COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Tuesday, 21 April 2026

● Council of the EU   21/04/2026 10:47 | Press release | Republic of Moldova: EU restrictive measures extended until April 2027   The Council decided today to extend EU restrictive measures against those responsible for actions aimed at destabilising, undermining or threatening the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, until 29 April 2027. EU restrictive measures currently apply to a total of 23 individuals and 5 entities. Individuals and entities listed under this sanctions regime are subject to an asset freeze. This framework also prohibits the making available of funds or economic resources to those listed, either directly or indirectly. Furthermore, a travel ban is applicable to listed natural persons, preventing them from entering or transiting through the territories of any EU member state. In its conclusions of 23 October 2025, the European Council reaffirmed its commitment to continue working closely with the Republic of Moldova to enhance the country’s resilience and stability in the face of persistent destabilising activities by Russia, including hybrid attacks, aimed at undermining the country’s democratic institutions. The EU remains unwavering in its support for the Republic of Moldova and its resilience, security, stability, economy and energy supply in the face of destabilising activities by Russia. Background This legal framework for restrictive measures was first introduced in April 2023 at the request of the Republic of Moldova. It allows the EU to impose sanctions against persons responsible for supporting or implementing actions which undermine or threaten Moldova’s sovereignty and independence, as well as the country’s democracy, the rule of law, stability or security. Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, efforts to destabilise Moldova have intensified, posing a direct threat to the stability and security of the external borders of the EU. Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/891 of 28 April 2023 concerning restrictive measures in view of actions destabilising the Republic of Moldova (consolidated text dated 15 July 2025) European Council conclusions, 26 June 2025 Moldova (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   21/04/2026 11:08 | Press release | New genomic techniques: Council adopts new rules to boost sustainable and competitive EU food systems   The Council has adopted new rules on genomic techniques (NGTs), establishing a framework to support a more competitive and sustainable EU agrifood sector.   The regulation is designed to enhance food security, reduce external dependencies and ensure a level playing field for European operators, while maintaining high standards for human and animal health and environmental protection. It also supports EU sustainability objectives by enabling the development of more resilient and resource-efficient crops. “Our farmers need practical solutions to adapt to climate change and remain competitive. These new rules give them access to innovation while ensuring clarity, fairness and high standards across the EU.” — Maria Panayiotou, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus NGTs are modern techniques that make precise, targeted changes to plant DNA to develop improved varieties more quickly, including those better able to withstand drought, floods and other climate-related challenges. Two categories of NGT plants The regulation distinguishes between two categories: Category 1 (NGT-1): Plants considered equivalent to conventional varieties. National authorities will verify their status, but their offspring will not require further checks. NGT-1 plants and products will not be labelled, except for seeds and other reproductive material, allowing operators to maintain NGT-free supply chains if desired. Certain traits, including herbicide tolerance and the production of known insecticidal substances, are excluded from this category. Category 2 (NGT-2): Plants with more complex genetic modifications. These remain subject to existing EU GMO legislation, including authorisation, traceability and mandatory labelling. Member states may opt out of cultivating NGT-2 plants and can introduce coexistence measures to prevent unintended presence in other products. Addressing intellectual property concerns While patent rules remain governed by the EU Biotech Directive, the regulation introduces new transparency measures. Developers of NGT-1 plants must provide information on relevant patents in a public database and may voluntarily indicate licensing intentions under fair conditions. An expert group will be established to assess the impact of patents on NGT plants. Within