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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13813
Contents Publication in full By article 27 / 27
NEWS BRIEFS / Justice

On eve of European Day for Victims of Crime, Henna Virkkunen and Michael McGrath reiterate EU’s commitment

20/02/2026 (Agence Europe) – On Friday, 20 February—the eve of European Day for Victims of Crime—European Commission Executive Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkkunen and Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to support victims. They welcome the political agreement that the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union reached on 10 December regarding the revision of the Victims’ Rights Directive, proposed by the European Commission in 2023 (see EUROPE 13771/12). The text envisages dedicated helplines, simplified reporting, better legal support, and increased protection of personal data. It specifically strengthens protection for children and vulnerable individuals. The statement: https://aeur.eu/f/ku7 (NP)

Contents

EXTERNAL ACTION
TRADE: European ministers seek balance between opening up trade and protecting Europe’s industrial base
TRADE : European Commission received requests to improve foreign subsidies regulation
TRADE: faced with drop in EU steel exports to US, EUROFER calls for fair trade deal
FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Ukraine and Middle East back at centre of discussions between European foreign ministers on Monday
SUDAN : at UN Security Council, EU Ambassador calls for preparations for “day after”
SECTORAL POLICIES
AGRICULTURE : on Monday 23 February, European ministers to discuss common agricultural policy and unfair trade practices
AGRICULTURE : 17 EU countries call for transfer of more provisions from 2028-2034 ‘partnership plans’ to texts on CAP
DIGITAL: EU Council effectively kills proposed revision of GDPR
DIGITAL: at AI Summit in New Delhi, EU looks for path to sovereignty in artificial intelligence
DIGITAL: X challenges €120 million fine imposed on it under DSA, before EU General Court
HOME AFFAIRS: 38 MEPs demand suspension of Israel’s visa-free regime due to “persistent and systematic violations of international law”
CONSUMERS: EU Council sets objectives of 2030 Consumer Agenda, with particular attention to dangers present online
TRANSPORT: Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions calls for a stronger territorial vision for Connecting Europe Facility
COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU
ENVIRONMENT: wastewater - EU General Court dismisses lawsuits brought by pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries
SECURITY - DEFENCE - SPACE
DEFENCE: E5 announces launch of an initiative for low-cost effectors
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
TAXATION: tobacco tax - Cyprus Presidency of EU Council proposes an update every three years based on consumer prices
TAXATION: MEP Michalis Hadjipantela wants to ensure compliance with data protection principles in relation to VAT fraud
INSTITUTIONAL
BUDGET/EUROPEAN COMMISSION : in a letter to European Commission, nine Member States challenge increased administrative expenditure in 2028-2034 MFF
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
HOUSING: European Economic and Social Committee maintains pressure on EU co-legislators so they tackle housing crisis
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS : European Disability Forum calls on United Nations to guarantee funding for Committee on Rights of Persons with Disabilities
NEWS BRIEFS
COHESION: applications for 2026 edition of ‘New European Bauhaus’ awards now open
TRADE: US Supreme Court ruling - EU continues to “advocate for low tariffs”
ECONOMY: postponement - due to Hungarian reservation - of decision on amendment to MFF necessary for €90 billion loan to Ukraine
EDUCATION : European Commission announces opening of call for proposals for Erasmus+ European policy experimentations
STATE OF PREPAREDNESS: European Commission to invest €225 million in development of new flu vaccines
FINANCE: ESMA launches a consultation on amendments to its Market Abuse Regulation guidelines
JUSTICE : on eve of European Day for Victims of Crime, Henna Virkkunen and Michael McGrath reiterate EU’s commitment