26/02/2026 | Article Informal EU Health Council: Cyprus Presidency advances European Clinical Excellence Centre initiativeDuring the Informal Meeting of EU Health Ministers held on 26 February 2026 in Lefkosia, the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU proposed establishing a European Centre of Clinical Excellence for pharmaceuticals, highlighted the importance of mental health inclusiveness, in particular with regard to young people, and called for greater coordination regarding health data interoperability within the framework of the European Health Data Space. |
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| ● Council of the EU | | | 27/02/2026 16:15 | Meetings | | | | | Research ministers approved the Council position on the research fund for coal and steel and discussed the Horizon Europe programme and international cooperation on R&D
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| ● Council of the EU | | | 27/02/2026 10:40 | Press release | | | | | The Council has reached agreement (general approach) on a package of two proposals to reform the research fund for coal and steel. The two Council decisions aim to accelerate and simplify research and innovation investments in support of competitiveness, as well as, of green and just transition of the steel industry sector and the coal-mining regions of the EU. The Council’s agreement extends the duration of the programme to 2034 (instead of 2030 as proposed by the Commission) and evenly distributes the annual financial allocation to allow for up to €120 million of investment per year. The Council position also clarifies the objectives of the programme for research and innovation projects related to these areas. “The research fund for coal and steel is a critical instrument for enhancing the competitiveness, and sustainability of these vital sectors. The new regulations will streamline access to the fund, extend its duration, and increase its support for SMEs and startups, thereby accelerating the transition towards cleaner, and globally competitive European industries.” | | — Nicodemos Damianou, Deputy Minister for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of the Republic of Cyprus |
Simplifying access to coal and steel research fundsThe reformed research fund for coal and steel increases annual funding, allowing a total investment of approximately €800 million in research and innovation. The reform raises co-funding rates, aligning them with the Horizon Europe programme: industry participants will now receive up to 70% EU funding, while SMEs, startups and academia can receive up to 100%. These changes are designed to simplify the EU funding landscape and make the fund more attractive, while paving the way for its future integration with other EU programmes such as the Innovation Fund and Horizon Europe. Next stepsThe general approach agreed today formalises the Council's agreement on the reform package. The adoption of the reformed legal framework for the research fund for coal and steel requires the consent of the European Parliament on one of the Council decisions, and the consultation of the European Parliament on the other. The Council will vote once the procedural steps with the European Parliament have been completed. Once adopted and published in the EU’s official journal, the reform should come into force in January 2027. BackgroundThe research fund for coal and steel (RFCS) was established in 2002 following the expiry of the European coal and steel community (ECSC) treaty. The fund uses yearly interest from the remaining ECSC assets to support research and innovation projects that enhance the competitiveness of Europe's coal and steel industries. Separate from the multiannual financial framework, it operates with its own legal basis. The proposals to revise the RFCS legal framework aims to support the decarbonisation and clean transition of these sectors, while boosting Europe’s competitiveness. The revision aligns the fund’s objectives with EU policies like the competitiveness compass, the clean industrial deal, and the European steel and metals action plan, all which emphasise decarbonisation and clean steel. The reform aims to simplify and accelerate RFCS investments by merging the technical and financial guidelines into a single Council decision detailing the investment strategy for the fund’s assets. The reform package consists of two Council decisions: one on how to use the financial assets from the ECSC to fund coal and steel research, and another containing multiannual financial and technical guidelines for managing the assets of the fund.
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| ● Council of the EU | | | 26/02/2026 19:34 | Press release | | | | | The Council decided today to strengthen the scope of EU restrictive measures to combat terrorism, by expanding the listing criteria to: - allow the EU to target leading members of EU-listed groups and entities, who play a key role in planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating terrorist acts
- allow for restrictive measures against persons, groups and entities that are associated with those involved in terrorist acts, including through their participation in financing or their involvement in terrorist training and recruitment
The Council also introduced a travel ban for listed individuals on top of the asset freeze and the prohibition on making funds or economic resources available to them. In addition, the Council today also concluded the periodic review of the list of persons, groups and entities subject to restrictive measures for their involvement in terrorist acts, and maintained the list unchanged. Those listed remain subject to asset freeze and a prohibition for EU operators to make funds or economic resources available to them. In its conclusions of 16 December 2024 on reinforcing external-internal connections in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, the Council underlined that terrorism and violent extremism, in all their forms and irrespective of their origin, continue to pose a major threat to the security of the Union and its member states. BackgroundThe EU Terrorist List, i.e. the sanctions regime to combat terrorism, is separate from the EU regime transposing UN Security Council resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) and targeting Al-Qaida and ISIL/Da'esh. The EU may also apply restrictive measures autonomously to ISIL/Da'esh and Al-Qaida and persons and entities associated with or supporting them. The EU terrorist list is also separate from the sanctions framework adopted in January 2024, targeting those who support, facilitate or enable violent action by Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
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| ● International ministerial meetings | | | 26/02/2026 18:33 | Meetings | | | | | The European Union and Angola held their 7th ‘Joint way forward’ ministerial meeting on Thursday 26 February in Brussels.
