European Commission - Daily News Daily News 17 / 06 / 2026 Brussels, 17 June 2026 EU supports Ebola response with €493 million in emergency aid, vaccines, treatment and health security as G7 leaders call for a coordinated response to the outbreak G7 leaders called yesterday for a strong and coordinated response to combat the 'Bundibugyo' Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The European ...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 17 / 06 / 2026 Brussels, 17 June 2026 EU supports Ebola response with €493 million in emergency aid, vaccines, treatment and health security as G7 leaders call for a coordinated response to the outbreak G7 leaders called yesterday for a strong and coordinated response to combat the 'Bundibugyo' Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The European Commission's support is building on €493 million in humanitarian aid and health security. This amount brings together frontline medical support for the immediate outbreak response, humanitarian assistance in the Great Lakes region and Uganda, vaccine and treatment research for filoviruses, and longer-term work to improve preparedness and health systems. The Commission response to the outbreak has been coordinated from day one with Member States, international bodies and partners. Safeguarding public health is the Commission's absolute priority. President Ursula von der Leyen said: “This is a reminder that health security is shared security. Countries can better protect their citizens by acting together. Europe is choosing reinforced preparedness and evidence-based collective action. Global solidarity is the only option when the world faces a common threat ” Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib: “Ebola is a test of our global solidarity. As some turn inward, the EU remains present, engaged, and a reliable partner. In Bunia, I met doctors, nurses and frontline responders working under extraordinary pressure to save lives, as well as communities living with fear and uncertainty. But they are not facing this crisis alone. The European Union stands with all those affected by this deadly virus. The only way to contain this outbreak and save lives is through trust, solidarity, political commitment and coordinated action.” The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control currently assesses the risk to people in Europe as very low. The Commission continues to monitor the outbreak closely in cooperation with its partners. The Health Security Committee brings together Member State representatives every week to coordinate the response and discuss how best to protect European citizens. (For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Quentin Cortès – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 35) 2026 State of the Digital Decade report shows progress but urges closing structural gaps to reach 2030 goals The European Commission published the fourth State of the Digital Decade report, showing that Europe has made progress on its 2030 digital transformation targets , such as secure and sustainable digital infrastructures and the digitalisation of public services – but the challenge now is delivering results at scale, speed and consistency. The report comes as the Commission published the last Special Eurobarometer , showing that an overwhelming majority of Europeans rank digital policy as a top EU priority, firmly backing a more autonomous European digital future. The Digital Decade Policy Programme serves as the EU's strategic compass for advancing and investing in Europe's digital competitiveness and sovereignty. The report evaluates progress made by the EU in its digitalisation across the board, including in critical infrastructures, digitalisation of business, digital skills, and digitalisation of public services. This year, the report goes beyond stocktaking, outlining priority reforms and investments at EU and Member States level in an attempt to guide digital funding allocations in the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework. Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen said: “ With the Digital Decade policy programme, the foundations of the EU's digital transformation are in place. We must continue on this path to achieve Europe's technological sovereignty. We recently adopted measures to strengthen Europe's capacity in semiconductors, AI, cloud and open source. This marks a pivotal moment and one we have to fully grasp to strengthen Europe's autonomy and resilience. ” Find more information in our press release and factsheet . (For more information: Thomas Regnier - Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Patricia Poropat - Tel.: +32 2 298 04 85) Commission welcomes political agreement to simplify rules for the chemicals sector The European Commission welcomes the provisional political agreement reached today between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on its Chemicals Omnibus proposal. The agreed measures will cut red tape and compliance costs for businesses, boost the competitiveness of Europe's chemicals industry, and keep high standards for human health and environmental protection. The agreement simplifies rules in three areas of EU chemicals legislation: Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation , Cosmetics Products Regulation , and EU Fertilising Products Regulation . The deal simplifies labelling rules for hazardous chemicals, lowering costs for industry while ensuring users and consumers still get clear information on hazards. For business-to-business chemicals, the new legislation will eliminate obligatory font sizes on business-to-business shipments. The deal also strengthens formatting and requirements for legibility for consumer products and ensures that consumers are well informed in ads and online sales. In cosmetics, the agreement keeps strong consumer protection while simplifying rules and reducing paperwork and costs for businesses, especially small and medium companies. Companies will now have clearer, more predictable rules when