COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Wednesday, 14 October 2026

● Council of the EU   13/10/2026 19:29 | Press release | Enlargement: EU opens accession negotiations with Ukraine on internal market, competitiveness and inclusive growth   Today, the EU and Ukraine took another important step in the accession process by opening negotiations on the so-called ‘internal market’ and ‘competitiveness and inclusive growth’ clusters. The cluster on ‘internal market’ covers EU policies related to the free movement of goods, services, workers and capital, as well as common rules on competition, financial services, company law and consumer protection. The cluster on ‘competitiveness and inclusive growth’ covers EU policies related to economic competitiveness and growth, including taxation, economic and monetary policy, industry, digital transformation, employment, education, research and customs. “We have today reached another milestone on Ukraine’s EU membership journey.  The Irish presidency is committed to advance Ukraine’s EU accession process. Today’s decision demonstrates Ukraine’s resilience and determination to move forward on reforms, against the backdrop of extremely difficult circumstances.” — Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for European affairs and defence of Ireland The EU has also set benchmarks for the future provisional closure of those chapters. EU accession is a merit-based process. Monitoring of progress in the alignment with and implementation of the EU acquis and relevant European standards will continue throughout the negotiations. Today’s decision follows the opening of negotiations on the cluster on external relations in July 2026. More on clusters Clusters are core thematic groupings within the EU’s accession negotiation framework setting the parameters for how candidate countries align with the EU acquis in these fields. Clusters are divided into chapters that correspond to different policy fields subject to negotiations.  The cluster ‘internal market’ comprises 9 distinct negotiating chapters on: free movement of goods (1) freedom of movement for workers (2) right of establishment and freedom to provide services (3) free movement of capital (4) company law (6) intellectual property law (7) competition policy (8) financial services (9), and consumer and health protection (28) The cluster ‘competitiveness and inclusive growth’ comprises 8 distinct negotiating chapters on: digital transformation and media (10) taxation (16) economic and monetary policy (17) social policy and employment (19) enterprise and industrial policy (20) science and research (25) education and culture (26), and customs union (29) Background Following the introduction of the revised methodology for accession negotiations in 2020, negotiating chapters are divided into 6 thematic clusters: Fundamentals Internal market Competitiveness and inclusive growth Green agenda and sustainable connectivity Resources, agriculture and cohesion External relations Each chapter corresponds to a different policy field. There are 33 chapters in total. EU common position on Cluster 2: internal market EU common position on Cluster 3: competitiveness and inclusive growth Third Accession Conference with Ukraine, 14 July 2026 EU opens accession negotiations with Ukraine, Council press release, 25 June 2024 Ukraine (background information)   Visit the website ● International ministerial meetings   13/10/2026 19:48 | Meetings | Main results - 4th Accession Conference with Ukraine, 13 October 2026   The fourth meeting of the Accession Conference with Ukraine was held today in Luxembourg serving to open negotiations on clusters 2 - internal market and 3 – competitiveness and inclusive growth.   View meeting page ● Council of the EU

13/10/2026 21:33 | Press release | Enlargement: EU and Moldova start negotiations on internal market, competitiveness and inclusive growth   Today, the EU and Moldova took another important step in the accession process by opening negotiations on the so-called ‘internal market’ and ‘competitiveness and inclusive growth’ clusters. Clusters are core thematic groupings within the EU’s accession negotiation framework setting the parameters for how candidate countries align with the EU acquis in these fields. The cluster on ‘internal market’ covers EU policies related to the free movement of goods, services, workers and capital, as well as common rules on competition, financial services, company law and consumer protection. The cluster on ‘competitiveness and inclusive growth’ covers EU policies related to economic competitiveness and growth, including taxation, economic and monetary policy, industry, digital transformation, employment, education, research and customs. “Today, we have taken another step forward on Moldova’s EU accession path. Less than three months after the opening of negotiations on external relations policies, the decision taken today reflects the importance that the Irish presidency places on EU enlargement. We will spare no effort until the end of our term in working to open the remaining clusters.” — Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for European affairs and defence of Ireland  The EU has also set benchmarks for the future provisional closure of those chapters. EU accession is a merit-based process. Monitoring of progress in the alignment with and implementation of the EU acquis and relevant European standards will continue throughout the negotiations. Today’s decision follows the opening of negotiations on the cluster on external relations in July 2026. More on clusters Clusters are core thematic groupings within the EU’s accession negotiation framework setting the parameters for how candidate countries align with the EU acquis in these fields. Clusters are divided into chapters that correspond to different policy fields subject to negotiations. The cluster ‘internal market’ comprises 9 distinct negotiating chapters on: free movement of goods (1) freedom of movement for workers (2) right of establishment and freedom to provide services (3) free movement of capital (4) company law (6) intellectual property law (7) competition policy (8) financial services (9), and consumer and health protection (28) The cluster ‘competitiveness and inclusive growth’ comprises 8 distinct negotiating chapters on: digital transformation and media (10) taxation (16) economic and monetary policy (17) social policy and employment (19) enterprise and industrial policy (20) science and research (25) education and culture (26), and customs union (29) Background Following the introduction of the revised methodology for accession negotiations in 2020, negotiating chapters are divided into 6 thematic clusters: Fundamentals Internal market Competitiveness and inclusive growth Green agenda and sustainable connectivity Resources, agriculture and cohesion External relations Each chapter corresponds to a different policy field. There are 33 chapters in total. EU common position on Cluster 2: internal market EU common position on Cluster 3: competitiveness and inclusive growth Third Accession Conference with the Republic of Moldova, 14 July 2026 EU opens accession negotiations with Moldova, Council press release, 25 June 2024 Moldova (background information)   Visit the website

