EC Briefing — Wednesday, 8 April 2026

Key Points

• The EU welcomes the two-week ceasefire in the Iran conflict and supports ongoing diplomatic efforts.
• EU priorities include preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and ending destabilizing activities in the region.
• The High Representative is actively engaged in the Gulf to support diplomatic efforts and coordinate with partners.
• The EU calls for Israel to cease operations in Lebanon, respecting its sovereignty and supporting UNIFIL's mandate.
• The Strait of Hormuz must remain open, as it is a global public good in line with international law.
• The EU will not comment on hypothetical scenarios regarding sanctions or ceasefire conditions, maintaining its established position.

Full Transcript

Transcribed automatically from EbS (Europe by Satellite) · English audio track · AI-generated · May contain errors · Verify before quoting

Opening Statement

Good afternoon, and welcome to the Commission press room. Today is Wednesday, 8th of April, but we do not have announcements for you today, so we're ready to take your questions directly.

Q: I would like to start with a question about the announcement this night about the ceasefire in the war with Iran, and the start of a two-week ceasefire, which will include obviously talks about an agreement. We don't know that agreement, but I noticed that EU leaders, including Commission President von der Leyen, also President Kallas, have already, of course, welcomed this announcement about the ceasefire, and expect that it will provide, say, a path to a long-term agreement. But Iran has already published its, let's say, conditions, ten conditions, so on, and they are very far away from what, for example, both Israel and United States, and also, I think, EU, would like to see in such an agreement. So I would like to ask if what you expect will happen now during this ceasefire, and if the EU continues to stick to its conditions, its position, which includes, first and end, to enrichment, to produce a nuclear bomb, nor is there a limit to Iran's missile programs ending its support to proxies, especially to Hezbollah, where the wars in Lebanon seems to continue, and of course, also an end to its suppression of its own population. Thank you. Thank you.

Spokesperson: The U.S.-Iran agreement on a ceasefire is a step back from the brink after weeks of escalation. It is crucial that negotiations for an enduring solution to this conflict continue, and we as EU will continue to coordinate with our partners, and we stand ready to support the efforts of diplomacy and those of our partners in the region in this direction. The High Representative is in Saudi Arabia today in this direction, as well as a strong sign of solidarity to our partners in the Gulf that have been targeted by Iranian indiscriminate strikes against their territory. Obviously, our discussion will also be on the situation and the matter in hand, efforts to reach a de-escalation, including the recent ceasefire accepted by the U.S. and Iran under Pakistani mediation, that we also salute for their efforts. As to our priorities, because this is also the bulk of your question, for us, the EU, our priorities remain preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and to put an end to its destabilizing activities, including its ballistic missile program, as well as guarantee freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, in line with international law and the law of the sea. Thanks, Anwar. Moses, a very quick follow-up, please.

Q: Of course, I mean, I would like to ask if we can expect that the EU will become more active in these coming talks, trying to use its leverage to influence both sides to reach such an agreement, which we all, I suppose, would like to see at the end of this ceasefire. Thank you. Thank you, Mose. I think in terms of

Spokesperson: our high representative who is the chief diplomat of the EU on the ground in the region in Saudi Arabia as we speak is in itself an activation of the best tools that we have at our disposal. Thank you. Other questions on this? Jorge, let's go to you after.

Q: Yes, hello. On the Strait of Hormuz, obviously it's a big priority for the European Union right now. Iranian's foreign minister has said that passage through the strait will remain in coordination with Iran's armed forces, which indicates that Iran will retain an important degree of control over who passes and doesn't pass through the strait. At the same time, the United States President Donald Trump suggested that he could establish a toll system in the Strait of Hormuz. So is any of this acceptable to you? And what are you going to do to ensure that there's free and safe passage for all ships? Because we've been hearing about about this possible coalition, but we haven't seen any results yet. Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thank you. Let's start by recalling that this waterway, the Strait of Hormuz, is a global public good, and it needs to be open. This is in line with international law, as well as the law of the sea. So I will leave it there without going into any speculation in terms of what can happen in the next days before us. Other questions? Jorge, do you have a follow-up?

