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European Commission
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What is said in the sittings, update by update, the latest first. Each update opens the video at the second it was said.
EC Midday press briefing of 10/11/2026
Politico asks for clarification on President von der Leyen’s announcements about the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub, including timelines, meaning of fast-tracking, and the origin and use of the €50 million, and the Commission outlines the hub’s strategic context, planned joint working group, and target for operationalisation in 2027 with up to €50 million in EU funding.
EC Midday press briefing of 10/11/2026
Journalists ask about Donald Trump’s remarks on Ukraine’s borders, the EU’s stance on Ukraine’s territorial integrity, why and how Italy joined the European group in Abu Dhabi and possible expansion to countries like Poland, and whether the EU would support a hypothetical Ukraine–Russia deal involving loss of territory; the spokesperson reiterates the EU’s firm support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, notes that participation questions are for national authorities and will also be discussed by EU leaders, and stresses that Ukraine’s own position is decisive on any territorial issues.
European Commissioner Dan JØRGENSEN in Antalya, Türkiye for the COP31
Commissioner Dan Jørgensen thanks the Australian–Turkish COP31 Presidency and IEA’s Fatih Birol, frames the current energy crisis and fossil-fuel disruptions, and aligns the EU with the global stocktake’s call to transition away from fossil fuels. He endorses the Presidency’s priorities on electrification (including the Electrify Now initiative), a global target for energy efficiency in buildings, and the zero‑waste agenda for methane reduction under the Global Methane Pledge, stressing implementation, partnerships, and delivery of clean, secure and affordable energy.
EC Midday press briefing of 10/11/2026
The Commission details coordination with Ukraine, EU partners and the US around Abu Dhabi talks on a just and lasting peace, reiterates that any outcome must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and outlines the fast‑tracked Black Sea Maritime Security Hub, its funding envelope and planned operational structure across Bulgarian and Romanian facilities.
In this chapter
EC Midday press briefing of 10/11/2026
Journalist asks if the EU statement implies no direct engagement with Russia in Abu Dhabi, and the spokesperson details the structure of the talks (EU/E3/Italy/NATO–Ukraine coordination; then Ukraine–EU–US meeting), key principles (sovereignty, territorial integrity, security guarantees, NATO’s role), and indicates that any broader multilateral phase and formats are still to be determined over the two days of meetings.
EC Midday press briefing of 10/11/2026
Introductory remarks set out President von der Leyen’s bilateral with Finland’s President Stubb, the College’s upcoming decisions on digital fairness and consumer protection, and preparations for the ECOFIN Council in budget configuration working on the 2027 EU annual budget, including practical information on press handling and visiting journalists.
In this chapter
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
Prime Minister Radev, referencing a recent Sofia meeting of defence ministers and chiefs of defence, links the attacks to the escalation of Russia’s war against Ukraine in the Black Sea, and explains that international investigation teams are still gathering evidence before naming a specific perpetrator, stressing reliance on facts over speculation.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
Answering a question on who is behind the Black Sea attacks, Radev links them to the escalation of Russia’s war against Ukraine but stresses that Bulgaria awaits the results of ongoing international investigations before assigning definitive responsibility.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
bTV asks whether Bulgaria and the EU have identified who is behind recent attacks on merchant vessels in the Black Sea that started more than a month ago, and whether there is a clear answer on their origin.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
Prime Minister Radev details Bulgaria’s support for Ukrainian refugees, maritime rescue operations, electricity exports, and infrastructure repair, while highlighting Bulgaria’s excessive deficit procedure and affirming that, despite fiscal constraints, Bulgaria will not block EU-level joint decisions to assist Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
President von der Leyen stresses that peace is the common goal, underlines Ukraine’s role as a stabilising factor against Russian aggression, and explains that detailed decisions on support, including financial issues, will be taken after intense but ultimately consensual discussions in the European Council.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
Bulgarian National Radio asks President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Radev to comment on Chancellor Scholz’s letter proposing that all EU Member States, including Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, contribute to a 70 billion euro support package for Ukraine, noting Bulgarian concerns about the social and political impact.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
In response to a question on Chancellor Scholz’s proposal for additional Ukraine funding, von der Leyen defends sustained EU support as vital for peace and stability, while Radev details Bulgaria’s existing assistance to Ukraine, its fiscal limitations under the excessive deficit procedure, and its stance not to block collective EU decisions.