adapting to regulatory changes. Finally, the agreement introduces changes to make fertilisers legislation more agile, helping innovative products such as microbial plant stimulants reach the single market faster. It also speeds up administrative procedures and improves access to digital tools in this area. The Parliament and the Council will formally approve the political agreement in the coming months so that the legislation can enter into force by the end of the year. (For more information: Siobhan McGarry - Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74) EU research and innovation funding expands to defence and dual-use technologies, new call offering up to €30 million to defence companies opens Today, the European Union is extending its research and innovation funding to defence and dual-use technologies with both civilian and defence applications. This move underscores Europe's commitment to strategic autonomy, security, and technological leadership in an increasingly competitive global landscape. The change is the result of an amendment to the European Innovation Council (EIC) Work Programme 2026, adopted by the European Commission to implement the Defence Mini-Omnibus , a legislative package designed to strengthen Europe's defence industrial base and reduce dependencies on external suppliers. From now on, start-ups and small and medium companies developing technologies with both civilian and defence applications such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, advanced materials or robotics, can apply for grants up to €2.5 million and equity investments up to €30 million under the EIC Accelerator and the STEP Scaleup . Ekaterina Zaharieva , European Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation said: “ The European Innovation Council was built to take risks, and we need to take risks when it comes to developing European technologies that keep us safe. We must invest in critical technologies also to ensure Europe's strategic autonomy - whether it's drones, cyber defence, or quantum technologies. This will underpin Europe's technological leadership and innovation in the decades ahead”. At the same time, the EIC is launching a new €100 million EIC STEP Defence Scale Up call open to companies in the EU, in countries from the European Economic Area associated to Europe's multi- billion research programme Horizon Europe , and in Ukraine. These companies can receive up to €30 million in direct equity financing to accelerate the scale-up of their industrial capabilities on, among others, air and missile defence, drones and counter drones, and other critical defence technologies. This is the first time any EU funding programme will ever invest direct equity in defence companies. The EIC will co-invest in major funding rounds typically ranging from €50 million to €150 million or more, leveraging at least three to five times the EIC investment. More information is available online and on the EIC website (For more information: Maciej Berestecki - Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Isabel Arriaga E Cunha - Tel.: +32 2 295 21 17) Commission approves €1 billion Slovak State aid scheme to support cleantech manufacturing capacity The European Commission has approved a €1 billion Slovak scheme to support clean technology (cleantech) manufacturing capacity in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal . This measure will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy. The scheme was approved under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework adopted by the Commission on 25 June 2025 . Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of grants and income tax relief . The scheme will be open to small and medium-sized enterprises and large enterprises carrying out investments that add manufacturing capacity for cleantech. Aid may be granted until 31 December 2030. The Commission concluded that the Slovak scheme is necessary , appropriate and proportionate to accelerate the transition towards a net-zero economy and facilitate the development of certain economic activities, which are of importance for the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal . Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera , said: “ The scheme approved today will provide €1 billion to boost cleantech manufacturing capacity in Slovakia. The different forms of aid possible under this scheme will provide companies with the necessary flexibility to most effectively make key investments in the coming years. ” 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 €85 million Irish State aid for agricultural companies facing increased fuel prices The European Commission has approved an €85 million Irish 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 based on the volume of fuel usage in 2025. Companies can receive up to €0.20 per litre of fuel purchased during the eligible 5-month period. 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 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) Commission approves €4.5 million German State aid measure for Paderborn airport The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, €4.5 million of investment aid for Paderborn airport. This is a regional airport, located in the German federal State of North Rhine- Westphalia, with traffic of approximately 820,000 passengers in 2024. It is operated by the publicly owned company Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport GmbH. The aid will allow Paderborn airport to finance investments ensuring that it can continue operating as a commercial airport, whilst enhancing the quality of its transport infrastructure and transport services. The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular the rules on investment aid for airports under the Aviation Guidelines . Among the investments concerned, the Commission concluded that rescue services and firefighting are of non-economic nature, and the segment of the measure financing them did not involve any State aid. For the remainder of the investment, the Commission found that the measure was necessary and appropriate to achieve the objective pursued, namely improving the connectivity of citizens. Furthermore, the Commission found that the measure is proportionate , as it is limited to the minimum necessary to allow the airport to fully cover the investment costs in its infrastructure between 2025 and 2030, 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.109986 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 2 299 47 74) Commission clears acquisition of Silver Star by Inchcape The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Silver Star of Bulgaria by Inchcape International Holdings Limited (‘Inchcape') of the UK. The transaction relates primarily to the sale of motor vehicles in Bulgaria. