Agenda highlights
EU leaders are meeting in Brussels for a two-day summit.
In the face of increasing geopolitical uncertainty, the leaders will focus on issues relating to the economy and on delivering answers to challenges to European competitiveness, including energy prices.
The leaders will also discuss the EU's long-term budget 2028-2034, continued support for Ukraine, hybrid attacks in Europe linked to Russia, migration, enlargement and reforms and the situation in the Middle East.
Invitation letter by President António Costa to the members of the European Council (press release, 8 October 2026)
The leaders will also review progress on the 'One Europe, One Market’ agenda, including its implementation in 2026 and 2027.
They will further discuss ways to reduce global macroeconomic imbalances that are affecting European industry.
In the context of EU enlargement, leaders will also take stock of Ukraine's progress towards EU accession
European defence readiness (background information)
EU migration and asylum policy (background information)
In that context, President Costa stressed in his invitation to leaders that the European Council's debate would highlight the ongoing work on the accession treaty with Montenegro and the aim of concluding negotiations by the end of 2026.
Preparing for a wider Union (European Commission press release, 6 October 2026)
Competitiveness and global economic challenges
On energy prices, EU leaders will provide guidance to the Commission on targeted and temporary short-term measures to alleviate the impact of high energy prices, protecting EU citizens and businesses. They will also discuss Europe's long-term strategy to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels.The leaders will also review progress on the 'One Europe, One Market’ agenda, including its implementation in 2026 and 2027.
We need to ensure that additional progress is made, so that the ambition at leaders' level – and the expectations that have been raised – are matched by concrete outcomes.
President Costa
They will further discuss ways to reduce global macroeconomic imbalances that are affecting European industry.
EU long-term budget 2028-2034
The EU's next long-term budget, the multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034, is the strategic instrument for building a Europe that is more prosperous, competitive and strategically autonomous.Achieving a timely agreement on the next MFF will be essential to provide our economies with the predictability and stability they need in an unstable and unpredictable world. That is what our farmers, our researchers, our regions, our companies and our citizens expect from the European Union.
President Costa
In that context, President Costa highlighted that, for the October European Council, discussions should focus on consolidating the key elements required to reach a final agreement by the end of 2026
Ukraine
Ukraine remains a key priority for the EU. At the meeting, leaders will discuss continued support for Ukraine, including the operational needs of its critical infrastructure ahead of the winter.In the context of EU enlargement, leaders will also take stock of Ukraine's progress towards EU accession
.EU solidarity with Ukraine
European security and defence
The leaders will discuss Russia's increasingly aggressive behaviour, including its hybrid attacks across Europe. They will take stock of progress on the EU's defence readiness agenda and discuss how to maintain momentum and accelerate work, including on addressing critical military capability gaps.European defence readiness (background information)
Migration
Leaders will hold a strategic discussion on migration. In his invitation letter, President Costa highlighted the fact that the EU's comprehensive approach on migration is working, as proven by a significant and sustained decrease in the number of irregular migrants. He also stressed the need to remain vigilant and prepared, to act in solidarity whenever member states face crisis situations and to continue to strengthen the EU's ability to respond to crises, including cases of instrumentalisation.EU migration and asylum policy (background information)
EU enlargement and reforms
The leaders will discuss the way forward on enlargement and reforms, taking into account the Commission's communication entitled 'Preparing for a wider Union'.In that context, President Costa stressed in his invitation to leaders that the European Council's debate would highlight the ongoing work on the accession treaty with Montenegro and the aim of concluding negotiations by the end of 2026.
Preparing for a wider Union (European Commission press release, 6 October 2026)
No comments:
Post a Comment