Belgium

Bird flu virus has 'everything it takes to trigger a pandemic,' warns WHO virologist<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The simulation recreates a small village in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India \u2013 a region that houses more than 1,600 poultry farms that rear over 70 million chickens.<\/p>\n<p>Scientists started with a small number of infected birds and no infected humans. They recreated an outbreak at a poultry farm where they show two scenarios: when infected birds are rapidly contained, no human is infected; however, if there is no culling or it comes too late, several workers get infected. <\/p>\n<p>In many scenarios of the simulation, nothing happens \u2013 the virus never reaches people, especially when infected birds are killed early, so the flock is removed before infections peak and the risk to humans falls to zero.<\/p>\n<p>But in others, one or two farm workers after a three-day latent period become Infectious for about seven days, heading home each evening to infect household members. <\/p>\n<p>The simulation shows that there is a small window, between about two and 10 detected cases, when control is still possible before the virus escapes into the wider community.<\/p>\n<p>If at the start of the infections, households are quarantined, the virus is likely to be contained. <\/p>\n<p>However, if the number of cases reaches 10, the simulations show that some infected household members have already gone to their workplaces and schools, passing the virus to others. <\/p>\n<p>By this point, it has entered the wider population and created new, independent chains of transmission that quarantining the original households can no longer fully stop. <\/p>\n<p>Mathematically, when quarantine is delayed to 10 cases, the estimated reproductive ratio and epidemic curves look very similar to the \u201cno early intervention\u201d scenario, because much of the onward spread has already occurred. <\/p>\n<p>With the findings, researchers highlight the need to act before community transmission happens \u2013 after that, only broad tools such as lockdowns and mass vaccination remain effective. <\/p>\n<p>The simulation has some limitations, mainly that it does not include multiple simultaneous outbreak sites, behavioural change such as personal protective equipment use after bird outbreaks are noticed, or intermediate mammal hosts.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1766149900,"updatedAt":1766150584,"publishedAt":1766150580,"firstPublishedAt":1766150580,"lastPublishedAt":1766150580,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/30\/02\/50\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_417ab681-da90-5e66-a1de-79625e377d54-9300250.jpg","altText":"Romanian health workers carry domestic birds before gassing them. ","caption":"Romanian health workers carry domestic birds before gassing them. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"MARIUS NEMES\/AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1301}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2960,"urlSafeValue":"iraola","title":"Marta Iraola Iribarren","twitter":"@marta_iraola"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":348,"slug":"bird-flu","urlSafeValue":"bird-flu","title":"Bird flu","titleRaw":"Bird flu"},{"id":6544,"slug":"influenza","urlSafeValue":"influenza","title":"Influenza","titleRaw":"Influenza"},{"id":7909,"slug":"epidemics","urlSafeValue":"epidemics","title":"Epidemics","titleRaw":"Epidemics"},{"id":139,"slug":"health","urlSafeValue":"health","title":"Health","titleRaw":"Health"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2855572},{"id":2855084},{"id":2855363}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"health-news","urlSafeValue":"health-news","title":"Health News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/health\/health-news\/health-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"health","verticals":[{"id":12,"slug":"health","urlSafeValue":"health","title":"Health"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":12,"slug":"health","urlSafeValue":"health","title":"Health"},"themes":[{"id":"health-news","urlSafeValue":"health-news","title":"Health news","url":"\/health\/health-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":43,"urlSafeValue":"health-news","title":"Health news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":{"id":541,"urlSafeValue":"brussels-belgium","title":"Brussels, Belgium"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/health\/2025\/12\/19\/could-bird-flu-spread-among-humans-scientists-show-how-it-might-happen","lastModified":1766150580},{"id":2855819,"cid":9588244,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"NC1 EU SUMMIT ON UKRAINE","daletPyramidId":3654301,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"EU leaders agree on \u20ac90 billion support package for Ukraine at Brussels summit","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"\u20ac90 billion EU support for Ukraine agreed at summit","titleListing2":"EU leaders agree on \u20ac90 billion support package for Ukraine at Brussels summit","leadin":"Belgium hosted an EU summit ending with a \u20ac90bn Ukraine support deal, while divisions over the Mercosur trade pact forced leaders to delay a decision.","summary":"Belgium hosted an EU summit ending with a \u20ac90bn Ukraine support deal, while divisions over the Mercosur trade pact forced leaders to delay a decision.","keySentence":"","url":"eu-leaders-agree-on-90-billion-support-package-for-ukraine-at-brussels-summit","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/12\/19\/eu-leaders-agree-on-90-billion-support-package-for-ukraine-at-brussels-summit","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Belgium was at the centre of EU politics on 19 December 2025 as leaders wrapped up a long Brussels summit after a night of talks. The main breakthrough concerned Ukraine, with agreement on an extra \u20ac90 billion in support for 2026 and 2027. The money will be structured as EU backed loans, using income linked to frozen Russian state assets rather than direct confiscation. The approach was designed to limit legal risks, including concerns raised by Belgium, where assets are held at Euroclear.\n\nTrade proved more divisive. The EU Mercosur agreement was not finalised after objections led by Italy, where Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pressed for stronger safeguards for farmers.\n\nLeaders also discussed the next EU budget cycle, migration rules and enlargement, but left several questions unresolved. Outside the summit, farmer protests added pressure as talks dragged on.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Belgium was at the centre of EU politics on 19 December 2025 as leaders wrapped up a long Brussels summit after a night of talks. The main breakthrough concerned Ukraine, with agreement on an extra \u20ac90 billion in support for 2026 and 2027. The money will be structured as EU backed loans, using income linked to frozen Russian state assets rather than direct confiscation. The approach was designed to limit legal risks, including concerns raised by Belgium, where assets are held at Euroclear. <\/p>\n<p>Trade proved more divisive. The EU Mercosur agreement was not finalised after objections led by Italy, where Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pressed for stronger safeguards for farmers. <\/p>\n<p>Leaders also discussed the next EU budget cycle, migration rules and enlargement, but left several questions unresolved. Outside the summit, farmer protests added pressure as talks dragged on.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1766124872,"updatedAt":1766129462,"publishedAt":1766129085,"firstPublishedAt":1766129085,"lastPublishedAt":1766129085,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/82\/44\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_46974f62-2367-50db-9916-364db8812172-9588244.jpg","altText":"Danish PM Mette Frederiksen, President of the European Council Ant\u00f3nio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen ","caption":"Danish PM Mette Frederiksen, President of the European Council Ant\u00f3nio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"EBS","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":176,"urlSafeValue":"caraco","title":"Alexis Caraco","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[{"id":176,"urlSafeValue":"caraco","title":"Alexis Caraco","twitter":null}]},"keywords":[{"id":97,"slug":"eu-summit","urlSafeValue":"eu-summit","title":"EU Summit","titleRaw":"EU Summit"},{"id":24,"slug":"belgium","urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","titleRaw":"Belgium"},{"id":26692,"slug":"war-in-ukraine","urlSafeValue":"war-in-ukraine","title":"War in Ukraine","titleRaw":"War in Ukraine"},{"id":4129,"slug":"brussels","urlSafeValue":"brussels","title":"Brussels","titleRaw":"Brussels"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2854853},{"id":2855694},{"id":2855302}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"3yDSuHpaQmk","dailymotionId":"x9w0db8"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":11369294,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/32\/08\/42\/05\/ED_PYR_3208425_20251219065312.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":15734054,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/32\/08\/42\/05\/SHD_PYR_3208425_20251219065312.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":48042437,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/32\/08\/42\/05\/FHD_PYR_3208425_20251219065312.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"Euronews","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"nocomment","urlSafeValue":"nocomment","title":"No Comment","online":1,"url":"\/nocomment"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":{"id":4129,"urlSafeValue":"brussels","title":"Brussels"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/video\/2025\/12\/19\/eu-leaders-agree-on-90-billion-support-package-for-ukraine-at-brussels-summit","lastModified":1766129085},{"id":2855779,"cid":9588080,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Mercosur_delay","daletPyramidId":3652939,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Mercosur signature delayed to January after Meloni asked for more time","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Mercosur signature delayed to January after Meloni asks for more time","titleListing2":"The European Commission announced it will delay the signing of the Mercosur trade agreement until the new year after Meloni asked for more time. No date has been set. Backers of the Mercosur hope deal won't be further derailed.","leadin":"The European Commission announced it will delay the signing of the Mercosur trade agreement until the new year after Meloni asked for more time. No date has been set. Backers hope deal won't be further derailed.","summary":"The European Commission announced it will delay the signing of the Mercosur trade agreement until the new year after Meloni asked for more time. No date has been set. Backers hope deal won't be further derailed.","keySentence":"","url":"mercosur-signature-delayed-to-january-after-meloni-asked-for-more-time","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/2025\/12\/18\/mercosur-signature-delayed-to-january-after-meloni-asked-for-more-time","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Following tense negotiations among the 27 member states, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday pushed the signature of the contentious Mercosur agreement to January to the frustration of backers Germany and Spain.\n\nThe trade deal dominated the EU summit, with France and Italy pressing for a delay to secure stronger farmer protections, while von der Leyen had hoped to travel to Latin America for a signing ceremony on 20 December\u00a0after securing member-state support.\n\nWithout approval, the ceremony can no longer go ahead. There is not set date.\n\n\u201cThe Commission proposed that it postpones to early January the signature to further discuss with the countries who still need a bit more time,\u201d an EU official told reporters.\n\nAfter a phone call with Brazilian President Luiz In\u00e1cio Lula da Silva, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she supported the deal, but added that Rome still needs stronger assurances for Italian farmers. Lula said in separate comments that Meloni assured him the trade deal would be approved in the next 10 days to a month.\n\nThe Mercosur agreement would create a free-trade area between the EU and Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. But European farmers fear it would expose them to unfair competition from Latin American imports on pricing and practices.\n\nMeloni's decision was pivotal to delay\n\n\u201cThe Italian government is ready to sign the agreement as soon as the necessary answers are provided to farmers. This would depend on the decisions of the European Commission and can be defined within a short timeframe,\u201d Meloni said after speaking with Lula, who had threatened to walk away from the deal unless an agreement was found this month. He sounded more conciliatory after speaking to Meloni.\n\nTalks among EU leaders were fraught, as backers of the deal - concluded in 2024 after 25 years of negotiations - argued the Mercosur is an imperative as the bloc needs new markets at a time in which the US, its biggest trading partner, pursues an aggressive tariff policy. Duties on European exports to the US have tripled under Donald Trump.\n\n\u201cThis is one of the most difficult EU summits since the last negotiation of the long-term budget two years ago,\u201d an EU diplomat said.\n\nFrance began pushing last Sunday for a delay in the vote amid farmers' anger.\n\nParis has long opposed the deal, demanding robust safeguards for farmers and reciprocity on environmental and health production standards with Mercosur countries.\n\nThe agreement requires a qualified majority for approval. France, Poland and Hungary oppose the signature, while Austria and Belgium planned to abstain if a vote were held this week. Ireland has also raised concerns over farmer protections.\n\nItaly's stance was pivotal.\n\nHowever, supporters of the agreement now fear prolonged hesitation could prompt Mercosur countries to walk away after decades of negotiations for good.\n\nAfter speaking with Meloni, Lula said he would pass Italy\u2019s request on to Mercosur so that it can \u201cdecide what to do.\u201d\n\nAn EU official said contacts with Mercosur were \u201congoing,\u201d adding: \u201cWe need to make sure that everything is accepted by them.\u201d\n\n\u00a0\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Following tense negotiations among the 27 member states, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday pushed the signature of the contentious Mercosur agreement to January to the frustration of backers Germany and Spain.<\/p>\n<p>The trade deal dominated the EU summit, with France and Italy pressing for a delay to secure stronger farmer protections, while von der Leyen had hoped to travel to Latin America for a signing ceremony on 20 December after securing member-state support.<\/p>\n<p>Without approval, the ceremony can no longer go ahead. There is not set date.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Commission proposed that it postpones to early January the signature to further discuss with the countries who still need a bit more time,\u201d an EU official told reporters.<\/p>\n<p>After a phone call with Brazilian President Luiz In\u00e1cio Lula da Silva, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she supported the deal, but added that Rome still needs stronger assurances for Italian farmers. Lula said in separate comments that Meloni assured him the trade deal would be approved in the next 10 days to a month.<\/p>\n<p>The Mercosur agreement would create a free-trade area between the EU and Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. But European farmers fear it would expose them to unfair competition from Latin American imports on pricing and practices.<\/p>\n<h2>Meloni's decision was pivotal to delay<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cThe Italian government is ready to sign the agreement as soon as the necessary answers are provided to farmers. This would depend on the decisions of the European Commission and can be defined within a short timeframe,\u201d Meloni said after speaking with Lula, who had threatened to walk away from the deal unless an agreement was found this month. He sounded more conciliatory after speaking to Meloni.<\/p>\n<p>Talks among EU leaders were fraught, as backers of the deal - concluded in 2024 after 25 years of negotiations - argued the Mercosur is an imperative as the bloc needs new markets at a time in which the US, its biggest trading partner, pursues an aggressive tariff policy. Duties on European exports to the US have tripled under Donald Trump.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is one of the most difficult EU summits since the last negotiation of the long-term budget two years ago,\u201d an EU diplomat said.<\/p>\n<p>France began pushing last Sunday for a delay in the vote amid farmers' anger.<\/p>\n<p>Paris has long opposed the deal, demanding robust safeguards for farmers and reciprocity on environmental and health production standards with Mercosur countries.<\/p>\n<p>The agreement requires a qualified majority for approval. France, Poland and Hungary oppose the signature, while Austria and Belgium planned to abstain if a vote were held this week. Ireland has also raised concerns over farmer protections.<\/p>\n<p>Italy's stance was pivotal.<\/p>\n<p>However, supporters of the agreement now fear prolonged hesitation could prompt Mercosur countries to walk away after decades of negotiations for good.<\/p>\n<p>After speaking with Meloni, Lula said he would pass Italy\u2019s request on to Mercosur so that it can \u201cdecide what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>An EU official said contacts with Mercosur were \u201congoing,\u201d adding: \u201cWe need to make sure that everything is accepted by them.\u201d<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1766095222,"updatedAt":1766102032,"publishedAt":1766096868,"firstPublishedAt":1766096868,"lastPublishedAt":1766097303,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"Italy\u2019s stance proved decisive in delaying the signing of the Mercosur trade agreement.","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"Italy\u2019s stance proved decisive in delaying the signing of the Mercosur trade agreement.","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/80\/80\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_fa68029c-0962-53b4-97be-cb0b10a21570-9588080.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"corlin","twitter":"@PeggyCorlin","id":3206,"title":"Peggy Corlin"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"eu-policy","titleRaw":"EU Policy","id":29232,"title":"EU Policy","slug":"eu-policy"},{"urlSafeValue":"mercosur","titleRaw":"MERCOSUR","id":10829,"title":"MERCOSUR","slug":"mercosur"},{"urlSafeValue":"ursula-von-der-leyen","titleRaw":"Ursula von der Leyen","id":18906,"title":"Ursula von der Leyen","slug":"ursula-von-der-leyen"},{"urlSafeValue":"giorgia-meloni","titleRaw":"Giorgia Meloni","id":27076,"title":"Giorgia 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BELGIUM FARMERS CLASHES","daletPyramidId":3651087,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Farmers clash with police near European parliament in Brussels","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Farmers clash with police near European parliament in Brussels","titleListing2":"Protesters clash with police in Brussels over EU-Mercosur trade deal, farmers fear unfair competition. #EU #Mercosur","leadin":"Belgium farmers clashed with police in Brussels during protests against the EU-Mercosur trade deal, as leaders debated safeguards and possible delays.","summary":"Belgium farmers clashed with police in Brussels during protests against the EU-Mercosur trade deal, as leaders debated safeguards and possible delays.","keySentence":"","url":"farmers-clash-with-police-near-european-parliament-in-brussels","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/12\/18\/farmers-clash-with-police-near-european-parliament-in-brussels","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Tensions came to a head at Place du Luxembourg, close to the European Parliament, as several hundred demonstrators faced off with police securing the site. Police answered with tear gas and water cannons, as tractors moved through nearby streets and demonstrators set fire to makeshift coffins marked \u201cagriculture\u201d.\n\nOne demonstrator was briefly detained with a bloodied head and hands after clashes, though no serious injuries were reported. Police also said masked individuals, not linked to farming unions, were involved in acts of vandalism, including damage to street furniture and trees.\n\nThe protest focused on the EU\u2019s planned trade deal with the Mercosur bloc, which farmers say would expose them to unfair competition and put further pressure on farm incomes, with some politicians warning of political fallout in rural areas. Negotiated over 25 years, the pact would gradually remove most trade duties and create a market of 780 million people, and EU leaders now face a choice to amend the pact or delay its signing.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Tensions came to a head at Place du Luxembourg, close to the European Parliament, as several hundred demonstrators faced off with police securing the site. Police answered with tear gas and water cannons, as tractors moved through nearby streets and demonstrators set fire to makeshift coffins marked \u201cagriculture\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>One demonstrator was briefly detained with a bloodied head and hands after clashes, though no serious injuries were reported. Police also said masked individuals, not linked to farming unions, were involved in acts of vandalism, including damage to street furniture and trees.<\/p>\n<p>The protest focused on the EU\u2019s planned trade deal with the Mercosur bloc, which farmers say would expose them to unfair competition and put further pressure on farm incomes, with some politicians warning of political fallout in rural areas. Negotiated over 25 years, the pact would gradually remove most trade duties and create a market of 780 million people, and EU leaders now face a choice to amend the pact or delay its signing.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1766077570,"updatedAt":1766079844,"publishedAt":1766079386,"firstPublishedAt":1766079386,"lastPublishedAt":1766079386,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/79\/06\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_2eb7cfb6-ed42-5c16-af8c-d22e956cb150-9587906.jpg","altText":"A farmer throws a potato as police fire tear gas during a demonstration of European farmers outside a gathering of European leaders at the EU Summit in Brussels","caption":"A farmer throws a potato as police fire tear gas during a demonstration of European farmers outside a gathering of European leaders at the EU Summit in Brussels","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":176,"urlSafeValue":"caraco","title":"Alexis Caraco","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[{"id":176,"urlSafeValue":"caraco","title":"Alexis Caraco","twitter":null}]},"keywords":[{"id":4129,"slug":"brussels","urlSafeValue":"brussels","title":"Brussels","titleRaw":"Brussels"},{"id":18298,"slug":"farmers","urlSafeValue":"farmers","title":"Farmers","titleRaw":"Farmers"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":10829,"slug":"mercosur","urlSafeValue":"mercosur","title":"MERCOSUR","titleRaw":"MERCOSUR"},{"id":319,"slug":"agriculture","urlSafeValue":"agriculture","title":"Agriculture","titleRaw":"Agriculture"},{"id":29790,"slug":"trade-agreement","urlSafeValue":"trade-agreement","title":"trade agreement","titleRaw":"trade agreement"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2855647},{"id":2855559},{"id":2855052}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"HGmJuPWKr90","dailymotionId":"x9vz9ck"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":11456560,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/32\/06\/20\/05\/ED_PYR_3206205_20251218171753.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":15815944,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/32\/06\/20\/05\/SHD_PYR_3206205_20251218171753.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":47053728,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/32\/06\/20\/05\/FHD_PYR_3206205_20251218171753.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"nocomment","urlSafeValue":"nocomment","title":"No Comment","online":1,"url":"\/nocomment"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":{"id":3270,"urlSafeValue":"brussels","title":"Brussels"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/video\/2025\/12\/18\/farmers-clash-with-police-near-european-parliament-in-brussels","lastModified":1766079386},{"id":2855694,"cid":9587680,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"ZELENSKYY SUMMIT","daletPyramidId":3648247,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":" Ukraine does not believe Europe \u2018should replace the US\u2019 in security guarantees, Zelenskyy says","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Europe should not replace US in security guarantees, Zelenskyy says","titleListing2":" Ukraine does not believe that Europe \u2018should replace the US\u2019 in security guarantees, Zelenskyy said","leadin":"Responding to a question from Euronews, the Ukrainian leader said Europe\u2019s commitment to assist Ukraine in case of a future Russian attack cannot replace the US security guarantees for Ukraine. For Kyiv these are \u201cdifferent things\u201d and how Russia is trying to \u201cexclude\u201d the EU from it, he explained.","summary":"Responding to a question from Euronews, the Ukrainian leader said Europe\u2019s commitment to assist Ukraine in case of a future Russian attack cannot replace the US security guarantees for Ukraine. For Kyiv these are \u201cdifferent things\u201d and how Russia is trying to \u201cexclude\u201d the EU from it, he explained.","keySentence":"","url":"ukraine-does-not-believe-europe-should-replace-the-us-in-security-guarantees-zelenskyy-sai","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/12\/18\/ukraine-does-not-believe-europe-should-replace-the-us-in-security-guarantees-zelenskyy-sai","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Russia is trying to exclude the European Union not only from the diplomatic negotiations but also from any future security guarantees for Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in response to a question from Euronews at the European Council summit in Brussels on Thursday.\n\n\u201cNo matter what signals Russia sends, we understand that they would like to exclude the presence of Europeans. This cannot be done,\" Zelenskyy stated.\n\nUkraine\u2019s president explained that a legally binding commitment from the European countries and the US security guarantees are \u201cdifferent things\u201d.\n\nEuropean leaders vowed to protect Ukraine from Russia in the future, including by military means, at a meeting in Berlin on Monday.\n\nIn the most detailed outline yet of the security guarantees European countries are willing to provide to Ukraine, Kyiv\u2019s allies stated they are ready to provide a European-led \"multinational force\" operating on Ukrainian soil, building on the work of the \"Coalition of the Willing\" chaired by France and the United Kingdom.\n\nZelenskyy rushed to insist that \u201cthis does not mean that if Russia attacks again, Europe will be able to fight with its presence. No, no one is saying that\u201d.\n\n\u201cEurope's presence reduces the chances of aggression by the Russian Federation. The number of countries and the number of national flags in the Coalition of the Willing, in any format, no matter the number,\u201d he explained, answering Euronews' question.\n\nEurope\u2019s commitment, even legally binding to assist Ukraine in case of a future Russian attack, cannot replace the US security guarantees for Ukraine, Zelenskyy added.\n\n\u201cWe do not believe that Europe should replace the United States of America. And, of course, we feel the same way about the security guarantees of the United States of America, which will be Article 5-like, and we will not need European support.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen we talk about Article 5, NATO, we understand that this is a response to aggression. And we will discuss these details with our partners,\" he said, admitting that not all details have been clarified and agreed upon at this stage.\n\n\u201cWhat will the United States do if Russia comes with aggression again? What will these security guarantees do? How will it work? How will all partners work together? How exactly will they stop Moscow, specifically,\" Zelenskyy asked.\n\n\"I think we need an answer to this. It doesn\u2019t have to be public, but it should be in documents,\" he said.\n\nBut what is clear for Kyiv is that the US guarantees should be legally binding.\n\n\u201cWe understand is that there must be a legally binding article, security guarantees from the United States of America, which must be supported by the US Congress,\" Zelenskyy concluded.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Russia is trying to exclude the European Union not only from the diplomatic negotiations but also from any future security guarantees for Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in response to a question from Euronews at the European Council summit in Brussels on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo matter what signals Russia sends, we understand that they would like to exclude the presence of Europeans. This cannot be done,\" Zelenskyy stated.<\/p>\n<p>Ukraine\u2019s president explained that a legally binding commitment from the European countries and the US security guarantees are \u201cdifferent things\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>European leaders vowed to protect Ukraine from Russia in the future, including by military means, at a meeting in Berlin on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>In the most detailed outline yet of the security guarantees European countries are willing to provide to Ukraine, Kyiv\u2019s allies stated they are ready to provide a European-led \"multinational force\" operating on Ukrainian soil, building on the work of the \"Coalition of the Willing\" chaired by France and the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n<p>Zelenskyy rushed to insist that \u201cthis does not mean that if Russia attacks again, Europe will be able to fight with its presence. No, no one is saying that\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEurope's presence reduces the chances of aggression by the Russian Federation. The number of countries and the number of national flags in the Coalition of the Willing, in any format, no matter the number,\u201d he explained, answering Euronews' question.<\/p>\n<p>Europe\u2019s commitment, even legally binding to assist Ukraine in case of a future Russian attack, cannot replace the US security guarantees for Ukraine, Zelenskyy added.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe do not believe that Europe should replace the United States of America. And, of course, we feel the same way about the security guarantees of the United States of America, which will be Article 5-like, and we will not need European support.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen we talk about Article 5, NATO, we understand that this is a response to aggression. And we will discuss these details with our partners,\" he said, admitting that not all details have been clarified and agreed upon at this stage.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat will the United States do if Russia comes with aggression again? What will these security guarantees do? How will it work? How will all partners work together? How exactly will they stop Moscow, specifically,\" Zelenskyy asked. <\/p>\n<p>\"I think we need an answer to this. It doesn\u2019t have to be public, but it should be in documents,\" he said.<\/p>\n<p>But what is clear for Kyiv is that the US guarantees should be legally binding.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe understand is that there must be a legally binding article, security guarantees from the United States of America, which must be supported by the US Congress,\" Zelenskyy concluded.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1766068835,"updatedAt":1766102688,"publishedAt":1766074866,"firstPublishedAt":1766074866,"lastPublishedAt":1766102688,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a media conference at the EU Summit in Brussels, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025","callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"caption":"Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a media conference at the EU Summit in Brussels, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/76\/80\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f6dec355-774c-5b89-abe4-13314e69527c-9587680.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"vakulina","twitter":"@sashavakulina","id":598,"title":"Sasha Vakulina"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"war-in-ukraine","titleRaw":"War in Ukraine","id":26692,"title":"War in Ukraine","slug":"war-in-ukraine"},{"urlSafeValue":"ukraine-security-guarantees","titleRaw":"Ukraine security guarantees","id":30556,"title":"Ukraine security guarantees","slug":"ukraine-security-guarantees"},{"urlSafeValue":"russia-ukraine-invasion","titleRaw":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine","id":26698,"title":"Russia's invasion of 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BELGIUM FARMERS WATER CANON","daletPyramidId":3646995,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":6},{"id":8},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Farmers from 27 EU countries protest and clash with police in Brussels over EU-Mercosur trade deal","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Farmers from 27 EU countries protest EU-Mercosur trade deal","titleListing2":"Thousands of EU farmers protest in Brussels against the Mercosur trade deal, clashing with police as leaders debated the agreement.","leadin":"Belgium farmers protested in Brussels against the EU Mercosur trade deal, clashing with police as tractors gathered near the European Parliament.","summary":"Belgium farmers protested in Brussels against the EU Mercosur trade deal, clashing with police as tractors gathered near the European Parliament.","keySentence":"","url":"farmers-from-27-eu-countries-protest-and-clash-with-police-in-brussels-over-eu-mercosur-tr","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/12\/18\/farmers-from-27-eu-countries-protest-and-clash-with-police-in-brussels-over-eu-mercosur-tr","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Around 10,000 farmers from all 27 EU countries gathered to protest near the EU quarter in Brussels. Tractors moved toward security zones, roads were blocked and fireworks set off, prompting police to use water cannons and, in some areas, tear gas to control the crowd. Potatoes and eggs were thrown as officers tried to keep access routes open.