Europe Daily News, 16 February 2026

COMPETITION

• Appeal brought on 23 December 2025 by Red Bull GmbH, Red Bull France SASU and Red Bull Nederland BV against the judgment of the General Court of 15 October 2025 in Case T-306/23, Red Bull GmbH, Red Bull France SASU, Red Bull Nederland BV Vs. European Commission (Case C-865/25 P)
  Re: annulment of Commission Decision C(2023) 1689 final ordering an inspection (Case AT.40819 - RED BULL (initially ‘WINGS’))
• Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.12310 - Bain Capital / MCJ)
• Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.12158 - Leonardo / Iveco Defence Vehicles / Astra Veicoli Industriali)
• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12226 - Two Point Zero / Peninsula/ Isem)
• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12159 - Nemak / GF Casting Solutions Business)
• The European Commission has backed Slovakia’s plan to introduce a merger call-in mechanism
• Commission closes antitrust investigation following the withdrawal by Edwards Lifesciences of its disputed company policy - See Case AT.40755
• Greece - Priority examination and assignment to a Commissioner-Rapporteur of a case concerning possible anti-competitive practices in the market for the production and supply of radiopharmaceuticals
• Portugal - AdC identifies barriers to consumer mobility in retail banking and issues recommendations
• Portugal - Finsolutia notifies the acquisition of control over Hipoges
• Portugal - AdC adopted a non-opposition decision in concentration operation DIF / Maganeto
• Portugal - AdC adopted a non-opposition decision in concentration operation Inverso Estratégico / Grupo Aquitex
• Romania- The Competition Council has authorized the transaction whereby Greenvolt International Power SA, Portugal, intends to acquire part of the share capital of CEF Pelicanu SRL.

STATE AID

• Request for a preliminary ruling from the Lietuvos vyriausiasis administracinis teismas (Lithuania) of 14 November 2025 - V.S. Vs. Nacionalinė mokėjimo agentūra prie Žemės ūkio ministerijos (Case C-721/25)
  Re: de minimis aid, Regulation (EU) 2019/316, Article 3(3a) and (7) and Article 6(3) of Regulation No 1408/2013, aid in the agriculture sector

TRADE & CUSTOMS

• Agenda for: 278th meeting of the Customs Code Committee Tariff & Statistical Nomenclature Section (Sub-Section Mec/Misc/Tex) - 02 to 04 March 2026
• Commission Decision of 28.1.2026 on the financing of projects in the area of external trade relations, including access to the markets of third countries and initiatives in the field of trade related assistance and the adoption of the work programme for 2026 - See the Annex
  
• Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council implementing the bilateral safeguard clause of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the EU-Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement for agricultural products - Outcome of the European Parliament’s first reading (Strasbourg, 9 to 12 February 2026)
• Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council addressing the negative trade-related effects of global overcapacity on the Union steel market; COM(2025)726 final - 364th Resolution of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic - 11 February 2026
• Stakeholders meeting on the establishment of a Multilateral Investment Court - 20 January 2026
• Joint Statement by Commissioners Šefčovič and Hansen and Minister for Trade and Tourism of Australia Don Farrell following the EU-Australia Ministerial meeting
• The India-EU Free Trade Agreement: Implications for South Asia - ESCAP Blog
• Geopolitical coalitions and pooled geoeconomic deterrence as Europe’s plan B for a post-WTO world
• Carney constructs a mega anti-Trump trade alliance - The Canadian prime minister is spearheading discussions between the EU and a major Indo-Pacific trade bloc after calling on middle powers to join forces - Politico.eu
• EU trade deal threatens to undermine Europe’s home-grown medicines ambition - India and the EU have struck a long-awaited free-trade agreement. But could it derail Europe’s push to secure its own medicine supplies?- Politico.eu

EU/WTO

• WTO - China - Worldwide Licensing Terms for Standard Essential Patents - Request for the establishment of a panel by the European Union
• WTO - European Union - Certain Measures concerning Palm Oil and Oil Palm Crop-Based Biofuels - Status report by the European Union - Addendum
• WTO - European Union and certain Member States - Certain Measures concerning Palm Oil and Oil Palm Crop-Based Biofuels - Status report by the European Union - Addendum
• WTO - European Communities - Measures Affecting the Approval and Marketing of Biotech Products - Status report by the European Union - Addendum

INTERNAL MARKET & INDUSTRY

• Preparation of the Council (Competitiveness (Internal Market, Industry, Research & Space)) - 26-27 February 2026
  - The 2026 Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report - Exchange of views
  - Horizon Europe Package Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2028-2034 a) Framework Programme and its rules for participation and dissemination b) Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe - Policy debate

FINANCE

• EU cross-border banking deals jump to highest since 2008 crisis - Lenders’ rising profits make international mergers more attractive despite regulatory hurdles - Financial Times

TAXATION

• Communication from the Commission to the Council in accordance with Article 395 of Council Directive 2006/112/EC

ENERGY

• ACER calls for greater focus on LNG dynamics in gas supply outlooks

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE

• Agenda for: Working Party on International Environment Issues (Climate change) - 27 February 2026
• Minutes of the109th meeting of the Competent Authorities (Regulation (EU) No 528/2012) for biocidal products - 25 & 26 September 2025
• Minutes of Meeting of the Group of experts on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products and Energy Labelling (Ecodesign Forum) - 24 November 2025
• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): Sixth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI-6) (Rome, Italy, 16-19 February 2026) - First EU coordination

TRANSPORT & MOBILITY

• Commission remains committed to halving road deaths by 2030 - See the Report
• Commissioner Tzitzikostas in Finland to discuss icebreakers and the decarbonisation of transport - Midday Express

FUTURE OF EUROPE

• Agenda for: Meeting of the Coreper (Part.2) - 16 February 2026
• Agenda for: Meeting of the Coreper (Part.1 & Part.2) - 18 February 2026

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

• Action brought on 23 December 2025 - Ola Energy Vs. Commission and High Representative of the Union for Foreign AfMinutes of the 109th meeting of representatives of Members States Competent Authorities for the implementation of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products - 25 & 26 September 2025fairs and Security Policy (Case T-893/25)
  Re: Commission and the HR of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, infringement of the Treaties, in breaching of Article 265 TFEU, Council Regulation (EU) 2016/44, restrictive measures, Libya, Regulation (EU) No 204/2011

EU/UKRAINE/RUSSIA

• Action brought on 31 December 2025 - Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Vs. Council (Case T-895/25)
  Re: Annulment of Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2032 and Council Regulation (EU) 2025/2033
• Appeal brought on 11 December 2025 by Maria Albot against the judgment of the General Court of 1 October 2025 in Case T-343/24 Albot Vs. Council (Case C-825/25 P)
  Re: Article 61 of the Staff Regulations and annulment of Decision (CFSP) 2024/1242 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1243

EU/SECURITY CONFERENCE

• Panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference 2026 *
• Speech by President von der Leyen at the Munich Security Conference 2026
• Von der Leyen says Europe must bring its mutual defence clause ‘to life’ - Commission president tells Munich Security Conference ‘you change or die’ - Financial Times

EU DEFENCE

• Statement by President von der Leyen at the Transatlantic Forum with Bavarian Minister-President Söder, NATO Secretary-General Rutte and German Foreign Minister Wadephul
• Merz holds talks with Macron over Europe’s nuclear deterrence - Germany explores joining France’s nuclear umbrella as European fears grow over the US reducing its military footprint - Financial Times