European Council

The Council listed an additional nine individuals responsible for the Bucha massacre for their actions undermining and threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. 

The Council approved conclusions on strengthening the EU's capacity to respond to hybrid threats, calling for an EU coordinated and strategic approach.

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

The Council adopted a decision to support African countries in strengthening their capacities for mine action, contributing to the goal of a mine-free Africa.

The Council extended the listings targeting those responsible for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine for another six months, until 15 September 2026.

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

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 16-22 March 2026.

Press briefings ahead of the upcoming Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) of 16 March, and Environment Council of 17 March 2026 will take place on 13 March 2026 at 16.00

On 11 March 2026, the President of the European Council, António Costa and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev met in Baku, the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Council agrees on a mandate to begin negotiations with the European Parliament on new simplified provisions for fisheries and aquaculture statistics.

The President of the Eurogroup, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, has sent a letter to the President of the Euro Summit, António Costa, to report on the recent work by the Eurogroup and upcoming work priorities.

European Council President António Costa addressed the press following the meeting with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Baku, on 11 March 2026.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council will take place on 13 March 2026 at 15.00.

Kyriakos Pierrakakis, President of the Eurogroup, is travelling to Amsterdam and The Hague where he will meet the Dutch Minister of Finance and the President of the Dutch Central Bank.

European Council President António Costa spoke at the annual conference of the EU ambassadors from the EU delegations and offices around the world, the heads of EU military and civilian missions and the heads of the European Commission representations in all 27 EU member states.

Remarks by Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis on macroeconomic developments in the euro area, digital finance (including tokenisation and stablecoins), and energy prices and their implications for the euro area economy in the context of heightened geopolitical instability.

Eurogroup issued a statement on the Belgian draft budgetary plan for 2026.

The Council has adopted a recommendation on human capital that will help member states tackle labour and skills shortages across the EU, with a view to boosting competitiveness and resilience.

President Costa and President von der Leyen issued a joint statement after the video conference with Leaders from Middle East countries on the war in Iran, on 9 March 2026.

The Council presidency, the European Central Bank, the European Commission and the President of the Eurogroup met with European social partners on 9 March 2026 to discuss recent developments of the economic situation, as well as a thematic topic chosen by the Cyprus Presidency: “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of the EU labour market: Safeguarding EU Competitiveness and Social Cohesion”.