COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Thursday, 28 May 2026

● Council of the EU   28/05/2026 16:09 | Press release | Extremist Israeli settlers: EU lists four entities and three individuals   The Council today adopted additional restrictive measures against four entities and three individuals under the European Union's Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. Those listed are extremist Israeli settlers and organisations which support them, and are responsible for serious and systematic human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank, including abuse of the right of everyone to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental integrity, the right to property, the right to private and family life, to freedom of religion or belief and the right to education. The decision delivers on the political agreement reached at the Foreign Affairs Council on 11 May 2026. Today’s designations include the Nachala Settlement Movement and its Director Daniella Weiss. Through its activities, the movement encourages and facilitates coercive acts that lead to the forced displacement of Palestinians. Nachala’s outposts obstruct access to Palestinian agricultural and grazing land and have been persistent sources of settler violence. Several of these were built on privately owned Palestinian land. In her capacity as director of the movement, Daniella Weiss plans, directs and publicly supports the acts of Nachala. The Council also lists the Israeli NGO Regavim and its director Meir Deutsch. Regavim and its leadership lobby for the demolition of Palestinian property with the aim to expand the control of Israel to the whole West Bank and institute legal proceedings to that end. The organisation also lobbied for the demolition of an EU-funded Palestinian primary school at the Jabbet al Dhib village, near Bethlehem, in the West Bank. Restrictive measures are also imposed against the Hashomer Yosh NGO and its president Avichai Suissa. The organisation offers material support and coordinates volunteers on the herding farms, supporting at least 28 violent outposts and settlements in the West Bank. It also recruits armed volunteers and provides guards involved in violent attacks. Avichai Suissa is responsible for facilitating and encouraging serious human rights abuses in the West Bank, as well as for supporting outposts founded by EU-designated individuals. Additionally, the Council lists the Amana cooperative association of the settler movement Gush Emunim. Since its creation it has played a key role in initiating, financing, and facilitating at least 30 violent outposts and settlements, including outposts founded by EU sanctioned individuals. Along with the settler violence they generate, these outposts have forced widespread displacement of vulnerable Palestinian communities and dispossession of Palestinian properties. With today’s listings, restrictive measures under the EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime now apply to 136 natural and legal persons and 41 entities from a range of countries. An asset freeze applies to the persons and entities listed, including a prohibition on making funds or economic resources available to them, either directly or indirectly. In addition, a travel ban applies to the natural persons listed. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background On 7 December 2020, the Council established a Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, which applies to acts such as genocide, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations or abuses (e.g. torture, slavery, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests or detentions). The EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime underscores the EU’s commitment to enhance its role in addressing serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide. On multiple occasions, and most recently in its conclusions of 26 June 2025, the European Council has strongly condemned the ongoing extremist settler violence and the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and invited the Council to take work forward on further restrictive measures against extremist settlers. Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1177 of 28 May 2026 implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses (including the list of sanctioned individuals and entities) Foreign Affairs Council, 11 May 2026 (main results) European Council conclusions, 26 June 2025 European Council conclusions, 17 October 2024 European Council conclusions, 27 June 2024 Sanctions against human rights violations (background information)   Visit the website

