Press conferences

On 3 February 2021, ead-out of the College meeting of 03/02/2021

On 2 February 2021, Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, participated in the launch of Horizon Europe programme, together with Manuel Heitor, Portuguese Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education, and President in office of the Council of the EU.The “Horizon Europe” programme has a budget of around €95 billion for research and innovation all over Europe from 2021-2027.“Horizon Europe” is the ninth European framework programme for research and innovation, following on from the “Horizon 2020” programme (2014-2020), and will be the biggest programme ever undertaken in Europe. Its launch by the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU is being promoted along with a mobilisation process for all of Europe, in conjunction with structural funds and, particularly, with the national recovery and resilience plans of each Member State in preparation for the “Next Generation EU, 2021-26” programme. "Horizon Europe" is thus based on three terms of reference: 1. Scientific excellence 2. Global challenges and European industrial competitiveness 3. Innovative and inclusive Europe.This video shows the press conference given by Manuel Heitor and Mariya Gabriel on this occasion.

On 29 January 2021, Emer Cooke, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), Bruno Sepodes, Vice-Chair of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and Sabine Straus, Chair of the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), gave a press briefing on the EU recommendation for COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.During this press briefing, the EMA has recommended granting a conditional marketing authorisation for COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in people from 18 years of age. This is the third COVID-19 vaccine that EMA has recommended for authorisation.This video shows the press conference followed by a questions-answers session. 

On 29 January 2021, Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissionner for Trade, and Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, gave a press conference on the vaccine export transparency scheme.In an effort to ensure timely access to COVID-19 vaccines for all EU citizens and to tackle the current lack of transparency of vaccine exports outside the EU, the European Commission put in place a measure requiring that such exports are subject to an authorisation by Member States.

On 29 January 2021, Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice, attended the Informal videoconference of Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs chaired by Francisca Van Dunem, Portuguese Minister for Justice.During the Council, the EU Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs exchanged views on three main areas: protection of vulnerable adults in Europe, criminal law and protection of intellectual property rights, as well as the digitalization of justice.This video shows a press conference given by the two Officials following the Council meeting. 

On 27 January 2021, Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, held a press conference in Brussels on the delivery of vaccines against COVID-19 by the company Astra Zeneca.This video shows the statement given by Stella Kyriakides and the following question and answer session. 

On 27 January 2021, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and the Members of the College of the EC, gathered together in Brussels for their weekly meeting.Among other items, they discussed the rule of law in Poland, and launched the Green Paper on Ageing.The European Commission presented a green paper to launch a broad policy debate on the challenges and opportunities of Europe's ageing society. It sets out the impact of this pronounced demographic trend across our economy and society and invites the public to express their views on how to respond to this in a public consultation, which will run for 12 weeks.This video shows Dubravka Šuica, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography, delivering the conclusions of the weekly meeting to the press and answering questions from journalists - with an international sign language interpretation.

On 27 January 2021, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and the Members of the College of the EC, gathered together in Brussels for their weekly meeting.Among other items, they discussed the rule of law in Poland, and launched the Green Paper on Ageing.The European Commission presented a green paper to launch a broad policy debate on the challenges and opportunities of Europe's ageing society. It sets out the impact of this pronounced demographic trend across our economy and society and invites the public to express their views on how to respond to this in a public consultation, which will run for 12 weeks.This video shows Dubravka Šuica, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography, delivering the conclusions of the weekly meeting to the press and answering questions from journalists 

On 26 January 2021, Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, gave a press conference on the European Batteries Alliance, in Brussels, Belgium.The Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a second Important Project of Common European Interest (“IPCEI”) to support research and innovation in the battery value chain. The project, called “European Battery Innovation” was jointly prepared and notified by Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden.The twelve Member States will provide up to €2.9 billion in funding in the coming years. The public funding is expected to unlock an additional €9 billion in private investments, i.e. more than three times the public support. The project complements the first IPCEI in the battery value chain that the Commission approved in December 2019.

