COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Wednesday, 29 October 2025

● Council of the EU   29/10/2025 13:51 | Statements and remarks | Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on Belarus’ hybrid actions at the EU external border   The EU strongly condemns Belarus’ persistent and provocative actions against the EU and its Member States which are unacceptable, and contradict previous declarations by Lukashenka to improve relations with the EU. Meteorological balloon incursions into Lithuania’s airspace from Belarus, which have disrupted hundreds of flights and inflicted substantial losses to Lithuanian airports and thousands of travellers, risk destabilising a EU Member State and attempt to intimidate European citizens through direct threats posed to civilian aviation. These balloons are not merely smuggling tools, but occur in the context of a broader targeted hybrid campaign, along with other actions that also include state-sponsored migrant smuggling. All these actions must stop immediately. We call on the Belarusian regime to adopt without further delay effective measures to control its airspace, state border and territory, and fight and prevent organized criminal activities originating within it. The EU stands in full solidarity with Lithuania and all other Member States affected by Belarus' hybrid activities. Sanctions on the Belarusian regime have been imposed, and the EU is prepared to take further appropriate measures should such actions continue. We will not tolerate any hybrid campaigns directed against the EU or any of its Member States.   Visit the website

● European Council

28/10/2025 19:04 | Statements and remarks | Press statement by President António Costa following his meeting with President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan   During my first visit as President of the European Council to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today, I was honoured to meet His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. The UAE are an important and reliable partner for the EU: for the prosperity, stability and security of both our regions and beyond. The EU is committed to strengthening bilateral relations through trade, political dialogue and security.  We also discussed global challenges and in particular the situation in Gaza. We agreed that the focus must now firmly be on the swift and full implementation of President Trump’s peace plan.   I thanked His Highness for his personal leadership and his country’s crucial role in providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza and helping to alleviate human suffering. The EU stands ready to play its part, contributing to Gaza’s reconstruction. We also had a good exchange on Ukraine. The UAE have played a key role in providing humanitarian assistance and facilitating prisoner exchanges. I informed His Highness of the EU’s efforts in support of President Trump’s initiative and we agreed that a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine is our common goal.   Visit the website

