My messages to our Gulf partners ↓

My invite to EU Leaders for an informal EUCO hosted by President Christodulides in Cyprus on 23-24 April. Our focus: ▫️Europe’s response to a challenging geopolitical environment. ▫️Preparing the ground for an agreement by the end of the year on the EU’s next long-term budget. link.europa.eu/NF4byR

In my meeting with President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, I expressed my gratitude for the assistance and attention given to the safety of the 200 000 EU citizens living in the UAE.

I am in Abu Dhabi ahead of a two-day tour of the UAE, KSA, and Qatar, today and tomorrow. I come with three messages for our Gulf partners: ▫️ We stand in full solidarity in the face of Iran’s indiscriminate, unjustifiable, and unlawful attacks.

Record turnout shows the democratic spirit of the Hungarian people. They have spoken—and their will is clear. I look forward to working closely with Péter Magyar to make Europe stronger and more prosperous.

Congratulations to Nizar Amedi for his election as President of the Republic of Iraq. This step should pave the way to government formation. Strong, stable state institutions are essential to addressing the serious challenges ahead and to preserving the progress achieved in recent years.

Statement by President Macron, PM Meloni, Chancellor Merz, PM Starmer, PM Carney, PM Frederiksen, PM Jetten, PM Sanchez, PM Mitsotakis, President of the European Commission @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu, @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu Costa 👇 link.europa.eu/DM4XKr

I welcome the announcement by the United States and Iran of a two-week ceasefire. I urge all parties to uphold its terms in order to achieve sustainable peace in the region. The EU stands ready to support ongoing efforts and remains in close contact with its partners in the region.

After five weeks of war in the Middle East, it is clear that only a diplomatic solution will settle its root causes.

At our last European Council, we agreed on a clear course of action to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and help our Union become more resilient and autonomous in a rapidly changing world. 👇

The current situation in the Middle East is extremely dangerous. Today, in my phone call with President Pezeshkian of Iran, I urged for de-escalation and restraint, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and the need for all parties to fully respect international law.

Good call today with the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif to hear his assessment on the Iran war, as well as the outcome of the recent consultations between the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye held in Islamabad.

The EU stands in solidarity with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in the face of continued Iranian airstrikes and drone attacks targeting civilians and infrastructure in the region. These attacks must stop immediately.

In my call today with President Herzog of Israel, I expressed the EU’s solidarity with the Israeli people in light of the daily attacks by Iran and Hezbollah. Such attacks must stop immediately.

The first-ever EU–Armenia summit will take place on 4-5 May in Yerevan. I look forward to meeting with PM Nikol Pashinyan 🇦🇲 Armenia is a close EU partner, and we look forward to deepening this relationship. www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...

Mauritania has become a good strategic partner for the EU. 🇲🇷 A fruitful first meeting with Mauritania’s President Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazouani here in Brussels.

The situation in Lebanon is appalling - with already more than 1.3 million internally displaced persons. I spoke with President Aoun to express the EU’s condolences for the loss of civilian lives and our solidarity and support for Lebanon and its people.

The current geopolitical context is putting our EU values to the test. Our response: to become one of the main driving forces of a network of multipolarity, in support of multilateralism, international law and the United Nations.

High energy prices are one of the biggest challenges to the EU’s competitiveness. Long term the solution is clear: decarbonisation and the acceleration of homegrown energy sources remains the right way forward to limit dangerous dependencies and lower energy prices in the long term.

Our ambitious “One Europe, One Market” agenda sets clear, concrete targets on EU competitiveness, with ambitious and measurable timelines, by the end of 2027 at the latest.

A pleasure to meet with Barham Salih following his recent appointment as UN High Commission et for Refugees. The EU is firmly committed to keep supporting the work of the #UNHCR across the globe, protecting people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.

Today we celebrate Greece’s Independence Day, a moment to honor the country’s history and enduring spirit. 🇬🇷 Ελευθερία και Δημοκρατία – Freedom and Democracy. Χρόνια πολλά σε όλους τους Έλληνες!

Honoré d’accueillir SAR le Grand Duc Guillaume V de Luxembourg, aujourd’hui à Bruxelles. En tant que pays fondateur de notre Union, Le Luxembourg incarne, par son engagement constant, la défense d’une Europe forte, unie et ouverte. Merci pour votre contribution précieuse à notre projet commun.

Australia is an important and long-standing ally of the EU. We stand together for multilateralism and the rules-based international order.