\n\nFarmers oppose the EU trade deal with the Mercosur countries, saying it would expose them to unfair competition. Negotiated for 25 years, the agreement would remove most trade duties over 15 years and cover a market of 780 million people. Protesters also criticised planned reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy after 2027, fearing cuts to subsidies.\n\nThe protest coincided with a European Council summit and ahead of Ursula von der Leyen\u2019s planned trip to Brazil, adding political pressure as leaders debate whether to amend or delay the deal.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Around 10,000 farmers from all 27 EU countries gathered to protest near the EU quarter in Brussels. Tractors moved toward security zones, roads were blocked and fireworks set off, prompting police to use water cannons and, in some areas, tear gas to control the crowd. Potatoes and eggs were thrown as officers tried to keep access routes open.<\/p>\n<p>Farmers oppose the EU trade deal with the Mercosur countries, saying it would expose them to unfair competition. Negotiated for 25 years, the agreement would remove most trade duties over 15 years and cover a market of 780 million people. Protesters also criticised planned reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy after 2027, fearing cuts to subsidies.<\/p>\n<p>The protest coincided with a European Council summit and ahead of Ursula von der Leyen\u2019s planned trip to Brazil, adding political pressure as leaders debate whether to amend or delay the deal.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1766061340,"updatedAt":1766064876,"publishedAt":1766064259,"firstPublishedAt":1766064259,"lastPublishedAt":1766064259,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/75\/47\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_550d56fe-ec09-5b74-b4a7-1511c5bcc64e-9587547.jpg","altText":"Farmers drive tractors toward police while water cannons are used against them","caption":"Farmers drive tractors toward police while water cannons are used against them","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP 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agreement"},{"id":10829,"slug":"mercosur","urlSafeValue":"mercosur","title":"MERCOSUR","titleRaw":"MERCOSUR"},{"id":319,"slug":"agriculture","urlSafeValue":"agriculture","title":"Agriculture","titleRaw":"Agriculture"},{"id":12952,"slug":"clashes","urlSafeValue":"clashes","title":"Clashes","titleRaw":"Clashes"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2855559},{"id":2855052}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"l-ZpQFC5oH0","dailymotionId":"x9vyrai"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":11967123,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/32\/02\/69\/04\/ED_PYR_3202694_20251218130735.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":16722706,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/32\/02\/69\/04\/SHD_PYR_3202694_20251218130735.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"},{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":48902001,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/32\/02\/69\/04\/FHD_PYR_3202694_20251218130735.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"1080p"}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"nocomment","urlSafeValue":"nocomment","title":"No 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BRUSSELS DEMO","daletPyramidId":3645852,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Farmers block roads in Brussels to protest EU-Mercosur free-trade deal","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Farmers block roads in Brussels to protest EU-Mercosur free-trade deal","titleListing2":"Farmers block roads in Brussels to protest EU-Mercosur free-trade deal","leadin":"Proponents argue the agreement would provide an alternative to Beijing's export controls and Washington's tariff policies. Critics warn it would weaken environmental regulations and damage the EU's agricultural sector.","summary":"Proponents argue the agreement would provide an alternative to Beijing's export controls and Washington's tariff policies. Critics warn it would weaken environmental regulations and damage the EU's agricultural sector.","keySentence":"","url":"farmers-block-roads-in-brussels-to-protest-eu-mercosur-free-trade-deal","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/12\/18\/farmers-block-roads-in-brussels-to-protest-eu-mercosur-free-trade-deal","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Police deployed tear gas and water cannon against thousands of farmers who converged on Brussels Thursday, blocking roads with tractors and hurling potatoes and eggs as European leaders gathered to debate a contentious trade pact with South America.\n\nDemonstrators on tractors opposing the EU-Mercosur agreement massed near the Europa building, where leaders of the 27 EU member states met to discuss amending or postponing the trade deal, while a twin rally converged on Place Luxembourg, just steps away from the European Parliament.\n\n\"What we ask is to be able to live off our work, and we are against Mercosur because if we import meat, products from abroad where they don\u2019t respect the same rules, it\u2019s not normal,\" one farmer told Euronews.\n\n\"We have a lot of rules to respects and they are not respecting, and yet (the EU) is willing to import more,\" he said.\n\nThe accord, which would eliminate tariffs on nearly all goods traded between the EU and five Mercosur nations \u2014 Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia \u2014 over 15 years, faces mounting resistance.\n\nItaly signalled Wednesday it had joined French-led opposition to the transatlantic free-trade pact, after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told parliament that signing the agreement \"would be premature\" and said Italy wanted \"adequate reciprocal guarantees for our agricultural sector\" before approving the deal.\n\nFrench President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the summit maintaining his opposition and calling for further negotiations in January. \"We are not ready. It doesn't add up,\" he said. \"This accord cannot be signed.\"\n\nMacron said he had discussed delaying the agreement with counterparts from Italy, Poland, Belgium, Austria and Ireland. His government has demanded safeguards against economic disruption, increased regulations on Mercosur nations including pesticide restrictions, and enhanced inspections at EU ports.\n\nItaly's stance gives France sufficient votes to veto European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's planned inking of the accord on Saturday, as she requires backing from at least two-thirds of EU nations to proceed with the agreement.\n\n\"This doesn't mean that Italy intends to block or oppose (the deal), but that it intends to approve the agreement only when it includes adequate reciprocal guarantees,\" Meloni said.\n\nVon der Leyen still going to Brazil?\n\nNegotiations on the accord have stretched across 25 years. Once ratified, it would encompass a market of 780 million people and roughly a quarter of global gross domestic product.\n\nProponents argue the agreement would provide an alternative to Beijing's export controls and Washington's tariff policies. Critics warn it would weaken environmental regulations and damage the EU's agricultural sector.\n\nGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz said ahead of the Brussels summit that delaying or abandoning the deal would harm the EU's global standing. \"If the European Union wants to remain credible in global trade policy, then decisions must be made now,\" he said.\n\nThe agreement also represents strategic competition between Western nations and China over Latin America, said Agathe Demarais, a senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.\n\n\"A failure to sign the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement risks pushing Latin American economies closer to Beijing's orbit,\" she said.\n\nDespite the likelihood of postponement, von der Leyen and European Council President Ant\u00f3nio Costa remain scheduled to sign the deal in Brazil this weekend.\n\n\"We have to get rid of our over-dependencies, and this is only possible through a network of free-trade agreements,\" von der Leyen said. \"It is of enormous importance that we get the green light for Mercosur.\"\n\nMilei vs Lula\n\nPolitical tensions within Mercosur in recent years \u2014 particularly between Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei and Brazil's centre-left Luiz In\u00e1cio Lula da Silva \u2014 have not diminished South American leaders' commitment to sealing an alliance with Europe.\n\n\"We remain optimistic that next Saturday we will have approval from the European Union and, therefore, that we can proceed with the signing of the treaty,\" said Gabriel Oddone, Uruguay's economy and finance minister.\n\nLula has championed the agreement from South America's largest economy. As host of the upcoming summit, the Brazilian president is staking his diplomatic credibility on closing the deal ahead of next year's general elections, in which he will seek re-election.\n\nAt a cabinet meeting Wednesday, Lula expressed frustration with Italian and French opposition. He said Saturday would determine the fate of the accord.\n\n\"If we don't do it now, Brazil won't make any more agreements while I'm president,\" Lula said, adding that the pact would \"defend multilateralism\" as US President Donald Trump pursues unilateralism.\n\nMilei, a close ideological ally of Trump, also supports the deal. \"We must stop thinking of Mercosur as a shield that protects us from the world and start thinking of it as a spear that allows us to effectively penetrate global markets,\" he said.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Police deployed tear gas and water cannon against thousands of farmers who converged on Brussels Thursday, blocking roads with tractors and hurling potatoes and eggs as European leaders gathered to debate a contentious trade pact with South America.<\/p>\n<p>Demonstrators on tractors opposing the EU-Mercosur agreement massed near the Europa building, where leaders of the 27 EU member states met to discuss amending or postponing the trade deal, while a twin rally converged on Place Luxembourg, just steps away from the European Parliament.<\/p>\n<p>\"What we ask is to be able to live off our work, and we are against Mercosur because if we import meat, products from abroad where they don\u2019t respect the same rules, it\u2019s not normal,\" one farmer told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>\"We have a lot of rules to respects and they are not respecting, and yet (the EU) is willing to import more,\" he said.<\/p>\n<p>The accord, which would eliminate tariffs on nearly all goods traded between the EU and five Mercosur nations \u2014 Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia \u2014 over 15 years, faces mounting resistance.<\/p>\n<p>Italy signalled Wednesday it had joined French-led opposition to the transatlantic free-trade pact, after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told parliament that signing the agreement \"would be premature\" and said Italy wanted \"adequate reciprocal guarantees for our agricultural sector\" before approving the deal.<\/p>\n<p>French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the summit maintaining his opposition and calling for further negotiations in January. \"We are not ready. It doesn't add up,\" he said. \"This accord cannot be signed.\"<\/p>\n<p>Macron said he had discussed delaying the agreement with counterparts from Italy, Poland, Belgium, Austria and Ireland. His government has demanded safeguards against economic disruption, increased regulations on Mercosur nations including pesticide restrictions, and enhanced inspections at EU ports.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2025//12//17//signing-mercosur-deal-is-now-imperative-eu-commissioner-hoekstra-tells-euronews/">Signing Mercosur deal is now 'imperative', EU Commissioner Hoekstra tells Euronews<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//12//17//signing-the-eu-mercosur-deal-now-is-premature-italys-pm-meloni-says/">Italy's Meloni pours cold water on EU-Mercosur deal, calling it 'premature'<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Italy's stance gives France sufficient votes to veto European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's planned inking of the accord on Saturday, as she requires backing from at least two-thirds of EU nations to proceed with the agreement.<\/p>\n<p>\"This doesn't mean that Italy intends to block or oppose (the deal), but that it intends to approve the agreement only when it includes adequate reciprocal guarantees,\" Meloni said.<\/p>\n<h2>Von der Leyen still going to Brazil?<\/h2>\n<p>Negotiations on the accord have stretched across 25 years. Once ratified, it would encompass a market of 780 million people and roughly a quarter of global gross domestic product.<\/p>\n<p>Proponents argue the agreement would provide an alternative to Beijing's export controls and Washington's tariff policies. Critics warn it would weaken environmental regulations and damage the EU's agricultural sector.<\/p>\n<p>German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said ahead of the Brussels summit that delaying or abandoning the deal would harm the EU's global standing. \"If the European Union wants to remain credible in global trade policy, then decisions must be made now,\" he said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//58//73//75//808x539_cmsv2_2dfeafa5-1e37-5afb-968c-a453f1ae2d07-9587375.jpg/" alt=\"Police stand behind a barrier as European farmers block a road with their tractors during a demonstration outside the EU Summit in Brussels, 18 December 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/73\/75\/384x256_cmsv2_2dfeafa5-1e37-5afb-968c-a453f1ae2d07-9587375.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/73\/75\/640x427_cmsv2_2dfeafa5-1e37-5afb-968c-a453f1ae2d07-9587375.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/73\/75\/750x500_cmsv2_2dfeafa5-1e37-5afb-968c-a453f1ae2d07-9587375.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/73\/75\/828x552_cmsv2_2dfeafa5-1e37-5afb-968c-a453f1ae2d07-9587375.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/73\/75\/1080x720_cmsv2_2dfeafa5-1e37-5afb-968c-a453f1ae2d07-9587375.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/73\/75\/1200x800_cmsv2_2dfeafa5-1e37-5afb-968c-a453f1ae2d07-9587375.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/73\/75\/1920x1281_cmsv2_2dfeafa5-1e37-5afb-968c-a453f1ae2d07-9587375.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Police stand behind a barrier as European farmers block a road with their tractors during a demonstration outside the EU Summit in Brussels, 18 December 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The agreement also represents strategic competition between Western nations and China over Latin America, said Agathe Demarais, a senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. <\/p>\n<p>\"A failure to sign the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement risks pushing Latin American economies closer to Beijing's orbit,\" she said.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the likelihood of postponement, von der Leyen and European Council President Ant\u00f3nio Costa remain scheduled to sign the deal in Brazil this weekend.<\/p>\n<p>\"We have to get rid of our over-dependencies, and this is only possible through a network of free-trade agreements,\" von der Leyen said. \"It is of enormous importance that we get the green light for Mercosur.\"<\/p>\n<h2>Milei vs Lula<\/h2>\n<p>Political tensions within Mercosur in recent years \u2014 particularly between Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei and Brazil's centre-left Luiz In\u00e1cio Lula da Silva \u2014 have not diminished South American leaders' commitment to sealing an alliance with Europe.<\/p>\n<p>\"We remain optimistic that next Saturday we will have approval from the European Union and, therefore, that we can proceed with the signing of the treaty,\" said Gabriel Oddone, Uruguay's economy and finance minister.<\/p>\n<p>Lula has championed the agreement from South America's largest economy. As host of the upcoming summit, the Brazilian president is staking his diplomatic credibility on closing the deal ahead of next year's general elections, in which he will seek re-election.<\/p>\n<p>At a cabinet meeting Wednesday, Lula expressed frustration with Italian and French opposition. He said Saturday would determine the fate of the accord.<\/p>\n<p>\"If we don't do it now, Brazil won't make any more agreements while I'm president,\" Lula said, adding that the pact would \"defend multilateralism\" as US President Donald Trump pursues unilateralism.<\/p>\n<p>Milei, a close ideological ally of Trump, also supports the deal. \"We must stop thinking of Mercosur as a shield that protects us from the world and start thinking of it as a spear that allows us to effectively penetrate global markets,\" he said.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1766054664,"updatedAt":1766067146,"publishedAt":1766057388,"firstPublishedAt":1766057388,"lastPublishedAt":1766066931,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"A fire burns in a barrel as European farmers block a road with their tractors during a demonstration outside the EU Summit in Brussels, 18 December 2025","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"A fire burns in a barrel as European farmers block a road with their tractors during a demonstration outside the EU Summit in Brussels, 18 December 2025","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/73\/75\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_cb60657b-2e68-5ca1-8832-2634dbc8fd8a-9587375.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","altText":"Police stand behind a barrier as European farmers block a road with their tractors during a demonstration outside the EU Summit in Brussels, 18 December 2025","callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"caption":"Police stand behind a barrier as European farmers block a road with their tractors during a demonstration outside the EU Summit in Brussels, 18 December 2025","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/73\/75\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_2dfeafa5-1e37-5afb-968c-a453f1ae2d07-9587375.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"brezar","twitter":"@brezaleksandar","id":2310,"title":"Aleksandar Brezar"},{"urlSafeValue":"dom","twitter":"@evelyn_dom","id":3110,"title":"Evelyn Ann-Marie 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News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/12\/18\/farmers-block-roads-in-brussels-to-protest-eu-mercosur-free-trade-deal","lastModified":1766066931},{"id":2855559,"cid":9587105,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"NC3 BELGIUM TRACTORS PROTEST MORNING","daletPyramidId":3643904,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Farmers bring tractors to Brussels to protest EU-Mercosur trade deal","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"","titleListing2":"Farmers bring tractors to Brussels over Mercosur deal","leadin":"Farmers drove tractors into Brussels to protest the EU-Mercosur trade deal, fearing competition.","summary":"Farmers drove tractors into Brussels to protest the EU-Mercosur trade deal, fearing competition.","keySentence":"","url":"farmers-bring-tractors-to-brussels-to-protest-eu-mercosur-trade-deal","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/12\/18\/farmers-bring-tractors-to-brussels-to-protest-eu-mercosur-trade-deal","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Farmers drove tractors into Brussels at dawn on Thursday, renewing protests against the European Union's plans for a trade deal with the Mercosur bloc. Police expected around 10,000 demonstrators near the European Council, where EU leaders are due to meet for a summit.\n\nThe proposed agreement would phase out duties on most goods traded between the EU and Mercosur countries over 15 years.\n\nSupporters say it would open markets linking Europe with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia. Many farmers fear tougher competition and weaker protections for local producers.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Farmers drove tractors into Brussels at dawn on Thursday, renewing protests against the European Union's plans for a trade deal with the Mercosur bloc. Police expected around 10,000 demonstrators near the European Council, where EU leaders are due to meet for a summit.<\/p>\n<p>The proposed agreement would phase out duties on most goods traded between the EU and Mercosur countries over 15 years. <\/p>\n<p>Supporters say it would open markets linking Europe with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia. Many farmers fear tougher competition and weaker protections for local producers.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1766045031,"updatedAt":1766050309,"publishedAt":1766050254,"firstPublishedAt":1766050254,"lastPublishedAt":1766050308,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/71\/05\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5458451b-8184-5f7d-84cf-db9d0fdd935e-9587105.jpg","altText":"A farmer drives a tractor bearing a sign reading 'Without farmers, there is no food' during a protest outside the EU Summit in Brussels, Dec. 18, 2025","caption":"A farmer drives a tractor bearing a sign reading 'Without farmers, there is no food' during a protest outside the EU Summit in Brussels, Dec. 18, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Marius Burgelman","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2134,"urlSafeValue":"mauduit","title":"Frederique 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Brussels"},{"id":18298,"slug":"farmers","urlSafeValue":"farmers","title":"Farmers","titleRaw":"Farmers"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2855052},{"id":2852927},{"id":2851382}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"SmqVC9dhDLY","dailymotionId":"x9vy2fk"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/32\/00\/19\/04\/ED_PYR_3200194_20251218081555.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":12285944,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/32\/00\/19\/04\/SHD_PYR_3200194_20251218081555.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":17326690,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/32\/00\/19\/04\/FHD_PYR_3200194_20251218081555.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":49236797,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"nocomment","urlSafeValue":"nocomment","title":"No 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HANUKKAH CELEBRATIONS BRUSSELS","daletPyramidId":3639224,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Von der Leyen slams rise of antisemitism as 'old evil' at Brussels Hanukkah event","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Von der Leyen slams antisemitism as 'old evil' at Hanukkah event","titleListing2":"Von der Leyen slams resurgence of antisemitism as \u2018old evil\u2019 at Brussels Hanukkah event","leadin":"The European Commission president's comments come days after 15 people were killed at a Hannukah event on Sydney's Bondi Beach, one of Australia's worst mass shootings in years.","summary":"The European Commission president's comments come days after 15 people were killed at a Hannukah event on Sydney's Bondi Beach, one of Australia's worst mass shootings in years.","keySentence":"","url":"von-der-leyen-slams-rise-of-antisemitism-as-old-evil-at-brussels-hanukkah-event","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/12\/17\/von-der-leyen-slams-rise-of-antisemitism-as-old-evil-at-brussels-hanukkah-event","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said \"There can be no place for the poison of antisemitism\" at a ceremony in Brussels on Wednesday which saw her light a Chanukiah to observe the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.\n\nVon der Leyen slammed what she called the resurgence of the \"old evil\" across Europe and cited swastikas painted on Jewish homes, synagogues vandalised and Jewish children kept locked in schools over concerns for their safety.\n\n\"Today, too many Jews do not feel safe to light a Chanukiah in the window. Or wear a kippah in public. Or a Star of David around their necks. Many must walk past armed guards to attend the synagogue and worry about sending their children to school. The night around us has indeed grown dark,\" she said.\n\n\"One of the teachings of Hanukkah is that you can either curse the dark or light a candle. We are going for the latter,\" she said as she presented a plan to clamp down on intolerance, in which the fight against antisemitism has a central place.\n\nThe \"No place for hate in Europe\" plan of action was adopted by the Commission last week and functions as a call for all Europeans \"to stand up against hatred and speak up for tolerance and respect.\"\n\n\"We want to protect places of worship \u2013 starting with synagogues. Because no one should be afraid to profess their own faith. We will fight hate speech online. Because it is never okay to use faith as a slur, neither in the streets nor on the internet,\" von der Leyen said.\n\nViolent antisemitic incidents have risen across seven countries with the largest Jewish communities outside of Israel, according to the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) J7 Task Force report published in May.\n\nThe countries in the J7 report include Germany, France, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and Argentina.\n\nThe J7 Task Force, which was established in July 2023, sounded the alarm about the intensifying attacks on Jewish communities, especially since Hamas' 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel, which saw militants kill almost 1,200 people, most of them civilians.\n\nThe report stated that attacks on Jewish schools, synagogues and businesses, alongside individuals, have increased significantly, in some cases more than doubling in 2023 compared to the previous year.\n\nIn Germany, antisemitic incidents increased 75% from 2021 to 2023, 185% in France and 82% in the UK.\n\nBondi Beach massacre\n\nThe Commission president\u2019s remarks come just three days after 15 people were killed at a Hanukkah event on Sydney\u2019s Bondi Beach.\n\nAustralian police announced on Wednesday that the suspected gunman has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder.\n\n24-year-old Naveed Akram was arrested at the scene of the incident and taken to a Sydney hospital following a shootout with police that killed his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram.\n\nNaveed Akram was charged with one count of murder for each victim who died and one count of committing a terrorist act after waking from a coma on Tuesday.\n\nThe pair allegedly opened fire on those attending an event to mark the start of an eight-day Hanukkah festival at Bondi beach on Sunday.\n\nThe men had reportedly pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State (IS) group and flags of the terrorist group were found in their car where police also discovered at least two improvised explosive devices.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said \"There can be no place for the poison of antisemitism\" at a ceremony in Brussels on Wednesday which saw her light a Chanukiah to observe the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.<\/p>\n<p>Von der Leyenslammed what she called the resurgence of the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////ec.europa.eu//commission//presscorner//detail//en//speech_25_3116/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">\"old evil\"<\/a> across Europe and cited swastikas painted on Jewish homes, synagogues vandalised and Jewish children kept locked in schools over concerns for their safety.<\/p>\n<p>\"Today, too many Jews do not feel safe to light a Chanukiah in the window. Or wear a kippah in public. Or a Star of David around their necks. Many must walk past armed guards to attend the synagogue and worry about sending their children to school. The night around us has indeed grown dark,\" she said.<\/p>\n<p>\"One of the teachings of Hanukkah is that you can either curse the dark or light a candle. We are going for the latter,\" she said as she presented a plan to clamp down on intolerance, in which the fight against antisemitism has a central place.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5183608302288452\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//58//66//26//808x419_cmsv2_5fdb0b3f-2d8f-5795-85d6-46c6bec4f177-9586626.jpg/" alt=\"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a Hanukkah event in Brussels, 17 December, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/66\/26\/384x199_cmsv2_5fdb0b3f-2d8f-5795-85d6-46c6bec4f177-9586626.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/66\/26\/640x332_cmsv2_5fdb0b3f-2d8f-5795-85d6-46c6bec4f177-9586626.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/66\/26\/750x389_cmsv2_5fdb0b3f-2d8f-5795-85d6-46c6bec4f177-9586626.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/66\/26\/828x429_cmsv2_5fdb0b3f-2d8f-5795-85d6-46c6bec4f177-9586626.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/66\/26\/1080x560_cmsv2_5fdb0b3f-2d8f-5795-85d6-46c6bec4f177-9586626.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/66\/26\/1200x622_cmsv2_5fdb0b3f-2d8f-5795-85d6-46c6bec4f177-9586626.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/66\/26\/1920x995_cmsv2_5fdb0b3f-2d8f-5795-85d6-46c6bec4f177-9586626.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a Hanukkah event in Brussels, 17 December, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">EC - Audiovisual Service<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////ec.europa.eu//commission//presscorner//detail//en//ip_23_6329/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">\"No place for hate in Europe\"<\/a> plan of action was adopted by the Commission last week and functions as a call for all Europeans \"to stand up against hatred and speak up for tolerance and respect.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"We want to protect places of worship \u2013 starting with synagogues. Because no one should be afraid to profess their own faith. We will fight hate speech online. Because it is never okay to use faith as a slur, neither in the streets nor on the internet,\" von der Leyen said.<\/p>\n<p>Violent antisemitic incidents have risen across seven countries with the largest Jewish communities outside of Israel, according to the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) J7 Task Force report published in May.<\/p>\n<p>The countries in the J7 report include Germany, France, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and Argentina.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"2001324767056449864\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The J7 Task Force, which was established in July 2023, sounded the alarm about the intensifying attacks on Jewish communities, especially since Hamas' 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel, which saw militants kill almost 1,200 people, most of them civilians.<\/p>\n<p>The report stated that attacks on Jewish schools, synagogues and businesses, alongside individuals, have increased significantly, in some cases more than doubling in 2023 compared to the previous year.<\/p>\n<p>In Germany, antisemitic incidents increased 75% from 2021 to 2023, 185% in France and 82% in the UK.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//03//28//israels-antisemitism-conference-sparks-debate-over-alliances-with-europes-right-wing/">Israel's antisemitism conference sparks debate over alliances with Europe's right wing<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//10//07//antisemitism-has-become-a-political-tool-since-hamas-attack-europes-leading-rabbi-says/">'Antisemitism has become a political tool,' since Hamas attack, Europe's leading rabbi says<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2><strong>Bondi Beach massacre<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The Commission president\u2019s remarks come just three days after 15 people were killed at a Hanukkah event on Sydney\u2019s Bondi Beach.<\/p>\n<p>Australian police announced on Wednesday that the suspected gunman has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder.<\/p>\n<p>24-year-old Naveed Akram was arrested at the scene of the incident and taken to a Sydney hospital following a shootout with police that killed his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//58//46//28//808x539_cmsv2_35858b50-3714-58da-8a81-f4a7b65a9ed7-9584628.jpg/" alt=\"Mourners gather at a menorah lighting ceremony at a floral memorial for victims of the Bondi Beach shooting, 16 December, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/46\/28\/384x256_cmsv2_35858b50-3714-58da-8a81-f4a7b65a9ed7-9584628.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/46\/28\/640x427_cmsv2_35858b50-3714-58da-8a81-f4a7b65a9ed7-9584628.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/46\/28\/750x500_cmsv2_35858b50-3714-58da-8a81-f4a7b65a9ed7-9584628.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/46\/28\/828x552_cmsv2_35858b50-3714-58da-8a81-f4a7b65a9ed7-9584628.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/46\/28\/1080x720_cmsv2_35858b50-3714-58da-8a81-f4a7b65a9ed7-9584628.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/46\/28\/1200x800_cmsv2_35858b50-3714-58da-8a81-f4a7b65a9ed7-9584628.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/46\/28\/1920x1280_cmsv2_35858b50-3714-58da-8a81-f4a7b65a9ed7-9584628.