COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Thursday, 18 December 2025

● Council of the EU   18/12/2025 11:19 | Press release | Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: Council sanctions 41 vessels of the Russian shadow fleet   The Council today imposed restrictive measures on an additional 41 vessels, that are part of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of oil tankers and contribute to Russia’s energy revenues. These 41 vessels are therefore added to the list of those subject to a port access ban and ban on provision of a broad range of services related to maritime transport. This measure is intended to target non-EU tankers that are part of Putin’s shadow fleet circumventing the oil price cap mechanism or support the energy sector of Russia, or vessels that are responsible for transporting military equipment for Russia or involved in the transport of stolen Ukrainian grain and cultural goods from Ukraine. Today’s decision -which brings the total of designated vessels to almost 600- is closely linked to recent Council decisions to list nine shadow fleet enablers and adopt a declaration by the EU and its member states on making full use of the international law of the sea framework relating to threats from the 'shadow fleet' and to the protection of critical undersea infrastructure. The EU remains ready to step up pressure on Russia and its shadow fleet value chain, including by adopting further sanctions. Background In response to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, the EU has massively expanded sanctions against Russia with the aim of significantly weakening Russia's economic base, depriving it of critical technologies and markets, and significantly curtailing its ability to wage war. In its conclusions of 19 December 2024, the European Council reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations, and reaffirmed the Union’s unwavering commitment to providing continued political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people. As long as the illegal actions by the Russian Federation continue to violate fundamental rules of international law, including, in particular, the prohibition on the use of force enshrined in Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations, and of international humanitarian law, it is appropriate to maintain in force all the measures imposed by the EU and to take additional measures, if necessary. Consolidated text: Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 of 31 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine (24 October 2025) Consolidated text: Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP of 31 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine (24 October 2025) Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: Council sanctions 9 shadow fleet enablers (press release, 15 December 2025) Declaration of the European Union and its Member States on making full use of the international law of the sea framework relating to threats from the “shadow fleet” and to the protection of critical undersea infrastructure (15 December 2025) EU26 Conclusions on Ukraine (23 October 2025) European Council conclusions (19 December 2024) EU sanctions against Russia explained (background information)   Visit the website

● Council of the EU

18/12/2025 02:08 | Press release | Safe third country: Council and European Parliament agree on new EU law restricting admissibility of asylum claims   Today, the Danish presidency of the Council of the EU and European Parliament negotiators reached a provisional agreement on EU legislation that revises the safe third country concept and will expand the circumstances under which an asylum application can be rejected as inadmissable. The agreement between Council and European Parliament negotiators on the application of the safe third country concept shows the determination of EU legislators to make the EU’s asylum system more efficient and robust. “Thousands of migrants are drowning in the Mediterranean Sea or are abused by human smugglers who earn fortunes at their expense. It is crucial that we take action to halt the pull factors that maintain an unhealty and inhuman system. During our presidency, we managed to revise the ‘safe third country’ concept in record time allowing member states to make agreements with safe third countries on asylum processing outside Europe.” — Rasmus Stoklund, Danish Minister for Immigration and Integration The safe third country concept allows EU member states to reject an asylum application as inadmissible (i.e. without examining its substance) when asylum seekers could have sought and, if eligible, received international protection in a non-EU country that is considered safe for them. According to the updated rules, member states will be able to apply the safe third country concept on the basis of the following three options: there is a ‘connection’ between the asylum seeker and the third county. However, a connection will no longer be a mandatory criterion for using the safe third country concept the applicant has transited through the third country before reaching the EU there is an agreement or arrangement with a safe third country which ensures that a person’s asylum request will be examined in the non-EU country in question. The Council and the European Parliament agreed to follow the Council’s approach that the safe third country concept cannot be applied on the basis of an agreement or arrangement where unaccompanied minors are concerned. An applicant who appeals against an inadmissibility decision based on the safe third country concept will no longer have an automatic right to remain in the EU for the duration of the appeal process, while the applicant’s right to request a court for the right to remain stays in place. Next steps Today’s agreement between the Council and the European Parliament is provisional and has to be confirmed by both institutions before official adoption in the Council and the European Parliament. The amendments to the safe third country concept will begin