COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Tuesday, 04 November 2025

● European Council   04/11/2025 15:04 | Speech | Speech by President António Costa at the Euronews EU Enlargement Summit   I am particularly happy to be addressing you here today, on the most important day of the yearly calendar for enlargement; the day when the European Commission enlargement reports are published. Since the first days of my mandate, as President of Council, I have made enlargement one of my top priorities. I started my mandate on 1 December in Ukraine, and two days later, on 3 December, I met with all Western Balkans leaders here in Brussels. It is a priority that I deeply believe in. And the current geopolitical context makes this priority all the more urgent and necessary for the European Union. Why? In an age of geopolitical uncertainty and economic instability, an enlarged European Union means a safer, stronger and more peaceful Europe, at home and in the world. Enlarging is the best investment we can make today for our future. And if you read today’s enlargement report - I am sure most of you already have - you will have read a striking sentence: “This is the first Commission mandate since 2010-2014 where enlargement is a realistic possibility”. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is our objective- is my objective- for the coming years. I will start from basics: Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkan countries belong in the European Union. 2025 was a year of concrete progress for our enlargement partners. We have seen very hard work deliver very real progress. Montenegro has made the biggest progress and their ambition to close negotiations by end 2026 today looks credible, if they continue with the same commitment and intensive work on the required reforms. I believe that Montenegro can be the “28 at 28”.  Moldova and Ukraine have made impressive progress. Ukraine - a country at war - and Moldova facing repeated attacks on its democracy and sovereignty, have, in the course of one year, completed the screening of the acquis by the Commission-at record speed. Albania has also put in a huge amount of work and has greatly accelerated progress in it accession path. And I believe we can still see more progress from Serbia, Bosnia Herzegovina and North Macedonia until the end of the year - 2025 can be an important year for them. That means for us.Three years after the submission of a membership application, Kosovo should get a positive signal. They are an integral part of the Western Balkans enlargement perspective. The European Union is helping enlargement countries meet all the criteria for membership and has stepped up their gradual integration, in order to improve their level of preparation for membership.  The Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and Moldova, worth up to €6 billion, is already delivering results, changing the everyday lives of the people by: joining the Single Euro Payments Area reducing border waiting times expanding digital networks And from January 2026, Moldova and Ukraine are joining the European Union’s free-roaming zone.  Enlargement today is not an abstract vision or a wish list. It is a transformational process. It is essential to consolidate democracy and the rule of law, at the same time these are two crucial prerequisites for a successful enlargement. We must be more demanding on the standards, and more efficient and pragmatic on the process. To continue the path of deep reforms, in line with the merit-based approach and, in parallel, prepare the European Union to be ready, efficient, and capable of welcoming new members. It is not about adding a new step; it is about doing both paths in parallel, because both are necessary for the candidate countries and for the European Union. This is an internal homework which cannot be avoided or postponed indefinitely. The success of the European Union came from the brave and visionary political determination of our predecessors, to overcome centuries of war. The same brave and visionary determination and will, must be shown today.  Accession partners must decide if they have that determination to move forward with their European Union transformation or if they prefer to remain trapped by painful historical legacies. The European Union must also decide whether it can afford to lose more time, and if it is ready to evolve and adapt to the current geopolitical realities. It is my strong belief that Europe must not become a museum of past prosperity. I invite you all today, to continue the hard work, to make the reforms to turn this realistic prospect of enlargement into a reality for the people of the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova.   Visit the website

● Council of the EU

04/11/2025 11:33 | Press release | Ukraine Facility: Council approves fifth payment of over €1.8 billion to Kyiv   Ukraine is set to receive over €1.8 billion in funding after the Council adopted a decision on the fifth regular disbursement of support under the EU's Ukraine Facility. This amount reflects Ukraine’s successful completion of nine steps required for the fifth disbursement, as well as one outstanding step from the fourth disbursement. The funding aims primarily to bolster Ukraine’s macro-financial stability and support the continued operation of its public administration. Payments under the Ukraine Facility are closely linked to the Ukraine Plan, which outlines Ukraine’s strategy for recovery, reconstruction and modernisation, along with a timetable for the implementation of reforms aligned with the country’s EU accession goals over the next years. Background The Ukraine Facility, which entered into force on 1 March 2024, provides up to €50 billion of stable financing, in grants and loans, to support Ukraine's recovery, reconstruction, and modernisation for the period from 2024 to 2027. Of this €50 billion, up to €32 billion is indicatively earmarked to support the reforms and investments set out in the Ukraine Plan. Disbursements are conditional on the delivery of the Plan’s identified indicators. Since its entry into force, the Ukraine Facility has already disbursed €6 billion by way of bridge financing, €1.89 billion in pre-financing, and four instalments of approximately €4.2, €4.1, €3.5 and €3.2 billion respectively. Following the Commission’s assessment of Ukraine’s payment request on 29 September 2025, the Council concluded that Ukraine had satisfactorily fulfilled a number of reforms set out in the Ukraine Plan, including reforms of the judicial system, the fight against corruption and money laundering, financial markets, human capital, the business environment, decentralisation and regional policy, the energy sector, the management of critical raw materials, the green transition and environmental protection. Council implementing decision EU solidarity with Ukraine (background information) The Ukraine Facility (background information)   Visit the website

