Press Releases

Dear Prime Minister, dear Rob, first of all, thank you very much for hosting me today when I precisely conclude in the Hague my ‘Tour des Capitales’. My annual ‘Tour des Capitales’ is an important opportunity to visit every member of the European Council in their home country. The purpose is to listen to Leaders’ priorities and to better understand each national perspective. That is the only wa...
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The European Union and the Council of Europe are unequivocally opposed to the death penalty, in all cases and in all circumstances. Progress towards the global abolition continued over the past year. Lebanon abolished the death penalty in August 2026. The Gambia and Vietnam reduced the number of crimes punishable by death and Sierra Leone ratified the second optional protocol to the Internation...
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Background brief - Foreign Affairs Council of 12 October 2026 VIEW MEETING PAGE
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From 11 to 14 October 2026, Their Majesties the King and Queen will pay a state visit to Kazakhstan, stopping in the capital, Astana, and Almaty. They will be accompanied by a delegation of 110 people, including 25 CEOs and 10 university rectors, as well as the Federal Minister of Mobility, Climate, and Ecological Transition, responsible for Sustainable Development, Jean-Luc CRUCKE; the Ministe...
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The Eurogroup discussed exchange rate developments, took stock of progress on the capital markets union and held a discussion on the effectiveness and efficiency of public finances. Ministers also discussed the implications of energy market developments for the euro area economy and launched the process for appointing a new member of the ECB executive board. Finally, they prepared for upcoming int...
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Dear colleagues, In a context of increasing geopolitical uncertainty, our next meeting will have a strong focus on the economy, and on delivering answers to challenges to European competitiveness and to affordability. For the short-term, we need to provide guidance to the Commission on targeted and temporary measures to alleviate the impact of high energy prices on our citizens and businesse...
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Thank you, dear Minister and dear Youssef. Thank you for the warm welcome here in Beirut. I am really happy that this visit is taking place. The European Union and Lebanon are natural partners, bound by historic ties across the Mediterranean. The EU has clear interest in stable, prosperous, and sovereign Lebanon. We are backing this with substantial political, economic, and security support. In...
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The Law adopted by the Kosovo Assembly amending and supplementing the Law on the Specialist Chambers goes against Kosovo’s international obligations towards the EU. The EU has consistently supported the work of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers as an independent judicial institution established by decisions of the Kosovo Assembly in 2014–2015, operating within the Kosovo legal system and enshrined...
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EU leaders and social partners will meet in Brussels to discuss the topic ‘Driving Europe Forward’.$
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Indicative programme All times are approximate and subject to change Thursday 8 October - Eurogroup meeting Place: ECC Luxembourg Chair: Kyriakos Pierrakakis, President of the Eurogroup 14.00 Arrivals (live streaming) +/- 14.45 Doorstep by Kyriakos Pierrakakis (live streaming) 15.00 Eurogroup meeting in regular format (roundtable) Preparation of international meetings - exc...
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