Commission disburses the final amounts of the EU Solidarity Fund to Austria and Poland to recover from flood and an advance payment to Cyprus for the wildfires
The European Commission has finalized the disbursement of pound 108 million from the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to support Poland and Austria in their recovery efforts following devastating floods in autumn 2024. Simultaneously, the Commission advanced a payment of pound 2.3 million to Cyprus to help kickstart the recovery efforts after the damage caused by the July 2025 wildfires.
Austria got pound 32 million on top of an advance payment of pound 10 million received in April, and Poland received pound 76 million. The payments follow the approval by the European Parliament and the Council of the Commission proposal which was based on applications submitted by these countries.
In September and October 2024, severe and persistent rainfall led to significant flooding across several Central and Eastern European countries. The EUSF support will help restore vital infrastructure across various sectors, including transport, water and wastewater management, as well as infrastructure security measures. Emergency and recovery operations may be financed by the EUSF retroactively from day one of the disasters.
Cyprus applied for financial assistance from the EUSF in October 2025 to cover the recovery from the damage to several schools, health establishments and other infrastructure caused by wildfires in the Limassol and Pafos regions in July 2025. After evaluating the application, the Commission will present a mobilization proposal to the European Parliament and the Council. The advance already paid does not prejudge the final amount.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki: +32 229-66483; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha +32 229-52117)
Meta commits to give EU users choice on personalised ads under DMA
The European Commission acknowledges Meta’s undertaking to offer users in the EU an alternative choice of Facebook and Instagram services that would show them less personalised ads, to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This is the first time that such a choice is offered on Meta’s social networks. Meta will give users the effective choice between: consenting to share all their data and seeing fully personalised advertising, and opting to share less personal data for an experience with more limited personalised advertising. Meta will present these new options to users in the EU in January 2026.
This follows a close dialogue between the Commission and Meta after the Commission found Meta in breach of the Digital Markets Act and issued Meta a non-compliance decision related to user choice in April 2025.
Once implemented, the Commission will seek feedback and evidence from Meta and other relevant stakeholders on the impact and uptake of this new ad model.
Users in the EU must have full and effective choice, which is their right under the DMA.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Patricia Poropat – Tel.: +32 2 298 04 85; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
EU and Qatar launch Strategic Partnership negotiations
On 6 December, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security/Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, and the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met in Doha to officially launch the negotiations for an EU-Qatar Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA).
This decision further strengthens the robust partnership between the EU and Qatar, building on the 2022 EU Joint Communication , which outlined a vision for a deeper partnership with the Gulf, and the joint agenda launched by Gulf and European leaders at the 2024 EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Brussels.
High Representative/Vice-President, Kaja Kallas said: ‘Qatar is a vital partner for the EU. Today, the EU and Qatar are committing to closer cooperation with the launch of negotiations for a new Strategic Partnership Agreement. Once in place, the new framework for bilateral engagement should bring benefits for both sides through joint work to uphold regional peace, boost common security and increase prosperity across the two regions.’
The EU and Qatar seized this opportunity to reaffirm their joint commitment to promoting regional stability and security through enhanced cooperation. Together, they will identify and pursue new avenues for collaboration on key priority areas of mutual interest.
Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, said: ‘I welcome the launch of negotiations on a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Qatar. Strategic Partnership Agreements, along with the trilateral EU-Gulf-MENA cooperation promoted by the Pact for the Mediterranean, mark a new era in the EU’s relations with the region. Qatar’s role is central. Together we can advance stability, sustainable growth and long-term prosperity both in the EU and in Qatar but also across the wider region.’
(For more information: Anouar El Anouni – Tel. +32 2 291 35 80; Markus Lammert – Tel. +32 2 296 75 33; Luca Dilda – Tel. +32 2 295 21 53)
EU grants access to funding for the Republic of Serbia under the EU4Health programme
Today, the EU will sign an agreement associating the Republic of Serbia to the EU4Health programme. The Agreement will enable the health authorities and the wider health community from Serbia to benefit from EU funding opportunities under the programme, on an equal footing with EU Member States, Norway, Iceland, Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Starting from 1 January 2026, both public and private health sector entities in Serbia will be able to access funding opportunities through open calls, direct grants and joint actions. These would address critical areas such as improving the diagnosis, treatment and care of cardiovascular diseases and cancer, contributing to the European Health Data Space, developing strategies for critical medicines and medicine stockpiling, bolstering mental health services especially for young people, and initiatives related to cross-border health threats.
Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, said: ‘I warmly welcome today’s agreement, which will further cement our close cooperation with Serbia on health issues and enable its health system to respond to immediate needs and long-term goals. This agreement is further proof of the EU’s commitment to improve healthcare in the Union and beyond, in close collaboration with our partners.’
Read more about the programme online.
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova-Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73)
Commission welcomes launch of call for the fund manager of the Scaleup Europe Fund
The European Innovation Council Fund has launched a call to recruit an independent fund manager to become the investment adviser and portfolio manager of the Scaleup Europe Fund.
The follows a recent high-level meeting of the European Commission with top-tier private investors from across Europe, who jointly expressed their intention to establish the Scaleup Europe Fund.
The Scaleup Europe Fund is a new, multi-billion fund aimed at investing in the most promising European companies across strategic tech areas, including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, semiconductor technologies, robotics and autonomous systems, energy technologies, space technologies, biotechnologies, medical technologies, advanced materials and agritech.
