Europe: European council news in Portugal

European Council seeks solutions to contain the war in the Middle East

European youth demand urgent meeting with Von der Leyen

30 organisations from 28 countries, including Portugal, are asking the Commission president to convene the Youth Advisory Council before the European Council in December.

Costa requests a “sufficiently ambitious” EU budget and an agreement by the end of the year

The President of the European Council, António Costa, defended this Wednesday a “sufficiently ambitious” long-term European Union (EU) budget that allows the community bloc to act, reiterating the goal of reaching an agreement by the end of the year. “The next multiannual financial framework is not a mere question of numbers. It is, essentially, a...”,

“Union support for Ukraine is as strong as ever”, guarantees António Costa at the European Council

António Costa, President of the European Council, told Zelensky that the EU will not ease sanctions on Russia and welcomed the progress in negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the EU.

Costa doing well but taking a bit of flak

Home News Costa doing well but taking a bit of flak Costa doing well but taking a bit of flak Several European leaders expressed their dissatisfaction with António Costa's conduct as President of the European Council at the recent summit in Brussels.

European Council. Montenegro supports joint gas purchases and strengthening European refining

The Prime Minister states that the problem with fuel prices lies not in oil purchasing markets, but in the price formation of the fuels themselves. At the end of the European Council, Luís Montenegro stated that Brussels is studying a joint approach to address the increase in gas prices.

Costa to be "lead negotiator" for EU budget following criticism of Irish proposal

European Council President António Costa will take on the role of lead negotiator for the EU's 2028-2034 multiannual budget, as he seeks to bridge the gap between member states after the Irish presidency's proposal faced widespread criticism. Costa must balance the demands of cohesion countries, who oppose proposed 8% budget cuts, and frugal member states, led by Germany, who argue the reductions do not go far enough. The objective remains to reach a political agreement by the end of the year to ensure the budget is ready by January 2028, despite potential political complexities, including upcoming Spanish elections.

António Costa to be the 'lead negotiator' for EU budget following criticism of Irish proposal

The opinion emerges among several European sources linked to the process.

Who is a letter to the world sent to?

This letter to the world has a closer recipient: the twenty-seven capitals that, within months, will decide whether António Costa remains at the head of the European Council. It is not idealism: it is a necessity. Opinion by Rodrigo Vaz

Ukraine needs 300 Patriots for the winter. Costa says it is "not impossible"

The United Kingdom will allow Ukraine to produce Storm Shadow missiles, but the decision does not resolve Kiev's greatest weakness: the lack of air defence. Zelensky requested 300 Patriot missiles to face the coming winter. António Costa admits a diplomatic effort to obtain them, but warns: “it is not a resolved issue”. The President of the European Council spoke exclusively to Expresso and SIC.

Costa accuses Russia of "desperation" and says Patriots are "not yet guaranteed"

European Council President António Costa accused Russia of “desperation” during his visit to Kyiv, noting that while it is possible for Ukraine to receive more Patriot missiles, their supply is not yet confirmed. Meanwhile, a coalition of European countries has pledged to urgently strengthen Ukraine's air defences as the nation celebrates its 35th anniversary of independence.

Two years of António Costa in Europe, with new mandate safe despite a “Michel-style error” in contact with Russia

This Saturday marks two years since the appointment of António Costa as President of the European Council. Over the last year and a half – his term only began on December 1, 2024 – the former Portuguese Prime Minister has already presided over about 30 summits (European and international), with a...

CM special envoy to Brussels explains what will happen on the second day of the European Council

Journalist Diogo Carreira reports that the European Union budget for Portugal will be discussed this Friday.

EU hails ‘new chapter’ as Magyar sworn in as Hungary’s prime minister

“We are ready to work with the new Hungarian government,” said European Council President António Costa, as Viktor Orbán left office.

António Costa describes the state of international relations as "growing disorder"

The President of the European Council pointed to an increasing violation of the post-war order in an increasingly multipolar world.

13 things we learned at the EU summit in Cyprus

From talks on Ukraine and defense to clever kids and digs at Viktor Orbán, here's POLITICO's rundown of the latest European Council.

Guinean civil society denounces Costa's “complicit relationship” with “dictator” Embaló

Organizations accuse the President of the European Council of a “conscious political act” that legitimizes “power associated with repression.” A spokesperson for Costa refused to comment on the accusations, confirming only that the meeting took place.

Hungary displayed "deeply worrying and deplorable" behaviour that "called into question the entire cohesion" of the European Council

João Albuquerque, an expert in European affairs, argues that the European Union “has been unyielding in the support it has always shown for Ukraine”, but points out that the implementation of this support has been limited given Hungary's stance.

The Fifth Corrosion

Last Thursday in Brussels, Viktor Orbán once again blocked the 90 billion euros in aid for Ukraine approved by the European Council in December. Using the Druzhba pipeline as leverage, Orbán claims Ukraine is responsible for repair delays following Russian attacks, turning energy infrastructure into a tool for institutional obstruction. This article argues that this behavior represents a 'fifth corrosion' of international law: a process where member states occupy European institutions from within to neutralize them, mirroring the transactional logic of the Kremlin and undermining the EU's role as a normative guarantor. With Hungarian elections approaching on April 12, the outcome will determine whether this internal erosion of democratic and international standards continues to paralyze the Union.

15 things we learned at the EU leaders’ summit

From the deadly serious issues of Iran and Ukraine to the more light-hearted matters of what you can do with a stick of celery, here's POLITICO's rundown of the latest European Council.

Montenegro convinced that loan to Ukraine will be approved "very quickly"

The Prime Minister expressed his conviction today that Hungary's blockade of the 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine will be overcome “very quickly”, noting that all parties have committed to repairing the Druzhba pipeline.

War in Iran: EU leaders insist that “a way out is needed, not an escalation”

Arriving at the European Council, Luís Montenegro called for diplomacy and said that Portugal has been trying to “raise awareness among all parties involved” about the need to return to negotiations.

EU braced for no deal on €90B Ukraine loan as Orbán refuses to budge

Thursday's European Council summit saw tempers flare at Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for blocking the loan.

War and energy impacts dominate European Council

The war in the Middle East, the risk of a new energy shock, and internal divisions are dominating the European Council.

Portugal has contacted “all countries that were targets of attacks by Iran”

Arriving at the European Council, Luís Montenegro reaffirmed the importance of supporting Ukraine. The Prime Minister stated that the crisis resulting from the Middle East conflict requires the European Union to have greater energy autonomy and reduced dependency for its businesses. Montenegro insisted that EU and NATO countries should contribute to ending the conflict through diplomatic negotiations. He also noted that Portugal has been using its diplomacy to encourage all parties to resume talks. Furthermore, Montenegro mentioned he would raise the economic impact of recent storms in Portugal, specifically Storm Kristin in the central region, with his colleagues and the European Commission.

European Council focuses on competitiveness without being able to ignore the war

The meeting's main theme is competitiveness. However, issues regarding Ukraine and the Middle East will certainly mark this Thursday's meeting of European heads of state and government.

European Council attempts to address high energy prices this Thursday

Portugal will be represented by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.

Another European Council overshadowed by a crisis. Energy and Kyiv set the agenda

The European Council this Thursday and Friday was intended to focus on European competitiveness, but the topic will be overshadowed by the impact of the war in Iran and its economic consequences, especially due to rising energy prices. And António Costa has pushed for greater urgency for the meeting, promising the joint approval of support measures.