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Mourners gather at a menorah lighting ceremony at a floral memorial for victims of the Bondi Beach shooting, 16 December, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Naveed Akram was charged with one count of murder for each victim who died and one count of committing a terrorist act after waking from a coma on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>The pair allegedly opened fire on those attending an event to mark the start of an eight-day Hanukkah festival at Bondi beach on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>The men had reportedly pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State (IS) group and flags of the terrorist group were found in their car where police also discovered at least two improvised explosive devices.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1765990059,"updatedAt":1765993695,"publishedAt":1765993033,"firstPublishedAt":1765993033,"lastPublishedAt":1765993694,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/66\/26\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_18300ab2-7ce1-532f-9f45-4cb88a6cd9a4-9586626.jpg","altText":"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a Hanukkah event in Brussels, 17 December, 2025","caption":"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a Hanukkah event in Brussels, 17 December, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"EC - Audiovisual Service","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1799,"height":1012},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/66\/26\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5fdb0b3f-2d8f-5795-85d6-46c6bec4f177-9586626.jpg","altText":"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a Hanukkah event in Brussels, 17 December, 2025","caption":"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a Hanukkah event in Brussels, 17 December, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"EC - Audiovisual Service","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1879,"height":974},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/46\/28\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_35858b50-3714-58da-8a81-f4a7b65a9ed7-9584628.jpg","altText":"Mourners gather at a menorah lighting ceremony at a floral memorial for victims of the Bondi Beach shooting, 16 December, 2025","caption":"Mourners gather at a menorah lighting ceremony at a floral memorial for victims of the Bondi Beach shooting, 16 December, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":24,"slug":"belgium","urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","titleRaw":"Belgium"},{"id":18906,"slug":"ursula-von-der-leyen","urlSafeValue":"ursula-von-der-leyen","title":"Ursula von der Leyen","titleRaw":"Ursula von der Leyen"},{"id":90,"slug":"eu-commission","urlSafeValue":"eu-commission","title":"European Commission","titleRaw":"European 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EU Commissioner Hoekstra defends scrapping 2035 ban on combustion engines","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Exclusive: EU Commissioner defends scrapping diesel and petrol car ban","titleListing2":"Climate Commissioner Hoekstra defends scrapping the 2035 ban on combustion engines, calling it \"a smart, wise compromise for climate and competitiveness. ","leadin":"Climate Commissioner Hoekstra defended scrapping the landmark proposal to ban combustion-engine cars, calling it \"a smart, wise compromise for climate and competitiveness.\" Meanwhile, critics say Brussels is backtracking on its green agenda.","summary":"Climate Commissioner Hoekstra defended scrapping the landmark proposal to ban combustion-engine cars, calling it \"a smart, wise compromise for climate and competitiveness.\" Meanwhile, critics say Brussels is backtracking on its green agenda.","keySentence":"","url":"exclusive-eu-commissioner-hoekstra-defends-scrapping-2035-ban-on-combustion-engines","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2025\/12\/17\/exclusive-eu-commissioner-hoekstra-defends-scrapping-2035-ban-on-combustion-engines","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"European Commissioner for Climate Wopke Hoekstra defended a controversial decision to drop a planned ban of combustion-engine vehicles from 2035, calling it a \"smart and wise compromise\" for both climate and industry in an interview with Euronews.\n\nHis comments follow the European Commission's announcement on Tuesday that it would roll back a proposal to entirely ban the sale of cars powered by combustion engines from 2035.\n\nInstead, the executive said the ban would apply to 90% of new cars, down from 100%. The extra leeway could allow more polluting vehicles to enter the market.\n\nEuropean automakers, facing a perfect storm as a result of higher energy costs, tariffs and fierce competition from China, had called for flexibility from the Commission.\n\nMeanwhile, climate activists lashed out at the executive for bowing to industry at the expense of the Green Deal, which they argue is being erased. Hoekstra said neither is true.\n\n\"We want to help this hugely important industry (autos) not just survive but thrive. But this is going to be absolutely climate neutral,\" Hoekstra told Euronews.\n\n\"The only thing that we are doing is introducing a provision that allows companies to continue to sell hybrids, for example, and compensate the emissions by using green steel. That's a win for both.\"\n\nStill under fire\n\nThe Commission continues to face criticism from climate associations who argue that the executive is actively going against its own green policies introduced under Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's first term, in which she referred to the Green Deal as \"Europe's man on the Moon moment\" and the centerpiece of its future growth strategy.\n\nIn her second mandate, von der Leyen has pivoted toward competitiveness, vowing to cut red tape, ease bureaucracy and roll back excessive regulation.\n\nThe new political direction of the Commission, shaped mainly by industry demands, has sparked concerns among climate groups who suggest the Green Deal has been abandoned.\n\nCommissioner Hoekstra, who hails from the Netherlands, told Euronews that the Green Deal remains a \"compass\" for Europe, but the recipe will have to be adapted.\n\n\"The name of the game is we must do the utmost for our competitiveness, climate and our independence,\" he said. \"Always in combination, not the expense of the other. If the world changes, the recipe cannot be the same, right?\"\n\nThe proposal still needs to be agreed upon by European lawmakers and EU governments. Hoekstra said he expects to gather broad political support for it.\n\nThe centre-right EPP, which brings together most mainstream conservative forces including Germany's CDU, welcomed the move. Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez, who leads one of a handful of left-leaning governments in Europe, called scrapping the complete ban a \"mistake\" on Wednesday.\n\nBulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Slovakia were\u00a0the EU countries\u00a0that asked the Commission to reconsider the 2035 ban on combustion engines.\n\nMeanwhile, France and Spain were among the countries backing the ban and urging EU leaders to \u201cstay on track,\u201d saying that zero-emissions vehicles are \u201cindispensable,\" according to a letter seen by Euronews.\n\nHowever, Paris and Madrid called on lawmakers to include hybrid vehicles and fiscal incentives for domestic automakers.\u00a0\n\nCars at the centre of 'emotional debate'\n\nHoekstra acknowledges that balancing the need for a competitive European economy at a time when the Trump administration is imposing tariffs and China is growing more assertive in high-tech sectors, with an ambitious climate policy, has become for some a deeply political and emotional debate.\n\nThe automotive sector stands out more than any other in Europe, as it is widely regarded as highly strategic for exports and jobs in countries like Germany, but it is also very energy-dependent and remains one of the top sources of pollution in Europe.\n\nHoekstra conceded that \"not everyone will be pleased\" but noted that's \"part of politics\".\n\nAsked if he had personally come under pressure from the German government, which had expressed a desire the drop the ban, he denied a single actor played a definitive role, but a combination of factors.\n\n\"You have to what is wise, intelligent and good for Europe in the long run,\" he said, adding that the measure has to be seen as part of a package.\n\nUnder the new legislative proposal on CO2 emissions in cars, the EU executive said the bloc's manufacturers will have to offset the remaining 10% of emissions by using low-carbon steel produced in the EU or sustainable fuels such as e-fuels and biofuels.\n\nFull-electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen vehicles will also be encouraged, with car manufacturers eligible to receive \"super credits\" for producing small, affordable electric cars made in the EU, according to the Commission's proposal.\n\n\"There needs to be a political landing zone, because no one will like all the elements,\" Hoekstra said, \"But many will see that the package, with green steel, added flexibilities, climate neutrality, and a combination of element, is a winner for Europe.\"\n\n","htmlText":"<p>European Commissioner for Climate Wopke Hoekstra defended a controversial decision to drop a planned ban of combustion-engine vehicles from 2035, calling it a \"smart and wise compromise\" for both climate and industry in an interview with Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>His comments follow the European Commission's announcement on Tuesday that it would roll back a proposal to entirely ban the sale of cars powered by combustion engines from 2035. <\/p>\n<p>Instead, the executive said the ban would apply to 90% of new cars, down from 100%. The extra leeway could allow more polluting vehicles to enter the market. <\/p>\n<p>European automakers, facing a perfect storm as a result of higher energy costs, tariffs and fierce competition from China, had called for flexibility from the Commission. <\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, climate activists lashed out at the executive for bowing to industry at the expense of the Green Deal, which they argue is being erased. Hoekstra said neither is true.<\/p>\n<p>\"We want to help this hugely important industry (autos) not just survive but thrive. But this is going to be absolutely climate neutral,\" Hoekstra told Euronews. <\/p>\n<p>\"The only thing that we are doing is introducing a provision that allows companies to continue to sell hybrids, for example, and compensate the emissions by using green steel. That's a win for both.\"<\/p>\n<h2>Still under fire<\/h2>\n<p>The Commission continues to face criticism from climate associations who argue that the executive is actively going against its own green policies introduced under Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's first term, in which she referred to the Green Deal as \"Europe's man on the Moon moment\" and the centerpiece of its future growth strategy.<\/p>\n<p>In her second mandate, von der Leyen has pivoted toward competitiveness, vowing to cut red tape, ease bureaucracy and roll back excessive regulation.<\/p>\n<p>The new political direction of the Commission, shaped mainly by industry demands, has sparked concerns among climate groups who suggest the Green Deal has been abandoned.<\/p>\n<p>Commissioner Hoekstra, who hails from the Netherlands, told Euronews that the Green Deal remains a \"compass\" for Europe, but the recipe will have to be adapted.<\/p>\n<p>\"The name of the game is we must do the utmost for our competitiveness, climate and our independence,\" he said. \"Always in combination, not the expense of the other. If the world changes, the recipe cannot be the same, right?\"<\/p>\n<p>The proposal still needs to be agreed upon by European lawmakers and EU governments. Hoekstra said he expects to gather broad political support for it.<\/p>\n<p>The centre-right EPP, which brings together most mainstream conservative forces including Germany's CDU, welcomed the move. Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez, who leads one of a handful of left-leaning governments in Europe, called scrapping the complete ban a \"mistake\" on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Slovakia were <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//12//08//seven-eu-countries-pressure-european-commission-to-rethink-2035-diesel-and-petrol-car-ban/">the EU countries<\/strong><\/a> that asked the Commission to reconsider the 2035 ban on combustion engines.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, France and Spain were among the countries backing the ban and urging EU leaders to \u201cstay on track,\u201d saying that zero-emissions vehicles are \u201cindispensable,\" according to a letter seen by Euronews. <\/p>\n<p>However, Paris and Madrid called on lawmakers to include hybrid vehicles and fiscal incentives for domestic automakers. <\/p>\n<h2>Cars at the centre of 'emotional debate'<\/h2>\n<p>Hoekstra acknowledges that balancing the need for a competitive European economy at a time when the Trump administration is imposing tariffs and China is growing more assertive in high-tech sectors, with an ambitious climate policy, has become for some a deeply political and emotional debate.<\/p>\n<p>The automotive sector stands out more than any other in Europe, as it is widely regarded as highly strategic for exports and jobs in countries like Germany, but it is also very energy-dependent and remains one of the top sources of pollution in Europe. <\/p>\n<p>Hoekstra conceded that \"not everyone will be pleased\" but noted that's \"part of politics\". <\/p>\n<p>Asked if he had personally come under pressure from the German government, which had expressed a desire the drop the ban, he denied a single actor played a definitive role, but a combination of factors. <\/p>\n<p>\"You have to what is wise, intelligent and good for Europe in the long run,\" he said, adding that the measure has to be seen as part of a package.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//12//08//seven-eu-countries-pressure-european-commission-to-rethink-2035-diesel-and-petrol-car-ban/">Seven EU countries pressure European Commission to rethink 2035 diesel and petrol car ban<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//12//16//eu-carmakers-to-comply-with-90-emissions-reduction-by-2035-as-full-combustion-engine-ban-s/">EU carmakers to comply with 90% emissions reduction by 2035 as full combustion engine ban scrapped<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Under the new legislative proposal on CO2 emissions in cars, the EU executive said the bloc's manufacturers will have to offset the remaining 10% of emissions by using low-carbon steel produced in the EU or sustainable fuels such as e-fuels and biofuels.<\/p>\n<p>Full-electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen vehicles will also be encouraged, with car manufacturers eligible to receive \"super credits\" for producing small, affordable electric cars made in the EU, according to the Commission's proposal.<\/p>\n<p>\"There needs to be a political landing zone, because no one will like all the elements,\" Hoekstra said, \"But many will see that the package, with green steel, added flexibilities, climate neutrality, and a combination of element, is a winner for Europe.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1765967915,"updatedAt":1765989699,"publishedAt":1765988269,"firstPublishedAt":1765988269,"lastPublishedAt":1765989697,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/60\/80\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8c22b710-3560-590f-b5cb-989a44e02e12-9586080.jpg","altText":"Brand new cars of German car manufacturer Volkswagen and BMW are parked on a freight train in Munich, 14 October, 2021","caption":"Brand new cars of German car manufacturer Volkswagen and BMW are parked on a freight train in Munich, 14 October, 2021","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"height":911}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2852,"urlSafeValue":"pacheco","title":"Marta Pacheco","twitter":"@themartache"},{"id":3540,"urlSafeValue":"maria.tadeo@euronews.com","title":"Maria Tadeo","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":29232,"slug":"eu-policy","urlSafeValue":"eu-policy","title":"EU Policy","titleRaw":"EU Policy"},{"id":12944,"slug":"climate","urlSafeValue":"climate","title":"Climate","titleRaw":"Climate"},{"id":8859,"slug":"electric-cars","urlSafeValue":"electric-cars","title":"Electric cars","titleRaw":"Electric cars"},{"id":14158,"slug":"diesel-car","urlSafeValue":"diesel-car","title":"Diesel car","titleRaw":"Diesel car"},{"id":25990,"slug":"energy-transition","urlSafeValue":"energy-transition","title":"energy transition","titleRaw":"energy transition"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2854835},{"id":2639284},{"id":2216756}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x9vwg7a"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/31\/92\/91\/04\/ED_PYR_3192914_20251217164101.mp4","editor":"","duration":691320,"filesizeBytes":91997637,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/31\/92\/91\/04\/SHD_PYR_3192914_20251217164101.mp4","editor":"","duration":691320,"filesizeBytes":144357895,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/31\/92\/91\/04\/FHD_PYR_3192914_20251217164101.mp4","editor":"","duration":691320,"filesizeBytes":525703677,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"},{"id":"climate","urlSafeValue":"climate","title":"Climate","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":{"id":3270,"urlSafeValue":"brussels","title":"Brussels"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/12\/17\/exclusive-eu-commissioner-hoekstra-defends-scrapping-2035-ban-on-combustion-engines","lastModified":1765989697},{"id":2855411,"cid":9586454,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"EU BIOTECH ACT","daletPyramidId":3637826,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":" EU unveils new biotech plan to boost its global competitiveness and close gap with China, US","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"EU moves to strengthen biotech industry to boost global competitivenes","titleListing2":"The new EU Biotech Plan wants to keep research, clinical development, and manufacturing within the European Union.","leadin":"The new EU Biotech Plan wants to keep research, clinical development, and manufacturing within the European Union.","summary":"The new EU Biotech Plan wants to keep research, clinical development, and manufacturing within the European Union.","keySentence":"","url":"eu-unveils-new-biotech-plan-to-boost-its-global-competitiveness-and-close-gap-with-china-u","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/health\/2025\/12\/17\/eu-unveils-new-biotech-plan-to-boost-its-global-competitiveness-and-close-gap-with-china-u","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The new Biotech Act, presented by the European Commission, aims to set up a framework that helps biotechnology reach the market faster, improving the bloc\u2019s competitiveness over China, and the United States.\u00a0\n\nThe Commission on Tuesday acknowledged in its proposal that the European Union (EU) lags behind other global regions when it comes to turning its science and innovation into commercially viable products and large-scale manufacturing.\n\n\u201cWe need a Biotech Act, which should create a hub for making Europe again a global powerhouse by creating an industrial, financial, and regulatory environment that is able to deliver this,\u201d Health Commissioner Oliv\u00e9r V\u00e1rhelyi said during the proposal\u2019s presentation.\n\nBy promoting a sort of \u201cmade in Europe\u201d approach, the Act aims to support the industry, speed up development and market entry of biotech products, and reward those projects that strengthen Europe\u2019s industrial base.\n\nFrom more financing to extended patent protection, here are the main measures the EU is offering countries to stay in the region.\n\nMore money and easier access\n\nOver the last decade, the EU biotechnology industry has grown more than twice as fast as the overall EU economy and is one of the most economically productive industries, according to the European Commission.\u00a0\n\nHowever, in that same period, health\u2011biotech venture capital investment in the United States reached about \u20ac219 billion, compared with \u20ac25 billion in the EU.\n\nThe Biotech Act introduces a new tool, the \u201cHealth Biotech Investment Pilot,\u201d to be set up with the European Investment Bank Group and other partners.\u00a0\n\nIt aims to mobilise very large amounts of capital \u2013 including EU public money, national schemes, and public investors. The goal is to get about \u20ac40 billion per year for the next decade to support companies in the EU.\u00a0\n\nAt the same time, projects under the Biotech Act will receive \u201cparticular consideration\u201d under existing funding tools, mainly InvestEU, cohesion policy tools, and the new European Competitiveness Fund in the new EU long-term budget 2028-2034.\u00a0\n\nCutting red tape\u00a0\n\nTo facilitate the work of companies in Europe, the proposal shortens and simplifies clinical trial procedures so that manufacturers can bring products to market faster \u2013 especially for multinational trials and advanced medicinal products (ATMPs), which include gene, cell, and tissue-based therapies.\u00a0\n\nOver the last decade, the share of European clinical trials fell from 22 per cent in 2013 to 12 per cent in 2023, while China\u2019s share rose from 5 to 18 over the same period, according to the Commission.\u00a0\n\nCurrently, the EU has longer clinical trial approval timelines than competitors such as the United States, China, and Japan. Multinational clinical trials in the EU take about 113 days on average for a decision, while in most countries the process typically does not exceed around 60 days.\n\nExtended intellectual protections\n\nBeyond funding tools, the proposal adds other incentives aimed at keeping research and development (R&D) and manufacturing in Europe. These include 12 additional months of extra protection for certain innovative medicines developed and authorised under EU law, on top of existing patent protection.\u00a0\n\nThe Act also introduces regulatory sandboxes for novel health biotech products, allowing manufacturers to test innovations under controlled conditions outside existing frameworks to accelerate the development of cutting-edge technologies.\n\nStrengthening Europe\u2019s industry\n\nFinally, it creates the labels \u201cstrategic\u201d and \u201chigh-impact strategic\u201d for health biotech projects carried out in EU-based facilities whose infrastructure and skills strengthen the bloc\u2019s industrial base.\u00a0\n\nThe proposal defines these as projects that materially reinforce the EU\u2019s capabilities along the whole value chain, from research and clinical development to manufacturing and deployment.\u00a0\n\nExamples include large-scale biotech development accelerators and testing infrastructures, specialised centres for advanced therapies, and biodefence-relevant projects.\u00a0\n\nThe proposal is for member states and the Commission to treat these projects as priorities when planning funding and infrastructure, both at the EU and the national level.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The new Biotech Act, presented by the European Commission, aims to set up a framework that helps biotechnology reach the market faster, improving the bloc\u2019s competitiveness over China, and the United States. <\/p>\n<p>The Commission on Tuesday acknowledged in its proposal that the European Union (EU) lags behind other global regions when it comes to turning its science and innovation into commercially viable products and large-scale manufacturing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe need a Biotech Act, which should create a hub for making Europe again a global powerhouse by creating an industrial, financial, and regulatory environment that is able to deliver this,\u201d Health Commissioner Oliv\u00e9r V\u00e1rhelyi said during the proposal\u2019s presentation.<\/p>\n<p>By promoting a sort of \u201cmade in Europe\u201d approach, the Act aims to support the industry, speed up development and market entry of biotech products, and reward those projects that strengthen Europe\u2019s industrial base.<\/p>\n<p>From more financing to extended patent protection, here are the main measures the EU is offering countries to stay in the region.<\/p>\n<h2>More money and easier access<\/h2>\n<p>Over the last decade, the EU biotechnology industry has grown more than twice as fast as the overall EU economy and is one of the most economically productive industries, according to the European Commission. <\/p>\n<p>However, in that same period, health\u2011biotech venture capital investment in the United States reached about \u20ac219 billion, compared with \u20ac25 billion in the EU.<\/p>\n<p>The Biotech Act introduces a new tool, the \u201cHealth Biotech Investment Pilot,\u201d to be set up with the European Investment Bank Group and other partners. <\/p>\n<p>It aims to mobilise very large amounts of capital \u2013 including EU public money, national schemes, and public investors. The goal is to get about \u20ac40 billion per year for the next decade to support companies in the EU. <\/p>\n<p>At the same time, projects under the Biotech Act will receive \u201cparticular consideration\u201d under existing funding tools, mainly InvestEU, cohesion policy tools, and the new European Competitiveness Fund in the new EU long-term budget 2028-2034. <\/p>\n<h2>Cutting red tape<\/h2>\n<p>To facilitate the work of companies in Europe, the proposal shortens and simplifies clinical trial procedures so that manufacturers can bring products to market faster \u2013 especially for multinational trials and advanced medicinal products (ATMPs), which include gene, cell, and tissue-based therapies. <\/p>\n<p>Over the last decade, the share of European clinical trials fell from 22 per cent in 2013 to 12 per cent in 2023, while China\u2019s share rose from 5 to 18 over the same period, according to the Commission. <\/p>\n<p>Currently, the EU has longer clinical trial approval timelines than competitors such as the United States, China, and Japan. Multinational clinical trials in the EU take about 113 days on average for a decision, while in most countries the process typically does not exceed around 60 days. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//health//2024//10//30//eu-lagging-us-and-china-on-clinical-trials-report/">EU lagging US and China on clinical trials - report <\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Extended intellectual protections<\/h2>\n<p>Beyond funding tools, the proposal adds other incentives aimed at keeping research and development (R&amp;D) and manufacturing in Europe. These include 12 additional months of extra protection for certain innovative medicines developed and authorised under EU law, on top of existing patent protection. <\/p>\n<p>The Act also introduces regulatory sandboxes for novel health biotech products, allowing manufacturers to test innovations under controlled conditions outside existing frameworks to accelerate the development of cutting-edge technologies.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//health//2025//03//05//commission-playing-catch-up-with-us-china-in-life-science-sector/">Commission playing catch up with US, China in life science sector<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Strengthening Europe\u2019s industry<\/h2>\n<p>Finally, it creates the labels \u201cstrategic\u201d and \u201chigh-impact strategic\u201d for health biotech projects carried out in EU-based facilities whose infrastructure and skills strengthen the bloc\u2019s industrial base. <\/p>\n<p>The proposal defines these as projects that materially reinforce the EU\u2019s capabilities along the whole value chain, from research and clinical development to manufacturing and deployment. <\/p>\n<p>Examples include large-scale biotech development accelerators and testing infrastructures, specialised centres for advanced therapies, and biodefence-relevant projects. <\/p>\n<p>The proposal is for member states and the Commission to treat these projects as priorities when planning funding and infrastructure, both at the EU and the national level.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1765984552,"updatedAt":1766051444,"publishedAt":1765985436,"firstPublishedAt":1765985436,"lastPublishedAt":1765985436,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Cleared\/Canva","altText":"The new EU Biotech Plan wants to keep research, clinical development, and manufacturing within the European Union.","callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"caption":"The new EU Biotech Plan wants to keep research, clinical development, and manufacturing within the European Union.","url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/64\/54\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c7411c81-38ff-520a-9e30-a04bcfb14d4d-9586454.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":900}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"iraola","twitter":"@marta_iraola","id":2960,"title":"Marta Iraola Iribarren"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"eu-policy","titleRaw":"EU Policy","id":29232,"title":"EU Policy","slug":"eu-policy"},{"urlSafeValue":"eu-commission","titleRaw":"European Commission","id":90,"title":"European Commission","slug":"eu-commission"},{"urlSafeValue":"oliver-varhelyi","titleRaw":"Oliver Varhelyi","id":21826,"title":"Oliver Varhelyi","slug":"oliver-varhelyi"},{"urlSafeValue":"rd","titleRaw":"r&d","id":28298,"title":"r&d","slug":"rd"},{"urlSafeValue":"health","titleRaw":"Health","id":139,"title":"Health","slug":"health"},{"urlSafeValue":"competitiveness","titleRaw":"competitiveness","id":30164,"title":"competitiveness","slug":"competitiveness"}],"widgets":[{"count":2,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2855084},{"id":2854726},{"id":2855334}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"health-news","urlSafeValue":"health-news","title":"Health News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/health\/health-news\/health-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"health","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"health","id":12,"title":"Health","slug":"health"},{"urlSafeValue":"my-europe","id":2,"title":"Europe","slug":"my-europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":12,"slug":"health","urlSafeValue":"health","title":"Health"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"health-news","id":"health-news","title":"Health news","url":"\/health\/health-news"},{"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","id":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":43,"urlSafeValue":"health-news","title":"Health news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":{"id":541,"urlSafeValue":"brussels-belgium","title":"Brussels, Belgium"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/health\/2025\/12\/17\/eu-unveils-new-biotech-plan-to-boost-its-global-competitiveness-and-close-gap-with-china-u","lastModified":1765985436},{"id":2855345,"cid":9586198,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Hoekstra_Mercosur","daletPyramidId":3634825,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Signing Mercosur deal is now 'imperative', EU Commissioner Hoekstra tells Euronews","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Signing Mercosur deal is now 'imperative', Commissioner Hoekstra says","titleListing2":"Signing Mercosur deal is now \"imperative\", EU Commissioner Hoekstra tells Euronews. Rome and Paris seek delay to make-or-break vote for trade agreement.","leadin":"In an exclusive interview, European Commissioner for Climate Wopke Hoekstra said signing the Mercosur trade agreement is essential. Rome and Paris, however, are seeking to delay a crucial vote that could push or kill the deal.","summary":"In an exclusive interview, European Commissioner for Climate Wopke Hoekstra said signing the Mercosur trade agreement is essential. Rome and Paris, however, are seeking to delay a crucial vote that could push or kill the deal.","keySentence":"","url":"signing-mercosur-deal-is-now-imperative-eu-commissioner-hoekstra-tells-euronews","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/2025\/12\/17\/signing-mercosur-deal-is-now-imperative-eu-commissioner-hoekstra-tells-euronews","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Signing off the Mercosur trade deal between the European Union and Latin American countries is \"imperative\", EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra told Euronews, as political divisions among member states could derail a crucial vote this week.\n\nThe deal, more than 20 years in the making, has entered a decisive week, which could see the Mercosur accord finally signed off or have it derailed. Backers, which include the European Commission, Germany and Spain, argue that a failure to stamp the deal would present a setback as the bloc seeks new markets for exports. France is leading an opposition camp and is looking to delay the vote, which could shelve it entirely.\n\n\u201cI am confident that this is a deal that is good for Europeans, that is good for European member states, that it is good for European industry, and the same is true for our counterparts in Latin America,\u201d Hoekstra told Euronews. \u201cTherefore, there is a clear imperative to continue with this deal, to sign it off, and then enjoy the fruits of it.\u201d\n\nEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to travel to Latin America on 20 December to sign the agreement she concluded in 2024 with Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and regional powerhouse economy Brazil. But that can only happen if backers reach a qualified majority which is facing severe hurdles. A diplomat told Euronews the Mercosur deal hangs in the balance and will go to the wire.\n\nEuropean leaders will gather in Brussels for the final European Council gathering of the year on Thursday. The deal, which is highly political and sees competing interests, could be treated on the sidelines by the top political echelons with direct input from leaders.\n\nFrance, a long-standing opponent, is pushing to delay a vote in the EU Council - a prerequisite for signature. In a fresh setback, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also called on Wednesday morning before the Senate for the vote to be postponed.