European Council

The Council extended the restrictive measures on Zimbabwe until February 2027 maintaining the arms embargo, while lifting travel bans and asset freezes.

The Council today approved conclusions setting guidelines for the EU’s annual budget for 2027. The guidelines provide a political steer to the Commission in preparing the draft budget proposal for next year’s budget.

The Council today activated the national escape clause for Austria under the stability and growth pact.  The measure will help Austria transition to higher defence spending at national level while ensuring debt sustainability.

Today, the Council added two countries - Turks and Caicos Islands and Viet Nam – to the EU list. At the same time, three countries - Fiji, Samoa and Trinidad and Tobago - were removed. Following this update, the list consists of 10 jurisdictions.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, will travel to Oslo this week for high-level meetings. The visit marks the strong momentum of the bilateral relations with Norway, one of the closest and most likeminded partners for the European Union.

The Council formally adopted the directive to expand and update the list of pollutants affecting surface water and groundwater, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals and PFAS.

Remarks by Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis on the euro area recommendation, the international role of the euro, and global imbalances.

The Eurogroup reconfirmed Tuomas Saarenheimo as President of the Eurogroup working group.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 16-22 February 2026.

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

During the press conference held at the end of the Informal EU leaders' retreat of 12 February 2026, President António Costa presented the main topics of the discussions.

Press briefing ahead of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council will take place on 16 February at 11.30. The briefing will be "off the record".

Before the start of the informal EU leaders' retreat of 12 February 2026, European Council President António Costa addressed the press in the Alden Biesen castle, Belgium.

The Council today appointed new prosecutors for Belgium and Czechia to the EU Public Prosecutor Office (EPPO). European prosecutors supervise investigations and prosecutions and, together with the European Chief Prosecutor, form the EPPO College. 

The Council today formally approved measures to help tackle the influx of goods entering the EU duty free in small parcels - a problem which can lead to unfair competition for EU sellers.

The Council extended the mandates of the EU Special Representatives for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and for Human Rights.

The Council adopted a set of implementing decisions making the financial assistance under the SAFE regulation available to eight EU member states and adopted decisions authorising the EU to sign and conclude the bilateral agreement between the EU and Canada.

Press briefing ahead of the Eurogroup meeting will take place on 13 February 2026 at 10.30. 

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/254 of 29 January 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135 concerning restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/239 of 29 January 2026 amending Decision 2011/72/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Tunisia.