EU Insight 25 September 2026

Brussels, 25 September 2026

VON DER LEYEN DEFENDS MULTILATERALISM AT THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

At the UN General Assembly in New York, Commission President von der Leyen used several high‑level events to underline the EU’s backing for multilateral cooperation and UN reform. She joined the launch of the Partners for Multilateralism declaration, which commits signatories to strengthening international law, updating the multilateral system through initiatives such as UN80, and improving global cooperation on trade, climate and emerging technologies. At a separate climate and just-transition meeting, she argued that Europe’s shift to home‑grown clean energy is as much about energy security and lower import dependence as about emissions cuts. Together with Canadian Prime Minister Carney, she also co-launched the OceanEye International Alliance, which has secured almost €220 million in pledges to support global ocean observation systems, with the EU adding around €100 million to its previous commitments.

EU AND PHILIPPINES REACH POLITICAL DEAL ON FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

The EU and the Philippines have politically agreed on the core elements of a free trade deal, with technical work still needed before it can be signed. Trade Commissioner Šefčovič and his Philippine counterpart Roque presented the outcome, under which more than 94% of tariff lines would see tariffs removed, covering over 97% of bilateral trade, and the Philippines’ government procurement market would be opened to foreign bidders for the first time. The agreement would also protect a large number of European food and drink names from imitation. Trade in goods between the two partners already stands at €17.6 billion a year. The Philippines deal forms part of a wider EU push to deepen trade ties across Southeast Asia, following an agreement with Indonesia earlier this year.

MINISTERS LINK BANKING SIMPLIFICATION AND AI ADOPTION TO EU COMPETITIVENESS

As Europe faces slower growth and rising global competition, Finance Ministers used the last Eurogroup and informal ECOFIN meetings in Dublin to focus on a common challenge: restoring the continent’s competitiveness. Discussions centred on how a stronger financial sector and faster adoption of artificial intelligence can help boost investment, productivity and innovation. Ministers broadly backed plans to simplify banking rules and reduce administrative burdens while preserving the safeguards introduced after the financial crisis. They also stressed the need to accelerate AI deployment across businesses and public administrations, with Commissioner Dombrovskis warning that Europe cannot afford to miss the next technological revolution. The debate underscored a broader push to make the EU a more attractive place to invest, innovate and grow.

EIB AND COMMISSION SET UP PACT TO MOBILISE INSTITUTIONAL CAPITAL FOR EU TECH SCALE-UPS

The Commission and the European Investment Bank have set up a new European Institutional Investors Pact, giving large pension funds, insurers and other institutional investors a common framework for backing European tech and scale‑up companies. Thirteen investors have already signalled their intention to participate, including via the €15 billion European Tech Champions Initiative 2.0 and the €5 billion Scaleup Europe Fund. In practice, the Pact does two things: it offers a Commission‑led forum where investors can discuss EU rules that affect long‑term investment, and it provides, through the EIB Group, greater visibility on venture‑capital and growth‑equity opportunities. The aim is to reduce the need for promising European firms to seek growth‑stage capital outside the EU.

COMMISSION UNVEILS €505 MILLION SUPPORT PACKAGE FOR LEBANON

The Commission has unveiled a new €505 million support package for Lebanon, covering 2026 and 2027. This completes the €1 billion package first announced by President von der Leyen during her visit to Beirut in May 2024, after an initial €500 million tranche was adopted in 2024. The new funding comes as Lebanon continues to face instability, with over a million people internally displaced since fighting escalated in March. It is intended to support reforms in the justice sector and public institutions, economic recovery, border and security management, and essential services such as healthcare, education and cash assistance for vulnerable families. The package runs alongside separate EU humanitarian aid already being provided to the country this year.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK

• 28 September: Foreign Affairs Council (Defence). On the agenda: Ukraine, hybrid threats, Middle East, and European Defence Agency.
• 28-29 September: Agriculture and Fisheries Council. On the agenda: Post-2027 common agricultural policy (CAP), EU support to fisheries, aquaculture and maritime policy for 2028-2034, EU-UK and EU-Norway fisheries consultations.
• 28-29 September: Informal meeting of energy ministers.
• 30 September: College of Commissioners. On the agenda: Pre-enlargement policy reviews, European critical communication system, and 2040 vision for fisheries and aquaculture.
• 30 September-1 October: Informal meeting of health ministers.
• 1 October: Justice and Home Affairs Council (Home Affairs). On the agenda: Schengen, migration, and EU drugs strategy.
• 2 October: Justice and Home Affairs Council (Justice). On the agenda: Criminal justice cooperation, European Public Prosecutors’ Office, civil society and journalists, racism, and Ukraine.