European Council

The European Union is carrying out the 2026 edition of its crisis management exercise - EU Integrated Resolve (EU IR26).

The Council has adopted the first bilateral assistance measure under the European Peace Facility, worth €20 million, to support the Nigerian armed forces.

The Council has appointed Ilze Brands Kehris as EU Special Representative for Human Rights, from 19 October 2026 to 29 February 2028.

The Council has adopted a recommendation setting out a person-centred, housing-led approach to preventing housing exclusion, including homelessness, in the EU.

Council reaches partial negotiating position on an updated set of rules governing the common market organisation for agricultural products in the framework of the negotiations on the post-2027 MFF.

The Council has approved conclusions calling for greater efforts to boost equality as a means of strengthening economic growth and competitiveness in Europe.

The Council of the EU has adopted a set of revised rules aimed at protecting workers in the EU from exposure to hazardous substances that could cause illnesses such as cancer or asthma.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 19-25 October 2026.

During the press conference held after at the end of the European Council meeting of 15-16 October 2026, President António Costa presented the main results of the discussions on competitiveness and energy prices, trade, the next multiannual financial framework, Ukraine, and migration.

On 15 and 16 October, the European Council adopted conclusions on competitiveness, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, the next multiannual financial framework, the Middle East, European defence and security, migration, enlargement and reforms and other items.

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

Before the start of the second day of the European Council meeting of 15-16 October 2026, European Council President, António Costa, European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen and President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addressed the press.

On 15 October, the European Council adopted conclusions on competitiveness, the next multiannual financial framework and enlargement and reforms.

President of the Eurogroup, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, discussed “How to raise Europe’s productivity” with the Atlantic Council at the IMF meetings in Bangkok

The Council has adopted restrictive measures against three individuals and nine entities involved in the import of sanctioned goods to Russia, and in the circumvention of sanctions related to oil and financial transactions.

Press briefing ahead of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Employment and social policy) will take place on 16 October at 17:00. The briefing will be "off the record".

The second Summit between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council, originally planned for 24 October 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has been postponed. A new date will be announced in due course.

In their second review of the joint declaration and roadmap, designed to boost economic growth, the EU institutions reaffirmed their commitment to timely delivery.

Approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

EU leaders and social partners met in Brussels for the Tripartite Social Summit, a twice-yearly forum for dialogue that brings together the leaders of the EU institutions and the European social partners. Today’s discussion focused on ‘Driving Europe Forward’.