On 19 March, the European Commission adopted the 2026–2027 work programme for the Euratom programme, providing for an investment of €330 million to support the development of fusion energy and nuclear technologies. This initiative aims to strengthen the European Union's energy independence, competitiveness and technological leadership, whilst contributing to the climate neutrality targets for 2050.

On 17 March, Environment Ministers discussed amendments to the regulation on CO2 emission standards for cars and vans. They also exchanged views on climate action, with a view to preparing measures for the post-2030 period. In particular, they discussed science diplomacy as a means of strengthening the EU's position in multilateral environmental negotiations. Finally, they approved conclusions on the EU's bioeconomy strategy, recognising its considerable potential to promote the transition to clean industries.

On 20 March in Chișinău, the Council of Europe examined innovative ways to combat disinformation, information manipulation, foreign interference and hate speech, which undermine public trust and undermine the integrity of democratic processes in Europe. Secretary General Alain Berset announced that the Council of Europe was working on a new legal instrument to combat information manipulation and foreign interference, including disinformation, electoral interference and other related hybrid threats.

From 26 to 29 March, the 55th Brussels Book Fair will take place at Tour & Taxis under the theme 'Challenging the Future'. With over 350 activities, 300 exhibitors and 1,200 authors, visitors are invited to discover and rediscover literature in all its forms, with a particular focus on new ways of reading. The "Place à l'Europe" area will host a series of literary events and debates on major European issues, featuring 55 speakers from across Europe.

On 19 March, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced that the Republic of Cyprus, previously a cooperating state, would become an associate member following the entry into force of the association agreement signed on 23 October 2025. This new status, valid for a period of seven years, enables Cypriot companies, research institutes and start-ups to participate in several of the ESA's strategic programmes, notably in Earth observation, telecommunications and technological support. With this agreement, the Cypriot government hopes to stimulate its national space ecosystem, increase its expertise and foster collaborations with the Agency's member states.

On 19 March, the leaders of Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement on the Strait of Hormuz. They strongly condemn the recent attacks carried out by Iranian forces, as well as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. They have called on Iran to immediately cease its threats, its mining operations, its drone and missile attacks, and any other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping.

On 21 March, the Foreign Ministers of Germany, Canada, the United States, France, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, together with the High Representative of the European Union, issued a statement in which they expressed their support for their partners in the Middle East in the face of attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran. In it, they condemn the attacks carried out by the Iranian regime against civilian populations and infrastructure, particularly energy infrastructure, in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Oman, and call for their immediate and unconditional cessation.

On 19 March, the members of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank decided to leave the Bank's three key interest rates unchanged, with the aim of ensuring that inflation stabilises at 2% in the face of the crisis in the Middle East. The interest rates on the deposit facility, the main refinancing operations and the marginal lending facility will remain at 2%, 2.15% and 2.40% respectively. Inflation is forecast at 2.6% in 2026, 2% in 2027 and 2.1% in 2028.

On 19 March, the European Council appointed Boris Vujčić of Croatia as Vice-President of the European Central Bank (ECB) for a non-renewable eight-year term. He will replace Luis de Guindos of Spain with effect from 1 June.

On 19 March, European Union leaders, in the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reiterated their support for Ukraine and decided to disburse the first tranche of the loan in early April, despite Hungary's isolated stance. Regarding the Middle East, they reiterated their refusal to participate in military operations led by the United States and Israel in Iran. The rise in energy prices resulting from the conflict was central to discussions, and leaders called for a moratorium on strikes against energy and water facilities in Iran. To tackle rising prices, the Commission has been asked to make proposals to reduce prices and reform the carbon market. They also launched a plan entitled "One Europe, One Market" to boost European competitiveness and strengthen the Union's strategic autonomy and economic security.

On 20 March, the European Commission approved Malta's fourth payment request, amounting to €51.5 million, under the NextGenerationEU recovery plan. Malta submitted its request on 15 December 2025. The Foundation provides an interactive map to track the recovery plan in each Member State.

On 18 March, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the name of France's future aircraft carrier: 'France Libre', during a visit to the Naval Group site where construction of the vessel has begun. This new flagship, intended to succeed the 'Charles-de-Gaulle', is due to enter service by 2038. It will be 310 metres long and weigh 80,000 tonnes, almost double the size of the Charles-de-Gaulle. This major project will ensure the continued existence of the French naval aviation group and guarantee France the capacity to act and deploy across all seas and oceans.

On 22 March, voters in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate went to the polls to elect a new state parliament. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) came out ahead with 31% of the vote, ahead of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), which secured 25.9%. Behind them, the Greens (7.9%) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) with 2.1% recorded almost marginal results, compared to the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which confirmed its rise by winning 19.5% of the vote. Against a backdrop of fierce political competition, the CDU is therefore expected to replace the SPD at the head of this state.

The European Court of Auditors has issued two opinions in relation to the European Union budget for the period 2028–2034, as well as a performance assessment report on the Innovation Fund. On 12 March, it highlighted several issues common to the Erasmus+ and AgoraEU programmes, particularly regarding governance and accountability. On 19 March, it concluded that the roll-out of the Innovation Fund for competitiveness and the fight against climate change was still too slow and insufficient to support European competitiveness in the clean technology sector. It noted that uncertainty regarding the volume of funding available was limiting its impact, which was further undermined by the lack of a coherent strategy for resource allocation.

On 19 March, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) managed to agree on a budget for 2026, bringing to an end five years of deadlock since the last budget was approved in 2021. This decision, taken by consensus, demonstrates a shared commitment to preserving the OSCE's role as a platform for dialogue, despite an international context marked by significant tensions. During his chairmanship, Swiss President Ignazio Cassis intends to strengthen the organisation's cooperation and capacity for action, building on its priorities in the areas of security, multilateral dialogue and respect for fundamental principles.

On 19 March, the Council of the International Maritime Organisation, meeting in extraordinary session in London to discuss the impact of the crisis in the Middle East, strongly condemned the attacks on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Its members called for the establishment of a provisional and urgent maritime security framework to facilitate the evacuation of merchant ships currently stranded in the Gulf region.