This Week in Foreign Affairs — Brussels (#22, 2026)
Migration Pact enters into force; EU-Korea summit deepens digital, security ties; Defence readiness deal reached; EU-ESA Economic Partnership Agreement concluded.
June 07, 2026 to June 13, 2026
Migration Pact enters into force; EU-Korea summit deepens digital, security ties; Defence readiness deal reached; EU-ESA Economic Partnership Agreement concluded.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Foreign Affairs Council: On June 15, the EU Council's Foreign Affairs Council configuration is scheduled to hold an ministerial meeting in Brussels.
- Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET): On June 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Exchange of views with Andrzej Poczobut, 2025 Sakharov Prize co-laureate; In association with the Delegation for relations with Belarus.
- Committee on Development (DEVE): On June 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Development (DEVE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Exchange of views with Andrzej Poczobut, 2025 Sakharov Prize co-laureate; In association with the Delegation for relations with Belarus.
- Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI): On June 15, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Exchange of views with Andrzej Poczobut, 2025 Sakharov Prize co-laureate; In association with the Delegation for relations with Belarus.
European Commission
Pact on Migration and Asylum enters into application
The European Commission announced that the Pact on Migration and Asylum comes into full application on 12 June 2026 throughout the EU. The package, adopted in May 2024, introduces harmonised rules covering border procedures, asylum processing, return and solidarity among Member States. Commissioner Magnus Brunner and President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the comprehensive nature of this reform, which now includes EU-wide lists of safe countries of origin, mandatory border procedures, common databases, and a permanent solidarity mechanism. The Commission underlined ongoing operational and legal work to support Member States in implementing the new regime, supported by additional budget allocations and cooperation with global partners. The Pact aims to deliver secure EU borders, fair asylum conditions, and dignified reception standards across the Union.
EU and Republic of Korea strengthen strategic partnership at Brussels summit
The EU and the Republic of Korea concluded their 11th summit in Brussels, underlining expanded cooperation in economic security, digital trade, energy, research, and security policy. The summit produced a high-ambition Digital Trade Agreement, the launch of a Competitiveness Partnership and a High-Level Economic Dialogue, and reinforced the Security and Defence Partnership. Leaders addressed the ongoing geopolitical risks associated with DPRK and support for Ukraine. Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted growing mutual trade and research ties, including the Republic of Korea’s association with Horizon Europe. Outcomes also include steps towards improved market access for agri-food products and the finalisation of an agreement on the transfer of Passenger Name Record data for security cooperation.
ec.europa.eu | ec.europa.eu | ec.europa.eu | ec.europa.eu
EU and ESA4 conclude negotiations on enhanced Economic Partnership Agreement
The European Commission and four Eastern and Southern Africa states (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles) concluded negotiations for an enhanced Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič joined the conclusion ceremony, describing the EPA as both the first modern free trade agreement with Sub-Saharan Africa and a benchmark for EU-Africa ties. The agreement expands beyond goods to cover services, investment, digital trade, public procurement, intellectual property, and rigorous trade and sustainable development commitments. The EPA remains open to accession by other regional states, with provisions for mutual geographical indications and cooperation on standards. Signature and ratification procedures will proceed in the coming months.
ec.europa.eu | ec.europa.eu | ec.europa.eu
EU and Brazil sign Digital Partnership
The EU and Brazil signed a new Digital Partnership in Brasilia, with Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Secretary Alex Giacomelli da Silva endorsing closer cooperation on data governance, AI, digital infrastructure, and connectivity. This agreement builds on the partners’ mutual adequacy decisions on data protection, adopted in January 2026, which now allow for seamless data exchanges. The Digital Partnership will be implemented via regular high-level exchanges and technical workstreams, focusing on supply chain resilience and shared digital governance objectives.
Commission issues Code of Practice on AI-generated content labelling
The European Commission published its final Code of Practice on marking and labelling AI-generated content ahead of the AI Act’s transparency requirements, due to come into force on 2 August 2026. The code, developed with expert and stakeholder input, guides providers and deployers of AI systems in machine-readable marking and visible labelling of deepfakes and publicly significant AI-generated text. Signatories of the code may use it to demonstrate compliance with forthcoming requirements under the AI Act.
Statement: EU to open first accession negotiation cluster with Ukraine and Moldova
President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President António Costa issued a joint statement welcoming the agreement of all Member States to open the first accession negotiation cluster for Ukraine and Moldova. The cluster will focus on fundamentals such as rule of law and democratic institutions. The first Intergovernmental Conference is scheduled for Monday, marking a key step in the accession process.
Commission welcomes political deal to accelerate defence industrial base ramp-up
The European Commission welcomed a political agreement between the European Parliament and the Council on the Defence Readiness Omnibus, intended to simplify security and defence procurement regulations and expedite the ramp-up of Europe’s defence industrial base. Measures include faster permit timelines, streamlined procurement, EU-wide licences for transfers, and simplified access to the European Defence Fund. Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Commissioner Andrius Kubilius noted the alignment of the package with sectoral demands and the EU’s White Paper for Defence Readiness 2030.
Statement following the EU-Republic of Korea Summit
President Ursula von der Leyen, President António Costa, and President Lee Jae Myung discussed a wide agenda at the EU-Korea Summit, including a new digital trade agreement, energy dialogue, competitiveness partnership, and cooperation on research and innovation. Security discussions included the situation in Ukraine, co-ordination on clean energy, and continued, reciprocal support in industrial and digital policy.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Regulations simplify defence permit-granting, procurement, and intra-EU transfers
The Official Journal published several acts supporting simplified defence procurement and transfers. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1220 amended country listings for supply of fresh poultry meat and meat products, while Regulation (EU) 2026/1344 updated lists of authorised third countries following outbreaks of avian influenza. Council Decision (EU) 2026/1340 set the EU’s position on customs valuation and rules of origin within World Customs Organization technical committees, enhancing uniform interpretation of trade rules and procedures.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
EU amends bilateral safeguard mechanisms for Ukraine and Moldova trade
Two Delegated Regulations, (EU) 2026/542 and (EU) 2026/547, published 9 June 2026, update the Annex to Regulation (EU) 2019/287 to include provisions of the amended Association Agreements with Ukraine and Moldova. References to mechanism alignments clarify the temporary withdrawal of trade preferences in line with additional liberalisation measures under Article 29(4) of the EU-Ukraine and Article 147(4) of the EU-Moldova agreements.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
EU adopts new provisions on biometric data and police records exchange under Prüm II
Commission Implementing Decisions (EU) 2026/1064 and 2026/1065 lay down technical rules for the automated search and exchange of biometric data and police records via the Prüm router and EPRIS. These acts operationalise Regulation (EU) 2024/982, standardising message structures, security, and interoperability across Member States and Europol for cross-border law enforcement cooperation.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
EU Council
Council agrees position on strengthening carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM)
At its 12 June meeting, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) adopted a position on revising the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism ahead of negotiations with the European Parliament.
EU-Republic of Korea summit: leaders discuss competitiveness and digital partnership
Leaders at the 11th EU-Republic of Korea summit confirmed the launch of the competitiveness partnership and welcomed the signing of the new digital trade agreement.
Eurogroup discusses energy security and technological sovereignty
On 11 June, the Eurogroup discussed euro area macroeconomic and fiscal issues, euro area energy security, and policies for technological sovereignty, with input from IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
EP Committee Work
AFET considers reports on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and North Macedonia
The Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) held debates on the Commission's 2025 country reports for Bosnia and Herzegovina (rapporteur: Ondřej Kolář), Kosovo (rapporteur: Riho Terras), and North Macedonia (rapporteur: Thomas Waitz), assessing political reforms, judicial progress, and alignment with European standards.
www.europarl.europa.eu | www.europarl.europa.eu | www.europarl.europa.eu
JURI draft opinion: strengthening international justice institutions and partners
The Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) published a draft opinion (rapporteur: Tineke Strik) on the EU strategy to protect and reinforce the international justice system, including its institutions and mechanisms.
