EU Stability & Tax: Bulgaria kicked off a high-level conference on its European Stability Mechanism membership, with PM Rumen Radev pitching the country as a pillar for EU stability and future growth, while Deputy Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova said a one-off 2027 excess-profits tax targets sectors that don’t reinvest and instead pay dividends abroad. EU Enlargement & Rule of Law: EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos urged shoppers to buy Armenian products after the EU liberalised about 80% of Armenian exports, as Serbia’s EU path was framed around elections, media freedom and rule-of-law reforms. Markets & Energy: European shares looked set for a weekly rebound as oil eased and gas futures slid on Hormuz diplomacy progress, though Middle East and bond-yield risks remain. Security & Diplomacy: EU and NATO officials warned of Russia’s expanding hybrid and drone threats across Europe, while Russia vowed “calculated” retaliation over any EU move to seize frozen assets. Connectivity & Industry: Azerbaijan pushed “corridors” as flows of goods, energy, data, capital and people, highlighting Baku-Tbilisi-Kars rail capacity and green-energy links toward Europe. Tech & Finance: Euro zone business lending growth slowed slightly, and SWIFT connectivity advances were highlighted for regional market access.