Press releases and statements
Press releases and statements
4 June 2026
3 June 2026
- Remarks by President António Costa following his visit to Pristina
President Costa travelled to the Western Balkans to meet with regional leaders and co-chair the EU-WB Summit. On Wednesday 3 June, he visited Pristina and met acting President, caretaker Prime Minister and with chairs of opposition political parties.
- Programme for agile and rapid defence innovation: Council ready to start negotiations with the European Parliament
Member states’ representatives approved today the Council’s position on a proposal to establish the programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE).
2 June 2026
- Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the meeting with Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski
President Costa travelled to the Western Balkans to meet with regional leaders and co-chair the EU-WB Summit. On Tuesday 2 June, he visited Skopje and met with Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski.
- Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the meeting with Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama
President Costa travelled to the Western Balkans to meet with regional leaders and co-chair the EU-WB Summit. On Tuesday 2 June, he visited Tirana and met with Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama.
1 June 2026
- Council and Parliament reach deal on returns of illegally staying third-country nationals
The agreement will speed up and increase the number of returns of persons illegally staying in member states.
- Press statement by President António Costa following his meeting with members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
President Costa travelled to the Western Balkans to meet with regional leaders and co-chair the EU-WB Summit. On Monday 1st of June, he visited Sarajevo and met with the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
29 May 2026
- Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the reckless violation of the EU’s airspace by Russia
The European Union strongly condemns the grave incident of 29 May 2026 in which a Russian drone carrying explosives, that was part of an overnight attack against Ukraine, crashed into a residential building in Galați, Romania.
- Weekly schedule of President António Costa
Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 1-7 June 2026.
- Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1105 of 18 May 2026 amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria and Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2026/1106 of 18 May 2026 implementing Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria.
- Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1079 of 11 May 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2019/797 concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States.
- Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1072 of 11 May 2026 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
- Council defines a new framework for science diplomacy
Council adopts recommendation on a new EU framework for science diplomacy.
- EUAM Ukraine: Council appoints new head of mission
The Council appointed Cornelia Taylor as new head of mission for the European Union Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine).
28 May 2026
- Remarks by President António Costa at the joint doorstep with Prime Minister Rumen Radev
Following their meeting on 28 May 2026, European Council President, António Costa, and Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, addressed the press.
- Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Council expands the legal framework and adds ten individuals to the sanctions list
The Council decided to expand the legal framework of the EU’s restrictive measures regarding Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad to also target members of the Political Bureau of Hamas, and to list ten individuals who promote, defend and justify violent actions.
- Extremist Israeli settlers: EU lists four entities and three individuals
Council adopted restrictive measures against an additional four entities and three individuals under the European Union's Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, targeting those responsible for serious and systematic human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank.
- President Costa travelling to the Western Balkans to meet with regional leaders and co-chair the EU-WB Summit
The President of the European Council, António Costa, will travel to the Western Balkans next week (1-5 June) to meet with leaders from the region and to co-chair the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro (on 5 June).
- Ukraine Facility: Council approves seventh payment of nearly €2.8 billion to Kyiv
The Council approved a payment of nearly €2.8billion to Kyiv under the EU's Ukraine Facility, after the successful completion of eleven of the twenty steps required for the seventh instalment under the Ukraine Plan. Ukraine also completed two outstanding steps required for the fifth instalment and two outstanding steps required for the sixth instalment of the Ukraine Plan.
- The Council sets strategic guidelines for a sustainable and competitive tourism sector
Council adopts conclusions on building a sustainable and competitive tourism for the future.