Europe and the Community of Latin America and the Caribbean States strengthen partnership in research and innovation
Today, the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) have adopted a ministerial declaration and a new agenda for cooperation to strengthen their partnership in research and innovation.
Co-chaired by Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, this was the first EU-CELAC ‘Research and Innovation’ ministerial meeting. The agreements reached today outlined shared priorities, concrete actions, and governance to guide bi-regional cooperation in the years ahead. Immediate actions include the launch of dedicated working groups focusing on health, climate change, environmental sustainability and energy transition, and artificial intelligence in science.
With these agreements, both regions commit to joint priorities in health, climate change, sustainability, energy transition, digital transformation, and advanced technologies, while also promoting open science and researcher mobility.
Commissioner Zaharieva said, ‘Both sides of the Atlantic are facing similar challenges in climate, health, and digital technologies. With the details and the clear roadmap agreed today, we will support our scientists and researchers and turn this partnership into concrete results for our people and economies.’
EU and CELAC ministers will meet every two years to review progress, agree on new priorities, and provide strategic direction for the bi-regional cooperation.
More information on the agreements is available online.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Nika Blazevic – Tel. + 32 2 299 27 17)
Commission clears acquisition of Versace by Prada
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Givi Holding S.r.l (‘Versace’) by Prada S.p.A., both of Italy.
The transaction relates primarily to the design, manufacturing and distribution of luxury goods.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies’ limited market positions 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.11995.
(For more information: Arianna Podestà – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission takes stock and looks ahead at Climate Action Conference in Brussels, ahead of COP30
Today, the Commission is organising a conference with the participation of representatives from several sectors such as industry, business leaders, civil society and academia. The event, titled ‘Climate action that works for you: An agenda for competitiveness, prosperity and resilience’, will take stock of the EU’s progress in this policy after ten years of the Paris Agreement, six years into the European Green Deal, and nearly one year into the new Commission mandate, and reflect on a vision for the future. The conference takes place in preparation of the COP30 United Nations Climate Change Conference in November.
This conference follows President von der Leyen’s speech last week at the UN High-level Climate Summit, where she reconfirmed the EU’s commitment to stay the course on our climate ambition and continued global climate leadership. She announced Member States’s agreement to have an EU Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement to be submitted ahead of COP30, to range between 66% and 72%.
The conference started this morning with an opening video message from President von der Leyen and counts with the participation of Commissioner Hoekstra who will share later this afternoon first-hand perspectives on the future of EU and global climate policy. The event will be an opportunity to discuss the EU’s journey towards climate neutrality, a net-zero transition that ensures competitiveness and resilience for our economy and brings together all Europeans, industries and businesses towards that goal.
A series of panel discussions and workshops will allow participants to exchange insights on international climate cooperation, climate finance, climate reporting, innovation and the social aspects of the just transition. The event will also feature testimonials and stories from Climate Pact Ambassadors and other climate front-runners.
The agenda of the event is available online, including registration for online participation. You can follow the conference via livestream.
For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25)
Commission and Baltic States launch collaborative strategy for the Baltic Sea
Today, Commissioners Kadis and Roswall are hosting in Stockholm the third edition of ‘Our Baltic’ conference to address the interconnected pressures threatening the environmental and socio-economic welfare of the Baltic Sea. The high-level conference is gathering agriculture, environment and fisheries ministers from Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Estonia, Germany, Poland and Denmark, along with representatives from the European Parliament, regional and scientific stakeholders.
The environmental health of the Baltic Sea continues to face different pressures prompted by a diverse series of interconnected causes: climate change, eutrophication, overfishing, habitat destruction and pollution. These factors lead to a cycle of degradation that threatens marine life and, by extension, our coastal communities and industries, particularly fisheries.