● European Council

04/11/2025 11:30 | Press release | President Costa to travel to Latin America for COP30 and EU-CELAC summits   Early November, the President of the European Council António Costa will travel to Brazil to attend the COP30 climate summit and to Colombia, where he will co-chair the fourth CELAC-EU summit, as well as the EU-Caribbean Leaders’ meeting. COP30 - 6 and 7 November The United Nations COP 30 Leaders’ Summit will take place on in the city of Belém, in the Brazilian Amazon on the 6 and 7 of November. The summit will focus on the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the assessment of countries’ updated climate action plans (NDCs). “2024 was the warmest year on record. Climate change is not ‘fake news’. It is a scientifically proven reality that affects our present and will affect our future. This is not just about the environment - it’s about security, peace, and sustainable development. Together, we must do everything in our power to tackle this crisis and to harness the full potential of a global just transition.” — António Costa, President of the European Council EU-CELAC - 9 November Two years after their successful multilateral summit in Brussels, the Leaders of the  European Union (EU) member states and the 33 countries of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) will meet in Santa Marta, Colombia for the fourth CELAC-EU summit. The summit will be co-chaired by the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, in his current role as CELAC pro tempore president, and the President of the European Council, António Costa. “At a time when the world risks turning inward, this summit reaffirms the strength and vitality of the EU’s partnership with Latin America and the Caribbean. Rooted in shared history and values, ours is a forward-looking alliance. Together, we will pool our resources, innovation, and technological expertise to drive the green and digital transitions, ensuring they deliver for people and the planet. And while others may turn to tariffs and protectionism, we will choose more trade, more investment, and more cooperation.” — António Costa, President of the European Council The CELAC-EU summit underscores the commitment of both regions to strengthen their longstanding partnership, which is founded on shared values and interests as well as and strong economic, social, cultural and people-to-people ties. The meeting aims to further enhance cooperation on global challenges and to continue transforming our shared aspirations into concrete actions for the benefit of the people on both continents. Discussions will also touch upon priorities such as the defence of multilateralism, trade and investment, the green and digital transitions, and the joint fight against organised crime, corruption and drug and human trafficking, as well as explore new avenues for collaboration to promote peace, security and prosperity in both regions. Background COP On 21 October, the Council approved the conclusions on the EU's preparations for the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30). They outline the EU’s key priorities and positions for the conference, focusing on the urgent need for global climate action and collaboration. On 4 November, the Council will also aim to reach a general approach on Europe’s 2040 climate target and approve Europe’s Nationally Determined Contribution for 2035. COP30: Council sets EU position for the climate conference in Belém (press release, 21 October 2025) CELAC – Caribbean region With over 1 billion people, CELAC and the EU together represent 14% of the world’s population, 21% of global GDP and one-third of UN membership. EU's relations with Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) as a strategic partnership date back to 1999, when the first bi-regional EU-LAC summit was held in Rio de Janeiro. Since the creation of CELAC in 2010, three EU-CELAC summits were held in 2013, 2015 and 2023. The summit constitutes the main forum for dialogue and cooperation between EU and CELAC states, which maintain regular high-level contacts through several bi- and sub-regional political and sectoral dialogues and coordination mechanisms. The EU-LAC relations involve one of the world’s densest trade networks, with a total bilateral trade in goods and service of €395 billion in 2022-2023 (+45% since 2013). The EU is the third trading partner of the LAC region, while LAC countries are the EU’s fifth largest trade partner. The EU is the leading source of investment in the region, providing over €741 billion of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2022. The EU-LAC partnership is further supported by the Global Gateway investment agenda, focused on green and digital transition projects in the LAC region. COP30 climate summit, Belém, Brazil, 6-7 November 2025 EU-CELAC summit, 9-10 November 2025   Visit the website New declaration makes culture and trustworthy media cornerstones in defending European democracy 04/11/2025 | Press release New declaration makes culture and trustworthy media cornerstones in defending European democracy The Minister for Culture has secured support for a declaration affirming that culture, strong media, and European content are essential pillars of Europe’s democratic defence. Visit the website 03/11/2025 | Press release Denmark donates