one year of the regulation’s entry into force, the Commission will publish a study on patenting effects on innovation, seed availability and sector competitiveness, and propose follow-up actions if needed. Next steps The text still needs to be formally adopted by the European Parliament. Once adopted, the regulation will enter into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the EU. Most provisions will apply after a 24-month transition period, allowing time to adopt implementing rules. The new framework is expected to apply from mid-2028. Background NGTs have emerged over the past decade as a result of advances in biotechnology. Those new technologies did not exist in 2001, when the EU legislation on GMOs was adopted. That is why plants obtained through NGTs are currently subject to the same rules as GMOs. The new framework aligns regulation with scientific progress, ensuring that NGT plants placed on the EU market are as safe as conventionally bred varieties, while keeping existing GMO legislation unchanged. Final agreed text Draft statement of the Council’s reasons New genomic techniques: Council and Parliament strike deal to boost the competitiveness and sustainability of our food systems (press release, 4 December 2025) Council negotiating mandate Commission proposal New genomic techniques: Council agrees negotiating mandate (press release, 14 March 2025)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   21/04/2026 10:42 | Press release | Council adopts rules to strengthen forest reproductive material and support EU seed sector   The Council today adopted new rules to improve the quality, availability and traceability of forest reproductive material (FRM), while supporting innovation and competitiveness in the EU seed sector. The regulation will strengthen the resilience of Europe’s forests to climate change, pests and diseases. It will support biodiversity, sustainable forest management and the conservation of genetic resources. Forest reproductive material, such as seeds and plants, is essential for forest regeneration, including reforestation and afforestation across the EU. “Today’s decision is a key step towards more resilient and sustainable forests in Europe. It improves the quality of forest reproductive material, supports innovation and gives member states better tools to manage forests and respond to future challenges.” — Maria Panayiotou, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus Key rules ensure that only approved and certified seeds and plants are placed on the market, helping to guarantee their quality and sustainability for planting. They also strengthen traceability, making it possible to track seeds and seedlings across the EU. At the same time, the regulation promotes more resilient forests by encouraging the use of planting material resilient to climate change and resistant to pests. It also introduces a simpler and more harmonised system of controls, making the rules easier to apply across members states. Next steps The regulation still needs to be formally voted by the European Parliament. The date of application of the regulation has been set to five years, to provide time for the necessary adaptation of over 25 years of established national practice and to implement the new control system. Council and Parliament reach provisional deal to boost the quality of forest reproductive material and support EU seed sector innovation (press release, 8 December 2025) FRM regulation Position of the Council at first reading   Visit the website ● Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης   21/04/2026 10:58 | Δελτίο τύπου | Έγκριση νέας πανευρωπαϊκής νομοθεσίας από το Συμβούλιο για την καταπολέμηση της διαφθοράς   Το Συμβούλιο έδωσε σήμερα το τελικό πράσινο φως για ένα νέο νομοθέτημα της ΕΕ το οποίο εναρμονίζει τον ορισμό της διαφθοράς σε όλα τα κράτη μέλη και θεσπίζει κοινό επίπεδο κυρώσεων για αυτού του είδους τα αδικήματα. Θεσπίζοντας μέτρα για την πρόληψη της διαφθοράς και κανόνες για την ενίσχυση της έρευνας και της δίωξης, το νομοθέτημα θα δώσει ώθηση στην καταπολέμηση της διαφθοράς τόσο στον δημόσιο όσο και στον ιδιωτικό τομέα. Η νέα οδηγία της ΕΕ θα αντικαταστήσει δύο υφιστάμενες νομικές πράξεις της: την απόφαση-πλαίσιο του 2003 για την καταπολέμηση της δωροδοκίας στον ιδιωτικό τομέα και τη σύμβαση της ΕΕ του 1997 για τη δωροδοκία στην οποία ενέχονται υπάλληλοι της ΕΕ και υπάλληλοι κρατών μελών της ΕΕ. Εναρμονισμένος ορισμός των αδικημάτων Χάρη στους νέους κανόνες, τα βασικά αδικήματα διαφθοράς ορίζονται και αντιμετωπίζονται με παρόμοιο τρόπο σε ολόκληρη την ΕΕ. Στα αδικήματα αυτά περιλαμβάνονται η δωροδοκία στον δημόσιο και τον ιδιωτικό τομέα, η υπεξαίρεση, η αθέμιτη άσκηση επιρροής έναντι