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Commemorating the Hungarian Revolution of 1956
On 23 October 2026, commemorative events are taking place in Budapest to mark the beginning of the Hungarian Revolution on that day in 1956. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is taking part in the commemoration as well as Hungarian President András Baka and European Council President António Costa. The event will be livestreamed here on EBS. Student protests in Budapest initiated the revolution on 23 October 1956, demanding political reforms, free elections, and the withdrawal of Soviet troops. After the Soviet Union launched a military intervention against the resistance, the revolution ended on 10 November 1956. Revealing the limits of Soviet control, the protests remain a symbol of resistance against oppression.
Vision 2040 for a thriving fisheries and aquaculture sector
On 20 October 2026, the European Commission presented its Vision for fisheries and aquaculture towards 2040, setting the direction for the next 15 years to strengthen the environmental and economic viability of the sector. Titled 'Vision 2040for fisheries and aquaculture', the strategy aims to safeguard the livelihoods of communities dependent on the sector. Across the EU, the sector employs more than 200,000 people - nearly 124,500 in fisheries and almost 76,000 in aquaculture, with many more working across processing, wholesale, distribution and retail. The strategy covers the entire value chain and seeks to provide the predictability businesses need to invest and grow, while protecting the aquatic resources and ecosystems on which they depend. It is built around strengthening both the supply of and demand for EU aquatic food and sets out key priorities to help the sector thrive: healthy ecosystems, energy transition, securing supply chains, boosting demand and securing a stable food supply, supporting producers and easing access to finance, while strengthening international cooperation. More information on our Press Corner.
A New Strategy for the Arctic
On 20 October 2026, the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy presented a new Strategy for the Arctic. The Strategy presents a new framework of political cooperation for like-minded partners that places people, security, climate and prosperity at its core. It has four priorities: strengthening security and resilience, responding to climate change in the Arctic, prosperity, and opportunities for people and communities in the Arctic. The EU is part of the Arctic: more than half a million EU citizens live there. With the Kingdom of Denmark, Finland and Sweden as Arctic EU Member States, and close ties with Norway, Iceland, the UK, Canada and the United States, the developments in the Arctic directly affect Europe's security, the climate, and our prosperity. The Arctic is changing fast. It is warming nearly four times faster than the global average, affecting ecosystems, changing livelihoods and communities. New shipping routes and uncovering resources are reshaping Arctic's security and economic landscape, resulting in increasing geopolitical tensions, strategic competition and military activity. Following extensive consultations with Arctic stakeholders, the Strategy proposes concrete measures to promote a stable and future-proof Arctic, in close cooperation with Arctic partners, local communities including Indigenous Peoples and in their interest. More information on our Press Corner
European Week of Regions and Cities
The European Week of Regions and Cities (EURegionsWeek) is Brussels’ flagship event on Cohesion Policy, co-organised by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR). Since its launch in 2003, when regional offices in Brussels opened their doors to regional policy experts and practitioners, the EURegionsWeek has grown into the European Union (EU)’s largest event dedicated to Cohesion Policy. Each year, it attracts thousands of participants from civil society and politics. The event serves as a communication and networking platform fostering cooperation, exchanging knowledge and addressing regional and urban challenges. Each edition features a unique motto that aligns with the EU's political priorities. By bringing together a diverse community, the EURegionsWeek creates an open and collaborative space in Brussels and across Europe for capacity-building, learning and experience-sharing. It facilitates cooperation between regions and cities, engaging political, administrative, and private sector representatives in a single forum.
Trade agreements
On 19 October 2026, the Commission signed an Association Agreement with Andorra and San Marino, bringing both countries closer to the EU and establishing a clear and comprehensive framework for deeper economic and institutional integration. The Agreement gives Andorra and San Marino access to the Internal Market under common rules and fair competition conditions. It provides citizens, businesses and public authorities with greater legal certainty and predictability, facilitates trade, supports investment and encourages cross-border economic activity, while respecting the specific characteristics of both partners. It also sets out a framework for dialogue and cooperation in areas of shared interest, including research and innovation, education, social policy, the environment, consumer protection, culture and regional cooperation.
Second meeting for EU-China Trade and Investment Consultations
On 8 and 9 October 2026, European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency and Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of China, held the second meeting of the EU-China Trade and Investment Consultations (TIC) in Beijing. The two sides had pragmatic and productive discussions, and reached a list of deliverables and understandings. As key trading partners, the two sides reaffirmed to properly handling differences under the framework of WTO rules and commit to continue working with the aim to stabilise and make the bilateral relationship more balanced. With this objective in mind, the two sides agreed to hold the third TIC ministerial meeting in March 2027. Read Šefčovič's remarks on our Press Corner.
Summit of Southern European Union countries (MED-9) in Croatia
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen participated in the MED9 Summit on 7 October 2026 in Split, Croatia, alongside European Council President António Costa. European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, also participated in the event. The summit was hosted by Andrej Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of Croatia. The MED9 is an informal group of nine southern European Union Member States: Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain. In 2026, the Republic of Croatia holds the Presidency of the MED. At a time of unprecedented geopolitical uncertainty and rapidly evolving global transformations, the MED9 Member States share the responsibility of contributing, through coordinated action, to an effective and robust European response to the growing instability and challenges facing the European Union, its neighbourhood and the wider international community.
Pre-enlargement policy reviews
On 6 October 2026, the European Commission adopted a package on pre-enlargement policy reviews, setting out the policy orientations and actions needed to prepare the Union for future enlargements. In today's package the Commission provides an in-depth assessment of our policies in light of upcoming enlargements. It sets out how the existing Treaty framework and future accession treaties can be used to prepare the Union for a larger membership. It also proposes a set of safeguards for future accession treaties, including stronger sectoral safeguards and a new institutional safeguard clause, to ensure that commitments undertaken during accession negotiations continue to be fulfilled steadily after accession. More information in the press release.
Western Balkans Tour
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited the Western Balkans from 30 September to 2 October 2026 for her sixth annual tour of the region. During the tour, she visited Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia. Her engagements focused on the next steps needed for advancing on our partners’ EU path and ongoing process of gradual integration, assisted by the EU's €6 billion Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
Connecting Europe Days
Connecting Europe Days 2026 is Europe’s mobility flagship event and is taking place from 28 September to 1 October 2026 in Brussels, Belgium. Connecting Europe Days brings together politicians, financial institutions, industry representatives, transport stakeholders and the European Commission to discuss concrete measures and exchange good practices on creating a competitive, resilient, safe and sustainable transport sector in Europe. On 29 September, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas held speeches at the event. find out more about Connecting Europe Days on its website.