On 30 April, the European Commission launched a public consultation to gather comments on the new draft EU merger guidelines. This is the most significant reform of merger control within the EU in two decades. Any interested stakeholder may contribute by completing the questionnaire provided by the Commission before 26 June.

On 28 and 29 April, the heads of state and government of the Three Seas Initiative (Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia), meeting in Dubrovnik, adopted a declaration aimed at increasing cohesion and interconnectivity in transport and energy, as well as strengthening the EU's energy security and competitiveness. They also reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. In addition, a partnership worth nearly €2 billion was signed with the European Investment Fund to support infrastructure projects in Central and Eastern Europe.

On 1 May, the trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur countries entered into provisional force. Following 25 years of negotiations and its signing in January 2026, customs duties on European products exported to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay will be abolished or significantly reduced. Provisional application means that provisions falling within the exclusive competence of the EU, including the trade provisions, can begin to apply without waiting for the final vote of the European Parliament – which has lodged an appeal with the Court of Justice – or ratification by the 27 Member States.

On 29 and 30 April, G7 ministers met in Paris to examine the weaknesses in the international development architecture, which is currently characterised by recurring crises, structural vulnerabilities and persistent dependencies for many countries. In a joint statement, they reconfirmed their commitment to the fundamental principles of international law, state sovereignty and geopolitical stability. The ministers emphasised the need for a coordinated response, particularly in the areas of security, energy and economic resilience. In this context, they underlined the importance of multilateralism and the role of international institutions, calling for strengthened global cooperation in the face of growing strategic tensions and rivalries.

On 30 April, Arianespace successfully launched mission VA268 of the Ariane 6 programme from the European spaceport in Kourou. The Ariane 64 rocket, the most powerful version of the Ariane 6, lifted off to place 32 new Amazon Leo satellites into low Earth orbit.

On 9 May, Europe Day will be celebrated in Paris and across all Member States with activities, festivities and events, in tribute to the declaration made by Robert Schuman. Seventy-six years ago, in the Salon de l'Horloge at the Quai d'Orsay, the former French Foreign Minister called for the creation of a European organisation to pool French and German coal and steel production, a decisive step in setting these countries on the path to peace and solidarity. Thus was created the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the first step in European integration, which would later give rise to the European Union.

On 27 and 28 April, French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Principality of Andorra. Seven years after his last visit, this trip aimed to support Andorra's economic, social and European modernisation and to confirm the unique historical bond between France and the principality. On this occasion, the Head of State came to support cooperation projects relating to the green transition through Franco-Andorran energy partnerships, and to encourage Andorra's continued rapprochement with the European Union.

King Charles III's state visit to the United States marks a diplomatic turning point, during which British humour and elegance provided an opportunity to criticise the US President's isolationism. By emphasising the importance of multilateralism and support for Ukraine, the King spoke for a united Europe in the face of power politics. This success symbolises the UK's strategic reintegration into the European bloc, which is now determined to defend its shared democratic values.

On 28 April, MEPs voted in favour of increasing the 2028–2034 multiannual financial framework, ahead of negotiations with the Member States. Adopted by 370 votes to 201, with 84 abstentions, this proposal sets the EU budget at 1.27% of the European Union's gross national income (GNI), representing a nominal increase of €175.11 billion at constant prices, excluding debt repayment costs. On the funding front, MEPs support the inclusion of defence and competitiveness alongside cohesion, agriculture and external action. They confirm their intention to introduce new sources of revenue, generating around €60 billion per year, to repay the debt linked to NextGenerationEU.

On 29 April, MEPs called on the Commission to propose legislation establishing a common definition of rape based on the absence of free, informed and revocable consent. In a report adopted by 447 votes to 160, with 43 abstentions, MEPs called for a new legal framework, stating that silence, lack of resistance or a previous relationship should not be interpreted as consent. They also called for a victim-centred approach, including specialist support and prevention measures. The report also recommends the introduction of compulsory training for professionals in contact with victims.

On 30 April, MEPs adopted a resolution strongly condemning Russia's systematic attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine and calling for the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. The text, adopted by 446 votes to 63, with 52 abstentions, states that accountability must extend to all those directly or indirectly involved in the crime of aggression. Finally, they supported the establishment of an international claims commission for Ukraine, which should enable civilian victims to be compensated during the war.

On 30 April, MEPs called on the Commission to ensure the swift and effective implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Stating that this legislation is a fundamental tool for safeguarding user choice within the EU, as well as competition and market fairness, they warned against external pressures, which must not compromise the EU's sovereignty in setting its own rules. As generative artificial intelligence and cloud services pose new challenges, they emphasised the need for stricter oversight of these practices.

On 29 April, MEPs adopted a resolution calling on the Commission to protect EU businesses from unfair competition from manufacturers in third countries, in order to strengthen the EU's strategic independence and ensure compliance with European safety, environmental and labour law standards. Noting the rapid growth of non-European online retailers within the single market, they are calling for the use of targeted trade defence instruments, such as anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations, as well as rules to strengthen product traceability and identification.