European Council

The fifth meeting of the Accession Conference with Albania was held today in Brussels opening Cluster 3: Competitiveness and inclusive growth.

The press briefing ahead of the General Affairs Council will take place on Friday 23 May 2025 at 14.00.

Lors de sa visite à Abidjan, António Costa, président du Conseil européen, a reçu le Prix Félix Houphouët-Boigny – UNESCO pour la Recherche de la Paix, en reconnaissance de son engagement en faveur du multilatéralisme, du dialogue, et du développement durable.

The Council adopted a decision on the conclusion of the United Nations ‘Mauritius’ Convention on transparency for Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS).

Council adopts its negotiating position on the electronic e-declaration for posted workers.

Council and Parliament strike provisional deal on the compulsory licensing of patents for crisis situations.

Joint communique and Preliminary Monitoring Report following the 3rd EU-AU Ministerial Meeting, 21 May 2025.

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

The President of the European Council, António Costa, will travel to Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire to receive the UNESCO Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize on 22 May 2025. In the margins of the ceremony, he will also meet the Ivorian President, Alassane Ouattara, to discuss bilateral relations, regional stability and preparations for the upcoming EU-African Union summit later this year.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Agriculture and Fisheries Council will take place on 23 May 2025 at 11.00.

The Council extended the mandate of the European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova (EUPM) for a further two years, until 31 May 2027.

The Council and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on a revising directive that seeks to make the representation of workers in large multinational companies more effective.

The Council issued a statement on the lifting of EU economic sanctions on Syria.

President Costa and President von der Leyen received letters of credence from ten new Ambassadors to the European Union and one letter of mission from a new Delegate-General.

A provisional agreement enhances EMSA's role in addressing maritime challenges, like cyber threats, pollution, and the greening of maritime transport.

The Council adopted conclusions on Yemen, in which it expresses grave concerns over the situation in the country and calls for a renewed momentum in the peace efforts.

The Council imposed restrictive measures on three entities belonging to the Russian Armed forces, responsible for the development and use of chemical weapons.

The Council imposed restrictive measures against 21 individuals and 6 entities responsible for Russia’s destabilising actions against the EU and its member states and broadened the scope of the sanctions regime to target physical and digital assets, as well as media outlets.

The Council imposed restrictive measures on 28 individuals responsible for serious violations of human rights, the repression of democratic opposition, and activities seriously undermining the rule of law in Russia.

The Council adopted a 17th package of economic and individual restrictive designed to massively target Putin’s shadow fleet and weaken Russia’s military and industrial complex.