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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13911
Contents Publication in full By article 34 / 41
NEWS BRIEFS / Trade

Generalised Scheme of Preferences supports growth in developing countries, according to Commission and High Representative for CFSP

16/07/2026 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 16 July, the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy published a joint report on the implementation of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP). It is the EU’s main trade policy instrument, designed to support exports from developing countries to the Union. According to the report, this system continues to contribute to economic progress and sustainable development in the beneficiary countries. The GSP offers access to EU markets with low, or even zero, customs duties on a unilateral basis. Between 2023 and 2025, the EU imported nearly €60 billion worth of goods under GSP preferences. This instrument was revised in 2026, with new controversial provisions (see EUROPE 13858/4). See the report (in French): https://aeur.eu/f/mx5 (JV)

Contents

SECTORAL POLICIES
HOME AFFAIRS: facing growing security threats, EU Council wants to make restrictive visa measures easier
MIGRATION: systemic deficiencies in asylum systems and access to ‘solidarity pool’ - Italy must do better
MIGRATION: several Member States challenged by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights over implementation of ‘return hubs’
MIGRATION: Frontex once again criticised for serious failings in latest report by its Fundamental Rights Officer
CLIMATE: ETS reform - 10 Member States sign declaration calling for ETS to become “an element of an emerging EU industrial policy”
CLIMATE: presumed windfall profits due to over-allocation of free ETS allowances – Greens/EFA political narrative put to test by figures
COMPETITIVENESS: overhaul of EU Emissions Trading System - EUROFER calls on EU to create conditions needed to enable industrial decarbonisation
ENERGY: dependence on fossil fuels, inadequate network taxation - CAN Europe identifies barriers to affordable electricity in EU
DIGITAL: European Commission requires Google to open up Android to Gemini rivals and share its search data as of 2027
DIGITAL: American tech giants to be main beneficiaries of EU data centre expansion, NGO says
FISHERIES: European Commission points to persistent shortcomings in area of control
ENVIRONMENT: polluter pays principle remains “partially applied” in EU, says European Commission
ENVIRONMENT: circular economy - France calls for European recycled materials obligations
ENVIRONMENT: EU agricultural organisations call for Nitrates Directive to be amended
AGRICULTURE: EU agriculture must be not only economically viable, but also socially sustainable, says CEJA
COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU
JUSTICE: according to CJEU, Spanish amnesty law aimed at fostering political reconciliation with Catalonia does not run counter to EU law
JUSTICE: national substantive law cannot justify refusal of cross-border investigatory measure, holds EU Court of Justice
MIGRATION: EU Court of Justice reiterates right to an effective remedy in event of a return decision concerning a family member of an EU citizen
COMPETITION/INTERNAL MARKET: Court of Justice of European Union challenges certain FIFA rules governing football agent profession
DIGITAL: CJEU finds Google may be held liable for YouTube videos by content creator with commercial partnership
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: seizure of emails without a judge’s authorisation in investigation on anticompetitive practices is not contrary to Union law, says CJEU
SECURITY - DEFENCE - SPACE
DEFENCE: EU27 Member States spent €418 billion on defence in 2025 and are expected to spend €454 billion this year
DEFENCE: EU Council and European Parliament negotiators agree on AGILE
WAR IN MIDDLE EAST
TRANSPORT: Strait of Hormuz - MEPs question IMO and European Commission on possibility of an international framework to protect seafarers
LEBANON: ICRC calls on EU to keep Lebanon high on its agenda
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS : disability, LGBTIQ+ rights, gender-based violence and discrimination - Norma Foley presents priorities of Irish Presidency of EU Council
HOUSING : European Economic and Social Committee calls for more ambitious housing construction strategy
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: 2028-2034 MFF - 32 European networks and organisations call for increase in budget for AgoraEU and preservation of funding for CERV+
RULE OF LAW/ENLARGEMENT: EU candidate countries still facing backsliding, says European Network of National Human Rights Institutions
INSTITUTIONAL
FUTURE OF EU: social-democrat group in European Parliament asks Ursula von der Leyen to remain true to EU values
EXTERNAL ACTION
NEIGHBOURHOOD: EU Council approves agreement between EU, Andorra and San Marino
NEWS BRIEFS
STATE AID: green light for Czech electricity generation and storage capacity mechanism
BURKINA FASO: EU denounces expulsion of two members of its delegation
TRADE: Generalised Scheme of Preferences supports growth in developing countries, according to Commission and High Representative for CFSP
TRADE: Bruegel think tank proposes avenues for WTO sectoral agreement on semiconductors
EDUCATION: European Commission updates Blue Book traineeship programme rules
JUSTICE: European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Athens indicts 22 people in large-scale agricultural subsidy fraud investigation
JUSTICE: European Commission seeks feedback on revision of Eurojust’s mandate
DIGITAL: António Costa announces European Council debate on artificial intelligence before end of year
SUDAN: G7 calls for end to attacks in El-Obeid
TRANSPORT/ENERGY: e-Mobility Europe and ACEA urge European Commission to adopt ambitious measures in its Electrification Action Plan