EU and Brazil deepen ties through Digital Partnership
The European Union and Brazil signed a Digital Partnership in Brasilia today, bringing their digital cooperation to a new strategic level. Building on more than two decades of close collaboration, the partnership will strengthen EU-Brazil cooperation on shared digital priorities, including data governance, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and connectivity, online platforms, and digital public goods and services.
Digital Partnerships are a core instrument of the EU’s external digital policy, enabling structured cooperation with like-minded countries on shared priorities.
The agreement was signed by European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, and Brazil’s Secretary for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation and Culture, Alex Giacomelli da Silva.
Following the signing of the Digital Partnership, an administrative agreement was signed by the Commission’s services and Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Proteção de Dados, to enhance cooperation on the protection of minors online.
Through this partnership, the EU and Brazil will step up joint efforts to promote efficient and resilient global supply chains and contribute to an inclusive, rules-based system of global digital governance. They will aim to ensure that the benefits of technological progress are more equitably shared globally.
Cooperation between the EU and Brazil
In January 2026, the Commission and Brazil adopted mutual adequacy decisions, confirming that their levels of data protection are comparable. Recognising the high data protection standards that protect consumers and citizens on both sides, these agreements allow businesses, public authorities and researchers to freely and securely exchange data between the EU and Brazil without any additional requirements.
Digital cooperation has long been a central part of the EU-Brazil Strategic Partnership, with the EU-Brazil Digital Dialogue at its core.
Through the Digital Dialogue, the partners have intensified exchanges across key priority areas and worked to promote digital development and inclusion, all while preserving digital sovereignty, democratic principles and human rights.
Next steps
The Digital Partnership will be implemented through regular high-level exchanges and dedicated technical workstreams.
The first meeting of the Digital Partnership Council is expected within the next 12 months. It will provide strategic direction and endorse a joint roadmap for cooperation.
Background
Digital partnerships are a central pillar of the EU’s International Digital Strategy. They support structured cooperation with like-minded countries on shared priorities.
Each partnership is overseen by a Digital Partnership Council, which provides political guidance, monitors progress and sets priorities for future cooperation.
For more information
Thirteenth EU-Brazil Digital Dialogue
Digital Partnerships
Quote(s)
The European Union and Brazil are long-standing strategic partners, united by shared values and a common vision for the digital future. This Digital Partnership marks a decisive step forward in our cooperation, enabling us to deepen collaboration on key digital priorities and shape a human-centric and inclusive digital transformation together.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel. + 32 2 299 10 99; Nika Blazevic – Tel. + 32 2 299 27 17)
Commission proposes pound 540 million financial relief and other supports for farmers facing fertiliser crisis
Today, the European Commission presents measures to help farmers facing sharply rising fertiliser costs and to support Europe’s food security, delivering on the recently announced Fertiliser Action Plan. In recent months, geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions have pushed prices of fertilisers up across Europe.
To address this situation, the Commission is proposing two concrete short-term measures. Firstly, the Commission is providing financial relief to help farmers who need to buy fertilisers to guarantee their next crops. In the coming weeks, the Commission aims to mobilise pound 540 million in total. Earlier this week, the Commission proposed to boost the agricultural reserve with an additional pound 300 million from the EU budget 2026 on top of the remaining funds. The Member States will be able to top it up by up to 200% of national funds, bringing the total available financial support to a potential total of pound 1.5 billion.
Secondly, the Commission proposes targeted adjustments to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) enabling Member States to provide farmers with faster and more flexible support to access fertilisers. These measures include:
a new liquidity scheme under rural development for crisis support,
the option for Member States to pay direct payments to farmers earlier,
and the possibility for Member States to adjust their direct payment budget for calendar year 2027.
The new liquidity scheme can be co-financed up to 65% from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and include unused funds that may otherwise be lost. Member States may add national financing of up to 200%. To ensure rapid delivery and minimise administrative burdens, support can be paid as a fixed amount per hectare and implemented through the CAP Strategic Plans.
