Annual growth in the European Union is expected to reach 1.4% in 2025 and 2026, then accelerate to 1.5% in 2027, according to the autumn economic forecasts published by the European Commission on 17 November. It indicates that European economic growth exceeded expectations in the first nine months of the year, with GDP growth higher than anticipated in the spring. It was supported by a surge in exports ahead of expected tariff increases, but also by more dynamic than expected investment in equipment and intangible assets. Inflation is expected to continue to decline in 2025, falling to 2.1% in the eurozone. In the European Union, it is expected to reach 2.2% in 2027.

On 13 November, the Council formally authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the United Kingdom with a view to reaching an agreement on a common sanitary and phytosanitary area and linking greenhouse gas emissions trading schemes (ETS).

On 13 November, ministers adopted the legislative package on 'one substance, one assessment'. The new rules streamline the European Union's approach to chemical assessment and shorten the gap between the identification of a potential risk and the necessary regulatory action. The package creates a new common data platform, which will be managed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and will serve as a one-stop shop for information on chemicals.

Until 3 May 2026, the exhibition 'The Woman Question 1550-2025' is open at the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw, highlighting the sustained and dynamic creative activity of women over the last 500 years. It features nearly 200 works—ranging from recent creations to paintings by Renaissance, Baroque, and 19th-century artists—and offers a visual history spanning several centuries of women's 'emancipation.'

Until 13 December, the historic rooms of Palazzo Borromeo d'Adda are hosting the exhibition "Hayez and his time". This project brings Manzoni and Verdi's Milan, a crossroads of passions, ideas and art, back to the forefront of the cultural scene. The exhibition aims to promote the city as the capital of Italian Romanticism, celebrating the season when painting, music and literature dialogued in a common language of emotion and modernity.

Until 22 February 2026, the Joan Miró Foundation in Barcelona is hosting the exhibition 'Miró and the United States'. This exhibition presents an intergenerational dialogue between Joan Miró and several world-renowned artists. It illustrates how their creative practices were mutually enriching and contributed to the development of 20th-century art. The exhibition features more than 130 works from American and European collections, as well as from Joan Miró's personal collection.

On 12 November, G7 Foreign Ministers pledged their continued support for Ukraine, calling for an immediate ceasefire and condemning military assistance to Russia by several states. In the Indo-Pacific, they denounced China's coercive actions and committed to strengthening maritime security, economic resilience, energy security and the reliability of critical mineral supply chains.

On 13 November, French President Emmanuel Macron commemorated the attacks of 13 November 2015 in Saint-Denis and Paris. The aim of the day was to pay tribute to the victims, the wounded and the survivors, as well as all the emergency services. On this occasion, many institutions joined France in remembering that night. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said in her statement that the Parliament remained determined to fight terrorism. Europol Director Catherine de Bolle reaffirmed Europol's commitment to the fight against terrorism.

Europeans like rules. They rightly believe that the law, which is equal for all, is necessary for life in society. Our various codes are constantly expanding. Our nations continue to legislate, and the second level of democracy that we have organised with the European Union finds expression in this, as it is based on the rule of law. However, the weight of European regulations is partly responsible for the 20% loss in productivity that Europe has suffered over the last 30 years compared to the United States. If the Union and our national governments made more of an effort to think long term instead of acting on a whim, they would succeed in preserving the European model without ruining its industry, i.e. simplification without rolling back, through incentives rather than constraints.

On 13 November, MEPs approved their negotiating position on simplifying corporate reporting requirements on sustainability and due diligence by 382 votes to 249, with 13 abstentions. On sustainability (CSRD), only companies with more than 1,750 employees and annual net turnover exceeding €450 million would be required to produce a social and environmental report. Due diligence obligations (CS3D) would only apply to large companies with more than 5,000 employees and annual net turnover exceeding €1.5 billion.

On 13 November, the European Central Bank (ECB) published a report analysing trade and investment between the European Union and the United Kingdom since Brexit. The report indicates that Brexit has resulted in significant economic costs, mainly due to the emergence of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and increased trade costs. Estimates suggest that UK exports to the European Union contracted by 40% after the transition period. Finally, until 2023, total foreign direct investment (FDI) flows from the European Union to the United Kingdom decreased by 3.9% and those from the United Kingdom to the Union by 4%.

The OECD published its Health at a Glance report on 13 November. According to the study, countries have generally recovered from the pandemic, but major challenges remain. In particular, obesity rates continue to rise in most countries, while harmful alcohol consumption and smoking remain major public health problems among both adults and children. Finally, although life expectancy has recovered and is rising again, it will still be below its pre-pandemic level in 13 countries in 2023.

On 15 November, negotiators from the Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on the European Union's budget for 2026, before the end of the conciliation period. The budget will strengthen competitiveness, Europe's defence preparedness and tackle migratory pressures, with an overall level of commitment appropriations of €192.8 billion. At the same time, the budget will provide the necessary flexibility to respond quickly and effectively to needs and crises.

On 13 November, at the Investment Conference in Warsaw, the European Union and Ukraine reiterated their commitment to strengthening their economic partnership. Ukraine is committed to accelerating reforms to ensure a stable business environment, while investors insist on regulatory predictability and uniform application of rules. The conference, organised as part of the ReBuild Ukraine Expo, brought together more than 5,000 Ukrainian and international participants.

During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Athens, Ukraine and Greece signed an agreement on 16 November for the delivery of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Kyiv between the Greek company DEPA and the Ukrainian company Naftogaz for the winter period from December 2025 to March 2026.