President António Costa to go on 'Tour des Capitales' across EU member states

 

● European Council

29/08/2025 11:33 | Press release | President António Costa to go on 'Tour des Capitales' across EU member states   The President of the European Council, António Costa, will visit the EU leaders in their member states in the first three weeks of September. This “Tour des Capitales” will allow President Costa to gather views from the heads of state or government on the situation in the EU and prepare the ground for upcoming European Councils and international summits. “Over the next three weeks, I’ll be travelling across Europe, meeting EU leaders in their capitals. These conversations will help shape our common agenda for the months ahead. As President of the European Council, it is my duty to listen and to understand the priorities of all leaders - especially in these uncertain times. My role is to build consensus. With every visit, I’ll work to reinforce our cooperation, because in today’s unpredictable world, our unity is our greatest strength.” — António Costa, President of the European Council In his meetings with leaders, President Costa will discuss all the main political priorities as well as working methods of the European Council. The President will visit most EU countries between 1 and 19 September. A first meeting with the Prime Minister of Belgium, Bart de Wever, was held on 27 August in Brussels. During the first week of his tour, President Costa will meet the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Robert Golob, on 2 September. This visit will be preceded by his participation at the Bled Strategic Forum on 1 September where he will deliver a keynote speech. On 2 September, President Costa will also meet the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković in Zagreb. On 3 September, he will meet the Chancellor of Austria, Christian Stocker, in Vienna. On 4 September, he will be in Romania for a meeting with President Nicușor Dan and in Bulgaria for a meeting with Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov. The week will end with meetings with Prime Minister Petr Fiala in Czechia and with Prime Minister Dick Schoof in the Netherlands on 5 September. The details of the following week will be announced on Friday 5 September. Background By the end of the year, President António Costa will chair two formal European Councils, in October in December 2025, and the Informal European Council to be held in Copenhagen on 1 October. The European Political Community meeting is scheduled to take place on 2 October also in the Danish capital. President Costa will co-chair the EU-CELAC Summit on 8-9 November in Colombia and the EU-African Union Summit in Angola on 24-25 November. On behalf of the EU, he will also attend United Nations High-Level week and address the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council in September. The president will also participate in the COP30 in Belém in November. President Costa visits EU capitals   Visit the website