The Council of the European Union, meeting in its Transport, Telecommunications and Energy configuration on 8-9 June 2026, adopted legislative acts on foreign investment screening, steel market overcapacity, and victims' rights, according to draft minutes published on 1 July 2026. The meeting also reached a general approach on the European Business Wallets Regulation and held policy debates on decarbonisation in transport, digital networks, and rail competitiveness.
Among the adopted legislative acts, the Council approved a Regulation on foreign investment screening, aimed at strengthening EU economic security. A Regulation addressing steel market overcapacity was also adopted, with member states calling for continued market access for Ukraine's steel industry amid the war. The Directive on victims' rights was adopted despite reservations from some member states on references to gender and abortion.
On digital policy, the Council reached a general approach on the European Business Wallets Regulation, which aims to create a single digital wallet for businesses across the EU. The Council also took note of a progress report on the Digital Networks Act, which seeks to modernise telecom rules. The clean corporate vehicles Regulation was discussed but no decision was taken.
In transport, the Council approved conclusions on the EU Maritime Industrial Strategy and the EU Ports Strategy, focusing on competitiveness and sustainability. Ministers exchanged views on decarbonisation in transport beyond 2030, exploring pathways to reduce emissions. Discussions also covered railway certification, ERTMS deployment, rail freight competitiveness, and autonomous vehicles.
Information items included updates on military mobility, passenger rights, drone threats, and the evaluation of the Emissions Trading System for aviation. The meeting also addressed EU-ITU cooperation on telecommunications.
The foreign investment screening Regulation will impose new notification requirements on non-EU investors, potentially reducing cross-border deal flow but protecting critical assets. The steel overcapacity Regulation supports EU producers but may raise costs for downstream users. The European Business Wallets Regulation could disrupt national digital infrastructure but promises to simplify cross-border transactions for businesses. The victims' rights Directive strengthens protections for crime victims across the EU, though implementation may vary due to member state reservations.
The adopted acts will now be published in the Official Journal and enter into force. The general approach on European Business Wallets will be transmitted to the European Parliament for negotiations. The Commission is expected to follow up on the clean corporate vehicles Regulation and Digital Networks Act with further proposals.