European Council

The Council renewed its restrictive measures in light of the situation in Burundi.

The Council prolonged restrictive measures against ISIL/Da'esh, Al-Qaeda and associated natural and legal persons, groups, undertakings and entities.

European Council President Charles Michel participated in the Cairo Peace Summit, hosted by the President of Egypt, to discuss the unfolding situation in the Middle East.

The statement has been published following the EU-US summit in Washington DC on 20 October 2023.

European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission Ursula von der Leyen met US President Joe Biden, in Washington DC for the 27th EU-US summit. Before the start of the meeting, the leaders delivered remarks to the press.

Weekly schedule of President Charles Michel, 21 - 29 October 2023

Main agenda items, approximate timing and press opportunities.

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

The Council approved conclusions on digital empowerment to protect and enforce fundamental rights in the digital age.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming General Affairs Council will take place on 23 October 2023 at 14.30.

The Spanish Presidency decided to activate the Integrated Political Crisis Response (IPCR) arrangements in full mode to coordinate EU’s action on the Middle East.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Agriculture and Fisheries Council will take place on 20 October 2023 at 16.30

The Council today adopted a decision appointing Claudia Buch as chair of the supervisory board of the European Central Bank. She will hold the position for five years, starting from 1 January 2024.

The Eurogroup issued a statement on the decision of the European Central Bank’s Governing Council to launch the next phase of the digital euro project.

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

President Charles Michel addressed the press after the video conference of the members of the European Council, called in light of Hamas’ brutal terrorist attacks against Israel and the unfolding tragic situation in the Gaza Strip.

Ministers agreed its stance (general approach) on a proposal to amend the EU’s electricity market design (EMD). The proposal is part of a wider reform whose aim is to make electricity prices less dependent on volatile fossil fuel prices, shield consumers from price spikes, accelerate the deployment of renewable energies and improve consumer protection.

Today, the Council approved conclusions on climate finance ahead of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting in Dubai, UAE, from 30 November to 12 December 2023 (COP 28).

Today, the Council decided to add Antigua and Barbuda, Belize and Seychelles to the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. At the same time, three jurisdictions were removed from the list: British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica and Marshall Islands.

The Council today adopted implementing decisions approving the amended recovery and resilience plans of Czechia, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal and Slovenia. The amended recovery and resilience plans now include a new REPowerEU chapter. This will contribute to accelerating the countries’ transition towards clean energy, diversifying their energy supplies and improving their energy efficiency.