● International ministerial meetings

13/10/2026 21:39 | Meetings | Main results - 4th Accession Conference with the Republic of Moldova, 13 October 2026   The fourth meeting of the Accession Conference with the Republic of Moldova was held today in Luxembourg serving to open negotiations on clusters 2 - internal market and 3 - competitiveness and inclusive growth.   View meeting page

● European Council   14/10/2026 09:33 | Media advisory | Media advisory - Tripartite Social Summit of 14 October 2026   Indicative programme All times are approximate and subject to change +/- 14:30 Arrivals and doorsteps (live streaming) +/- 15:00 Beginning of the Tripartite Social Summit (roundtable) +/- 17:05 Family photo At the end of the meeting (+/- 17:15) - Press conference in the Justus Lipsius press room in live streaming. Videos and photos from the event     Visit the website

● Council of the EU

14/10/2026 13:47 | Statements and remarks | Palestine: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the postponement of elections   The EU deeply regrets the decision by the Palestinian Authority to postpone until September 2027 the legislative elections initially scheduled for 28 November 2026 as well as the presidential election that was due to take place early 2027. Acknowledging the challenges and limitations facing the Palestinian Authority, we reiterate the importance of organising legislative and presidential elections as soon as possible, in line with President Abbas’ previous commitments. The holding of democratic and transparent elections throughout the occupied Palestinian territory is long overdue. Palestinians must be able to vote to elect their leadership and representatives to their institutions. The EU reiterates its readiness to support the electoral process, including by the deployment of an EU Election Observation Mission. The EU has a long-standing position of support to Palestinian state-building efforts and reforms. Credible, inclusive and transparent elections for all Palestinians are vital for the Palestinian people, democratic legitimacy, and accountability, as well as for the two-state solution. The EU’s continued support to the Palestinian Authority goes hand in hand with progress towards these objectives, and advancing reforms.   Visit the website

● European Council   14/10/2026 17:54 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the Tripartite Social Summit   We have just concluded the Tripartite Social Summit, our biannual meeting with the social partners. Social dialogue is a cornerstone of the European social model. Today, with the representatives of workers, employers and SMEs, we focused on two priorities that are central to Europe’s future: our next long-term budget and our competitiveness. Let me start with the budget. The agreement on the next European Union long-term budget will be one of the defining decisions of this political cycle. The world has changed profoundly since we last negotiated a European budget. Our challenges have grown. Our priorities have evolved. And our budget must reflect these new realities. We need a modernised budget. With a new structure, a new approach to allocating resources and greater flexibility to respond to a rapidly changing world. The European budget is much more than a financial instrument. It is about how we turn our common priorities into action. How we invest in our security, strengthen our prosperity and preserve the cohesion of our societies. Now we need to deliver. And we need to deliver by the end of this year. We must reach an agreement in time to have the new budget operational on 1 January 2028, with no disruption in funding for farmers, workers, researchers, businesses, cities and regions across Europe. As our social partners know well, difficult agreements require determination, compromise and a sense of collective responsibility. From my contacts with the European Union leaders, I know there is a shared understanding of what is at stake — and of the need to deliver. I want to thank Micheál for his hard work in preparing the revised Negotiating Box, which will provide the basis for tomorrow’s debate among the leaders at the European Council. Now, let me turn to our second topic: Europe’s competitiveness. Our message today was clear: competitiveness is not an end in itself. It is about better jobs, stronger businesses and better lives for Europeans. It means helping European companies grow, unlocking innovation and securing lasting prosperity for future generations. A more competitive Europe must also be a more socially cohesive Europe. This is the ambition behind our ‘One Europe, One Market’ agenda. And the European Union leaders are determined to move forward at speed. Since we agreed on this agenda last March, we have been turning commitments into action. Cutting red tape. Advancing the Savings and Investments Union. Removing barriers in the Single Market. Making labour mobility easier and fairer. The direction is clear: fewer barriers, more opportunities, a stronger European economy. We are also taking action on housing. Following the European Council’s debate and guidance, the European Commission recently put forward the EU Affordable Housing Act. And, for the first time, the proposal for the next long-term EU budget includes financing for housing policies. This matters for our citizens, but also for our competitiveness. People must be able to afford to live where the jobs are. But we must also tackle another urgent challenge: energy prices. High and volatile energy prices are putting pressure on households and businesses. They are also undermining Europe’s competitiveness. This is why energy will be a central focus of tomorrow’s European Council. We need a coordinated European response.  Targeted and temporary measures to ease the immediate pressure on households and businesses and help contain price volatility. Our goal is clear: to protect Europeans and strengthen our economic resilience. Today’s discussions have reinforced a fundamental conviction: Europe’s economic strength and its social model must advance together. This is also the spirit in which I look forward to co-hosting in 2027 a Social Summit with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, as we mark the 10th anniversary of the European Pillar of Social Rights. A stronger Europe must also be a fairer Europe. And that is the Europe we are determined to deliver. Thank you very much, and once again thank you especially to our social partners.   Visit the website

