The European Union and the Cook Islands have signed a new protocol to renew their sustainable fisheries partnership agreement for a seven-year period (2025-2032). This agreement grants EU vessels access to the Cook Islands’ waters-home to some of the world’s healthiest tuna stocks-for a total of 40 fishing days annually.
The renewed protocol will provide pound 3.22 million in EU financial support over seven years to strengthen the Cook Islands’ sustainable fisheries management, control, and surveillance capacities, as well as its blue economy.
The partnership underscores both parties’ shared commitment to sustainable fisheries and economic development. As members of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), the EU and Cook Islands aim to balance environmental protection with viable fishing opportunities, ensuring the long-term health of marine ecosystems.
Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, stated: ‘Our partnership agreements have gained worldwide recognition as a benchmark for good fisheries governance. The European Union is pleased to continue its fruitful fisheries partnership with Cook Islands over the next seven years. With the renewal of the fisheries protocol, European Union vessels will be able to continue fishing in one of the healthiest tropical tuna stocks. We are particularly proud to contribute, through our sectoral support, to the development of the Cook Islands fisheries sector and blue economy.’
The new protocol will provisionally apply from 9 December 2025, enabling EU fishing activities in the Cook Islands’ waters. It will formally enter into force once ratified by both parties, with the EU requiring the consent of the European Parliament.
Statement by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen and Commissioner McGrath on International Anti-Corruption Day
Today, we reaffirm our commitment and determination to prevent and fight corruption in all its forms. Corruption undermines citizens’ trust in public institutions, distorts the business environment and enables crime creating a sense of insecurity and injustice. By fostering a culture of integrity across our societies and ensuring that public institutions serve citizens with transparency, efficiency, and accountability, we can fight corruption and make our democracies more resilient.
The EU is acting decisively and tightening the net around corruption by establishing the first comprehensive EU legal framework to tackle this problem. Last week, the European Parliament and the Council, provisionally agreed on the proposal for a Directive on combatting corruption, which the Commission had presented in April 2023. This directive harmonises the definitions of a full set of corruption offences, and the level of criminal penalties, while strengthening the effectiveness of investigation and prosecution. The directive also introduces provisions to prevent corruption and ensure high level of integrity, transparency and accountability in public administration and public decision-making.
Globally, corruption costs billions a year and jeopardises good governance, stability, prosperity and progress to advance on the UN sustainable development goals. We stand firmly behind the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), to which the EU is a party. This steadfast commitment is illustrated by the first cycle of the UNCAC implementation review for the EU, which is currently being completed.
But our work is far from over: corruption is pervasive and tackling it is a challenge that requires sustained effort and commitment. The European Commission is developing the first EU Anti-Corruption Strategy, to be presented next year. It will define strategic priorities and set out a comprehensive approach to preventing and repressing corruption, building the new directive and EU network against corruption with new actions to reinforce our collective capacity to address corruption. Each year the Commission’s reviews the effectiveness of Member States’ anti-corruption framework as one of the main pillars in the Rule of Law Report, and it works closely with candidate countries to ensure the necessary reforms are put in place as part of the enlargement process.
The EU’s institutions are held to account and the financial interests of the EU are protected through a solid legal framework to prevent corruption and ensure integrity, as well as good cooperation between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and national authorities to ensure that corruption cases are effectively investigated and prosecuted.
At the heart of these efforts lies a clear and unwavering commitment: to protect and increase the resilience of our societies and strengthen our democracies.
Background
The Commission is currently working the new EU Anti-corruption strategy, which is tentatively planned to be presented in 2026.
The European Commission welcomes the provisional political agreement reached on 2 December between the European Parliament and the Council on the Directive on combatting corruption, proposed by the Commission in May 2023. The new rules provide a modern and harmonised framework to effectively prevent, detect, and sanction corruption.
The EU network against corruption, set up in May 2023, acts as an umbrella forum bringing together all relevant stakeholders to exchange good practices, share opportunities, and shape the future work. The recently adopted Directive has formalised this Network, reinforcing its role in strengthening anti-corruption efforts across the Union.
The EU has been a party to the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) since 2008. In December 2020, the Commission adopted a Communication outlining its commitment to a transparent and inclusive process under the Convention’s Implementation Review Mechanism. The Commission formally notified its readiness to undergo the review in June 2021, and the EU’s first implementation review cycle was launched in July 2021. In December 2025, the UN published the executive summary of this first cycle, marking an important milestone in the EU’s engagement with global anti-corruption standards.
