Commissioner Kadis visits Croatia to discuss the future of the fisheries sector and strengthen regional cooperation
Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis starts a three-day official visit to Croatia today, focusing on sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and EU funding projects. The visit, part of the European Commission’s efforts to bolster regional cooperation, include high-level engagements with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries David Vlajcic. The Commissioner will also meet with industry leaders, including representatives from the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, non-governmental organisations and aquaculture clusters, to discuss challenges and opportunities in the sector. Visiting the Brižine Fishing Port, funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, will also be part of the Commissioner’s agenda, underscoring the EU’s support for modernising coastal infrastructure. The visit will conclude with an address to the Croatian Parliament, highlighting the importance of aligning national priorities with EU strategies.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: + 32 229-96302; Anna Wartberger – Tel: +32 2 28 20 54)
Commission approved the disbursement of more than pound 4 billion to four Member States under NextGenerationEU, supporting economic growth and competitiveness
Today, the European Commission has approved the disbursement of a total of pound 4.1 billion to four EU Member States – Greece, Portugal, Slovenia and Austria – under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the centrepiece of NextGeneration EU. Greece will receive pound 2.1 billion, to support critical areas such as healthcare, education, public administration, taxation, renewable energy and sustainable biomethane. Portugal will receive pound 1.06 billion which will finance healthcare, housing, forest fire management, renewable energy, and measures to boost the business environment. Austria will be granted pound 515.5 million to improve working conditions in the long-term care system and develop residential photovoltaic systems as well as a repair bonus programme for electronic devices. Lastly, Slovenia will receive pound 439.7 million, which will support long-term care, energy efficiency, railway infrastructure and digital education and science.
You can find more information online in our press release.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: + 32 229-96302; Anna Wartberger – Tel: +32 2 28 20 54; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha +32 229-52117)
Commission requests Shein to provide information on the sale of illegal products under the Digital Services Act
Today, the European Commission has sent a request for information to Shein under the Digital Services Act (DSA), following preliminary indications that illegal goods, particularly child-like sex dolls and weapons, are being offered on the marketplace. Following the sale of illegal products in France and several public reports, the Commission suspects that Shein’s system may pose a systemic risk for consumers across the entire European Union.
The Commission is now formally asking the platform to provide detailed information and internal documents on how it ensures that minors are not exposed to age-inappropriate content, in particular through age assurance measures, as well as how it prevents the circulation of illegal products on its platform. The Commission is also inquiring about the effectiveness of such mitigation measures adopted by Shein.
The DSA requires Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs), like Shein, to assess and adequately mitigate systemic risks, such as risks to minors or the spread of illegal content, that may arise from their systems, as well as from the design or functioning of their services.
The Commission is actively monitoring compliance by VLOPs, including Shein, with their obligations under the DSA across the European Union, and it stands ready to take action. This is the third RFI that the Commission sent to Shein.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Patricia Poropat – Tel.: +32 2 298 04 85)
Commission welcomes provisional agreement on new rules to improve welfare of dogs and cats
The European Commission welcomes the agreement by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on the first ever EU legislation on the welfare of dogs and cats, which will significantly improve the way these animals are treated, when bred, sold or adopted in the EU. The new measures will also help to clamp down on the illegal trade into and within the EU. Once adopted and implemented, this legislation will ensure that uniform welfare standards will apply across the EU when it comes to breeding, housing and care of dogs and cats in professional establishments, responsible ownership will be promoted and animal caretakers in breeding, selling establishments or shelters will need to have sufficient competence to look after dogs and cats, among other key provisions.
Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Oliver Varheyli, said: ‘Today’s agreement marks a turning point for the welfare of dogs and cats across Europe. For the first time, we will have clear, enforceable standards on how these animals are bred, kept and sold in the EU. European citizens want their animals to be better protected and stronger action against both irresponsible breeding and illegal trade as part of organised crime. I welcome this milestone and thank the Council and Parliament for their commitment to building a more humane, transparent and trustworthy system for Europe’s pets.’