Q: Yes. On two other aspects that the 10-point plan has raised, one is the lifting of economic sanctions that, obviously, Iran very much wants. And the other one is the question on whether Lebanon is included in this ceasefire or not, because we've been hearing conflicting messages. So first of all, on the lifting of sanctions, where do you stand? So first of all, on the lifting of sanctions, where do you stand? What conditions are you going to impose on Iran in order to lift any sanctions if that comes to happen? And second, what is your position regarding Lebanon and its inclusion in the ceasefire deal? Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thank you, Jorge. On your first question, no comment, because it is speculative and hypothetical from your side. Second question, from our side, our position has been clear from the outset, and we will not change it. We call on Israel to cease its operation in Lebanon, respecting Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity. And I will also stress that we are fully supporting UNIFIL in carrying out its mandate, and that any attacks against UNIFIL are unacceptable, must stop immediately. Other questions on this topic? Odile, is it on this? And then I have a hand raised from remote. Thank you. Odile, Radio-Nord-Bretagne.

Q (Radio-Nord-Bretagne): How are you seeing the role of Pakistan in these crucial negotiations, the ceasefire negotiations, firstly? Do you have anyone in place there, any representatives? Because you said that is in Saudi Arabia, but is she also going to be going to Pakistan?

Spokesperson: Thank you, Odile. The High Representative held an exchange with her Pakistani talking partner to thank him very much for his work in securing this ceasefire. So, we do already have an exchange, a channel of communication open between Pakistan and the High Representative. So, we've got this mediation window open, and it has to remain open, because, once again, the underlying causes of the conflict, of the war, are still there. They're not resolved despite the ceasefire. And given that, we remain present and prepared to provide a support to these diplomatic efforts, which is why the High Representative is currently present in the Gulf. And perhaps I could remind you that the President herself, in the messages which she posted on the social networks, thanked Pakistan for having mediated in this context. Odile, do you have a follow-up? Just a very quick one, please, and then I'll come to the other side.

Q (Radio-Nord-Bretagne): Well, yes. I heard this morning that there are some differences. There are some documents which have been drawn up in Farsi, and there are also documents in English. Given that, which of these documents will take precedence, the documents drawn up in Farsi or those in English?

Spokesperson: Well, thank you very much indeed. Well, this is a question which I think you have to ask either the Iranians or the Americans or, indeed, the Pakistanis, but not me. Vincenzo online, and then I'll come back to the press room.

Q (Euronews): Good morning. Vincenzo Genovese from Euronews. Can you hear me? Yes. Thanks. Yes, for Anwar, on the call to Israel to stop attacks on Lebanon, do you think that these calls will translate in some way in some diplomatic pressure? Will the EU use a sort of leverage to get this goal? And if the European Commission considers these Israeli actions in Lebanon an invasion? Thank you very much.

Spokesperson: Thank you. We have made our position quite clear from the outset with a statement from the High Representative herself when the developments have erupted. And I think our language is crystal clear in the sense of, one, acknowledging that Israel has the right to self defense in line with international law, acknowledging as well that at the same time, Israel's response has been heavy-handed, also calling for an end of the operations in Lebanon while underlining the importance of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Channels of communication obviously remain open and are open, and this is part of diplomacy in terms of conveying our views in terms of how we see the situation on the ground. And I think that from a diplomatic perspective, the words that have been formulated, echoed, and pronounced by the High Rep and from our side here have been quite clear in terms of how we see the situation on the ground and calling to an end in terms of the military operation in Lebanon. Thank you. Other questions on the situation in the Middle East? Yes, we come to you.

Q: So, I just have a question about the contribution the EU could make in order to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Now, you said beforehand that once the conditions are met, it may be possible. So, for example, a maritime mission, a naval mission, could we perhaps envisage something along those lines? Or was it the coalition that was set up, or other coalitions elsewhere that are going to be dealing with that, and not the EU? Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thank you, Olivier. Now, we've already set out our position with regard to our concerns when it comes to coordinating these various different initiatives. Obviously, we welcome the efforts by Member States that have taken up a stance on this and in favor of securing the Strait of Hormuz. So, a meeting has taken place under British leadership on this, and that is part of all of these initiatives. Now, when it comes to the upcoming steps, I'm not going to speculate. The High Representative is on the ground as we speak, and we're going to take things one at a time. Thank you. So, let's continue here in the press room.

Q (You're active): Thank you very much, Thomas Van Nielsen. You're active. I have two questions, if I may. So, one is on... I was wondering if you could clarify the High Representative's comments this morning, where she said the door to mediation must remain open as the underlying causes of the war remain unresolved. Can you explain what are these underlying causes in the Commission's view? And also, could you comment on... So, in Iran's 10-point plan, they said that one of their conditions is a full U.S. military withdrawal from the Middle East. What is the Commission's view on that? Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thank you. I believe I have already shed some light in terms of our priorities and concerns, which remain still before our eyes. And these are the following. A, preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, because our position has been clear from the start. Iran must not have the nuclear weapon. Then, put an end to... also having an impact on the EU territory in terms of hybrid activities. Then, putting an end to the ballistic missile program of Iran. And then, guaranteeing the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, again in line with international law and with the law of the sea. So these are the concerns that we have in terms of the matter in hand. Thank you. Anwar, you have a follow-up, and then I'll take two questions from remote.

Q (You're active): Yes, so just on the issue of the U.S. military withdrawal, what is the Commission's view on that? Do they think that's a reasonable demand by Iran or not? Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thank you. I will be refraining from commenting at this stage. We have now the news of the ceasefire. We're welcoming it. Now, as the High Rep has said, we have a window in terms of mediation that needs to stay open, and then we take it from there. Thank you. Let's go to Jan from remote.

Q (FT): Hello. Can you hear me? Yes. Hi. Thank you very much. And also, FT, just on that final point you make, Anwar, about guaranteeing the freedom of navigation to the Strait of Hormuz, do you have any indication that navigation has improved and we don't seem to see many ships passing through? What's the assessment of the Commission of whether that's improved in the past 12 hours or so? Thank you.

Spokesperson: In terms of the current situation on the ground and in the Strait of Hormuz, we see a situation that is affecting all states, depending on safe and secure maritime lanes. Aid access is constrained. Recurring attacks and threats on merchant and commercial vessels are putting the life of seafarers at risk, and security and economic impacts are actually rippling far beyond the region. And this is why we call for international law to be respected, which also means the law of the sea, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. So this is why we have the situation that we do have in terms of calling for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, because that lane is critical to many, many partners, including us. Thanks. I might be mispronouncing your name from remote, Lailouma. You need to press and speak.

Q: Hello? Hi, Idris. Yes. Okay, good. Yeah. A question regarding the extracts from Israel to Iran, civilian infrastructure. Does the EU respond for that? And do you consider such as action legal under the international law? And also the second question regarding to Pakistan, because Pakistan already, they are in war with Afghanistan. How they are making the mediation between Iran and America? What is the view of the EU regarding this? Thank you.

Spokesperson: Lailouma, on the first, let me just remind you that I think this topic we have already discussed yesterday at midday, but perhaps Anwar can briefly recall what we said. And then if you want more, of course, you can always find the videos of the extracts of the midday on ABS Live. So just a reminder for everyone. Anwar. Indeed. I'll start with the second point in terms of the Pakistani mediation. We have welcomed the mediation from our partners from Pakistan, and the High Rep has conveyed this message to her interlocutor. That's one. Then in terms of targeting of civilian infrastructure, we have already rejected any threats to attack critical civilian infrastructure. Why? Because such attacks risk impacting millions of people across the Middle East and also beyond, and may also lead to further dangerous escalation. We, as EU, call for maximum restraint, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and fully respect international law and international humanitarian law, and this by all the parties. Thanks, Anwar. Other questions? Is it about the situation in the Middle East? Okay, go ahead.

Q (public broadcaster of Ukraine): Valeriya Pashko, public broadcaster of Ukraine. I have actually two questions, but one is more on energy angle of the situation. And my question is about HRVP. She's traveling to Saudi Arabia as of today, I guess. Can you tell us more about her agenda? Because there is no information about the agenda, only about the meetings. Thanks.

Spokesperson: Thank you. We have made all information that is necessary public, including the fact that she's traveling today to Saudi Arabia, and that she's meeting with the Saudi Minister for Foreign Affairs, together with the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, among other interlocutors. As to the agenda, you will understand that I will not be disclosing it from here. But obviously, you will be notified whenever necessary. Okay. Other questions on the Middle East? Is it no, not on the Middle East? Yes, on the Middle East? Go ahead. Okay, go ahead.

