This Week in ICT & Cybersecurity — Brussels (#19, 2026)
Commission approves €288m German aid for semiconductors; EIC selects EQT for €5bn deep tech fund; Lithuania gets NextGenerationEU payment; EU–Mexico digital, science and supply chain cooperation.
May 17, 2026 to May 23, 2026
Commission approves €288m German aid for semiconductors; EIC selects EQT for €5bn deep tech fund; Lithuania gets NextGenerationEU payment; EU–Mexico digital, science and supply chain cooperation.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission approves €288 million German State aid for semiconductor value chain
The European Commission approved €288 million in State aid to Germany for two novel facilities in the semiconductor supply chain. €222 million is allocated to Carl Zeiss for establishing a facility in Oberkochen, Baden-Württemberg, producing semiconductor production equipment, and €66 million to Zadient Materials Europe GmbH for manufacturing semiconductor source materials in Bitterfeld, Saxony-Anhalt. The projects will introduce next-generation EUV optical columns and ultra-pure silicon carbide, supporting the European Chips Act and increasing resilience within the sector. The measures have a limited impact on competition and are proportionate to the funding gap. Zeiss and Zadient will seek recognition as Integrated Production Facilities under EU Chips Act Regulation. The Commission approved these measures under Article 107(3)(c) of TFEU, marking the twelfth and thirteenth approvals under this scheme. Decisions are available as SA.119615 and SA.119616 in the State aid register.
EIC selects EQT to lead €5 Billion Scaleup Europe Fund
The European Innovation Council Fund Board has chosen EQT as the lead investment adviser and fund manager for the Scaleup Europe Fund, a €5 billion initiative supporting growth-stage deep tech scaleups in strategic areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, clean energy, and semiconductors. EQT, with strong European roots and growth equity expertise, will oversee the fund's operational launch and investment activity. Founding investors include Novo Holdings, EIFO, CriteriaCaixa, Santander/Mouro Capital, Dutch pension fund ABP, and Allianz, among others. Final legal agreements and investor commitments are expected to conclude shortly, with the fund set for launch at the EIC Summit on 3 June 2026. The Scaleup Europe Fund aims to bridge Europe's late-stage financing gap, operate under the EIC Fund structure, and make its first investments in autumn 2026.
Commission releases €158.9 million to Western Balkans under EU Growth Plan
The European Commission released €158.9 million to Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia under the Reform and Growth Facility of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. €49 million is allocated to Albania for strengthening business competitiveness and innovation, €44.2 million to Montenegro supporting research and innovation, and €65.7 million to North Macedonia focused on education and digitalisation. Portions of the funds will be transferred to state budgets, with the remainder directed to investment projects through the Western Balkans Investment Framework. The Facility, with an envelope of €6 billion, supports integration into the Single Market and prioritises digital, transport, and energy infrastructure, aligned with the Global Gateway Strategy.
Commission greenlights Lithuania's sixth payment request under NextGenerationEU
The Commission positively assessed Lithuania's sixth payment request for €178 million in grants under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, a component of NextGenerationEU. The payment covers reforms to improve digitalisation, transparency, and social protection, including updated minimum income schemes and public monitoring of healthcare services. Lithuania has completed ten milestones and eight targets set by the Council Implementing Decision. The Economic and Financial Committee now has four weeks to deliver its opinion, after which the Commission will adopt the payment decision. Lithuania’s plan consists of €3.85 billion, with €2.8 billion disbursed so far.
Joint Statement of the European Union - Mexico Summit 2026: digital, science and supply chain cooperation
At the 8th EU–Mexico Summit on 22 May 2026, leaders reaffirmed their strategic partnership and cooperation across trade, investment, science, technology, and innovation. The Summit marked the signature of the Modernised Global Agreement and an Interim Trade Agreement, aiming to strengthen supply chain resilience and support sustainable infrastructure. Both sides agreed to launch new Digital Dialogue and Health Sectoral Dialogues, including cooperation on medicines and vaccines regulation, AI in science, and decarbonisation. Collaboration will extend to digital innovation and regulation, with Mexico joining the Enterprise Europe Network. Future commitments include joint sectoral dialogues and strategic policy exchanges in energy, climate, digital economy, and multilateral human rights.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1132 on signing Protocol amending Council of Europe Convention on Prevention of Terrorism
On 18 May 2026, the Council adopted Decision (EU) 2026/1132 authorising the signing of a Protocol amending the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism. The Protocol updates the definition of ‘terrorist offence’ in Article 1, aiming to strengthen prevention and cooperation, and aligns with Union law (Directive (EU) 2017/541). The Protocol is open for signature by the EU and its member states. The swift signing is intended to enhance international counter-terrorism cooperation.
EU Council
Eurogroup discusses macroeconomic developments and digital euro
On 22 May 2026, the Eurogroup reviewed euro area macroeconomic trends and affordable housing challenges. An update was provided on the digital euro project.
EP Committee Work
SEDE Subcommittee on Security and Defence—Strasbourg Meeting
The Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) convened in Strasbourg on 21 May 2026, addressing agenda items in security and defence policy. Discussions centred on EU responses to emerging defence threats relevant to ICT and digital infrastructure.
LIBE Draft report: support for Schengen area, border management, visas (2028–2034)
LIBE Committee published a draft report on the proposed regulation for Union support for the Schengen area, European integrated border management, and visa policy for 2028–2034. Rapporteur Karlo Ressler outlined objectives to strengthen external border and visa management systems.
LIBE Draft report: Union support for internal security (2028–2034)
LIBE Committee released a draft report on internal security support regulation for 2028–2034, with rapporteur Assita Kanko detailing improved funding mechanisms for cybersecurity, law enforcement and digital infrastructure.
Transport MEPs to deepen transatlantic dialogue
The TRAN Committee announced a delegation visit to Washington, D.C. next week. Seven MEPs will discuss aviation, autonomous vehicles, and maritime issues with US counterparts, including interaction with Tesla, Waymo, and Airbus. The focus is on developments in self-driving technology and intermodal infrastructure for future EU legislative frameworks.
MEPs to visit Washington and Boston to discuss digital regulation and policy
The JURI Committee is sending members, led by Chair Ilhan Kyuchyuk, to Washington and Boston for meetings on digital policy and regulation, focusing on copyright and generative AI. Dialogues are planned with US Chamber of Commerce, USPTO, and academic institutions including MIT. The mission aims to inform evolving EU policy responses to digital and AI regulation.
What We're Reading This Week
- IT Security Technology & Compliance Expert (m/f/d), Advantest Europe GmbH: Advantest Europe GmbH seeks an expert to strengthen its IT security posture and ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Putin’s trolls are weakening Merz to boost Russia-friendly far right: Kremlin-backed online campaigns are targeting Friedrich Merz to erode support for his party and bolster Germany’s far right.
- Marie-Laure Denis, head of France's data privacy watchdog: 'The state bears a special responsibility for the data of the French people': France’s data privacy chief emphasizes that government institutions must set a higher standard for safeguarding citizen information.
- French government should do more to protect citizens' personal data: Advocates urge French authorities to strengthen data privacy measures in response to increasing threats to citizens' personal information.