On 26 January 2021, Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissionner for Trade, and Janusz Wojciechowski, European Commissioner for Agriculture, gave a press conference on the Study on cumulative impact of trade agreements.The EU trade agenda is set to have an overall positive impact on the EU economy and the agri-food sector, according to a new study.Trade agreements are due to result in substantial increases in EU agri-food exports, with more limited increases in imports, creating a positive trade balance overall. The study also confirms that the EU's approach to grant a limited amount of lower duty imports (through tariff rate quotas) is the best approach in terms of protecting specific vulnerable agri-food sectors in the EU.

On 26 January 2021, Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Europe fit for the Digital Age, and Commissioner for Competition, gave a press conference on State aid rules, a second Important Project of Common European Interest (“IPCEI”) to support research and innovation in the battery value chain. The project, called “European Battery Innovation” was jointly prepared and notified by Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden.The twelve Member States will provide up to €2.9 billion in funding in the coming years. The public funding is expected to unlock an additional €9 billion in private investments, i.e. more than three times the public support. The project complements the first IPCEI in the battery value chain that the Commission approved in December 2019.

On 25 January 2021, Maria do Céu Antunes, Portuguese Minister for Agriculture, and Janusz Wojciechowski, European Commissioner for Agriculture, gave a joint press conference following the informal video conference of Ministers for Agriculture and Fisheries, held remotely from Brussels, Belgium, and Lisbon, Portugal, due to the coronavirus context.On this occasion, ministers touched upon guidance on the start of the formal bilateral EU-UK consultations on setting definite fishing opportunities for 2021 and for some stocks for 2022, the impact and perspectives of the latest trade developments on EU's agricultural sector and the current state of play regarding the interinstitutional negotiations of the post-2020 Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) reform package.This video shows the online joint press conference followed by a questions/answers session with Janusz Wojciechowski and Maria do Céu Antunes.

On 25 January 2021, Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, held a press point at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, on vaccine deliveries and on the vaccine export transparency scheme.On this occasion, Stella Kyriakides expressed the EU's will of clarity on transactions and full transparency concerning the export of vaccines from the EU. On the same day, the European Commission proposed to the 27 Member States in the Steering Board an export transparency mechanism to be put in place as soon as possible.

Press conference by Mette FREDERIKSEN, Danish Prime MinisterKaja KALLAS, Estonian Prime MinisterSanna MARIN, Finnish Prime MinisterKrišjanis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime MinisterGitanas NAUSĖDA, President of Lithuania Mateusz MORAWIECKI, Polish Prime MinisterUrsula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission

QUO VADIS EUROPA? The birth of geopolitical EuropePress conference by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World

On 21 December 2020, Emer Cooke, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) held a virtual press briefing on the outcome of the meeting of EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP). Harald Enzmann, Chair of EMA's Human Medicines Committee (CHMP), Sabine Straus, Chair of EMA's Safety Committee (PRAC) and Marco Cavaleri, Head of Biological Health Threats and Vaccines Strategy at EMA, also participated in the press briefing moderated by Marie-Agnes Heine, Head of EMA's Communication Department.This video shows the complete press conference and the following question and answer session.

On 18 August 2022, Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, participated in the third Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue in Brussels, Belgium. Together with Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia, Albin Kurti, Kosovan* Prime Minister, and Miroslav Lajčák, EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, they discussed the normalisation of the relations between Kosovo and Serbia.This video shows the statement given by Josep Borrell Fontelles following the meeting.* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the International Court of Justice Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

Joint press conference by - Svenja SCHULZE, German Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety - Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS,  European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

Joint press point with Denys MONASTYRSKYI, Minister of Internal Affairs

Joint press conference by - Julia KLÖCKNER, German Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection - Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS,  European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

