European Policy Centre EPC

What the Commission proposes

The European Commission has proposed a new regulation on the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) to reinforce its operational role in combating serious cross-border crime and terrorism. The initiative replaces Regulation (EU) 2016/794, updates Europol's mandate to address a changing security landscape, and provides for increased resources and staff. It also establishes structured cooperation between Europol and eu-LISA for information management and ICT services while ensuring full alignment with EU data protection frameworks.

• Replaces Regulation (EU) 2016/794 to establish a revised mandate for Europol.
• Aims to enhance Europol's operational capabilities against online and offline serious crime and terrorism.
• Establishes structured cooperation between Europol and eu-LISA for information systems and communication infrastructure.
• Allocates an estimated EUR 1.053 billion and 910 additional staff posts over the 2028-2034 MFF.
• Maintains alignment with the EU data protection framework and fundamental rights standards.

Summary written by AI from the Commission's document.

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1. 48 Europol’s European Financial and Economic Crime Centre (EFECC) provides specialised analytical support. EPPO estimates for the period 2028-2034 foresee substantial support needs from Europol, including data cross-checks against Europol databases (600-1200 cases), operational analytical support (500-1200 investigations), digital forensics support (80-150 cases), and operational deployments (100-250 investigations). 49 In this context, it may be noted that the Commission proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 904/2010 on administrative cooperation in the field of VAT envisages facilitating access for the EPPO and the European

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2. Europol, in particular through its European Financial and Economic Crime Centre, should therefore provide Member States and relevant Union bodies, offices and agencies, such as the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), established by Council Regulation (EU) 2017/193940, with specialised support for financial investigations, asset tracing and recovery, crypto-assets and 40 Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘the EPPO’) (OJ L 283, 31.10.2017, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/1939/oj).

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3. 18 COM(2025) 743 final. 19 COM (2025) 744 final. 20 COM(2026) 101 final. 21 In accordance with the Commission work programme 2026. 22 The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (EBCGA), established by Regulation (EU) 2019/1896, is responsible for the implementation of European Integrated Border Management at the EU’s external borders. 23 The EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust), established by Regulation (EU) 2018/1727, provides support to prosecutors and judges, notably by supporting Joint Investigation Teams and facilitating cases involving a European Investigation Order. 24 The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (the EPPO), established by Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, is the independent office responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes against the financial interests of the EU.

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What the Commission proposes

The European Commission proposes the Cloud and AI Development Act to establish a framework of measures aimed at strengthening Europe's cloud and artificial intelligence ecosystem. The initiative focuses on three pillars, which include research and innovation for greening infrastructure, industrial investments to triple EU data processing capacity, and actions to increase secure data processing capacities for cloud providers in the EU. Ultimately, the proposal seeks to address infrastructure gaps, reduce critical dependencies on non-European providers, and enhance the Union's digital sovereignty and competitiveness.

• Addresses the EU gap in cloud and AI infrastructure capacity through three distinct pillars.
• Promotes research and innovation to accelerate sustainable cloud and AI computing technologies.
• Aims to triple the EU data processing capacity over the next 5 to 7 years via industrial investments.
• Introduces measures to increase secure data processing capacities for high-critical use cases.
• Establishes common criteria for sovereign cloud computing services to reduce extraterritorial dependencies.
• Promotes open-source solutions and joint public procurement activities across the public sector.

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1. 35 Regulation (EU) 2024/903 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 March 2024 laying down measures for a high level of public sector interoperability across the Union (Interoperable Europe Act) (OJ L, 2024/903, 22.3.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/903/oj). 36 Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on Better Law-Making (OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_interinstit/2016/512/oj).

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2. It will be built on skills-related initiatives, including the Digital large scale skills partnership under the Pact for skills and the skills academies, including the AI Skills Academy. (26) The implementation of the Cloud and AI Leadership Initiatives should be entrusted to the Commission and Member States. The implementation of the Cloud and AI 16 Decision (EU) 2022/2481 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 establishing the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030, (OJ L 323, 19.12.2022, p. 4, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2022/2481/oj). 17 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, ‘The Union of Skills’, 5.3.2025, COM(2025) 90 final.

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3. Harnessing this network, complementary support measures should be developed, to help achieve the target of digital transformation of businesses set in 15 Regulation (EU) 2021/696 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing the Union Space Programme and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme and repealing Regulations (EU) No 912/2010, (EU) No 1285/2013 and (EU) No 377/2014 and Decision No 541/2014/EU (OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 69, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/696/oj).

