EU and Canada sign security and defense partnership at the joint 20th Summit
The leaders of the European Union and Canada – Presidents Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa for the EU, with Prime Minister Mark Carney for Canada – agreed to enhance their cooperation at the 20th EU-Canada Summit. They signed a significant Security and Defense Partnership to boost Canadas role in Europes evolving defense framework. Talks will begin soon on a new bilateral agreement for Canada to access SAFE, Europes arms procurement initiative, facilitating investments in innovative defense projects.
The EU and Canada reviewed the success of the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA), which has led to a 71% increase in trade since its provisional entry into force in 2017, adding €3.2 billion to the EUs GDP and €1.3 billion to Canadas annually. CETA showcases the benefits of open and fair trade for mutual prosperity.
The leaders committed to enhancing cooperation on critical raw materials to secure supply chains. They will also start discussions on industrial policy for greater collaboration in areas like clean technology. Recognizing the potential for digital cooperation, they aim to establish a Digital Trade Agreement to align standards and collaborate in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies.
A joint statement detailing results, President von der Leyens speech, and a factsheet with additional information are available online.
(For more information: Paula Pinho – Tel.: +32 498 98 25 31; Anitta Hipper – Tel.: +32 460 76 14 21)
Commission presents Roadmap for effective and lawful access to data for law enforcement
The European Commission today introduced a Roadmap aimed at ensuring law enforcement authorities in the EU have effective and lawful access to data. This roadmap is crucial for the ProtectEU – the EUs Internal Security Strategy presented in April this year.
With 85% of criminal investigations relying on electronic evidence, law enforcement needs improved tools and a modern legal framework to access digital data lawfully while respecting fundamental rights.
The Roadmap highlights six key areas: data retention, lawful interception, digital forensics, decryption, standardization, and AI solutions for law enforcement.
The Commission encourages Member States to discuss the Roadmap at the July Informal Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council on 22-23 July.
Further information is available in a press release online.
(For more information: Markus Lammert - Tel: +32 229-67533; Elettra Di Massa - Tel.: +32 2 298 21 61)
Commission welcomes agreement to make voting in European and municipal elections easier from abroad
The Commission has welcomed the new rules on voting rights for Europeans living in different Member States, adopted today. Proposed by the Commission in November 2021, these rules require Member States to provide timely, clear information on voter registration, election dates, and voting procedures in widely understood languages. They ensure that Europeans residing in another Member State have equal access to early voting and postal or online voting, similar to nationals of that state. New templates will simplify the registration process for voters and candidates, and a new secure system – provided by the Commission – will help countries share data to prevent multiple voting.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, stated: “Todays adoption is a significant win for Europeans abroad. Easier voting empowers everyone to influence policies that matter to them, strengthening democracy for all.”
Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, added: “No one should face barriers to voting, regardless of their European country of residence. The new rules will enhance access to clear, multilingual information, guarantee fair voting rights, and strengthen safeguards for all Europeans.”
A recent report on the 2024 European Parliament elections indicated that while around 14 million mobile citizens exist, few participate in European elections. The new rules will facilitate voting for all. Member States have until June 2027 to implement these rules.
(For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Cristina Torres Castillo – Tel.: + 32 2 299 06 79)
Commission extends the free and safe flow of data with the UK by six months
Today, the Commission announced a six-month extension of two adequacy decisions with the United Kingdom, allowing the free flow of data until December 27, 2025. This extension, proposed in March, aims to give the UK time to finalize its new Data Bill. The UK has adopted the Data Bill last week, and the Commission is now evaluating whether the new legal framework adequately protects personal data. Based on this assessment, the Commission will decide on renewing the adequacy decisions. Meanwhile, key safeguards from the UK legal framework that were deemed adequate in 2021 remain effective for data transferred from the EU.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, remarked: “The EU and UK are among the most digitally connected markets globally. Maintaining smooth data flows is crucial for our partnership. Todays extension ensures data continues to flow freely while we assess the UKs new data law for potential renewal of adequacy decisions.”
Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, said: “Data is essential for trade, justice, and law enforcement. This extension guarantees uninterrupted data exchanges between the EU and UK, fostering cross-border business and cooperation while allowing time for evaluating the UKs new data law.”
This six-month technical extension follows a favorable opinion from the European Data Protection Board in May and approval by Member States on June 2. More information on adequacy decisions is available online.
(For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Cristina Torres Castillo – Tel.: + 32 2 299 06 79)
Commission launches AI tools on online platform for researchers and industry
The Commission introduced new features for AI researchers and industry on its AI-on-Demand platform, including an AI marketplace and development tools requiring minimal coding, along with secure solutions for generative AI and large language models.