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited market position resulting from the proposed transaction. 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.12412 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioners Kubilius and Serafin in France to sign SAFE agreement, host implementation dialogue with industry Today, Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius and Commissioner for Budget Piotr Serafin participate in Eurosatory, the world's largest defence exhibition outside Paris, where they will sign the Security Action For Europe (SAFE) loan agreement for France on behalf of the European Commission. With €15.1 billion available for France under SAFE, the agreement marks another step forward for Europe's defence readiness and a concrete delivery under the Commission's ReArm Europe/Readiness 2030 plan , which aims to unlock over €800 billion in defence investment across the European Union. At Eurosatory, the Commission is hosting two Implementation Dialogues with representatives of the defence industry in the event, to strengthen industrial cooperation and accelerate EU production capacity. Commissioner Kubilius will lead the implementation focused on scaling up EU defence production and addressing supply chain vulnerabilities within the European defence technological and industrial base. In addition, Commissioner Kubilius and Canada's Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, Stephen Fuhr, will co-host the EU–Canada Defence Industry Dialogue with industry and trade representatives to boost collaboration, deepen supply chain integration and support the broader EU-Canada strategic partnership in a rapidly evolving geopolitical context. Commissioner Serafin will also visit several companies benefiting from EU financing present at Eurosatory, including several enterprises coming from EU countries that will benefit from the SAFE instrument. (For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel: +32 2 299 10 99; Marine Strauss – Tel: +32 2 298 91 03) Commissioner Šuica discusses the Pact for the Mediterranean with the youth Tomorrow, Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica , together with Marilena Raouna, Cyprus' Deputy Minister for European Affairs, will engage in a discussion with 30 young leaders from the Southern Mediterranean. The discussion will focus on the flagship initiatives under the Pact for the Mediterranean targeting young people. These include, in particular, the Mediterranean University and the Youth Parliamentary Assembly for the Mediterranean. The discussion will also cover the Pact's contribution to peace and security in the region. Supported by the Anna Lindh Foundation, an intergovernmental organisation committed to fostering intercultural dialogue, the dialogue will provide an opportunity for young leaders from across the European Union and the Southern Mediterranean to share their perspectives, strengthen their active engagement and identify opportunities for cooperation that can foster shared prosperity across the Mediterranean. Their contributions will feed into the current work for the implementation of the Pact's evolving Action Plan. Youth Policy 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 designed to ensure that young people's experiences and ideas help shape the future of the European Union. (For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Luca Dilda - Tel.: +32 2 295 21 53) Commissioner McGrath meets with young Europeans to discuss upcoming Digital Fairness Act Tomorrow, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath , will host a Youth Policy Dialogue in Ljubljana, Slovenia. During the Dialogue, the Commissioner will meet with students, youth ambassadors, young professionals and activists to discuss the upcoming Digital Fairness Act (DFA). The DFA, which is planned for later this year, will make EU consumer protection rules fit for the digital age - clearer, simpler and easier to enforce to better protect consumers online against practices that exploit consumers' vulnerabilities. Young consumers often act as early adopters of new technologies and digital products and have specific consumption patterns. In preparing the initiative, the Commission will pay particular attention to the protection of minors online. As part of this process, Commissioner McGrath will convene 30 young participants from across the EU and the Western Balkans to gather their experiences as young consumers in the digital environment. The Commissioner will invite participants to share the challenges they face online, in particular regarding manipulative interfaces, features maximising spending and attention, unfair personalised advertising and pricing, and problematic influencer marketing practices. Their feedback will inform the preparations of the Digital Fairness Act to make the digital environment safer and fairer for young consumers. Youth Policy 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 designed to ensure that young people's experiences and ideas help shape the future of the European Union. (For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel: +32 2 296 75 33 ; Antoine Lomba – Tel.: +32 2 299 32 33) 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/26/1379
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