About
The European Commission champions multilateralism and a rules-based global order through a more active role and stronger voice for the EU in the world.
A strong, fair and open trade agenda, makes Europe an attractive place for business. This is key to strengthening the EU’s role as a global leader while ensuring the highest standards of climate, environmental and labour protections. European leadership also means working closely with neighbouring countries, introducing a comprehensive strategy on Africa and reaffirming the European perspective of the countries of the Western Balkans.
The Commission seeks a coordinated approach to external action - from development aid to the Common Foreign and Security Policy - that secures a stronger and more united voice for Europe in the world.
21 March 2024 - The European Council has decided to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. This builds on the Commission’s recommendation of 12 March 2024 which concluded that the public commitment of the political leadership of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the strategic goal of European integration was taken forward by important reforms and has brought positive results. The European Council has invited the Commission to prepare the negotiating framework with a view to its adoption by the Council the moment all relevant steps set out in the Commission’s recommendation of 12 October 2022 are taken.
Global action in figures
EU's actions to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity
EU’s reaction following Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel and support to Palestinians
Taking steps to ensure that global food security is restored through international cooperation
The Commission’s strategy to build connectivity partnerships around the world and boost trade and investment
Donors' Conference to raise funds and coordinate the recovery and relief response following the devastating earthquakes
An opportunity to accelerate reform processes in the Western Balkans
Driving digital transformation and cooperating on new technologies based on shared democratic values
The EU’s global action for universal access to affordable coronavirus vaccination and treatment
Strengthening the prosperity, stability and security of the Southern Neighbourhood
A new tool to counter the use of economic coercion by third countries
Timeline
- 4 July 2024
- 3 July 2024
Canada joins the Horizon Europe programme
- 25 June 2024
The EU opens accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova
- 24 June 2024
The EU adopts the 14th package of sanctions against Russia
- 11 June 2024
The EU signs €1.4 billion of new guarantee and grant agreements to support Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction
- 28 May 2024
The EU and Australia sign partnership on sustainable critical and strategic minerals
- 27 May 2024
The EU pledges €2.12 billion in support of the future of Syria and the region, during Brussels Conference
- 1 May 2024
The EU-New Zealand trade agreement enters into force
- 1 May 2024
The EU celebrates the 20th anniversary of the 2004 enlargement
- 26 April 2024
The EU steps up humanitarian assistance for Palestinians
- 15 April 2024
The EU commits €896 million in humanitarian and development funding for Sudan
- 4 April 2024
Political agreement on the €6 billion Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans
- 22 March 2024
Death of Alexei Navalny: The EU sanctions 33 individuals and two entities under its Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime
- 21 March 2024
The European Council decides to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina
- 20 March 2024
The Commission adopted a Communication on pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews, to prepare the European Union for future enlargements
- 17 March 2024
The EU launches new Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership with Egypt
- 15 March 2024
The Commission allocates €500 million to ramp up ammunition production, out of a total of €2 billion to strengthen EU's defence industry
- 12 March 2024
The Commission proposes to open EU accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina
- 23 February 2024
The EU adopts 13th package of sanctions against Russia
- 19 February 2024
The EU launches EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, a maritime security operation to restore and safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf
- 6 February 2024
Political agreement on the Ukraine Facility
- 18 December 2023
The EU adopts 12th package of sanctions against Russia
- 14 December 2023
- 13 December 2023
The EU and Chile sign modern and ambitious trade and political agreements
- 8 December 2023
The EU announces €125 million in initial humanitarian aid for Palestinians for 2024
- 7 December 2023
- 30 November 2023
The EU and Greenland sign strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials value chains
- 23 November 2023
- 15 November 2023
The EU and its Member States sign a new Partnership Agreement with the Members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States
- 8 November 2023
The Commission adopts the 2023 Enlargement Package
- 8 November 2023
The Commission presents a New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans
- 16 October 2023
The EU launches Humanitarian Air Bridge operation to bring aid to Gaza
- 15 September 2023
EU delegation at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly to mobilise global action and reignite solidarity
- 18 July 2023
- 13 July 2023
- 28 June 2023
Adoption of a Joint Communication laying out how the EU will address the growing impact of climate change and environmental degradation in the fields of peace, security and defence
- 23 June 2023
The EU adopts 11th package of sanctions against Russia
- 15 June 2023
At the 7th Brussels Conference on “Supporting the future of Syria and the Region” the international community mobilises €5.6 billion
- 7 June 2023
Presentation of the New Agenda to strengthen EU’s partnership with Latin America and the Caribbean
- 23 May 2023
Denmark joins EU defence and security cooperation
- 22 May 2023
The 10th EU-Republic of Korea summit takes place in Seoul
- 22 May 2023
The EU strengthens its civilian missions to better respond to crises around the world
- 4 May 2023
Commission adopts the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) to urgently deliver ammunition and missiles to Ukraine
- 3 May 2023
The European Commission has presented a set of proposals to fight corruption in the EU and worldwide.
