European Commission - Daily News Daily News 09 / 10 / 2026 Brussels, 9 October 2026 Commission to grant temporary trade preferences to support Armenian exports to the EU The European Union is granting temporary trade preferences to Armenia to support its producers and exporters following trade restrictions recently imposed by Russia. The measures, which will enter into force tomorrow for a period of two years, tempor...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 09 / 10 / 2026 Brussels, 9 October 2026 Commission to grant temporary trade preferences to support Armenian exports to the EU The European Union is granting temporary trade preferences to Armenia to support its producers and exporters following trade restrictions recently imposed by Russia. The measures, which will enter into force tomorrow for a period of two years, temporarily liberalise almost 80% of Armenian exports to the EU, including almost all exports of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers affected by the Russian measures, as well as over 91% of exports of beverages and spirits. The temporary trade preferences will help alleviate the difficult situation faced by Armenian producers and exporters and support the resilience of Armenia's economy by facilitating access to the EU market. The preferential arrangement is subject to conditions and includes safeguard measures to protect the EU market should imports adversely affect EU producers. These trade preferences are part of a broader support package for Armenia announced by President von der Leyen, in solidarity with the country which has suffered from Russia's trade restrictions. More information on EU trade with Armenia is available here . (For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Marta Perez-Cejuela Romero - Tel.: +32 2 296 37 70) Zaragoza, Benidorm and Estarreja win 2028 European Green Cities Awards The winners of the European Green Cities 2028 Awards were announced yesterday evening in Guimarães, Portugal, the current European Green Capital. Zaragoza (Spain) will be the European Green Capital in 2028. The European Green Leaf, the award for smaller cities, went to Benidorm (Spain) and Estarreja (Portugal). The expert jury crowned Zaragoza as the 2028 European Green Capital winner for strong governance and long-term commitment, helping the city respond successfully to growing climate challenges. The jury was also impressed by the city's approach that demonstrates how ambitious environmental action can go hand in hand with social resilience and community. Both Green Leaf winners, Benidorm and Estarreja , impressed the jury with their strong commitment to creating greener, healthier and more sustainable places to live. Benidorm was praised for successfully managing mass tourism pressures while also maintaining environmental protections and sustainable development. The jury recognised Estarreja as a compelling example of green transformation, successfully moving beyond its industrial legacy through collaborative action. The winners will receive a grant for further support in their green efforts: a prize of €600,000 for the Green Capital Zaragoza , and €200,000 each for the Green Leaf cities Benidorm and Estarreja . This year, a total of 27 cities competed for the awards. An international expert panel of independent urban sustainability experts evaluated each application and shortlisted eight finalist cities . More information on 2028 European Green City awards is available online. A website on the European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards is also available. You can find more information on this year's Green Cities Award online. (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73) EU updates its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes Today, the EU updated its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes . The list is intended to tackle tax fraud, evasion, and avoidance worldwide. It is based on a process of screening, assessment, and monitoring according to objective, clear and internationally accepted tax good governance criteria. EU finance and economy ministers, gathering for today's Council of the EU, decided to remove Panama and Viet Nam from Annex I (list of non-cooperative jurisdictions) after both jurisdictions took significant steps to address outstanding issues. Both were moved to Annex II pending an in- depth review by the Global Forum of their exchange-of-information frameworks. The update also reflects progress by Vanuatu on tax transparency, although the jurisdiction remains in Annex I due to outstanding concerns in fair taxation. The Council also decided to record a new deficiency for Anguilla in Annex I due to its failure to address issues related to its exchange of information framework. The Council regrets this development and has invited the jurisdiction to engage with the EU's Code of Conduct Group and the Global Forum to resolve the identified issues. Following these changes, Annex I comprises 8 jurisdictions: American Samoa , Anguilla , Guam , Palau , the Russian Federation , Turks and Caicos , US Virgin Islands and Vanuatu . Additionally, changes were made to Annex II (list of cooperative jurisdictions), which reflects the ongoing EU cooperation with its international partners and lists pending commitments. Belize is being removed from Annex II after taking the necessary steps to ensure compliance with the international standard on exchange of information on request. Montenegro fulfilled its commitment to go through an in-depth review by the Global Forum. Still, it will remain under monitoring pending publication of the outcome. In view of the steps already taken, Brunei Darussalam has been granted additional time to bring its tax framework in line with the principles of fair taxation. As a result, Annex II currently includes 10 jurisdictions: British Virgin Islands, Brunei Darussalam, Eswatini, Greenland, Jordan, Montenegro, Morocco, Panama, Türkiye and Viet Nam . The EU will closely monitor relevant developments in each jurisdiction. The EU list is updated twice a year, to reflect changes in jurisdictions' tax policies and cooperation levels. This ensures that it remains relevant and accurate over time. (For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 229-69776; Thérèse Lerebours – Tel.: +32 460 76 33 03) The EU announces a Team Europe investment in health of almost €170 million in Africa The European Commission and Member States announced €169 million in investments to support stronger and more resilient health systems in Africa ahead of the World Health Summit in Berlin this weekend. These investments aim to support health sovereignty, health security and equitable access to health products and services on the continent. The announcements contribute to the African Union – EU Health Partnership and are an important component of putting into practice the EU Global Health Resilience Initiative . The planned investments include €6.5 million from the European Commission to expand sustainable pathogen genomics capacity across Members of the African Union and more than €30 million for research supporting areas including clinical research and pandemic preparedness. The European Commission also confirms its investment of €7.5 million to strengthen health resilience in the Democratic Republic of Congo. EU Member States are also stepping up their investments. France extends its support to epidemic threat surveillance with €2.5 million. Germany is providing €20 million to catalyse investment in African small medium enterprises active in the health sector and value chains, including local manufacturing of medicines and vaccines. Sweden is providing €3.4 million to support continued access to sexual and reproductive health products, while the Netherlands is investing €99 million in an HIV/AIDS programme covering six Southern African countries and neighbouring areas. Since 2021, Africa and Europe have accelerated their partnership on health through five interconnected thematic areas: manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies (MAV+), sexual and reproductive health and rights, sustainable health security, digital health, and support for public health institutes (For more information: Guillaume Mercier – Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Bridget Moylan – Tel.: +32 2 298 28 44) Commission approves €40.5 million French State aid to support agricultural, fishery and transport companies facing increased fuel prices The European Commission has approved two French State aid schemes to support companies affected by increased fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. €23.3 million will be allocated to support transport companies, and €17.2 million to support agricultural, fishery and aquaculture companies, for a total maximum budget of €40.5 million. The schemes were approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026 . The two schemes aim to mitigate the impact of the increase in fuel prices and will be open to companies whose expenditure on fuel represents at least 5% of their annual turnover. The aid will take the form of soft loans , with a fixed rate of 3.8% and backed by a state guarantee. The amount that eligible beneficiaries will be able to borrow at favourable conditions is set between €5,000 and €50,000, for a maximum duration of 3 years, including a 12-month deferral of principal repayments. The Commission assessed the two schemes 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, 2.1 and 2.2 of the METSAF. The Commission found that the two schemes are in line with the conditions set out in the METSAF. In particular, the 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 the agricultural, fishery, aquaculture and transport sectors. The Commission concluded that the schemes are necessary , appropriate and proportionate to facilitate the development of economic activities and do not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. On this basis, the Commission approved the two French schemes under EU State aid rules. More information on the METSAF can be found online. The non-confidential versions of the decisions will be made available under case numbers SA.124159 (for agricultural, fishery and aquaculture) and SA.124290 (for transport) 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; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67) Commission clears creation of joint venture by Posco Flow and LX Pantos The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by Posco Flow Europe D.o.o. (‘Posco Flow') of Slovenia and LX Pantos Poland Sp. z o.o. (‘LX Pantos') of Poland. The transaction relates primarily to logistics and supply-chain management services in Poland and the wider central European region. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the joint venture has negligible activities in the European Economic Area and 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.12537 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67) Commission clears acquisition of Eaton's mobility business by Dana The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Eaton Corporation plc's mobility business (‘Eaton's mobility business') by Dana Incorporated (‘Dana'), both of the US. The transaction relates primarily to the automotive parts sector. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited market positions 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.12550 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67) ANNOUNCEMENTS Commission holds special meeting of Scientific panel on frontier AI safety and risks Today, the Commission holds a special meeting of the Scientific Panel on artificial intelligence (AI). The panel has been investigating recent loss-of-control incidents, and together with the Commission's AI Office, has worked on a set of questions for the companies that developed the models involved. Henna Virkkunen , Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, will attend the meeting. The Scientific Panel brings together 60 world-leading independent experts who advise the EU AI Office and national authorities on systemic risks, model classification, evaluation methodologies, and cross- border market surveillance. During the meeting, the panel will present recommendations to the Commission on frontier AI safety and security risks. Executive-Vice President Henna Virkkunen said: “The EU has the first law in the world that addresses systemic risk from AI, and we need state-of-the-art scientific input. AI capabilities are advancing rapidly, but with a strong legal framework, decisive enforcement and the best scientific minds supporting this work, Europe can lead in ensuring safe and secure AI.” (For more information: Thomas Regnier — Tel. + 32 2 299 10 99; Nika Blazevic — Tel. + 32 2 299 27 17) 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/26/2123 <@rel_link@>
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