● Council of the EU   28/05/2026 12:43 | Press release | The Council sets strategic guidelines for a sustainable and competitive tourism sector   The Council of the European Union today adopted conclusions outlining a comprehensive overview to build a sustainable and competitive tourism sector for the XXIst century. The conclusions recognise tourism’s vital economic role – contributing 7% of the EU’s gross value added, 10% of jobs, and supporting 4.6 million businesses. “Tourism is a key driver of growth, employment, and cultural exchange across the EU. Today’s conclusions set a clear path for ensuring its long-term resilience and competitiveness of the sector in a rapidly changing world.” — Kostas Koumi, Deputy Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus Prioritising sustainability The conclusions call for the integration of economic, social, and environmental dimensions in all tourism policies. For instance, the conclusions aim to reduce the sector’s environmental footprint through resource efficiency, circularity, decarbonisation, and conservation of nature and biodiversity. At the same time, it focuses on ensuring tourism benefits local communities and respects cultural heritage. Strengthening collaboration The text adopted today also emphasises the need for a multi-level governance approach, requiring effective cross-sectoral cooperation between the European Commission, the member states as well as regional and local authorities, destination management organizations (DMOs), the tourism industry, and all relevant associations and stakeholders. Furthermore, it emphasises the need to enhance visibility of Europe as a safe, sustainable and inclusive travel destination and strengthen the international dimension of the tourism ecosystem. Addressing implementation gaps The conclusions recognise the need for increased and coherent efforts to address the implementation gaps identified in the report from the Commission to the Council on the Implementation of the European agenda for tourism 2030, upon which these conclusions have been build, while recognising that progress has been uneven across the EU. This includes addressing gaps in multi-level governance and ensuring consistent application of sustainable tourism principles in all the Union. Supporting businesses A key focus of the Council conclusions is placed on quality employment, adequate working conditions and skills development, including through the re-skilling and up-skilling for tourism workers and jobseekers. This support is deemed essential for businesses and the long-term competitiveness and resilience of the tourism industry. Promoting balanced tourism The document adopted today also aims to address both the negative impacts of overtourism in popular destinations and the lack of tourism in lesser-known areas. It focuses on deepening the understanding of unbalanced tourism, developing and implementing relevant national and regional policies and strengthen community involvement. This can be done by strengthening connectivity and regional balance and by supporting sustainable tourism development in peripheral, rural, island, mountainous, and remote destinations, thus ensuring tourism benefits all areas of the EU. Investing in connectivity Recognising the importance of reliable, affordable, accessible, frequent and year-round air, land and waterborne links, the conclusions emphasise the need for improved and sustainable solutions including complementarity between different modes of transport. This aims to facilitate travel to and within the EU, supporting both domestic and international tourists. Embracing digital transformation The Council also calls for a robust European framework for tourism data, interoperability, and guidance on the use of artificial intelligence (AI). This includes promoting digital skills, fostering a competitive and innovative tourism sector, and ensuring a level playing field for all tourism actors in the digital space. Enhancing resilience The Council also emphasises the need to strengthen crisis preparedness and response across the tourism ecosystem, while cooperating closely to mitigate the negative consequences or today’s challenges which have a significant impact on Europe’s tourism, such as geopolitical tensions, climate change or workforce shortages. The Commission is invited to report on the implementation of these conclusions every three years and take due account of the priorities and actions set out, in the preparation of the upcoming EU sustainable tourism strategy. Background The EU tourism ecosystem, a diverse and interconnected network encompassing various sectors from accommodation to transport, is a significant contributor to the EU economy, representing nearly 10% of the EU gross value added and around 23 million jobs in 2019. Recognising the sector’s vulnerability – particularly highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic – and the need to accelerate green and digital transitions, the European Commission initiated a co-creation process resulting in a transition pathway for tourism in February 2022. This pathway identifies 27 key measures for a more sustainable and resilient tourism sector, built on input from industry, public authorities, and stakeholders. Subsequently, the Council of the European Union adopted the European agenda for tourism 2030, based on the transition pathway, outlining a multi-annual work plan for EU countries, the Commission, and tourism stakeholders to implement these actions. 2022 Transition Pathway for Tourism Council conclusions on the EU agenda for tourism 2030 Tourism industry (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   28/05/2026 14:09 | Press release | Ukraine Facility: Council approves seventh payment of nearly €2.8 billion to Kyiv   Ukraine is set to receive a payment of nearly €2.8 billion after the Council adopted a decision on the seventh regular disbursement of support under the EU's Ukraine Facility. This amount reflects Ukraine’s successful completion of eleven of the twenty steps required for the seventh instalment. It also reflects Ukraine’s completion of a number of outstanding steps, in particular one required for the fifth instalment and two required for the sixth instalment. Furthermore, Ukraine has fulfilled a number of steps earlier than required under the Ukraine Plan.  