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Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13810
Contents Publication in full By article 26 / 33
NEWS BRIEFS / Economy

Austria authorised to activate escape clause in Stability Pact to increase its military spending

17/02/2026 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 17 February, the Council of the European Union authorised Austria to activate the national escape clause of the Stability and Growth Pact to allow Vienna to increase its annual military spending by up to 1.5% of national GDP over the period 2025-2028 (see EUROPE B13808A28). This decision will allow “a smooth transition to higher defence spending while safeguarding fiscal sustainability”, according to the current President of the Ecofin Council,...

Contents

ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
FINANCE: European finance ministers examine measures to facilitate access to supplementary pension schemes in EU
BUDGET: EU Council adopts its guidelines for final year of Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027
TAXATION: EU Council adds Vietnam and Turks and Caicos Islands to ‘black’ list of uncooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes
ECONOMY: EU Member States have benefited from around €400 billion under post-Covid-19 Next Generation EU recovery plan
EMU: European Commission presents a strategy to strengthen international role of euro
SECTORAL POLICIES
COMPETITIVENESS: presentation of Industrial Accelerator Act, scheduled for 26 February, could take a little longer
DIGITAL: European Commission opens formal proceedings against Shein and its questionable business practices
DIGITAL: in Europe, DSA has been used past 2 years to challenge 50 million “abusive” decisions by online platforms
INTERNAL MARKET/CUSTOMS: European Court of Auditors issues recommendations for improving new ‘Single Market and Customs Programme’
HOME AFFAIRS: European Data Protection Supervisor calls for review of ePrivacy Directive derogation before consideration of any extension
HOME AFFAIRS: Germany extends border controls until September 2026
ENERGY: according to Bruegel, European grid planning requires greater transparency and coordination
CLIMATE: European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change calls for “common reference” for adaptation planning
FOOD SAFETY: EFSA acknowledges scientific uncertainties about behaviour of sucralose when heated for prolonged periods
AGRICULTURE: Fertilizers Europe reports limited impact of CBAM on European fertilizer market
AGRICULTURE: European Commission to amend secondary legislation on wine
HEALTH/RESEARCH: European Commission launches new partnership for pandemic preparedness
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
JUSTICE: sanctioned by US, ICC judge Nicolas Guillou warns of Europe’s banking and digital sovereignty
Russian invasion of Ukraine
ENERGY: Druzhba pipeline - European Commission states that energy security remains “absolute priority”
UKRAINE: Ukraine prepares to hold elections outside its territory
EXTERNAL ACTION
UNITED KINGDOM: European Commission to forward draft agreement concluded in June 2025 between EU and Gibraltar to EU Council
HUMANITARIAN AID: EU Commission announces €81.2 million in aid in response to worsening crisis in Great Lakes region
SECURITY - DEFENCE - SPACE
DEFENCE: Andrius Kubilius calls for rapid progress in military mobility
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: Commissioner for Human Rights calls on Hungary to stop repressing peaceful gatherings
NEWS BRIEFS
COHESION: European Commission launches a call for expression of interest for technical assistance to integrate ‘New European Bauhaus’
ECONOMY: Austria authorised to activate escape clause in Stability Pact to increase its military spending
ECONOMY: ‘SAFE’ instrument - EU Council approves national defence plans of eight other Member States
ENVIRONMENT: EU Council endorses directive strengthening protection of surface water and groundwater
SPACE: EU Council approves participation of Norway and Iceland in GOVSATCOM
FINANCE: in early March, Eurogroup will discuss project for pan-European financial securitisation platform initiated by seven euro area countries
RUSSIA: Kremlin bears full responsibility for death of Alexei Navalny, says Kaja Kallas
ZIMBABWE: EU Council renews arms embargo, but lifts travel ban and asset freeze
CORRIGENDUM
EMPLOYMENT: European Parliament wants European strategy, not ‘framework’, on subcontracting