Press releases and statements
Press releases and statements
29 September 2025
- CBAM: Council signs off simplification to the EU carbon leakage instrument
Carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM): Council and Parliament reach a provisional agreement on its simplification.
- Council adopts new rules for healthier and more resilient European soils
Today the Council adopted the soil monitoring law to track soil health, manage contaminated sites and mitigate land take, aiming for healthy soils by 2050.
- Iran sanctions snapback: Council reimposes restrictive measures
The Council reimposed all the restrictive measures against Iran that had been lifted after the introduction of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in July 2015 in light of UN Security Council’s decision to not extend the lifting of sanctions on Iran following the snapback mechanism invoked by the E3.
27 September 2025
- Israel/Palestine: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the closure of the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge crossing
Israel/Palestine: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the closure of the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge crossing.
- Mali: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union
Mali: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union
26 September 2025
25 September 2025
- Speech by President António Costa at the 80th United Nations General Assembly
European Council President António Costa addressed the 80th United Nations General Assembly on behalf of the European Union.
- Migrant smuggling: Council and European Parliament want stronger role for Europol
The Council and European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a regulation that would strengthen the role of Europol and enhance police cooperation between EU member states to prevent and combat migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings.
- Speech by President António Costa at the UN Security Council on Artificial Intelligence and International Peace and Security
On 25 September 2025, European Council President António Costa was in New York at the UN Security Council on Artificial Intelligence and International Peace and Security, as part of the 80th United Nations General Assembly. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of having a uniform approach to Artificial Intelligence at the international level.
24 September 2025
- Simplification: Council agrees positions on digitalisation and common specifications, as well as on small mid-caps, to boost EU competitiveness
Council agrees position on small mid-caps, as well as on digitalisation and common specifications.
- Speech by President António Costa at the second meeting of the "In Defence of Democracy: Fighting Against Extremism" initiative
The President of the European Council, António Costa, gave a speech at the second meeting of the initiative 'In defence of democracy: fighting against extremism', held in New York on 24 September 2025 as part of the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
- Speech by President António Costa at the First Biennial Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Economy
On 24 September 2025, European Council President António Costa was in New York at the First Biennial Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Economy, as part of the 80th United Nations General Assembly. In his speech, he emphasized the European Union’s ongoing commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and highlighted the urgent need to mobilize funding to achieve them in order to contribute to global prosperity.
- Simplification: Council approves ‘stop-the-clock’ mechanism on chemicals to provide legal certainty to businesses
Council agrees position on the ‘stop-the-clock’ mechanism on requirements and procedures for chemical products.
- Speech by President António Costa at the United Nations Security Council on Ukraine
On 23 September 2025, European Council President António Costa was in New York at the United Nations Security Council on Ukraine, as part of the 80th United Nations General Assembly. In his speech, he emphasised the European Union’s unwavering support for Ukraine and the pursuit of peace as a top priority.
23 September 2025
- InvestEU: Council and Parliament agree to make the programme easier and more efficient
Investment simplification: Council agrees position on the ‘Invest EU’ regulation to boost EU competitiveness.
- Water pollution: Council and Parliament reach provisional deal to update priority substances in surface and ground waters
Today Council and Parliament reach provisional agreement to update EU water rules, adding new pollutants and strengthening monitoring and compliance.
- Speech by President António Costa at the high-level conference on the two-State solution
President of the European Council António Costa delivered a speech at the high-level conference on the two-State solution in New York on 22 September 2025.
22 September 2025
- Sudan: EU extends sanctions regime by one year
The Council prolonged the framework for restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan, until 10 October 2026.
- Plastic pellets: Council signs off regulation to reduce pollution from microplastics
The Council today adopted a regulation to prevent plastic pellets losses across the supply chain and reduce microplastics pollution.
- Council greenlights improved rules to tackle non-sustainable fishing by third countries
Council gives final green light to a set of updated rules aimed at improving the EU's response to non-sustainable fishing allowed by non-EU countries.