COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

Meetings Thursday, 11 June 2026

● European Council   10/06/2026 17:29 | Statements and remarks | Statement by President António Costa following the EU-Republic of Korea summit   Dear President Lee, let me thank you for travelling to Brussels to participate in the eleventh Summit between the European Union and the Republic of Korea. I hope you will agree that our successful meetings made it worth the long journey.  Today, during our Summit we advanced the Strategic Partnership between the European Union and the Republic of Korea even further, strengthening our cooperation across the board and further contributing to the prosperity and security of our citizens.  The strongest partnerships are built not only by institutions but by people. And this Summit takes place at a moment when our peoples’ ties in education, culture and innovation are closer than ever. For us, the European Union-Korea relationship is a long-term commitment and today is a demonstration of how our partnership is delivering. The European Union and the Republic of Korea are trusted strategic partners and friends, sharing the same values and a commitment to the rule of law, democracy, multilateralism and a rules-based economic order. We are like-minded partners, joint in our belief that international cooperation, stability and predictability, together with open, free and rules-based order, remain the best way to reinforce our common security and prosperity. We don’t have to look too far to find an example of this. The European Union-Korea Free Trade Agreement remains one of the European Union’s most successful trade agreements.  Since its entry into force in 2011, bilateral trade has more than doubled in value and has delivered substantial growth in investment flows for the benefit of both sides, supporting high-quality jobs and enhancing supply chain resilience.  The Digital Trade Agreement you signed today is a landmark achievement that will connect further the digital economies of the European Union and Korea, foster innovation-driven growth and set high-standard digital trade rules.  Today, we also committed to negotiating a new Security of Information Agreement, in view of further underpinning our Security and Defence Partnership, paving the way for even stronger cooperation between the European Union and the Republic of Korea in this domain. We have also agreed to launch a new Competitiveness Partnership, supported by a High-Level Economic Dialogue, to deepen our cooperation on economic security, trade industrial policy and artificial intelligence.  Today we also discussed our joint support for preserving a global order based on international law and effective, modern multilateralism. We agreed to work together to strengthen the United Nations, including through the UN80 initiative, in order to deliver a more effective, cost-efficient, and responsive United Nations organisation that is fit for purpose.  Last but not least, we discussed regional and global developments, including the situations in the Korean Peninsula, the Indo-Pacific region, the Middle East and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.  I believe we agree that we cannot allow any state to use military aggression to threaten our peace, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of any country. Otherwise, the global order would collapse into chaos. Therefore, the European Union strongly appreciates the Republic of Korea’s cooperation and its assistance to Ukraine.  To conclude, dear President Lee, dear President von der Leyen, today’s Summit was extremely successful in expanding our cooperation. And allow me on behalf of the 27 Member States to congratulate the Commission for your great work and what you have delivered in this Summit. It will be remembered as another important milestone in the strengthening and deepening of our Strategic Partnership.  I am looking forward to remaining in close contact with you on many of the important issues we discussed today.   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   11/06/2026 16:19 | Meetings | Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health), 16 June 2026   Background brief - Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health) of 16 June 2026   View meeting page

 

