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Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13816
Contents Publication in full By article 23 / 34
NEWS BRIEFS / Home affairs

43 pharmaceutical crime networks dismantled in operation coordinated by Europol

25/02/2026 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 25 February, Europol announced the dismantling of 43 pharmaceutical crime networks in Operation ‘SHIELD VI’. Carried out between April and November 2025 in 30 countries, this operation was supported by Frontex, Interpol and the World Anti-Doping Agency. It led to the prosecution of 3,354 individuals and the closure of 66 illegal websites and five underground laboratories. In total, the authorities seized €33 million worth of illicit...

Contents

EXTERNAL ACTION
Interview LIBERIA: for European investors, “there is still a lot of potential to be explored”, says EU ambassador Nona Deprez
UNITED KINGDOM: EU and UK sign Competition Cooperation Agreement
MIDDLE EAST: Dubravka Šuica defends her presence at ‘Board of Peace’ meeting before critical MEPs
MEDITERRANEAN: ‘Pact for the Mediterranean’ action plan will be presented at end of March/beginning of April, according to Dubravka Šuica
UKRAINE: European Commission explores a special approach to Ukraine’s accession
TRADE: European Commission reiterates: EU must “remain committed” to terms of agreement with United States
TRADE: price offer for Chinese electric vehicles - European Commission highlights exceptional measure for sector
ICC: while world order becomes more fragile, Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala recalls close links between International Criminal Court and EU
SECTORAL POLICIES
COHESION: MEPs reject architecture of next cohesion policy budget proposed by European Commission
COHESION: EastInvest Facility, dedicated to EU Member States bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, to be officially launched
COMPETITIVENESS: European Parliament ready to negotiate with EU Council on new flexibilities and benefits for mid-sized companies
COMPETITIVENESS: Stéphanie Yon-Courtin advocates a competition framework that allows for European champions to emerge in key sectors
COMPETITIVENESS: eight Member States once again call for a review of ETS and CBAM arrangements to save EU chemical industry
COMPETITIVENESS: European trade unions concerned about lack of transparency regarding future ‘28th regime’ and worry that labour law will be undermined
HOME AFFAIRS: reform of Europol’s mandate to be discussed at ‘Justice and Home Affairs’ Council, on 5 and 6 March
ENERGY: European Parliament Industry Committee rejects attempted objection to PCI/PMI list of cross-border energy projects
TRANSPORT: air passenger rights – negotiations between EU Council and European Parliament will resume on 23 March
ENVIRONMENT: wrapping and straps used on pallets during transport, exempt from EU’s new 100% reuse requirement
RESEARCH: industry representatives call for clear and structured link between European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe
INSTITUTIONAL
BUDGET: MEPs voice doubts over governance and evaluation of future ‘European Fund’ under MFF 2028–2034
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
CUSTOMS: EU Council and European Parliament reach agreement on procedure for selecting seat of future EU Customs Authority
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
WOMEN’S RIGHTS: MEPs call on Commission to propose European legislation establishing an EU-wide definition of rape based on consent
NEWS BRIEFS
HOME AFFAIRS: 43 pharmaceutical crime networks dismantled in operation coordinated by Europol
AFRICA: European Investment Bank Group deployed €3.1 billion in 2025
STATE AID: European Commission consults on GBER regulation, which exempts certain State aid measures from prior notification process
WESTERN BALKANS: European Commission wants to integrate Western Balkans into European roaming area
CULTURE: thirteen new heritage sites designated for 2025 European Heritage label
DEVELOPMENT: MEPs approve ‘Ridel-Bentele’ report on the EU’s ‘Global Gateway’ investment strategy
SPACE: satellite-to-smartphone connectivity - Luxembourg company OQ Technology to receive €25 million from InvestEU programme
JUSTICE: revision of Directive on rights of victims – MEPs approve provisional political agreement
SOCIAL/EMPLOYMENT: quality internships – next negotiations between European Parliament and EU Council will take place on 24 March
RESEARCH: MEPs approve renewal of agreement with Lebanon on participation in PRIMA partnership
RESEARCH: MEPs vote for stronger and more inclusive European innovation and technology ecosystems
UKRAINE: European Commission proposes that EU becomes founding member of ‘International Claims Commission’ for Ukraine