European Union

The far-right party Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), a junior partner in the Czech coalition government led by Czech parliamentary speaker Tomio Okamura, has been fined by a Prague court for displaying election posters deemed to incite hatred. The judge ruled that the posters had stirred up hatred against refugees. Commentators debate the pros and cons of the judgement.

The French-Iranian artist Marjane Satrapi has died in Paris at the age of 56. She gained global renown for her autobiographical graphic novel Persepolis. In 2025 she was offered France's highest award, the Legion of Honour, but refused it. Satrapi was highly critical of France's refusal to grant visas to young Iranian dissidents and artists. The press pays tribute to the artist and her work.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, together with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will represent the EU at the 11th EU-Republic of Korea summit taking place in Brussels on 10 June 2026. President Lee Jae Myung will represent the Republic of Korea. The summit will be an opportunity to taking the EU-Republic of Korea strategic partnership forward in all its dimensions.

Approximate timing and press opportunities.

The Council approved a framework to implement the EU drugs strategy and endorsed an action plan aimed at reducing both drug use and drug trafficking.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

Council approves the opening of negotiations with the six Western Balkan partners with a view to extending the EU's Roam Like at Home (RLAH) area to them.

The Council adopted the fourth assistance measure under the EPF to support the Lebanese Armed Forces, bringing the support to the LAF to €182 million to date.

President Costa travelled to the Western Balkans to meet with regional leaders and co-chair the EU-WB Summit. On Thursday 4 June, he visited Belgrade and met with President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

President Costa travelled to the Western Balkans to meet with regional leaders and co-chair the EU-WB Summit. On Wednesday 3 June, he visited Pristina and met acting President, caretaker Prime Minister and with chairs of opposition political parties.

Member states’ representatives approved today the Council’s position on a proposal to establish the programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE).

The press briefing ahead of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council will take place on Thursday, 4 June 2026 at 15.00.