Costa Sets Economy, Ukraine and Enlargement for EU Summit
European Council president's letter sets the 15-16 October 2026 summit agenda: economic guidance, Ukraine support, enlargement and Middle East talks.
The story in focus
European Council President António Costa's invitation letter sets the 15-16 October 2026 Brussels summit agenda: economic guidance, short-term energy price relief, the 2028-2034 budget framework, support for Ukraine, defence readiness, migration, enlargement and the Middle East.
- Costa asks leaders to guide the Commission on targeted, temporary measures to ease high energy prices.
- Leaders will seek to move closer to agreement on the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework by year-end.
- The summit will review Ukraine's operational needs and accession progress, plus defence readiness and migration.
Economic guidance and the 2028-2034 budget
In a letter dated 8 October, European Council President António Costa told EU leaders the 15-16 October meeting in Brussels will focus strongly on the economy, competitiveness and affordability. He asked leaders to give the Commission guidance on targeted and temporary measures to cushion high energy prices while keeping the strategy to cut reliance on fossil fuels.
Leaders will review the 'One Europe, One Market' competitiveness agenda alongside the European Parliament president, and hear Commission guidance on reducing global macroeconomic imbalances. Costa said the next Multiannual Financial Framework, for 2028-2034, enters a decisive phase in October and the meeting should bring leaders closer to the elements needed for a final agreement by the end of the year.
Ukraine, defence and Russia
Costa said Ukraine remains a key priority. Leaders will reaffirm support for Ukraine against Russia's war and hear from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on operational needs ahead of winter, given escalating attacks on critical infrastructure. They will take stock of Ukraine's accession progress and hope further clusters will by then have opened.
Leaders will also address what Costa described as increasingly reckless Russian behaviour, including hybrid attacks, and take stock of the defence readiness agenda, including critical military capability gaps.
Migration, enlargement and the Middle East
Strategic discussions will cover migration, where Costa cited a sustained fall in irregular arrivals under adopted EU legislation, and enlargement and reforms, fed by the Commission's 'Preparing for a wider Union' communication. He highlighted work on the accession treaty with Montenegro and the aim to conclude negotiations by year-end.
Leaders will return to the Middle East to assess developments and their impact on freedom of navigation and maritime security, which Costa called crucial for global supply chains, especially energy, fertilisers and food. The meeting opens at 10:00 on Thursday 15 October and is due to close with lunch on Friday 16 October.
When does the European Council meeting described in the letter take place?
The meeting opens at 10:00 on Thursday 15 October 2026 in Brussels and is due to conclude with lunch on Friday 16 October.
Sources & further reading
- European Council of 15-16 October 2026 - Invitation letter by President António Costa to the members of the European Council ↗consilium.europa.eu
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