European Council

European Council President António Costa met with the President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto in Brussels. In his opening remarks, he highlighted that the trade agreement will deepen our exchanges and build a strategic partnership that reflects our shared objectives.

Overview of the main subjects to be discussed at meetings of the Council of the EU over the next two weeks and upcoming media events.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa,13-20 July 2025.

The Council today appointed Ralf Schröder as new head of mission for the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM Iraq).

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

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

The President of the European Council, António Costa, visited Srebrenica (Bosnia and Herzegovina) on 11 July 2025 and delivered a speech at the ceremony to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide.

The leaders of member states and international organisations of the Coalition of the Willing gathered in London, Rome and virtually to discuss strengthening support to Ukraine and further pressure on Russia.

President of the European Council António Costa travelled to Rome and gave a speech at the second plenary session of the Ukraine Recovery Conference on 10 July 2025.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council will take place on 11 July 2025 at 15.30.

Today, the Council reached an agreement on its position on the 2026 EU draft budget. In total, the Council's position for next year's budget amounts to €186.24 billion in commitments and €186.49 billion in payments, not including appropriations foreseen for special instruments outside the MFF. 

European Council President António Costa debriefed the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg on the discussions held during the European Council meeting of 26 June 2025.

The Council today opened a new excessive deficit procedure (EDP) concerning Austria, and revised Romania’s net expenditure path, in view of its lack of effective action.

On 24-25 November 2025, the leaders of the European Union member states and the countries of the African Union will meet in Luanda, Angola for the seventh EU-African Union summit. This multilateral summit will be co-chaired by the President of Angola, João Lourenço, and the President of the European Council, António Costa. The EU will also be represented by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

The Council today approved the final three legal acts required for Bulgaria to introduce the euro on 1 January 2026.

Council extends EUTM RCA until 19 September 2026.

The Council today activated the national escape clause under the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) for 15 member states to help facilitate their transition to higher defence spending at national level while ensuring debt sustainability.

The Council adopted a first bilateral assistance measure worth €12 million under the EPF to strengthen the operational readiness of the Armed Forces of Cabo Verde.

Today, the Council adopted the 2025 country-specific recommendations for each member state.

The Council approved the Commission’s positive assessment of the amended recovery and resilience plans submitted by Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Germany and Ireland.