COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,EUROGROUP,update

 

Press material Monday, 08 June 2026

● Council of the EU   08/06/2026 10:19 | Media advisory | Press briefings - Eurogroup meeting of 11 June and Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 12 June 2026   The press briefings ahead of the Eurogroup meeting of 11 June 2026 and Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 12 June 2026 will take place on Tuesday, 9 June starting at: 15.00 on Eurogroup 16.30 on Economic and Financial Affairs Council These press briefings will be "off the record" and 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 Eurogroup or Economic and Financial Affairs Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Tuesday, 9 June 2026 at 14.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Registration page Media accreditation for journalists Eurogroup, 11 June 2026 Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 12 June 2026   Visit the website ● Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης   08/06/2026 09:26 | Συνεδριάσεις | Κύρια σημεία της ημερήσιας διάταξης - Συμβούλιο Οικονομικών και Δημοσιονομικών Θεμάτων, 12 June 2026   Το Συμβούλιο θα επιδιώξει να καθορίσει τη θέση του σχετικά με την ενίσχυση του μηχανισμού συνοριακής προσαρμογής άνθρακα —του εργαλείου της ΕΕ για την καταπολέμηση της διαρροής άνθρακα, πριν από τις διαπραγματεύσεις με το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο. Οι υπουργοί θα διεξαγάγουν επίσης συζήτηση προσανατολισμού σχετικά με τη δέσμη μέτρων για την ολοκλήρωση των αγορών και την εποπτεία —βασικό στοιχείο της Ένωσης Αποταμιεύσεων και Επενδύσεων της ΕΕ .   Ειδική σελίδα συνεδρίασης ● Council of the EU   08/06/2026 10:01 | Press release | Foreign investment screening: Council signs off on updated framework   The Council today adopted a regulation revising the EU framework for screening foreign direct investments (FDI), strengthening the EU’s ability to identify, assess and address risks to security and public order linked to certain foreign investments. “With today's adoption, the EU is reinforcing its capacity to protect security and public order while remaining open to foreign investment. The updated framework provides greater consistency across the Union, as it will apply to all EU member states, covering an extended common minimum scope for national screening authorities which will focus on the most sensitive technologies and infrastructures, ensuring effective cooperation with member states. At a time of growing geopolitical competition, protecting the EU’s strategic assets and economic security interests is more important than ever.” — Michael Damianos, Minister for Energy, Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus The new rules replace the existing FDI screening framework, which has been in force since 2020, and aim to ensure a more coordinated and effective approach across the EU to safeguard security and public order. The revised regulation requires all member states to establish screening mechanisms covering a common minimum scope of sensitive sectors, technologies and infrastructure (such as dual-use items and military equipment, critical raw materials, artificial intelligence, energy, transport and digital infrastructure), including foreign investments made through EU-based subsidiaries, while maintaining sole national responsibility for screening decisions. The regulation also improves cooperation between member states and the European Commission, increases transparency and consistency across national screening systems, and streamlines procedures for investors and public authorities. In addition, it introduces new tools to facilitate information exchange and prevent circumvention of the rules. Next steps The regulation will be published in the official journal and enter into force 20 days after publication. The new rules will start applying 18 months after the entry into force of the regulation. Background The current FDI screening regulation has been in force since October 2020 and created, for the first time, an EU-wide framework enabling member states and the Commission to cooperate on the screening of foreign direct investments likely to affect security or public order. After its introduction, all member states have established a national screening mechanism. However, divergences in scope, thresholds, timelines and procedures persist, creating uncertainty for investors and potential risks for the internal market. Moreover, evolving geopolitical and technological challenges, including threats to critical infrastructure, supply chain dependencies and the rapid development of dual-use and other technologies, highlighted the need to update the EU’s approach. The revision of the regulation was one of the initiatives announced in the Commission’s 2024 package on strengthening the EU’s economic security. Regulation on the screening of foreign investments in the Union Note for the Council Voting results EU Law Tracker Foreign direct investment: Council and Parliament reached political agreement to improve FDI screening (press release, 11 December 2025) Foreign direct investment screening explained (background information) European economic security (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   08/06/2026 10:05 | Press release | Steel overcapacity: Council greenlights new rules to protect the EU steel market from global overcapacity   The Council today adopted a regulation establishing a new framework to protect the EU steel market from the negative trade-related effects of global overcapacity, as outlined in the Steel and Metals Action Plan of 2025. The new rules will replace the current EU steel safeguard measure, which expires on 30 June 2026, ensuring continued protection for the EU steel sector. “Steel is indispensable to Europe's industrial base, its green transition and its security. With today's adoption, the EU is putting in place a stronger framework to respond to global market distortions, protect fair competition and provide greater certainty for both steel producers and downstream industries.” — Michael Damianos, Minister for Energy, Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus The regulation introduces a revised tariff-rate quota (TRQ) system aimed at addressing the negative trade-related effects of structural global overcapacity, including a reduction in import quotas and higher duties on imports exceeding those quotas. It also provides greater flexibility for economic operators through rules allowing the carry-over of unused quotas from one quarter to the next only within the same year, while ensuring adequate supply for downstream industries and maintaining compatibility with the EU’s international trade obligations. To improve transparency and help prevent circumvention, the regulation also introduces provisions related to the ‘melt and pour’ requirement, which identifies the country where the steel was first melted and poured into its initial solid form. In addition, it establishes a reinforced review mechanism allowing the Commission to assess the scope and effectiveness of the measure and propose adjustments where necessary in response to market developments and evolving global overcapacity conditions. In a joint declaration accompanying the regulation, the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission reaffirm their commitment to reducing economic dependencies on Russia, emphasising ongoing efforts to diversify steel imports, with the gradual phase-out of Russian steel products. Next steps The regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the EU and will start applying from 1 July 2026. Background Steel is an essential material for the EU economy, including for its green transition and strategically important sectors such as defence, and vital for the EU’s economic security and social stability. The EU steelmaking industry is the world's third largest producer, directly employing around 300,000 people and sustaining regional economies across member states. This key industry is currently facing significant pressure from unsustainable levels of global overcapacity, which is projected to grow to 721 million tonnes by 2027, more than five times the EU's annual consumption. This overcapacity, combined with trade-restrictive measures from third countries that limit imports into their markets, has made the EU market the primary recipient of global excess steel. This has led to increasing imports, low-capacity utilisation (67% in 2024), high EU manufacturing costs, and ultimately threatens the industry's long-term ability to invest in decarbonisation. To address these critical challenges, including the loss of some 65 million tonnes of capacity and up to 100,000 jobs since 2007, the Commission announced its intention to prepare a new steel measure in March 2025. The proposal was then tabled in October 2025. Regulation addressing the negative trade-related effects of global overcapacity on the Union steel market Note for the Council Joint statement by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on import of steel products from Russia Statements by member states Voting results EU Law Tracker Council and European Parliament strike deal to protect EU’s steel industry from global overcapacity (press release, 13 April 2026) European steel and metals action plan (European Commission)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   08/06/2026 10:09 | Press release | Council greenlights law reinforcing protection of victims’ rights   Today, the Council gave the final go-ahead to an EU law that reinforces the rights of victims to information, support and protection. Victims will be able to report a crime more easily and will have access to an EU-wide helpline for support and information. Victims’ personal data will also be better protected. This new directive updates the 2012 EU law on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime. “This updated EU law sends a clear message: victims deserve strong protection of their rights and effective support. No one should have to face the aftermath of crime alone. With the EU-wide helpline 116 006, victims anywhere in the EU can access information on their rights, as well as support and guidance when they need it most.” — Costas Fytiris, Minister of Justice and Public order of the Republic of Cyprus Key provisions 116 006 - EU-wide helpline for victim support Victims of crime across the EU will benefit from faster and more accessible support through an EU-wide helpline under the common number: 116 006. Through this helpline, victims will receive information on their rights, emotional support and guidance on available support services. Existing national helpline numbers may continue to operate alongside the EU-wide number. Easier crime reporting Member states will have to make it easier for victims to report crimes through accessible and user-friendly digital tools when this is in their best interest. Victims will be able to report criminal offences online and submit evidence electronically. Stronger protection for child victims Children who are victims of crime will benefit from dedicated, child-friendly support services. These will include age-appropriate protection measures, psychological support and the possibility of having their interviews recorded on video. Access to legal aid Victims participating in criminal proceedings who cannot afford a lawyer will have access to legal aid, helping them exercise their rights and seek compensation. Faster compensation Victims who have been awarded compensation in the course of criminal proceedings will benefit from stronger measures to ensure that they receive it from the offender. In cases of violent intentional crime, if compensation is not paid within a reasonable time, member states, upon certain conditions, may advance the payment and later recover the amount from the offender. Protection of personal data Victims will benefit from stronger safeguards to protect their contact details, with the aim of encouraging them to report crime and seek justice. Next steps  The directive will be published in the Official Journal in July 2026, and it will enter into force 20 days after publication. Member states will have 24 months to transpose the directive into national law. Background An estimated 70–75 million people in the EU are victims of crime each year, according to the Commission. In France alone, 116 006 helpline receives more than 72 000 calls per year. Currently, only 14 countries set up this victim helpline. Timeline EU Law Tracker Fighting crime (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   08/06/2026 10:19 | Media advisory | Press briefings - Eurogroup meeting of 11 June and Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 12 June 2026   The press briefings ahead of the Eurogroup meeting of 11 June 2026 and Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 12 June 2026 will take place on Tuesday, 9 June starting at: 15.00 on Eurogroup 16.30 on Economic and Financial Affairs Council These press briefings will be "off the record" and 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 Eurogroup or Economic and Financial Affairs Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Tuesday, 9 June 2026 at 14.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Registration page Media accreditation for journalists Eurogroup, 11 June 2026 Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 12 June 2026   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   08/06/2026 10:14 | Press release | European Peace Facility: Council adopts the second assistance measure in support of the Egyptian Armed Forces   The Council today adopted an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility (EPF) worth €20 million to the benefit of the Egyptian Armed Forces (EAF). The objective of the assistance measure is to strengthen the capacities of the EAF to enhance Egypt’s national security and stability as well as the protection of civilians. More specifically, support will increase the capabilities of the EAF to ensure maritime security in the Mediterranean and Red Sea. Today’s decision demonstrates the importance that the EU attaches to its relations with Egypt, amidst a highly volatile regional context, with a decision which brings total EPF support for Egypt to €40 million since 2024. Following the entry into force of the Association Agreement in 2004, the EU and Egypt signed in 2024 a Joint Declaration on a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, which further elevated their relationship with a focus on six pillars: political relations; economic stability; trade and investments; migration and mobility; security; demography and human capital. Today’s adoption reflects the growing EU-Egypt security and defence cooperation, also in the light of the first EU-Egypt Security and Defence Dialogue held on 31st March 2026 in Cairo. Background and next steps The European Peace Facility was established in March 2021 for the financing of actions under the common foreign and security policy to prevent conflicts, preserve peace and strengthen international security and stability. In particular, the European Peace Facility allows the EU to finance actions designed to strengthen the capacities of third States and regional and international organisations relating to military and defence matters. European Peace Facility (background information) Security and defence (background information) EU–Egypt relations: facts and figures (infographic)   Visit the website