European Union

Albania projects charm abroad, control at home. Onstage we see rule of law, democracy, and European values. Backstage, its judges pressured, media bought, and tenders rigged.

The warning against a 'weaponised' court comes in response to criticism of the European Court of Human Rights by Italy, Denmark and others.

But US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Trump's latest threats should "light a fire under the EU" to offer more trade concessions.

Written by Martina Prpic.

Trafficking in human beings is a serious crime and a violation of human rights. When it happens to children, it disrupts their childhood and exposes them to horrific exploitation and abuse, and a precarious future. Even though the true number of victims of human trafficking is not known, recent data reveal that the number of child victims has been on the increase. Awareness of children as victims of human trafficking has increased as well.

Just like adult victims, child victims can be trafficked for sexual exploitation, forced labour, forced criminality or organ removal. Recently, the EU has officially recognised new forms of exploitation, including surrogacy, forced marriage and illegal adoption. There are geographical differences in the recruitment of victims, with the vast majority of child victims originating from northern, southern and western Europe being girls (82.9 %) and 55.1 % of child victims from Africa and 77.6 % of child victims from southern Asia being boys. Female child victims are more likely to report sexual exploitation, while male child victims are more likely to be exploited through child labour. Forced criminality in the EU, although comparatively lower as a share of the total number of victims, is steadily increasing, with boys of migration background being the main targets.

The EU’s anti-trafficking legislation was amended last year, resulting in legislation that identifies children as especially vulnerable to trafficking. The amendments also expanded the list of forms of exploitation to include those that particularly affect children and emphasised the importance of a victim-centred approach and prevention. Member States are therefore asked, inter alia, to promote and provide regular and specialised training for professionals who are likely to come into contact with such children. Another relevant directive, on victims’ rights, is currently being revised to provide even more rights to victims, including child victims. The existing directive already prioritises the best interests of children when applying its provisions.

Read the complete briefing on ‘Trafficking in children‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 26 May–1 June 2025

European Council President António Costa will travel to Brazil from 27 to 29 May 2025 to meet with Brazilian President Lula da Silva and participate in the EU-Brazil Investment Forum. The visit highlights the EU’s commitment to a forward-looking strategic partnership with Brazil to advance joint priorities, including climate action and multilateral cooperation.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

Council adopts conclusions on the use of satellite data, in particular from Earth Observation constellations, for civil protection and crisis management.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision 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 third countries with Council Decision concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States.

G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, met on 22 May 2025 in Banff, Canada and issued a joint communiqué.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries with Council Decision concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

Council approves conclusions ‘Towards the EU strategy on AI in science’ calling for a comprehensive strategy to boost the uptake of AI in science, with an ethical, sustainable, inclusive and human-centric approach.

Council adopts Council recommendation on the European Research Area Policy Agenda 2025-2027.

The press briefing ahead of the General Affairs Council will take place on Monday 26 May 2025 at 14.30.

The fifth meeting of the Accession Conference with Albania was held today in Brussels opening Cluster 3: Competitiveness and inclusive growth.

During his visit to Abidjan, António Costa, President of the European Council, received the Félix Houphouët-Boigny-UNESCO Peace Prize, in recognition of his commitment to multilateralism, dialogue and sustainable development.

The Council adopted a decision on the conclusion of the United Nations ‘Mauritius’ Convention on transparency for Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS).

Council adopts its negotiating position on the electronic e-declaration for posted workers.

Council and Parliament strike provisional deal on the compulsory licensing of patents for crisis situations.