\n\nParis has long argued that the agreement fails to adequately protect farmers from unfair competition from Mercosur imports and is demanding a reciprocity clause that would impose EU standards on Mercosur countries. The Commission has introduced new safeguards, but the French government is demanding more.\n\nMeloni, who has kept her cards close to her chest throughout the negotiation but is crucial for both camps, told Italian lawmakers that \"signing the agreement in the next days, as it is suggested, would be premature.\"\n\nAsked if delaying the vote would see the Mercosur collapse altogether, Commissioner Hoekstra said he would not enter speculation about the fate of the deal.\n\n\"Let's not get into ifs and what may happen at this stage,\" he said, adding that his view and that of the European Commission is that the Mercosur would have a positive impact.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Signing off the Mercosur trade deal between the European Union and Latin American countries is \"imperative\", EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra told Euronews, as political divisions among member states could derail a crucial vote this week.<\/p>\n<p>The deal, more than 20 years in the making, has entered a decisive week, which could see the Mercosur accord finally signed off or have it derailed. Backers, which include the European Commission, Germany and Spain, argue that a failure to stamp the deal would present a setback as the bloc seeks new markets for exports. France is leading an opposition camp and is looking to delay the vote, which could shelve it entirely.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am confident that this is a deal that is good for Europeans, that is good for European member states, that it is good for European industry, and the same is true for our counterparts in Latin America,\u201d Hoekstra told Euronews. \u201cTherefore, there is a clear imperative to continue with this deal, to sign it off, and then enjoy the fruits of it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to travel to Latin America on 20 December to sign the agreement <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//12//06//von-der-leyen-clinches-eu-mercosur-trade-deal-in-face-of-french-opposition/">she concluded in 2024<\/a> with Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and regional powerhouse economy Brazil. But that can only happen if backers reach a qualified majority which is facing severe hurdles. A diplomat told Euronews the Mercosur deal hangs in the balance and will go to the wire. <\/p>\n<p>European leaders will gather in Brussels for the final European Council gathering of the year on Thursday. The deal, which is highly political and sees competing interests, could be treated on the sidelines by the top political echelons with direct input from leaders. <\/p>\n<p>France, a long-standing opponent, is pushing to delay a vote in the EU Council - a prerequisite for signature. In a fresh setback, Italian <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//12//17//signing-the-eu-mercosur-deal-now-is-premature-italys-pm-meloni-says/">Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also called on Wednesday morning before the Senate for the vote to be postponed<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>Paris has long argued that the agreement fails to adequately protect farmers from unfair competition from Mercosur imports and is demanding a reciprocity clause that would impose EU standards on Mercosur countries. The Commission has introduced new safeguards, but the French government is demanding more. <\/p>\n<p>Meloni, who has kept her cards close to her chest throughout the negotiation but is crucial for both camps, told Italian lawmakers that \"signing the agreement in the next days, as it is suggested, would be premature.\"<\/p>\n<p>Asked if delaying the vote would see the Mercosur collapse altogether, Commissioner Hoekstra said he would not enter speculation about the fate of the deal. <\/p>\n<p>\"Let's not get into ifs and what may happen at this stage,\" he said, adding that his view and that of the European Commission is that the Mercosur would have a positive impact. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1765973582,"updatedAt":1765982391,"publishedAt":1765978491,"firstPublishedAt":1765978491,"lastPublishedAt":1765978830,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/61\/98\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_906d161e-95cd-5de0-b1f4-f2f3ed1582cc-9586198.jpg","altText":"Wopke Hoekstra, EU climate commissioner, speaks during a news conference at the COP29 U.N. Climate Summit, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan.","caption":"Wopke Hoekstra, EU climate commissioner, speaks during a news conference at the COP29 U.N. Climate Summit, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3206,"urlSafeValue":"corlin","title":"Peggy Corlin","twitter":"@PeggyCorlin"},{"id":3540,"urlSafeValue":"maria.tadeo@euronews.com","title":"Maria Tadeo","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":29232,"slug":"eu-policy","urlSafeValue":"eu-policy","title":"EU Policy","titleRaw":"EU Policy"},{"id":10829,"slug":"mercosur","urlSafeValue":"mercosur","title":"MERCOSUR","titleRaw":"MERCOSUR"},{"id":30204,"slug":"wopke-hoekstra","urlSafeValue":"wopke-hoekstra","title":"Wopke Hoekstra","titleRaw":"Wopke Hoekstra"},{"id":90,"slug":"eu-commission","urlSafeValue":"eu-commission","title":"European Commission","titleRaw":"European Commission"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2855333},{"id":2855010},{"id":2854957}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"3D8PB8I1gKA","dailymotionId":"x9vw6te"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/31\/92\/91\/04\/ED_PYR_3192914_20251217143954.mp4","editor":"","duration":691320,"filesizeBytes":91997637,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/31\/92\/91\/04\/SHD_PYR_3192914_20251217143954.mp4","editor":"","duration":691320,"filesizeBytes":144357895,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/31\/92\/91\/04\/FHD_PYR_3192914_20251217143954.mp4","editor":"","duration":691320,"filesizeBytes":525703677,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"},{"id":"markets","urlSafeValue":"markets","title":"Markets","url":"\/news\/international"},{"id":"economy","urlSafeValue":"economy","title":"Economy","url":"\/news\/international"},{"id":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":{"id":3270,"urlSafeValue":"brussels","title":"Brussels"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/12\/17\/signing-mercosur-deal-is-now-imperative-eu-commissioner-hoekstra-tells-euronews","lastModified":1765978830},{"id":2855334,"cid":9586151,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"EU CARDIOVASCULAR PLAN","daletPyramidId":3634248,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"\u2018Safe Hearts Plan\u2019: The EU aims to tackle cardiovascular disease. But does it go far enough?","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"EU targets tobacco, unhealthy diets in new push against heart disease","titleListing2":"The European Union\u2019s new \u2018Safe Hearts Plan\u2019 aims to cut cardiovascular deaths by 25 per cent in the next decade. ","leadin":"The European Union\u2019s new \u2018Safe Hearts Plan\u2019 aims to cut cardiovascular deaths by 25 per cent in the next decade.","summary":"The European Union\u2019s new \u2018Safe Hearts Plan\u2019 aims to cut cardiovascular deaths by 25 per cent in the next decade.","keySentence":"","url":"safe-hearts-plan-the-eu-aims-to-tackle-cardiovascular-disease-but-does-it-go-far-enough","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/health\/2025\/12\/17\/safe-hearts-plan-the-eu-aims-to-tackle-cardiovascular-disease-but-does-it-go-far-enough","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The European Commission has unveiled a \u2018Safe Hearts Plan\u2019 to improve cardiovascular health by boosting prevention, tackling risk factors such as unhealthy diets and tobacco use, and increasing vaccination.\u00a0\n\nCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death and disability across the European Union (EU), accounting for about 1.7 million deaths annually and affecting 62 million people, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).\n\nCardiovascular disease refers to conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. As it stands, CVD prevalence is projected to rise 90 per cent and deaths 73 per cent between 2025\u20132050.\u00a0\n\n\u201cThis is a long overdue commitment of the European Union, because still cardiovascular health is the most important challenge in front of us when it comes to public health,\u201d European Health Commissioner Oliv\u00e9r V\u00e1rhelyi told reporters.\u00a0\n\nThe new plan, revealed on Tuesday. aims to reverse this trend by supporting member states to address the main causes and by setting specific reduction targets for 2035.\u00a0\n\nOver the next decade, the EU wants to cut premature deaths from cardiovascular disease by 25 per cent and introduce annual checks for blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar for most adults older than 25.\n\nV\u00e1rhelyi said that, otherwise, the EU runs the risk of losing more lives and having generations not able to live a full life because of these diseases.\u00a0\n\nSpecial focus on prevention\u00a0\n\nThe Commission notes that nearly 80 per cent of cardiovascular diseases can be prevented through lifestyle changes.\n\nCardiovascular diseases are caused by a range of modifiable and non-modifiable factors ranging from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes to smoking, obesity and air pollution.\u00a0\n\nThe EU plan puts a strong focus on lifestyle risk factors and makes prevention part of national routine healthcare.\u00a0\n\nOne major target is tobacco use. Following existing targets, the goal is that fewer than 5 per cent of adults will be using tobacco by 2040, aligned with Europe\u2019s Beating Cancer Plan.\u00a0\n\nTo achieve that, the Commission will revise the EU tobacco control legislation in 2026 to cover novel products such as e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and vapes. There will also be a revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive to harmonise excise duties across traditional and newer products.\u00a0\n\nAnother concern is unhealthy diets. According to the Commission, about 75 per cent of deaths linked to obesity are attributed to cardiovascular diseases.\n\nThe EU plan warns of the number of people who don\u2019t follow a diet as healthy as they should: only about 60 per cent of adults consume fresh fruit and vegetables daily, while 42 per cent of adolescents consume no fruit or vegetables daily.\n\nThe proposed measures include support for food reformulation, sustainable public procurement criteria for healthy food in public institutions, and better information on ultra\u2011processed foods.\n\nCommissioner V\u00e1rhelyi had previously indicated he was open to taxes on products high in sugar, salt and ultraprocessed ingredients \u2013 however, these didn\u2019t make it into the final plan.\u00a0\n\nStakeholder concerns\n\nWhile these measures are welcomed by stakeholders, consumer groups criticised the lack of specific timelines and measurable commitments.\u00a0\n\n\"The new Cardiovascular health plan lacks teeth to better protect consumers from unhealthy foods, high in fat, sugar and salt\u201d, said Samuele Tonello, senior food policy officer, at the European Consumer Organisation BEUC.\n\nHe added that properly addressing the problem will require more measures to make the healthy and sustainable choice easy for consumers, and limit unhealthy options.\u00a0\n\nAccording to Foodwatch International, an advocacy group for consumer rights, the Commission missed the opportunity to present specific legislation to ban the marketing of unhealthy food to children, prohibit the sales of energy drinks to minors, among others.\u00a0\n\nBeyond lifestyle, the plan also seeks to boost vaccination against respiratory infections that worsen cardiovascular conditions,\u00a0 such as influenza, COVID\u201119, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), pneumococcal disease and herpes zoster in older people and high\u2011risk groups.\n\nThe Commission frames higher vaccine uptake in these groups as another essential tool to prevent heart attacks and strokes triggered by infections.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The European Commission has unveiled a \u2018Safe Hearts Plan\u2019 to improve cardiovascular health by boosting prevention, tackling risk factors such as unhealthy diets and tobacco use, and increasing vaccination. <\/p>\n<p>Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death and disability across the European Union (EU), accounting for about 1.7 million deaths annually and affecting 62 million people, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).<\/p>\n<p>Cardiovascular disease refers to conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. As it stands, CVD prevalence is projected to rise 90 per cent and deaths 73 per cent between 2025\u20132050. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a long overdue commitment of the European Union, because still cardiovascular health is the most important challenge in front of us when it comes to public health,\u201d European Health Commissioner Oliv\u00e9r V\u00e1rhelyi told reporters. <\/p>\n<p>The new plan, revealed on Tuesday. aims to reverse this trend by supporting member states to address the main causes and by setting specific reduction targets for 2035. <\/p>\n<p>Over the next decade, the EU wants to cut premature deaths from cardiovascular disease by 25 per cent and introduce annual checks for blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar for most adults older than 25.<\/p>\n<p>V\u00e1rhelyi said that, otherwise, the EU runs the risk of losing more lives and having generations not able to live a full life because of these diseases. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//health//2025//12//15//the-burden-of-cardiovascular-disease-in-europe-almost-2-million-deaths-and-282-billion-ann/">The burden of cardiovascular disease in Europe: Almost 2 million deaths and \u20ac282 billion annually<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Special focus on prevention<\/h2>\n<p>The Commission notes that nearly 80 per cent of cardiovascular diseases can be prevented through lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n<p>Cardiovascular diseases are caused by a range of modifiable and non-modifiable factors ranging from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes to smoking, obesity and air pollution. <\/p>\n<p>The EU plan puts a strong focus on lifestyle risk factors and makes prevention part of national routine healthcare. <\/p>\n<p>One major target is tobacco use. Following existing targets, the goal is that fewer than 5 per cent of adults will be using tobacco by 2040, aligned with Europe\u2019s Beating Cancer Plan. <\/p>\n<p>To achieve that, the Commission will revise the EU tobacco control legislation in 2026 to cover novel products such as e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and vapes. There will also be a revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive to harmonise excise duties across traditional and newer products. <\/p>\n<p>Another concern is unhealthy diets. According to the Commission, about 75 per cent of deaths linked to obesity are attributed to cardiovascular diseases.<\/p>\n<p>The EU plan warns of the number of people who don\u2019t follow a diet as healthy as they should: only about 60 per cent of adults consume fresh fruit and vegetables daily, while 42 per cent of adolescents consume no fruit or vegetables daily.<\/p>\n<p>The proposed measures include support for food reformulation, sustainable public procurement criteria for healthy food in public institutions, and better information on ultra\u2011processed foods.<\/p>\n<p>Commissioner V\u00e1rhelyi had previously indicated he was open to taxes on products high in sugar, salt and ultraprocessed ingredients \u2013 however, these didn\u2019t make it into the final plan. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//11//12//how-do-environmental-factors-contribute-to-cardiovascular-disease-in-europe/">How do environmental factors contribute to cardiovascular disease in Europe?<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Stakeholder concerns<\/h2>\n<p>While these measures are welcomed by stakeholders, consumer groups criticised the lack of specific timelines and measurable commitments. <\/p>\n<p>\"The new Cardiovascular health plan lacks teeth to better protect consumers from unhealthy foods, high in fat, sugar and salt\u201d, said Samuele Tonello, senior food policy officer, at the European Consumer Organisation BEUC.<\/p>\n<p>He added that properly addressing the problem will require more measures to make the healthy and sustainable choice easy for consumers, and limit unhealthy options. <\/p>\n<p>According to Foodwatch International, an advocacy group for consumer rights, the Commission missed the opportunity to present specific legislation to ban the marketing of unhealthy food to children, prohibit the sales of energy drinks to minors, among others. <\/p>\n<p>Beyond lifestyle, the plan also seeks to boost vaccination against respiratory infections that worsen cardiovascular conditions, such as influenza, COVID\u201119, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), pneumococcal disease and herpes zoster in older people and high\u2011risk groups.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission frames higher vaccine uptake in these groups as another essential tool to prevent heart attacks and strokes triggered by infections.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1765971539,"updatedAt":1765972391,"publishedAt":1765972387,"firstPublishedAt":1765972387,"lastPublishedAt":1765972387,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/61\/51\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_7e92552a-c3d6-58c4-a4e5-ff1dd35935c5-9586151.jpg","altText":"The European Union\u2019s new plan aims to cut cardiovascular deaths by 25 per cent in the next decade. ","caption":"The European Union\u2019s new plan aims to cut cardiovascular deaths by 25 per cent in the next decade. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Cleared","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2960,"urlSafeValue":"iraola","title":"Marta Iraola Iribarren","twitter":"@marta_iraola"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":14650,"slug":"cardiovascular-disease","urlSafeValue":"cardiovascular-disease","title":"Cardiovascular diseases","titleRaw":"Cardiovascular diseases"},{"id":4442,"slug":"obesity","urlSafeValue":"obesity","title":"Obesity","titleRaw":"Obesity"},{"id":139,"slug":"health","urlSafeValue":"health","title":"Health","titleRaw":"Health"},{"id":13902,"slug":"tobacco","urlSafeValue":"tobacco","title":"tobacco","titleRaw":"tobacco"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2855363},{"id":2855411}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"health-news","urlSafeValue":"health-news","title":"Health News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/health\/health-news\/health-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"health","verticals":[{"id":12,"slug":"health","urlSafeValue":"health","title":"Health"},{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":12,"slug":"health","urlSafeValue":"health","title":"Health"},"themes":[{"id":"health-news","urlSafeValue":"health-news","title":"Health news","url":"\/health\/health-news"},{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":43,"urlSafeValue":"health-news","title":"Health news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":{"id":541,"urlSafeValue":"brussels-belgium","title":"Brussels, Belgium"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/health\/2025\/12\/17\/safe-hearts-plan-the-eu-aims-to-tackle-cardiovascular-disease-but-does-it-go-far-enough","lastModified":1765972387},{"id":2855174,"cid":9585528,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CBAM","daletPyramidId":3629932,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"EU gets tough on carbon border tax on heavy industry, vows to protect domestic producers","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"EU gets tough on carbon border tax, vows to protect domestic producers","titleListing2":"EU gets tough on carbon border tax on heavy industry and vows to protect domestic producers","leadin":"European producers of steel and aluminium will face higher CO2 emissions costs, but the European Commission wants to channel part of the revenues of the EU's carbon border tax to help heavy industries decarbonise.","summary":"European producers of steel and aluminium will face higher CO2 emissions costs, but the European Commission wants to channel part of the revenues of the EU's carbon border tax to help heavy industries decarbonise.","keySentence":"","url":"eu-gets-tough-on-carbon-border-tax-on-heavy-industry-vows-to-protect-domestic-producers","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2025\/12\/17\/eu-gets-tough-on-carbon-border-tax-on-heavy-industry-vows-to-protect-domestic-producers","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The European Union's so-called carbon border tax is set to apply to importers of refrigerators, washing machines, car parts and other products, according to a proposal to widen the scope of the levy released by the European Commission on Wednesday.\n\nProducts such as steel, aluminium, cement, and fertilisers will start paying for emissions generated by their production from January 2026, when the tax's operational phase kicks off.\n\nThe tax, whose full name is the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), is designed to ensure a level playing field for European companies, which are obliged to comply with the bloc's own carbon market, the Emissions Trading System.\n\nThe CBAM is a climate strategy to prevent companies from relocating production to countries with looser climate policies, a practice known as \"carbon leakage\".\n\n\"We want to make sure we still have a steel and aluminium industry in the future,\u201d Commissioner Vice President Executive St\u00e9phane S\u00e9journ\u00e9 told a press conference on Wednesday.\n\nAt the same time, the EU wants to encourage other countries to keep track of their emissions and put a price on them.\n\n\"We\u2019re not asking more from others than what we\u2019re asking from ourselves,\u201d Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra told reporters on Wednesday.\n\nThe bloc's biggest aluminium and steel importers are Turkey, the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Mexico and India, according to EU data.\n\nHowever, Commissioner Hoekstra said the measure would barely affect US exports, noting that \"a lot of simplification\" had already been conceded to ease transatlantic concerns.\n\nHeavy industry hit with higher costs\n\nThe new CBAM rules will increase production costs for heavy industry importers unless they meet EU environmental standards, with the Commission introducing stricter CO2 standardisation for sectors already covered.\n\nThe selection of targeted goods was based on an assessment of the risk of carbon leakage of individual products, their climate relevance and technical feasibility, the Commission said.\n\n\"We\u2019re putting an end to unfair foreign competition,\" Hoekstra said. \"CBAM will boost Europe\u2019s industry position in industry and around the world.\"\n\nThe EU executive said it will introduce a temporary support scheme for exported products, a response to concerns from European companies wary that the tax increase would make them less competitive. The Commission wants to use 25% of CBAM revenue from 2026 and 2027 to help European heavy industries cope with the energy transition and reduce their emissions.\n\nThe inclusion of new products into the bloc's financial mechanisms will increase revenues by 23% and generate around half a billion euros by 2030, Commissioner Hoekstra told reporters on Wednesday. By 2030, the EU estimates that total CBAM revenue will be about \u20ac2.1 billion.\n\n\"We\u2019re using the money from revenues to address risks,\u201d Hoekstra added.\n\nAndrea Spignoli, policy manager for sustainable markets at the environmental NGO Bellona Europa, welcomed the limited use of CBAM revenues to support EU exporters.\n\n\u201cCBAM revenues must deliver real emissions cuts and be governed by transparent and strict, credible criteria,\u201d recommended Spignoli.\n\nHowever, Bellona Europa also expressed reservations about the potential use of carbon credits, also known as polluting credits, considering that the practice can \"undermine\" CBAM goals.\n\n\u201cA\u00a0steel producer could meet CBAM obligations\u00a0by continuing\u00a0carbon-intensive production\u00a0and\u00a0buying\u00a0international credits,\u00a0instead of\u00a0developing\u00a0and\u00a0complying with\u00a0domestic carbon pricing\u00a0measures,\u201d said Am\u00e9lie\u00a0Laurent, policy adviser at the NGO.\n\nCBAM and international trade\n\nSome of the world's largest economies have spoken out against CBAM, with China, India, Brazil, Russia and South Africa particularly vocal. They have argued that the scheme amounts to protectionism and suggested it may violate international trade rules.\n\nA Commission official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, dismissed these legal concerns, saying CBAM is \"fully compatible\" with world trade rules.\n\n\u201cWe estimated that these two new pieces of legislation (CBAM review and Temporary Decarbonisation Fund) will come into effect on 1 January 2028,\u201d\u00a0 the Commission official added.\n\nThe proposal will now be discussed by the European Parliament and EU governments. The incoming EU Cypriot Presidency will mediate the political talks.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The European Union's so-called carbon border tax is set to apply to importers of refrigerators, washing machines, car parts and other products, according to a proposal to widen the scope of the levy released by the European Commission on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>Products such as <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//04//09//green-steel-as-a-lifeline-eu-commission-protects-european-metal-industry-from-unfair-compe/">steel, aluminium, cement, and fertilisers will start paying for emissions generated by their production from January 2026, when the tax's operational phase kicks off.<\/p>\n<p>The tax, whose full name is the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2023//10//03//worlds-first-carbon-border-tariff-is-launched-in-europe/">Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism <\/a>(CBAM), is designed to ensure a level playing field for European companies, which are obliged to comply with the bloc's own carbon market, the Emissions Trading System.<\/p>\n<p>The CBAM is a climate strategy to prevent companies from relocating production to countries with looser climate policies, a practice known as \"carbon leakage\". <\/p>\n<p>\"We want to make sure we still have a steel and aluminium industry in the future,\u201d Commissioner Vice President Executive St\u00e9phane S\u00e9journ\u00e9 told a press conference on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, the EU wants to encourage other countries to keep track of their emissions and <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//11//20//are-carbon-rating-agencies-the-key-to-avoiding-greenwashing/">put a price on them<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\"We\u2019re not asking more from others than what we\u2019re asking from ourselves,\u201d Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra told reporters on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>The bloc's biggest aluminium and steel importers are Turkey, the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Mexico and India, according to EU data.<\/p>\n<p>However, Commissioner Hoekstra said the measure would barely affect US exports, noting that \"<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//09//11//small-businesses-exempt-from-eus-tax-at-the-border/">a lot of simplification<\/a>\" had already been conceded to ease transatlantic concerns.<\/p>\n<h2>Heavy industry hit with higher costs<\/h2>\n<p>The new CBAM rules will increase production costs for heavy industry importers unless they meet EU environmental standards, with the Commission introducing stricter CO2 standardisation for sectors already covered. <\/p>\n<p>The selection of targeted goods was based on an assessment of the risk of carbon leakage of individual products, their climate relevance and technical feasibility, the Commission said.<\/p>\n<p>\"We\u2019re putting an end to unfair foreign competition,\" Hoekstra said. \"CBAM will boost Europe\u2019s industry position in industry and around the world.\"<\/p>\n<p>The EU executive said it will introduce a temporary support scheme for exported products, a response to concerns from European companies wary that the tax increase would make them less competitive. The Commission wants to use 25% of CBAM revenue from 2026 and 2027 to help European heavy industries cope with the energy transition and reduce their emissions. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2023//10//03//worlds-first-carbon-border-tariff-is-launched-in-europe/">World's first carbon border tariff is launched in Europe<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2019//12//04//europe-s-carbon-border-tax-could-hurt-climate-negotiations-according-to-china-adviser/">Europe's 'carbon border tax' could hurt climate negotiations, according to China adviser<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The inclusion of new products into the bloc's financial mechanisms will increase revenues by 23% and generate around half a billion euros by 2030, Commissioner Hoekstra told reporters on Wednesday. By 2030, the EU estimates that total CBAM revenue will be about \u20ac2.1 billion.<\/p>\n<p>\"We\u2019re using the money from revenues to address risks,\u201d Hoekstra added.<\/p>\n<p>Andrea Spignoli, policy manager for sustainable markets at the environmental NGO Bellona Europa, welcomed the limited use of CBAM revenues to support EU exporters.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCBAM revenues must deliver real emissions cuts and be governed by transparent and strict, credible criteria,\u201d recommended Spignoli.<\/p>\n<p>However, Bellona Europa also expressed reservations about the potential use of carbon credits, also known as polluting credits, considering that the practice can \"undermine\" CBAM goals.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA steel producer could meet CBAM obligations by continuing carbon-intensive production and buying international credits, instead of developing and complying with domestic carbon pricing measures,\u201d said Am\u00e9lie Laurent, policy adviser at the NGO.<\/p>\n<h2>CBAM and international trade<\/h2>\n<p>Some of the world's largest economies have spoken out against CBAM, with China, India, Brazil, Russia and South Africa particularly vocal. They have argued that the scheme amounts to <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//10//25//businesses-are-right-to-worry-about-the-eus-new-climate-tax-mechanism/">protectionism and suggested it may violate international trade rules.<\/p>\n<p>A Commission official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, dismissed these legal concerns, saying CBAM is \"fully compatible\" with world trade rules.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe estimated that these two new pieces of legislation (CBAM review and Temporary Decarbonisation Fund) will come into effect on 1 January 2028,\u201d the Commission official added.<\/p>\n<p>The proposal will now be discussed by the European Parliament and EU governments. The incoming EU Cypriot Presidency will mediate the political talks.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1765923369,"updatedAt":1765972252,"publishedAt":1765972246,"firstPublishedAt":1765972246,"lastPublishedAt":1765972246,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/55\/28\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a9600ab5-a4c4-5e68-bc2d-fa26120a7486-9585528.jpg","altText":"Containers at a port in Nanjing in eastern China's Jiangsu province.","caption":"Containers at a port in Nanjing in eastern China's Jiangsu province.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/CHINATOPIX","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"height":911}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2852,"urlSafeValue":"pacheco","title":"Marta Pacheco","twitter":"@themartache"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":29232,"slug":"eu-policy","urlSafeValue":"eu-policy","title":"EU Policy","titleRaw":"EU 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News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":{"id":3270,"urlSafeValue":"brussels","title":"Brussels"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/12\/17\/eu-gets-tough-on-carbon-border-tax-on-heavy-industry-vows-to-protect-domestic-producers","lastModified":1765972246},{"id":2855084,"cid":9585036,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SPORTS INJURIES PERIODS","daletPyramidId":3622634,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Footballers face longer recovery times if injured during their period, study finds","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Menstrual cycle may affect severity of sport injuries, study finds","titleListing2":"Female footballers may experience tougher injuries if they get hurt while on their period, a new study shows.","leadin":"Female footballers may experience tougher injuries if they get hurt while on their period, a new study shows.","summary":"Female footballers may experience tougher injuries if they get hurt while on their period, a new study shows.","keySentence":"","url":"footballers-face-longer-recovery-times-if-injured-during-their-period-study-finds","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/2025\/12\/17\/footballers-face-longer-recovery-times-if-injured-during-their-period-study-finds","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Female footballers who got injured while in their period experienced more severe injuries and longer recovery times, according to a new study.\n\nThe findings, published on Tuesday in the journal Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, show that while menstruation does not increase the risk of harm, it is linked to worse consequences when players do get injured.