to apply on the same day as the asylum procedures regulation, on 12 June 2026, and will be directly applicable in member states. Background The safe third country concept is already now part of the EU asylum and migration rulebook. Based on a review clause agreed under the Pact, the Commission had to review the current rules by June 2025 and table targeted amendments as appropriate. Migration and asylum (background information) EU migration and asylum policy (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   17/12/2025 21:10 | Press release | EU-Mercosur: Council and Parliament agree on rules to safeguard the EU agri-food sector   The Council presidency and the European Parliament today reached a provisional agreement on a regulation implementing the bilateral safeguard clause of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the EU-Mercosur interim Trade Agreement for agricultural products. The regulation strengthens protections for EU farmers and ensures that safeguard measures can be applied swiftly and effectively in case imports from Mercosur partners cause or threaten to cause serious injury. This agreement is without prejudice to the ongoing discussions within the Council on the signature and conclusion of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and interim Trade Agreement. “The preliminary agreement reached tonight with the European Parliament on an EU safeguard regulation will ensure swift action to protect EU farmers in the event of harmful import surges. With this and other measures, great efforts have been made to address concerns and pave the way for approving the crucial EU-Mercosur agreement. It is vital that the EU diversifies our trade and strategic partnerships in times like these.” — Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Denmark’s minister for foreign affairs Main elements of the agreement The provisional agreement largely preserves the Commission’s proposed framework, while introducing a number of targeted additions, notably to strengthen market monitoring and improve the responsiveness of safeguard measures for sensitive agricultural products. Scope of the safeguard measures The regulation sets out how the EU can temporarily suspend tariff preferences on agricultural imports from Mercosur if these imports harm EU producers. It builds on existing EU safeguard tools but introduces faster procedures and simpler triggers to protect EU farmers. The co-legislators agreed to expand the list of sensitive agricultural products subject to reinforced monitoring and faster safeguard procedures to include citrus fruits. Investigations and monitoring The co-legislators introduced some changes to the Commission’s proposal to ensure the EU could swiftly react to market disruptions caused by increased agricultural imports from Mercosur. For sensitive products, a price undercut of 8% by products coupled with either a 8% increase in preferential import volumes on a three-year average or a 8% drop in import prices, will as a rule be treated as sufficient grounds to launch an investigation. The agreement also confirms the proposed swift timeframe of investigations to be launched by the Commission, once sufficient evidence is received. For sensitive products, investigations will conclude within four months and in urgent cases, provisional measures can be introduced within 21 days. The Commission will constantly and proactively monitor imports of identified sensitive products and report at least every six months to the Parliament and the Council on market developments and any risk of injury to EU producers. The co-legislators agreed to strengthen this framework by allowing the monitoring to be extended, if duly requested by EU industry to other products not covered by the list of sensitive products. In addition, the Commission will issue technical guidelines by 1 March 2026 to support market monitoring at national and local level. The agreed text also introduces provisions allowing the Commission to act where it identifies circumvention of safeguard measures by extending the scope of measures or adopting other necessary implementing actions Next steps The text of the provisional agreement will now have to be endorsed and adopted by both institutions before being published in the official journal. The regulation will apply to the interim Trade Agreement from its entry into force and will continue to apply once the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement enters into force. Background The bilateral safeguard clauses form part of both the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the EU-Mercosur interim Trade Agreement. The safeguard regulation complements the broader agreements, which aim to deepen trade and political relations between the EU and Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) while ensuring robust protection for EU agricultural sectors that may be particularly exposed to import competition. EU-Mercosur: Council backs regulation implementing the safeguards for agricultural products (press release, 19 november 2025) Commission’s proposal for the EU-Mercosur bilateral safeguard regulation Annex – sensitive products EU-Mercosur agreement (European Commission)   Visit the website ● European Council   17/12/2025 21:07 | Statements and remarks | Statement by President António Costa following the EU-Western Balkans summit   We have just concluded our summit with our Western Balkans partners. It is the most significant occasion of the year to reaffirm the strength of our relationship. And today’s summit has delivered a clear message: we firmly support the Western Balkans’ future in the European Union. Enlargement remains central to our shared objectives. It is the right choice for three reasons: first, from a geopolitical perspective. An enlarged European Union means a safer, stronger and more peaceful Europe; second, because enlargement strengthens our shared prosperity. Every previous enlargement has proven this; and third, because the European Union remains an attractive and credible project—and we must deliver