Von der Leyen Commission: 2021-2022
In December 2019, the von der Leyen Commission set a new and ambitious course towards a greener, more digital and fairer European Union. It has kept the course, delivered on all six headline ambitions, whilst managing two unprecedented crises – the coronavirus pandemic and Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked war against Ukraine.
Here is a retrospective of the past year, encompassing our actions to support Ukraine and cut the EU’s dependency on Russian fossil fuels, as well as our work to deliver on all political priorities. All of this while strengthening the EU’s resilience for the benefit of our citizens.
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Key moments
- 19 July 2022
The European Union starts accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia.
- 13 July 2022
2022 Rule of Law Report: The Commission issues specific recommendations to Member States.
- 5 July 2022
The Commission adopts a New European Innovation Agenda to position Europe at the forefront of the new wave of deep tech innovation and start-ups.
- 1 July 2022
The new roaming rules enter into force, in time to ensure continued ‘roam like at home’ benefits for citizens.
- 30 June 2022
Commission President von der Leyen and Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern announce the conclusion of negotiations of a comprehensive trade agreement.
The Parliament and the EU Member States reach a political agreement on a new regulation to address distortions caused by foreign subsidies in the single market.
Digital finance: The co-legislators reach an agreement on European crypto-assets regulation. This new legal framework will protect consumers, market integrity and financial stability, while enabling further innovation in the crypto-asset sector.
- 24 June 2022
The EU unveils the renewed agenda on International Ocean Governance.
- 23 June 2022
EU–Western Balkans Leaders Meeting ahead of the European Council meeting in Brussels.
EU leaders grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova.
- 22 June 2022
The Commission adopts proposals to restore Europe’s nature by 2050 and halve pesticide use by 50% by 2030.
- 16 June 2022
A New Code of Practice on Disinformation is agreed, based on the Commission’s guidance from May 2021.
- 7 June 2022
A political agreement is reached on a proposal relating to gender balance on company boards.
- 3 June 2022
The EU agrees on a sixth package of restrictive measures against Russia, including a ban on most Russian oil imports.
- 25 May 2022
The Commission proposes rules on criminalising the violation of restrictive measures and on the freezing and confiscating of assets of persons violating restrictive measures and other criminals.
- 23 May 2022
The Commission adopts a contingency plan for transport laying out concrete measures to protect EU transport in times of crisis.
- 18 May 2022
The Commission presents plans for the EU’s immediate response to address Ukraine’s financing gap and the longer-term reconstruction.
The EU unveils a strategic partnership with the Gulf states, aiming to broaden and deepen its cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council and its member countries.
The Commission and the High Representative present an analysis of defence investment gaps and propose further measures and action necessary to strengthen Europe’s defence industrial and technological base.
The EU presents the REPowerEU plan to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and fast-forward the green transition.
- 13 May 2022
Political agreement is reached on new rules on cybersecurity of network and information systems, ensuring that citizens and businesses are protected and can trust essential services.
- 12 May 2022
The Commission proposes to establish solidarity lanes to help Ukraine export agricultural goods.
In Tokyo, the EU and Japan hold their 28th summit. They reaffirm their close and comprehensive relations and launch the digital partnership.
At the Second Global COVID-19 Summit, the Commission pledges to accelerate the roll-out and uptake of vaccines and other COVID-19 measures in Africa with a further EUR 400 million in support.
- 11 May 2022
The Commission proposes new EU legislation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse online.
Corporate taxation: The Commission proposes tax incentive for equity to help companies grow, become stronger and more resilient.
- 10 May 2022
Political agreement is reached on the Digital Operational Resilience Act, helping to ensure our financial system is more resilient to cyberattacks and other digital risks.
- 9 - 10 May 2022
The EU hosts the 6th Brussels Conference on ‘Supporting the future of Syria and the region’, mobilising aid to Syrians and hosting communities in neighbouring countries through pledges totalling EUR 6.4 billion for 2022 and beyond. Out of this amount, the EU pledged more than EUR 4.8 billion, with over EUR 3.1 billion from the Commission.
