EU Commission Daily News: Bangladesh, Syria, Cyprus, Croatia, India

EN Search Available languages: Daily news Apr 19, 2026 Brussels 13 min read

Daily News 20 / 04 / 2026

EU and Bangladesh pave the way for a closer partnership and more cooperation

Today, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, and Bangladesh's Foreign Minister, Khalilur Rahman, initialled a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), marking a major step forward in strengthening bilateral relations between the European Union and Bangladesh, a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region.

The PCA offers a comprehensive and ambitious framework for enhanced political, economic, trade and strategic cooperation, grounded in shared commitments to democracy, human rights, peace and security, climate action and sustainable development. Comprising 82 articles, the PCA will enhance collaboration in areas such as political dialogue, trade and investment, energy, transport, agriculture, migration, security, finance, maritime affairs and people-to-people exchanges.

The EU and Bangladesh have been in talks since late 2024, finalising negotiations early this year. The initialling of the text opens the way for formal signature and ratification by both parties in the near future after finalisation of the procedure by the respective authorities, to make these new commitments a reality. Bangladesh is the first South Asian country to conclude a modern PCA with the European Union. Once it enters into force, the PCA will replace the 2001 Cooperation Agreement.

Bilateral ties between the EU and Bangladesh span over 50 years, with development cooperation and trade as major facets of relations. The EU is Bangladesh's largest trading partner and two-way trade now exceeds €22 billion. Since 2001, Bangladesh benefits from the EU's 'Everything but Arms' (EBA) arrangement, which grants duty-free, quota-free access for all exports, except arms and ammunition.

(For more information: Anouar El Anouni – Tel: +32 2 291 35 80; Sophie Lai – Tel: +32 2 296 92 82)

Commission proposes full resumption of EU-Syria Cooperation Agreement

The European Commission has proposed the full resumption of the EU-Syria Cooperation Agreement, marking a new step in relations between both sides. This follows the announcement by President von der Leyen in January 2026 of the EU's new framework of cooperation with Syria. As part of this framework, the EU is stepping up support for a peaceful and inclusive Syria-led transition, addressing humanitarian needs, and helping efforts towards economic recovery.

The EU-Syria Cooperation Agreement was partially suspended in 2011 in response to the systematic repression and grave human rights violations by the Assad regime. The Cooperation Agreement has been the framework for cooperation between the EU and Syria since 1978, supporting Syria's economic and social development and promoting fair and lawful trade relations. It abolishes customs duties on imports into the EU of most industrial products originating in Syria and prevents quantitative restrictions on both sides.

This signal of renewed momentum in EU-Syrian political and cooperation relations follows the lifting of all economic sanctions on Syria in May 2025 and the visit of President von der Leyen to Damascus in January 2026. During her visit, President von der Leyen announced the three pillars of renewed bilateral relations with Syria to support reconciliation and recovery: a new political partnership; a framework for enhanced trade and economic cooperation; and a financial support package of around €620 million for 2026 and 2027, which includes humanitarian aid, early recovery support and bilateral support.

The proposal will now need to be formally adopted by Council and subsequently notified to the Syrian Transitional Authorities. This is an important political signal ahead of the upcoming EU-Syria High Level Political Dialogue that will be held on 11 May 2026.

(For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Anouar El Anouni – Tel.: +32 2 291 35 80; Guillaume Mercier - Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64)

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Commission launches €2.25 million call to strengthen Cypriot civil society

The European Commission has launched a new €2.25 million call for proposals under the ‘Cypriot Civil Society in Action' programme. This initiative, now in its tenth edition, seeks to support civil society organisations (CSOs) across the island, with a particular focus on strengthening the Turkish Cypriot community.

Since 2007, the programme has allocated €19.78 million to over 160 organisations, funding projects that promote dialogue, democratic participation, and reconciliation. This latest call aims to further strengthen civil society's role in shaping Cyprus' future, aligning with EU values and supporting the island's reunification process.

Applicants can apply until 16 June 2026 CEST (16:00 EEST).

You can find more information on the call and application procedures online.

(For more information: Maciej Berestecki — Tel.: + 32 2 296 64 83; Anna Wartberger – Tel: +32 2 28 20 54)

Commission approves €411 million Croatian capital injection into development bank HBOR

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €411 million capital injection by Croatia's government into the national development bank Hrvatska Banka za Obnovu i Razvitak (‘HBOR'), which will use these funds to support SMEs, renewable energy projects and infrastructure development. The measure will be funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility (‘RRF') and will expand HBOR's remit to support Croatia's sustainable economic growth and competitiveness.