Commission opens investigation into possible anticompetitive conduct by Google in the use of online content for AI purposes
The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation to assess whether Google has breached EU competition rules by using the content of web publishers, as well as content uploaded on the online video-sharing platform YouTube, for artificial intelligence (‘AI’) purposes. The investigation will notably examine whether Google is distorting competition by imposing unfair terms and conditions on publishers and content creators, or by granting itself privileged access to such content, thereby placing developers of rival AI models at a disadvantage.
Google, headquartered in the US, is a multinational technology company specialising in internet-related services and products that include online advertising technologies, search, cloud computing, software, hardware and AI.
The Commission is concerned that Google may have used:
The content of web publishers to provide generative AI-powered services (‘AI Overviews’ and ‘AI Mode’) on its search results pages without appropriate compensation to publishers and without offering them the possibility to refuse such use of their content. AI Overviews shows AI-generated summaries responsive to a user’s search query above organic results, while AI Mode is a search tab similar to a chatbot answering users’ queries in a conversational style. The Commission will investigate to what extent the generation of AI Overviews and AI Mode by Google is based on web publishers’ content without appropriate compensation for that, and without the possibility for publishers to refuse without losing access to Google Search. Indeed, many publishers depend on Google Search for user traffic, and they do not want to risk losing access to it.
Video and other content uploaded on YouTube to train Google’s generative AI models without appropriate compensation to creators and without offering them the possibility to refuse such use of their content. Content creators uploading videos on YouTube have an obligation to grant Google permission to use their data for different purposes, including for training generative AI models. Google does not remunerate YouTube content creators for their content, nor does allow them to upload their content on YouTube without allowing Google to use such data. At the same time, rival developers of AI models are barred by YouTube policies from using YouTube content to train their own AI models.
If proven, the practices under investigation may breach EU competition rules that prohibit the abuse of a dominant position (Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’)) and Article 54 of the European Economic Area (‘EEA’) Agreement.
The Commission will now carry out its in-depth investigation as a matter of priority. The opening of a formal investigation does not prejudge its outcome.
Background
Article 102 of the TFEU prohibits the abuse of a dominant position. The implementation of Article 102 TFEU is defined in Regulation 1/2003.
Article 11(6) of Regulation 1/2003 provides that the opening of proceedings by the Commission relieves the competition authorities of the Member States of their competence to also apply EU competition rules to the practices concerned. Article 16(1) further provides that national courts must avoid adopting decisions which would conflict with a decision contemplated by the Commission in proceedings it has initiated.
The Commission has informed Google and the competition authorities of the Member States that it has opened proceedings in this case.
There is no legal deadline for bringing an antitrust investigation to an end. The duration of an antitrust investigation depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of the case, the extent to which the companies concerned cooperate with the Commission and the parties’ exercise of the rights of defence.
More information on this investigation will be available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number AT.40983.
Quote(s)
A free and democratic society depends on diverse media, open access to information, and a vibrant creative landscape. These values are central to who we are as Europeans. AI is bringing remarkable innovation and many benefits for people and businesses across Europe, but this progress cannot come at the expense of the principles at the heart of our societies. This is why we are investigating whether Google may have imposed unfair terms and conditions on publishers and content creators, while placing rival AI models developers at a disadvantage, in breach of EU competition rules.
Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition
Commission welcomes political agreement on Omnibus I simplification package*
The European Commission welcomes the political agreement reached today between the European Parliament and EU Member States on the Omnibus I simplification package, a significant step forward in relieving companies from administrative burden.
Amendments to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) are at the heart of this first Omnibus package. They aim to simplify and harmonise sustainability reporting and due diligence practices across EU Member States, ensuring businesses benefit from fewer hurdles and greater consistency in compliance – without compromising the integrity and objectives of the existing directives.
Overall, the Omnibus I simplification package reduces complexity and enhances efficiency. By focusing sustainability obligations on the largest companies, which are likely to have the biggest impact on the climate and the environment, it ensures smaller entities are not disproportionately impacted. Changes include removing reporting and due diligence requirements for many companies, introducing more flexibility for companies that remain subject to the mandatory requirements, and protecting smaller companies from excessive information requests from larger companies, all designed to ease business operations while upholding the original policy objectives of the directives.
Since the beginning of the mandate, the Commission is working hard towards reducing administrative burdens for companies – 25% overall and 35% for SMEs – which will unlock billions in investment capacity.
The proposed measures to reduce the scope of the CSRD – as well as the future changes to the ESRS that will streamline, simplify and reduce the reporting requirements for companies remaining in scope – will generate significant cost savings for companies.
