European Commission - Daily News Daily News 14 / 07 / 2026 Brussels, 14 July 2026 Commission publishes guidelines for sustainable tourism in Natura 2000 areas Today, the European Commission published new guidelines on how Europe's Natura 2000 network of protected areas can act as a powerful driver of sustainable tourism, while safeguarding resilient ecosystems that protect habitats and species. Tourism represents a s...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 14 / 07 / 2026 Brussels, 14 July 2026 Commission publishes guidelines for sustainable tourism in Natura 2000 areas Today, the European Commission published new guidelines on how Europe's Natura 2000 network of protected areas can act as a powerful driver of sustainable tourism, while safeguarding resilient ecosystems that protect habitats and species. Tourism represents a substantial share of the EU economy, generating around €807 billion in 2024 and supporting more than 20 million jobs. Natura 2000 is the largest network of protected areas in the world, bringing together more than 27,000 sites across Member States embodying the rich diversity of Europe's wildlife and habitats. Within Natura 2000 sites, visitor activity generates between €50 and €85 billion annually and sustains up to two million full-time equivalent jobs, particularly in rural, coastal and mountainous regions. Today's guidelines aim to support site managers and national authorities in striking a balance between economic activities, including tourism, and keeping conservation and restoration goals. This includes, for instance, preventing increased pressures on the habitats and species that make those well- managed protected areas attractive for tourists in the first place. The guidelines provide a framework for the planning and management of Natura 2000 sites. This approach integrates tourism and recreational activities, and also highlights the growing importance of ecotourism, meaning travelling responsibly to natural areas in a way that conserves the environment and benefits local communities. You can find more information on the new guidelines on Natura 2000 and sustainable tourism online. (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73) Commission adopts new exemptions to EU rules on removability of batteries for safer consumer and industrial products Today, the European Commission adopted a delegated act with new rules exempting six additional products categories from EU requirements on the removability and replaceability of portable batteries. These products include smartwatches and fitness trackers, electric toys, and explosion-proof industrial equipment. Today's decision follows a public consultation and thorough discussions with consumer associations, industry stakeholders and Member States. Under the Batteries Regulation , portable batteries in products sold in the EU must generally be removable and replaceable by consumers – and this general rule remains. Indeed, by making portable batteries easy to remove and replace, products can last longer, and batteries can be recycled more easily. However, exemptions are justified where opening a device could create safety risks or where technical limits make consumer access unrealistic. That includes products that expose children to risks, products that can be exposed to water, devices designed for very compact use, and equipment used in hazardous industrial environments. Exemptions already apply, mainly for safety reasons, to products such as medical devices and so- called ‘wet appliances' – for instance electric toothbrushes or water flossers. For these products, and the ones now added to the existing list, batteries only need to be removable and replaceable by independent professionals, not consumers themselves. Following today's adoption of the delegated act, the European Parliament and Council have two months to formulate any objections. If they do not, it will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. The Commission also adopted an update to the existing guidelines on the removability and replaceability of portable batteries to provide guidance to product manufacturers on how to apply the new derogations. You can find more information on the new exemptions under the Batteries Regulation online. (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73) Commission Demography Report highlights the challenges and opportunities of Europe's demographic transformation Today, the European Commission published its third report on demographic transformation in the EU, highlighting both the challenges and the opportunities it presents for competitiveness, innovation, social cohesion and sustainable development if addressed early and effectively. Europe's population is set to shrink and age, creating challenges for the labour market, healthcare, care systems and public finances. But longer, healthier lives also offer opportunities to boost participation, innovation and growth. Through targeted policies on skills, care, housing and regional development, the EU is helping Member States mitigate the effects of demographic change. The EU is helping Member States respond to demographic change through a broad set of policies that support people at every stage of life. This latest report provides evidence for the policy response. The Demography Toolbox , adopted by the Commission in October 2023 and welcomed by all Member States, provides a set of EU policy tools to help national, regional and local authorities integrate demographic trends into policymaking and with coordinated actions across the EU. More information is available in the press release online . (For more information: Guillaume Mercier – Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Luca Dilda – Tel.: +32 2 295 21 53) Commission adopts simpler rules for EU agri-food promotion policy Today, the European Commission has adopted simpler rules for EU agri-food promotion policy , reducing administrative and financial requirements for beneficiaries and Member States. The changes will make the programmes easier to implement, and benefit organisations applying for EU funding. Drawing on 10 years of experience in managing these programmes, the rules also simplify administrative procedures. Member States and beneficiaries will have more time to conclude contracts and complete necessary procedures. The simplified rules will help in particular smaller beneficiaries in the implementation of their programmes by allowing higher pre-financing, with the maximum rate increased to 30%. Lastly, the Commission reduced the reporting obligations on the impact of simple programmes. The beneficiaries will now be obliged to notify the Commission with only one final notification. EU promotion policy co-finances programmes that promote EU agri-food products and rewards farmers and agri-food businesses for their efforts to meet the highest quality, safety and environmental standards on a competitive global market. Since 2016, more than 650 campaigns have been co-financed by the European Commission with the common signature – 'Enjoy, it's from Europe' , strengthening the reputation of EU agri-food products within the Union and around the world. The promotion policy has also supported the implementation of free trade agreements and helped with the positive evolution of the EU's agri-food trade balance in agri-food over the past decade. More information is available online. (For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 2 296 97 76; Kateřina Horáková - Tel.: +32 2 299 93 10) Commission greenlights Cyprus's sixth payment request for €120 million under NextGenerationEU Yesterday, the Commission positively assessed Cyprus's sixth payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility , the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU . The reforms and investments tied to this payment request will drive positive change for citizens and businesses in Cyprus, notably in the areas of health , business environment , public administration , renewable energy and education . Following its assessment of the payment request, the Commission found that Cyprus has satisfactorily completed 22 milestones and 5 targets set out in the Council Implementing Decision . This payment request would bring the funds paid out to Cyprus under the RRF to €683 million (including the €131 million in pre-financing, received in September 2021, and €21 million pre- payment under REPowerEU, received in January 2024). This amount corresponds to 67% of all funds in the Cypriot plan, with 62% of all milestones and targets in the plan fulfilled. The press release was published yesterday and is available online. (For further information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 229-69776; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 28 20 54) Review finds Foreign Subsidies Regulation fit for purpose, Commission considers targeted changes The European Commission's first review of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) has found that the regulation is fit for purpose to address distortions in the internal market caused by foreign subsidies. Its objective of maintaining a level playing field in the internal market is widely acknowledged and remains relevant. The review of the first three years of FSR enforcement shows the instrument is working well in practice. The procedures for reviewing concentrations and foreign financial contributions in public procurement procedures are important components of the FSR framework, enabling the Commission to identify and address potentially distortive foreign subsidies before a merger is concluded or a high-value public contract is awarded. The Commission's ‘ex officio' powers provide an effective complementary framework to investigate and address potential distortive foreign subsidies in the internal market. At the same time, the review shows certain concerns about complexity and administrative burden, so the Commission is looking into ways to simplify where possible. The Commission has started work on draft targeted adjustments, to be published in the autumn, giving stakeholders the possibility to submit comments. Based on the feedback and any additional evidence gathered, the Commission will adopt the targeted adjustments in 2027. Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera , said: " The first three years of implementation confirm that the FSR is delivering on its objectives. It helps protect the integrity of the internal market and ensures that Europe's competitiveness and economic security are not undermined by distortive foreign subsidies. Europe remains open to investment, but openness requires fair competition, and we will continue to ensure that the framework remains robust so that it delivers effective enforcement and legal certainty alike. " Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, Stéphane Séjourné , said: “ The review, drawing on three years of implementation, confirms that the FSR is fulfilling its promise: it is safeguarding the integrity of the internal market from distortions caused by foreign subsidies and preserving a genuine level playing field for businesses across the Union. This is particularly important in public procurement, where European taxpayers must be confident that public contracts are awarded through fair and undistorted competition. Europe remains open to investment, but openness must go hand in hand with fairness. Moving forward, we will continue listening to calls for simplification and strengthening awareness, while ensuring that the FSR remains a strong and effective shield for our market. ” A press release and questions and answers are available online. (For more information: Siobhan McGarry - Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74) Commission