The public funding will be provided through the RRF following the Commission's positive assessment of the Croatian Recovery and Resilience Plan and its adoption by the Council.

The Commission found that the measure facilitates the development of economic activities. The aid has an incentive effect and it is necessary and appropriate to achieve the objectives pursued. Finally, Croatia has committed to several measures to ensure that HBOR will not undercut private financial institutions active in the Croatian market.

On this basis, the Commission approved the Croatian measure under EU State aid rules.

A press release is available online.

(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74)

Commission clears acquisition of Maple by Macquarie Group and La Caisse

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Maple Infrastructure Trust, Maple Infra InvIT Investment Manager Private Limited and Maple Highway Project Management Private Limited (together ‘Maple'), all of India, by Macquarie Group Limited of Australia and Caisse de dépôt et de placement du Québec (‘La Caisse') of Canada.

The transaction relates primarily to the ownership and operation of road concessions in India.

The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given its limited impact on the European Economic Area. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12368.

(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83)

STATEMENTS

Joint statement by the Commission, WHO Regional Office for Europe, and UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, celebrating the progress vaccination has made to protect public health for the past two decades

Today, the European Commission released the following statement, together with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF Europe:

“As the 20 th European Immunisation Week kicks off today, we celebrate the incredible progress vaccination has made to protect people's health over the past two decades and call for bold leadership and enhanced commitment to sustain this progress in the years to come.

In 2007, European Immunisation Week was rolled out across 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia to increase awareness of the need and right for every child to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. Since then, the annual week has ensured many people across the WHO European Region are informed and protected, while national immunisation programmes have also improved public health.

Across the world, vaccination has saved an estimated 154 million lives since 1974. In the European region, high vaccination coverage has dramatically reduced the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases. For example, the WHO European Region has successfully remained free of endemic polio since 2002, has nearly achieved regional elimination of measles and rubella, and has also seen dramatic decreases in reported cases of many diseases. From 2000 to 2024, cases of rubella decreased by over 99%, diphtheria by 90% and mumps by 95%. […]

Yet immunisation rates in some countries are declining, while the number of countries experiencing large and disruptive outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases is increasing. In 2024, more than 298,000 cases of pertussis were reported in the WHO European Region, the highest number ever recorded. In the same year, measles cases surpassed 127,000 – the highest number in 27 years. […]

UNICEF, WHO and the European Commission will also continue to work together, and with all partners, to overcome today's serious challenges to immunisation. Together we want to champion children's health and serve marginalised communities that lack equitable access to vaccines. Our message is simple and clear: vaccines work, they save lives, and they protect our communities.”

The full statement is available online.

(For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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High Representative / Vice-President Kallas and Commissioner Šuica attend high-level discussions on the Two-State Solution and support to Palestine ****

Today, High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas will co-host the 9th meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in Brussels, alongside Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot. The meeting will be an opportunity for the European Union to reaffirm its commitment to a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.

In the afternoon, High Representative/Vice-President Kallas and Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica will participate in the Ministerial segment of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting on responding collectively to the needs for assistance of the Palestinian people and wider support of state-building. In the meeting, the High Representative and Commissioner will outline the EU's support to the Palestinian Authority, to the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and to the Gaza Peace Plan through early recovery measures, and update participants on the EU support to the reforms of the Palestinian Authority. They will insist on the need for access to Gaza and reiterate the willingness of the EU to act immediately on Gaza's recovery while ensuring long-term reforms. The meeting will be chaired by Norway and co-sponsored by the EU and the United States.

The EU is the largest international donor to the Palestinian people. A €1.6 billion multiannual programme for 2025-2027 is under implementation, that includes direct financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority, support for its Reform Agenda, as well as support for Palestinian socio-economic recovery. Furthermore, through the Palestine Donors Group, the EU is facilitating coordination efforts among international donors for a reformed Palestinian Authority. The Palestine Donors Group convened for the first time in November 2025.

