Costa says EU migration pact fully applies as leaders push competitiveness, Ukraine support
European Council President António Costa told the European Parliament plenary session that EU leaders are focusing on competitiveness, the next multiannual financial framework, Ukraine and migration policy. He said the message from the European Council is that Europe is strengthening its competitiveness while remaining united in defending its interests and values.
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Costa said the EU has made progress since the informal meeting in Alden Biesen in February on its "one Europe, one market" programme. He said the bloc has cut red tape, removed burdens and taken steps toward a genuine capital markets union.
He described the agreement on the market integration and supervision package as an important milestone. He said the EU now needs to speed up work on "EU Inc", described as the 28th regime for companies, and to achieve the specific objectives already set within established deadlines.
He said the next step is to maintain high ambition while keeping the reform drive moving. He added that he will convene a second meeting in Alden Biesen in early February 2027 to bring leaders together to review progress on competitiveness and defence and renew their political commitment to delivering results.
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Costa said the cost of energy is central to the effort. He said households and businesses are paying the price for a war far beyond Europe's borders, and that since the start of the war in the Middle East the cost of imported fossil fuels has risen by EUR 106 billion, without any additional molecule of energy being produced.
He said the EU needs a coordinated response that combines immediate measures with structural solutions. In the short term, he said the EU must ease pressure on households and businesses.
He referred to measures presented by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the European Parliament and said there is also a coordinated G7 release of 100 million barrels of oil and diesel. He said the European Council has asked the Commission to examine and propose further short-term measures where necessary.
Costa argued that emergency action alone cannot solve the structural problem. He said Europe must reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels through affordable energy produced in Europe, including renewables or nuclear, increased electrification and modernised electricity grids.
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He said 80 gigawatts of renewable capacity were installed last year, while six times more capacity was still waiting to be connected. He called for finalisation of the European grids package, faster investment and urgent progress on modernising the ETS system.
On trade, he said competitiveness also requires fair and rules-based trade, and that the EU continues to expand a vast network of trade agreements. He said the EU's strategy is to engage partners in results-oriented dialogue and noted unity among the 27 member states.
Costa said he wanted to congratulate Commissioner Šefčovič on results achieved in dialogue with China, adding that the EU needs to continue work not only on cars but also on other industrial sectors. He said the EU must speed up diversification of trade, pursue dialogue leading to concrete results and strengthen trade defence instruments through the toolbox of defensive measures given to the Commission.
On the budget, he said negotiations on the EU's long-term budget are entering a decisive phase and that the EU remains set on reaching agreement by the end of this year. He said he had a productive exchange with the European Parliament's contact group on the budget last week before the European Council meeting, and praised the Irish presidency for moving the process forward.
He said the next multiannual financial framework is a political choice about the Europe the EU wants to build and its capacity to act. He said the EU needs an ambitious budget while keeping national contributions at a reasonable level, and that progress is needed on an ambitious package of new own resources.
On Ukraine, Costa said the EU's determination to support Ukraine and its people is stronger than ever. He said almost EUR 16 billion has already been disbursed this year under the defence component of the Ukraine support loan, and that a further EUR 17 billion can still be disbursed this year as budgetary support if the necessary reforms are put in place.
He said the EU and its member states already account for 80% of the external aid provided to Ukraine, and that international partners need to step up their efforts too. Costa said peace efforts must be matched by sustained pressure on the aggressor, and said Russia's actions continue to be emblematic of escalation.
He cited Russia's hybrid campaigns, including acts of sabotage and repeated violations of European airspace and territorial waters, and said the security of Ukraine and Europe are inextricably linked. He said the EU will speed up implementation of its defence strategy and strengthen protection of citizens and critical infrastructure, while pursuing a just and lasting peace that respects Ukraine's sovereignty, security and path toward EU membership.
On migration, Costa said the EU's common approach is bearing fruit. He said irregular border crossings have decreased significantly and that the pact on migration and asylum is now fully applicable.
He said implementation must continue, that external borders must be strengthened and returns made more effective, and that the EU must prepare for situations in which state or non-state actors deliberately instrumentalise migration. He said a European emergency response framework could help member states respond quickly, and that the Commission will work with member states to put forward a proposal.