On 26 July 2022, Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy, attended the Extraordinary Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) meeting in Brussels, Belgium. The meeting, chaired by Jozef Síkela, Czech Minister for Industry and Trade, focused on security of energy supply in the EU and further measures to be taken ahead of next winter as security of energy supply in the EU is at further risk of deteriorating in the wake of the Russian aggression on Ukraine.Ministers reached a political agreement on a voluntary reduction of natural gas demand by 15% for this winter, in order to save gas to prepare for possible disruptions of gas supplies from Russia. The regulation foresees the possibility for the Council to trigger a ‘Union Alert' on security of supply, in which case the gas demand reduction would become mandatory. Ministers also exchanged views on the energy situation in Europe in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. They also exchanged views on the national measures and contingency plans, as well as on further short-term actions to strengthen EU's security of energy supply and the initiatives of the "Save gas for a safe winter" package presented by the Commission on 20 July 2022. They also discussed the EU's energy cooperation with Ukraine with German Galushchenko, Ukrainian Minister for Energy.This video shows the press conference held by Jozef Síkela, German Galushchenko and Kadri Simson following the meeting.

Joint press conference by - Paschal DONOHOE, President of the Eurogroup - Paolo GENTILONI,  European Commissioner for Economy

On 26 July 2022, Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy, attended the Extraordinary Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) meeting in Brussels, Belgium. The meeting, chaired by Jozef Síkela, Czech Minister for Industry and Trade, focused on security of energy supply in the EU and further measures to be taken ahead of next winter as security of energy supply in the EU is at further risk of deteriorating in the wake of the Russian aggression on Ukraine.Ministers reached a political agreement on a voluntary reduction of natural gas demand by 15% for this winter, in order to save gas to prepare for possible disruptions of gas supplies from Russia. The regulation foresees the possibility for the Council to trigger a ‘Union Alert' on security of supply, in which case the gas demand reduction would become mandatory. Ministers also exchanged views on the energy situation in Europe in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. They also exchanged views on the national measures and contingency plans, as well as on further short-term actions to strengthen EU's security of energy supply and the initiatives of the "Save gas for a safe winter" package presented by the Commission on 20 July 2022. They also discussed the EU's energy cooperation with Ukraine with German Galushchenko, Ukrainian Minister for Energy.This video shows the press conference held by Jozef Síkela and Kadri Simson.

On 16 December 2020, Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting the European Way of Life, Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market, gave a joint press conference on the Cybersecurity strategy of the European Commission.Cybersecurity is one of the Commission's top priorities and a cornerstone of the digital and connected Europe. An increase of cyber-attacks during the coronavirus crisis have shown how important it is to protect hospitals, research centres and other infrastructure. Strong action in the area is needed to future-proof the EU's economy and society.The new Cybersecurity Strategy proposes to integrate cybersecurity into every element of the supply chain and bring further together EU's activities and resources across the four communities of cybersecurity – internal market, law enforcement, diplomacy and defence.This video shows the joint press conference given by Josep Borrell Fontelles, Margaritis Schinas and Thierry Breton and the following question and answer session.

On 22 July 2022, Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, travelled to Prague, Czechia, where she participated in the Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers with Vladimír Balaš, Czech Minister for Education, Youth and Sports. Following the Presidency Conference on Synergies in the Research and Innovation Funding in Europe, which took place in Prague on 7 - 8 July 2022, the Informal meeting was focused on the debates concerning the synergies in research and innovation funding, such as the Horizon Europe, the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund. Furthermore, the European Ministers responsible for research agenda also discussed the current state of affairs in the fields of research and innovation in response to the Russian military aggression in Ukraine. This video shows the press conference given by Mariya Gabriel and Vladimír Balaš following the meeting.

