This Week in Hospitality & Retail — Brussels (#14, 2026)
Commission launches Mediterranean Action Plan; Parliament committees advance opinions on cohesion fund, vehicle registration, and rural women’s entrepreneurship; Council discusses sport, culture and mental health.
April 12, 2026 to April 18, 2026
Commission launches Mediterranean Action Plan; Parliament committees advance opinions on cohesion fund, vehicle registration, and rural women’s entrepreneurship; Council discusses sport, culture and mental health.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission unveils first Action Plan under the Pact for the Mediterranean
On 16 April 2026, the European Commission presented the first Action Plan under the Pact for the Mediterranean, introducing 21 initiatives for 2026 across three pillars: people, economy, and security. Key measures include the Mediterranean University Initiative, a Youth Parliamentary Assembly, and the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean-Tech Cooperation Initiative (T-MED). The Action Plan also proposes a European Firefighting Hub in Cyprus and operational support against organised crime via 'MED-OP.' Migration management actions will adopt a 'whole-of-route approach' to address challenges at their origin. The Commission described the plan as a foundation for ongoing cooperation, with a second version due in autumn 2026. The Pact was originally adopted in October 2025 and welcomed by the Foreign Affairs Council and European Council.
EU Council
Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council addresses sustainable development and mental health
On 12 May 2026, EU ministers for culture, audiovisual, media, and sport discussed the EU’s work plan for culture for 2027-2030, sport tourism, sustainable development, and mental health in sport at the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council.
EP Committee Work
IMCO, JURI, and PETI committees hold public hearing on videogame obsolescence and consumer protection
On 16 April 2026, the Committees on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), Legal Affairs (JURI), and Petitions (PETI) held a hearing on the European Citizens' Initiative 'Stop Destroying Videogames.' The session examined publisher practices that render games unplayable after server shutdowns and highlighted legal uncertainties for consumer rights under Directives 93/13/EEC, 2005/29/EC, and 2019/770/EU. Lawmakers discussed definitions of goods and services, unfair contract terms, and the absence of harmonised rules for game longevity, with input from the Commission and external stakeholders.
REGI committee adopts opinions on Connecting Europe Facility and EU expenditure tracking
At its 14 April 2026 meeting, the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) adopted its opinion on the proposal for the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) 2028-2034 (COM(2025)0547; rapporteur: Antonella Sberna, ECR), addressing cross-border infrastructure, territorial cohesion, and resilience. The committee also considered a draft opinion on the proposed regulation establishing a budget expenditure tracking and performance framework (COM(2025)0545; rapporteur: Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, Renew) and discussed the future of cross-border cooperation under the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework with Joris Bengevoord (AEBR).
TRAN committee delivers draft opinions on next EU cohesion and customs frameworks
The Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) published its draft opinion on the regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028-2034 (COM(2025)0565; rapporteur: Rosa Serrano Sierra). The text reviews the fund’s alignment with the Treaties, subsidiarity, and partnership principles. TRAN also provided input for the Single Market and Customs Programme 2028-2034 in a separate opinion (rapporteur: Dick Erixon, CONT).
FEMM committee finalises report on women’s entrepreneurship in rural and island areas
On 13 April 2026, the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) published its report on women’s entrepreneurship in rural, island, and outermost regions (rapporteur: Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska). The report examines access to finance, digital skills, social protection, and the impact of demographic trends, referencing Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 and relevant directives. The text calls for gender-disaggregated data, targeted funding, and support for traditional crafts and local value chains.
What We're Reading This Week
- Airbnb adds hotels to its platform in bid to boost growth: Airbnb expands its offerings by integrating hotels, aiming to attract more travelers and increase market share.
