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Europe Day
Annually on 9th May, the European Union celebrates Europe day. The EU opens its doors to the public across its member states. It is Europe's moment – and your chance to go behind the scenes, find out how the Commission works, and see inside one of the most iconic buildings of the European institutions: the Berlaymont. For this year's Europe day, find all practical information about your visit in Brussels on the Commission's website.Europe Day traces its origins back to 9th May 1950. On that day, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman delivered a speech proposing a new form of cooperation in Europe. Known as the Schuman Declaration, it paved the way for a new era of peace, integration and cooperation across the continent – and is now widely regarded as the birthdate of the European Union.
Fighting poverty and improving the lives of persons with disabilities
The European Commission unveiled an ambitious social plan aimed at helping to eradicate poverty and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities across the EU on 6th May 2026. The package includes the first-ever EU anti-poverty strategy – the Commission’s plan to help end poverty in the EU by 2050; a proposal for a Council Recommendation on fighting housing exclusion; and two communications: one on breaking the cycle of child poverty – strengthening the European Child Guarantee – and one on reinforcing the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities up to 2030.With 52% of Europeans citing the cost of living as their top concern, the EU is tackling three urgent challenges: a housing crisis (lack of affordable housing is seen as an immediate and urgent problem by 40% of citizens, and 1 million are homeless); barriers to participation to a rapidly changing labour market; and poverty, affecting 1 in 5 Europeans – and 1 in 4 children.Find out more on the European Commission's Press Corner.
EU-Armenia Summit
Together with the President of the European Council, António Costa, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will represent the EU at the first ever EU-Armenia Summit taking place in Yerevan on 4 and 5 May 2026. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will represent Armenia.Ahead of the summit, President Costa and President von der Leyen will attend the European Political Community meeting, taking place on 4 May 2026.The EU-Armenia summit will focus on strengthening bilateral relations in particular connectivity in energy, transport and digital. Leaders will also discuss the progress related to ensuring peace, security, connectivity and prosperity in the South Caucasus, as well as current global challenges, including the latest developments in the Middle East and Ukraine
Situation in the Middle East
On 29th April 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen participated in the European Parliament plenary debate on the EU strategy in response to the ongoing Middle East crisis, its implications on energy prices and the availability of fertilizers.In her speech, President von der Leyen announced that the EU would disburse the first €45 billion of its €90 billion loan to Ukraine—with two-thirds earmarked for defence, including a €6 billion drone package—while adopting a 20th sanctions package to hit Russia’s economy. Amid the Middle East crisis, she stressed the need for lasting peace and warned that soaring fossil fuel import costs (€27 billion in 60 days) demand faster electrification and energy independence, proposing targeted aid, EU-wide coordination, and an Electrification Action Plan. To fund future priorities like defence and competitiveness, she urged new EU revenue streams, arguing that without them, Europe risks less funding where it’s needed most—concluding with a call to "electrify Europe" and secure its sovereignty.For the full transcript of the speech, see here: https://link.europa.eu/tKkQ8B
Digital Age Verification App: Ensuring online safety for children
On 29th April 2026, the Commission adopted a recommendation urging Member States to accelerate the rollout of the EU age verification app and make it available by the end of the year. The secure, safe, and privacy-preserving EU age verification app is a key step in protecting children from harmful and inappropriate online content.The Member States can roll-out the EU age verification as a standalone app or integrate it into a European Digital Identity Wallet. The recommendation also specifies the actions that Member States should take to ensure the swift availability and interoperability of the EU age verification solution.The Commission has developed a blueprint of the EU age verification app, which enables users to prove they meet a required age threshold without revealing their exact age, identity or any other personal details. It is now for the Member States to customise and produce the app for their citizens.Protecting children online is a priority for the Commission. Under the EU’s Digital Services Act, online platforms must ensure a high level of privacy, security and safety for minors online.Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy said:"Effective and privacy-preserving age verification is the next piece of the puzzle that we are getting closer to completing, as we work towards an online space where our children are safe and empowered to use positively and responsibly without restricting the rights of adults."More information is available on the Commission's website: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/faqs/eu-age-verification-solution
A simpler, clearer, and better enforced EU rulebook
On 28th April 2026, the European Commission presented its plan to modernise EU lawmaking, ensuring that laws are clearer, simpler, more efficiently enforced, based on solid evidence and better aligned with the needs of citizens and businesses.Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said: "Europe needs clear and coherent legislation that fully responds to the needs of our citizens and businesses. Today, we deliver our plan to make EU lawmaking more efficient, more effective, and more transparent. We will apply simplicity by design and continue to ensure every rule is supported by strong evidence. ... This is a critical contribution to bolster our competitiveness."The Commission will act in five areas:Simplicity by designStrengthening the better regulation frameworkRegulatory deep cleaningFaster and robust enforcementAt a time of profound global shifts, an efficient and effective regulatory framework is essential for European competitiveness. Simpler, better-designed, and easier-to-implement rules will therefore help to unlock economic potential and promote a more dynamic and integrated Single Market.The European Parliament and the Council are essential partners in helping to make the objectives outlined in this Communication a reality. To that end, the Commission calls on the co-legislators to ensure that 'simplicity by design' and better regulation principles are applied consistently, by each Institution, during every legislative process.Find more information on the Commission's Press Corner: https://link.europa.eu/hbkMpB
Protect what matters.
From scrolling through the news to streaming your favourite shows or debating with friends in the bar, democracy in the EU makes our everyday freedoms possible.It’s hard to imagine life without them. Yet the rights and freedoms we enjoy today were not always guaranteed - they were built and defended over generations.Today, democratic principles are increasingly under pressure, including in Europe. But together we can stem the tide. As new pressures are once again putting these values to the test, we are stepping up. Through initiatives like the European Democracy Shield, the EU is working to defend free and fair elections, support independent media, counter foreign interference and strengthen democratic institutions that protect us all.More information here: Protect what matters: our democracy - European Commission.
Vice-President Kaja Kallas visits Ukraine
On 31st of March 2026, Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas arrived in Kyiv, Ukraine, alongside the foreign ministers of Germany, Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania. While in Ukraine, Vice-President Kallas commemorated the victims of the Bucha massacre that took place in the early days of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine in March 2022. During a press conference that followed, she reaffirmed the EU's full support for Ukraine, and announced an additional €80 million for Ukraine drawn from the profits of Russian frozen assets. Read her full statement here. In parallel, on 30th March 2026, the European Commission approved a €1.5 billion work programme under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) to enhance and modernise Europe's defence industry, boost production capacity and secure technological advancement and resilience. More information about EDIP here.
EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement Concluded: A New Era of Cooperation
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Australia 23-25 March to strengthen EU ties with a trusted, like-minded partner in the strategically vital Indo-Pacific region.The President visited Sydney and Canberra, including a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the Australian capital, a speech at the Australian Parliament as well as a keynote address at an event hosted by the European Australian Business Council.In her statement at a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on 24 March, President Ursula von der Leyen announced the conclusion of the EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement, praising its mutual benefits such as tariff-free exports for Australian goods and increased service opportunities. For the EU, this expands Europe's trade network, promises growth in exports, and saves significant tariffs. She emphasised the importance of collaborative resilience, particularly in trade, security, and critical raw materials. President von der Leyen also welcomed negotiations for Australia to join the Horizon Europe programme, enhancing research cooperation. The partnership reflects shared values in democracy, climate goals, and protecting future generations. For the full transcript of the President's statement, see here.
War in the Middle East, Energy Prices, and the Single Market: President von der Leyen at the European Council Meeting
On 20 March 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen participated in the joint press conference with President Costa following the meeting of the European Council of March 2026.In her speech, President Ursula von der Leyen articulated several urgent topics, starting with the circumstances unfolding in the Middle East. She underscored the need for de-escalation, civilian protection, and regional support, including the European Union's recent announcement of over EUR 450 million in humanitarian assistance. Concerning energy, President von der Leyen detailed strategic approaches to manage price volatility and secure supply, including both immediate relief measures and necessary structural alterations. Additionally, she elaborated on efforts to simplify EU governance and invigorate the Single Market, proposing initiatives to ease cross-border business operations and adapt competition policies amidst evolving global dynamics. On Ukraine, President von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU's unwavering support through a EUR 90 billion loan, despite political impediments that have blocked its disbursement. She assured that the EU is committed to exploring alternative avenues to deliver this critical financial assistance.For the full transcript of the speech, see here.