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Highlights

A long row of European national flags and EU flags displayed on flagpoles inside a modern glass atrium.
  • 20 October 2026
'We regret ratification of the Libyan-Türkiye Memorandum of Understanding'

'We regret ratification of the Libyan-Türkiye Memorandum of Understanding'

Presidents Costa and von der Leyen deeply regret the ratification by the Libyan Parliament of the so-called Libyan-Türkiye Memorandum of Understanding on the delimitation of maritime jurisdictions in the Mediterranean Sea. This agreement infringes upon the sovereign rights of third states, it does not comply with the Law of the Sea, and is null and void.

A stylised illustration of a digital fingerprint surrounded by EU-style yellow stars, binary digits, and a small padlock icon, representing data protection and privacy in the European Union.
  • 21 October 2026
Council position on simplifying data protection, privacy and cyber-reporting rules

Council position on simplifying data protection, privacy and cyber-reporting rules

  • 21 October 2026
Simplification: Council agrees negotiating stance to cut red tape for small packaging producers

Simplification: Council agrees negotiating stance to cut red tape for small packaging producers

Industrial harbour with large factory buildings and tall chimneys releasing brown and white smoke into a hazy sky, seen from across the water.
  • 21 October 2026
EU carbon market: provisional agreement reached on stability reserve

EU carbon market: provisional agreement reached on stability reserve

A collage style image featuring a farmer, a lemon tree, cabbages and chicken.
  • 20 October 2026
Council and Parliament agree on new EU rules for organic products

Council and Parliament agree on new EU rules for organic products

In focus

A collage featuring a farmer tending to plants in a field, surrounded by cabbage, chickens, and a basket of ripe tomatoes.
Organic farming

Organic farming

A stylised pie chart labelled with future years from 2028 to 2034 sits behind a glass jar full of coins.
The EU's long-term budget for 2028–2034

The EU's long-term budget for 2028–2034

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Simplifying EU rules to boost competitiveness

Simplifying EU rules to boost competitiveness

Explore popular topics

Industry

Competitive and autonomous industries, reducing dependencies 

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Trade relations with partners worldwide

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Candidate countries and the process of joining the EU

Single market

Free movement of goods, services, capital and people in the EU

Energy

Securing a sustainable and affordable energy supply

Climate

Net-zero economy and fighting against climate change

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The Council presidency

The member states take it in turn to chair Council meetings for six months. Ireland currently holds the Council presidency and will do so until 31 December 2026.

Logo of the Council and of the Irish presidency.

About the Council

The Council refers to two different EU institutions: the European Council, and the Council of the EU. They have very different roles and membership, although they have similar names and share the same staff.

The European Council

The European Council consists of the heads of state or government of the EU's member states, together with its President and the European Commission President. It defines the EU's general political directions and priorities.

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The Council of the EU

The Council of the EU represents the member states' governments. Informally also known as the EU Council, it is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies.