European Commission - Daily News Daily News 15 / 07 / 2026 Brussels, 15 July 2026 Commission takes action to ensure complete and timely transposition of EU directives The European Commission is taking action against several EU Member States that have failed to notify the Commission of measures they have adopted to transpose EU Directives into their national laws. The deadline to transpose these Directives has expired...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 15 / 07 / 2026 Brussels, 15 July 2026 Commission takes action to ensure complete and timely transposition of EU directives The European Commission is taking action against several EU Member States that have failed to notify the Commission of measures they have adopted to transpose EU Directives into their national laws. The deadline to transpose these Directives has expired recently. The Commission is sending a letter of formal notice to these Member States, giving them two months to reply and complete the transposition of the Directives. If they fail to do so, the Commission may pass to a next step and issue a reasoned opinion. The Member States in question have failed to fully transpose 15 EU directives. The Commission is urging them to take immediate action to bring their laws in line with EU requirements. A press release , with further details, is available online. ( For more information Olof Gill - Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66) EU provides €20 million in humanitarian funding following earthquakes in Venezuela The European Union is releasing an additional €10 million in humanitarian funding to help the most affected communities in Venezuela, following the recent earthquakes. The other €10 million, subject to the approval of the Budgetary Authority, support the search and rescue, medical and other expert teams' operations, along with in-kind assistance deployed in the country The announcement comes as Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib visits Venezuela as a sign of the EU's unwavering support for the country in facing this crisis. The Commissioner will be in Caracas tomorrow, where she will meet with EU-funded aid partners and local authorities that are coordinating the emergency response, as well as with one of the European medical teams deployed through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Today's announcement add to the €5 million life-saving assistance already approved at the end of June, and to the €52 million allocated at the beginning of the year to respond to the humanitarian consequences of the socio-economic crisis in Venezuela . EU humanitarian aid is solely channelled through partners such as UN agencies and international NGOs, which work with local partners. Additionally, as part of the EU Humanitarian Air Bridge launched in June, two EU-funded flights have already landed in Venezuela, bringing nearly 80 tonnes of essential supplies. Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism , around 750 responders and experts, as well as relief items, have been mobilised from 18 countries. This includes rescue teams, medicines, shelter and a satellite telecommunication platform. The EU's Copernicus satellite service also provided emergency mapping. " Venezuela may be an ocean away, but the Venezuelan people are close to our hearts. From the very first hours after the earthquakes, the European Union has stood with them ”, Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib , said ahead of her visit. ” And we are stepping up our support. This new funding will help deliver food, clean water, medicines, shelter and other lifesaving assistance to families who have lost everything. I want to thank the emergency responders who have worked day and night, pulling survivors from the rubble and bringing hope when it was needed most. " ( For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Quentin Cortès – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 35) EU law on nitrates pollution remains effective, with scope for smarter implementation The European Commission today published the first comprehensive evaluation of the Nitrates Directive since its adoption in 1991. Covering more than 30 years of implementation, the evaluation shows that EU rules remain effective to protect Europe's waters from agricultural nitrate pollution. It also identifies opportunities to simplify its implementation, reduce administrative burden and improve outcomes for both farmers and the environment. This is accompanied by the publication of the latest country reports for the 2020–2023 period , which include recommendations to support Member States. Efforts to simplify and increase effectiveness at national level are key. The Commission will continue exchanges with Member States, farmers, stakeholders and experts, to follow up on the findings of the evaluation. Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall , said: “The Nitrates Directive has helped protect Europe's waters for more than 30 years. Today's evaluation shows that it remains necessary and relevant, but also that we can simplify implementation in the Member States. By cutting pollution and using nutrients more efficiently, increasing circularity, we can support both environmental protection and the long-term resilience of our farming sector.” You can find more information in our press release . (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73) European Skills High-Level Board calls for stronger business-education links to boost Europe's skills development Today, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu received the first conclusions of the European Skills High-Level Board , presented by its Chair, Ylva Johansson. The conclusions call for high-impact regional