European Union

President of the European Council António Costa travelled to Uzhhorod (Ukraine) and gave a speech at the Congress of Regional and Local Authorities on 5 September 2025.

The Council imposed additional restrictive measures against two persons under the European Union's global human rights sanctions regime, in relation to abuses that occurred in detention centres in Crimea.

Press remarks by President António Costa following the meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, is visiting the EU leaders in their member states in the first three weeks of September.

Press remarks by President António Costa ahead of the meeting with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Rossen Jeliazkov.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1443 of 15 July 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1425 of 15 July 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Russia.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1279 of 26 June 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1070 of 26 May 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Russia.

Aucrinde
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Advocate General Tamara Ćapeta: the Charter does not prohibit proving paternity through post-mortem genetic sampling

Bervidi
Social policy
Discrimination at work: the rights of persons with disabilities to protection against indirect discrimination extend to parents of children with disabilities

MSIG
Principle ne bis in idem: a person cannot be prosecuted in one Member State for an act of terrorism for which he or she has already been convicted in another Member State, even though the offence has a different classification in each of those Member States

Banco Santander
Freedom of movement for persons
Banco Popular: the rights arising from actions for a declaration of nullity and for damages brought before the resolution of that bank are enforceable against Banco Santander

Austria v Commission
State aid
The Court of Justice annuls the Commission’s decision to approve aid from Hungary for the Paks II nuclear power station

Written by Pieter Baert.

CONTEXT

On 16 July 2025, the European Commission proposed a revision to the Tobacco Taxation Directive, alongside modifications to the general Excise Duty Directive. The aim is to restore the effectiveness of EU-wide minimum tax rates on tobacco products and extend their scope to cover new product types. The initiative aims to support the EU’s goal of a tobacco-free generation by 2040, recognising taxation as a key tool in reducing tobacco use.

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL

2025/580 (CNS) – Proposal for a Council Directive on the structure and rates of excise duty applied to tobacco and tobacco related products (recast) – COM(2025) 580, 16.07.2025

2025/0581(CNS) – Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive (EU) 2020/262 as regards the general arrangements for excise duty in respect of tobacco and tobacco related products – COM(2025) 581, 16.07.2025

NEXT STEPS IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

For the latest developments in this legislative procedure, see the Legislative Train Schedule:

• 2025/0581(CNS)
• 2025/580(CNS)

Read the complete briefing on ‘Revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Thursday 11 September

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Thursday 11 September

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Opinion on the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2026 - all sections
Committee on Security and Defence
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Opinion on the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2026 - all sections
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Michael Gahler

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

MEPs want a bigger stand-alone post-2027 agriculture budget, with less red tape for farmers and incentives to achieve environmental and social objectives.
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP