The EU made promises to set up a university for the Mediterranean region and a renewable energy programme as part of a ‘Pact for the Mediterranean’ on Thursday — but it is unclear whether many of these are simply old commitments being repackaged. 

EU leaders meet in Brussels to discuss defence, Ukraine aid, Russian assets, competitiveness, and climate goals. Also this week, ministers meet to discuss Russian sanctions and energy, while MEPs debate the Middle East, Belarus, and announce the Sakharov Prize.

EU data laws are to become more business-friendly after 19 November, when the EU Commission unveils its "digital omnibus", amid privacy and security concerns.

EU states are struggling with upcoming border rules that critics say could led to detention-like centres. Under the new regime authorities will have only seven days to screen a prospective asylum seeker.

Today, we kick off an anniversary campaign to convince new supporting members to join EUobserver's mission of providing the information citizens need to safeguard EU democracy.

Russian spies are still active in the EU capital and have a "higher risk appetite" than before the Ukraine war — despite Belgium's efforts to push back against their plots.