In line with the ambition of both the European Ocean Pact and the Water Resilience Strategy, these challenges demand an urgent response – engaging in cross-sectorial and cross-border efforts. This includes the full implementation and enforcement of the Pact and Strategy, and, where needed, strengthening the legal frameworks that are crucial to a collective and effective solution. This conference will be an opportunity for a renewed commitment to the well-being, stability and prosperity of our coastal communities and the sustainable management of our fisheries resources in the region.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: + 32 2 2996 64 83; Anna Wartberger – Tel: +32 2 28 20 54)
European Commission appoints a new Deputy Director-General for its Directorate-General for Translation
The European Commission has appointed today Ildikó Horváth as Deputy Director-General for the Directorate-General for Translation (DGT). This Directorate-General is instrumental for providing the European Commission with high-quality diverse language services, mainly translations of written texts, in the EU’s 24 official languages. The date of effect will be determined later.
With over 25 years of professional experience in language mediation and translation policy, Ildikó Horváth brings extensive expertise across a broad range of pertinent areas. She has a proven record of delivering innovative strategies, most recently leading the development of Ensuring Multilingualism in the Digital Age, a forward-looking strategy that will guide the Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union in the years ahead. Her background also includes engagement with high-level diplomatic contacts, demonstrating her capacity to lead in demanding and confidential environments. In addition, her leadership of the Translation Centre has provided her with direct management experience highly relevant to the functions of the Directorate-General, positioning her as a strong candidate for Deputy Director-General at DGT. These achievements demonstrate her readiness to take on a senior management role within the Commission.
Ildikó Horváth, a Hungarian national, is currently serving as Director of the Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union. Previously, she held diverse senior positions in academia, such as Vice-Dean for International affairs at the Faculty of Humanities at Eötvös Loránd University, in Budapest, Hungary.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Isabel Otero Barderas – Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25)
European Commission appoints a new Deputy Director-General for its Directorate-General for Eurostat – European Statistics
The European Commission has appointed today Athanasios Thanopoulos as Deputy Director-General for the Directorate-General for Eurostat – European Statistic (DG ESTAT). This Directorate-General is instrumental for publishing high-quality Europe-wide statistics and indicators that enable comparisons between countries and regions. It develops harmonised definitions, classifications and methodologies for the production of European official statistics in cooperation with national statistical authorities. The date of effect will be determined later.
With a career spanning more than 25 years across diverse public sector institutions, Athanasios Thanopoulos offers substantial expertise in advising and researching in official statistics and economics. His former representation of the Greek government in the Economic and Financial Committee on Statistics and his work as delegate of the Ministry of Finance in the Council Working Party on Statistics gave him direct experience in shaping European statistical policy. He has extensive experience managing diverse teams, in charge of topics such as leading Greece’s first digital Population and Housing Census, implementing its first national statistical literacy strategy, and spearheading the modernization of Greece’s statistical office as well as achieving full compliance with the European Statistics Code of Practice. His in-depth knowledge of complex statistical systems and his record of achievements make him an especially strong candidate to contribute to the management of DG ESTAT.
Athanasios Thanopoulos, a Greek national, is currently serving President of the Hellenic Statistical Authority. Previously, he was Chairman of the European Statistical System Partnership Group. Prior to these experiences, he held different advisory positions in the Greek public sector and in academia.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Isabel Otero Barderas – Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25)
European Commission appoints a new Director for its Directorate-General for Eurostat – European Statistics
The European Commission has appointed today Paul Morrin as Director for the Directorate on Sectoral and Regional Statistics, within the Directorate-General for Eurostat – European Statistic (DG ESTAT). This Directorate-General is instrumental for publishing high-quality Europe-wide statistics and indicators that enable comparisons between countries and regions. It develops harmonised definitions, classifications and methodologies for the production of European official statistics in cooperation with national statistical authorities The date of effect will be determined later.
With over 30 years of professional experience, including more than 15 years in management roles in diverse public administrations in Ireland, Paul Morrin brings extensive expertise in statistics and policy analysis. His previous roles included overseeing complex statistical, social, and policy support during the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Moreover, he led divisions responsible for Environment, Sustainability, and Ecosystems statistics, demonstrating his adaptability to a rapidly evolving field. He has consistently demonstrated strong leadership by managing large teams and fostering collaboration across various statistical departments – an asset that will serve him well in leading the Directorate for Sectoral and Regional Statistics, which encompasses many of his areas of expertise. Taken together, these qualities make him a particularly strong candidate to head one of the largest Directorates in DG ESTAT.
