COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Thursday, 19 February 2026

● European Council   19/02/2026 13:56 | Statements and remarks | Press remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the meeting with Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre   Good afternoon and thank you for your presence today. First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister of Norway, my dear friend Jonas Støre, to welcome me with this wonderful weather today, cold but sunny. Norway is not only one of our most like-minded partners but an integral member of the European family and one of our closest friends. Especially in challenging times, friends must stand together. Norway and the European Union have proven ourselves, again and again, as a steadfast allies. And we are now striving for even more ambitious cooperation. For over three decades, the European Economic Area Agreement has served as the bedrock of cooperation between the European Union and Norway. It has enabled to build a relationship that goes beyond economics, now covering key areas such as foreign policy, security, and defence.This Agreement gives us a shared lens to navigate global challenges and respond jointly to the changing geopolitical landscape.The most significant challenge we face today is the ongoing war in Ukraine. Since the beginning, Norway has played an indispensable role as a key partner in European security and international stability. Its support to Ukraine has been invaluable: Militarily; Financially; And in solidarity. Later today, I will visit the Oslo University Hospital, where hundreds of Ukrainian patients have been evacuated to receive treatment, an illustration of our joint preparedness and resilience efforts. I will also pay a visit to the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, a partner with which the European Union has the honour of collaborating. As Europe accelerates its work to become more autonomous and resilient, tackling our dependencies is crucial. Here, Norway is our most reliable partner contributing to Europe’s energy security, playing a vital role in our diversification strategy and helping to reduce reliance on Russian oil and gas. Europe’s security landscape is also increasingly influenced by developments in the Arctic. As military build-ups and hybrid threats increase, Europe must take a united stand on the Arctic region. The European Union is stepping up its presence in the region. In consultation with European Union member states in the region, we’re taking a more proactive stance. And we are working together with our closest allies: especially with Norway. Your know-how is highly valuable for us. Today Prime Minister Støre, and I discussed Norway’s continued support of the European Union’s security and defence objectives. Norway was one of the first countries signing a Security and Defence Partnership, as Prime Minister said and we are committed to further consolidating our cooperation and implementing that framework. Norway’s participation in European programs, on equal footing with the European Union member states, is bringing our defence industries even closer together. In light of the current geoeconomic challenges, we also discussed how to enhance the competitiveness of our Single Market and boost our economic growth and security. We all benefit from the Single Market. Even more so if we can complete it, to truly become One Market, and reinforce it against external pressures as we plan to do. Being part of the European Economic Area goes well beyond market access: It’s about sharing the same core values, the same principles, and the same commitment to defend the rules-based international order and to promote cooperation at international level. In a world where multilateralism is under threat, this bond is more important than ever. The depth of our discussions today clearly reflects the enduring partnership - and friendship - between Norway and the European Union.  Looking ahead, I am glad to reaffirm our steadfast commitment to further deepening our relationship. Together, we will continue to strengthen our ties for the benefit of our peoples and global stability. Thank you   Visit the website

● Council of the EU

20/02/2026 10:01 | Meetings | Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 23 February 2026   Background brief - Agriculture and Fisheries Council of 23 February 2026   View meeting page

● Council of the EU

19/02/2026 14:39 | Media advisory | Press briefing - Foreign Affairs Council of 23 February 2026   The press briefing ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council will take place on Friday, 20 February 2026 at 15.00. This press briefing will be 'off the record' and will be given by a senior EEAS official in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either remotely or in person at the Europa building press room. 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 Foreign Affairs Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Friday, 20 February 2026, 14.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Registration page Media accreditation for journalists   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   19/02/2026 13:22 | Press release | EU terrorist list: Council designates the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation   Following the political agreement reached by the Foreign Affairs Council on 29 January, the Council formally decided today to add the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran to the EU terrorist list. Following its listing, the IRGC will also be subject to restrictive measures under the EU counterterrorism sanctions regime. This includes the freezing of its funds and other financial assets or economic resources in EU member states, and the prohibition for EU operators to make funds and economic resources available to the group. As a consequence of today’s decision, there are now 13 persons and 23 groups and entities subject to the restrictive measures under the so-called EU terrorist list. Background The EU Terrorist List, i.e. the sanctions regime set out in Common Position 2001/931/CFSP, is separate from the EU regime implementing UN Security Council resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) and targeting Al-Qaida and ISIL/Da'esh. The EU may also apply restrictive measures autonomously to ISIL/Da'esh and Al-Qaida and persons and entities associated with or supporting them or against those who support, facilitate or enable violent actions by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/421 of 19 February 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2025/1577 updating the list of persons, groups and entities covered by Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/420 of 19 February 2026 implementing Article 2(3) of Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 on specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating terrorism Sanctions against terrorism (background information) EU sanctions against Iran (background information)   Visit the website • Council of the EU ­ 19/02/2026 | MEETINGS  Background briefs - General Affairs Council of 24 February 2026 and General Affairs Council (Cohesion) of 26 February 2026 General Affairs Council of 24 February 2026 General Affairs Council (Cohesion) of 26 February 2026 Visit the website   Library blog Thursday, 19 February 2026     ● General Secretariat of the Council   'La guerre des mots: Trump, Poutine et l'Europe' par Barbara Cassin   Dans son ouvrage "La guerre des mots. Trump, Poutine et l'Europe", la philologue et membre de l’Académie française Barbara Cassin analyse comment Donald Trump et Vladimir Poutine utilisent le langage comme une arme politique pour manipuler le réel et réécrire l'histoire, dit elle, en créant leur propre "novlangue". Elle décrypte leur rhétorique, caractérisée par la suppression de mots et la déformation du sens, comme un outil pour imposer leur vision du monde.   Read full post  Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης   19/02/2026 09:17 | Συνεδριάσεις | Κύρια σημεία της ημερήσιας διάταξης - Συμβούλιο Γενικών Υποθέσεων (Συνοχή), 26 February 2026   Οι υπουργοί που είναι αρμόδιοι/-ες για τις πολιτικές συνοχής θα συνεδριάσουν στις Βρυξέλλες προκειμένου να εγκρίνουν συμπεράσματα σχετικά με το θεματολόγιο της ΕΕ για τις πόλεις. Το Συμβούλιο θα προβεί επίσης σε ανταλλαγή απόψεων σχετικά με την ενδιάμεση επανεξέταση της πολιτικής συνοχής 2021-2027 και τα διδάγματα για το μέλλον.   Ειδική σελίδα συνεδρίασης