This Week in ICT & Cybersecurity — Brussels (#23, 2026)
EU ratifies UN cybercrime convention; AI Act amendments pass EP; Brussels supports Ukraine via Cybersecurity Reserve; Digital Decade report highlights persistent skills and semiconductor gaps.
June 14, 2026 to June 20, 2026
EU ratifies UN cybercrime convention; AI Act amendments pass EP; Brussels supports Ukraine via Cybersecurity Reserve; Digital Decade report highlights persistent skills and semiconductor gaps.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On June 24, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Acceleration of permit-granting for defence readiness projects; Amending Directives 2009/43/EC and 2009/81/EC, as regards the simplification of intra-EU transfers of defence-related products and the simplification of security and defence procurement; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On June 24, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Directives 2000/14/EC, 2011/65/EU, 2013/53/EU, 2014/29/EU, 2014/30/EU, 2014/31/EU, 2014/32/EU, 2014/33/EU, 2014/34/EU, 2014/35/EU, 2014/53/EU, 2014/68/EU and 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards digitalisation and common specifications; Amending Directives 2009/43/EC and 2009/81/EC, as regards the simplification of intra-EU transfers of defence-related products and the simplification of security and defence procurement; 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.
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On June 24, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Amending Directives (EU) 2018/2001, (EU) 2019/944, (EU) 2024/1788 as regards acceleration of permit-granting procedures; Amending Regulation (EU) 2023/956 as regards the extension of its scope to downstream goods and anti-circumvention measures.
- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE): On June 24, the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: ------; All time slots are indicative only and may be subject to changes during the meeting; Annual Report of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) for the year 2025.
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO): On June 25, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Directives 2000/14/EC, 2011/65/EU, 2013/53/EU, 2014/29/EU, 2014/30/EU, 2014/31/EU, 2014/32/EU, 2014/33/EU, 2014/34/EU, 2014/35/EU, 2014/53/EU, 2014/68/EU and 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards digitalisation and common specifications; Amending Directives 2009/43/EC and 2009/81/EC, as regards the simplification of intra-EU transfers of defence-related products and the simplification of security and defence procurement; 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.
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On June 25, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; *** End of electronic vote ***; Establishing the Programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE).
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On June 25, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Regulations (EC) No 1907/2006, (EC) No 1272/2008, (EU) No 528/2012, (EU) 2019/1021 and (EU) 2021/697 as regards defence readiness and facilitating defence investments and conditions for defence industry; Chair’s announcements; *** End of electronic vote ***.
- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE): On June 25, the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: ------; All time slots are indicative only and may be subject to changes during the meeting; Annual Report of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) for the year 2025.
European Commission
2026 State of the Digital Decade: Progress and persistent gaps on EU digital milestones
The European Commission released its fourth annual State of the Digital Decade report on 16 June 2026, assessing progress toward the EU’s 2030 digital transformation targets set under the Digital Decade Policy Programme. The report documents advances in secure digital infrastructure, for example 5G basic coverage now reaching 96.8% of households, and significant uptake of cloud and AI solutions, with enterprises' adoption rates rising 48% for AI in one year. However, semiconductor production remains at only 9% of global market share against a 2030 target of 20%. The analysis underlines persistent challenges in computing capacity, cybersecurity supplier autonomy, ICT specialist workforce, and SME access to advanced technologies. The Commission study finds each euro invested in digital policy under NextGenerationEU produces €1.50 in EU output, but also details European dependence on non-EU cybersecurity vendors and skills gaps, especially among women. The report’s recommendations call for coordinated action to close these structural gaps and ensure digital competitiveness beyond 2026, with Member States' progress and funding alignment to be reviewed at the Digital Decade Board in Nicosia, 18-19 June.
Commission authorises fourth NextGenerationEU payment for Bulgaria; partial disbursement, pending milestones
On 18 June 2026, the European Commission approved Bulgaria’s fourth payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, following confirmation that 23 of 26 milestones and targets have been met. These reforms target areas including public sector digitalisation, anti-corruption (notably through a newly independent Anti-corruption Commission and lobbying regulation), vocational education and training, and support to SMEs. Decarbonisation measures involve restructuring the Bulgarian Energy Holding and introducing a National Fund for Decarbonisation. Pending milestones relate to water sector legislation, clarity on a public transport target, and support for the cultural sector, which Bulgaria must address by 31 August 2026 for full disbursement. The next step is an Economic and Financial Committee opinion within four weeks; unresolved items may lead to partial payment suspension pending final completion before closure of the RRF at year’s end.
