COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

Press material Thursday, 16 October 2025

● Eurogroup   16/10/2025 20:02 | Press release | "Europe’s economy remains resilient despite rising global trade tensions" – Eurogroup President Donohoe's report to the President of the Euro Summit   The President of the Eurogroup, Paschal Donohoe, has sent a letter to the President of the Euro Summit, António Costa, to report on the recent work by the Eurogroup and upcoming work priorities. The letter will inform the discussion that Leaders will hold at the Euro Summit on 23 October 2025. The report takes stock of the economic situation in the euro area, fiscal policy coordination and the need to maintain resilient public finances while stepping up funding for defence and security, progress on the digital euro, reinforcing the international role of the euro to ensure resilience and stability, turning commitments into action on the Capital Markets Union, and the need for continuous active international engagement to strengthen Europe’s voice. “Despite external headwinds, Europe’s economy continues to be resilient. The forthcoming further enlargement of the euro area with Bulgaria is the most recent testament to the stability and attractiveness of the euro as an anchor of prosperity. Delivering further progress on the Capital Markets Union and enhancing our competitiveness remain key priorities. We are now also accelerating our work on the digital euro which is essential to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy in the digital age.”” — Paschal Donohoe, President of the Eurogroup Letter of the President of the Eurogroup, Paschal Donohoe, to the President of the Euro Summit, António Costa, of 16 October 2025     hursday, 16 October 2025     ● Council of the EU   16/10/2025 21:30 | Press release | European Defence Industry Programme: Council and Parliament reach provisional agreement   The presidency of the Council and negotiators from the European Parliament (EP) reached a provisional agreement on the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), a dedicated financing programme for defence worth €1.5 billion for the period 2025-2027. The EDIP aims to boost the EU's defence readiness by enhancing the competitiveness and the responsiveness of the European Defence Technology Industrial Base (EDTIB). It also aims to support defence industrial cooperation with Ukraine and Ukrainian companies through the dedicated Ukraine Support Instrument, with a view to its future integration into the EDTIB. In addition, the EDIP establishes the first ever mechanism to ensure the security of supply of defence products throughout the EU, as well as a legal 'toolbox' to foster long-term armaments cooperation among member states ('the Structure for European Armament Programme'). “The European Defence Industry Programme is key to Europe's defence readiness. It will boost our capacity to produce and supply critical defence equipment and ensure that we can respond swiftly and decisively to the increasingly complex security environment. At the same time, it will deepen our partnership with Ukraine by bringing its defence industry closer to ours - to the mutual benefit of Europe and Ukraine.” — Troels Lund Poulsen – Danish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Boosting the EU's defence readiness with a €1.5 billion budget The provisional agreement reached today confirms the budget proposed by the European Commission for the EDIP, i.e. €1.5 billion in the form of grants. Of the total budget, €300 million will be allocated to the Ukraine Support Instrument. The Council and the EP invited the Commission to explore options to reinforce the total budget for the EDIP in the future, including for the Ukraine Support Instrument and the proposed Fund to Accelerate defence Supply chains Transformation (FAST).  Ramping up European capacity and supply chains The Council and the EP agreed that the cost of components originating outside the EU and associated countries (EEA states) should not exceed 35% of the estimated cost of the components of the end product, thereby striking a balance between the European preference principle and cooperation with partner countries to the benefit of European industry. No components will be sourced from non-associated countries that contravene the security and defence interests of the EU or its member states. The EDIP also establishes a framework for European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCIs), which are aimed at developing capabilities, including those securing access to strategic domains, enablers and systems. Bringing Ukraine closer to the European defence industry The Council and the EP agreed to further support Ukraine through the Ukraine Support Instrument, involving the Ukrainian defence industry in the instrument from the start. Furthermore, it was decided that Ukraine will be able to participate in the so-called EDPCIs. The Ukraine Support Instrument will be endowed with a financial envelope of €300 million. Ensuring security of supply Today's provisional agreement sets up the first ever EU security of supply regime in the area of defence, designed to ensure timely and reliable access to defence products and components during crises. The agreement sets out a two-stage approach, with a clear distinction between defence and non-defence products. Setting up a European military sales mechanism Through the EDIP, the EU is establishing a European military sales mechanism that will offer, among other things, a centralised catalogue of defence products and will facilitate the delivery of defence products, amplifying demand at EU level and increasing the competitiveness of the European defence industry on the international market. It also provides the possibility to establish 'pools' of defence products to allow for a swift delivery of equipment. Next steps The agreement reached today will have to be confirmed by both institutions before being formally adopted. Background On 5 March 2024, the Commission tabled a proposal for a regulation establishing the EDIP. Endowed with a financial package of €1.5 billion for the period from 2025 to 2027, the proposal for the EDIP is designed to build on existing programmes aimed at incentivising the common procurement of defence products (the EDIRPA Regulation) and the reinforcement of defence industry manufacturing capacities (the ASAP Regulation), giving them a longer-term and more structured perspective. Council’s negotiating mandate on EDIP EDIP Proposal for a Regulation EDIP Factsheet European defence industry (background information) Security and defence (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   16/10/2025 17:39 | Meetings | Background brief - Environment Council of 21 October 2025, 21 October 2025   Background brief - Environment Council of 21 October 2025   View meeting page