Paul Morrin, an Irish national, is currently serving as Assistant Director General for Statistical System Coordination, at the Irish Central Statistics Office. Previously, he held several middle-management positions, both in the Central Statistics Office and in other Irish public bodies.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Isabel Otero Barderas – Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25)
From Arctic to tropics, Commission report sounds alarm on ocean health
Every part of the ocean is now under threat from climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, according to the ninth report on the state of the ocean, published today by the Marine Environment Monitoring Service of Copernicus, the EU Earth observation system.
The findings show that ocean warming is accelerating, marine biodiversity hotspots are at increasing risk, and acidification is advancing fast. Plastic pollution now affects all ocean basins, while endangered species and coral reefs face critical threats.
Key findings from this year’s report include:
Unprecedented warming: In spring 2024, global sea reached a record temperature of 21°C, with major impacts on the Earth’s ecosystem.
Marine heatwaves: In 2023 and 2024, ocean temperatures exceeded previous records by over 0.25°C, affecting ecosystems, fisheries and coastal economies.
Rising seas: Sea levels rose 228 millimetres between 1901 and 2024, threatening 200 million Europeans living in coastal areas and putting UNESCO World Heritage Sites at risk.
Invasive species: During the 2023 Mediterranean heatwave, warmer waters increased invasive species such as Atlantic Blue Crabs and Bearded Fireworms, driving local fisheries to the brink of collapse.
Declining sea ice: Between December 2024 and March 2025, Arctic Sea ice recorded four consecutive all-time lows, losing an area nearly twice the size of Portugal.
The annual Copernicus report provides vital data on how changes in the ocean affect ecosystems, food security, economies, coastal communities and global climate regulation.
Through its Copernicus system, the EU is stepping up action by providing trusted data to monitor the ocean’s health and to support measures that protect biodiversity, cut pollution and strengthen resilience against climate change.
For More Information
Ocean State Reports | CMEMS
EU Space Programme
Quote(s)
As an owner of Copernicus, the most unique Earth observation system, the Union is able to monitor the state of the Earth’s environment and its subsystems. The Copernicus infrastructure and services constitute a world class capacity allowing the Union to have a leading role in observing and forecasting different ocean state parameters. The Commission is committed to the continuity and evolution of Copernicus as well as ensuring that Europe’s Earth observing capacity is all encompassing, bringing together public and private actors and capacities alike. The space economy is all about unleashing the power of space systems and services to offer solutions in different policies and market sectors.
Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space
The conclusions of the Ocean State Report reveal a difficult but essential diagnosis of our ocean. It confirms the triple planetary crisis is not a future threat, but a present reality in our basins. This also means that we have taken the first necessary steps, as data is at the foundation of effective action. In line with the Ocean Pact’s Ocean Observation Initiative, we are leveraging the power of the European Digital Twin of the Ocean, built on marine knowledge assets like Copernicus Marine and EMODnet, to transform data into predictability, allowing us to move from observation to solution. Now, we can simulate the spread of invasive species, forecast the impact of heatwaves on fish stocks and test the effectiveness of MPAs before implementing them. These tools are crucial for a resilient and sustainable blue economy. The ocean is sending us a clear signal; we are now better equipped to answer it.
Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans
EU to boost financial literacy and investment opportunities for citizens
The European Commission today announced two major initiatives to advance the Savings and Investments Union and deliver tangible benefits for all EU citizens. The comprehensive package focuses on improving financial literacy for all and at all life stages and introduces a blueprint for Savings and Investment Accounts (SIAs) – a tool aimed at making investing simpler and more accessible for everyone.