Commission marks 'A solid start' on One Europe, One Market Roadmap implementation
In a 17 June 2026 progress report, the European Commission, European Parliament, and Council reviewed implementation of the One Europe, One Market Roadmap and the Joint Declaration on the EU's legislative priorities for 2026. The June exercise, which represents the first of quarterly evaluations, found the institutions are on track to complete the Single Market by the end of 2027. Statements from President Ursula von der Leyen, Council Presidency representative Nikos Christodoulides, and Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, reiterated institutional alignment to removing existing barriers impeding growth, innovation, and investment. The next quarterly progress reviews will track further legislative programming and delivery.
Final meeting of the EU Special Panel on child safety online addresses social media risks; Eurobarometer released
The Special Panel on child safety online convened for its final meeting on 15 June 2026, discussing best practices and new recommendations to reinforce the EU’s framework for the protection of minors online. The session coincided with the publication of a Eurobarometer survey indicating 14% of adolescents spend over 10 hours per day on screens, and one in three report feeling stressed or excluded due to social media. The findings will inform a set of formal recommendations to President von der Leyen, due on 13 July, aimed at complementing the Digital Services Act, Audiovisual Media Services Directive, Better Internet for Kids Strategy, and deployment of the new EU Age Verification App, alongside actions against cyberbullying and child sexual abuse content.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1347 enables EU ratification of UN Cybercrime Convention
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1347 of 4 June 2026 authorises the Union to conclude the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, signed in Hanoi in October 2025 (OJ L, 2026/1347, CELEX: 32026D1347). The decision affirms compatibility with EU rules on security, cross-border evidence sharing, and data protection, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The text specifies relevant EU reservations and clarifies shared competences with Member States.
UN Convention against Cybercrime: publication of full legal text (OJ L, 2026/1348)
The Official Journal published the final legal text of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime on 19 June 2026 (OJ L, 2026/1348, CELEX: 32026X1348). The Convention establishes international norms on cyber offences, procedural powers for digital evidence cooperation, and cross-border exchange mechanisms, while including data protection and human rights safeguards, and gender mainstreaming requirements.
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1354: EU Cybersecurity Reserve support for Ukraine authorised
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1354 of 15 June 2026 (OJ L 2026/1354, CELEX: 32026D1354) authorises immediate assistance from the EU Cybersecurity Reserve to Ukraine. The Decision confirms that Ukraine meets the association criteria under Regulation (EU) 2025/38 (Cyber Solidarity Act) and that EU support is consistent with EU security policy, aiming to reinforce Ukraine’s resilience and critical infrastructure.
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1372: Mandate to negotiate mutual recognition of conformity assessments with South Korea
Adopted on 8 June 2026, Council Decision (EU) 2026/1372 (OJ L, 2026/1372, CELEX: 32026D1372) authorises the launch of negotiations with the Republic of Korea for a mutual recognition agreement covering conformity assessment, certificates, and product markings. The Commission is appointed as lead negotiator, reporting to Council Working Party on Technical Harmonisation.
EU Council
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council to address cyber violence and labour mobility
The Council configuration on Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs will meet on 29 June 2026 to adopt conclusions on cyber violence against girls and discuss policy linkages between demographic trends and housing, with further exchanges on student housing security and fair labour mobility.
EP Committee Work
IMCO committee issues draft opinion on Digital Omnibus Regulation simplification
On 15 June 2026, the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), rapporteur Alex Agius Saliba, released its draft opinion regarding the proposal for a regulation to amend several digital legislative acts (including GDPR, e-Privacy, and NIS2) and repeal legacy instruments through the Digital Omnibus. The opinion assesses regulatory coherence and simplification impacts.
What We're Reading This Week
- UK denies seeking carve-out to Anthropic AI restrictions: UK government clarifies it is not pursuing exemptions to upcoming regulatory limits on Anthropic's artificial intelligence technologies.
