European Commission - Daily News Daily News 14 / 10 / 2026 Brussels, 14 October 2026 Commission disburses close to €1 billion in RRF payments to Sweden and the Netherlands Today, the European Commission disbursed nearly €1 billion to Sweden and the Netherlands under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The Facility is the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU – the Commission's post-pandemic programme to support Mem...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 14 / 10 / 2026 Brussels, 14 October 2026 Commission disburses close to €1 billion in RRF payments to Sweden and the Netherlands Today, the European Commission disbursed nearly €1 billion to Sweden and the Netherlands 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. Sweden received €333 million, marking its third and final payment under the RRF. The payment supports reforms and investments linked to the green transition and improvements in labour and housing markets. These include measures to strengthen the development and deployment of innovative industrial technologies with zero, low or negative greenhouse gas emissions; expand enrolment in higher education; and increase the supply of new energy-efficient rental housing. Sweden submitted its final payment request on 2 July 2026, which the Commission greenlighted on 31 August 2026 . Following a favourable opinion from the Council's Economic and Financial Committee and the Commission's payment decision, the funds have now been disbursed. With this final instalment, Sweden has received its full allocation of €3.45 billion, having fulfilled all milestones and targets in its national recovery and resilience plan. The Netherlands received €661 million, marking its fourth RRF payment. The measures linked to this disbursement include reforms such as the transition to a new pension system, as well as investments in offshore wind environmental protection, energy-saving home upgrades, green hydrogen research and demonstration projects, digital education solutions, and up- and reskilling for unemployed people. The Dutch authorities submitted their fourth payment request on 2 July 2026, which the Commission approved on 7 September 2026 . The funds were released after a favourable opinion from the Council's Economic and Financial Committee and the Commission's payment decision. Overall, the Netherlands' plan is financed by €5.44 billion in grants. With today's payment, total disbursements to the country reach 68.6% of its allocation, while 81.1% of the plan's milestones and targets have been completed. As with all Member States, RRF payments are performance-based and depend on the successful delivery of agreed reforms and investments. With the Facility due to close at the end of 2026, Member States had to complete all outstanding milestones and targets by August 2026 and submit final payment requests by the end of September. An interactive map showcasing examples of reforms and investments supported by the RRF is available online. Further details on the RRF payment claim process are also available online. (For further information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 28 20 54) Commission allocates €168.2 million to boost Europe's defence production under the European Defence Industry Programme The European Commission has allocated €168.2 million to support the first eight projects under the Industrial Reinforcement Action (IRA) pillar of the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) . The projects will leverage €1.26 billion in industrial investment to accelerate and expand production for energetic components used in missiles, drones and ammunition. From 2027, the projects are expected to reduce manufacturing times by up to 90% and enable annual production of more than 20,000 tons of energetic materials, 3,500 drone and missile propulsion systems, 200,000 loitering munitions warheads and 60 million ammunitions. The investment will support production across 17 sites in 14 EU Member States and Norway, and help protect these facilities against growing physical and cyber threats. Published in June 2026, this first IRA call dedicated to energetic components (IRA-EC) attracted strong interest, with 83 proposals submitted by companies from 23 EU Member States and Norway. IRA-EC builds on the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) , an emergency instrument addressing immediate production bottlenecks and aiming to increase ammunition manufacturing capacity following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. With a total budget of €1.5 billion, EDIP is the EU programme dedicated to strengthening Europe's defence industry. More than €700 million allocated to the IRA pillar aim to expand defence production in Member States, Norway and Ukraine. (For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel: +32 2 299 10 99; Kateřina Horáková - Tel.: +32 2 299 93 10) EU boosts security cooperation with new information alert in the Schengen Information System From tomorrow, the Schengen Information System (SIS) will have enhanced capabilities to fight terrorism and serious organised crime. A new information alert will make information shared by third countries and international organisations on suspected terrorists and serious criminals available across the EU in real time. Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, said: “Terrorists and serious criminals do not stop at our borders, and neither should the information needed to stop them. With this upgrade to the Schengen Information System, the EU closes an important information-sharing gap and delivers on our Internal Security Strategy, ProtectEU.” Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner said: “ Europe's security is only as strong as the information behind it. Alerts on suspected terrorists and organised criminals, now shared by our international partners, mean border guards and police officers, from our external borders to the streets of our cities, can act on a threat before it causes damage. This is another reason to step up our security partnerships further. " Member States will now be able to enter trusted information received from external partners into the SIS, with support from Europol. This includes information on foreign terrorist fighters, suspects in serious crime investigations and individuals suspected of terrorist activities. On this basis, Member States can issue an information alert. This upgrade will help border guards and police officers across the EU detect more criminals and terrorists and facilitate cooperation between law enforcement authorities. Member States can also continue to make use of the other alert categories already available in the SIS, such as arrest warrant alerts or alerts for refusals of entry or stay. (For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Elettra Di Massa – Tel.: +32 2 298 21 61) EU and Türkiye hold third High-Level Dialogue Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency Maroš Šefčovič and the Minister of Trade of Türkiye Ömer Bolat held the 3rd EU-Türkiye High-Level Dialogue on Trade in Brussels yesterday. The EU and Türkiye are major trade partners with bilateral trade flows reaching EUR 217.6 billion in 2025. Türkiye - the EU's 5th largest trade partner - is a candidate country and a key partner for the EU in many areas of mutual interest. The high-level meeting provided an opportunity to review progress in bilateral trade relations, including key market access and customs issues; as well as discussing areas for enhanced cooperation in the wider EU-Türkiye economic partnership. The meeting was preceded by a Business Roundtable with stakeholders from both sides. In the area of customs cooperation, the two sides discussed progress on the EU customs reform, in particular on e-commerce as well as other initiatives that will improve cooperation under the EU- Türkiye Customs Union, such as agreement on mutual recognition of authorised economic operators. The two sides also discussed Türkiye's alignment with relevant EU legislation to ensure smooth circulation of goods across the Customs Union. The dialogue also took stock of progress in reducing trade barriers, and featured an important announcement on the removal of the barrier on import controls under the TAREKS system (a risk- based foreign trade system for importers into Türkiye). This outcome represents a concrete step to facilitate trade, responding to longstanding concerns raised by economic operators. The meeting also took stock of cooperation on preventing the circumvention of EU sanctions. More information is available in our joint statement online. (For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Marta Perez-Cejuela Romero - Tel.: +32 2 296 37 70) EU strengthens support for Thailand's climate resilience and water management Today, the European Commission announced financial support for the improvement of the irrigation system in the Lower East Chao Phraya river basin. The support includes a €12 million grant from the Commission which will be blended with a loan of over €53 million from the French Development Agency (AFD) and co-financed with the Asian Development Bank. This is aligned with Team Europe's work under the EU's Global Gateway strategy to strengthen Thailand's climate resilience and improve water management. Global Gateway is the EU's strategy to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport, and to strengthen health, education and research systems worldwide. It delivers high-quality investments that meet the highest environmental, social and governance standards, ensuring sustainability and transparency for partners, people and the planet. Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela said: “ First of all, let me express my solidarity with people affected by the recent floods. Events like this are a reminder that climate change and extreme weather have very real consequences for people, communities, farmers, businesses and public services. Through Global Gateway and Team Europe, the EU is bringing together European financing, expertise and technology to support Thailand in strengthening water management, reducing flood risks and building resilience for the long term”. The €12 million grant will finance crucial elements of the project which will provide the institutional and digital backbone for improved water management across the Lower East Chao Phraya basin. This will include a Decision Support System, flood forecasting and hydrometeorological monitoring. Together, these tools will help shift flood management from fragmented and largely manual approaches towards a more integrated, real-time and basin-wide system. The community-based systems will be connected to local authorities and linked to information generated