Meetings Thursday, 16 October 2025

● International ministerial meetings   16/10/2025 16:21 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - EU-Iraq Cooperation Council, 19 October 2025   The Cooperation Council between the European Union and Iraq will hold its fourth meeting on Sunday, 19 October in Luxembourg.   View meeting page

● Council of the EU

17/10/2025 10:50 | Press release | Violence against women and domestic violence: EU equality ministers call for stronger focus on prevention, early detection and intervention   Recognising the vital role that ordinary citizens can play in preventing abuse, the Council has approved conclusions calling for greater efforts to empower bystanders to help combat violence against women and domestic violence. In their conclusions, EU equality ministers underline that awareness, education and societal support are key to ensuring that bystanders can recognise abuse, intervene safely, and help victims seek justice and protection. “Today, we have agreed to strengthen prevention, early detection and intervention against gender-based violence. Each of us has a role to play in breaking the silence and stopping violence against women and domestic violence. Bystanders and professionals can make a significant difference in the lives of victims and help prevent future cases of violence.” — Magnus Heunicke, Danish Minister for Environment and Gender Equality Underreporting of violence against women According to the EU Gender-Based Violence Survey 2024, while the majority of women who have experienced violence have disclosed it to a person close to them, only twenty per cent have contacted social or healthcare services, and just one in eight has reported the incident to the police. In its conclusions, the Council stresses the need for awareness raising and education among the population as a whole about safe and effective ways to seek help, provide support or otherwise intervene in cases of violence, while also ensuring that bystanders feel able to report such acts to the competent authorities without fearing negative consequences. Victims of domestic violence While women and girls are disproportionally exposed to gender-based violence, men and boys can also be victims of domestic violence, and face gender-specific challenges when it comes to seeking help. The Council also calls for measures at EU and national level to combat gender stereotypes and harmful social norms that discourage men and boys from showing vulnerability, thus limiting their ability to access support when they need it. Children who are exposed to violence within their family or domestic unit are also considered victims of domestic violence, as they are at greater risk of long-term physical and mental health problems, and may develop or be subjected to violent behaviour themselves. The Council therefore encourages EU countries to take action to protect and support children living in an environment where violence against women or domestic violence is present. Background In May 2024 the Council adopted directive (EU) 2024/1385 on combating violence against women and domestic violence, which requires EU countries to criminalise female genital mutilation, forced marriage, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, cyber stalking, cyber harassment and cyber incitement to hatred or violence. The directive provides for stronger criminal responses to violence against women and domestic violence; improved protection and access to justice for victims; strengthened support for victims; and reinforced prevention and coordination measures. The Commission published a Roadmap for Women’s Rights in 2025, and is expected to produce an updated version of its Gender Equality Strategy in early 2026. Violence against women and domestic violence: prevention, early detection and intervention (draft Council conclusions) A Roadmap for Women's Rights (Commission communication) EU measures to end violence against women (background information)   Visit the website