The Council is approving UK participation in the EU’s Ukraine support loan framework to help cover Ukraine’s urgent defence needs in the face of continued Russian aggression. 

Today, the Council agreed its position on the 2027 EU draft budget – the last annual budget of the current multiannual financial framework.

Today, the Council adopted the 2026 country-specific recommendations for each member state.

The Council today opened a new excessive deficit procedure concerning Bulgaria and outlined the necessary steps for the country to put an end to its excessive deficit by 2029.

The Council approved a new recovery and resilience plan (RRP) for Hungary.

The Council today agreed its negotiating position on the review of the EU’s framework for occupational pension funds.

The Council today agreed its negotiating position on the review of the sustainable finance disclosure regulation which aims to simplify current rules to the benefit of the EU’s financial sector and investors.

The Council today agreed its negotiating position on the review of the rules underpinning the pan-European private pension scheme, or PEPP.

The Council today activated the national escape clause for Spain under the stability and growth pact.  The measure will help Spain transition to higher defence spending at national level while ensuring debt sustainability.

The Council today decided to close the excessive deficit procedure concerning Malta.

Ahead of negotiations with the European Parliament, the Council agreed its position on measures to expand the CBAM’s scope, help address its circumvention, and improve its overall efficacy in fighting carbon leakage.

The EU suspends tariffs for one year on nitrogen-based fertiliser products used in agriculture to help lower costs for industry and consumers and diversify supply chains.

The EU’s code of conduct group for business taxation has elected Tina Humar as its chair for a period of two years.

The Council agreed new rules to support the fight against value added tax (VAT) fraud in the EU by strengthening cooperation between member state national authorities, the EPPO and OLAF.

The Council appointed François-Louis Michaud as chairperson of the European banking authority (EBA). Mr Michaud will take up the role on 16 April 2026. His term of office will run for a five-year period and may be extended once.

The Council and the Parliament agreed to overhaul the EU customs framework, giving the Union a more modern toolbox to deal with overarching trends.

The Council and the European Parliament selected Lille as the host city for the future European Union customs authority (EUCA).

The Council presidency, the European Central Bank, the European Commission and the President of the Eurogroup met with European social partners on 9 March 2026 to discuss recent developments of the economic situation, as well as a thematic topic chosen by the Cyprus Presidency: “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of the EU labour market: Safeguarding EU Competitiveness and Social Cohesion”.

The Council and the Parliament have agreed on the procedure to select a host city for the new EU Customs Authority (EUCA). The authority will coordinate customs action and support the activities of national customs authorities consistently across the Union.

The Council today approved conclusions setting guidelines for the EU’s annual budget for 2027. The guidelines provide a political steer to the Commission in preparing the draft budget proposal for next year’s budget.