European Council

The Council extended EUNAVFOR ASPIDES until February 2027 to protect freedom of navigation and maritime security in response to the Red Sea crisis.

The EU list of safe countries of origin will speed up asylum processes; the safe third country concept tightens admissibility rules.

The Council formally adopts a regulation to strengthen and future-proof the EU wine sector.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Competitiveness Council will take place on 24 February 2026 at 10.00.

Press briefing ahead of upcoming General Affairs Council and General Affairs Council (Cohesion) will take place on Thursday 19 February 2026 at 16.00.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Agriculture and Fisheries Council will take place on 20 February 2026 at 11.00.

The Council set its position on amending the market stability reserve for a smooth launch of the emissions trading system for buildings, road transport and additional sectors.

The Council today appointed Satu Koivu as new head of mission for European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA).

The Council extended the restrictive measures on Zimbabwe until February 2027 maintaining the arms embargo, while lifting travel bans and asset freezes.

The Council today approved conclusions setting guidelines for the EU’s annual budget for 2027. The guidelines provide a political steer to the Commission in preparing the draft budget proposal for next year’s budget.

The Council today activated the national escape clause for Austria under the stability and growth pact.  The measure will help Austria transition to higher defence spending at national level while ensuring debt sustainability.

Today, the Council added two countries - Turks and Caicos Islands and Viet Nam – to the EU list. At the same time, three countries - Fiji, Samoa and Trinidad and Tobago - were removed. Following this update, the list consists of 10 jurisdictions.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, will travel to Oslo this week for high-level meetings. The visit marks the strong momentum of the bilateral relations with Norway, one of the closest and most likeminded partners for the European Union.

The Council formally adopted the directive to expand and update the list of pollutants affecting surface water and groundwater, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals and PFAS.

Remarks by Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis on the euro area recommendation, the international role of the euro, and global imbalances.

The Eurogroup reconfirmed Tuomas Saarenheimo as President of the Eurogroup working group.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 16-22 February 2026.

During the press conference held at the end of the Informal EU leaders' retreat of 12 February 2026, President António Costa presented the main topics of the discussions.

Before the start of the informal EU leaders' retreat of 12 February 2026, European Council President António Costa addressed the press in the Alden Biesen castle, Belgium.

The Council today appointed new prosecutors for Belgium and Czechia to the EU Public Prosecutor Office (EPPO). European prosecutors supervise investigations and prosecutions and, together with the European Chief Prosecutor, form the EPPO College.