In particular, it has already fulfilled two steps under the eighth instalment and two steps under the ninth instalment. Pursuant to a new methodology adopted by the Commission, Ukraine will for the first time be compensated for such early completion. Payments under the Ukraine Facility are 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 coming years. The current seventh disbursement follows the previous sixth disbursement of around €2.3 billion from December 2025. Background The Ukraine Facility, which entered into force on 1 March 2024, provides over €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, over €38 billion is indicatively earmarked to support the reforms and investments set out in the Ukraine Plan. Disbursements are conditional on the fulfilment of indicators set out in the Plan. 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 six instalments of approximately €4.2, €4.1, €3.5, €3.2, €1.8, and €2.3 billion respectively. Following the Commission’s assessment of Ukraine’s payment request on 14 April 2026, the Council concluded that Ukraine had satisfactorily adopted a number of reforms set out in the Ukraine Plan. Such reforms  relate to public financial management, the judicial system, the fight against corruption and money laundering, financial markets, the management of public assets, human capital, and the business environment. Ukraine has also taken measures in the energy sector, transport, the agri-food sector, the management of critical raw materials, digital transformation, the green transition and environmental protection. EU solidarity with Ukraine (background information) The Ukraine Facility (background information) Ukraine Facility: Council approves sixth payment of around €2.3 billion to Kyiv (press release, 11 December 2025)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   28/05/2026 16:14 | Press release | Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Council expands the legal framework and adds ten individuals to the sanctions list   Today the Council decided to expand the scope of the EU’s restrictive measures regarding Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad to also target members of the Political Bureau (‘Politburo’) of Hamas who promote, defend and justify violent actions. The decision follows the political agreement reached among EU foreign ministers on 11 May 2026. The members of the Politburo play a significant role in the decision-making process and exert considerable influence over the actions of the military wing of Hamas, including its violent actions. Therefore, they bear overall responsibility for those actions. With this decision, the Council lists ten individuals, members of the Politburo of Hamas. In their capacity as decision-makers of the organisation, the members of the Politburo have knowledge of the planning, preparation and execution of violent actions by Hamas. Furthermore, they actively defend and justify such violent actions, often publicly warning and threatening future attacks. With today’s listings, the restrictive measures under this framework now apply to 21 natural persons and three entities. The applicable restrictions to those listed are the travel ban and the asset freeze, which includes the prohibition on making funds or economic resources available to those listed, either directly or indirectly. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background On 19 January 2024, the Council established a dedicated framework of restrictive measures to hold accountable any individual or entity who supports, facilitates or enables violent actions by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). This regime also complements the restrictive measures previously adopted against Hamas and the PIJ under Common Position 2001/931/CFSP (the ‘EU terrorist list’). In its conclusions of 21 and 22 March 2024, the European Council called on the Council to accelerate work on the adoption of further relevant restrictive measures against Hamas. On 28 June 2024, the Council added six individuals and three entities to the sanctions list, bringing up the total to 12 individuals and three entities. In January 2026, the Council decided to extend the restrictive measures under this framework by one year, until 20 January 2027. Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1173 of 28 May 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/385 establishing restrictive measures against those who support, facilitate or enable violent actions by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (including the list of sanctioned individuals and entities) Council Regulation (EU) 2026/1175 of 28 May 2026 amending Regulation (EU) 2024/386 establishing restrictive measures against those who support, facilitate or enable violent actions by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (including the list of sanctioned individuals and entities) Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1174 of 28 May 2026 implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/386 establishing restrictive measures against those who support, facilitate or enable violent actions by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (including the list of sanctioned individuals and entities) Foreign Affairs Council, 11 May 2026 (main results) Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Council prolongs restrictive measures for another year (press release, 16 January 2026) Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Council adds six individuals and three entities to the sanctions list (press release, 28 June 2024) European Council conclusions, 21 and 22 March 2024 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Council establishes dedicated sanctions framework and lists six individuals (press release, 19 January 2024) Sanctions against terrorism (background information)   Visit the website

● Council of the EU

28/05/2026 19:05 | Meetings | Main results - Competitiveness Council (Internal market and Industry), 28 May 2026   Internal market and industry ministers approved conclusions on tourism and held political debates on the industrial accelerator act, the 28th regime and the impact of the Middle East crisis on tourism.   View meeting page

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the EU High Representative co-hosted the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers (Gymnich), in Limassol 28/05/2026 | Article The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the EU High Representative co-hosted the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers (Gymnich), in Limassol In the framework of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Constantinos Kombos, together with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Kaja Kallas, hosted on 28 May the informal meeting of EU Ministers for Foreign Affairs (Gymnich) in Limassol, Cyprus.   Visit the website