EU agenda - Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay

This week, defence ministers discuss EU military support for Ukraine, defence readiness and the situation in the Middle East; education ministers look to approve a partial negotiating mandate on the Erasmus+ regulation for 2028-2034; culture ministers discuss the EU’s work plan for culture for 2027-2030; and the European Parliament unveils the three European laureates of this year’s Charlemagne Youth Prize.

Costa - Tusk - Photo © European Union 2025

Poland took over the presidency of the EU on 1 January promising to strenthen European security in its external, internal, information, economic, energy, food, and health dimensions.

Ursula von der Leyen - Photo © European Union 2024 - EP

The European Parliament gave formal approval Wednesday to the new team and programme of EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, with her College of Commissioners expected to take office on 1 December.