and sectoral skills ecosystems — referred to by the Board as ‘SPARKs: Skills Partnerships for Adult Reskilling'. —These ecosystems would bring together businesses, education and training providers, and regional authorities to up and reskill adults faster, and closer to where jobs actually are. The conclusions outline key proposals for the development, scale-up and connection of skills ecosystems. These include incentives such as sustainable financing and structured exchange and cooperation, along with guidance and support to help different sectors link up with one another. Within these ecosystems, training should be accessible and tailored to people's needs, supported by new learning approaches, stronger involvement of social partners, and wider use of microcredentials. This approach is designed to support the EU in adapting its skills needs to face global challenges, such as economic competitiveness, demographic ageing, technological change, and the green and digital transitions. The Board, with Members from businesses, education and training providers and social partners, was set up in May 2026 to advise the Commission on current and future skills-related challenges and opportunities. It plays a central role in the governance of the Union of Skills , in synergy with the European Education Area . The Board's conclusions will inform the Commission's work on education and skills within the European Semester , including the Council Recommendation on human capital and country- specific recommendations. Executive Vice-President Mînzatu said: "European businesses are struggling to find people with the right skills to help them grow and compete at global level, while education and training providers are being asked to keep up with shifting skills needs. The Board's conclusions chart a clear path to reconcile those needs — and I want to thank its Chair, Ylva Johansson, and the Board Members for their expertise and commitment." (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01 ; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65) Pilot projects under European Commission's Skills Guarantee to support workers at risk of unemployment Six pilot projects were selected and launched under the new Skills Guarantee, one of the signature actions under the Union of Skills . The pilot projects have a budget of €14.5 million and will support almost 1,000 European workers at risk of unemployment in the car industry by offering them on-the-job training and new jobs in growing sectors. The six projects will be implemented by partners in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. The pilot projects will trial new models to make job transitions easier and more secure by bringing together training providers, public authorities and employers. The projects will test how skills needs can be identified, how personalised training can be better aligned with labour market needs, and how job-to-job transitions can be facilitated. Through re-skilling and upskilling, they will support transitions into strategic or growing sectors while generating practical evidence on what works, for whom and under which conditions. The projects will also build knowledge on how to deliver training that is accessible, relevant and tailored to different learners, and which removes barriers to participation, leading to real employment opportunities. Moreover, they will provide practical experience and evidence to develop a European Skills Guarantee under the future European Competitiveness Fund, which has been proposed for the next EU budgetary period (2028-2034). The pilot call is managed by the European Social Fund Agency (ESFA), as entrusted entity, and will be implemented together with the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation , under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) . Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu said: “Skills open the door to jobs, stability and new opportunities. With the signature of these six pilot projects, we are starting concrete work to provide targeted support to people, so that they can build their future in a changing economy. This is an important step towards making the future European Skills Guarantee a reality, ensuring that Europe's green and digital transitions are fair and inclusive.” (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01 ; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65) Commission approves €52 million German State aid measure for the construction of a multifunctional arena in Würzburg The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €52 million German measure for the public financing of the construction of a multifunctional arena in Würzburg. The arena in Würzburg is designed to host sports events, concerts, and other cultural and social events, with a capacity of up to 7,000 visitors. The arena will stimulate economic activity, create employment opportunities and strengthen the sport and cultural sectors in Würzburg and the region of Lower Franconia. The non-profit foundation Zukunftsstiftung Würzburg will develop the arena via a project company. After completion, it will lease the building to an operator, selected through an open, competitive, transparent and non-discriminatory procedure. The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The Commission found that the measure is appropriate to achieve the objectives pursued, namely to strengthen sport and cultural economic activities contributing to the economic development of the area concerned. In addition, the Commission found that the measure is necessary given the absence of sufficient private financing. Finally, the Commission found that the measure is proportionate , as it is limited to what is required to achieve