European Council

The Council has approved conclusions calling on member states and the Commission to invest in children, in order to increase their well-being and combat poverty and social exclusion in the EU.

The Council today agreed to the appointment of Andrés Ritter as the new European chief prosecutor to the EPPO from 1 November 2026.

On 6 March 2026, European Council President António Costa was in Hamburg where he delivered a speech at the Matthiae Mahl event.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 9-15 March 2026.

President Costa will be in Baku on 11 March for a series of high-level meetings with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and senior government representatives.

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

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

On 4 March 2026, European Council President António Costa was in Luxembourg where he delivered a speech at the EIB Group Forum.

Eurogroup President, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, gave a speech at the EIB Group Forum 2026.

The press briefing ahead of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Social policy) will take place on Thursday, 5 March 2026 at 11.00.

The Council agrees on a position on clearer, simpler CO₂-based EU road toll rules for heavy-duty vehicles ahead of 2026 standards.

Council adopts its negotiating position on the amended critical raw material act.

Simplification: Council agrees position to streamline EU rules on biocides by extending data protection period.

Kyriakos Pierrakakis, President of the Eurogroup, is travelling to Luxembourg where he will give a keynote speech at the EIB Forum.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/383 of 17 February 2026 amending Decision 2011/101/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Zimbabwe.

The EU issued a statement on developments in Iran and the Middle East.

President Costa and President von der Leyen issued a joint statement on developments in Iran.

The EU issued a statement on the escalation between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 2-8 March 2026.

Council reaches agreement on the research fund for coal and steel.