In this chapter
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
She praises Bulgaria’s contribution to a stronger and safer Europe, notably on south‑eastern border security and defence industry support to Ukraine, and looks ahead to returning for a connectivity summit on the Middle and Southern Corridors covering transport, trade, energy and digital links.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
Von der Leyen links recent Black Sea incidents to the need to strengthen EU external border crisis response, offers condolences, announces €10 million in immediate EU funding for Bulgarian search and rescue capacities, and commits €50 million plus fast‑tracking for the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub with Bulgaria, Romania and Türkiye.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
She announces cooperation with Bulgaria via the European Centre for Democratic Resilience to detect and counter foreign information manipulation, and explains the EU’s massive investments in defence, including joint projects and the SAFE and SAFE 2 programmes from which Bulgaria is set to benefit.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
Von der Leyen outlines the need to restore and preserve freedom of navigation in the Black Sea for EU trade, Ukraine and global food security, and highlights reinforced maritime surveillance, including intensified use of Copernicus satellite imagery.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
She details drone attacks against commercial vessels in the Black Sea, their impact on civilian lives, trade, navigation and insurance costs, and stresses that the EU understands this intimidation strategy and will respond in a united and resilient manner.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
Von der Leyen thanks Bulgaria for the invitation to Varna, underlines that the EU stands firmly by Bulgaria, and frames Black Sea security as integral to European security in the current crisis context.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
President von der Leyen expresses condolences for the victims of the tragic incident in Bulgaria, pays tribute to rescue teams, and agrees with the Bulgarian Prime Minister to adapt the day’s programme accordingly.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
The Prime Minister thanks von der Leyen for accepting a shortened programme due to the Trakia highway tragedy, details immediate government and military-medical response measures, casualty figures, evacuation logistics, and his planned travel with the Defence Minister to affected cities, again acknowledging EU understanding and solidarity.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
Building on security, the Prime Minister stresses connectivity as a condition for economic growth, calls for stronger EU links with Central Asia, the Caucasus and Gulf states, announces a first‑of‑its‑kind EU connectivity summit in Varna with von der Leyen’s support, and frames peace, security and prosperity as shared European responsibilities.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
Radev and von der Leyen situate Bulgaria within the EU’s defence‑industrial base and south‑eastern border security, mark nearly 20 years of EU membership, and point to the upcoming EU connectivity summit in Varna on transport, trade, energy and digital corridors.
In this chapter
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
The Prime Minister endorses the EU plan for a Maritime Security Hub in Bulgaria and Romania, outlining Bulgaria’s role on hybrid, cyber and environmental security, and links European security to a stronger industrial, research and defence‑technology base in which Bulgaria aims to play an increasingly confident role ahead of its 20th anniversary of EU accession.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
The Prime Minister describes Bulgaria’s diplomatic coordination with von der Leyen and EU leaders, the joint Bulgarian‑Romanian moratorium proposal on attacks against civilian ships, national search‑and‑rescue efforts, the full mobilisation of surveillance and military assets with US and French support, the role of the Black Sea as an EU external border, and the €600 million EU package that reinforced land border control, now effectively closing the “green border.”
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
Speaking from the Naval Academy, the Prime Minister outlines the rapidly deteriorating security in the Black Sea, highlights unprecedented sailor casualties compared to the Strait of Hormuz, condemns attacks on merchant vessels, and calls for ceasefire and active diplomacy to restore respect for international maritime law.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
Speakers describe the Black Sea security crisis and its links to Russia’s war, stress the Black Sea as an EU external border, present EU support for Bulgarian border protection, outline measures on freedom of navigation, surveillance and information resilience, and announce EU funding to strengthen defence procurement and Bulgaria’s search and rescue capabilities.
In this chapter
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
Bulgarian Prime Minister welcomes European Commission President von der Leyen in Varna, links the visit to a critical national moment, and expresses condolences for the deadly Trakia highway accident while underlining the symbolism of EU solidarity.
European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Varna, Bulgaria
The Prime Minister and Commission President frame the visit around condolences for the motorway tragedy, outline Bulgaria’s immediate emergency response, and underline European solidarity with Bulgaria in this crisis context.
European Commissioner Henna VIRKKUNEN in Lisbon, Portugal
Final three points underlining that the EU now has enforceable AI rules via the AI Act, the need to complement regulation with bold investment in strategic technologies and EU AI capacity, and a call for Portugal’s participation in building safe, trusted and competitive AI made and deployed in Europe, before opening the floor to members’ priorities and questions.
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