EUROGROUP,COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Thursday, 29 October 2026

● Eurogroup

29/10/2026 11:21 | Statements and remarks | Press statement by Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis following the announcement of the President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, to step down on 7 February 2027   I would like to thank Christine Lagarde for her term as President of the European Central Bank (ECB). On behalf of the Eurogroup, I express my sincere gratitude to Christine Lagarde for her outstanding contribution to the stability of the euro area and her leadership during these testing economic times. Our common currency provides the foundation for the euro area and guarantees its economic stability. The euro is a milestone in the process of European integration and one of its most tangible and valuable elements. Christine Lagarde's tenure at the helm of the ECB has only strengthened the confidence in the European single currency. The Eurogroup will act swiftly to prepare the recommendation of the Council of the EU to the European Council on the appointment. Background The European Council appoints the six members of the ECB executive board, including the president and the vice-president. It takes its decision on the basis of a recommendation from the Council and after consulting the European Parliament and the ECB governing council. Appointment of the European Central Bank executive board (background information)   Visit the website

● General Secretariat of the Council   Library guide on EU-Canada relations   The EU and Canada are longstanding strategic partners sharing common values such as democracy, commitment to the rules-based international order as well as free and fair trade. The 21st EU-Canada summit is set to mark a major milestone in EU-Canada relations, paving the way for an even broader and deeper political partnership.   Read full post ● European Council

27/10/2026 11:22 | Press release | President Costa travels to Montreal for the EU-Canada Summit   The President of the European Council, António Costa, will travel to Montreal, Canada, for the 21st EU-Canada summit on 29 and 30 October. He will represent the EU together with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Canada will be represented by Prime Minister Mark Carney. The summit is set to mark a major milestone in EU-Canada relations, paving the way for an even broader and deeper political partnership and stepping up cooperation. At the summit, EU and Canadian leaders are expected to launch an 'Alliance for the Future', a framework for shared prosperity and economic security, underpinned by concrete new initiatives to strengthen people-to-people ties, deepen economic relations and reinforce their joint stance on the global stage. The agenda of the summit will cover a wide range of topics: from trade, digital and critical raw materials to defence, security, as well as cooperation in the fields of education, research and innovation and youth. “The EU and Canada have long been close friends, major partners and strategic allies. Our bond is strong and it is growing stronger. In Montreal, we will take our partnership to the next level by launching our ‘Alliance for the Future’ to deepen our political, economic and institutional ties even further.” — António Costa, President of the European Council Leaders will also take stock of progress made since the last EU-Canada summit in 2025, which launched the Security and Defence Partnership. Since then, Canada and the EU have deepened their economic and defence cooperation, including through CETA, Canada’s participation in SAFE and reciprocal investment in strategic industries. They have also strengthened dialogue on competitiveness, economic security and supply chains, enhanced consular cooperation, and advanced collaboration on digital and AI matters. In December 2025, the EU and Canada brought into force the mutual recognition agreement for architects’ professional qualifications. This year’s summit also builds on close cooperation on the global stage. In September 2026, The EU and Canada co-sponsored the Partners for Multilateralism (P4M) initiative in the margins of the UNGA High Level Week together with Australia, Barbados, Brazil, India and Kenya. The P4M declaration reaffirmed their commitment to international law and the multilateral system founded on the United Nations Charter and agreed to work together to reform and strengthen multilateral institutions to foster dialogue, coordination and practical cooperation. Background The EU and Canada are longstanding strategic partners sharing common values such as democracy, commitment to the rules-based international order as well as free and fair trade. They have a longstanding political and economic partnership, underpinned by two major agreements signed in 2016: the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Under CETA, the EU and Canada eliminated tariffs on 98% of tariff lines and agreed to gradually remove almost all remaining tariffs. CETA was signed in 2016 and entered into provisional application in September 2017. At their summit on 23 June 2025, the EU and Canada signed a security and defence partnership. Canada is also the only non-European country taking part in Security Action for Europe (SAFE), the EU's €150 billion instrument supporting member states that invest in defence production through common procurement. An agreement concluded in 2026 allows Canadian defence companies and products to participate in Member States' procurement under SAFE. The European Union and Canada are strong supporters of Ukraine in the face of Russia's war of aggression. They work together, along with G7 partners, to increase coordination on sanctions against Russia, their enforcement and export controls restrictions. The EU and Canada are also cooperating on climate and environment through the EU-Canada Green Alliance, set up in 2023. They also cooperate in the field of science, research and technological development; in July 2024, Canada became associated to Horizon Europe, the EU's research and innovation programme. In November 2023, they launched the EU-Canada digital partnership. The EU and Canada share a strong commitment to upholding and advancing multilateralism and the rules-based international order. Through close cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels, they work together to strengthen democracy, promote peace and security, defend human rights and the rule of law and support effective multilateralism. EU relations with Canada (background information)   Visit the website