The changes to the CSDDD eliminate unnecessary complexities and ultimately reduce compliance burden while preserving the Directive’s goals to reduce adverse environmental and human rights impacts, including in global value chains of large companies active in the EU, and advance the sustainability transition of our economies.
The provisional agreement is a significant step forward in creating a more favourable business environment to help EU companies grow, innovate, and create quality jobs.
Next Steps
The provisional agreement reached in the trilogue discussions now awaits formal approval from both the European Parliament and the Council. Upon adoption by co-legislators, the amendments will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will become effective on the day of their publication.
Background
The Commission works to strengthen EU competitiveness while protecting economic, social, and environmental objectives. Simpler regulation and reducing regulatory burdens are instrumental to a more competitive and attractive Europe. From January and until now, the Commission has adopted seven omnibus proposals and other simplification initiatives aiming to simplify rules across key sectors, including energy and energy product legislation, taxation, defence, competitiveness and innovation.
On 26 February 2025, the Commission adopted a package of proposals to simplify EU rules, boost competitiveness, and unlock additional investment capacity. On 14 April 2025, the Council adopted the ‘Stop-the-clock’ mechanism and postponed by two years the entry into application of the CSRD requirements for large companies that have not yet started reporting, as well as listed SMEs, and by one year the transposition deadline and the first phase of the application (covering the largest companies) of the CSDDD.
*updated on 09/12/2025 – 10:18
Statement by President von der Leyen following the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing
This afternoon, we had a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing. I updated President Zelenskyy and leaders present on two key priorities – support for Ukraine and increasing European defence preparedness.
We all know what is at stake and we know we do not have any more time to lose. Securing financial support will help ensure the survival of Ukraine, and it is a crucial act of European defence.
In this new era, geoeconomics goes hand in hand with geopolitics. We know the biting impact our sanctions have on Russia’s war economy. Along with our allies, Europe has the means and the will to increase pressure on Russia to come to the negotiation table.
Our Reparations Loan proposal is complex but at its core, it increases the cost of war for Russia. The proposal works on the cash balances produced by the immobilised Russian assets. These balances would be used for reparations. So the longer Putin wages his war, spills blood, takes lives, and destroys Ukrainian infrastructure – the higher the costs for Russia will be.
We know that Europe’s defence is our responsibility. We continue to forge ahead with urgency – on implementing our readiness roadmap, on military mobility and our pan-European flagships. While we are still examining the SAFE plans received from Member States, Ukraine is included in 15 of the 19 submitted. This is not just about money – Ukraine is learning hard won lessons on the battlefield and we are learning with them. In integrating our defence industrial bases, we are building a strong deterrence – for today and tomorrow.
As Ukraine engages in genuine diplomatic efforts for peace, Russia repeatedly deceives and stalls for time. Mocking diplomacy and increasing strikes while pretending to seek peace. Today, that façade remains firmly in place. But we will not fall for it, we know who is the aggressor and who is the victim in this war.
Russia’s brutal war sought to divide us but it has achieved the opposite. Our ties are stronger than ever. We are not only bound by defence interests but by our common values. And this is how we will proceed. United, in supporting Ukraine and in defending Europe.
European Union and Canada strengthen their digital partnership with a focus on artificial intelligence, digital identity wallets and independent media
The EU and Canada reinforced their cooperation and reaffirmed shared interests to boost competitiveness, innovation and economic resilience during the first Digital Partnership Council held today in Montreal, Canada. The Council took place back-to-back with the G7 Industry, Digital and Technology Ministerial meeting, hosted by Canada.
Both the EU and Canada have launched strategies to strengthen their competitiveness and digital sovereignty and reiterated the importance of supporting companies, especially small and medium-sized (SMEs), with smart regulations.
Co-chaired by Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, and Canada’s Minister for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, Evan Solomon, the Council welcomed the cooperation under the Partnership and set an ambitious agenda for the months to come. The EU and Canada agreed to explore opportunities to cooperate with like-minded partners on issues of common interest.
Supporting innovation and boosting AI adoption in strategic sectors
The EU and Canada are committed to developing trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that respect fundamental rights and facilitate trade, investment and economic growth. To enhance their cooperation on AI standards, regulation, skills development and adoption, the partners signed today a Memorandum of Understanding on Artificial Intelligence.
In line with the EU’s Apply AI Strategy and the Canadian framework, the partners will share best practices to accelerate AI adoption in strategic sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, energy, culture, science and public services, and support SMEs. They committed to work together on large AI infrastructures and support industry and academia’s access to AI compute capacity. They will also explore scientific cooperation on fundamental AI research, and the development of advanced AI models for the public good, including in areas such as extreme weather monitoring and climate change.
