 . By focusing on pressing policy issues and through open discussions, these dialogues aim to strengthen youth participation and foster engagement in democratic life. More information on Youth Policy Dialogues can be found on the dedicated webpage. (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73) Commission approves €25 million Spanish State aid for fishing companies facing increased fuel prices The European Commission has approved a €25 million Spanish State aid scheme to support fishing 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, up to a maximum of €200,000 per vessel and €400,000 per shipowner. The aid can cover up to 70% of the additional fuel costs resulting from the Middle East crisis. The scheme will 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 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 fishery 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) Commission approves €6 million German State aid measure for Erfurt airport The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, €6 million of operating aid for Erfurt airport. This is a regional airport with traffic of approximately 314,000 passengers in 2025, located in the German federal State of Thuringia. It is operated by the publicly owned company Flughafen Erfurt GmbH. The airport already received €11.6 million in operating aid between 2015 and 2024. In December 2025, Germany notified to the Commission its intention to grant additional aid until April 2027. The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular the rules on operating aid for airports under the Aviation Guidelines . The aid will allow Erfurt airport to stay on track with its plan to fully cover its operating costs by April 2027, while addressing the lasting consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Both crises have caused a significant drop in passenger traffic as of 2020 and significantly increased the energy costs of airport operators. As a consequence, Erfurt Airport faces lower revenues and higher costs, which has damaged its profitability. The Commission concluded that the measure is limited to the minimum necessary to allow Erfurt airport to fully cover its operating costs by April 2027. The aid will contribute to improving the connectivity of citizens and facilitating regional development, without unduly distorting competition in the Single market. On this basis, the Commission approved the German measure under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under case number SA.121317 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774) ANNOUNCEMENTS President von der Leyen at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Montenegro to reaffirm EU's commitment to the region Today and tomorrow, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen , President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola will be in Tivat, Montenegro, to participate in the EU-Western Balkans Summit. The Summit will bring together leaders from EU Member States and the six Western Balkans partners. High Representative/Vice- President Kaja Kallas will also take part. This is the second EU-Western Balkans Summit in six months, following the Summit in Brussels last December. The Summit comes at a moment when enlargement is more than ever a geostrategic investment in Europe's stability, prosperity and security. It also reaffirms that the EU accession of the region remains at the top of our political agenda. In her discussions with leaders, President von der Leyen will focus on the implementation of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which supports key reforms, unlocks funding and draws the region closer to the European Union. Following the Summit, President von der Leyen , President Costa and President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović will hold a joint press conference at 15:30 CEST, livestreamed on EBS . Follow the updates on the President's social media channels. Audiovisual material of the Summit will be available on EBS . (For more information: Guillaume Mercier — Tel. + 32 2 298 05 64; Anitta Hipper – Tel.: +32 2 298 56 91; Yuliya Matsyk – Tel. +32 2 296 27 16) Commissioner Dombrovskis attends the EastInvest Facility meeting in Latvia Today, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification Valdis Dombrovskis will be in Riga to participate in the first local meeting to make the EastInvest Facility operational. The facility is a new initiative designed to provide easier access to lending support to EU Member States bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. It is at the core of the strategy for the EU's eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine adopted in February 2026 by the Commission to help the regions in Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria most affected by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The event gathers national and local authorities, stakeholders, business organisations and businesses operating in the Latgale region as well as financing institutions supporting the Facility, including the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Council of Europe Development Bank and the Nordic Development Bank and Altum. Discussions will explore how to translate EastInvest policy commitments into concrete investment delivery in the Latgale region, with particular attention to the region's significant social and economic challenges resulting from the war, including in terms of access to finance and advisory support. The EastInvest Facility is designed to make it easier for private and public project promoters in EU eastern regions to access loans and advisory support to boost their economies, develop trade and enhance security. The four participating financial institutions aim to provide at least €28 billion in 2026-2027 in private and public investments in those regions. Commissioner Dombrovskis said : “ The EU eastern border regions and their citizens are facing singular challenges due to Russia's continued war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as direct exposure to security risks and hybrid attacks. We hear you, we see you: by making it easier to access financing and advisory support, we are delivering concrete backing to local communities and businesses, creating new opportunities for growth, investment and job creation. Supporting our eastern border regions is not only an investment in their future, but in Europe's security and prosperity.” (For more information: Maciej Berestecki - Tel: +32 229-66483; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 28 20 54; Francisca Marçal Santos – Tel.: +32 2 299 72 36) Commissioner Várhelyi visits Latvia for the twelfth High-Level meeting of Small Countries Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi , is taking part today in a conference titled ‘From Scarcity to Sustainability: Can Small Nations Lead Workforce Innovation?' as part of the twelfth High-level Meeting of the Small Countries Initiative in Riga, Latvia. The Commissioner will deliver high level remarks at the conference, which focuses on finding innovative solutions to health challenges in small countries. Later in the day, he will participate in the panel discussion on the importance of health security and health system resilience to secure the future health workforce. He will emphasise how EU-wide coordination on health can strengthen health systems and deliver for patients. The WHO/Europe Small Countries Initiative is a network of 12 European countries with 2 million or less inhabitants. The Initiative started in 2013 to ensure health-related needs in small countries are kept high on the international agenda and share best practice. On the margins of the event, Commissioner Várhelyi will hold bilateral meetings with Hosams Abu Meri, Minister of Health of Latvia, Neophytos Charalambides, Minister of Health of Cyprus and Alma Möller, Minister of Health of Iceland. They will discuss the EU's commitment to ensure high standards of health across the EU, no matter size or population, the importance of prevention for safeguarding citizens' health, and recent Commission proposals such as the Biotech Act which will boost accessibility to medical products across Europe, As part of his trip to Latvia, Commissioner Várhelyi will also visit Cellbox Labs, which has secured €3.3 million through Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) Tech4Cure -related support and European Regional Development Fund -backed projects, to see first-hand the medical innovation happening across Europe. The Lab produces organ-on-chip technology which, by recreating selected functions of human organs at miniature scale, can help develop new medicines with more precision and at less expense. Their technology is already used by leading European research entities including Leibniz HKI and Institut Pasteur. (For more information: Eva Hncirova-Tel.+ +32 2 298 84 33, Anna Gray –Tel. +32 2 298 08 73 ) Commissioner Kubilius meets with Belgian defence industry in Wallonia Tomorrow, Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius will visit Belgian ammunition and weapon producers Thales Belgium and FN Herstal to discuss how to strengthen industrial capabilities, building on the success of EU defence industry programmes. Thales Belgium is scaling up production of 70mm laser-guided rocket systems, supported by EU defence industry initiative ASAP – the Act in Support of Ammunition Production. FN Herstal specialises in small arms manufacturing, weapon systems integration and ammunition production and is active in several European Defence Fund (EDF) projects for research and development. The Commissioner's visits highlight the importance of regional defence industry for European defence readiness and for regional jobs and growth. Increased production of ammunition and weapons in Belgium reduces supply chain vulnerabilities, ensuring reliable flow of equipment to European armed forces. Local defence industry also drives regional investment, high-tech employment, and technological innovation within the Walloon economy. Commissioner Kubilius and Walloon Minister-President Adrien Dolimont will give a joint press conference at Thales Belgium, which will be livestreamed on EBS . (For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel: +32 2 299 10 99; Marine Strauss – Tel: +32 2 298 91 03) 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/26/1267
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