● Council of the EU

27/10/2026 10:43 | Media advisory | Press briefing - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) of 29 October 2026   The press briefing ahead of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) will take place on Wednesday, 28 October 2026 at 16.30 in the Europa building press room. 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. 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 Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Wednesday, 28 October 2026 at 15.30 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants after the deadline. Registration page Media accreditation for journalists   Visit the website

● General Secretariat of the Council

New books added to the Council Library collection - October 2026   Discover our selection of books recently added to the Council Library collection.   Read full post

● Council of the EU   29/10/2026 13:36 | Press release | European Peace Facility: Council adopts 4th bilateral assistance measure in support of Mauritania   Today, the Council adopted the fourth assistance measure, worth €20 million, under the European Peace Facility (EPF) to provide the Mauritanian armed forces with military equipment. The Council Decision complements three previously adopted assistance measures. They all support the efforts of the Mauritanian armed forces to promote stability in the Sahel, counter the risk of destabilisation and protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Mauritania and its civilian population. The EU's overall bilateral support for Mauritania under the EPF now stands at €75 million. As part of this package, the EU is already providing the Mauritanian armed forces with capabilities needed to carry out military activities on land and at sea, including in terms of surveillance, deterrence or operations. The newly adopted assistance measure will equip the army with additional, non-lethal land surveillance assets, complementing those planned under the assistance measure adopted in 2025. This equipment will support the Mauritanian Armed Forces' efforts to enhance situational awareness across national territory. Background The European Peace Facility was established in March 2021 to finance EU external actions with military or defence implications, with the aim of preventing conflict, preserving peace and strengthening international security and stability. In particular, the EPF allows the EU to finance actions designed to strengthen the capacities of third states and regional and international organizations as regards military and defence matters. European Peace Facility (background information) Civilian and military missions and operations (background information) The EU and Mauritania (EEAS)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   29/10/2026 11:56 | Press release | Council publishes 2025 international climate finance figures   In 2025, the European Union and its 27 member states contributed €32.3 billion in climate finance from public sources and mobilised an additional amount of €9.3 billion of private finance to support developing countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Council published the figures today, in preparation for the United Nations climate change conference of the parties (COP31 & CMA8), which will take place from 9 to 20 November in Antalya, Türkiye. The figures are based on the EU climate finance reporting rules laid down in the governance regulation. According to data compiled by the European Commission, 48% of the public climate funding for developing countries has been directed to climate adaptation or to cross-cutting action (involving both climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives). Grant-based finance represents a significant share (41%) in the EU and member states public contribution. The EU actively seeks to extend the range and impact of sources and financial instruments and to mobilise effectively private finance, as major tools to support international climate action, while responding to the forward-looking approach as embedded in the decision on the new collective quantified goal, adopted in 2024 by the parties to the Paris agreement. This way, the EU will continue to support developing countries to implement the 2015 Paris climate change agreement. The 2025 figures represent a strong confirmation of the EU, and its member states resolve for delivering on their international climate finance commitments, particularly towards the developed countries' collective goal of mobilising $100 billion per year. Background The €32.3 billion in climate finance from public budgets includes €4.3 billion from the EU budget, including the European development fund, and €2.7 billion from the European Investment Bank. The overall public figure is calculated based on commitments for bilateral and disbursements of multilateral finance reported for calendar year 2025. The €9.3 billion figure regards the private financial support mobilised through public interventions (e.g., guarantees, syndicated loans, direct investment in companies, credit lines, etc.). It does not include any amounts of the public finance utilised for the mobilisation of this private financial support. EU member states reported data on the 2025 climate finance pursuant to article 19.3 of regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 (‘governance regulation’) and article 6 and annexes III-V of Commission implementing regulation 2020/1208. Council conclusions on climate finance, 9 October 2026 Addendum to the Council conclusions on climate finance, 29 October 2026 Europe's contribution to climate finance (in €bn) (background information) Financing the climate transition (background information) COP31 website   Visit the website ● European Council   29/10/2026 11:04 | Statements and remarks | Statement by President António Costa on the forthcoming departure of Christine Lagarde from the European Central Bank   I have been informed by Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, of her intention to step down from her role on 7 February 2027. I respectfully acknowledge her decision. I would like to thank Madame Lagarde for her dedication as President of the ECB since November 2019. Throughout her mandate, she has led the European Central Bank with a strong sense of duty and responsibility. Europe has been well served by her leadership in uncertain times and her unwavering commitment to the European project. Through a global pandemic, a war in Europe, energy crises and inflation shocks, she has provided a steady and determined stewardship, helping to safeguard stability and the resilience of the euro area. To ensure a smooth transition to the next leadership of the ECB, the process for the appointment of her successor will be initiated today and will proceed without delay, with a view to a timely decision by the European Council acting in its euro area composition, in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 283 (2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Appointment of the European Central Bank executive board (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   28/10/2026 12:13 | Meetings | Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 29 October 2026   Background brief - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) of 29 October 2026   View meeting page