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What the Commission proposes

The European Commission proposes a new regulation on the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) to repeal and replace Regulation (EU) 2018/1727. This initiative responds to an evaluation showing that while Eurojust is indispensable, its operations need greater efficiency and a wider mandate to tackle modern cross-border crime. The proposal expands Eurojust's competence into emerging areas such as cybercrime, gender-based violence, and violations of EU restrictive measures, while transforming it into a more proactive analytical hub. It also aims to streamline the agency's internal structure and improve cooperation with partners like Europol and the European Public Prosecutor Office.

• Repeals and replaces Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 to establish a renewed legal framework for Eurojust.
• Expands Eurojust's mandate to cover emerging crime areas including cybercrime, gender-based violence, and violations of EU restrictive measures.
• Transforms Eurojust from a reactive coordination body into a strategic and analytical hub for cross-border judicial cooperation.
• Standardises National Members' status and powers to improve governance and operational efficiency.
• Addresses findings from the 2025 evaluation regarding complex decision-making, wide case scope, and slow procedures with third countries.
• Aligns with related revisions of the Europol Regulation, the European Investigation Order Directive, and the European Union Data Protection Regulation.

What is asked: The Commission sought the views of citizens, Member States, and other relevant stakeholders on Eurojust and the Eurojust Regulation via an online public consultation to inform the impact assessment for the revision of the Eurojust Regulation.

Summary written by AI from the Commission's document.

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1. During a site visit to the Hague on 3-4 February 2026, 52 Eurojust stakeholders were consulted (representatives of the national desks, Denmark and the administration, as well as liaison prosecutors) using a mix of 1-1 interviews and five thematic group discussions. 11 follow-up interviews were then conducted with Eurojust stakeholders. 35 interviews have been conducted with other stakeholders, including representatives of the European Commission (DG JUST.C.3, DG BUDG, DG ENEST, DG INTPA), the European Parliament (LIBE Committee), as well as national authorities and practitioners from EU Member States (AT, BE, HR, EE, FI, FR, IT, LT, MT, NL, PL, PT, SK, ES) and third countries (Brazil, Chile, Kosovo, North Macedonia). Consultations have also taken place with EU IBOAs and international organisations (interview with the EPPO and Europol).

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2. Stakeholders also stressed the need for Eurojust to prioritise cooperation with third countries and invest in technological tools to respond to the evolving nature of crime. The online survey, which was open until 4 March 2026, targeted practitioners, Eurojust administration representatives and National Members, and public officials from both EU and non-EU countries. The survey results indicated broad support for governance reform, including the introduction of a Management Board to alleviate the College from administrative burden, and clarify the division of tasks. Stakeholders also agreed on the need to harmonise the status and powers of National Members and to strengthen cooperation with relevant EU agencies and bodies, such as Europol and the EPPO.

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3. EN 4 EN mutual recognition and judicial cooperation embedded in the European Investigation Order (EIO) Directive9, which was also revised in parallel to this proposal. The proposal aligns with the strategic priorities identified in the Anti-Fraud Architecture (AFA) Review, particularly the White Paper for the EU's Anti-Fraud Architecture review10 which emphasises the need for complementary mandates, seamless information flow and operational synergies between Eurojust, OLAF, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), Europol and national authorities. By reinforcing Eurojust's role as a judicial coordination hub, the proposal ensures that its activities are fully integrated into the broader EU anti-fraud ecosystem, supporting the investigation and prosecution of PIF (Protection of the Union’s Financial Interests) offences and other forms of serious cross-border crime.

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What the Commission proposes

The European Commission is preparing a new EU Atlantic Maritime and Macro-regional Strategy to be adopted by June 2027, following a request from the European Council. Building on the existing Atlantic Maritime Strategy and Action Plan, the initiative aims to provide a broader, integrated territorial framework to address shared challenges and opportunities across the Atlantic region. It seeks to improve policy coordination, foster innovative solutions, strengthen multi-level governance, and increase the political weight of Atlantic priorities. The strategy targets the four EU Atlantic Member States and will be established through a non-legislative Communication without an impact assessment.

• Development of a new EU Atlantic Maritime and Macro-regional Strategy by June 2027.
• Builds on and integrates the Atlantic Maritime Strategy and the Atlantic Action Plan.
• Aims to improve policy coordination across EU, national, and regional levels and funding instruments.
• Restricted in scope to the four EU Atlantic Member States: France, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain.
• Will incorporate a monitoring framework integrated into the Commission's biennial reports on macro-regional strategies.
• Takes the form of a non-legislative Communication from the Commission without requiring an impact assessment.

