COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Meetings Tuesday, 16 September 2025

● Eurogroup   16/09/2025 17:59 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Eurogroup, 19 September 2025   The Eurogroup will discuss and adopt its work programme for the rest of 2025 and the first half of 2026. Ministers will assess macroeconomic developments and hear from Ms Aurore Lalucq, Chair of the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, on Parliament’s views. Ministers will also provide political guidance on the digital euro’s institutional framework and receive an update on the legislative package from the Council Presidency. Finally, President Donohoe will brief ministers on recent G7 discussions.   View meeting page

● Council of the EU

16/09/2025 17:15 | Meetings | Main results - General Affairs Council, 16 September 2025   The Council started preparations for the October 2025 European Council and discussed legislative programming, the rule of law situation in the EU and the general trend of rule of law in four candidate countries.   View meeting page ● Council of the EU   16/09/2025 10:29 | Press release | Protection of displaced Ukrainians: Council adopts recommendation about transition out of temporary protection   Today the Council agreed on a common framework for displaced Ukrainians to ensure a sustainable return and reintegration into Ukraine, when conditions allow, as well as a gradual transition to other residence statuses for those eligible. With this recommendation the EU is preparing for a coordinated approach for when conditions in Ukraine are conducive to phasing out the temporary protection status. The recommendation also contains measures to ensure information provision to displaced persons and measures to ensure coordination, monitoring and exchange of information among member states and Ukraine. “Russia’s relentless, unjustified attacks on Ukraine continue. The EU’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people remains steadfast. At the same time it is common sense to prepare for the day when the situation allows for the Ukrainian people to return home to help rebuilding their country. A coordinated approach to the transition out of temporary protection status is in the best interest of those who had to leave their country. We want to ensure that the return to Ukraine takes places gradually and with a focus on sustainable reintegration in the communities.” — Kaare Dybvad Bek, Danish Minister for Immigration and Integration Transition to other legal residence statuses Member states are called upon to offer displaced Ukrainians national residence permits, issued for instance on grounds related to employment, training, education or family grounds, if the persons meet certain conditions. People enjoying temporary protection should also be allowed to apply for statuses under EU law, for instance related to highy qualified employment. It is not possible to hold statuses under EU law simultaneously with benefitting from temporary protection. Reintegration support and voluntary returns Many Ukrainians who fled from the war need support in order to be able to return to Ukraine and reintegrate into Ukrainian society. Member states can help them by allowing them to undertake exploratory visits to Ukraine. The conditions for these exploratory visits should be coordinated among EU countries. Member states should also provide for voluntary return programmes valid for a limited time period – and coordinate the conditions of those programmes with the Ukrainian authorities and other member states. They should furthermore extend the temporary protection rights (e.g. related to housing, medical care and schooling) to people enrolled in voluntary return programmes. Information for displaced people Member states should also ensure that they provide information to displaced Ukrainians – regarding opportunities to apply for another legal status, the impact on their advantages and rights, and support for returning to Ukraine. EU countries should in particular set up information systems and campaigns concerning voluntary return programmes. They can also establish so-called Unity Hubs, which can be financed through EU programmes. Unity Hubs can serve as points of contact for displaced Ukrainians in a member state, provide assistance with documents and also employment advice in Ukraine and the host country. Next steps The recommendation, which is a guidance for EU member states, will enter into force following its adoption. Background Since March 2022, the EU offered safety and shelter to over 4 million displaced Ukrainians. Displaced persons from Ukraine who are unable to return home because of Russia’s war of aggression will enjoy temporary protection in the EU until 4 March 2027. The temporary protection system alleviates the pressure on national asylum systems because persons falling under this type of protection do not need to apply for asylum on an individual basis. The recommendation that member states adopted today responds to their aspiration to coordinate the transitioning out and end of temporary protection. It also aims to guarantee shared responsibility throughout this process. EU solidarity with Ukraine (background information) EU member states agree to extend temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine (press release, 13 June 2025)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   16/09/2025 10:29 | Press release | Protection of displaced Ukrainians: Council adopts recommendation about transition out of temporary protection   Today the Council agreed on a common framework for displaced Ukrainians to ensure a sustainable return and reintegration into Ukraine, when conditions allow, as well as a gradual transition to other residence statuses for those eligible. With this recommendation the EU is preparing for a coordinated approach for when conditions in Ukraine are conducive to phasing out the temporary protection status. The recommendation also contains measures to ensure information provision to displaced persons and measures to ensure coordination, monitoring and exchange of information among member states and Ukraine. “Russia’s relentless, unjustified attacks on Ukraine continue. The EU’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people remains steadfast. At the same time it is common sense to prepare for the day when the situation allows for the Ukrainian people to return home to help rebuilding their country. A coordinated approach to the transition out of temporary protection status is in the best interest of those who had to leave their country. We want to ensure that the return to Ukraine takes places gradually and with a focus on sustainable reintegration in the communities.” — Kaare Dybvad Bek, Danish Minister for Immigration and Integration Transition to other legal residence statuses Member states are called upon to offer displaced Ukrainians national residence permits, issued for instance on grounds related to employment, training, education or family grounds, if the persons meet certain conditions. People enjoying temporary protection should also be allowed to apply for statuses under EU law, for instance related to highy qualified employment. It is not possible to hold statuses under EU law simultaneously with benefitting from temporary protection. Reintegration support and voluntary returns Many Ukrainians who fled from the war need support in order to be able to return to Ukraine and reintegrate into Ukrainian society. Member states can help them by allowing them to undertake exploratory visits to Ukraine. The conditions for these exploratory visits should be coordinated among EU countries. Member states should also provide for voluntary return programmes valid for a limited time period – and coordinate the conditions of those programmes with the Ukrainian authorities and other member states. They should furthermore extend the temporary protection rights (e.g. related to housing, medical care and schooling) to people enrolled in voluntary return programmes. Information for displaced people Member states should also ensure that they provide information to displaced Ukrainians – regarding opportunities to apply for another legal status, the impact on their advantages and rights, and support for returning to Ukraine. EU countries should in particular set up information systems and campaigns concerning voluntary return programmes. They can also establish so-called Unity Hubs, which can be financed through EU programmes. Unity Hubs can serve as points of contact for displaced Ukrainians in a member state, provide assistance with documents and also employment advice in Ukraine and the host country. Next steps The recommendation, which is a guidance for EU member states, will enter into force following its adoption. Background Since March 2022, the EU offered safety and shelter to over 4 million displaced Ukrainians. Displaced persons from Ukraine who are unable to return home because of Russia’s war of aggression will enjoy temporary protection in the EU until 4 March 2027. The temporary protection system alleviates the pressure on national asylum systems because persons falling under this type of protection do not need to apply for asylum on an individual basis. The recommendation that member states adopted today responds to their aspiration to coordinate the transitioning out and end of temporary protection. It also aims to guarantee shared responsibility throughout this process. EU solidarity with Ukraine (background information) EU member states agree to extend temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine (press release, 13 June 2025)   Visit the website