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We analyse the euro area economic outlook, the European Central Bank’s monetary policy stance and its communication strategy. We offer suggestions for complementing monetary policy statements: including additional indicators, publishing scenario analyses, and being more explicit about secondary objective considerations. We indicate guidelines for future policy analysis, like how structural changes in the economy influence monetary policy, trade-offs between different roles of the ECB, the impact ...

A series of recent economic and geopolitical shocks have led to rising fragmentation of global trade, whereby countries tend to boost economic ties with those sharing similar political values, economic policies and security interests. While a broad retreat from globalisation is not taking place, there are some signs of reconfiguration of supply chains along geopolitical lines. This is likely to have pronounced effects for EU economy due to its openness and high level of integration into global value ...

This paper analyses the external dependencies and vulnerabilities in European payments, notably on cloud services or data privacy. It acknowledges that regulatory solutions enhance resilience but have limitations, while homegrown alternatives look tempting, but may be unfeasible, or come with major trade-offs. European institutions should carefully assess costs and benefits case by case, address short-term threats, while promoting strategic long-term planning, and push decisively for a Single Market ...

Geopolitical risk is a peculiar type of risk for banks and it has gained in prominence recently. Yet, it is hard to grasp, and even more so to quantify. Three papers by academic experts that we have commissioned on behalf of the ECON Committee now provide important insights on geopolitical risk. This thematic briefing reviews the results of the three papers. The papers show the importance of this risk and report on the available evidence and the policy measures in place. They also point to some problems ...

The fourth summit between the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) took place in Santa Marta, Colombia, on 9-10 November 2025. With the adoption of a joint declaration, the EU and CELAC sent a strong signal about defending multilateralism, cooperation and a rules-based international order. The partners agreed, among other things, to fight drug trafficking and organised crime through a new security alliance. The summit was partly overshadowed by the poor participation ...

African and European Heads of State or Government will meet in Luanda (Angola) on 24 and 25 November 2025 for the Seventh European Union (EU)-African Union Summit. The Africa-EU partnership faces significant challenges, including global geopolitical shifts and shrinking development finance. Central to the EU's new approach, the Global Gateway strategy aims to mobilise €150 billion by 2027 to boost Africa's digital connectivity, transport infrastructure, and energy transition. However, questions remain ...

This paper examines EU–US economic relations, presenting evidence on trade and investment patterns and analysing transatlantic differences in short-term macroeconomic developments, productivity trends, economic structures, and policy orientations. It outlines three plausible trajectories of the future EU-US economic relations, the risks they entail and the need for EU action. Finally, the paper assesses the adequacy of the current European Parliament oversight framework in monitoring and responding ...

In November, Parliament is expected to adopt its position on a proposal to integrate into EU law a landmark agreement concluded in 2023, under the auspices of the United Nations, for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the high seas. The high seas are of great ecological, economic and geopolitical importance.

The EU and Singapore concluded negotiations on a Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) in May 2025. The DTA is a self-standing agreement, separate from – and complementing – the 2019 Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Singapore. Parliament is called on to give its consent during the November I plenary session.

Regulation (EC) 1406/2002 established EMSA to assist the Commission and Member States in enforcing EU rules on maritime safety and prevention of pollution by ships. On 2 June 2023, the Commission proposed a revision of EMSA's mandate, which Parliament will vote on during the November I plenary session.