Daily News 27 / 05 / 2026

Daily News 27 / 05 / 2026

Commission disburses €18.9 million to Malta under NextGenerationEU

Today, the European Commission disbursed €18.9 million to Malta, marking the fourth payment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The Facility is the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU – the Commission's post-pandemic programme to support Member States' recovery, economic growth, and competitiveness.

Following its assessment of the payment request, the Commission found that Malta has satisfactorily completed the milestones and targets set out in the Council Implementing Decision.

Measures linked to this payment include reforms and investments in decarbonising energy and transport, boosting the efficiency of judicial administration, and improving education and healthcare services.

Today's disbursement follows Malta's fourth payment request, submitted on 19 December 2025 and partially greenlighted by the Commission on 20 March 2026.

Following the Council's approval to proceed with this disbursement, the Commission adopted a payment decision and released the funds today.

Malta still needs to implement one outstanding milestone as part of this payment request, which relates to the tax reform aimed at curbing aggressive tax planning practices (Milestone 6.36). The Commission will consider the disbursement of the rest of the funds once Malta has addressed this non-fulfilled milestone.

As with all Member States, payments to Malta under the RRF are performance-based, contingent upon the successful implementation of their national plans.

With a view to the closure of the Facility at the end of 2026, Members States must implement all outstanding milestones and targets by August 2026 and submit their last payment requests by the end of September 2026.

An interactive map showcasing examples of reforms and investments supported by the RRF is available online. Further details on the RRF payment claim process are also available online.

(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 298 20 54)

Commission clears acquisition of Domo Chemicals' Engineering Plastics Division by Lone Star

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Domo Chemicals' Engineering Plastics Division of Belgium by Lone Star Fund XII, L.P. (‘Lone Star') of the US.

The transaction relates primarily to the supply of engineering plastics used for industrial applications.

The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited market positions resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12398.

(For more information: Siobhan McGarry – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83)

Commission clears acquisition of Aluminium Dunkerque by Aluminium Bahrain

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Aluminium Dunkerque of France by Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. of Bahrain.

The transaction mainly relates to production and supply of primary aluminium.

The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12385.

(For more information: Siobhan McGarry – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissioner Hansen leads business delegation to Thailand to strengthen agri-food trade

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, will lead a high-level EU agri-food business delegation to Thailand, tomorrow and on Friday. The visit, which 90+ European agri-food organisations and companies will participate in, will aim to strengthen EU–Thailand agri-food relations and support new opportunities for European agri-food exports in this dynamic market, while making progress on negotiations for a future EU-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

A key highlight of the visit will be Commissioner Hansen's participation in THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026, Asia-Pacific's largest food and beverage trade fair, where the EU holds the prestigious ‘Region of Honour' status. At the event, the Commissioner will hand over the EU Geographical Indication (GI) certificate for Maphrao Namhom Ratchaburi. This will be Thailand's fifth product to receive EU GI protection, joining renowned Thai specialities like Khao Hom Mali rice and Kafae Doi Tung coffee. The ceremony will celebrate this milestone in EU-Thailand agricultural cooperation, featuring a symbolic cocktail blending the aromatic coconut with another EU-protected GI: Irish whiskey.

The visit will also include political engagements with Thai ministers, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation of Thailand Yotchanan Wongsawat, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Piyarat Tiyapairat, the Thai Trade Representative for Europe Werapong Prapha the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Sarun Charoensuwan, and the Vice-Minister for Commerce Kirida Bhaopichitr to discuss market access, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, and the FTA negotiations, which resumed in 2023.

(For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 2 296 97 76; Kateřina Horáková - Tel.: +32 2 299 93 10)

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings

Note that these items can be subject to changes.

Upcoming events of the European Commission

Eurostat press releases

Calendar items of the President and Commissioners

Individual calendars of the President and Commissioners