● General Secretariat of the Council

'Jacques Delors: les paradoxes d'un homme d'État européen' sous la direction de Michel Mangenot et Fabrice Larat   Des historiens, des politistes et des collaborateurs de Jacques Delors se sont penchés sur sa vie politique, que ce soit au niveau national français ou en tant que président de la Commission européenne. Le livre présente le parcours d'un homme politique autodidacte qui inclut des moments peu connus, tels que son passage à l'ENA ou son mandat de député au Parlement européen. Le livre contient également une liste exhaustive des publications de cet auteur prolifique, datant de 1956 à 2022.   Read full post ● General Secretariat of the Council   New books added to the Council Library's collection - October 2025   Discover our selection of books recently added to the Council Library collection.   Read full post ● Council of the EU   28/10/2025 10:25 | Press release | Baltic Sea: Council agrees on catch limits for 2026   The Council today reached a political agreement on new limits on fish catches for the Baltic Sea's key fish stocks, namely herring, sprat, cod, salmon, plaice in order to ensure sustainable stocks and a viable fishing sector for the future. The agreement on total allowable catches (TACs) and national quotas for 2026 is overall in line with the scientific advice provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and sets the maximum quantities each member state will be allowed to catch for each fish stock. EU fisheries ministers took into account both environmental and socioeconomic considerations, aiming to ensure sustainable fishing practices while supporting the livelihoods of those in the fishing industry. “Today’s agreement is about securing our shared future. With it we strike a balance between the need to ensure sustainable fishing stock, protect our marine ecosystems, and safeguard the long-term viability of our fishing communities.” — Jacob Jensen, Danish Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries The agreement in detail Sprat The Council decided to increase fishing opportunities for sprat by 45% in line with ICES scientific advice. Herring Catch limits for central Baltic herring were increased by 15%. The Council also agreed with the Commission proposal of a three-month spawning closure. Regarding the Gulf of Riga herring, the ministers agreed to decrease the TAC by 17% compared to 2025.   Catch limits for Western Baltic herring remained unchanged. No directed fisheries are permitted under this quota but the derogation for small-scale fisheries was maintained. In order to prevent a decline below sustainable levels,Bothnian herring catch was decreased by 40%. A preliminary TAC is set until 31 October 2025, including remedial measures. The stock size of Bothnian herring continues to decrease and has reached one of its lowest levels on record. The Council also agreed with the Commission proposal of a three-month spawning closure. Salmon The Council decided to increase fishing opportunities for salmon in the Gulf of Finland by 1% and to decrease the catch limit for salmon in the Baltic main basin by 27 %. It decided to maintain accompanying measures as concerns the summer coastal fishery in subdivisions 29 N, 30 and 31 and recreational fishing for reared salmon only. Cod With both Eastern and Western Baltic cod stocks still in very poor condition, the Council agreed to continue to set TACs for by-catches only, in order to allow for the recovery of the stocks. Compared to 2025, the catch limits have been maintained for both Eastern and Baltic cod. To help improve the situation of these stocks, the Council agreed with the Commission's proposal to maintain the prohibition of recreational cod fishing in the entire area. Plaice Catch limits for plaice will be reduced by 3% following the scientific advice. Norway pout Beyond the Baltic, the Council also decided on fishing opportunities for Norway pout in the North Sea, a stock that is shared by the EU and the United Kingdom. Following consultations with the UK, delegations agreed to keep the same limit of 400 tonnes for by-catches only. Next steps The Council will formally adopt the decision at an upcoming meeting, once the text has been finalised in all EU languages. Background The Council sets limits on how much fish can be caught in EU waters in order to avoid fish stocks becoming depleted. The Council has a key role in setting these catch limits, as it alone has decision-making competence in this area. The Council's agreement is based on a Commission proposal and the scientific advice provided by ICES. It is also consistent with the goals of the Common Fisheries Policy, as well as the provisions of the multiannual plan for Baltic Sea stocks. The work conducted by BALTFISH, the regional fisheries forum for the Baltic Sea, which is currently chaired by Sweden, contributed to the Council's efforts towards reaching the agreement. The Baltic Sea faces numerous challenges, including biodiversity loss, climate change, the effects of overfishing in the past, and high levels of contaminants and litter. In order to address these challenges and ensure sustainable fisheries and a healthy marine environment, the EU favours a long-term approach to sustainability. Fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2026 – table Commission proposal   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   27/10/2025 22:00 | Meetings | Main results - Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 27-28 October 2025   During the first day of the meeting, EU agriculture and fisheries ministers discussed the 2026 fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea and exchanged views on the upcoming meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). As far as agriculture was concerned, the ministers discussed the post-2027 CAP proposals in relation to the green architecture, and also the market situation, particularly in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.   View meeting page ● Council of the EU   27/10/2025 15:12 | Press release | ISIL/Da’esh and Al-Qaeda: Council renews sanctions regime by another year   The Council today renewed the EU autonomous restrictive measures against ISIL/Da'esh and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them, prolonging their duration for a further year, until 31 October 2026. The autonomous list currently in place applies to 15 persons and 7 groups. All those designated are subject to an asset freeze, while the individuals are also under a travel ban to the EU. Additionally, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to them. These restrictive measures are complementary to those imposed by the UN Security Council against ISIL/Da’esh and Al-Qaeda. The EU remains committed to counter the continued terrorist threat posed by Al-Qaeda, ISIL/Da'esh and their regional affiliates. Furthermore, it remains committed to taking decisive action against those who continue to threaten international peace and security by planning, financing and committing terrorist attacks, and by spreading their deadly terrorist propaganda around the world. Background As of September 2016, the EU can autonomously impose sanctions against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them. The EU autonomous restrictive measures are complementary to those imposed by the UN Security Council against ISIL(Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda. Consolidated text dated 17.03.2025: Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 of 20 September 2016 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them and repealing Common Position 2002/402/CFSP Sanctions against terrorism (background information)   Visit the website