COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Meetings Friday, 28 November 2025

● Council of the EU   28/11/2025 18:14 | Meetings | Main results - Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council (Culture and sport), 28 November 2025   EU ministers for culture and sport met in Brussels to discuss access to reliable news, the role of culture in upholding European values and democratic resilience, the AgoraEU programme for 2028-2034, democracy and transparency in sport, and the representation of EU member states on the foundation board of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).   View meeting page

● Council of the EU   28/11/2025 11:34 | Press release | EU-US trade relations: Council moves forward in implementing the tariff elements of the Joint Statement   The Council today adopted its negotiating mandates on two regulations aimed at implementing the tariff-related aspects of the EU-US Joint Statement, agreed on 21 August 2025. This marks a major step towards implementing the joint statement, which should contribute to restoring stability and predictability in EU-US trade relations. The first regulation concerns the adjustment of customs duties and granting tariff rate quotas for US industrial products and certain seafood and agricultural products, while the second regulation focuses on extending the duty suspension for imports of lobster and processed lobster. Regulation on customs duties and tariff quotas for US products This regulation eliminates remaining customs duties on US industrial goods and grants preferential market access including via tariff rate quotas (TRQs) and reduced tariffs for certain US seafood and non-sensitive agricultural products. While largely supporting the Commission's proposal, the Council introduced key amendments to strengthen the economic oversight and protection of sensitive EU sectors. The Council's mandate calls on the Commission to continuously monitor the economic effects of the trade liberalisation measures on the EU's economy and to submit a report on the regulation's implementation and economic impact to the European Parliament and the Council by 31 December 2028. The Council included a strengthened bilateral safeguard mechanism. This provides the EU with the necessary tools to address potential significant increases in imports or serious injury to domestic producers that may result from the new tariff concessions and TRQs. The Council’s mandate also clarifies the provision concerning rules of origin, which should facilitate the implementation of the regulation. Regulation on non-application of customs duties on lobster This regulation, which focuses on lobster imports, provides for the continued non-application of customs duties on imports of certain types of live and frozen lobster. For these products, tariffs were already eliminated in December 2020 for a five-year period, until July 2025. It also expands the scope of the duty suspension to include processed (that is, prepared) lobster. The Council agreed to maintain the Commission’s proposal without amendments. Next steps With the adoption of these mandates, the Council is ready to begin interinstitutional negotiations (trilogues) with the European Parliament, with a view to reaching a final agreement on both texts. Background The European Union and the United States have the largest bilateral trade and investment relationship and the most integrated economic relationship in the world, representing almost 30% of global trade in goods and services and 43% of global GDP. EU-US trade in goods and services has doubled over the last decade, amounting to around €1,7 trillion in 2024. This deep and comprehensive partnership is underpinned by mutual investment: in 2023, EU and US firms invested over €4.7 trillion worth in each other's markets. The two regulations constitute the implementation of the commitments made by the EU under paragraph 1 of the EU-US joint statement, which was issued on 21 August 2025. This framework seeks to secure reciprocal tariff adjustments and is part of a broader effort to reduce trade tensions, improve economic cooperation and enhance market access opportunities for operators on both sides of the Atlantic. To fulfil its tariff-related commitments under the joint statement, the US administration issued executive orders applying the 15% 'all-inclusive' tariff ceiling; reduction of 'Section 232' tariffs (from 27,5% to 15%) for EU cars and car parts (applied retroactively from 1 August 2025); exemptions from 15% tariffs for some key EU products, including aircraft and aircraft parts and generic pharmaceuticals; and the application of 15% “Section 232” tariffs on timber, lumber and their derivative products. Joint Statement on an EU-US framework on an agreement on reciprocal, fair and balanced trade   Visit the

