European Council

Remarks by President Charles Michel after the Central Asia Leaders’ Meeting.

President Michel attended the second regional high-level meeting held in Kyrgyzstan, together with the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

In the margins of the European Political Community meeting held in Moldova, President Charles Michel hosted a meeting with Meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz

President Michel addressed the press before the start of the second European Political Community meeting held in Moldova

The Council has approved the EU’s accession to the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

The Council has reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on new rules to bring the EU’s fisheries control system in line with the Common Fisheries Policy.

The Council imposed restrictive measures against 7 individuals over attempts to destabilise the Republic of Moldova and undermine the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

On 30 May, President Michel met with President Zourabichvili of Georgia.

The Council approved its annual report on public access to documents.

The Council adopted three regulations aimed at implementing the joint solutions agreed with the UK regarding public, animal and plant health issues, medicines and certain steel products.

The Council decided to provide €295 million of macro-financial assistance to Moldova.

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

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

The briefing will take place on Tuesday 30 May 2023 at 14.00

Weekly schedule of President Charles Michel, 29 May – 3 June 2023

The Council adopted today a Regulation which renews the suspension of all customs duties, quotas and trade defence measures on Ukrainian exports to the EU for another year, until June 2024. By renewing these measures the EU is continuing to demonstrate its unwavering political and economic support for Ukraine, which is still facing Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression.

WTO: Council approves an agreement on fisheries subsidies to boost environmental sustainability On 25 May 2023, the Council adopted a decision approving, on behalf of the EU, the conclusion of a World Trade Organization (WTO) protocol establishing a fisheries subsidies agreement. The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is the first WTO agreement that focuses on environmental sustainability, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14.6 (UN SDG).

At the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the European Central Bank, President Michel emphasised the key role the institution and the euro play in boosting European sovereignty.

Today the Council adopted its negotiating mandate to start talks with the European Parliament on a proposal to update EU legislation on cross-border waste shipments. The aim is to ensure that international shipments of waste don’t pose a threat to human health and the environment, and to promote the use of waste as a resource in a circular economy.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming General Affairs Council will take place on 26 May 2023 at 12.00.