On 5 and 6 November, the Irish Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan – whose country currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union – and the European Commissioner for Justice, Michael McGrath, met with their counterparts from the Western Balkans in Budva, Montenegro, for the annual EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs. They discussed the fight against crime in the digital age, in particular online sexual abuse of children, as well as online fraud. Discussions also centred on combating irregular migration, migrant smuggling and human trafficking, as well as border management and asylum. They discussed the judicial dimension of the fight against corruption, strengthening the rule of law and the protection of children's rights.

On 6 November, the European Commission published its annual report on asylum and migration, which provides an overview of the migration situation in the European Union and the progress made in implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum. The report highlights a 32 per cent fall in irregular crossings of the EU's external borders between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, as well as a decline in asylum applications. It highlights the progress made in the areas of border management, asylum procedures and returns, whilst emphasising the need to strengthen solidarity between Member States in the face of migratory pressures, in particular through a 'solidarity reserve'.

From 12 to 15 November, the 29th edition of the Paris Photo international fair takes place at the Grand Palais in Paris. Bringing together more than 220 exhibitors, the programme includes a major exhibition drawn from the Centre Pompidou's photography collection, book-related events, book-signing sessions and the presentation of the Paris Photo–Aperture Book Award. Until 13 December, the Centre de Cultura Contemporània in Barcelona is also putting photography in the spotlight by hosting the World Press Photo exhibition, which showcases the award-winning photographs from the international photojournalism competition. Guided tours and complementary activities, including talks and round-table discussions, accompany this exhibition.

On 3 November, the European Commission and the High Representative presented the first joint report on the implementation of the European Maritime Security Strategy since 2023. The report highlights the progress made in strengthening European maritime security in the face of growing threats and geopolitical tensions. It emphasises the development of European naval operations, the strengthening of cooperation with international partners, the improvement of maritime domain awareness, and the protection of critical maritime infrastructure. It proposes enhancing maritime domain awareness, developing shared capabilities, deepening civil-military cooperation and collaboration between public and private actors, and consolidating the European Union's role as a global player in maritime security.

On 4 and 5 November, the 30th Ibero-American Summit took place, bringing together representatives from 22 countries: 19 Latin American nations, Spain, Portugal and Andorra. Chaired by King Felipe VI, the meeting was held in Madrid. The leaders adopted a joint declaration reaffirming the value of multilateralism and the necessity of this forum as a platform for progress towards a prosperous, fair, safe and sustainable future.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to Berlin on 3 November, where he was welcomed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who reaffirmed Germany's continued support for Ukraine. With winter approaching, he emphasised the importance of air defence and the energy sector – two areas in which further aid had already been announced during his visit to Kyiv in early October. On 5 November, the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, met with Volodymyr Zelensky, reaffirming Spain's support for Ukraine in the face of Russia, as well as its backing for Ukraine's accession to the European Union. The two leaders discussed Spain's contribution to the country's reconstruction, for which €570 million has been allocated up to 2026, in addition to further funding for infrastructure and the Ukrainian people.

On 5 November, the European Commission presented its proposal on fishing opportunities for 2027 concerning eleven fish stocks managed by the European Union in the Atlantic, the Kattegat and the Skagerrak. The proposal aims to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks and the long-term viability of the sector, and is based on scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). ICES has recommended catch limits in line with maximum sustainable yield for six fish stocks and issued a precautionary advice for the other five. The proposal will be examined by EU fisheries ministers at the 'Agriculture and Fisheries' Council on 14 and 15 December, with a view to adopting the final quotas, which will apply from 1 January 2027.

On 6 November, following the announcement that Christine Lagarde would be stepping down early from her post as President of the European Central Bank (ECB) – a move scheduled for next February – the President of the Eurogroup, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, confirmed that he had received two nominations to succeed her: Pablo Hernández de Cos (Spain) and Klaas Knot (the Netherlands).

On 5 November, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published its report "Outlook for the Digital Economy and Society 2026". According to the report, the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) has accelerated across OECD countries, despite persistent disparities between businesses and across generations. For example, in 2025, 20 per cent of businesses with 10 or more employees had used AI, compared with 52 per cent of large enterprises with 250 or more employees. 37 per cent of people in OECD countries have used generative AI, with adoption being higher amongst young people (68 per cent of 16–24-year-olds compared with 14 per cent of those aged 55–74), highly skilled individuals and those on high incomes.

The snap elections in Spain on 29 November were triggered by the rejection of the emergency measures proposed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez (PSOE) to tackle the housing crisis, against a backdrop of social tensions and corruption scandals that have weakened his government. This election will renew the membership of both houses of Parliament. According to the latest polls, the People's Party (PP), the main opposition group, is set to lead with 29.8 per cent of the vote, ahead of Pedro Sánchez's PSOE (26.9 per cent) and the far-right Vox party (19.9 per cent), whilst Frente Amplio is expected to secure 6.7 per cent. The PP will not be able to secure the required absolute majority of 176 seats on its own. Consequently, an alliance between the PP and Vox could bring about a change in government and prevent Pedro Sánchez, who has been in office since June 2018, from securing a fourth term.

The Alcide De Gasperi Foundation has published the proceedings of the conference organised in conjunction with the Robert Schuman Foundation to mark the 75th anniversary of the meeting between Alcide De Gasperi, René Pleven, Carlo Sforza and Robert Schuman in Santa Margherita Ligure, where the foundations were laid for a European Defence Community (EDC) – a project whose failure has left a void that has yet to be filled. The volume brings together contributions by Italian and French personalities and highlights the relevance of this message in the face of the challenges facing the Union.

The results of the US mid-term elections on 3 November demonstrate the strength of democracies in the face of arbitrariness, corruption and incompetence. Whilst a new Democratic majority in Congress may reassure Europeans, it would be naïve to expect a U-turn in US foreign policy: President Trump wields extensive diplomatic powers capable of influencing the Ukrainian crisis, and Washington's focus will remain more firmly fixed on Beijing than on Brussels. Now, more than ever, is the time to assert Europe's political, diplomatic and military autonomy – the only means of exerting influence amongst unchecked powers.

On 6 November, the 30th meeting of the Accession Conference with Montenegro took place in Brussels. On this occasion, the European Union and Montenegro provisionally closed negotiations on Chapters 1 and 12, covering the free movement of goods and food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy respectively. Montenegro has now provisionally closed 23 of the 33 chapters in its negotiation process for accession to the European Union.