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Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13866
Contents Publication in full By article 27 / 29
NEWS BRIEFS / Csdp

Francisco Javier Vázquez Sanz appointed EU Force Commander for EU Operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA

11/05/2026 (Agence Europe) – Spanish Rear Admiral Francisco Javier Vázquez Sanz has been appointed EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA) from 10 June 2026, according to a legal act published in the Official Journal of the European Union on Monday 11 May. He will replace Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Maria Martinuzzi, in office since 20 February 2026. ATALANTA’s mandate runs until February 2027.  (CG)

Contents

Russian invasion of Ukraine
UKRAINE: European Union steps up its support in fight against abduction of Ukrainian children
UKRAINE/RUSSIA: “Dynamics of war are changing”, says Kaja Kallas
EXTERNAL ACTION
ISRAEL: EU Member States agree on sanctions against extremist settlers and members of Hamas
SYRIA: EU deepens relations with Damascus
WESTERN BALKANS: EU and Western Balkans agree to strengthen CSDP cooperation and discuss fundamental reforms to make progress on accession
SECTORAL POLICIES
CLIMATE: ETS - European Commission revises benchmark values used to calculate number of free emission allowances
CIVIL PROTECTION: four emergency flights coordinated by European Civil Protection Mechanism to repatriate passengers from MV Hondius
AGRICULTURE: MEP Camilla Laureti seeks to limit scope of negotiations on organic farming proposal
FOOD SAFETY: EU Council simplifies rules on biocides
MIGRATION: faced with explosion in forced displacements, UN and European Union agree on urgent need to develop legal migration channels
INDUSTRY: G7 ministers and their partners lay foundations for enhanced international cooperation on critical minerals
DIGITAL: Valdis Dombrovskis warns that EU must “catch up” on artificial intelligence
EDUCATION - YOUTH - CULTURE - SPORT
EDUCATION: EU Council adopts its position without figures on post-2027 Erasmus+ programme
EDUCATION: EU countries set out conditions for proper use of AI in education process
INSTITUTIONAL
BUDGET: 2028-2034 MFF - given differences of opinion, ability of EU Member States to reach agreement by end of 2026 in doubt
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
FINANCES: European Commission clarifies prudential expectations for EU money market funds
STATE AID: European Commission launches public consultation on new, tighter framework for State aid to aviation
STATE AID: EU gives green light to €1.5 billion in aid for farmers in Andalusia and Extremadura
NEWS BRIEFS
HUMANITARIAN AID: more than 4,500 relief items delivered to Lebanon through EU Humanitarian Air Bridge
HUMANITARIAN AID: European Union allocates €20 million to Türkiye to support reception of refugees
ECB: Frankfurt institute signs new Memorandum of Understanding with Reserve Bank of India
COMPETITION: European Commission approves acquisition of Kimberly-Clark IFP by Brazilian group Suzano
CORRUPTION: European Commission consults on new EU anti-corruption strategy
ENVIRONMENT: entry into force of EU directive strengthening fight against pollutants in surface and groundwater
ENVIRONMENT: call for expressions of interest for ‘European bioeconomy investment deployment group’
DIGITAL: European Commission has welcomed OpenAI’s intention to give it access to GPT-5.5 model and would also like access to Mythos
CSDP: Francisco Javier Vázquez Sanz appointed EU Force Commander for EU Operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA
HEALTH: EU Council/European Parliament negotiations on critical medicinal products have resumed
Op-Ed
Op-ed: Are we pilots or passengers? - by Dr. Josef Aschbacher