European Commission

A collection of 155 posts

EC unveils EUR 2tn 2028-34 budget draft, tilting funding model towards CEE countries

EC unveils EUR 2tn 2028-34 budget draft, tilting funding model towards CEE countries

The EC is expected to present the proposal formally as part of its mid-term budget review later this year. The plan must be approved unanimously by all 27 member states and endorsed by the European Parliament. Opposition is expected from net contributor countries and regions facing cuts.

Poland, Czechia, Baltics lead Ukraine recovery push, Hungary, Slovakia reject plans

Poland, Czechia, Baltics lead Ukraine recovery push, Hungary, Slovakia reject plans

CEE contributions include cross-border logistics, public-private coordination platforms, and green recovery initiatives. Regional forums such as the Three Seas Initiative are also expected to play a larger role in financing and implementation.

Poland leads EU funding recipients with EUR 123.3 bn in long‑term budget draft

Poland leads EU funding recipients with EUR 123.3 bn in long‑term budget draft

The European Commission (EC) published long-term budget allocation plans on 17 July, showing Poland set to receive the highest national allocation under the 2028-34 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), totalling EUR 123.3bn.

CEE countries jointly oppose EU's 'flexible funding' plan

CEE countries jointly oppose EU's 'flexible funding' plan

The signatories, including Poland, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, said the policy’s “visibility and predictability” would be compromised if merged into a broader single investment fund.

Hungary's decision to quit international court triggers diplomatic fallout

Hungary's decision to quit international court triggers diplomatic fallout

The withdrawal will take legal effect on 2 June 2026, making Hungary the first EU member state to exit the Rome Statute, which underpins the ICC’s jurisdiction to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

China deepens CEE links on agro, rail, as bilateral trade climbs 6.3%

China deepens CEE links on agro, rail, as bilateral trade climbs 6.3%

China's trade with Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) reached USD 142.3bn in 2024, marking a 6.3% year-on-year increase, surpassing China's overall foreign trade growth rate by 2.5 percentage points, according to China's General Administration of Customs. The total marked a 4.

Bulgaria’s euro debate intensifies as pro-EU opposition pushes January adoption date

Bulgaria’s euro debate intensifies as pro-EU opposition pushes January adoption date

Bulgaria’s pro-European opposition has tabled a declaration committing the country to join the Eurozone on 1 January 2026, challenging the government to reaffirm its commitment to its deadline, amid suggestions of a referendum on the issue. The We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) coalition, called for Parliament to restate

Romania powers up its largest EV hub to support EU Green Deal transport targets

Romania powers up its largest EV hub to support EU Green Deal transport targets

In a new step in the cleaner transport transition, OMV Petrom has inaugurated Romania's largest electric vehicle (EV) hub with 34 charging points of up to 400kW on the A1 motorway near Miercurea Sibiului, central Romania. The site is located on the Rhine-Danube Corridor - one of Romania’

Hungary pays neighbours to avoid blackouts: lessons from Spain’s recent energy crisis

Hungary pays neighbours to avoid blackouts: lessons from Spain’s recent energy crisis

Hungary currently leads the world for share of solar energy in its energy mix, as it generated a quarter of its domestic electricity from photovoltaic panels in 2024. However, the recent massive blackout in Spain and Portugal served as a reminder of the challenges involved with high reliance on renewable