The agenda for next days will be marked by a European Parliament green week, with MEPs working in their constituencies and institutional activity mainly focused on the Council. No new European Commission proposals are currently scheduled, while three Council meetings — Transport, General Affairs and Competitiveness — and the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly in New York will be in focus.
Sunday 20 – Monday 21 September (Dublin). The informal meeting of EU Transport ministers will take place under the Irish Presidency. The meeting will bring together ministers, representatives of the European Commission and senior officials to discuss key challenges in European transport policy. The discussion will focus on the role of the transport network as the backbone of the single market and on how EU transport policy should evolve to support a safer, more resilient and more competitive Union. The informal format will also help prepare the formal Transport Council meeting scheduled for November.
Monday 21 – Friday 25 September (New York). The high-level week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly will take place in New York. The general debate will open on Tuesday 22 September under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all”. European Council President António Costa will address the General Assembly on behalf of the European Union on Thursday 24 September. Ahead of the high-level week, on Monday 21 September, Costa will co-host with Canada and Kenya the “Partners for multilateralism, international law, peace and prosperity” summit, dedicated to strengthening the multilateral system, promoting peace and fostering more inclusive prosperity. During the week, bilateral meetings and side events are also expected, including the sixth International Crimea Platform and the launch of the Ocean Eye International Alliance.
Tuesday 22 September. The General Affairs Council will meet, with an agenda centred on the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034, which will be discussed in public session. Ministers will also start preparations for the October European Council by examining an annotated draft agenda. In public session, the Commission will present its letter of intent on the EU’s legislative programming for 2027, followed by an exchange of views. The Council will also address the annual rule of law dialogue, with a horizontal discussion on general developments in the EU, as well as an exchange on the rule of law situation in selected candidate countries, including Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
Thursday 24 September. The Competitiveness Council will meet, with a policy debate on the Chips Act 2.0, presented by the Commission on 3 June 2026 and aimed at strengthening Europe’s semiconductor industry, reducing external dependencies and boosting domestic demand for chips. Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition Teresa Ribera Rodríguez will also update ministers on the review of the merger control guidelines, which is currently in its final phase. During the informal lunch, ministers will discuss how to embed economic security in EU competitiveness policy.
Also under the Competitiveness Council, the Irish Presidency will update ministers on the state of play of ongoing legislative proposals, including the Industrial Accelerator Act, the regulation on the 28th regime for company law (EU Inc.) and the regulation establishing the European Competitiveness Fund. The Commission will also provide an update on critical raw materials projects. Other items will include a possible European action plan for the household appliances sector, energy-intensive industries, the implementation of recommendations from the Critical Chemicals Alliance, extended producer responsibility under the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, the “de minimis” framework and the forthcoming European Product Act.