- 28 April 2023
Sudan: EU allocates emergency humanitarian aid
- 27 April 2023
Global Gateway: Commission and EIB announce funds worth €18 billion to boost investments in climate action and sustainable economies
- 24 April 2023
Moldova: EU sets up a civilian mission to strengthen the resilience of the security sector
- 20 April 2023
- 20 March 2023
The EU and the international community pledge €7 billion at the International Donors' Conference ‘Together for the people in Türkiye and Syria'
- 16 March 2023
Launch of the EU-NATO Task Force: Strengthening our resilience and protection of critical infrastructure
- 14 March 2023
Global Gateway: EU, Latin America and Caribbean partners launch the EU-LAC Digital Alliance
- 10 March 2023
The Commission and the High Representative present a European Space Strategy for Security and Defence
- 10 March 2023
The EU updates its Strategy to safeguard maritime domain against new threats
- 28 February 2023
Global Gateway: EIB and European Commission sign agreement to boost private sector investments in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries
- 25 February 2023
EU agrees 10th package of sanctions against Russia
- 20 February 2023
The EU launches the EU civilian mission in Armenia to contribute to stability in border areas
- 8 February 2023
- 4 February 2023
Ukraine: EU and G7 partners agree price cap on Russian petroleum products
- 3 February 2023
The EU-Ukraine Summit takes place in Kyiv
- 2 February 2023
College of Commissioners travels to Kyiv to boost EU support and sectorial cooperation with Ukraine
- 10 January 2023
EU and NATO sign a new joint declaration on cooperation
- 16 December 2022
The EU adopts 9th package of sanctions against Russia
- 14 December 2022
- 9 December 2022
The EU and Chile conclude negotiations on the EU-Chile Advanced Framework Agreement
- 3 November 2022
Berlin Process Summit: €1 billion energy support package for the Western Balkans
- 30 November 2022
- 12 October 2022
- 6 October 2022
The EU adopts 8th package of sanctions against Russia
- 19 July 2022
The European Union starts accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia
- 30 June 2022
Conclusion of negotiations of a comprehensive trade agreement between the EU and New Zealand
- 24 June 2022
- 23 June 2022
EU leaders grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova. They also recognise the European perspective for Georgia
- 23 June 2022
EU–Western Balkans Leaders Meeting in Brussels
- 3 June 2022
The EU adopts 6th package of sanctions against Russia
- 18 May 2022
- 12 May 2022
- 9 April 2022
- 8 April 2022
The EU adopts 5th package of sanctions against Russia
- 1 April 2022
- 15 March 2022
The EU adopts 4th package of sanctions against Russia
- 2 March 2022
The EU agrees to exclude key Russian banks from SWIFT
- 8 December 2021
- 1 December 2021
Global Gateway: EU's strategy to boost sustainable links around the world
- 26 November 2021
- 19 October 2021
- 12 October 2021
- 16 September 2021
- 15 July 2021
- 21 May 2021
- 8 May 2021
- 24 December 2020
- 2 December 2020
- 6 October 2020
- 15 July 2020
- 22 June 2020
- 26 May 2020
- 6 May 2020
- 9 March 2020
- 5 February 2020
Policy areas
Building international partnerships for sustainable global change
Intensifying Africa-EU cooperation through partnerships in five key areas
Strengthening prosperity, stability, security and region-wide cooperation
Investing in peace, security and stability in Europe
Assistance for affected countries and populations in case of disasters or humanitarian emergencies
Defining and defending EU priorities and values on the global stage in the multilateral system
A stronger EU on security and defence
The EU helps businesses make the most of global opportunities to ensure prosperity, fair competitiveness and investment
EU relations with third countries and regions