- 9 May 2022
The Conference on the Future of Europe concludes its work. Its year-long journey of discussion, debate and collaboration between citizens and politicians culminates in 49 proposals and more than 320 measures for the EU institutions to follow up on.
- 3 May 2022
The Commission launches the European Health Data Space. It will empower people to control and utilise their health data in their home country or in other Member States and foster a genuine single market for digital health services and products.
- 28 April 2022
The EU and international partners put forward a Declaration for the Future of the Internet.
- 27 April 2022
The Commission proposes a legal migration policy, including initiatives that will benefit the EU’s economy, strengthen cooperation with non-EU countries and improve overall migration management in the long term.
The Commission proposes an EU law and a recommendation to tackle abusive lawsuits against journalists and human rights defenders.
- 26 April 2022
Team Europe steps up support to the drought-affected countries in the Horn of Africa, with the EU and its Member States pledging a total of EUR 633 million to improve food security.
- 25 April 2022
The Commission proposes to strengthen the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation’s mandate to collect and preserve evidence of war crimes and cooperate with international tribunals in this regard.
President von der Leyen and Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, launch the EU–India Trade and Technology Council.
- 23 April 2022
The Parliament and the Council reach a political agreement on the Digital Services Act. The act sets out an unprecedented new standard for the accountability of online platforms, better protecting internet users and their fundamental rights.
- 20 April 2022
The EU marks 30 years of humanitarian aid and civil protection operations, helping people in emergencies all around the world.
- 9 April 2022
The Stand Up for Ukraine global pledging event and campaign raises EUR 9.1 billion for people fleeing the Russian invasion, within Ukraine and abroad, including EUR 1 billion from the Commission. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development pledges an additional EUR 1 billion.
- 8 April 2022
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and High Representative Josep Borrell visit Ukraine and meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The EU agrees on a fifth package of restrictive measures against Russia in response to its brutal aggression against Ukraine and its people.
- 6 April 2022
As a response to the impact of the Russia’s aggression ont Ukraine, the EU announces a support package worth EUR 225 million to support food security and resilience in the Middle East and North Africa.
The EU takes action to support Africa’s Sahel and Lake Chad regions, with a total of EUR 554 million in funding to be used to both address acute food insecurity and enhance the sustainability of food systems in the longer term.
- 30 March 2022
In the circular-economy field, new rules are proposed to make sustainable products the norm in the EU, improve circular business models and empower consumers for the green transition.
- 28 March 2022
The Commission adopts a recommendation for Member States to take immediate steps on investor citizenship schemes and investor residence schemes in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- 25 March 2022
The Commission and the United States announce that they have agreed in principle on a new trans-Atlantic data privacy framework, which will foster trans-Atlantic data flows.
- 24 March 2022
The Parliament and the Council reach a political agreement on the Digital Markets Act. The act will ensure fair, open and contestable digital markets for digital businesses to grow within the single market and compete globally.
- 23 March 2022
The Commission adopts a temporary crisis framework to enable Member States to use the flexibility provided for under State-aid rules to support the economy in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Commission outlines options to mitigate high energy prices by means of common gas purchases and minimum gas-storage obligations.
The Commission presents measures to enhance global food security and to support farmers and consumers in the EU in the light of rising food prices and input costs.
- 22 March 2022
The first day of application of the pan-European personal pension product regulation, paving the way for a new voluntary EU-wide scheme to help people save for their retirement.
The Commission launches a one-stop shop to support Ukrainian researchers.
- 21 March 2022
The EU agrees on a strategic compass for stronger EU security and defence in the next decade.
- 16 March 2022
The Commission proposes changes to the central securities depositories regulation to enhance the efficiency of the EU’s settlement markets while safeguarding financial stability – a key component of the 2020 capital markets union action plan.
- 15 de March 2022
The EU imposes a fourth package of economic and individual sanctions in respect of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.
- 11 March 2022
The Freeze and Seize Task Force, set up by the Commission to ensure the efficient implementation of the EU’s sanctions against listed Russian and Belarussian oligarchs across EU territory, is launched.