(For more information: Anouar El Anouni – Tel.: +32 2 291 35 80; Guillaume Mercier - Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Luca Dilda - Tel.: +32 2 295 21 53)

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Executive Vice-President Fitto chairs Outermost Regions Implementation Dialogue

Tomorrow, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, Raffaele Fitto, will host an Implementation Dialogue in Brussels with key stakeholders from the business communities of all nine Outermost Regions. This dialogue will focus on the challenges that businesses face in the Outermost Regions, in light of the upcoming strategy and regulatory simplification package for the Outermost Regions.

The Outermost Regions face numerous challenges linked to their geographical situation. Often, their competitiveness within the Single Market is impacted and results in unfair competition from neighbouring countries that have lower environmental, labour, health, and State aid standards.

Participants will be invited to propose priorities to eliminate bottlenecks (mainly regulatory, but also administrative and procedural), provide an estimation of the concrete economic benefits that these simplification measures could bring to their economic sectors, and discuss which non-regulatory measures should be put forward to foster inclusive decision-making and local capacity-building.

The outcome of the dialogue will feed into the preparatory work in view of a regulatory simplification package that will accompany the 2026 Outermost Regions strategy. This package will tackle issues such as Outermost Regions' access to the Single Market, promoting their sustainability and competitiveness, and addressing regulatory bottlenecks.

(For more information: Maciej Berestecki — Tel.: + 32 2 296 64 83; Anna Wartberger – Tel: +32 2 28 20 54)

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Commissioner Hoekstra participates in the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin

Tomorrow and on Wednesday, 21 and 22 April, Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra, will be in Berlin to participate in the 17th Petersberg Climate Dialogue. He will also meet with government and stakeholder representatives and visit an innovative clean energy project.

On Tuesday, Commissioner Hoekstra will meet with Federal Minister of Finance and Deputy to the Federal Chancellor, Lars Klingbeil. During the day, he will get to learn first-hand about Sonocrete - a pioneering start-up which brings ultrasound technology into concrete production striving to reduce emissions and the environmental impact of this industry.

On Wednesday, the Commissioner, together with ministers from around the world, will take part in the Petersberg Dialogue - an annual high-level political forum on climate action, co-hosted by the German government, Türkiye (the designated COP31 Presidency) and Australia (the designated COP31 President of Negotiations). The Dialogue will be an opportunity for him to discuss preparations for the COP31 UN Climate Conference in Antalya, as well as the value of ambitious climate policies for economic development and competitiveness. The Commissioner will join the Dialogue's High-Level segment and the Ministerial session on accelerating the global energy transition and clean energy investment.

In the margins of the event, Commissioner Hoekstra will have a series of bilateral meetings with, among others, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Simon Stiell; COP31 President of Negotiations and Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen; South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Willie Aucamp; Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Deborah Mlongo Barasa; and **** German Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Climate Protection and Nuclear Safety, Carsten Schneider. He will also have a trilateral meeting with the Canadian Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature, Julie Aviva Dabrusin, and the Chinese Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment, Li Gao.

(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25)

Commissioner Síkela in Ethiopia to deepen bilateral partnership and open EU-Ethiopia Business Forum

Today and tomorrow, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, is in Ethiopia to open the EU-Ethiopia Business Forum and meet senior Ethiopian officials and African Union leaders.

The visit marks a significant step in the EU-Ethiopia partnership. The Commissioner will announce a series of concrete investments and commitments at the Business Forum, spanning energy, digital infrastructure, agri-food value chains, and rural finance, reinforcing the EU's position as Ethiopia's largest export destination and one of its most consequential long-term investors.

The EU-Ethiopia Business Forum, running from 20 to 22 April in Addis Ababa, will bring together over 500 participants from Ethiopia, Europe and beyond, including investors, companies, development finance institutions and government officials, for high-level discussions, business matchmaking and thematic panels across agribusiness, clean energy, digital transformation, health and manufacturing.

Commissioner Síkela will meet high-level representatives of the Ethiopian government at the Business Forum. He will also meet the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area, Wamkele Mene, and the African Union Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

During the mission, the Commissioner will also visit EU projects including the Coffee Training Centre of the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, the Government Job Centre in Bole Bulbula, and the Emergency Centre and Laboratory of the Africa Centres for Disease Control in Addis Ababa.

(For more information: Guillaume Mercier — Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Jennifer Sanchez da Silva – Tel: +32 2 295 83 16)

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Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings

Note that these items can be subject to changes.

Upcoming events of the European Commission

Eurostat press releases

Calendar items of the President and Commissioners

Individual calendars of the President and Commissioners

Related topics

General information

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