III. NEXT MULTIANNUAL FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK
34. Following the work by the Cyprus Presidency and the presentation of the Negotiating Box with figures, the European Council held an exchange of views on the new Multiannual Financial Framework.
35. The European Council calls on the Irish Presidency to take the work forward on the Negotiating Box by the October European Council, with a view to a timely agreement. An agreement before the end of 2026 would allow for the adoption of legislative acts in 2027, which is necessary to ensure that EU funding reaches beneficiaries without interruption in January 2028.
VI. MIGRATION
47. The European Council took stock of progress in the legislative agenda and in the implementation of its previous conclusions. In the light of the recent letter from the President of the Commission, the European Council calls for the intensified work to continue on all strands, including on the external dimension and comprehensive partnerships, in line with EU and international law.
48. The European Council will hold a strategic discussion on migration at its meeting in October 2026.
VII. ILLICIT DRUGS
49. To respond to the growing health, social and security challenges linked to the use and trafficking of illicit drugs, the European Council underlines the importance of addressing all aspects of the drugs phenomenon in a comprehensive, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach based on evidence, with a coordinated effort across local, regional, national, EU and international levels. This includes enhancing preparedness, protecting public health, strengthening security, preventing drug-related harm, and fostering European and international partnerships and cooperation initiatives, such as the European Coalition Against Drugs, as well as law enforcement cooperation with third countries. The European Council underlines the critical role of prevention, access to treatment and social reintegration measures. It stresses the importance of a globally harmonised and effectively enforced framework for maritime and port security and resilience and calls for coherent action towards third countries that harbour drug traffickers and fail to comply with their obligations under international law. The European Council takes note of the intention of the Commission and the High Representative to present a proposal for a new horizontal sanctions regime targeting transnational organised crime groups. Such a regime should not be prejudicial to law enforcement and judicial procedures and cooperation.
50. The European Council calls for the effective implementation of the EU Drugs Strategy, in line with the implementation framework agreed by the Council. To this end, the European Council urges the Council, the Commission, Member States and relevant EU agencies to strengthen coordination across all relevant policy fields.
51. The European Council will return to this issue as appropriate to assess progress.
VIII. ENLARGEMENT AND REFORMS
52. In light of the new impetus in the enlargement process, and recalling the Granada Declaration, the European Council will hold a strategic discussion on enlargement and reforms at its meeting in October 2026.
IX. REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA
53. The European Council welcomes the holding of the Intergovernmental Conference on the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union and the opening of the fundamentals cluster on 15 June 2026, and looks forward to the opening of the other clusters, in line with the merit-based approach. The European Council also looks forward to the EU-Republic of Moldova Summit on 22 June 2026.
X. WESTERN BALKANS
54. The European Council welcomes the holding of the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, on 5 June 2026, which contributed to the new impetus in the enlargement process. Recalling its previous conclusions, the European Council reiterates that the European Union will continue to work closely with the Western Balkans and support their reform efforts on their paths towards EU membership. The European Council remains committed to advancing the gradual integration between the European Union and the region during the enlargement process itself in a merit-based and reversible manner.
XI. OTHER ITEMS
Ebola
54. The European Council expresses its concern regarding the spread of Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. It welcomes the swift release of emergency funds by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international and European partners enabling an immediate response, which includes epidemiological surveillance, contact tracing, clinical preparedness and an increase in laboratory capacity. The European Union has activated financial and logistical assistance, as in previous outbreaks, to support the work of the WHO, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and other first-line humanitarian and health responders in the coordination and delivery of urgent containment and response measures.
56. The European Council calls on the Council and the Commission to monitor the situation and its evolution, and as appropriate define and coordinate the related operational priorities.
57. Recent health crises, including the hantavirus crisis, underline the importance of strong global health governance and coordinated responses, including through the WHO. The European Council also stresses the added value of EU coordination instruments. The European Union and its Member States support the WHO in fulfilling its mandate to strengthen global emergency prevention, preparedness and response.
Armenia
58. The European Council commends the authorities of Armenia for having effectively safeguarded the integrity of the electoral process in line with democratic standards. In this regard, it condemns the sustained attempts by Russia to undermine democratic institutions and societal cohesion in Armenia through economic coercion, pressure, information manipulation and interference and persistent hybrid activities. The European Council reaffirms the European Union’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Armenia and supporting the country’s sovereignty, resilience, democratic institutions, economy and comprehensive reform agenda. The European Council welcomes the first ever EU-Armenia Summit held in Yerevan on 5 May 2026, and the signing of the EU-Armenia Connectivity Partnership. The deepening of EU-Armenia bilateral relations is an investment in peace, stability and prosperity in the South Caucasus and beyond.
Upholding international law
59. Recalling its March 2026 conclusions, the European Council reaffirms the European Union’s support for the institutions upholding international law, including by effectively protecting international courts and their officials from any threats or sanctions, and in this regard underlines the importance of unimpeded access to financial and other services.
Islands and coastal communities
60. The European Council takes note of the Commission Communications on an ‘EU strategy for islands’ and on an ‘EU strategy on resilient, prosperous and liveable coastal communities’.
European Semester
61. The European Council discussed the integrated country-specific recommendations on the basis of a horizontal note, thus allowing the conclusion of the 2026 European Semester.
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