European Council

The European Union is pressing ahead with plans to build a homegrown payment system, reducing reliance on US-dominated card networks like Visa and Mastercard. The initiative, promoted by the Council of the EU, aims to give Europe strategic autonomy over financial infrastructure, ensure cheaper transactions within the bloc, and protect against geopolitical shocks. The push has drawn wide attention and debate about cost, practicality and whether a European scheme can win over consumers and merchants.

The EU is pushing to develop its own payment infrastructure, reducing reliance on US-operated networks such as Visa and Mastercard. The Council of the EU has highlighted the strategic importance of European payment sovereignty, arguing that dependence on foreign card schemes leaves the bloc vulnerable and costs money in fees. Debate centres on scaling up home-grown solutions like Wero and possible regulation to support a unified European alternative.

European Union institutions are debating the creation of a payment system made in Europe, an effort to reduce dependence on US-owned card networks such as Visa and Mastercard. The Council of the EU has highlighted the question publicly, drawing significant attention as the EU moves forward with the digital euro project and weighs strategic autonomy in financial infrastructure.

The Council of the European Union has identified the first five projects of common interest for the European defence industry, a step meant to boost cooperation between member states' defence manufacturers and strengthen Europe's capacity to produce military equipment collectively. The move is part of broader EU efforts to deepen defence integration in response to security concerns on the continent.

The Council of the European Union has adopted the so-called pharma package, a major revision of the bloc's pharmaceutical legislation aimed at making the sector fairer and more competitive. The reform is intended to modernise rules on medicines' authorisation, availability and affordability across EU member states, and now forms part of the Union's wider health policy agenda.

The Council of the European Union has moved to strengthen the EU's architecture for responding to threats in space. The step is part of broader European efforts to protect satellites and space infrastructure that underpin communications, navigation and security. The announcement comes as concerns grow over anti-satellite weapons, space debris and the vulnerability of critical orbital assets.

The Council of the European Union has decided to extend the mandate of EUBAM Rafah, the EU Border Assistance Mission at the Rafah crossing point, until 30 June 2027. The announcement was made by the European External Action Service. The mission concerns the monitoring of the crossing between Gaza and Egypt, and the extension signals continued EU commitment to a border presence in the region.

A Council of Europe delegation is visiting Warsaw for talks with Polish authorities on the execution of European Court of Human Rights judgments, focusing on the rule of law and on abortion. The discussions concern how Poland implements court rulings, including the near-total abortion ban and judgments related to judicial independence. The visit highlights continued international pressure on Poland to comply with Strasbourg's decisions.

The Atlantic Council argues Europe needs a new strategy to counter Russian grey zone aggression, meaning hostile actions below the threshold of open war such as sabotage, disinformation and cyberattacks. The analysis, published on its Ukraine Alert blog, warns that current responses are inadequate and calls for a coordinated European approach to these destabilising tactics amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Prince Albert II of Monaco and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, alongside Martins Seguro of Portugal, are set to address the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The two heads of state will deliver speeches to assembled parliamentarians in Strasbourg, an honour reserved for prominent European leaders on matters of shared concern.

The Atlantic Council argues that Europe lacks an adequate response to Russia's grey zone tactics, such as sabotage, disinformation, cyberattacks and other deniable actions below the threshold of open war. The think tank calls for a new European strategy to deter and counter these operations, prompting debate over how NATO and EU members should coordinate their defenses against hybrid threats.

A Geneva-based commentary argues that the UN Human Rights Council cannot meaningfully address anti-gay laws around the world without also condemning their colonial origins. Many statutes criminalising same-sex relations were introduced under European colonial rule and remain on the books after independence. The piece calls on the council to acknowledge this history when tackling LGBT rights.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has held a debate on how European countries can provide systemic, long-term support for Ukrainian veterans of the war with Russia. Discussions centred on coordinated European frameworks for medical care, psychological rehabilitation and social reintegration. The session reflects growing attention across the continent to the lasting needs of wounded and demobilised Ukrainian service members.

Germany's Foreign Minister has reaffirmed the country's commitment to the Council of Europe, according to an announcement by the Strasbourg-based organisation. The pledge signals continued German support for the pan-European body's work on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Beyond the reaffirmation itself, no further details about the timing, occasion or specific initiatives announced have been made available.

Ukrainian human rights defenders, former civilian prisoners released from Russian captivity, and relatives of people still held by Russia addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, calling on European politicians to raise the release of civilian prisoners at every negotiation with Moscow. The activists argue that the fate of unlawfully detained civilians must be a standing item on all negotiation agendas.

The Council of Europe presented an updated version of its Rule of Law Checklist to the European Parliament. The checklist is a practical tool used to assess how well states uphold the rule of law, covering areas such as independence of the judiciary and protection of fundamental rights. The presentation signals continued cooperation between the two institutions on rule-of-law monitoring.

EU member states have agreed a common negotiating position on the next Multiannual Financial Framework's support for the fisheries sector covering 2028-2034. The Council will now negotiate with the European Parliament and the European Commission over how future funding for fishing communities, fleet measures and sustainable fisheries will be structured under the next long-term EU budget.