European Commission - Daily News Daily News 15 / 10 / 2026 Brussels, 15 October 2026 Tripartite Social Summit takes place in Brussels EU leaders and social partners met in Brussels for the Tripartite Social Summit, a twice-yearly forum for dialogue that brings together the leaders of the EU institutions and the European social partners. Yesterday's discussion focused on ‘Driving Europe Forward'. In particular, the fo...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 15 / 10 / 2026 Brussels, 15 October 2026 Tripartite Social Summit takes place in Brussels EU leaders and social partners met in Brussels for the Tripartite Social Summit, a twice-yearly forum for dialogue that brings together the leaders of the EU institutions and the European social partners. Yesterday's discussion focused on ‘Driving Europe Forward'. In particular, the following topics were addressed: A new Multiannual Financial Framework reinforcing a competitive business location supporting quality jobs; A Single Market which delivers for workers and enterprises. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen , said: " Europe's competitiveness goes hand in hand with social fairness. It means good jobs, decent livelihoods and thriving businesses. To get there, our priorities are clear: affordable energy, a strong Single Market that protects workers' rights, quality jobs fit for the future, and a long-term EU budget that preserves Europe's social DNA. And of course, dialogue with social partners is essential to deliver." The main messages of the summit are available online (For more information: Louise Bogey - Tel.: +322296776; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65) C ommission awards six projects making lasting contributions for Europe's cohesion at REGIOSTARS ceremony Six outstanding EU-funded projects, and the people behind them, were honoured last night in Brussels at the 2026 REGIOSTARS Awards , held as part of the 24th European Week of Regions and Cities . Presented by representatives of the European institutions and the Member States, the awards recognised excellence in projects supported by EU cohesion policy, the EU's main investment policy for regions, cities and communities. From innovation and research to environmental restoration and social inclusion, this year's winners show how cohesion policy delivers concrete results where people live. The winners are: Category 1 - A Competitive and Smart Europe: AI Holopresence from Slovakia; Category 2 - A Green Europe: eLiRec – Greener Battery Recycling from Germany; Category 3 - A Connected Europe: Alexandroupolis Independent Natural Gas System from Greece; Category 4 - A Social and Inclusive Europe: BROTHERS from Germany; Category 5 - A Europe closer to the citizens: Together in Žďár from Czechia; People's Choice Award: Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center, from Portugal. More information is available in the press release online. (For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 229-66483; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – Tel.: +32 229-52117) 10 th call for media proposals launched as Commission announces winners of the 2026 Megalizzi-Niedzielski prize for aspiring journalists On Wednesday evening, the European Commission announced the three winners of the 2026 Megalizzi–Niedzielski prize for aspiring journalists in a dedicated event in Brussels. Yoana Kaloyanova from Bulgaria received the prize for her compelling audio report on a children's education centre in Plovdiv. Žan Tone Urbanija from Slovenia was recognised for his empathetic article on multigenerational centres in the country. Marie Hartmann from Germany won with her video report on climate change adaptation measures, which was praised for making complex issues accessible to a wider audience. The Megalizzi-Niedzielski prize commemorates young journalists Antonio Megalizzi and Bartek Orent- Niedzielski, who were killed in the 2018 Strasbourg terrorist attack. It rewards outstanding young journalists who show strong professional integrity and a deep commitment to EU values. Meanwhile, the Commission launched its tenth call for media proposals on cohesion policy. With a budget of €3.5 million, the call invites media outlets, universities, and other entities to create independent content on cohesion policy. Applications are open until 12 January 2027, 17:00 CET, via the funding portal . (For more information: Maciej Berestecki - Tel: +32 229-66483; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – Tel: +32 229-52117) Commissioners Kubilius and Lahbib strengthen global disaster risk management through space technologies On the occasion of the International Day for Disaster Risk Management, the European Commission conveyed the very first cross-regional dialogue ‘From Space to Grassroots: Strengthening Community Resilience to Natural Hazards through Space Technologies'. The dialogue marked the start of a process to further strengthen international cooperation to anticipate, prepare for and respond to disasters using space technologies. Hadja Lahbib , Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, and Andrius Kubilius , Commissioner for Defence and Space, participated in the discussions, together with representatives of disaster risk management organisations from Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Africa. The dialogue identified opportunities for closer cooperation with partners worldwide, from improving early warning systems and sharing satellite data and expertise to strengthening national and local response capacities. The aim is to make better use of space technologies across all levels of action, to protect lives and livelihoods, particularly in vulnerable communities. Space services support all phases of the disaster management cycle, from preparedness and prevention with forecasts and early warnings to mapping in support of emergency response and recovery assessments after the disasters. Satellite data also feeds into information systems to facilitate the work of competent authorities in Europe and worldwide. The outcome of the discussions resulted into a Compass on Space and Disaster Risk Management . This document emphasises the need to translate data into actionable information. As disasters expand, so should our capacity to anticipate and mitigate their impact, beyond borders and in partnership with local, national and international bodies. More information is available in the press release . (For more information: Eva Hrncirova – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Thomas Regnier – Tel: +32 2 299 10 99; Quentin Cortes - Tel: +32 2 291 32 83; Kateřina Horáková - Tel.: +32 2 299 93 10) Commission approves four new geographical indications from Italy, Croatia, France and Guatemala The European Commission has approved the registration of four new Protected Geographical Indications (PGIs): Capocollo di Martina Franca from Italy, Čepinski kupus from Croatia, Miel des Landes from