Forward look: 13 - 26 October 2025 17:55 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.[...]

Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight.

Justice and Home Affairs Council (Justice), 13 October 2025

Justice ministers will gather in Luxembourg to discuss rule of law developments in the field of justice, the future of Eurojust and the fight against Russia's impunity regarding crimes committed in connection with the war in Ukraine.

Justice and Home Affairs Council (Home Affairs), 14 October 2025

Ministers of home affairs will hold an exchange about a draft law on a common system of returning illegally staying third country nationals, discuss the future of Frontex and hold a policy debate on the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and health emergency preparedness and response.

Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), 15 October 2025

The Foreign Affairs Council with defence ministers will exchange views on defence readiness.

Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Employment and social policy), 17 October 2025

EU equality ministers will meet in Luxembourg to discuss violence against women and domestic violence, discrimination against LGBTIQ persons, social inclusion of persons with disabilities, and ways to advance disability rights in the EU.

Foreign Affairs Council, 20 October 2025

The Council will exchange views on the Russian aggression against Ukraine, after a short intervention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha via videoconference. They will then hold discussions on EU-Indo-Pacific relations and the situation in the Middle East. They will also be informed about current affairs.

Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 20 October 2025

EU energy ministers will seek to agree on the REPowerEU regulation to phase out Russian gas and oil imports. Ministers will also exchange views on the role of electrification in EU's clean transition and on energy security and resilience in Ukraine and Moldova.

Environment Council, 21 October 2025

Ministers will seek to adopt two sets of Council conclusions: on the preparations for COP30 on climate change; and on the European water resilience strategy. At the same meeting, environment ministers will also exchange views on the environmental aspects of the European ocean pact.

General Affairs Council, 21 October 2025

Ministers for EU affairs will hold a policy debate on the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034 and take note of a progress report on omnibus simplification legislative packages. Ministers will also continue preparations for the October European Council and hold a hearing on the Article 7 procedure concerning Hungary. Over a working lunch, ministers will discuss the Commission's upcoming proposal on the European Democracy Shield.

European Council, 23-24 October 2025

EU leaders will discuss Ukraine, Middle East, European defence and security, competitiveness and twin transition, housing, and migration.

Other meetings