António Costa, President of the European Council

Highlights

A group of officials in formal attire stands on a red carpet in front of a historic building, with international flags displayed on both sides.

13 July 2026

President Costa: EU united for peace through strength in Ukraine

At the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris, President Costa reaffirmed the EU's support for Ukraine, stronger pressure on Russia and a just, lasting peace, stressing that enlargement is a security guarantee.

14 July 2026

President Costa attends Bastille Day celebrations

A large group of formally dressed delegates and partners pose for a group photograph on the steps of a big building during an evening event.

6 July 2026

President Costa in Türkiye for NATO summit and meeting with President Erdoğan

3 July 2026

President Costa attends Les Rencontres Économiques d'Aix en Provence 2026

President's schedule

Paris, France
Meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine

Paris, France
Celebrations of the French National Day
Brussels, Belgium
Courtesy meeting with Indian Ministerial delegation: Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and Commerce and lndustry, Jitin Prasada

10:00 Meeting with UNRWA Commissioner-General, Christian Saunders
11:00 Phone call with President of lraq, Nizar Amidi
12:30 Roundtable with external experts on "Shaping Europe's future: policy strategies for thriving in the AI economy"
Meeting with former President of Senegal, Macky Sall
16:00 Video conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, Mario Lubetkin

Phone call with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Andy Burnham

15:30 Phone call with President of Kenya, William Samoei Ruto

See the full schedule

Speeches

It has been a historic week for Ukraine. The 27 member states are united in supporting Ukraine. Ukraine is moving forward on EU accession. We are stepping up our pressure on Russia. There is a momentum, let’s build on it.

President Costa, 18 June 2026

A stronger EU for a new geoeconomic environment

In a challenging and rapidly changing geoeconomic context, the EU is committed to promoting a fair and rules-based international order while also bolstering the EU's long-term prosperity and strategic autonomy.

Since the start of his term as President of the European Council, António Costa has engaged closely with partners worldwide to strengthen the EU's role and its global relations. Together with EU leaders, he has also set the course to fully harness the full potential of the EU single market and counter external pressures, including by breaking down internal barriers and fostering open trade.

About the President of the European Council

The President chairs European Council meetings and drives forward its work. He also ensures the external representation of the EU at his level on issues concerning its common foreign and security policy.