European Council

The EU issued a declaration rejecting the decision taken by the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly to lift Juan Guaidó's parliamentary immunity.

President Tusk received the letters of credentials from two new ambassadors to the European Union.

The Council and the European Parliament have agreed that, following Brexit, UK citizens coming to the Schengen area for a short stay (90 days in any 180 days) should be granted visa free travel.

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) is being strengthened in terms of staff and technical equipment. It is also being given a broader mandate to support member states' activities on border protection, return and cooperation with third countries.

Information about accreditation requirements for the European Council (Art.50) taking place in Brussels on 10 April 2019.

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with the Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/284 of 18 February 2019 amending Decision 2011/101/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Zimbabwe.

President Donald Tusk congratulates Zuzana Čaputová on her election as President of the Slovak Republic

Weekly schedule of President Donald Tusk 1-7 April 2019

The EU is modernising and reinforcing its consumer protection laws. Member states' ambassadors meeting in the Council's Permanent Representatives Committee today approved a deal reached between the Romanian presidency and the European Parliament on a draft directive which amends four existing EU directives protecting consumers' interests.

The EU introduces a new regulation imposing enhanced safety standards for car manufacturers in a bid to significantly reduce the number of road casualties and injuries. Member states' ambassadors meeting in the Council's Permanent Representatives Committee today approved the provisional deal reached between the Romanian presidency and the European Parliament on a draft regulation on the general safety of motor vehicles and the protection of vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users.

The Council extended the mandate of EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia for six months.

The EU's future framework programme for research and innovation is taking shape. Member states' ambassadors meeting in the Council's permanent representatives' committee today confirmed the common understanding reached between the Romanian presidency of the Council and the European Parliament on the majority of the operative provisions of Horizon Europe, the next EU framework programme on research and innovation for the years 2021 to 2027.

The EU issue a declaration reaffirming that it does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights.

A new directive creates an EU-wide framework which will enable banks to more easily sell or outsource the servicing of bad loans.

EU ambassadors endorsed the common understanding reached by the Romanian presidency and the Parliament on InvestEU, the new EU programme to support investment and growth.

The EU wants to eliminate unjustified barriers to EU companies' freedom of establishment in the single market. Member states' ambassadors sitting in Coreper today endorsed a deal reached with the European Parliament on 13 March on a draft directive that facilitates EU companies' cross-border conversions, mergers and divisions.

In Strasbourg, President Donald Tusk addressed the plenary session of the European Parliament on the discussions held during the European Council meetings, which focused mainly on relations with China and Brexit

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/96 of 21 January 2019 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The EU issued a declaration on the increasing tension on the rule of law democracy in Guatemala, following the latest developments in the country.

The 21st bilateral summit between the EU and China will take place on 9 April in the Europa building in Brussels.