Press briefing – Informal EU leaders’ retreat of 12 February 2026

The press briefing ahead of the informal EU leaders' retreat of 12 February 2026 will take place on Tuesday, 10 February 2026 at 14.30 in the Justus Lipsius building press room. This briefing will be "off the record". The press briefing will take place in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists or journalists accredited for the meeting will be able to participate and ask questions either ...
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Bright Brussels Festival 2026: the programme at a glance

The tenth edition of Bright Brussels Festival is fast approaching. From 12 to 15 February 2026, the capital’s historic district will be sublimated by more than 20 light installations and night-time entertainment, not to mention the brand new culinary programme of Bright Brussels Food. A feast for the eyes, and taste buds, of an ever-enthusiastic audience. Read the press release
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Media advisory: HR/VP Kallas travels to Finland

High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP), Kaja Kallas, will be in Finland, on 5 February. HR/VP Kallas will meet bilaterally with President Alexander Stubb, as well Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen. Audiovisual coverage of the High Representative/Vice-President’s engagements will be provided on EBS and X.
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Israel/Palestine: Statement by the Spokesperson on the redeployment of EUBAM Rafah

Today, the Rafah Crossing Point reopened for a controlled number of passengers in both directions in and out of Gaza. This follows the deployment of the EU civilian Border Mission, EUBAM Rafah, to the Rafah Crossing Point yesterday. At the request of the parties EUBAM Rafah is there to facilitate the traffic of a controlled number of passengers, and to monitor and support the Palestinian border...
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Oxfam International high-level discussion with EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib

On the 2nd of February, in the presence of EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Ms Hadja Lahbib, Oxfam International held a High level panel discussion on Priorities for EU Humanitarian Diplomacy and the presentation of the Geneva Academy’s Global Report “War Watch. International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in Focus Report”. The discussion explored the role of the EU and...
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Informal EU leaders’ retreat of 12 February 2026 – Invitation letter by President António Costa to the members of the European Council

Dear colleagues, I would like to invite you to an informal Leaders’ retreat, on the 12th of February, dedicated to strengthening the single market in a new geoeconomic context. Last year I chose to dedicate an informal brainstorming of Leaders to Defence – that meeting provided a strong boost to the construction of a Europe of Defence. In 2026, I would like us to provide the same political i...
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EU Commissioner and Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Joint Press Release EU Commissioner backs new report warning of rampant impunity for IHL violations

EU Commissioner and Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Joint Press Release EU Commissioner backs new report warning of rampant impunity for IHL violations Brussels – As civilians continue to bear the brunt of today’s armed conflicts, the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights will launch its second annual report, “War Watch - Internat...
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Oslo Security Conference: Remarks by the High Representative Kaja Kallas at the Joint Press Point with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre

Thank you, Jonas, for having us here. It is always a pleasure to come to Norway. We are good partners. And I think in this geopolitical environment, we really need to stick together on different issues, when it comes to overall security, when it comes to economic security, when it comes to the crises that we have around the world, whether it is in Ukraine, that we discussed also today, or the Mid...
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Media advisory: HR/VP Kallas travels to Norway

High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP), Kaja Kallas, will be in Norway, on 2 and 3 February. On Monday, 2 February, HR/VP Kallas meets Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Olso, followed by a joint exit doorstep. The HR/VP and the Prime Minister will then attend the Oslo Security Conference 2026 for a joint panel discussion. Both doorstep and panel are on EBS. Later on Monday, the HR/VP will ...
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Spokesperson statement: worrying developments in Northern Ethiopia

We have been following with great concern recent developments in Northern Ethiopia that have included military confrontations and clashes. Immediate de-escalation is imperative to prevent a renewed conflict that would have serious consequences for civilians and regional stability. The November 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement needs to be upheld as the framework for resolving disputes ...
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