European Council

The Council has adopted a non-binding recommendation that will encourage member states to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke and aerosols and achieve a tobacco-free generation in Europe by 2040 as set out in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.

Press briefing ahead of the Eurogroup meeting will take place on 5 December 2024 at 15.00. 

The Council has approved conclusions on fostering the social inclusion of persons with disabilities through employment, reasonable accommodation and rehabilitation.

The Council has approved conclusions on labour and skills shortages in the EU with a focus on mobilising untapped labour potential.

The Council decided to prolong sanctions against 116 individuals and 33 entities responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses in various countries worldwide, until 8 December 2025.

The Council adopted two new laws part of the cyber security legislative ‘package’, namely the so-called ‘cyber solidarity act’, and a targeted amendment to the cybersecurity act (CSA).

The Council of the EU has endorsed 46 Global Gateway flagship projects for 2025.

On the first day of his mandate, European Council President António Costa visited Ukraine and met with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They held a press conference at the end of the meeting.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 1–8 December 2024

In his handover speech in front of the press and Council staff, President Charles Michel looked back at the main challenges of his term in office and expressed confidence in the future under the leadership of incoming President António Costa.

The EU issued a statement urging immediate humanitarian pauses to enable the vaccination of all children in Gaza against the poliovirus.

Burkina Faso: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the terrorist attack

The President of the European Council Charles Michel will visit the Gulf region ahead of the first ever EU-GCC Summit.

Afghanistan: Statement of the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on latest restrictions imposed by the Taliban on the people.

 The EU issued a statement on recent post-election developments in Venezuela.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2024/2116 of 26 July 2024 implementing Decision 2012/642/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2024/2116 of 26 July 2024 implementing Decision 2012/642/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The EU issued a declaration on the occasion of the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence based on Religion or Belief.

The EU issued a statement on Israel/Palestine in support of the call by the Leaders of the US, Egypt and Qatar to conclude ceasefire and hostages release negotiations.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/2075 of 26 July 2024 amending Decision 2010/413/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Iran.