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Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13775
Contents Publication in full By article 9 / 44
EXTERNAL ACTION / Mercosur

Mercosur bloc increasing pressure on EU to approve free trade agreement, but France and Italy are still reluctant

Diplomats from the so-called “pro-Mercosur” European countries have been speaking out on the eve of the summit: the EU/Mercosur trade agreement must be signed as a matter of urgency on Saturday, otherwise the countries of the Latin American bloc will turn their backs on the EU. All those who support the free trade agreement defended this line on Wednesday 17 December in Brussels and Strasbourg. For them, the credibility of the EU as a partner is at stake. “We are in a situation where...

Contents

EUROPEAN COUNCIL
ECONOMY/DEFENCE: EU leaders called upon to decide on funding arrangements for Ukraine over next two years
ECONOMY/TRADE: EU leaders to discuss geopolitical issues affecting European economy
BUDGET: MFF 2028-2034 - European leaders to review progress made under Danish Presidency with view to next stages of negotiations
ENLARGEMENT: European Council expected to call on Commission to present assessment of institutional consequences of enlargement
DEFENCE: European Council expected to call for sanctions against Russia and Belarus for their hybrid attacks
MIGRATION: Ursula von der Leyen confirms to European leaders that she will visit Syria in January
MIDDLE EAST: European leaders expected to call for implementation of UN resolution supporting end to conflict in Gaza
DIGITAL: EU reaffirms its “regulatory autonomy” in response to relentless attacks from United States
EXTERNAL ACTION
MERCOSUR: Mercosur bloc increasing pressure on EU to approve free trade agreement, but France and Italy are still reluctant
TRADE/CLIMATE: carbon pricing - European Commission proposes €632 million fund for EU companies affected by CBAM
WESTERN BALKANS: in Brussels, EU and Balkans leaders reaffirm their cooperation and willingness to draw closer, despite shadow cast by Moscow
UNITED KINGDOM: UK to rejoin Erasmus+ programme in 2027, seven years after leaving it
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PLENARY
WOMEN’S RIGHTS: ‘My Voice, My Choice’ - European Parliament approves European Citizens’ Initiative aimed at facilitating access to abortion in EU
ENERGY: European Parliament validates agreement on regulation banning imports of Russian gas
EMPLOYMENT: European Parliament confirms call for new European directive governing algorithmic management in workplace
DEFENCE: European Parliament calls for more private funding for defence
TRANSPORT/DEFENCE: European Parliament supports military mobility, including idea of a ‘military Schengen’
ENVIRONMENT: European Parliament ratifies postponement by one year of application of regulation on imported deforestation
FINANCE: European Parliament confirms Damian Jaworski as Director General of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority
RESEARCH: European Parliament adopts its negotiating position on updating regulation aimed at creating artificial intelligence gigafactories
RESEARCH: European Parliament approves Jordan’s participation in Partnership in Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area
SECTORAL POLICIES
DIGITAL: EU could adopt “common icon” to indicate content manipulated by AI
MIGRATION: irregular migration - 19 EU Member States call for adequate funding instruments to implement ‘innovative solutions’
AGRICULTURE: European Commission proposes to update rules on organic products
AGRICULTURE: European Commission announces €205 million in 2026 for agri-food promotion
AGRICULTURE: allocation of reports in European Parliament on post-2027 CAP is known
FOOD SAFETY: NGOs deplore that European Commission is still leaving door open to unlimited pesticide approvals
ENVIRONMENT: several European ministers call for EU action against ultra-fast fashion
TOURISM: more balanced and coordinated approach needed to harmonise efforts of EU Member States in dual transition of sector
ENERGY: European Commission presents a common approach for calculating life-cycle global warming potential of new buildings
ENERGY: European Commission and EIB announce release of €1.8 billion from Modernisation Fund
TRANSPORT: European Commission proposed reversal of ban on production of combustion engine vehicles not met with unanimous approval
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
FINANCE: European Parliament and EU Council negotiators seek final agreement over retail investment package
SECURITY - DEFENCE - SPACE
SPACE: successful launch of two Galileo satellites aboard Ariane 6 launch vehicle
COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: General Court of EU dismisses MEPs’ appeals against reduction of their additional pension
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
WOMEN’S RIGHTS: Venice Commission issues an opinion on Latvian parliament’s plan to withdraw from Istanbul Convention
JUSTICE: Venice Commission elects constitutionalist Marta Cartabia as its new President
NEWS BRIEFS
CULTURE: Creative Europe - European Commission achieves a positive assessment in favour of cultural diversity and competitiveness
CULTURE: in a new report, European Commission highlights role of arts in green transition
DEFENCE: European Commission allocates €1 billion to joint research and development under European Defence Fund 2026
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: European Disability Forum denounces lack of consideration for situation of people with disabilities under European Affordable Housing Plan
ECONOMY: euro area inflation at 2.1% in November
ENERGY: ACER validates reshaping of capacity calculation regions in Europe
EU INSTITUTIONS: EU Council validates interinstitutional declaration on EU’s legislative priorities for 2026