the project's objectives, while its effects on competition and trade between Member States remain limited. On this basis, the Commission approved the German measure under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of today's decision will be made available under the case number SA.120605 in the State Aid Register on 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) Commission refers the proposed acquisition of certain assets of SFR by Iliad to France The European Commission has decided to refer to France the acquisition of sole control of certain assets of Société Française du Radiotéléphone (‘SFR') by Iliad S.A., both of France, under Article 4(4) of the EU Merger Regulation (EUMR) and at the request of Iliad. The transaction relates to the mobile and fixed telecommunication sectors in France. Iliad sent a request to the Commission, asking to refer the review of the proposed merger to France. Such a referral is possible when the merging parties submit that the merger may significantly affect competition in a distinct market within one Member State, and should therefore be examined by that Member State. The Commission considered that the conditions for a full referral under Article 4(4) of the EUMR were met in this case, and thus referred the case to France. More information is available on the Commission's competition website , in the public case register under the case number M.12511 . (For more information: Siobhan McGarry– Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Commission clears creation of joint venture by EGC and Ten Brinke The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by EGC Energie und Gebäudetechnik Control GmbH & Co. KG (‘EGC') of Germany and Ten Brinke CCS B. V. of the Netherlands. The transaction relates primarily to energy contracting in Germany. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited combined 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.12437 . (For more information: Siobhan McGarry– Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) ANNOUNCEMENTS EU commemorates victims of Global Climate Crisis in a year of record extreme heat This afternoon, the Commemoration ceremony of the EU Day for the Victims of the Global Climate Crisis is taking place with representatives from the European Commission, the European Environment Agency, World Health Organisation and other institutions to pay tribute to those lost to and affected by the climate crisis in Europe and worldwide. Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera , and Commissioner for Climate Action Net-Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra , will deliver remarks via video message. There will be a high-level panel discussion focused on strengthening resilience, protecting people and communities and advancing proactive strategies to address extreme weather events. Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth. Western Europe has recorded the hottest ever month of June, as announced by the latest Copernicus data . Globally, and in particular in Europe, citizens are experiencing successive heatwaves with record-breaking temperatures, highlighting the growing risks of climate change. Building resilience to better manage these climate risks and prevent and respond climate disasters is essential. The Commission is designing a new integrated framework for European climate resilience, set for adoption in late 2026. In addition, EU citizens strongly support climate action in Europe, as shown in the latest 2026 Spring Eurobarometer . Today's annual EU Climate Victims Day serves as a call to action and awareness raising in a changing climate. The ceremony can be followed live online at 16:00 CEST. (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25) Commissioner Brunner co-hosts third Ministerial meeting of the European Ports Alliance in Dublin Tomorrow, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner , will co-host the 3 rd Ministerial Meeting of the European Ports Alliance Public-Private Partnership together with the Irish Presidency, in the margin of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The meeting will focus on stepping up action against drug trafficking and organised crime in ports and maritime logistics. Criminal organisations are increasingly targeting not only major seaports but also smaller ports and inland transport hubs. The Ports Alliance will discuss the response to drug trafficking through maritime logistics, and how various stakeholders can contribute and cooperate to make our ports more resilient. The meeting will be followed by a visit to the Port of Dublin. The European Ports Alliance brings together 28 countries (26 EU Member States, Norway and Switzerland), over 50 seaports and inland ports, industry associations, the EU Commission, key EU agencies and bodies (Europol, Eurojust, EU Drugs Agency, EPPO) and Council. It supports the Commission's broader effort to tackle organised crime and drugs trafficking through a whole-of-society, multi-stakeholder approach under the ProtectEU Strategy , and the EU Ports Strategy , which has also been reflected in June European Council Conclusions. Since the last EU Ports Alliance Ministerial meeting in Aarhus, Denmark, 18 ports joined. The Commission has allocated 1.3 million euros to fund a secretariat of the European Ports Alliance Public-Private Partnership for two years to strengthen this alliance. (For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Elettra Di Massa - Tel.: +32 2 298 21 61) Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings Note that these items can be subject to changes. Upcoming events of the European Commission Eurostat press releases MEX/26/1621
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