EU Council

The Council of the EU is raising the question of whether Europe needs its own payment system, prompting discussion about reducing reliance on foreign card networks and payment providers. The debate touches on European strategic autonomy, the future of the euro in digital payments, and initiatives such as a potential European payment solution that could compete with dominant international schemes.

Greece has announced plans to establish a European deportation centre in Africa during its EU Council presidency, which begins in summer 2027. The government says preparations are reportedly already underway. The proposal revives long-debated plans to process returns and deportations outside Europe, a highly contentious idea among EU member states, human rights groups and migration experts.