The Financial Literacy Strategy aims to help citizens make sound financial decisions, ultimately improving their well-being, financial security and independence. With the right combination of financial knowledge and skills, citizens can budget better, avoid scams and fraud, save more efficiently and feel better equipped to invest for their future. Financial literacy levels remain low in the EU – less than one fifth of EU citizens have a high level of financial literacy (Eurobarometer 2023), with significant differences across Member States. The Strategy therefore includes measures to enhance financial awareness for all citizens and support Member States’ efforts to improve financial literacy.
The Commission’s Financial Literacy Strategy is based on four mutually reinforcing pillars:
Coordination and best practices: The Commission will gather stakeholders to facilitate mutual learning of successful national and international financial literacy initiatives and encourage the adoption of best practices by Member States, including actions targeting the needs of specific groups.
Communication and awareness-raising: The Commission will launch an EU-wide financial literacy campaign that complements and amplifies national efforts to raise citizens’ financial awareness.
Funding for financial literacy initiatives, including research: The Commission will encourage Member States to use existing EU funding instruments to support financial literacy initiatives and research.
Monitoring progress and assessing impacts: The Commission will conduct regular Eurobarometer surveys and encourage Member States to develop evaluation tools to track progress of financial literacy levels.
A crucial component of securing financial independence is the possibility for citizens to manage savings better and build wealth over time, including by investing in capital markets. EU citizens have one of the highest savings rates in the world, yet they often do not get the most out of their savings. The Financial Literacy Strategy will raise citizens’ awareness about how to better plan and use their savings, and how to understand investment risks and opportunities.
Beyond knowledge, citizens also need simple and accessible investment opportunities. To address this, today’s package also includes a blueprint for Savings and Investment Accounts (SIAs), in the form of a Commission Recommendation to Member States.
SIAs are accounts provided by authorised financial services providers, even online, which enable retail investors to invest in capital markets instruments. These accounts often come with tax incentives and simplified tax procedures, making them an attractive option for citizens. SIAs will foster a stronger investment culture among EU citizens and transform how they engage with capital markets. SIAs can enable citizens to achieve higher returns on their savings, compared to keeping them in bank deposits, all while maintaining full control over which financial products or economic sectors they choose to invest in. While investing carries risks, these can be managed through diversification and a long-term investment approach.
By moving some of their savings into more productive investments, citizens can also facilitate the financing of businesses, driving economic growth and job creation across Europe, in line with the Savings and Investments Union objectives. Investing in the European economy allows them to contribute to and benefit from the EU’s competitiveness agenda.
In some EU countries, SIAs have already been put in place, although the specific features of these initiatives can vary quite significantly. Today, the Commission is recommending that Member States introduce SIAs where they do not yet exist and enhance existing frameworks by incorporating best practices from across Europe and worldwide. Drawing on these successful experiences, the Commission considers that SIA should include several key features, notably:
A wide array of providers: A wide range of authorised financial services providers (such as banks, investment firms, neobrokers), including cross-border ones, should be able to offer SIAs, boosting competition and innovation.
Simplicity: Providers should offer a simple, reliable and easily accessible user experience for retail investors, both online and offline, that makes the buying and selling of assets within an SIA seamless.
Flexibility: Retail investors should be allowed to open multiple accounts, including with different providers, and should not be faced with excessive fees or cumbersome processes when transferring their portfolios.
Broad investment opportunities: SIAs should offer investments in various products such as shares, bonds and investment funds, allowing citizens to diversify their portfolios across asset classes, issuers, manufacturers geographies and risk profiles, while excluding highly risky or complex products. SIA providers are encouraged to provide citizens with investment options that allow them to channel their investments into the EU economy to contribute to strategic EU priorities.
Tax incentives: They are key in encouraging the SIAs and achieving broader retail investor participation. Tax incentives should be well targeted and simple for retail investors, SIA providers and tax administrations to understand and apply.
Simplified taxation process: Streamlined tax procedures, including relying on SIA providers for tax declarations, can greatly benefit retail investors.
The European Commission will work closely with Member States and stakeholders to implement the Strategy on financial literacy and monitor the take-up of its Recommendation on a Savings and Investment Account to ensure that Europe’s citizens feel confident managing their money and savings, have better access to investment opportunities and thrive financially.