The new Regulation must be formally adopted by the Council and European Parliament. The full statement is online as well as a factsheet.
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova-Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73)
Commission launches EU Pollinator Monitoring Scheme to help restore biodiversity
Today, the European Commission published a legislative act setting a EU Pollinator Monitoring Scheme to help Member States reverse the decline of pollinator populations by 2030 – a key target of the Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR).
Pollinators provide crucial ecosystem services on which our economy, health and quality of life depend, including pollinating 80% of our food crops and wild flowering plants. But one in three bee, butterfly and hoverfly species is in decline and one in ten bee and butterfly species is threatened with extinction. Restoring Europe’s degraded nature is therefore urgent to safeguard biodiversity, food security and nature’s resilience.
Reliable, efficient and comparable monitoring is a cornerstone of effective nature restoration. With today’s scheme, the Commission is supporting Member States to ensure that they can monitor pollinator populations efficiently and effectively, while allowing flexibility to adapt to local needs and realities. It provides a standardised, robust and science-based method for monitoring pollinator diversity and populations.
This common framework guarantees that the annual data collected across all national territories is comparable and reliable, providing a clear picture of progress toward the 2030 target. It also minimises administrative burden on national level, allowing national authorities to focus on implementation and restoration actions.
Following the entry into force of the delegated act in 20 days, Member States should implement the EU Pollinator Monitoring Scheme within a year. The Commission will continue to support capacity building for pollinator monitoring in Member States, including by setting up a dedicated helpdesk for national authorities.
You can find more information on the new EU Pollinator Monitoring Scheme online.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)
Speech by President von der Leyen at the EP plenary debate on the EU position on the proposed plan and EU engagement towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine
‘Check against delivery’
President Metsola,
Minister Bjerre,
Honourable Members,
I want to start this debate not in Geneva but in Ternopil – a city in Western Ukraine nearer to the Polish border than it is to Kyiv. In the early hours of one morning last week, a storm of Russian drones and missiles rained down. The sheer force of the attacks leading to an inferno erupting. In the burning wreckage laid injured victims and more than 30 dead – innocent men, women and children. Children like Amelka. A seven-year-old girl from Poland who was in second grade at the local school. Amelka died in her mother’s arms. Both of them killed in a mindless and callous act of brutality. On behalf of the Commission and all of us in this House today, I want to start by paying my deepest condolences to all those mourning the victims of Ternopil – and right across Ukraine.
Over three and a half years into this war of aggression, this is the daily reality on the ground. And it shows that we can never lose sight of what Ukraine is sacrificing. What Ukraine is fighting for – its security, its freedom, its independence. Because ultimately this is what is at stake in these crucial days for Ukraine and for Europe. Basically, the core and values of the UN Charter. This is why Europe must keep up the pressure on Russia – until there is a just and lasting peace. And I want to be clear from the very outset: Europe will stand with Ukraine and support Ukraine every step of the way.
Honourable Members,
Russia’s playbook has not changed. From the start Russia has always believed that they can outlast Ukraine, Europe and all of its allies. And it is why every time there is serious progress towards negotiations that can bring about a real peace – the violence escalates. We have seen this before. This is a pattern. And the noises from the Kremlin in the last few days say a lot about its real intentions. For them, Ukraine remains a first step in a much bigger game. For Russia, any peace deal is about permanently redrawing maps. It is about returning to great power relations and spheres of influence. But for Ukraine – and for Europe – any peace agreement is about creating a just and lasting peace. Peace that stops this conflict and does not sow the seeds for new future conflicts. And it is about ensuring a strong and sustainable security architecture for our continent. One that is underpinned by a strong Europe, a strong NATO and a strong transatlantic partnership. And that is what we will defend alongside Ukraine and our allies every step of the way.
Honourable Members,
A just and lasting peace. This is what we all want. And this is why Europe supports all efforts to build that peace for Ukraine. A peace that stops the killing. One that avoids setting a dangerous precedent. One that guarantees Ukraine’s security and its sovereign rights in the long term. And that ensures a robust security architecture for Europe. This is why we welcome the efforts led by President Trump. After months of discussions, it is important that the work on an actual text started. Of course, we all know that more effort is needed. But I believe – thanks to the work of Ukraine, the United States and us Europeans over the last few days in Geneva – we now have a starting point. Our united front, our single voice and our shared sense of purpose must continue to guide the work at European level. And I would like to outline some of the core priorities for Europe as we work with Ukraine, the US and the Coalition of the Willing on the way forward.
The first is that any agreement should deliver a just and lasting peace. And it should ensure real security for Ukraine and Europe. As a sovereign nation, there can be no limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces that would leave the country vulnerable to future attack. And this is as much about deterrence as it is about Europe’s security. Because Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. So Ukraine needs robust, long-term and credible security guarantees as part of a wider package to dissuade and deter any future attacks from Russia. And it is equally clear that any peace agreement needs to ensure that European security is guaranteed for the long-term.
Second priority – upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty. We know that Russia’s mindset has not changed since the days of Yalta. Seeing our continent in terms of spheres of influence. So we need to be clear that there cannot be unilateral carving up of a sovereign European nation. And that borders cannot be changed by force. If today we legitimise and formalise the undermining of borders – we open the doors for more wars tomorrow. And this goes against any sustainable peace that we are striving for.
Sovereignty also means being able to choose your own future. Ukraine has chosen a European destiny. That has already led to partial integration in our Single Market and our defence industrial base. And this is only the start of a journey. Ukraine’s future lies in the European Union. This is not only a matter of destiny. This is a core and essential part of any security guarantee framework. And we will do everything we can, to deliver on it together.
Third priority – securing Ukraine’s financial needs. In the absence of any real intent of Russia to engage in peace talks, it is clear that we need to support Ukraine to defend itself. And that starts by ensuring that they have the necessary financial means. In the last European Council, we committed ourselves to cover the financial needs of Ukraine for 2026 and 2027. On this topic we have presented an options paper. This includes an option on immobilized Russian assets. The next step is that the Commission is ready to present the legal text. To be very clear – I cannot see a scenario in which the European taxpayers alone will pay the bill. And another thing must also be clear – any decision on this needs to be taken in line with the rules of the responsible jurisdictions and will respect European and international law.
The fourth priority – whatever the design of a future peace treaty, it is clear that much of the implementation will come down to the European Union and its NATO partners. Whether on security guarantees, sanctions, financing of Ukraine’s reconstruction, integration of the Single Market, or EU membership. This principle has been accepted. Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. Nothing about Europe without Europe. Nothing about NATO without NATO.
The last priority I would like to focus on is one that cannot be forgotten – and that is the return of each and every Ukrainian child abducted by Russia. There are tens of thousands of boys and girls whose fate is unknown. Trapped by Russia in Russia. We will not forget them. There are thousands of moms and dads who have never stopped hoping and never stopped fighting to bring their children back. And Europe will never give up in helping to make that happen.
Honourable Members,
The days ahead are fraught with danger – first and foremost for the people of Ukraine who continue to face the daily barrage of attacks. Yes, the situation is complex. Yes, the situation is volatile. Yes, the situation is dangerous. But I believe there is also an opportunity here to make real progress. So far, we have seen no signs from Russia of true willingness to end this conflict. So we have to keep up the pressure. And it is our duty to engage with any and all efforts that can bring about a just and lasting peace. We know it will not be easy. But we have to find a way to move forward. To find a way to end the killing. To help Ukraine rebuild and reconstruct. To return the children and reunite families. To provide lasting security for Ukraine – and for our Continent as a whole. And above all to forge a better future – a European future – for Ukraine.
Long live Europe.