The call is open to experienced fund managers who meet the eligibility criteria, including a proven ability to raise and manage investment funds, professional investment experience, and growth and scaleup investment expertise.
More information about the call can be found in the EIC’s press release.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel. + 32 2 299 10 99; Nika Blazevic – Tel. + 32 2 299 27 17)
Joint statement by High Representative Kallas and Commissioners Šuica and Lahbib on the first anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime
On the first anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime, High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas and Commissioners Dubravka Šuica and Hadja Lahbib, on behalf of the European Commission, issued the following statement:
‘One year ago, the fall of the Assad regime marked the end of decades of a brutal dictatorship, responsible for the death, disappearance and displacement of hundreds of thousands of people and for the destruction of large parts of the country, with disastrous consequences on the overall fabric of the Syrian society. Its fall gave the Syrian people a historical opportunity to engage in a political, economic, and social transition.
In this new context, the EU has stood with Syria and its people through every stage of their challenging transition. In February, it suspended key economic sanctions, and in May, it fully lifted economic sanctions to support Syria’s recovery. In March, the EU hosted the Brussels IX Conference on Syria, where it cemented its role as the leading donor and, together with Member States, pledged pound 3.4 billion to address the huge humanitarian and socio-economic needs of Syria and the region. In November, the EU organised jointly with the Syrian civil society and the Syrian transitional authorities, the first ever ‘Day of Dialogue’ in Syria, gathering more than 300 representatives to discuss how to better support the ongoing transition.
After years of conflict and division, Syria faces immense challenges, but also tremendous opportunities, that can lead the country towards the brighter future its people envision and deserve. Over the past 14 years, the EU and its Member States have mobilised over pound 38 billion in humanitarian, development, economic and stabilisation assistance, supporting Syrians both inside the country and across the region. The EU will continue to support Syrians’ aspirations for a stable, prosperous and democratic country. It looks forward to working in a spirit of partnership to address the shared challenges facing Syria, the region and Europe.’
The full statement can be read online.
(For more information: Anouar El Anouni – Tel. +32 2 291 35 80; Markus Lammert – Tel. +32 2 296 75 33; Eva Hrncirova – Tel. +32 2 298 84 33)
Commission leads discussion on improving the working conditions of artists across Europe, laying the groundwork for a new EU Artists’ Charter
Today, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, and Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef, are hosting a high-level roundtable on artists’ working conditions.
The roundtable marks a first step in delivering on the recently adopted Culture Compass for Europe, which proposed an EU Artists’ Charter. This upcoming Charter will outline fundamental principles, guidance, and commitments ensuring fair working conditions in the cultural sectors.
Today’s event brings together the European Parliament, social partners in the cultural sector, and other stakeholders to discuss long-term solutions for artists. Participants are expected to exchange views on the main challenges artists face today, share best practices, and identify gaps where EU action could help.
Dialogue with the cultural sector will continue through the established EU social dialogue structure and the implementation of the Culture Compass. The Commission is committed to working closely with cultural stakeholders to ensure that future initiatives take into account the real needs of artists across Europe.
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova – Tel.: +32 2 29 88433; Eirini Zarkadoula-Tel.: +32 2 29 57065)
Commissioner Šuica travels to Saudi Arabia to strengthen relations
Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica is travelling to Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), to explore new areas of cooperation in the country’s strategic relationship with the EU.
During her visit, Commissioner Šuica will meet with Waleed A. Elkhereiji, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the with H.E. Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, Minister of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The discussions will notably focus on bilateral co-operation, the situation in the Middle East, and the involvement of KSA in the implementation of the Pact for the Mediterranean.
Commissioner Šuica will also participate in the EU-KSA Roundtable Consultation on Sustainable Business Cooperation, where she will engage with European and Saudi companies to explore opportunities for investment in the green transition.
(For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel. +32 2 296 75 33; Luca Dilda – Tel. +32 2 295 21 53)
Commissioner Várhelyi holds Implementation Dialogue on high quality food safety and controls
Tomorrow, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, will hold an Implementation Dialogue on the EU’s official controls for food, animal and plant goods entering the EU. The Commissioner will meet with representatives of the agri-food sector to discuss the practical implementation of import controls, as well as current challenges and possible solutions to address them. In the Implementation Dialogue, Commissioner Várhelyi will discuss with participants how to increase efficiency in these controls, to boost competitiveness while maintaining the EU’s high standards. The Implementation Dialogue will directly support the work of a Task Force, to be launched in early 2026, which will consider how to further strengthen the EU’s official controls on imports in line with the Vision for Agriculture and Food.
EU citizens are protected by some of the strictest food safety rules in the world and controls at our borders are key to protecting citizens’ health. EU animal and plant health rules not only protect public health, but also our agriculture and environment from harmful pests and diseases. Any live animals, food and feed, plants and plant products entering the EU from third countries must comply with the EU’s health and safety requirements and a robust system of official controls is in place to ensure that they do.
Implementation Dialogues are part of the Commission’s commitment to seek feedback from stakeholders for the implementation and simplification of EU policies. As outlined in the Commission’s Communication on Implementation and Simplification for the 2024-2029 mandate, all Members of the College of Commissioners must host such Dialogues annually. This is the second of such dialogues for Commissioner Várhelyi this year, following one on biocides, held in July this year.
More information on the dialogue can be found online and a report of the Implementation Dialogue will be published online soon after the event.