Developed jointly by EU-funded projects AI4Europe and DeployAI, this platform provides trustworthy AI tools and solutions for researchers and industry. Innovators will access a researcher-focused suite of datasets, tools, and computing resources. SMEs, businesses, and public sector organizations can utilize trusted tools, resources, and ready-to-use AI modules tailored to industry needs.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, stated: “Today marks a significant step in positioning Europe as a leader in innovation and AI. This platform will enable our dynamic industries and talented individuals to harness trustworthy European AI and bridge the innovation gap.”
The central access point to a common AI toolbox will enhance the EUs capabilities, as outlined in the AI Continent Action Plan. The Commission invites AI developers to register their tools and solutions, increasing visibility within a growing network of AI innovators and providing exposure to enterprises seeking ready-to-deploy AI solutions. By compiling trusted AI resources, the platform will accelerate the adoption of secure and scalable AI across European industries and the public sector.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier - Tel.: +32 2 29 91099; Patricia Poropat - Tel.: +32 2 29 80485).
The European Commission to issue €70 billion in EU-Bonds during the second half of 2025
The European Commission announced its intention to issue up to €70 billion of EU-Bonds in the latter half of 2025, building on the €86 billion already raised in the first half of the year.
Following established practice, the Commission will conduct these issuances under its unified funding approach, using semi-annual funding plans to communicate target issuance volumes based on evolving financing needs. This issuance will fund disbursements for NextGenerationEU and other policy programs, such as the Ukraine Facility and the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, as well as Macro Financial Assistance loans to neighboring countries. Further NextGenerationEU Green Bond issuances will depend on Member States notifications and validations of additional climate-relevant expenditures in line with the NextGenerationEU Green Bond Framework.
A press release with more details is available online.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Isabel Otero Barderas – Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25)
Commission Annual Tax Report shows fall in EU tax revenues, amid stable tax mix and growing reform efforts
The European Commission has released its Annual Report on Taxation (ART), providing a comprehensive overview of taxation policies across EU countries. This report evaluates recent trends in EU tax systems and identifies ways to enhance compliance.
Tax revenues in the EU-27 have decreased to 39% of GDP, the lowest since 2011, primarily due to reduced income from environmental and property taxes. The overall tax mix has remained relatively stable over the past decade. However, labor taxes have dropped to 51.2%, consumption taxes to 26.9%, while capital taxes have increased to 21.9% due to rising company profits. The report emphasizes that lowering labor taxes, particularly for lower earners, is essential for boosting employment.
In 2024, Member States proposed nearly 500 tax reform measures to increase revenue while ensuring fairness, promoting sustainability, and encouraging investment. Compliance gaps remain a significant concern, with the EU experiencing a VAT revenue loss of €89 billion in 2022, a notable figure amid high public debt and deficits. The report underscores the importance of tax audits in enhancing revenue and compliance, highlighting that tax authorities conducted 10 million audits in 2022, generating an additional €105 billion for public spending.
Moreover, the report indicates that an aging population will increase pressure on tax systems due to higher expenditures and a shrinking workforce. In some Member States, the share of tax revenues allocated to public pensions is expected to rise by over 10% between 2022 and 2050. This demographic shift may necessitate reducing reliance on labor taxes and exploring alternative revenue streams.
The report is available online. More information can be found on the dedicated website.
(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen - Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Saul Louis Goulding – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 35)
Commission clears acquisition of Karafun Group by Vendis and Verlinvest
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Karafun Group SAS of France by Vendis Capital IV BV/SRL (‘Vendis) and Verlinvest SA, both of Belgium.
The transaction primarily relates to the market for digital solutions, including websites, software, and applications for karaoke sessions, as well as digital music training solutions offered to business customers and consumers worldwide.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, as the companies are not active in the same or vertically related markets. The transaction was reviewed under the simplified merger procedure.
More information is available on the Commissions competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12024.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Executive Vice-President Mînzatu to open the Digital Education Stakeholder Forum 2025: Shaping Europes Competitiveness and Resilience through Digital Skills
Today, the Digital Education Stakeholder Forum 2025 is gathering around 250 participants from the education and training sector, including teachers, students, policymakers, and researchers, to discuss Europes digital potential in education. Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu opened the event in Brussels. Discussions build on the results of the mid-term review of the Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027), focusing on integrating artificial intelligence into education, promoting digital literacy, and addressing ethical challenges posed by new technologies.
Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu stated: “We need to bridge the gap between the digital skills of European citizens and the labor markets demands. The Union of Skills supports this goal through concrete actions and targets to enhance both basic and advanced digital qualifications from quality education and training, allowing individuals to upskill and reskill throughout their lives.”
The Forum will inform the 2030 Roadmap on the future of digital education and skills, expected later this year. The Roadmap aims to establish a robust EU digital education ecosystem, promote equal access to digital education and training, and foster partnerships with EU-based EdTech companies.
The plenary, morning and closing sessions, can be followed online. More information on the event is available online.
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Quentin Cortès - Tel.: +32 2 291 32 83)
Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.
Upcoming events of the European Commission
Eurostat press releases