Press releases and statements
Press releases and statements
5 June 2026
- MFF 2028-2034: Council agrees partial mandate on new Justice programme
The new programme has a strong focus on digitalisation in cross-border situations and facilitates cooperation on combatting serious crimes.
- EU-Republic of Korea summit to take place in Brussels on 10 June
The President of the European Council, António Costa, together with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will represent the EU at the 11th EU-Republic of Korea summit taking place in Brussels on 10 June 2026. President Lee Jae Myung will represent the Republic of Korea. The summit will be an opportunity to taking the EU-Republic of Korea strategic partnership forward in all its dimensions.
4 June 2026
- Council pushes ahead with implementation of the new EU action plan against drug trafficking
The Council approved a framework to implement the EU drugs strategy and endorsed an action plan aimed at reducing both drug use and drug trafficking.
- Roam like at home: Council authorises talks on extending scheme to Western Balkans partners
Council approves the opening of negotiations with the six Western Balkan partners with a view to extending the EU's Roam Like at Home (RLAH) area to them.
- European Peace Facility: Council adopts EUR 100 million assistance measure in support of the Lebanese Armed Forces
The Council adopted the fourth assistance measure under the EPF to support the Lebanese Armed Forces, bringing the support to the LAF to €182 million to date.
- Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the meeting with President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić
President Costa travelled to the Western Balkans to meet with regional leaders and co-chair the EU-WB Summit. On Thursday 4 June, he visited Belgrade and met with President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić.
3 June 2026
- Remarks by President António Costa following his visit to Pristina
President Costa travelled to the Western Balkans to meet with regional leaders and co-chair the EU-WB Summit. On Wednesday 3 June, he visited Pristina and met acting President, caretaker Prime Minister and with chairs of opposition political parties.
- Programme for agile and rapid defence innovation: Council ready to start negotiations with the European Parliament
Member states’ representatives approved today the Council’s position on a proposal to establish the programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE).
2 June 2026
- Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the meeting with Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski
President Costa travelled to the Western Balkans to meet with regional leaders and co-chair the EU-WB Summit. On Tuesday 2 June, he visited Skopje and met with Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski.
- Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the meeting with Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama
President Costa travelled to the Western Balkans to meet with regional leaders and co-chair the EU-WB Summit. On Tuesday 2 June, he visited Tirana and met with Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama.
1 June 2026
- Council and Parliament reach deal on returns of illegally staying third-country nationals
The agreement will speed up and increase the number of returns of persons illegally staying in member states.
- Press statement by President António Costa following his meeting with members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
President Costa travelled to the Western Balkans to meet with regional leaders and co-chair the EU-WB Summit. On Monday 1st of June, he visited Sarajevo and met with the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
29 May 2026
- Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the reckless violation of the EU’s airspace by Russia
The European Union strongly condemns the grave incident of 29 May 2026 in which a Russian drone carrying explosives, that was part of an overnight attack against Ukraine, crashed into a residential building in Galați, Romania.
- Weekly schedule of President António Costa
Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 1-7 June 2026.
- Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1105 of 18 May 2026 amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria and Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2026/1106 of 18 May 2026 implementing Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria.
- Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1079 of 11 May 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2019/797 concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States.
- Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries 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) 2026/1072 of 11 May 2026 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
- Council defines a new framework for science diplomacy
Council adopts recommendation on a new EU framework for science diplomacy.
- EUAM Ukraine: Council appoints new head of mission
The Council appointed Cornelia Taylor as new head of mission for the European Union Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine).
28 May 2026