février 19 2026

Europe Daily News, 19 February 2026

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.12315 - KKR / PAG / Sapporo Real Estate)
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12169 - OEP / Bartec)
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12292 - Aena / DigitalBridge / JV)
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12206 - Til / Seas / Socar Terminal)
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12089 - Rhône Capital / Invacare / DHG)
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.12274 - Chequers / Fremman / Groupe Bertin)
Commission clears acquisition of Tipico by Lov Group (M.12267) - Midday Express
Commission clears acquisition of Italiana Petroli by SOCAR (M.12218) - Midday Express
Commission clears acquisition of Fitzroy CQ by Talisman, IMEA Fitzroy and Mercuria (M.12250) - Midday Express
Commission publishes summary of responses to the consultation on the ongoing review of the antitrust enforcement Regulation 1/2003 - Midday Express
Answer given by EVP Ribera to a MEP written question - Complaint AT.40851 – Thermal Paper: no final Commission decision
UK - The CMA has extended the consideration of undertakings in lieu of reference until 22 April 2026 in the acquisition by Vandemoortele Group of Délifrance S.A.

Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU - Cases where the Commission raises no objections - SA.119570
Commission approves extension of Dutch glasshouse horticulture energy-saving State aid (SA.120764) - Midday Express

Agenda for: Working Party on Customs Union - 27 February 2026
Decision No 1/2025 of the EU–Türkyie Joint Committee of 22 December 2025 amending the Agreement between the European Coal and Steel Community and the Republic of Turkey on trade in products covered by the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, by replacing Protocol 1 thereto concerning the definition of the concept of originating products and methods of administrative cooperation
Answer given by Mr Šefčovič to a MEP written question - Critical flaws in the Commission proposal of 7 October 2025 on the new trade defence instrument for the steel sector
Merz warns US on tariffs, hails ‘future cooperation’ with China - “Europeans are certainly able to push back,” the German chancellor tells Washington - Politico.eu
Brussels pitches English-first approval to speed up EU trade deals - Agreements with India and Indonesia would be test cases under a new “accelerated procedure” floated by the European Commission - Politico.eu

Agenda for: Working Party on Competitiveness & Growth (Industry) - 23 February 2026
Meeting of the Council "Competitiveness" (Internal Market, Industry, Research & Space) on 26-27 February 2026
- How to ensure an effective R&I priority-setting mechanism and decision process - Information from Spain, Austria, Hungary, Lithuania, Portugal, and Slovenia
- Effective Competition Policy is a Cornerstone of well-functioning, resilient and competitive Single Market - Information from the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Ireland and Latvia
Answer given by EVP Séjouné to a MEP written question - The Automotive Omnibus
Answer given by EVP Séjouné to a MEP written question - Recycling rare earths in the EU to break dependence on China
Answer given by EVP Séjouné to a MEP written question - Follow-up question regarding ‘strategic projects’ in the context of Critical Raw Materials Act

CHEMICALS

Answer given by EVP Séjouné to a MEP written question - Restriction of lead in hunting ammunition under the REACH Regulation

Agenda for: 2nd Plenary meeting of the third mandate of the Platform on Sustainable Finance - 25 February 2026
Answer given by Ms Albuquerque to a MEP written question - Follow-up request on activation of the blocking statute
Answer given by Ms Albuquerque to a MEP written question - Extraterritorial sanctions leading to ‘debanking’ of EU citizens and officials of EU-supported institutions
ESMA seeks input to streamline and simplify its market abuse guidelines
ESMA - Upcoming changes to the Euribor Panel
The EBA ESG Dashboard update shows stable climate risk indicators

Agenda for: Code of Conduct Group (Business Taxation) - Subgroup on internal and external issues - 13 March 2026
Agenda for: Ad Hoc Working Party on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (AHWP CBAM) - 26 February 2026
UNECE report assesses implications of EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on Central Asia

Meeting of the “Agriculture and Fisheries” Council on 23 February 2026:
- European Reinsurance Facility for Natural Catastrophes in Agriculture - Information from Portugal
- Difficulties that the EU pig sector is facing - the need for an exceptional aid - Information from Romania, supported by Hungary, Poland and Slovakia

Agenda for: Working Party on Energy - 23 February 2026
Questioning EU electricity market fundamentals would only weaken Europe’s competitiveness and security agendas - SolarPower Europe Statement
Europe should treat energy security as defence policy - We must move beyond thinking solely in terms of efficiency and decarbonisation to prioritise resilience - Financial Times

Agenda for: Meeting of the Antici Group (Simplification: Omnibus VIII: Environmental Omnibus) - 23 February 2026
Agenda for: Working Party on International Environment Issues (Global) - 25 February 2026
Market stability reserve: Council backs measures for a smoother launch of ETS2
Answer given by Ms Roswall to a MEP written question - Drinking Water Directive
Answer given by Ms Roswall to a MEP written question - Battery replaceability requirements for wearable electronic devices
Answer given by Ms Roswall to a MEP written question - Single-use high thermal-insulation fish boxes under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

Agenda for: Horizontal Working Party on Cyber Issues - 23 February 2026
Answer given by EVP Virkkunen to a MEP written question - Digital security and competition requirements under the Digital Markets Act (DMA)
Answer given by EVP Virkkunen to a MEP written question - Request for enforcement action under the Digital Services Act regarding Grok and harmful deepfake content
Answer given by EVP Virkkunen to a MEP written question - Security deficiencies in German eID cards and their compatibility with the requirements of the European Digital Identity Wallet and the European Business Wallet

EU terrorist list: Council designates the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation - See Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/421 and Council Regulation (EU) 2026/420
Statement by the HR/VP on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries with Council Decision concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities
Press remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the meeting with Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre
Joint statement on protection of civilians and humanitarian operations in Sudan
Answer given by HR/VP Kallas to a MEP written question - EU-Morocco Association Agreement and EU-Morocco Strategic Partnership

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