19 Oct 2026
European Council adopts Conclusions on Negotiation Box for next MFF and other issues
On 15 and 16 October 2026, the European Council adopted Conclusions on competitiveness, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, the next multiannual financial framework, the Middle East, European defence and security, migration, enlargement and reforms and other items.
Amongst other issues, the Council "reviewed the implementation of the ‘One Europe, One Market’ agenda in line with the interinstitutional roadmap, and welcomed the progress already achieved on key proposals. At the same time, it calls for additional progress by the co legislators and Commission, both on the level of ambition and on the agreed timelines".
With regard to the next Multiannual Financial Framework, the Irish Council Presidency presented its updated draft Negotiating Box, and the European Council discussed the key elements needed for a balanced compromise. In its Conclusions, the European Council "invites its President to take the negotiations forward with a view to a timely agreement. An agreement before the end of 2026 would allow for the adoption of legislative acts in 2027, which is necessary to ensure that EU funding reaches beneficiaries without interruption in January 2028".
Research is also referred to in the Conclusions in the context of defence and security, where the Conclusions state that "Further efforts are also required to strengthen the European defence technological and industrial base, so that it is able both to support Europe’s defence readiness and to supply, at the necessary speed and scale, the priority equipment required to support Ukraine. This implies adapting and ramping up production capacities and delivering new technologies and innovation, through research, as well as ensuring resilient supply chains. This approach will also help boost European industrial and technological competitiveness, including for SMEs".
In his press conference following the Council meeting, Council President Antonio Costa announced that an informal Leaders’ meeting will be convened in Alden Biesen in Belgium (“Alden Biesen 2”) in early February 2027, in order to follow up two previous retreats on defence and competitiveness, to "take stock of progress and renew the political momentum".
The next regular European Council meeting will take place on 17/18 December 2026, preceded by an informal European Council meeting in Dublin on 13 November and a special meeting of the European Council on 26 and 27 November in Brussels.
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