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The European Contact Group on Search and Rescue consists of Member States and Schengen Associated Countries and provides them with a space for dialogue as well as a framework to liaise with relevant stakeholders, including private entities owning or operating vessels for the purpose of search and rescue activities, such as non-governmental organisations[1].

The Commission holds regular meetings with non-governmental organisations on search and rescue related issues, which have also informed the work of the Contact Group.

• [1] Commission Recommendation (EU) 2020/1365 on cooperation among Member States concerning operations carried out by vessels owned or operated by private entities for the purpose of search and rescue activities, points (16) and (2), OJ L 317, 1.10.2020, p. 23-25.

The President of the Commission tasked the High Representative and the Commissioner for Defence and Space to put forward a White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030 within the first 100 days of the new mandate[1]. The College adopted it on 19 March 2025[2].

The White Paper frames a new approach to defence and defence industry and identifies related investment needs. It addresses closing critical capability gaps, ramping-up European defence production and mobilising additional funding for defence.

For the EU to provide tailored support to ramp-up defence industrial production capacities, it is important to have a clear picture of Member States’ capability targets, to translate them into industrial ones. This approach is summarised as an industrial output plan.

Following the publication of the White Paper , consultations with all key stakeholder’s kicked-off , including with Member States , the European Parliament and Defence Industry , but also partners such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

The EU will also support Member States in defining projects to address the critical capability gaps, starting with the priorities identified by the European Council on 6 March 2025.

The outcome of these consultations will determine the way forward implementation of the embedded in , including how to further support ramping-up defence industrial production capacities.

EU and NATO are in contact and hold structured dialogues on topics including emerging disruptive technologies and defence industrial matters.

Under this framework they have regularly exchanged information on relevant ongoing activities, including the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic and the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.

• [1] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/1f8ec030-d018-41a2-9759-c694d4d56d6c_en?filename=Mission%20letter%20-%20KUBILIUS.pdf
• [2] https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/document/download/30b50d2c-49aa-4250-9ca6-27a0347cf009_en?filename=White%20Paper.pdf

1. Despite significant progress in cross-border cooperation against financial crimes, it is important that Member States systemically launch financial investigations when investigating serious criminal offenses. Swift transposition of the new Directive on asset recovery[1] will ensure that asset-tracing is part of all investigations into organised crime. The new rules on exchange of information[2] also boost police cooperation against financial crime. Europol and Eurojust support operational cooperation to tackle financial crimes, and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) prosecutes crimes, playing a key role in dismantling criminal activities across the EU, while OLAF, the European Anti-Fraud Office, complements these efforts by detecting, investigating, and preventing fraud, both affecting the EU’s financial interests.

2. Acting as the ‘information hub’ for EU law enforcement, Europol provides the EPPO access to information from national law enforcement authorities stored in its information system. The Commission will take into account the cooperation with EPPO, and the need to further enhance it, when evaluating the current legal framework for Europol[3], and in any proposals that may follow.

3. The Commission has launched reflections, supported by the High-Level Forum on the Future of EU Criminal Justice[4], on areas in which the EPPO will need more powers to look at cross-border serious crime, in particular corruption that impacts EU funds and cannot be handled alone by Member States . The EPPO’s role, and cooperation with Eurojust and Europol, will also be considered.

• [1] OJ L, 2024/1260, 2.5.2024.
• [2] OJ L 134, 22.5.2023, p. 1-24.
• [3] OJ L 135, 24.5.2016, p. 53, as amended in 2022 OJ L 169, 27.6.2022, p. 1.
• [4] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_25_745

In 2025, the Commission will focus on scaling up Global Gateway through the implementation of ongoing Global Gateway investment projects and the identification of new sustainable, high-impact investments that will further strengthen EU partnerships with third countries.

The second Global Gateway Forum, to be held in June 2025, will also be a key moment in 2025 to showcase steps being taken to scale up Global Gateway.

The Commission will continue its active engagement with Member States, their cooperation agencies and development financing institutions to emphasise the necessity of building a Team Europe approach to scaling up investments.

The Commission will also continue its work to enhance the coordination of its and Member States financial tools, including those of export credit agencies, and to increase collaboration with the European private sector through investment facilitation mechanisms and business matchmaking initiatives.

The Commission tracks and reports on EU support to Global Gateway investment projects through the annual report on the implementation of the EU’s external action instruments, as well as providing information through a dedicated public website[1].

Global Gateway flagship projects which have been identified by the European Council as projects which showcase Global Gateway, are monitored by the Council’s Working Party of Foreign Relations Counsellors.

In addition, regular exchanges take place between the Commission and the European Parliament, notably the Committee on Development.

• [1] https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/global-gateway_en

The Commission has not received any evidence related to the claims of illegal dumping, which could substantiate possible intervention. Nonetheless, the EU is working on addressing the issue of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through a comprehensive set of actions.

Certain PFAS are already regulated under the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation[1] and the regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)[2].

The export of fire-fighting foams containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is banned according to the Stockholm Convention[3] and the export ban is implemented in EU legislation as per Article 15(2) and Annex V Part 1 of Regulation (EU) No 649/2012[4].

A proposal to restrict PFAS in all firefighting foams has been published for discussion with Member States[5] and adoption is expected by the end of 2025[6].

The Commission is committed to providing long-term support to Ukraine in its efforts to align with EU environmental and health standards, including the management of chemicals.

This includes assistance in approximating Ukraine’s chemicals legislation to the EU’s Regulation for the Classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures[7] and to REACH, which introduce modern approaches to chemical safety and management.

Ukraine has access to funding and assistance through the Ukraine Facility[8] and other mechanisms, which target post-war reconstruction needs[9], including bilateral cooperation with EU Member States[10].

This support aims to help Ukraine react to the environmental and health incurred damage, particularly in the context of the ongoing Russian military aggression.

• [1] Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on persistent organic pollutants (recast), OJ L 169, 25.6.2019, p. 45-77.
• [2] Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC, OJ L 396, 30.12.2006.
• [3] Article 3 and Annex A.
• [4] Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 concerning the export and import of hazardous chemicals (recast), OJ L 201, 27.7.2012, p. 60-106.
• [5] in November 2024.
• [6] https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/comitology-register/screen/documents/102503/1/consult?lang=en
• [7] Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, OJ L 353, 31.12.2008, p. 1-1355.
• [8] https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/funding-and-technical-assistance/ukraine-facility_en
• [9] Including hazardous waste management, capacity building, and other aspects of safe chemical management.
• [10] For example, a cooperation between the Swedish Chemicals Agency and Ukraine on EU chemicals legislation, on reduction of negative effects of chemicals on health and the environment and conditions for the free movement of goods.

The Commission does not finance private foundations of the United States, including the Bill Gates Foundation. The Commission contributes (as many EU Member States and other major donors) to independent multi-partner global funds and initiatives of which the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation is also often a major investor.

In respect of the EU’s Financial Regulation[1], EU development funding implemented by foundations or other civil society organisations (CSOs) is awarded through competitive calls for proposals. Recourse to an award of a grant without a call for proposals can be justified only in exceptional cases.

All development projects funded by the EU and implemented by CSOs are subject to strict and rigorous monitoring and reporting procedures on an annual basis.

The EU projects, implemented by foundations or CSOs, are subject to audits and/or a specific result-oriented monitoring to ensure the attainment of agreed results. The reporting from all projects at corporate level allows for assessment of their impact through analysis of results and indicators.

• [1] https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/990fe2a6-8f52-11ef-a130-01aa75ed71a1/language-en

The EU Blue Card is an important tool for attracting highly qualified third-country nationals to the EU and strengthening the EU’s competitiveness.

To promote public outreach, the Commission regularly updates the EU Immigration Portal[1] with comprehensive and up-to-date information on the EU Blue Card. Additionally, the Commission regularly convenes the Labour Migration Platform[2], which brings together representatives from Member States, European social partners, and other stakeholders, including employers, to facilitate discussions and cooperation on legal migration and support the effective operationalisation of EU-level initiatives in this area.

The future EU Talent Pool, which will include online information on legal migration rules, including the EU Blue Card, will help promote job opportunities and ensure that the EU remains an attractive destination for global talent.

The Commission remains dedicated to supporting Member States and enhancing the appeal of the EU’s Blue Card through effective monitoring and enforcement, and will continue to explore opportunities to better promote the EU Blue Card.

• [1] https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/eu-immigration-portal_en
• [2] https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/networks/labour-migration-platform_en

By judgment of 21 March 2019 in C-498/17[1] the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) declared that Italy has failed to comply with Article 14 of the Landfill Directive[2] in respect of 44 so called ‘existing landfills’.

Given that by 2022 compliance had not been achieved, as only 32 out the 44 landfills for which Italy was condemned by the CJEU in C-498/17 had been closed in accordance with the requirements of the directive, a Letter of Formal Notice (LFN) under Article 260 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU was issued on 6 April 2022[3]. The landfill CO.BE.MA. in Apulia in Contrada Tufarelle is among the 12 remaining non-compliant landfills included in the LFN adopted under Article 260 of the Treaty.

The Commission is closely monitoring compliance with the Court’s ruling. According to the latest information shared by the Italian authorities, the closure of the landfill CO.BE.MA. in Apulia in Contrada Tufarelle is expected by 15 May 2025.

The Commission is not aware of other landfills in Contrada Tufarelle. In any case, it is for the Italian competent authorities to give correct application to the relevant EU rules. In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission may decide to intervene if systemic issues with application of these provisions of EU law arise.

• [1] https://curia.europa.eu/juris/liste.jsf?language=EN&num=C-498/17
• [2] Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste, OJ L 182, 16.7.1999, p. 1-19, amended by Directive (EU) 2018/850 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018, OJ L 150, 14.6.2018, p. 100-108.
• [3] INFR(2011)2215, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/inf_22_1769