on the expectations it creates. Enlargement is now moving faster than it has in the last 15 years. And we must seize this opportunity. Enlargement is a merit-based process, not a race or a competition between candidates. Those who move faster should not be held back by others. Quite the contrary, they should set the pace and serve as an inspiration for all. Over the past 12 months, good progress has been made: Montenegro’s path to the EU has clearly accelerated. Just this week, five accession chapters were successfully closed; Albania has managed to open all negotiating clusters in a very short time, the last ones just in November. Next year will be their moment of truth to accelerate reforms; regarding North Macedonia, we welcome the steps to boost regional connectivity. And we hope for real progress in 2026. Their authorities know what they need to do; also this year, Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted their Reform Agenda, a necessary step to access the Growth Plan. This will allow them to tap the full potential of the European Union’s support and gradual integration; regarding Kosovo, we welcome the steps taken to build trust between communities. The upcoming parliamentary elections can be crucial moment for consolidating the reforms and engaging constructively in the European accession path. Let’s be clear, beyond the technicalities of the process, there is a fundamental political choice to make: a choice between staying trapped in the past, or moving forward towards a joint future in the European Union, a choice between division or reconciliation and cooperation, which are the very pillars of the European Union. Only by overcoming the past can the Western Balkans fully assume their role as future EU members, and contribute to a stable, prosperous, and united Europe. The road ahead will not be easy. Some reforms will be difficult, but they are worth it. And I believe that our partners are committed to delivering. We must keep this momentum. For this, we will support our partners every step of the way. Enlargement is a deeply transformational process. Socioeconomic convergence will anchor their future in the European Union. The EU is—and will remain—the Western Balkans’ most reliable partner. They are all part of the European family, and the European Union is their place. I look forward to our next Summit in Montenegro in June 2026.   Visit the website

● Διεθνής σύνοδος κορυφής

17/12/2025 20:30 | Δηλώσεις και παρατηρήσεις | Διακήρυξη των Βρυξελλών, 17 Δεκεμβρίου 2025   Η διάσκεψη κορυφής ΕΕ – Δυτικών Βαλκανίων πραγματοποιήθηκε στις Βρυξέλλες (Βέλγιο) στις 17 Δεκεμβρίου 2025. Η διακήρυξη των Βρυξελλών είναι διαθέσιμη παρακάτω. Πλήρες κείμενο της διακήρυξης των Βρυξελλών της διάσκεψης κορυφής ΕΕ – Δυτικών Βαλκανίων Το κείμενο είναι επίσης διαθέσιμο στις παρακάτω γλώσσες: Deklaracija iz Brisela, 17. decembra 2025. godine Deklaracija iz Brisela, 17. decembar 2025. godine Декларација од Брисел, 17 декември 2025 година Deklarata e Brukselit, 17 dhjetor 2025 Бриселска декларација, 17. децембар 2025. године   Επισκεφτείτε τον ιστοχώρο ● Council of the EU   16/12/2025 21:03 | Meetings | Main results - General Affairs Council, 16 December 2025   The Council prepared the December 2025 European Council, discussed the new MFF 2028-2034, took stock of progress on EU enlargement and approved the joint declaration on EU legislative priorities for 2026.   View meeting page ● Council of the EU   16/12/2025 19:08 | Meetings | Main results - Environment Council, 16 December 2025   EU environment ministers approved conclusions on ‘Europe’s environment 2030 - Building a more circular and resilient Europe’. They also exchanged views on the recently presented EU bioeconomy strategy.   View meeting page ● Council of the EU   16/12/2025 18:37 | Press release | Europe’s environment: Council urges accelerated transition for a climate-resilient and circular Europe by 2030   The Council today approved conclusions on "Europe's Environment 2030 – Building a more climate resilient and circular Europe". The conclusions stress the urgent need to accelerate action to meet the EU’s long-term environmental and climate goals, particularly the six 2030 priority objectives of the 8th Environment Action Programme (EAP). The Council acknowledges the findings of both the latest report from the European Environment Agency (EEA), ‘Europe's environment 2025’, and the Commission's mid-term review of the 8th EAP. Despite progress, both reports conclude that further efforts are needed to meet the 2030 priority objectives, especially in climate adaptation and the circular economy. “In a time marked by pressing security and defense agendas it is necessary to reaffirm the need for environmental protection and its contribution to greater resilience in the EU. There is no doubt that climate resilience is one of the great challenges of our time. Millions of European citizens are directly affected by flooding and/or coastal erosion, and it calls for collective action across the entire EU. The transition to a circular economy is another of the major challenges facing the EU. There is a need for a strengthened market for secondary materials, increased oversight of online platforms, and we must protect the EU from unfair competition from third countries.” — Magnus Heunicke, Denmark’s minister for environment In its conclusions, the Council explicitly recognises the insufficient progress towards the 8th EAP objectives and the unsatisfactory state of nature and biodiversity. It also stresses the urgency of advancing both climate resilience and the transition to a circular economy, recognising the interconnectedness of these issues in addressing climate and environmental challenges such as pollution, biodiversity loss, and resource scarcity. Climate resilience The Council notes with concern that many climate risks identified in the European climate risk assessment (EUCRA) have reached critical levels. Transformational change is needed to enhance the EU’s security, prosperity, and competitiveness by making it better prepared