Press releases and statements
Press releases and statements
12 November 2026
- Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the meeting of the European Political Community in Dublin
President of the European Council, António Costa, outlined the main results of the discussions of the leaders during the meeting of the European Political Community held in Dublin, Ireland, on 12 November 2026.
- Fisheries and aquaculture: Council and Parliament agree on modernised framework for statistics
The Council and European Parliament agree on a modernised framework for fisheries and aquaculture statistics, improving data quality and simplifying reporting across the EU.
- Statement after the Leaders Meeting of the Core Group of Support to Armenia
Leaders and representatives of Estonia, France, Latvia, Lithuania, the United Kingdom and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, met on 12 November 2026 with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the margins of the European Political Community summit in Dublin. Joined by Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, they issued a statement.
- Joint statement by President Costa and President von der Leyen following their meeting with President Zelenskyy in Dublin
President Costa and President von der Leyen issued a joint statement following their meeting with President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Dublin, on 12 November 2026.
- Opening remarks by President António Costa at the meeting of the European Political Community in Dublin
On 12 November 2026, the President of the European Council, António Costa, co-chaired the ninth meeting of the European Political Community in Dublin, Ireland.
11 November 2026
- Media advisory - Meeting of the European Political Community of 12 November 2026 and the Informal meeting of Heads of State or Government of 13 November 2026
Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.
- Press briefing ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council and the Foreign Affairs (Defence) Councils of 16 and 17 November 2026
Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council and the Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) will take place on 13 November at 16.00.
- EU budget for 2027: Council and Parliament reach agreement
The Council and the European Parliament secured agreement on the EU’s annual budget for 2027 - the seventh and final annual budget of the current multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2021-2027.
10 November 2026
- Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2286 of 12 October 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2018/1544 concerning restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons.
- Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2283 of 12 October 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
- Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2397 of 26 October 2026 amending Decision 2010/573/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova.
- Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2378 of 26 October 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them.
- Statement on today's meeting in Abu Dhabi between the EU, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Ukraine, United States and NATO
Statement on today's meeting in Abu Dhabi between the EU, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Ukraine, United States and NATO
9 November 2026
- Ukraine: Council extends EU Military Assistance Mission mandate for two years
The Council extended the mandate of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine until 15 November 2028.
- Humanitarian aid: Council approves conclusions on strengthening EU action amid global challenges
The Council approved conclusions reaffirming the EU’s commitment to principled humanitarian action, stronger protection of civilians and more effective action amid growing global humanitarian needs.
- Remarks by Kyriakos Pierrakakis following the Eurogroup meeting of 9 November 2026
Remarks by Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis on the economic outlook in the euro area, defence financing and joint procurement, progress made on the digital euro and on the outlook for the banking sector, as well as the nomination process for three vacancies on the ECB Executive Board.
- Taxation: Council approves further VAT simplification rules for online sales
The Council today agreed further measures to improve value-added tax collection on e-commerce sales into the EU. This is the final building block of the broader overhaul of the EU customs framework.
- COP31: EU and OACPS reaffirm commitment to climate action focusing on turning priorities into concrete deliverables
The EU and the OACPS member states have issued a joint statement ahead of COP31, reaffirming their commitment to the full implementation of the Paris Agreement and strengthen cooperation on climate action.
6 November 2026
- Statement by the Eurogroup President on the nominations for the post of ECB President
President of the Eurogroup, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, issued a statement on the nominations for the post of ECB President.
- Forward look: 9 - 22 November 2026
Overview of the main subjects to be discussed at meetings of the Council of the EU over the next two weeks and upcoming media events.