\u00a0\u00a0\n\nResearchers followed FC Barcelona women\u2019s players during four seasons between 2019 and 2023 \u2013 while they played for the Spanish professional national league.\u00a0\n\n\u201cWe show that menstruation itself does not increase how often injuries happen,\u201d said Eva Ferrer, lead author of the study and specialist in sports medicine and female health at Sant Joan de D\u00e9u Hospital and Bar\u00e7a Innovation Hub in Barcelona.\n\nShe added that injuries sustained during menstruation led to three times more days lost due to recovery than those occurring at other points of the cycle.\n\nFor example, the recovery time of soft tissue injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments took more than three times as long when experienced during bleeding days compared to non-bleeding days \u2013 684 versus 206 days lost per 1,000 training hours, respectively.\n\n\u201cSmall modifications such as longer warm-ups, adjusted high-speed workload, or added recovery support may help reduce the severity of injuries if they occur,\u201d said Ferrer.\u00a0\n\nHow does the menstrual cycle change the body?\n\nDuring the menstrual cycle, levels of hormones rise and fall, affecting different parts of the body, including muscles, metabolism, and the immune system.\u00a0\n\nLow estrogen levels can affect the muscles\u2019 ability to repair themselves and increase fatigue, pain, and sleep problems. At the same time, iron loss can reduce stamina and slow recovery.\n\nIt is not the first time that hormonal changes have been linked to worse outcomes in sports injuries, particularly among female footballers.\u00a0\n\nThe International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has funded a separate study that began earlier this year to investigate the link between the menstrual cycle and anterior cruciate ligament injuries in women\u2019s football.\u00a0\n\n\u201cWe know hormones fluctuate during different phases of the cycle but we don\u2019t yet know how much of an influence that may have on the risk of injury,\u201d Simon Augustus, a researcher in the project, said in a statement.\u00a0\u00a0\n\nThe research team will specifically monitor oestrogen and progesterone levels \u2013 hormones previously linked to increased ligament laxity and decreased neuromuscular reaction times.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Female footballers who got injured while in their period experienced more severe injuries and longer recovery times, according to a new study.<\/p>\n<p>The findings, published on Tuesday in the journal Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, show that while menstruation does not increase the risk of harm, it is linked to worse consequences when players do get injured. <\/p>\n<p>Researchers followed FC Barcelona women\u2019s players during four seasons between 2019 and 2023 \u2013 while they played for the Spanish professional national league. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe show that menstruation itself does not increase how often injuries happen,\u201d said Eva Ferrer, lead author of the study and specialist in sports medicine and female health at Sant Joan de D\u00e9u Hospital and Bar\u00e7a Innovation Hub in Barcelona.<\/p>\n<p>She added that injuries sustained during menstruation led to three times more days lost due to recovery than those occurring at other points of the cycle.<\/p>\n<p>For example, the recovery time of soft tissue injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments took more than three times as long when experienced during bleeding days compared to non-bleeding days \u2013 684 versus 206 days lost per 1,000 training hours, respectively.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSmall modifications such as longer warm-ups, adjusted high-speed workload, or added recovery support may help reduce the severity of injuries if they occur,\u201d said Ferrer. <\/p>\n<h2>How does the menstrual cycle change the body?<\/h2>\n<p>During the menstrual cycle, levels of hormones rise and fall, affecting different parts of the body, including muscles, metabolism, and the immune system. <\/p>\n<p>Low estrogen levels can affect the muscles\u2019 ability to repair themselves and increase fatigue, pain, and sleep problems. At the same time, iron loss can reduce stamina and slow recovery.<\/p>\n<p>It is not the first time that hormonal changes have been linked to worse outcomes in sports injuries, particularly among female footballers. <\/p>\n<p>The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has funded a separate study that began earlier this year to investigate the link between the menstrual cycle and anterior cruciate ligament injuries in women\u2019s football. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe know hormones fluctuate during different phases of the cycle but we don\u2019t yet know how much of an influence that may have on the risk of injury,\u201d Simon Augustus, a researcher in the project, said in a statement. <\/p>\n<p>The research team will specifically monitor oestrogen and progesterone levels \u2013 hormones previously linked to increased ligament laxity and decreased neuromuscular reaction times.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1765896933,"updatedAt":1765961131,"publishedAt":1765951219,"firstPublishedAt":1765951219,"lastPublishedAt":1765951220,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/50\/36\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c7d9f352-94fd-5190-a825-9a90e3e2e813-9585036.jpg","altText":"Spain's Aitana Bonmati lies on the pitch in pain during the Women's Euro 2025 final soccer match between England and Spain.","caption":"Spain's Aitana Bonmati lies on the pitch in pain during the Women's Euro 2025 final soccer match between England and Spain.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2960,"urlSafeValue":"iraola","title":"Marta Iraola Iribarren","twitter":"@marta_iraola"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":139,"slug":"health","urlSafeValue":"health","title":"Health","titleRaw":"Health"},{"id":8257,"slug":"football","urlSafeValue":"football","title":"Football","titleRaw":"Football"},{"id":12055,"slug":"women-football","urlSafeValue":"women-football","title":"Women Football","titleRaw":"Women Football"},{"id":20094,"slug":"menstruation","urlSafeValue":"menstruation","title":"menstruation","titleRaw":"menstruation"},{"id":14062,"slug":"injury","urlSafeValue":"injury","title":"injury","titleRaw":"injury"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2854699},{"id":2855363},{"id":2855411}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"health-news","urlSafeValue":"health-news","title":"Health 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news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":{"id":4129,"urlSafeValue":"brussels","title":"Brussels"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/health\/2025\/12\/17\/footballers-face-longer-recovery-times-if-injured-during-their-period-study-finds","lastModified":1765951220},{"id":2854835,"cid":9583920,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"AUTOMOTIVE","daletPyramidId":3613539,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"EU carmakers to comply with 90% emissions reduction by 2035 as full combustion engine ban scrapped","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"EU-made combustion cars to comply with 90% emissions reduction by 2035","titleListing2":"The European Commission revoked the 2035 ban on the sale of new cars and vans powered by diesel or petrol following pressure from some EU countries and the automotive industry. The EU executive says the rollback will restore competitiveness in the sector.","leadin":"The remaining 10% of emissions will need to be compensated for by using low-carbon steel 'Made in the EU' or sustainable fuels. The EU executive revoked the 2035 ban on the sale of new cars and vans powered by diesel or petrol after pressure from some EU countries and the automotive industry.","summary":"The remaining 10% of emissions will need to be compensated for by using low-carbon steel 'Made in the EU' or sustainable fuels. The EU executive revoked the 2035 ban on the sale of new cars and vans powered by diesel or petrol after pressure from some EU countries and the automotive industry.","keySentence":"","url":"eu-carmakers-to-comply-with-90-emissions-reduction-by-2035-as-full-combustion-engine-ban-s","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2025\/12\/16\/eu-carmakers-to-comply-with-90-emissions-reduction-by-2035-as-full-combustion-engine-ban-s","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"European Union-based carmakers will need to comply with a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions from 2035, instead of the 100% previously set in EU law, the European Commission announced today, revoking a controversial wholesale ban on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles adopted in March 2023.\n\nManufacturers will have to compensate for the remaining 10% of emissions by using low-carbon steel produced in the EU or by using sustainable fuels such as e-fuels and biofuels.\n\nThe industry will be allowed to continue producing plug-in hybrids, range extenders, mild hybrids, and ICE vehicles beyond 2035.\n\nFull electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen vehicles will also be encouraged, with car manufacturers eligible to receive \"super credits\" for producing small, affordable electric cars made in the EU27, the Commission said.\n\n\"We\u2019re staying the course towards zero-emissions mobility, but introducing some flexibilities for manufacturers to meet their CO2 targets in the most cost-efficient way,\" Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra told reporters on Monday.\n\nThe new automotive package is a \"win-win\", Hoekstra said, noting that carmakers will have more flexibility while creating a lead market for clean steel.\n\nTransport Commissioner Apostolos\u00a0Tzitzikostas hailed the \u201cgreat decision\u201d to reduce the 2035 target to 90%.\n\n\u201cThis is a clear signal that other technologies than battery electric vehicles can be put on the market after 2035,\u201d\u00a0Tzitzikostas\u00a0added, noting the\u00a0consumers will have the freedom to decide which technology they want to drive.\n\nDespite some calls within the automotive sector to keep the ban and invest more in electrification, the vast majority of car manufacturers have been urging the EU to rethink its policies, claiming that their businesses are dying in the face of competition from China and the United States.\n\nGermany, Italy, and several other member states have also lobbied the EU executive to withdraw the ban, arguing that the social fabric of their economies, propped up by the automotive industry, is disappearing. They claim their automakers are struggling with high energy prices, a shortage of car components, including batteries, and insufficient consumer demand for electric vehicles (EVs).\n\nGerman automotive giant Volkswagen is expected to stop manufacturing vehicles at its site in Dresden, marking the first time in the carmaker\u2019s 88-year history that it will close production in Germany, according to recent media reports.\n\nBulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Slovakia were among the EU countries that asked the Commission to reconsider the 2035 ICE ban and to consider the sale of hybrid vehicles under the law.\n\nFrance and Spain wanted to keep the ban, but asked the EU executive to support domestic production.\n\nCan flexibility and electrification go hand in hand?\n\nVeteran lawmaker Peter Liese of the European People's Party (EPP) welcomed the EU executive's update, saying that technological neutrality and climate neutrality \"are compatible and must be reconciled\".\n\n\"The future belongs to electromobility, and I believe that too. We mustn't slacken our support for electromobility, especially when it comes to expanding the charging infrastructure,\" said Liese.\n\nSigfried de Vries, secretary-general at the automotive lobby group European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, said that \"flexibility was urgent\" but maintained the sector's commitment to decarbonisation.\n\n\"Auto makers have invested hundreds of billions of euros and put\u00a0over 300 electrified models\u00a0on the market. There\u00a0cannot be any question about their commitment,\" said De Vries.\n\nDe Vries welcomed the Commission's flexibility to enable compliance with CO2 reduction targets in the run-up to 2030 and technological neutrality beyond 2035.\n\nChris Heron, secretary general of E-mobility Europe, a trade association lobbying for electric mobility, regretted the Commission's decision, saying it will create more uncertainty for investors.\n\n\u201cWe know the future of transport is electric,\" he said. \"What isn\u2019t settled is who will build it. Hesitation or mixed signals risk undermining the investment certainty battery makers, manufacturers and grids need to scale. The message for policymakers is simple: hold the line on ambition and give industry clarity.\"\n\nChanging mindsets\n\nThe decision to ban the sale of new ICE cars and vans by 2035 was part of the European Green Deal, the EU's flagship programme to reach climate neutrality by 2050, which drove Ursula von der Leyen's first mandate as Commission President between 2019 and 2023.\n\nBut the winds changed with the EU elections in 2024. Green lawmakers in the European Parliament suffered a significant blow, and the chamber became dominated by the centre-right EPP and the far-right, with new parties like Patriots for Europe and the Europe of Sovereign Nations increasingly influencing policymaking.\n\nGerman lawmaker Manfred Weber, the EPP's leader, has been among the many centrists opposed to the 2035 ICE ban, claiming it was too early tor the industry to adjust to the transition.\n\nWeber recently told the German media that the EU's intention to open up the law would send an important signal \"to the entire automotive industry and secures tens of thousands of industrial jobs\".\n\nLars Aagaard, the Danish minister for climate, energy and utilities acting on behalf of the Danish EU Presidency, said the review of the ICE ban on cars and vans needs to be aligned with the 2040 climate target.\n\n\"We will analyse the proposal from the Commission. Then I'm looking forward to being a Dane again and we will look into what our position will be,\" Aagaard said on Monday on the sidelines of the Environment Council.\n\nThe Commission proposal will now be negotiated between the European Parliament and the European Council. The incoming EU Cypriot Presidency will mediate political negotiations starting in January 2026.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>European Union-based carmakers will need to comply with a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions from 2035, instead of the 100% previously set in EU law, the European Commission announced today, revoking a controversial wholesale ban on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles adopted in March 2023. <\/p>\n<p>Manufacturers will have to compensate for the remaining 10% of emissions by using <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//04//09//green-steel-as-a-lifeline-eu-commission-protects-european-metal-industry-from-unfair-compe/">low-carbon steel produced in the EU<\/strong><\/a> or by using sustainable fuels such as e-fuels and biofuels. <\/p>\n<p>The industry will be allowed to continue producing plug-in hybrids, range extenders, mild hybrids, and ICE vehicles beyond 2035. <\/p>\n<p>Full electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen vehicles will also be encouraged, with car manufacturers eligible to receive \"super credits\" for producing small, affordable electric cars made in the EU27, the Commission said.<\/p>\n<p>\"We\u2019re staying the course towards zero-emissions mobility, but introducing some flexibilities for manufacturers to meet their CO2 targets in the most cost-efficient way,\" Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra told reporters on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>The new automotive package is a \"win-win\", Hoekstra said, noting that carmakers will have more flexibility while creating a lead market for clean steel.<\/p>\n<p>Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas hailed the \u201cgreat decision\u201d to reduce the 2035 target to 90%.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a clear signal that other technologies than battery electric vehicles can be put on the market after 2035,\u201d Tzitzikostas added, noting the consumers will have the freedom to decide which technology they want to drive.<\/p>\n<p>Despite some calls within the automotive sector to keep the ban and invest more in electrification, the vast majority of car manufacturers have been urging the EU to rethink its policies, claiming that their businesses are dying in the face of competition from China and the United States.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2024//11//05//stick-to-the-fossil-fuel-car-ban-says-incoming-eu-transport-chief/">Stick to the fossil fuel car ban, says incoming EU transport chief<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//03//22//eu-to-ban-petrol-and-diesel-cars-by-2035-heres-why-some-countries-are-pushing-back/">EU 2035 petrol and diesel car ban: Germany reaches deal on synthetic fuels <\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Germany, Italy, and several other member states have also lobbied the EU executive to withdraw the ban, arguing that the social fabric of their economies, propped up by the automotive industry, is disappearing. They claim their <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2025//11//19//dutch-government-suspends-takeover-of-chinese-owned-nexperia/">automakers are struggling<\/strong><\/a> with high energy prices, a shortage of car components, including batteries, and insufficient consumer demand for electric vehicles (EVs).<\/p>\n<p>German automotive giant Volkswagen is expected to stop manufacturing vehicles at its site in Dresden, marking the first time in the carmaker\u2019s 88-year history that it will close production in Germany, according to recent media reports.<\/p>\n<p>Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Slovakia were <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//12//08//seven-eu-countries-pressure-european-commission-to-rethink-2035-diesel-and-petrol-car-ban/">among the EU countries<\/strong><\/a> that asked the Commission to reconsider the 2035 ICE ban and to consider the sale of hybrid vehicles under the law. <\/p>\n<p><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//10//23//france-and-spain-hit-the-brakes-on-2035-diesel-and-petrol-car-ban-letter-reveals/">France and Spain<\/strong><\/a> wanted to keep the ban, but asked the EU executive to support domestic production.<\/p>\n<h2>Can flexibility and electrification go hand in hand?<\/h2>\n<p>Veteran lawmaker Peter Liese of the European People's Party (EPP) welcomed the EU executive's update, saying that technological neutrality and climate neutrality \"are compatible and must be reconciled\".<\/p>\n<p>\"The future belongs to electromobility, and I believe that too. We mustn't slacken our support for electromobility, especially when it comes to expanding the charging infrastructure,\" said Liese.<\/p>\n<p>Sigfried de Vries, secretary-general at the automotive lobby group European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, said that \"flexibility was urgent\" but maintained the sector's commitment to decarbonisation.<\/p>\n<p>\"Auto makers have invested hundreds of billions of euros and put over 300 electrified models on the market. There cannot be any question about their commitment,\" said De Vries.<\/p>\n<p>De Vries welcomed the Commission's flexibility to enable compliance with CO2 reduction targets in the run-up to 2030 and technological neutrality beyond 2035.<\/p>\n<p>Chris Heron, secretary general of E-mobility Europe, a trade association lobbying for electric mobility, regretted the Commission's decision, saying it will create more uncertainty for investors.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe know the future of transport is electric,\" he said. \"What isn\u2019t settled is who will build it. Hesitation or mixed signals risk undermining the investment certainty battery makers, manufacturers and grids need to scale. The message for policymakers is simple: hold the line on ambition and give industry clarity.\"<\/p>\n<h2>Changing mindsets<\/h2>\n<p>The decision to ban the sale of new ICE cars and vans by 2035 was part of the European Green Deal, the EU's flagship programme to reach climate neutrality by 2050, which drove Ursula von der Leyen's first mandate as Commission President between 2019 and 2023. <\/p>\n<p>But the winds changed with the EU elections in 2024. Green lawmakers in the European Parliament suffered a significant blow, and the chamber became dominated by the centre-right EPP and the far-right, with new parties like Patriots for Europe and the Europe of Sovereign Nations increasingly influencing policymaking.<\/p>\n<p>German lawmaker Manfred Weber, the EPP's leader, has been among the many centrists opposed to the 2035 ICE ban, claiming it was too early tor the industry to adjust to the transition.<\/p>\n<p>Weber recently told the German media that the EU's intention to open up the law would send an important signal \"to the entire automotive industry and secures tens of thousands of industrial jobs\".<\/p>\n<p>Lars Aagaard, the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2019//10//04//denmark-calls-for-eu-ban-on-all-diesel-and-petrol-cars-by-2040/">Danish minister<\/strong><\/a> for climate, energy and utilities acting on behalf of the Danish EU Presidency, said the review of the ICE ban on cars and vans needs to be aligned with the 2040 climate target.<\/p>\n<p>\"We will analyse the proposal from the Commission. Then I'm looking forward to being a Dane again and we will look into what our position will be,\" Aagaard said on Monday on the sidelines of the Environment Council.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission proposal will now be negotiated between the European Parliament and the European Council. The incoming EU Cypriot Presidency will mediate political negotiations starting in January 2026.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1765826365,"updatedAt":1765915910,"publishedAt":1765903107,"firstPublishedAt":1765903107,"lastPublishedAt":1765903773,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/39\/20\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d94cae57-01fc-5663-8ca3-8d87b673a99f-9583920.jpg","altText":" Thousands of new German-made cars at a logistics centre in Essen, Germany.","caption":" Thousands of new German-made cars at a logistics centre in Essen, Germany.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Martin Meissner","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1807,"height":1016}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2852,"urlSafeValue":"pacheco","title":"Marta Pacheco","twitter":"@themartache"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":29232,"slug":"eu-policy","urlSafeValue":"eu-policy","title":"EU Policy","titleRaw":"EU Policy"},{"id":14158,"slug":"diesel-car","urlSafeValue":"diesel-car","title":"Diesel car","titleRaw":"Diesel car"},{"id":27728,"slug":"electrique","urlSafeValue":"electrique","title":"electric","titleRaw":"electric"},{"id":47,"slug":"car-industry","urlSafeValue":"car-industry","title":"Car industry","titleRaw":"Car industry"},{"id":24324,"slug":"carbon-emissions","urlSafeValue":"carbon-emissions","title":"carbon emissions","titleRaw":"carbon emissions"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2840910},{"id":2639556},{"id":2855301}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"Ibl5stcuoyU","dailymotionId":"x9vu00o"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/31\/88\/30\/03\/ED_PYR_3188303_20251216201151.mp4","editor":"","duration":74720,"filesizeBytes":14814709,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/31\/88\/30\/03\/SHD_PYR_3188303_20251216201151.mp4","editor":"","duration":74720,"filesizeBytes":21350892,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/31\/88\/30\/03\/FHD_PYR_3188303_20251216201151.mp4","editor":"","duration":74720,"filesizeBytes":59494551,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe 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News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":{"id":3270,"urlSafeValue":"brussels","title":"Brussels"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/12\/16\/eu-carmakers-to-comply-with-90-emissions-reduction-by-2035-as-full-combustion-engine-ban-s","lastModified":1765903773},{"id":2854957,"cid":9584438,"versionId":4,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Farmers_Mercosur","daletPyramidId":3617887,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Farmers must not be sacrificed for the profit of a few industries, lawmaker says on Mercosur","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Farmers must not be sacrificed, lawmaker says on Mercosur","titleListing2":"The EU\u2019s South American trade deal risks becoming another blow to European farmers as Brussels moves to cut agricultural spending, Green MEP Thomas Waitz warned. The deal has entered a crucial week in Strasbourg and Brussels.","leadin":"The EU\u2019s South American trade deal risks becoming another blow to European farmers as Brussels moves to cut agricultural spending, Green MEP Thomas Waitz warned. The deal has entered a crucial week in Strasbourg and Brussels.","summary":"The EU\u2019s South American trade deal risks becoming another blow to European farmers as Brussels moves to cut agricultural spending, Green MEP Thomas Waitz warned. The deal has entered a crucial week in Strasbourg and Brussels.","keySentence":"","url":"farmers-must-not-be-sacrified-for-the-profit-of-a-few-industries-lawmaker-says-on-mercosur","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/2025\/12\/16\/farmers-must-not-be-sacrified-for-the-profit-of-a-few-industries-lawmaker-says-on-mercosur","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Austrian MEP Thomas Waitz (The Greens) told Euronews that the European Commission should rethink its budget plans in order to shield EU farmers from the impact of the Mercosur agreement, which could be adopted this week.\n\nUnder the Commission\u2019s proposal for the 2028\u20132034 budget, funding for the Common Agricultural Policy would fall by 20%. Critics of the Mercosur deal argue it would expose EU farmers to unfair competition, as imports from South American countries could be more competitive on the European market.\n\n\u201cYou cannot cut the funds by 20% literally and by 40% if you include inflation and sacrifice the farmers just for the profit of a few national companies or European industry,\u201d Waitz told Euronews.\n\nHe said large agribusinesses stand to gain from the agreement, while small and medium-sized farmers would bear the costs.\n\nEU farmers protest deal\n\nThe coming days are decisive for the trade pact, concluded in 2024 between the European Commission and Mercosur countries \u2013 Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay \u2013 to establish a transatlantic free trade zone.\n\nThe European Parliament remains sharply divided over the deal. Tuesday will see lawmakers vote on a Commission-backed safeguard clause to monitor potential market disruptions from Mercosur imports, while EU member states are also expected to take a position at the Council in the coming days.\n\nCommission President Ursula von der Leyen hopes to travel to Latin America on Saturday to sign the agreement in Foz do Igua\u00e7u, on the Argentina\u2013Paraguay border, Euronews has learned.\n\nEU farmers are set to protest on Thursday as national leaders gather for a European summit.\n\nIf no agreement is reached beforehand, the issue will be pushed to the top of the summit agenda, with tense negotiations expected.\n\nFull ratification, however, requires the backing of a \"qualified majority\" of the EU's 27 member states. France remains firmly opposed and is seeking to delay a Council vote. Hungary, Poland and Austria have also aligned with farmers against the deal.\n\nIreland and the Netherlands, previously critical of the deal, have yet to clarify their positions. Italian farmers are also voicing opposition, putting pressure on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to declare her stance.\n\n\u201cIf we lose them, we lose the rural areas and the ability to supply our population independently with food,\u201d Waitz added.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Austrian MEP Thomas Waitz (The Greens) told Euronews that the European Commission should rethink its budget plans in order to shield EU farmers from the impact of the Mercosur agreement, which could be adopted this week. <\/p>\n<p>Under the Commission\u2019s proposal for the 2028\u20132034 budget, funding for the Common Agricultural Policy would fall by 20%. Critics of the Mercosur deal argue it would expose EU farmers to unfair competition, as imports from South American countries could be more competitive on the European market.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou cannot cut the funds by 20% literally and by 40% if you include inflation and sacrifice the farmers just for the profit of a few national companies or European industry,\u201d Waitz told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>He said large agribusinesses stand to gain from the agreement, while small and medium-sized farmers would bear the costs.<\/p>\n<h2>EU farmers protest deal<\/h2>\n<p>The coming days are decisive for the trade pact, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//12//06//von-der-leyen-clinches-eu-mercosur-trade-deal-in-face-of-french-opposition/">concluded in 2024<\/strong><\/a> between the European Commission and Mercosur countries \u2013 Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay \u2013 to establish a transatlantic free trade zone. <\/p>\n<p>The European Parliament remains sharply divided over the deal. Tuesday will see lawmakers vote on a Commission-backed safeguard clause to monitor potential market disruptions from Mercosur imports, while EU member states are also expected to take a position at the Council in the coming days.<\/p>\n<p>Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hopes to travel to Latin America on Saturday to sign the agreement in Foz do Igua\u00e7u, on the Argentina\u2013Paraguay border,Euronews has learned.<\/p>\n<p>EU farmers are set to protest on Thursday as national leaders gather for a European summit. <\/p>\n<p>If no agreement is reached beforehand, the issue will be pushed to the top of the summit agenda, with tense negotiations expected. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2025//10//08//costa-rica-prioritises-indo-pacific-trade-over-eu-mercosur-says-trade-minister/">Costa Rica prioritises Indo-Pacific trade over EU-Mercosur, says trade minister<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//10//11//stop-illegal-migration-no-to-mercosur-right-wing-protestors-take-to-the-streets-in-warsaw/">'STOP illegal migration! NO to Mercosur' - right-wing protestors take to the streets in Warsaw <\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Full ratification, however, requires the backing of a \"qualified majority\" of the EU's 27 member states. <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//12//15//european-commission-turns-up-pressure-on-france-over-mercosur-deal/">France remains firmly opposed and is seeking to delay a Council vote<\/strong><\/a>. Hungary, Poland and Austria have also aligned with farmers against the deal.<\/p>\n<p>Ireland and the Netherlands, previously critical of the deal, have yet to clarify their positions. Italian farmers are also voicing opposition, putting pressure on <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//12//15//all-eyes-on-italy-as-mercosur-deal-hangs-in-the-balance/">Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to declare her stance<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf we lose them, we lose the rural areas and the ability to supply our population independently with food,\u201d Waitz added.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1765878137,"updatedAt":1765903576,"publishedAt":1765879760,"firstPublishedAt":1765879760,"lastPublishedAt":1765903574,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/44\/38\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e78fc61c-508e-5271-8a82-4db42d9cdb5a-9584438.jpg","altText":"Farmers across Europe oppose the Mercosur agreement concluded in 2024.","caption":"Farmers across Europe oppose the Mercosur agreement concluded in 2024.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Michel Euler\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1619,"height":910}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3206,"urlSafeValue":"corlin","title":"Peggy Corlin","twitter":"@PeggyCorlin"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":29232,"slug":"eu-policy","urlSafeValue":"eu-policy","title":"EU Policy","titleRaw":"EU Policy"},{"id":10829,"slug":"mercosur","urlSafeValue":"mercosur","title":"MERCOSUR","titleRaw":"MERCOSUR"},{"id":18012,"slug":"farmer","urlSafeValue":"farmer","title":"farmer","titleRaw":"farmer"},{"id":90,"slug":"eu-commission","urlSafeValue":"eu-commission","title":"European Commission","titleRaw":"European Commission"},{"id":13844,"slug":"european-parliament","urlSafeValue":"european-parliament","title":"European Parliament","titleRaw":"European Parliament"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2855025},{"id":2855030},{"id":2855345}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x9vst36"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/31\/78\/79\/09\/ED_PYR_3178799_20251216100241.mp4","editor":"","duration":287040,"filesizeBytes":40581438,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/31\/78\/79\/09\/SHD_PYR_3178799_20251216100241.mp4","editor":"","duration":287040,"filesizeBytes":62419611,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/31\/78\/79\/09\/FHD_PYR_3178799_20251216100241.mp4","editor":"","duration":287040,"filesizeBytes":221753690,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"},{"id":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business","url":"\/news\/international"},{"id":"markets","urlSafeValue":"markets","title":"Markets","url":"\/news\/international"},{"id":"economy","urlSafeValue":"economy","title":"Economy","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":{"id":3270,"urlSafeValue":"brussels","title":"Brussels"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/12\/16\/farmers-must-not-be-sacrified-for-the-profit-of-a-few-industries-lawmaker-says-on-mercosur","lastModified":1765903574},{"id":2854826,"cid":9583863,"versionId":5,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Mercosur_Italy","daletPyramidId":3612876,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"All eyes on Italy as Mercosur deal hangs in the balance","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"All eyes on Italy as Mercosur deal hangs in the balance","titleListing2":"Rome is torn between protecting farmers and maintaining exports to Mercosur countries. But supporters of the Mercosur agreement fear its silence signals Italy may not be on board.","leadin":"Rome is torn between protecting farmers and maintaining exports to Mercosur countries. But supporters of the Mercosur agreement fear its silence signals Italy may not be on board.","summary":"Rome is torn between protecting farmers and maintaining exports to Mercosur countries. But supporters of the Mercosur agreement fear its silence signals Italy may not be on board.","keySentence":"","url":"all-eyes-on-italy-as-mercosur-deal-hangs-in-the-balance","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/2025\/12\/15\/all-eyes-on-italy-as-mercosur-deal-hangs-in-the-balance","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Italy\u2019s silence on the Mercosur trade pact is deafening - and potentially decisive. Rome could become the kingmaker between supporters of the deal and countries seeking to block it.