In addition, the EU and Canada will set up a structured dialogue on data spaces, of particular relevance to the development of large AI models.
Deepening cooperation on trust services
To leverage the cooperation on digital credentials and trust services, including on technical interoperability and solutions based on digital identity wallets, the EU and Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Digital Credentials and Trust Services.
Both partners plan to establish a forum to facilitate joint testing of digital credential technologies, drive pilot projects, and share information. They will develop joint use cases and pilot projects towards interoperability of digital identity wallets and digital credentials and trust services.
Strengthening media independence
The digital transformation of the news media landscape has led to challenges such as increased reliance on a few online platforms and risks posed by AI to journalism. The EU and Canada recognise that access to independent, reliable and pluralistic media, including on online platforms, is essential for democracy.
They will explore closer collaboration on the strengthening of independent media by supporting local journalism for example. They will also explore cooperation on enhancing information integrity online, including on the challenges posed by generative AI and the risks stemming from foreign information manipulation and interference.
Deepening and broadening the cooperation
As trusted partners, the EU and Canada are committed to working together on secure international connectivity, for example in 5G and subsea cables, and have agreed to explore new cable routes to strengthen global network resilience, including in the Arctic region.
The EU and Canada will deepen the collaboration in priority topics such as quantum technologies, semiconductors, and high-performance computing.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to resilient semiconductor supply chains and secure and sovereign cloud infrastructure and data centres.
Background
On 24 November 2023, the EU and Canada launched a Digital Partnership to reinforce cooperation on digital issues. The partnership reflects a shared vision for a positive and human-centric digital economy and society. The EU and Canada agreed to work together in crucial areas such as AI, secure international connectivity, cyber security, online platforms, digital identity and digital skills.
This Digital Partnership and its importance were highlighted in the New EU-Canada Strategic Partnership of the Future, adopted at the Canada-EU Summit on 23 June 2025.
For more information
EU-Canada Digital Partnership Council Joint statement
EU and Canada launch Digital Partnership
Digital partnerships | Shaping Europe’s digital future
Quote(s)
I am honoured to co-chair the first EU-Canada Digital Partnership Council meeting today, marking a significant step in strengthening our cooperation to build the economy of tomorrow. No single region can face the digital transformation alone. This is why I am glad that we agreed to advance our common work on digital technologies and policies, with a focus on AI innovation, digital identity and trust services, and independent media.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
EU support for people of Belarus reaches pound 200 million since sham 2020 elections
The European Commission has adopted a new pound 30 million package for the people of Belarus. It supports independent media, civil society and human rights organisations, keeping the possibility of a democratic Belarus alive by promoting civic empowerment, protecting human rights and developing Belarus’s human capital. With this package, EU assistance to Belarusian civil society since the sham 2020 elections now amounts to pound 200 million.
The decision was announced by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Marta Kos with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of Belarus’ democratic forces, at a high-level conference in the European Parliament.
Developed in close consultation with Belarusian democratic forces and civil society, the new package will assist victims of repression, support journalists providing trusted information, and promote efforts to ensure accountability for the crimes of the Lukashenka regime. While the recent release of political prisoners is a positive step, all political detainees must be released unconditionally and allowed to live without intimidation. This sustained assistance empowers Belarusian civil society to overcome the regime’s repression and keeps alive the prospect of a future democratic Belarus. This is vital for a stable, safe Europe.
High Representative/Vice-President Kallas said: ‘The people of Belarus will one day shape their own country. The European Union will continue to stand with them and keep that hope alive. Today’s funding of 30 million euros will strengthen support for victims of repression, independent journalists, and initiatives pursuing accountability for the crimes committed by Lukashenka’s regime. Authoritarian power always has limits. And when that time comes in Belarus, the European Union will support the people reclaim their rights.’
Commissioner Kos said: ‘Our assistance empowers Belarusian human rights defenders to assist victims of repression and enables journalists and civil society to continue their work and keep the vision of democratic Belarus alive’.
(For more information: Anitta Hipper – Tel. +32 2 298 56 91, Guillaume Mercier – Tel. +32 2 298 05 64; Yuliya Matsyk – Tel. +32 2 296 27 16; Pedro Fonseca Moniz – Tel. +32 2 291 38 76)
EU releases pound 2.1 million flood response aid for Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand
In response to the devastating floods that have hit Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand, the EU has released pound 2.1 million in emergency assistance for the most affected areas. This funding will serve to provide essential relief to the most vulnerable communities.
