This Week in ICT & Cybersecurity — Brussels (#13, 2026)
Horizon Europe 2028-2034 draft opinions advance in Parliament committees; SEDE, REGI, AGRI issue positions; digital vehicle registration proposal clears TRAN; Council telecoms meeting scheduled.
April 05, 2026 to April 11, 2026
Horizon Europe 2028-2034 draft opinions advance in Parliament committees; SEDE, REGI, AGRI issue positions; digital vehicle registration proposal clears TRAN; Council telecoms meeting scheduled.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On April 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Joint SEDE-ITRE: The Implementation of the 2026-2027 European Defence Industry Programme Work Programme: capability priority projects, with Francois Arbault, Director for Defence Industrial Programmes (DG for Defence Industry and Space, European Commission).
- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE): On April 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime; Strengthening International Cooperation for Combating Certain Crimes Committed by Means of Information and Communications Technology Systems and for the Sharing of Evidence in Electronic Form of Serious Crimes; Date of next meetings.
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Regulations (EC) No 1272/2008, (EC) No 1223/2009 and (EU) 2019/1009 as regards simplification of certain requirements and procedures for chemical products; Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings.
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: ------; 14a. Establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013; 2025 Safety Gate Report• Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views.
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Establishing the Connecting Europe Facility for the period 2028-2034, amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/1153.
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Advanced manufacturing as a strategic sector for the EU; Amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1252; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On April 16, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: ------; 14a. Establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013; 2025 Safety Gate Report• Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views.
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On April 16, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Full page dump.
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On April 16, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Advanced manufacturing as a strategic sector for the EU; Amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1252; Chair’s announcements.
EU Council
Informal Meeting of Telecommunications Ministers Announced
The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council will convene an informal meeting of telecommunications ministers on 29 April 2026. The agenda is expected to focus on ongoing legislative files and strategic priorities in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and the digital single market.
EP Committee Work
SEDE Committee Adopts Opinion on Horizon Europe 2028–2034
On 9 April 2026, the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) adopted its opinion on the Commission proposal for a regulation establishing Horizon Europe for 2028–2034 (COM(2025)0543 – C10-0164/2025 – 2025/0543(COD)), with Costas Mavrides serving as rapporteur. The opinion calls for enhanced dual-use research provisions, closer coordination with the European Competitiveness Fund, and strengthened eligibility rules for third countries in sensitive technology areas. Amendments also address security screening, export control mechanisms, and the governance of defence-related activities in the EIC Accelerator.
REGI Committee Issues Opinion on Horizon Europe 2028–2034
On 7 April 2026, the Committee on Regional Development (REGI), rapporteur Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza, finalised its opinion on the Horizon Europe 2028–2034 proposal (COM(2025)0543 – C10-0164/2025 – 2025/0543(COD)). The document advocates for reinforced territorial cohesion, improved synergies with Cohesion Policy, and calls for measures to address regional disparities in research and innovation funding. The opinion introduces amendments targeting capacity building in widening countries, simplification for smaller actors, and operational links between Horizon Europe and smart specialisation strategies.
AGRI Committee Adopts Opinion on Horizon Europe Rules for Participation
On 8 April 2026, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI), rapporteur Bert-Jan Ruissen, adopted its opinion on the Horizon Europe 2028–2034 framework regulation (COM(2025)0543 – C10-0164/2025 – 2025/0543(COD)). The opinion highlights the role of research in agricultural innovation, food security, and the integration of rural and regional priorities. The committee calls for targeted actions to enhance the participation of agricultural stakeholders and ensure the relevance of Horizon Europe for rural development.
TRAN Committee Presses for Digital Vehicle Registration Documents
On 8 April 2026, the Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) adopted its position on the revision of EU rules for vehicle registration documents, supporting a digital certificate as the main format within three years of entry into force. The committee, with rapporteur Johan Danielsson (S&D, SE), calls for the retention of a physical option for citizens with limited digital access and proposes the inclusion of a QR code for immediate data retrieval. The draft also mandates cross-border data sharing to combat fraud and streamline administrative procedures.
BUDG Committee Reviews Budgetary Opinions on Research, Infrastructure, and Education Programmes
On 8 April 2026, the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) held an ordinary meeting to consider draft opinions on several legislative proposals, including the annual report on the financial activities of the European Investment Bank, the 2028–2034 Single Market and Customs Programme (rapporteur Danuše Nerudová), the Connecting Europe Facility (rapporteur Janusz Lewandowski), the Erasmus+ programme (rapporteur Lucia Yar), and the Horizon Europe regulation (rapporteur Hélder Sousa Silva). The committee discussed deadlines for amendments, budgetary allocations, and building policy requests for EU delegations.
ITRE Committee Drafts Opinion on European Fund for Cohesion and Security
On 7 April 2026, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), rapporteur Jana Nagyová, 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 (PE784.364v02-00). The draft opinion addresses the integration of digital and energy infrastructure, the role of innovation in regional development, and the alignment of ICT and security investments within the fund’s priorities.
What We're Reading This Week
- Europe is winning on AI and drones science. It's losing on deployment: Europe leads in AI and drone research but struggles to translate innovation into widespread commercial and practical adoption.