Q: Vitaly, it's not like directly with Middle East, but yesterday, President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, he said that we are currently preparing the European component of our security proposal, Ukrainian, which were presented and accepted in recent weeks during negotiation in the Middle East and Gulf countries. Do you know something about this proposition of Ukraine, and how Europe is going to participate in this proposal, if you know something about this statement of President Zelensky? So, questions for Anita. Let me just see if there's other questions for Anwar, and then we will go back to it. Other questions for Anwar? Not the case. Ah, yes, there at the very back. Oh, you make my life really hard. Okay. Thanks. Sorry, maybe you've already addressed this, but briefly, if you don't mind, the French managed to get a ship out. So, are member states independently reaching out to Iran? Is the EU, is the EAS aware, Captain Loop? Are there diplomatic channels between member states or the EU and Iran to, when there was not a ceasefire in place, to get ships out? And secondly, is there any thinking now that there is a ceasefire in place to perhaps play a post-conflict role, as many member states have indicated, in ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz, other than calling on Iran to keep it open? Thank you. I will not answer the last question, because this has already been addressed. In terms of the efforts and coordination of the member states, obviously, channels of communication with our member states are fully open. And in terms of the situation that we have at hand, I will not here be jumping from the phase of mediation to already the phase of post-conflict. Now we are in the moment of the welcoming of the ceasefire and in this window of mediation. What is our position? Our position is that this window of mediation must remain open, right, because we also have concerns, and the underlying causes of the war remain unresolved as we speak for the time being. As to the EU, we stand ready to support the efforts in terms of mediation, and then we will take it from there for the next phase. And this is why we are in touch with our partners, and again, this is also why the High Rep is on the ground as we speak, to actually have discussions with our partners from the Gulf that have also been severely hit by the war in the region. Thanks. Other questions for Anwar? Not the case. Thanks. Vitaly, would you mind repeating briefly your question so I can have Anita answer things? Thank you, Vitaly Sezov. Freedom. Yesterday, President Zelensky in his statement, he said that he preparing European component of security proposal which Ukraine presented during his visit to the Middle East and Gulf countries. I understand for these countries, but maybe broadly for Europe. And do you know something about this European component of security proposal of Ukraine for EU or for Middle East, and how EU could participate in this proposal, if you know something? Thank you. Thank you, Vitaly. Not for us to give you more details on this, but what we can say is what the High Representative has also reiterated and highlighted at the last FAC, and that is that Ukraine has become a security provider, and as we can see it in this specific case that you're mentioning, is also sharing its experience.

Spokesperson: them because they also have developed their drone interceptors and also drone protection. So this is why it shows how it pays off also to support Ukraine throughout. Thanks, Anita. Other questions on Ukraine for Anita? I see one hand from remote, Tomasa. Tomasa, we didn't really hear you. The question is about Hungary. It's related to Ukraine, but it's not on Ukraine. Thank you. Then we will come back to you in a moment. Let's stay with Ukraine. Yes, go ahead.