and more resilient. The Council calls for the proactive integration of climate resilience across all policies and sectors (‘climate resilience by design’). It stresses the foundational importance of healthy ecosystems and nature-based solutions as cost-effective means for climate resilience. The Council also welcomes the Commission's plans to develop a legal framework to support climate resilience, emphasising the need for common definitions, objectives and methodologies for risk assessments, while respecting the principles of subsidiarity and taking into account local specificities. The conclusions emphasise that sufficient financing is key, requiring the mobilisation of both public and private resources, and that the costs and damages due to inaction are expected to be significantly higher than effective action. Circular economy The Council confirms the need for a comprehensive, efficient and effective legislative framework to accelerate systemic change towards the long-term circular economy objectives. The Council highlights the importance of a well-functioning single market for secondary raw materials to reduce material extraction and enhance recycling. It encourages the Commission to explore potential pricing and stimulating mechanisms to level the playing field between circular and linear business models. It emphasises the importance of establishing non-toxic material cycles by rapidly phasing out harmful substances and fully implementing the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability, particularly by revising and modernising REACH. The Council also stresses the importance of further incentives to increase durability, repairability, and reuse of products, and urges the timely implementation of the ecodesign for sustainable products regulation (ESPR). Background The Council conclusions respond to two significant recent developments: the mid-term review of the 8th EAP, submitted by the European Commission on 13 March 2024, which assesses progress towards the six 2030 priority objectives of the 8th EAP the European Environment Agency (EEA) report on the state of the European environment, 'Europe's environment 2025', presented on 29 September 2025 Both reports noted that meeting the 2030 priority objectives, which are based on the ambitions of the European Green Deal, will require further efforts. Against this backdrop, the Commission has announced two major initiatives in its 2026 work programme: the European integrated framework for climate resilience and the circular economy act. These conclusions aim to set the Council's political priorities and ambition for these upcoming legislative proposals. Council conclusions on ‘Europe’s Environment 2030 - Building a more climate resilient and circular Europe’ Watch the public session 8th Environment action programme mid-term review Europe’s environment 2025 (EEA) The circular economy explained (background information)   Visit the website

● International ministerial meetings

15/12/2025 20:21 | Press release | Ninth EU–Lebanon Association Council (Brussels, 15 December 2025) - Joint Press Release   The European Union and Lebanon held today in Brussels the ninth meeting of the EU–Lebanon Association Council. The two sides reviewed the state of EU–Lebanon relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to enhancing the bilateral partnership within the framework of the Association Agreement and partnership priorities. The EU reaffirmed its support to the reforms initiated by President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and the new Lebanese government and reiterated its ongoing commitment to support Lebanon’s democratic institutions. It expressed strong support for the implementation of measures to reinforce state sovereignty, including ensuring the monopoly of use of force under legitimate state institutions. In this context, the EU and Lebanon stressed the utmost importance of pursuing efforts towards disarmament of all non-state armed groups over all Lebanese territory, notably Hezbollah and Palestinian armed groups inside and outside the camps, and the full implementation of all Security Council resolutions. The EU reaffirmed its full backing for Lebanon’s sovereignty, state authority, territorial integrity, political independence, and stability, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Both sides expressed serious concern about the continued violations by Israel Defence Forces of the November 2024 ceasefire agreement, in particular the targeting of UNIFIL personnel, civilians and civilian infrastructure. They called on Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory and upholding international humanitarian law. Both sides welcomed the EU’s longstanding commitment and support to Lebanon’s key security institutions, notably the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the Internal Security Forces (ISF), which remain essential pillars of sovereignty and national and regional stability, and expressed their willingness to further support the Lebanese security sector through the full use of EU tools, including European Peace Facility, NDICI programs and explore possible future CSDP engagement. The EU and Lebanon discussed the political and socio-economic situation in the country. The EU commended the progress made by the Lebanese authorities to stabilise the economic situation and improve access to justice and public services, noting the value of the strong bilateral cooperation that has supported these efforts. Both sides underlined the urgency of further comprehensive reforms in governance, the rule of law, public finance management and the functioning of state institutions, recognising their essential role in supporting stability, economic recovery and facilitating access to international assistance, including progress toward an IMF programme. The EU affirmed its willingness to accompany Lebanon’s efforts to stabilise the economy, strengthen institutions, and advance reforms and to support the government’s plans for post-conflict recovery and reconstruction, Lebanon reiterated the importance of holding general elections according to the announced timetable and in line with constitutional and international standards, as a key element for democratic accountability and institutional legitimacy. Lebanon has invited the EU to deploy an Election Observation Mission.    