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Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13779
Contents Publication in full By article 18 / 27
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS / Emu

Bulgaria is 21st member of euro area

On Thursday 1 January 2026, Bulgaria officially became the twenty-first member of the euro area (see EUROPE B13745A11) against a backdrop of public fears about inflation which, combined with public exasperation regarding corruption, toppled Rosen Zhelyazkov’s conservative government in December.

“I warmly welcome Bulgaria to the euro family and Governor Radev to the ECB Governing Council table in Frankfurt”, declared Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), in...

Contents

CYPRUS PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
COMPETITIVENESS: simplification of regulations, focus on SMEs, innovation and securing raw materials - Cyprus follows in Copenhagen’s footsteps
DIGITAL/CONSUMER: Cyprus Presidency of EU Council wants to make progress towards European digital sovereignty
JUSTICE/FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: Cyprus Presidency of EU Council prioritises civil rights, equality and fight against cross-border crime
EXTERNAL ACTION
VENEZUELA: after ousting of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuelan opposition must be involved in transition to democracy, says EU diplomacy
GREENLAND: EU promises to continue to defend territorial integrity of Greenland
IRAN: EU calls on authorities to guarantee freedom of expression and peaceful assembly
MIDDLE EAST: Hadja Lahbib denounces Israel’s ban on some thirty NGOs in Palestine
MERCOSUR: EU27 could give green light to trade agreement on 9 January
SECTORAL POLICIES
AGRICULTURE: EU agriculture ministers to discuss EU/Mercosur agreement on Wednesday 7 January
ENVIRONMENT: European Commission proposes measures to stimulate circular economy in EU
ENVIRONMENT: European Commission extends Ireland’s nitrate derogation by three years
FISHERIES: European Commission concerned about agreement on mackerel without EU
FISHERIES: European Commission extends winter fishing closure in Bay of Biscay
DIGITAL: European Commission “takes very seriously” sexual ‘deepfakes’ of minors generated by X’s AI
ENERGY: Cyprus Presidency of EU Council aiming for agreement on ‘grids’ package in late June
CIVIL PROTECTION: EU activates its civil protection mechanism to support Switzerland after deadly fire in Crans-Montana
Russian invasion of Ukraine
ECONOMY/DEFENCE: EU countries invited to approve establishment of enhanced cooperation for macro-financial assistance for Ukraine 2026–2027
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
EMU: Bulgaria is 21st member of euro area
TAXATION: OECD/G20 countries and jurisdictions agree on guidelines for implementing global minimum tax agreement
STATE AID: European Commission amends ETS state aid guidelines to adapt to heightened risk of carbon leakage
SECURITY - DEFENCE - SPACE
SECURITY/DEFENCE: EU High Representative welcomes seizure of vessel suspected of damaging submarine cables
NEWS BRIEFS
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: MFF 2028-2034 - 24 organisations call on Member States to preserve the European Social Fund
COMPANIES: EFRAG publishes five documents to help stakeholders better understand simplified sustainability reporting standards
KOSOVO: Pristina breaks political deadlock and is called upon to ratify European Growth Plan quickly
DIGITAL: United States sanctions former European Commissioner Thierry Breton, accused of actively seeking to censor American citizens
TRANSPORT: EASA recommends that European operators do not operate in Venezuelan airspace
TRANSPORT: European Commission and Eurocontrol are monitoring situation regarding closure of Greek airspace and are ready to cooperate