Q (Reuters News): Hi, Alexander Chutuk from Reuters News. I just wanted to ask about JD Vance. He's recently said that the US has been disappointed by a lot of political leadership in Europe over the Russia- Ukraine war. I just wanted to ask if the Commission had a comment or thoughts about these comments. Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thanks. I don't think as a general practice we really comment on comments. What I think we can comment on is our constant and staunch commitment to Ukraine, to obtaining a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. If you want the details, I'm sure Anita can provide you all elements on what we have been doing to support Ukraine in this war, well, to fight the war of aggression by Russia and in reaching such a just and lasting peace. I think all our actions since March 22 have demonstrated this, but I don't think there's a lot more to add at this stage here. Anita, anything you would want to say? No? Okay. Other questions on Ukraine? Is it about Ukraine, Mose? Okay, then it's connected. Let me see if there's other questions on Ukraine and then I'll go back to Tommaso on Hungary and to you as well. Thank you. Other questions for Anita on other topics? Not the case as far as I can see. So, Mose, let's come to you and then I'll go back to Tommaso. Again, Arianna, yes. Referring to the previous question about Vance, he didn't only comment, let's say, on Hungary, on the elections there, but also visited Hungary, as we know, yesterday, and he said explicitly that he came there in order to support Prime Minister Orbán in his election campaign. So the question is, I would like to ask you whether this, whether the EU considers – the Commission considers this as an example of election influence or interference, interference in the Hungarian elections, or the different but still – interference as the allegations about Russian online manipulation? Thank you. Thanks, Mose. As I said, I will not be commenting on remarks that the U.S. Vice President has given when visiting a EU member state five days ahead of national elections. What I can say is that we are committed to ensuring that elections are the sole choice of the European citizens of the member states in which the elections are taking place. This is a commitment we have always confirmed and demonstrated through all our actions, and I will not be adding more to that. Tommaso, let's go to you. It's just on Hungary, because it read on Politico that Hungary struck a quite broad agreement, cooperation agreement, which covers some remits like trade and so on, with Russia. I wonder if the European Commission has anything to say about this agreement as Tommaso, I'm not sure we have many elements on the specifics of this agreement. I think our views on Russia's reliability are very clear. It's an unreliable partner. It has a very strong relationship with the EU, and I think it's very important that we have a strong relationship with the EU. I think our views on Russia's reliability are very clear. It's an unreliable partner. It has demonstrated so in the energy field, and Akaisa can definitely provide you the reasons for it, and all our efforts to actually find more reliable sources of energy than Russian partners. But as I said, not having the specifics, we will not be commenting further. David, is it on this? Go ahead. Thank you, Arianna. David Carretta, Radio Radicale. It's again on the Vice President Van's statement yesterday during the press conference with Prime Minister Orban. The allegation he made is quite serious. I quote him when he said that you bureaucrats are responsible for one of the worst examples of foreign election interference. So even if you will not comment on this comment, can you clarify if the European Commission is interfering in the Hungarian elections? Thank you very much. Thanks, David. I will ask Thomas perhaps to join me on this one. Anita, thank you. As I said, look, we have a US Vice President visiting a member state five days ahead of elections. We will not be commenting specifically on the remarks he made. What we will be doing is confirming that we are acting in a way to ensure that elections are always the sole choice of our citizens and nobody else. Thomas can provide you more elements on this. Indeed. Thanks, Arianna. This is what the European bureaucrats have been doing, is to set out a strong framework to make sure that the elections remain in the hand of our citizens. Because if you look at it and if you look at the concerns that we have, and they are justified, who is silencing political voices? It is online platforms. Who is manipulating algorithms? Again, online platforms. Who is boosting the visibility of their preferred choice? Online platforms. We put the ball back where it belongs, with the DSA. Thanks to this, election interference is hardly possible by online platforms in Europe because we have this framework in place. Let me add on top of this, from a European bureaucratic point of view, that we are not just enforcing legislation like this. It was endorsed by our member states and it received an overwhelming majority in the parliament also. So we have the legal obligation and the duty to enforce the legislation. We will keep doing it because in Europe, elections will not be the choice of big tech and their algorithms. Thanks, Thomas. Let me see, perhaps Anita has something additional on this. Yes? No? Maybe? Yes? I will ask Thomas to wait there just one second. Let's see. It's multiple parts. Yes, on all the rest, always that we can say that we have also our diplomatic channels and we will be using this also to convey our concerns to our US counterparts. And also to remind everyone that we have a joint statement with the United States. That is the framework in which we build our relationship with our transatlantic partners. And we can, of course, address all possible concerns in that context, if such concerns are in the mind of our partners. You have a question on this. Let's see if it's more for Anita or Thomas or me. Thank you. Yes, I have a question on this. And I'm not sure if it's more for Anita or Thomas or me. Thank you so much, Alex Kadir from TV World. Just following up, Anita, you said we have diplomatic channels to convey our concerns. But at the same time, you're saying we don't comment on comments. What are your concerns? What will you be conveying? What is your message to the US here? So we're not in the business of disclosing what we talk about with our partners. But if we would want to do so, you'll be one of the first to know. Look, we have appropriate channels, appropriate frameworks, the diplomatic context, the joint statement. That is the framework in which we discuss matters of relevance with our partners. And that is where we will be bringing the discussions with the United States, if they consider it something worthwhile pursuing with us. Other questions on this? Not the case. Is it on this? Go ahead. A follow-up question for Thomas. You mentioned the DSA and protection against interference. Does that mean that you do have any concrete evidence that there's any electoral interference in the United States? Yes. Well, I was not actually referring to these specific elections. I was just referring to the potential risks which online platforms could constitute during the electoral campaigns. We haven't opened up any inquiries against TikTok, X, Facebook or whatever, but we do have some elements at our disposal which would justify the opening of such investigations. In the case of Meta, we have seen that there has been a certain amount of fear about the way they have dealt with the political powers in Europe, but there are fears there and we have to now just prove them. Go ahead. And then Odile, I come to you. Thank you, Thomas, for this perhaps a bit of an odd question, but is part of this DSA framework about both the silencing of some political voices but also the amplification of others? So, for example, if an unnamed foreign politician would come to a member state during an election and make campaigning either criticism of Brussels or campaigning in support of a candidate, the amplification of that message, would that be a cause for concern? An interference from an outside country in the European Union gets amplified by social media platforms. Is that a concern for the Commission? That's one of the reasons I mentioned algorithms. So, indeed, everyone in first place here in Europe is a place of freedom of expression. So, everyone is allowed to express his personal views. We have always been extremely clear on that. Now, what you're not allowed to do is to use your platform or a social media platform to boost the visibility of certain political candidates and at the same time to reduce, to silence other political voices during elections. Here, you're clearly amplifying or distorting what citizens can see. This is a concern we have. This is a valid concern. This is a concern on which we have certain evidence already at our disposal. Now, indeed, we need to prove it. Other questions for Thomas on this? So, Dil, let's go to you, and then Razia, we come. It's on another topic. OK, thanks. Microphone, please, for the speaker. So, it's another question. Now, in the daily news, I've seen that there is a digital dialogue with Morocco. Could you perhaps tell us more about this? Is it the first African country that you have a digital dialogue with, or are there other African countries you have such a dialogue with? Could you perhaps give us an overview? And what is this digital dialogue going to consist of, this digital dialogue with Morocco? Thank you, Dil. So, we have a lot of ongoing dialogues with our partners across the globe. We have Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia. So, we have quite a lot of ongoing dialogues. In Africa, we've just launched this, and I've got to see if there are any others with African partners. The objective is to strengthen our cooperation with Morocco and the Moroccan authorities in terms of artificial intelligence, strategic compass. And we want to have exchanges on the possibility of giving this compass to citizens on both sides. So, it's a sort of privileged tech dialogue, and that's an announcement we've made with the Moroccan authorities today. Thank you. So, same subject, please go ahead. Thank you. Anna Strohle-Romero for Tagesspiegel. So, I was also reading this news on the dialogue, and I saw that there is meant to be some cooperation between the AI factories and the Moroccan AI ecosystem. So, maybe, could you give us some more information on what that cooperation could be? Could it be exchanging the computing power or maybe connecting different actors? Thank you. Your examples are replying to your question, indeed. So, you know that we have set up these AI factories here within the European Union, and we have expanded them thanks to AI antennas that we have in third countries, including, for example, the Balkan countries. This is something that we could also expand to the north of Africa. So, definitely, this will be discussed on how to bring computing capacity, computing power to AI startups also in our neighborhood countries. Let's go to Razia. Thank you. Razia Akoc, AFP News Agency.

