General Secretariat of the Council,update

 

Library blog Wednesday, 09 July 2025

● General Secretariat of the Council   Navigating the Danish presidency of the Council with our Library guide   To help readers navigate the dynamic and complex landscape of the Danish presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Council Library has compiled a guide providing relevant and authoritative resources.

● Council of the EU

09/07/2025 11:07 | Meetings | Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 14 July 2025   Background brief - Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 14 July 2025 ● European Council   09/07/2025 09:30 | Press release | Report by President António Costa to the European Parliament plenary session   Three fundamental priorities marked the first seven months of our mandate: defence, competitiveness, and Europe’s role in the world.  Starting with defence. The Russian invasion of Ukraine was a wake-up call for Europe. It demonstrated that peace without defence is an illusion. NATO is indispensable. But the European Union has a clear added value, in fact it has a fundamental role, and it is ready to assume greater responsibility. That is why the European Council has approved a work plan towards achieving defence readiness by 2030. First, giving member states more fiscal space and funding through the SAFE program to allow for more ambitious defence spending. Second, ensuring that member states can spend better, through standardisation, aggregation of demand, harmonisation of requirements and joint procurement. Third, looking at defence as a driver for competitiveness, boosting research, innovation and developing a real industrial policy on defence, with more private investment supported by the EIB. On all these areas, we have, with the Commission, achieved progress. But we can – we must – do much more, acting together as Europeans. As we invest more, we don’t need to multiply the same capabilities by 27. We need to implement a common defence system, investing together in strategic capabilities like air defence, maritime security, space or cyber.  I’m not talking about a European Army. I’m talking about common goods operated by our national armies, according to a common plan. Gone are the days of futile discussions about the roles of the EU and NATO in building the Europe of defence.  It is now clear that, strengthening European defence is the best way to preserve a stable transatlantic alliance. Building the Europe of defence is not a slogan; it is a duty. A duty to protect our citizens, uphold our values and defend our future.  Secondly, on competitiveness. A more competitive Europe is a safer, more resilient Europe. A more competitive Europe is essential to attract more investment, create better jobs, strengthen our economic resilience and underpin our social model. The European Union is simultaneously a powerful Single Market and a powerhouse on trade. As Mario Draghi has underlined, defence and the energy transition are the main drivers to boost our competitiveness. In fact, the green transition is Europe’s chance to lead, to modernise our industry, to create clean jobs, to reduce energy costs and reinforce energy security. And it is, of course, crucial to tackle the existential threat of climate change. Because we can stop the clock on European rules, but there is no stop the clock for climate change. That means we cannot reduce our ambition and give up on our climate targets. But to reduce emissions we don’t need to increase bureaucracy. We must achieve our goals, not through bureaucratic pollution, but by ensuring that no one is left behind by the climate transition. That is why we invite the co-legislators to accelerate the simplification of the rules for businesses, and to cut red tape. It is also about addressing with realism the challenges that the middle class and lower-income citizens are facing, for example, in improving energy efficiency of their houses or replacing their old cars.  Ladies and gentlemen, there is no competitiveness without trade. The European Union will only lead in innovation, deliver prosperity and good-quality jobs, and attract talent, if it pursues its ambitious fair-trade agenda with partners all over the world. We are the largest trader of manufactured goods and services in the world. We have built the most extensive network of trade agreements, covering 78 countries, and growing. We are advancing negotiations with countries like India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, and others.  Since last December, the Commission has concluded the political negotiations with Mercosur and for the modernised agreement with Mexico. The Mercosur deal alone will form the largest free-trade zone in the world, a market of over 700 million consumers. It will boost investments in Europe, strengthen strategic industries in Europe and create jobs in Europe. We must therefore focus on the long-term benefits for Europe. Policymakers should decide based on facts, not on perceptions. Allow me to mention one example. The Mercosur agreement’s quota for beef represents 1,6 % of the total European beef production. This is also less than half of our current imports from Mercosur. This will simply not be able to destroy European agriculture. If we want to export our social and environmental standards, the way to do it is through trade agreements. Because tariffs don't spread standards. Trade agreements do. This is the message that Europe should send to the world: while others raise barriers, we build bridges. So, let’s move forward and sign the Mercosur agreement by the end of the year. Because shaping global economic rules, forging strong partnerships, and fostering shared prosperity is in Europe’s vital interest. Finally, to reinforce Europe’s position in the world it is more important than ever to intensify our diplomatic engagement in a multipolar world. The support to Ukraine and achieving the enlargement to the Western Balkans are our most important geopolitical investments. But we need to look beyond. We already held important summits with the Western Balkans, South Africa, Central Asian countries, the United Kingdom, Canada and Moldova. More are to come: Japan and China in July, Egypt in October, as well as Latin America and the Caribbean and African Union later this year.  