European Union

Meeting of European Council President António Costa and Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, Friday 9 May 2025

European Council President António Costa has delivered a speech at the European Parliament to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The Council agreed its negotiating mandate on a legislative proposal to shorten the deadline for the settlement of transactions in transferable securities.

The European Council will take place on 26 and 27 June in the Europa building in Brussels.

Information about accreditation requirements for the one-year badge (2025)

Press briefing ahead of the Eurogroup meeting will take place on 8 May 2025 at 14.00. 

The President of the European Council, António Costa, travelled to Barcelona and gave a speech at the event organised by the Cercle d’Economia on 6 May 2025.

Press briefings ahead of the upcoming Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 13 May and Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) of 15 May 2025 will take place on Thursday 8 May 2025.

The press briefing will take place on Thursday 8 May 2025 at 16.00.

On 5 May 2025, the President of the European Council visited the SEAT manufacturing site in Barcelona. At the press conference which followed, he highlighted the factory’s evolution towards the production of electric vehicles and praised Catalonia’s role in driving European integration and its contribution to EU priorities, such as the twin green and digital transitions.

On 7-8 May 2025, European Council President António Costa will travel to Strasbourg and Florence. In Strasbourg, he will take part in the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in the European Parliament. In Florence, he will deliver a speech at the EUI and visit the Leonardo facility in Campi Bisenzio.

In today’s edition of The Capitals, read about Germany’s domestic intelligence agency backtracking on the 'extremist' label for AfD, Spain countering US tariffs with a €7.7 billion aid package, and so much more.

In a devoutly Catholic country where John Paul II remains a national icon, the death of Pope Francis and the election of his successor have coincided with a presidential campaign steeped in religious themes.

With the euro trading at 5.1222 lei, up 0.45% from the previous rate of 5.0991 lei, Romania's national currency fell to a record low.

The country's foreign minister said Belgium would not shoulder the legal risk alone.

Those poking fun at Brussels find themselves doing a lot of explaining first.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

President Roberta Metsola will welcome German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday in the European Parliament in Brussels. They will give brief press statements after their meeting.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP