European Council

President Costa to visit United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis will represent the Eurogroup at the Spring Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group in Washington, DC.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 13 - 19 April 2026.

The Council adopted implementing decisions making the financial assistance under the SAFE regulation available to Czechia and France.

The EU issued a statement on the ceasefire agreed by the United States and Iran.

Statement by President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Starmer, Prime Minister Carney, acting Prime Minister Frederiksen, Prime Minister Jetten, Prime Minister Sanchez, Prime Minister Mitsotakis, Prime Minister Montenegro, Prime Minister Siliņa, Prime Minister Takaichi, President of the European Commission von der Leyen, President of the European Council Costa

Member states’ representatives greenlight signature and provisional application of EU-UK agreement on Gibraltar.

The European Union issued a statement reiterating its principled position against the death penalty in all cases and circumstances and expresses deep concern over Israel’s approval of the Death Penalty Bill as a grave regression from its de facto moratorium The EU urges Israel to abide by its previous position and its obligations under international law and democratic principles, noting that capital punishment violates the right to life, risks ill-treatment, has no proven deterrent effect, and renders judicial errors irreversible.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

The Council extended EU restrictive measures responding to serious human rights violations in Iran until 13 April 2027.

The Council extended the framework for restrictive measures in view of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina for another year, until 31 March 2027.

The Council adopted two decisions revising the mandates of Operations ASPIDES and ATALANTA.

Council gives its final approval to the package travel directive.

Council authorises Commission to start negotiations with UK on electricity and cohesion agreements and allows UK’s participation in Erasmus+.

The Council has formally adopted a targeted amendment on CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles, introducing a temporary flexibility for manufacturers.

The Council formally adopted new rules to improve the efficiency of the EU External Action Guarantee under NDICI-Global Europe.

Council gives the final stamp to the EU talent pool, an EU platform that will help countries facing labour shortages to recruit non-EU jobseekers.

The new EU law streamlines insolvency proceedings, making it easier for investors to assess investment opportunities when considering insolvency rules.

The Council appointed François-Louis Michaud as chairperson of the European banking authority (EBA). Mr Michaud will take up the role on 16 April 2026. His term of office will run for a five-year period and may be extended once.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 30 March - 12 April 2026.