European Council

European Council President António Costa and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen met with the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, in Beirut, Lebanon, as part of the official visit to Lebanon on 9 January 2026.

European Council President António Costa and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen met with the President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus, Syria, as part of the official visit to Syria on 9 January 2026.

The Council prolonged EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Guatemala until 13 January 2027.

On 8 January 2026, European Council President António Costa attended the EU-Jordan summit in Amman, Jordan. In his opening remarks, he emphasised that EU-Jordan relations are strong and will only get stronger. Our strategic and comprehensive partnership is a key milestone. 

At the Jordan-EU summit in Amman, Jordan on 8 January 2026, the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, representing the EU, and King Abdullah II of Jordan, issued a joint statement.

President António Costa travelled to Nicosia (Cyprus) to attend the opening ceremony of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union where he delivered a speech.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2594 of 15 December 2025 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2586 of 15 December 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2580 of 15 December 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2572 of 15 December 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2561 of 15 December 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Haiti.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1497 of 18 July 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/1775 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Mali.

On 6 January 2026, the members of the Coalition of the Willing convened in Paris. Declaration on ‘Robust Security Guarantees for a Solid and Lasting Peace in Ukraine’ was issued by France.

EU leaders will participate in an informal meeting in Alden Biesen (Belgium) on 12 February 2026.

Information about accreditation requirements for the one-year badge (2026)

From 6 January until 9 January 2026, the President of the European Council, António Costa, will travel to Paris, Nicosia and the Middle East.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 5 January - 11 January 2026.

The European Union expressed serious concern on the arrest and detention of human rights defenders and  calls on the Iranian authorities to release all individuals unjustly detained for exercising their fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and assembly. 

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 22 December 2025 - 4 January 2026.

The Council has imposed restrictive measures on two additional individuals responsible for serious violations or abuses of human rights and for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Russia.