The Dutch Senate approved a law criminalising more forms of espionage, such as digital and diaspora espionage. As a result a new criminal provision has been added to the Dutch Criminal Code. The law is intended to protect national security, public safety, critical infrastructure and high-value technologies more effectively.
European Council President Costa said that the world is facing global challenges, including peace, climate change, and inequality. He stressed the importance of supporting peace efforts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and combating inequalities, advancing the Pact for the Future and the reform of the global financial system, as well as continuing efforts to address climate change, oceans, and biodiversity.
The European Council welcomes the joint statement by Ukraine and the United States following their meeting in Saudi Arabia on 11 March 2025, including the proposals for a ceasefire agreement, humanitarian efforts, and the resumption of US intelligence sharing and security assistance. The European Council calls on Russia to show real political will to end the war. Explore more details.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that while Europe has many competitive, world-leading defence companies and innovative SMEs, the industrial base still faces structural weaknesses. She noted that it cannot yet produce defence systems and equipment at the scale and speed required by Member States and remains too fragmented, with national players mainly serving domestic markets. And she stressed the need to reverse this trend.
MEPs have greenlit the appointment of five candidates for the EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) Executive Board. Based in Frankfurt, is tasked with coordinating the actions of national financial intelligence units and directly overseeing selected risky financial entities present in multiple member states. AMLA is scheduled to start its operations in the summer of 2025.
The EU Commission has disbursed an additional €1 billion tranche of its exceptional Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) loan to Ukraine, to be repaid with proceeds from immobilised Russian State assets in the EU. This step reinforces the EU’s role as the largest donor since the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said she proposed an initiative focused on providing Ukraine with the support President Zelenskyy had specifically requested — ammunition worth 5 billion euros. She stressed the need for concrete action, not just words, to help Ukraine immediately, arguing that “the stronger Ukraine is on the battlefield, the stronger its position will be at the negotiating table”.
Speaking to leaders, EU Parliament President Metsola reiterated that in a world of rising single powers, Europe must step up its political ambition: on defence and competitiveness.
As European leaders prepare for their upcoming European Council meeting, diplomatic efforts surged on multiple fronts, underscoring the geopolitical stakes and coordinated positioning among allies, in Ukraine, the United States, the European Union, and the G7.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and EU Commission Andrius Kubilius explain the context of their White Paper on the Future of European Defence and the ReArm Europe Plan ‘Readiness 2030′, including legislation to strengthen the European defence industry while proposing the necessary flexibilities in expenditures.
“The international order is undergoing changes of the magnitude not seen since 1945. This is a pivotal moment for European security. It is a pivotal moment for action. Yes, that the needs of additional funding are massive. The proposals we have adopted today are also essential. But for all the important discussions needed on increasing defence spending, the value we add by working together is priceless” – EU High Representative
European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, learned about Eurojust’s unique role in the criminal justice system during his visit to the Agency’s headquarters.
The EU Council discussed draft conclusions for the upcoming European Council. Ministers then held an exchange of views on EU-UK relations, as well as on a synthesis report on Council contributions on the 2025 European Semester. The Council agreed to forward a draft recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area to the European Council for endorsement. Finally, ministers approved a joint declaration for this year’s priorities and joint
The EU Commission and the EU High Representative have unveiled a White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030, outlining a new strategic approach and identifying key investment needs. Complementing this, the Commission presented an ambitious defence package under the ReArm Europe Plan, designed to boost pan-European defence capabilities. Explore wihich new financial instruments the Commission proposes to strengthen Europe’s defence posture and ensure greater resilience by 2030.
In future, EU short-term visas for non-EU nationals could be suspended over security concerns linked to hybrid threats and breaches of international human rights. This would be possible under a reform of the visa suspension mechanism endorsed today by MEPs in the Civil Liberties Committee. The draft position will be tabled for announcement during EU Parliament’s April plenary session.
According to MEP Markus Ferber (CSU, Germany), EPP Group’s Spokesperson in the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, 300 billion euros of European savings flow to the United States for investment there, every year: “Especially given the difficult relationship with the current US President Donald Trump, we should harness this potential and invest in innovation and growth in Europe”, he said.
The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament condemns the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul and Erdoğan’s main political rival and calls on the Turkish government to stop abuses of power targeting opposition politicians.
EUDA and SCORE present new insights from Europe’s largest project monitoring drug use through wastewater analysis. The latest report, ‘Wastewater analysis and drugs — a European multi-city study’, reveals increased detections of MDMA, cocaine, and amphetamine, while cannabis residues declined. Explore the full findings.
In his address to the German Bundestag, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius underscored the historic significance of the decisions facing Germany, particularly regarding national security and future resilience. He described the country’s deteriorating infrastructure and emphasized the urgent need for substantial investment, not only in civil sectors but especially in defense, in light of the growing security challenges posed by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
“Wir sind uns einig: Die Ukraine kann sich auf uns verlassen”, betonte Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz. Im Gespräch mit dem französischen Präsidenten Emmanuel Macron ging es außerdem um die Stärkung der Verteidigungsfähigkeit sowie der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit Europas.
The EU Council gave its final green light to setting up the Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova, a new instrument to support EU-related reforms and economic growth in the country. The envelope of €1.9 billion provided by the Facility is the largest EU financial support package since Moldova’s independence and comes on top of the EU’s other substantial support to the country.
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