Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the situation in Nicaragua.

Representatives of the Council of the European Union, the European Commission and the European Parliament have signed a joint declaration setting out their shared political commitment to protecting, promoting and supporting culture in Europe.

The new programme has a strong focus on digitalisation in cross-border situations and facilitates cooperation on combatting serious crimes.

Council greenlights proxy voting at the European Parliament by amending the European electoral act.

Council strengthens rules on the right to vote and stand as a candidate in municipal elections for mobile EU citizens.

The Council had suspended certain elements of the EU visa rules in 2024.

The EU issued a statement on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia condemning all forms of discrimination and reaffirming its strong commitment to uphold the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by LGBTI persons.

The Council and the European Parliament agreed new rules to guarantee the rights of adults in the EU who need protection or support in cross-border situations.

The Council has agreed a partial general approach on the regulation establishing the new AgoraEU programme for culture, media and civil society in 2028-2034.

The Council has adopted a recommendation on the New European Bauhaus, urging EU countries to integrate its values into national policies and funding for an affordable, people-centred and participatory built environment across the EU.

On World Press Freedom Day, the European Union reaffirms its resolute commitment to defending media independence and the safety of journalists as fundamental pillars of democracy, particularly in response to rising global violence, legal intimidation, and the proliferation of disinformation.

The EU Council and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on new rules aimed at modernising the coordination of social security systems in the EU.

Council agrees to facilitate proxy voting at the European Parliament by amending the European electoral act.

The Council set its position on a Regulation protecting adults unable to safeguard their interests in cross-border situations.

The Council and the European Parliament provisionally agreed on a revision of the EU's victims' rights directive.

The Council adopts a new law to improve cooperation between national data protection authorities when enforcing the GDPR.

Council adopts revised regulation to ensure more transparency on funding of European political parties and foundations.

Joint press release at the occasion of the EU-Western Balkans ministerial forum on justice and home affairs, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 30-31 October 2025.

European Council President António Costa met with the Presidents of European Committee of the Regions and European Economic and Social Committee on 22 October 2025. They main topic of their discussion was affordable housing.

On 22 October, the President of the European Council, António Costa will meet the President of the Committee of the Regions Kata Tüttő and Economic and Social Committee’s outgoing President Oliver Röpke and incoming President Séamus Boland. The meeting will focus on how to address the housing crisis across the EU. It takes place ahead of the Tripartite Social Summit and the European Council discussion on housing.