● European Council   14/10/2026 17:56 | Press release | Main messages from the Tripartite Social Summit of 14 October 2026   EU leaders and social partners met in Brussels for the Tripartite Social Summit, a twice-yearly forum for dialogue that brings together the leaders of the EU institutions and the European social partners. Today’s discussion focused on ‘Driving Europe Forward’. In particular, the following topics were addressed: a new Multiannual Financial Framework reinforcing a competitive business location supporting quality jobs a Single Market which delivers for workers and enterprises “Competitiveness is not an end in itself. Our ultimate goal is to improve the lives and well-being of European citizens, by creating quality jobs, building strong and successful European companies, and ensuring lasting prosperity and resilience. To achieve this, we must continue delivering on our ‘One Europe, One Market’ agenda and completing the single market. Social partners have a vital role to play in ensuring that economic progress translates into tangible benefits for people, workers and businesses alike. A strong economy and a fair society must go hand in hand. This has been one of our Union’s founding ambitions, and our next long-term budget must help turn it into reality.” — António Costa, President of the European Council “Europe’s competitiveness goes hand in hand with social fairness. It means good jobs, decent livelihoods and thriving businesses. To get there, our priorities are clear: affordable energy, a strong Single Market that protects workers’ rights, quality jobs fit for the future, and a long-term EU budget that preserves Europe’s social DNA. And of course, dialogue with social partners is essential to deliver.” — Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission “Europe is at its strongest when it is united and pulling in the same direction on the important issues. At today’s meeting we discussed how we can work together to build a more competitive Europe, with quality jobs and high skills, underpinned by a budget that can support our ambition for what we want to achieve together. These are topics of great importance for our citizens and, as Presidency of the Council, Ireland is working to make progress on them. We are advancing work on the ‘One Europe, One Market’ roadmap – the set of urgent actions the EU’s institutions have agreed to make Europe more competitive and more economically resilient. We have made our compromise proposal for the Union’s future budget – the MFF – and we will work closely with partners to secure agreement in the negotiations by the end of the year. We know that social and economic progress is a team effort. Ireland has long understood the value of social dialogue as a way of maximising common understanding and engagement between all sectors of society.  It is vital to progress, and it is an essential part of the European social model. At a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty and accelerating technological change it remains more important than ever.” — Micheál Martin, Taoiseach of Ireland, on behalf of the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU “Translating Europe’s economic ambitions into tangible improvements is more urgent than ever. It is clear that regulation is weighing too heavy on enterprises and authorities. Europe now needs to improve investment conditions so that quality jobs can flourish. We call on European leaders to intensify their efforts to simplify regulation, deepen the Single Market, and preserve competitiveness-enhancing expenditure, including investment in skills and essential infrastructure, in the next Multiannual Financial Framework.” — Maciej Witucki, President of BusinessEurope “There is real anger on the streets. Working people are suffering from wages that don’t keep up with sky-high housing, energy and food costs. Europe needs a policy that workers can feel in their pocket. But the discussions on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) seem to be going in the wrong direction, with less and less for investment for tackling the growing jobs crisis. We reject proposed cuts to the MFF. Europe needs to have the courage to raise own resources, including through a European digital tax. The next EU budget must keep a strong, separate European Social Fund with more money. Every euro of public money must come with binding conditions that create quality jobs and respect collective agreements. Europe must play its part in tackling the cost-of-living crisis and driving more quality jobs for all. The Quality Jobs Act must bring in binding rules to end precarious work and exploitation.” — Esther Lynch, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) The views cited in this text are those of the individual / organisation concerned and do not collectively constitute the point of view of the Council or the European Council.   Visit the website