through the Decision Support System. This will help ensure that critical information reaches communities most at risk, enabling people to prepare and act earlier to flooding or other climate- related hazards. More information can be found online. (For more information: Guillaume Mercier – Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Bridget Moylan – Tel.: +32 2 298 28 44) Commission launches pledge on intergenerational fairness Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef, has launched a pledge on intergenerational fairness , together with the president of the European Committee of the Regions, Kata Tüttö, and Intergenerational Fairness rapporteur, Tine Radinja, during the 2026 European Week of Regions and Cities . Through this pledge, the EU extends its commitment to shape current decisions with long-term impacts in view, guaranteeing a just balance of benefits and burdens for every generation. The pledge is the latest step in the implementation of the Commission's S trategy on Intergenerational Fairness . It encourages its signatories to create more favourable conditions for all generations, for example by expanding access to sport infrastructure and activities to support active lifestyles or advocate for inclusive mobility. In support of efforts to deliver on the Pledge's commitments, the Commission has also developed a new Intergenerational Fairness Index . Speaking at the margins of the plenary, Commissioner Micallef said: “ The pledge turns intergenerational fairness into a shared commitment at local and regional level. Our diversity of regions and localities gives us a unique opportunity to learn from one another and turn local experience into European solutions. The Pledge reaffirms our commitment to building a fairer EU for future generations, and for all citizens regardless of where they live.” The pledge translates the commitments of the UN Pact for the Future and the Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness into avenues for action in sustainable development, age-inclusive employment, accessible public services, adapted housing, youth participation in democracy, and solidarity. It translates policy on intergenerational fairness into concrete opportunities for younger, older and future generations. (For more information: Eva Hrncirova - Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65) Eurobarometer survey highlights growing use of AI in European companies European businesses rely increasingly on artificial intelligence (AI). That is what the results of the latest Eurobarometer survey showed, published today. The publication coincides with the European AI Innovation Month that brings together policymakers, industry, public sector, and research together to discuss and showcase how AI is being developed and applied across EU industry sectors. Algorithmic management (AM) or automated systems refers to digital systems that help managers organise the workforce and/or support their decisions about tasks, schedules, performance or staffing. These systems can be powered by AI or not and include both tools that automate decision- making and tools that make recommendations, while the final decision is taken by people. According to the survey, 42% of the European small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid- cap companies consulted already use AI and AM, most of them in a limited and experimental way. An additional 21% plan to do so in the future. Besides their use in customer service and client relations (47%), AI and AM are also being used by 36% of the interviewed enterprises for monitoring performance and productivity (36%). Logistics, planning and staff scheduling (30%) are also common uses. Furthermore, a clear majority of these European companies (61%) say that the use of AI helps them to take decisions. 75% of surveyed companies believe that AI and AM will improve job quality. Most of them (90%) say that people take the decisions, while only 2% are fully automated. More information is available in the press release online. For more information: Louise Bogey - Tel.: +322296776; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65) Commission issues €10 billion in its 9th syndicated transaction of 2026 The European Commission is empowered by the EU Treaties to borrow from the international capital markets on behalf of the European Union to finance selected EU policy programmes. The European Commission has raised €10 billion of EU-Bonds in its 9 th syndicated transaction for 2026. The dual-tranche transaction concerned a €5 billion tap of the 7-year EU-Bond maturing on 12 October 2033 and a €5 billion new 15-year EU-Bond maturing on 12 December 2041. Building on the pricing of recent syndications against the EU Bond curve, both maturities were priced against reference points in the EU Bond curve. The approach reflects the growing liquidity of the EU- Bond curve, which can be used more frequently as a reliable reference point for pricing of syndicated issuances when deemed desirable. The transaction is part of the Commission's €80 billion funding target for the second half of 2026 . More information is available in the press release online. (For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Isabel Otero Barderas - Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25; Francisca Marcal Santos - Tel.: +32 2 299 72 36) Commission clears acquisition of BRUC Japan and BRUC Japan 2 by Sun Trinity and MHCCE The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of BRUC Japan KK and BRUC Japan 2 KK by Sun Trinity LLC. and Mitsubishi HC Capital Energy Inc. (‘MHCCE'), all of Japan. The transaction relates primarily to the production and wholesale supply of solar electricity in Japan. 