On 27 March, on the basis of a note from the European Commission, Eurogroup ministers discussed coordinated measures in response to rising energy prices caused by instability in the Middle East. The discussion took place in the presence of the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, who warned of an energy crisis more severe than that of the 1970s.

Until 5 April, Spain will be celebrating Holy Week, the highlight of the country's religious and cultural calendar. Everywhere, the faithful gather to watch solemn processions, during which religious brotherhoods carry richly decorated sacred images of the Virgin Mary and Christ through the ancient streets of towns and villages.

On 26 and 27 March, G7 foreign ministers discussed international conflicts and crisis hotspots, in particular the situation in Iran and the Middle East, as well as Sudan, Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti and the Indo-Pacific. A statement on Iran calling for the protection of civilians and civilian energy infrastructure was adopted. They held discussions with their Ukrainian counterpart during a working session on G7 support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Finally, they discussed with India, Brazil, South Korea and Saudi Arabia the reform of global governance, reconstruction, the defence of sovereignty and the fight against cross-cutting threats, including drug trafficking and organised crime.

On 24 March, Europol announced the launch of the European Centre against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS), a new body devoted to combating criminal networks involved in migrant smuggling and human trafficking. This centre aims to strengthen operational coordination, data analysis and information sharing between Member States, as well as with other European agencies, to dismantle transnational networks. According to UN data, 90% of irregular migrants arriving in the EU have used the services of smugglers, who generate profits of between €4.7 and €6 billion a year. This initiative forms part of a broader effort to strengthen Europol's role, in accordance with European agreements, providing it with greater resources and enhanced legitimacy in tackling this criminal scourge.

On 26 March, the Philippines and France signed an agreement allowing soldiers from both countries to take part in joint exercises on each other's territory. With this agreement—the first of its kind between the archipelago and a European country—France is strengthening its geopolitical influence in the Indo-Pacific. Over the past two years, the Philippines has signed similar agreements with Japan, Canada and New Zealand, with a view to countering Beijing in the South China Sea.

On 26 March, MEPs gave their conditional approval to the implementation of the tariff provisions of the Turnberry trade agreement between the European Union and the United States. Amid economic tensions with Washington, however, MEPs attached three safeguard clauses to the agreement to protect the Union's interests. Firstly, a clause suspending these preferential tariffs if Washington introduces new customs duties. Secondly, these new preferences will only take effect if the United States honours its commitments, with an expiry date for the agreement set at 31 March 2028.

On 26 March, MEPs approved the opening of negotiations with the Council on the new common legal framework for the return of persons without a right of residence in the Union, by 389 votes to 206, with 32 abstentions. The text provides for a tightening of European migration policy, introducing the concept of 'return hubs' – centres set up to send migrants outside the European Union.

On 26 March, MEPs approved a simplification of the implementation of harmonised rules on artificial intelligence. The proposal postpones and sets the date for the entry into force of certain rules relating to high-risk artificial intelligence systems, with a view to ensuring the predictability of the standards. Targeted measures have been added to increase flexibility and support for mid-market companies. Finally, MEPs introduced a ban on 'doxxing' applications that use artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images identifying a person without their consent.

On 26 March, MEPs adopted their first report on Global Gateway, acknowledging its importance for Europe's geostrategic ambitions but calling for a thorough investigation into the possible involvement of Chinese companies in the project. In particular, they deplore the lack of transparency regarding the initiative's funding history and the inability of the Parliament to exercise its oversight functions. Launched in 2021, the Global Gateway initiative is a €300 billion infrastructure programme aimed at offering a sustainable alternative to the aggressive actions carried out by China and Russia in the transport and infrastructure sectors.

On 26 March, the OECD published an update to its global economic outlook, prompted by the global energy supply shock caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. According to the OECD Secretary-General, Mathias Cormann, this conflict is a real test of the global economy's resilience. Whilst global growth is expected to remain robust, it will undoubtedly slow compared to its pre-conflict trajectory, whilst inflation will rise significantly. Consequently, the OECD warns of persistent short-term risks and calls for prudent economic policies to preserve stability and support growth.

On 26 March, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte presented his annual report for 2025, which states that military spending by European Allies and Canada has increased by 20% compared to 2024. For the first time, all Allies have met or exceeded the target of 2% of GDP spent on defence. The Secretary General welcomed this genuine shift in mindset.

On 26 March, the Council and the European Parliament finalised an agreement on the reform of the EU Customs Code. With players such as Shein and Temu flooding the European market with products that are often non-compliant, the reform allows these online sellers to be treated as importers: they will be responsible for product compliance and will have to bear the costs associated with checks.

On 26 March, the leaders of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, meeting at a Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit in Helsinki, renewed their commitment to European security and stability, their strengthened support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia, as well as their ongoing efforts to address regional security challenges together.

On 28 March, Pope Leo XIV made his first trip to Europe, visiting the Principality of Monaco. Welcomed by Prince Albert II, he met with the Catholic community at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and with young people and candidates for baptism on the esplanade of the Church of Sainte-Dévote. Finally, he celebrated Mass at the Louis II Stadium, during which he condemned the ongoing wars, "the fruit of the idolatry of power and money", and delivered a message on the redistribution of wealth: "every good placed in our hands has a universal purpose".