European Council

The Council formally adopted new rules to improve the efficiency of the EU External Action Guarantee under NDICI-Global Europe.

Council gives the final stamp to the EU talent pool, an EU platform that will help countries facing labour shortages to recruit non-EU jobseekers.

The new EU law streamlines insolvency proceedings, making it easier for investors to assess investment opportunities when considering insolvency rules.

The Council appointed François-Louis Michaud as chairperson of the European banking authority (EBA). Mr Michaud will take up the role on 16 April 2026. His term of office will run for a five-year period and may be extended once.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 29 March - 12 April 2026.

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

Remarks by Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis on the economic impact of the situation in the Middle East, the energy transition, development of the Savings and Investments Union and preparation ahead of the IMF and G7 international meetings.

The Council and the Parliament agreed to overhaul the EU customs framework, giving the Union a more modern toolbox to deal with overarching trends.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, together with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will represent the EU at the EU-Armenia summit taking place in Yerevan on 4 and 5 May 2026. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will represent Armenia.

The Council adopted a set of conclusions at the start of the 14th WTO ministerial conference, outlining the EU's expectations and position for the conference, including on WTO reform.

The EU and Nigeria issued a joint communiqué following the 8th EU-Nigeria ministerial meeting on Monday 23 March 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria.

European Council President António Costa debriefed the European Parliament plenary in Brussels on the discussions held during the European Council meeting of 19 March 2026.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 23-29 March 2026.

The EU issued a statement commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, reaffirming its commitment to combat racism in all its forms and to address its structural dimension, both within our Union and across the world.

During the press conference held at the end of the European Council meeting of 19 March 2026, President António Costa presented the main results of the discussions.

The Euro Summit, meeting in inclusive format, adopted a statement on 19 March 2026.

On 19 March, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine, the Middle East, competitiveness and single market, European defence and security, migration, multilateralism and other items.

The European Council appointed Mr Vujčić as Vice-President of the European Central Bank for a non-renewable 8-year term. He replaces Luis de Guindos as of 1 June 2026.

On 19 March, the European Council adopted conclusions on the Middle East.

On 19 March 2026, in the margins of the European Council meeting, European Council President António Costa and UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the press.