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. 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.12401 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67) ANNOUNCEMENTS EU local leaders and authorities gather to discuss affordable energy, housing and climate resilience Tomorrow, hundreds of mayors, local and regional leaders and representatives from across Europe will come together in Brussels to participate in the EU Covenant of Mayors Ceremony 2026 . Following the European Week of Regions and Cities also held this week, the EU Covenant event will be an opportunity to discuss with Commission representatives and fellow mayors the decisive role of cities and regions in responding to today's pressing challenges - from energy price volatility and geopolitical uncertainty to increasing climate risks. Executive Vice President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera , Executive Vice President for Cohesion and Reforms , Raffaele Fitto , Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra , and Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen will participate and deliver keynote speeches. During the day, exchanges will focus on the crucial role cities and regions play in delivering affordable clean homegrown energy and housing for citizens and better preparing for climate-related events, and how to efficiently address climate disinformation and build trust. Mayors, local communities and regional leaders are instrumental in implementing clean and just transition and advancing climate action on the ground, through local projects, investments and citizen engagement. Since its launch in 2008, the EU Covenant of Mayors has mobilised almost 11,000 cities and towns of all sizes to commit to the EU's goals for a resilient and climate-neutral future. Following the Ceremony, a policy event organised by the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub will bring together a group of local and regional authorities, policymakers and experts to discuss how local authorities are shaping the EU's response to energy poverty. You can read more information and follow the EU Covenant of Mayors Ceremony 2026 online. (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25; Cristiana Marchitelli – Tel: +32 2 298 94 07) Commissioner Hoekstra to convene Implementation Dialogue on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism Tomorrow, Commissioner Hoekstra will host an Implementation Dialogue on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), a key EU climate policy tool to reduce the risk of carbon leakage, ensure a level playing field for EU stakeholders and encourage global decarbonisation. The dialogue will bring together international stakeholders, including representatives of the iron and steel, aluminium, cement and fertilisers sectors, large downstream consumers and energy utilities, third-party auditing and verification bodies, and NGOs. Discussions will focus on the practical aspects of implementing CBAM and on exchanging first experiences from the definitive period, which began on 1 January 2026. Commissioner Hoekstra highlights CBAM's importance and the timeliness of the exchange: “ CBAM is a cornerstone of the EU's climate ambition, ensuring a level playing field for European industry and sending a strong global signal that the transition to a low-carbon economy must be shared by all. With the definitive period now underway and important obligations ahead in 2027, this is a crucial moment to engage with stakeholders on how the system is working in practice. CBAM's success depends on it being robust, predictable and workable for businesses, third-country partners and public authorities. ” Feedback from the dialogue will feed into the operational implementation of CBAM by taking stock of progress, best practices and challenges. A comprehensive review of CBAM will be conducted in 2027, drawing on the experience gained, lessons learned and feedback received during the first two years of its definitive application. More information and a summary of the conclusions will be available on the dedicated webpage . (For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 229-69776; Thérèse Lerebours – Tel.: +32 460 76 33 03) Commissioner Várhelyi in Mexico to strengthen cooperation on health and discuss food safety Today and tomorrow, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi , will be in Mexico City to advance EU–Mexico cooperation on health and discuss shared priorities. The mission will provide an opportunity to foster practical cooperation on health and support stronger health systems, innovation and more resilient pharmaceutical supply chains. Commissioner Várhelyi will today co-chair the first meeting of the inaugural EU–Mexico High-Level Dialogue on Health with Mexico's Secretary of Health, David Kershenobich. Announced at the EU– Mexico Summit in May 2026, the Dialogue will focus on shared priorities including tackling non- communicable diseases and improving the health of citizens, pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, the