European Council

President Michel received a letter of credentials from a new ambassador to the European Union.

Press briefings ahead of the upcoming Competitiveness Council (Internal market, industry, research and space) of 28-29 November 2024, and the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council of 2-3 December 2024 will take place on 27 November 2024 at 18.00.

The Council listed three additional individuals in view of the situation in Syria.

The Council adopted an assistance measure worth €13.25 million under the European Peace Facility to support the Jordanian Armed Forces.

The Council has prolonged its restrictive measures in view of Türkiye's unauthorised drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean until 30 November 2025.

The Council has adopted a recommendation encouraging EU countries to make careers in higher education more attractive and sustainable, and ensuring greater recognition of the roles and tasks carried out by higher education professionals.

The Council has approved conclusions on improving access to ‘glocal’ opportunities for young people living in rural and remote areas.

Today, the Council approved the joint text on the EU’s general budget for 2025. The joint text was agreed in negotiations with the European Parliament on 16 November 2024. Total commitments are set at €192.768,6 million and the total payments at €149.615,7 million, excluding appropriations foreseen for special instruments outside the multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027 (MFF).

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

Weekly schedule of President Charles Michel, 25 November – 1 December 2024

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council will take place on 22 November 2024 at 15.00.

The Council firmly reiterated its support to the proposed targeted amendment of the EU deforestation regulation, postponing its date of application by 12 months, as the best way forward to ensure legal certainty for all stakeholders.

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

Today, the Council formally adopted a regulation on the first EU-level framework for certifying carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products.

Council approves the regulation for the discontinuation of the online dispute resolution platform.

Council gives its final approval to the forced labour ban regulation.

The Council today adopted a new regulation on environmental, social and governance (ESG) rating activities. The new rules aim at making rating activities in the EU more consistent, transparent and comparable in order to boost investors’ confidence in sustainable financial products.

The Council today adopted new rules revising the European market infrastructure regulation and directive (EMIR). The new rules aim to make the EU clearing landscape more attractive and resilient, to support the EU’s open strategic autonomy and to preserve the EU’s financial stability.

The Council today approved conclusions on the PESCO Strategic Review, and a recommendation assessing the progress made by the 26 participating member states to fulfil the more binding commitments undertaken in the framework of PESCO.

G20 leaders met in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 18-19 November 2024 and agreed a joint declaration.