Up to pound 1.5 million will support relief efforts in Sri Lanka, including pound 500,000 channelled via the Disaster Response Emergency Fund of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. An additional pound 600,000 will go to humanitarian partners in Indonesia (pound 300,000), and Thailand (pound 300,000).
‘The recent floods in South-East Asia have brought deep hardship, taking lives and leaving many communities struggling to cope with immense loss. Through this support-providing essential relief, safe shelter, and urgent assistance – we are standing with the most vulnerable families when they need it most. We are here to help people meet their immediate needs and to give them the strength and support they need to begin rebuilding their lives’, Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said.
The EU is also providing in-kind assistance via the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. Germany has donated 4,600 shelter items, including tents, sleeping mats and other household items. Italy is also sending a team of engineering experts. Furthermore, the EU activated its Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) in rapid mapping mode (EMSR851), with some 30 maps produced so far.
In total, EU humanitarian aid for Asia-Pacific has reached pound 87 million. Earlier this year, emergency funding was also mobilised for other disasters in the region, such as tropical cyclones and floods.
(For more information: Eva Hrncírová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Yuliya Matsyk – Tel. +32 2 296 27 16)
Commission welcomes political agreement on forest reproductive material
The European Commission welcomes the political agreement reached today by the Council and the European Parliament on the proposal concerning forest reproductive material (FRM). Today’s agreement concludes two years of negotiations and constitutes a major step for the future of our forests.
FRM are the seeds and seedlings used to establish new forests. The new rules will ensure the quality and availability of forest reproductive materials, which are crucial for conserving and restoring forest ecosystems and play an important part in helping forests adapt to climate change. They will help to maintain healthy forests across Europe and ensure that the right tree is planted in the right place.
The new framework will help build a FRM sector which is sustainable, innovative, supports biodiversity and will help face future challenges.
Once fully adopted and implemented, the rules agreed today will improve the performance and effectiveness of official controls, ensure traceability throughout the FRM cycle and support digitalisation and innovative production processes, to transform FRM into a modern and forward-looking sector.
The revised Regulation must be formally adopted by the Council and European Parliament. New rules will start applying 5 years after the new legislation enters into force.
More information can be found in our press release and factsheet.
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova-Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73)
Commission and WHO enhancing antimicrobial resistance response
The European Commission and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a pound 3.5 million agreement under the EU4Health programme to strengthen the global response to antimicrobial resistance. This partnership will support the WHO in monitoring the development of antimicrobials and medical countermeasures, developing guidelines for new antibacterial innovations, and implementing the WHO Priority Pathogen Lists to guide research and public health efforts at global, regional, and national levels. The agreement also promotes better access to both new and existing antibiotics.
Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, said: ‘Antimicrobial resistance is a serious yet silent threat, claiming over 35,000 lives annually in the EU alone. This agreement between the Commission and WHO will support high-impact research and global health initiatives to prevent and control AMR. Together with WHO we strengthen our capacity to prevent, prepare for and protect the health of the people.’
The agreement also advances research into bacteriophage therapy (phage), an innovative treatment that uses viruses to target and eliminate bacteria. Phage therapy is re-emerging as a promising tool for its potential to target drug-resistant bacteria specifically and complement antibiotic treatments. The agreement will focus on defining best practices for phage therapy research and ensuring its safe and effective application.
Recognizing AMR as a major and growing health threat, the Commission made it a priority since 2022, and is working closely with the WHO to develop new medical countermeasures and strengthen global response.
(For more information: Eva Hrncírová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Yuliya Matsyk – Tel. +32 2 296 27 16)
Commissioner Kubilius discusses the future of European defence
Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius will bring together a group of former European and national leaders in Brussels on Wednesday, 10 December, for a high-level discussion on the future of European defence. The meeting comes at a moment of major shifts in Europe’s security environment and reflects the Commissioner’s intention to encourage a wider public debate on how the EU should strengthen its defence cooperation in the years ahead.
To support this reflection, Commissioner Kubilius has invited former presidents of EU institutions, former prime ministers, and former foreign ministers, all taking part in a personal capacity. Their backgrounds offer broad insight into Europe’s political, security and diplomatic challenges.
The discussion will focus on four main topics: how EU institutions could evolve in the field of defence; how Europe could move toward a more integrated defence market and stronger industrial base; the future of EU-US cooperation on defence; and the EU’s partnership with Ukraine, as well as its approach to Russia.