COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

Press material Wednesday, 22 October 2025

● European Council   22/10/2025 12:29 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the meeting with the Presidents of European Committee of the Regions and European Economic and Social Committee   I would first like to thank Kata Tüttő, Oliver Röpke, and Séamus Boland for giving me the opportunity to have this meeting. Housing affordability and accessibility are among the most urgent concerns of Europeans. We are all aware that the European Union is facing an exceptionally challenging geopolitical landscape. However, it is equally essential that we also address the daily concerns of European citizens. The housing crisis has a dangerous triple impact: it affects the fundamental rights of citizens, negatively impacts competitiveness, and undermines trust in our democratic institutions. That is why I have ensured that the housing crisis will be on the agenda of tomorrow’s European Council. For the very first time, European Union leaders will debate this critical issue at the highest level. While this is an area that remains primarily under the jurisdiction of national, regional, and local authorities, it is crucial that we, as European leaders, come together to discuss how the European Union can complement these efforts. Its goals are diverse, and so too will be the solutions. It is a complex, multi-layered issue that affects not only the most vulnerable groups - homeless individuals, low-income households - but also youth and the middle class. Two weeks ago, I met with the mayors of the Affordable Housing Alliance. We will also discuss this issue today, later, with the social partners during the Tripartite Social Summit. And now I have just concluded a very fruitful meeting with the president of the Committee of the Regions and the incoming presidents of the European Economic and Social Committee regarding the housing crisis. Both the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee have been working hard on this issue, as their presidents will explain to you in a moment. The European Parliament has also created a special committee on housing, and moreover, the European Commission now has dedicated commissioners for housing and will present the European Union's first-ever affordable housing plan by the end of this year. The European Union institutions are fully engaged in helping address this crisis. But the objective of tomorrow's discussion at the European Council is to offer political guidance to the Commission and to the Council in preparing the affordable housing plans. But for now, it’s very important to listen to what the opinions of mayors, regional leaders, workers, companies, and civil society in Europe are regarding this very important, very dramatic crisis that affects millions of European citizens.   Visit the website

● European Council

21/10/2025 16:31 | Press release | President Costa to discuss housing crisis with Presidents of Committee of the Regions and European Economic and Social Committee Presidents   On 22 October, the President of the European Council, António Costa will meet the President of the Committee of the Regions Kata Tüttő and Economic and Social Committee’s outgoing President Oliver Röpke and incoming President Séamus Boland. The meeting will focus on how to address the housing crisis across the EU. It takes place ahead of the Tripartite Social Summit and the European Council discussion on housing. “It is important that European leaders listen to the daily concerns of European citizens. Housing affordability and accessibility are among the most urgent concerns for Europeans, from Lisbon to Copenhagen, from Dublin to Athens. This is an issue that needs to be tackled at all levels: local, regional, national. We also need to reflect on how best the EU can complement these efforts and have a concrete impact in fighting this crisis.” — António Costa, President of the European Council Both the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee have been working on housing accessibility and affordability. They have an important role to play and their contribution will feed into the European Council’s discussions. The Committee of the Regions presented their opinion on “the role of cities and regions in the EU Affordable Housing Plan” in May 2025, emphasising the need for active subsidiarity and multilevel governance to enable a place-based approach. The European Economic and Social Committee presented their opinion on the European Affordable Housing Plan in September 2025. It stressed the need for a coordinated EU approach to address the shortage of affordable and sustainable housing. A press conference will be held at the end of the meeting at +/- 10:30 in the Europa building press room. Access for the media Journalists holding a valid one-year badge for EU summits or accredited to the European Council on 23 October 2025 will be granted access to the Europa building’s forum and press room. For more information on media accreditation procedures at the Council, please refer to Media accreditation. Videos and photos of the event will be available in the Council Newsroom.   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   21/10/2025 11:53 | Media advisory | Press briefing - Agriculture and Fisheries Council of 27-28 October 2025   The "off the record" press briefing ahead of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council will take place on Wednesday, 22 October 2025 at 18.00. The format will be online only: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions remotely. There will be no interpretation. To attend the event remotely, please use the link below to register and have the possibility to ask questions. Those who already registered for previous press events of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Wednesday, 22 October 2025 at 17.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Registration page Media accreditation for journalists   Visit the website

21/10/2025 10:21 | Press release |

Council greenlights Switzerland’s association to EU programmes

Today, the Council gave its green light to Switzerland joining Union programmes, such as Horizon Europe, Euratom Research and Training, ITER/Fusion for Energy (F4E), Digital Europe, Erasmus+, as well as EU4Health. “Our partnership with Switzerland is longstanding and based on common values. In the current complex and evolving geopolitical context, our relationship needs to be expanded and modernised to be better fit for the future. This is exactly what we achieved today with our decision on Switzerland’s association to EU research and innovation programmes as of the beginning of this year.” — Marie Bjerre, Minister for European affairs of Denmark This agreement regarding Switzerland’s association to EU programmes is part of a broader package of bilateral agreements negotiated between the EU and the Swiss Confederation in 2024. It is the first agreement of the package that will be signed and retroactively implemented as of the beginning of this year. Provisional application is foreseen with effect from 1 January 2025. This approach will allow to give effect to the transitional arrangements that the Commission granted to Switzerland during the negotiations of the broader package of agreements, for award procedures implementing the 2025 commitment appropriations. The conclusion of the agreement regarding Switzerland’s participation in EU programmes is foreseen as part of the wider package only if Switzerland will complete its procedures necessary for the entry into force of the package by the end of 2028. Next steps Following today’s adoption, the Commission is authorised to sign the agreement with the Swiss authorities. Signature is planned to take place in Bern on 10 November 2025. Following the completion of the signing of the entire package of agreements, the Council will request the consent of the European Parliament. Once this is provided, and subject to Switzerland completing the procedures necessary for the entry into force of the package by the end of 2028, the Council will complete the process on the conclusion of the broad package of agreements allowing for its entry into force. Background On 20 December 2024, EU and Switzerland officially confirmed the completion of the negotiations for a broad package of agreements that aim to deepen and expand their bilateral relationship. The package includes a wide range of elements: the update of five agreements which already give Switzerland access to the EU internal market (air transport, land transport, the free movement of persons, conformity assessment and trade in agricultural products), three new agreements on food safety, health and electricity, a new agreement on Switzerland's permanent and fair financial contribution to EU’s economic and social cohesion and a new agreement that will allow Switzerland to participate in several EU programmes. A separate agreement covers Switzerland's participation in the EU Space Agency, for activities related to the Galileo and EGNOS components of the Union Space programme. On 14 April 2025, the Commission submitted to the Council a proposal for a Council decision on the signing and provisional application of the agreement on Switzerland’s participation in EU programmes together with a recommendation for a Council decision on the conclusion of this agreement, by the European Commission, for matters falling under the Euratom Treaty. The rest of the agreements together with the respective draft Council decisions on signing and conclusion reached the Council in June 2025 and are currently discussed at its preparatory bodies. Council decision on the signing and provisional application of the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the participation of the Swiss Confederation in Union programmes, 21 October 2025 Council decision approving the conclusion of the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the participation of the Swiss Confederation in Union programmes, 21 October 2025 Agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the participation of the Swiss Confederation in Union programmes, 21 October 2025 Council decision on the signing and provisional application of the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the participation of the Swiss Confederation in Union programmes, Commission proposal, 14 April 2025 Council decision on the conclusion of the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the participation of the Swiss Confederation in Union programmes, Commission recommendation, 14 April 2025   Visit the website