Conclusions By President António Costa Following The Informal Meeting Of The Members Of The European Council On 22nd January 2026.

January 2026: European Union leaders have discussed recent developments in transatlantic relations and their implications for the EU on 22nd January 2026, while coordinating the path forward.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, summed up the leaders’ discussions in a speech following the meeting. At the outset, President Costa has voiced that,

“The European Union and the United States have long been partners and allies. We have built a transatlantic community forged by history, anchored in common values, and dedicated to the prosperity and security of our peoples. We believe that relationships between partners and allies should be managed in a cordial and respectful way”.

On Greenland: the EC President have reiterated that, the EU and the US have a shared interest in the Arctic region, notably working through NATO, and that the EU will play a stronger role in the region.

In this context, he further emphasised that Denmark and Greenland have the full support of the EU and that only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning them. He also reiterated the EU’s commitment to the principles of:

• international law,
• territorial integrity,
• national sovereignty.

These principles are essential for Europe and the international community, while guiding EU’s action.

On EU-US Trade: President Costa welcomed the announcement that there will be no new US tariffs on Europe, stating that the imposition of additional tariffs would have been incompatible with the EU-US trade deal.

He stressed the importance of moving forward on implementing the deal, with the aim of stabilising trade relations between the EU and the US. At the same time, he stressed that the EU will continue to stand up for itself and defend its interests against any form of coercion, and that it has the power and the tools to do so if and when necessary.

He reaffirmed that the EU wants to continue to engage constructively with the United States on all issues of common interest, including creating the conditions for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

On Board Of Peace: “We have serious doubts about a number of elements in the charter of the Board of Peace related to its scope, its governance and its compatibility with the UN Charter”. Further adding to this context, President Costa stressed that the EU is ready to work together with the US on implementing the comprehensive peace plan for Gaza, with the Board of Peace carrying out its mission in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2803.

The European Council welcomes the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 on the establishment of the Board of Peace and of a temporary International Stabilisation Force, as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.

It calls on all parties to implement the Resolution in its entirety, and in line with relevant international political and legal principles. It recalls the need to stabilise the security environment in Gaza, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2803, including by ensuring the permanent decommissioning of weapons from Hamas and other non-state armed groups.

In this context, the European Council reaffirms the EU’s strong commitment to international law and to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution in accordance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side-by-side in peace within secure and recognised borders. The European Union will contribute to all efforts towards this solution.

The European Union is committed to contributing to this implementation, including through an enhanced mandate for the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah) and the European Union Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS), as well as through engagement in the Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC). It stands ready to support the establishment of the Board of Peace and will actively engage with partners on the next steps.

On Strategic Autonomy: President Costa reiterated that the EU is focused on strengthening its defence and competitiveness to build a more autonomous Europe. In this context, he referred to the informal retreat of EU leaders on 12th February, which will take the form of strategic brainstorming on strengthening the EU single market in a new geoeconomics context.

Established in 1993, the EU single market is one of the EU’s greatest achievements. It enables the free movement of goods, services, people and capital known as the ‘four freedoms’ across all EU member states. Over the space of three decades, the single market has grown from 12 to 27 participating EU countries. Today, the EU’s 27 member states, along with Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, form a stable and unique regional bloc.

The single market is making citizens’ lives much easier. They can live, work, do business, study and retire wherever they want in the EU. Approximately, 17 million people live or work in an EU country other than their own. In addition, 1.8 million cross-border workers, whether for career development, education or personal reasons, EU citizens can move seamlessly across borders, contributing to a dynamic and integrated region.

The single market, culminates consumers benefit from services and products at competitive prices and can shop online without geographical restrictions. Non-EU countries need to meet those high standards when selling their products in the EU, which also means that the single market promotes protection from environmental hazards, and other EU values worldwide. They also have access to a wide variety of safe and environmentally-friendly products and services.

The single market stimulates trade, as it makes the EU a more important trading partner at global level. It fuels growth and competition and creates opportunities for EU companies and SMEs, giving them access to a domestic market of 450 million consumers. 32 million businesses in the EU; 100 million people are employed in SMEs.

Team Maverick.