European Council

Latest news from the Council of the European Union.

EU agrees sanctions against Russia over Navalny

Russia is drifting towards an authoritarian state and away from Europe, EU foreign affairs ministers said Monday, agreeing sanctions in response to the detention of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Lift-off for Europe's biggest ever R&D programme

The EU's Portuguese presidency launched the ambitious research and innovation programme 'Horizon Europe' Tuesday with a budget of EUR 95 billion to spur Europe's economic recovery from 2021-2027.

Portuguese EU presidency aims for green recovery

Portugal took over the European Union's presidency on 1 January, promising to lead the EU out of the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic under the motto of a "fair, green and digital recovery".

EU fish quotas agreed for Atlantic, North Sea, Med and Black Sea

EU ministers reached agreement Thursday on catch limits for over 200 commercial fish stocks in the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean and the Black Sea for 2021 and, for deep-sea species, for 2021-22.

EU summit approves 55 pct emissions reduction goal

Ending their two-day summit Friday, EU leaders endorsed a binding EU target of a net domestic reduction of at least 55 per cent in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990.

EU leaders clear way for Covid recovery package

EU leaders at a summit Friday reached a deal to address the concerns expressed on the EU's recovery package and the draft Regulation on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the EU budget.

EU looks to rekindle transatlantic alliance under Biden

Following the Trump years of bilateral tensions and unilateral tendencies, the EU put forward a strategy Wednesday to strengthen ties with the United States after US President-elect Joe Biden's victory.

EU gender equality plan puts women's rights at heart of global recovery

The EU executive and its foreign affairs arm put forward ambitious plans Wednesday to promote gender equality and women's empowerment through all external action of the European Union.

G20 leaders agree to make Covid vaccines available and affordable for all

At the weekend summit of the G20 countries, leaders expressed a commitment to coordinated global action to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, and support for the most vulnerable and fragile countries.

EU leaders to step up pandemic coordination

EU leaders agreed Thursday to strengthen coordination on combating the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on mutual recognition of tests, vaccine deployment and a common approach to lifting restrictive measures.

EU agrees deal on long-term budget for post-COVID recovery

The EU Parliament and Member States agreed Tuesday on Europe's long-term budget and extra funding to rebuild a post-COVID-19 Europe centred on jobs, competitiveness, and better climate protection.

EU leaders strengthen resolve as 2nd Covid wave hits Europe

EU leaders at a summit Thursday resolved to strengthen their collective effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on testing and tracing policies, and on vaccines.

Eco-schemes feature in EU's greener common farm policy

Farmers will be afforded flexibility on the way to higher environmental standards in farming in the post-2020 common agricultural policy reform package agreed provisionally by EU ministers Wednesday.

EU steps up 'no-deal' preparations as UK refuses to budge

With time running out for successful conclusion of an EU-UK trade deal and insufficient progress on key issues, EU leaders called on the UK at a summit Friday to make moves to make an agreement possible.

EU imposes sanctions on Russian officials for Navalny poisoning

The EU imposed sanctions Thursday against six Russian officials involved in the assassination attempt on Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, poisoned in Russia with a Novichok toxic nerve agent.

EU summit agrees sanctions against Belarus regime

EU leaders at a summit Friday agreed to impose sanctions on the Belarus regime, calling for an end to violence and repression and for new free and fair elections without external interference.

Europe needs to be a player, not a playing field, EU tells China

The EU needs a balanced relationship with China, EU president Charles Michel told Chinese president Xi Monday in a summit which underlined differences over human rights, climate and trade issues.

EU set to impose sanctions on Belarus for unfair elections

Following a European Council video conference Wednesday, EU leaders made clear they did not recognise election results presented by the Belarus authorities, which did not meet international standards.

Marathon EU summit secures EUR 750 bn recovery fund

Following a marathon four-day summit, EU leaders agreed Tuesday a EUR 750 billion recovery fund for Europe, and a long-term budget to help the EU rebuild after the pandemic and support green investment.

Post-Covid recovery the focus for Germany's EU presidency

Germany took over the presidency of the EU Council from Wednesday 1 July, with key priorities being climate action, digital sovereignty and Europe’s role in the world, alongside post-Covid-19 recovery.

EU extends current CAP rules until end 2022

EU farm ministers reached provisional agreement with the European Parliament Wednesday on continuing farming support under the current legal framework until the new CAP enters into force end 2022.

Importance of China to EU's COVID recovery underlined at summit

The importance of the EU's trading relationship with China for recovery from COVID-19 was underlined at a video conference summit Tuesday but Hong Kong and human rights was high on the agenda.

EU and UK agree new push for Brexit deal in July

EU leaders and British prime minister Boris Johnson agreed in a videoconference Monday to intensify Brexit talks in July to create the best conditions for concluding and ratifying a deal by the end of 2020.

EU, Japan strenthen ties to face COVID-19 crisis

EU and Japan leaders at a video conference Tuesday signalled close coordination in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, stressing the importance of global solidarity, cooperation and multilateralism.

EU gives go-ahead to EUR 540 bn recovery package

EU leaders endorsed in a video call Thursday an agreement on safety nets for workers, businesses and sovereigns amounting to a package worth EUR 540 bn, calling for the package to be operational by 1 June.