European Council

The Council has decided to temporarily prohibit transfers of immobilised Central Bank of Russia assets back to Russia.

The Council adopted its negotiating mandate on new rules to address the negative effects of global overcapacity on the EU steel industry, replacing the existing safeguards due to expire in June 2026.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Environment Council will take place on 15 December 2025 at 13.45

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

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

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 15-21 December 2025.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming General Affairs Council will take place on Monday, 15 December 2025 at 14:30.

The Council takes urgent action to tackle the influx of dangerous and undervalued goods entering the EU in small parcels - a problem which can lead to unfair competition for EU sellers, high levels of fraud and environmental concerns.

The Council and the Parliament reach a deal on end-of-life vehicle rules, boosting circularity, setting plastic recycling targets and banning non-roadworthy used car exports.

Remarks by Makis Keravnos, acting President of the Eurogroup, following the Eurogroup meeting of 11 December 2025 on the euro area’s resilience, fiscal coordination and budgetary plans for 2026, the selection process for the next ECB Vice President, and election of Kyriakos Pierrakakis as the new Eurogroup President starting 12 December 2025.

The Council has adopted an implementing decision authorising the sixth regular payment from the Ukraine Facility under the Ukraine Plan.

The Eurogroup elected Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Minister of Economy and Finance of Greece, as President of the Eurogroup, in line with Protocol 14 of the EU treaties.

Eurogroup issued a statement on the draft budgetary plans for 2026 highlighting that the euro area economy grew more than expected in 2025 and is set for moderate growth in 2026, but faces risks from global uncertainty, while public deficits and debt are rising slightly. The Eurogroup also welcomed most countries' 2026 budget plans as compliant with EU fiscal rules.

Council and Parliament reached a deal to reinforce EU foreign investment screening, improving coordination and safeguarding key technologies and infrastructure.

Investment simplification: Council agrees position on the ‘Invest EU’ regulation to boost EU competitiveness.

The Council and the Parliament have reached a deal on new rules to make the EU’s pharmaceutical sector fairer and more competitive.

The Council and the European Parliament provisionally agreed on a revision of the EU's victims' rights directive.

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

Council approves an agreement reached with the United Kingdom which secures the fishing rights of EU fishers in the Atlantic and the North Sea for 2026.

Council agrees on a mandate to begin negotiations with the European Parliament on new rules for plant reproductive material.