Regarding advanced direct payments to farmers, Member States will have the possibility to provide them before 16 October with an increased rate of advances, helping them to improve cashflow.
Finally, the proposal will give Member States further flexibility in addressing the impact of the high fertiliser prices, by adjusting their allocations for direct payments for calendar year 2027.
Next steps
The Commission’s proposed targeted CAP legislative amendments will now be sent to the European Parliament and the Council for their approval.
The agricultural reserve proposal with overall financial relief of pound 540 million will be submitted for a vote to Member States in the Committee on the Common Organisation of the Markets, with the corresponding national envelopes specified in the proposal. If agreed by Member States, final adoption is scheduled by the end of July 2026.
The Commission will continue to deliver on the Fertiliser Action Plan to reduce farmers’ exposure to future crises and, through these actions, strengthen EU food security, strategic autonomy and competitiveness.
Background
Fertilisers are essential for agricultural production and represent a significant share of farmers’ costs. In recent months, geopolitical shocks and supply disruptions have driven fertiliser prices up, placing increasing pressure on farmers across Europe. As a result, rising costs may force farmers to use less fertiliser, risking lower quality and yields. If farmers cannot afford the fertilisers they need, this may affect harvests, farm incomes, wider food supply and ultimately also food prices.
On 19 May 2026, the Commission presented the Fertiliser Action Plan to support farmers facing rising fertiliser costs and scarcity, reinforce domestic production and reduce Europe’s dependency on imports. The Plan combines immediate support measures aimed at supporting affordability and security of supply, with longer-term action to strengthen domestic fertiliser production, improve supply resilience and accelerate the transition to bio-based, low-carbon and circular fertilisers.
For more information
Press release – Commission presents plan to secure Europe’s fertiliser supply and food security
Ensuring availability and affordability of fertilisers – Agriculture and rural development
Fertilisers – Agriculture and rural development – European Commission (Fertilisers market Observatory)
Quote(s)
Today, we are delivering on our commitment to support farmers facing soaring fertiliser costs. I can confirm that we have proposed a pound 540 million EU financial support package, which Member States will be able to top up with national funds to mobilise up to pound 1.5 billion in relief for farmers on the ground. This support must reach those who need to buy fertilisers for the next sowing season and secure their future harvests. Our proposals to make CAP support more flexible should also help improve farmers’ cash flow and provide greater financial certainty. I count on the co-legislators to treat them as a matter of urgency so that this support can be delivered without delay. Now is the time to choose our food security, our strategic autonomy and our competitiveness. Europe is standing firmly by the side of its farmers and taking decisive action to safeguard the foundations of our food production.
Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food
(For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 2 296 97 76; Katerina Horáková – Tel.: +32 2 299 93 10)
Commission approves pound 11.9 million Italian State aid for cheese production
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, an pound 11.9 million Italian measure to support an investment project in the dairy sector.
The beneficiary of the measure is Zanetti S.p.A., a company active in the production of traditional Italian cheeses with a focus on Protected Designation of Origin cheeses such as Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano. The aid will support the modernisation of Zanetti’s production line and contribute to the economic development of the dairy sector and the area around the facility in the province of Mantua. The investment project will also have a positive environmental impact, because it will lead to lower energy consumption and road transport emissions. The aid will take the form of a direct grant.
The Commission assessed the measure under EU State Aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions, and the 2023 Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas. The Commission found that the measure is necessary and appropriate to achieve the objective pursued, while supporting the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy. Furthermore, the Commission concluded that the measure is proportionate, as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and will have a limited impact on competition and trade in the EU. On this basis, the Commission approved the Italian measure under EU State aid rules.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.122079 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; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74)
Commission clears acquisition of DSM’s Animal Nutrition and Health business by CVC
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of the Animal Nutrition and Health business of DSM-Firmenich AG (‘DSM’) of Switzerland, by CVC Capital Partners plc (‘CVC’) of Jersey.
