European Council

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 25-31 May 2026.

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

Remarks by Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis on the situation in the Middle East, economic outlook, housing and the digital euro.

The Council decided to extend the scope of existing EU’s restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region, to target individuals and entities threatening the freedom of navigation in the Middle East.

The Council formally adopts rules to strengthen the welfare and traceability of cats and dogs.

Trade: Council signs off reinforced rules on trade preferences for developing countries

The EU suspends tariffs for one year on nitrogen-based fertiliser products used in agriculture to help lower costs for industry and consumers and diversify supply chains.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, met in Guatemala City on 20 May 2026. After the meeting they issued a joint press release.

El presidente del Consejo Europeo, António Costa, presentó durante una rueda de prensa conjunta los principales resultados de las conversaciones mantenidas con el Presidente Bernardo Arévalo en Ciudad de Guatemala el 20 de mayo de 2026.

Approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) and General Affairs Council will take place on Thursday, 21 May 2026 at 14.00

The Council and the European Parliament reached a deal on two regulations enacting the EU's tariff reductions set forth in the EU-US Joint Statement, while ensuring robust safeguards and preserving the necessary flexibility.

Approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

The Council had suspended certain elements of the EU visa rules in 2024.

The G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, met on 18 and 19 May 2026 in Paris, France. They were joined by the Heads of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank Group (WBG), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Financial Stability Board (FSB), the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as Chair of the Multilateral Development Banks’ Heads Group, and the African Development Bank (AfDB). They also held consultations with Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from Brazil, India, Kenya and South Korea. 

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming Agriculture and Fisheries Council will take place on 20 May 2026 at 14.00.

Press briefing ahead of the Eurogroup meeting will take place on 20 May at 15.30.

The Council decided to extend restrictive measures targeting the former al-Assad regime by one year, until 1 June 2027, while de-listing seven entities.

The Council adopted conclusions calling for a stronger EU approach to fragility, development cooperation and sustainable development in partner countries.

The EU issued a statement on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia condemning all forms of discrimination and reaffirming its strong commitment to uphold the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by LGBTI persons.