COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Thursday, 15 May 2025

● European Council   15/05/2025 18:02 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by President António Costa at the joint press conference with Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama   Thank you Prime Minister Rama, dear Edi, for your hospitality. I am really glad to be concluding my tour of the Western Balkans in Tirana. As you know, for the European Union, the enlargement to the Western Balkans countries is the most important geopolitical investment we are doing. This is the right moment, and it is up to us to complete this process as soon as possible. Albania embodies the European Union’s enlargement momentum and Albania is on track to join the European Union. The result of the elections this week re-confirm the desire of Albanians for European Union integration. Dear Edi, let me congratulate you once again on this impressive victory. Albania’s accession to the European Union is our common goal. It’s not a question of ‘if’ or ‘how’; it is a question of ‘when’. You know exactly what needs to be done; I can only encourage you to keep your eyes on the objective and deliver on these last milestones. Keeping up the pace and intensifying work on European Union reforms is now key, particularly rule of law and fight against corruption. We also stand together on the global stage, determined to deepen our cooperation on issues related to security and defence. The recent first EU-Albania Security and Defence Dialogue is a prime example of our close alignment. This week marks another milestone. You will host the meeting of the European Political Community, that will gather over 40 European leaders. This meeting will take place for the first time in this part of Europe, and I want to commend the impressive organisation of this event. I look forward to a productive day and meetings tomorrow. If you allow me to also use this opportunity to congratulate Federica Mogherini for taking the initative to open, in close cooperation with you, a campus of the College of Europe here in Tirana. Welcome to the students of this first year of the College of Europe in Tirana, Jacques Delors promotion. Europe is not only about prosperity, it is not only about values. Europe needs faith for the future, for our common future together. And to give the name of Jacques Delors to this first promotion here in Albania is a very good sign, because Jacques Delors is effectively the father of the foundation of the European Union. And now, dear Edi, it is the moment, like it was in ’92, to make another big step, and fortunately you have good leg to make this big step.

● Council of the EU

15/05/2025 16:29 | Meetings | Main results - Foreign Affairs Council (Trade), 15 May 2025   Ministers held a policy debate on EU–US trade relations. The Council exchanged views on European economic security, including the review of the FDI Screening Regulation, export controls, and outbound investment controls. Ongoing trade negotiations were also the main focus of the working lunch discussion for the Ministers.

● European Council

15/05/2025 15:05 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by President António Costa at the joint press conference with Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski   Thank you very much, dear Prime Minister, dear Hristijan for the warm reception in North Macedonia and for this very extensive, but very constructive talk. My strong belief is that enlargement is a common goal we share. It is the best geostrategic investment in peace, security, and stability that we all can make. I commend the excellent work made by North Macedonia and your government on the reform agenda and the progress already achieved. We need to use this opportunity to conclude strategic investments, such as the Corridor 8 and Corridor 10.  During our meeting, I reiterated that North Macedonia’s future is within the European Union. We have made a lot of progress already and we discussed the remaining steps that need to be taken to complete the process, and I encouraged the Prime Minister to pursue his efforts to unlock further progress.  Dear Hristian, you can count on us - the European Union stands with you, ready to help seize this momentum.  It is now crucial to press ahead with reforms and invest in the rule of law and fight against corruption.  I would also like to acknowledge your alignment with our Common Foreign and Security Policy and your support for Ukraine.  I trust that your future engagements – also in and at international fora - will reflect our shared values. The Security and Defence Partnership we signed last year is a prime example of how North Macedonia and the European Union are already coming closer; concretely increasing collaboration in key areas such as support to Ukraine, countering hybrid threats, and counter terrorism. North Macedonia has done a lot of work. You need to stay the course. The accession process is more a marathon, than a sprint. It is demanding. It can be frustrating at times — like it has been for all previous candidates. But all of them achieved the objective, and certainly, you will too.   With your determination, hard work and cooperation you will make it all the way, bypassing hurdles. Thank you very much. ● Council of the EU   15/05/2025 11:11 | Media advisory | Press briefings ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council and the Foreign Affairs (Defence) Council of 20 May 2025   The press briefings ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council and the Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) of 20 May will take place on: Friday, 16 May at 14.30 - Foreign Affairs Council Monday, 19 May at 16.30 - Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) These briefings will be "off the record" and will be given by senior EEAS officials in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either remotely or in person at the Europa building press room. To attend the event remotely, please use this link to register and have the possibility to ask questions. Those who already registered for previous press events of Foreign Affairs Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Friday, 16 May 2025, 13.30 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline.