On 10 July 2026, the Council adopted conclusions on a globally connected EU strategy, inviting the Commission and the High Representative to implement sustainable connectivity actions worldwide. The document sets a geostrategic connectivity agenda aimed at advancing EU economic, foreign, and security interests through a Team Europe approach, high-impact projects, private sector mobilisation, and enhanced visibility.
The conclusions recall the 2018 Joint Communication 'Connecting Europe and Asia' and its principles: climate, environmental, social, economic and fiscal sustainability, a level playing field, a rules-based approach, and both hard and soft connectivity. Connectivity is now a key component in numerous EU regional strategies, including those for Asia, Latin America, Central Asia, the Black Sea, the Arctic, Africa, the Eastern Partnership, the Western Balkans, the US, the Southern Neighbourhood, and the Indo-Pacific. The Council notes connectivity's role in the Commission's 2019-2024 priorities, such as the European Green Deal, the Digital Agenda, the Data Gateway Declaration, the 2030 Digital Compass, the Updated Industrial Strategy, the Trade Policy Review, the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, and the Global Approach to Research and Innovation. The Covid-19 pandemic exposed connectivity's strategic importance for economic security, resilience, value chain diversification, and a secure digital ecosystem.
Investments must respect social, climate, environmental, economic, and fiscal sustainability, applying the G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment as a minimum, and contribute to the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement. The Council welcomes Connectivity Partnerships with Japan (September 2019) and India (May 2021), and a commitment to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN (December 2020).
The Council invites the Commission and the High Representative to implement several steps: encourage a Team Europe approach involving EU institutions, Member States, the EIB, and Member States' financial institutions; identify high-impact projects globally; map initiatives since 2018; include new strategic actions in 2021-2027 MFF programming; incentivise sustainable investments via pooling public and private resources; mobilise the private sector through a Business Advisory Group; ensure visibility via a unifying narrative and regular Europa Connectivity Forum editions; and keep the Council informed. The Council will revert on implementation.
EU producers and infrastructure firms may benefit from increased investment opportunities and project pipelines, but face compliance costs with sustainability criteria. EU consumers could see improved digital and transport connectivity, though higher standards may raise project costs. National authorities of EU countries gain a framework for coordinated action but must align with EU-level priorities, potentially limiting flexibility. The private sector is mobilised through a Business Advisory Group, offering influence but also expectations to co-finance sustainable projects. Institutional follow-up: the Commission and High Representative are expected to report back to the Council on implementation progress, with the Council planning to revisit the matter.