European Council

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 21-27 July 2025.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1349 of 8 July 2025 implementing Decision (CFSP) 2015/740 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in South Sudan.

The Council adopted additional restrictive measures against two individuals and two entities for acts that constitute serious human rights violations or abuses, or which threaten the peace, stability and security of Sudan or for obstructing the delivery of, access to, and distribution of humanitarian assistance in Sudan.

The European Union issued a statement restating its unwavering and unequivocal condemnation of the persistent malicious activities posed by Russia, as part of broader, coordinated, and long-standing hybrid campaigns aimed at threatening and undermining the security, resilience and democratic foundations of the EU, its member states and its partners.

The Council adopted its 18th package of economic and individual restrictive measures designed to target vital sectors of the Russian economy such as energy and banking, further weakening the regime’s ability to wage its illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, will travel to Japan and China, together with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to represent the EU in the EU-Japan Summit on 23 July and EU-China Summit on 24 July.

The Council adopted a regulation regarding the progressive start of the Entry/Exit digital border management system.

The Council today formally adopted new value added tax (VAT) rules for distance sales of imported goods.

Simplification: Council adopts new law to ‘stop-the-clock’ on due diligence rules for batteries.

Today, the Council adopted an amended regulation to extend the requirements established in the gas storage regulation, by an additional two years. 

Technical briefing in hybrid format on the agreement reached by the EU and Israel on 10 July to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip will take place on Friday, 18 July 2025 at 10.00.

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

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, commemorated on 17 July 2025.

The press briefings of the summits will take place on Friday 18 July 2025.

Council and Parliament reach a provisional agreement to better address current and emerging challenges in the context of EU cohesion policy’s mid-term review.

The Council imposed restrictive measures against nine individuals and six entities responsible for Russia’s hybrid activities against the EU and its member states and Ukraine.

The Council extended the mandates of the EU Special Representatives for the Great Lakes region, and for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia until 31 August 2027.

The Council imposed restrictive measures on five individuals responsible for serious violations or abuses of human rights and for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Russia.

The Council listed seven individuals and three entities responsible for actions destabilising the Republic of Moldova and undermining or threatening its sovereignty and independence,democracy and rule of law.

The Council renewed its sanctions regime in view of the situation in Haiti until 29 July 2026, and further listed three gang leaders.