France, and Café Antigua from Guatemala. Capocollo di Martina Franca is a prepared meat product obtained from the upper part of the pig's neck originating from Puglia, Italy. It is characterised by its smoky aroma and flavour, with a hint of the acidity and aroma of cooked wine, typical of Martina Franca popular tradition. Its distinctive qualities are linked to a long-standing artisanal method of production, where all stages are carried out by hand. Čepinski kupus is a vegetable crop originating from Osijek-Baranja County in Croatia. Derived from the Croatian variety of white cabbage, Čepinski, it has a compact head, a well-developed, short and rounded stem, and a very pronounced fresh cabbage flavour. The entire production process is carried out by hand, based on know-how passed down from generation to generation. Miel des Landes is a natural honey originating from the Landes plateau in France. It can be both monofloral or polyfloral. Its particularity lies in the production of a broad range of honeys resulting from a succession of nectar flows that make the most of the area's uncultivated floral resources. Beekeepers' expertise is reflected in their management of colonies adapted to the area and in their control of the honey's water content. Café Antigua is coffee originating from the Sacatepéquez Department region in Guatemala, produced from Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora. It can refer to either green or roasted coffee, in beans or ground form. Café Antigua is fine and balanced in taste, with aromatic notes of honey, caramel, apple and roasted walnut, a very full body, and persistent acidity without being sharp or bitter. The region has a strong coffee-growing tradition dating back centuries. These new designations join the more than 3,900 protected names already listed in the eAmbrosia database. More information is available on the Quality Policy pages . (For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 229-69776; Marta Perez-Cejuela Romero - Tel.: +32 2 296 37 70) Commission clears creation of joint venture by Crédit Agricole Transitions & Energies and Primeo Energie The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by Crédit Agricole Transitions & Energies SA of France and Primeo Energie Schweiz AG (‘Primeo Energie') of Switzerland. The transaction relates primarily to the retail and supply of electricity in France. 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.12583 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67) Commission clears acquisition of Bode and Ventura by Waterland The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Bode Die Tür GmbH (‘Bode') of Germany and Ventura Systems B.V. (‘Ventura') by Waterland Private Equity Investments B.V. (‘Waterland'), both of the Netherlands. The transaction relates primarily to rail and bus door systems. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the companies are not active in the same or vertically related markets. 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.12480 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67) ANNOUNCEMENTS EU and Mexico hold first High-Level Dialogue on Health Yesterday, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi , and Mexico's Secretary of Health, David Kershenobich, co-chaired the first EU–Mexico High-Level Dialogue on Health . The kick-off meeting focussed on non-communicable diseases, pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, regulatory cooperation, medicines and medical devices, research and innovation, and digital health. The Dialogue aims to turn shared health priorities into tangible results for patients, stronger health systems and more resilient supply chains. As reliable and trusted partners, the EU and Mexico recognise the strategic importance of innovative health systems, secure and diversified supply chains, and preparedness for cross-border health threats. Commissioner Várhelyi said: “ Today's first EU-Mexico High-Level Dialogue on Health opens a new chapter in our partnership. Together, we will build on our strengths to improve access to quality care for our citizens, tackle non-communicable diseases, drive innovation for medicines and medical devices, as well as strengthen and diversify supply chains. We are making health a strategic pillar of EU-Mexico relations, advancing stability and prosperity for our societies and strengthening global health security.” The Dialogue was launched at the 8th EU–Mexico Summit on 22 May 2026, where the Modernised Global Agreement and the Interim Trade Agreement were signed. Further information is available online. (For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73) EU hosts first international conference on protecting aid workers The European Commission and the Irish Presidency of the Council are hosting the first International Conference on the Protection of Humanitarian Aid Workers on 15–16 October. It follows a record year of violence: in 2025, 1,187 aid workers were killed, injured, kidnapped or detained worldwide. The EU has mobilised €3.5 million in funding in 2026 for the safety of humanitarian workers through the Protect Aid Workers initiative. It provides protection measures, post-incident assistance and legal support to humanitarian staff exposed to threats and violence. The event brings together governments, frontline responders, humanitarian organisations, and survivors of attacks. Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib , will deliver a keynote speech, broadcast live . The conference intends to boost the momentum of the Australian initiative and the Global Initiative on International Humanitarian Law, reaffirms the EU's commitment to humanitarian diplomacy, and addresses accountability for attacks against humanitarian personnel. It provides a platform to share initiatives, strengthen practical protection measures and build a broader international community committed to safeguarding those who deliver life-saving assistance. Commissioner Hadja Lahbib said: “Traveling from crisis to crisis around the globe, I have met aid workers. I know what their everyday life looks like. They wake up each morning asking one question: how can I help? They risk their lives in some of the deadliest places to save others. I cannot think of a more noble calling. Yet even the skies above them are growing more dangerous, with drones increasingly killing the very people delivering bread and vaccines to those in desperate need. We owe them more than a minute of silence. That is why we are bringing together partners, mobilising resources, and fighting to end impunity. Their safety must be our top priority. Humanitarian workers are not the collateral damage of war. No one should pay with their life for trying to save someone else's.” (For more information: Eva Hrncirova – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Quentin Cortes - Tel: +32 2 291 32 83) 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/26/2170 <@rel_link@>
Speech Brief