ανταλλάγματος, η παρακώλυση της δικαιοσύνης, ο πλουτισμός από αδικήματα διαφθοράς, η απόκρυψη και ορισμένες σοβαρές παραβάσεις του νόμου μέσω παράνομης άσκησης δημόσιων καθηκόντων. Ευθυγράμμιση των κυρώσεων Σύμφωνα με τους νέους κανόνες της ΕΕ, τα κράτη μέλη πρέπει να ορίσουν κοινά ελάχιστα επίπεδα κυρώσεων για τα αδικήματα της διαφθοράς, μεριμνώντας ώστε οι μέγιστες κυρώσεις να μην είναι υπερβολικά επιεικείς. Για τα άτομα που διαπράττουν τέτοια αδικήματα προβλέπονται ποινές φυλάκισης που κυμαίνονται από τρία έως πέντε έτη, ανάλογα με το αδίκημα. Αντιμέτωπες με κυρώσεις είναι δυνατόν να βρεθούν και εταιρείες, με τα πρόστιμα να κυμαίνονται από το 3% έως το 5% του συνολικού παγκόσμιου κύκλου εργασιών τους ή από 24 έως 40 εκατ. ευρώ, ανάλογα με το αδίκημα. Τα κράτη μέλη θα πρέπει επίσης να συγκροτήσουν εξειδικευμένους φορείς για την πρόληψη της διαφθοράς και την ευαισθητοποίηση του κοινού για το φαινόμενο, καλλιεργώντας μια νοοτροπία ακεραιότητας. Διεθνή πρότυπα Η ΕΕ είναι συμβαλλόμενο μέρος της Σύμβασης των Ηνωμένων Εθνών κατά της Διαφθοράς (UNCAC), η οποία αποτελεί την πιο ολοκληρωμένη διεθνή νομική πράξη στο πεδίο αυτό. Η οδηγία θα επικαιροποιήσει το ήδη υφιστάμενο νομοθετικό πλαίσιο της ΕΕ και θα συμπεριλάβει διεθνή πρότυπα που είναι δεσμευτικά για την ΕΕ, όπως αυτά της UNCAC. Επόμενα βήματα Η οδηγία τίθεται σε ισχύ 20 ημέρες μετά τη δημοσίευσή της στην Επίσημη Εφημερίδα της ΕΕ. Τα κράτη μέλη έχουν διορία 24 μηνών για να μεταφέρουν την οδηγία στο εθνικό τους δίκαιο. Εξαιρούνται οι διατάξεις σχετικά με τις εκτιμήσεις κινδύνου και τις εθνικές στρατηγικές, για τις οποίες η προθεσμία είναι 36 μήνες. Χρονολόγιο   Επισκεφτείτε τον ιστοχώρο ● Council of the EU   21/04/2026 13:09 | Press release | Russian hybrid threats: EU lists two entities over information manipulation activities   The Council today decided to adopt restrictive measures against two additional entities responsible for Russia’s continued hybrid activities, in particular propaganda and disinformation. The Council is listing today Euromore, a media platform operating within the pro Kremlin information architecture as an unofficial media relay. Euromore amplifies, recycles, and legitimises Russian narratives and disinformation targeting European audiences. Furthermore, it recurrently disseminates content challenging the legitimacy of EU institutions and justifying Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Restrictive measures are also imposed on the Foundation for the Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad (Pravfond). This is a core instrument of the Russian Federation’s foreign influence and propaganda strategy, which is founded and financed by the Russian state. Pravfond’s legal and analytical output is systematically used to reinforce key Kremlin disinformation points, notably allegations of the 'nazification' of Ukraine, claims of widespread 'Russophobia', and assertions of 'systematic persecution of Russian-speaking populations in neighbouring states'. Through their activities the designated entities are responsible for supporting the actions and policies of the Russian government, which undermine democracy, the rule of law, stability, and security in the European Union and Ukraine. With today’s decision, restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities now apply to a total of 69 individuals and 19 entities. Those listed today are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to them. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background The framework for restrictive measures in response to Russia’s destabilising actions was set up on 8 October 2024 to target those engaged in actions and policies by the government of the Russian Federation, which undermine the fundamental values of the EU and its member states, their security, stability, independence and integrity. The sanctions regime targets also those responsible for Russia’s hybrid activities against third countries and international organisations. On 18 December 2025, the European Council adopted conclusions in which it strongly condemned all recent hybrid attacks against the Union and its member states. The EU and its member states will continue to draw on the full range of tools available to protect, prevent, deter from and respond to such malicious behaviour. Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/884 of 21 April 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/885 of 21 April 2026 implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2642 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities (consolidated text dated 16 March 2026) European Council conclusions of 18 December 2025 Russia's hybrid activities: EU sanctions (background information)   Visit the website