President Costa to visit Strasbourg and Florence on 7 and 8 May 2025

 

Press material Monday, 05 May 2025

● European Council   05/05/2025 11:24 | Press release | President Costa to visit Strasbourg and Florence on 7 and 8 May 2025   The President of the European Council, António Costa, will be in Strasbourg, France on 7 May 2025 to participate in the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe organised by the European Parliament. President Costa will then travel to Florence, Italy to deliver a keynote speech at the European University Institute (EUI) on 8 May 2025 and to visit a facility of Leonardo, a leading Italian multinational company specialised in aerospace, defence and security. This visit reflects EU’s commitment to strengthening European defence as well as boosting EU’s competitiveness. “Strengthening European defence and fostering innovation in key industries is essential for our collective security and prosperity. Leonardo is a prime example of European excellence, and I look forward to seeing firsthand their cutting-edge technologies that contribute to making Europe more secure, resilient and competitive on the global stage.” — António Costa, President of the European Council As part of the event ‘European peace and security amidst global turmoil’ organised by the EUI on 8 May 2025 to mark the end of World War II in Europe, President Costa will address researchers, students and the press. His keynote speech will focus on peace and security in Europe at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty. On the same day, the President will also tour the facility of Leonardo in Campi Bisenzio, just outside of Florence. As one of the largest defence contractors in the world, Leonardo represents a crucial player in the European defence industry. In particular, the site in Campi Bisenzio specialises in three key sectors: space, defence and cyber & security. During the visit, the President will gain insights into the site’s advanced technologies, and engage in discussions about the challenges facing the defence sector in Europe and how it can contribute to the EU’s competitiveness and reindustrialization. Security and defence (background information) European defence industry (background information) Competitiveness (background information) Press opportunities President Costa will take part in a Q&A session following his keynote speech at the EUI and will hold a short press briefing at the end of his visit to the Leonardo facility in Campi Bisenzio. Journalists and media representatives interested in attending must register by contacting the addresses below. Thursday 8 May, 10:40 European University Institute Via dei Roccettini 9, Fiesole (FI) – Italy EUI.press@eui.eu  Thursday 8 May, 13:00 Leonardo S.p.A. Via Delle Officine Galileo, 1 Campi Bisenzio (FI) – Italy lucrezia.loschiavo@leonardo.com (please attach an ID copy) Videos and photos of the visits will be available in the Council newsroom.

View in browser   Meetings Tuesday, 06 May 2025     ● Council of the EU   06/05/2025 08:50 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 13 May 2025   The Council will be invited to reach a general approach on the directive on VAT rules for distance sales of imported goods and import valued added tax (VAT). The Council will hold a policy debate on the proposed Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument, which will help member states increase expenditure on common defence procurement. Other agenda items include an exchange of views on the recently proposed savings and investments union. ● European Council   06/05/2025 09:05 | Media advisory | Press briefing ahead of the European Political Community meeting in Tirana   The press briefing ahead of the European Political Community meeting in Tirana of 16 May 2025 will take place on Thursday 8 May 2025 at 16.00. The briefing will also touch upon the visit of European Council President António Costa to the Western Balkans region from 12 to 16 May. This briefing will be "off the record". The press briefing will take place in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either in person at the Europa Building press room or remotely. To attend the event remotely, please use this form to register and have the possibility to ask questions. Deadline for registration: Thursday 8 May 2025 at 15.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline.

● European Council

● Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης   06/05/2025 08:50 | Συνεδριάσεις | Κύρια σημεία της ημερήσιας διάταξης - Συμβούλιο Οικονομικών και Δημοσιονομικών Θεμάτων, 13 May 2025   Το Συμβούλιο θα κληθεί να καταλήξει σε γενική προσέγγιση όσον αφορά την οδηγία σχετικά με τους κανόνες ΦΠΑ για τις εξ αποστάσεως πωλήσεις εισαγόμενων αγαθών και τον φόρο προστιθέμενης αξίας (ΦΠΑ) κατά την εισαγωγή. Το Συμβούλιο θα πραγματοποιήσει συζήτηση προσανατολισμού σχετικά με την προτεινόμενη δράση για την ασφάλεια στην Ευρώπη (SAFE), ένα μέσο που θα βοηθήσει τα κράτη μέλη να αυξήσουν τις δαπάνες για κοινές αμυντικές προμήθειες. Στα λοιπά σημεία της ημερήσιας διάταξης περιλαμβάνεται η ανταλλαγή απόψεων σχετικά με την προσφάτως προταθείσα Ένωση Αποταμιεύσεων και Επενδύσεων. ● Eurogroup   06/05/2025 11:52 | Media advisory | Press briefing - Eurogroup meeting of 12 May 2025   The press briefing ahead of the Eurogroup meeting will take place on Thursday, 8 May at 14.00. The briefing will be "off the record" and will be given by Tuomas Saarenheimo, President of the Eurogroup Working Group. The press briefing will take place 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. If you haven't registered for one of the previous Eurogroup press events, please use this link to do so and have the possibility to ask questions remotely. Deadline for registration: Thursday, 8 May at 13.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline.