European Union

Statement by President Costa and President von der Leyen on the election of Pope Leo XIV as head of the Catholic Church.

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

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

On 8 May, European Council President António Costa visited the facility of Leonardo in Campi Bisenzio, Italy. Addressing the press, he praised the work of the company in the context of the European security and highlighted the link between investing in European defence and investing in EU’s competitiveness and innovation.

European Council President António Costa participated in a special event at the European University Institute in Fiesole, Italy. In his keynote address on peace and security in Europe, he reaffirmed the European Union’s identity as a peace project, calling for stronger defense, strategic autonomy, and investment in competitiveness to confront today’s geopolitical challenges. He emphasized that peace must be actively defended and linked to economic strength, unity, and global partnerships.

The EU issued a statement unequivocally condemning the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April.

Council adopts its negotiating position on the amendment to the CO2 standards for cars and vans.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council will take place on 8 May 2025 at 15.00.

Meeting of European Council President António Costa and Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, Friday 9 May 2025

European Council President António Costa has delivered a speech at the European Parliament to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The Council agreed its negotiating mandate on a legislative proposal to shorten the deadline for the settlement of transactions in transferable securities.

The European Council will take place on 26 and 27 June in the Europa building in Brussels.

Information about accreditation requirements for the one-year badge (2025)

Press briefing ahead of the Eurogroup meeting will take place on 8 May 2025 at 14.00. 

The President of the European Council, António Costa, travelled to Barcelona and gave a speech at the event organised by the Cercle d’Economia on 6 May 2025.

Press briefings ahead of the upcoming Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 13 May and Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) of 15 May 2025 will take place on Thursday 8 May 2025.

The press briefing will take place on Thursday 8 May 2025 at 16.00.

On 5 May 2025, the President of the European Council visited the SEAT manufacturing site in Barcelona. At the press conference which followed, he highlighted the factory’s evolution towards the production of electric vehicles and praised Catalonia’s role in driving European integration and its contribution to EU priorities, such as the twin green and digital transitions.

On 7-8 May 2025, European Council President António Costa will travel to Strasbourg and Florence. In Strasbourg, he will take part in the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in the European Parliament. In Florence, he will deliver a speech at the EUI and visit the Leonardo facility in Campi Bisenzio.

In today’s edition of The Capitals, read about Germany’s domestic intelligence agency backtracking on the 'extremist' label for AfD, Spain countering US tariffs with a €7.7 billion aid package, and so much more.