Q (Reuters): I just wanted to ask, maybe I had missed something, because there are so many investigations and whatnot. I think you were maybe referring to the meta rules about politics, the changes that they had made about civic discourse, and there had been an investigation opened in April 2024, and to the best of my knowledge, there has not been a follow-up to that. So, in light of the fact that DSA has been quite prominent in this midday, I would like to ask where we are at with these investigations, and if we will see any action anytime soon, because that is the term that the Commissioner has often used, but as we have discussed before, the Commission's version of soon is probably not quite the same version as mine. Then, I would also like to ask, we have seen, I think it is today, sorry, that Greece is planning to have a ban on under-15s for social media, which has kind of raised some questions among some of like, is the rest of the EU going to ban social media for children before the European Commission does? And so, on that note, I would like to ask what is happening with this panel, and if they are planning to give us any, if you are going to give us any information on what their conclusions are so far, because I think it was September that von der Leyen had given her support, it is now April. It is quite a while. Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thanks, Raza. Let's start with the second question, take it the other way around. The panel held its first inaugural meeting, I think, a couple of weeks ago, if not a month ago. We were very clear that the recommendations provided by the panel will come still this summer, and they will definitely enlighten us on potential additional steps that we can take from the Commission's point of view. Now, a second meeting of this panel will still be hosted this month, if I am not mistaken, so work is ongoing, definitely. When it comes to Greece, we welcome any advancement and any announcements of measures to increase the protection of children online. Greece has been a frontrunner on this. They have also tested the age verification app, they are in the process, they are quite advanced on it. So, of course, now our focus is on finding a harmonised solution to this, and this is precisely the work of the panel. And again, work is ongoing at full speed. Recommendations will come in the summer, and based on these conclusions, we will then take decisions from the Commission's point of view. On your first question, yes, I mean, that example was here to highlight indeed the risk that some companies can pose to our electoral processes and the integrity of our elections. Work is ongoing also there. You need to keep in mind that also platforms on their side are regularly changing algorithms. Generally speaking, this is not only specifically regarding meta. Generally speaking, there are changing algorithms. It sometimes makes the work of the Commission a little bit more difficult, but we are fully committed to the DSA. We will enforce it, and you can indeed expect future developments in the short future. Razia, follow-up.

Q: Very quickly, I'm just a bit curious. At what point does the Commission then look to, you know, all these member states' plans for their own bans, and there had been drama with France previously. At what point does the Commission then look at whether it's compatible with its laws? Do they have to submit? So at this point you're not looking into whether it's compatible.

Spokesperson: So we have always been clear with one thing. Member states can pass a legislation that puts the burden on its citizens. What member states are not supposed to do, because this would not be aligned with the harmonizing effect of the DSA, which is absolutely essential, is to put additional obligations on online platforms, because this is already regulated by the DSA. So these are the two things that cannot happen. Once we have a draft law, obviously we expect it to be notified because it could potentially have an impact on the functioning of our internal market, and based on that we would assess the law. But this hasn't happened yet. David.

Q: Thank you. Quick follow-up, because several member states have announced a law or draft law and so on. So how many notifications have you received until now? Thank you.

Spokesperson: I'm not aware of any notification for now. Once, indeed, the draft has advanced at national level, then they would have to notify it. I think some member states are pretty more advanced than others, but for now no notification to my knowledge.

Q: Other questions for Thomas on the various files he covers? Yes, is it for Thomas? Go ahead. Sorry, Thomas, if I missed this part, but you just mentioned the first panel took place some weeks ago. Could you maybe provide us with some precise dates? Thank you. Don't have precise dates. The second one should be in April, the third one a bit later. If I'm not mistaken here, again, my memory, but we should have three meetings in total. At least this is how we started with our vision. And then we would have recommendations from the co-chairs that would be sent in to the Commission. Thanks, Thomas. I don't see other hands raised for you, so other questions on other topics? Okay, let's start there from the back. I don't see that far at all. Thanks, Pilar Abril from TV3, the Catalan public television.

Q (TV3): I would like to ask about the letters the Commission sent to Spain and Poland regarding the measures they have taken about the VAT, and if you can explain a bit the purpose of these letters and also what do you expect from the Spanish authorities, from now on? Thank you.

Spokesperson: Thanks, Louise. Hi, thank you for your question. We can confirm that we sent this letter on the 28th of March, so Saturday, 28th of March. In the content of the letter, we explained that the directive does not include a provision to reduce VAT for fossil fuel. And, however, we recommend rather to use reduction of excise duties. So these are the comments we have. In terms of next steps, we are waiting for a reply from Spain, and that's it. Thanks, Louise.

Q: Other questions for Louise? Not the case. Thanks a lot. Is it for... Well, go ahead. I don't see... Yeah, okay.

Q: Hi. It might be for Anna Geiser. It concerns the ETS benchmark. So on the 1st of April, April Fool's Day, we had a briefing with an unnamed senior official on the ETS, the MSR, and it was suggested by that unnamed official that ETS benchmarks for free allocation would come out shortly after Easter. And so we're shortly after Easter, I think. So I was wondering when that will happen. Will it happen this week? Will it happen next week? But definitely this month, right?

Spokesperson: So you're basically asking me to define shortly. I think it's a common term. Shortly means this month or this week. But, I mean, some form of a date would be useful, yeah. My good friend Madonna used to sing, time goes past so slowly for those who wait. Another one for those fantastic series of replies based on songs. I like this. Okay. Other questions for Anna Geiser? Oh, now we're having many hands raised. Okay, let's go to you, Magnus. Thanks, Krishna.

Q: To be a little bit more concrete, can you confirm whether the benchmarks are coming out this week or next week or next month or next year? To be a little bit more concrete, can you confirm whether the benchmarks are coming out this week or next week or after that? Thank you.

Spokesperson: I refer to my previous answer. We will not be more specific. Other questions for Anna Geiser? Yes, go ahead. Valeria Pashko, Public Broadcaster of Ukraine.

Q (Public Broadcaster of Ukraine): Could you please remind us how much oil and LNG the EU receives through Strait of Hormuz and how will the open of the Strait of Hormuz influence the energy market of the EU? How soon do you expect any improvements in terms of the energy crisis? Thanks.

Spokesperson: Broadly speaking, we should be under no illusion that this crisis that currently impacts high energy prices will be short-lived. It will not be. As regards the volumes that we're getting via the Strait, we are getting around 8.5% of our LNG that comes from the Strait. As regards oil, including crude and products, it's around 7%. It mainly comes from Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. And as regards jet fuel and diesel, it's around 40%. And obviously, as we know globally, the Strait transports or transits 20% of both oil and LNG respectively. So it's a very, very important choke point, obviously, and the blockage has had. We've seen the impact it has had. And now, obviously, I am not in a position to speculate what will happen, how quickly it might have an impact. But what we can already foresee is that this crisis will not be short-lived. Farhana Kaiser, go ahead.

Q (ANPE): Hi, Lauren Heermans from Dutch news agency ANPE. I was wondering if you could confirm that the oil coordination group is still coming together today. If you have sort of a timing, what time they will come together and if something of a press statement will be released after. Thank you so much. That's another question on time, which are my favorite.

Spokesperson: They convene at 2 p.m. and we will then issue a readout afterwards. David Farhana Kaiser.