● General Secretariat of the Council

New books added to the Council Library's collection - November 2025   Discover our selection of books recently added to the Council Library collection.   Read full post ● Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης   28/11/2025 10:35 | Συνεδριάσεις | Κύρια σημεία της ημερήσιας διάταξης - Συμβούλιο Εταιρικής Σχέσης ΕΕ–Αρμενίας, 2 December 2025   Κατά την έκτη σύνοδό του, το Συμβούλιο Εταιρικής Σχέσης ΕΕ–Αρμενίας θα εξετάσει τις σχέσεις ΕΕ–Αρμενίας, εστιάζοντας στην εφαρμογή της συνολικής και ενισχυμένης συμφωνίας εταιρικής σχέσης (CEPA), στον διμερή πολιτικό διάλογο, στη μετανάστευση, στην οικονομική συνεργασία και στις περιφερειακές εξελίξεις.   Ειδική σελίδα συνεδρίασης ● Council of the EU   28/11/2025 09:22 | Press release | Safeguarding democracy in Europe: Council shines a light on culture’s vital role   At a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty, culture and cultural heritage are essential to safeguarding democracy and upholding European values. This is the message put forward by EU culture ministers in conclusions approved in Brussels today. The ministers stress the need to protect and promote culture in all its forms and Europe’s cultural heritage as crucial factors in building and maintaining democratic resilience. “Democracy does not endure on political structures alone. It is nurtured in our libraries, museums, cinemas, archives, and theatres – spaces where people learn to think critically, to empathise, and to belong. Today, we send a clear message: safeguarding culture and cultural heritage is essential to safeguarding democracy itself.” — Jakob Engel-Schmidt, Danish Minister for Culture Culture, cultural heritage and audiovisual works play a vital – yet often underestimated – role in sustaining democratic societies. By opening up spaces for all people, they foster civic engagement and instil a sense of community, belonging, and shared history and values. The Council is calling on EU countries to contribute to the protection of our European values by promoting culture and cultural heritage, including by protecting artistic freedom and facilitating access to cultural activities and heritage, in particular multilingual content. It also highlights the importance of integrating cultural institutions such as libraries, museums and archives into crisis preparedness planning. Moreover, ministers acknowledge the importance of international partners such as the Council of Europe and UNESCO, and encourage the Commission and member states to continue their efforts to safeguard and promote cultural rights and diversity in cooperation with these partners. Finally, the Council invites the Commission to consider raising awareness about the role of culture, cultural and linguistic diversity and cultural heritage in upholding common values and democratic resilience, for example in the implementation of the recently published Culture Compass initiative. Background The European Council’s Strategic Agenda for 2024-2029 prioritised the promotion of cultural diversity and heritage as a way of upholding European values in a free and democratic Europe. Safeguarding European democracy through cultural resilience has been a priority for the Danish presidency of the Council. On 4 November 2025, ministers from 26 EU countries, as well as the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland, signed a declaration prepared by the presidency on the necessity of culture and media as a safeguard for European democracies. Council conclusions on the strategic role of culture, cultural heritage and audiovisual works in upholding European values and democratic resilience Declaration on the necessity of culture and media as a safeguard for our European democracies   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   27/11/2025 21:39 | Meetings | Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), 1 December 2025   Background brief - Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) of 1 December 2025   View meeting page

● International ministerial meetings   27/11/2025 16:48 | Press release | Joint Statement following the EU-Chile Joint Council and EU-Chile Trade Council   The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile Alberto van Klaveren co-chaired the first EU-Chile Joint Council under the new Advanced Framework Agreement, in Brussels, on 26 November 2025. The following day, on 27 November 2025, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Sefčovič and Minister van Klaveren co-chaired the first EU-Chile Trade Council under the new Interim Trade Agreement. These inaugural meetings follow the entry into force of the EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement on 1 February 2025, and the start of provisional application of the EU-Chile Advanced Framework Agreement on 1 June 2025. The EU and Chile consider that these agreements reflect their close and enduring partnership rooted in trust, common values and shared interests. These ambitious next-generation agreements place sustainable and inclusive development, democratic values, human rights and fundamental freedoms, gender equality, labour rights, the rule of law, multilateralism and international cooperation at the centre of EU-Chile relations. By expanding cooperation in key areas and opening up a new era in bilateral trade and investment, they respond to the needs of today while helping to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. The EU and Chile remain firmly committed to effective multilateralism, with the United Nations at its core. In an era of growing geopolitical tensions and interlinked global challenges, the EU and Chile believe that only a functioning, rules-based international order, grounded in international law, the UN Charter, and the universal respect for human rights, can deliver sustainable peace, prosperity, and security for all. In this context, the EU and Chile affirm their intention to work together, as well as with the United Nations and its agencies in driving forward the internal reform process – the UN80 initiative – to ensure that the United Nations remains effective, cost-efficient and responsive. The EU and Chile will continue to cooperate closely in promoting international peace and security. The EU and Chile reaffirm their unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. They condemn in the strongest terms Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and underline their support for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, firmly based on international law and the principles of the UN Charter. They recall their commitment to upholding accountability for violations of international law. The EU and Chile welcome the agreement reached on the first phase of the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza conflict and commend the diplomatic efforts led by the United States and supported, among others, by Egypt, Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the outcome of the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit for Peace held on 13 October 2025. They call on all parties to continue negotiations on the next phases of the Plan, to commit fully to their implementation, and to refrain from any actions that could jeopardise the agreement. They underscore the urgent need for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, the immediate relief of the humanitarian crisis and reaffirm their commitment to the reconstruction and recovery of Gaza. The EU and Chile firmly condemn the escalation of violence in the West Bank, and reiterate their unwavering support for a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution and the respect of international law, the protection of human rights and the full application of the principles of the UN Charter. The EU and Chile welcome the holding of their first Security and Defence Dialogue in June of this year, which reaffirmed the interest of both sides in strengthening this increasingly important area of their partnership. The EU recognises Chile's longstanding contribution to maintaining peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina and welcomes its commitment to continue its participation in operation EUFOR Althea. The EU and Chile reiterate their commitment to expanding and deepening collaboration on security matters, including in the framework of the working arrangements between Chile and Europol, as well as Chile and Eurojust. The EU and Chile recognise the existential threat of the interdependent crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation and pollution, and remain committed to sustainable development and to a green, digital transition. They welcome the outcomes of the recent COP30 in Belém, Brazil, including the consensus on the need for a collective, global response to keep the 1.5°C target within reach, progress on adaptation goals, efforts to enhance climate finance mobilisation, and to accelerate the energy transition. The EU and Chile reiterate their commitment to the protection of the oceans and seas, which are of major strategic importance for the world’s prosperity, security and sustainable future. They welcome the expected entry into force in January 2026 of the United Nations Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. The EU and Chile recall the importance of the bilateral Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation, signed in 2002, and welcome the upcoming 11th Joint Steering Committee meeting under the agreement, to be held in Santiago, in January 2026. They underline the potential of increased cooperation on research and innovation in areas of common interest, notably in the context of Horizon Europe, and in the framework established by the First EU-CELAC Ministerial Meeting on research and innovation in September of this year in Brussels. The EU welcomes Chile’s commitment as Host-State of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) ground-based astronomy facilities. Chile recalls that it is adopting all measures within its competence to maintain and protect the astronomical and environmental qualities of observation centres of the ESO. Through its Global Gateway Investment Agenda, the EU will continue to support Chile with initiatives in renewable hydrogen production, the Copernicus LAC Regional Centre, and sustainable critical raw materials value chains in the framework of their 2023 Memorandum of Understanding. Both sides welcome other joint initiatives in areas such as sustainable transport, circular economy, green maritime corridors, green bonds, and electrical interconnections. The EU and Chile welcome the efforts undertaken in the framework of the EU-LAC Digital Alliance to strengthen region-to-region collaboration, investment, and exchange of best practices. They will continue to cooperate in the field of digitalisation, building on the outcomes of the EU-LAC High Level Policy Dialogue to promote comprehensive and mutually beneficial engagement on digital issues. The EU and Chile are committed to deepening their trade and investment relations under the Interim Trade Agreement, which will remain in force until the Advanced Framework Agreement has been fully ratified. The EU is Chile's third-largest trade partner, with total exchanges in goods surpassing EUR 21 billion in 2024 and trade in services reaching EUR 9 billion in 2023. The EU is the top source of Foreign Direct Investment into Chile, with a total stock of EUR 56 billion. Both sides welcome progress achieved so far in eliminating most remaining tariffs, enhancing market access, creating fair and transparent conditions for business, and supporting green and digital transformation through trade and investment. The EU and Chile will continue to cooperate on ensuring reliable and sustainable supply chains, including through diversification and support to strategic investments. The EU and Chile will continue to cooperate on strengthening and reforming a stable and predictable, open and rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core, and they remain committed to contributing to the success of the next WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Chile welcomes the interest of the EU in establishing a dialogue with the countries member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Both parties affirm their ambition to translate this dialogue into a shared agenda. The EU reiterates the importance it attaches to the rapid and successful conclusion of the ongoing Review of the Trade and Sustainable Development provisions of the Interim Trade Agreement. The EU and Chile welcome the holding of the CELAC-EU Summit in Colombia on 9-10 November 2025 as an important step in further advancing the partnership between the two regions. They recognise the importance of continuing to intensify inclusive and mutually beneficial region-to-region relations on issues such as trade and investment; climate and environment; the green and digital transitions; security including the fight against transnational organised crime; and cooperation in multilateral fora. The EU and Chile remain committed to cooperation and dialogue, together with partners from around the world, to address key regional issues. The EU and Chile remain committed to ensuring the effective implementation of the Advanced Framework Agreement, and to achieving its full ratification. Chilean and EU officials will meet at regular intervals to review progress and identify opportunities to deepen cooperation.   Visit the website

● Council of the EU   27/11/2025 18:12 | Meetings | Main results - Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council (Education and youth), 27 November 2025   EU ministers for education and youth met in Brussels to discuss strengthening resilience among young people, Erasmus+, the European Education Area, and vocational education and training.     View meeting page