- 9 March 2022
The Commission sets up solidarity mechanism for medical transfers of refugees within the EU under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
In view of the situation in Ukraine and in response to Belarus’s involvement in the aggression, the EU imposes further targeted sanctions.
- 8 March 2022
The Commission proposes EU-wide rules to combat violence against women and domestic violence.
The Commission proposes the cohesion’s action for refugees in Europe initiative, allowing Member States and regions to provide emergency support to people fleeing from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- 2 March 2022
The Commission proposes to activate the temporary protection directive to offer quick and effective assistance to people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
- 28 February 2022
The EU approves a third package of sanctions against Russia.
- 25 February 2022
The EU imposes further individual and economic sanctions to respond to Russia’s military aggression. This second package of sanctions covers the finance, energy, transport and technology sectors, along with visa policy.
- 23 February 2022
The EU agrees on a package of sanctions to respond to Russia’s recognition of the non-government-controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in Ukraine as independent entities, and the decision to send Russian troops into these areas.
The Commission proposes a new directive on corporate sustainability due diligence, laying down rules for companies to respect human rights and the environment in global value chains.
The Commission proposes a new EU data act, containing rules on who can use and access data generated in the EU across all economic sectors, to ensure fairness in the digital environment and open opportunities for data-driven innovation.
- 19 February 2022
Following a request for assistance by Ukraine in view of escalating threats by Russia, the European Response Coordination Centre activates the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. By June, over 35 000 tonnes of assistance to Ukraine from all 27 EU Member States, Turkey, Norway and North Macedonia have been delivered to Ukraine.
- 17 - 18 February 2022
At the African Union–EU Summit in Brussels, the leaders agree on a joint vision for 2030. This will be supported by the Africa-Europe Investment Package with investments worth EUR 150 billion.
- 15 February 2022
The EU initiates a satellite-based connectivity system and boosts action on managing space traffic for a more digital and resilient Europe.
The Commission presents measures to contribute to European defence, increase innovation and address strategic dependencies. These new initiatives are concrete steps towards a more integrated and competitive European defence market, particularly by enhancing cooperation within the EU.
- 8 February 2022
The Commission proposes a comprehensive set of measures to ensure the EU’s resilience, technological leadership and security of supply in the field of semiconductor technologies and applications.
- 2 February 2022
The Commission proposes a standardisation strategy, putting forward a new approach to enable global leadership of EU standards promoting values and a resilient, green and digital single market.
The Commission approves in principle a complementary climate delegated act that includes, under strict conditions, specific nuclear and gas energy activities in the list of economic activities covered by the EU taxonomy. This will help accelerate the shift from solid or liquid fossil fuels, including coal, towards a climate-neutral future.
- 1 February 2022
The Commission proposes a EUR 1.2 billion emergency macro-financial assistance package for Ukraine.
- 27 January 2022
The Commission adopts new guidelines on State aid relating to the climate, environmental protection and energy.
- 26 January 2022
The Commission puts forward a declaration on digital rights and principles for everyone in the EU.
- 18 January 2022
The Commission publishes a toolkit to help mitigate foreign interference in research and innovation.
In the higher-education field, the Commission adopts two new initiatives to make universities in the EU ready for the future through deeper transnational cooperation.
- 14 January 2022
The Commission adopts a proposal for a Council recommendation on learning for environmental sustainability.
- 1 January 2022
The European Year of Youth starts.
20 years of the euro in our pockets.
- 22 December 2022
Fair taxation: The Commission proposes swift transposition of the international agreement on minimum taxation of multinationals.
- 21 December 2021
A new policy is proposed to support disarmament, demobilisation and the reintegration of former combatants, as part of the EU’s wider contribution to peacebuilding.
- 16 December 2021
A renewed agenda on recovery and resilience reform is put forward at the Eastern Partnership Summit.
- 15 December 2021
The EU and Moldova sign a EUR 60 million grant financing agreement to help the country face its current severe gas crisis.
A new Commission digital finance strategy paves the way for modern and streamlined supervisory data reporting.
