Press releases and statements
Press releases and statements
9 December 2025
- Myanmar: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the upcoming elections
The High Representative issued a statement on behalf of the European Union on the upcoming elections in Myanmar.
- Press remarks by President António Costa following the meeting with Taoiseach of Ireland, Micheál Martin
Press remarks by President António Costa following the meeting with Taoiseach of Ireland, Micheál Martin.
- Human Rights Day: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union
The EU issued a statement on Human Rights Day stressing that it remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguard human rights at home and abroad, and to ensure peace, truth, justice and accountability.
- European Council of 18 and 19 December - Invitation letter by President António Costa to the members of the European Council
European Council President António Costa invited leaders to the meeting of 18 and 19 December 2025 in Brussels, during which they will discuss Ukraine, Middle East, next Multiannual Financial Framework, EU enlargement, migration, and geoeconomy and competitiveness.
- AI: Council adopts position on the updated regulation to create AI gigafactories
Council adopts its negotiating position on the amendments to the EuroHPC regulation.
- Council and Parliament strike a deal to simplify sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements and boost EU competitiveness
Council and Parliament reach a provisional agreement on sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements.
8 December 2025
- Council and Parliament reach provisional deal to boost the quality of forest reproductive material and support EU seed sector innovation
Today Council and the Parliament reached a provisional agreement to improve the quality and availability of forest reproductive material.
- Council clinches deal on EU law about returns of illegally staying third-country nationals
The Council reached its position on a regulation for a common European returns system.
- Migration and asylum: Member states agree on solidarity pool
Member states reached a political agreement on a Council implementing decision establishing the annual solidarity pool for 2026.
- European Defence Industry Programme: Council gives final approval
The Council adopted the European Defence Industry Programme to boost the EU’s defence readiness, strengthen the European defence industry and ensure that the EU is better equipped to act and deal with immediate and future challenges and threats.
- Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2398 of 24 November 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them.
- Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures in view of Türkiye’s unauthorised drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2395 of 24 November 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2019/1894 concerning restrictive measures in view of Türkiye’s unauthorised drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
- Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries 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) 2025/2369 of 20 November 2025 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 EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Russia
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2357 of 20 November 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2025/1484 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Russia.
- Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2019 of 3 October 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: Council prolongs individual sanctions by another year
The Council renewed restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for another year, until 12 December 2026.
- Asylum policy: Council pushes ahead with EU laws on safe countries of origin and safe third countries
The Council reached a position on regulations establishing an EU list of safe countries of origin and on safe third countries.
- Consumer and environmental protection: Council approves the detergents and surfactants regulation
Council gives its final approval to the detergents and surfactants regulation.
5 December 2025