Press conference by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS,  Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, Mairead McGUINNESS ,  European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability, and Capital Markets Union, on the action plan for non-performing loans

Press conference by Christine LAGARDE, President of the European Central Bank (ECB)

On 16 December 2020, Janusz Wojciechowski, European Commissioner for Agriculture, co-chaired the online 2020 EU Agricultural Outlook conference, with the German presidency of the Council of the EU, and the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Parliament.The EU Outlook conference has now become a successful annual event for broad exchanges among stakeholders on the market prospects, including the political framework and uncertainties surrounding market developments in the next ten years. Each year the conference coincides with the publication of the annual report on market prospects.This 2020 edition reflected on the lessons learnt from the Covid-19 crisis and looked at the pathways to a green recovery. It also offered an opportunity to present and discuss the results of the foresight study on the “Farmers of the future”.This video shows the press conference given by Janusz Wojciechowski on this occasion.

On 20 July 2022, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, and Commissioner for Climate Action Policy, Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market, and Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy, held a press conference on the "Save Gas for a Safe Winter" Package following the weekly meeting of the von der Leyen Commission in Brussels, Belgium.The Commission proposed a new legislative tool and a European Gas Demand Reduction Plan, to reduce gas use in Europe by 15% until next spring. The Commission will also accelerate work on supply diversification, including joint purchasing of gas to strengthen the EU's possibility of sourcing alternative gas deliveries. The Commission is proposing a new Council Regulation on Coordinated Demand Reduction Measures for Gas, based on Article 122 of the Treaty. "Save Gas for a Safe Winter" was set up in response of the risk facing the EU of further gas supply cuts from Russia, due to the Kremlin's weaponisation of gas exports.

On 14 December 2020, Janusz Wojciechowski, European Commissioner for Agriculture, attended the 3781st meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council chaired by Julia Klöckner, German Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture, in Brussels, Belgium.During the Council meeting, the EU Ministers kicked off negotiations on the three regulations fixing fishing opportunities for 2021 in certain areas of Atlantic and North Sea, Mediterranean and Black Seas as well as for certain deep-sea stocks (the latter also for 2022). They also approved Council conclusions on an EU-wide animal welfare label. Finally, 23 member states supported presidency conclusions on front-of-pack nutrition labelling, nutrient profiles and origin labelling.This video shows a joint press conference given by Janusz Wojciechowski and Julia Klöckner on this occasion.

On 19 July 2022, Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, attended the eighteenth Cooperation Council meeting between the European Union and the Republic of Azerbaijan chaired by Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijani Minister for Foreign Affairs, in Brussels.The purpose of the meeting was to review the overall state of EU-Azerbaijan relations and to discuss mutual interest for a future partnership, including the EU's efforts to diversify its energy resources.This video shows a joint press conference given by the two officials on this occasion.

Read-out of the College meeting / press conference (with international sign interpretation) by Margrethe VESTAGER, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Europe fit for the Digital Age, and Commissioner for Competition, and Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market, on DSA/DMA

Opening remarks byJan LIPAVSKÝ, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech RepublicJosep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the WorldOlivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and EnlargementEdi RAMA, Prime Minister of Albania

Read-out of the College meeting / press conference by Margrethe VESTAGER,  Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Europe fit for the Digital Age, and Commissioner for Competition, and Thierry BRETON,  European Commissioner for Internal Market

Press conference by Jan LIPAVSKÝ, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement and Dimitar KOVAČEVSKI, Prime Minister of North Macedonia

Press conference by Katarina BARLEY (S&D, DE), Vice-President of the European Parliament, Danuta HÜBNER (EPP, PL), Michael ROTH, German Presidency and Vĕra JOUROVÁ,  Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency

On 19 July 2022, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, received the visit of Edi Rama, Albanian Prime Minister, Petr Fiala, Czech Prime Minister, and Dimitar Kovačevski, Prime Minister of North Macedonia, at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium.The European Union recently started accession negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia, a step delayed due to the war in Ukraine.This video shows the statements to the press conference given by Ursula von der Leyen, Edi Rama, Petr Fiala and Dimitar Kovačevski. 