The transaction relates primarily to the supply of animal nutrition ingredients.
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.12382.
(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschtz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83)
President von der Leyen participates in G7 Summit hosted by France
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and President of the European Council, António Costa, will be in Evian from Monday 15 to Wednesday 17 June, to participate in the G7 Summit hosted by France.
On Monday, Presidents von der Leyen and Costa will host a joint press conference in the early afternoon, which you can follow live on EBS. In the evening, they will participate in an informal dinner for G7 Leaders hosted by President of France, Emmanuel Macron.
On Tuesday morning, President von der Leyen will participate in a working session on peace and security for Ukraine and Europe, together with G7 Leaders and President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. She will then participate in a working session titled ‘Facing crises and guaranteeing stability in the Middle East,’ with G7 Leaders, President of Egypt Abdel Fatah El-Sisi, and leaders of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
In the afternoon, the President will take part in a working session on new partnerships and international solidarity. This working session will bring together G7 Leaders, leaders of Brazil, Egypt, India, Kenya and South Korea, President of the World Bank, Ajay Banga, and President of the African Bank for Development, Sidi Ould Tah.
On Wednesday, the leaders will attend a working session on balanced and sustainable economic growth for all with Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, and Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Mathias Cormann.
Throughout the Summit, the President will engage with leaders of the participating countries. More information on the Summit is available on the G7 Summit website. Audiovisual material will be available on EBS.
(For more information: Paula Pinho – Tel.: +32 2 292 08 15)
Executive Vice-President Ribera to receive Politecnico di Torino Foresight and Innovation Award
Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, will be in Turin today to receive the 2026 Politecnico di Torino Foresight and Innovation International (‘PoliTO Foresight and Innovation’) Award. The award recognises individuals who contributed ideas and vision to promote foresight and innovation. The inaugural edition of the award was presented to Mario Draghi in 2025.
In her keynote address, Executive Vice-President Ribera will share her views on these challenges and on Europe’s long-term transformation and highlight how innovation, clean technologies and artificial intelligence can strengthen Europe’s competitiveness while supporting decarbonisation, energy security and social cohesion. She will also reflect on the role of research, innovation and technological leadership in building a more resilient and sovereign Europe, in line with the Commission’s efforts to advance the Clean Industrial Deal, accelerate electrification and strengthen Europe’s long-term economic security. The award also reflects the ongoing work of the European Commission in fostering innovation as a driver of sustainable prosperity, competitiveness and climate neutrality.
More information about the PoliTO Foresight and Innovation award is available on PoliTO’s website. You can also follow the Award Ceremony live online.
(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74)
Commissioner Roswall participates in high-level dialogue on PFAS-related pollution challenges
On Monday, 15 June, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, will hold in a high-level dialogue with stakeholders to gather feedback on solutions to the challenges related to PFAS pollution in the EU. Announced in the Chemicals Industry Action Plan, the dialogue will bring together over 20 participants from NGOs, affected communities, researchers, water and waste treatment operators, PFAS producers and users, and users of alternatives to PFAS.
During the dialogue, participants will exchange on practical impacts of PFAS pollution and challenges in addressing it. Commissioner Roswall will also explore with participants what can be improved at EU level to speed up both pollution clean-up and the transition away from PFAS. Finally, participants will discuss what stakeholders could do to transition away from PFAS and tackle existing pollution, and the business opportunities that it could create.
Minimising PFAS emissions is a key priority for this Commission. After the adoption of the final opinion of its Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis, the European Chemicals Agency will submit opinions from the Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis Committees to the Commission. The Commission will then prepare the restriction proposal on this basis and submit it to the REACH Committee. In parallel, the Commission is also developing an EU-wide PFAS monitoring framework, to centralise information, identify pollution hotspots, highlight successful remediation practices and collect data from relevant legislation.
Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, said: ‘PFAS pollution is an immense challenge that needs to be addressed collectively. We need to protect our environment, the health of current and future generations but we also need to incentivise innovation and provide our businesses with regulatory clarity.’