European Council

The Council adopted new restrictive measures in a so-called “maintenance and alignment” package, intended to tighten existing economic sanctions targeting Russia, perfect their implementation and strengthen their effectiveness.

The representatives of the governments of the member states today appointed four judges of the General Court.

The 27 EU member states agreed on the Council’s mandate on FAST-CARE to alleviate migratory pressures and tackle the fallout of Russia’s aggression.

Council approves mandate for negotiations on the general product safety regulation (GPSR).

The EU issued a declaration on the 10th anniversary of the introduction of the Law on Foreign Agents in Russia, the first of several legislative measures aimed at silencing and putting unprecedented pressure on Russia’s civil society, political opposition and independent media.

The Council appointed Anders Wiberg asnew head of mission for the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM Iraq).

The EU issued a declaration on malicious cyber activities conducted by hackers and hacker groups in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, stressing that the increase in such activities creates unacceptable risks of spillover effects, misinterpretation and possible escalation.

Igor Matovič, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance for Slovakia, and Paschal Donohoe, President of the Eurogroup and Minister for Finance of Ireland, met in Bratislava (Slovakia) on 19 July 2022.

North Macedonia: The EU started the opening phase of the accession negotiations with North Macedonia.

Albania: The EU opened accession negotiations with Albania.

President Michel congratulated the authorities and the citizens of North Macedonia and Albania for the opening of accession talks with the EU in the context of the Intergovernmental Conferences in Brussels.

Weekly schedule of President Charles Michel 18 – 24 July 2022

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

Zbyněk Stanjura, Minister for Finance of the Czech Republic and President of Economic and Financial Affairs Council, and Paschal Donohoe, President of the Eurogroup and Minister for Finance of Ireland met in Prague on Monday 18 July.

During Agriculture and Fisheries Council of 18 July 2022 in Brussels, ministers agreed on a set of conclusions for the further development of sustainable aquaculture in the EU.

The Council approved conclusions on an EU digital diplomacy to meet the challenge posed by new digital technologies

The Council approved conclusions on foreign information manipulation and interference.

The Council extended the mandates of the EU Special Representatives for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia.

The Council approved conclusions setting out the EU's priorities at the United Nations during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (September 2022 – September 2023).

The Council renewed the EU terrorist list setting out persons, groups and entities subject to restrictive measures with a view to combating terrorism for a further six months.