European Union

Along other world leaders, President Michel delivered a speech at a virtual donor conference to secure international aid for Lebanon in the aftermath of the explosions that hit Beirut on 4 August

Charles Michel, President of the European Council, travelled to Beirut on 8 August 2020 to convey EU solidarity to the people of Lebanon after the devastating explosions on 4 August.

Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted.

The EU extends its solidarity to all indigenous peoples around the world at a time when their health, lives and livelihoods are endangered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Weekly schedule of President Charles Michel 8-14 August 2020

Following the devastating explosions in Beirut on 4 August, President Michel and President von der Leyen sent a letter to the members of the European Council to ask them to intensify their support to Lebanon

The EU issued a declaration on the postponement of the Legislative Council elections in Hong Kong

The Council renewed the EU terrorist list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures and added one person to the list of ISIL/Da'esh and Al-Qaida sanctions.

Off-the-record technical briefing organised on cyber sanctions.

High Representative Josep Borrell issued a declaration on EU response to promote international security and stability in cyberspace.

The Council imposed the first ever restrictive measures against six individuals and three entities responsible for or involved in various cyber-attacks.

Following a review under the recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, the Council updated the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted.

The Council appointed Tomáš Szunyog as EU special representative in Kosovo from 1 September 2020 until 31 August 2021.

The Council renewed the list of individuals and entities subject to EU's autonomous sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for one year.

The Council launched a civilian advisory mission and extended the mandate of the existing military training mission in the Central African Republic.

The Council adopted conclusions on Hong Kong expressing grave concern regarding the national security legislation and setting out a coordinated package of response measures.

Today, the Council appointed the first ever European prosecutors of the European Public Prosecutor's Office. The 22 prosecutors will supervise investigations and prosecutions and will constitute the EPPO College, together with the European Chief Prosecutor Laura Codruţa Kövesi.

As part of the EU's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Council today adopted a set of conclusions aimed at restoring passengers’ and workers' confidence by minimising the risk of infection in cross-border collective passenger transport systems.

President Michel received the letters of credentials from three new ambassadors to the European Union.

The European Commission on Friday (31 July) signed off on a merger between French trainmaker Alstom and the rail arm of Canadian firm Bombardier, setting a number of competition criteria in the process.