At a press conference following the European Council meeting of 18–19 June 2026, President of the European Council António Costa said EU leaders advanced work across long-term budget planning, competitiveness policy, security, and enlargement, stressing unity as the “common denominator” of discussions.
He said the EU was “a step closer to a new European budget from 2028 that matches our ambitions,” and highlighted guidance given to the European Commission on “how to make global economic competition fairer.” Costa described the opening of the first Ukraine accession negotiation cluster as an “historic milestone.”
Emphasising cohesion, he stated: “In all these areas, the common denominator was unity,” adding that it remains “a daily endeavour.” On economic resilience, he warned that “in the face of growing external pressures,” the EU must accelerate reform and become “more competitive and more autonomous.”
The published European Council conclusions reaffirmed unwavering support for Ukraine, including continued military, financial and humanitarian assistance, intensified sanctions on Russia, and development of security guarantees. Leaders also backed Ukraine’s EU accession progress and condemned Russian escalation and hybrid threats.
On the Middle East, the EU welcomed diplomatic efforts involving Iran, reiterated opposition to nuclear proliferation, and expressed grave concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank, reaffirming support for a two-state solution and international humanitarian law.
Further conclusions covered defence readiness by 2030, migration policy implementation, illicit drugs strategy, EU competitiveness reforms, and continued enlargement progress for Moldova and the Western Balkans.
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