European Council

The Council today adopted a regulation to strengthen the EU civil protection mechanism. The new rules will allow the EU and the member states to better prepare for disasters and to respond faster when they strike.

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

The Council adopted four legal acts aimed at complementing the legal framework around Horizon Europe (Specific programme implementing Horizon Europe, Euratom, EIT, SIA).

The Council adopted conclusions on security and defence affirming its determination to move forward on implementing the EU's security and defence agenda, enabling the EU to take more responsibility for its own security.

The Council adopted a regulation updating the EU system for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items.

Remarks by President Charles Michel after the informal meeting of the members of the European Council and the EU-India Leaders' meeting in Porto

EU-India Connectivity Partnership, 8 May 2021

Joint Statement - EU-India Leaders’ Meeting, 8 May 2021

On 8 May 2021, the members of the European Council adopted the Porto declaration on social affairs.

Upon his arrival for the second day of the informal meeting of the European Council members, President Charles Michel outlined the three topics linked to the COVID-19 pandemic discussed during their working dinner.

Le président Charles Michel a prononcé un discours lors de la cérémonie de clôture du sommet social de Porto, après avoir reçu la proposition conjointe des partenaires sociaux européens sur une série d'indicateurs qui vont "au-delà du PIB".

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

Press briefing ahead of General Affairs Council will take place on Monday 10 May at 11.00

The Council has adopted new rules, in agreement with the European Parliament and the Commission, to ensure transparent and ethical interest representation.

Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted to add Israel.

The Council adopted decisions on the participation of Canada, Norway and the United States of America in the PESCO project Military Mobility.

Invitation letter by President Charles Michel to the members of the European Council ahead of their informal meeting in Porto on 7-8 May 2021

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

Press briefing ahead of Foreign Affairs Council will take place on 7 May 2021 at 14.00.

Press briefing ahead of the EU-India leaders' meeting in Porto, 8 May 2021.