The EU needs to join efforts with countries that reject spheres of influence and want power politics to be kept in check by international law. Our strategic goal is clear: to create a new international balance through partnerships. Europe will be at the centre of solutions.

Un grand plaisir de rencontrer le Premier ministre Sébastien Lecornu, à Paris, pour échanger sur les principaux dossiers européens, à la suite d’un Conseil européen décisif pour notre compétitivité.

Global problems will not be solved by one power deciding alone. The EU’s answer to today’s geopolitical challenges is: 👇

Today, on the 10th anniversary of the horrific attacks in Brussels, we remember the victims, their loved ones, and all those affected. We remain vigilant in the face of all threats to our security and way of life. We will never give in to terror or violence.

Following a decisive #EUCO on competitiveness yesterday, it was good to take stock with Finland’s 🇫🇮 Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. We also discussed the EU’s continued support to Ukraine and the importance of further efforts on Europe’s defence.

High energy prices are one of the biggest challenges for the competitiveness of the European Union. We must become more autonomous by using our clean homegrown sources of energy. We need to take immediate action to protect our citizens.

With ECB President Lagarde and Eurogroup President Pierrakákis, we discussed the current economic situation as part of the #EuroSummit. In an increasingly uncertain global environment, strengthening the resilience of the euro area and deepening economic integration remain essential.

Standing together with António Guterres – for multilateralism, the rule of law and the principles of the UN Charter.

Today, as President @ZelenskyyUa joined us via VTC, we reaffirmed our steadfast support for Ukraine and our intention to increase pressure on Russia. #EUCO

Our focus today: concrete actions to enhance the EU's competitiveness, with clear timelines for speedy implementation. The current geopolitical context makes this objective even more urgent. My statement ahead of the European Council ↓

The EU stands in full solidarity with the people of Portugal following the devastating extreme weather events that struck the country recently. Today, the members of the #EUCO conveyed their solidarity and deepest condolences to PM Luís Montenegro and reaffirmed their support in this difficult time.

One of humanity’s greatest achievements was building a rules-based multilateral order anchored in the UN Charter and the United Nations.

A pleasure to welcome Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Andrey Gurov in Brussels, ahead of important European Council and Euro Summit meetings tomorrow.

A highly competitive social market economy that balances economic growth with social fairness is at the core of our Union. In the current climate of geopolitical a instability, we must do all we can to protect it. The role of social partners in that effort is essential.

Preparing for tomorrow’s #EUCO with @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu António Costa. From competitiveness to energy security, from Ukraine to Iran’s destabilising actions, Europe must stay united at home and strong across the globe. @europarl.europa.eu will play its part.

Montenegro is making good progress on its path to EU accession. Today another negotiations chapter was closed.

É com muito gosto que hoje dou as boas-vindas ao Presidente Daniel Chapo, de Moçambique, para uma reunião construtiva em Bruxelas.

Delighted to welcome President Daniel Chapo of Mozambique today for a constructive meeting in Brussels. We reaffirmed the strong partnership between the EU and Mozambique, and our commitment to invest in regional stability, sustainable connectivity and growth. 🇪🇺🤝🇲🇿

Statement with @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu on the Druzhba pipeline. link.europa.eu/H7PCP9

Today is the feast of Saint Patrick, the day we celebrate Ireland’s culture, history and diaspora. ☘️ Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine – we rely on each other. Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh go léir! 🇮🇪

A pleasure to welcome Denis Bećirović to Brussels on his first day as Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now is the time to move forward with accession reforms and implementation of the EU Growth Plan.

La France est en deuil après la mort de l’adjudant-chef Arnaud Frion, tombé en Irak lors d’une attaque près d’Erbil. Mes condoléances à sa famille, à ses frères d’armes et aux militaires blessés.

The unilateral decision by the US to lift sanctions on Russian oil exports is very concerning, as it impacts European security. Increasing economic pressure on Russia is decisive for it to accept a serious negotiation for a just and lasting peace.

The military escalation in the Middle East is causing global instability and its consequences are being felt in Europe. We must protect our citizens & our companies, while working towards de-escalation & focusing on our competitiveness agenda. My invitation to the March #EUCO link.europa.eu/mBHVVC

Thank you President Aliyev for your warm welcome in Baku. I’m looking forward to continue our work on a new framework for closer EU and Azerbaijan cooperation that reflects our joint vision for the future.

Thank you Emmanuel Macron for organising a call with G7 partners to discuss a coordinated response to the concerning situation in Iran and the Middle East. We are focused on minimising the impact on security and the global energy market.