European Council

The Council adopted a directive aimed at boosting transparency with regard to tax intermediaries that design and promote tax planning schemes.

On 25 May 2018, the Council adopted conclusions on the EU standard provision on good governance in tax matters for agreements with third countries.

The Council removed Bahamas and St Kitts and Nevis from the list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions, bringing the names on the list down to seven.

On 25 May 2018, the Council adopted Joint conclusions of the Economic and Financial Dialogue between the EU and the Western Balkans and Turkey.

Remarks by President Centeno following the Eurogroup meeting of 24 May, on Greece, Spring economic forecast, spending reviews and reforms of the banking union and the ESM.

The Council Presidency and the European Parliament reached an informal agreement on a draft regulation on the European agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (eu-LISA).

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/655 of 26 April 2018 amending Decision 2013/184/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Myanmar/Burma

On 22 and 23 May 2018, the EU-U.S. Ministerial Meeting on Justice and Home Affairs was hosted by the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council in Sofia, Bulgaria.

G7 Leaders adopted a joint statement to reject the electoral process leading to the May 20, 2018 Presidential election in Venezuela.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

At the final press conference, President Tusk presented the main results of the EU-Western Balkans summit and the Leaders' agenda dinner held in Sofia

The EU-Western Balkans summit took place in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 17 May 2018. EU leaders agreed on the Sofia declaration, with which the Western Balkans partners have aligned themselves.

Upon his arrival in Sofia, President Tusk outlined the main topics for discussion: Western Balkans summit, innovation and digital, Iran and US trade.

The European Union reaffirms its commitment to combat all forms of discrimination and hate crime, on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics, and to continue to actively promote and protect the human rights of LGBTI persons.

President Donald Tusk addressed a letter and the Leaders' Agenda note on innovation and the digital economy to the 28 heads of state or government before their meetings in Sofia.

The EU and Tunisia have published a joint press statement on the occasion of the 14th meeting of the EU-Tunisia Association Council, held in Brussels on 15 May 2018.

The Council added five persons to the EU's sanctions list over actions against Ukraine's territorial integrity.

The EU and Algeria have published a joint press statement on the occasion of the 11th session of the EU-Algeria Association Council which was held on 14 May 2018 in Brussels.