The Commission proposes a new EU framework to decarbonise gas markets, promote hydrogen and reduce methane emissions.
- 14 December 2021
The Commission proposes new rules to make the Schengen area without internal border controls more resilient.
To support the transition to cleaner, greener and smarter mobility, the Commission proposes modernising the EU’s transport system.
- 9 December 2021
The Commission proposes to improve the working conditions of people working through digital labour platforms and publishes draft guidelines on the application of competition rules to collective agreements by solo self-employed people.
The Commission proposes to extend the list of EU crimes to include hate speech and hate crime.
The Commission presents an action plan to help the European social economy thrive, tapping into both its economic potential and its contribution to a fair and inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 8 December 2021
The Commission proposes a new tool to counter the use of deliberate economic pressure by non-EU countries.
At the Nutrition for Growth Summit, the Commission pledges to improve nutrition by providing EUR 2.5 billion in funding between 2021 and 2024.
- 1 December 2021
The Commission paves the way for the further digitalisation of EU justice systems, making them more accessible and effective.
The EU launches the Global Gateway, a new European strategy to improve smart, clean and secure links in the fields of digital, energy and transport and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world.
- 26 November 2021
At the ASEM Summit, the EU and Asia reaffirm their shared partnership and engagement towards a stronger recovery from the pandemic.
- 25 November 2021
The Commission proposes new measures to improve the ability of companies to raise capital across the EU and to ensure that people living in the EU get the best deals for their savings and investments.
The Commission sets out new laws on political advertising, electoral rights and party funding, aimed at protecting election integrity and open democratic debate.
- 19 November 2021
TAIEX (the Commission’s Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument) celebrates its 25th anniversary. Over the last two and a half decades, it has mobilised EU public experts over 40 000 times in more than 26 000 events, helping public administrations in EU and globally to address digital, environmental and health challenges.
- 18 November 2021
The Commission adopts a communication on a competition policy fit for new challenges, which frames the important role of competition policy for Europe’s path towards recovery, for the green and digital transitions and for a resilient single market.
- 17 November 2021
The Commission adopts new proposals to stop deforestation, innovate on sustainable waste management and make soils healthy for people, nature and the climate.
- 13 November 2021
Political agreement is reached to strengthen the work of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, particularly in areas of surveillance, early warning, preparedness and response.
- 2 November 2021
The Commission announces a EUR 1 billion pledge to protect the world’s forests at the COP26 conference on climate change.
- 28 October 2021
The reinforced mandate of the European Medicines Agency proposed by the Commission enters into force.
- 27 October 2021
The Commission adopts a review of EU banking rules – to ensure that banks in the EU become more resilient to potential future economic shocks while contributing to Europe’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition to climate neutrality.
- 13 October 2021
The Commission and High Representative / Vice-President Josep Borrell put forward an approach on stronger EU engagement for a peaceful, sustainable and prosperous Arctic.
- 12 October 2021
The Commission issues the first green bond to finance the sustainable recovery.
- 5 October 2021
The Commission presents the first-ever EU strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life.
- 29 September 2021
The Commission adopts the communication on European missions, aiming to tackle significant challenges relating to health, climate and the environment and to achieve ambitious and inspiring goals in these areas.
- 23 September 2021
The Commission proposes a common charger for electronic devices – an important step towards reducing e-waste and consumer inconvenience.
- 22 September 2021
The Commission adopts a comprehensive review of EU insurance rules, helping insurance companies scale up long-term investment while also aiming to make the insurance and reinsurance sector more resilient.
- 16 September 2021
The EU proposes a strengthened partnership with the Indo-Pacific region to advance trade, investment and connectivity.
The Commission launches the European Health Emergency preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) to prevent, detect, and rapidly respond to health emergencies.
The Commission proposes a path to the digital decade to deliver the EU’s digital transformation by 2030.
The Commission adopts its first-ever recommendation on the safety of journalists.
- 15 September 2021
The European Commission adopts the communication on the New European Bauhaus, setting out the framework, core principles and key measures that will drive the initiative forward.