approves €659 million German State aid for four new semiconductor facilities The European Commission has approved €659 million in German State aid to support the establishment of four first-of-a-kind facilities in the semiconductor value chain. The measures will contribute to strengthening the EU's position and autonomy in the semiconductor value chain by supporting the construction of first-of-a-kind facilities, in line with the objectives set out in the Commission's Communication ‘A Chips Act for Europe' and the Commission's 2024-2029 Political Guidelines . Germany will provide the following direct grants for the construction of semiconductor facilities: €353 million for the SME Element 3-5 GmbH for a facility in Baesweiler, North Rhine-Westphalia for the manufacturing of silicon carbide epi-wafers, €214 million for Vishay Siliconix Itzehoe GmbH for a facility in Itzehoe, Schleswig-Holstein, for the manufacturing of N- and P-channel Silicon Power MOSFETs, €74.4 million for KLA-Tencor MIE GmbH for a facility in Weilburg, Hesse, for the manufacturing of advanced optical overlay and film metrology equipment, and €17.9 million for KETEK GmbH for a facility in Munich, Bavaria, for the manufacturing of two highly-specialised chips: Silicon Drift Detectors and Graphene Radiation Entry Windows. All four measures are jointly financed by the federal budget and the respective Länder authorities. Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera , said: “ Today's approval of Germany's support for four new projects in the semiconductor value chain shows Europe is turning the ambitions of the EU Chips Act into action. By backing innovations in semiconductors, we are strengthening our technological sovereignty and Europe's competitiveness. ” A press release is available online. (For more information: Siobhan McGarry - Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74) Commission approves changes and budget increase to two Spanish fuel price State aid schemes The European Commission has approved changes to - and a €65 million budget increase of - two Spanish State aid schemes for agricultural and fishery companies facing increased fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. The amendments were approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026 . The original scheme for agricultural producers was approved by the Commission on 2 June 2026 . Spain notified, among others, a budget increase of €55 million, bringing the total budget to €109 million. An extension of the period covered from 1 July to 31 December 2026 and a modification to the calculation of the aid granted under the measure were also notified. The original scheme for fishing companies was approved by the Commission on 4 June 2026 . Spain notified, among others, a budget increase of €10 million, bringing the total budget to €35 million, and a modification to the calculation of the aid granted under the measure. The Commission assessed both amendments 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 amended schemes remain in line with the conditions set out in the METSAF. In particular, aid will be granted based on schemes with a clear estimated budget and will be provided to temporarily support the development of companies active in primary production of agricultural and fishery products. The Commission concluded that the amended schemes are necessary , appropriate and proportionate to facilitate the development of an economic activity and do not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. On this basis, the Commission approved the Spanish amendments under EU State aid rules. More information on the METSAF is available online. The non-confidential versions of today's decisions will be made available under case number SA.123882 and SA.123883, in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website . (For more information: Siobhan McGarry - Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74) Commission approves prolongation of French compensation to La Banque Postale to facilitate access to banking services The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, an extension of the French compensation measure for the banking accessibility mission carried out by La Banque Postale. The measure extends the existing scheme by three years, from 2027 to 2029, and provides €682 million in compensation for the additional period. France notified to the Commission the prolongation of the measure, which entrusts La Banque Postale with a service of general economic interest to ensure banking accessibility throughout the country. The mission promotes financial inclusion by guaranteeing universal, free-of-charge and unconditional access to basic banking services through the Livret A , a State-regulated savings account. The Livret A combines a savings function with access to essential banking transactions. While the mission itself remains unchanged, France has updated the compensation mechanism to reflect evolving market conditions and to ensure that it remains adapted to current circumstances. The Commission previously approved compensation for the same mission for the periods 2009–2014 , 2015–2020 and 2021– 2026 . The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 106(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the 2012 SGEI Framework . The Commission found that the measure continues to comply with all conditions, including that the compensation is limited to the net cost of providing the public service so it excludes any risk of overcompensation. On this basis, the Commission approved the French measure under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under case number SA.121101 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; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74) 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/26/1608
Speech Brief