European Council

Ahead of Europe Day 2026, President of the European Council António Costa signed an opinion piece reflecting on our common European project and the importance of multilateralism.

On 9 May, Europeans will celebrate Europe Day. This year marks the 76th  anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundations for the European Union as we know it today, and led to an unprecedented era of peace, democracy, prosperity, integration and cooperation across the continent.

Simplification: Council agrees position to streamline EU rules on artificial intelligence.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council will take place on 8 May 2026 at 12.00

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council and the Foreign Affairs (Defence) Council will take place on 8 May 2025 at 10.45. 

President Costa and President von der Leyen received letters of credence from thirteen new Ambassadors to the European Union.

The representatives of the governments of the member states today appointed a judge to the General Court.

The Council adopted a bilateral assistance measure worth €15 million under the EPF to strengthen the operational readiness of the Armed Forces of Senegal in the framework of the Yaoundé Architecture.

The Council agreed new rules to support the fight against value added tax (VAT) fraud in the EU by strengthening cooperation between member state national authorities, the EPPO and OLAF.

President of the European Council António Costa presented the outcome of the 1st EU-Armenia summit held in Yerevan (Armenia) on 5 May 2026.

On 5 May 2026, the European Union and Armenia held their first-ever summit in Yerevan. During the summit, leaders adopted a joint declaration reaffirming the EU’s steadfast commitment to further strengthen its relations with Armenia and to support Armenia's sovereignty, resilience, and comprehensive reform agenda.

On 5 May 2026, European Council President António Costa attended the EU-Armenia summit in Yerevan, Armenia. In his opening remarks, he emphasised the EU’s commitment to deepen its engagement with Armenia, and to strengthen sectorial cooperation across new areas.

Remarks by Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis on the EU’s response to the current economic and energy price situation, financial stability, cross-border banking in the EU and digital finance.

President of the European Council, António Costa, outlined the main results of the discussions of the leaders during the meeting of the European Political Community held in Yerevan, Armenia, on 4 May 2026.

The European Council will take place on 18 and 19 June 2026 in the Europa building in Brussels.

Information about accreditation requirements for the one-year badge (2026)

On May 4, the President of the European Council, António Costa, participated in the Meeting of the European Political Community in Yerevan, Armenia.

Approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

Approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

On World Press Freedom Day, the European Union reaffirms its resolute commitment to defending media independence and the safety of journalists as fundamental pillars of democracy, particularly in response to rising global violence, legal intimidation, and the proliferation of disinformation.