This Week in Foreign Affairs — Brussels (#29, 2026)
EU-Philippines trade deal secured; EU sanctions Russia over hybrid attacks; EU adopts €505m Lebanon package; Anti-dumping duties on Chinese pea protein; Council signs Algeria-Eurojust judicial agreement.
September 21, 2026 to September 27, 2026
EU-Philippines trade deal secured; EU sanctions Russia over hybrid attacks; EU adopts €505m Lebanon package; Anti-dumping duties on Chinese pea protein; Council signs Algeria-Eurojust judicial agreement.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Foreign Affairs Council (Defence): On September 28, the EU Council's Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) configuration is scheduled to hold an ministerial meeting in Brussels.
- Committee on International Trade (INTA): On September 28, the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Establishing a framework of measures for the acceleration of industrial capacity and decarbonisation in strategic sectors and amending Regulations (EU) 2018/1724, (EU) 2024/1735 and (EU) 2024/3110.
- Committee on International Trade (INTA): On September 28, the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Coordinators’ meeting.
- Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE): On September 28, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Institutional aspects of the Common European Defence Union.
- Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE): On September 28, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Chair’s announcements concerning coordinators’ decisions on 2 September 2026; Date of next meetings.
European Commission
EU and Philippines reach substantial agreement on Free Trade Agreement
The European Commission and the Philippines have reached a substantial agreement in the negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), announced by Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque following a video call. The agreement will liberalise over 94% of tariff lines, covering more than 97% of goods, and introduce clear rules on government procurement, intellectual property, and digital trade. Bilateral trade in goods reached €17.6 billion in 2025, with services at €10.3 billion in 2024. The FTA is expected to bolster trusted supply chains and reinforce the EU's presence in the Indo-Pacific region. Finalisation and technical conclusion of the agreement are expected in the coming months.
EU adopts €505 million support package for Lebanon's recovery and reforms
The European Commission announced €505 million in financial support for Lebanon for 2026–2027, representing the second half of the €1 billion package pledged by President Ursula von der Leyen in May 2024. The funding targets key reforms, economic recovery, security and border management, and the provision of essential services for vulnerable populations. The package also addresses the needs of internally displaced persons and supports Lebanese authorities in sustaining emergency responses. Since 2011, the EU has provided more than €3.5 billion in assistance to Lebanon, including support for refugees from Syria.
EU and Canada launch OceanEye International Alliance, secure €220 million in pledges for global ocean observation
President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney launched the OceanEye International Alliance for the Global Ocean Observing System at a high-level event during the UN General Assembly. Thirty-one members, including the EU and 30 countries, have joined, with nearly €220 million in combined pledges for research, data infrastructure, and technology. The EU committed €92 million from Horizon Europe for network support, technology innovation, and data flows. The initiative aims to close critical data gaps and reinforce international marine monitoring, with future events planned at COP31 and other conferences.
Commission imposes definitive anti-dumping duties on Chinese pea protein imports
The Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2101 imposing definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of high-protein pea protein from the People's Republic of China. Duties of 40.5% to 67.1% are imposed on named producers, with 67.1% for all other Chinese imports. The investigation found continued dumping and material injury to the Union industry, with the duties set to apply directly to all Member States. Provisional duties imposed earlier this year are definitively collected under this regulation.
Commission greenlights Luxembourg's €92.2 million NextGenerationEU payment request
The European Commission approved Luxembourg's third payment request of €92.2 million under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), meeting all required milestones and targets. Reforms and investments include greener mobility, digital public services, healthcare, and biodiversity protection. The payment brings total RRF disbursements to Luxembourg to €182 million, covering 76% of its RRF allocation.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Council Decision (EU) 2026/2126: Signing of Algeria–Eurojust judicial cooperation agreement
Council Decision (EU) 2026/2126 authorises the signing of an agreement between the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and the European Union on judicial cooperation in criminal matters with Eurojust. The agreement provides for the transfer of personal data for fighting serious crime and terrorism, ensuring safeguards for fundamental rights, including data protection. The decision was adopted on 22 September 2026 (CELEX: 32026D2126).
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2164 and Regulation (EU) 2026/2165: Restrictive measures on Russia over hybrid attacks
The Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2026/2164 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2165, amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 and Regulation (EU) 2024/2642, to add one natural person to the list of those subject to restrictive measures due to Russia's persistent hybrid campaigns against the EU and Member States. The measures were published on 24 September 2026.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2107: Definitive countervailing duty on glass fibre from Egypt
Regulation (EU) 2026/2107 imposes a definitive countervailing duty of 13.1% on imports of continuous filament glass fibre products from Egypt following an expiry review under Article 18 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1037. The review found continued subsidisation and material injury to the Union industry. The regulation was adopted on 22 September 2026.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2114: State aid for LNG terminal in Lithuania found compatible
Commission Decision (EU) 2026/2114 concludes that State aid granted by Lithuania to maintain the Klaipėda LNG Terminal operational during 2016–2018 is compatible with the internal market under Article 106 TFEU. The Commission assessed the measure under the 2012 SGEI Framework and found no overcompensation or infringement of EU rules.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2088: Anti-dumping duties on Chinese alkyl phosphonic acids
Regulation (EU) 2026/2088 imposes definitive anti-dumping duties ranging from 156.7% to 192.2% on imports of certain alkyl phosphonic acids and their sodium salts from China. The duties follow findings of continued dumping and injury to the EU producer.
EU Council
Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) to address EU military support for Ukraine and hybrid threats
On 28 September 2026, defence ministers will discuss EU military support for Ukraine, hybrid threats, the Middle East, and defence public procurement. High Representative Kaja Kallas will chair the European Defence Agency Steering Board in the margins.
General Affairs Council discusses rule of law and MFF 2028–2034
On 22 September 2026, ministers debated the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034), prepared for the October European Council, and reviewed the rule of law situation within the EU and candidate countries.
Competitiveness Council debates Chips Act 2.0 and merger guidelines
On 24 September 2026, internal market and industry ministers discussed the Chips Act 2.0, revision of merger control guidelines, and were informed about legislative proposals including IAA, the 28th regime, and the ECF.
