EU Council Highlights: Key Meetings and Events (January 2026)

• 9 January 2026

Forward look: 12 – 25 January 2026

Overview of the main subjects to be discussed at meetings of the Council of the EU over the next two weeks and upcoming media events.

• 9 January 2026

Statement by the Eurogroup President on the nominations for the post of ECB Vice-President

President of the Eurogroup, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, issued a statement on the nominations for the post of ECB Vice-President.

• 9 January 2026

EU-Mercosur: Council greenlights signature of the comprehensive partnership and trade agreement

The Council adopted the decisions authorising the signature of the EU-Mercosur Partnership and Interim Trade Agreements, advancing political cooperation, trade partnership and sustainable development between the EU and Mercosur.

• 9 January 2026

President von der Leyen travels to the Middle East promoting cooperation, prosperity and stability in the region

European Commission News Brussels, 09 Jan 2026   Following the presentation of the Pact for the Mediterranean last November, President Ursula von der Leyen visited the Middle East, traveling to Jordan, Syri…

• 9 January 2026

New Publication: Report on Jean Monnet Cluster Meeting for schoolteachers

EACEA has published a new report on the Reality of EU in pupils’ daily life.

• 9 January 2026

Weekly schedule of President António Costa

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 12 January – 18 January 2026.

• 9 January 2026

Portugal: Guimarães receives advisory support from the EU to accelerate sustainable mobility and climate neutrality

The municipality of Guimarães has signed an advisory agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB), funded by the European Commission to support the city’s transition towards climate neutrality. The agreement was acknowledged during the official ceremony marking Guimarães’ designation as…

• 9 January 2026

Opening remarks by President António Costa at the meeting with President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun

European Council President António Costa and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen met with the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, in Beirut, Lebanon, as part of the official visit to Lebanon on 9 January 2026.

• 9 January 2026

Statement by President von der Leyen on the Council’s decision to endorse the EU-Mercosur trade agreement

European Commission Statement Brussels, 09 Jan 2026 With 2026 just underway, today Europe has sent a strong signal that we are serious about our priorities. On our commitment to Europe’s competitiveness and creat…

• 9 January 2026

Opening remarks by President António Costa at the meeting with President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa

European Council President António Costa and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen met with the President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus, Syria, as part of the official visit to Syria on 9 January 2026.

Source: European Union