European Council

In the context of a visit to the Western Balkans, European Council President António Costa met with the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo. During the joint press conference, he reaffirmed the EU’s full commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession process, while addressing concerns about the persisting challenges in the country, namely the need to accelerate progress on the necessary reforms and the recent developments in República Srpska.

The Council approved the Commission’s positive assessment of the amended recovery and resilience plans submitted by the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain.

The Council reached a general approach on the directive on value added tax (VAT) rules for distance sales of imported goods and import VAT.

In the context of a visit to the Western Balkan region, European Council President António Costa met in Belgrade with the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić. During the joint press conference, he reaffirmed the EU’s strong commitment to Serbia’s accession, emphasising that now there is a momentum that must be seized through swift reforms. He stressed that accession is a merit-based process, highlighting the need for full alignment with EU foreign policy, including support for Ukraine and strong condemnation of Russia's war of aggression.

Main agenda items, approximate timing and press opportunities.

The Council has approved conclusions evaluating the legal framework for audiovisual media services and video-sharing platform services in the EU, ahead of the upcoming review of the audiovisual media services directive.

The Council has reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on a new regulation to ensure complete, coherent and comparable European statistics on population and housing.

Remarks by Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe after the Eurogroup meeting on the European banking sector, European Stability Mechanism, global trade tensions, and the progress on the digital euro.

The Council prolonged the EU restrictive measures (sanctions) against cyber-attacks threatening the EU and its member states until 18 May 2026. The legal framework is extended until 18 May 2028.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2025/774 implementing Decision 2011/235/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Iran.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/690 of 4 April 2025 amending Decision 2011/235/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Iran.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/700 of 7 April 2025 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine.

The Council has adopted a recommendation and approved a parallel resolution laying the groundwork for the implementation of a joint European degree label and setting out the next steps towards the possible introduction of a joint European degree.

Council approves conclusions assessing cohesion policy’s action for Ukrainian refugees in Europe.

Council approves its 2024 report on public access to documents.

The EU issued a statement on Ukraine calling for ceasefire.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 12–18 May 2025

During the week of 12 May 2025, European Council President António Costa will travel to the Western Balkans to meet with the political leadership and co-host the sixth European Political Community Summit in Tirana.

European Council President António Costa took part in the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration in Luxembourg. In his statement, he recalled the historical significance of Schuman’s vision for peace and European unity, stressing the need for renewed efforts in the face of current challenges, notably the war in Ukraine.

On the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the Presidents of the European Council, the European Parliament, and the European Commission issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to the European project and its founding values of peace, unity, and shared sovereignty. Amid current global challenges, including Russia’s war against Ukraine and climate change, the EU leaders pledged to strengthen Europe’s security, prosperity, and role as a reliable global partner.