Ursula Von der Leyen and Antônio Costa
The new president of the European Council takes office on Sunday, with the intention of improving the institution’s working method during his two and a half years in office, namely by organizing retreats for leaders.
European source said that António Costa has the improvement of the working method of the European Council as one of its objectives, introducing, with its debut at the next summit, the format of taking place only on one day, in this case, on December 19th.
To this end, the former prime minister wants to reinforce the powers of Coreper (which brings together the ambassadors of the 27 member states and prepares summit conclusions) and introduce meetings in the form of leaders’ retreats, for debates “without the pressure of conclusions, of immediate results” and with small delegations.
Costa’s political priorities range from Ukraine to enlargement (maintaining merit as a yardstick for entering the European bloc), including competitiveness, defense, migration, financing (namely the Multiannual Financial Framework) and the current geopolitical context.
In an interview with the newspaper Politico, the former prime minister, of Goan-Mozambican descent, said that his Indian heritage will help him lead one of the most important institutions in the European Union, especially in redefining Europe’s relationship with Asia, Africa and South America.
Still regarding working methods, Costa intends to hold meetings with Ursula von der Leyen every two weeks and meet regularly with Metsola and also with the Conference of EP Presidents. Working meetings with the leaders of the Regions and Economic and Social committees are also in the Council leader’s plans.
The first retreat is scheduled for February, in Belgium, dedicated to the theme of Defense and in which the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmerand the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte. The agenda for next week of the new leader of the European Council already includes, on Monday, a meeting with the presidents of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyenand the European Parliament (EP), Roberta Metsolaat her invitation.
On the 4th, Costa speaks at the Economic and Social Committee. A summit between the European Union and the Western Balkans is scheduled for December 18th, followed, on the 19th, by the first formal meeting of the European Council, which should now be in a single-day format.
