On 10 July 2026, the Council adopted a revised global connectivity strategy, directing the Commission and the High Representative to implement a geostrategic, rules-based, and human-centric approach covering transport, energy, digital, and human dimensions. The strategy places sustainability and a level playing field as core principles, supporting the European Green Deal and a Europe fit for the Digital Age.
The revised strategy, adopted as a working document, builds on the 2018 Joint Communication on Connecting Europe and Asia. It requires that connectivity investments respect social, climate, environmental, economic, and fiscal sustainability, applying the G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment and G20 sustainable financing guidelines as basic standards. The Council welcomes existing partnerships with Japan (September 2019), India (May 2021), and the EU-ASEAN joint Ministerial Statement (December 2020).
The Council invites the Commission and High Representative to implement steps including a Team Europe approach; identifying high-impact projects; mapping initiatives since the 2018 Joint Communication; including connectivity priorities in 2021-2027 MFF programming; mobilising the private sector via a Business Advisory Group; and ensuring visibility through strategic communication and regular editions of the Europa Connectivity Forum. The Council will revert to implementation on a regular basis.
Policy orientations and trade-offs The strategy balances economic growth with environmental protection by requiring sustainability standards for all connectivity investments. It promotes EU regulatory influence globally but may increase costs for projects that do not meet high social and environmental criteria. The rules-based approach aims to counter non-transparent infrastructure financing from other global actors, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
Impact on stakeholders - EU businesses: The Business Advisory Group and Team Europe approach may open new investment opportunities, but compliance with G20 quality infrastructure principles could raise project costs. - Partner countries: Access to EU funding and technology transfers is conditional on meeting sustainability and governance standards, potentially slowing project implementation. - EU taxpayers: The strategy leverages public funds through MFF programming and aims to mobilise private capital, reducing direct fiscal burden. - EU institutions: The Commission and High Representative gain a clear mandate for coordinated external action, but regular Council oversight may constrain flexibility.
Institutional follow-up The Council will review implementation progress on a regular basis. The Commission and High Representative are expected to report on mapping of existing initiatives and identification of high-impact projects in the coming months. The next Europa Connectivity Forum will serve as a platform for stakeholder engagement.