Q: Thank you. One of the issues that are asked in this press room quite often in the last weeks, Trusba pipeline. I think that you will not have any update for us, but I went back to what you published when you announced an agreement between the European Commission president, European Council president, and President Zelensky. President Zelensky, in his letter, said that he would have instructed the CEO of Naftogaz to speak with the ambassador of the European Union to take the issue forward. I will not ask you update on the mission, but did the ambassador of the EU talk to the CEO of Naftogaz and do you have update on this issue? Thank you.

Spokesperson: I do not have any particular updates on Naftogaz's meetings. Also, as regards our ambassador, I would probably have to consult with my EAS colleagues on this, but not excluding contacts that have been in the recent months and weeks, obviously been intense on various issues. But I do not have the itinerary or the agenda of the Naftogaz CEO, and nor do I know of the meetings that our ambassador has. Other questions for Anna Kajsa? Tommaso, I see you raised your hand from remote. Is it for Anna Kajsa?

Q: Yes. Apologies for the losing of your patience, but I have read on the Italian press that today there is a meeting with the bosses of European airline companies with the commission. I wonder if you can give us any detail about this meeting which is taking place today according to the Italian press. Many thanks.

Spokesperson: You are referring to the oil coordination group that will be meeting at expert level today at 2 p.m. It is chaired by the European Commission, DG Ener, and they have invited industry representatives. So this is the meeting you are referring to. They start at 2 p.m. and we will be able to issue a readout after the meeting has concluded. Thanks. I don't see other hands raised for Anna Kajsa. Let's go to other topics. Irene, over to you.

Q: Hi. I saw a report on FT on the big American trucks. Is the EU really blocking the import of those trucks and not respecting the terms of last August's joint statement? And also, the U.S. carmakers claim that there is no level playing field and that the EU is at a better position. As we have agreed to reduce tariffs on EU vehicles from 10 to zero, while the U.S. charged 15% for EU car imports. And what role does the individual vehicle approval scheme play at all this? Does it make the import of such vehicles even more difficult and on what basis? Thank you. Siobhan.

Spokesperson: Thanks for the questions. Indeed, I did see the FT article as well. And Arianna did also recall the joint statement from last summer between the EU and the U.S. and there we agreed to work jointly towards mutual recognition of the respective standards for passenger cars. That being said, and once we have agreed on that mutual recognition, what we want to each recognize, then we will need to update our own EU type approval framework. I don't want to get into the technicalities of our car legislation here on the podium because I think I would put all the blame on you. But I do want to say that we have been reforming, revising our individual vehicle approval framework already since 2024, so that's something that was well underway. And that's mainly because we want it to reflect the latest technology and it to reflect safety issues that have arisen from new technology in our car legislation. So we are not trying to block any imports of US cars or trucks, but we are working together with the US to make sure that we do anything in the safest way possible. Thanks, Siobhan. Other questions for Siobhan on the files she covers? Sam, I see no, not for Siobhan. In any case, thank you, Siobhan. Let's go to Sam from Remote. Sam, if you have a question for us.

Q: Yes. Hi. It's on the CSAM, interim CSAM derogation law, so Home Affairs, I think. I asked about this yesterday, about whether the Commission has a view on whether the tech companies, Google, Meta, Microsoft and Snap, whether their decision to continue scanning for CSAM is, in the view of the Commission, illegal. And there wasn't really an answer yesterday about that. I just wonder if the Commission's assessment has updated or upgraded or if you've managed to come to a decision in the meantime. Thank you. Usually this would be a question for Marcus. Marcus is off. Normally Guillaume would take over. We had a small issue with Guillaume before midday, so now Thomas is answering this question.

Spokesperson: Thanks, Sam. So, the legal framework has changed. I mean, the temporary measures expired last Friday. What has not changed, this is why I will not do a legal assessment for now, what has not changed is the position of the Commission when it comes to child sexual abuse material. It's illegal, it's disgusting, it has no place in Europe. This is why four college members, and I don't recall many letters sent by four college members together, have sent a letter precisely to urge and encourage our co-legislatures to find a solution to the current situation. So our position is very clear. I think this institution, since the very beginning, has been very clear that this will not be allowed in Europe. Now we're focusing on finding a long-term solution and also, with our member state, a short-term solution. Thanks, Thomas.

Other questions on this? No? Thank you. Other questions for us today? Not the case, as far as I can see. This brings us to the end of this midday. Thank you to the interpreters, all of you who have participated, the colleagues. We will be back tomorrow with our next midday briefing. Goodbye. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

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