2025 Digital Decade Report Calls for Action on Digital Transformation and Technological Sovereignty
The European Commissions 2025 Digital Decade report reviews the EUs progress towards digital transformation by 2030, pinpointing successes and shortcomings in digital infrastructure, business digitalization, digital skills, and public service digitalization.
Despite advancements, the deployment of connectivity infrastructure like fiber and 5G networks is still behind schedule. More businesses are integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and big data, yet growth must speed up. Just over half of Europeans (55.6%) possess basic digital skills, while the number of ICT specialists with advanced skills is low and shows a significant gender gap, impeding progress in vital sectors like cybersecurity and AI. In 2024, the EU made steady strides in digitalizing essential public services, but a large portion of government digital infrastructure still relies on providers outside the EU.
Ongoing challenges include fragmented markets, complex regulations, security issues, and strategic dependencies. Increased public and private investment and improved access to venture capital for EU companies are crucial for accelerating innovation and scaling up.
Member States will review the Commissions recommendations and discuss future actions with the Commission. In 2026, the Commission will reassess the DDPPs targets to ensure they align with the evolving digital landscape and the EUs priorities.
Find more information online and on the factpage.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier - Tel.: +32 2 29 91099; Patricia Poropat - Tel.: +32 2 29 80485)
Commission Seeks Experts for AI Scientific Panel
The European Commission is establishing a scientific panel of independent experts to aid in implementing and enforcing the AI Act.
This panel will concentrate on general-purpose AI (GPAI) models, advising the EU AI Office and national authorities on systemic risks, model classifications, evaluation methods, and market surveillance. It will also notify the AI Office of emerging risks.
The Commission is seeking 60 members for a renewable 24-month term.
Candidates should possess expertise in GPAI models, AI impacts, or related fields, including model evaluation, risk assessment, cybersecurity, and emerging systemic risks. Experts must hold a PhD or have equivalent experience and remain independent of any AI provider.
The selection process will ensure gender balance and representation from EU Member States and EEA/EFTA countries. While EU citizenship is not mandatory, 80% of experts must be from EU or EFTA Member States.
Applications are open until September 14. More information is available here.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier — Tel.: + 32 2 299 10 99; Nika Blazevic — Tel.: + 32 2 299 27 17)
CETA Evaluation Shows Strong Economic and Social Benefits
A study published today indicates that the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has boosted trade exports and diversified supply chains across all EU Member States. Conducted by independent experts, the study provides solid evidence that open, rules-based, predictable, and cooperative trade is effective.
CETA has fostered EU-Canadian cooperation on critical raw materials, enhancing the security of supply for both partners. Additionally, due to the Agreements ambitious opening of the Canadian procurement market to EU bidders, the value of government contracts available to EU companies in Canada is 8.4% higher with CETA.
The study examines the economic, social, environmental, and human rights impacts of the agreement on both parties, including institutional analysis and stakeholder concerns. Extensive stakeholder consultations were conducted across the EU and Canada.
Maroš
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99; Ana Apse-Paese – Tel.: +32 2 298 73 48)
Commission Approves Acquisition of Saba by Interparking
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Saba Infraestructuras, S.A. (Saba) of Spain by Interparking S.A. (Interparking) of Belgium.
The transaction primarily concerns the operation of paid public car parking services.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns due to its limited impact on competition in the markets where the companies operate. The transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commissions competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11818.
(For more information: Arianna Podestà – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission Approves Acquisition of Eurocebollas by Portobello and Solina
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Solions Ingredients, S.L. (Eurocebollas) by Portobello Capital Gestion, SGEIC, S.A. (Portobello), both of Spain, and Solina France SASU (Solina) of France.
The transaction primarily concerns the fruit and vegetable processing sector.
The Commission determined that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the joint venture has negligible activities in the European Economic Area and the companies limited individual and combined market positions resulting from the proposed transaction. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commissions competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11954.
(For more information: Arianna Podestà – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission Approves Acquisition of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings by Clearlake Capital Group
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. by Clearlake Capital Group, L.P., both of the US.
The transaction primarily concerns data processing and business and management consultancy sectors.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns due to the companies limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commissions competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11990.
(For more information: Arianna Podestà – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission Approves Acquisition of Ultimus Group by Stone Point and GTCR
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Ultimus Group LLC (Ultimus Group) by Stone Point Capital LLC (Stone Point) and GTCR, all of the US.
The transaction primarily relates to fund administration and related investor services.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the limited impact on the European Economic Area. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commissions competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12007.
(For more information: Arianna Podestà – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission Approves Acquisition of AC Logistics by AC and APMC
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of AC Logistics Holdings Corporation (AC Logistics) by Ayala Corporation (AC), both of the Philippines, and A.P. Møller Capital P/S (APMC) of Denmark.
The transaction primarily concerns freight forwarding and warehousing.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the limited impact on the European Economic Area. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commissions competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11996.
(For more information: Arianna Podestà – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission Approves Acquisition of USI, Ridgeview, and JKT Holdings by KKR and TMUS
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of U.S. Internet Corp. (USI), Ridgeview, Inc. (Ridgeview), and JKT Holdings, Inc. by KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR) and T-Mobile USA, Inc. (TMUS), all of the US.
The transaction primarily concerns the provision of internet fibre services in the US.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the joint venture has negligible activities in the European Economic Area. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commissions competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11985.
(For more information: Arianna Podestà – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Executive Vice-President Fitto Participates in the Cities Forum 2025 in Kraków
On June 18, Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto will participate in the Cities Forum 2025 in Kraków, Poland. This event, co-organized by the European Commission and the European Urban Initiative, serves as the flagship platform to discuss the urban dimension of EU Cohesion policy.
This years Forum, held in a hybrid format for the first time, will bring together over 800 participants, including more than 50 mayors and deputy mayors, 111 speakers, and high-level representatives from all government levels. Under the theme ‘Empowering cities, shaping Europes future, the Forum will tackle key urban challenges such as housing, digitalization, competitiveness, social inclusion, climate adaptation, and urban mobility.
Executive Vice-President Fitto will deliver a keynote speech on the second day of the Forum during the Stakeholders Dialogue Session. The Forum provides a vital opportunity for dialogue among EU institutions, Member States, cities, and stakeholders, reaffirming the role of cities as engines of growth, innovation, and sustainability across Europe. Interested individuals can register and attend the event online.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki: +32 229-66483; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 298 25 04)
Commissioner Brunner in Sweden to Discuss Internal Security, Migration, and Organised Crime
Today, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, is in Sweden for a series of bilateral meetings to discuss migration and internal security priorities, including the fight against organized crime.
This morning, Commissioner Brunner met with Swedens Minister of Justice, Gunnar Strömmer, and Minister of Finance, Elisabeth Svantesson. Discussions focused on combating organized crime and the new EU internal security strategy. The Commissioner then visited the Swedish Police Authority, where discussions highlighted challenges related to the online recruitment of minors. Following this, Commissioner Brunner held talks with the Minister for Migration, Johan Forssell, to address migration and integration priorities.
Commissioner Brunner will also participate in a working lunch with Minister Forssell, Minister Strömmer, and Minister for EU Affairs, Jessica Rosencrantz, to further discuss migration, internal security, and milestones marking Swedens 30 years in the EU, followed by a joint press conference scheduled for 12:45 CEST at Rosenbad.
The day will conclude with a meeting at the Swedish Parliament (Riksdagen) to discuss Europols operational capabilities and new rules on returns, safe third countries, legal migration, and the fight against smuggling.
(For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Elettra Di Massa – Tel.: +32 2 298 21 61)
Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.
Upcoming events of the European Commission
Eurostat press releases