European Council

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/43 of 9 January 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council will take place on 24 January 2025 at 14.30.

The press briefing ahead of the General Affairs Council will take place on Tuesday 28 January 2025 at 10.00.

In his debrief to the European Parliament on the December European Council, President Costa highlighted the main topics discussed by the EU leaders including Ukraine, enlargement and the EU's role in the world.

During his speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, President Costa highlighted that the outermost regions have a strategic importance for the EU and that he will work to ensure that all nine outermost regions are fully recognised in the EU's cohesion policy, competitiveness compass, financial solutions, and sustainable development.

The Council adopted recommendations for seven countries to correct their excessive deficit situation within a set time period: Belgium, France, Italy, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Romania.

The Council today adopted recommendations endorsing the first-ever medium-term fiscal-structural plans and setting the net expenditure paths for 21 member states.

The Council approved the Commission’s positive assessment of the amended recovery and resilience plans submitted by Greece, Cyprus and Spain.

The Council adopted a third assistance measure worth €60 million under the EPF to the benefit the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Today, the Council appointed Preben Aamann as the new Director-General for Communication and Information (COMM).

The Council of the EU has adopted the European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation, which will make it easier to exchange and access health data at EU level.

Remarks by Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe after the Eurogroup meeting on policy priorities for the euro area, innovation in wholesale payments and advancing on the digital euro project.

Israel/Palestine: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union welcoming the ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 20–26 January 2025

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

Press briefing ahead of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council will take place on 20 January at 11.00. The briefing will be "off the record".

The Leaders of the G7 fully endorse and will stand behind the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/3154 of 16 December 2024 amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135 concerning restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan.

Press briefing ahead of the Eurogroup meeting will take place on 16 January 2025 at 10.00. 

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2024/3175 of 16 December 2024 implementing Decision 2012/642/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine.