This Week in Foreign Affairs — Brussels (#29, 2026)
EU-Canada summit launches new alliance; major Ukraine military aid decisions; PNR agreement with Switzerland concluded; WTO waiver extended for Western Balkans; new social security rules adopted.
October 26, 2026 to November 01, 2026
EU-Canada summit launches new alliance; major Ukraine military aid decisions; PNR agreement with Switzerland concluded; WTO waiver extended for Western Balkans; new social security rules adopted.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🏛️ European Parliament
• 🤝 EU Council
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Regulation (EU) 2026/2359: Major reform of EU social security coordination adopted
Regulation (EU) 2026/2359 of 7 October 2026 amends Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 987/2009, introducing extensive updates to the coordination of social security systems within the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. Key changes include new provisions for long-term care benefits, revised rules on unemployment benefits for mobile workers, updated family benefit calculations, and enhanced procedures for determining applicable legislation. The regulation also introduces digitalisation requirements for attestations and strengthens anti-fraud measures, with staggered application dates running through 2028.
Agreement with Switzerland on Passenger Name Record (PNR) data enters into force
Council Decision (EU) 2026/2360 of 1 October 2026 concludes the Agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the transfer of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime. The agreement, published in OJ L 2026/2361, aligns Swiss PNR requirements with EU standards, including data protection safeguards, use limitations, and arrangements for law enforcement and judicial cooperation.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2347 adds Singapore to trusted list for active pharmaceutical ingredients
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2347 of 23 October 2026 adds the Republic of Singapore to the list of third countries whose regulatory framework for active substances is considered equivalent to that of the EU, under Article 111b(1) of Directive 2001/83/EC. This follows a positive assessment of Singapore's controls and enforcement activities.
European Parliament
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers: Spain
Decision (EU) 2026/2453 of 7 October 2026 approves the mobilisation of EUR 2,725,100 from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) following an application from Spain for support to workers displaced in the Galicia automotive ancillary sector.
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers: Finland
Decision (EU) 2026/2456 of 7 October 2026 allocates EUR 410,310 from the EGF to support workers made redundant at Valmet Automotive and five subcontractors in Finland.
EU Council
EU-Canada summit: Alliance for the Future launched
At their 21st summit on 29 October 2026, the EU and Canada launched an Alliance for the Future, formalising deeper cooperation and setting the stage for closer political association.
Agriculture and Fisheries Council agrees CAP negotiating position and Baltic Sea fisheries
On 26 October 2026, ministers agreed a partial negotiating position on post-2027 CAP rules and reached political agreement on 2027 Baltic Sea fishing opportunities.
