European Council

The Council presidency and European Parliament negotiators have reached a provisional agreement on a new Border Regions’ Instrument for Development and Growth in the EU – BRIDGEforEU.

At the seventeenth meeting of the Accession Conference with Montenegro at ministerial level, three negotiating chapters were provisionally closed.

The Council imposed restrictive measures against 16 individuals and three entities responsible for Russia’s destabilising actions against the EU and its member states.

The Council added 6 entities to its sanctions regime in view of the gravity of the situation in Sudan.

The Council imposed restrictive measures on an additional 26 individuals and 2 entities in view of the situation in the country and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The Council adopted restrictive measures against three individuals engaging in gang violence, who are responsible for actions that threaten peace, stability and security in Haiti.

The Council renewed EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Guatemala until 13 January 2026.

The Council approved conclusions on reinforcing the external-internal link in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

The Council approved conclusions on the promotion of geothermal energy.

The Council prolonged the mandate of its 3 CSDP missions and operation in the Horn of Africa; the maritime Operation ATALANTA, the capacity-building mission EUCAP Somalia, and the training mission EUTM Somalia, until 28 February 2027.

The Council adopted a 15th package of economic and individual restrictive designed to target the circumvention of EU sanctions through Putin’s shadow fleet and weaken Russia’s military and industrial complex.

The Council today adopted updated EU rules on the import, export, and transit of firearms. The new regulation aims to close loopholes exploited for firearms trafficking while facilitating legitimate trade and movement of firearms.

The Council formally adopted a regulation on packaging and packaging waste. The new rules will reduce packaging waste and will facilitate safe, sustainable and recyclable packaging.

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

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

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

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 16–22 December 2024

The Council agreed on a partial general approach on a proposal for a directive to align national insolvency laws.

The Council has agreed a general approach on the revision of an EU directive on the criminalisation and prevention of child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.

The Council has reached a general approach on a directive to prevent and counter migrant smuggling.