In a time of fragmentation, the rules-based order needs defenders. Credible defenders, that uphold it consistently, without double standards, whether in Ukraine, the Middle East, or anywhere else where fundamental principles are at stake.  Europe is the credible, predictable, and reliable partner that multilateralism needs. Whether at the United Nations, the G20 in South Africa, or COP30 in Brazil, the European Union will be there – not as a spectator, but as an actor that shapes outcomes. Europe has shown that it can act, not just react. The European Council has been guided by unity in the diversity of our nations, working hand in hand with the Commission and this Parliament. Thank you dear Roberta, thank you dear Ursula. Together we are strengthening our defence, reinforcing our competitiveness, and defending our values and interests globally. You can count on the European Council to continue on this path. Because our citizens expect protection, prosperity, and purpose. We must deliver together. Thank you.   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   09/07/2025 12:43 | Press release | EU annual budget: Council agrees its position on the 2026 draft budget   Today, the Council reached an agreement on its position on the 2026 EU draft budget. In total, the Council's position for next year's budget amounts to €186.24 billion in commitments and €186.49 billion in payments, not including appropriations foreseen for special instruments outside the multiannual financial framework (MFF). Overall, the Council takes a prudent and realistic approach, based on a number of overarching principles. “In a changing world, we need a strong Europe. To do so requires a common budget that supports our shared priorities while also allowing room to handle unexpected challenges. I am encouraged by the unanimous support from Member States to the Council position on the EU 2026 budget. It provides a solid mandate for upcoming negotiations with the European Parliament.” — Nicolai Wammen, Danish minister for finance, chief negotiator for the Council on the 2026 budget First, the Council stresses the importance of ensuring that the budget for 2026 stands at an appropriate level for the implementation of policies and programmes. Second, the 2026 budget should safeguard the EU’s ability to cope with ongoing crises and challenges, such as in Ukraine and the Middle East, strengthening Europe’s defence readiness and preparedness, as well as addressing migratory pressures in line with the MFF revision priorities. Third, the Council considers that next year’s budget should allow for sufficient margins under the MFF 2021-2027 ceilings to deal with unforeseen crises and unforeseen circumstances. At the same time, the 2026 budget should provide enough resources to allow commitments already made to be paid in due time. A summary of the Council's position is set out in the table below: Download the full table (pdf) Download the full table (excel) Commitments are legal promises to spend money on activities whose implementation extends over several financial years. Payments cover expenditure arising from commitments entered into the EU budget during current and preceding financial years. Alongside its position, the Council also issued two statements: one on payments in 2026 and one on administrative expenditure. Next steps Today’s agreement was reached between the ambassadors of member states to the EU (Coreper). The Council aims to formally adopt its position through a written procedure in September. The Council’s position will serve as a mandate for the Danish presidency of the Council to negotiate the 2026 EU budget with the European Parliament. This year, the legal deadline for reaching agreement on the annual budget is 17 November 2025 at midnight. Background This is the sixth annual budget under the long-term EU budget, the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-2027. The 2026 budget is complemented by actions to support the COVID-19 recovery under Next Generation EU, the EU's pandemic recovery plan. Council position on the draft budget for the financial year 2026 Statements to the Council position on the draft budget for the financial year 2026 Technical Annexes to the Council position on the draft budget for the financial year 2026 EU annual budget 2026: Council sets guidelines for next year's EU budget (press release, 26 June 2025) The EU’s annual budget (background information) EU budget for 2026, timeline (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   09/07/2025 11:07 | Meetings | Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 14 July 2025   Background brief - Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 14 July 2025