Press releases and statements
Press releases and statements
19 December 2025
- MFF: Council adopts partial mandate on the Single market and customs programme regulation
The Council adopted today an agreement for a partial negotiating mandate on the proposed Single market and customs programme regulation, part of the next MFF.
- Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the European Council meeting of 18-19 December 2025
During the press conference held at the end of the European Council meeting of 18-19 December 2025, President António Costa presented the main results of the discussions.
- European Council, 18 December 2025, Ukraine
The European Council discussed the latest developments as regards Ukraine.
- European Council conclusions, 18 December 2025
On 18 December, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine, the Middle East, European defence and security, next multiannual financial framework, enlargement and reforms, migration, geoeconomy and competitiveness and other items.
18 December 2025
- European Council conclusions on the Middle East, European defence and security, next multiannual financial framework, enlargement and reforms, migration and other items
On 18 December, the European Council adopted conclusions on the Middle East, European defence and security, next multiannual financial framework, enlargement and reforms, migration and other items.
- EU institutions define priorities for 2026
A Joint Declaration on EU legislative priorities for 2026 was signed today by the European Parliament, Council and Commission.
- Deforestation: Council signs off targeted revision to simplify and postpone the regulation
The Council formally adopted the targeted revision to simplify the EU deforestation regulation and postpone its application to ensure effective implementation.
- Council signs off simplification of Common Agricultural Policy
Council signs off simplification of Common Agricultural Policy.
- Asylum policy: Council and European Parliament agree on EU list of safe countries of origin
The Council of the EU and the European Parliament have provisionally agreed on an EU law establishing a list of safe countries of origin.
- Council adopts measures to incentivise and simplify defence investments in the EU
Council adopts measures to incentivise and simplify defence investments in the EU.
- Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: Council sanctions 41 vessels of the Russian shadow fleet
The Council imposed restrictive measures on an additional 41 vessels that are part of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of oil tankers and contribute to Russia’s energy revenues.
- Remarks by President António Costa at the doorstep ahead of the European Council meeting of 18-19 December 2025
Before the start of the European Council meeting of 18-19 December 2025, European Council President António Costa addressed the press in Brussels.
- Retail investment strategy: Council and Parliament agree on package to empower consumers while boosting markets
The Council and the European Parliament agreed on an updated retail investment framework to empower and protect consumers when they invest. It will also help to foster trust and increase competitiveness in the EU’s financial markets.
- Safe third country: Council and European Parliament agree on new EU law restricting admissibility of asylum claims
The Council of the EU and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a regulation regarding the application of the safe third country concept.
17 December 2025
- Statement by President António Costa following the EU-Western Balkans summit
President of the European Council António Costa presented the main results of the discussions of the leaders during the EU-Western Balkans summit held in Brussels on 17 December 2025.
- EU-Mercosur: Council and Parliament agree on rules to safeguard the EU agri-food sector
The Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional deal on the regulation on EU-Mercosur safeguard clauses, ensuring swift and strong action to protect EU farmers.
- Brussels declaration, 17 December 2025
The EU-Western Balkans summit took place in Brussels on 17 December 2025. The Brussels declaration was issued.
16 December 2025
- Europe’s environment: Council urges accelerated transition for a climate-resilient and circular Europe by 2030
The Council adopted conclusions on Europe's Environment 2030, calling for urgent, systemic action for climate resilience and a circular economy to meet the EU's goals.
- EU and Montenegro provisionally close another five chapters in accession negotiations
The 24th meeting of the Accession Conference with Montenegro provisionally closed chapters 3 on right of establishment and freedom to provide services, 4 on free movement of capital and 6 on company law, 11 on agriculture and rural development and 13 on fisheries.
15 December 2025