Welcome and press statement

Press conference by Zdeněk NEKULA, Minister of Agriculture of the Czech Republic and Janusz WOJCIECHOWSKI, European Commissioner for Agriculture

On 14 December 2020, Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy, attended the videoconference of Ministers for Energy - meeting n°VC-ENERGY-141220 chaired by Peter Altmaier, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy. During the meeting, the EU Ministers held an exchange of views on Energy system integration. Under any other business, the Commission presented Ministers with information on recent developments in the field of external energy relations. Lithuania informed Ministers about the commissioning of the Ostravets nuclear power plant in Belarus and its coherence with the implementation of nuclear safety recommendations. Finally, the incoming Portuguese Presidency presented its work programme for the first half of 2021.This video shows the press conference given by Kadri Simson and Peter Altmaier on this occasion. 

Press conference by - Heiko MAAS, German Foreign Affairs Minister - Josep BORRELL FONTELLES,  High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World - Felipe SOLA, Argentinian Foreign Affairs Minister

On 19 May 2022, Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), and Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca, gave a joint press conference following their meeting with key regional actors from politics, the innovation sector and academia to pay tribute to the Transylvania region and its "Cluj Way", Cluj-Napoca being highly regarded as a city that combines knowledge economy and citizens' participation. On this occasion, they also opened the Innowave Summit Cluj, one of the most important high-tech and innovation focused conferences in Southeast Europe.This video shows their entire joint press conference in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

On 18 May 2022, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy, attended the Leaders' Summit on offshore wind in the North Sea in Esbjerg, Denmark. On this occasion, Mette Frederiksen, Danish Prime Minister, Olaf Scholz, German Federal Chancellor, Alexander de Croo, Belgian Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, Dutch Prime Minister, and Ursula von der Leyen discussed ways to increase the production of offshore wind in the region, thus making the North Sea the Green Power Plant of Europe during a panel discussion. Kadri Simson, Dan Jørgensen, Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities, Simon Kollerup, Danish Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, Robert Habeck, German Federal Vice-Chancellor and German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Tinne Van der Straeten, Belgian Minister for Energy, and Rob Jetten, Dutch Minister for Climate and Energy Policy, participated in a Business conference on Achieving Climate Neutrality and Energy Independence for the EU. On this occasion, EU Leaders and Energy Ministers respectively signed a joint declaration.This video shows the joint signing ceremony and press conference held by EU Energy Ministers and Kadri Simson.

On 18 May 2022, Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, and Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economy, held a press conference on the EU's immediate response to address Ukraine's financing gap, as well as the longer-term reconstruction framework.Since the outbreak of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, EU has put in place sanctions against Russia and measures to come in aid of Ukraine. The Commission is proposing to establish an international "Ukraine reconstruction platform", which will be co-led by the Commission and the Ukrainian government, to  bring together under one roof the EU support as well as other initiatives set up by other partners and ensure a smooth division of labour between different partners and avoid duplication. The Commission also proposes the creation of a "RebuildUkraine" Facility within the EU budget. This new instrument would be dedicated to financing the reconstruction effort and aligning Ukraine's economy to the EU and would provide a mix of loans and grants. 

On 18 May 2022, Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Europe fit for the Digital Age, and Commissioner for Competition, Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, and Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market, held a press conference on EU defence investment gaps and measures to address them.The Commission proposed further measures and actions necessary to strengthen the European defence industrial and technological base. It focuses in particular on the joint acquisition of military equipment, on strategic defence programming to set clearer priorities, and on the support to the European industrial base, including the strengthening of the European defence R&D framework, the European Defence Fund (EDF). EU initiatives to foster defence cooperation also help reinforce a fairer Transatlantic burden-sharing and a more effective European contribution within NATO.

Joint press conference with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo Avdullah Hoti

Press statements by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES,  High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, and Janez LENARČIČ,  European Commissioner for Crisis Management

Joint press conference by Aleksandar VUČIĆ, President of Serbia, and Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

Joint press conference by Edi RAMA, Albanian Prime Minister, and Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

Joint press conference by Zoran ZAEV, Prime Minister of North Macedonia and Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement