European Council

On 14 January 2026, European Council President António Costa delivered a speech at the New Year's reception co-hosted by the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, together with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will attend the EU-Mercosur signature ceremony in Asunción, Paraguay on 17 January 2026. Ahead of the ceremony, on 16 January, President Costa and President von der Leyen will visit Rio de Janeiro to meet President Lula of Brazil.

Press briefing ahead of the Eurogroup meeting will take place on 15 January 2026 at 14.00. 

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the situation in Iran.

President of the Eurogroup, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, issued a statement on the nominations for the post of ECB Vice-President.

The Council adopted the decisions authorising the signature of the EU-Mercosur Partnership and Interim Trade Agreements, advancing political cooperation, trade partnership and sustainable development between the EU and Mercosur.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 12-18 January 2026.

European Council President António Costa and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen met with the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, in Beirut, Lebanon, as part of the official visit to Lebanon on 9 January 2026.

European Council President António Costa and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen met with the President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus, Syria, as part of the official visit to Syria on 9 January 2026.

The Council prolonged EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Guatemala until 13 January 2027.

On 8 January 2026, European Council President António Costa attended the EU-Jordan summit in Amman, Jordan. In his opening remarks, he emphasised that EU-Jordan relations are strong and will only get stronger. Our strategic and comprehensive partnership is a key milestone. 

At the Jordan-EU summit in Amman, Jordan on 8 January 2026, the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, representing the EU, and King Abdullah II of Jordan, issued a joint statement.

President António Costa travelled to Nicosia (Cyprus) to attend the opening ceremony of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union where he delivered a speech.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2594 of 15 December 2025 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2586 of 15 December 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2580 of 15 December 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2572 of 15 December 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2561 of 15 December 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Haiti.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1497 of 18 July 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/1775 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Mali.

On 6 January 2026, the members of the Coalition of the Willing convened in Paris. Declaration on ‘Robust Security Guarantees for a Solid and Lasting Peace in Ukraine’ was issued by France.