The EU and Lebanon also discussed the situation of refugees and displaced persons. The EU acknowledged the substantial challenges Lebanon continues to shoulder in hosting a very large refugee population and reaffirmed its sustained assistance to vulnerable Lebanese, internally displaced persons and refugees. The EU will continue to work with Lebanon and cooperate with UN agencies to facilitate voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable returns of refugees to Syria, in line with international law and international humanitarian law. Within a feasible timeframe, the EU and Lebanon are committed to continue working with all relevant stakeholders for durable solutions where Syrians can rebuild their homeland and earn a dignified living in Syria. The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange views on regional and international developments. The EU and Lebanon reiterated their commitment to the two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict as the only viable basis for lasting peace. They stressed the importance of protecting civilians in Gaza and ensuring unhindered humanitarian access. Discussions also covered Lebanon’s relations with Syria and cooperation on border management, the issue of forcibly disappeared persons by the Assad regime, security and humanitarian matters. The EU welcomed the increased coordination and cooperation between Lebanon and Syria on files of shared priority and encouraged continued bilateral engagement. The EU and Lebanon expressed their willingness to continue reflecting on modernising the Association Agreement and to explore options for further strengthening bilateral relations, including the possibility of developing them into a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, in parallel with sustained progress in the reform process. The meeting was co-chaired by High Representative Kaja Kallas and Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssef Raggi, with the participation of Commissioner Dubravka Šuica and EU Foreign Ministers. Both sides reaffirmed the commitment to deepening the EU–Lebanon partnership and working together toward a stable, secure and prosperous Lebanon.   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   18/12/2025 13:44 | Press release | Council adopts measures to incentivise and simplify defence investments in the EU   Today the Council formally adopted the regulation incentivising defence-related investments in the EU budget to implement the ReArm Europe Plan. The regulation brings legal adjustments aimed at supporting faster, more flexible and coordinated defence-related investments across the EU. With this adoption, the Council responds to the repeated calls from the European Council to facilitate the deployment of EU funding for defence and dual-use technologies, and to strengthen Europe’s defence industrial and technological base (EDTIB) in the face of mounting geopolitical challenges. The adopted regulation amends five key EU programmes – the Digital Europe Programme, the European Defence Fund, the Connecting Europe Facility, the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), and Horizon Europe – to ensure they can be more effectively used to support defence-related activities. Opportunities for Ukraine entities Among other things, the new rules allow for Ukraine to be associated to the European Defence Fund, thereby creating new opportunities for Ukrainian entities to join in EU collaborative defence research and development activities in the future. This step underscores the EU’s enduring commitment to Ukraine’s security, resilience, and gradual integration into the European defence and technological industrial base. More support for dual-use and defence companies Furthermore, the scope of Horizon Europe is undergoing a targeted extension. While the overall civilian nature of that framework programme for research and innovation is maintained, one specific EU financing instrument under Horizon (the 'EIC accelerator') will be able to support also dual-use and defence-related companies in the future. New rules on the establishment and control of eligible entities similar to those agreed in the context of SAFE (‘Security Action for Europe Instrument’) or EDIP ('European Defence Industry Programme’) for the targeted extension will allow taking into account the specificity of such activities. Additional amendments to the Digital Europe Programme, STEP and the Connecting Europe Facility are made, all with a view to mobilising those Union programmes for defence investments. Next steps The Council adopted the regulation via written procedure, following the positive vote of the European Parliament on 16 December. It will enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background The so-called ‘mini-Omnibus for defence’ is a package of legal changes proposed by the European Commission in April 2025 to make it easier for existing EU programmes to support projects with dual-use or defence applications. This initiative is complemented by the so-called defence readiness omnibus package presented in June 2025 by the Commission on which inter-institutional negotiations are expected to start next year. Both proposals aim to incentivise defence-related investments and improve Europe’s defence readiness, as requested by the European Council in March 2025. EU investments in defence: Council and Parliament agree to support faster, more flexible and coordinated investments in European defence (press release, 5 November 2025) Defence: Council agrees position to incentivise defence-related investments in the EU budget (press release, 8 October 2025) Boosting European defence expenditure (background information) ReArm Europe plan (Commission background information)   Visit the website