EC Midday Briefing 09.03.2026

 European Commission Midday Briefing 09.03.2026

Daily News & VOD

 

Announcements

• President’s agenda: Together with EUCO Costa, will hold a video conference with Middle East leaders today.
• Tomorrow, the College of Commissioners meet in STR: Will discuss energy files with communication on “energy and citizens”, “clean energy investments” and “development of small modular reactors in Europe”. EVP Ribera and EC Jørgensenwill present this energy package tomorrow in the EP press room. Technical briefing off-the-record tomorrow at 2pm in BRU before the readout of the College.
• Two Council meetings today in BRU: Finance Ministers in Eurogroup formation. ECs Dombrovskis and Jørgensen will represent EC. Agenda: Macroeconomic developments in the Eurozone. The Ministers will discuss recent developments in digital finance, energy prices and their implication for the Eurozone economy given the crisis in the Middle East. Will also discuss preparations for the Eurozone summit (19-March). Press conference w/ Commissioners Dombrovskis @ approx. 7pm. 
• Virtual meeting with representatives of the G7. Examine global economic issues in context of Middle East.
• Today in BRU: Meeting of European ministers for employment, social policy, health and consumer affairs. EC represented by EVP Mînzatu and EC Jørgensen. Will discuss: Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030, Strategy to Combat Racism, Housing Crisis, Quality Jobs (use of AI to increase quality jobs and strengthen workers’ rights). Press conference w/ EVP Mînzatu @ 17:15.

 

Q&A

 

PRESIDENT'S AGENDA / ENERGY - Upcoming potential meeting between VdL and Slovak Prime Minister Fico / Druzhba pipeline / Slovakia / Oil and gas supply / Situation in the Middle-East / Azerbaijan

 

Which ME leaders will be at the conference? What kind of issues will be discussed? Will the EU propose mediation to find a diplomatic solution to the war? Will they offer material help, e.g. to Gulf countries?

• Little to say before meeting occurs, but the meeting is important.

 

Will the President meet SK PM tomorrow as announced on Sunday? Update on state of progress of Druzhba pipeline factfinding mission? State of imminent oil shortage in South-Eastern Europe?

• No confirmation of meeting details yet.
• No updates on Druzhba factfinding. Work ongoing with UA and MS.
• More concerned about high energy prices than the security of supply. Reminder to strengthen our energy independence and resilience, as we have done for years. Thanks to our diversification strategy, the direct impact of ME conflict on energy markets remains limited in the short-term. Europe is well-prepared with diversified gas and oil supplies and reserves. We don’t import oil or gas from Iran. Our largest suppliers of gas are NO (pipeline), and the US (LNG).
• Tomorrow at the College meeting in STR, we’ll present our Citizens Energy Package: speeding up investment into clean energies and tech. MS with highest share of renewables and clean energies have the lowest energy prices.

 

In S-E Europe, they began releasing oil stocks long before the crisis, which implies they must be running out. Is there a locational oil supply shortage imminent in Europe?

• There is no imminent oil supply shortage in Europe. No concern right now.
• Per our rules, all MS must have 90 days emergency stocks. All MS are between 85-90 days of stocks, including HU and SK, who have reported to the EC they released some stocks (unrelated to ME conflict). MS must notify the EC when they release these stocks. According to our knowledge, no MS has done this.
• Oil coordination group meets this Thursday.
• Energy union task force (unrelated to oil) meeting this afternoon, dedicated to the S-E Europe region, where 8 MS concerned will discuss electricity prices (not related to oil).

 

Can the EU increase supplies from NO and the US if necessary (e.g. ME escalation)? Enough capacity of LNG? Enough terminals?

• To be discussed in coordination groups amongst MS. Not a concern yet.

 

Have you noticed a sharp increase in energy prices? To what extent? Predictions?

• We don’t comment on market prices. We have all seen the reports of rising energy prices. We follow them with concern.

 

Would the EC release reserves to calm the high oil prices?

• G7 will determine next steps on oil stocks today.
• Oil coordination group meets on Thursday.

 

Does the EU have plans to increase gas imports from Azerbaijan?

• We are in close contact with Azerbaijan, an important supplier to the EU. ECJørgensen was at the Southern Gas Corridor ministerial meeting in Baku last week. It plays an important role in ensuring energy security to Europe.

 

FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Maritime routes / Situation in the Middle East

 

You say we aren’t dependent on ME LNG, but Asian countries are. Do you see potential redirection of lows of LNG from the US to Asian countries, which could drive up prices for Europe?

