COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Monday, 18 May 2026

● Council of the EU   18/05/2026 12:06 | Press release | Fragility and development: Council adopts conclusions on a stronger and more coordinated EU approach   The Council today adopted conclusions on a coherent approach to fragility, EU external action and sustainable development, stressing that fragility is an increasingly acute and systemic global challenge with direct consequences for international stability, security and development. In the conclusions, the Council underlines the need for a stronger, more coordinated and long-term approach to fragile contexts, based on the humanitarian-development-peace nexus and focused on addressing the root causes of fragility, including conflict, poverty and climate change. The conclusions highlight the importance of continued, focused and sustained EU engagement in fragile partner countries and regions, in particular where fragility is high or extreme, including through development cooperation, flexible financing and closer Team Europe coordination, complemented by effective multilateralism, cooperation with local actors. The Council also stresses the importance of supporting resilient institutions, access to basic services, job creation and local ownership, while reaffirming the EU’s commitment to human rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women and young people as key drivers of stability and sustainable development. The conclusions also underline the importance of directing EU official development assistance towards fragile and conflict-affected contexts, to support resilience, stability and sustainable development. The text also underlines that EU external action should remain coherent, conflict-sensitive and based on strong context analysis. The conclusions point to the potential of the Global Gateway strategy to support mutually beneficial partnerships, sustainable investments, stability and economic opportunities in fragile settings, alongside other EU tools and partnerships. The Council additionally welcomes the 2025 report on the implementation of the EU’s external action instruments and reaffirms the EU’s position as the world’s largest provider of official development assistance (ODA), representing 48% of global ODA in 2025, while noting with concern the historical decline in ODA worldwide in 2025 as reported by the OECD. The Council stresses the need for the EU and its member states to continue leading by example collectively as Team Europe. The conclusions also address the European Court of Auditors’ Special report on 'Commission support to fight hunger in Sub-Saharan Africa'. In that regard, the Council notes that, over the last decade (2014–2024), EU actions across instruments concluded contracts amounting to about EUR 23.2 billion for hunger-related initiatives with nearly half of that amount destined to Sub-Saharan Africa. In this context, the Council underlines the need to balance humanitarian support with long‑term sustainable development outcomes and resilience building. 2025 annual report on the implementation of the European Union’s external action instruments in 2024 (European Commission) Preliminary 2025 ODA data (OECD)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   18/05/2026 12:23 | Press release | Syria: Council renews restrictive measures targeting the former al-Assad regime for one year and de-lists certain entities   The Council today decided to renew the EU’s restrictive measures targeting individuals and entities linked to the former al-Assad regime in Syria until 1 June 2027. The restrictive measures were prolonged following the Council’s annual review of the sanctions regime. In parallel, the Council decided to remove seven entities from the sanctions list, which include the Ministries of Defence and Interior. This will support the strengthening of the EU’s engagement with Syria. In May 2025, all economic sanctions on Syria have been lifted in order to support the country’s peaceful and inclusive transition, socio-economic recovery, and reconstruction. At the same time, the EU has maintained targeted restrictive measures against individuals and entities linked with the former al-Assad regime, as well as sanctions based on security grounds. The EU considers that networks linked to the former al-Assad regime continue to retain influence and pose a risk of undermining the transition process and hindering efforts towards national reconciliation and accountability. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from making funds available to them. Individuals are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU member states. Background The EU first introduced restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria in 2011 in response to the violent repression of the civilian population by the al-Assad regime. Following the fall of this regime, the Council on 24 February 2025 eased a number of EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria in order to facilitate engagement with the country, its people and businesses. On 20 May 2025, the Council affirmed its continued commitment to supporting the Syrian people and the peaceful and inclusive transition by announcing the political decision to lift all economic sanctions (except those based on security grounds), marking a historic shift toward aiding Syria’s transition and recovery in the post-Assad era. More recently, on 11 May 2026, the Council restored the full application of the EU-Syria Cooperation Agreement, which was partially suspended in 2011 in response to serious human rights violations by the al-Assad regime. Syria: Council restores full application of EU-Syria Cooperation Agreement (press release, 11 May 2026) Syria: Council approves conclusions (press release, 23 June 2025) Syria: EU adopts legal acts to lift economic sanctions on Syria, enacting recent political agreement (press release, 28 May 2025) Syria (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   18/05/2026 11:20 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - Foreign Affairs Council (Trade), 22 May 2026   EU trade ministers will exchange views on economic security in light of the impact of the Middle East conflict on trade. They will also follow up on the 14th WTO ministerial conference (MC14) and discuss WTO reform. Over lunch, the ministers will review the state of play of ongoing trade negotiations.   View meeting page