What is asked: Respondents are asked to provide views on the Commission's understanding of the problem and possible solutions, and to share any relevant information they may have regarding the Atlantic maritime and macro-regional strategy initiative.

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1. Basis for EU action (legal basis and subsidiarity check) Legal basis The primary legal basis for this initiative is set out in Articles 174 and 175 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) detailing objectives that establish the EU’s role in strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion and in reducing disparities between regions. The initiative is also consistent with the legal framework governing European Territorial Cooperation (under Interreg, a series of EU funding programmes to support cooperation).

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2. 2 • facilitating knowledge exchange and the transfer of good practices and solutions; • strengthening multi-level governance and stakeholder participation; • increasing the strategic visibility and political weight of Atlantic priorities in the European policy agenda. The initiative aims to provide a more joined up and integrated framework for cooperation. It will enable participating countries and regions to tackle common challenges and harness shared opportunities that support sustainable, resilient and inclusive development across the Atlantic region.

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3. Target audience The consultation is open to all stakeholders concerned by this strategy, including Member State authorities, international and cross-border stakeholders involved in Atlantic-related cooperation, regional and local governments, EU programme managing authorities, economic and social partners, the blue economy sector, energy and transport operators, research and innovation organisations, civil society groups and the public. The Commission invites participation from all the regions and stakeholder groups concerned.

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What the Commission proposes

The European Commission proposes a revision of EU public procurement rules through a new regulation that repeals the existing 2014 directives on public procurement, utilities, and concessions. The initiative aims to modernize and simplify rules, reduce administrative burdens, and enable preferences for European products in strategic sectors to secure supply chains and add EU value. It also amends multiple sector-specific regulations and directives containing procurement provisions to improve coherence and transparency. Furthermore, the proposal addresses high administrative burdens and legal uncertainty identified in previous evaluations regarding public buyers and businesses.

• Revises and replaces Directives 2014/23/EU, 2014/24/EU, and 2014/25/EU with a single Public Procurement Act regulation.
• Enables preference for European products in strategic sectors to ensure security of supply and EU added value.
• Aims to modernize and simplify rules, specifically considering EU start-ups and innovators.
• Amends various sector-specific regulations and directives that contain public procurement provisions.
• Addresses administrative burdens and legal uncertainty that currently affect public buyers and businesses, including SMEs.

Summary written by AI from the Commission's document.

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1. • eProcurement network: Pan-European digital infrastructure designed to enable cross-border procurement by connecting national eProcurement platforms, ensuring interoperability and standardised data exchange. • EU services: Public Procurement Buyer Platform (PPBP) and Public Procurement Supplier Platform (PPSP). Voluntary services offered by the European Commission for contracting authorities and economic operators, which are connected to the eProcurement Network. • PPES: Public Procurement Eligibility Service. EU service that integrates the functionalities of the ESPD and eCertis tools to improve cross-border procurement. It connects both the Business Wallet Network and the eProcurement Network, achieving the Once-Only Principle (OOP). • PPDS: Public Procurement Data Space.

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2. [BEU.2] offers a framework for coherent European preference in selected sectors in future acts, through a toolbox of mechanisms to public buyers, while standardising definitions, origin rules and documentation and integrating these tools into the EU digital procurement infrastructure. [BEU.3] makes European preference mandatory by requiring the exclusion of non-EU/EEA or non-covered third-country economic operators, subject only to limited safeguards such as lack of competition or excessive cost. • MPL - [MPL.1] establishes a decentralised network of interconnected national eProcurement platforms linked through an EU interoperability layer.

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3. • Proportionality The proposed revision respects the principle of proportionality, as set out in Article 5 TEU and follows what is adapted and necessary to achieve the objectives of ensuring a more efficient, transparent and coherent EU public procurement framework, completing the Union’s strategic objectives. The establishment of the EU digital ecosystem is necessary to reduce fragmentation, administrative burden and costs by mandating the interconnection of Member States’ eProcurement systems into a single integrated EU public procurement marketplace, thereby also reducing compliance costs and facilitating cross-border participation and enhancing overall market efficiency. The European preference provisions in sector-specific acts are necessary to respond to the new geopolitical imperatives, while fully respecting the Union’s international commitments.

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