\n\nEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen plans to fly to Brazil on December 20 to sign off the agreement. France, facing farmer anger over fears of unfair competition from Latin America, opposes the deal and wants to postpone the EU member states vote scheduled this week to allow the signature.\n\nThe trade pact with Mercosur countries - Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay - aims to create a free-trade area for 700 million people across the Atlantic. Its adoption requires a qualified majority of EU member states. A blocking minority of four countries representing 35% of the EU population could derail ratification.\n\nBy the numbers, Italy\u2019s stance is pivotal. France, Hungary, Poland and Austria oppose the deal. Ireland and the Netherlands, despite past opposition, have not officially declared their position. Belgium will abstain.\n\nThat leaves Italy in the spotlight. A diplomat told Euronews the country is feeling exposed but that may not be a bad position to be in if it plays its cards rights to get concessions.\n\nColdiretti remains firmly opposed to the agreement\n\nRome\u2019s agriculture minister had previously demanded guarantees for farmers.\n\nSince then, the Commission has proposed a safeguard to monitor potential EU market disruptions from Mercosur imports. The measure, backed by member states, will be voted on Tuesday by EU lawmakers at plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.\n\nItaly\u2019s largest farmers\u2019 association, Coldiretti, remains firmly opposed.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s going to take too long to activate this safeguard clause if the EU market is hit by a surge of Mercosur\u2019s imports,\u201d a Coldiretti representative told Euronews.\n\nOn the other side,\u00a0Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni faces a delicate balancing act between farmers and Confindustria, the industry lobby, while Italy remains the EU\u2019s second-largest exporter to Mercosur countries.\n\nThis was also made clear by Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida a few days ago in Brussels. \"Many industrial sectors and parts of the agricultural sector, such as the wine\u00a0and cheese producers, would have a clear and tangible benefit [from the deal]. Others could be penalized,\u201dhe said.\u00a0\n\nThis is why Italy has not taken a clear stance up to now. \"Since 2024, we tried to protect everybody\u201d, Lollobrigida argued, \"while remaining ambiguous on the country's position\".\n\nSupporters of the deal are wooing Meloni, seeing her as the path to get the agreement done and open new markets amid global trade obstacles, including nationalist policies in the US and China.\n\n\u201cAs long as the Commission president is preparing to go to Brazil to the Mercosur summit, we need to do what\u2019s necessary for that to happen,\u201d an EU senior diplomat from a pro-deal country said.\n\nYet uncertainty lingers. No one wants to schedule a vote that might fail, and Italy\u2019s prolonged silence is rattling backers, sources told Euronews.\n\nOne diplomat familiar with the matter speaking to Euronews conceded \u201cit\u2019s hard, looks difficult\u201d.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Italy\u2019s silence on the Mercosur trade pact is deafening - and potentially decisive. Rome could become the kingmaker between supporters of the deal and countries seeking to block it.<\/p>\n<p>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen plans to fly to Brazil on December 20 to sign off the agreement. France, facing farmer anger over fears of unfair competition from Latin America, opposes the deal and wants to postpone the EU member states vote scheduled this week to allow the signature.<\/p>\n<p>The trade pact with Mercosur countries - Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay - aims to create a free-trade area for 700 million people across the Atlantic. Its adoption requires a qualified majority of EU member states. A blocking minority of four countries representing 35% of the EU population could derail ratification.<\/p>\n<p>By the numbers, Italy\u2019s stance is pivotal. France, Hungary, Poland and Austria oppose the deal. Ireland and the Netherlands, despite past opposition, have not officially declared their position. Belgium will abstain. <\/p>\n<p>That leaves Italy in the spotlight. A diplomat told Euronews the country is feeling exposed but that may not be a bad position to be in if it plays its cards rights to get concessions. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>Coldiretti remains firmly opposed to the agreement<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Rome\u2019s agriculture minister had previously demanded guarantees for farmers. <\/p>\n<p>Since then, the Commission has proposed a safeguard to monitor potential EU market disruptions from Mercosur imports. The measure, backed by member states, will be voted on Tuesday by EU lawmakers at plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.<\/p>\n<p>Italy\u2019s largest farmers\u2019 association, Coldiretti, remains firmly opposed. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s going to take too long to activate this safeguard clause if the EU market is hit by a surge of Mercosur\u2019s imports,\u201d a Coldiretti representative told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>On the other side, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni faces a delicate balancing act between farmers and Confindustria, the industry lobby, while Italy remains the EU\u2019s second-largest exporter to Mercosur countries.<\/p>\n<p>This was also made clear by Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida a few days ago in Brussels. \"Many industrial sectors and parts of the agricultural sector, such as the wine and cheese producers, would have a clear and tangible benefit [from the deal]. Others could be penalized,\u201dhe said. <\/p>\n<p>This is why Italy has not taken a clear stance up to now. \"Since 2024, we tried to protect everybody\u201d, Lollobrigida argued, \"while remaining ambiguous on the country's position\".<\/p>\n<p>Supporters of the deal are wooing Meloni, seeing her as the path to get the agreement done and open new markets amid global trade obstacles, including nationalist policies in the US and China.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs long as the Commission president is preparing to go to Brazil to the Mercosur summit, we need to do what\u2019s necessary for that to happen,\u201d an EU senior diplomat from a pro-deal country said.<\/p>\n<p>Yet uncertainty lingers. No one wants to schedule a vote that might fail, and Italy\u2019s prolonged silence is rattling backers, sources told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>One diplomat familiar with the matter speaking to Euronews conceded \u201cit\u2019s hard, looks difficult\u201d. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1765822492,"updatedAt":1765874747,"publishedAt":1765825502,"firstPublishedAt":1765825502,"lastPublishedAt":1765874746,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/38\/63\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e31d4592-3ce7-5e67-a7b1-751a94c996ad-9583863.jpg","altText":"Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrives for the second day of the G20 Leaders' Summit, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.","caption":"Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrives for the second day of the G20 Leaders' Summit, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"height":911}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3206,"urlSafeValue":"corlin","title":"Peggy Corlin","twitter":"@PeggyCorlin"},{"id":2428,"urlSafeValue":"genovese","title":"Vincenzo Genovese","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":29232,"slug":"eu-policy","urlSafeValue":"eu-policy","title":"EU Policy","titleRaw":"EU Policy"},{"id":10829,"slug":"mercosur","urlSafeValue":"mercosur","title":"MERCOSUR","titleRaw":"MERCOSUR"},{"id":27076,"slug":"giorgia-meloni","urlSafeValue":"giorgia-meloni","title":"Giorgia Meloni","titleRaw":"Giorgia Meloni"},{"id":18906,"slug":"ursula-von-der-leyen","urlSafeValue":"ursula-von-der-leyen","title":"Ursula von der Leyen","titleRaw":"Ursula von der Leyen"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2853769},{"id":2855030},{"id":2855333}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x9vsih2"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/31\/77\/72\/05\/ED_PYR_3177725_20251216075251.mp4","editor":"","duration":43640,"filesizeBytes":8944955,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/31\/77\/72\/05\/SHD_PYR_3177725_20251216075251.mp4","editor":"","duration":43640,"filesizeBytes":11772783,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/31\/77\/72\/05\/FHD_PYR_3177725_20251216075251.mp4","editor":"","duration":43640,"filesizeBytes":32667965,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe 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News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":{"id":3270,"urlSafeValue":"brussels","title":"Brussels"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/12\/15\/all-eyes-on-italy-as-mercosur-deal-hangs-in-the-balance","lastModified":1765874746},{"id":2854733,"cid":9583432,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"EU WEEK MARIA","daletPyramidId":3608326,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"EU enters crucial week marred by uncertainty and rival interests at critical juncture for the bloc","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"EU enters crucial week marred by uncertainty for the 27-member bloc","titleListing2":"EU enters crucial week marred by uncertainty and rival interests at critical juncture for the bloc","leadin":"The EU faces three key issues this week: Ukraine peace talks and making sure Europe gets a say at Trump's table, an unprecedented financial operation to issue a reparations loan facing retaliation from Moscow, and getting the Mercosur deal done. The end result of any of the three is unclear.","summary":"The EU faces three key issues this week: Ukraine peace talks and making sure Europe gets a say at Trump's table, an unprecedented financial operation to issue a reparations loan facing retaliation from Moscow, and getting the Mercosur deal done. The end result of any of the three is unclear.","keySentence":"","url":"eu-enters-crucial-week-marred-by-uncertainty-and-rival-interests-at-critical-juncture-for-","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/12\/15\/eu-enters-crucial-week-marred-by-uncertainty-and-rival-interests-at-critical-juncture-for-","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"In Brussels, hyperbole is frequent, but to call this a make-or-break week for the bloc is no exaggeration.\n\nThe European Union has reached a decision point on three crucial issues that could shape its global image and international standing.\n\nFrom Ukraine peace talks to issuing an unprecedented reparations loan that sparked Moscow's ire and sealing the deal on Mercosur after 20 years in the making, all three are marred by uncertainty.\n\nAt stake is the 27-member bloc's credibility to shape its foreign policy and trade agenda, facing a more aggressive Trump administration looking to put America first and to shape global relations in alignment with its interests, a more assertive China extending its economic might into highly innovative sectors and the security threat posed by Russia.\n\nEuropean leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday for their final gathering of the year. With the clock ticking, the next four days will prove crucial for the EU.\n\nDecisions \"one way or the other,\" as one diplomat suggested, will have consequences. Another diplomat said this would be the most consequential European summit since leaders agreed at an emergency gathering in summer 2020 to launch a historic programme to issue debt collectively after the coronavirus pandemic.\n\nSince he was appointed head of the European Council, which represents the group of 27 leaders, Ant\u00f3nio Costa has been an effective time manager and kept meetings to the point.\n\nThis time, it could be different as the Thursday summit could turn into a long night in the most Brussels way. You know when it starts, but not when it finishes.\n\nUkraine in focus as Europe pushes for fair peace\n\nMeanwhile, European leaders gathered in Berlin on Monday to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is also speaking in parallel with a US delegation that includes President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff.\n\nBoth were instrumental in securing a ceasefire in Gaza, but Russia's war in Ukraine has proven far more complicated.\n\nEuropeans have been trying to muscle their way back to the negotiating table after a controversial draft arrangement cut directly between Moscow and Washington last month sparked concerns about an unfair deal for Ukraine.\n\nThe initial plan suggested sweeping territorial concessions and sidelining Europeans on key issues, including the continent's overall security structure and the commercial use of the Russian frozen assets held in the EU.\n\nBoth Ukraine and the EU have refused to enter discussions about territories without first obtaining explicit security guarantees.\n\nLast week, Kyiv said it would produce an updated plan with European input to be presented before the US.\n\nFor Europe, it is a delicate balancing act between swaying the terms in Ukraine's favour, pushing back against Russia and keeping the US president engaged. European diplomats also acknowledge the bloc cannot be seen as \"warmongering' in the eyes of the Trump administration, or that could damage Ukraine.\n\nOne idea floated is that Ukraine, in its new 20-point plan, streamlined from the Moscow-negotiated 28-point deal, could give up its longstanding aspiration to join NATO in exchange for security guarantees and accelerated EU membership.\n\nReports suggested an entry date of 1 January 2027.\n\nA diplomat told Euronews that it would not be realistic or desirable as the process is merit-based, and enlargement implies an extensive reform agenda.\n\nBut by putting a date on paper, Ukraine is moving the conversation from \"if\" to \"when\" and placing the ball in the EU's court. For the US, it is a way to offload further responsibilities onto the bloc.\n\nEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen argues the country belongs in the EU, but it must follow through the steps that come with accession.\n\nThe Commission has resisted portraying Ukraine's membership as politically motivated. Putting a date before reforms are completed and the process is done would contradict that.\n\nTime out for reparation loan for Ukraine\n\nEven if Kyiv, the Trump administration and the EU end up stabilising a peace settlement that the three can agree on, it does not guarantee that Moscow's war will end immediately.\n\nIn fact, Russia is likely to reject a deal that is acceptable for Ukraine at this stage and won't pay compensation for the damage inflicted either.\n\nEuropeans have not given up the idea of using the immobilised frozen assets, held for the most part in Belgium, to issue a reparations loan to Ukraine.\n\nThat would see Russia \u2014 and not the European taxpayer \u2014 cover the cost and establish a direct financial channel. Europeans also argue that it would set a precedent under the principle of \"you break, you pay.\"\n\nStill, Belgium, which holds \u20ac185 billion of the \u20ac210 billion in Russian assets frozen held in Europe, is resisting the idea and calling for alternatives.\n\nThe hardline adopted by Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever reflects the Belgian government's concerns about retaliation and possible legal setbacks. However, it also demonstrates a broader mood among the Belgian political class and public opinion, which does not consider it a good idea.\n\nA European diplomat told Euronews that de Wever's resistance is no bluff: according to them, it has cross-party political support, and it plays well with the Belgian electorate.\n\n\"Do not underestimate that,\" the diplomat said. A poll published Monday suggested 63% of Belgians support de Wever's position as he continues to call for a plan B.\n\nFor the majority of the Council, representing the 27 leaders, there is no plan B.\n\nCertainly not as good or effective as converting the assets into a reparations loan to the tune of \u20ac90 billion for 2026 and 2027. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters Monday the reparations loan is coming under pressure from all sides \u2014 including the US.\n\nSome officials worry that the Trump administration will use the frozen assets for commercial purposes as part of a post-war investment deal with Russia. That would be in line with Trump's mercantilist foreign policy at times.\n\nTo avoid that, the EU agreed last week to keep the Russian assets permanently immobilised under its jurisdiction, using a legal workaround under Article 122 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which is used for economic emergencies.\n\nStill, there is a growing impression that the EU has exhausted the options to make the reparations loan work if the Belgians and others, including Italy, which is pushing for alternatives, block it.\n\nInking the Mercosur deal to counter the Trump tariff hammer\n\nSince the Trump administration introduced sweeping tariffs worldwide, including a 15% rate on the EU, effectively tripling duties on products made in Europe, Brussels has argued that it must diversify trade ties and open new markets for European products.\n\nAfter a psychodrama that has now extended for more than 20 years, the EU is closer than ever to sealing the Mercosur agreement, which would open up trade with Brazil's powerhouse economy, as well as Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.\n\nBeyond the trade opportunities, the EU argues it has become a geopolitical imperative at a time when multilateralism and its benefits are coming under intense scrutiny.\n\nThe EU looks at itself as the champion of rules-based trade.\n\nWhile the deal seemed on track after the Commission and Germany threw their weight behind it, and new safeguards were incorporated to appease the anger of European farmers, whose lobby is very powerful in shaping the EU's agricultural policy and budget subsidies, France is now calling for a delay in the vote.\n\nA qualified majority, necessary to pass it, remains uncertain.\n\nPoland and Hungary have joined France in opposing the pact, while Belgium plans to abstain and Austria leans towards no. The Netherlands and Ireland have yet to declare their positions, and Italy\u2019s standing on the vote is unclear as it ponders the domestic mood over a deal that carries decades of toxic baggage.\n\nA diplomat from a country supportive of the deal said Europe would look \"ridiculous\" if it does not get the Mercosur over the finish line before the year ends.\n\nVon der Leyen is to fly out to Brazil on 20 December, but that depends on the outcome of the vote and whether France can secure an eleventh-hour blocking majority. If that is the case, the diplomat said, Mercosur \"is effectively over.\"\n\nFrench authorities argue their concerns regarding unfair competition and environmental standards are legitimate and must be considered. Supporters of Mercosur, including Germany and Spain, say the problems have been sufficiently addressed and that the deal has to be seen in the broader, complex geopolitical context.\n\nAt this stage, the only sure thing is that it will go to the wire.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>In Brussels, hyperbole is frequent, but to call this a make-or-break week for the bloc is no exaggeration.<\/p>\n<p>The European Union has reached a decision point on three crucial issues that could shape its global image and international standing. <\/p>\n<p>From Ukraine peace talks to issuing an unprecedented reparations loan that sparked Moscow's ire and sealing the deal on Mercosur after 20 years in the making, all three are marred by uncertainty.<\/p>\n<p>At stake is the 27-member bloc's credibility to shape its foreign policy and trade agenda, facing a more aggressive Trump administration looking to put America first and to shape global relations in alignment with its interests, a more assertive China extending its economic might into highly innovative sectors and the security threat posed by Russia.<\/p>\n<p>European leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday for their final gathering of the year. With the clock ticking, the next four days will prove crucial for the EU.<\/p>\n<p>Decisions \"one way or the other,\" as one diplomat suggested, will have consequences. Another diplomat said this would be the most consequential European summit since leaders agreed at an emergency gathering in summer 2020 to launch a historic programme to issue debt collectively after the coronavirus pandemic. <\/p>\n<p>Since he was appointed head of the European Council, which represents the group of 27 leaders, Ant\u00f3nio Costa has been an effective time manager and kept meetings to the point. <\/p>\n<p>This time, it could be different as the Thursday summit could turn into a long night in the most Brussels way. You know when it starts, but not when it finishes.<\/p>\n<h2>Ukraine in focus as Europe pushes for fair peace<\/h2>\n<p>Meanwhile, European leaders gathered in Berlin on Monday to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is also speaking in parallel with a US delegation that includes President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff. <\/p>\n<p>Both were instrumental in securing a ceasefire in Gaza, but Russia's war in Ukraine has proven far more complicated.<\/p>\n<p>Europeans have been trying to muscle their way back to the negotiating table after a controversial draft arrangement cut directly between Moscow and Washington last month sparked concerns about an unfair deal for Ukraine. <\/p>\n<p>The initial plan suggested sweeping territorial concessions and sidelining Europeans on key issues, including the continent's overall security structure and the commercial use of the Russian frozen assets held in the EU. <\/p>\n<p>Both Ukraine and the EU have refused to enter discussions about territories without first obtaining explicit security guarantees. <\/p>\n<p>Last week, Kyiv said it would produce an updated plan with European input to be presented before the US. <\/p>\n<p>For Europe, it is a delicate balancing act between swaying the terms in Ukraine's favour, pushing back against Russia and keeping the US president engaged. European diplomats also acknowledge the bloc cannot be seen as \"warmongering' in the eyes of the Trump administration, or that could damage Ukraine. <\/p>\n<p>One idea floated is that Ukraine, in its new 20-point plan, streamlined from the Moscow-negotiated 28-point deal, could give up its longstanding aspiration to join NATO in exchange for security guarantees and accelerated EU membership.<\/p>\n<p>Reports suggested an entry date of 1 January 2027.<\/p>\n<p>A diplomat told Euronews that it would not be realistic or desirable as the process is merit-based, and enlargement implies an extensive reform agenda. <\/p>\n<p>But by putting a date on paper, Ukraine is moving the conversation from \"if\" to \"when\" and placing the ball in the EU's court. For the US, it is a way to offload further responsibilities onto the bloc. <\/p>\n<p>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen argues the country belongs in the EU, but it must follow through the steps that come with accession. <\/p>\n<p>The Commission has resisted portraying Ukraine's membership as politically motivated. Putting a date before reforms are completed and the process is done would contradict that. <\/p>\n<h2>Time out for reparation loan for Ukraine<\/h2>\n<p>Even if Kyiv, the Trump administration and the EU end up stabilising a peace settlement that the three can agree on, it does not guarantee that Moscow's war will end immediately. <\/p>\n<p>In fact, Russia is likely to reject a deal that is acceptable for Ukraine at this stage and won't pay compensation for the damage inflicted either. <\/p>\n<p>Europeans have not given up the idea of using the immobilised frozen assets, held for the most part in Belgium, to issue a reparations loan to Ukraine. <\/p>\n<p>That would see Russia \u2014 and not the European taxpayer \u2014 cover the cost and establish a direct financial channel. Europeans also argue that it would set a precedent under the principle of \"you break, you pay.\"<\/p>\n<p>Still, Belgium, which holds \u20ac185 billion of the \u20ac210 billion in Russian assets frozen held in Europe, is resisting the idea and calling for alternatives. <\/p>\n<p>The hardline adopted by Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever reflects the Belgian government's concerns about retaliation and possible legal setbacks. However, it also demonstrates a broader mood among the Belgian political class and public opinion, which does not consider it a good idea. <\/p>\n<p>A European diplomat told Euronews that de Wever's resistance is no bluff: according to them, it has cross-party political support, and it plays well with the Belgian electorate. <\/p>\n<p>\"Do not underestimate that,\" the diplomat said. A poll published Monday suggested 63% of Belgians support de Wever's position as he continues to call for a plan B.<\/p>\n<p>For the majority of the Council, representing the 27 leaders, there is no plan B.<\/p>\n<p>Certainly not as good or effective as converting the assets into a reparations loan to the tune of \u20ac90 billion for 2026 and 2027. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters Monday the reparations loan is coming under pressure from all sides \u2014 including the US.<\/p>\n<p>Some officials worry that the Trump administration will use the frozen assets for commercial purposes as part of a post-war investment deal with Russia. That would be in line with Trump's mercantilist foreign policy at times. <\/p>\n<p>To avoid that, the EU agreed last week to keep the Russian assets permanently immobilised under its jurisdiction, using a legal workaround under Article 122 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which is used for economic emergencies. <\/p>\n<p>Still, there is a growing impression that the EU has exhausted the options to make the reparations loan work if the Belgians and others, including Italy, which is pushing for alternatives, block it. <\/p>\n<h2>Inking the Mercosur deal to counter the Trump tariff hammer<\/h2>\n<p>Since the Trump administration introduced sweeping tariffs worldwide, including a 15% rate on the EU, effectively tripling duties on products made in Europe, Brussels has argued that it must diversify trade ties and open new markets for European products.<\/p>\n<p>After a psychodrama that has now extended for more than 20 years, the EU is closer than ever to sealing the Mercosur agreement, which would open up trade with Brazil's powerhouse economy, as well as Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. <\/p>\n<p>Beyond the trade opportunities, the EU argues it has become a geopolitical imperative at a time when multilateralism and its benefits are coming under intense scrutiny. <\/p>\n<p>The EU looks at itself as the champion of rules-based trade.<\/p>\n<p>While the deal seemed on track after the Commission and Germany threw their weight behind it, and new safeguards were incorporated to appease the anger of European farmers, whose lobby is very powerful in shaping the EU's agricultural policy and budget subsidies, France is now calling for a delay in the vote.<\/p>\n<p>A qualified majority, necessary to pass it, remains uncertain. <\/p>\n<p>Poland and Hungary have joined France in opposing the pact, while Belgium plans to abstain and Austria leans towards no. The Netherlands and Ireland have yet to declare their positions, and Italy\u2019s standing on the vote is unclear as it ponders the domestic mood over a deal that carries decades of toxic baggage. <\/p>\n<p>A diplomat from a country supportive of the deal said Europe would look \"ridiculous\" if it does not get the Mercosur over the finish line before the year ends. <\/p>\n<p>Von der Leyen is to fly out to Brazil on 20 December, but that depends on the outcome of the vote and whether France can secure an eleventh-hour blocking majority. If that is the case, the diplomat said, Mercosur \"is effectively over.\"<\/p>\n<p>French authorities argue their concerns regarding unfair competition and environmental standards are legitimate and must be considered. Supporters of Mercosur, including Germany and Spain, say the problems have been sufficiently addressed and that the deal has to be seen in the broader, complex geopolitical context.<\/p>\n<p>At this stage, the only sure thing is that it will go to the wire. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1765802885,"updatedAt":1765866617,"publishedAt":1765818537,"firstPublishedAt":1765818537,"lastPublishedAt":1765819331,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/31\/48\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d0366abc-7c88-5657-a972-07a136bbe256-9583148.jpg","altText":"Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever pictured in Brussels ","caption":"Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever pictured in Brussels ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3540,"urlSafeValue":"maria.tadeo@euronews.com","title":"Maria Tadeo","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":28682,"slug":"european-council","urlSafeValue":"european-council","title":"European Council","titleRaw":"European Council"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":26692,"slug":"war-in-ukraine","urlSafeValue":"war-in-ukraine","title":"War in Ukraine","titleRaw":"War in Ukraine"},{"id":30585,"slug":"reparations-loan","urlSafeValue":"reparations-loan","title":"Reparations Loan","titleRaw":"Reparations Loan"},{"id":10829,"slug":"mercosur","urlSafeValue":"mercosur","title":"MERCOSUR","titleRaw":"MERCOSUR"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2854649},{"id":2853692},{"id":2851890}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/12\/15\/eu-enters-crucial-week-marred-by-uncertainty-and-rival-interests-at-critical-juncture-for-","lastModified":1765819331},{"id":2854784,"cid":9583669,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Mercosur_Commission","daletPyramidId":3610488,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"European Commission turns up pressure on France over Mercosur deal","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"European Commission turns up pressure on France over Mercosur deal","titleListing2":"Brussels aims to sign the Mercosur deal by year-end, increasing pressure on France to lift its opposition to the agreement.","leadin":"France wants to delay member states\u2019 vote on the agreement amid mounting farmer anger. But the EU executive says a shifting global geoeconomic landscape makes the deal urgent.","summary":"France wants to delay member states\u2019 vote on the agreement amid mounting farmer anger. But the EU executive says a shifting global geoeconomic landscape makes the deal urgent.","keySentence":"","url":"european-commission-turns-up-pressure-on-france-over-mercosur-deal","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/2025\/12\/15\/european-commission-turns-up-pressure-on-france-over-mercosur-deal","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The European Commission said Monday it expects to sign the Mercosur agreement by year-end, increasing pressure on Paris to lift its opposition this week.\n\nThe decision comes as French President Emmanuel Macron faces mounting anger from farmers over the deal.\n\nMeanwhile, supporters have grown impatient after 25 years of negotiations between the Mercosur countries - Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay - and the Commission.\n\n\u201cIn the view of the Commission signing the deal now is a matter of crucial importance economically, diplomatically, and geopolitically, but also in term of our credibility on the global stage,\u201d Commission deputy chief spokesperson Olof Gill told reporters.\n\nFrance pushed back in a statement published Sunday by the office of Prime Minister S\u00e9bastien Lecornu, calling for a delay to December deadlines.\n\n\u201cWhile a Mercosur summit is scheduled for 20 December, it is clear that (...) the conditions are not in place for any vote by the EU Council on authorizing the signing of the agreement,\u201d the statement said.\n\nThe deal concluded in 2024 would liberalise trade between the EU and Mercosur countries. However French farmers argue it would expose them to unfair competition from Latin American imports.\n\nFrance is leading opposition within the EU Council, demanding strong safeguards to suspend tariff reductions if imports disrupt EU markets, so-called \u201creciprocity clauses\u201d that align Mercosur's environmental and agricultural standards with EU standards, and tougher EU sanitary and phytosanitary controls.