• No comment on those flows.
• No reason for immediate concern about gas supplies to Europe. We are better prepared than in 2022. Our gas storage is high enough to cover the rest of the heating season.
• We monitor developments in MS with the task force on energy security.
• We are in touch with the International Energy Agency.
• We’re engaged with partners in the Gulf and ME to limit the impact of the military escalation. The security of the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf region is our strategic priority. We’re committed to help safeguard maritime routes and ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy and goods.
• Our maritime operations, Aspides and Atalanta remain in the region to protect and monitor. Aspides protected 606 merchant vessels and supported the safe passage of over 1000 more.

 

Are attacks by Iran on desalination plants in Bahrain and other countries war crimes/crimes against humanity?

• We call for restraint and respect of international law, as in our statement published by the High Representative on behalf of the EU. References UN Charter and humanitarian international law.
• We are keen to protect civilians in the region, because the attacks you mention affect the daily lives of civilians.

 

Saudi Arabia (where Mecca is) was attacked. Thoughts on Erdogan intervening as a mediator? 20-March is the end of Ramadan.

• No speculation on the future.
• On Saudia Arabia, the Cooperation Council of the Gulf States met with the EU. We reiterated our solidarity with the Gulf states. Meeting with leaders of regional partner countries ongoing.

 

Have other MS, beside FR, pledged to reinforce the EU’s naval mission Aspides? Are you in contact with other MS? How do you coordinate regarding Aspides?

• No comment or speculation on MS contributions or operations.
• We welcome all initiatives from MS that contribute to a credible response to the active war theatre in the ME, including coordination and support of Aspides and Atalanta.

 

Reaction to the new supreme leader of Iran?

• We have taken note of the announcement. However, the regime has violated international law (Common Action Plan, Non-Proliferation Treaty, human rights), arbitrarily arrested EU citizens in Iran, conducted hybrid activities etc.
• The EU will defend its interests and prevent Iran from developing nuclear arms. Also end proliferation of ballistic missiles and the current crisis in the region.
• The Iranian people must choose their leaders. We express solidarity with them.
• See EC Pres’s speech to the EU Ambassadors this morning.

 

FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Developments in Iran / Middle East

 

Is the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, on the European sanctions list?

• No. And the European sanctions list is publicly available. Decisions on new measures are taken by the Council through unanimous vote of 27 MS.
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MEMBER STATES / INTERNAL AFFAIRS - HU-UA Relations

 

HU seized UA cash and gold transiting from AT. Does the EC want to speak out?

• No additional elements on Friday’s statement. It is for MS authorities, including national judicial authorities, to investigate individual cases.

 

DISINFORMATION - Upcoming national elections in Europe / HU / Threats of RUinterference:

How to combat RU interference in HU elections?

• Elections are a national competence. Europe stands for free and fair elections. They must be the sole choice of the citizens. 
• RU has a massive infrastructure for FIMI operations, especially during, before and after elections.
• EU and EC have acted to protect our information space and democratic resilience: Digital Services Act (DSA), rapid alert system (EEAS), Democracy Shield.

 

But what if the HU government is aligned with RU’s goal (keep Orbán in)?

• We can use the tools mentioned. The specifics don’t change the general goal.

 

Many elections this year  (SI, DK, BG, SE, LV, CY). Have MS asked for help w/ FIMI?

• EC participated in a DSA round table organised by HU authorities last week with large online platforms. Voluntary for MS to organise.

 

HUMANITARIAN AID / FOREIGN AFFAIRS - EU action / Ongoing situation in the Middle East / Gaza / Lebanon

 

Update on EU’s humanitarian action in response to situation in ME, especiallyLebanon?

• We follow the situation closely. Prepared to support people in need. Budget for this year published. Ready to step up efforts in ME for humanitarian needs.
• We are closely following the situation in Gaza. Encourage parties to keep ceasefire.Hamas must disarm. No future role for Hamas in governance of Gaza. All border crossings must open for aid. Escalation in West Bank from settlers must end.
• We call for de-escalation in Lebanon and bilateral dialogue between Israel and Lebanon. Condemn Hezbollah attack. We urge Hezbollah to disarm. We call on Israel to cease ground operations violating Lebanon’s sovereignty.
• The EU stands with the Lebanese people. We support efforts towards reform and stabilisation. We reaffirm support for UNICIL.