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| ● Council of the EU | | | 26/02/2026 15:54 | Press release | | | | | The Council has approved conclusions that provide guidance to the Commission for the implementation of the five-year 2030 consumer agenda. The conclusions call for the strengthening of consumer protection (in particular online), the promotion of sustainable consumption, better enforcement, and stronger cooperation between all the relevant actors. “Consumer protection and competitiveness are two sides of the same coin. To protect consumers in the digital age, we must tackle harmful online practices and risks, ensure sustainable consumption, and strengthen enforcement across borders. Only through bold action on these fronts can we build a fairer, greener and safer European market for all consumers.” | | — Michael Damianos, Minister for Energy, Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus |
Stronger consumer protectionIn the conclusions approved today, the Council, taking into account, among others, the impact of the current geopolitical and technological developments, emphasises the need to address emerging challenges, such as, ‘dark patterns’ (practices that distort a user's ability to make autonomous, informed decisions), and the risks associated with online products, particularly for vulnerable consumers, especially minors. It also calls for enhanced consumer protection measures and better enforcement of current consumer protection legislation alongside the EU digital rulebook. Supporting sustainable consumptionThe importance of fostering sustainable consumption is highlighted in the conclusions, particularly in relation to sustainable, affordable and trusted circular offers, including second-hand, repaired, refurbished and remanufactured goods. The Council recalls that misleading environmental claims are considered unfair commercial practices and stresses the need to combat such practices to ensure that consumers are enabled to take informed decisions when they choose sustainable options in line with the EU's green transition goals. Better enforcement and member state cooperationThe Council underscores the need for more effective enforcement of consumer legislation, particularly in relation to widespread infringements within the EU and e-commerce. This includes strengthening coordination between the Commission and national authorities, considering the use of AI for market surveillance, and expanding international cooperation to ensure that products available to consumers are safe and compliant, especially those coming from third countries. SimplificationThe conclusions recall that new initiatives must seek the overarching objective of simplification and administrative burden reduction, in particularly for SMEs, while at the same time maintaining a high level of consumer protection. BackgroundThe Council conclusions on the 2030 consumer agenda are a priority of the Cyprus Presidency. The European Commission adopted the agenda on 19 November 2025. It sets the strategic framework for EU consumer policy for the next five years, building on the 2020–2025 agenda, and addresses new challenges. It focuses on four key areas: - Completing the single market by addressing barriers preventing consumers from fully leveraging the benefit of the single market.
- Digital fairness and consumer protection online to strengthen the protection of consumers, especially minors, in the digital environment.
- Sustainable consumption to ensure consumers have access to sustainable products and services and better protect them against greenwashing.
- Effective enforcement to protect consumers from market players who do not respect the rules and shield compliant businesses from unfair competition.
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| ● Council of the EU | | | 26/02/2026 15:32 | Media advisory | | | | | The press briefing ahead of the Justice and Home Affairs Council will take place on Tuesday, 3 March 2026 at 11.00. This "off the record" press briefing will take place in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either remotely or in person at the Europa building press room. To attend the event remotely, please use the link below to register and have the possibility to ask questions. Those who already registered for previous press events of the Justice and Home Affairs Council do not need to do it again. - Deadline for registration: Tuesday, 3 March 2026 at 10.00.
Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline.
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| ● Council of the EU | | | 26/02/2026 13:39 | Press release | | | | | The Council has today adopted a directive amending the requirements for measuring instruments sold and placed on the single market. The updated measuring instruments directive (MID) will facilitate the deployment of electric vehicle chargers, compressed gas dispensers, and thermal energy meters, which are essential for the green transition. The revised rules also prioritise digitalisation and smart metering and support the use of emerging gases such as hydrogen to help decarbonise industrial processes. “The new measuring instruments directive sets common standards for electric chargers and gas dispensers, clearing the path for the widespread deployment of charging infrastructure. This is a decisive move in Europe’s transition to a greener and more energy-efficient mobility system, driving us toward a cleaner future.” | | — Michael Damianos, Minister for Energy, Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus |
New requirements for vehicle chargersThe agreement expands the scope of the MID to cover all electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), including rail, boats, vessels, and aircraft. It introduces requirements for EVSE cables to be easily replaced if damaged or stolen, without compromising on the device’s performance. When displaying measurement results, gas and electricity meters will show data directly on the meter or via remote display, while EVSE and compressed gas dispensers can present the information on the vehicle’s screen or on end-user devices, such as smartphones. Next stepsFollowing the Council’s approval, the legislative act has been adopted. The regulation will enter into force on the 20thday following its publication in the official journal. Member States will have24 months to implement the new rules into their national legal framework. The new requirements will apply 30 months after the entry into force of the directive, except for EVSE chargers and compressed gas dispensers (the two new elements of the directive adopted today), which will enjoy a longer transitional period of 48 months. BackgroundThe measuring instruments directive (MID) was established in 2004 and updated in 2014 to align with the principles of the new legislative framework. This revision introduced a unified set of obligations for economic operators and standardised conformity assessment procedures. However, the existing framework did not account for newer types of measuring instruments, and some key requirements had become outdated and no longer technology-neutral (such as display requirements). This limitation has hindered the adoption of modern digital solutions that would benefit consumers. The new directive also addresses the issue of vandalism and theft of cables at electric vehicle charging stations.
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| ● Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης | | | 26/02/2026 13:37 | Συνεδριάσεις | | | | | Το Συμβούλιο ενέκρινε συμπεράσματα σχετικά με το θεματολόγιο της ΕΕ για τις πόλεις και προέβη σε ανταλλαγή απόψεων σχετικά με τα διδάγματα που αντλήθηκαν από την ενδιάμεση επανεξέταση της πολιτικής συνοχής για την περίοδο 2021-2027.
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