Press material Thursday, 11 June 2026

● Council of the EU   11/06/2026 15:24 | Media advisory | UPDATE - Press briefing - Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health) of 16 June 2026 The press briefing ahead of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health) will take place on Friday, 12 June 2026 at 16.00. This briefing will be "off the record". The press briefing will take place 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 Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Friday, 12 June 2026 at 15.00 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   11/06/2026 02:11 | Press release | ETS2 market stability reserve: Council and Parliament reach provisional agreement   The Cyprus presidency of the Council and European Parliament representatives have reached a provisional agreement on the targeted amendment to the market stability reserve (MSR) for the EU’s emissions trading system for the buildings, road transport and additional sectors (ETS2). The market stability reserve addresses supply and demand imbalances in ETS2, by adjusting the number of emission allowances available in circulation. Today’s agreement will strengthen the market stability reserve and further ensure a stable and predictable market for allowances ahead of the full launch of ETS2 in 2028. “Today's swift agreement delivers a robust and predictable market stability reserve, essential for a smooth and stable launch of ETS2. The agreed adjustments will improve market liquidity, reduce price volatility and strengthen the system's ability to respond to unwarranted price increases. This will foster confidence and give households, businesses and member states the predictability they need as we move towards a cleaner future.” — Maria Panayiotou, Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus Key elements of the agreement Co-legislators confirmed the core elements of the Commission proposal, concurring on the need to strengthen market predictability, reduce volatility and further address excessive price increases. The agreement extends the lifetime of the market stability reserve beyond 2030, which will help maintain price stability over time. To further improve market confidence, the provisional agreement reinforces the existing price control mechanism, by doubling from 20 million to 40 million the number of allowances to be released when the cost of carbon exceeds €45 per tonne CO2 equivalent (in 2020 prices). Moreover, the agreement will ensure a more gradual and responsive release of allowances when the number in circulation falls below 260 million, to help prevent market uncertainty caused by a ‘threshold effect’. In addition to adopting the key elements of the Commission proposal, co-legislators agreed to a limited number of additions. They established that the Commission’s future review of the market stability reserve will consider the number of the remaining allowances in the reserve. Another addition addresses the review of ETS2, including a thorough assessment of the price stability mechanisms and of the rules of the market stability reserve. Co-legislators also included a reference to the need for investments and the use of revenues from ETS2 auctions for climate and energy transition measures in buildings and road transport, in line with EU existing provisions. Next steps The provisional agreement now needs to be endorsed by the Council and the European Parliament. It will then be formally adopted by both institutions following legal-linguistic revision. The amended market stability reserve will be implemented in time for the full launch of ETS2. ETS2 will become fully operational by 2028, as agreed during negotiations on the European Climate Law. Background Established as part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package in 2023, ETS2 aims to reduce emissions from a number of economic sectors by 42% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels. It applies to distributors supplying fuels to the buildings and road transport sectors and certain other sectors. These suppliers must monitor and report emissions from the fuels they sell, and surrender carbon allowances equivalent to those emissions; the total number of allowances available within the EU decreases each year to incentivise decarbonisation. Following an initiative in July 2025, supported by 19 member states, calling for a smooth start of ETS2, the Commission proposed a targeted amendment of the market stability reserve. Market stability reserve: Council backs measures for a smoother launch of ETS2 (press release, 18 February 2026) 2040 climate target: Council and Parliament agree on a 90% emissions reduction (press release, 10 December 2025) ‘Fit for 55’: Council adopts decision on market stability reserve (press release, 28 March 2023) Timeline – EU law tracker   Visit the website ● European Council   11/06/2026 08:34 | Press release | European Council of 18-19 June 2026 - Invitation letter by President António Costa to the members of the European Council   Dear colleagues, I would like to invite you to our European Council meeting on 18 and 19 June. In a challenging geopolitical context, we will address several crucial issues for our citizens and our companies, including competitiveness and global economic challenges, the European Union’s Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034, as well as Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. Like in previous – and future – meetings of the European Council, our discussions will focus heavily on the cornerstone of Europe’s prosperity and social model: the competitiveness of our economy. We will therefore start our meeting by reviewing progress on the ‘One Europe, One Market’ agenda, together with the President of the European Parliament, the President of the European Commission, and as part of the presentation of the main results of the Cyprus Presidency by President Christodoulides. The ongoing joint monitoring carried out by the three institutions will contribute to this discussion. We will revert to economic issues during dinner, when I would like us to focus on global macroeconomic imbalances and their implications for Europe’s competitiveness and prosperity. The  aim is to develop a common understanding of the challenges and to provide guidance to the Commission on the way forward. Europe must do its economic homework – but, at the same time, fair competition at the global level requires a level playing field. Building on our productive debate in Cyprus in April, I would like us to come back to the next Multiannual Financial Framework. The Cyprus Presidency will present a first negotiating box with figures. To guide the work of the incoming Irish Presidency, we should focus our discussion on the key elements to facilitate an agreement by the end of the year. This includes making progress on new own resources, which will be decisive for matching our ambitions with the necessary means. Ukraine remains high on our agenda, and we will start our discussion by hearing from President Zelenskyy. Ukraine has demonstrated renewed success on the battlefield, while Russia is failing to achieve its military and strategic objectives. Russia’s increasingly reckless and irresponsible behaviour towards EU Member States is unacceptable and signals the opposite of strength. Our two-pronged approach – supporting Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia – is working. Our meeting will provide an opportunity to send a strong signal of unity and, I expect, to welcome the opening of the first cluster of chapters in the accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, an important milestone on their EU path. This puts an end to a long impasse in the accession process of those two countries. Together with the momentum regarding the Western Balkans, as seen during our recent Summit in Tivat with partners of that region, there is a renewed impetus in the enlargement process. Recent drone incursions into EU airspace, including the crash of a Russian drone carrying explosives into a residential building in Romania, underline the urgency of advancing our shared defence readiness agenda, including by strengthening the EU’s Eastern flank. While progress has been made on defence spending and capabilities, much more remains to be done. We will address the latest developments in the Middle East, including the conflict in Iran and its broader implications, notably for energy prices. We will also discuss the dramatic situation in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as developments in Lebanon, including continued EU efforts to support the ceasefire and the Lebanese state and its people. Continuing our usual practice, we will also take stock of progress in the implementation of previous conclusions on migration to ensure that work continues at a high pace in all priority areas. We can expect a letter from President von der Leyen to inform our discussion. Finally, I would like us to address illicit drugs – an issue that directly impacts the lives of European citizens and our societies. This is a challenge that requires a comprehensive, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. Following the adoption of the EU Drugs Strategy, it is important to ensure its effective implementation. Our meeting will start on Thursday, 18 June, at 18:00 and my aim is to conclude the proceedings after lunch on Friday, 19 June. I am looking forward to seeing you in Brussels, António Costa Invitation letter   Visit the website ● European Council   11/06/2026 15:10 | Media advisory | Press briefing - G7 summit in Évian (France) of 15-17 June 2026   The press briefing ahead of the G7 summit in Évian (France) of 15-17 June 2026 will take place on Friday 12 June 2026 at 17:00 CEST. This briefing will be "on background" and online only. EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions. To attend the event remotely, please use the link below to register and have the possibility to ask questions. Deadline for registration: Friday, 12 June 2026 at 16:00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Registration page Media accreditation   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   11/06/2026 18:51 | Media advisory | (CHANGE OF TIME) Press briefing - Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health) of 16 June 2026   The press briefing ahead of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health) will take place on Friday, 12 June 2026 at 10.00. This briefing will be "off the record". The press briefing will take place 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 Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Friday, 12 June 2026 at 09.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Registration page Media accreditation for journalists   Visit the website