European Council

Joint statement by the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Parliament on the two year tragic anniversary since Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine.

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

The Eurogroup today reappointed Tuomas Saarenheimo as President of the Eurogroup Working Group (EWG), the body tasked with preparing the meetings of euro area finance ministers. Tuomas Saarenheimo has held the position since 1 April 2020. This will be his third two-year term.

Ahead of the second year mark of the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the Council adopted a 13th package of economic and individual restrictive measures intended to weaken Russia’s ability to wage its war.

Today, the Council and the European Parliament representatives reached an agreement on the seat of the future European authority for countering money laundering and terrorist financing (AMLA). AMLA will be based in Frankfurt and will begin operations mid- January 2025. It will have over 400 staff members.

The Council imposed restrictive measures against six individuals and one entity responsible for actions aimed at destabilising, undermining or threatening the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova.

Council and Parliament strike provisional deal on non-road machinery regulation.

The Council has adopted its negotiating mandate to renew the suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian and Moldovan exports to the EU.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/383 of 22 January 2024 concerning restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan.

Joint press statement following the 8th Association Council meeting between the EU and Georgia.

Press conference following the selection of the seat of the European Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) will take place on 22 February 2024.

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

The Council has endorsed an agreement with the European Parliament on changes to the rules governing medical devices and in-vitro diagnostic medical devices, with a view to preventing shortages.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Agriculture and Fisheries Council will take place on 22 February 2024 at 10.30.

Today, the Council adopted its negotiating mandate for talks with the European Parliament on a proposal to set enhanced air quality standards and improve air quality monitoring.

The Council agreed on a directive to strengthen the role of equality bodies across the EU in combatting discrimination and promoting equal treatment.

Today, the Council removed Bahamas, Belize, Seychelles and Turks and Caicos Islands from the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. With these updates, the EU list consists of 12 jurisdictions.

Council adopts the directive ‘empowering citizens for the green transition’.

The Council adopted the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation (MiFIR) and the Second Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) that aim to empower investors, in particular by making consolidated market data easily available at EU level.

The Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement today on a proposed regulation to establish an EU-wide voluntary framework for certifying carbon removal and emission reduction activities.