The Pact on Migration and Asylum entered into force on 12 June. Adopted in May 2024, it aims to strengthen the fight against irregular migration by reforming European migration policy. Consisting of a directive and nine regulations, it provides for a screening procedure at the EU's external borders, the harmonisation of asylum processes and the acceleration of procedures at the border. The texts also put an end to the 'Dublin' mechanism, which assigned responsibility for examining an asylum application to the first country of entry into the European Union. Instead, a mandatory, permanent and annual solidarity mechanism commits Member States to contributing to a quantitative solidarity target.

On 10 June, the European Commission adopted two strategies for the Union's islands and coastal communities. For the EU's 4,000 islands, home to 17 million people, and its 70,000 km of coastline, the strategy aims to turn the challenges facing these areas into opportunities and sustainable assets. This includes ensuring that their specific needs are fully taken into account in future proposals. For the first time, the Commission defines a coordinated approach, aimed at supporting these areas.

On 11 June, Eurogroup finance ministers met to review macroeconomic and fiscal developments in the euro area, with a particular focus on fiscal issues. The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, presented the findings of the Fund's annual policy consultation on the euro area and held an exchange of views with the ministers. They then discussed the challenges and priorities relating to strengthening energy security and economic resilience.

On 12 June, European economy and finance ministers finalised their position on strengthening the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). At the same time, they held an exchange of views on the package relating to market integration and supervision. Finally, they decided to close the excessive deficit procedure for Malta, as the country's public deficit has been brought below 3% of GDP. They also activated the national exemption clause for Spain to help it increase its defence spending.

On 11 June, the Cypriot Presidency of the Council presented a "negotiating box", a document designed to structure negotiations between Member States on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2028–2034. This text aims to reach, if possible, a political compromise on future European budgetary priorities, against a backdrop of growing needs in the areas of competitiveness, defence, the green transition and support for Ukraine. The Cypriot Presidency thus intends to prepare for the upcoming discussions at the European Council on 18 and 19 June, with the aim of reaching an agreement before the end of 2026.

On 11 June, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, met with Austrian leaders and representatives of international organisations in Vienna. He emphasised the need for cooperation between European multilateral institutions. In this context, the strengthening of cooperation between the Council of Europe and the OSCE was discussed, building on their complementary roles in promoting human rights. On the 70th anniversary of its accession to the Council of Europe, Austria was commended for its long-standing commitment to European cooperation, with particular emphasis on its consistent implementation of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.

On 8 June, France and Cyprus signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) in Nicosia, which aims to provide a legal framework for the presence of each country's armed forces on the other's territory. It seeks to simplify military deployments in a tense Mediterranean region. This follows the strategic partnership agreement concluded by Presidents Nikos Christodoulides and Emmanuel Macron in Paris last December.

On 8 June, the European Union and Kenya strengthened their strategic partnership in the areas of trade, digital transformation and sustainable investment with a view to boosting economic growth as part of the EU's Global Gateway initiative.

On 12 June, the European Union and Brazil signed a digital partnership and adopted mutual adequacy decisions, thereby recognising that their levels of data protection were comparable and enabling businesses, public authorities and individuals to exchange data freely. The partnership will also strengthen bilateral cooperation on shared digital priorities.

On 11 June, the Governing Council of the European Central Bank decided to raise the three key interest rates by 25 basis points. As a result, the interest rates on the deposit facility, the main refinancing operations and the marginal lending facility will be raised to 2.25%, 2.40% and 2.65% respectively, with effect from 17 June. This is the first rate rise since September 2023. The governors hope this will help to curb inflation, which rose to 3.2% in May from 1.9% in February, due to the conflict in the Middle East. This decision aims to ensure that inflation stabilises at the European Central Bank's medium-term target of 2%.

The 'Schuman Report on Europe: The State of the Union 2026' is now available in digital format (e-book). Published by Hémisphères, this 20th issue reflects on the current context of profound geopolitical upheaval. This year's report analyses the major challenges facing the European Union: security and defence, economic competitiveness, technological sovereignty and political cohesion. As war continues on the continent and global balances are shifting, Europe finds itself at a decisive turning point in its history. This benchmark publication helps readers understand the transformations underway and reflect on the future of the Union. It is also available in print in French on the Foundation's website and in bookshops.

Until 19 June, Paris is hosting Eurosatory, the world's leading defence and security exhibition, which was established in 1967. Bringing together more than 2,600 exhibitors from around the world, this exhibition, which specialises in land and air-land systems, highlights several key challenges: accelerating industrial production rates, defence innovation, supply chain resilience, preparing forces for high-intensity conflict, developing collaborative combat and strengthening European cooperation.

The US decision to ban non-US citizens from using Anthropic's software highlights the tensions surrounding the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). Whilst this ineffective measure serves to monopolise AI for military purposes, international consultation at the highest level is needed to regulate these developments. The European Union must strive to learn from this. It must strike the right balance between the essential rules that protect people's fundamental rights and those that should be scrapped, as they impose an administrative burden on start-ups and slow them down. Europe's real challenge is not scientific but financial. The task, therefore, is to step up support for innovation whilst keeping the common good as a priority.

On 11 June, the Irish government presented the priorities for the upcoming Irish Council presidency, which Dublin will hold from 1 July to 31 December. Structured around three pillars – competitiveness, values and security – this programme aims to strengthen the Union's economic resilience, uphold the rule of law and European democratic values, and address the security challenges facing the continent.

On 14 June, Romanian President Nicosur Dan appointed former Development Minister Adrian Vestea as Prime Minister, tasking him with forming a new government. This new appointment follows the withdrawal of MEP Eugen Tomac, who had initially been nominated for the post, after he failed to secure a majority in Parliament. The country has been in the throes of a political crisis since the ousting of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan in early May, following a vote of no confidence brought by his former Social Democratic allies and the far right.

On 14 June, the Swiss rejected by 54.75% the anti-immigration initiative entitled "No to a Switzerland of 10 million!", which aimed to cap the country's population at 10 million, with the current population standing at 9.5 million, of whom more than a quarter are foreign nationals.

From 6 to 12 June, Pope Leo XIV undertook an apostolic journey to Spain, taking him to Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands. Under the motto "Lift up your eyes" – a biblical reference inviting people to discern God's presence and to open themselves to others – this journey placed migration at the centre of focus. He addressed Spanish parliamentarians in an unprecedented address, recalling that the defence of human life was a civilisational objective and that Europe must rediscover the true value of dialogue. In Barcelona, he inaugurated the final tower of the Sagrada Familia.