\n\nCommission proposes tighter market monitoring\n\n\u201cSince the conclusion of political talks this time last year, the commission has listened carefully to European farmers, consumers, member states and MEPs and has acted decisively by responding to all concerns and requests with effective accompanying measures,\u201d Gill said.\n\nEU lawmakers will vote Tuesday on a safeguard clause proposed by the Commission, with some MEPs adding an amendment on reciprocity.\n\nMember states have already backed the safeguard, though without guarantees of reciprocity. Talks between the European Parliament and governments are expected to follow swiftly.\n\n\u201cReciprocity is also an issue for German farmers. But since Germany supports the agreement because it sees strong offensive interests in it, Berlin will not take the risk of scuttling the deal over the reciprocity question,\u201d a parliamentary official told Euronews.\n\nIf lawmakers avoid imposing EU production standards on Mercosur imports, the safeguard could be fast-tracked.\n\nSupporters led by Germany and Spain say the deal is vital as the EU loses ground in the US market and China expands its influence in Latin America.\n\nA qualified majority remains uncertain. Poland, Hungary and Austria have joined France in opposing the pact, while Belgium plans to abstain. The Netherlands and Ireland have yet to declare their positions, and Italy\u2019s position on the vote is unclear.\n\nFrench President Emmanuel Macron, already affected by domestic political instability, is now facing farmer anger over his government\u2019s handling of lumpy skin disease, a highly contagious virus affecting cattle.\n\n\u201cFrance will continue to firmly defend its agricultural interests,\u201d Lecornu\u2019s office said Sunday.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The European Commission said Monday it expects to sign the Mercosur agreement by year-end, increasing pressure on Paris to lift its opposition this week.<\/p>\n<p>The decision comes as French President Emmanuel Macron faces mounting anger from farmers over the deal. <\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, supporters have grown impatient after 25 years of negotiations between the Mercosur countries - Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay - and the Commission.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn the view of the Commission signing the deal now is a matter of crucial importance economically, diplomatically, and geopolitically, but also in term of our credibility on the global stage,\u201d Commission deputy chief spokesperson Olof Gill told reporters.<\/p>\n<p>France pushed back in a statement published Sunday by the office of Prime Minister S\u00e9bastien Lecornu, calling for a delay to December deadlines.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile a Mercosur summit is scheduled for 20 December, it is clear that (...) the conditions are not in place for any vote by the EU Council on authorizing the signing of the agreement,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n<p><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//12//06//von-der-leyen-clinches-eu-mercosur-trade-deal-in-face-of-french-opposition/">The deal concluded in 2024<\/a> would liberalise trade between the EU and Mercosur countries. However French farmers argue it would expose them to unfair competition from Latin American imports.<\/p>\n<p>France is leading opposition within the EU Council, demanding strong safeguards to suspend tariff reductions if imports disrupt EU markets, so-called \u201creciprocity clauses\u201d that align Mercosur's environmental and agricultural standards with EU standards, and tougher EU sanitary and phytosanitary controls.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Commission proposes tighter market monitoring<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>\u201cSince the conclusion of political talks this time last year, the commission has listened carefully to European farmers, consumers, member states and MEPs and has acted decisively by responding to all concerns and requests with effective accompanying measures,\u201d Gill said.<\/p>\n<p>EU lawmakers will vote Tuesday on a safeguard clause proposed by the Commission, with some MEPs adding an amendment on reciprocity. <\/p>\n<p>Member states have already backed the safeguard, though without guarantees of reciprocity. Talks between the European Parliament and governments are expected to follow swiftly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cReciprocity is also an issue for German farmers. But since Germany supports the agreement because it sees strong offensive interests in it, Berlin will not take the risk of scuttling the deal over the reciprocity question,\u201d a parliamentary official told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>If lawmakers avoid imposing EU production standards on Mercosur imports, the safeguard could be fast-tracked.<\/p>\n<p>Supporters led by Germany and Spain say the deal is vital as the EU loses ground in the US market and China expands its influence in Latin America. <\/p>\n<p>A qualified majority remains uncertain. Poland, Hungary and Austria have joined France in opposing the pact, while Belgium plans to abstain. The Netherlands and Ireland have yet to declare their positions, and Italy\u2019s position on the vote is unclear.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//12//12//france-struggles-to-contain-cattle-lumpy-skin-disease-as-farmers-protests-spread/">France struggles to contain cattle lumpy skin disease as farmers' protests spread<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2025//12//11//eu-enters-final-stretch-of-mercosur-trade-deal-talks/">Mercosur trade deal hangs in balance as EU enters final stretch <\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>French President Emmanuel Macron, already affected by domestic political instability, is now facing farmer anger over his government\u2019s handling of lumpy skin disease, a highly contagious virus affecting cattle.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFrance will continue to firmly defend its agricultural interests,\u201d Lecornu\u2019s office said Sunday.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1765811494,"updatedAt":1765821024,"publishedAt":1765812468,"firstPublishedAt":1765812468,"lastPublishedAt":1765818686,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/36\/69\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_0f72599f-7c85-5033-9ef8-726a692ee2ff-9583669.jpg","altText":"French farmers protest against the Mercosur trade alliance with South America countries, on Oct. 14, 2025 near the Eiffel Tower in Paris.","caption":"French farmers protest against the Mercosur trade alliance with South America countries, on Oct. 14, 2025 near the Eiffel Tower in Paris.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3206,"urlSafeValue":"corlin","title":"Peggy Corlin","twitter":"@PeggyCorlin"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":29232,"slug":"eu-policy","urlSafeValue":"eu-policy","title":"EU Policy","titleRaw":"EU Policy"},{"id":90,"slug":"eu-commission","urlSafeValue":"eu-commission","title":"European Commission","titleRaw":"European Commission"},{"id":10829,"slug":"mercosur","urlSafeValue":"mercosur","title":"MERCOSUR","titleRaw":"MERCOSUR"},{"id":12357,"slug":"emmanuel-macron","urlSafeValue":"emmanuel-macron","title":"Emmanuel Macron","titleRaw":"Emmanuel Macron"},{"id":18012,"slug":"farmer","urlSafeValue":"farmer","title":"farmer","titleRaw":"farmer"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2853769},{"id":2853526}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x9vrioc"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/31\/72\/95\/02\/ED_PYR_3172952_20251215175026.mp4","editor":"","duration":75000,"filesizeBytes":14984887,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/31\/72\/95\/02\/SHD_PYR_3172952_20251215175026.mp4","editor":"","duration":75000,"filesizeBytes":21622700,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/31\/72\/95\/02\/FHD_PYR_3172952_20251215175026.mp4","editor":"","duration":75000,"filesizeBytes":60861413,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"},{"id":"economy","urlSafeValue":"economy","title":"Economy","url":"\/news\/international"},{"id":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":{"id":3270,"urlSafeValue":"brussels","title":"Brussels"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/12\/15\/european-commission-turns-up-pressure-on-france-over-mercosur-deal","lastModified":1765818686},{"id":2854773,"cid":9583636,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES EUROPE","daletPyramidId":3610034,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"The burden of cardiovascular disease in Europe: Almost 2 million deaths and \u20ac282 billion annually","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"How is cardiovascular disease affecting Europe\u2019s health and economies?","titleListing2":"A new European report warns of the burden of cardiovascular diseases \u2013 the leading cause of death for the last two decades, now accounting for one\u2011third of all deaths every year.","leadin":"A new European report warns of the burden of cardiovascular diseases \u2013 the leading cause of death for the last two decades, now accounting for one\u2011third of all deaths every year.","summary":"A new European report warns of the burden of cardiovascular diseases \u2013 the leading cause of death for the last two decades, now accounting for one\u2011third of all deaths every year.","keySentence":"","url":"the-burden-of-cardiovascular-disease-in-europe-almost-2-million-deaths-and-282-billion-ann","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/health\/2025\/12\/15\/the-burden-of-cardiovascular-disease-in-europe-almost-2-million-deaths-and-282-billion-ann","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death and disability across the European Union, accounting for about 1.7 million deaths annually and affecting\u00a0 62 million people, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).\u00a0\n\nCardiovascular disease refers to conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.\n\nOver the past 50 years, life expectancy has risen significantly in European countries, largely due to advances in preventing and treating CVD and its risk factors, but these conditions are still the leading cause of death.\u00a0\n\nIn most European Union countries, the mortality rate from circulatory diseases is about 26-60 per cent higher in males than in females.\n\nCVD can be caused by multiple factors, commonly classified as non-modifiable and modifiable.\u00a0\n\nNon-modifiable risk factors \u2013 such as sex, age, family history, and ethnicity or race \u2013 are those inherent individual characteristics that may increase the risk of developing a cardiovascular condition. Modifiable risk factors include clinical, metabolic, lifestyle, behavioural, and environmental factors.\n\nGlobally, 83 per cent of all deaths due to CVD in 2021 were attributable to modifiable risk factors, while in the EU this figure fell to 76 per cent.\u00a0\n\nMetabolic risk factors are the predominant group, accounting for around 70 per cent of CVD deaths globally and 68 per cent in the EU. This includes hypertension, high blood sugar, and cholesterol.\u00a0\n\nBehavioural risks, such as smoking, unhealthy diet, and harmful use of alcohol, are the second largest group, accounting for around 42 per cent of CVD deaths globally and 37 per cent in the EU.\u00a0\n\nBeyond deaths, CVD also affects people\u2019s life quality.\u00a0\n\nThe data showed that, across all measured dimensions \u2013 well-being, social functioning, physical health, and mental health \u2013 people with CVD report significantly worse outcomes than those without.\u00a0\n\nPeople who have experienced or are experiencing cardiovascular disease are often physically limited as they suffer from fatigue and shortness of breath, which restricts their mobility.\u00a0\n\nThey also suffer higher levels of anxiety and fear of recurrent cardiac events, as well as challenges in adapting to lifestyle changes and long-term medication regimens.\n\nDifferences across Europe\n\nThe OECD report shows that while CVD is a burden across Europe, not every country suffers to the same degree.\n\nBetween 2012 and 2022, mortality from circulatory diseases fell in every EU member state, with an average decline of 20 per cent among men and 22 per cent among women.\u00a0\n\nCountries like France, Denmark, and Spain reported rates below 220 deaths per 100,000 population in 2022, while Bulgaria, Romania, and Latvia exceeded 800 deaths per 100,000 population.\n\nThe report shows that Central and Eastern European countries have a higher prevalence of modifiable risk factors such as smoking, obesity, harmful alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity.\n\nObesity rates range from 7 per cent in Italy to above 20 per cent in countries including Lithuania, Finland, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, and Malta.\u00a0\n\nIn 2023, daily smoking rates ranged from 23 per cent or more in countries like Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, and France to below 12 per cent in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden.\n\nFruit consumption was lowest in Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, and Romania.\n\nThe high price of cardiovascular disease\n\nCVD doesn\u2019t only take a heavy toll on people\u2019s health, the report shows, it has long been a major contributor to healthcare expenditures and economic losses in the European Union \u2013 the OECD described it as \u201cnot only a health crisis but also a major societal and economic challenge\u201d.\u00a0\n\nThe most recent analysis estimated the total economic burden of CVD in the EU at \u20ac282 billion annually, amounting to approximately 2 per cent of the region\u2019s gross domestic product \u2013 an increase from \u20ac169 billion in 2003.\u00a0\n\nThis rise is driven not only by direct healthcare expenses but also by rising productivity losses and informal care needs, underscoring the urgency of effective prevention and long-term management strategies, according to the OECD.\u00a0\n\nHow is the EU addressing this?\n\nThe European Commission is set to present tomorrow the first-ever EU-wide plan to tackle CVD.\u00a0\n\nThe so-called \u201cSafe Hearts Plan\u201d aims to provide a comprehensive policy framework to support member states and stakeholders in improving cardiovascular health \u2013 which the OECD recommends in the report.\u00a0\n\n\u201cThere is a highlighted need for stronger and co-ordinated action across the EU to address the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases due to factors like an ageing population\u201d, reads the publication.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death and disability across the European Union, accounting for about 1.7 million deaths annually and affecting 62 million people, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). <\/p>\n<p>Cardiovascular disease refers to conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.<\/p>\n<p>Over the past 50 years, life expectancy has risen significantly in European countries, largely due to advances in preventing and treating CVD and its risk factors, but these conditions are still the leading cause of death. <\/p>\n<p>In most European Union countries, the mortality rate from circulatory diseases is about 26-60 per cent higher in males than in females.<\/p>\n<p>CVD can be caused by multiple factors, commonly classified as non-modifiable and modifiable. <\/p>\n<p>Non-modifiable risk factors \u2013 such as sex, age, family history, and ethnicity or race \u2013 are those inherent individual characteristics that may increase the risk of developing a cardiovascular condition. Modifiable risk factors include clinical, metabolic, lifestyle, behavioural, and environmental factors.<\/p>\n<p>Globally, 83 per cent of all deaths due to CVD in 2021 were attributable to modifiable risk factors, while in the EU this figure fell to 76 per cent. <\/p>\n<p>Metabolic risk factors are the predominant group, accounting for around 70 per cent of CVD deaths globally and 68 per cent in the EU. This includes hypertension, high blood sugar, and cholesterol. <\/p>\n<p>Behavioural risks, such as smoking, unhealthy diet, and harmful use of alcohol, are the second largest group, accounting for around 42 per cent of CVD deaths globally and 37 per cent in the EU. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//11//12//how-do-environmental-factors-contribute-to-cardiovascular-disease-in-europe/">How do environmental factors contribute to cardiovascular disease in Europe?<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Beyond deaths, CVD also affects people\u2019s life quality. <\/p>\n<p>The data showed that, across all measured dimensions \u2013 well-being, social functioning, physical health, and mental health \u2013 people with CVD report significantly worse outcomes than those without. <\/p>\n<p>People who have experienced or are experiencing cardiovascular disease are often physically limited as they suffer from fatigue and shortness of breath, which restricts their mobility. <\/p>\n<p>They also suffer higher levels of anxiety and fear of recurrent cardiac events, as well as challenges in adapting to lifestyle changes and long-term medication regimens.<\/p>\n<h2>Differences across Europe<\/h2>\n<p>The OECD report shows that while CVD is a burden across Europe, not every country suffers to the same degree.<\/p>\n<p>Between 2012 and 2022, mortality from circulatory diseases fell in every EU member state, with an average decline of 20 per cent among men and 22 per cent among women. <\/p>\n<p>Countries like France, Denmark, and Spain reported rates below 220 deaths per 100,000 population in 2022, while Bulgaria, Romania, and Latvia exceeded 800 deaths per 100,000 population.<\/p>\n<p>The report shows that Central and Eastern European countries have a higher prevalence of modifiable risk factors such as smoking, obesity, harmful alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity.<\/p>\n<p>Obesity rates range from 7 per cent in Italy to above 20 per cent in countries including Lithuania, Finland, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, and Malta. <\/p>\n<p>In 2023, daily smoking rates ranged from 23 per cent or more in countries like Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, and France to below 12 per cent in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden.<\/p>\n<p>Fruit consumption was lowest in Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, and Romania.<\/p>\n<h2>The high price of cardiovascular disease<\/h2>\n<p>CVD doesn\u2019t only take a heavy toll on people\u2019s health, the report shows, it has long been a major contributor to healthcare expenditures and economic losses in the European Union \u2013 the OECD described it as \u201cnot only a health crisis but also a major societal and economic challenge\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>The most recent analysis estimated the total economic burden of CVD in the EU at \u20ac282 billion annually, amounting to approximately 2 per cent of the region\u2019s gross domestic product \u2013 an increase from \u20ac169 billion in 2003. <\/p>\n<p>This rise is driven not only by direct healthcare expenses but also by rising productivity losses and informal care needs, underscoring the urgency of effective prevention and long-term management strategies, according to the OECD. <\/p>\n<h2>How is the EU addressing this?<\/h2>\n<p>The European Commission is set to present tomorrow the first-ever EU-wide plan to tackle CVD. <\/p>\n<p>The so-called \u201cSafe Hearts Plan\u201d aims to provide a comprehensive policy framework to support member states and stakeholders in improving cardiovascular health \u2013 which the OECD recommends in the report. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is a highlighted need for stronger and co-ordinated action across the EU to address the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases due to factors like an ageing population\u201d, reads the publication.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1765810525,"updatedAt":1765890137,"publishedAt":1765810961,"firstPublishedAt":1765810961,"lastPublishedAt":1765810961,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/36\/36\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_00a004de-1ca5-519d-8aff-e731faaa4a4d-9583636.jpg","altText":"Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death and disability across the European Union.","caption":"Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death and disability across the European Union.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Cleared","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2960,"urlSafeValue":"iraola","title":"Marta Iraola Iribarren","twitter":"@marta_iraola"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":29232,"slug":"eu-policy","urlSafeValue":"eu-policy","title":"EU Policy","titleRaw":"EU Policy"},{"id":14650,"slug":"cardiovascular-disease","urlSafeValue":"cardiovascular-disease","title":"Cardiovascular diseases","titleRaw":"Cardiovascular diseases"},{"id":17082,"slug":"kalp-krizi","urlSafeValue":"kalp-krizi","title":"heart attack","titleRaw":"heart attack"},{"id":4354,"slug":"oecd","urlSafeValue":"oecd","title":"OECD","titleRaw":"OECD"},{"id":139,"slug":"health","urlSafeValue":"health","title":"Health","titleRaw":"Health"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2851944},{"id":2853733}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"health-news","urlSafeValue":"health-news","title":"Health News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/health\/health-news\/health-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"health","verticals":[{"id":12,"slug":"health","urlSafeValue":"health","title":"Health"},{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":12,"slug":"health","urlSafeValue":"health","title":"Health"},"themes":[{"id":"health-news","urlSafeValue":"health-news","title":"Health news","url":"\/health\/health-news"},{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":43,"urlSafeValue":"health-news","title":"Health news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":{"id":541,"urlSafeValue":"brussels-belgium","title":"Brussels, Belgium"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/health\/2025\/12\/15\/the-burden-of-cardiovascular-disease-in-europe-almost-2-million-deaths-and-282-billion-ann","lastModified":1765810961},{"id":2854069,"cid":9581088,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"ENERGY COUNCIL","daletPyramidId":3585165,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"EU energy ministers set to tackle price discrepancies among member states","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"EU energy ministers to tackle price discrepancy among member states","titleListing2":"High energy taxes and extra charges on the final bill from energy producers are creating large discrepancies among member states fueling the case to complete energy market.","leadin":"High energy taxes and extra charges on the final bill from energy producers are creating large discrepancies among member states fueling the case to complete energy market. EU member states look to narrow the gap.","summary":"High energy taxes and extra charges on the final bill from energy producers are creating large discrepancies among member states fueling the case to complete energy market. EU member states look to narrow the gap.","keySentence":"","url":"eu-energy-ministers-set-to-tackle-price-discrepancies-among-member-states","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/12\/15\/eu-energy-ministers-set-to-tackle-price-discrepancies-among-member-states","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Energy ministers in the European Union want to level energy prices across member states and prevent discrepancies that see some member states paying up to seven times more for energy than others.\n\nEnergy prices are significantly higher in the EU since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, even as the bloc acted to reduce its dependence on Russian energy.\n\nThe Czech Republic, Denmark, Lithuania, and Romania have all seen prices surge by 87% on average, with gas bills in Belgium rising by almost 100%.\n\nYet member states that rely on renewable power, such as Portugal and Spain, or see a large share of their input from nuclear power, such as France, have been able to weather the spike in wholesale prices and consumer bills better.\n\nGermany, Belgium and Denmark are the top three EU countries paying the most for electricity, while Hungary, Bulgaria and Malta pay the least, according to data from the European Commission.\n\nHouseholds in Germany pay four times as much for electric power as those in Hungary.\n\nNatural gas brings greater discrepancies among the EU\n\nGas prices are seen as even larger distortions.\n\nSweden, the Netherlands and Denmark pay the most while Hungary, Croatia and Romania pay the least of all EU countries.\n\nThe gap between Sweden and Hungary is up to seven times as large.\n\n\"We need to decarbonise our energy while getting the energy prices down at the same time,\" Energy Commissioner Dan J\u00f8rgensen told reporters at the Energy Council on Monday.\n\nMichael Damianos, Cypriot minister for energy, commerce and industry, said the EU grids package recently presented by the European Commission is \"essential\" to lower energy prices across the bloc.\n\n\"It is vital to lower energy prices for our people and we do believe that this is central to competitiveness. I think the energy crisis has shown that we need to act collectively as a union in whatever we do,\" Damianos told reporters on Monday, a couple of weeks away from the EU Cypriot Presidency taking the bloc's reins.\n\nA recent analysis from the Institute of Security Studies (ISS) states that the EU should double efforts to electrify the economy and locally generate energy.\n\n\"It is the most effective antidote to Russian interference in the energy system,\" reads the ISS analysis.\n\nArduous mission\n\nMinisters are now following directives laid out by the Commission.\n\nThe EU executive spotted inefficient grid interconnections, slow permitting, fragmented national planning, and uneven investment as significant barriers to competitiveness and keeping energy prices high, according to a leaked document seen by Euronews.\n\nHowever, the task is arduous for energy ministers to effectively stabilise energy prices across the bloc, since energy policy is a national competence and taxation is applied differently across member states.\n\nEU lawmakers will soon reopen talks to revise the electricity market design law following the Commission's recent omnibus proposal to simplify environmental legislation.\n\nThe EU executive wants to speed up permitting for renewable projects to increase the share of clean power in the grid.\n\nTwo-way contracts to make a difference\n\nThe Commission suggested that actions at the national level on key areas can be instrumental in addressing price levels. Some of the initiatives floated include efficient network charges and anticipatory grid investments.\n\nOther possibilities include the uptake of two-way contracts for difference, a financial mechanism, increasingly mandated in the EU for new renewable and nuclear energy investments, grid connections, or energy taxation, according to the document.\n\nRecently, the Commission approved the construction and operation of the first nuclear power plant in Poland, which will operate under two-way contracts for difference, a method increasingly used and encouraged by the EU for renewable energy projects.\n\nThis system is intended to provide stable revenue for the nuclear plant over 40 years.\n\n\"Under the contract for difference, the Polish state will pay the energy producer if market prices fall below a strike price that will be determined according to a clear methodology reviewed by the Commission. If market prices exceed this strike price, the energy producer will pay the difference to the Polish state,\" the EU executive said.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Energy ministers in the European Union want to level <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2025//11//27//going-green-will-high-energy-costs-derail-europes-climate-goals/">energy prices<\/a> across member states and prevent discrepancies that see some member states paying up to seven times more for energy than others.<\/p>\n<p>Energy prices are significantly higher in the EU since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, even as the bloc acted to reduce its dependence on Russian energy. <\/p>\n<p>The Czech Republic, Denmark, Lithuania, and Romania have all seen <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////ec.europa.eu//eurostat//web//products-eurostat-news//w//ddn-20230426-2?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">prices surge<\/a> by 87% on average, with gas bills in Belgium rising by almost 100%. <\/p>\n<p>Yet member states that rely on renewable power, such as <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//05//10//renewables-are-meeting-95-of-portugals-electricity-needs-how-did-it-become-a-european-lead/">Portugal <\/a>and <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//03//02//spain-is-ramping-up-green-hydrogen-production-but-can-its-renewable-energy-sector-keep-up/">Spain, or see a large share of their input from nuclear power, such as France, have been able to weather the spike in wholesale prices and <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2025//12//12//millions-live-in-cold-houses-in-europe-where-is-fuel-poverty-worst/">consumer bills<\/a> better.<\/p>\n<p>Germany, Belgium and Denmark are the top three EU countries paying the most for electricity, while Hungary, Bulgaria and Malta pay the least, according to data from the European Commission. <\/p>\n<p>Households in Germany pay four times as much for electric power as those in Hungary.<\/p>\n<h2>Natural gas brings greater discrepancies among the EU<\/h2>\n<p>Gas prices are seen as even larger distortions. <\/p>\n<p>Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark pay the most while Hungary, Croatia and Romania pay the least of all EU countries. <\/p>\n<p>The gap between Sweden and Hungary is up to seven times as large.<\/p>\n<p>\"We need to decarbonise our energy while getting the energy prices down at the same time,\" Energy Commissioner Dan J\u00f8rgensen told reporters at the Energy Council on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>Michael Damianos, Cypriot minister for energy, commerce and industry, said the EU grids package recently presented by the European Commission is \"essential\" to lower energy prices across the bloc.<\/p>\n<p>\"It is vital to lower energy prices for our people and we do believe that this is central to competitiveness. I think the energy crisis has shown that we need to act collectively as a union in whatever we do,\" Damianos told reporters on Monday, a couple of weeks away from the EU Cypriot Presidency taking the bloc's reins. <\/p>\n<p>A recent analysis from the Institute of Security Studies (ISS) states that the EU should double efforts to electrify the economy and locally generate energy.<\/p>\n<p>\"It is the most effective antidote to Russian interference in the energy system,\" <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.iss.europa.eu//publications//commentary//fuel-fear-and-falsehoods-defending-europe-and-ukraine-russias-hybrid-energy/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">reads<\/a> the ISS analysis.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//58//10//88//808x539_cmsv2_b3aaa94d-a803-5b4d-b038-1ae2a92a1948-9581088.jpg/" alt=\"Flames emerge from burners on a natural gas stove. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/10\/88\/384x256_cmsv2_b3aaa94d-a803-5b4d-b038-1ae2a92a1948-9581088.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/10\/88\/640x427_cmsv2_b3aaa94d-a803-5b4d-b038-1ae2a92a1948-9581088.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/10\/88\/750x500_cmsv2_b3aaa94d-a803-5b4d-b038-1ae2a92a1948-9581088.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/10\/88\/828x552_cmsv2_b3aaa94d-a803-5b4d-b038-1ae2a92a1948-9581088.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/10\/88\/1080x720_cmsv2_b3aaa94d-a803-5b4d-b038-1ae2a92a1948-9581088.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/10\/88\/1200x800_cmsv2_b3aaa94d-a803-5b4d-b038-1ae2a92a1948-9581088.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/10\/88\/1920x1280_cmsv2_b3aaa94d-a803-5b4d-b038-1ae2a92a1948-9581088.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Flames emerge from burners on a natural gas stove. <\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/&#x9;Steven Senne<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Arduous mission<\/h2>\n<p>Ministers are now following directives laid out by the Commission. <\/p>\n<p>The EU executive spotted inefficient <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//12//10//european-commission-to-open-up-energy-infrastructure-law-to-speed-up-grid-permits/">grid interconnections<\/a>, slow permitting, fragmented national planning, and uneven investment as significant barriers to competitiveness and keeping energy prices high, according to a leaked document seen by Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>However, the task is arduous for energy ministers to effectively stabilise energy prices across the bloc, since energy policy is a national competence and taxation is applied differently across member states. <\/p>\n<p>EU lawmakers will soon reopen talks to revise the electricity market design law following the Commission's recent omnibus proposal to simplify environmental legislation. <\/p>\n<p>The EU executive wants to speed up permitting for renewable projects to increase the share of clean power in the grid.<\/p>\n<h2>Two-way contracts to make a difference<\/h2>\n<p>The Commission suggested that actions at the national level on key areas can be instrumental in addressing price levels. Some of the initiatives floated include efficient network charges and anticipatory grid investments.<\/p>\n<p>Other possibilities include the uptake of two-way contracts for difference, a financial mechanism, increasingly mandated in the EU for new renewable and nuclear energy investments, grid connections, or energy taxation, according to the document.<\/p>\n<p>Recently, the Commission approved the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//12//11//european-commission-gives-green-light-to-construction-of-first-nuclear-power-plant-in-pola/">construction and operation of the first nuclear power plant in Poland<\/a>, which will operate under two-way contracts for difference, a method increasingly used and encouraged by the EU for renewable energy projects.<\/p>\n<p>This system is intended to provide stable revenue for the nuclear plant over 40 years. <\/p>\n<p>\"Under the contract for difference, the Polish state will pay the energy producer if market prices fall below a strike price that will be determined according to a clear methodology reviewed by the Commission. If market prices exceed this strike price, the energy producer will pay the difference to the Polish state,\" the EU executive said.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1765545794,"updatedAt":1765817001,"publishedAt":1765807263,"firstPublishedAt":1765807263,"lastPublishedAt":1765807263,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/10\/88\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_10a8d770-8629-5383-8913-f7446a5bfc3f-9581088.jpg","altText":"People take part in a protest against the increase of the price of electricity in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021. ","caption":"People take part in a protest against the increase of the price of electricity in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Manu Fernandez","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/10\/88\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b3aaa94d-a803-5b4d-b038-1ae2a92a1948-9581088.jpg","altText":"Flames emerge from burners on a natural gas stove. ","caption":"Flames emerge from burners on a natural gas stove. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/\tSteven Senne","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2852,"urlSafeValue":"pacheco","title":"Marta Pacheco","twitter":"@themartache"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":29232,"slug":"eu-policy","urlSafeValue":"eu-policy","title":"EU Policy","titleRaw":"EU Policy"},{"id":12764,"slug":"energy","urlSafeValue":"energy","title":"Energy","titleRaw":"Energy"},{"id":25900,"slug":"electricity","urlSafeValue":"electricity","title":"electricity","titleRaw":"electricity"},{"id":12727,"slug":"natural-gas","urlSafeValue":"natural-gas","title":"Natural gas","titleRaw":"Natural gas"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2685132},{"id":2508350},{"id":2854931}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x9vrews"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/31\/52\/38\/00\/ED_PYR_3152380_20251215164322.mp4","editor":"","duration":61360,"filesizeBytes":11728893,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/31\/52\/38\/00\/SHD_PYR_3152380_20251215164322.mp4","editor":"","duration":61360,"filesizeBytes":16498232,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/31\/52\/38\/00\/FHD_PYR_3152380_20251215164322.mp4","editor":"","duration":61360,"filesizeBytes":49380101,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":{"id":3270,"urlSafeValue":"brussels","title":"Brussels"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/12\/15\/eu-energy-ministers-set-to-tackle-price-discrepancies-among-member-states","lastModified":1765807263},{"id":2854567,"cid":9582809,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CEF ENERGY","daletPyramidId":3599998,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"EU energy ministers back new fund for cross-border infrastructure projects from 2028","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"EU energy ministers back fund for cross-border resilience from 2028","titleListing2":"The Connecting Europe Facility is part of the European Union's multi-annual budget for 2028-2036, which intends to increase cross-border investment in electric grids, pipelines and renewable energy projects.","leadin":"The Connecting Europe Facility is part of the European Union's multi-annual budget for 2028-2034, which foresees nearly four times as much money as the previous budget. It is intended to increase cross-border investment in electric grids, pipelines and renewable energy projects.","summary":"The Connecting Europe Facility is part of the European Union's multi-annual budget for 2028-2034, which foresees nearly four times as much money as the previous budget. It is intended to increase cross-border investment in electric grids, pipelines and renewable energy projects.","keySentence":"","url":"eu-energy-ministers-back-new-fund-for-cross-border-infrastructure-projects-from-2028","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2025\/12\/15\/eu-energy-ministers-back-new-fund-for-cross-border-infrastructure-projects-from-2028","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"From 2028, European Union countries will be able to expand cross-border energy infrastructure, like grids and pipelines, and renewable energy projects, as energy ministers overwhelmingly backed on Monday the architecture of the bloc's multi-annual energy budget for 2028-2034.\n\nThe funds, under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), will target grid infrastructure and renewable energy projects to boost solar and wind power, as outlined in the European Commission's recent initiative to modernise electricity infrastructure and support cross-border projects.\n\nHydrogen and natural gas infrastructure are also on the list, with critics arguing that the money will continue to prop up fossil fuels, as they claim the projects listed under the CEF will\u00a0use fossil hydrogen.\n\nLars Aagaard, Denmark\u2019s minister for energy, climate and utilities, hailed the adoption of the future bloc's budget design as a significant step towards lowering energy prices, strengthening competitiveness, and improving energy security.\n\n\"Today\u2019s agreement provides the framework for new investments in Europe\u2019s energy infrastructure, strengthens support for cross-border projects and ensures that no member state is left isolated,\" Aagaard said.\n\nAccording to EU diplomats close to the negotiations, there were \"no red lines\" during the talks, and all member states backed the Connecting Europe Facility's energy architecture, with only Hungary abstaining.\n\nPortuguese Secretary of State for Energy Jean Barroca said the CEF was particularly relevant for Portugal.\n\n\"It allows (Portugal) to finance essential infrastructure projects to achieve the goal of 15% electricity interconnection by 2030 and ensure the full integration of the Iberian peninsula into the energy market, as well as structural issues in our system, such as security of supply and energy storage,\" said Barroca.\n\nCyril Piquemal, France's deputy permanent representative to the EU, welcomed the Commission's concession of technological neutrality under the CEF, meaning member states can choose their own methods and power sources when planning infrastructure development.\n\nPiquemal also stressed the importance of a \"global approach\" that accounts for all costs across the system when strengthening internal networks, a key issue for France, which has long refused to invest in cross-border energy infrastructure with Spain and Portugal.\n\nThe Commission proposal of the bloc's next multi-annual budget sets \u20ac29.9 billion for energy projects, far exceeding the \u20ac5.8 billion allocated in the previous budget, covering the years 2021-2027.\n\nThis surge is part of the bloc's goal to increase energy resilience by revamping or building new infrastructure capable of transporting clean power. It is also part of the EU's goal to reach climate neutrality by 2050.\n\n'Hard to follow the money'\n\nHowever, new rules under the bloc's funding programme for cross-border projects will reduce transparency, according to EU lawmakers and auditors.\n\nThe Commission decided to introduce greater flexibility in the post-2027 multi-annual budget, which will also apply to the CEF.\n\nThe EU executive is proposing to use the Recovery and Resilience Facility's model (RRF), a financial instrument used to help member states during the pandemic, as a blueprint for CEF.\n\nLawmakers from the European Parliament's transport committee rejected the proposal, saying it would grant the Commission more leeway without sufficient checks and balances.\n\nThey also criticised the EU executive's proposal to remove eligibility and award criteria in the design of national plans.\n\nLawmakers said that such increased flexibility would reduce the Parliament's ability to scrutinise the spending, as it usually scrutinises the implementation of the EU general budget each year.\n\nSimilar concerns were voiced by the European Court of Auditors (ECA), which fears that the flexibilities granted to contracts under the CEF could undermine its auditing work.\n\n\"The closer to the RFF, the harder it is to track the money. ECA would have no legal remit to track the funds if the CEF is under the same model as the RFF,\" one ECA spokesperson told Euronews.\n\nTo address concerns, Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said that more detailed funding criteria would be set out in the work programmes and in the project call texts issued during implementation.\n\nGligor Rade\u010di\u0107, gas campaign leader at NGO CEE Bankwatch Network, said it is illogical that gas operators will continue being responsible for assessing the projects listed by the EU executive to receive funding.\n\n\u201cWhile it is expected that some projects are promoted by transmission system operators, since they are often the only actors with the necessary know-how and capacity, it makes little sense that the very same companies \u2013 represented by ENTSOG (gas transmission operators) \u2013 are also the ones responsible for assessing those projects,\u201d said Rade\u010di\u0107.\n\nEnergy ministers backed the Council's mandate on Monday to start negotiations with the European Parliament.\n\nHowever, the programme\u2019s 2028-2034 budget decision is still in early discussions and will ultimately depend on the final agreement on the next multi-annual budget, expected no earlier than 2027.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>From 2028, European Union countries will be able to expand cross-border energy infrastructure, like grids and pipelines, and renewable energy projects, as energy ministers overwhelmingly backed on Monday the architecture of the bloc's multi-annual energy budget for 2028-2034.<\/p>\n<p>The funds, under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), will target <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//12//10//european-commission-to-open-up-energy-infrastructure-law-to-speed-up-grid-permits/">grid infrastructure<\/a> and renewable energy projects to boost solar and wind power, as outlined in the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//12//10//european-commission-to-open-up-energy-infrastructure-law-to-speed-up-grid-permits/">European Commission's recent initiative<\/a> to modernise electricity infrastructure and support cross-border projects. <\/p>\n<p>Hydrogen and natural gas infrastructure are also on the list, with critics arguing that the money will continue to prop up fossil fuels, as they claim the projects listed under the CEF will <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//12//01//eu-risks-channeling-climate-funds-to-dirty-energy-projects-experts-say/">use fossil hydrogen<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Lars Aagaard, Denmark\u2019s minister for energy, climate and utilities, hailed the adoption of the future bloc's budget design as a significant step towards lowering energy prices, strengthening competitiveness, and improving energy security.<\/p>\n<p>\"Today\u2019s agreement provides the framework for new investments in Europe\u2019s energy infrastructure, strengthens support for cross-border projects and ensures that no member state is left isolated,\" Aagaard said.<\/p>\n<p>According to EU diplomats close to the negotiations, there were \"no red lines\" during the talks, and all member states backed the Connecting Europe Facility's energy architecture, with only Hungary abstaining. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//12//08//european-commission-to-unveil-12-trillion-plan-to-upgrade-the-eus-electric-grids-leak-show/">European Commission to unveil \u20ac1.2 trillion plan to upgrade the EU's electric grids, leak shows<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Portuguese Secretary of State for Energy Jean Barroca said the CEF was particularly relevant for Portugal.<\/p>\n<p>\"It allows (Portugal) to finance essential infrastructure projects to achieve the goal of 15% electricity interconnection by 2030 and ensure the full integration of the Iberian peninsula into the energy market, as well as structural issues in our system, such as security of supply and energy storage,\" said Barroca.<\/p>\n<p>Cyril Piquemal, France's deputy permanent representative to the EU, welcomed the Commission's concession of technological neutrality under the CEF, meaning member states can choose their own methods and power sources when planning infrastructure development.<\/p>\n<p>Piquemal also stressed the importance of a \"global approach\" that accounts for all costs across the system when strengthening internal networks, a key issue for France, which has long refused to invest in cross-border energy infrastructure with Spain and Portugal.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission proposal of the bloc's next multi-annual budget sets \u20ac29.9 billion for energy projects, far exceeding the \u20ac5.8 billion allocated in the previous budget, covering the years 2021-2027. <\/p>\n<p>This surge is part of the bloc's goal to increase energy resilience by revamping or building new infrastructure capable of transporting clean power. It is also part of the EU's goal to reach climate neutrality by 2050.<\/p>\n<h2>'Hard to follow the money'<\/h2>\n<p>However, new rules under the bloc's funding programme for cross-border projects will reduce transparency, according to EU lawmakers and auditors.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission decided to introduce <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//12//10//environmental-groups-warn-eu-commissions-simplification-of-green-laws-means-more-pollution/">greater flexibility<\/a> in the post-2027 multi-annual budget, which will also apply to the CEF. <\/p>\n<p>The EU executive is proposing to use the Recovery and Resilience Facility's model (RRF), a financial instrument used to help member states during the pandemic, as a blueprint for CEF. <\/p>\n<p>Lawmakers from the European Parliament's transport committee rejected the proposal, saying it would grant the Commission more leeway without sufficient checks and balances. <\/p>\n<p>They also criticised the EU executive's proposal to remove eligibility and award criteria in the design of national plans.<\/p>\n<p>Lawmakers said that such increased flexibility would reduce the Parliament's ability to scrutinise the spending, as it usually scrutinises the implementation of the EU general budget each year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2025//10//03//obsolete-electricity-grid-triggered-blackout-in-portugal-and-spain-experts-reveal/">Obsolete electricity grid triggered blackout in Portugal and Spain, experts reveal<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Similar concerns were voiced by the European Court of Auditors (ECA), which fears that the flexibilities granted to contracts under the CEF could undermine its auditing work. <\/p>\n<p>\"The closer to the RFF, the harder it is to track the money. ECA would have no legal remit to track the funds if the CEF is under the same model as the RFF,\" one ECA spokesperson told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>To address concerns, Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said that more detailed funding criteria would be set out in the work programmes and in the project call texts issued during implementation.<\/p>\n<p>Gligor Rade\u010di\u0107, gas campaign leader at NGO CEE Bankwatch Network, said it is illogical that gas operators will continue being responsible for assessing the projects listed by the EU executive to receive funding.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile it is expected that some projects are promoted by transmission system operators, since they are often the only actors with the necessary know-how and capacity, it makes little sense that the very same companies \u2013 represented by ENTSOG (gas transmission operators) \u2013 are also the ones responsible for assessing those projects,\u201d said Rade\u010di\u0107.<\/p>\n<p>Energy ministers backed the Council's mandate on Monday to start negotiations with the European Parliament. <\/p>\n<p>However, the programme\u2019s 2028-2034 budget decision is still in early discussions and will ultimately depend on the final agreement on the next multi-annual budget, expected no earlier than 2027.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1765739671,"updatedAt":1765808852,"publishedAt":1765803954,"firstPublishedAt":1765803954,"lastPublishedAt":1765808851,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/28\/09\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_fe717eef-50e7-55be-9a66-604ed18fcb02-9582809.jpg","altText":"Electricity poles are seen in the countryside outside Lyon, central France, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022.","caption":"Electricity poles are seen in the countryside outside Lyon, central France, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/\tLaurent Cipriani","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2852,"urlSafeValue":"pacheco","title":"Marta Pacheco","twitter":"@themartache"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":29232,"slug":"eu-policy","urlSafeValue":"eu-policy","title":"EU Policy","titleRaw":"EU Policy"},{"id":25918,"slug":"infrastructure","urlSafeValue":"infrastructure","title":"infrastructure","titleRaw":"infrastructure"},{"id":25990,"slug":"energy-transition","urlSafeValue":"energy-transition","title":"energy transition","titleRaw":"energy transition"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":12764,"slug":"energy","urlSafeValue":"energy","title":"Energy","titleRaw":"Energy"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2853279},{"id":2837853},{"id":2850127}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"},{"id":"climate","urlSafeValue":"climate","title":"Climate","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":24,"urlSafeValue":"belgium","title":"Belgium","url":"\/news\/europe\/belgium"},"town":{"id":3270,"urlSafeValue":"brussels","title":"Brussels"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/12\/15\/eu-energy-ministers-back-new-fund-for-cross-border-infrastructure-projects-from-2028","lastModified":1765808851},{"id":2854699,"cid":9583290,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"COVID VACCINE SAFETY","daletPyramidId":3607009,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"People vaccinated against COVID-19 have lower risk of death \u2013 regardless of the cause, study","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"COVID-19 shot tied to lower risk of death from any cause, study shows","titleListing2":"Adults who received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine have a lower risk of death regardless of the cause, a new study has found.","leadin":"Adults who received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine have a lower risk of death regardless of the cause, a new study has found.","summary":"Adults who received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine have a lower risk of death regardless of the cause, a new study has found.","keySentence":"","url":"people-vaccinated-against-covid-19-have-lower-risk-of-death-regardless-of-the-cause-study","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/health\/2025\/12\/15\/people-vaccinated-against-covid-19-have-lower-risk-of-death-regardless-of-the-cause-study","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"People who received at least one dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine had a lower risk of death from all causes compared with unvaccinated individuals, a new French study has shown.\u00a0\n\nThe findings indicate that, far from increasing long-term risks, these vaccines are associated with reduced mortality over a four-year period \u2013 since the peak of vaccination in 2021.\n\nIn the European Union, more than 976 million COVID\u201119 vaccine doses had been administered as of February 2023, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). \u00a0 and programmes have continued since then with tens of millions of additional booster doses each season.\n\nThe study, which looked at 28 million French adults aged 18 to 59, found vaccinated individuals had a 74 per cent lower risk of death from severe COVID-19, and a 25 per cent lower risk of all-cause mortality.\u00a0\n\nResearchers said the lower mortality risk was due in part to strong protection against severe illness, with vaccinated adults far less likely to die from the infection.\u00a0\n\nThey also suggested that fewer complications related to long COVID-19 may contribute to the overall reduction in deaths.\n\nThe research was carried out by Epi-Phare, a scientific interest group overseen by the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM), and the French National Health Insurance Fund. The team concluded that a causal link between mRNA vaccination and excess long-term mortality now appears highly unlikely.\n\nUsing data from the French National Health Data System, the study included 22.7 million people vaccinated between May and October 2021, and 5.9 million unvaccinated individuals as of 1 November 2021, who were followed over a median of 45 months.\u00a0\n\nThe study is the largest to date examining the long-term safety of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in the general adult population.\n\nParticipants were no older than 59 years old,\u00a0 meaning the findings do not directly apply to older age groups, most at risk from COVID-19.\n\nOver four years of follow\u2011up, 98,429 deaths from all causes (0.4 per cent) were recorded among vaccinated individuals, compared with 32,662 (0.6 per cent) among the unvaccinated.\n\nThe authors reported no increase in deaths from cancer, cardiovascular disease, accidental injury, or any other major cause; in every category, vaccinated people had equal or lower mortality rates than those who remained unvaccinated.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>People who received at least one dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine had a lower risk of death from all causes compared with unvaccinated individuals, a new French study has shown. <\/p>\n<p>The findings indicate that, far from increasing long-term risks, these vaccines are associated with reduced mortality over a four-year period \u2013since the peak of vaccination in 2021.<\/p>\n<p>In the European Union, more than 976 million COVID\u201119 vaccine doses had been administered as of February 2023, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). and programmes have continued since then with tens of millions of additional booster doses each season.<\/p>\n<p>The study, which looked at 28 million French adults aged 18 to 59, found vaccinated individuals had a 74 per cent lower risk of death from severe COVID-19, and a 25 per cent lower risk of all-cause mortality. <\/p>\n<p>Researchers said the lower mortality risk was due in part to strong protection against severe illness, with vaccinated adults far less likely to die from the infection. <\/p>\n<p>They also suggested that fewer complications related to long COVID-19 may contribute to the overall reduction in deaths.<\/p>\n<p>The research was carried out by Epi-Phare, a scientific interest group overseen by the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM), and the French National Health Insurance Fund. The team concluded that a causal link between mRNA vaccination and excess long-term mortality now appears highly unlikely.<\/p>\n<p>Using data from the French National Health Data System, the study included 22.7 million people vaccinated between May and October 2021, and 5.9 million unvaccinated individuals as of 1 November 2021, who were followed over a median of 45 months. <\/p>\n<p>The study is the largest to date examining the long-term safety of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in the general adult population.<\/p>\n<p>Participants were no older than 59 years old, meaning the findings do not directly apply to older age groups, most at risk from COVID-19.<\/p>\n<p>Over four years of follow\u2011up, 98,429 deaths from all causes (0.4 per cent) were recorded among vaccinated individuals, compared with 32,662 (0.6 per cent) among the unvaccinated.<\/p>\n<p>The authors reported no increase in deaths from cancer, cardiovascular disease, accidental injury, or any other major cause; in every category, vaccinated people had equal or lower mortality rates than those who remained unvaccinated.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1765797129,"updatedAt":1765820567,"publishedAt":1765797712,"firstPublishedAt":1765797712,"lastPublishedAt":1765797712,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/32\/90\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_387c0fcf-ace0-5215-af47-faac233f1e40-9583290.jpg","altText":"A worker readies syringes with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine","caption":"A worker readies syringes with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2960,"urlSafeValue":"iraola","title":"Marta Iraola 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Belgium"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/health\/2025\/12\/15\/people-vaccinated-against-covid-19-have-lower-risk-of-death-regardless-of-the-cause-study","lastModified":1765797712},{"id":2854648,"cid":9583122,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Laurence Tubiana","daletPyramidId":3605300,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Europe 'needs to stand up to Trump and stop buying US energy', Tubiana tells Euronews ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Europe needs to stand up to Trump on climate, Tubiana tells Euronews ","titleListing2":"The CEO of the European Climate Foundation, who served as France's climate change ambassador at the 2015 United Nations climate summit in Paris, remains a climate optimist and points to China as an example to follow.","leadin":"The CEO of the European Climate Foundation, who served as France's climate change ambassador for the 2015 United Nations climate summit in Paris, remains a climate optimist and points to China as an example to follow.","summary":"The CEO of the European Climate Foundation, who served as France's climate change ambassador for the 2015 United Nations climate summit in Paris, remains a climate optimist and points to China as an example to follow.","keySentence":"","url":"europe-needs-to-stand-up-to-trump-and-stop-buying-us-energy-tubiana-tells-euronews","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/12\/15\/europe-needs-to-stand-up-to-trump-and-stop-buying-us-energy-tubiana-tells-euronews","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The European Union should stand up to President Donald Trump and reject further purchases of US energy products, as foreseen in the $750bn trade deal between the transatlantic partners, climate czar Laurence Tubiana told Euronews\u2019 flagship morning programme Europe Today on Monday.\n\nTubiana, who played a key role in the negotiations around the Paris Agreement, said that pressure from the Trump administration shouldn\u2019t prevent the European Union from pursuing its climate goals of reaching climate neutrality by 2050.\n\nHer appeal comes as the US pushes back against some key EU climate laws - such as the EU's carbon border tax - aiming to slash greenhouse gas emissions and encourage more sustainable practices outside of the European Union.\n\n\"I haven't seen anything like this in my whole life working on climate. I've never seen such aggressiveness from the US, including the pressure on Europe,\" Tubiana told Euronews.\n\nThe French diplomat and economist said the EU needs to maintain its independence and economic security, noting that energy security is crucial to achieving that goal.\n\nThis means the EU27 shouldn't create energy dependencies with any nation, instead, it should invest in diversification with reliable suppliers. Tubiana, said that developments from China are encouraging, citing massive investment in renewable energy.\n\nShe also noted that 85 countries at COP30 have shown political will to phase out fossil fuels, despite the US withdrawal from the United Nations climate summit.\n\n\"We have seen a major transformation of the world economy, in particular in green technology, the rise of China's investment in renewable energy, the fact that almost all countries have a climate law now since Paris, and 88% of global emissions are covered by a commitment to be net zero by the mid-century,\" Tubiana told Euronews.\n\nDespite pressure from the US and the rollback of several climate laws in the EU, Tubiana remains confident that net-neutrality can still be achieved by 2050.\n\n\"If we increase the share of renewable energy, if we invest in decarbonisation, and of course, the industry, we can get there,\" Tubiana said.\n\nEvery morning at 8 am CET, you can join Euronews\u2019 chief anchor M\u00e9abh McMahon and our EU editor Maria Tadeo, who will bring you up to speed on the major news events of the day in our new daily show \u201cEurope Today\u201d.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The European Union should stand up to President Donald Trump and reject further purchases of US energy products, as foreseen in the $750bn trade deal between the transatlantic partners, climate czar Laurence Tubiana told Euronews\u2019 flagship morning programme Europe Today on Monday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-freeform\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <iframe src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////embed.acast.com//66435f391ec45a00127feb2f//693fb86041eacf5e81fd27de/" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"100%\" height=\"190px\"><\/iframe>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-freeform\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <div align='center' style='padding: 10px 0;'><a href=https://www.euronews.com/news/europe/'https:////podcasts.apple.com//fr//podcast//europe-today//id1748993321' target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" target='_blank'><img style='max-width:200px;padding-top:1rem;' src=https://www.euronews.com/news/europe/'https:////static.euronews.com//website//images//special//apple_podcast.png' alt='Apple podcast' width='30%' loading='lazy'><\/a> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/news/europe/'https:////open.spotify.com//show//7zR8srvpUQpHwVs07h40vk' target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" target='_blank'><img style='max-width:200px;padding-top:1rem;' src=https://www.euronews.com/news/europe/'https:////static.euronews.com//website//images//special//spotify.png' alt='Spotify podcast' width='30%' loading='lazy'><\/a> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/news/europe/'https:////castbox.fm//channel//id6170323?country=gb' target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" target='_blank'><img style='max-width:200px;padding-top:1rem;' src=https://www.euronews.com/news/europe/'https:////static.euronews.com//website//images//special//castbox.png' alt='Castbox podcast' width='30%' loading='lazy'><\/a><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Tubiana, who played a key role in the negotiations around the Paris Agreement, said that pressure from the Trump administration shouldn\u2019t prevent the European Union from pursuing its climate goals of reaching climate neutrality by 2050. <\/p>\n<p>Her appeal comes as the US pushes back against some key EU climate laws - such as the EU's carbon border tax - aiming to slash greenhouse gas emissions and encourage more sustainable practices outside of the European Union.<\/p>\n<p>\"I haven't seen anything like this in my whole life working on climate. I've never seen such aggressiveness from the US, including the pressure on Europe,\" Tubiana told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>The French diplomat and economist said the EU needs to maintain its independence and economic security, noting that energy security is crucial to achieving that goal. <\/p>\n<p>This means the EU27 shouldn't create energy dependencies with any nation, instead, it should invest in diversification with reliable suppliers. Tubiana, said that developments from China are encouraging, citing massive investment in renewable energy. <\/p>\n<p>She also noted that 85 countries at COP30 have shown political will to phase out fossil fuels, despite the US withdrawal from the United Nations climate summit.<\/p>\n<p>\"We have seen a major transformation of the world economy, in particular in green technology, the rise of China's investment in renewable energy, the fact that almost all countries have a climate law now since Paris, and 88% of global emissions are covered by a commitment to be net zero by the mid-century,\" Tubiana told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>Despite pressure from the US and the rollback of several climate laws in the EU, Tubiana remains confident that net-neutrality can still be achieved by 2050. <\/p>\n<p>\"If we increase the share of renewable energy, if we invest in decarbonisation, and of course, the industry, we can get there,\" Tubiana said.<\/p>\n<p><em>Every morning at 8 am CET, you can join Euronews\u2019 chief anchor M\u00e9abh McMahon and our EU editor Maria Tadeo, who will bring you up to speed on the major news events of the day in our new daily show \u201cEurope Today\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1765785968,"updatedAt":1765817948,"publishedAt":1765790905,"firstPublishedAt":1765790905,"lastPublishedAt":1765796596,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/58\/31\/22\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_6b636bb1-1aa4-596e-b251-a1d8a3b9d296-9583122.jpg","altText":"Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation (ECF), speaks about ongoing negotiations at the COP27 U.N. Climate Summit, Nov. 17, 2022, in Egypt.","caption":"Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation (ECF), speaks about ongoing negotiations at the COP27 U.N. 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