European Council

European Council President, António Costa, had a meeting with Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Rob Jetten, on 9 October 2026, in the Hague. The meeting is part of President Costa's annual "Tour des Capitales".

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

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 12-18 October 2026.

Press conference and technical briefing on the MFF will take place on 10 October at 11.00. 

The Council adopted targeted amendments to the market stability reserve (MSR) under the EU’s emissions trading system for the buildings, road transport and additional sectors (ETS2).

The Council agreed its position on the market integration and supervision package (MISP), the centrepiece of the savings and investments union (SIU) and a key part of the EU’s ‘One Europe, One Market’ roadmap. The package aims to strengthen EU capital markets and the EU’s long-term competitiveness.

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

Today, the Council removed Panama and Viet Nam from the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, bringing the total number of jurisdictions on the list to 8.

The Council extended EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua by one year, until 15 October 2027.

Council adopts new laws to simplify rules on security and defence procurement, accelerate permit-granting procedures and strengthen defence readiness.

The Council has appointed Carlo Comporti as chairperson of the European securities and markets authority (ESMA).

Remarks by Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis on global energy markets, the effectiveness of public finances and fiscal challenges, progress on the capital markets union, and international economic developments.

European Council President António Costa invited leaders to the meeting of 15 and 16 October 2026 in Brussels, during which they will discuss competitiveness, Ukraine, the next Multiannual Financial Framework, Middle East, defence and security, migration, and enlargement and reforms. 

The Council extended EU restrictive measures against those responsible for Russia’s destabilising activities against the EU and its member states and partners by one year, until 9 October 2027.

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

Eurogroup President, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, gave a speech on completing the Banking Union, integrating the European banking system and boosting Europe's competitiveness.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming General Affairs Council will take place on Thursday, 8 October 2026 at 11.30

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council will take place on 9 October 2026 at 10.45.

Press briefing ahead of the Environment Council will take place on 8 October at 16:00. The briefing will be "off the record".

The EU issued a statement on the situation in Ethiopia, urging immediate de-escalation in the country amid rising violence and tensions with Eritrea, calling for civilian protection, humanitarian access, respect for sovereignty and renewed diplomatic efforts.