Council agrees position to simplify and strengthen food and feed safety requirements.

The eighth meeting of the Accession Conference with Albania was held today in Brussels confirming that Albania has, overall, met the interim benchmarks and setting closing benchmarks for cluster 1: Fundamentals.

The Council extended the framework for restrictive measures against those responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses in Russia and for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in the country for a year, until 28 May 2027.

Council greenlights proxy voting at the European Parliament by amending the European electoral act.

Council strengthens rules on the right to vote and stand as a candidate in municipal elections for mobile EU citizens.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, presented the main results of the leaders’ discussions during the eighth EU-Mexico summit, held in Mexico City on 22 May 2026.

The leaders of the European Union and Mexico held their 8th EU-Mexico summit in Mexico City on 22 May 2026, and agreed on a joint statement.

The Council adopted a third assistance measure for Albania worth €21 million under the EPF.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 25-31 May 2026.

Remarks by Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis on the situation in the Middle East, economic outlook, housing and the digital euro.

The Council decided to extend the scope of existing EU’s restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region, to target individuals and entities threatening the freedom of navigation in the Middle East.

The Council formally adopts rules to strengthen the welfare and traceability of cats and dogs.

Trade: Council signs off reinforced rules on trade preferences for developing countries

The EU suspends tariffs for one year on nitrogen-based fertiliser products used in agriculture to help lower costs for industry and consumers and diversify supply chains.

On 21 May 2026, President António Costa delivered a speech at the Mexican Senate, ahead of the 8th EU-Mexico summit of 22 May 2026, in Mexico City.

The EU’s code of conduct group for business taxation has elected Tina Humar as its chair for a period of two years.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, met in Guatemala City on 20 May 2026. After the meeting they issued a joint press release.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, presented the main conclusions of the talks he had held with President Bernardo Arévalo at a press conference in Guatemala City on 20 May 2026.

The Council and the European Parliament reached a deal on two regulations enacting the EU's tariff reductions set forth in the EU-US Joint Statement, while ensuring robust safeguards and preserving the necessary flexibility.

The Council had suspended certain elements of the EU visa rules in 2024.