European Council

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

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 17–23 February 2025

On Friday 14 February, in Munich, the President of the European Council António Costa and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen had a meeting with the President of Ukraine Volodymir Zelenskyy.

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

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/207 of 30 January 2025 updating the list of persons, groups and entities covered by Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism, and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2024/2056.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/204 of 30 January 2025 amending Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism.

Press briefing ahead of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council will take place on 14 February at 09.30 The briefing will be "off the record".

The first EU-Central Asia Summit will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 3-4 April. The European Council President Costa and the European Commission President von der Leyen will discuss with the leaders of the five Central Asian countries how to intensify bilateral engagement and enhance cooperation between the two regions. They will also address the current geopolitical challenges facing the region, namely Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the ongoing developments in Afghanistan.

European Council President, António Costa, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will travel to South Africa for the 8th EU-South Africa summit on 13 March 2025. The summit aims to strengthen the EU-South Africa strategic partnership and address key global and regional issues, including geopolitical challenges and bilateral cooperation in trade, security, energy, and innovation.

European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Brussels to discuss the importance of Canada-EU relationship, including trade, economic security, and global stability. They emphasized cooperation in tackling current global challenges, reiterating their full support for Ukraine, and promoting a rules-based international order.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/175 of 27 January 2025 amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/171 of 27 January 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2019/797 concerning restrictive measures against cyberattacks threatening the Union or its Member States.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/155 of 27 January 2025 amending Decision 2011/72/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Tunisia.

Press briefing ahead of the Eurogroup meeting will take place on 13 February 2025 at 14.30. 

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 10–16 February 2025

The meeting of the European Council will take place on 20 and 21 March in the Europa building in Brussels.

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

European Council President António Costa spoke at the annual conference of the EU ambassadors from the EU delegations and offices around the world, the heads of EU military and civilian missions and the heads of the European Commission representations in all 27 EU member states.

During a press conference, President António Costa presented the main results of the first-ever meeting of European leaders dedicated to defence.

European Council President António Costa will chair the Informal EU leaders' retreat in Palais d’Egmont, Brussels. Upon arrival he emphasized the need for an open discussion among EU leaders on European defense, stressing that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security and that member states share a common interest in increased cooperation at the EU level.