funds to rebuild Ukrainian cultural heritage The Danish government is allocating €1.3 million to a new Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund with the hope that more countries will follow suit. Visit the website More news about the Danish presidency of the Council of the EU ● Council of the EU   03/11/2025 09:53 | Meetings | Environment Council, 4 November 2025   Background brief - Environment Council of 4 November 2025   View meeting page ● European Council   04/11/2025 11:30 | Press release | President Costa to travel to Latin America for COP30 and EU-CELAC summits   Early November, the President of the European Council António Costa will travel to Brazil to attend the COP30 climate summit and to Colombia, where he will co-chair the fourth CELAC-EU summit, as well as the EU-Caribbean Leaders’ meeting. COP30 - 6 and 7 November The United Nations COP 30 Leaders’ Summit will take place on in the city of Belém, in the Brazilian Amazon on the 6 and 7 of November. The summit will focus on the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the assessment of countries’ updated climate action plans (NDCs). “2024 was the warmest year on record. Climate change is not ‘fake news’. It is a scientifically proven reality that affects our present and will affect our future. This is not just about the environment - it’s about security, peace, and sustainable development. Together, we must do everything in our power to tackle this crisis and to harness the full potential of a global just transition.” — António Costa, President of the European Council EU-CELAC - 9 November Two years after their successful multilateral summit in Brussels, the Leaders of the  European Union (EU) member states and the 33 countries of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) will meet in Santa Marta, Colombia for the fourth CELAC-EU summit. The summit will be co-chaired by the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, in his current role as CELAC pro tempore president, and the President of the European Council, António Costa. “At a time when the world risks turning inward, this summit reaffirms the strength and vitality of the EU’s partnership with Latin America and the Caribbean. Rooted in shared history and values, ours is a forward-looking alliance. Together, we will pool our resources, innovation, and technological expertise to drive the green and digital transitions, ensuring they deliver for people and the planet. And while others may turn to tariffs and protectionism, we will choose more trade, more investment, and more cooperation.” — António Costa, President of the European Council The CELAC-EU summit underscores the commitment of both regions to strengthen their longstanding partnership, which is founded on shared values and interests as well as and strong economic, social, cultural and people-to-people ties. The meeting aims to further enhance cooperation on global challenges and to continue transforming our shared aspirations into concrete actions for the benefit of the people on both continents. Discussions will also touch upon priorities such as the defence of multilateralism, trade and investment, the green and digital transitions, and the joint fight against organised crime, corruption and drug and human trafficking, as well as explore new avenues for collaboration to promote peace, security and prosperity in both regions. Background COP On 21 October, the Council approved the conclusions on the EU's preparations for the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30). They outline the EU’s key priorities and positions for the conference, focusing on the urgent need for global climate action and collaboration. On 4 November, the Council will also aim to reach a general approach on Europe’s 2040 climate target and approve Europe’s Nationally Determined Contribution for 2035. COP30: Council sets EU position for the climate conference in Belém (press release, 21 October 2025) CELAC – Caribbean region With over 1 billion people, CELAC and the EU together represent 14% of the world’s population, 21% of global GDP and one-third of UN membership. EU's relations with Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) as a strategic partnership date back to 1999, when the first bi-regional EU-LAC summit was held in Rio de Janeiro. Since the creation of CELAC in 2010, three EU-CELAC summits were held in 2013, 2015 and 2023. The summit constitutes the main forum for dialogue and cooperation between EU and CELAC states, which maintain regular high-level contacts through several bi- and sub-regional political and sectoral dialogues and coordination mechanisms. The EU-LAC relations involve one of the world’s densest trade networks, with a total bilateral trade in goods and service of €395 billion in 2022-2023 (+45% since 2013). The EU is the third trading partner of the LAC region, while LAC countries are the EU’s fifth largest trade partner. The EU is the leading source of investment in the region, providing over €741 billion of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2022. The EU-LAC partnership is further supported by the Global Gateway investment agenda, focused on green and digital transition projects in the LAC region. COP30 climate summit, Belém, Brazil, 6-7 November 2025 EU-CELAC summit, 9-10 November 2025   Visit the website