European Council

The Council firmly reiterated its support to the proposed targeted amendment of the EU deforestation regulation, postponing its date of application by 12 months, as the best way forward to ensure legal certainty for all stakeholders.

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

Today, the Council formally adopted a regulation on the first EU-level framework for certifying carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products.

Council approves the regulation for the discontinuation of the online dispute resolution platform.

Council gives its final approval to the forced labour ban regulation.

The Council today adopted a new regulation on environmental, social and governance (ESG) rating activities. The new rules aim at making rating activities in the EU more consistent, transparent and comparable in order to boost investors’ confidence in sustainable financial products.

The Council today adopted new rules revising the European market infrastructure regulation and directive (EMIR). The new rules aim to make the EU clearing landscape more attractive and resilient, to support the EU’s open strategic autonomy and to preserve the EU’s financial stability.

The Council today approved conclusions on the PESCO Strategic Review, and a recommendation assessing the progress made by the 26 participating member states to fulfil the more binding commitments undertaken in the framework of PESCO.

G20 leaders met in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 18-19 November 2024 and agreed a joint declaration.

 Speech by Charles Michel, President of the European Council, at the G20 Summit.

Main agenda items, approximate timing and press opportunities.

The Council widened the scope of the EU framework for restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and armed groups and entities in the Middle-East and the Red Sea region, and adopted restrictive measures against one individuals and four entities responsible for the transfer of Iran’s missile and drone transfers to Russia.

Council approves Declaration on a common understanding of application of international law to cyberspace.

Maritime safety: Council adopts a package of new laws to support clean and modern shipping in the EU.

The Council today approved the Commission’s positive assessment of Italy’s amended recovery and resilience plan.

Today the Council agreed to mobilise €116 million in disaster relief aid from the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Germany and Italy relating to natural disasters occurred in 2024. The assistance will come from the EU’s 2024 budget.

Council gives its final green light to a targeted revision of the plant health law, improving protection against plant pests and ensuring safe trade in plants.

The Council adopted a top-up to an existing assistance measure worth €20 million under the European Peace Facility to support the deployment of the Rwanda Defence Force to fight terrorism in Cabo Delgado.

The Council appointed João Cravinho as EU Special Representative for the Sahel from 1 December 2024 until 31 August 2026.

The Council and the European Parliament today reached agreement on the EU’s annual budget for 2025. Next year’s budget strongly focuses on the EU's main policy priorities and addresses the currently difficult geopolitical context. Total commitments are set at €192.768,6 million and the total payments at €149.615,7 million, excluding appropriations foreseen for special instruments outside the MFF.