COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Library blog Thursday, 10 July 2025

● General Secretariat of the Council   Think Tank Review - July 2025   The Danish presidency priorities during the 2nd semester of 2025; acceleration of the enlargement process; enhancing EU’s industrial capacity in critical raw materials and semiconductors; the artificial intelligence at the centre of EU tech policy; rebalancing transatlantic relations; directed energy weapons shaping tomorrow’s battlefield; Europe’s military readiness by 2030; the Israel-Iran conflict and it implications, and the US-Ukraine minerals agreement are some of the topics dealt with in the present Think Tank Review.   Read full post

● Council of the EU

09/07/2025 17:58 | Media advisory | Press briefing - Foreign Affairs Council of 15 July 2025   The press briefing ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council will take place on Friday, 11 July 2025 at 15.30. This press briefing will be 'off the record' and will be given by a senior EEAS official 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 the Foreign Affairs Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Friday, 11 July 2025, 14.30 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline.   Visit the website

● Council of the EU

10/07/2025 15:09 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - 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 EU’s post-2027 long-term budget (Multiannual Financial Framework) and will hold a policy debate. 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.   View meeting page ● European Council   10/07/2025 13:41 | Speech | Speech by President António Costa at the 2nd plenary session of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome   Thank you for organizing this conference and for placing Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction at the heart of the international agenda. I would like to focus on four pillars that must shape Ukraine’s path forward: peace, defence, reconstruction, and accession to the European Union. First, peace. Dear Volodymyr, let me commend your leadership in calling for an unconditional ceasefire and mobilising all diplomatic efforts toward a just and sustainable peace. Unfortunately, Russia has responded only with more strikes, more suffering, and more unjustifiable deaths. This must stop. From day one, the European Union has stood — and will continue to stand — firmly by your side to ensure a just and lasting peace. We are doing this by increasing pressure on Russia through sanctions, by strengthening Ukraine’s defence, and by deploying every diplomatic tool at our disposal to restore peace in Europe. Second, defence. Supporting Ukraine’s defence is not only about military strength. It is about sovereignty and the foundation of economic recovery. Ukraine’s defence sector is helping to stimulate local production, create jobs, and drive innovation — strengthening the country’s economy and increasing resilience. As Ukraine rebuilds, integrating these technological advances will bolster national development and help embed Ukraine in the broader European industrial and defence value chains. This is a meaningful contribution to building the Europe of defence — a path shared by all member states. As President of the European Council, I will continue to encourage member states to increase investments in Ukraine’s defence sector, including through the SAFE programme, which offers a concrete instrument for this effort. Third, reconstruction. Ukraine’s reconstruction will require a massive, sustained effort from the international community— one that matches the scale of destruction and the urgency of the moment. As Ursula has already announced, Ukraine can count on the European Union. But it must also be rooted in justice: Russia must be held accountable for the devastation it has caused. The aggressor must bear responsibility for rebuilding what it sought to destroy. Reconstruction is not only about buildings — it is about people, and starts at the local level. Local communities, municipalities, mayors, civil society, and the media are essential actors in this process.  As a former mayor, I know how powerful civil society can be in meeting immediate needs, driving community-led solutions, and advancing the reforms necessary for EU accession. The European Union — including our cities, regions, and citizens — stands with you. And we will continue working with the Ukrainian people for a resilient, democratic, and peaceful future. Fourth, and finally, Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. Enlargement is the EU’s most strategic geopolitical investment — in peace, in security, and in prosperity. For Ukraine, accession is a commitment to democratic values, the rule of law, good governance, and a peaceful, stable future. At our most recent meeting, EU leaders acknowledged the remarkable progress Ukraine has made on reforms, even under the most difficult conditions. The Commission’s assessment is clear: Ukraine has fulfilled all the necessary steps to open the first cluster of accession negotiations. Negotiations must now move forward. Ukraine’s accession process will continue, with the next steps guided by merit, momentum, and mutual commitment. Ukraine’s future lies in the European Union. The European Union stands with Ukraine — for peace, for defence, for reconstruction, and all along the path to accession. Together, we can ensure that Ukraine not only recovers, but thrives — and in doing so, we will build a stronger, safer, and more united Europe. Thank you very much.   Visit the website

● Council of the EU

10/07/2025 15:09 | Meetings | Foreign Affairs Council (Trade), 14 July 2025   Background brief - Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) of 14 July 2025   View meeting page ● Council of the EU   10/07/2025 11:01 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Foreign Affairs Council (Trade), 14 July 2025   Ministers will exchange views on the current state of EU–US trade relations and hold a policy debate on EU–China trade relations. They will also discuss the ongoing trade negotiations and the status of various trade agreements.