COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,EUROGROUP,update

Press material Friday, 04 July 2025

● European Council   04/07/2025 19:54 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by President António Costa at the joint press conference following the EU-Moldova summit in Chișinău   It is a true pleasure to be back in Chişinău. Thank you, Madam President, for your warm welcome and for hosting us today, in our first-ever EU-Moldova Summit, which marks a true milestone in the deepening of our relations. As Moldovans decided democratically, Moldova’s future is in the European Union. This is our common goal, and the European Union is here to support Moldova every step of the way. For almost five years, you, Madam President, and your government, have led Moldova and its people on the European path with courage, vision, and continuous reform. The Commission’s assessment is clear: the progress achieved by Moldova on its European Union path is remarkable. The European Union leaders have recognised it unanimously in the European Council last week. Allow me to read this paragraph of the conclusions: “The European Council commends the Republic of Moldova for the pace of its accession-related reforms, welcomes the significant progress achieved, and encourages the Republic of Moldova and the Commission to intensify work in the accession process. The European Council invites the Council to take the next steps in the accession process in line with the merit-based approach, with clusters being opened when the conditions are met.” And very importantly, “It takes good note of the assessment of the Commission that the fundamentals cluster is ready to be opened.” Now it is time to accelerate our work and take the next step towards accession. The accession process is not a box-ticking exercise. Sustained reform efforts deliver tangible results for the Moldovan people. They open new opportunities for your citizens, and benefits of Moldova’s close cooperation with the EU are already visible - on the ground and in people’s everyday lives. From visa liberalisation to roaming. From energy support to investments in infrastructure. Last winter, the EU contributed €60 million in grants to fund heating compensation and €30 million for electricity compensation. The EU has funded 700 km of roads and 200 km of railways – and the renovation of 22 hospitals and 120 schools. These and other benefits will further grow in the future. During our meeting today, we agreed to work on further accelerating Moldova’s integration with the EU single market. To drive economic growth. To support Moldovan businesses. To create jobs and improve living standards. In one word, to boost your competitiveness. Time and again, the EU has proven to be a reliable, predictable partner for the Moldovan people. A partner that stands with you in good times and in challenging ones. And we will remain so. Strengthening Moldova’s security and resilience has been a key focus of our support. We strongly believe that the choice of who leads Moldova should rest with its people - not with those who seek to manipulate, divide or undermine their democratic will. We share a common goal: building a Europe that is free, safe and at peace. A Europe based on democracy, rule of law and shared values. Moldova has chosen the European path. And we are here to walk it with you.

● European Council

04/07/2025 18:57 | Press release | Joint declaration following the first Republic of Moldova - EU Summit   On 4 July 2025, the European Union and Moldova held their first-ever summit in Chișinău. The meeting marked a historic milestone in the EU-Moldova relations, reaffirming their shared commitment to peace, security and prosperity across Europe, and highlighting Moldova’s European future. During the summit, leaders adopted a joint declaration outlining a common vision and concrete deliverables for Moldova’s EU path. The declaration expresses strong political support for Moldova’s accession process, welcomes its reform efforts and sets out commitments in areas such as energy, security and defence, trade, economic development, the digital transition and youth. It also highlights the EU's staunch support for Moldova’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and resilience in the face of Russian hybrid attacks. The full text of the declaration is available below: Joint declaration ● General Secretariat of the Council   04/07/2025 17:35 | Press release | Forward look: 7 July - 20 July 2025   Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight. Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 8 July 2025 The Council is expected to adopt the final legislative acts paving the way for Bulgaria to begin using the euro as its official currency as of 1 January 2026. It will also be invited to activate the national escape clause under the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) in requesting member states to help facilitate their transition to higher defence spending at national level while ensuring debt sustainability. Ministers will hold a policy debate on the single currency package, including the proposal towards a digital euro. The Council is also expected to take decisions and make recommendations under the excessive deficit procedure. Read more Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 14 July 2025 The Danish presidency will give a presentation of its work programme and priorities for the second half of 2025. The Council will also exchange views on the market situation, in particular following Russia's war against Ukraine, and on the supply, production and sustainability of proteins. Read more Foreign Affairs Council (Trade), 14 July 2025 Ministers will exchange views on the current state of EU–US trade relations. They will also hold a policy debate on EU–China trade relations. Finally, they will discuss the ongoing trade negotiations and the status of various trade agreements. Read more Foreign Affairs Council, 15 July 2025 The Council will exchange views on Russia's war against Ukraine, after a short intervention of the minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha via videoconference. EU ministers will then hold discussions on the situation in the Middle East and the New Pact for the Mediterranean with the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Nasser Kamel. They will also be informed about current affairs. Read more General Affairs Council, 18 July 2025 Ministers responsible for European affairs will hear a presentation by the Commission on its first package of proposals on the next Multiannual Financial Framework and will hold an initial exchange of views. The Council will also discuss the request by Spain to include Catalan, Basque and Galician in regulation No 1/1958, which governs the EU’s language regime. Read more Other meetings Eurogroup, 7 July 2025 Informal meeting of employment ministers, 7-8 July 2025 Informal meeting of environment ministers, 10-11 July 2025 Informal meeting of research ministers and ministers for internal market and industry, 16-18 July 2025 Indicative calendar of meetings under the Danish presidency (1 July - 31 December 2025) Danish presidency ● Eurogroup   04/07/2025 17:22 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Eurogroup, 7 July 2025   The Eurogroup in regular format will discuss the euro area fiscal stance ahead of the 2026 budgets and is expected to adopt a statement. Ministers will also assess the international role of the euro and review the Commission’s proposal for a Council regulation on Bulgaria’s conversion rate to the euro. The Eurogroup will elect its president for the next two-and-a-half-year term. In inclusive format, ministers will exchange views on some of the outstanding political issues in the digital euro negotiations. They will also receive updates on the European Investment Bank’s ongoing work related to the capital markets union and the savings and investment union.