European Council

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

President Michel received the letters of credentials from ten new ambassadors to the European Union.

The Council adopted a ninth package of new restrictive measures intended to step up pressure on Russia and its government.

This press release summarises the outcome of a written procedure for the formal adoption of four pieces of legislation which has just ended.

President Charles Michel chaired the last European Council of 2022 where leaders talked about Ukraine and Russia, energy and economy, security and defence, Southern Neighbourhood, transatlantic relations.

On 15 December 2022, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine/Russia, energy and economy, security and defence, Southern Neighbourhood, transatlantic relations and other items.

On 15 December 2022, the United States hosted the EU-U.S. Ministerial Meeting on Justice and Home Affairs at Department of Homeland Security Headquarters in Washington D.C. The United States was represented by Secretary for Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. The European Union was represented by the Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, the Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders, as well as the Czech Ministers for Justice Pavel Blažek and for the Interior Vít Rakušan.

The Council and European Parliament agree on the machinery regulation.

Member states and European Parliament conclude negotiations on new EU law on pay transparency rules.

The Presidents of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission signed a Joint Declaration on EU legislative priorities for 2023 and 2024.

In his comments to the press ahead of the summit, President Charles Michel underlined the importance of discussions on the situation in Ukraine, on transatlantic relations and on energy price issues.

Council, Parliament and Commission sign the European declaration on digital rights and principles for the digital decade.

President Charles Michel presented the main topics discussed by EU and ASEAN leaders during their first summit held in Brussels.

Today, the Council presidency and European Parliament representatives reached an agreement on the draft regulation on visa free travel for holders of passports issued by Kosovo.

On 14 December 2022, the European Union and Thailand signed the EU-Thailand Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in Brussels.

On 14 December 2022, the European Union and Malaysia signed the EU-Malaysia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in Brussels.

This draft regulation is part of ongoing efforts to modernise and digitalise cross-border judicial cooperation.

Following the EU-ASEAN commemorative summit in Brussels on 14 December 2022, EU and ASEAN leaders agreed the joint statement.

European Council President Charles Michel opened the EU-ASEAN commemorative summit and underlined that a deeper cooperation will contribute to stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development the two regions.

Co-legislators reached a provisional agreement on the REPowerEU proposal, a plan to accelerate the phasing out of the Union’s dependency on fossil fuels.