For More Information
Questions and Answers
Factsheet
Communication and Recommendation
Quote(s)
Financial literacy is key to wellbeing and independence. Through our Strategy on financial literacy, we will work closely with Member States to equip everyone with the financial skills required to budget better, save more and invest for their future. But knowledge alone is not enough. To prepare for their big goals in life, citizens also need opportunities to put their savings to work. That is why we are creating a European blueprint for savings and investment accounts, designed to make investment options more accessible. With SIAs, Europeans could get better returns on their savings, while supporting the financing of EU businesses, economic growth and job creation.
Maria Luís Albuquerque, Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union
The Savings and Investments Union (SIU) is an important step for EU’s economy. This is good for our capital markets, for people’s financial future, for sustainable growth and innovation. With interesting tax incentives, people are more encouraged to invest in higher-return investments, which in turn will help us find growth capital and be more competitive.
Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth
Statement by President von der Leyen with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte
Dear Mark,
It is a pleasure to welcome you to our 5th Security College. We have called this meeting to discuss the security situation in Europe and to hear your views. Preserving peace has always been a core task of the European Union, and while the instruments have differed over time, the aim stayed the same. It has been now 3 years and 7 months since Russia invaded Ukraine. Ukraine continues to resist on the battleground ceding virtually no territory this year. In the last 1000 days, Russia only captured 1% of the occupied territory of Ukraine. This despite more than a quarter of million Russians losing their lives on the battlefield this year. And Russia is increasingly under pressure economically. Interest rates are at 17% and inflation well above 10%. I believe firmly that we are at a moment where decisive action on our side can lead to a turning point in this conflict.
In the past months, we have already taken unprecedented steps. Our ‘White Paper’ has outlined the strategic direction and priorities. And we proposed new ways to fund defence. Our ad hoc instrument SAFE is up and running in record time. Tomorrow at the informal European Council we will discuss the way forward.
On European defence, I see three relevant topics. First, on capabilities. We have a single set of forces, assigned to different missions – NATO, EU, UN or Coalitions of the Willing. Therefore, in close cooperation with NATO, we need capabilities that are interoperable. To achieve this, we need more joint procurement. Second, we need Defence Flagships. On the flagship-project Eastern Flank Watch for example we need to act now. Europe must deliver a strong and united response to Russia’s drone incursions at our borders. That is why we will propose immediate actions to create the drone wall as part of Eastern Flank Watch. We must move fast forward – together with Ukraine and in close coordination with NATO. And third, we need Defence Industrial Readiness a ramped-up, resilient and innovative European Defence Industry is key to our Defence Readiness. The industry needs to deliver at speed and at scale – as well as producing state-of-the-art military equipment. This is in a nutshell our preview on some of the key elements from the scoping paper. In two weeks, we will present the full version of our ‘Readiness Roadmap 2030’.
Finally on Ukraine. We are advancing on several work strands. First, we are increasing economic pressure on Russia. Our sanctions are working. Russia’s GDP is projected to slow down, from 4.3% in 2024 to 0.9% in 2025. We need to increase the pressure. To this end we proposed a new sanctions package with robust measures on the energy, financial services and trade. One of its key elements is the prohibition of LNG imports from Russia. Second, we need to provide military assistance to Ukraine. If we continue to believe that Ukraine is our first line of defence, we need to step up our military assistance to Ukraine. Concretely, we have agreed with Ukraine that a total of EUR 2 billion will be spent on drones. This allows Ukraine to scale up its drone production capacity and will allow the EU to benefit from this technology. However, a more structural solution for military support is necessary. This is why I have put forward the idea of a Reparations Loan based on immobilised Russian sovereign assets. The Loan would not be disbursed in one go. But in tranches, and with conditions attached. And we will strengthen our own defence industry by ensuring that part of the loan is used for procurements in Europe and with Europe. Importantly, there is no seizing of the assets. Ukraine has to repay the loan, if Russia is paying reparations. The perpetrator must be held responsible.