On 16 April, the European Commission activated the crisis mechanism of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). This provides Member States with the means to grant financial compensation to operators in the fisheries and aquaculture sector whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the consequences of the conflict in the Middle East. The EMFF crisis support is a temporary aid package of €760 million, which will subsequently be supplemented by additional economic measures in the form of state aid.

On 17 April, the European Commission presented the first action plan aimed at advancing the implementation of the Pact for the Mediterranean, launched in October 2025. This series of 21 initiatives is structured around three strategic pillars: people, the economy and security. Among the flagship projects, the plan includes deepening academic collaboration, the Trans-Mediterranean Cooperation Initiative on Renewable Energy and Clean Technologies (T-MED), and a European platform for firefighting.

Until 19 July, the National Gallery in Dublin is hosting an exhibition dedicated to William Blake, a leading figure of British Romanticism, entitled 'William Blake: The Age of Romantic Fantasy'. It brings together over a hundred works — paintings, drawings and engravings — and highlights his world, marked by the imagination and the supernatural. The exhibition also places his work within the context of the artistic transformations of the late-18th century.

On 16 April, the European Union, alongside Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States and the African Union, co-organised the third International Conference on Sudan in Berlin. On this occasion, the European Commission announced €812.14 million in aid to address the crisis in Sudan, which is entering its fourth year. This aid aims to tackle food insecurity and support the maintenance of essential services in order to strengthen the country's resilience.

On 13 April, High Representative Kaja Kallas took part in the annual session of the United Nations Security Council on cooperation with the European Union. She emphasised that, although the Member States of the European Union account for only 5% of the world's population, they provide 42% of official development assistance and finance a quarter of the United Nations' regular budget. In light of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, she stressed the need to prioritise multilateralism and cooperation.

On 17 April, under the chairmanship of French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, 51 international leaders gathered in Paris for a conference on the 'Initiative for Maritime Navigation in the Strait of Hormuz'. They called for the unconditional, unrestricted and immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, confirmed their support for the vital work carried out by the International Maritime Organisation to ensure the safety of sailors and ships, and confirmed the establishment of an independent, defensive multinational mission to protect merchant ships, led by the United Kingdom and France, which will coordinate planning and contributing countries.

On 14 April, the governors of the European Central Bank issued a statement calling for greater integration of the banking sector within the eurozone in order to improve its competitiveness. They emphasise that fragmentation between countries and regulatory complexity are currently hampering the efficiency of banks. The leaders propose simplifying certain rules without compromising the soundness of the financial system. In particular, they stress the importance of maintaining resilient banks in order to sustainably support growth and competitiveness.

Former Bulgarian President Rumen Radev emerged as the clear winner of the 19 April parliamentary elections with 44.67% of the vote, securing 131 of the 240 seats in the National Assembly and enabling his coalition to secure an absolute majority. Whilst this result heralds a possible period of institutional stability, following eight elections in five years and a high-profile fight against corruption, it is raising some concerns, particularly regarding the diplomatic stance of the future Prime Minister, who could turn Bulgaria into a new pro-Russian element within the EU.

On 18 April 1951, in Paris, the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was signed by Belgium, France, Italy, the Federal Republic of Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. It was the first founding treaty of the European Communities. It established a common market for coal and steel, placing their production under a common authority.

On 17 April, 51 countries met in Paris to coordinate their responses to the tensions surrounding the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Against a backdrop of potential major disruption to global energy trade, participants discussed measures designed to guarantee freedom of navigation and the stability of trade flows. Beyond this crisis, the widening divide between the two sides of the Atlantic appears increasingly pronounced, driven by growing political and strategic tensions. In this context, Europe is accelerating the development of its autonomy through concrete initiatives in the industrial, banking and digital sectors, confirming a process of strategic emancipation that is now well underway.

On 15 April, the European Defence Agency (EDA) published its report for 2025, in which it highlights the need to strengthen Europe's strategic sovereignty in the face of the threat posed by Russia. It states that the European Union's defence spending reached €343 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach €381 billion in 2025, representing approximately 2.1% of GDP. Looking ahead to 2030, it recommends making joint procurement the norm, particularly for ammunition, accelerating innovation through the EU Defence Innovation Hub, and strengthening interoperability with NATO and Ukraine in order to address European capability gaps.

On 17 April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, accompanied by a delegation, to Lviv. On this occasion, he praised Stockholm's consistent support since 2022, noting that Sweden is one of Ukraine's main donors and has approved €4 billion in aid for the year 2026. Discussions focused in particular on strengthening Ukraine's combat aviation, with a view to cooperation on Gripen aircraft, as well as on expanding defence industrial partnerships between the two countries. The two sides also discussed the continuation of humanitarian and energy aid, with Sweden being the second-largest European contributor to Ukraine's Energy Support Fund, whilst Kyiv is already preparing for next winter.

On 15 April, the 34th meeting of the Contact Group on Defence for Ukraine was held in Berlin, co-chaired by Germany and the United Kingdom, and attended by the NATO Secretary General and representatives from over 50 partner countries. Against the backdrop of ongoing Russian offensives, the Allies reiterated their commitment to maintaining and strengthening their military support for Kyiv. Key announcements included the delivery of new Patriot defence systems, additional missiles as part of the Czech initiative, and the supply of over 120,000 drones by the United Kingdom over the course of the year.

On 16 April, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten presented Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with the International Four Freedoms Award, in recognition of the resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of the Russian invasion. Established in 1982, this award honours individuals and organisations that embody the "Four Freedoms" defined by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear.