COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Saturday, 10 October 2026

● General Secretariat of the Council   09/10/2026 16:55 | Press release | Forward look: 12 - 25 October 2026   Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight. Environment Council, 12 October 2026 Environment and climate ministers will meet in Luxembourg to discuss the proposed review of the EU’s emissions trading system. They will also seek to approve conclusions on the EU’s main negotiating positions ahead of the United Nations climate change (COP31) and biodiversity (COP17) summits. Read more Foreign Affairs Council, 12 October 2026 The Council will exchange views on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and escalating hybrid campaign targeting the EU and its member states and the situation in the Middle East in light of the latest developments. Ministers will also discuss about the impacts of enlargement on the EU’s security and, under current affairs, Georgia. Read more General Affairs Council, 13 October 2026 Ministers for European affairs will meet in Luxembourg to continue preparations for the October European Council by discussing draft conclusions and will hold a policy debate on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034. The Council will also receive an update on the rule of law situation in Hungary in the context of the Article 7 procedure and will be invited to approve conclusions on inclusive democratic participation and community resilience. Read more European Council, 15-16 October 2026 EU leaders will gather in Brussels to discuss competitiveness, Ukraine, the next Multiannual Financial Framework, Middle East, European defence and security, migration, enlargement and reforms. Read more Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Employment and social policy), 19 October 2026 Employment and social affairs ministers are expected to adopt a recommendation on housing exclusion, including homelessness. They will also share their expectations for the upcoming Quality Jobs Act, and will seek to approve conclusions on equality as a driver for economic growth and competitiveness. Read more Other meetings Informal meeting of telecommunications ministers, 12-13 October 2026 Tripartite Social Summit, 14 October 2026 Informal meeting of education ministers, 15-16 October 2026 Informal meeting of trade ministers, 22-23 October 2026 EU-Gulf Cooperation Council summit, 24 October 2026   Indicative calendar of meetings under the Irish presidency (1 July - 31 December 2026) Irish presidency   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   09/10/2026 14:32 | Meetings | Main results - Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 9 October 2026   The Council reached agreement on the market integration and supervision package (MISP), a centrepiece of the savings and investments union. The package aims to strengthen EU capital markets and the EU’s long-term competitiveness. EU finance ministers also, among other topics, exchanged views on the competitiveness of the banking sector ahead of a forthcoming Commission legislative package.   View meeting page ● International ministerial meetings

09/10/2026 17:42 | Meetings | Agenda highlights - 10th Accession Conference with Albania, 13 October 2026   The tenth meeting of the Accession Conference with Albania will be held on 13 October 2026 in Luxembourg.   View meeting page

● European Council   09/10/2026 19:00 | Statements and remarks | Press statement by President Costa following the meeting with Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Rob Jetten   Dear Prime Minister, dear Rob, first of all, thank you very much for hosting me today when I precisely conclude in the Hague my ‘Tour des Capitales’. My annual ‘Tour des Capitales’ is an important opportunity to visit every member of the European Council in their home country. The purpose is to listen to Leaders’ priorities and to better understand each national perspective. That is the only way to build European unity. The world around us has changed drastically in the last years; old certainties can no longer be relied upon; and the European Union needs the policies and the resources to be an anchor of security, autonomy and prosperity for its citizens. That is why we need a new approach to our next long-term budget. We need a modernised budget, fit for the future. With a new structure, and a new way of allocating our resources. Regional development and food security remain essential for our continent. But we need a modernised budget that ensures Europe is secure, competitive, and innovative. Of course, it is essential to define priorities. And we need to find the right balance between increasing investment in defence, security, secure borders and competitiveness, and limited resources. We must keep national contributions at a reasonable level. And, for this to happen, we need new revenue streams for the European Union. The European Union must remain a source of stability and responsibility in an increasingly uncertain world. That is why we need to get an agreement by the end of this year. This is the only way to ensure that a new long-term budget is up and running by 1 January 2028. The Dutch and European citizens, companies, farmers, and researchers need that predictability. A budget is not an exercise in book-keeping. A budget must reflect strategic choices. In this case, our long-term budget is a major investment in Europe’s capacity to act, and it will allow us: to combine our efforts on research and science to invest together in A.I. and defence to collectively support Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression to better defend European borders together to sustain a Team Europe approach in the world, including through an ambitious policy of trade diversification All this, while never forgetting our farmers, regions and cities. All of this will only be possible with an ambitious – and yes, a fair – European long-term budget. Prime Minister, thank you very much, dear Rob, for your engagement on this issue. I know I can count on your constructive approach. And, I look forward to seeing you again in Brussels next week to continue our work on the next multi-annual financial framework. Thank you very much.   Visit the website

● Council of the EU   10/10/2026 11:52 | Statements and remarks | International Criminal Court: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU following the announcement of US sanctions   The EU reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the rules-based international order, of which the ICC is a fundamental part, based on respect for international law. International criminal justice plays a crucial role in holding to account those who violate international law by committing the most serious crimes of international concern. The ICC does not target sovereign states. Under its foundational principle of complementarity, the ICC only acts if a state is unwilling or unable genuinely to investigate or prosecute individuals responsible for the most serious crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. The US has a proud history and tradition of pursuing justice and accountability. The complementarity provisions of the ICC are designed to cater for and recognise the primacy of competent national judicial systems and processes such as the US legal system. Attacks or threats against the Court, elected officials, personnel and those cooperating with the Court, including civil society representatives and service providers, are not acceptable. This is why the EU deeply regrets the announcement by the United States to impose sanctions against the Court as an institution. While we urge the US also to reverse these latest measures, we welcome its readiness to discuss its concerns with the State Parties to the Rome Statute and take note of the US decision to delay the entry into force of its latest measures. This creates space for diplomacy, with a view to securing their prompt reversal and preventing any further measures that seek to undermine the independence and integrity of the ICC. The ICC must be able to operate independently, free from pressure or external interference. The EU will continue to provide its full support and contribute to ensure the protection of the Court, its staff and those cooperating with it. The EU stands ready to take all the necessary measures to ensure that the Court continues to operate effectively and fulfills its indispensable mandate.   Visit the website