need for secure supply chains and innovation for medicines and medical devices, research and innovation, as well as digital health. The Commissioner will also meet Mexico's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Columba Jazmín López Gutiérrez, and Director-General of the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality, Javier Calderón Elizalde, to discuss cooperation on sanitary and phytosanitary issues. Such engagement is essential to ensure the EU's high food safety standards are maintained in cooperation with our partners. He will later meet representatives of European pharmaceutical companies and visit Centro Kalan, Mexico's National Centre for Health and Wellness Cultures. Tomorrow, Commissioner Várhelyi will deliver a keynote speech at Innovation Week , organised by the Mexican Association of Pharmaceutical Research Industries (AMIIF). He will also visit Mexico's National Reference Laboratory. (For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73) Commissioner Kadis in Greenland to deepen EU cooperation on oceans, fisheries and the blue economy Commissioner Costas Kadis will travel to Greenland on 15–16 October, building on the renewed political momentum created by President Ursula von der Leyen 's and Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen 's visits to Greenland in September, resulting in the EU–Greenland–Denmark Joint Declaration . The Joint Declaration identifies ocean governance and the blue economy among the key areas for enhanced cooperation. It sets out a shared ambition to promote the sustainable use, management and conservation of the marine environment and its resources, including fisheries, while also advancing cooperation on connectivity, renewable energy, critical raw materials, sustainable tourism and investment. During the two-day visit, Commissioner Kadis will visit Royal Greenland A/S, the Greenland Fisheries and Hunting Control Authority and the Border Inspection Post in Nuuk. He is also expected to meet Greenlandic representatives responsible for foreign affairs and Arctic cooperation. On 16 October, the Commissioner will visit the University of Greenland and the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, where discussions will focus on marine science, fisheries stock assessments and scientific advice. He will also hold a bilateral meeting with Minister Peter Borg, responsible for fisheries, hunting, agriculture and self-sufficiency. The visit will offer a concrete opportunity to advance cooperation in line with Greenland's priorities, while fully respecting its autonomy, ownership of natural resources and local needs. The visit also comes in the context of the EU's €200 million Global Gateway Partnership Package for 2026–2027 , which supports projects in connectivity, renewable energy, critical raw materials, sustainable tourism, housing and small and medium-sized enterprises. (For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 229-66483; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 298 20 54) Commissioner Zaharieva in Dublin to highlight Europe's AI ambition Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva is in Dublin for a high- level visit centred on research, innovation, entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence (AI), underlining both Europe's determination to lead in AI and Ireland's growing role as an innovation powerhouse. The visit comes as Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU under the overarching priorities of competitiveness, values and security, and with innovation and entrepreneurship high on its agenda. Against this backdrop, Commissioner Zaharieva 's visit sends a clear message: Europe has the talent, the ideas and the values to succeed in the global AI race. Today, the Commissioner will take part in the International AI Summit in Dublin, along with Executive Vice-President Virkkunen , where she will deliver a keynote speech on ‘European Ambition & Innovation & Research Ecosystem'. Commissioner Zaharieva will stress that with world-class researchers, fast-growing tech talent and a vibrant start-up scene, Europe has all the ingredients needed to turn AI excellence into global leadership. Europe already hosts almost 7,000 AI start-ups, has three times as many AI professionals per capita as China, and its pool of tech talent is growing faster than in the United States. During her visit, the Commissioner will also hold bilateral meetings with representatives from DeepL, Nuritas, Google DeepMind and Analog Devices, engaging directly with key players shaping the future of AI, deep tech and innovation in Europe. Yesterday, Commissioner Zaharieva visited the Trinity Innovation Hub at Trinity College Dublin, where she met students, entrepreneurs and innovators at the forefront of Ireland's dynamic research and start-up landscape. She also took part in a roundtable discussion at Europe House on Ireland's research ecosystem and its potential for further growth. Ireland is a front-runner in the EU start-up ecosystem, ranking seventh among Member States in the 2025 European Startup and Scaleup Scoreboard . (For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 229-66483; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – Tel.: +32 229-52117) 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/26/2159 <@rel_link@>
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